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People can abuse reason when they demand proof from God, pope says

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Work: An Opportunity for People to Transform to Reality

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Ugnayan

The News Supplement for Couples for Christ

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The Cross

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

Eco group supports motion for reconsideration on Ortega murder case

ENVIRONMENTALISTS support the move of the family of the late environmental advocate, Dr. Gerry Ortega to appeal the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to exclude former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes from the roster of suspects in the Ortega murder case.
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July 4 - 17, 2011

Vol. 15 No. 14

Php 20.00

PCSO donations are used for social services, says prelate

BELYING the accusation by the Philippine Charity Sweepestakes (PCSO) that he received an SUV for personal use, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo stressed that his request for assistance from the agency was for the use of the social action apostolate and not his own. In a statement, the archbishop said he has never requested PCSO for a vehicle for his personal use, but admitted that he indeed asked the agency for a vehicle for their social action program meant to help the poor in the diocese. Quevedo said the request was for a vehicle they can use for community organizing at the grassroots, capacity building, training of Indigenous Peoples leaders, as well as to bring sick people to hospitals when necessary. He lamented that the Catholic bishops are seemingly being singled out for asking donations from PCSO for projects that are meant to help the poor. Asking assistance from PCSO to help the poor is not something unusual as it has been done for years, Quevedo said. Since the time of former President Corazon Aquino up to present, the government agency has been granting assistance to various Church-related organizations in support of their social programs and poverty alleviation projects. Earlier, PCSO Director Margarita Juico has disclosed that at least 7 Catholic bishops had received SUVs amounting to several millions from former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through PCSO. Juico has said that the bishops are criminally liable for receiving donations from the PCSO as the Constitutions prohibit any government agency to appropriate public funds to favor a particular religion or religious group But former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, in a Manila forum held June 5 said the burden of proof lies on the giver and not on the receiver. The PCSO officials should be held li-

able for disbursing government funds instead of the bishops, who merely received the donations, he said. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, also echoed the same sentiment saying the bishops did not commit a criminal offense by receiving donations from the governments charitable arm. He stressed that there is no law in the land that says receiving donations from PCSO is a criminal act. Macalintal added that if giving donaPCSO / A6

By Roy Lagarde

Bishop hits SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita

we are with them. Voting 6-4, the high court revoked the SDO in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to hold a new referendum in the sugar estate. The magistrates in a 90-page decision penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco requested DAR to report its compliance 6 months after the finality of the SC decision. We are not happy, of course. It is very saddening especially since it will be returned to the people for a referendum, said Fr. Edu Gariguez, Nassa executive secretary. It is like they do not want to be blamed for anything. It is the SCs job to resolve the issue. It appears that they failed to do it, he said. Pabillo said the decision is a blow to farmer-beneficiaries who had been dreaming of tilling their own lands. He said the ruling is also a huge setback to the countrys Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with extension and reform (CARPer).
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A CATHOLIC bishop deplored the Supreme Court ruling on the disputed Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac owned by the family of President Benigno Aquino III.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, head of the CBCP National Secretariat Social Action, questioned why there is a need for another referendum when the SC has already ruled against the 1989 stock distribution option (SDO) deal of the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. What we are asking from the Supreme Court is to uphold whether SDO is valid or not. If its not valid, then why call for another referendum, Pabillo said. The decision would only let the Cojuangcos to still have full control of the land while the farmers have none, he said. The farmers are really sad and

Bishops to elect new CBCP officials

MEMBERS of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will gather to elect their new president this week. The bishops from the countrys 86 dioceses will also vote their new vice president and members of the CBCP permanent council representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The election will take place during the CBCPs 103rd plenary assembly to be held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila on July 9-11. Pope Benedict XVI, meanwhile, has assured his spiritual closeness with the Philippine bishops. In a message relayed through the Nunciature, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone conveyed to CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the popes prayers for a fruitful gathering. His holiness prays that this time for reflection and

UP students mount silent protest vs RH

IT was a silent protest, but it looks like the demonstration carried out by some University of the Philippines (UP) students showed conviction to go against the grain in a campus that had been dismissed as simply going with the flow as far as support for a proposed birth control measure is concerned. The students, part of a growing group dubbed UP Against RH, had been handing out around campus information materials revealing the truth about the Reproductive Health (RH) bill for a few days up to a July 1 march conducted by RH supporters. They also tied red ribbons around trees and lamp posts and stuck the ubiquitous No to RH bill stickers in some parts of the campus to demonstrate the presence of the pro-life voice in what had been previously perceived as an RH-supporting university. The silent protest culminated in red-garbed students walking with red balloons toward a crowd gathered at the steps fronting Palma Hall, one of the universitys main buildings, for
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renewed dedication in the service of the Gospel will bear abundant fruit for the Church and the society, Bertone said. He encourages the bishops in their efforts in defense of the value of each human life, of the sacredness of marriage, and of the family, he added. Odchimar of Tandag and vice president Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu are both serving their first terms. The president and the vicepresident are elected for twoyear terms and may serve for a maximum of two terms. By tradition, they are reelected for their second and last term. In CBCP history, members of the permanent council enjoy four cumulative terms in office, with the vice president normally succeeding the president when his term expires. The permanent council acts for and in behalf of the CBCP when the plenary assembly
Elect / A6

THE media office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has re-launched its CBCP online radio with more programs aimed to further serve Filipinos here and abroad. Several new programs are being produced in coordination with several government agencies and key personalities in business and politics. Among the programs scheduled to be begin this month are Sagot

Media office re-launches online radio

License of pastors in gay wedding may be revoked bishop

THE authority to solemnize a marriage of pastors behind the recent same-sex mass wedding in Baguio City may be revoked, a Catholic prelate said. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz believes that administering in a same-sex wedding goes against the merit of a priest or ministers authority to solemnize a marriage. Such authority is issued by the National Statistics

Ko Yan in coordination with the Office of the Civil Registrar General and National Statistics Office; Batas ng Bayan in cooperation with the Public Attorneys Office; Business Bits with Manila Bulletin VP Melito Salazar and several others. The occasion also provided a venue to recognize partners who have supported the media offices recent project, the Visita Iglesia
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Money, political clout set tone for N.Y. debate over same-sex marriage
whatever it took and an extremely determined governor willing to do anything to get his way. Thats not something the church can compete with, he added in a telephone interview from the conferences headquarters in Albany, N.Y. We dont have money to throw around and even if we did, it wouldnt be permitted. Poust also said there were all sorts of backroom deals and promises to senators who voted to support same-sex marriage, as well as pledges by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to open up the pocketbooks for those legislators. There was a lot of arm twisting, a lot of cajoling, he said. In a message to Catholic New Yorkers after the vote, the heads of the eight New York dioceses thanked the legislators and citizens who worked for defeat of the legislation. We know the pressure that was brought to bear on them, and we admire their courage and yours in attempting to defend marriage and protect religious freedom, the bishops said. Many surely believed that Catholics would simply shrug their shoulders and go along with this radical act of social engineering. Yet you did not do that. The bishops expressed particular disappointment with those elected officials who publicly profess fidelity to our Catholic religion but whose public stance is at odds with a fundamental teaching of that faith. Among those voting in favor of samesex marriage was Republican Sen. Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo, N.Y., who said on the Senate floor that as a Catholic I was raised to believe marriage is between a man and a woman. But he said he would not respect myself if I did not make an informed decision based on the information before me, and had ultimately concluded that I cannot deny anyone in my district and across New York the same rights I have with my wife. Poust said the New York bishops have expressed frustration with Catholic legislators who say they are personally opposed to same-sex marriage but feel compelled to vote for it anyway. The idea that you can claim to be a faithful Catholic and take a position that is at the opposite extreme of what the church teaches is no longer acceptable, he said. Passage of the same-sex marriage legislation prompted Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn to direct Catholic schools in his diocese to refuse any distinction or honors bestowed by Cuomo or by any legislator that voted for same-sex marriage and to tell pastors and principals not to invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration. Poust said he did not expect adoption of a similar policy statewide, but it will continue to be a diocesan bishops call about what to do in his own diocese. The legislation exempts any clergy members who decline to perform same-sex weddings and protects any employee being managed, directed or supervised by or in conjunction with a

World News

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 -17, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2011It was a fight involving an age-old definition of marriage, with several Catholics playing key roles. But in the end, the effort to stop a same-sex marriage bill in the New York Legislature came down to money and political favorsneither of which were at the disposal of Catholic leaders and their allies working to keep the traditional view that marriage can only be between one man and one woman. Money talked in this case, said Dennis Poust, director of communications

for the New York State Catholic Conference, in an interview with Catholic News Service. By a 33-29 vote late June 24, the state Senate approved legislation making same-sex marriage legal in New York state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat and a Catholic, signed it into law later that evening. Poust said the strategy used by proponents of the legislation was very simplemillions and millions of dollars from wealthy gay-rights advocates from all over the country, a billionaire mayor in New York City willing to spend

religious corporation, benevolent order or a not-for-profit corporation. It also says failure to provide samesex ceremonies would not result in any state or local government action to penalize, withhold benefits, or discriminate against such religious corporation, benevolent order, a not-for-profit corporation operated, supervised or controlled by a religious corporation. When the law takes effect, probably in late July, New York will become the sixth state to permit same-sex marriage, more than doubling the number of people for whom same-sex marriage will be an option. It currently is allowed in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, in addition to the District of Columbia. Renewed efforts to pass same-sex legislation or place the issue before voters are expected in Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine, Oregon, Delaware, Minnesota, North Carolina and elsewhere. Meanwhile, despite what they called a sad moment in our states history, the New York bishops and their representatives at the Catholic conference will continue to work with Cuomo and the Legislature on behalf of the poor and vulnerable, the unborn and Catholic school parents, among others, Poust said. We cant afford to cut off relations with legislators or with the governor because we have other fights to fight, he said. There are many more issues of grave concern to us. So well just get up and brush ourselves off and continue on. (CNS)

Vatican Briefing
Pope to hear confessions at WYD

Holy See rejects Leshan bishop

HONG KONG, Hong Kong, July 4, 2011The Holy See has released today a firm-stance statement against the episcopal ordination of Father Paul Lei Shiyin in Leshan diocese, southwestern Sichuan province, who was ordained without apostolic mandate on June 29. The 4-point statement declares Father Lei has incurred the penalty of Canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law, and the seven consecrating bishops have also exposed themselves to the same grave canonical sanctions. The Holy See does not recognize Father Lei as the Bishop of Leshan diocese, and he has no authority to govern the diocesan community, the statement says, adding that the ordination was a unilateral act and has sown division and produced rifts and tensions in the Catholic community in China. If it is desired that the Church in China be Catholic, the Churchs doctrine and discipline must be respected, the statement said. The pope is deeply saddened by the case, which has damaged the unity of the Church, the document states, adding however that the pope wishes to send a word of encouragement and hope to his beloved faithful in China and invite them to prayer and unity. The Leshan ordination was the first case since the Holy See issued a declaration on the correct application of the canonical penalty of excommunication for unapproved bishop ordinations on June 11. (UCAN)

Benedict XVI will hear the confessions of several young people when he is in Madrid this August for World Youth Day. The pope will hear confessions in the Jardines del Buen Retiro and then celebrate a 10 a.m. Mass for seminarians in the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena on August 21. The Holy Father will arrive in Madrid, Aug. 19. (Zenit)
Pope praying for AIDS victims and missionary sisters in July

Vatican newspaper is at service of truth, justice, pope says

The popes newspaper is a paper of information and ideas at the service of truth and justice, Pope Benedict XVI said. LOsservatore Romano, therefore, must continue to put focus on important issues of the day like bioethics and on womens perspectives, ecumenism and relations with Jews, the pope said. The pope praised the Vatican paper as one of the privileged instruments at the service of the Holy See and the church, in a written message marking the papers 150th anniversary. (CNS)
Pope to Indian bishops: Promote unity in charity

Bishops are called not only to teach, sanctify and govern their flocks, but also to promote unity and to mould his flock into one family, says Benedict XVI. The Pope reflected on the duty of a bishop to promote unity upon receiving in audience June 17 Group IV of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India during their ad limina visit. By the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, he began, you are set over Gods people as pastors, and you are called to teach, sanctify and govern the local Churches. (Zenit)
Vatican City State and Holy See back in the financial black

The Vatican City State ran up a surplus of $30 million over the past year, after three years of deficit. The figure was revealed in financial results published July 2. Both the excellent performance of the Vatican Museums thanks especially to the increase in visitors, which runs against the current worldwide trend in the tourism industry and the upswing in financial markets contributed to this positive result, the report noted. (CNA)
Pope says selfish economic models at root of world hunger

ROME, Italy, July 4, 2011The Fourth of July is an opportunity to reflect on the American founders Christian vision of the human person and the influence of Spanish missionaries in bringing Christianity to the land, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles said in a call for a new evangelization. Although it was founded by Christians, America has become home to an amazing diversity of cultures, religions and ways of life, the archbishop wrote in his July 1 column for his archdiocesan newspaper The Tidings. This diversity flourishes precisely because our nations founders had a Christian vision of the human person, freedom, and truth. It is a basic American belief that men and women are created equal with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This vision is part of the legacy of Bl. Junipero Serra and his fellow missionaries, said the archbishop.

Archbishop Gomez reflects on Americas Christian roots for July 4th

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The Vatican announced June 30 that Pope Benedict will be praying in July for victims of AIDS and religious women in mission territories. The Popes general intention is that Christ may ease the physical and spiritual sufferings of those who are sick with AIDS, especially in the poorest countries. His mission intention is that religious women in mission territories may be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel and living signs of the love of Christ. (CNA)

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Pope Benedict XVI said persistent world hunger was a tragedy driven by selfish and profit-driven economic models, whose first victims are millions of children deprived of life or good health. In responding to the crisis, international agencies should rediscover the value of the family farm, promoting the movement of young people back into rural areas, the pope said July 1 in an address to participants in an annual conference on hunger organized by the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. (CNS)
Pope launches appeal for refugees

Benedict XVI launched for an appeal for the dignified treatment of refugees on the eve of the UNs World Day for Refugees. Speaking June 19 after celebrating Mass in the Olympic Stadium of Serravalle, at the beginning of his oneday pastoral visit to the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro, the Pope appealed to civil authorities and all people of good will to guarantee a welcome and dignified living conditions for refugees, until they can freely and safely return to their homeland. (Zenit)

HANDAN, China, July 4, 2011 Two priests disappeared on Saturday in Handan (Hebei) after meeting officials from the Religious Affairs Office. Sources close to AsiaNews said that the two, who hold important offices in the diocese, wanted to know about the situation of their bishop-designate, who disappeared before his episcopal ordination. The two priests are Fr. Huai Jianting, chancellor, and Fr. Liu Xiuhua, a member of the presbyteral council. After two days, nothing is known about them or about Fr. Sun Jigen, coadjutor bishop-designate, sources in Handan told AsiaNews. Msgr. Yang Xiangtai, the 89-

Catholics pray for the return of two priests, seized like their bishop-designate, in Handan
year-old ordinary bishop who had suffered a heart attack when he heard about his successors disappearance, is now doing better. Fr. Suns ordination was set for 29 June, feast day of Saints Peter and Paul; however, he was taken into custody by police on 26 June. His ordination was thus cancelled (see Jian Mei, Hebei: ordination of Handan bishop cancelled, it had Holy See approval, in AsiaNews. 27 June 2011). On the day of his ordination, police surrounded the church were the ceremony was to take place as well as all streets leading to it. On Saturday, Fr. Huai was asked by local Religious Affairs officials to discuss matters relating to Fr. Sun, sources told AsiaNews. The priest went to meet them. Eventually, he was seized and the diocese lost all contact with him. Towards 6 p.m. on the same day, Religious Affairs officials also called Fr. Liu and asked him to come and see them. Their meeting ended at 10 pm, and when he left the building, he was seized by a group of men who forced him into a van and drove away. The dioceses car was left waiting for him outside. Only later did Handan Catholics learn that Chongtai District police had seized him.

Serra, a Franciscan priest who lived from 1713 to 1784, founded the first nine of the 21 California missions. He is buried at Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel, California. Archbishop Gomez, who wrote his column from Rome after receiving the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI, said American Catholics need to see that the July 1 memorial of Bl. Junipero

Serra and the Fourth of July belong together. Americas story starts with those Spanish missionaries. Our national character and identity are deeply marked by the Gospel values they brought to this land, he said, noting the many places named in Spanish for saints, sacraments and other objects of faith. The Mass was being cel-

ebrated here years before the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, he said, deeming this missionary legacy to be part of the identity of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. California was among the first outposts for the evangelization of America. California must now become a leader in the new evangelization of our country, the archbishop wrote. Participants in the new evangelization should bring the signs of Gods love to Los Angeles and to the world. The archbishop cited Bl. Juniperos comments that Missions will provide this country with what is most important the light of the Holy Gospel. The light of the Gospel is still what is most important for America. For that, our country needs each one of us to be missionaries, concluded Archbishop Gomez, who asked Catholics to pray for the moral and spiritual renewal of the United States. (CNA)

Catholics in the local and other dioceses have called on the faithful to pray for the safe return of the three men who disappeared. Meanwhile, the Voice of Americas Chinese Service reported on 30 June that Liu Bainian, honorary president of Chinas Patriotic Association and bishops college, said they did not receive any report concerning Fr. Sun of Handan. Since Fr. Sun was elected candidate as coadjutor bishop of Handan, the bishops college was studying his case but has not officially approved him. In addition, Fr. Sun has not been detained, Liu said. (Asia News)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

News Features

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People can abuse reason when they demand proof from God, pope says
VATICAN City, June 30, 2011While empirical science has done much to further progress, subjecting God and his truth to scientific scrutiny represents an incorrect and despotic use of human reason, Pope Benedict XVI said. How reason, truth and faith interconnect has always sparked debate throughout history, the pope said June 30 during an award ceremony in the frescocovered Clementine Hall in the Apostolic Palace. The pope gave three European theologians the Ratzinger Prize for their excellence in theological studies: Manlio Simonetti, an 85-year-old Italian professor and expert in ancient Christian studies and patristic biblical interpretation; Father Olegario Gonzalez de Cardedal, a 76-yearold Spanish priest and professor of dogmatic and fundamental theology; and Cistercian Father Maximilian Heim, a 50-year-old German theologian and abbot of the Heiligenkreuz monastery in Austria. The pope used the occasion to talk about the significance and the challenges surrounding theology. He noted the important contributions theology has made, but warned that theology must not only be concerned with the past as that would leave the faith today in darkness. Nor must theologians only look at psychological or sociological studies leaving faith on the wayside as that would strip theology of meaning and a solid foundation, he added. Though studying the past and understanding human and social sciences are important in theology, the pope said the real question at stake is: Is what we believe in true or not? In theology the question of truth is at play: truth is its ultimate and essential foundation. Christ is the truth, and people can and must know him through reason, he said. From here one understands that Christian faith, by its very nature, must call forth theology, it had to ask itself about the reasonableness of faith. So while reason is fundamental to faith, there is an incorrect use of reasona despotism of reason which becomes the supreme and final judge of everything, he said. The pope said this use of reason, which is incompatible with the nature of faith, can be seen in Psalm 95, which recalls Meribah as the place where the early Israelites tested God and tried me though they had seen my works. Putting God to some sort of a test is even more pronounced in todays world, where natural science and its empirical method have achieved so much, the pope said. But there is a limit to how reason is used: God is not an object of human experimentation. He is a subject and he manifests himself only in a person-to-person relationship, he said. The correct use of reason in matters of faith then is when it is used on a personal level and is driven by love. The pope said: Love wants to know better the person who loves. Love true love doesnt make us blind, it makes people see. Love will satisfy a persons thirst to really know the other, and that is why those who seek the truth are on the path to seeking God, he said. This is why authentic theology is so important. Solid faith leads reason to open itself up to the divine, so that reason, guided by love for the truth, may know God even more from up close, he said. Therefore, theology must be made up of two elements: humility, which lets us be touched by God, and discipline, which is tied to the order of reason, (which) keeps love from blindness and helps develop its power to see, he said. During the ceremony, the pope greeted each of the prize recipients, handing them each a large award certificate and a small envelope.

Pope Benedict launches new Vatican News website

VATICAN City, June 29, 2011Pope Benedict XVI has launched a new Vatican News website with his first Tweet. The site officially went live on June 29. The Pope got things underway with a message posted on Twitter: Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI. The new site brings together all the Vaticans communication outlets into one online location for the first time ever. The list of agencies includes Fides News Agency, the newspaper LOsservatore Romano, the Holy Sees Press Office, the Vatican Information Service, Vatican Radio and the Vatican television service, CTV. Each will also

retain their own independent website. The new portal is giving you the possibility of having a direct, immediate approach to the most important pieces of news from the Holy See, said the President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Archbishop Claudio Celli, in his first interview with Vatican Radio on the new website. The new site also has a multimedia format, offering live-streaming of papal events, photographs from LOsservatore Romano, audio from Vatican Radio and video footage that will also be available on the Vaticans YouTube channel. It also links to other social communication sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Initially only two languages will be

on offer, Italian and English, but that could soon change. After summer we need to have a restyling of the site and we hope to start immediately with another language probably Spanish, said Archbishop Celli. But our idea is to then offer the portal in other languages, such as French or German or Portuguese. The initial reaction from the online Catholic community today seemed to be overwhelmingly positive. Along with other Catholic bloggers, I have been heartened by the news.va website which makes news from the various agencies available easily in one place, said Fr. Tim Finigan, the London-based creator of The Hermeneutic of Continuity blog. The Holy Father has repeatedly encouraged us to use the Internet in the service of the Church and is demonstrating publicly his support for our apostolate, he told CNA. Although the Vatican website itself is still in need of improvement, the news.va website shows what can be done. Signs elsewhere also look positive. After only a few hours of going live, the new Vatican site already had over 3,000 friends on Facebook and over 36,000 people following it on Twitter. (CNA/ EWTN News)

Vatican prepares document on clergylaity relationship

The prizes included a check for $87,000. The Ratzinger Prize will be awarded each year in sacred Scripture, patristics and fundamental theology. This was the first time the

prizes were awarded since the establishment last year of the Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) Vatican Foundation, which promotes theological studies on the popes writings and to reward promising scholars. (CNS)

Students need values formation, not RH-based sex edsolon

QUEZON City, May 11, 2011The countrys agriculture output grew by 4.1 % in the first three months, the Agriculture department said, boosted by good harvests of palay, corn, sugarcane, and banana. DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said the crops sub-sector continued some 52.99% to the total agricultural output which expanded by 8.19%. He said despite the decline in fisheries production, the gross value of agricultural output amounted to P 347.2 billion or 12.72% more than last years record. The recent typhoon came at a time when most palay crops have been harvested and within the next two or three days, we will have a clear picture of Bebengs effects on our crops, he said. However, Alcala said he remains hopeful the ill effects of the typhoon will be very minimal. He said most of the rice crops may recover as soon as flood waters subside. Alcala said they will not revise their projected rice imports due to the typhoon because they have already factored in the possible impact of typhoons this coming rainy season. He explained the reported La Nina phenomenon was not as severe as projected. He said he is more than satisfied with the rice and corn harvests for the first quarter as he allayed fears from Filipino consumers that sugar prices would increase this year. Sugar mills in the Visayas will continue operations until the end of the month and I have been informed the withdrawal of stocks from sugar mills have been slow which means theres limited demand, he said. Interviewed after the press briefing, Alcala said it is imperative for rice farmers to consider using organic fertilizers because with every increase in petroleum prices, commercial fertilizers sourced from petroleum, would also increase and significantly reduce farmers income. It is time for farmers to turn to organic fertilizers for environmental and economic reasons, Alcala said. He added he has personally tried using organic fertilizers in his farm in Quezon Province that is why he is strongly recommending it to other Filipino farmers. The CBCPs National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa) has introduced sustainable agriculture to most of the countrys 86 ecclesiastical provinces. Various pilot farms utilizing sustainable agriculture methods have been set-up by different dioceses across the country. With all these factors, we look forward to being self-sufficient in rice by 2013, he explained. He said they have already repaired most irrigation facilities across the country as this was the first order he received from President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III when he assumed office. (Melo M. Acuna)

VATICAN City, June 28, 2011The Vatican is studying a possible document on the relationship of clergy and laity, which touches on the sensitive issue of the administration of the churchs goods, Vatican sources said. The sources denied an Italian report that the document will issue instructions on the reorganization of U.S. dioceses that face financial pressures in the wake of the sex abuse scandals in particular regarding parish closings. The sources, who spoke to Catholic News Service June 28, said the document under preparation only marginally touches on the topic of parish closings and, if published, will be directed at the universal church. The form of the document has not yet been determined; it may be an instruction or a less formal circular letter, they said. The main topic here is the respect of norms regarding the nature of the priesthood in collaboration with laypeople, especially as it is affected by the restructuring of parish life, said one source familiar with the draft document. In some countries, new forms of parish structures have been created in which the priestly ministry appears weakened in practice, the priests role risks being reduced to that of a celebrant of the sacraments, while teams of laypeople are put in charge of management. But the office of governing is part of the priestly ministry, he said. The preparation of the document is being guided by the Congregation

for Clergy because it has competence over matters pertaining to the administration of ecclesiastical goods. In that sense, the sources said, the document will touch on the matter of parish closings, which often involve the loss or redistribution of the churchs assets and properties. In the United States, parish closings have sometimes prompted protests among the faithful. In several recent cases, the Vatican has upheld mergers of parishes but said that church buildings that were closed must be reopened and used in some manner as determined by the bishop. Vatican officials have privately expressed reservations about some of the parish closings and the way they were handled. One Vatican official said, however, that the document under consideration would not seek to emit specific norms for the United States. If that were the purpose, we would have talked to the (U.S.) bishops conference, he said. The focus of this study is much wider. In the United States, there is the issue of parish closings. In Europe, there are other problems tied to a lack of clergy. The situations are diverse, and the Holy See wants to give a universal response, he said. The sources said the clergy congregation had been studying these issues for several years. They said it was still too early to say whenor ifa document would be published. (CNS)

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Bishop to faithful: Fight evil forces that seek to destroy family, life
MANILA, June 29, 2011Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar urged everyone to fight against the forces that seek to destroy the family and life in general - such as the divorce and reproductive health bills. He was speaking to a crowd of more than 7,000 people during the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Lifes (CFC FFL) 30th anniversary last June 26 at the Ynares Auditorium in Antipolo City. He stressed that God overwhelms us everyday with His goodness and love, even in the little things. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to recognize them, he added. Odchimar was the principal celebrant at the CFC FFL anniversary mass together with Bishop Gabriel Reyes of Antipolo, Bishop Valentine of Gaborone, Botswana, Fr. Peter West the associate director of Priests for Life in the USA, Fr. Francis Gustilo of the Vaticans International Theological Commission and more priests from around the Philippines and the world. CFC FFL is a lay Catholic community that strives to renew the family and defend life, led by its Founder and Servant General Frank Padilla, who, along with his wife Gerry, is part of the Pontifical Council for the Family. (Xavy Padilla)

Aquino urged to pardon deserving inmates

MANILA, June 30, 2011A mere stroke of a pen would mean a lot to an inmate aspiring for a new life outside prison. A growing number of deserving inmates at the National penitentiary and other penal institutions in the country are awaiting presidential pardon but the president has yet to order their release, according to National Bilibid Prison chaplain Msgr. Roberto Olaguer. Olaguer said some 25% of the total number of inmates at the NBP would qualify for release. Asked how many would benefit from it, the chaplain said anywhere from 3,000 or more would be released. He explained the figures are not limited to the NBP but would include prisoners from various penal colonies across the country. We have interviewed a lot of inmates who are already (due) for release, maraming dapat lumaya na at tinutulungan namin sila dahil sa ating Simbahan, mayroon naman tayong para-legal service ng Chaplaincy Office, Olaguer told CBCP News. He added they have already forwarded the prisoners folders to the Board of Pardon and Parole and the Office of the President but these papers have not been acted on. Traditionally, Olaguer said, various Presidents in the past would order the release of qualified prisoners every Independence Day where 300-500 release papers would have been signed. Ngayon, wala ng pinirmahan ang presidente liban sa 14 na Vietnamese illegal fishers, Olaguer lamented. He said it would be much better to let go those who are qualified for release at the soonest possible time. Olaguer added that he has never grown tired of calling on agencies like the Public Attorneys Office about the growing number of qualified inmates for release. Church officials have been calling on government to do more for inmates by extending justice beyond punishment. According to Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, some inmates were still minors during the commission of the crime and were jailed upon reaching maturity. She said these inmates can rebuild their lives again if President Aquino extends pardon or clemency on them. Ang buong Public Attorneys Office ay nananawagan sa mahal na Pangulong Aquino na sana po ay mag-extend na siya ng pardon, clemency at commutation o anopaman dito sa mga bilanggong matatanda na, maysakit na at iyong iba naman ay minor ng makagawa ng krimen at ngayoy nakakulong sila, Rueda-Acosta said. Napapanahon ang pagpapalaya ni Pangulong Aquino sa pagdiriwang ng kanyang unang taon sa panunungkulan sa bansa, Rueda-Acosta said. (Melo M. Acua)

Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

www4.pictures.zimbio.com

A4
EDITORIAL Poverty THE National Secretariat for Social Action is spearheading a National Poverty Summit next month. The objective of the summit, according to Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of NASSA, is to look into the real causes of poverty and decide which way to take. There had been big conferences and even commendable studies on the real causes of poverty notably by the government during the administration of President Fidel Ramos, but once development goals are set they remain just that. This is not to say, however, that just because nothing happens after these big conferences are concluded, especially now on poverty, doing them again is a waste of time. On the contrary, they should be held more frequently if only to deliver a message to Malacaang and most legislators that even Mang Pandoy at the barbershop in the corner knows what the whole trouble with the country is. One can blow his top finding the logic of why Malacaang can be in the clouds while sorting solutions to the worsening poverty and then coming up with the seemingly big deal bandaid solutions the likes of Conditional Cash Transfer Program and the Pantawid Pasada Program. It is either something is wrong with the logic or there are more logical agenda that overweighs the hunger pangs of the masses. Take, for instance, the persistent pursuit of the Reproductive Health Bill. People in the know have been saying that this highly divisive and socially costly Bill is not any solution to poverty or hunger, and yet Malacaang by implication says it is. And while the streets are wondering why waste so much time and resources on a bill that is not going to help a bit the pitiful lot of Filipinos, some legislators suddenly comes up with a queer variation of the same billthe divorce bill. O tempora, O mores! At the onset of this Administration, people were of the perception that here at last is a leader that would be an antithesis of the previous that had been so much dinted with allegations of corruption and cunning. Nothing was more exhilarating than hearing slogans as Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap. But now that the veneer of a deceiving perception is gone, one finds out a puppy with a different collar. In fact, a collar that is bleaker. Of late, IBON Foundation reported that the Philippines first-quarter GDP growth of 4.9 percent is very slow, because principally this administration has been banking on PPP-driven infrastructure, multi-million cash dole outs, global economic recovery, and the supposed business and consumer trust in government. It added that the government might do better if only it will devote its energy to building domestic economic momentum by addressing job generation and creation conditions for strong domestic industry and agricultureinstead of, if one may add, wasting its energy on useless pursuits. Gambling IN the past few days some writers and politicians have attacked the integrity and credibility of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) with regard to gambling. In view of this the CBCP issues the following statement: We categorically deny that the CBCP as a body has ever solicited or knowingly received funds from illegal gamblers. We express great sorrow if individual religious leaders and/or religious institutions had solicited funds for charitable purposes from public monies gained from legal gambling. But as pastors who deeply care for the poor, we would be the first not to judge their consciences on this matter. For it is most unfortunate that in our situation of poverty today public funds gained from legal gambling are often the only resource for the poor to be assisted adequately. Even if this were so, the CBCP does not encourage this manner of helping the poor. It could easily be construed as approving and promoting the culture of gambling and thereby scandalize the faithful. To inform the public better about the reasons for this CBCP position, we present the following moral teachings and pastoral imperatives: The Catholic Church teaches that games of chance or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2413). This moral teaching does not prohibit some forms of gambling in certain situations. In consequence, it does not prohibit people or institutions, even church-related ones, from receiving benefits from such gambling. However, applying the general moral principle to the specific Philippine situation, the CBCP has deemed it necessary to state on several occasions that the form of gambling that is organized, widespread, and systemic, whether legal or illegal, is not desirable. It is creating a culture of gambling that is seriously eroding the moral values of our people. In its illegal form, especially jueteng, gambling has bred a clandestine network of corruption that feeds itself on the hundreds of millions of pesos lost to gambling especially by the poor. Therefore, the CBCP has made it a collective policy: To denounce illegal gambling in all its forms and prevent its legalization; To combat the expansion of organized and systemic legal gambling; To refrain from soliciting or receiving funds from illegal and legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling; and To encourage church personnel and church institutions to refrain from doing the same, even when the objective may be that of helping the poor. Today the CBCP renews its commitment to combat the growing culture of gambling in our country by faithfully adhering to the policy its members had collectively agreed upon. CBCP Statement on Gambling, 2005

Opinion

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 -17, 2011

Fr. Roy Cimagala

Candidly Speaking
tIF it were not ridiculously funny, I would have been gravely mortified, even devastated. But I think that the government expose that some bishops received Pajeros from the PCSO of the previous administration had no aim other than to embarrass these bishops and drive a wedge into the Church. Its a demolition job of the lowest and thoughtless kind, reeking of rash judgments, detraction, malice, unfair innuendoes, selfrighteousness, etc. Its a very clumsy political operation that speaks badly more of its perpetrators than of its intended victims. Its authors try to tell people that a government agency giving Pajeros to some bishops only has one interpretation, theirs. There can be no other possible scenario. In their political game plan, they want to inflict their own exclusive twisted view on all of us. Its a puny declaration of war, abetted by the media, that will only go pfffft, since it would require from us that we dont think, that we let go of our common sense, that we have to automatically think badly of some people and of some transactions, etc. Where is the respect for freedom and responsibility, and for the dignity of persons, when people are automatically held guilty for the mere act of receiving Pajeros from a government agency? If it were not a demolition job, then why single out these

Pajero as the new wedge

bishops? Did that agency give Pajeros and we dont know what else only to them? Were there no other recipientspoliticians in all their shifting colors, relatives of politicians, other religious leaders, etc.? If it were not a demolition job, then why would they give the impression to the public that the mere giving by a government agency of cars to some bishops is intrinsically wrong? Does that mean that bishops in all instances cannot receive these benefits, while others can? Does that mean that there can be no justification for such act of generosity on the part of the government to bishops? If it were not a demolition job, why bring this accusation to the public only now? Was this practice limited only to a certain period of time, that of the previous administration? Could it not be that it is very politically motivated, since Church people are now more vocal about certain government maneuvers that clearly are immoral? This unfortunate affair reminds me of what St. Augustine once said: Let us never assume that if we live good lives we will be without sin. Our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon. But men are hopeless creatures, and the less they concentrate on their own sins, the more interested they become in the sins of others. This, I think, is what is happening here. We are too quick to
Candidly Speaking / A6

Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS

Its only money!

SISTER, remember me? The voice on the phone refreshed me on how we had met in a bus going to Angeles City and I had given her some pro-life pamphlets. The friend of my friend has a problem. Shes pregnant and wants an abortion immediately. Can we bring her there tonight? Zeny was desperate. She was to leave for Japan in three days time and tomorrow was her schedule for a pregnancy test a routine clearance for all those recruited by her agency. She had already paid P80,000 agency fee an amount she borrowed and was going to repay when she started receiving her yens. Zeny arrived at Welcome House thinking she was going to get an abortion there. She was pregnant by a man whose advances she accepted in order to get even with her boyfriend who had eloped with another girl. She did not expect to get pregnant. She lived-in with that first guy for months without getting pregnant. Why would she get pregnant now! But there was no denying the telltale signs of delayed menses and dizzy spells. The test kit she bought at the drugstore confirmed it. The only thing to do now was to get that abortion. Zenys two companions appeared more contrite and nervous than her. They said they had used up all the arguments they knew to convince her not to have an abortion but she was hardheaded. Without revealing myself immediately to Zeny that I was a nun, I explained to her that as a nurse, I know that even if she had an abortion that night, the pregnancy test would still be positive. It takes a few days for the hormones to leave the body. The only way was to tell the agency to consider her request for postponement. I then showed her how big her baby must be now fully developed at three months. The conversation shifted to Zenys feelings about her family, how she started to be rebellious when her father died since it was such a big loss for her, she being his favorite child, and her many escapades that brought her to this situation.

Love Life
Before they departed, I enjoined Zeny and her friends to pray for her unborn child and to ask her departed father what he would advise Zeny if he were still alive. For the first time that night, Zeny broke down in tears. But she still insisted in wanting that abortion. The following day, her friends called up saying that Zeny had disappeared from their boarding house. It was such a big surprise then to find out a few days later that Dado, the father of her baby, had gone to her family to ask her hand in marriage. Some weeks passed. Zeny called me to relate how happily married she was. When asked what about the P80,000 she paid the recruitment agency, Zeny exclaimed, Pera lang iyon. This is my baby! God knows what could have happened to me if I had gone to Japan HIV-AIDS, prostitution, total separation from my family. My baby saved me from all that. Thanks, Sister. Thank you, baby! For counseling services, call Pro-life office at 733-7027 or 0919-233-7783.

