Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
PHP
20.
00
CBCP
VOLUME 19
NUMBER 24
CBCPMONITOR.COM
THOUSANDS of students
across Palawan province will
take part in a day of prayer on
Dec. 2 for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the West
Philippine Sea next week.
Organizers of the prayer
gathering to held at the Puerto Princesa Citys Sports
Complex said it is vital to
pray for peace as tensions
around the strategic waterways mount.
Its going to be a prayer
of the rosary and the target is
to gather 16,000 participants
who are mostly students
from different colleges and
universities, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo told
Radio Veritas.
He said the gathering
also aims to raise awareness
among the people about the
issue and the current situation in the contested territories, which Beijing refers to
as South China Sea.
Prayer, A6
WHATS INSIDE
A3 - Vatican
monitoring situation
in Central Africa but
pope plans to visit
B1 - Jubilee of
blessings, mission
of renewal
Church to Catholics:
Kneel before the poor
By Roy Lagarde
READY FOR IEC. The 26,000-sq.m. International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavilion in the San Carlos Seminary
compound in Mabolo, Cebu City was opened to the public for the first time during the turnover ceremony held on
Nov. 21. The photos show the interior and exterior views of the pavilion which has a seating capacity of 12,000
for IEC delegates from across the globe. IEC will be held on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016. SAMMY NAVAJA
Synod, A6
A private motorist near the intersection of MIA Road and Quirino Avenue in Paraaque City
offers a woman who wears what appears to be a hijab (Muslim headscarf) a ride to her
destination after countless are stranded because of APEC rerouting. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIN
CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWORLD.NET
Ongoing journey
They have already emerged in most
dioceses and parishes, but the realization
of the vision of a Renewed Church in Vatican II and PCP II in the BECs remains
an ongoing journey, bemoans Fr. Amado
L. Picardal, C.Ss.R, executive secretary of
the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP)s Episcopal Committee on BECs, in his paper Basic Ecclesial
Communities Today.
Representatives of BECs from 75 arch/
dioceses in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are in Metro Manila from Nov. 11
until Nov. 14 for the 3rd National BEC
Assembly in Paco, Manila, where they
BECs, A6
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, reminded delegates of the ongoing
National Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Assembly about their role as catalysts of change at San
Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco. ROY LAGARDE
Thousands to
gather in prayer
for peaceful
resolution of PHChina sea row
A2 WORLD NEWS
CBCP Monitor
to rely on him.
So we cant allow ourselves to
be stopped by the misfortunes of
life or the suffering that were enduring, as if this had no meaning.
Through them, we can discover
that God is knocking on our door
and wants to call us again to life,
and open up to us the ways of
life, he said.
This confidence in God is a
light on the journey of life, the
cardinal said, encouraging those
gathered to put our trust in God,
who is the God of life. (CNA)
Bishop Joseph Chusak (5-R) at the Interreligious Peace March for victims of the Paris attacks in Thailand on November
19, 2015. MONSIGNOR VISSANU/CBCT.
pain and anguish at the news of terrorist attacks and rejected the idea that their religion
condones violence.
The religious leaders also presented French
ambassador Gilles Garachon with a joint
statement that read, We join in prayer for
the dead, the injured, and the families affected by this tragedy. May the Merciful
Almighty grant the victims eternal rest and
offer consolation and hope to the injured and
their families.
Our march for peace today is a symbol
of the unity of the five major religious traditions in Thailand. Together we implore the
Almighty above to inspire and strengthen us
for the building of peace.
Violence resolves nothing, and we vigorously condemn every act of violence
perpetrated in the name of religion, they
continued. We invite all to join hands with
us to build a sustainable peace through justice,
solidarity, and non-discrimination with regard
CNA
Vatican Briefing
one and also gave him a small tunic and stole made just to fit him.
The priest thought Rafaels request was so beautiful that he gave
him a whole set of unused liturgical objects. The day he received
them he must have celebrated 300
hundred Masses, his father joked.
He was still celebrating Mass at
11 oclock that night.
His father said it was the best
gift his son could have received.
We (his mother and I) are
extraordinary ministers of the
Eucharist and we strive to attend
Mass every day, Randersson said.
The burial for Rafael took place
Nov. 15 at Conceio das Pedras.