Atty. Jo Imbong

www.cbcpmonitor.com cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

Pro bono
THIS piece could have been titled, The Remaking of Family. Considering, however, the depth of falsehood that has been wrought, Falsification is more direct. How so? There is a tremendous mystery in the way the Creator designed the family. Only a divine Genius can design its quiet beginnings from human L-O-V-E and chart this abstract reality into palpable lifenot just one new life but many new lives unfurling from a fruitful marital embrace. The hand of the Creator does not disappear at all after that. Graces of the sacrament flow for as long as the husband and the wife remain in the blessed bond. And here lies the portal to falsification. To make sure that the sprig that has blossomed remains verdant, God installed a bonding agent to make sure the new family lasts. It is called . . . maternal instinct. It is not learned, nor taught. It is simply . . . there. From the first moment that the woman feels she might be with child, her nature prompts her to welcome the miracle. At that point, she has become already a mother. Even her husband will catch on (paternal instinct?) and start calling his wife, Mama. It might be early, but they have just as miraculously been transformed from plain husband and wife, to a new Papa and Mama, never mind that the birth is due early next year. When the most awaited birth is done, the new mother, still by instinct, nurses the baby. Even the infant sucks instinctively when brought to his mothers

Falsification
breast. This is the physical bonding agent at work. And there is more. A second dimension, a spiritual bond goes to work. Mother and child become inseparable. There is such wisdom in the umbilical system that God designed, for even when severed at birth, a spiritual umbilicus continues to bind the two together. That is why it is an indescribable torture for a mother to be separated from her infant child. (It must also work the other way around for the abandoned infant.) But that separation and severance, and the suffocation to death of the maternal instinct is what the RH bill is designed to do. How does it do this? The bill cauterizes a developing physical bond even before the mother has a chance of confirming that she is with child. The bills Section 4h assures her of a full range of modern methods of limiting pregnancy. Among those modern methods is the morning-after pill taken within the first 72 hours after the night before. Convinced that she is delayed, there is also the manual vacuum aspirator (MVA), a vacuum syringe for evacuating the contents of youknow-what. The procedure is given a sanitized name of Menstrual Regulation. In Section 3e of the bill, there is this disturbing procedure called removal of retained products. And heres the rub: there is evidence that a local government in the North has been importing MVAs. This is unequalled hostility to life. Who says there is no abortion in the bill. And the spiritual bond? Early
Pro bono / A5

Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor

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Associate Editor

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Marketing Supervisor

Roy Q. Lagarde
News Editor
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Comptroller

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Opinion
Investment in small farm holders
how farmers are supported in the country. All these are in the context of the reality that the Philippines basically still remains as an agricultural countrynotwithstanding all attempts, efforts and claims to the contrary. This is not to deny the validity and relevance of the tripod of human living: Food, shelter and clothing. Still, it is food that evidently holds the primacy in the trio. Without food, would shelter feeds empty stomachs? Without food, would clothing neutralize the hunger of people? This is not to say that food alone satisfies all human needs and longings. This is simply meant to state the obvious that the availability of food is the very first step leading to all other human ventures and aspirations. This is in line with the saying: Empty stomachs have no ears. Freeing the branches and agencies of the government from graft and corruption. Assuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections. Making the justice system functional. Having trustworthy and dependable police authorities. Freeing the streets of criminal elements. Attending to the energy needs of the Country. Having a clean environment. Instituting local and national flood controls. All these agenda and more, yes. But first things first! And first is food production through agriculture.

A5
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL

Oscar V. Cruz, DD

Views and Points

IN case Malacaang has any concrete national socio-economic plan, in the event that the ruling government intends to have any particular developmental program in the said planin the assumption that the present administration want to have any concrete complementary project in the said programit might want to consider not only the imperative but also the advantage of making capital investments in small farm holders/ farmers. Speaking in general terms, one of the existent and palpable wealth of the Philippines is in its fertile soil plus its industrious farmers. And it is this paring that comes out with a very necessary and truly practical produce, particularly that of rice and vegetables. This is not to mention the chickens, the goats and the pigs that usually go with and come from the aforesaid simple paring. The said thousands of small farms and the likewise small farmers as a national integrated productive whole, has profound and extensive consequences for the welfare of the Filipinos and the development of the Philippines. Very few are the Filipinos who do not need to eat rice. Much fewer are those who do not eat meat. More and more of them however look for and eat vegetables. All these very basic human necessities in terms of food are precisely premised on how farms are enriched and

Spaces of Hope Sources

I RECENTLY visited my two siblings and their families who live in the USA. Once inside the security zone of an airport, while trying to make small talk to an officer of the US Homeland Security, I quipped that I was glad the US had finally captured Obama. What a difference a single letter makes! I am glad she did not think I was making a bomb joke. While there, I was able to return to some of my sources. Let me explain. In Hollywood today, there seems to be trend away from sequels to prequels. What happens before is as important, if not even more important, as what happens after. The latest versions of the X-Men and the Planet of the Apes deal with this dimension. Perhaps this is a validation of the perspective that being precedes existence. Our liturgical calendar certainly recognizes this need to return to the sources. After celebrating the Churchs birthday on Pentecost, the Church recalls the most fundamental reality of all: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. From this most primordial mystery of the Godhead, all being and all relationships find their proper and living grounding. Yes, life is all about relationships. Sources has to do with relationships. I felt refreshed to have had intimate conversations with my brothers and their spouses and to awaken dormant memories. I treasured the moments spent playing basketball with my nephews and to savor eking out a win over them knowing that such a victory will soon be a thing of the past once the boys pituitary glands take their full course and their playing skills honed to their level best. Sources also has to do with communing with nature like rounding an island on a 7-speed bicycle and stopping at certain junctions just to enjoy the scenery and to breathe in fresh air. Munching on succulent fruits and vegetable, and distinguishing their different flavors expresses this communion as well so is the feel of warm sweat flowing down ones back during a run. ***** But sources also deals with ideas. This was brought home to me during a short visit to Harvard University to attend the graduation of a good friend. The said university is located near the City of Boston which prides itself as a sort of trend setter, particularly with regards social issues. Boston is where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired and where the call for the abolition of slavery was first made. At Harvard, students who provide guided tours jokingly note that one is able to separate residents from visitors since the former pay scant attention to the traffic light. This makes them kindred spirits to Filipinos. I got the impression that the city and the school are bastions of liberalism that gives the highest premium to questioning the status quo and to supporting the human processes that generate ideas. The liberal enterprise can indeed be noble but sadly it could also be the flip side of relativism. I witnessed a refreshing affirmation of the significance of the different fields of study during the commencement exercises at Harvard University. During the presentation of graduates of the different colleges, the deans name was not even mentioned. It drove home the point that the role is more important than the personality behind it. What the president of the university had to say after the graduates were presented is very revealing. To PhD graduates, she said: By virtue of the authority delegated to me and recognizing your high academic achievements, I confer on you, men and women of learning, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, welcome you to the ancient and universal company of scholars and entrust to you the free inquiry of future generations. To graduates of medicine, she declared that they are ready to engage in an honorable and merciful calling. Those with degrees in theological studies are well prepared to foster the health and vitality of communities of faith, to further scholarship in religious studies, and to help in shaping the shared values of the broader society. Law graduates are ready to aid in the shaping and the application of those wise restraints that make us free. Business administration graduates are ready to lead people and organization in enterprises that will serve society. Those who obtained their studies in architecture and urban planning are competent to lead in shaping the spaces in which we live. Education graduates are well prepared to guide and serve the learning needs of contemporary society. Those who studied public health are well prepared to generate and utilize knowledge to improve health throughout the world. Finally, to those who obtained degrees in public administration, the university head confirmed that they are well prepared to offer leadership in the quest for enlightened public policy and effective public service throughout the world. ***** These insights crystallized the purpose of these different fields of human endeavor. It is worth the effort to situate these fields within the scales of values to which the late Bernard Lonergans writings have given rise. God willed a certain order of things so that the vital order gives rise to technology. This leads to a higher viewpoint which is the economic order which, in turn, necessitates politics so that economics would serve the common good. But this is not the end. Politics must be subservient to the cultural and not vice-versa while the cultural serves the personal. Finally, the personal can only be authentic if it follows the rule of conscience which is the competence of the religious-spiritual sphere. When the order is not followed, chaos ensues. When economic interests, for instance, dominates politics, then politics is no longer serving the public good but degenerates into coercion, manipulation, and giving priority to vested interests instead of the common good. There is no good of order but a downward spiral towards a disintegration of the social fabric. The challenges continue.
Pro bono / A4

Thanks for the gift of priesthood!

SAN FRANCISCO, California. Sixty years ago, at the Cathedral of Freising near Munich, Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber ordained to the priesthood two brothers and 42 other candidates. It was June 29, 1951, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of the City of Rome. Adsum (Here I am) were the words pronounced in Latin, before God and the people, by the two brothers Georg and Joseph Ratzinger; the latter aged 24 was elected as the 265th Pope on April 24, 2005 and chose to be called Benedict XVI. Joseph was born on April 16, 1927 (Holy Saturday) and was baptized on the same day. His faith and education at home prepared him for the harsh experience of the Nazi regime. The young Joseph saw how some Nazis beat the Parish Priest before the celebration of Mass. He then discovered the beauty and truth of faith in Christ and attachment to the Church. On March 25, 1977 Pope Paul VI named him Archbishop of Munich and Freising; on May 28 of the same year he received his Episcopal ordination; and on June 27 of the same year, he was made a Cardinal. In 1978, he took part in the Conclave who elected John Paul I, and then later in October of the same year elected the now beatified Blessed Pope John Paul II. He was named Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or the Holy Office. He was later elevated to the Order of Bishops and became President of the Preparatory Commission for the Catechism of the Catholic Church. On November 06, 1998 the Holy Father approved his election as Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals and on November 30, 2002, was elected as Dean. He has many publications which constitute reference especially for those interested in entering deeper into the study of theology.

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

Duc in Altum
vited the faithful to mark the anniversary with 60 hours of Eucharistic adoration for the sanctification of all priests, for new vocations, and for the Pope on his 60 years as a priest. The prayer vigil started on June 29 and culminated on July 1, Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the Philippines, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales urged everyone to observe and document their 60 hours adoration and furnish the Archdiocesan Chancery with a copy together with written summary of the activities. The documentation will be sent to the Holy Father. *** The Board of Officers and Trustees, members and Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Adrian Magnait of the Diocese of Kalookan Papal Family extend its greetings and prayers to our Holy Pope Benedict XVI on his 60th Sacerdotal Anniversary. As its President, this column is my sincere tribute to His Holiness. (All the data mentioned here were taken from the Vatican website and the Official Biography of the Holy Father). *** Pro-Lifers are very active even in the United States. Like in the Philippines, their activities were never covered by media as what happened during the big rallies last year in San Francisco, California the City by the Bay. You may watch it at You Tube with the commentaries of radio talk show Michael Savage. *** Congratulations to the Couples for Christ for a very successful Freedom to Love Conference held on June 25, 2011 at ULTRA; it was highlighted by Christopher Wests Lecture on the Theology of the Body.

He says May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions! Among his encyclicals are Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), wherein the Holy Pope said We have come to believe in Gods loveBeing Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon. His second encyclical is Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope) where he said in hope we are saved. Next is his Caritas en Veritate (Charity in Truth), the principle around which the Churchs social doctrine turns, a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action to development in an increasingly globalized society: justice and the common good. *** Known as the Internet Pope, in the eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Holy Father inaugurated the Vatican internet portal. He stated: Dear Friends, I just launched NEWS.VA. Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedict XVI. *** In his Thanksgiving Mass, the Holy Father began with a quote I no longer call you servants, but friends (cf. Jn 15:15) that were addressed by Archbishop Cardinal Faulhaber to them as new priests at the end of the ordination ceremony. Pope Benedict said friendship in this sense is about conforming ones will to God and being prepared to step outside oneself and toward others. It means that we must be shepherds for unity and in unity, and that it is only in the unity represented by Peter that we truly lead people to Christ. *** The Congregation for the Clergy has in-

Rev. Eutiquio Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD

By the roadside
SOMEONE (or is it a collective?) has opened the closet in our country again. Now its occupants are out. I seek pardon from all closets but I compare the culture of death to one of them. I assume a number of so called churchy peoplewhich include clerics and many lay Catholics who take their faith seriouslywould have noticed not only the seemingly endless rains and flooding (and been alarmed, too, by them, naturally) visiting us these days in the Philippines with cruel regularity. They would have also noticed how in the heat of the on-going national debate on the RH Bill, some vociferous groups have begun efforts to introduce divorce to congressional legislation and others have even gone further by performing same-sex marriages in Baguio City or elsewhere. To me the force of Mother Nature only indicates the presence of another force slowly flooding up our shores. To be sure, its actually been there for a long time. I call it the secular mindset. We know a growing number of Filipinos today would insist on being Catholic Christian through and through but also on being firm advocates of the RH Bill, divorce, abortion, same-sex marriage and even some qualified form of euthanasia. Indeed, truth could be stranger than fiction. If they were to ask me what I mean by secular mindset, I would say, Do you remember the anecdote of a small fish asking another fish what an ocean is and is answered, You are swimming in it? Well, you ask me what a secular mindset is. Let me say the same thing: You are swimming in it. One of the things from our Latin classes in the seminary that has stuck with me to this day is the word secular being rooted in the Latin saeculum which means world. I find it startling how the ancient Scriptures are so revealing of our contemporary situation in the meanings it unwraps of the term world. In the first place, world can mean the dwelling place of man where his human existence unfolds (Jn 1:9; 16:21). Secondly, it can mean human beings taken separately from other

The secular mindset and Christian faith

been warning Catholics and all Christians about this kind of world in the secularism so pervasive in many societies and cultures of the contemporary setting. And he has done this for the longest time. Apparently in the Philippines the warning has been hardly heard. Or the louder voices of various hostile ideological groups have tuned it out. Again John the evangelist utters eye-opening words: The light came into the world, but men preferred the dark to the light and He was in the world and through him the world was made, yet the world did not know who he was (Jn 1:10). But there are three things that should make us take heart. One, Jesus the Redeemer has already conquered the world (Jn 17:33). Two, the hatred of the world is a sign of salvation because the world hates what it does not have (Jn 15:19). Three, those who are begotten by God conquer this world and the victory that conquers the world is our faith (1 Jn 5:4). But what is this faith that conquers? I suggest to all parties of the debates to ponder the teachings of the Scriptures. And Scriptures not only recommend faith but also describe the faith that conquers and saves. One, it is the faith that listens to the Word of the Lord. My sheep listen to my voice (Jn 10:27). Two, it is the faith that gives its assent to the Word. Here our model is Mary the Mother of Gods Son, our foremost model of faith: I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38). Three, it is the faith that commits ones whole self to the Lord and completely relies on his Word. Here our model is the centurion: Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word and my servant will be healed (Mt 8:8). Four, it is the faith that involves a sharing of life with the Redeemer, having a personal relationship with him. The faithful believing community manifests this. I know my sheep and mine know me (Jn 10::14, 27).

creatures as subject of redemption, as in, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that those who believe in him may not perish but may have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). It is this world that God has willed to reconcile with himself through the cross of his Son Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:19) who abolishes its sin (Jn 1:29). But, the current secular mindset is relevant when we turn to the third meaning of world. The evangelist John also speaks of world which means the present state of creation in which human beings are organized without regard for God or his values and, in fact, could be at enmity with him because it is dominated by the prince of this world (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The impact of this meaning came to me one evening when I watched a replay of a televised debate between pro- and anti-RH Bill advocates. A pro-RH Bill lawyer could no longer contain her exasperation with the seemingly solid wall type of argumentation from the other side, especially the ones quoting Scriptures. She said point-blank that religion has no business in legislation. Religion should not interfere in the making of laws. How easy it is to forget that religion originated human laws: e.g. outlawing murder and adultery. I marvel at how uncannily accurate the insight of Scriptures on the two worlds existing side by side then and, especially, now here in the Philippines and throughout the whole earth: a world which opens itself to the Redeemer and a world that is both closed and/or hostile to him. The trickery of the prince of this world is so sophisticated that it has convinced promoters of world as organized humanity without or against God to be themselves bona-fide members of the world as theater of Gods redemption in Christ. How else could we explain Catholics promoting with dogged determination contraception, divorce, legalized abortion, same-sex marriages, euthanasia etc. and believe they are still Catholics? Can a circle call itself a square? Can the color black convincingly be declared white? The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has

mandatory sex education (hidden by the name Life Skills education in Section 4w) will take care of that. It teaches the teenager during Values Education period, that her religion and her family are obstacles to access to her sexual and reproductive rights. Please add five bold exclamation marks here. Its like snatching the child from the mothers breast. It is stealing the heart of our children. More than that, this is stealing the work of creation from Gods hand. Gerald Vann, O.P., an English Schoolmaster in his time, puts it more sharply: This is something like original sin: Ye shall be as godsdeciding for yourselves what shall be good and what shall be evil: ye shall be as gods, dominating and domineering over the rest of creation: ye shall be as gods, not accepting truth from elsewhere, but making your own truth. This is Falsification. (Readers thoughts are welcome at attyjoimbong@gmail.com.)

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Local News

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 -17, 2011

Church group dismayed over SC decision on Hacienda Luisita row

THE Promotion of Church Peoples Response (PCPR) expressed dismay over the news that the Supreme Court had already issued a decision favoring a conduct of a referendum, in connection with the distribution of the disputed Hacienda Luisita, the 6,435 hectare (15,901.23 acres) agricultural and industrial land, owned by the family of President Benigno C. Aquino III. We are dismayed. After so many years of arduous waiting and struggle for land and justice, the SC denied the HLI [Hacienda Luisita, Inc.] farm workers of better lives, of better future, said PCPR Secretary General Nardy Sabino in an email interview. The farm workers wanted the land to be distributed for free, claiming that the farmers and the farm workers, and not the Cojuangcos, who own the land if the 1958 loan agreement between Jose Pepe Cojuangco Sr., the Government Service Insurance System and the Manufacturers Trust Company, NY is to be followed. Under that agreement, the late Cojuangco agreed that after 10 years, the land should be sold to the tenants as stipulated in the governments social justice program. However, this did not happen. Instead, in 1989 when the late Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was president, the hacienda was reorganized into a private corporation and the farmers and farm-workers were made stockholders. Although the farmers were made stockholders of the HLI, their portion of the profit is very minimal. There were claims that a farm worker receives a measly P9.00 (US$0.208) as his or her share of the entire profits coming from the operations of the hacienda. What made things even worse was a massacre that happened in November 16, 2004, when military men entered the sugar estate, and started firing to the farmers who were protesting. Fourteen people were killed, several people wounded, and some were even declared missing, after the riot had stopped. Last year, the alleged fake union leaders from the Hacienda Luisita had entered into a compromise agreement, in which the Sentro ng Tunay ng Repormang Agraryo and other unions inside the disputed hacienda had appealed before the Supreme Court. The legal counsel of the farm workers, Atty. Jobert Pahilga of Sentra, had also rejected the solution offered during the mediation process early this year, as it was deemed against the interest of the farm workers as a whole. (Noel Sales Barcelona)

A CATHOLIC bishop has again expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace at which the trial of those accused in the Maguindanao massacre, is proceeding. Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Collin Bagaforo said the case has long been pending for almost two years already
UP / A1

Bishop unhappy with slow Maguindanao massacre trial

but no significant development was achieved in the trial so far. In general, I would say its slow It should have been fast by now, Bagaforo said. The Mindanao prelate is worried on how the case is going and cited numerous aspects of the crime that may negatively be affected. One possible thing that can happen is that it may affect the interest of general population, which, in turn, could reduce the public pressure on the process of justice, he said. Second, many things could happen to the witnesses. They might lose their interests. Worse, they could get killed, Bagaforo added. Bagaforo then asked the stakeholders in the case to speed up the process for the sake of justice and the victims. On Wednesday, former Ampatuan household helper, Lakmodin Saliao, returned to the witness stand for the first time since September 8 to testify against his former employer. According to Saliao, it was Andal Ampatuan Sr. who had ordered the massacre of 57 civilians, including a

CONTRIBUTED PhOTO

large number of journalists, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. The Ampatuan massacre is considered as the worst election-related violence in Philippine history and the single worst killing of media workers in the world. (CBCPNews)

the RH activity, then releasing the balloons one by one. The whole RH bill [leads to] a culture of death, asserted John Juat, a senior student who took part in the protest, adding that the things he questions most about the measure are the mandated sex education component and the promotion of contraceptives. The 21-year-old student noted that freedom and the availability of choiceswith which many young people mistakenly associate the RH billare good, but if youre giving too much freedom, it can be dangerous. Like for instance, in a multiple choice examthe more choices you have, the more chances of getting a mistake. Theres only one correct answer, he said. Now, theres only one correct answer [regarding the issue] and that correct answer is already within all of usour values which have been taught to us by our parents since we were young. Though freedom is good, more choices doesnt necessarily mean better, according to Juat. If youre in UP (University of the Philippines) youre trained to be critical thinkers... said Jove Tercero, also a senior student,
Candidly Speaking / A4

who, though unable to take part in the red balloon walk, had spent the past days and nights preparing the materials for the protest activity. Initially pro-RHwhich is somewhat the default stand on the issuehe assumed contraception was a positive thing due to belief in the overpopulation myth. But by reading and being more oriented with serious facts, Tercero said he has learned the truth about the issues. Juat admitted being a little intimidated by the idea of the balloon walk at first, but related that an incident prior to the activity made him see things in a different light. It just started with one person approaching me, saying she has the same stand but is scared to speak up, shared Juat, who had been casually discussing the RH issue with friends, sometimes as part of class activities. Some who are pro-RH even approached me and said, I never looked at things the way you did. I thought what society was offering was the only way, but I think the option you stated is much better. UP Against RH is a group composed of students and faculty. (Diana Uichanco) In their reckless, off-the-cuff comments, these bishops and priests reinforce the political angle of the car donations, making blanket judgments on the acts of their fellow bishops and priests. Sorry, but I find that selfrighteous and grossly imprudent. If ever there has to be some investigation of some actuations of bishops, would it not be better to do it in a proper venue, far from where things can easily be misinterpreted? This is usually done in all cases, unless dirty politics is involved. Obviously, not everyone has the same right to know everything about certain cases. That scenario is reserved to the Last Judgment, not here. Otherwise, we would have a mob rule, and further grave injustices can be committed. Pieces of evidence lending credence to this claim are just aplenty. We should stop wasting our time making these reckless public accusations.

OFW to face death soon in Saudi

IT is the saddest day for the family of Joselito Zapanta, 32, a native of Mexico, Pampanga as the family of the Sudanese landlord whom he accidentally killed due to self defense had rejected the offered diyya (blood money), in exchange for his freedom. It is confirmed that the family of the Sudanese had rejected the diyya and that Zapanta will receive his sentence the soonest as there is no other options, Migrante-Mideast Coordinator John Leonard C. Monterona told this reporter in an email. Zapanta, who is now incarcerated in Malaz Central Jail in Saudi, had been sentenced to death on April 30, 2010 due to murder charges. Zapanta accidentally killed his Sudanese landlord after the latter had beaten him due to late payment of rent. Zapanta, before the Saudi court said that he did it just for self-defense. When we talked to Joselito about his appeal, he said that they had a series of hearings, 18 hearings to date, and that on the last week of the proceedings, Joselito overheard that the family of the Sudanese, indeed refused to accept the diyya. If this is the case, the Philippine government should act swiftly and appeal before the Saudi Reconciliation Committee to persuade the family to accept the blood money in order for Joselito to be released and to waive the death sentence, Monterona explained. On the other hand, another overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi that had been in jail since 2000 is now seeing hope as the family of the plaintiff had expressed its willingness to accept the diyya in exchange of his freedom. Rodelio Dondon Lanuza, who has been in Dammam Central Jail for 11 years now, had been sentenced to death for killing a Saudi national. Same as Zapantas reason, he accidentally killed the person out of self-defense. The family had issued, as early as 2003, an affidavit of desistance or the willingness to accept the diyya, however the amount has not been disclosed. Though we are wondering what happened to Dondons appeal, Monterona said to this reporter. Nevertheless, last February 2011, the Saudi Reconciliation Committee had arranged for Lanuza, a meeting between the family of the defendant and the plaintiff, in order to come into an agreement of how much diyya is needed for Lanuza to be forgiven for his crime. Dondon told me that the blood money should be produced in two months time, meaning last April. But until now, we have received no news yet, about it, the migrant leader said. (CBCPNews)

Online / A1

judge others, not realizing that we all need to ask for pardon because we are all sinners, and we just have to help one another do this. The Church, lets remember, is not so much a museum of saints as it is a hospital of sinners. Sad to say, the right of Church leaders to make pronouncements on the morality of certain government and public issues is not yet well understood by many public officials. And I think it is not because of lack of explanations. It is more of hardheadedness of some officials, if not worse things, like atheism, agnosticism, etc. What worsens this affair is that some clerics are buying the demolitioners line, falling into their web, unwittingly playing crucial roles in the demolitioners storybook. Obviously, this is what the demolitioners want to happento insert a wedge among them, bishops and priests, if not the Church as a whole.
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2011, which attracted more than a million Filipinos here and abroad. During Maundy Thursday alone, the website logged some 143,000 visitors, CBCP Media Office Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said. The Visita Iglesia project was supported by Cafe FerdiGo, Mekeni Food Products, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
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Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Manila North Tollways Corporation and Figaro Coffee. Fernando Go of Cafe FerdiGo and Mekenis President Prudencio S. Garcia were given plaques of appreciation during the occasion for supporting the media offices Visita Iglesia project. Guest during the re-launch include

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta, Atty. Hector A. Villacorta, chief of staff of Senator Vicente Sotto, C/Supt. Gil Hitosis of the PNP DPCR, Brig. General Rosalindo C. Acacio, AFP Chief Chaplain and Bro. Alonzo Tan, Knights of Columbus Supreme Director, among others. (CBCPNews)

Scheme Pabillo said going into a referendum could lead to manipulation just like the 1989 stock distribution option. That SDO, according to him, was a sham scheme that just allowed the Cojuangcos to control the land that should have been distributed to the farmers. The bishop fears resorting to a referendum again may yet allow the discredited SDO to be resurrected. We know the history of these
PCSO / A1

referendums that when people are very poor they can easily be manipulated, Pabillo said. Thats the same referendum that the HLI did last year so when people are poor and there is no real informed choice, they can easily get to favor any referendum, he said. Under the SDO option offered by the HLI management, the farmer-workers were given the option to acquire shares of stocks instead of gaining land ownership. Gariguez also said that resort-

ing to such a move would only make the issue vulnerable to more injustices. The legality of SDO is clearly not the real essence of agrarian reform, he said. Intervene Pabillo reiterated his appeal for President Benigno Aquino III to step into the issue and stop maintaining a hands-off policy. Our president has not really made any pronouncement on land reform if he is really for it

or not because thats a law that needs to be implemented, he said. In the meantime, Nassa will concentrate on the plan of the farmers to file an appeal before the SC as well as mobilize them to express strong rejection of the decision. Gariguez said they will also be looking at sending some Church representatives during the referendum to help inform the farmer-workers on the possible effects of their votes.

Five, it is the faith that obeys the Word. My sheep follow me (Jn 10:27). That is to say, true faith is shown in our obedience to the Lord, not to the world. A Christian having a secular mindset? Johns answer is a description of the Christian: in the world but not of the world (Jn 15:19).

tions to the Church is against the directives of the agency, then they should be held liable instead of the bishops who merely received the donations. Some prelates look at the ongoing controversy as a way to discredit not just particular bishops but the Catholic hierarchy as a whole. Quevedo, a former CBCP president, admitted that there was a collective decision from the bishops not to solicit or accept donations from legal and illegal gambling. But such a decision was not universally followed, he noted, saying that the needs of the poor in the minds of many people in

the Church, bishops included, simply transcended such a decision. After all, the Bishops also knew that gambling is not immoral per se. It becomes immoral because of circumstances, he added. He said one of the reasons cited regarding the immorality of gambling arose out of the cultural situation. Meanwhile, CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said the funds given to bishops in question were used for social programs of their dioceses. The PCSO named the Archdioceses of Zamboanga and Cotabato, Dioceses of

Bangued and Butuan, Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, Prelature of Isabela and Caritas Nueva Segovia (Vigan) as recipients of funds totaling P6.94 million. Odchimar said the Church can furnish the Senate details on how the PCSO funds given to dioceses were used. The Senate is currently conducting a probe on the misuse of funds during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) reported that Arroyo, who at that time was facing ouster calls, allegedly used its funds to get support from the Church. (CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Diocesan News

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Govt not doing enough to protect environmentChurch

BORONGAN, E. SamarGovernment authorities are not doing enough to protect Eastern Samars remaining natural resources, local Church officials recently said. In a press conference, Fr. Eutiquio Belizar Jr. of Borongan diocese said the government is supposed to lead the protection of the environment but some of its projects lead to further damage of the environment. He cited, for instance, the continuing mining operations in the province despite the opposition of many people. Most of these mining operators, he said, do not follow the environmental guidelines set forth by the national government. We challenge them to do their job because I think they are not doing enough, Belizar said. Even Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart Jr., has lamented over the disregard of environmental protection of some mining firms, the Philippine Information Agency Eastern Samar reported. Nicart has recently issued a cease and desist order for the transport of mined materials in Guiuan town but the miners were able to secure a temporary restraining order from a court. He described his powers to be clipped because the local government only has power over small-scale mining. Large-scale miners get their permit from the national government. But there seems to be no monitoring from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) too, Belizar said. The Diocese of Borongan has long been leading the advocacy against mining in the province saying it is affecting peoples livelihood and their source of water. Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez clarified that the Church is totally not against mining only if it would be done responsibly. But until there is a law that will ensure responsible mining and that safeguards are met, he said, the Church will be against mining, Varquez said. (CBCPNews)

Archdiocese denies prelate received Pajero from PCSO

OZAMIZ CityThe Local Church of Ozamiz has categorically denied that Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM, has received a Pajero from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during the Arroyo administration. Fr. Marvin Osmea, administrator of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish and custodian of churchs property stressed that Archbishop Dosado was not among the recipients of the vehicles if there was truth to the report published by a national daily. The statement was echoed by Fr. Edgar Canama, station manager of Catholic-run Radio Station Dxdd AM/FM who also said that Archbishop Dosado does not own a Pajero coming from PCSO. Since time immemorial dxDD stations have not used a Pajero from the bishop in all our operations, Canama said. The clergiescomments came as a response to the news report that Archbishop Jesus Dosado owns a gray Mitsubishi Pajero which is often used by Church-run radio station dxDD AM/FM. The two clergy have emphasized that the local church of Ozamiz does not condone bribery and corruption. Dosado is very vocal against the legalization of the RH bill and the divorce bill. He reiterated that Catholic politicians who support the said bills should be denied of Holy Communion. The archbishop even recognized and gave a papal cross to Misamis Occidental solons who did not support the legalization of RH Bill. (Wendell Talibong)

Briefing
RDC-10 approves Pulangi 5 project

SINDANGAN, Zamboanga del NorteThe residents of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, gave a tremendous boost to the cause of life as they took part in a prolife rally that drew together the youth, members of faith-based groups and the clergy. The June 29 event started with a morning Walk for Life, with students of St. Joseph College of Sindangan as well as parish groups from Siayan, Sindangan,

Zamboanga folks stand up for life in two rallies

Siari and Bacungan in attendance. The participants negotiated the route with placards bearing messages of opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and divorce, and expressing lifeaffirming slogans. The pro-lifers converged at the jampacked St. Joseph College gymnasium for the program, which included a Rosary for Life, praying of the Oratio Imperata for the Rejection of the RH Bill, and inspiring messages from Dipolog Bishop Jose Manguiran economics instructor and law student Jan Louenn Lumanta, and April Lopez, M.D. Two families also shared their experiences in testimonies to the value of life and family, and Msgr. Enrico Montano, VF, parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Sindangan concluded the event with a prayer.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CityThe Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao has approved the proposed 300-megawatt Pulangi 5 hydroelectric power plant project, three years after project proponents First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) and Greenergy started the social preparation component of the project. The project, which will have three units of 100 MW each, will be constructed in Southern Bukidnon and North Cotabato affecting the Bukidnon municipalities of Kitaotao, Dangcagan, Kibawe and Damulog and the Cotabato town of President Roxas. Its cost is pegged at P33 billion. (Bong D. Fabe)
US-PH military exercises in Palawan spell danger LFS

Another pro-life rally will be held on July 6, this time in Dapitan City, as part of the provinces efforts to inform the people about the RH bill and related issues and to express their call for the measures rejection. The different Vicariates in the province have taken the initiative to organize rallies, fora and holy hour sessions of prayer for the cause of the culture of life. (Diana Uichanco)

PUERTO PRINCESA CityWhile there were assurances that the Spratlys row wont result into war, the League of Filipino Students believed that US-Philippine joint military exercises in the islands would make the situation even worse. Undeniably, the US is firm in escalating the tension between China and the Philippines. For decades now, Philippine governments have been at the beck and call of the US, and now amidst dangerous possibilities the Spratlys tension brings, the US and Aquino governments apparently have their eyes set on provoking China, said LFS Aki Merced. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Bomb explosion rocks Basilan, three dead

National Youth Cross seriously damaged

KIDAPAWAN CityThe National Youth Cross has been damaged after accidentally hitting a basketball board during a turn-over ceremony from the Vicariate of CAAMMAKA (Carmen, Amas, Matalam, Kabacan) to the Diocese of Kidapawan. The left arm of the pilgrim Youth Cross vertical horizontal beam got detached after it crashed onto the board and ring of a basketball court near the parish while it was aboard a truck. The said truck was on its way to a motorcade that would transport the Cross to the Cathedral of Kidapawan. According to Fr. Desiderio Balatero, Diocesan Youth Coordinator of Kidapawan Diocese, the people attached a brace to prevent further damage to
Eco group / A1

the Cross and the affected area was repainted. Balatero said that the incident greatly affected and shocked the young people of the diocese, leading one youth to comment, Naputol na yung pangarap ko. (My dream has been crushed.) The crowd of mostly young onlookers was suddenly silenced when the accident happened. Many were visibly saddened by the turn of events, but they were relieved when efforts were made to repair the Cross, at least temporarily. In a mass at the Cathedral, Balatero mentioned that what happened to the Cross was a reflection of the challenge for young people to continue their journey, whatever happens.

Balatero stressed the element of overcoming obstacles in life, comparing it to the journey of the Cross. We must connect our life with the Cross...Even if the Cross has endured that kind of damage, the journey must continue because many young people are still expecting it, he added. During the stay of the pilgrim Cross in the Cathedral, the incident was used as a reflection guide for the vigil with the youth of Kidapawan. They were asked, What is the cross that you are carrying? And how do you deal with it? On June 30, the Cross arrived in the Diocese of Digos, one of the last few dioceses the Cross will visit before it is turned over to the Central Luzon region. (Jandel Posion)

ISABELA CityThree persons died while 14 others were wounded on June 25 when bomb exploded at downtown Isabela City, Basilan, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf. Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad said the bomb explosion took place at 5:45 PM at Mons Kitchenette, some 25-30 meters from the Cathedral of St. Isabela of Portugal. Sources in Basilan told CBCPNews the explosion may have been a diversionary tactic or a form of retaliation as military troopers arrested two Abu Sayyaf operatives in Lamitan town, a known Abu Sayyaf lair. (Melo M. Acua)
ISAC to US govt: Hands-off on Spratlys issue

ANTIPOLO CityThe International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC) asked the United States not to intervene with the Philippines-China row over the disputed Spratlys Islands, 150 miles off the coast of Palawan. ISAC secretary general Atty. Joseph Entero said that it is only the Philippine government, with the help of fellow Southeast Asian countries that can resolve the Spratlys issue. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
HLI Philippines consecrated to the Sacred Heart

CEBU CityThe Cebu offices of Human Life International (HLI) Philippines were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a simple ceremony involving staff and supporters on June 30, 2011. Dr. Rene Bullecer, Country Director of HLI Philippines, revealed that this was part of a coordinated effort to consecrate the entire HLI organizationall 105 HLI chapters worldwideas well as its global mission. The event began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. John Jonah Orat, followed by recitation of the consecration prayer. (Manny Amador)
Long-term solution vs. cyclical floods in the South, pushed

Marjorie Pamintuan, a convener of the Task Force Justice for Environmental Defenders (TFJ-ED) said in a statement that her group firmly believes that Reyess hands are not clean, with regards to the killing of Ortega, as the late environmental advocate is a strong critic of the former governor. Before Ortegas murder, the victim has exposed the alleged payola given to some officials of the Provincial Government in exchange of the Provincial Boards nod to large-scale mining activities in the island, which is called the Earths last ecological frontier. Palawans lands and seas are teeming with flora and fauna that are unique
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to the Philippines. Evidence presented against Reyes is more than enough to establish him as the primary suspect in the killing of Dr. Ortega. We believe that Edrads confession and the potential interest in the killing should not have been discounted in making the decision to absolve the ex-governor of any involvement. [That is why], [w]e call on to [Justice] Secretary (Leila) de Lima to review and junk the decision of the DOJ special panel of prosecutors which decided to drop murder charges against former Palawan Gov. Joel T. Reyes. Sec. De Lima should form a different panel of prosecutors which can impartially and intelligently assess and

decide on the Dr. Ortega murder case, Pamintuan said. The TFJ-ED also challenges the Aquino administration to act on the murder of Ortega, as part of its anti-corruption drive. Dr. Ortega is known for his hard-hitting commentaries in his radio program against corruption in the local government. Among the corruption issues that Dr. Ortega followed is the misuse of billion of taxes from the Malampaya natural gas project by provincial government officials. We think that President Aquino should break his prolonged silence on the Ortega murder case as well as on the six other cases of environmental de-

fenders who were killed during his one year in office, she said. Based on the data provided by the Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment or KPNE, there were other six environmental-cause related murder cases happened in the first year of the assumption of Mr. Aquino to presidency. The list includes world-renowned botanist Leonard Co. All seven cases remain unsolved up to this day. The Aquino administration also failed to resolve the cases of 33 killings and two enforced disappearances of environmentalists that occurred during the Arroyo administration, said Pamintuan. (Noel Sales Barcelona)

DAVAO CityA Mindanao-based multi-sector network for the environment called for help for the victims of heavy floods in Davao and urged the government to create a long-term solution in order to prevent future catastrophes. We grieve with those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Indeed, we must assist the thousands of flood victims in our city. However, we must ensure that policies in the local and global arena are geared towards long-term solutions to address the deadly impact of the worsening climate crisis that affects particularly the poorest of the poor, said Francis Morales, secretary general of PANALIPDAN Southern Mindanao. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
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Office (NSO) to priests or ministers of other churches to administer a wedding. A priest who uses his authority to solemnize an inappropriate marriage stands to lose his faculty or authority both granted by the Church and the State, Cruz said. Archbishop Cruz heads the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). On June 25, three pastors of the Metropolitan Community Church of Metro

Baguio solemnized the unions of eight gay couples in Baguio City. Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon immediately criticized the same-sex wedding saying that it is against the law of the State and of the Church. Bishop Teodoro Bacani, who is a member of the 1987 Constitutional Convention, said it is really against the law as provided by the Family Code of the Philippines. Article 1 of the Code defines marriage as a special contract of permanent union

between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. He added that the Holy Bible similarly provides that a sacred union should just be between a man and a woman. He also said that there may be enough grounds for the one who ministered the wedding rites to be prosecuted before the court. I think they can be also be prosecuted for doing something illegal before the law, said Bacani. (CBCPNews)

is in session. Chaired by the CBCP president, its officers attend to the operations of the Conference. The prelates will likewise elect the CBCPs secretary general and chairpersons of the different commissions, committees and offices. On July 4, the bishops cloistered themselves for a fourday retreat at the Betania Retreat House in Tagaytay. They are set to return in Manila on July 7 for their regional meetings the following day and the formal opening of their plenary assembly on July 9.

The CBCP is also expected to issue on July 11 a pastoral statement on ecclesiastical, moral and socio-political issues affecting the country. Odchimar earlier said they will also discuss the controversy involving some bishops who reportedly received sports utility vehicles from the previous administration. Bishops allegedly involved in the scandal will be personally asked to discuss their position on the matter. The CBCP is composed of 131 prelates, 95 of them are active and 36 are retired. (CBCPNews)

FILE PhOTO

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People, Facts & Places

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 15 No. 14

July 4 - 17 , 2011

Mother Butler Guild marks milestone of liturgical service

A RELIGIOUS organization that has dressed up thousands of priests and bishops in numerous liturgical celebrations is marking a milestone of its existence in Churchs service. The Mother Butler Guild is convening a national assembly of its members at the World Trade Center on July 8 and 9 to mark the organizations 50 years of liturgical service in the Philippine Church. More than five thousand delegates nationwide are expected to attend the two-day national event that boasts a roster of bishops as resource speakers and celebrants. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales leads the opening Mass on July 8 together with the CBCP and MBG Spiritual Directors as concelebrants, while Bishop Teodoro Bacani will preside the Closing Mass on July 9. Three conferences are slated on the first day of the convention with Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle giving the first talk on The Call to Abide; followed by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on The Call to Obey; and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo on The Call to Love. Sr. Kathleen Connell, RSHM, a nun from the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary congregation based in New York, on the second day, will speak on The Path to Renewal Set Out by Mother Joseph Butler. Beginnings The Mother Butler Guild draws its charism from Mother Marie Joseph Butler, an Irish nun of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary whose love for the Eucharist inspired the formation of MBG group in Manila in 1961. Then Manila Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos tasked the religious organization to reach out to different parishes of the archdiocese to take care of the altar, liturgical linens and vestments as a means of their sanctification. In 1974, the groups liturgical ministry spread out nationwide when the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin instructed then MBG president Henrietta de Villa, to bring their ministry to far-flung parishes. But it was in 1976 when the group received its final mandate from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to make its liturgical services available to all dioceses across the country. Vested thousands of clergy The Mother Butler Guild has provided liturgical vestments in many important liturgical celebrations including the visits of Pope Paul VI in 1970, Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995, first during the beatification of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and companion martyrs, and second during the X World Youth Day and the Quadricentennial Anniversary celebration of Manila, Cebu, Caceres and Nueva Segovia. But it was during the National Congress of the Clergy, first held in 2004, and second in 2010, that the Mother Butler dressed thousands of clergy, all in one gathering. Some 4,000 priests and bishops attended the first congress in 2004, while the second congress gathered around 5,542 priests and 100 bishops. Despite the distinction of having dressed up the hierarchyfrom the pope to the ordinary priest in the farflung areasthe Guilds members have remained unassuming in doing their task, putting high premium on humility, love and joy. Pope Benedict will bestow on the Mother Butler a special Apostolic Blessing on the occasion of the groups

Christopher West lauds Filipinos receptivity to JP IIs teachings

people at the ULTRA, Pasig city last June 25. Majority of the attendees were members and leaders of CFC, some of whom came from as far as the Middle East, Seychelles, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia. The people braved heavy rains brought on by tropical depression Falcon to attend the whole day event. The Freedom to Love conference was part of CFCs 30th year anniversary celebration. West has also commended the Couples for Christ, who organized most of the talks during his stay, for their strong sense of organization. He has been invited to talk in countries like Australia, Canada, New Mexico, as well as in the US, he said, but [he has] never seen anything run so smoothly like it has in the Philippines, his first

50th anniversary. A special award will also be launched during the convention where five outstanding promoters of liturgy will be given credit for their contribution in the liturgy. Named Five Outstanding Promoters of Liturgy are Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco,

OSB; Fr. Manoling V. Francisco, SJ; Dr. Josefina M. Manabat, PhD; Bro. Gerardo S. Salazar (posthumous) and Mr. Mamerto P. Pingol. The two-day convention will culminate with a raffle and golden jubilee pageant featuring seven MBG diocesan councils. (CBCPNews)

RENOWNED Theology of the Body speaker Christopher West has lauded the Filipino Catholics receptivity to Blessed John Paul IIs teachings on love, life and human sexuality. West was in the Philippines for a five-day speaking engagements on John Paul IIs Theology of the Body. On June 27, at a farewell dinner organized by Couples for Christ leaders and full-time workers in Greenhills, San Juan, West described his talk at the Freedom to Love conference as an unforgettable experience. ...By far, [It is] the highlight of my mission. I will never forget it! he exclaimed. West, who for 15 years, has been speaking publicly about the Theology of the Body, admitted that the biggest crowd he has spoken to, so far, was the 5,600

Markings
INSTALLED. Bishop Mylo hubert C. Vergara was installed as Pasigs second prelate in solemn ceremonies at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Malinao, Pasig City on June 23, 2011. Bishop Vergara succeeded Bishop Francisco San Diego whose retirement was approved by the Vatican last December 21, 2010. Born in Manila on October 23, 1962, Vergara was ordained deacon in the Archdiocese of Manila on November 4, 1989. he was ordained to the priesthood on March 24, 1990. When the archdiocese of Manila was divided into six ecclesiastical provinces, Vergara was incardinated into the Diocese of Cubao. he was parish priest of the Church of the Holy Sacrifice at the University of the Philippines and president of Radio Veritas Global Broadcasting System when he was appointed Bishop of San Jose de Nueva Ecija on February 12, 2005. The Diocese of Pasig was created as a new ecclesiastical province on June 26, 2003 and canonically erected on August 21, 2003. It comprises of Pasig and Taguig cities and the municipality of Pateros. It has 33 priests and some 25 guest priests and 44 religious women serving in Pasigs 27 parishes, chaplaincy and one personal parish. There are 11 high schools, 11 elementary schools, 11 pre-schools and one college. ORDAINED. Fr. Daniel Daculan Silaya, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish; Fr. Eugene dela Corte Paredes, Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; Fr. Jerome Escarro Seville, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish; Fr. Lydio Felizarta Pila, Nuestra Senora Patrocina de Maria Parish; Fr. Ruel Marigomen Gallardo, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu; Fr. Daniel Mata Saberon, St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish; Fr. Bonin Olivar Atis, Nativity of Mary Parish; Fr. Joel Oriesga Pepito, San Isidro Labrador Parish; Fr. Richard Rama Montecillo, St. James the Apostle Parish; Fr. Nilo Sabello Manguilimotan, Sacred heart of Jesus Parish; and Fr. Kevin Trazo Miralles, San Roque Parish; June 21, 2011. The newly-ordained clergy join the existing 365 diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Cebu. ORDAINED. The archdiocese of Tuguegarao has ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyters Rev. Apolinard Victor Narcise Mateo, St. James the Apostle Parish, Iguig, Cagayan, June 25, 2011; Rev. Brien Mark Cue Catabay, St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church, Cataggaman, Tuguegarao, July 1, 2011; Rev. Lloyd Quenga de Leon, St. Peter Thelmo Parish Church, Aparri, Cagayan, July 4, 2011; Rev. Ramon Villaflor de la Cruz, EHM, Rev. Theresebougne Dawa de la Cruz, EhM, St. Peters Metropolitan Cathedral, Tuguegarao, July 5, 2011; Rev. Kristian Noel Agbayani Sibbaluca, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, July 6, 2011. Most Rev. Diosdado Talamayan led the ordination rites. ORDAINED. The archdiocese of Caceres has ordained the following seminarians to the Sacred Order of Deacons: Rev. Xavier R. Amoroso, Nuestra Senora de las Angustias Parish, Sto. Domingo, Iriga City, June 2, 2011; Rev. Rudyard Kip Bicaldo, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Tandaay, Nabua, Camarines Sur, June 10, 2011; Rev. Marciano E. Nabo, Jr., Our Lady of Perpetual help Parish, Balatan, Camarines Sur, June 10, 2011; Rev. Salvador Crucillo, Jr., Rev. Lyndon Fabul, Rev. Roy Guerina, Rev. Abenson Martinez, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Buhi, Camarines Sur, June 11, 2011; and Rev. Erwin B. Blasa, St. Anne Parish, Magarao, Camarines Sur, June 18, 2011. ORDAINED. Rev. Roldan Zerna, a member of the Mission Society of the Philippines was ordained priest by the bishop of Malolos, Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, DD, last June 4, 2011. The ceremony, attended by fellow MSP priests, seminarians, family and friends, was held at the Nuestra Seora del Carmen Church in Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Fr. Zerna is assigned as a missionary to the Diocese of Vanimo in Papua New Guinea. Rev. Macky Calo and Rev. Richard Cortes, also of the MSPs were ordained priests in their home diocese of Tandag last June 11, 2011. Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar led the ordination rites at the Cathedral of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Tandag, Surigao del Sur. In attendance during the event were MSP priests and several members of the Fil-Mission Auxiliary Association from Davao and Gingoog cities. Fr. Calo is assigned as a missionary to the Diocese of Roermond in the Netherlands, while Fr. Cortes is assigned as the Director of MSP Promotion and Vocation Offices for Mindanao. Rev. Fredy Permentilla, MSP, meanwhile was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 2011, at Mt. Carmel Monastery in Lipa City. Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, DD led the ordination rites. MSP priests, parishioners as well as the Mayor of Lipa were among those present during the ordination. Fr. Permentilla is assigned as the Parochial Vicar of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cebu City. CELEBRATED. Silver jubilee of religious profession of Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, Sr. Rebecca Anzano, Sr. Praxedes Paloma, Sr. Mary Anne Padilla and Sr. Noemi Vinoya among the Daughters of St. Paul, June 27, 2011. Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, Archbishop of Lipa led the Eucharistic celebration together with Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ and concelebrating clergies, at the Sanctuary of Queen of Apostles, Daughters of St. Paul, 2650 F.B. harrison, Pasay City. CELEBRATED. First religious profession of vows of Sr. Delia Bete and Christine Mesias among the Daughters of St. Paul, June 30, 2011. The ceremony was held at the Divine Master Chapel of the Daughters of St. Pauls Novitiate house in Lipa City.
CONTRIBUTED PhOTO

Prison advocates continues fight for reforms in justice system

He pointed out that they still have to work hard for reforms in the criminal justice system and continue advocating for the justice that will go beyond punishment. When asked about the threat of bringing back the death penalty, Arigo reiterated that death penalty is never a deterrent to crime. Based on research, death penalty is not a deterrent to crime. The effective way is law enforcement, he said. We have the culture of impunity; like in Palawan it is really unbelievable. All the cases were dismissed without knowing the probable cause. There are [rumors] that what happened to Palawan was [instigated] by money or by connections from high-ranking government officials, this is the system that we need to change, he added. On June 23, a thanksgiving Mass was held at the CBCP chapel to celebrate the abolition of death penalty, attended by ECPPC and

speaking engagement in Asia. West came to the Philippines for the first time with members of a group called The Cor Project, which aims to spread the good news of the Theology of the Body all over the world. The Union band, headed by

Mike Mangione, also shared the stage with Christopher West during his talks. The band composes and performs songs expressing the experience of human and divine love based on the Theology of the Body. (Nirvaana Delacruz)

THE Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care and Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo said the abolition of death penalty in the country is but a little victory in their fight against the culture of death. Prison advocates celebrated the 5th year of the abolition of death penalty with a strong message that life is sacred and a gift and that only God has the

authority to end human life. Arigo emphasized that their advocacy with partner organizations to improve the justice system in the country is a non-stop endeavor. ECPPC executive secretary Mr. Rodolfo Diamante said the gathering was a reminder to all prison advocates and those who have helped in the abolition of the death penalty that the work is far from over.

partner organizations. Father Joseph Haw, director of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Care, presided the Mass together with Bishop Pedro Arigo. Haw also said the abolition of the death penalty does not stop their advocacy for prison reforms. Theres no more death penalty but we still need to fight, we must continue to fight for our advocacy, for reforms and other aspects that would endanger life, he said. One of the advocacies of the commission was the right for detention prisoners to exercise their vote and was fulfilled by the Commission on Election in the last national elections. On June 24, 2004, former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo signed the law that abolished death penalty, entitled R.A. 9346, An Act Prohibiting Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines. ECPPC first celebrated the event on June 24, 2006 (CBCPNews)

Youth leaders against Divorce Bill

THE Catholic Church is not in favor of divorce; it turns out, neither are the Catholic youth. Even as debate on the RH Bill rages on, Filipino youth leaders slammed the controversial Divorce bill, saying it will undermine the sanctity of marriage. According to Jonathan Luciano, 32, Regional Youth Representative of Central Luzon, the Bill, if approved, would erode Filipino culture, which is primarily family-centered. This bill gives way to a mentality that we can now choose anybody to wed since if it will not work out, we can easily divorce our partner. The sacredness of marriage is then disrespected, he said. Discussions on the Divorce Bill resumed after Malta, a majority Catholic nation, voted to legalize divorce in a referendum last May, leaving the Philippines the only Catholic country without a divorce law. Raymond Alvarez, the 26 year-old diocesan youth coordinator of San Pablo, reacted to the provisions of the Divorce Bill, first filed by Gabriela Party representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus last year. If the excuse to undergo divorce is psychological incapacity, he explained, how can the other party continue to function normally when he/she is already incapacitated? Alvarez stressed that divorce will not be a lasting solution but rather, communication between couples should be worked on. The Bill proposes five grounds for divorce, which include psychological incapacity, causing ones failure to comply with essential marital obligations and irreconcilable differences causing the irreparable breakdown of the marriage. The Bill allows only couples that have been separated for five years and those already legally separated for two years to file for divorce. In another interview with Imus diocesan youth coordinator, Adenette Medina, 31, said that she remains anti-divorce. Once divorce is legalized, the essence of marriage will be lost, she said. She emphasized the finality of the marriage vows, with the presumption that the couple should have deliberated very well upon the decision to get married. But some youth like Gregory Balondo, a 21-year old UP student, believe that the Bill will benefit couples who are not meant to be. I believe there are troubled couples who have already been to/attended counseling, marriage encounters etc, but still end up troubled because of personal differences, he opined. At present, the Philippines recognizes only legal separation and annulment. (Jandel Posion)

Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Work: An Opportunity for People to Transform Reality

(Address Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent representative of the Holy See to the U.N. offices in Geneva, delivered June 9, 2011 at the 100th Session of the International Labor Conference)
and deeper impact that affects society as a whole. It is well documented that people who are underemployed, who become redundant or become unemployed early in their working years, can easily become demoralized, lose confidence in their abilities and in their employment prospects and find themselves trapped in a spiral of social exclusion. Documented evidence of how the financial crisis has resulted in unprecedented levels of youth unemployment has raised the specter of a lost generation of young people who have dropped out of the job market. The uncertainty over working opportunity and conditions, when it becomes endemic, tends to create new forms of psychological instability, giving rise to difficulty in forging coherent life-plans, including that resources, the economic role of women should be taken more seriously than it is usually done. In OECD countries the employment rate of women is on average 20% below that of men with this gap reaching 30% in countries such as Italy or Japan. In addition womens wages are consistently lower by 20-30% and they continue to constitute a much larger percentage of those who are filling low-paid jobs. However, one of the greatest cross cutting discrimination realities that still exist is the fact that labour markets remain so inflexible and find it difficult to reconcile the work model and schedule with the responsibilities for childcare and the care of other dependants that many in the workforce carry. Generating and taking care of new generations Domestic Workers 4. Another group of people calling for special attention are domestic workers and ILO is providing a timely response through a new instrument of protection carefully designed and presented for approval at this conference. The growth of domestic work as a service sector is particularly strong in developed countries and has been fuelled by several factors: significant demographic changes such as aging populations, decline in the welfare provisions provided by governments, increasing labor force participation by women, and the challenges of balancing the responsibilities of working life and family life in urban areas.[2] The adoption of a new Convention on domestic work is essential by the Mr. President, 1. The Delegation of the Holy See congratulates the ILO for its steadfast service to social development through the collaborative action of workers, employers and governments. This 100th Conference is evidence of this fruitful approach in the pursuit of the common good. These are critical and challenging times for developed countries as they are slowly emerging from a financial crisis of unprecedented depth whose consequences are evident across all sectors of societies. These impacts are especially obvious in the acute and prolonged levels of unemployment that men and women in many countries are suffering. Social and economic safety nets have been stretched to the breaking point and austerity programs entail severe cuts in the basic services that citizens, especially the elderly, children and the poor have come to rely on. Old formulas for recovery and economic growth are proving less certain in a globally integrated economic environment and sovereign governments in most instances have not been able to find a formula for economic growth that restores jobs and includes new employment opportunities for the millions who are looking for work. Despite the fact that the majority of macroeconomic indicators seem to have recovered to pre-crisis levels, the labor market is still suffering: unemployment rates remain high and show no sign of recovery in the short term and the long term prognosis is uneven. The experience of a weak economic recovery that brings with it very few new job opportunities is a reality in some countries while a robust stock market recovery with only mediocre job creation is the situation in a number of other countries. Moreover, a recovery in labor markets at the global level has been uneven, with moderate improvement being delivered in developing and emerging countries but raising unemployment in advanced economies. In the advanced economies space the unemployment problem remain particularly acute as they account for 55% of the total increase in the worlds unemployment that occurred between 2007 and 2010 while accounting only for 15% of worlds labor force. The enduring high rates of unemployment are accompanied by another critical factor in the current economic condition: the absence of any sustained increase of employment opportunities. The world economy, albeit growing at a steady level, is not able to create a sufficient number of jobs. This is true not only in advanced economies but also in emerging markets such as China and India where employment elasticity is extremely low, despite the two digit growth rates in output. This is a structural problem that was already identified well before the outbreak of the crisis and was known as jobless growth. A sustained repetition of this paradigm will lead to severe strain on those searching for meaningful work and on the attendant social unrest in local communities. We must do our very best to avoid this scenario. Youth Unemployment 2. An area of critical concern is the impact of unemployment on young people in different communities across the world. In fact some 78 million young people, in the 15-24 age group were unemployed in 2010, a rate 2.6 times that of adult unemployment. Youth unemployment is a common problem in every country; however, it is particularly acute in the developed world. It is somewhat ironic that post industrial economies characterized by an ageing population, are not able to create enough meaningful and decent work opportunities to meet the needs and the expectations of their young people who comprise a much smaller percentage of the population. Youth unemployment has a wider in providing social capital for human and economic development, especially in low-income countries. Decency emphasizes the need to both understand and ground the ultimate significance of work. Work is not only toil and effort, which results in services, activities or production, but also an opportunity for people to transform reality and fulfill their personal vocations. Pope John Paul II defined work as a hard good emphasizing the need to put effort and passion in what is mans primary activity. It is good not only in the sense that it is useful or something to enjoy; it is also good as being something worthy, that is to say, something that corresponds to mans dignity, that expresses this dignity and increases it.[3] 5. In this 100th session of the International Labor Conference we must reaffirm the importance of a new governance based on the principle of subsidiarity and tripartitism that gives the ILO an edge in integrating real world knowledge about employment and work. In a globally integrated financial system that is characterized by speed, mobility and flexibility, the voice and advocacy of those who protect and promote the rights of workers and the dignity of labor is essential. As Pope Benedict says: In the global era, the economy is influenced by competitive models tied to cultures that differ greatly among themselves. The different forms of economic enterprise to which they give rise find their main point of encounter in commutative justice. Economic life undoubtedly requires contracts, in order to regulate relations of exchange between goods of equivalent value. But it also needs just laws and forms of redistribution governed by politics, and what is more, it needs works redolent of the spirit of gift. [4] The challenge is laid out before all actors public and privatewho are charged with ensuring that our burgeoning and mercurial global economic system adheres to fundamental principles of justice which prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable in a way that respects individual and corporate activity within the overarching principle of the global common good. The ILO is very well situated to ensure that this process of reassessment and reform of the global financial system remains rooted in the concerns of the smallest and most vital units that make up modern society: the family, the workplace, the community. As mentioned by Benedict XVI economic life must be understood as a multi-layered phenomenon. Without excluding the essential roles of market and state, civil society may be an essential voice to advance the good of all[5]. The Holy See brings a rich tradition that is matched by its experience across the globe and across the centuries; journeying with organizations such as the ILO, it forges an ever-expanding communion that favors the good of everyone and of all peoples.
NOTES [1] Pope Benedict XVI encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, No. 25 [2] A.Souza, Moving towards Decent work for Domestic workers: An Overview of the ILOs work. [3] Pope John Paul II , Encyclical Letter Laborem Wxercens, No. 27[4] Caritas in Veritate, No. 37 [5] Today we can say that economic life must be understood as a multi-layered phenomenon: in every one of these layers, to varying degrees and in ways specifically suited to each, the aspect of fraternal reciprocity must be present. In the global era, economic activity cannot prescind from gratuitousness, which fosters and disseminates solidarity and responsibility for justice and the common good among the different economic players. Solidarity is first and foremost a sense of responsibility on the part of everyone with regard to everyone, and it cannot therefore be merely delegated to the State. Caritas in Veritate, No. 37.
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Pastoral Concerns

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of marriage. This leads to situations of human decline, to say nothing of the waste of social resources. In comparison with the casualties of industrial society in the past, unemployment today provokes new forms of economic marginalization, and the current crisis can only make this situation worse.[1] Womens employment 3. The second area of vulnerability is constituted by women. Despite the significant progress that has been made in recent decades in reducing womens discrimination in the workplace, women continue to be penalized in the labor market with a restricted access to several jobs. Their economic activity, hence, is by no means restricted to working for a salary: their unpaid work -- which does not enter GDP statisticscontributes in a crucial way to personal, societal and national well-being. If it is true, and not mere rhetoric, that human resources are the most precious among economic

is the human activity which is closest to economic investment, and the family itself is a sort of relational investment. As a firm is the observable outcome of risky human actions and interactions, namely an investment that implies personalized and durable relations, so is the family. As the firm is understood as a unit of some kind, with a common good of its own; so it is of the family. Hence, supporting womens contribution to economic and societal well-being should obviously include affordable childcare facilities, flexible working arrangements , job sharing, maternity and parental protection, but it would also require revaluing the common good dimension of womens investment in generationthat is, in meaningful and durable relationships which open the new generations to the quest for beauty, for sense, for meaningwhich are undoubtedly the most significant drivers to human, economic and societal innovation and progress.

experience of the persistent exclusion of these workers from even the basic labor protections. Domestic workers, in many countries, are living in miserable conditions and often remain excluded from labor laws and collective bargaining agreements. This endemic exclusion from adequate social protection deprives them of the security that decent work deserves and requires. This is even more problematic, given that many of these domestic workers are migrant women, who leave their family in order to economically sustain it; they provide care for their employers children or elderly, in exchange for a wage that can improve the material quality of life of their own families, which they can seldom visit. This pattern creates a sort of global care chain which is structurally built on the disruption of basic family relationships for all women involved. The medium-long term consequences of such disruption deserves more attention within a relational approach to the economic situation of women, as it is well known that families play a crucial role

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Updates

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

By Fr. Jaime Blanco Achacoso, J.C.D.

The Canonical Imperatives of Priestly Sanctity (Part III)

and other pious exercises; and the fruitful reading on lives of the saints (Ibid.). Conclusion These brief considerations were meant to show that the ideal of priestly holiness is a pretension of paramount importance in the canonical order, such that in fact concrete norms have been laid down for its accomplishment. These norms are laid down in the most concise and concrete manner in the Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests. I consider this to be the best little manual for the life and ministry of priests, a veritable vademecum specifically for the secular clergy who many times suffer precisely from a lack of specifically secular spirituality, as compared to the members of religious orders or societies of apostolic life who enjoy well-defined norms and means of ongoing formation that safeguard fidelity to their vocation. I would like to end with a quotation from Bl. John Paul II, concluding his landmark Apostolic Exhortation, Pastores dabo vobis: I will give you shepherds after my own heart (Jer. 3:15). Today, this promise of God is still living and at work in the Church. At all times, she knows she is the fortunate receiver of these prophetic words. She sees them put into practice daily in so many parts of the world, or rather, in so many human hearts, young hearts in particular. On the threshold of the third millennium, and in the face of the serious and urgent needs which confront the Church and the world, she yearns to see this promise fulfilled in a new and richer way, more intensely and effectively: She hopes for an extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost. (n.82)

AFTEr considering the demands laid down by Canon Law as regards the pastoral ministry of priests, we can proceed to other obligations which likewise specify the general duty of priests to seek holiness. 2nd Imperative Can.276, 2 2 [Clerics] are to nourish their spiritual life from the two-fold table of Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist; priests are therefore earnestly invited to offer the sacrifice of the Eucharist daily and deacons are earnestly invited to participate daily in offering it. This imperative to make the Holy Mass the root and center of the priests entire life1 by its daily celebration is reiterated in c.904: Priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed daily celebration is strongly recommended, since even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function. Furthermore, the Code specifies an obligation to offer the Holy Mass for the people for certain clerics by virtue of their office: 1) For the diocesan bishop: After he has taken possession of his diocese, the diocesan bishop must apply a Mass for the people committed to him on Sundays and the other holy days of obligation within his region (c.388, 1). 2) For the diocesan administrator: The diocesan administrator is obliged to reside in the diocese and to apply Mass for the people according to the norm of c.388 (c.429). 3) For the parish priest: After he has taken possession of his parish, the pastor is obliged to apply Mass for the people entrusted to him each Sunday and holy day of obligation within the diocese; if he is legitimately prevented from this celebration, he is to apply Mass on these same days through another priest or he himself is to apply it on other days (c.534, 1). On the other hand, the pious celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is safeguarded by the following canonical provisions: 1) Prohibition against routine due to too many Masses daily: It is not licit for a priest to celebrate

the Eucharist more than once a day, except for certain instances when the law permits such celebration or concelebration more than once (c.905, 1). In fact, only if priests are lacking can the Local Ordinary allow exceptions to this general limitation to one Mass per day: a) twice a day for a just cause; b) thrice on Sunday and holy days of obligation, for pastoral reasons. 2) Prayer before and after Mass: The priest is not to fail to make the required prayerful preparation for the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, or the thanksgiving to God upon its completion (c.909). 3rd Imperative Can.276, 2 3 Priests as well as deacons aspiring to the priesthood are obliged to fulfill the liturgy of the hours daily in accordance with the proper and approved liturgical books; permanent deacons, however, are to do the same to the extent it is determined by the conference of bishops. The degree of obligation is lost in translation; in effect the original obligatione tenentur is used in the Code for obligations of the greatest ranke.g., duty

of celibacy for clerics (c.277, 1), duty to attend Mass on holy days of obligation (c.1247). Indeed the liturgy of the hours forms part of the public worship of the Church, and its celebration constitutes a grave obligation for clerics, even if the commandment does not affect all the hours equallyi.e., Morning Praise and Evening Prayer form the double axis around which the divine office rotates2, which should not be omitted except for a serious cause.3 This canonical norm is in perfect continuity with c.135 of the old CIC17. 4th Imperative Can.276, 2 4 [Clerics] are also bound to make a spiritual retreat according to the prescriptions of particular law. The obligation to attend spiritual retreat is also given in terms of strict obligation, and canonical provisions are made to facilitate such attendance. Thus, the days spent in such retreats are not counted among the vacation days of the parish priest, when he is allowed to be absent from

the parish (cf. c.533, 2); the same right is given the parochial vicar (cf. c.550, 3). This obligation should be interpreted in the context of the right and duty of the priest to permanent formation.4 5th Imperative Can.276, 2 5 [Clerics] are to be conscientious in devoting time regularly to mental prayer, in approaching the sacrament of penance frequently, in cultivating special devotion to the Virgin Mother of God, and in using other common and particular means for their sanctification. This canonical imperative lumps in one provision a series of norms of piety and sacramental life which are further spelled out in the Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests as follows: 1) Devoting time regularly to mental prayer: Following the example of Christ, the priest must know how to maintain the vivacity and abundance of the moments of silence and prayer in which he cultivates and deepens his own personal relationship with the living figure of Jesus Christ (Directory, n.40).

2) Approaching the sacrament of penance frequently: Like any good faithful, the priest also needs to confess his own sins and weaknesses. He is the first to realize that the practice of this sacrament reinforces his faith and charity toward God and his brothers. In order to effectively reveal the beauty of Penance, it is essential that the minister of the sacrament offer a personal testimony preceding the other faithful in living the experience of pardon. In this sense, it is good for the faithful to see and know that their priests go to confession regularly (Directory, n.53). 3) Cultivating special devotion to the Virgin Mother of God: The Directory makes special mention of the Holy rosary (Directory, n.39). 4) Other common and particular means for their sanctification. The Directory enumerates the following: daily Eucharistic celebration, with adequate preparation and thanksgiving; spiritual direction already practiced in the seminary; the complete and fervent celebration of the liturgy of the hours, on a daily basis; examination of conscience; divine readings; the Via Crucis

Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

NOTES:
1 Decree, Presbyterorum Ordinis, 7.XII.1965, n.14. 2 3

Sacrosanctum Concilium, n.89.

General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, n.29. Cf. Congregation for the Clergy, Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 31.I.1994, n.85.

5 Congregation for the Clergy, Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 31.I.1994.

Confirmation by a Parish Priest in connection with Marriage

Or, can the provision of C.884, Par 1 be applied to this case? (First of Two Parts)
This counsel is not mentioned in the old Code, but is now mentioned in the new Code to put into canonical formula the Vatican emphasis that confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation and so needed for full Christian initiation (c.842, par.2). However, as can be seen, the canon does not make confirmation a necessary requirement for marriage, and so is not a strong reason for refusing marriage ceremony for a non-confirmed catholic. Moreover, the canon emphasizes that it is to be received only if this can be done without grave inconvenience. It is not even needed for the fruitful reception of marriage as par. 2 of this canon mentions only the sacraments of penance and the blessed Eucharist for fruitful reception. But we can also see the importance given by the Code to confirmation as it requires its reception to be a sponsor at baptism and confirmation (see cc.874, par.1, no.3 and 893, par.1). Hence, it is but proper and fitting that someone entering marriage, which would entail raising up children in the faith, be fully initiated, even if it is not needed for the liceity or validity of marriage. And that, therefore, things should be done to somehow facilitate its reception for those entering marriage. After all, it was not the fault of those persons that they were not confirmed. II. The minister of confirmation: a. The bishop as ordinary minister: The Code states clearly that the ordinary minister of confirmation is a bishop. It says in c. 882: The ordinary minister of confirmation is a Bishop. The Code emphasizes this episcopal prerogative when it says in c.880, par.2 that the chrism to be used must have been consecrated by a Bishop: The chrism to be used must have been consecrated by a Bishop, even when the sacrament is administered by a priest. In other words, a priest, even one given the faculty by law or by special grant, cannot even bless chrism, much less consecrate one, even when confronted with a case of person who will die without having received confirmation. Hence, confirmation does not have to be administered to one in danger of death if chrism is not available. The canon does not even give the possibility of a Bishop granting the power to consecrate to a priest (cfr. c.1169, par.1). This provision is vastly different from the provision in c.999, no.2 which gives the possibility for a priest to bless the oil for the sick in case of necessity: The oil to be used in the anointing of the sick can be blessed not only by a Bishop but also by: n case of necessity, any priest but only in the actual celebration of the sacrament. Duty of the bishop: Moreover, the Code emphasizes that it is the duty and responsibility of the diocesan Bishop to administer this sacrament himself. C.884, par.1 says: The diocesan Bishop is himself to administer confirmation.. First choice if he cannot personally administer: another bishop And this same canon and paragraph states that if he cannot do it himself, then the first choice of a diocesan Bishop to administer the sacrament should be another Bishop and not a priest: The diocesan Bishop is to ensure that it is administered by another Bishop. b. The priest as delegated minister: The Code, however, gives different ways whereby a priest may, by delegation, administer confirmation: General statement: C.882 gives the general ways or manners whereby a priest may be able to confirm: A priest can also validly confer this sacrament if he has the faculty to do so, either from general law or by way of a special grant from the competent authority. The canon, therefore, states two ways whereby a priest may have the faculty to confer: 1. From general law: means that the ways are mentioned or enumerated in the Code itself. 2. By way of special grant: it means that a priest is given the faculty by special delegation by the competent authority, or through some other way. It is to be noted that this canon does not specify the quality or position of the priest in as much as it simply says: a priest. Hence, he does not have to be a parish priest nor a priest with pastoral work nor does he need to be in any position; in fact, a priest from outside the diocese may even be delegated. The next canon, however, c.883, which enumerates the priests who are granted the faculty by general law, lists also the position or the office or the situation of the priest. This delegated faculty, the canon clearly states, is for the validity of the sacrament. 1. Delegation from General Law: C.883 mentions the following priests in certain offices or situations as being granted by general law the faculty to confirm: The following have, by law, the faculty to administer confirmation: n.1 within the confines of their jurisdiction, those who in law are equivalent to a diocesan Bishop; Those equivalent in law to a diocesan Bishop are those priests who, even without being ordained Bishops, are made to head ecclesiastical jurisdictions equivalent to a diocese, like a territorial prelature, a territorial abbacy, a vicariate apostolic, or a prefecture apostolic (cfr. c.368 and following). But, since they are not Bishops, the exercise of their faculty is limited to the confines of their jurisdiction; otherwise, the confirmation they administer will be invalid (cfr. c.887). n.2 in respect to the person to be confirmed, the priest who by virtue of his office baptizes an adult or admits a baptized adult into full communion with the catholic Church; The priest who by virtue of his office baptizes, whether an adult or an infant, or admits a baptized adult into full communion with the Catholic Church is the parish priest (cfr. c.530, no.1). The parochial vicar does not have this office. n.3 in respect to those in danger of death, the parish priest or indeed any priest. Hence, any priest in a case of danger of death may validly confirm. This faculty, however, is, as said above, subject to the availability of chrism consecrated by a

By Msgr. Rey Manuel S. Monsanto, JCD

Introduction: In the Canon Law Digest of the Philippine Church, compiled and edited by F. Testera, OP, under the heading CONFIrMATION, there is a subheading that reads: Confirmation by the Parish Priest at Marriages. The entered answer, however, is almost just a word for word quotation of c.884, par.1 and does not seem to answer clearly and specifically the questions: whether the Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has approved that the diocesan Bishops may delegate all their parish priests to confirm in connection with marriages; or, whether the Conference has already allowed all parish priests to confirm in said circumstances. It is not even clear if a parish priest can do it in view of an impending marriage, or just during the marriage ceremony itself because the said subheading says: at marriages. Because of this uncertainty, there is a case of doubt of law. Hence, there arise questions like: Is confirmation so needed for a catholic to be able to go into marriage? Can a priest be delegated to confirm? And if so, how and in what circumstances? Does a diocesan Bishop need the approval of the Bishops Conference? Or, does he need an Apostolic Indult to grant the faculty? And, lastly, should he delegate all his parish priests to confirm in connection with marriage? And we can add the question: for the meantime that this is not clarified, can the parish priests, due to doubt of law, have recourse to ecclesia supplet of c.144? I. The need for confirmation before a marriage: The 1983 Code of Canon Law simply counsels the fittingness of administering confirmation to a catholic who is about to be admitted into the sacrament of marriage. It says in c. 1065, par.1: Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage, if this can be done without grave inconvenience.