After saying goodbye to their
son, Rafaels parents decided to
donate their little boys belonging
to childrens institutions.
They hope that this can be one
more way for their young son to
touch the lives of others.
Earlier this year, Randersson
told CNA that every day when
Rafael is asleep we pray for him
and consecrate his life to God,
we ask that he can fulfill the mission that Jesus has for him. And
as his name Rafael means Gods
medicine, we pray that that he
can cure people from the absence
of God. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor
A3
The Holy Door unveiling at the Recognitio ceremony in St. Peters Basilica on November
17, 2015. LOSSERVATORE ROMANO.
A mosaic of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in St. Pauls Cathedral in Tirana, Albania. The founder of the Missionaries of Charity
is a native of Albania. CNA
to recognize scholars
whose work demonstrates a meaningful contribution to
theology in the spirit
of Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, the Bavarian theologian who
became Benedict
XVI. The prize is
awarded by the Ratzinger Foundation,
which was founded
in 2010 with Benedict XVIs approval
to study and promote
Vatican City - June 16, 2015. Pope emeritus Benedict XVI meets with seminarians
his writings as a theo- from the diocese of Faensa-Modigliana, Italy on June 16, 2015 at the Vatican Gardens.
logian, as a cardinal Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana.
in charge of the Vaticans Congregation of
Mgr. Giuseppe A. Scotti, the Ratzinger
the Doctrine of the Faith, and as Pope.
Foundation president, said the foundation
Archbishop Ladaria noted that this years works to create a future where man and
honorees represent Latin American and Eastern God are capable of a full and constructive
Catholicism.
dialogue, capable of giving life to man and
He said Latin America has given the Church the world.
its first non-European Pope in modern times,
Past Ratzinger Prize honorees include
through whom the Church has offered a new University of Notre Dame theology professor
and very eloquent proof of its catholicity. He Father Brian Edward Daley, S.J., French lay
also cited St. John Paul IIs emphasis on the philosopher Remi Brague, Italian patristics
importance of the Eastern Catholic Churches, scholar Manlio Simonetti, Anglican professor
and the need for the Church to breathe with Richard Burridge of Kings College London,
both lungs, east and west, with greater mu- German theology professor Christian Schaller,
tual knowledge of these two great traditions. French scripture professor Anne-Marie PelThe archbishop is a member of the Ratzinger letier, and Polish biblical scholar Monsignor
Foundations scientific committee.
Waldemar Chrostowski. (CNA/EWTN News)
left, since what they were hoping for was a leader who had the
means to free them from their
Roman oppressors.
The Cross is an not obstacle
but our stairs to life everlasting.
We should not be ashamed to
acknowledge that Christ is our
king, the prelate declared.
The kings of Europe, of Thailand, of other countries will come
and go, but Christ will remain king
forever, he added. (Raymond A.
Sebastin / CBCP News)
A4 OPINION
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Monitor
CBCP
Pedro C. Quitorio
Ronalyn R. Regino
Editor-in-Chief
Design Artist
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Gloria Fernando
Associate Editor
Marketing Supervisor
Roy Q. Lagarde
Mercedita Juanite
Kris Bayos
Marcelita Dominguez
News Editor
Features Editor
Circulation Manager
Comptroller
Living Mission
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Three Servants of
Gods Poor
Candidly Speaking
By the Roadside
Rev. Eutiquio Euly Belizar, Jr., SThD
horrors of Martial Law, with its
gruesome human rights violations, forced disappearances, and
rigged elections or, more recently,
the Jueteng-gate of the Estrada
years leading to his conviction
and incarceration, the Im sorry
rigged-presidential-election controversy or the moderate-yourgreed scams of the GMA era,
the Reproductive-Health-Billpassage-for-DAP arrangements
or the super typhoon Yolanda and
Mamasapano debacles of the current administration, among othersthey all seem to be mercifully
shelved in the public unconscious.
Are these enough evidence to
CBCP Monitor
OPINION A5
Solidarit
Whatever
Collection Box
An Unthinkable,
Barbaric Act
POPE Francis expressed his deep sorrow for
the terrorist attacks that bloodied France,
late on Friday, causing many casualties. He
condemned the massacre as an unspeakable
affront to human dignity.