Bishop (cfr. c.880, par.2). The priest does not even have to belong to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction where he administers confirmation to someone in danger of death (cfr. c.887, the last phrase). 2. Delegation by special grant: The following are the cases whereby a priest may be granted the faculty by special grant or delegation: a. C.883, no.2 says: in respect of the person to be confirmed, the priest who by mandate of the diocesan Bishop an adult or admits a baptized into full communion with the catholic Church; It is to be noted, first, that while parish priests can confirm in connection with adult baptism or with full reception into the Catholic Church, other priests are to receive a mandate from the diocesan Bishop; and, secondly, that the only one who can validly give this mandate is a diocesan Bishop or the Bishop of the place and not just any Bishop. And the diocesan Bishop can give this mandate any priest; and may do so not only for particular cases. b. C.884, par.2 talks of a novel case or way whereby delegation is granted to a priest by means of, what I would call, invitation (faculty by invitation): For a grave reason the Bishop, or the priest who by law or by special grant of the competent authority has the faculty to confirm, may in individual cases invite other priests to join with him in administering the sacrament. Hence, the actual minister of confirmation, whether he is a Bishop or a delegated priest, can, in an actual conferment of confirmation, invite other priests concelebrating with him to join in administering the confirmation. The requirements for this are: first, grave reason, like when there is a big number to be confirmed; and, second, it should be done in actual celebration; hence, a delegated priest, unlike a Bishop, cannot just tell other priests to confer the sacrament for him while he does not confer it himself. Thus, the canon says that the priest may invite other priests to join with him. (To be continued)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Year of the Youth

Brgy. Banwa, Hacienda Malihao, St. Mary Mazzarello School, St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Mambucal during a national gathering last April 2-6. CFCYouth for Christs environmental advocacy aligned itself to the Episcopal Commission on Youths goal of planting 1M trees for the CBCP YOTY during a Greeneration activity last April 11 - 14 in Camiguin before its annual International Leaders Conference in Cagayan de Oro city. YFCmembers,whichincludedtwomembers from East Timor, planted 300 seedlings. Long term NikkoSebastian,ayouthleaderwhojoined the tree-planting in Bulacan, shared about how the 1M trees project will incorporate monitoring schemes for the seedlings. ...Most of the time, when we do tree planting activities, no follow-up activity is done to see if the trees grew or not.... We fail to realize that proper monitoring is the key to successfully planting trees, Sebastian said. In connection to the more long-term impact the project hopes to achieve, Fr. Alfredo Albor, a member of the Education and research sub-committee of the 1M trees project, stressed that the project will not focus on just the physical planting of trees but aims towards a transformation of young peoples consciousness about the environment and life, in general. (Jandel Posion)

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YOUTH groups and dioceses all over the country are intensifying their efforts to plant trees in connection with the one million trees project of the CBCP Year of the Youth. One of the first reported youth-initiated tree-planting activities was in the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan last February 26, where the youth planted an estimated 5,000 mangrove trees. Their bishop, Bishop Martin Jumoad joined the activity. They have had another tree-planting activity in the Diocese of Ipil since then. In Central Luzon region, young people also planted 750 mahogany seedlings in Doa remedios Trinidad, a town in Bulacan last April 2. Jonathan Luciano, the regional Youth Coordinator for Central Luzon, says that the regions commitment is to plant 100,000 trees before the CBCP - Year of the Youth (CBCP YOTY) ends. Tree-planting in other activities Youth groups like the Institucion Teresiana Youth (IT Youth), CFCYouth for Christ and the Salesian Youth Movement have also incorporated tree-planting activities in their national gatherings. The IT Youth planted 22 seedlings in Iloilo during their centennial celebration last February 24. There were 22 groups that planted 1 seedling each. The Salesian Youth movement also planted 467 seedlings in Brgy. Alangilan,

Youth effort to plant 1M trees underway

Phl participates in 1st Southeast Asia 2 Youth Ministers meeting

THE Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) participated in the first ever SEA2 Youth Ministers Meeting last June 15-18 in Bali, Indonesia. The event gathered youth ministers from the Bishops Conferences of Brunei-MalaysiaSingapore, Indonesia and the Philippines to be able to explore how the youth ministries in the sub-region can strengthen t heir net work for fut ure collaboration. The participating bishops and youth ministers discussed youth issues and concerns that the participants found common in the sub-region, which include media and information technology (real vs. virtual; consumerism), faith (eclipse of God; Sunday Catholics; lack of cultural identification), migration and the family (strong family culture weakened by emerging values and ideologies). Joy Candelario, Executive Secretary of the Youth Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC)-Office of Laity and Family (OLF), shared how other sub-regional networks for Catholic youth ministry within the FABC structure have been engaging in activities that foster updating in the ministry and coordination. Candelario reported on how SEA1, composed of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, has already undergone common formative activities together for their youth and youth ministers. The SEA1, which formally started a closer collaboration among the countries in 2007,

Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

drafted a three-year plan for youth commissions in the subregion. Aside from their respective youth ministry programs and how the sub-region can be of help in these, participants presented concrete opportunities for collaboration within the sub-region, such as a common formative encounter for youth ministers and utilizing the internet for sharing of resources. The meeting also gave the participants an opportunity to evaluate church and youth ministry response to the unique needs of the youth. Discussions flowed freely during a group sharing on what has become routine in the ministry and what factors encourage complacency and stifle out of the box thinking.

FNYO Youth ministers blessed by retreat with ECY Bishop

YOUTH ministers from the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO) relived the grace of serving the youth through a retreat last June 4 to 5 with Most rev. roberto C. Mallari, DD. In an interview with YouthPinoy, Cath Diesta of the Catholic Youth Action said, Throughout the retreat, I was surprised and affirmed by how the ministry has blessed me in many countless ways. She mentioned specific experiences that formed her as a member and eventually, as a leader, like the love and support of her leaders, as well as the struggles, hardships and trials that helped her grow in faith. During one of the sessions, Bishop Mallari, who is a member of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, invited the participants to pray over the feelings they had expressed (in
FNYO / B7

SEA2 / B7

Eco camp teaches youth to value countrys biodiversity

By Dr. Romulo S. Arsenio
THE ecological youth camp of the Archdiocese of Manilas Ministry on Ecology held recently in Tagaytay aimed to help young people decide to commit themselves as advocates and witnesses of Gods love for all His creatures. The four batches of ecological youth camping at the Ecology Farm of the Archdiocese of Manila in Iruhin, Tagaytay City was participated by six vicariates or 145 youths that included some newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan of eight barangays. The ministry on Ecology of the Archdiocese of Manila developed some program of activities in its second year of implementation of the Ecological youth camp according to the following objectives: 1) To develop the young people to become loving stewards of Gods creation by recognizing the values and presence of God in every creature; 2) To assist the newly-elected Sangguniang Barangay officials recognize the values of our natural resources thus, work towards becoming ecologically conscious young leaders of their community; 3) To provide opportunity to experience and practice ecological living in a farm environment; 4) To develop their practical skills in addressing ecological problems at home and in the community; and 5) To encourage and inspire them to develop/plan practical and doable projects that will address the ecological problems of their communities. To achieve the objectives, the youth participants were exposed to various activities such as recognizing and valuing the Philippine biodiversity. At the start of their camping, the participants walked for 30 minutes going to the farm from the jeepney terminal to give them the opportunity to gradually enjoy the difference between rural and urban landscape and ambiance. The activity also gave them the chance to identify the plants, animals and insects they saw along the way. The youth learned how to live simply in the Eco Farm where natural and organic methods of farming are being practiced. A simple lifestyle means they had more vegetables in their food, limited use of water for bathing, and to recycle used water for watering the plants and flushing the toilet. In the farm, lawns are not manicured or artificially landscaped. Harmless insects are abundant and the ground turns muddy during rainy days. The youth were also exposed to the various species of the countrys biodiversity through some activities such as: surveying the whole farm and naming the plants, animals and insects they can see around, experiencing to prepare the livestock feed made of various local herbs, preparing the land for planting and planting some root crops, trees and corn. They also harvested and cooked their own food. They made their own solar oven and day light bulbs using ordinary materials. They learned a lot through hands on experiences. Various basic skills for zero waste management were also taught through practical application during the camping. At the end of the three days, participants were able to formulate their own action plans that they can implement in their parish or Barangay communities. Participants were given inputs on the Causes, Impacts of Climate Change and the practical solutions to reduce its harmful impacts. The entire module of the ecological youth camping promotes renewable sources of energy, containerized gardening, basics of organic waste processing as soil production and the Church teachings on Care for the Earth as taught in the Catholic Social Teachings and Scriptures.

Focolare youth help Falcon, Egay victims

AFTEr the devastation brought by Typhoon Egay and Tropical depression Falcon, Focolare youth came to the aid of some 101 families and 400 residents of Brgy. Bagong Silangan who were evacuated from their homes due to flooding caused by heavy rains. Members of the Focolare Movement Youth for a United World, together with friends and collaborators, distributed food, medicines and clothes to the families who were evacuated to the Sulyap ng Pag-asa Housing Project after their houses were flooded

photo courtesy of FNYo

because of the typhoons. Sulyap ng Pag-asa Housing is one of the adopted communities of the Focolare Movement, part of the world-wide project One Family One Home. Victims of Ondoys floods also fled to the same area in 2009, calling the place Noahs Ark. At present, there are 30 houses in Sulyap and more to be built this year. A bond since Ondoy rhoda Agcalago, Focolare representative to Federation of
Focolare / B7

National Youth Cross seriously damaged in Kidapawan

THE National Youth Cross got seriously damaged after accidentally hitting a basketball board during the turn-over from the Vicariate of CAAMMAKA (Carmen, Amas, Matalam, Kabacan) to the Diocese of Kidapawan last June 29. The left arm of the Youth Cross vertical horizontal beam was detached after it crashed into the board and ring of a basketball court near the parish while it was aboard a truck. The said truck was on its way to a motorcade that would transport the Cross to the Cathedral of Kidapawan. According to Fr. Desiderio Balatero, Diocesan Youth Coordinator of Kidapawan Diocese, the people in the parish attached a brace to prevent further damage to the Cross and re-painted the affected area. Balatero said that incident greatly affected and shocked the young people of the diocese, leading one youth to comment, Naputol na yung pangarap ko. (My dream has been crushed.) The crowd of mostly young onlookers was suddenly silenced when the accident happened. Many were visibly saddened by the turn of events, but were relieved when efforts were made to repair the Cross, at least temporarily. In a mass at the Cathedral, Fr. Balatero mentioned that what happened to the Cross was a reflection of the challenge for young people to continue their journey, whatever happens. Fr. Balatero stressed the element of overcoming obstacles in life, comparing it to the journey of the Cross. We must connect our life with the Cross... Even if the Cross has endured that kind of damage, the journey must continue because many young people are still expecting it, he added. During the stay of the Cross in the Cathedral, the incident was used as a reflection guide for the vigil with the youth of Kidapawan. They were asked, What is the cross that you are carrying? And how do you deal with it? On June 30, the Cross arrived in the Diocese of Digos, one of the last few dioceses the Cross will visit before it is turned over to the Central Luzon region. (Jandel Posion)

photo Courtesy of CBCp-eCY

photo courtesy of Salesian Youth Movement

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Features

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Battling Global Population Control: The Philippine experience

(Delivered at the Moscow Demographic Summit, World Congress of Families Russian State Social University, Moscow, 29 June 2011)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Give Peace a Chance: Resume Peace Talks, Now!
WHEN the peace talks between the GPH and the NDFP resumed after being stalled for 6 years, optimism and challenges were renewed among the church people to work again for a just and lasting peace. Peace advocates are eagerly looking forward to the negotiations since the agenda at stake revolve around the socio-economic reforms; ever hopeful that it will bring a structural and definitive change that would address the roots of the armed conflictwidespread poverty and uneven distribution of Gods blessings. In the previous months, church people continuously encouraged both parties to abide by the previously signed agreements and usher in the most conducive atmosphere during the negotiations by providing goodwill measures. The unilateral ceasefires declared by both parties during the Christmas celebration last year drew much attention as well as support to appropriately welcome the resumption of peace talks. As part of the Filipino people longing for just and humane society, we recognize that peace building is arduous and there is no easy way to achieve lasting peace. Despite the many twists and turns, we are optimistic and hopeful that peace talks could bring about a new arena of discourse and debate that would further deepen the peoples understanding of the root causes of armed conflict and the various options available to address such. As people of faith, we put our trust on the members of both peace panels, appointed by their respective principals, to jointly construct agreements that would redound to the benefit of the majority of our people. It is no doubt that the previously signed agreements laid the foundations and framework of peace talks which can be useful to protect and promote the interest and basic human rights of the people. However, we also affirm that for any peace talks to prosper, it should be led and viewed from the civilian or peoples perspective. Any military perspective, pronouncement and interference might even derail the talks to the disadvantage of the people. From this viewpoint, we encourage the Armed Forces of the Philippines to refrain from issuing commentaries that would be detrimental to the ongoing negotiations. We find it unhelpful and destructive the AFPs question pertaining to the sincerity of the NDF especially in relation to the issue of JASIG. We strongly suggest that both parties should not allow their military arm to interfere with the agenda and foundation of the talks. We also reiterate that military personnel should respect and honor the authority of civilian negotiators especially in the GPH peace panel. Let us throw our support to the peace panel of both parties as they tackle the peoples issues and concern. We are urging the public to ensure that the peace talks will work to end the century long oppression and exploitation of our poor brothers and sisters. Let us give peace based on justice a chance. Mr. NArDy SAbINO Secretary General pcprnatl@gmail.com

By Francisco S. Tatad
UNLESS we turn it back, assuming we still can, we shall soon face the cruelest winter of our lives, without any prospect of spring. This is the demographic winter. The question isCan we still turn it back, or at least keep it from spreading to our respective corners of the earth? We pray we still can. But quite apart from what we are seeing today in Moscow, for which we most profusely thank andcommendtheWorldCongress of Families and its russian collaborators, the evidence suggests that the global antipopulation forces are determined to see this demographic winter spread to the last village on the equator. I speak of my country, the Philippines. We are an archipelago of 7,107 islands. We have a population of 95 million, growing at 1.9 percent a year. A labor force of 38 million, ten million overseas workers. One million more go abroad each year. The national median age is 22.7 years, among the youngest in the world. We have far more young people than elderly; infinitely more grandchildren than grandparents. The average family size is five, yet you find many smaller and larger families around, extended ones with three generations living together under one roof. But rarely would you find the emerging European model of four grandparents sharing one grandchild. Our population profile would read like a perfect pyramid, with a remarkably wide base of young people that tapers off smoothly upward as the population ages and begins to fall off. Indeed, the universe is vibrant and dynamic. A demographers delight, a joy to behold. But we are poor. And thats where all the problems arise. Like many of the worlds poor, we have stopped falling off like

insects, and our total number continues to rise even after the birth rate has fallen to 1.9 percent. In theory, our population density stands at 317 per square km, but so many places are virtually uninhabited, and the major cities are among the worlds most crowded. Thus maldistribution, rather than oversize, is the problem. But that is not how the population controllers see us. Once in Strasbourg, a distinguished member of the European Parliament chided me about all those Filipinos. Why so many? I said it was still a blessing that Filipinos continued to produce Filipinos, while many European countries could only receive migrants. But to them, the prospect of 150 million or so mostly poor Filipinos surviving modern plagues, natural calamities and bad government by 2050 is simply absurd. So they have targeted us for an intensive population reduction program. This began sometime ago, when the first alarm was raised about the population bomb, before the 1974 Kissinger report saw the problem posed by the poor countries continued population growth to Americas strategic interests, and launched the global policy response to it. But not even that policy found it necessary to prescribe zero or negative population growth. All that has now changed. Through a population cum reproductive health bill that has already divided our country, the usual foreign governments and funding agencies, multilateral i n s t i t u t i o n s and foreig nfunded NGOs are aggressively pressuring Congress to require all Filipino couples to practice birth control as an integral part of marriage, and to make the State the primary preventer of pregnancy. And not a few Filipino politicians are eager to lend themselves to this initiative. The bill is publicly marketed as a necessary measure to guarantee womens right to family

planning. But it is a complete fraud. As no law prohibits it, everyone is free to contracept and get sterilized, and the national contraceptive prevalence rate now stands at 51 percent. Since the seventies, the government has been doing population control, at the behest of external forces. A part of the national budget is appropriated for it year after year; at least two billion pesos is allotted for it this year. In addition, in the last few years, many cities and provinces have signed up with foreign governments and funding agencies to take their programs to the most innocent villages. Assuming these programs could stand constitutional challenge, which is highly unlikely, they render the proposed law completely unnecessary and superfluous. Still the bill is being fast tracked ahead of any proposed legislation as though it were the most highly awaited solution to the countrys most pressing national problems, which are too numerous to enumerate. The President has vowed to sign the bill into law, even before it has hurdled Congress, despite the deep resentment it has already caused, especially among the nations overwhelmingly Catholic majority, who believe the State has no business organizing the private lives of its citizens, especially their intimate marital and family lives. In a moment of unguarded exuberance, the President has declared he is ready to get excommunicated for wanting to require the state to provide the public with birth control methods, which the Church condemns as intrinsically evil. The laws of the Church do not provide for the excommunication of a doctrinally-challenged president, but we continue to hope that the President does not make himself impeachable by culpably violating the Constitution he has sworn to protect and uphold. The Philippine Constitution proclaims the family as the

foundation of the nation, and marriage as the foundation of the family, and an inviolable social institution. It specifically commits the State to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution, defend the right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions, equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception, and defend the natural and primary right and duty of parents to be the primary educators of their children. Going against all this, the bill is patently unconstitutional, void and tyrannical. It seeks to trample on the religious belief of the overwhelming majority of the population and require them, as taxpayers, to pay for the program that assaults their religious belief. The bill seeks to destroy not only the family but also the constitutional democratic state, which then becomes a totalitarian state. Ironically the violence is coming from reputedly the purest democratic sources. The battle has just begun. Poised against us are the most powerful global forces determined to impose upon us what Pope Benedict XVI has called the dictatorship of relativism, which seeks to redefine and remake our human nature and our Christian culture, and civilization. But they shall not prevail. Guided by truth, reason, the rule of law, and the common good, our people remain firm in their right and duty to be faithful to God and sovereign in their own country, even if their political leaders should all malfunction. They will oppose any unjust law that seeks to trample upon their fundamental human rights, their consciences, their culture, and their Constitution. (Mr. Tatad is a former Cabinet minister and Senate Majority Leader. He is a board member of the International Right to Life Federation and World Youth Alliance, two U.S.-based international organizations.)

May

Handwritten Unity They Be One Bible promotes Bible awareness Bible Campaign
Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home

No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign 82 out of 86 Dioceses Bibles Distributed (Jan 1, 2011 Jun 28, 2011): 106,878 cps Bibles Distributed by languages tagalog (34,969 cps.), Cebuano (30,081 cps.) english (20,496 cps.), hiligaynon (8,174 cps.), ilocano (6,475 cps.), Bicol (2,695 cps.), Samarenyo (1,514 cps.), pampango (1,441 cps.), pangasinan (1,033 cps.). parishes/Communities served: 123 total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009 Jun 28, 2011): 414,666 cps target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2011: 300,000 cps. total Funds Needed for printing and transport of Bibles in 2011: p45M

Auxiliary Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, DD, looks on as Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, of Lingayen-Dagupan writes his verse for the Handwritten Unity Bible.

Praise God for the enthusiastic response to the Handwritten Unity Bible with many sectors participating. Pray that the Handwritten Unity Bible project succeeds in raising funds to print and distribute 5 million Bibles for the MTBO Campaign.

So you dont forget, write it down! As this maxim advises, writing helps ensure we remember important things, and when applied to Gods Word it becomes even more true. the handwritten Unity Bible (HUB) is a first-of-its-kind project launched by the philippine Bible Society in support of the May they Be one (MtBo) Bible Campaign. It entails re-writing the Bible by hand just as the original scribes of the holy Scriptures did. this two-year (2011-2012), ecumenical and multi-sectoral endeavor aims to raise funds to distribute five million Bibles to poor Filipinos. The first HUB writing event took place at the Aula de la Nuestra Senora de la Caridad in Vigan on May 4, 2011. A total of 64 modern-day scribes, among them the town mayor, wrote verses from Genesis 32 in english and ilocano. the writers donated no less than p500 each, enabling the activity to raise p32,350 for the Bible Campaign. one participant said, i feel blessed because i was chosen to write the Word of the Lord. On June 11, the second HUB event took place at the Sanctuario de San Juan in Dagupan City where more than 130 Dagupenos wrote Genesis 41 in english and pangasinense. Future hUB writing events are scheduled throughout the country. parishes, schools, organizations and communities are enjoined to take part in this historic project that will produce the first fully handwritten Bible in the country and put Gods Word into 5 million Filipino homes. For inquiries, call the hUB Secretariat at 524-5337, 526-7777.

Members of the MtBo Advisory Committee: Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa, Mr. Rod G. Cornejo, Mr. Rene E. Cristobal Sr., Dr. philip C. Flores, Mr. Dante M. lanorio, Fr. oscar A. Alunday, Fr. Antonio B. Navarrete, Fr. Art B. orense and Mr. Albert S. tanlimco. to learn more about how you can be part of the Campaign and make significant change, call us at PBS 524-5337, eCBA 527-9386 or visit www.bible.org.ph and www.ecba-cbcp.com. Donations can be made by making a deposit to the following bank accounts: PBSMtBo Account #393-0649-34 (Bpi Sta. Mesa Branch) Fax deposit slip to 521-5803 or eCBA-CBCp Account #0251-021376 (Bpi-tayuman Branch) Fax deposit slip to 527-9386. For credit card payments go to pBS website (www.bible.org.ph)

Roy lagarde / CBCpMedia

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Statements

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(Address of Pope Benedict XVI given to the participants in the 37th session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), July 1, 2011)
Mr. President, Gentlemen Ministers, Mr. Director General, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1. I am particularly happy to receive you all who are participating in the 37th Conference of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, following a long and pleasant tradition initiated sixty years ago with the creation of FAO in rome. Through you, Mr. President, I wish to thank the numerous governmental delegations that wished to be present at this meeting, thus attesting to the effective universality of FAO. I would also like to renew the Holy Sees support for the meritorious and irreplaceable work of the Organization and to confirm to you that the Catholic Church commits herself to collaborate with your efforts to respond to the real needs of numerous brothers and sisters in humanity. I take advantage of this opportunity to greet Mr. Jacques Diouf, Director General, who with efficiency and dedication has enabled FAO to address the problems and crises arising from the changing global realities that affect, even in a dramatic way, its specific field of action. To the Director General elect, Mr. Jos Graziano da Silva, I express my most sincere wishes for the success of your future activity, with the hope that FAO can respond, ever more and better, to the hopes of its Member States and to contribute concrete solutions to persons suffering from hunger and malnutrition. 2. Your works have indicated policies and strategies capable of contributing to the important re-launching of the agricultural sector, of the levels of food production and of the more general development of rural areas. The present crisis that now affects all the aspects of the economic and social reality requires, in fact, every effort to try to eliminate poverty, the first step to free from hunger the millions of men, women and children who do not have their daily bread. A complete reflection, however, exacts that the causes of this situation be sought, without being limited to the levels of production, to the growing demand for foods or the volatility of prices: factors that, though important, can make the tragedy of hunger be read in exclusively technical terms. Poverty, underdevelopment and hence, hunger, are often the result of egoistic behavior that, coming from mans heart, is manifested in social action, in economic exchanges, in the market conditions, in the lack of access to food, and is translated in the negation of the primary right of all persons to nourish themselves and, therefore, to be free from hunger. How can we be silent about the fact that even food has become an object of speculations or is linked to changes in a financial market that, deprived of certain laws and poor in moral principles, seems anchored only in the goal of profit? Food is a condition that concerns the fundamental right to life. To guarantee it means also to act directly and without delay on the factors that, in the agricultural sector, weigh negatively on the capacity to produce, the mechanisms of distribution and the international market. And this, when global food productionaccording to FAO and authoritative experts and humanity inscribed in the heart of every person and that the Church counts among the works of mercy. From this perspective, the institutions of the International Community are called to work in a coherent way following their mandate to support the values proper to human dignity, eliminating closed behavior and leaving no room to particular requests that are made to appear as general interests. 4. FAO is also called to relaunch its structure, freeing it from obstacles that remove it from the objective indicated by its Constitution: to guarantee nutritional growth, the threatened by hunger, to see their future with greater confidence. We must say, in fact, that despite the commitments assumed and the consequent obligations, assistance and concrete aid is often limited to emergencies, forgetting that a coherent concept of development must be able to design a future for every person, family and community, favoring long-term objectives. Hence, initiatives must be supported that are desired to be carried out in the ambit of the whole International Community to rediscover the value of the rural family enterprise and to support its central function to attain stable food security. In fact, in the rural world, the traditional family nucleus makes an effort to favor agricultural production through the wise transmission of parents to children, not only of systems of cultivation or conservation and distribution of foods, but also of ways of life, of educational principles, of culture, of religiosity, of the concept of the sacredness of the person in all the phases of his existence. The rural family is a model, not only of work but of life and of concrete expression of solidarity, where the essential role of woman is confirmed. Mr. President, Ladies, Gentlemen, 6. The objective of food security is a genuinely human need, we are conscious of it. To guarantee it to the present generations and to those that will follow also means to preserve the natural resources from frenetic exploitation, because the race of consumption and waste seems to ignore all consideration of the genetic patrimony and of biological diversities, so important for agricultural activities. However, to the idea of an exclusive appropriations of these resources is opposed the call that God addresses to men and women so that working and looking after the land (cf. Genesis 2:8-17), they promote a participation in the use of the goods of Creation, an objective that multilateral activity and international rules can certainly help to attain. In our time in which to the many problems that affect agricultural activity are added new opportunities to contribute to alleviate the drama of hunger, you can work so that through the guarantee of food corresponding to needs, each one can grow in keeping with his true dimension as a creature made in the likeness of God. This is the hope I wish to express, while I invoke upon you and your work the abundance of divine blessings.
File photo

The rural Family Is a Model

6 July 2011

CBCP Letter to the Senate

Hon. TEOFISTO L. GUINGONA III Senator, republic of the Philippines Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accountability Senate of the republic of the Philippines Fifth Floor, GSIS Building, Financial Center, roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1300 Dear Senator Guingona: We write to help clarify and put in perspective allegations in news reports that a number of dioceses of the Catholic Church have received expensive sports utility vehicles or SUVs, particularly Pajeros, from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) from 2007 to 2010. In particular, these dioceses and organization were reportedly the following: 1. Archdiocese Of Zamboanga 2. Diocese of Bangued, Abra 3. Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe 4. roman Catholic Prelate of Isabela, Basilan 5. Diocese of Butuan City 6. Archdiocese of Cotabato 7. Caritas Nueva Segovia (Vigan) First of all, we wish to note that we have not received any official communication from the PCSO to date, asking any of the dioceses to explain their side on the matter. We have thus been relying on news reports and press statements for information on this issue. We thus endeavored, in the hope of getting clarification, to secure a copy of the Commission on Audit (COA) report for 2009 on the PCSO, and luckily this was available online from the COA website. And based on the COA report, the following was noted: That in 2009, various expenses not related to charity programs amounting to at least P1.961 billion were charged to the Charity Fund resulting in substantial reduction of the Charity Fund, thus, limiting the attainment of the objective of providing continuous source of funds for charity programs. It also noted, (6.4) Further, five vehicles costing P6.94 million granted to Catholic Church archdioceses, were charged to the Charity Fund, contrary to Article VI, Section 29 (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that: No public money or money shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium. In this regard, noting that this appears to be the crux of the matter, please allow us to express our views on the matter of channeling public funds, particularly the P6.94 million in PCSO funds cited in the 2009 COA report, to Catholic dioceses and one organization. We apologize, however, that we can address only the matter of the P6.94 million, as we have no knowledge whatsoever regarding the almost P2 billion in expenses charged to the Charity Fund. Incidentally, belated news reports alleged a total sum of P8.3 million were spent on 7 Pajeros for the years 2008-2010. In response to allegations reports regarding the impropriety, if not illegality, of PCSO financial assistance being extended to the Catholic Church, we truly believe there was no violation of the law. Moreover, we categorically deny that the funds were used to buy 7 Pajeros for the personal use of bishops. In the particular instance cited by the 2009 COA audit report, we believe that where the aim and purpose of the grant or use of public funds is for a public purpose which the government has the duty to undertake, then the religious character or channel is only incidental. We also cite the 1937 case of Aglipay vs ruiz (64 Phil. 201), which recognizes public benefit as the end and purpose in the appropriation, use, and of late, donation of public funds for public purposes. That fact that the donations, in this case from PCSO, are coursed through a church or religious denomination, in this case the dioceses and organization mentioned, is merely incidental. In this line, based on our limited understanding of the law, we believe that by the principle of public benefit, government financial aid to sectarian societies for non-sectarian purposes is not against the law. Thus, if the use for PCSO donations to a Bishop is for public and general welfare purposes, as was the case with the six dioceses and one organization mentioned in, it is not illegal merely because the donee-corporation sole that receives and administers the donation is a Church or religious institution. What the Constitution prohibits, based on our limited understanding, is the grant of public money to a religious leader of institution as such. In the case of PCSO funds, if the donee-recipient is the Bishop of the Diocese (being the Dioceses Administrator) the Bishop does not own the donation but holds it in trust for public use of his Diocese. Hence, the donation is not given to the Bishop as such. Whatever benefit the Catholic Church may draw from the gift is purely incidental. We are actually grateful that this matter has now come to light, and that the Senate can now help the PCSO clarify this issue once and for all. If the collective wisdom of the Senate will indicate to us that such financial assistance to the poor, as coursed through religious groups, is in fact improper if not illegal, then by all means let us put an end to this long-standing practice. On the part of the Catholic Church, we are prepared to explain our use of financial assistance to the poor that was coursed through us by the PCSO, as noted in the COA report, and we can furnish the details to the Senate for their appreciation. In conclusion, allow us to express our willingness to face the consequences of having accepted financial aid from the government so as to channel them to those who need them most. Our conscience is clear. Sincerely yours, MOST rev. NereO P. ODChIMAr, D.D. Bishop of Tandag President, CBCP

is capable of feeding the world population. 3. The international framework and the frequent fears caused by instability and the increase in prices, call for concrete and necessarily unitary answers to get results, which states, individually, cannot guarantee. This means to make of solidarity an essential criterion for every political action and every strategy, so that international activity and its rules are instruments of effective service of the whole human family and, in particular, of the neediest. Hence, it is urgent to have a model of development that considers not only the economic amplitude of the needs or the technical reliability of the strategies to be followed, but also the human dimension of all the initiatives, [a model] that is able to bring about genuine fraternity (cf. Caritas in Veritate, 20), appealing to the ethical recommendation to feed the hungry, which belongs to the sentiment of compassion

availability of food production, the development of rural areas, in order to ensure for humanity freedom from hunger (cf. FAO, Constitution, Preamble). Essential for this objective is the full harmony of the Organization with the governments to direct and support initiatives, especially in the present circumstance, which sees the reduction of economic-financial resources, while the number of the hungry in the world does not diminish in keeping with the expected objectives. 5. My thought goes to the situation of millions of children who, as the first victims of this tragedy, are condemned to an early death, or to delay in their physical and psychic development or who are obliged to forms of exploitation to be able to receive a minimum of food. Attention to young generations can be a way of resisting the abandonment of rural areas and agricultural work, to allow whole communities, whose survival is

I WISH to reiterate my declaration that I have never requested or received from PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) any vehicle for my personal use, whether a Pajero or SUV or any other vehicle. This declaration refers to the PCSO allegation that 7 Bishops received Pajeros from PCSO for their personal use. Yesterday the attack on Bishops changed course: from 7 Pajeros for personal use to vehicles for other purposes. The PCSO revealed that some Bishops, myself included, received SUVs for purposes related to the social action apostolate. In 2008 I, indeed, wrote a request to the PCSO for a vehicle to be used by our Social Action program, especially for our Community Based Health Program. We also wanted to use the vehicle for our training team to give seminars for community organizing at the grassroots, capacity building, training of Indigenous Peoples leaders, as well as to bring sick people to hospitals when necessary. The request was granted. This practice of asking for PCSO assistance for social action is not unusual. Since the time of President Cory Aquino up to the present, hundreds of church-related organizations

Statement on PCSO
have been granted assistance by PCSO to do social service, human development, poverty alleviation in line with the objectives both of the PCSO and also of social action in general. It is well known that such assistance crossed religious barriers and differences and was not limited to organizations within the Catholic Church. Dioceses, church-related educational institutions, religious congregations of men and women did not hesitate to ask for help to do medical missions, initiate livelihood projects, form and promote cooperatives, do capacity building of people at the grassroots. Cardinal Sin himself in defense of PCSO assistance given to him for his projects for the poor reportedly stated that he would even accept money from the devil in order to help the poor. I myself would not hesitate to ask for PCSO assistance for a very poor individual who needs a costly medical operation but cannot afford it. Some ten years ago the Bishops in plenary assembly made a collective decision not to solicit or accept donations from legal and illegal gambling. Such a decision was not universally followed. The needs of the poor in the minds of many people in the Church, Bishops included, simply transcended such

a decision. After all, the Bishops also knew that gambling is not immoral per se. It becomes immoral because of circumstances. This is why no Episcopal Conference outside the Philippines has addressed the issue of gambling as a pastoral problem in the way Philippine Bishops did. One of the reasons that Philippine Bishops cited regarding the immorality of gambling arose out of the cultural situation. To solicit and accept donations from legal and illegal gambling would be tantamount to promoting a cultural tendency to gamble. Therefore, in the light of the above situation, to selectively bash the Bishops for soliciting and accepting donations from the PCSO for activities designed to help the poor is clearly unfair and unjust. From the time of President Cory Aquino to that of President Macapagal Arroyo PCSO has approved donations for social action for hundreds of church groups as consonant with PCSO objectives as well as a necessity to help meet the enormous needs of the poor. +OrLANDO b. QUeveDO, O.M.I. Archbishop of Cotabato July 1, 2011

B6
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD
WHEN Luis Chavit Singson exploded the political bombshell more than a decade ago, accusing Joseph Ejercito Estrada of taking bribes from illegal gambling (jueteng) and tobacco excise tax, no one could have foreseen, least of all Estrada himself, that his presidency would end in ignominy. After all the citadel of his popularity seemed impregnable, the support of the urban poor bordered on fanaticism, the house of representatives was under his control, and he had the numbers in the senate. Indeed, not a few treated Singsons disclosure was no more than a quarrel over turf. When former Sen. Teofisto Guingona accused Estrada in a privilege speech that prompted an investigation by the blue ribbon committee, many thought it was but another political exercise that would end nowhere, as in many of such investigations. Even the impeachment trial at the senate was viewed with skepticism. It being a political trial, Estrada had the certainty of being acquitted. But the fall-out from Singsons revelation triggered a chain of eventshowever wary one was about themleading to a bewildering conclusion that left political analysts standing agape. Estrada was

Ref lections
15th Sunday of Year A (Matt 13:1-9) July 10, 2011

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Will the kingdom of God that Jesus preached ever come?

the opposition to his ministry by the Jewish leaders and authorities. Many Jews rejected his preaching. Despite his sending of the apostles, very few believed in him and were converted. Would the proclamation of the word wind up with the establishment of the Kingdom of God that Jesus had been talking about? Many of his hearers, and probably even his disciples, were unconvinced that the kingdom would succeed. It is in answer to this skepticism that Jesus told this parable. He drew his listeners attention to what happens when a farmer sows seeds. In Palestine, a farmer usually brings his sack of seeds to the field, where he liberally scatters them before plowing. Naturally, many of these do not reach maturity, because some are picked up by birds, others fall on rocky ground, still others find themselves among thorns. These bring no yield. But this does not cause him to be discouraged. Despite these failures, the farmer is confident that the seeds that grow on good soil will eventually yield a good harvest. Similarly, the preaching of the Kingdom may be frustrated. Indeed, many of the Jews did not heed Jesus; in fact, some of them brought him to the cross. For all his effort to bring them to conversion, their response proved to be disappointing. But Jesus was confident
Kingdom / B7

whisked from office in a manner no one anticipated. At 2:30 p.m. of February 20, 200l, Estrada was flushed out of Malacaang, minutes before the crowd of anti-Erap rioters from Edsa could storm the presidential palace. If initially no one ever thought that the Estrada presidency would end in the way it did, so probably no one among Jesus

Forbearance in the kingdom of God and in the Church

16th Sunday of Year A (Matt 13:24-43)July 17, 2011
(Kabarilan, Kaklase, Kakampi) brand and for its theres nobody-home-in-Malacaang style of leadership before it could really come to its own shape. This attitude that shows no tolerance and patience for initial imperfection or error, whether in the government or in the Church, is a theme of todays Gospel (Matt 13:24-43). We already noted last Sunday that if we wish to know the mind of Jesus concerning the parable, we have to remove the subsequent interpretations given to it by the Church, and merely focus on the one point that the parable makes. In this case, then, we shall confine ourselves to the first part of the Gospel reading (Matt 13:24-30). And to understand this, we have to see its background. At the time of Jesus, there were some Jewish groups that delimited the Jewish community to those who were devout. The Pharisees, for example, viewed as members of the community those who observed purity laws, food tithes and the Sabbath, and did not associate with people who did not keep them, like the tax collectors and those known as sinners. The Qumranites were even more extreme. They considered themselves the true Israel, maintaining ritual purity, ethical probity and spiritual readiness to battle against the

hearers believed that the word of the Kingdom, which he had been preaching, would ever succeed. This is the point of the parable of the sower, as Jesus told it. To see this point, we have to remove the allegorical interpretations that have been added by Matthews community to the story, considering that the original parable had only one point. If we are to

discover Jesus intention, then, we have to limit ourselves to the earlier version of the parable (Matt 13:3-9). Although it is traditional to call it the parable of the sower, it is more descriptive of the story to title it as the parable of the seeds, for it is really about the seeds and their respective yield rather than the farmer or sower. Jesus told it in the context of

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD

NO sooner had former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo seated herself in Malacaang than rumors, agitations, and even recruitments for mass actions, to dislodge her have abounded. The most scary came when the lumpenproletariat and the shirtless, reportedly on orders from political leaders, stormed Malacaang on May 1, 2001and failedin a desperate attempt to grab power on the excuse that the government neglected the concerns of the poor. She was then barely three months

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The power and wonder of Gods Word

Reflections on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) July 10, 2011

on her seat. In the months that followed, People Power IV became a mantra for several people wishing to change the political leadership. The same is true of P-Noys Presidency. He has barely finished his first year in office, but his rating has already plummeted; people feel nothing has changed for the better. Despite his anticorruption agenda and Tuwid na Daan slogan, not a single case has been filed against the Arroyo government. On the contrary, they claim things are getting worse. Like a fetus being aborted long before it could be viable, the Aquino government is now being vilified for its KKK

sons of darkness, expelling those who could not follow their rigorous ethic. In protest against these communities, and those who had no patience for human imperfection and sin, Jesus told the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The emphasis of the story is on the forbearance of the farmer. The farmer sowed good seed. At the first stage of growth, the darnelthe weedscould not be noticed because, being botanically related to wheat, they were indistinguishable from it. When the wheat shoots came up, however, the darnel became visible. The slaves suggested to the farmer to pull out the darnel,

but the latter refused because the roots of the darnel have become intertwined with those of the wheat so that one cannot uproot the one without endangering the other. rather, he told them to wait until reaping time: If you pull the weeds [darnel] you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest (Matt 13:29b30a). When harvest comes, that would be the appropriate time to separate the wheat from the darnelthe latter would be bundled for fuel while the former would be gathered into barns. What is the meaning of the point of the parable? When confronted

Forbearance / B7

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

WOrDS are an effective means of communication. They are like boards, ropes, or stones that make up bridges which connect people together and enable them to interact in a meaningful manner. Words are used to express feelings, ideas, intentions, and wishes. They can move people to action, console the sorrowful, delight the heart. Words can build up or destroy. They can make all the difference. Sometimes, however, our human words experience failure: they do not achieve what they were meant to bring about. Frustrated or unfulfilled words become a clear sign of our limitations and even of our impotence. There are so many things that our words cannot do or change.
Word / B7

Reflections on the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) July 17, 2011
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
THE presence and aggressiveness of moral evil in a world ruled by Gods Providence is bewildering. This feeling of confusion increases when we see evil right within the Church itself, which is supposed to be the beginning and the sign of the Kingdom. What bewilders us most is the impression that God does not seem alarmed by this situation. Why does He tolerate the devastating presence of evil in the world and in the Church? The basic answer to this question is that God wants the conversion of the sinner, not his/her death. (See Ez 18:23 and 33:11.) But conversion is a long process . . . . God knows that and this is one of the reasons why He is so patient. In the meantime He derives good even from evil. Gods permission that evil continue may be a means for Him to test the faithfulness of His children, to challenge them to grow, to bring them to be vigilant and humble. God allows evil in order to stimulate the creativity of good people and elicit from them manifestations of a love that is absolutely sincere and faithful. Evil is not just around us. It is right within each one of us, in different degrees, and often well-concealed. But it is there, nonetheless, always ready to grow and strike Gods patience with the many forms of moral evil in the world, in the Church, and in us does not imply either weakness or surrender. It simply means that He loves all. (See Mt 5:45.) He knows that man is weak. He sees beyond the present moral failure. He keeps sending appeals and reminders. God is patient but not impotent. He is loving and merciful, but also just. Our faith assures us that in the end, goodness and justice will prevail. God will be the one to have the final word. In spite of the great noise evil can do, the threats it can pose and the insults it can hurl, God remains in full control of the situation. He knows when to declare Times up! That will be judgment time, and everyone will be rewarded according to his/her deeds. (See Mt 13:42-43 and 16.27.) Such is the teaching of the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The whole Bible, especially the book of revelation, bears witness to its fulfillment. Meanwhile, however, we should be careful not to draw from the parable the wrong conclusion that we should allow evil to go unchecked wherever we see it, whether in society at large, or within the Church, and in ourselves. Evil has to be opposed and stopped wherever it manifests itself. This duty to oppose evil and get rid of it is especially imperative concerning the evil that is in us, both in the form of tendency and of actuations. Evil is the Anti-Christ. It is the Anti-Kingdom. It would be futile to pray that Gods
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Obstacles to the establishment of the Kingdom of God

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WHATEVER

Inner awesomeness
The person bases his identity and relationships through earthly things. One can never have true peace this way since material things do not last and their value shifts. People in this disorder are often fearful of not having things, of losing possessions and insecure that others may have more or better things. Unrealistic Expectations Our attachment to ideas of how things or people ought to be can also remove our peace. This is an individuals desire to impose his standards upon situations or persons. When life gets complicated and when things turn out differently, etc., one gets frustrated, anxious and angry. Peace is once again extinguished. P s y c h o l o g i c a l Temperamental States There are individuals, because of their psychological or temperamental states, who may not find it easy to achieve an inner peace. These objective conditions, although not absolute determinants of ones peace of soul, may cause insecurities and complexes that make it hard to obtain and maintain tranquility. These examples above may be the major causes that prevent peace in the person. But since peace or soul-serenity is an inner state, then what can greatly remove it must also come from within. In fact, some of the previous examples are nothing more than externalizations of inner disorders that empty us of our soul-peace. What is the deeper cause of unpeace? Moral Misdirection This is usually called sin. This is a precarious condition of mans disordered choices. These make him stray from what is truly fitting or fulfilling for his nature. Man was created for a particular end, for perfection and happiness. When he freely chooses to veer away from his true end he experiences unpeace. Mans interiority is hardwired for happiness and perfection such

PO, our favorite Kung Fu Panda hero, is back with twice his awesomeness and hunger (literally) for justice. In his new adventure, the Dragon Warrior battles Shen, a power-hungry peacock. As one wades through the thickening plot of wit, humor and amazing fight scenes and the terrifying sound of Pos growling tummy, one realizes that both hero and villain arent really that much different from each other: they are each trying to mend a wounded past. [WArNING: POSSIBLE SPOILEr] Po and Shen are wrestling to regain their identities, but they employ different and radical tactics. Shen, wishes to eradicate every fiber of Kung Fu (a symbol of culture and tradition) by using the power of technology and terror. Po, on the other hand, faces his inner conflict with inner peace. Our heros approach doesnt only heal the scars of the past, but also gives him the ultimate power to

prevail against the wicked plot of Shen to conquer all of China. Inner peace is the true source of awesomeness! Peace is what allows us to really conquer lifes trials and challenges. Moral: without inner peace, man is incapable of possessing himself and therefore does not have an identity. A tranquil lake is a metaphor of peace that allows one to focus (a lesson stressed in Kung Fu Panda Part I) and clearly see his reflection upon it. In a more profound manner, peace is that inner dynamic disposition that gives one the strengthstemming from selfknowledgeto give oneself and guide others. But what robs us of our peace? Here are some peace-depleting elements that are rooted in overindulgence or trust in materialtemporal things. Disordered Material Security When one is overly concerned or worried solely about possessing material things (e.g. falling into greed, envy, vanity, and anger).

Obstacles / B7

Whatever / B7

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Social Concerns

B7

Nuclear and coal plants are environmental disasters

By Fr. Shay Cullen
GOVErNMENTS continue to create fear with warnings of possible terrorist attacks by bombs and shootings and the possibility of terrorists using stolen nuclear waste material as a Dirty Bomb. They have promoted nuclear power plants and have playeddown the real menace and threat to our survival poised by melt downs of rectors, nuclear weapons and radioactive waste. The world did not learn much after Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island disasters. This is changing after Japans earthquake and tsunami. The German Government has finally faced the deadly truth and recently made a historical irreversible decision to phase out all nuclear power plants in Germany in the next ten years. Austria made a similar decision lately. A nuclear blow out like that of Chernobyl has just been averted at the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Yet grave danger remains. A partial melt down of the nuclear rods in three reactors has occurred but the reactor did not explode. The Philippines is 3,300 kilometers away and the prevailing winds do not blow directly from Japan to the Philippines. Nuclear power generation is cheap electricity but accidents are common we just dont know about them. The safe permanent storage of deadly radioactive waste still eludes the scientists. There is just no way
SEA2/ B3

to make it safe. The waste from spent fuel rods and reprocessed military wastes will last for hundreds of thousands of years and every generation will have to guard the radioactive waste from being stolen by terrorists or released into the atmosphere by natural disasters, human error or faulty safety systems. There are dozens of nuclear

and an additional spillage at Sellafield is under investigation. New nuclear plant construction in the UK is on hold since the disaster in Japan. Yet the power and influence of the business tycoons in global nuclear power industry in government is massive. The dangers are so real that a few weeks ago Switzerland decided to phase out its five

accidents at nuclear power plants and military nuclear installations around the world that are never reported. In the UK the Guardian newspaper tells of three accidents last February alone. Two consist of nuclear radioactive waste spillage, one at Sellafield in Cumbria, and another near Edinburgh and a scary breakdown of the emergency cooling system at Hartlepool, North-East England nuclear power plant. The report says these incidents indicate a design fault at the plant system. This is the greatest fear of all

aging nuclear power plants in favor of renewable energy such as solar and wind. Meanwhile in the Philippines a bill in congress seeks to ban nuclear power generation forever. But the present danger to Filipinos and the environment is cheap, dirty, polluting, asthma causing coal fired power plants. Instead, we need clean renewable energy from solar and wind power. However, more coal plants are to be built. The new construction of a coal fired plant has started (illegally some say) on the redondo

Peninsula, Subic Bay under the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). It is to be built and operated by rP Energy Inc. an Aboitiz company in partnership with Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation (TCC). The SBMA has not developed the Environmental regulations and Emission Standards needed to give a permit. But anyway, a Permit to Operate has been given, despite the absence of the essential preliminary requirements such as Permit to Site Develop, Permit to Build, Permit to Occupy. These have been ignored so far. The original agreement with the SBMA was for a joint venture and set special electric rates for the SBMA and Olongapo City and Subic municipality. These have been tossed out it seems and instead the power plant will just pay a measly Php 0.17 centavos a square meter a month for the huge site under existing land values it should be Php 0.25 per square meter at least per month. The value of the land is actually Php 500.00 a square meter. The project has no social acceptance and has been rejected outright by the council resolutions of Olongapo City and Subic municipality. The resort operators around Subic Bay oppose it fearing destruction of the rain forest, the waters of the bay and the atmosphere. It will kill family tourism. The residents will be subjected to the dangerous particles and smoke belching from the stacks 24/7. We have to stop this madness and go for renewable solar and wind power.
FNYO / B3

Kingdom / B6

that with the few people who really heard his word and acted upon it (Matt 7:21), the Kingdom of God would become a reality. What happened to the seeds the coming of the Kingdom would be like that. Sometimes, people ask: Jesus came to establish the Kingdom, but after two thousand years, where can we find it? Where can we experience this reign of love and peace, of communion and justice? Have the First World countries shared their wealth with the Third World countries? The parable seems to say that the Kingdom of God cannot come instantly. Even as it develops, it undergoes various reverses. Take, for example, the search for peace. Probably there has never been a century that has not been marked by conflicts and wars among nations. And almost every effort at establishing peace knows its own setbacks. There have been many backward movements in the Mideast process, for example. And yet, we can point that it is only in the twentieth century that we can speak of a community of nations. It is only in this century that we can talk about the global village, of the consciousness that we are all one family. The road to such consciousness has suffered many upsets, of course, but who can argue that it is not a big stride? Surely, the Kingdom of God is in the process of being realized, for all the failures it has suffered. Dictatorships may recur, human rights may be abused, oppressive regimes may be established, but

the Kingdom will surely dislodge them! It is interesting to note, however, that the parable ends by saying that the seed that flourished brought forth a marvelous harvestsome thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, others hundred-fold (Matt 13:8). It has been noted that this does not reflect the ordinary experience of a farmer in Palestine, for a normal return for a bushel of seed would be anywhere between seven and a half, and a return of ten bushels could be considered a good one. Thus, the hundred-fold harvest could be a fantastic one! But if this is correct, there would be a further assertion about the Kingdom. Since God alone can bring such a hundredfold harvest, the marvelous yield is meant to indicate that the dawning of the Kingdom is ultimately Gods work! Of course, many scholars would disagree with this interpretation, by noting for example that there is nothing extraordinary about the hundred-fold harvest. Still, this interpretation is still consistent with the Gospel data about the coming of the Kingdomit does not really depend on mans effort in order to flourish and succeed, even though it is vital to the Kingdom. It is, in the end, a supernatural action. God alone brings about the triumph of the Kingdomin a manner, as in the unseating of former President Estrada, no one envisages and in a way that is beyond human control or effort.

In another session, country representatives shared reports about what is going on in their youth ministries. Youth ministers from Malaysia, led by the Most rev. Julius Gitom, DD of the Sandakan Diocese and Chair of the Laity Commission of their episcopal conference, reported on the development of their Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers Council. Malaysias youth council was borne out of the diocesan youth commissions expressed need to consolidate efforts in youth ministry in Malaysia. The Philippine contingent, headed by the Most rev. Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD of the Kabankalan Diocese and a member of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY), shared about the celebration of the CBCP-Year of the Youth, highlighting activities such as the ongoing Pilgrimage of the National Youth Cross, the regional retreats for Youth Ministers, and the
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coming National Youth Day on 14-19 November 2011. representatives of the host-country expressed their vision of an integrated and sustainable ministry program. A session on youth and Asian spirituality, with rev. Fr. John Prior, SVD as resource person, highlighted three main issues for young people: identity, uncertainty and meaningful relationships. Further, he described Asian spiritualities as integrated, Scripture-based (e.g. the Moslems, Hindus and Buddhists recite their Scriptures daily), and communitarian (citing how indigenous religions connect with the family and the wider clan, and with the bigger community of creation). A visit to Ashram Gandhi Puri, whose founder, Br. Indra Udayana shared that the Blessed Mother and Mother Teresa are among his inspirations, also enriched the participants. They had an encounter and dinner with him and with

the students in the ashram, where they regularly hold an inter-faith encounter among young people. June 2012 was targeted as next meeting, with a training component to be included. Inspired by the experience of this very first sub-regional meeting, participants expressed hope to contribute towards a more relevant and effective ministry among young Asians, helping one another sow bountifully to also reap bountifully. The meeting was hosted by the Commission for Youth of the Indonesian Bishops Conference. The words of St. Paul to the Corinthians in the reading for the first day (15 June 2011) served as a strong encouragement to the group that came for the first ever Southeast Asia (SEA) 2 Youth Ministers Meeting: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully [2 Cor 9:6]. (Stephen Borja)

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an activity). He said that these were feelings that they share with many other youth ministers who are going through their own experience of Gods love. In prayer, the youth ministers remembered the young people they serve, asking the Holy Spirit to fill them with the courage to serve Him more humbly and generously. Anne Jayme of CFC-Singles for Christ shared her experience of the retreat, You know the joys and sorrows of others and by knowing this, I know how to overcome sorrows in our community and to find joy in it. According to Lea Dasigan of SYMFMA, the retreat revolved around three themes, being on your guard, standing firm in faith and doing everything out of love. Bishop Mallari, who is also the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga also shared about how youth ministers should remain humble, listening to their elders and being open to new things. Bishop Mallari exhorted the 32 participants to be models

to the youth they serve by consciously doing everything out of love. Fer Santos from the Assumption College, San Fernando, Pampanga, Tinnah dela rosa and Leah Guevarra from the Christian Life Community of the Philippines also helped facilitate the retreat. Held in Don Bosco Tabor House in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna, the retreat was attended by 13 organizations, including Chiro Youth Movement, Salesian Youth Movement-FMA and SDB, Student Catholic Action of the Philippines, Institucion Teresiana-Youth, Franciscan Youth Philippines, Canossian Youth Movement, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knight of Columbus-Columbian Squires, CFC - Youth for Family and Life (CFC - YFL), CFC - Singles for Family and Life (CFC - SFL), Youth for Christ (CFC - YFC), CFC - Singles for Christ (CFC - SFC), Christs Youth in Action and the Christian Life Community of the Philippines. (Jandel Posion)

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National Youth Organizations, said that after hearing the situation of the residents, Focolare youth immediately mobilized some 100 volunteers to respond to the situation of Brgy. Bagong Silangan residents. Agcalago explained that the residents of Sulyap have already established a deep bond with nearby families because of the shared experience of Ondoy. This is a result of the strong experience made during the Typhoon Ondoy, which continued up to now: an experience of sharing, not only of food and clothes, but also sharing of shelter, joys and sufferings, in [a] special way, establishing an atmosphere of family, permeated by a culture of giving, she explained further. Commitment to help The Focolare youths commit ment to those in need extends beyond natural calamities. The organizations regular activities include a feeding program for kids in Sulyap ng Pag-asa every first Saturday of the month and in Hillcrest, Cubao every third Saturday of the month. Focolare youth have also committed to volunteer at the Bukas Palad, the social center of Focolare and at the Marillac Hills, a government-sponsored center, which serves as temporary shelter for abused children. Presently, Focolare youth are preparing for the Chiara Luce roadshow on September 25, 2011. Chiara Luce Badano, a member of Focolare, was recently beatified. Delegates from the Philippines are also looking forward to an international gathering of Focolare youth next year entitled GENFEST 2012 in Budapest, Hungary. (Jandel Posion)

with evil, people usually do one of two alternatives. The first one is to flee from what they perceive as evil. Sects usually begin this way. They perceive that the society they live in is under the power of darkness, and so they create their own community that embodies the very goodness of God. This is what the Qumranites did. Having condemned the Jewish society as evil, they established a community near the Dead Sea. It was their intention to make their community the earthly counterpart of Gods Kingdom in the heavens. Of course, most of us do not behave this way. But while we do not make our own
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hermitage, we do flee from pe ople whom we consider a liability to society by refusing to associate with them. At other times, we do confine them to a place far removed from what we consider the civil societywe may not imprison them, but prisoners are nearly their equivalent. The other alternative is to liquidate them. Since they were perceived to be the cause of the German defeat in the World War I, Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews. Josef Stalin, we know from the revelations of Nikita Kruschev, eliminated his enemies, real or imagined. In a past issue of Time magazine, we are told by Phil Zabriskie
Word / B6

(The Punisher,) that Davao is an oasis of peace in the middle of Philippines lush center of chaos because kidnappers, bandits, communist rebels, drug pushers and other undesirables are made to disappear. It is almost on the same principle that certain people would engineer to unseat the present national leadership. The point of the parable, however, has nothing to do with these alternatives. rather, it counsels tolerance and forbearance. And this should be true of the Church, the seed of Gods Kingdom. The Christian community is a mixed bag of

saints and sinners, and that has to be accepted. There should be no attempt to weed sinners out. Believers must be patient with them. For one thing, God alone knows what is hidden and what is in the heart of each one. We cannot play God. For another, like life, people are not that simple. The line that divides the good from the bad is so thin that most likely an effort to separate the one from the other will backfire. Today, certain people would like to see the Church purged of pedophile priests. That might be a logical thing to do, and the recourse that one must do to avoid entanglement with the
Whatever / B6

law. But for a man of faith, it may not always be the evangelical decision to make. If faith can move mountains, it can also transform a darnel into wheat! In his book, Priesthood Imperiled, Bernard Haring tells of a priest who was sent to prison for perjury. During his incarceration, he became an apostle to his fellow prisoners. Later, his Bishop gave him a pastorate abroad in full recognition of the transformation that happened to him. In his new assignment, the parishionerswho did not know of his pastwere thankful that they were given a saintly pastor.

Kingdom may come, while doing nothing about the presence of evil in our very hearts and lives. The same applies to the presence of evil within the Church. As workers of the Kingdom, we must overcome the temptation to deny or cover up the existence of evil in the Church. We must not allow ourselves to be blinded by a misguided and short-sighted love for the Church. We should remember that the Church is infallible in teaching the truth, but she is not infallible in putting it into practice, especially in the moral area. History bears witness to this and the recent scandals of sexual abuses committed by members of the clergy confirm this. We have the duty to muster the courage to expose and fight evil wherever it is. This is the only way to bring about a real improvement in ourselves, the Church, and society. The teaching and example of St. Paul in this regard, as reflected in most of his letters, should be our guide.

Gods Word, instead, is omnipotent because it is an expression of His creative and healing power. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made (Ps 33:6). And when the Word became a frail human being, the words he uttered possessed a power which no human word could have. They stilled storms (see Mt 8:23); restored sick people to health (see, for instance, Lk 17:11-14); called dead persons back to life (see Lk 7:11-17; Mt 5:41 and Jn 11:43f); subjugated the devil (see Mk 1:25-27). By the power of his word, a piece of bread and a cup of wine were and are transformed into his body and blood! The word of Christ had the power to transform people: a simple fisherman was transformed into the leader of the Church (Peter); a persecutor, into a tireless apostle (Paul); a hardened sinner, into an announcer of the resurrection (Mary Magdalene) . . . . Sown like a seed in the hearts

of men, Christs word can work incredible wonders even today. But, for all its divine, omnipotent power, his word will bear fruit only if and to the extent that we allow it to do so. Its fruitfulness depends on our response our openness, sincerity, generosity, perseverance . . . . The wonderful transformation undergone by Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, and also innumerable others, can also become our own personal experience, if we want. Thanks to the power of the Word, in spite of our weakness, we can soar to greatness and thus make the Kingdom a magnificent reality in us and around us. But, if we are proud, backsliding, inconsistent, stone-like . . . then the Words divine power will be reduced to nothing because of our weakness and wickedness. Today, as at the creation of the world and as two thousand years ago, God sends His Word to us. It is up to me and you to let it bear fruit in plenty as it has the power to do.

that any thought, word or action of his that runs contrary to his natural fulfillment is sure to remove his inner peace. When he is bent on this crooked path, he develops a callous attitude to absorb and camouflage his state of unpeace, and attempts to annul this void by wallowing in the external and short-lived pleasures of vice. The intelligent Designer of our nature seemed to have been aware of this possibility: of mans capacity to rationalize and justify even that which is contrary to the good and perfection of his nature. Thus, these moral parameters have been further outlined in concrete norms or commandments to avoid the danger of falling into moral relativism. What therefore can give us inner peace? Jaques Philippe says: One cannot enjoy a profound and durable peace if he is far from God, if his inmost will is not entirely oriented toward Him. You made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are

restless until they rest in You. (Saint Augustine) A necessary condition for interior peace, then, is what we might call goodwill. We could also call it purity of heart. It is the stable and constant disposition of a person who is determined more than anything to love God, who desires sincerely to prefer in all circumstances the will of God to his own, who does not wish to consciously refuse anything to God. (Searching for and Maintaining Peace) Good will is what opens and unites our hearts to do Gods will and not our own. Good will is what will gradually lead us away from the false luster of worldly goods and pleasure and to trust in God. Good will is what will sustain us to pray, make sacrifices and serve God and neighbor out of love. It is not strange therefore that the Angels sang in Bethlehem the promise of peace to men of good will. It is men of this sort that will truly possess God, themselves and true awesomeness.

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Entertainment
Moral Assessment

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 15 No. 14

July 4 - 17, 2011

Technical Assessment

Abhorrent Disturbing Acceptable Wholesome exemplary

Title: Transformers: Dark of the Moon CAST: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,John Malkovich, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Jeong, John Turturro,Frances McDormand, Peter Cullen, Tyrese Gibson DIRECTOR: Michael Bay WRITER: Ehren Kruger GENRE: Action/Adventure RUNNING TIME: 154 minutes Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 14 and above.

poor Below average Average Above average excellent

MAC en COLET

Ni Bladimer Usi

IN Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, the story goes that when the United States put the first man on the moon in 1969, it constituted the biggest cover up the world power has ever made. The space mission was not for man to reach the moon, but for the astronauts to investigate the Arc, a space craft that crashed on the moons dark side and carried robots from a different solar system into ours. These are the Decepticonsfrom the name alone you see theyre the bad guys. They are to be battled by the Autobotsthe good robots who are returning from having been exiled by President Obama. The Autobots are to be on the side of men in the war to save the universe, and the feat, of course, requires human participation. The requirement is filled by humans led by Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf), now unemployed but who is called upon to save the world again; and his girlfriend Carly (rosie Huntington-Whiteley). Foremost film critic roger Ebert writing about Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon took the words out of our mouth when he said it is a visually ugly film, with an incoherent plot, wooden characters and an inane dialog. We couldnt have agreed Look for the images of blessed virgin Mary, Jaime Cardinal Sin and bridal bouquet. (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

Buhay Parokya

more heartily. Sitting through this potboiler for 2 hours is pure agony. If we had a choice we wouldnt watch it even if our next meal depended on it. Unable to piece together scene after scene of the patchwork that was masquerading as a plot, we were naturally distracted by a warped sense of wonder: we wondered how they designed the bad robots; we wondered how the collapsing building looked so real inside as Witwicky and girlfriend Carly rolled and slid to and fro among the office furniture without as much as suffering a bump; we wondered how the metal monster snaked its way through and around the building like an apple corer driven through a loaf of multigrain bread shedding crumbs in the process; we wondered why a respectable actor like John Malkovich would lend his name to such a silly production; we wondered why there had to be humans at all in the movie when it is simply a war between bad bots and good bots; in short, the movie fails to involve uswe would rather see its in the making version than the movie itself. And then theres this beyond-ridiculous scene where two robots are fighting each other with swords! What the sshheck! Where robots are already a metal monstrosity, it would have been more infinitely interesting if director Michael Bay had made them fight with cavemens clubs instead, but swords? Hello! And speaking of metal upon metal, be warned that the noise level is assaultiveall that banging and clanging (for over 40 straight minutes at one point) is bound to split your eardrums if not suck out your brains altogether. The acting, what about? Except for Malkovich, who in our books is at par with Jack Nicholsson, the actors, especially LeBeouf and Huntington-Whiteley, act

as though they ate newsprint flakes for breakfast. Bleah! Disappointing, to say the least, considering the media hype preceding its opening daythis thing about Megan Fox being fired and replaced by a Victorias Secret model. One thing about pretty facesthey seem unable to grasp that a movie camera demands that they project a character and not themselves. In the case of Hungtington-Whiteley, many frames show her posing as though for a Vogue pictorial, plus tight jeans and stiletto heelsdistracting to say the least, and definitely unforgiveable in an action-sci-fi flick. As for meat content, Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon is one huge chunk of fat. Deep-fried that translates to chicharontoo noisy to eat, and if overeaten can give you LBM. You dont really expect a plot hazier than the Milky Way to deliver something that substantial, even as you hope for some redeeming value in the end. But if ever there is an attempt by Bay to do that, it probably just breezed through, ghostlike, as the viewers mental faculties are too drained and battered by the overwhelming CGI and protracted clanking combats. The movie portrays alien robots and that snaky monster as formidable enemies that have the power to annihilate the human race (at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive in Chicago, anyway), while humans are denied even a semblance of dignity. In the face of all that purposeless destruction, humans survive through luck, not pluck. Think before you watch. Admission is 200 bucks at most theaters. If you can swing it, ask for a satisfaction-guaranteed-or-yourmoney-back option. Warning: dont start your kids believing this is entertainment.

Title: The Tree of Life CAST: Brad Pitt, Hunter McCracken, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn, Joanna Going, Fiona Shaw, Jackson Hurst, Pell James, Crystal Mantecon, Lisa Marie Newmyer DIRECTOR: Terrence Malick WRITER: Terrence Malick GENRE: Drama RUNNING TIME: 138 minutes Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance.

YOUNG boy Jack OBrien (Hunter McCracken) grows up with two brothers in Waco, Texas, in the 50s, with a disciplinarian father (Brad Pitt) and a forgiving mother (Jessica Chastain). He wants to be a good son, and he is, but time comes when he feels he cannot be anymore. He is confused, torn between his love for his parents and his ever growing need to assert himself and defy them. He begins to resent his father, and to scoff at his mother for her inability to stand up to her husband. He gets angry with himself as he slowly sees he is becoming everything he ought not to be. In the middle of all that Jack begins to feel incomprehensible stirrings within himself but circumstances would pressure him into silence about them. He perceives power in his father, in many things around him, and in himself; fascinated by power he wants to test the limits of his own. His bottled up anger makes him contemplate dangerous movesincluding killing his father. On the brink of adolescence Jack is unaware that he is treading a crack in the earth that separates the innocence of his boyhood from the expediency of manhood. The Tree of Life opens with hazy, fiery movements, like mesmerizing gaseous forms dancing against a dark infinity. A mans voice tells us there are two ways to go through life, the way of nature, or the way of grace. From that alone the viewer can tell this is not going to be a popcorn movie. It is not even a movie, an art film, or an Oscar contender. It is a meditation on human existenceinspired, not just crafted. Even if it were the only work one has seen of director Terrence Malick, it would say enough for one to gauge the extent of Malicks genius in his chosen medium. He has control over the story and the script, he is in harmony with his cinematographer, and he coaxes the best out of his actors. He is brilliant at utilizing music to rub in his messageSmetanas Die Moldau, for one, evokes the ephemeral quality of existence, and when heard as one watches a silk lingerie being carried by the current down a river, spawns an experience that has to be felt in the guts to be understood. That is but a few seconds long; imagine the whole opus. The Tree of Life has the power to captivate your senses and your mind all at once, to take you out of yourself to be willingly lost and yet alive in some unknown space. In one word: stunning. Some films are just too sublime to be fairly judged. The Tree of Life is one of them. It is just too beautiful for words. With images it tries to grasp all of existence by finding the meaning and deciphering the mysteries of a few puny lives. Where have we come from? Where are we going? Such humbling questions. The answers may vary from viewer to viewer, but perhaps not all viewers would care.

Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

CBCP Monitor

C1

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

ON June 26, 2011, an estimated crowd of more than 80,000 gathered at the Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines for one common purpose: to celebrate Gods goodness and victory. Couples for Christ was turning 30!
Despite initial fears brought about by recent heavy rains and flooding in certain parts of the Metro, CFC pushed through with their preparations at the Park, claiming God would answer their prayers for good weather. He indeed answered them: the day started out cloudy, but eventually the skies cleared, a sign of Gods faithfulness and love. The anniversary theme The Pearl of Great Price proved fitting for the event: the storms and trials CFC had to endure, both figuratively and physically, especially in the days prior to Sundays event, refined, strengthened and transformed every member into a pearl. Through hardships and suffering, CFC had indeed found Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price Himself! CFC members started gathering at Rizal Park as early as 8:00 a.m. Delegations from all over the Philippines and 41 countries representing the major continents of the world came, eager to be united as one global family in celebration.

CFC Celebrates Finding The Pearl of Great Price!

At around 10 a.m. the opening ceremonies started with worship led by Goi Villegas, a leader and fulltime worker of CFC Youth for Christ, and a member of CFC Metro Manila. Newly re-elected CFC International Council member Melo Villaroman Jr. then formally opened the event with his welcome remarks, where he enjoined those present to rejoice in Gods faithfulness the past 30 years. After the welcome remarks, different activity areas sponsored by CFCs Family Ministries were officially declared open to visitors. CFC Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) held a videoke singing competition at the Orchidarium, with event sponsor WOW Xtreme Magic Sings help. A memorable Wacka-Wacka dance by Handmaids from Metro Manila North B and wacky games added to the fun. At the Japanese Garden, SFC attempted to change the venues image as a lovers lane by conducting a high school fair where various booths and activities were prepared, such as the Jail Booth, Dedication Booth, the Pick-a-Pair Booth and the Marriage Booth. Meanwhile, CFC Youth for Christ (YFC) had live jamming sessions, games and dance presentations at the YFC Crib at the Chinese Garden. Everyone present was exhorted to be grateful to the Lord for molding the youth to be missionaries, even at an early age. At the same time, CFC Kids for Christ (KFC) had fun games, Kids Praise and dance numbers at the Kanlungan ng Sining (Cradle of Art) area for about 200 KFC members, who showed that age does not matter in terms of leadership in service. KFC facilitators or ROCKers from Youth and Singles for Christ helped in conducting the activities, which were designed to give the children in-depth learning about KFC, and to strengthen their camaraderie. The History Walk let the children get Christopher West, who had already spent the previous two days giving talks on TOB, first to the clergy during the Church Integration Congress and then to the general public at the Ultra, gave a 15-minute inspirational talk. He exhorted CFC members to allow themselves to be true to their vision of becoming a light to the nations by letting Jesus set them on fire. He said, There can be no true renewal of society without a renewal of marriage and family life. Christopher then led everyone in prayer asking God for a conversion of families across the globe. As the summit of the celebrations, Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of the Archdiocese of Lipa together with Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, Ilo-ilo, Archbishop Nicholas Chia of Singapore, Bishop Hilary Okeke of Nigeria, Bishop Denis Wiehe, C.S.Sp. of Seychelles, Bishop Rufin Anthony of Pakistan, Msgr. Allen Aganon, CFCs spiritual director, Msgr Pepe Quitorio, director of the CBCP Media Office, Fr. Herb Schneider, SJ, along with 46 other bishops, 12 Monsignors and 158 priests representing 42 countries and all the 86 ecclesial territories of the Philippines During his homily, Archbishop Arguelles focused on the beautiful coincidence of CFC having its anniversary on the same day as the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi. He encouraged the community to look deeper into the meaning of the Eucharist in our families. He also shared how on first seeing the CFC 30th anniversary logo, he saw only Christ at 30. Bishop Arguelles noted that Jesus started his public ministry at this age, telling CFC that You are just starting! After Communion, Msgr. Gbor Pintr, Charg d Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, read a message from His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. In it, the Cardinal says that the Holy Father assures CFC members that he prays for them, and hopes that CFC will continue to support all those called to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. His Holiness also imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all CFC members worldwide. The message from His Holiness was followed by the prayover of the newly elected CFC International Council (IC) members and their wives and also the newly-elected Board of Elders by Archbishop Arguelles. Joe Tale, a member of the IC, then acknowledged the presence of all the bishops and clergy present, as well as guests from the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Catholic Community, CFCs mother community that started CFC in 1981, including Fr. Herb Schneider, SJ, one of the Mass celebrants. The Anniversary Celebration ended with a rousing praisefest led by Joemar Salumbides, CFC SOLD International Head. Joemar led the crowd to praise the Lord for His faithfulness all throughout CFCs 30 years. Writers: Nirva dela Cruz, Lawrence Fernandez, Natalie Malayo, Katrina Martin, Tina Rodriguez, Rochelle Rucio

a glimpse of the local and international conferences held in the last four years, including the annual International Kids Village (IKV). CFCs work with the poor ministry, ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), also had its own booths, promoting its programs which include child sponsorship and community development. At 12:00 noon, CFCs Radyo Anibersaryo at the main stage area featured different DJs from all over the Philippines and outside the country as well: representatives from CFC Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and International entertained the crowd with their spiels and selected songs. After lunch, the crowd was invited to practice this years Unity Dance, led by dancers from KFC and YFC onstage. Technology proved to be quite beneficial here, as a lot of those present had already learned the dance prior to the actual event, through videos uploaded and disseminated through social networking sites. The CFC Variety Show followed after this, featuring dance numbers from CFC Batangas, Bulacan, Metro Manila East A, and Metro Manila West B; songs from the YFC Live Loud band, and the rendition of the winning

piece during the recently held ANCOP Songwriting Festival. After this a band from CFCs ministry for men, Servants of the Lord (SOLD), rocked the crowd with songs from the 70s and 80s. The variety show ended with a short message from Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who extended his congratulations to CFC, saying that Couples for Christ has chosen to live a life that matters. The Pearl Anniversary Parade followed after, with representatives from all over Metro Manila, the Philippine provinces, and the regions of Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe and the Americas walking the length of the parade route. The parade was so long it took all of two hours to finish. The parade was a prelude to the main anniversary program, which kicked off with the crowd moving together in the CFC Unity Dance. Participants then proceeded to learn more about the ANCOP Global Walk, listened to the updates on CFCs Build My House movement, and sang The Pearl of Great Price anniversary song together with the 29 AD Musicionaries and the 100-member Anniversary Chorale. Theology of the Body speaker

By Richie Tolentino

A Celebration of Freedom and Love

need for openness to the real meaning of freedom and love. After the mass, Kirby Llaban of the CFC International Missions Office led the assembly in vibrant worship. Clarke Nebrao of the CFC Church Integration Office then called on Bishop Mercado,

and Mary, to whom he entrusted all cares, anxieties, and worries. He went THE threat of heavy rains and more on to explain how the entire Bible is the flooding did not stop the multitude of story of Gods eternal design of love that people from gathering at the PhilSports ultimately leads to a marriage between Arena (formerly the ULTRA) for the Christ and His Church and how this deFreedom to Love Conference on June sign is expressed in our very own bod25. The whole-day affair ies. The Theology of the Body, featured renowned he said, leads us into the mysspeaker Christopher tery of Mary, who stands for West, who spoke at the Church as the Bride, and length about Blessed to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom. John Paul IIs teaching, Throughout the morning the Theology of the session, West spoke about the Body. sincere self-giving that makes The conference opened us human, the eternal exwith the celebration of change of love between God the Holy Eucharist ofthe Father and Jesus Christ, ficiated by Bishop Jesse our endless longing to see Mercado of the ArchGod, and our calling to love diocese of Paranaque and as Jesus loved. He explained concelebrated with guest Joe Tale (second from right) and Joe Yamamoto (extreme right) presented the concepts of ecstasy, inbishops and clergy who copies of the commemorative Pearl Book to Christopher West (beside Joe timacy, and mysticism, and had come from different Tale) and his crew after the conference. how they relate to the design countries to attend not of the human body. Drawing just this event but CFCs 30th anniversary celebration as well. who is also Chair of the Commission on from his own experience of addiction Fr. Joel Jason, Dean of Studies at the Laity, to give some opening remarks. to sexual pleasures, he differentiated San Carlos Seminary, gave the homily, CFC Chairman Joe Tale followed on- between freedom and license. After an hour-long lunch break, the which was a fitting introduction to the stage to officially welcome West and 29AD Musicionaries gathered back the conference proper. He spoke of how his team. West kicked off the conference by audience with their lively numbers, our ideas about freedom and love have either healed us or wounded us, thus the consecrating the days events to Jesus Celebration / C2

CFC Elects New IC!