Everyone was shocked with the series of
terrorist attacks in Paris, France in November
2015, Friday the 13th. It was an unexpected
tragedy when everyone was set to enjoy Friday night after a long weeks hard work. As
expected from terrorists, they would go on
sneak attacks in crowded places, where the
most number of people are. As what happened, multiple shootings and grenade attacks occurred on that Friday night. Targeted
were a concert hall, a sports stadium and a
restaurant. French President, Francois Gerard
Georges Hollande, who was watching the
football game between France and Germany
nearby, was immediately evacuated from the
stadium.
Dozens were killed during the Eagles of
Death Metal concert inside the Bataclan concert hall and as of presstime, there are 129 casualties, 350 injured, and still counting. Eagles of
Death Metal are known for free-spirited garage
rock and raunchy humor but are not generally
known for politics. Three suspected Islamic
extremists opened fire as the band performed
at the Bataclan concert hall, killing 89 people
before dying from their suicide vests. President
Hollande named the Paris attacks an act of
war by the Islamic State.
Days after the carnage, ISIS (Iraq-Syria
Islamic States) claimed responsibility. It is
a jihadist militant group in Iraq and Syria
influenced by the Wahhabi Movement. Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the presumed mastermind
of the devastating attacks in Paris, was killed
less than a week after the massacre. He was
said to be so slippery that he could move
undetected between Syria and Belgium, his
home country. Explosions and gunfire rang
out as French police stormed a building in the
Duc In Altum
Spaces of Hope
for the 51st IEC comes as a disappointment to many who had passionately
anticipated his presence, the realization
that the Eucharist is gift par excellence
should boost the spirit of delegates and
pilgrims. After all, the Petrine Office is at
the humble service of this communion.
Next years IEC theme, Christ in You,
Our Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)
has a special resonance with the host
country whose faith remains joyful, resilient, and event defiant despite its share
of natural disasters - an earthquake that
shattered many places of worship and the
strongest storm ever to make landfall.
A most moving image of this power of
the Eucharist is Pope Franciss breaking
of bread with survivors of Superstorm
Yolanda last January 2015 in Tacloban,
Philippines. There, amid very wet,
windy, and trying conditions brought
about by another tropical storm that was
on signal number 2, he came, oblivious
A6 LOCAL NEWS
encounters, he said.
Echoing Pope Francis call to
serve the poor, the cardinal also
urged the BEC leaders, workers
and volunteers resist the economy
of exclusion.
We should say no to the economy of exclusion and inequality, he said.He added that since
there must be shared responsibility in the life and mission of the
Church, it is hoped that BECs will
strengthen lay participation.
Every Christian grows in faith
within a community, Tagle also
said. And we are all equal in
Christian dignity. (Myraine
Carluen Policarpio/CBCPNews)
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu gives a message to thousands of BEC workers during
the recent BEC National Assembly at Paco Catholic School, Manila. ROY LAGARDE
Two typhoon Yolanda survivors share about their lives two years after the disaster at a disaster risk reduction summit in Cebu
City recently. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIN
BECs, A1
Synod, A1
Prayer, A1
Spaces of Hope, A5
By the Roadside, A4
CBCP Monitor
CBCP Monitor
DIOCESAN NEWS A7
In Iloilo, we plant
trees, not bullets
The Ascension of the Lord Parish in GSIS Heights in Matina, Davao City has put up an
organic vegetable garden, small poultry and fish pond, Laudato Si Garden, named after
the popes recent encyclical. ASAC DAVAO
60,000 signatures
With the Global Catholic Climate Movement partnering with
different dioceses in the Philippines including the Archdiocese of
Davao in gathering at one million
signatures to petition the world
leaders who will meet in Paris in
December to respond to climate
change, she realized that there is
a need to increase the awareness
of young people and the people
at the grass-roots level.
Vocations, A1
JARO, Iloilo City--In stark contrast to the dreaded bulletplanting or tanim-bala scam
that is making the countrys
airports notorious, this Catholic
archdiocese launched a massive
tree-planting program in response
to the Popes call for all the faithful to work together to take care
of our Common Home.