COUPLES for Christ leaders elected a new International Council last June 23, 2011. There are now nine members of the IC, as a result of the approval by the Elders Assembly, and subsequently by the SEC, of the increase from the seven stipulated in the by-laws. The new council is composed of five from the previous IC and four new members. They are (in alphabetical order): Ricardo Cuenca, Emmanuel Dalman, Emmanuel Garcia, Alromanof Ocampo, Rouquel Ponte, Jose Tale, Filemon Uriarte, Ermelo Villaroman, Jr. and Jose Yamamoto. In the first meeting of the new Council (also called Board of Trustees), the IC elected from among themselves the Chairman (Ricky Cuenca), the Executive Director (Melo Villaroman), the Treasurer (Nonoy Dalman) and the Secretary (Manny Garcia). The term of office of the new IC varies, in accordance with previously approved guidelines. Thu s, Cu enc a , Da lma n a nd Garcia will serve for three years, Tale, Yamamoto and Villaroman will serve for two years while Uriarte, Ponte and Ocampo will serve for one year. Elections will be held every year henceforth, to select three men who will replace those whose terms will end on that particular year. During the June 23 elections, a new Board of Elders was also elected. The new board, in alphabetical order, are: Ding Aguinaldo, Joey Arguelles, Shok Ariola, Bong Arjonillo, Rene Breva, George Campos, Bernie Cuevas, Mon de Leon, Didi Galsim, Zeny Gimenez, Jimmy Ilagan, Mon Penalosa, Nides Respicio, Arnel Santos and Boie Sescon.

C2
By Eileen Mae Kudenholdt
MY name is Eileen Mae Kudenholdt. I was involved with SFC and CFC while I was in Orlando, Florida from 2007 to early 2010. Unfortunately, my husband and I are no longer active in the CFC community since there is no CFC here in Bradenton. The nearest CFC communities are in Tampa and Port Charlotte but both are more than an hours drive away. However, I still stay in touch with many of my SFC/CFC family and friends in the Orlando area. I also keep in touch through social media websites such as Facebook. SFC and the CFC community played a big role in the growth of my faith and eventually led me to the path I am now on with my husband. I am grateful to the CFC community and their love, support and encouragement during my transformation in Christ. I have recently been following the
celebration / C1

Ugnayan
CFC community on Facebook especially during Christopher Wests presentation on Freedom to Love. My husband and I are big proponents of Theology of the Body (TOB) and have embraced a TOB lifestyle throughout our 14 1/2 month marriage. We both learned of TOB at different times of our lives but it was the teachings of TOB and Christopher West himself that made us closer and has enriched our marriage. I first learned of TOB in 2006. I had the opportunity to hear Christopher West speak while I was a member of a Catholic young adult group in Naples, FL. It was the first time I had ever heard of this teaching and I was interested in learning more about it. I was absolutely astounded by the truth that was embedded in this teaching. However, even though I was completely taken by TOB, it would take me a few more years to really incorporate it into my faith and later into our marriage. I came across TOB again a few years later when a few of our SFC members returned from the conference where Christopher West was one of the speakers. It rekindled my interest in TOB. I had grown so much in my faith over the past few years that I was finally ready to embrace TOB completely. I was ready to start living a TOB lifestyle. I had a second chance to hear Christopher West speak again, this time with my fiance (now husband). TOB took on a whole new meaning. I saw my vocation as future wife as more complete and satisfying. Our relationship has been enriched by what we were able to hear and learn together. Even though he had already been familiar with the teaching, my husband had never heard a live presentation. Listening to it together helped us to secure our relationship and build a strong foundation for our marriage. It was one of the best shared experiences we have ever had. Even though we both came to know and understand TOB at different points in our lives, it has helped us to grow in our faith not only as individuals but also as a married couple. We both see marriage in a totally different light. We see our roles as husband and wife through completely different eyes. I am currently a full time stay at home wife and I am looking forward to my new role as Mom this coming January. TOB has helped me to accept my new role as wife and someday Mom. It has helped me to understand more my vocation. Our love for each other has multiplied with each day. We are fortunate to meet other young adult families who believe and live the TOB lifestyle. It encourages us to stay true to our beliefs. We are resolved to teach an abstinence-only lifestyle to our children. We know and understand first hand the beauty of the marital embrace. We hope to empower our children with the faith that we both believe and hold dear. We are looking forward to teaching our children about the importance

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

An Open Letter to CFC from a TOB Adherent

and dignity of life from conception until natural death and especially about the pillars of our Catholic faith. I love that Theology of the Body goes back and reinforces the truths that we have known to be true for many generations. It puts our focus and priorities back on faith rather than what society and culture have distorted as the truth. We hope to bring back the values that we both learned and grew up with in our strong Catholic families. We hope to return the dignity back to marriage and the family unit. It is through TOB that we remember who is our God rather than what society has made their god. We stand firm in our faith and will continue to do so. I continue to pray for the CFC family ministries. I pray that the Church continues to guide its people in the ways of truth. I pray that you never stray from its path. Peace of Christ be with you always.

which brought several attendees to their feet. Later, three lucky winners received brand new cellular phones from one of the event sponsors. An energetic dance number was also presented by Believe Dance Company, a dance group from Youth for Christ. Michael Mangione, who came with his three-piece band, The Union, began the afternoon session by sharing about how, through his encounter with West, he was able to internalize the Theology of the Body. Mangione and The Union performed several songs throughout the day, each one helping to drive home Wests message. Back onstage, West elaborated on how the union of man and woman in Genesis mirrors the marriage of Christ and the Church in Revelation, and how we ourselves become one flesh with Christ in the Eucharist. West also explained why only men can become priests and the true meaning of celibacy. To emphasize his point, he asked all the consecrated celibates in the assembly to stand up and honored them as symbols of what real sexual freedom is. West further spoke about the importance of being in touch with and directing our desire, how our wanting a meal to last forever signifies our desire for the eternal feast in heaven, and why we should never turn to other human beings to satisfy our hunger for God. No one can escape the vocation to love, he said, but love, which liberates, should never be confused with lust, which enslaves. He explained that the RH Bill is based on lust and that the way to fight it is by being witnesses of love. To be couples FOR Christ, said West, you must be couples OF Christ, ready to embrace the suffering that comes with loving. He added that the real RH should stand for Redemptor Hominis, which means The Redeemer of Man, who is none other than Jesus Christ. According to West, our bodies are meant to speak the language of divine love, but we did not grow up speaking that language. It is as if we were educated in the wrong way. But thanks to Blessed John Paul II, we have the Theology of the Body to guide us toward the true plan of God for human sexuality. This particular session ended with the 29AD Musicionaries singing Tell the World of

Christopher West wowed by PHL

By Nirvaana Delacruz
MANILA, June 28, 2011 Concluding a five-day stay in the Philippines for a series of speaking engagements, renowned Theology of the Body speaker Christopher West could only express amazement at the Filipino Catholics receptivity to the teachings of Blessed John Paul II on love, life and human sexuality. Last June 27, at a farewell dinner organized by Couples for Christ leaders and fulltime workers in Greenhills, San Juan, West could not help but describe his talk last Saturday at the Freedom to Love conference, thus: ...by far, [It is] the highlight of my mission. I will never forget it! West, who has been speaking publicly about the Theology of the Body for 15 years, admitted that the biggest crowd he has spoken to, so far, was the 5,600 who trooped to the ULTRA, Pasig City last June 25. celebration. Also at the dinner, just a few hours before his scheduled flight back to the US, West also commended Couples for Christ, which organized most of his talks during his stay, for their strong sense of organization. West, who has been invited to talk in Australia, Canada, New Mexico, as well as in the US, confessed that [he has] never seen anything run so smoothly like it has in the Philippines, his first speaking engagement in Asia. West came to the Philippines for the first time with members of a group called The Cor Project, which aims to spread the good news of the Theology of the Body all over the world. The Union band, headed by Mike Mangione, also shared the stage with Christopher West during his talks. The band composes and performs songs expressing the experience of human and divine love based on the TOB.

His Love, the theme of the 1995 World Youth Day held in the Philippines, which then Pope John Paul II had graced with his presence. Following the song number, Mark Wassberg of The Cor Project shared briefly about how he came to be part of Wests team. He urged everyone to avail of the Theology of the Body books and CDs as a way to deepen their knowledge about the teaching. He also called on Fr. Jason to talk about the Theology of the Body Institute, in which the latter had previously attended courses. In the final session of the conference, West focused on how to put our freedom to love into practice. In particular, he spoke about the three stages of the journey of the interior of the heart: purgative, illuminative, and unitive. Most people stop at the purgative stage, he said, but we are called to the unitive stage. To the degree of our union with God, everything becomes an encounter with Him and we will find God in everything. Addressing CFC, West said: If you were who you are meant to be, you would set the world on fire! The problem with so many Christians today is that we are afraid to burn. He added that the quickest way for us to set the world on fire is to consecrate ourselves daily to Mary, who was the first to burn. As a final exhortation he said: Be not afraid to be set on fire! In response to Wests powerful talks, CFC Family Ministries Head Melo Villaroman, Jr. presented the assembly with the challenge: What do we do with the gift that has been given to us? We will leave this place burning with the Holy Spirit, he said. We will continue to be ablaze as couples for Christ, as couples of Christ, setting the world on fire with the gift of Gods transforming love. In behalf of the CFC community and whole assembly, which included members of communities such as Focolare and Catalyst, CFC Executive Director Joe Yamamoto went onstage to thank West and his team. Together with Tale, he presented each one of them with a copy of the Pearl of Great Price, CFCs 30th anniversary commemorative book. The event ended with the singing of CFCs pearl anniversary song by the 29AD Musicionaries.

Majority of the attendees were members and leaders of CFC, some of whom came from as far as the Middle East, Seychelles, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia. The attendees braved heavy rains brought on by tropical depression Falcon to be at the whole day event. The Freedom to Love conference was part of CFCs 30th year anniversary

CFC makes a stand on Bawal Ang Pasaway

By Mike Santos
As a committed Catholic and CFC member, Rea also said that she believes in the sanctity THE June 15, 2011 episode of GMA News TVs of marriage, and that as Jesus has stated, it is Bawal Ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie (Monsod) an unbreakable bond. She also expounded on had the topic Divorce in the Philippines. Rea her belief that Filipinos are by nature familySantos, a CFC member and wife of the Sector centric and that divorce would destroy that Family Ministries Head of Metro Manila West C, culture, and that for any marriage to work, the partners must learn to was asked to present communicate, particuthe laitys stand on the larly to listen. issue of divorce. Rea pointed out that Rea was among four disciplined parents proresource persons induce disciplined chilterviewed, including dren. She also expressed a legislator and a psythe conviction that marchiatrist, who were in riages can be saved and favor of divorce, and a nurtured if couples are psychologist who was in a support group, citagainst it. ing the many instances of The show had Profailure when couples atfessor Monsod interRea, left, shares an after-interview moment with Mareng tempt to solve problems viewing the guests one Winnie. on their own. on one. Rea, in her When asked what discussion with the CFC, as a community, professor, brought up the following points, all based on Church and would do in the case of battered wives, Rea responded with conviction, stating that the CFC teachings: community would take in the troubled pair --- divorce is a threat to the family --- divorce gives married couples an alternative and unceasingly counsel them until they got /option/a way out rather than staying put and back on track, hopefully with the aid of the Christian Life Program, which she explained is striving to make their marriage work --- divorce weakens the self-esteem of the cou- the initial formation one undergoes to become a CFC member. ples children

By Sonny Aguiling, Regional Coordinator, South America

Bringing The Gospel of Christ To Ecuador

plan to go to Ecuador. He responded positively and was excited to go with us to Guayaquil and explore possibilities of bringing the Good News of salvation through CFC (Parejas para Cristo). With the assurance of Jose Acosta to open doors for us in Guayaquil, and the strong interest of Jorge Sarmiento to help us, we started to plan for the Ecuador mission. We scheduled the 10-day mission trip for early 2011. But before we could even begin, we faced some challenges. First was how to find someone to babysit for the two very young children (2 and 4) of our Spanish speaking missionary, Luis Paez, a seasoned CFC member in NJ (former SFC member in NC, a Colombian national married

GOD works in truly mysterious and wondrous ways. I worked for the US Census Bureau in 2009 and 2010 as Senior Partnership Specialist and was assigned to partner and lead the group of faith-based organizations in New Jersey. I was then in close contact with an ex-Jesuit priest who headed the same partnership assignment but in New York. His name is Jose Acosta, a native of Ecuador. When he was in the seminary, he had a classmate, who by coincidence is now the Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Monsignor Antonio Arregui Yarza. I asked Jose to help open doors for us in Ecuador. I attended a CFC activity in North Jersey, and I met a CFC member, Jorge Sarmiento, who by coincidence happens to be an Ecuadorian (born and raised in Guayaquil)! I discussed with him CFCs

Challenges to go to Ecuador

network but it had not materialized which, for Gods purpose was great, because he became available to join the mission trip. Because Ruth was a full time nurse, they needed someone to take care of the babies. Finally, Luis mother and sister in Miami, Florida agreed and so Luis and I made the over 20 hours trip to Florida by car, alternating between babysitting duties and driving. Jorge, battling the discomforts of a herniated disc, would meet us in Miami. Luis meanwhile, also had some problems with his documentation, since the Ecuador government required a police clearance from the Colombian government to allow a Colombian national to enter Ecuador. We were fortunate to secure the necessary paper work from Sonny Aguiling, right, with his mission team (from left: Jorge the Ecuadorian Consulate in Sarmiento, Jr., Luis Paez, Rosa Sarmiento and Jorge Sr) pose with New York. Archbishop Yarza.

to a Filipina (Ruth). Luis is a social communicator-journalist with more than 15 years experience in journalism and news reporting. They had recently moved from NC to NJ because of a promised job with a communications

All the challenges were worth it. We finished the CLP with a good harvest 10 CFC and 10 HOLD members who showed their commitment despite the humidity of the climate that weekend. Many of them lack the ability to speak English so all CLP talks and discussions were in Spanish. Taking the Gospel to them is very exciting because some of them were exposed for the first time to a religious program like CFCs Christian Life Program. There were children ready to be YFC but we did not have time and resources available to conduct a youth camp and deferred it for the next trip. During the trip, we were able to meet the Archbishop of Guayaquil who, despite his very hectic schedule, met with us to discuss the recognition of Couples for Christ (Parejas para Cristo) in Ecuador. He promised to strongly consider our recognition with the Vatican and to open opportunities for evangelization in Ecuador.

Good harvest

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Ugnayan
By Joe Tale

C3

Passing on the Torch

nation of the energy of the young and the wisdom of the experienced, of the foundation of tradition on one hand and also the openness to adopt to the changing times on the other. Indeed, the leadership required in CFC is an ideal that is rather a tall order to fill, but as has been once again affirmed, certainly not difficult for God. And so, as a result of the Holy Spiritled election process of the Elders Assembly, we have now in the new International Council 5 incumbent members and 4 first time members (we have also increased the number of IC members from 7 to 9), a good combination of the old and new, of continuity and change, of stability and dynamism. This new IC then met, a few days later, and in a prayerful and peaceful process, also elected a new leadership team Ricky Cuenca as the new CFC Chairman (he was previously Ancop President), and Melo Villaroman Jr as Executive Director (he was previously Family Ministries and Home Office Director). It has thus come to pass, on this our Pearl Anniversary that the torch has been handed over to a new and younger leadership team. We rejoice! And we are confident in faith that the Lord will empower and anoint those He calls. I therefore now step down as Chairman, having been so for more than four years, more than two years of that also concurrently as Executive Director, during a period many would say as the most difficult and trying times for the community. I take this opportunity to thank you all, on behalf of the other members of the previous IC, for the prayers, for the support, for the friendships, for standing firm for CFC during our two major storms. By the grace of God, we have overcome, we have become stronger, we are better positioned to take on the continuing mission that the Lord will give to us. As a brother from Zambales texted me, the torch has been passed, and it is a torch that is well lit. To God be the glory! But God is not done with us yet, and we will continue to offer our all to Him. I speak for those who have served in the IC and in specific positions - we will serve in whatever capacity that the new IC will assign to us. It is not yet time to just fade away as old soldiers do. It is not yet time to ride towards the sunset, as many western movies are wont to end. For the five of us, we are still members of the IC, and so, we will still fight the battle for Christ, for the family and for the poor, but now more and more to advise, to guide, mentor and coach as appropriate. I am putting on the finishing touches of this column, having just come from the farewell fellowship hosted by the West C Sector of Metro Manila for our brethren from South Africa. They will now be returning to their country after spending two weeks with us for our Pearl Anniversary. Among the common thread of the sharing, from both host and hosted, was that they have started grieving knowing that goodbyes will soon be said. Grieving here is not a negative thing, for it only means that even in the short period of being together, brethren from different parts of the world who have only met for the first time, have been blessed by the grace of the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood being strengthened, of warm friendships being formed and nurtured. As I was taking it all in, I thanked the Lord again for this deeper sense of community among CFC around the world, something which I know was also the experience of the many other sectors who hosted brethren, both from the Philippine provinces and countries abroad. As the sharings went on, I was likewise reminded of my college days and the author Kahlil Gibran who wrote: When you part from your friend, you grieve not; For that which you most love in him, may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain. To those who came from far and near, thank you. You have honored the Lord and the community with your presence. To our brethren, whether hosts or foreign delegates, we do not really say goodbye. We are confident that for many of us, our paths will cross again, someday, somewhere, as we do mission for the Lord. And even if it is goodbye for some who we might not meet again, we may part with joyful tears, but certainly grieve not, for we have seen Gods love in each other, which will become even clearer in the others physical absence. To those faithfully serving the Lord in community, we do not say goodbye, even as we step down from certain positions or step up to higher responsibilities. Our service to God and CFC continues, and should burn even brighter, as we take to heart the mission we have been blessed with. True, our celebration is over, and it is again ordinary times as in our church calendar. But we move on in the mission, with even greater fervor, inspired by the blessings and miracles we have witnessed. And so, CFC, we begin our journey from pearl to gold. God be with us.

WHAT an outpouring of blessings from an awesome God! I speak of course about our recent 30th or Pearl Anniversary, stories of which will continue to be told in the CFC global family for a long time to come. As a brother from Africa shared, they have been so fired up by this experience that they will return to their country like cannons blazing for the Lord from the moment they land. Many of those stories we have tried to capture in words and pictures in this expanded issue of the Ugnayan Supplement. Even as great anniversaries go, we savored an experience this time like no other. This anniversary, following two major storms we faced in CFC, was truly a Pearl of Great Price in its own right. The story of the pearl was something we could strongly relate to precisely because, as a community, we experienced severe irritations and hurts and pains ourselves, which the great Pearlmaker Himself fashioned into something beautiful, something we believe is precious to His eyes, for no one but Him could have made everything about this pearl possible. Amidst all these, we also rejoice in the passing of the torch to a new leadership team in CFC! The Pearl Anniversarys significance was not only in the overwhelming and spirit-filled celebration that it was, but also that it marked the passing on of a legacy in leadership as we start a new phase in the life of the community. Emerging from the lessons learned of the recent past, we set early on to place term limits for ourselves as International Council (IC). As a lay organization, our CFC way of life emphasizes that while positions of leadership are a distinct privilege to serve and exercise

stewardship, they are not to be owned and claimed for oneself. While we were confident of our own calling and anointing, we also realized that this is not ours to keep beyond the call nor to claim as ours forever. The strength of CFC is not in one person, nor in two, nor even in seven, but in the abundance of committed leaders whom the Lord has blessed and can empower and use for His purpose in His own time. In January this year, during our traditional Mission Core Weekend held in Baguio, we deliberately assigned our young leaders to be the speakers, no longer members of the IC as has been the usual. They did excellently, and were very well received by the leadership core based in Metro Manila. This was an affirmation that the community was ready for a transition. Of course, leadership is not only about giving talks. It is so much more. It requires a whole pastoral sense, a deep faith in God and a keen understanding of His calling for CFC, a faith and understanding that serves as a firm rudder especially in navigating turbulent waters. Leadership also requires an intestinal fortitude (former Supreme Court Justice Felicianos term) to deal with human frailties all around, including ones own, as well as a basic competence in doing the myriad demands of a global organization, a great capacity to love, including tough love when called for, a passion for the mission, hand in hand with a strong gift for being relational rather than functional. Hence, it is also clear that passing on the torch should not be done for its own sake and in a haphazard and irresponsible way. The formation starts from way back. We look for the elements of both continuity and change, the combi-

By Joe Yamamoto

Staying True To Our Vision

What was the lesson of that incident? Leadership! The captains leadership was critical to the survival of his ship. He led from the front with his clear and commanding presence, never once abdicating his crucial responsibility. His clear directions and his strength inspired other leaders down the line and ensured that all efforts were concerted and immediate. There was never any doubt that the captain would stay with the ship and save it. Timely and bold damage control measures from within the command structure turned the tide. Leaving the ship and her crew to their tragic fate was not an option. Other leaders joined the captain, stepped up to the plate and met the challenge of saving the ship head on and selflessly. Sound training for such exigencies and emergencies kicked in and commenced reflexibly. In remembering what we went through, we see many similarities and contrasts with the ship. The internally generated fires threatened the ship; there was internal turmoil within CFC that threatened its existence. The captain of the aircraft carrier stayed and left no doubt that he took full responsibility for the fate of his ship and for keeping it afloat. In contrast, the captain of the CFC ship, together with his next in command, abdicated their roles, jumped ship and left their people to an uncertain fate. As a result of this abandonment, long time relationships were pulled apart, friendships were severed. Hostility and mutual suspicion replaced peace and trust. The work suffered with many of the workers racked by doubts and fears. The community experienced its dark nights as it suffered two internal crises. But because God loves the community, He did not allow our destruction but preserved us through purging and purification. Like the crew of the ship, we pushed aside further threats. After much prayer, introspection, and hard work, the painful process of rebuilding commenced. By Gods grace, the long journey through the dark nights gradually brought us into the light of a new day. A new era has dawned for CFC. After four difficult years, CFC has emerged stronger and more vibrant than ever. Evangelization was pushed to new heights, fiscal reforms were implemented; transparency and faithful stewardship became the underpinnings of CFC work. Our leaders provided clear directions and continue to craft visions of the future. In Gods perfect time, we received the blessings of a new home, truly proof of Gods approval of our directions. As we joyously celebrated our 30th year anniversary, we also rejoiced at moving to our new address. The greatest lesson of the past years is that a house divided cannot survive. Unity holds the key. Thus the slogan we coined at the start of 2010 -- One CFC, One Mission, One Global Army, One Community--should be our pronouncement. Everyone, without exception, must subscribe to our core values-Pro-God, Pro-life, Pro-family and Pro-poor. Our global goals have been defined and reinforced. CFC is about evangelization, and its twofold mission is the expression of that charism- building the church of the home and building the church of the poor. We have declared our commitment to effective and efficient governance and leadership. In gathering forward momentum, we are reminded not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6) Our Catholic spirituality inspired us to proclaim the Virgin Mary as our Star of Evangelization and Patronness for the Work with the Poor (Our Lady of Banneux).Oneness with the Church enabled us to integrate to the life of the faithful in the parishes and the dioceses. CFC community life is replete with many examples of leaps of faith that have been affirmed by the Lord. Our future journey promises to have many more. The Word of the Lord assures usfor I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a furure full of hope. Our quiet confidence in the faithfulness of God begets trust in Him- trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. ( Proverbs 3:5-6) To grow the community further, CFC must embark on developing and training the next generation of leaders. Continuity and growth is dependent on how well we have prepared, and trained them. Towards this goal, CFC is committed to establish the Leadership Institute, where Christian leaders are raised not only from within the community but even from without. CFC leaders who undertake the training will find their competencies and attiudes enhanced to serve better as community leaders and bring those capabilities even to their homes, places of work and other spheres of endeavor and influence. The marketplace will discover an unmistakable brand of CFC life and leadership qualities.The learnings will not substitute for training they get as household heads, unit, or chapter leaders but rather complement and enhance the same. Because the Leadership Institute will be a learning and teaching institution, it is envisioned to help create the environment that will eventually help influence and bring about societal transformation. Aspiring leaders, especially non-CFC, who go through the training will discover and experience the unique character of CFC as an evangelizing community. CFC will strengthen and enhance the formation of its members by establishing a dedicated Pastoral Institute that deepens their understanding and appreciation of the Christian faith by study of the Scripture, the Catholic catechism, doctrines and papal encyclicals. Towards that end, CFC members will become better servants of the Gospel.This institute will help us become better at the task of evangelization. to see of our community in the coming years ? We see a vibrant and dynamic CFC that will continue to expand its horizons capitalizing on its zone of strength while emboldened to push beyond our comfort zones. Proclamation of the Gospel will be at the heart of the mission, sharing Christ to all families and communities, especially the poor. CFC will vigorously spread the blessings of evangelization to the world, to peoples of different races, color, and creed. The spiritual needs of the migrants and their families will be addressed, reaching out to Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike. We will strengthen the missionary work of CFC by fielding more missionaries, couples and even families for the dynamic spreading of the Word of God. Corollary to this goal, CFC regional centers will be established in strategic areas in order to ensure that the work is sustained and nourished. We see the fruits of enhanced pastoral formation, leadership training and focus on improved relationships as spilling over into every aspect of CFC life, but particularly in ensuring sufficiency of material, financial and spiritual resources for expanded evangelization and missionary work. The recently-concluded Philippine Mission Conference, held at the tail-end of our 30th anniversary celebrations, spoke of Gods calling for us leaders to be modern-day prophets. In the same way that the Biblical prophets, from Moses to Samuel, to Elijah and David, spoke to men of Gods purpose for them and consistently called out for repentance, faith and adherence to godly principles, so too must we strive to be light to others, radiating Gods love and mercy to all. Christ is the center of our life and work, and CFC is a community of evangelizers. These are two basic principles that must guide our life as we commit to be Gods army here on earth. To eschew these principles is to miss the whole point of our being not only Couples FOR Christ, but Couples OF Christ and to negate our calling of being family evangelizers committed to witness to Gods transforming love in our lives.

SCRIPTURE says where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18) .The power of that admonition and advice remains as true and relevant then as now, especially to us in CFC. We went through a dark night experience, a storm that, had we been weaker in faith and lacking in vision, should have destroyed us. Instead, the mighty Hand of God held us close and allowed us to survive, nay, even to thrive in the midst of adversity. Another version of this Bible verse goes like this: when prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. It applies just as well. What has been clear in the events of the past five years is that God has been with us through all our trials and difficulties. Indeed, He is our Commander in Chief. During the Vietnam war, a huge and fully armed American aircraft carrier sustained massive damage from explosions triggered by shorted electrical circuits of bomb racks loaded in the warplanes.The whole deck suddenly erupted into a mess of tangled metal and raging fires, with infernal destruction and death, extending fore to aft. As the fires spread, fueled and armed planes exploded one after the other, compounding the carnage. Many of the sailors on board died or were maimed. But the gallantry, fortitude, determination and decisive actions of the officers and men of the valiant ship saved the day. The fires were controlled by aggressive firefighting. Burning and bomb-laden warplanes were pushed overboard to reduce the danger. The order reverberated throughout the ship Man your stations! Throughout the crisis, the ships captain was visible, exercising courageous and dynamic leadership at all times. The ship listed terribly and limped to port under her own power for much needed critical repairs. After nearly a year of extensive repair and refit, the ship went back to active service in the battle fleet.

The Lesson of Unity

Trial by Fire

Our CFC Experience

CFC Publishes Commemorative BooK

On its 30th year, CFC published a commemorative book entitled Pearl of Great Price, a 180-page, full-color compilation of stories that chronicle CFCs journey over 30 years, but focusing on its most recent history. The stories tell of triumphs amid personal travails, of Gods guidance in times of storm, particularly the events of 2007 and 2009 that threatened the very existence of CFC. It is most useful as a reference book for those who wish to know CFC better, as an evangelization tool for those who wish to proclaim Gods message of love to others, or simply as a memento of 30 years of community life. The book is available at the Home Office at the very affordable price of P500.00 per copy. Please contact the Flame Ministry, care of Donna Ureta, at 709-4868 to order your copies.

Night Gives Way to Day

CFC Beyond 30

All told, what do we expect

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followed by the Philippine National Anthem. Melo Villaroman Jr., CFC International Council member, welcomed everyone by highlighting the friendships formed during CFCs thirty years of existence with one common factor: service to the Lord. Team Captain Mar Liberato of CFC Saudi Arabia then led the Oath of Sportsmanship. The Ceremonial Roll was done by Melo Villaroman Jr. after which Rico Alconcel, chairman of the organizing committee, declared the 2011 CFC Pearl Anniversary Bowling Tournament officially open. Metro Manila North A (with players Danny Lagmay, Luz Lagmay, Boy Lacson, Chyntia Lacson & Sylva Isiderio) topped the team event, followed by CFC Cavite (with players Greg Velasquez, Rodel Tungala, Lito Rebong, Jun Nierva & Loida Rebong). Metro Manila North B (with players Babes Arnaldo, Donald Geoganica, Boy Dacera, Jun Garcia & Marge Garcia) placed third. Boy Lacson (Metro Manila North A) won the High Single for Mens Division Scratch Game while Nengie Brozas (also of North A) won the High Single for Womens Division Scratch Game. Out of one hundred tournament players, the top

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

CFC: Keeping The Ball Rolling

By Rochelle Rucio
TYPHOON Egay did not prevent CFC members from participating in CFC Pearl Anniversary Bowling Tournament held at the AMF Puyat Commonwealth Lanes (Ever Gotesco). Twenty teams convened at the venue last June 19, 2011 to exhibit their bowling competence. The opening ceremony started with a prayer led by Dex Javier,

twenty were chosen to compete for the Masters Event. For the Mens Division, Jojo Solis of Metro Manila West B won first place, followed by Donald Geoganica of Metro Manila North B. Second runner up was Amor Alonzo of Metro Manila West B. For the Womens Division, Yuyek Chavez of Metro Manila West C was awarded champion, followed by Leah Tantuico of Metro Manila Central C. In third place was Vheng Intia of Metro Manila North A.

18th CFC Golf A Truly Global Mission Core Gathering Classic Held
By Arnel Santos
THIS was how CFC Chairman Joe Tale described the second day of the week-long celebrations commemorating CFCs Pearl Anniversary, held at Christ the King Parish in White Plains, Quezon City, on June 21, 2011. With 36 countries represented and 620 delegates from the foreign countries joining the rest of CFCs mission core group, the event was indeed, an international mission core gathering. CFC Executive Director Joe Yamamoto led the community in worship. He noted that the gathering in this beautiful and historic Church is a magnificent display of Gods awesome power. Indeed, 30 years has marked an epoch in CFC. Joe Yamamoto exhorted all that while it has never been easy to be witnessing Christians in the world today, when CFC comes together, there is power, a rich outpouring of the majesty of the Lord. The power and dynamism were manifested in the prophecies and the sharings which highlighted the event. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the CFC brethren from various continents of the world testified before the asreminded everyone: For you who are here, cherish that privilege, to learn and to grow in the Lord. Also giving his testimony was John Baptiste of Vietnam, who called attention to the vast opportunities now for CFC to be known and to be present in the 26 dioceses in Vietnam. Al e x G osy an t o of In don esi a shared how CFC, which started in Indonesia in 1990, has been able to cover more than one-half of all the dioceses in Indonesia. He reiterated that despite what he called the 2007 typhoon, CFC in Indonesia remains one. Spouses Reynard and Leah Coscolluela of Austria shared about CFC in Vienna which, although hit by the same 2007 typhoon has been blessed to host the CFC European Conference. They now also go on mission to the Eastern European countries. Nonoy Albano of Sydney, Australia shared about the Armor of God echo conference of Australia and Oceania which was conducted for the first time in Manila on June 18-19, 2011. He said that it was a great indication of how this community is moving forward. Bryan and Wendy DSouza of Kuwait testified to how CFC has been growing even in Muslim countries. They highlighted the important role of the Family Ministries in evangelization. Like them who started as SFCs, many members are transitioning from SFC to CFCs. Kidwell Nduku of Zimbabwe explained that the economic meltdown in his country had resulted in a diaspora, which brought CFC Zimbabwe leaders to various parts of the world like the United States, the United Kingdom and in Holland. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, CFC Zimbabwe continues to work for the evangelization of families. The international and global nature of CFC was described by Michael Adela and his wife, Marie-Cecile, of Seychelles, in these words: We thank the Lord for the Philippines, and the Filipinos who brought CFC to Seychelles. We (in Seychelles) are small now but we form part of the bigger CFC family. CFC has brought family revival to Seychelles. Coming here has given me the strength and determination to revive families in Seychelles.

By Francisco Sta Ana

ONE hundred thirty-eight Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy wannabes trekked to the Air Force Course of the Villamor Golf Club on June 21, 2011 for the 18th CFC Golf Classic. Not even the overcast sky and early morning drizzle could dampen the enthusiasm of this hardy group of people, composed of CFC members, their families, and other supporters, who woke up very early just to be part of the tournament. Two participants, Kidwell and Anne Nduku, flew in from Zimbabwe in the wee hours of the morning and eagerly participated in the golfing fellowship with their Philippine brothers and sisters. System 3-under was used as the format for the tournament. The golfers teed off at exactly 7 am, shotgun style. Lito Tayag, a member of the CFC International Council, led the early morning tee-off. Proving that men and women truly are equal but different, twelve lady golfers participated in the tournament. Three couples were listed: Melo & Luz Villaroman, Sr., Rene & Renee Francisco, and Kidwell & Anne Nduku. Three sector heads, namely Steve Maningat (CFC Metro Manila West C), Cholo Labog (CFC Metro Manila East A), and Bong Arjonillo (CFC Metro Manila Central C), tried to beat par. This years edition of the Golf Classic produced a new first-time champion in the person of Joey Leagogo of CFC Metro Manila South B. Perennial Low Gross Champion Abe Avena of CFC Batangas successfully defended his crown. Meanwhile, Polly Macatangay of CFC Batangas reigned supreme in the Class A division, Noli Arzadon, Country Coordinator for Canada, was crowned Class B Champion, and former Pakistan Country Coordinator, Jojo Solis of CFC Metro Manila West B, claimed the Class C championship. The Team Champion title for 2011 was bagged by the foursome of Mel Latinazo, Jake Ayson, Rene Mendoza and Trudy Cruz of CFC Metro Manila North B. The Ladies and Guest Divisions were ruled by guests Bing Betonio

and Donnie Alas, respectively. Other winners were Rudy Litang, Class A 1st Runner Up; Billy Price, Class A 2nd Runner Up; Greg Monteclaro, Class B 1st Runner Up; Mel Latinazo, Class B 2nd Runner Up; Jon San Miguel, Class C 1st Runner Up; Ben Sy, Class C 2nd Runner Up; Renee Francisco, Ladies Division 1st Runner Up; Myrna Sutherland, Ladies Division 2nd Runner Up; Boy Bautista (Sponsor), Guest Division 1st Runner Up; Willy Tee Ten (Hole-in-One Sponsor), Guest Division 2nd Runner Up; and the group of Rolly Detabali, Rene Henson and Gerard Henson of CFC Metro Manila Central C, Team Runner Up. The tournament obtained overwhelming support from Autohub

Group (Hole-in-One Sponsor), China Banking Corporation, Cooper Power Systems, ELVIL Construction, Leeds Agri, Mobilect Power Corporation, Montebello Villa Hotel, Petron Corporation, Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc., RMS Electromech Builders Inc., St Peter Life Plans, and TRICOM Dynamics Inc. as hole sponsors, and Grid North Electromasters Corporation and Focus Ventures Inc. as donors. Rene Henson acted as the emcee during the awarding ceremonies. The biggest winners in the raffle were Ben Sy of CFC Metro Manila Central A, who won a 32-inch DeVant LCD TV, Ike Bontia of CFC Metro Manila South B, who went home with a 19-inch DeVant LED TV, and Luz Villaroman of Metro Manila South B, who was awarded an Olympus camera. Art Alabanza and Greg Cancio, tournament organizers, thanked everyone, especially the golfers and sponsors, who made the 18th edition of the golf classic a very successful one.

Fr. Max Kolbe points to the CFC logo in the T-shirt during his testimony (top photo) while Kidwell and Anne Nbuku of Zimbabwe share about their own CFC experience.

sembly. Keith Collings of South Africa affirmed how the Lord uses the different ministries of the Church to touch peoples lives. He said that CFC changed my life completely. When the Lord calls, he calls you by name, and tells you how much He loves you. He declared that We are strong in the Lord now. CFC in South Africa, though small, has made a huge impact. It is not about numbers but individuals. I saw transformation in lots and lots of people. The challenge is to live out our vision to be Families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth. He reminded CFC in the Philippines not to forget the countries and people outside of the Philippines. We want to be self-sufficient so that we can also contribute to the global mission. Keiths wife, Ursula, also testified and said that, We may have faced a lot of troubles, but we got lots of joy. Fr. Max Kolbe of South Africa shared how he felt humbled by the CFC community. He came to know CFC when he celebrated Mass with them two years ago and, I was blown away by the dynamism. This must be like the Pentecost. Fr. Max said that no darkness can snuff CFC out, especially as you allow God to mold you to be a pearl. Let Christ use and mold us. The Devil will do anything in its power to create dissension in the ranks. Pray and make sacrifices. If we focus on the I we will fall, but if we focus on the we, we will stand. Arthur Anthony of St. Lucia in the Caribbean said that joining the celebrations in the Philippines had been one of his fervent wishes. And then, God opened many doors. To cut the long story short: I am here! He claimed it was a great privilege to see where CFC was born. He then

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Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Ugnayan
that we have the same God wherever we are. The GLS, according to Tale, is designed to give everyone a better understanding of how to be mission-ready as well as respond to Gods call to evangelization. He also added that everyone was gathered in this activity because we were evangelized, therefore we are to be instruments of Gods message. However, Tale reminded everyone that, evangelization should be personal. Mission evangelization is about bringing the Lord to every person, he stressed. from pearl to gold, and emphasized that we need to train our young to take on the work that God has started through us. The second session was given by CFC International Missions Director Rouquel Ponte entitled, CFC: Mission-Ready. The session was opened with a Praise and Fashion creative number participated in by missionaries from Africa, Middle East and Oceania. In his talk, Ponte, reminded everyone of the readiness of Abrahams heart to Gods call and that this is to be our model. The second project was the CFC Members Management Database (CFC MMD) by Kate Deiparine. She discussed how the CFC MMD can lessen time for administrative tasks and devote more time to evangelization. Ponte concluded the session by reminding everyone that mission-readiness can be achieved through ACTS - Armed, Committed, Trained and Spiritual - in our pursuit to respond to Gods call. Following the second session was a Plenary Panel Discussion focusing on the topic of General Muslim region which restricts conversion to Christianity. He also reported that there are about 10,000 to 12,000 community members in the region and 95% of these are mostly Filipinos, therefore there is a great need to evangelize more non-Filipinos. One blessing in the region is the establishment of the CFC Regional Missions Office and presence of a number of fulltime missionaries and mission volunteers. Eric Villanueva (CFC USA National Director) represented North America. He said that

C5

CFC: One Global Army

By Samantha Catabas Manuel
JUNE 22, 2011 - AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo. Over 600 foreign delegates coming from different parts of the world gathered together for the 1st Couples for Christ Global Mission Summit. 36 countries from various regions were represented namely, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles for the African region; Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam for South East Asian region; Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan for the South Asian region; China and Japan for the East Asian region; Sta. Lucia representing the Carribeans; Middle East region comprised of UAE, Qatar, KSA, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait; USA and Canada for the North American region; United Kingdom and Austria for Europe and the Oceania region namely, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island. CFC India Country Head, Hector Poppen, led a very personal and inspiring opening worship, referring to CFC as his home and exhorting everyone to feel grateful and privileged to be mandated by God to come together in unity. Program emcees were Mon Santiago (Regional Coordinator for South Asia), Karen Dela Cerna (Missionary for East Timor) and Manu Mutua (Missionary from Kenya), who welcomed and acknowledged all the participating countries and guests. Formally opening the GLS was CFC Chairman Joe Tale. He said that indeed, our community is blessed to be a global family and and integration with the Church as a strategy for their evangelization work. For South East Asia, Gunawan Purwadi, CFC Indonesia National Director, shared that CFC Indonesia will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and that at present, their area has 2702 active members and they aim to conquer six more dioceses this year. Israel Silud, CFC China National Director, presenting for North Asia, reported that language barrier is their greatest challenge in evangelization. He however, stressed that they would continue to strengthen their mission in spite of this. Finally, Melo Villaroman, CFC Family Ministries Head and Member of the CFC International Council, stressed the importance of family evangelization. He said that we dont only evangelize countries and regions but families as well. Families are to evangelize families all over the world. He also assured everyone of Gods promise of a fullness of life by stating that we should remember that Christ commissioned us and He desires fullness, therefore, let us rely on the strength God gives us to achieve success in all aspects of our lives. To formally end the panel discussion, facilitator Jun Uriarte shared an inspiring definition of evangelization as quoted by Pope Paul VI, Evangelization is carrying forth the word of God to all sectors of society so that by its own strength it will enter the hearts of men and renew the human race. Finally, CFC International Missions Office Coordinator, Kirby Llaban, led everyone to a closing prayer to formally end the summit.

CFC Director Joe Yamamoto delivered an empowering First Session entitled, CFC: A Missionary Community. Yamamoto reminded everyone that CFC is a way of life. This is our identity as a community and should be the key in our evangelization work. He further said that to nourish our missionary spirit, our calling is to proclaim Christ in words and actions. Furthermore, Yamamoto stressed that CFC is a community of disciples, evangelizers and missionaries. He challenged everyone to pursue the journey

He discussed the three mission phases: 3 Es (Establishment, Enrichment and Empowerment). Two administrative CFC projects, which are integral to our mission work, were launched in this session. Layle Ancheta of the CFC Ugnayan Multimedia Center, presented the CFC Global Website Integration. The CFC Global Website Integration project aims to encourage uniformity and interaction amongst our global community in addition to fulfilling its primary purpose which is to provide information.

Strategies for Global Evangelization. Facilitating the plenary discussion was Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator, Jun Uriarte. Six top leaders from the various regions were invited to be part of the panel to present the realities and challenges they face in their respective areas. Noli Manuel, CFC Middle East Regional Missions Office Head, shared about the realities of evangelization in the Middle East. He said that the main challenge to furthering the work of evangelization is the fact that the Middle East is predominantly a

lack of focus on religion and too much focus on secularism is one major challenge they face in their area. Another challenge is the geographic scope of the US, where they have to conquer 50 states. But in spite of these, the community in the region continues to thrive and remain vibrant. Keith Collings of South Africa presented realities in Africa. He shared that there are over 1200 community members in the region and that CFC is established in most dioceses in the area. He aims to strengthen relationships

ANCOP: CFCs Gift To The World One Hope, One Dream Answering the Cry of the Poor
By Beth Comahig
TONIGHT is the night. Tonight is the best of nights. Why? Because its an exciting event for us to choose a marching song that will rally us to the fulfilment of our vision and mission, ANCOP President and CEO Ricky Cuenca said as he welcomed the guests and participants to the first ANCOP Songwriting Festival held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo. After Cuencas welcome remarks, the crowd was enlivened by a CFC song medley arranged by Tito Cayamanda, which was performed by CFCs own singer-songwriter Mike Serapio, together with some members of the Family Ministries. The concert was the culmination of months of preparation, kicked off by the songwriting contest, designed to choose an official ANCOP song, a few months earlier. Of the submitted compositions, ten were approved as finalists and the festival presented these songs. The finalists were: 1. Greatest Gift - Composed by Joey Hizon of Australia and interpreted by Danny Lopez 2. Gods Love is for Free - Composed by Kevin Esguerra of Rizal and interpreted by Doods and Kristel Esguerra, and Lorie Puserio 3. One Hope, One Dream - Composed by Egbert Francisco and Jona Peralta of USA and interpreted by Kathleen Francisco 4. Theyre Not Alone - Composed by Michael Skinner of New Zealand and interpreted by Randy de Torres 5. We are ANCOP - Composed and interpreted by Paulo San Diego of Metro Manila- North Sector 6. Cry of the Poor - Composed by Danny Gillesania of Iligan City and interpreted by Chris Gutierrez 7. I heard the Cry Composed by Rachelle Garcia of Zambales and interpreted by Shanadine Llarena 8. Reach - Composed by Archie Adraneda of Metro Manila - East Sector and interpreted by Jeff Gonzalez 9. Answering the Cry of the Poor Composed and interpreted by Rommel Gojo of Metro Manila West Sector 10. Let the Love Unfold Composed by Mark and Loudette Salvador of USA and interpreted by Edward Fernandez The contest judges were Melo Villaroman Jr., Marigold Haber-Dunca and Veny Saturno, who chose I Heard the Cry by Rachelle Garcia as 2nd runner up, Cry of the Poor by Danny Gillesania as 1st runner up and One Hope, One Dream by Edward Franciso and Jona Peralta as the Grand Champion. All ten composers were given a plaque of appreciation while the top three went home with a trophy and a cash prize. The songwriting Festival was a success, not only because ANCOP finally had its own theme song, but also because through the event, peoples eyes were opened to the new hope and new dream that ANCOP is working towards. Everyone present at the Festival was reminded to be bearers of change by contributing to CFCs mission of Building the Church of the Poor. the keynote address. She said that she had been in public service for fourteen (14) years, first as Mayor of Lipa (nine years) and now as Governor of Batangas. She said that she had been a witness of the work for the poor of CFC, having been an active partner in the building of 1,250 homes in Batangas. Ate Vi also mentioned that the Province of Batangas would want to be a partner of ANCOP in the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) because she believes that education has an immense impact on society. In closing her keynote speech, Ate Vi said she looks forward to further helping people in need through her provinces partnership with CFC. Joshua Limson, an ANCOP scholar taking up BS Biology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), spoke of how ANCOP is providing a vehicle for him to fulfill his dreams. He said that his parents are too poor to send all of his brothers and sisters (he has five siblings) to school; thus, Joshua had to help out by selling vegetables and working as a cargador in the market in order to support his studies. His determination to give his family a better life is paying off because he was an honor student in both elementary and high school, and is currently in the PUP Deans List. Dan Cayabyab and Fidel Parco, from CFC Metro Manila South A, described how Villa Monique in Las Pinas started and grew. Dan said that the village started with ten (10) homes in January 2010, with twenty (20) additional homes having been constructed since then. He also mentioned that a 3-storey ANCOP Educational Center was also constructed, and this has been blessed and turned over to the beneficiaries.

Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto

By Sonny Sta. Ana

I WILL ANCOP! This was the battlecry that sounded at the start of the ANCOP Congress which was held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at the AFP Theater of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Singles for Christ International Coordinator Michael Shok Ariola led the participants in praising and thanking the Lord in the opening prayer. He reminded everyone that God has called Couples for Christ (CFC) to build the Church of the Home and to build the Church of the Poor so that we will experience the fullness of life in Christ as individuals and as a community. In his welcome remarks, CFC Chairman Joe Tale said that the ANCOP Congress is an important part of the CFC Pearl Anniversary because the work with the poor is an integral part of the mission and vision of CFC. He said that ANCOP, the original work with the poor of CFC, was re-launched in December 8, 2009. The guest of honor, Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, followed onstage to give

Parco, on the other hand, said he saw Gods affirmation for the work with the poor through the small miracles that happened to both the beneficiaries and the volunteer workers. He mentioned that he saw many lives transformed, like reunion of families, improvement in peace and order in the community, and people becoming used to working together. Boy Guinto, who was sent to West Africa by CFC Canada, reported that the launching of the ANCOP CSP in Nnewi, Nigeria provided the boost to enliven the CFC community there. He said that CFC members in Nigeria now realize that CFC is not only for praying and building strong families, but also for bringing the transforming love of Christ to the poor. Ricky Cuenca, CFC ANCOP President, reported that ANCOP now has a pool of dedicated program managers and accountants who are all volunteers, has an established organization and procedures, and has an excellent marketing program. He declared that CFC ANCOP is now ready to continue the mission of Christ to bring glad tidings to the poor. He said that the last ten (10) months has resulted in the following lessons and realizations: ANCOP is Gods plan for CFC, Respect for Gods timing, Acknowledgment of leaders anointing and succession, Wisdom of communal decision-making, Integration of ANCOP in CFC (CFC is the vine and ANCOP is one of the branches), Acknowledgment of the many miracles in ANCOP. Cuenca further exhorted each member of CFC to totally embrace the mission of CFC in building the Church of the Poor. He also emphasized the spiritual dimension of the work. A commitment ceremony was held at the end of the Congress, symbolizing each persons commitment to be partners in achieving the mission of ANCOP. The Congress ended with all participants holding hands and singing.

The finalists in the songwriting competition stand on stage with their song interpreters.

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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

THE 2011 elections were unique in that it was the first time the Elders Assembly elected nine men, instead of the usual seven. The increase had been

Know Your New International Council

approved by the Elders Assembly in April 2011, after months of deliberation, discussion and reflection. The proposal had been put forward during the Pastoral Congresses that followed after the storm of 2007. The elections were peaceful and unlike secular elections, were done without campaigning, fanfare or speeches. Instead, the names were given out only a week before the elections to enable everyone to reflect on their choices. On the day of the elections, Msgr. Allen Aganon conducted a recollection that further enhanced the mood of reflection, prayerful meditation and reliance on the Spirit. At the end of the voting,

the Comelec, constituted for the purpose of the 2011 elections, declared the following as the new International Council for the term beginning 2011.

RICARDO (RICKY) CUENCA

BOE/Regional Coordinator Western Africa President and CEO ANCOP Fulltime worker Married 32 years, to Irma, with 2 daughters To serve for 3 years

EMMANUEL (NONOY) DALMAN

New CFC Chairman

New CFC Treasurer

ALROMANOF (MANNIX) OCAMPO

Elected Treasurer of present IC Provincial Area Head, Zamboanga City CFC member since 1992 Consultant/CPA/Lawyer/ Formerly Commissioner on Audit Married 32 years, to Ma. Violeta (Marivie) with 3 children To serve for 3 years

EMMANUEL (MANNY) GARCIA

CFC Secretary

Former Moderator of the Board of Elders PAH Negros Occidental Country Coordinator for Austria CFC member since 1998 VP for Sales and Marketing, Gajah Tunggal & GT Radial Tires/ Consultant Married 16 years, to Aileen Ruth Price with 5 children To serve for 1 year

ROUQUEL PONTE

Elected Secretary of present IC IC member since 2009 SOLD Intl Coordinator and Regional Coordinator for Borneo One of the original 16 couples of CFC Electronics Engineer Fulltime Pastoral Worker at the CFC Home Office for the past 18 years Married 34 years, to Ditas with 4 children To serve for 3 years

IC Member since 1993 International Missions Director Africa coordinator Regional Coordinator, Middle East/ Mechanical Engineer CFC member since 1982 Full time pastoral worker since 1990 Married 33 years, to Nina with 1 daughter To serve for 1 year

JOSE (JOE) TALE

FILEMON (JUN) URIARTE

Formerly member of the Board of Elders Regional coordinator for Southeast Asia Doctor of Chemical Engineering, formerly Secretary of Dept of Science and Technology CFC member since 1992 Married 43 years, to Genevieve (Jean) Pacis with 5 children, one deceased To serve for 1 year

ERMELO (MELO) VILLAROMAN, JR.

Formerly Executive Director Metro Manila Mission Director Regional Coordinator, North America and Oceania CFC member since 1986 A lawyer/Fulltime pastoral worker Married 34 years, to Babylou, with 2 daughters To serve for 2 years

New Executive Director

Elected Executive Director of CFC IC member/Country Coordinator Singapore CFC member since 1989 Marketing and Business Economics background/Fulltime pastoral worker Married 22 years, to Nini, with 2 sons To serve for 2 years

JOSE (JOE( YAMAMOTO

IC member, Europe Coordinator GKARE Intl Coordinator Philippine Missions Director/Mindanao Mission Director CFC member since 1985 Asst. Prof in Surgery, UST/ private practice, cardiothoracic surgery Married 31 years, to Mila with 3 children To serve for 2 years

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles prays over the newly elected Board of Elders (left photo) and the International Council (right photo), calling on God to grant them wisdom and strength for the task that lies ahead for them.

CFC: United in the Culture of Christ CFC Oceania Holds Confab In Manila
By Beth Comahig
HEAVY rainfall did not dampen the spirits of the CFC members gathered at the PICC Forum Tent for the CFC Cultural Night on June 24. Leaders and members from all over the Philippines, as well as representatives from 41 countries, stayed on after the whole-day Church Integration Congress to participate in the said event. New International Council (IC) member Mannix Ocampo opened the program with a prayer, after which re-elected IC member Manny Garcia welcomed everyone to the event. Penny De Leon then shared how the Build My House project started from a dream and had now become reality. She said that CFCs new home in Cubao is a wonderful gift of God to the community, and

By Josie Pangilinan

challenged each CFC member to become a part of this project for the Lord. The West of Bethany band of Metro Manila - West sector presented first, capturing the hearts of the guests with their OPM (Original Pilipino Music) medley, followed by a dance performance called Sayawit

a traditional dance, song, and prayer combined altogether by our ancestors. Metro Manila East B sector then presented an environmental Praise and Fashion show, wearing gowns and Filipiniana attire decorated with recycled materials. Delegates from Seychelles, China, Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Brunei, USA, South Africa, Canada, Kenya and Zimbabwe who were present that night also went onstage, proudly sharing their culture as they sang and danced to the tune of their selected traditional and originally-composed songs. The CFC Cultural Night was truly a fusion of people of different cultures, but with one faith, showing that CFC is truly an instrument that unites people in the culture of Christ.

ONE year ago, we set our sights on what seemed at that time an ambitious goal to send a big delegation to Manila for CFCs pearl anniversary and to dovetail the Oceania conference (OC) to this big event. As early as January, airline and hotel bookings were made. But we had many hurdles to overcome, not the least among them natural events like the airborne Chilean volcanic ashes that reached the southern skies and cancelled many flights in some border cities and a tropical storm that was gathering strength. But the army from Oceania was undeterred. When the big day finally came, there were nearly 100 of us that flew from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Australian cities of Darwin, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney to attend the Armor of God conference held at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong. Entire families, such as the 10strong Osorio family, and entire households, came to share in this wonderful experience. This unprecedented week-end was teeming with inspiration from all ends from the local service team as well as

from participants. We were all soldiers of God in an army hoping to be in full gear to wear the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, footwear of peace, shield of faith, sword of spirit. Serving as a family, Hector and Emma Caguin were joined at the registration table by Alison and Joseph, who came from Seychelles missions. And how inspiring to see wounded soldier Paul Schembri, broken in the physical battlefield yet ready to be in full armor for God, being wheeled into the venue. He came with wife Alida and daughter Christina (ANCOP Young ambassador for 2010. We came to thank God, to rekindle the vision and mission of our personal commitment. And we were indeed in for a treat as we enjoyed the many luxuries not typical of our past

OCs, such as an in-house band, the 29AD Musicionaries, a powerhouse service team headed by our country coordinators, Lito and Linda Tayag and Oceania regional coordinators Bong and Jenny Bernardo, sumptuous meals and solicitous hotel service, the dog-tag ceremony that brought huge lumps to our throats, fellowship with the International Council and other leaders from all over the world, seeing former movie idol Vilma Santos in the midst of our ANCOP scholars, experiencing the power of Christopher Wests Freedom to Love conference and Theology of the Body talks and finally witnessing and being part of the CFC anniversarys parade of colors and awesome Mass and worship. These were truly pearls of great price!!! See you in Sydney for OC 12.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Ugnayan
truth, for all CFC brethren to know and be confident that Couples for Christ, under the leadership and governance of the International Council, stands strong, united and dynamic. It is the one CFC that has been granted permanent recognition of the Vatican and continues to be recognized and supported by the Catholic Church. However, there are two other groups that, although separated from CFC, also use the name CFC. Hence, it should be clear that: a. CFC and CFC FFL are not the same. They are two different and distinct organizations with different programs, statutes, and governance structure. Precisely because of this difference, CFC and FFL have different names, use different logos, have different offices, and are governed by a different leadership.

C7

Eds Note: The International Council issued the following Statement last June 16, in preparation for the 30th anniversary, calling on everyone to praise and thank God for 30 years of blessing. They also clarified that peace and reconciliation with those who left must be based on truth. CFC HOMECOMING: PEACE AND RECONCILIATION BASED ON TRUTH

IC Statement on Homecoming
Ligaya ng Panginoon, but which actually had ceased to exist. This SEC decision to revive CFC Foundation, Inc. was subsequently set aside and reversed by the Court of Appeals, albeit under a motion for reconsideration. It is true that both groups serve God, but so do different organizations such as Light of Jesus, El Shaddai, and Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon. Different organizations serving God does not make them the same. Both groups advance the cause of the family and life, but so do Christian Family Movement, Familia, and Marriage Encounter, which are different organizations. Advancing the same cause does not make organizations the same. b. The Vatican recognizes only one CFC, the one governed by the International Council. FFL has not been granted recognition by the Vatican. c. FFL organized themselves in 2007. Thus, it cannot honestly celebrate the same number of years as CFC, whether globally, or in the different areas, provinces and countries. d. CFC and the overwhelming majority of its members stood firm for and have stayed on in the community. It is FFL who broke away and formed a different organization. e. The use of Couples for Christ or CFC by FFL is misleading, confusing and divisive and is not allowed by government authorities. FFL did apply with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the use of the name CFC FFL but this was not approved and was subsequently withdrawn. FFL then initiated a legal proceeding to eventually obtain an SEC decision to revive Couples for Christ Foundation, Inc, the old foundation we used when we were still an outreach of Ang The appropriate authority in Canada has likewise not allowed FFL to use the name Couples for Christ. f. In 2009, CFC let go of Gawad Kalinga. However, some former members of CFC use the name CFC and attach it to GK, representing themselves as CFC GK. It should be clear that CFC and CFC GK are also not the same. They are two different and distinct organizations, with different programs, statutes, and governance structure. g. CFC GK, likewise, is not a recognized organization by the Vatican. h. The work with the poor of CFC is ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), which is CFCs original work with the poor. GK is no longer the work with the poor of CFC. i. The governing board of GK is no longer composed of CFC members. j. The use of CFC in CFC GK is misleading, confusing and divisive and following the rulings on FFL, should also not be used. Brethren, let us extend our hand in peace and reconciliation, but let us do this on the foundation of truth. To all who have been part of CFC before, let us say to them: you are welcome to come back, to come home, and join us in unity as one community with one vision and mission, one culture, one way of life, under one governance structure. If this is not possible at this time, let us ask them that we just respect each other and proceed with our chosen paths peacefully. And to avoid confusion all around, let us remind our FFL and GK brethren not to use Couples for Christ or CFC in their name. This way, we can all better serve the Lord and those in need, restore friendships, and stand as good witnesses in a land filled with much conflict and disunity. May the God of truth bless all of us. Let us pray for a happy homecoming to all. CFC INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL:

Happy Pearl Anniversary, CFC! We truly have so much to thank the Lord for as we celebrate 30 years of His blessings, protection and guidance. He has guided the community, through its toughest storms, to respond in love, to press on with the fullness of His calling, and to draw strength only from Him and His mighty power. On this special anniversary, let us reach out our hand in peace and reconciliation to our former CFC brethren who have been inactive over the years, and especially to those who, by their words and actuations during the recent storms in our community, are no longer part of CFC. Let us welcome former community members to a CFC Homecoming so that we can all work in solidarity as brethren in Christ. Initial steps towards reconciliation have actually taken place: 1. In coordination with our spiritual directors, discussions have been held and are ongoing towards this goal. 2. Upon the initiative of someone concerned for CFCs unity, similar discussions are also ongoing, and messages addressed to CFC and some leaders are being submitted to our spiritual advisers for guidance. 3. Over sometime now, we have welcomed brethren who have voluntarily decided to come back to the community in various Philippine and international areas. We ask that steps towards such peace and reconciliation likewise be initiated in all areas. For peace and reconciliation to be achieved, however, the same must be anchored on the truth. The truth shall set us free (John8: 32)). Moreover, our theme for this year, based on Ephesians 6:10-18, exhorts us to put on the full armor of God (v.13), and to stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist (v.14). As we go about this path, it is important, in the spirit of

Called to be Modern Day Prophets

By Tony Gimenez
AFTER a highly successful anniversary celebration, before going back to their respective provinces, the provincial leaders gathered as they have done in previous years, to get directions from the International Council for the rest of the year. The leaders trooped to the Meralco Fitness Center on Monday, June 27, for the Philippine Mission Conference. Everyone was pleasantly surprised when event emcee Bernie Cuevas announced that this year, tradition was about to be broken this time the IC would do the listening. The activity was simple nine issues culled from two major sources (past pastoral congresses and the wish list compiled by the Philippine Mission leaders during their January 2011 regular meeting) were printed on large sheets of paper and posted around the venue. The regional heads, provincial area heads and provincial area directors present were divided into nine groups, each group named after a Biblical prophet. As Bernie put it, the prophet label was meant to remind everyone that as leaders, we all are called to be modern day prophets and to announce Gods message to all. The activity was also designed to let everyone know that as modern day prophets, their insights were as important as everyone elses including the IC. All the leaders had to do was to express their opinions on the issues through the use of colored codes Red for Slows us down, Yellow for Needs discernment or further review, and Green for Moves us forward. Thus, each prophet-group went around the venue affixing the colored stickers on the posted issues. Facilitators were on hand to record the responses. The next part of the activity called for the leaders, still grouped according t o t h e i r p r op h e t name, to focus on three specific isBoyet Rafael, MM sector head, receives his prophet pin from new IC member Nonoy Dalman. Photo at right shows IC member Manny Garcia listening as his assigned group air their views.

sues, this time accompanied by one of the International Council members who, for that afternoon, represented one of the prophets. This time around, there was some discussion on the issues, and some solutions presented, but the IC were still in listening mode. At the end of the day, the prophets were commissioned to be like the prophet whose name they carried during the day and were given button pins to remind them of their calling. The issues presented were: Ensure spiritual deepening of CFC leaders and members. 2. Review and update pastoral formation tracks (teachings) and ensure implementation in all areas. 3. Strengthen the relational culture of CFC by ensuring personal and service monitoring through regular one-on-ones and fellowship activities. 4. Leadership development: a. Make an inventory of past and present leaders and create a program to encourage past leaders to serve again. b. Review and update the leaders manuals and establish the CFC Leaders Forum/Institute (training for all levels from household to top level leaders) 5. Refresh and ensure development of new leaders by creating and implementing a policy on terms of office and rotation of assignment of leaders in all areas. 1.

6.

7.

8.

Institutionalize an annual integrated plan (process, schedules, activities) for CFC and all ministries (Family, ANCOP and Social Ministries) in international, national and local areas). Implement the separation of pastoral from temporal (office operations) duties of the members of the International Council to ensure pastoral focus and effective sound management of the organization. CFC parish based chapters to work with their parish priest and be present to serve in various parish activities (altar boys, pre-Cana, music ministry/choir, youth programs)

9.

Work with the poor: a. Bring CFC and ministries to the poor b. For ANCOP : continue building homes.

The IC were given the following prophet names: Moses (Rouquel Ponte), David (Melo Villaroman), Elijah (Joe Yamamoto), Isaiah (Joe Tale), Daniel (Mannix Ocampo), Ezekiel (Jun Uriarte), Gideon (Nonoy Dalman), Elisha (Manny Garcia) and Samuel (Ricky Cuenca). The provincial leaders professed to be affirmed by the exercise and expressed the hope that future activities would be as exciting and innovative.

Our Pearl Anniversary Experience

By Perviz Ladouce and Mellissa Joseph, SFC Seychelles
WE arrived at the Clark International Airport last 16 June, 2011, as proud representatives of SFC Seychelles to the 30th Pearl Anniversary of Couples for Christ in Manila. We really felt blessed to have this privilege. We were welcomed and hosted by different families in Clark, Angeles, Mexico, and Guagua in Pampanga and in Manila for the CFC week-long anniversary activities. We got the chance to discover the way of life of the Filipinos - their culture, especially their love for food, their generosity and their friendliness. Not to forget the tricycle and the jeepney rides which were new to us. We were also privileged to be part of different SFC activities such as Chapter assemblies and the Lords Day and Dedication Ceremony in the area of our host (SFC Metro Manila East A leader, Beth Comahig). We learned a lot from these experiences, and rejoiced in the new friendships formed during every activity. Through our trip, we saw that the SFC members, especially in the Philippines, are really active, very committed and devoted to their service in the community. It was an exciting and unforgettable experience for us. The chance to visit the new CFC office was also nice. We were so glad to see that the communitys dream of having a permanent home had become a reality. We felt so welcomed by everyone. The fulltime workers for SFC were really accommodating and constantly joyful. Everywhere we went, we felt like we were home. The 30th Anniversary was very well organized. We were able to meet CFC members and leaders from different parts of the world. All the speakers and topics undertaken during the conferences were very interesting. The people from the different Family Ministries are so inspiring. We also enjoyed listening to the Music Ministries for each activity. The talks in the ANCOP Congress were a real eye opener for us. We got to know about the different problems occurring in places around the world; some of which we ourselves have never witnessed in our own country. For us though, the most striking speaker during all the Anniversary events was without a doubt Christopher West. We hope and pray that many people could listen to his talks and that we could also invite him to Seychelles. Lastly, the culminating activity in Luneta was wonderful, especially the Holy Mass. Seeing the full size and force of the CFC global family was an unforgettable experience for us. We could really feel how God loves us and the entire community. To our new families in Pampanga and in Manila, thank you for sharing your life to us and to the entire community. Thank you also for Joseph and Allison Gozun, CFC missionaries to Seychelles, for their devotion and hard work to help our CFC Seychelles community grow in faith and love.

CFC Ifugao is 16 years old!

By Grace Marie Balaquit
JUNE 11, 2011 was a red-letter day for CFC Ifugao. This day marked the 16th year of the establishment of CFC in the province. The celebration started with an hour-long parade through the streets of Lamut, ending in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated. The main celebrant was recently transferred parish priest Fr. Armand Quindo from the town of Asipulo. Fr. Armand replaced Fr. Felix Bay-ong, also a staunch supporter of CFC in the province. The program proper included the anointing of the new leaders of the province, cultural presentations and inspirational messages from Eric Ylagan, Regional Head of Northeastern Luzon and then CFC Chairman Joe Tale. The Area Governance Team of Ifugao, on the same day, forwarded a resolution to Bishop Rodolfo Beltran requesting the approval of CFCs request for Fr. Armand to be the CFC spiritual director of Ifugao. The request was granted just a week after the anniversary when Bishop Beltran visited Lamut town and installed Fr. Armand as the new priest and affirmed him the Spiritual Director of CFC Ifugao. CFC Ifugao also inaugurated their website and announced that the province will soon have its own provincial CFC center.

C8
By Tina Rodriguez

Ugnayan
San Carlos Seminary, and professor of moral theology, sexuality, integrity and bioethics then shared about how the TOB has affected his life as a priest, saying that TOB is a way for us to open our eyes to the beauty of the Catholic faith and sexual morality. CFC International Council member Rouquel Ponte introduced Christopher West, who has been delivering lectures since 1997, mostly on topics such as Christian anthropology, morality, sacraments, marriage, sexuality, and family life. He is one of the main educators in the Theology of the Body Institute, which offers graduate level courses and other training programs on the Theology of the Body. Mr. West delivered an Introduction to the Theology of the Body, citing personal examples and singing a few lines from selected songs along the way, backed by Mike Mangione and the Union Band. Christopher West reminded those present that no matter what state of life we are in - celibate, single or married we are all created for eternal ecstasy in our bodies. Everyone, in one way or another, is called to be married, and it is ultimately Jesus Christ Himself who wants to marry us. Throughout the Congress, Mr. West also emphasized that In order to be Couples for Christ, you must first be Couples OF Christ In order to be Couples OF Christ, you must be `drunk on Gods love. He also mentioned that the Theology of the Body is another way to say that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and that the purpose of marriage is to give us a glimmer of what its like to be in union with God. Mr. West emphasized the importance of Mother Mary as a model for all of us of what it means to be human. By giving her YES to Gods marriage proposal, Mary literally conceived eternal life in her womb. She opened her very body to the presence of God. In this way, Mary shows us what the

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 15 No. 14

July 4 - 17, 2011

CFC: One With the Catholic Church

ON June 24 and 25, 2011, CFC held back-to-back conferences highlighting CFCs role in the Church and in propagating Church teachings. Both conferences featured Christopher West, a well-known speaker on Pope John Paul IIs Theology of the Body. The first conference, held at the PICC Forum Tent, Manila, was the CFC Church Integration Congress, known in previous years as the Lay-Clergy Congress. Five international Bishops, 200 priests, 300 seminarians from the San Carlos Seminary and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, 20 nuns, 15 religious, and representatives from the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Institute, Vincentian Catholic Community, UPSTREAM formators, Alliance for the Family Foundation Inc, and EDUCHILD joined 800 CFC members at the Congress. The theme of the Congress was: Caritas Christi urgent nos una cum Ecclesia i.e. Christs love is the ultimate reason for our ministry united with the Catholic Church. CFC Church Integration Director Joey Arguelles opened the Congress, welcoming everyone and reminding all present to be grateful for the blessing of being one with the Church. CFC International Council member Joe Tale exhorted everyone to join hands with the Catholic Church and continue making a stand in the ongoing battle for life. Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. of the Diocese of Novaliches, praised the Lord for CFC and expressed his hope that Blessed John Paul IIs Theology of the Body (TOB) will bring forth new life to families, and to society as a whole. Fr. Joel Jason, Dean of Studies at the

Christopher West (in light blue shirt, center) pose with the IC and with some of the bishops and priests that attended the congress.

theology of the womans body is all about. Conversely, according to West, it is Jesus who shows us what the theology of the mans body is. Even those men who are consecrated celibates like the priests are called to live out this theology. Why do we call the priest Father? He gives up His body for the bride, the Church, and he bears numerous spiritual children, he explains. He also asked: Why are we all so interested in sex? Because we are looking for God. We are all created for ecstasy. If we lose sight of the ecstasy God wants for us in heaven we begin to look for it somewhere else. But he said, The only way to reach ecstasy is through the wood of the Cross. Mr. West also spoke lengthily about the role of husbands and wives, and how they are called to mirror the relationship between Christ and the Church. He addressed the singles present, reminding them that the spe-

cial someone they may be looking for can actually be found in Jesus Christ Himself. He also spoke about how consecrated celibates are mirrors of what it means to be married to Christ. The Congress ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided by His Excellency Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference and Archbishop of the Diocese of Cotabato, Philippines. Joining him were Archbishop Nicholas Chia of Singapore, Bishop Denis Wiehe of Seychelles, Bishop Francis Daw Tang of Myanmar, Bishop Yeboah Nyarko of Ghana, Bishop Paul Ssemogerere of Uganda, Bishop Hillary Okeke of Nigeria and Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa. The Bishops homily centered on the importance of being IN the world but NOT OF the world, and how each person is called to be a herald of Christ Himself, just like John the Baptist.

By Arnel Santos

Behold- West B Celebrates 25 Years of Gods Goodness

San Mateo, Rizal for a Marian Procession and the dedication of the site to Our Lady of Banneux. The event was attended by San Mateo Mayor Rafael Diaz and ANCOP USA representatives Nap and Mamie Curameng, who declared full support for the building of ANCOP homes to benefit typhoon Ondoy victims and informal settlers in San Mateo and Quezon City. On May 22, 2011, the sector held its Wealth and Wellness Expo at the DAR Gym in Quezon City. The daylong event was marked by free medical tests and consultations, DTI-sponsored livelihood seminars, an introduction on modern physical exercises, and a lecture on You Are What You Eat by organic farmer and pro-biotic products advocate Marc Dumlao. The DTIs Eskwela Caravan was also there and sold school supplies at discounted and reasonable prices. On May 25, 2011, CFC Metro Manila WB leaders filled the Nativity of Our Lord Parish (NOLP) in E. Garcia, Cubao, for the CFC West B Sector Leaders Conference. NOLP is considered the birthplace of CFC WB, it being the first parish where a CLP was held by CFC in February to May, 1986. Gracing the occasion were former WB Sector Heads, and now CFC International Council members Manny Garcia, with wife, Ditas, and Joe Yamamoto, with wife, Mila. Manny recounted the first five years of CFC (1981-86) and noted that CFC actually was born through a Christian Life Program (then called a Life in the Spirit Seminar) held in a house in Roxas District, Quezon City, which is likewise covered, geographically speaking, by CFC Metro Manila West B. Joe Yamomoto shared his experiences and insights on CFCs next 25 years (1986-2011). He took the opportunity to honor the pioneers of West B. The event was capped by the announcement of the donation to CFC by the Vicariate of Cubao West B5 Mass Housing Foundation, of a 9,000 sq.m. property in San Mateo, Rizal to serve as the site for the Our Lady of Banneux Chapel and CFC Renewal Center. On May 29, 2011, CFC WB held a grand reunion, beholding CFC WBs last 25 years through sharings, presentations, and honoring of CFC West B pioneers. The keynote speaker was Manny Garcia who led the Prayer for Empowerment of CFC WB leaders and members. Capping the event was a Thanksgiving Mass attended by thousands of CFC WB members. The occasion was attended also by FFL and GK leaders and members who served at one time in CFC Metro Manila West B. CFC Chairman Joe Tale, in an inspirational message, thanked God for CFC WB, for rearing and nurturing leaders who are now serving the global CFC family as provincial and country heads and missionaries, and as CFC fulltime pastoral workers. After the reunion was Behold!- The Concert, attended by thousands of sector members, mostly from SFC and YFC. It fea-

CFC Metro Manila West B celebrated its 25th year as a sector, with the theme, Behold, CFC West B @ 25! The theme was chosen because to behold, according to Sector Head Arnel M. Santos, means to hold in view, to gaze, to study, and analyze, and through the process, be astonished. The celebrations started on May 10, 2011, with the sectors participation in the CFC Home Office blessing by His Eminence Honesto Ongtioco, D.D., Bishop of Cubao. The Home Office is located in Cubao, Quezon City, which is geographically covered by CFC Metro Manila West B. On the same day, CFC Metro Manila West B members trooped to the four-hectare Our Lady of Banneux ANCOP communities in

tured Hymno, a YFC group from West B, who bagged first prize in the 2011 YFCILC Show Choir competition. Other featured artists included West of Bethany, Salmo, Salma, TAPA Choir, KFC Choir, YFC Commbased Band, Outlive, and Believe Dance Company.