Volunteers from various parishes came together in a treeplanting activity on Nov. 14 in
Mt. Upao, San Dionisio, Iloilo,
to plant the initial 5,000 trees
of the 150,000 committed earlier
by the Archdiocese of Jaro in
time for the celebration of the
feast of the Archdioceses patroness, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, on
Nov. 17, and also in line with
Jaros 150th anniversary of existence as a diocese.
Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC) Director
Msgr. Meliton Oso said the
tree-planting is a joint project
of the JASAC, the Parish Social
Action Ministry, and the Barangay Councils of San Nicolas,
Capinag, Pase, Tiabas and Sua.
Oso said that to assure their
growth, the first 5,000 trees
planted will be nursed by the
residents of the five barangays
in San Dionisio.
The Social Action Center
Director explained that the treeplanting project is their response
to Pope Francis who, in his en-
JASAC
APEC, A1
goes on to challenge them to take every opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit provoke
curiosity in onlookers who see Christians
serving the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the
helpless.
Let the onlookers wonder: Why are they
doing this? he says, echoing the pontiff.
Gomez expresses lament that many young
people are ambiguous about their relationship
with the Church.
Candidly Speaking, A4
CBCP Monitor
Coadjutor
De Leon shared that at exactly 7:00
p.m. (12:00 p.m. in Rome), he was informed that the Holy Father had given
him this new appointment.
Starting tonight I am no longer the
auxiliary bishop of Antipolo. I am now the
coadjutor bishop of Antipolo, he said in
an impromptu announcement which the
congregation received with an applause.
De Leon went on to share that when he
was auxiliary bishop he would ask Reyes
how he could better serve him.
Now that he is a coadjutor, the prelate
quipped that he can now freely greet him,
How is your health, Bishop?
De Leon became auxiliary bishop of
Antipolo in June 27, 2007 and was formally installed pn Sept. 1, later that year.
Latest appointment
Before his latest appointment, he had
served as apostolic administrator of the
Diocese of Kalookan from Jan. 2013 to
Oct. 2015.
Meanwhile, besides De Leon, Nueva
Segovia Auxiliary Bishop David William
V. Antonio also received a new appointment from Pope Francis, as Apostolic
Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate
of San Jose, Mindoro, a Vatican Radio
article confirms.
The same report adds that other
than retirement, the resignation and
death of the incumbent automatically makes the coadjutorunlike
an auxiliarythe next lead bishop of
a diocese. (Raymond A. Sebastin /
CBCP News)
Filipinos in New York gathered at the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini on Nov. 15 to celebrate the life
of the Italian-born saint who migrated to the United States and became the patron saint of immigrants.
KRIS BAYOS
PASTORAL CONCERNS B1
LOsservatore Romano
CBCP Monitor
The Holy Door unveiling at the Recognitio ceremony in St. Peters Basilica on November 17, 2015.
Jubilee of blessings,
mission of renewal
CBCP Pastoral Exhortation for the Jubilee of Mercy
and the Year of the Family and the Eucharist
Let us kneel before the Lord who made us. (Psalm 95:6)
wrote in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy that Hebrews regarded the knee as
a symbol of strength. To bend the knee
is therefore, to bend our strength before
the living God, an acknowledgment of
the fact that all that we are we receive
from God.(p.191)
Kneeling is part of our Christian
culture. We cannot abandon or set aside
the culture of kneeling in favor of the
culture that says as freemen we must
face God on our feet. Bending the knee
before the tabernacle in genuflection,
kneeling down at the celebration of the
Eucharist, kneeling down to adore the
exposed Blessed Sacramentthese are
little but sublime acts of adoration that
we must preserve and protect.
Kneeling at the consecratory words
over the bread and wine is not only an
act of humility but a bowing welcome to
meet the Lord who Himself has stooped
down to reach out to us. Though he was
in the form of God, he did not regard
equality with God something to be
grasped. Rather, he emptied himself
becoming obedient to death, death on
the cross. (Phil 2: 6)
If you want renewal, kneel again. We
kneel to atone for the countless profane
actions against the Eucharist. As we
bow down and adore the Eucharist,
we also beg for mercy for the sacrilege
and desecration the Sacred Species are
repeatedly subjected to in many communities. We seek pardon for liturgical
experiments and abuses; the narcissism
among ordained ministers seeking
popularity rather than piety; for taking
the Mass for granted; for the irreverent
B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS
CBCP Monitor
declared:
1st The ordinary contentious
process, before a tribunal, with
all the formalities and time
limits.