CFC South Africa: Armed With Gods Love Lay group growing fast in Nepal
By Chari Deiparine
COUPLES for Christ in South Africa experienced a Spirit-filled conference again this year at their annual conference held last May 28 and 29. Couples, Handmaids, Servants of the Lord and Singles for Christ from all over Durban, Pietemaritzburg, Escourt, Kokstad, and Cape Town gathered at Holy Family College in Durban for a weekend of love, prayer and inspiration. The conference entitled Put on the Full Armor of God is based on CFCs worldwide theme for 2011, from Ephesians 6:11. Each participant was moved to a higher and deeper level of love and commitment to God and to one another as a body of the church. The conference started with the praying of the Holy Rosary, as a symbol of our devotion and love for our dear Mother Mary. After the rosary, Fr. Max Kolbe, who came all the way from Namibia, celebrated the Holy Mass. Fr. Kolbe emphasized in his homily that it is human nature to try to prepare and have all the material defenses we could have to keep us away from harm and danger, but the greatest defense that we should put on is the armor of God. All the conference sessions started with a creative presentation, with Joe Raman and Ursula Collings in the role of newscaster and field reporter, reporting all that was happening in the world, and how CFC could take part in the ongoing battle for souls. The first session entitled Field of Battle, was given by Errol Martinez. He talked about how the battle we are in started in heaven, and how God has prepared an eternal paradise for His people. The second session, entitled Rely on the Mighty Power of God, was given by Cecilia Moorvan, a member of the Handmaids of the Lord, who spoke about how we could truly draw our strength from our GOD in all of the circumstances of our lives. The talk was followed by a personal sharing of a Singles for Christ member, Denzil Dean. The third session started with some SFC and CFC members marching in military fatigues and stating their stand as an army of God. Statements made included the following: I AM A PROTECTOR OF LIFE, ABORT ABORTION!!!, I AM A SOLDIER OF GOD, I STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN, I UPHOLD THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE, I STAND FOR RESPONSIBLE PARENTING. The talk proper was given by Adrian Joubert. Warren Napier, a CFC leader who came all the way from Kokstad, gave the fourth session, entitled Put On The Full Armor Of God. He challenged each participant to be brave and be faithful in the work of the Lord, attend a regular household and be faithful in their prayer time. The day ended with Fr. Max Kolbe leading the participants to pray at the foot of the Cross and pray for one another. It was truly inspiring to see each person present kneeling down in worship and adoration before Jesus. The time of solemn prayer ended with a Spirit-filled praise and worship session led by Gevase Pottier. The last day of the conference was packed with messages of love and marching orders, as CFC South Africa National Director, Keith Collings, pushed everyone to truly claim Gods victory. The whole conference ended after each participant was given a mission tag, a symbol and reminder for everyone to stand and be part of Christs army. ENTHUSIASM among members of Couples for Christ (RE), whose aim is to strengthen Christian values and family life, is helping the laymovement grow in Nepal. Over a dozen people, all parishioners of Assumption church in Kathmandu, gave talks and led prayer and discussion sessions at the weekend at the church hall to complete Nepals ninth Christian Life Program a requirement for membership of the group. One young couple, Ashish and Anuradha Pradhan took on the role as leaders of the three-day program. We thought it was important to say yes and we managed to lead it with the help of others for all three days, said Anuradha Pradhan, a school teacher. The Couples for Christ movement began in Manila in 1981 and was introduced to Nepal in 2003, by visiting lay Indian and Filipino migrant workers in Bahrain. The first few Christian Life Programs were organized under the leadership of visiting CFC members, but now local parishioners are doing it themselves and have seen membership spread to four parishes. Father Jomon James, the new priest at St. Ignatius Church in Kathmandus Baniyatar parish, said: I am eagerly waiting for CFC to come here as we need to strengthen faith formation among a growing number of Tamang tribal couples and families. The movement tries to strengthen faith, especially during their Christian Life Programs, by making speakers out of silent listeners. Caritas Nepal worker, Bal Kumari, gave her first talk on Saturday. This was the very first time I have spoken for such a long time in public, she said proudly. Later this month, a lay couple from Kathmandu will for the first time participate at an international CFC gathering in Manila the CFCs 30th anniversary celebrations. Assumption Church priest, Father Robin Rai, will be going with them. Apart from getting people to speak, the movement has been a great help to illiterate Catholics who cannot read the Bible, who say they have learned a lot by listening to the various talks. Ramon Santiago, CFC regional coordinator for South Asia, spends several weeks in Nepal each year, and is surprised at how fast the movement is growing. CFC Nepal, at this point in time, is the most active in evangelization and mission work among the CFC communities in the South Asia region and it also has in place all the family ministries and a music ministry, he said. At present the movement has about 300 members in Kathmandu, Godavari, Pokhara and Dharan parishes and has hosted two South Asia regional conferences in the past three years, he added. Santiago said CFC is now encouraging its members in Nepal to be more deeply involved in inter-religious dialogue, pro-life advocacy and contacts with other Christian denominations. Reprinted from UCANews, a Catholic news source.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

D1

In a wide array of traditional Filipino costume are the members of the Board of trustees with the KCFAPI employees during the farewell ceremony for the outgoing board members.

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

The Cross

By Vanessa Puno

KCFAPI fetes outgoing Board of Trustees members

Present to witness the event were all the members of the board of trustees, board of advisor Antonio B. Borromeo, KCFAPI Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia and Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III, Spiritual director of KCFAPI. The awarding ceremony was held at the social hall of the KCFAPI building in Intramuros, Manila. Everybody was donned in Filipiniana costume, a fitting tribute to the commemoration of the countrys independence. Chairman Davide delivered his message expressing KCFAPIs gratitude for the valuable service rendered by the three outgoing members of the board of trustees during Columbian year July 2010 to June 2011. KCFAPI President Tan gave a response on behalf of the outgoing members of the board of trustees.

THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc. (KCFAPI) awarded plaques of appreciation and fraternal pins or ring to the three outgoing members of the board of trustees, KCFAPI President Alonso L. Tan, Trustees Sofronio R. Cruz and Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr. last June 16, 2011.
The awarding ceremony was led by KCFAPI Chairman and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.

KC joins Philippine Independence Day celebration

The Knights of Columbus in their Regalia Costume during the Philippines 113th Independence day at Kawit Cavite.

THE Knights of Columbus celebrated the 113th Philippine Independence Day by participating in a multi-sectoral parade and ceremonial wreath laying at the tomb of Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 2011. The KCs commemoration of the national event marks the value the Order gives to this part of the countrys history, clearly a manifestation of their patriotism which is one of the four cardinal principles of the Order. Donned in complete regalia, the Knights of Columbus honor guards
Independence / D2

KC holds symposium to educate parishioners on RH

THE Knights of Columbus held a symposium on the reproductive health bill aimed to counteract widespread misinformation that prevents citizens to make sound judgments on the issue. We are led to believe that the country is overpopulated when it is not. We are led to believe that contraceptives are safe and moral, which they are not. We are led to believe that maternal deaths are caused by non-access to contraception when in fact all we need to do is to improve basic medical services, said Rommel Lopez, council lecturer and recently elected Deputy Grand Knight of his council of the Knights of Columbus in Kalookan diocese. Lopez believes that the division which this piece of legislation is causing among Filipinosand even among some Catholicsis due to misinformation, hence resulting in varied positions regarding the bill. When we heard about the ongoing debates in media about the RH and how the issue drives a wedge among conservative and liberal or so-called cafeteria Catholics, the Knights of Columbus decided it is high time that we inform the publicespecially the ordinary Mass-going Catholicsof what the RH Bill meant for all of us, he explained. And so we thought of organizing an event where we could invite speakers who can talk authoritatively about what the RH bill is for Filipinos and for Catholics. We hope that by holding this symposium, we can educate our parishioners about the bill and the medical, social, moral and spiritual dangers it poses to a Filipino Catholic, Lopez said. Dubbed Stand up for Life! the symposium brought together experts on the RH bill and related issues to tackle the various aspects involved: House Representatives Roilo Golez (Paraaque) and Mitos Magsaysay (Zambales), and Dr. Lissa Poblete and Dr. Gabby Dy Liacco both from Filipinos for Life. The symposium on House Bill 4244 or The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and

20 FCs qualify as State Deputy Awardees

TWENTY fraternal counselors have qualified for the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) State Deputy Awards this years incentive program that started from the first working day of January and ended last May 31, 2011.
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KCFAPI Zambo goes to Luzville day care center

in search of the day care center. All throughout the trip, we were contacting the teacher of the day care center, unfortunately her directions were not that clear so, we decided to ask bystanders in the area instead. We passed through rough terrain, and muddy roads, hoping and praying that were heading the right way. As we traveled along, the tougher it got, with fewer houses and more trees and bushes, we asked directions from every person we meet. We were determined to go on until we came to a point that our car can no longer pass through a very deep and muddy portion of the road, we were afraid that the car might get stuck. Since our team leader, Hans Hernandez was riding his single motorcycle, along with one of our FCs, he decided to move ahead and search the day care. After a few minutes, he returned and told us that along the way he met the teacher and was informed that the day care center was still a few houses away. Realizing that our car can no longer travel any further, he requested the teacher if it would be okay for the
Zamboanga / D2

KCFAPIS first ever gift-giving activity held in Iloilo

LAST June 04, 2011, KCFAPI Zamboangas gift giving activity finally pushed through after its one week postponement due to heavy rains. Around 2 pm., we drove our way to Barangay Zambowood, 15km east of the city in search of Luzville Day Care Center. Very eager and excited to share the gifts and food we have prepared for the kids, we found ourselves lost as we cannot locate the day care center. We managed to ask a few bystand-

ers in the area who directed us on which way to take going to the day care center. Unfortunately, upon arriving at the said day care center, instead of kids, we found carpenters renovating the center. The carpenters told us that we were in Milagrosa day care center, and Luzville day care center is still far away and located in the innermost part of the city. With our outmost desire to extend our help to these kids, we continued our journey

THIS years KCFAPI gift-giving activity dubbed as Gift of Wisdom was extended from the four pillars of KCFAPIs main edifice in Intramuros, Manila to Western Visayas, particularly in the City of Iloilo. Through this gift-giving activity, KCFAPI hopes to inspire and encourage children to nourish their interests in proper education. With the help of the Iloilo Service Office personnel, the gift-giving committee members in the KCFAPI head office were able to extend their help to the students of Bito-on I Day Care Center in Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City. The gift-giving activity was held on June

06, 2011 where 66 students, accompanied by their parents and guardians, received school supplies. The KC members of San Lorenzo Co. 9466, Alta Tierra Village of Jaro, Iloilo City, together with Bro. Efren Guillano, Fraternal Counselor of WVB area assisted in the gift-giving activity. Bro. Antonio Orpilla of Zest-O Corporation, and Grand Knight of Co. 9466, donated drinks to the day care students. During the event, Bro. Rudolph Gerard Elizaga, FBMU for Visayas, recognized and thanked the efforts of Ms. Delia Jimenez, the Day Care Center worker and teacher,
Iloilo / D2

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Hilario G. Davide, Jr.

The Cross

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 - 17, 2011

Chairmans Message
The month of July heralds the start of the Columbian Year 2011-2012 and welcomes the new Board of Trustees and officers of the KCFAPI, and of two Foundations and two Subsidiaries, the newly appointed Deputies for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Jurisdictions of the KC in the Philippines, as well as the State Officers; District Deputies, Grand Knights and other Council officers for the said Columbian Year. By any measure, Columbian Year 2010-2011 was a success. The KC in the Philippines earned enviable recognition from the Supreme Council for its growth, development and unending pursuit of programs, projects and activities of the Order. By any measure,too, Columbian Year 2010-2011 was a banner year for the KCFAPI and its foundations and subsidiaries. Upon those the July 2011 welcomes as stated above, a tremendous burden is placed on its shoulders. They should not only protect and preserve the legacy of the success of the Columbian year 2010-2011 has left. They should work harder to merit the trust reposed on them. Their stewardship demands genuine leadership by example characterized by integrity, competence, fortitude, prudence, justice, patience, endurance and loyalty. Their model must be the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Michael J. McGiveney, now venerable servant of God, and our own Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, father of the KC in the Philippines and founder of the KCFAPI. They must never tire, weaken or fail. The only option for them is to succeed for the greater glory of God. God bless us always. VIVAT JESUS.

ANOTHER scholar of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George Willmann Charities, Inc., Rodolfo D. Arias, Jr. of Diocese of Boac, was ordained to the Sacred Order of priesthood last June 7, 2011. Boac Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista led the ordination rites at Holy Cross Parish in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Arias, a native of Buyabod, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque was born on August 8, 1980 to Rodolfo Arias, Sr. and Rosalinda Deligero, a secondary school teacher.

KC Foundation Scholar Ordained Priest

He finished his elementary education and high school in Makapuyat Elementary School and Makapuyat National High School in 1993 and 1997 respectively. Arias obtained his bachelors degree in philosophy from Mt. St. Aloysius College Seminary in Gumaca, Quezon in 2003. He entered St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary in Lucena City in June 2003 for his theological studies. He had exposures in the different parishes of the Diocese of Boac from 2004 to 2008.

The KC Foundation granted him a scholarship through the recommendation of Bishop Evangelista during his third year and fourth year in Theology at St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary last AY 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 respectively. He was ordained deacon on Nov. 19, 2010 by Bishop Evangelista at Holy Cross Parish Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Presently, Fr. Arias is the parochial vicar of St. Isidore Parish in Mogpog, Marinduque. (Vanessa Puno)

KC Foundation Scholar Ordained Deacon

A SCHOLAR of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George Willmann Charities, Inc. was ordained to the diaconate on June 9, 2011 by Surigao Bishop Antonieto D. Cabajog at the San Nicholas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City. Jaime S. Ucab, Jr., was a KC Foundation scholar from the second semester of his Spiritual-Pastoral Formation Year last 2003-2004 until AY 2009-2010 through the recommendation of Bishop Cabajog. A magna cum laude graduate from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, Ucab finished his theological studies with a bachelors degree in Sacred Theology and Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry. Born on March 11, 1981 to Jaime Ucab, Sr., a farmer and Ruth Sala, a teacher in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Ucab finished his elementary education at Bagacay Elementary School in Bagacay, Pilar Bohol, where he graduated as the salutatorian of his batch in 1993. He completed his secondary education in 1997 at the Virgen del Pilar Academy, a school ran by the Daughters of St. Teresa of Avila in Pilar, Bohol and obtained his bachelors degree in Philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City in 2002. Ucab spent some time teaching at De La Salle John Bosco College in Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur from 2005 to 2006. From 2006-2007, he assisted Fr. Boy Salvador, one of the formators at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in building the mission house for the Lumads where he gave catechetical instruction. He lived with the Tala-andig tribe in Bukidnon, and also supervised the construction of a small chapel and a retreat house at the foot of the mountain beside the Kumaykay river. A year before his ordination to diaconate, he had his prediaconate exposure in parishes at Surigao del Norte, the Sta. Monica Parish Siargao island and St. Peter Claver Parish and had his preparation for ordination at the bishops house in the Diocese of Surigao. Grateful for the support given him by the Knights of Columbus, Ucab said he will do his best in whatever way he can to extend his service to the said organization. He said priesthood is the best way for him to serve God. I can see the fulfilment and the ultimate value of my life in priesthood. It is in this life that I can be more united intimately with Jesus Christ through service and constant prayer, he said. (KCFAPI News)

Guillermo N. Hernandez

Presidents Message
It is a great honor and distinct privilege for me to be afforded this rare and cherished opportunity to serve as President of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI), a position only a few had been blessed with. More than a job, it is a calling for me to serve this prestigious Catholic fraternal association to the best of my abilities and contribute to its further growth and success. To the Founder Members Committee (FMC) and the Board of Trustees of KCFAPI, my sincerest thanks for your trust and confidence. The performance of KCFAPI under the stewardship of its Chairman, Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., and outgoing President, Supreme Director and Past Luzon Deputy Bro. Alonso L. Tan, as well as that of their predecessors, is a tough act to follow. I would definitely need the support, cooperation, guidance and wisdom of the whole KCFAPI family, particularly the Board of Trustees with Chief Justice Davide, Jr. still at its helm, the management and staff, the Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors, among others, to be able to do justice to the position and accomplish the task at hand. Please join me in praying to the Lord Almighty that all of us may be blessed with the wisdom, hard work, perseverance, fortitude and humility in finding the right path for KCFAPI to overcome obstacles and difficulties and to unlock potential for growth and opportunities that translates to meeting our goals for a better future. Vivat Jesus!
Zamboanga / D1

Iloilo / D1

Photo of Rev. Ryan Serafin Sasis with the Executive Director of KC Foundations, Mr. Roberto Cruz and KCFAPI employee, Ms. Aquilina Jaranilla during his ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

for supporting KCFAPIs gift giving activity. He mentioned that the funds came from the collective efforts of KCFAPI employees, BC holders and Fraternal Counselors, who participated in this years fund raising project of the giftgiving committee. Ms. Jimenez likewise expressed her gratitude to KCFAPI in behalf of the day care students and parents. At the end of the activity, she led the children in joyful chant of Thank You song especially dedicated to KCFAPI. To God be the Glory! (April G. Vasquez)

Paraaque Squires elect Diocesan Coordinating Body officers

2011-2012 last June 19, 2011 at Marabella Restaurant, Merville Park in Paraaque City. The election was done during their gathering dubbed as 2nd Diocesan Assembly and Selection of Diocesan Officers which was attended by around 50 Chief Counselors and Circle Officers of Paranaque diocese through the efforts of Diocesan Area Chairman SK George Michael T. Tuyay. Elected officers are Sqr. Jewel John Allen M. Nadua of Ci. 4436/ Co. 11971 as Diocesan Chief Squire, Sqr. Paulo P. Lanic of Ci. 3694/Co. 9877 as Diocesan Deputy Chief Squire, Sqr. Lemuel Alexis C. Bautista of Ci. 5037/Co. 13298 as Diocesan Notary,

children to come to us instead. The teacher gladly agreed and told him to wait for them. We found a spacious area where we decided to wait for the kids, then after a few minutes, the kids started to arrive in groups, some were smiling, laughing, while others were with their parents, curious and puzzled of what was going to happen. When we saw them, we felt so blessed that we were able to extend a hand to these very poor children. Walking with old dirty slippers, some were even barefooted, wearing rugged clothes, they truly were in need of our help. When everyone was already there, they were advised to fall in line, one line for the boys and another for the girls. They all seemed tired, so we decided to distribute the food first. Watching them eat made us feel very grateful that we were able to share something. Right after snacks, we decided to distribute the bags and school supplies; one bag for every kid.
Symposium / 1

Together with SOA Porillo, and team leader Hernandez, we distributed the bags full of school supplies to them. As they browsed through the contents of their bags, they started to show to each and everyone the things that were inside, such as crayons, pencils, they were all excited to use them. Their faces showed how happy they were to have their own pencils, crayons, coloring books etc. It truly was an unforgettable experience. To add more excitement and happiness to the kids, we gave them party bags, filled with candies and chocolates. Before we bid them goodbye, the kids sang for us, everyone was singing and clapping with smiles written in their faces. It truly was an experience worth keeping. Even though we got lost on our way to Luzville, and we had to go through all those rough terrains, all was worth the challenge as we ended up helping poor children in need of blessings. (Jeffrey Vincent Galea)

THE Columbian Squires officers from different Circles in the Diocese of Paraaque have elected the officers of the Diocesan Coordinating Body for Columbian Year
Independence / D1

Sqr. Mark Cesar S. Vallano of Ci.5503/Co. 15139 as Diocesan Bursar, Sqr. Reylie Z. Ballesteros of Ci. 3404 /Co. 6843 as Diocesan Marshal and Sqr. Jomar N. Herrerea of Ci. 5375/Co. 11971 as Diocesan Sentry. The Circle officers of the KC youth arm of Paraaque diocese were the first to organize the Diocesan Coordinating Body in KC Luzon Jurisdiction last September 18, 2010. Some of the important functions of the Diocesan Coordinating Body are: to prepare plans and programs that will provide opportunities for Circles in their respective Dioceses to plan, organize, finance, promote and to carry on with projects for the completion of spiritual activities, service activities, circle activities and membership activities; to organize Formation and Training for Circle Officers and members; to promote the implementation of the Squires Advancement Program; and to act as link between the State Circle and their respective Dioceses for active participation and implementation of all State Circle programs and activities. (KC News)

Population and Development Act of 2011, was last conducted on June 18, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm at St. Marys Academy in Grace Park, Caloocan City. All of us Filipinos want the best for our country, Lopez said. Unfortunately, some of the worst things that happened to the world were brought about by men having the best of intentions. But if people are informed of what the RH bill is and what it really wants to accomplish, then people would definitely

come out and let their voices be heard that they do not want a bill that is redundant and does not respect their faith and the freedom to choose. Stand up for Life! was spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Grace Council 5617, in cooperation with the Our Lady of Grace Parish Ministry on Family and Life, the Diocesan Ministry on Family and Life, St. Marys Academy of Caloocan City, and Filipinos for Life. (CBCP News)

together with other members of the Order marched their way from Brgy. Putol, Kawit Cavite to Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine at 5:30 in the morning. The KC members sang the Philippine national anthem and recited the pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag before the ceremonial wreath laying. KC Luzon State Advocate Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., representative of Luzon Deputy Alonso
Awardees / D1

Tan together with Kawit, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo B. Aguinaldo led the wreath laying ceremonies at the tomb of Emilio Aguinaldo assisted by Sir Knight Isagani Maghirang, Master of the 4th Degree of District V, Sir Knight (Commodore) Amado Sanglay, District Deputy I-31, and Sir Knight Avelino Galutan, Faithful Navigator of Bishop Felix P. Perez Assembly, ACN 2357. Aguinaldos tomb was blessed

by the chaplain of Stella Maris Council 4265 of Cavite. Sir Knight Reyes was the guest speaker during the event, while Mayor Aguinaldo gave an inspirational message. KC Luzon State officers and officials who graced the celebration were State Warden Pascual Carbero, State Seminar Director Efren Mendoza, Church Director Vicente Ortega, Community Director

Ramoncito Ocampo, Youth Directotr Conrado Dator, Jr., as well as Secretary to the Board Ramon Sanchez. KC members from the Dioceses of Imus and San Pablo, Laguna and province of Quezon attended the event. The Independence day celebration ended with the closing remarks of Sir Knight Maghirang followed by the mass singing of Pilipinas Kong Mahal. (KC News)

They are Teofilo Samson, Angel Casiding, Jr., Hugo Goce, Jr. and Teodoro Rada of Southern Luzon Lakers, Danilo Tullao, Mauricio Pangda and Jose Domogdog of Northeastern Luzon Cavaliers, Clodualdo Fernandez, Sr. and Joselito Guzman of Central Luzon Diamonds, Luis Ferrer, Bonifacio Morales, Diego Marquez and Lauro Evangelista of Central Luzon Believers,

Jeffrey Rey Guillermo of Central Luzon Conquerors, Jocelyn Ravina of Southwestern Luzon Stars, Reynaldo Segismundo of Northwestern Luzon Thunders, Maria Teresa de la Mota of Western Visayas Bulls, Evelyn Caparas of Metro Manila Excellence, Lorenzo Almelia of Central Mindanao Cowboys, and Leonardo dela Cruz of Metro Manila Achievers.

These fraternal counselors landed the award due to their commendable performances in the first half of 2011 sales, achieving 12 new paid lives and P250,000.00 first year contribution income (FYCI) or 30 new paid lives and P125,000.00 FYCI. Each of the fraternal counselors will receive a State Deputy jacket, certificate of recognition and P3,000.00 in cash. (KC News)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 14
July 4 -17, 2011

The Cross

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An Answeredprovide hope and security to those in need Prayer The Orders charitable efforts and top-rated insurance program
There wasnt a lot known about cancer the Knights. My prayers are with you. Thanks By Supreme Knight Carl A. then; they did 13 operations to try to save from a grateful wife and mother. Anderson STANDARD & Poors rating agency recently observed that the net income of our insurance program soared in 2010, increasing 287 percent over our 2009 performance. The same week the Order received its S&P evaluation, A.M. Best Company reaffirmed our A++ (Superior) rating, noting our superior risk-adjusted capitalization and consistently positive statutory operating results, making the Knights of Columbus one of only five insurance companies in North America with the top rating from both firms. A.M. Best also noted the strong affinity of our members that results from two aspects of the Order: our charitable programs and competitive portfolio of life insurance and annuity products. The strength of our charitable programs was made clear in a very personal way this year at the Ontario State Convention. The honored guest at the award session was Mrs. Eve Charette, whose story was summarized in a letter that she recently wrote: I told you I always remember when the Knights of Columbus helped my dear first husband, John. He was stricken with cancer at the age of 36, in September of 1956. him. There was a constant need for blood transfusions. It was up to the family to request people to donate blood for John. His own family gave as much as they could. In those days there were no blood banks. Friends also helped, but it was the Knights of Columbus that really came to our aid. John was a member early. I remember the day they phoned to say that they would like to talk to me. They told me I would not have to ask for blood anymore, as the Knights would take turns donating after each operation and whenever it was needed. You can imagine how that gave us hope. John was so grateful. He had a great admiration for his fellow Knights. He was very worried about our family; we had five children from six months to nine years old. The Knights were already helping us with food. Also gifts at Christmas time, etc., which was greatly appreciated. Along with parishioners, they took turns driving me to Toronto General and later to Sunnybrook Hospital. It was there that John died. I have always spoken highly of the Knights of Columbus. I know I was not the only one they assisted. God Bless them. Its good to know there will always be someone receiving their kind support. Thanks to all the members of the Knights of Columbus, and I hope you will get many more men interested in joining Not infrequently when we review the soaring accomplishments and growth of the Knights of Columbus, the question arises, Could Father McGivney have imagined such growth from the modest beginnings of the Knights of Columbus in the basement of St. Marys Church? I think it is safe to say that it would have never occurred to our founder that today his Order would provide more than $80 billion of insurance protection for the financial future of hundreds of thousands of Catholic families, and that it would do so with unsurpassed financial strength. But Father McGivney did know the power of our principles of charity, unity and fraternity when strengthened by our Catholic faith and sacraments. And he would have expected that no matter how many brother Knights there were in this century or the next, there would always be grateful wives and mothers praying for the growth of the Order that is, praying that there would always be brother Knights ready to offer their kind support to families in the hour of need. As we begin this new fraternal year, we can be justly proud of the charitable and insurance accomplishments of the Order. We have indeed answered many prayers, but we also have to recognize that there are many more prayers still awaiting our response. Vivat Jesus!

Joseph P. Teodoro

Angelito A. Bala

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do insurers need regulations? A. Regulation connotes restriction or taxation. Many industries are under government regulations like telecommunications, oil, electricity while some are under self-regulation status. Industries are regulated to promote healthy competition among players or proper reallocation of resources especially on industries that deal with scarce resources. For industry players, regulation means red tape, unnecessary intervention or burden like submission of forms. Others complain of the high cost of regulation in the form of taxes. The rules of the game that govern life and non-life insurance transactions including Mutual Benefit Associations are codified under Presidential Decree No. 1460 otherwise known as the Insurance Code of 1978. Special laws cover other insurances: Government Service Insurance Act (government employees), Social Security Act (private employees), Philippine Deposit Insurance (bank deposits), Philippine Crop Insurance (crops and livestock), Home Insurance and Guaranty (mortgage redemption on government housing program) among others. The US insurance industry is regulated while the British insurance industry relies extensively on self-regulation. There are three reasons why the business of insurance is regulated: insurer solvency, unequal knowledge and bargaining power and adequacy of prices. Promoting insurer solvency is the most important goal of insurance regulation. Consumers or buyers of insurance demand payments of promised benefits when the risk insured against happens. Solvency makes certain that insurance benefits are paid when they become due. The government monitors insurers solvency on behalf of the public. A company that fails or becomes bankrupt poses a serious problem to the covered members and the government must intervene to protect the consumers rights. Insurance companies, like commercial banks, operate on public confidence. Regulators advocate and impose strict standards on the fiduciary responsibilities of deposit taking institutions. The second reason balances the enormous advantage on technical expertise of insurers over a buyer of insurance. Most insurance contracts are long and complex as insurers try to limit the extent of covered risks. Some contracts would even require the services of a lawyer to comprehend the meaning of the insurance provisions. A regulator must prevent unscrupulous insurers from taking advantage of the consumers uninformed position. A regulators public assistance section is always ready to assist or interpret a specific provision of the contract. A major problem of insurance companies is that insurers must set the insurance rates or prices before costs are known. If the insurer overestimates the costs, the company makes money. If the insurer underestimates the costs, the company becomes insolvent. A consumer will be worse off if the insurance was purchased from a company that underpriced its products. A consumer without the support of an expert opinion cannot be a good judge of rate adequacy. The regulator must be satisfied first that the submitted rates are adequate to cover the contingent benefits. Hence, the regulator requires prior approval from insurers before they can use the contribution rate.

Income for Twilight Years

THE heaviest burden that a man may carry during his old age is an empty wallet. Indeed not having a retirement fund during ones twilight years is very tragic scenario. The cost of health maintenance consisting of consultation fees, medicines, vitamins and other food supplement keep on spiraling every day. The same is true with basic commodities. On the other hand, the earning capacity declines as one gets older while social security and government pensions remain at near stagnant growth. It becomes imperative for anyone to prepare himself for this sad eventuality. One should set aside part of his earning while he is still in the pink of health and the income is good. Savings in the bank is a suggested way of amassing funds for old age. Getting an insurance program is better formula. KCFAPI has a number of benefit plans that can cover this particular eventuality. As discussed in earlier issues, the KC Retire Plus appears to be the best retirement program which was conceived by brother knights for brother knights and their family members. The KCFAPI has the following features: 1. Retirement income fund at age 60 computed at 50% of the total face value of the benefit certificate. 2. Another 50% retirement fund at age 65. 3. Insurance coverage twice the face value of the plan from effectivity date up to age 60 and 50% thereafter. 4. The plan is payable in 10 years. 20-YEAR ENDOWMENT The 20-year endowment is an appropriate plan which can also provide a retirement fund. This is more affordable than the retire plus. The plan matures after 20 years and payable in 20 years. Consult your fraternal counselors if you have other concerns. He may be able to tailor fit one KCFAPI benefit plan for ones particular insurance needs. Take it from the ants. They always save for the rainy days.

Atty Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.

From the Legal Standpoint

A Matter on Rebate
IN the field of Insurance, the law explicitly prohibits the practice of what is referred to as rebate. Simply put, a rebate refers to an offer by an insurance agent to give or share his commission or pay with the intended insured to induce the latter into procuring an insurance coverage. It may also be by offering the intended insured with a premium rate lesser from that contained in the insurance contract, or promising to the intended insured special favors, advantage or other valuable consideration to induce him into accepting an insurance coverage. Sanctions for violating the prohibition are also given to the insurance company who condone such practice. The basis for the prohibition is found in Sec. 363 of Presidential Decree No. 612 (The Insurance Code of the Philippines) which state: No insurance company doing business in the Philippines or any agent thereof, no insurance broker, and no employee or other representative of any such insurance company, agent, or broker, shall make, procure or negotiate any contract of insurance or agreement as to policy contract, other than is plainly expressed in the policy or other written contract issued or to be issued as evidence thereof, or shall directly or indirectly, by giving or sharing a commission or in any manner whatsoever, pay or allow or offer to pay or allow to the insured or to any employee of such insured, either as an inducement to the making of such insurance or after such insurance has been effected, any rebate from the premium which is specified in the policy, or any special favor or advantage in the dividends or other benefits to accrue thereon, or shall give or offer to give any valuable consideration or inducement of any kind, directly or indirectly, which is not specified in such policy or contract of insurance; nor shall any such company, or any agent thereof, as to any policy or contract of insurance issued, make any discrimination against any Filipino in the sense that he is given less advantageous rates, dividends or other policy conditions or privileges than are accorded to other nationals because of his race [Emphasis supplied.]. The prohibition on rebating was also adopted by KCFAPI and may be found in the Fraternal Counselors Manual under Paragraph 1.2 Title E, on Rules and Regulation Governing FCs. Thus, Fraternal Counselors are not allowed to entice their potential BC holders by making such offers.

St. Mark the Evangelist Council No. 15273 holds charter presentation, installation of officers
THE St. Mark the Evangelist Council No. 15273 of Luzon Jurisdiction District M-22 held its charter presentation, installation of charter officers and induction of service program personnel at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish Church and San Marcos Elementary School covered court last June 18. St. Mark the Evangelist Council 15273 is the most recent instituted council of the Knights of Columbus in San Marcos, Calumpit, Bulacan. The affair started with the celebration of a thanksgiving Mass led by Fr. Eric T. Bagay, parish priest and founding chaplain of the said council. The charter presentation ceremony was presided by SK Rodolfo Y. Manumbas, District Deputy, M-22 and Round Table of District Deputies Chairman Group 24 of Diocese of Malolos. Luzon Deputy and Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan read and presented the charter certificate from the Supreme Council to SK Nio Abraham R. Torres, Charter Grand Knight and Founding Chaplain, Fr. Bagay. Another highlight of the affair was the installation of charter officers by District Deputy Manumbas followed by the imposition of jewels and the handing of the gavel which is a symbol of authority by DD Manumbas to Charter Grand Knight Torres. The induction of service program personnel by Charter Grand Knight Torres immediately followed after the installation of charter officers. Sir Knight Tan delivered his inspirational message to Charter Officers, Grand Knights, Faithful Navigators, Former

District Deputies and Past Faithful Navigators who were present. Fr. Bagay and SK Torres delivered the spiritual message and valedictory address, respectively.

SK Wilfredo M. Cruz, Grand Knight of the sponsoring council, Kalumpit St. John the Baptist Council No. 10582 and Calumpit Mayor James P. de Jesus, C.E. also gave brief messages. (Vanessa Puno)

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The Cross

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 15 No. 14

July 4 - 17, 2011

Kalumpit St. John the Baptist Council No. 10582 inaugurates monument, library
THE Kalumpit St. John the Baptist Council No. 10582 in Calumpit, Bulacan of the Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction, District M-22 held the inauguration and blessing of its two projects, the Save the Unborn Monument at Barangay Poblacion and K of C Community Library at Barangay Sapang Bayan, Calumpit, Bulacan last June 18, 2011. The inauguration and blessing was led by Fr. Jose Rodel R. Ponce, parish priest of St. John the Baptist and chaplain of the council and Luzon State Deputy and Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan. The monument was built in support of the pro-life advocacy of the KC catholic organization, and the aforementioned council likewise established a community library being an organization which is committed to serve the community. Grand Knight Wilfredo M. Cruz and Fr. Ponce delivered the welcome address and message, respectively. Calumpit Mayor James P. De Jesus, C.E. and Vice Mayor Zacarias C. Candelaria, M.D. likewise graced the affair. (Vanessa Puno)

Knights of Columbus with LD Alonso L. Tan taken during the inauguration and blessing of Save the Unborn monument at Calumpit Bulacan.

Two newly instituted councils in Laguna FCs, AMs of Northwestern Luzon hold charter presentation Thunders and Cordillera Braves hold joint area meeting

LAGUNA Bel-Air Council 15013 of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish and St. John of the Cross Council 15077 held their charter presentation at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Laguna Bel-Air, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on June 4, 2011. The highlight of the affair was the presentation of the charter certificate by Supreme Director and Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan to Sir Knight Jose U. Aguilo, Grand Knight of Laguna Bel-Air Council and Sir Knight Reynaldo Penolio, Grand Knight of St. John of the Cross Council. Meanwhile, the affair started with an opening prayer led by Fr. Eugene Soriano. This was immediately followed by a welcome remark delivered by Sir Knight Francisco Jehu C. Sebastian, District Deputy of S56. Part of the program was the unfolding of the charter certificate led by Sir Knight Sebastian. And during the event, each charter member was given a membership certificate and an emblem of the Order. The Laguna Bel-Air Council has 28 charter members while St. John of the Cross Council has 54 charter members. (KC News)

Photo taken during the joint area meeting at Benguet State UniversityGladiola Center, La Trinidad Benguet.

THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) fraternal counselors and area managers of Northwestern Luzon Thunders and Cordillera Braves conducted a joint area meeting at Benguet State Universitys Gladiola Center in La Trinidad, Benguet on June 4, 2011. Gari San Sebastian, Fraternal Benefits National Manager discussed the road map to

annual awards, which specifically focused on this years incentive programs of the said mutual benefits association, as well as the Fr. George J. Willmann Award for Academic Excellence and 2011 Search for Fathers for Good Philippines. Forty-two FCs and AMs attended the joint area meeting facilitated by San Sebastian. (KCFAPI News)

The Cause for the Beatification of Father George J. Willmann, SJ

EMULATING the virtues that bespeak of sanctity of a person, like Father George J. Willmann, is what we need today to draw us into a deeper living out of the fullest meaning of our Catholic Faith in the context of increasing secularism. Thus, we believe, is one of the most important objectives in initiating the Cause of the good Father George. As prescribed by the Congregation for Causes of Saints in Rome a person may be elevated to the honors of the altar if he has lived up to a heroic degree of the supernatural virtues of faith, hope and charity, as well as the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice and fortitude and temperance. We believe that Father Willmann practiced them all to an exceptional degree. In order to establish and widen the fame of Sanctity of Father Willmann, may we call on all Brother Knights, their families and friends to respond to the following appeal: Submission of testimonies on Fr. Willmanns heroic virtues; Recitation of Prayer for his Beatification in private and during K of C meetings and affairs; Invocation of his intercession in our prayers; Submission of Reports on answered prayers through the intercession of Father Willmann; Visitation of his tomb in the Sacred Heart Novitiate Cemetery, Novaliches, Quezon City. Membership to Fr. George J. Willmann Fellows. This is a challenge for all of us Knights of Columbus members, who dearly love Father George J. Willmann, SJ.