2nd The documentary process,
by which the diocesan bishop
or the judicial vicar or a judge
designated by him declares the
nullity of a marriage by sentence, if a document subject to
no contradiction or exception
clearly establishes the existence
CNA
Vatican City - June 24, 2015. A married couple in wedding attire in St. Peters Square waiting for a blessing from Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience on June 24, 2015.
of a diriment impediment or a
defect of legitimate form, provided that it is equally certain
that no dispensation was given,
or establishes the lack of a valid
mandate of a proxy. These are
cases when a document constitutes full proof of the invalidity
of the marriage. In these cases,
Customs, B3
CBCP Monitor
FEATURES B3
Holy Door at
St. Peters Basilica
unveiled for Jubilee
of Mercy
Claritas
LOsservatore Romano
The Holy Door unveiling at the Recognitio ceremony in St. Peters Basilica on
November 17, 2015.
Customs, B2
since the decree approving the first edition of the new missal is from 1970, that
of the third typical edition in Latin in
2000 and the approval of the English
translation is from 2011, one cannot
usually speak of such long-term customs.
Also, these decrees usually contain the
phrase anything to the contrary notwithstanding which some canonists
consider as an implicit revocation of the
earlier law and its replacement with the
new, even though, as a universal law, it
would not revoke legitimate customs if
there are any.
Even if a diocese or parish could
develop a legitimate liturgical custom
contrary to liturgical law, it is difficult
to determine if a community intended
to introduce a law as required by
Canon 25. It is also difficult to prove
the continued use of the practice as per
Canon 26.
For example, Canon 528.2 says the
following about the duties of the parish
priest: The parish priest is to take care
that the blessed Eucharist is the center
of the parish assembly of the faithful. He
is to strive to ensure that the faithful are
nourished by the devout celebration of
the sacraments, and in particular that
they frequently approach the sacraments
of the blessed Eucharist and penance.
He is to strive to lead them to prayer,
including prayer in their families, and to
take a live and active part in the sacred
liturgy. Under the authority of the diocesan Bishop, the parish priest must direct
this liturgy in his own parish, and he is
bound to be on guard against abuses.
Thus it would be enough for one
parish priest to have fulfilled his duty
to remove abuses for the custom to be
interrupted. Even if the custom is later
reintroduced, the 30-year period would
have to start again.
Again, no custom can prevail if
specifically reprobated. For example,
Redemptionis Sacramentum formally
reprobates the following practices: The
priest breaking the host at the time
of the consecration (No. 55); priests
or deacons varying the liturgical texts
(No. 59); non-ordained faithful delivering the homily (No. 65); distributing
unconsecrated hosts or other edible or
inedible things during the celebration
of Mass or beforehand after the manner
of Communion (No. 96); suspending
the celebration of Mass in order to
promote a Eucharistic fast (No. 115);
using common or domestic vessels for
the celebration (No. 117); celebrating
Mass with just the stole over a habit or
ordinary clothes (No. 126); priests who
are present at the celebration but abstain
from distributing Communion and
hand this function over to laypersons
(No. 157).
The above-mentioned instruction lists
many abuses besides those specifically
B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS
APEC: the
Greed of Nations
CBCP Monitor
These
multinationals
work through
organizations
like the
APEC.They
are stealing
the natural
resources of
poorer nations
for a hundred
years.
It is only when
there is an
end to global
injustice and
greed and
when fairness
and dignity
and human
rights are
fully respected
will there be
peace and true
prosperity.
Militant groups, led by Bayan, called on the government to reconsider its position on APEC and other existing free trade agreements which they claim failed to be felt by the
ordinary Filipinos. Among other issues, they called on government to stop killing indigenous people from Southern Philippines.
By Melo Acuna
AGAINST a backdrop of pomp
and glamour for the visiting
dignitaries and thousands of
their APEC 2015 delegates
replete with detailed media
coverage of their arrival, conference, and gala dinners,
thousands of Filipinos call on
government to reconsider its
position and commitments to
globalization and free trade
agreements.
No less than Filipino Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo,
OMI called on the Philippine
government to give APEC a
human, a Filipino face.
While its theme appears responsive to the regions ideals,
many deem it far-fetched that
its vision will be realized within
the next decade or so.
Permanently contractual
Aptly conceived Building
Inclusive Economies, Building
a Better World, this years economic leaders summit meeting
will not alter nor improve the
Philippine landscape as most
workers remain under fivemonth contracts as Rudy (not
his real name) who works from
6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the
International Media Centers
washroom.
While he hopes to become
a regular employee, he may
remain permanently contractual since his contract may
no longer be renewed should a
demand for washroom cleaners
cease to exist.
pines is an export-oriented
economy and definitely when
a meltdown occurs, first world
economies would cease, if not
scale down, its purchases except for the basic necessities.
He said micro-small-medium
enterprises should be encouraged to play a more active role
in the regional marketplace.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
reported some USD $ 20.4
billion has been sent to the
Philippines from January to
September this year.
The countrys BPOs, which
do not encourage employees to
form unions, contributed some
USD $18.9 to the economy.
Reality of poverty
The reality is most people
in Metro Manila and other
growth centers live in squalid
conditions where sanitation is
almost unheard of.
T h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s h a ve
flocked to metropolitan areas
hoping to find jobs as farming and land ownership have
remained in the backwaters of
government priorities.
Despite the national governments decision to appropriate
more funds, the results have
remained dismal. IBONs executive director Sonny Africa
said inclusive growth will never
be realized until the countrys
agriculture and manufacturing be seriously enhanced and
improved.
He said with the country
bent on importing its chief
staple, farmers would definitely
turn to other activities.
Melo Acua
ANDREAS De la Cruz is a forty year old fisherman from Masinloc, Zambales and he has a story of triumph and loss to tell and
all of it is due to the obsession of powerful nations to control and
dominate and occupy the lands and seas of other smaller nations.
A few months ago Andreas set out to the rich fishing grounds of
Scarborough shoal, about 60 kilometers from the beach where he
lives in a small house with his wife and tree children on the edge
of the West Philippine Sea. His Banka boat, yellow and white with
green outriggers made of bamboo poles tied together with nylon
gut cut through the ocean swell by a the noisy power of the motor.
The reef is well within the 200 mile Philippine exclusive
economic zone of the Philippines. Andres told that he and his
father and grandfather and his ancestors fished off the reef even
in primitive canoes with sails for generations. He has had a good
healthy life from fishing the reef and as prices and demand for good
fish rose so did his earnings. He was able to send his children to
a good school on his earnings. They rose out of the poverty and
have more secure better lives. But that came to an end one tragic
day over two years ago
When Andreas and his neighbor came to their customary fishing ground the say a big naval
vessel ahead of them and were
hailed over a loudspeaker to
stop and turn around as they
were they were illegally entering the waters of China.
Andreas was shocked, he
said, it was like an invasion of
the Philippines. The Chinese
navy and captured the shoal
which is like a submerged
coral island. He evaded the
navel cutter that tried to get
close and swamp his little
motorized Banka boat. He
swung around to pass it and
headed toward the shoal with
the ship coming after him.
Then he made a fast tight turn
and ran past it before it could
make a slow wide turn and he
was far away. The small naval
battle was over with Andreas
and his little Philippine flag
the victor.
Darkness saved him and
being a Filipino of courage
with Juanito his helper they lowered the nets near the submerged
shoal. He did not chance to light the gas lamp to attract them yet
he soon a big catch. The other fishing boats had apparently turned
back when confronted by the Chinese Cutter and the ocean was
his. In triumph he arrived back with a full load to the amazement of
the village. They were now marginalized, cut-off from their source
of livelihood and faced ruin and poverty. Thats how the power of
great nations crush there smaller weaker neighbors.
The once impoverished and weak communist China was defeated by the capitalist juggernaut and decided if China cant beat
them then let China join them. And so China did. It has to its
credit and praise lifted hundreds of millions of starving Chinese
from dire poverty in just thirty years or so. Today it is a thriving
capitalistic economic power ruled by a one party communist state.
What a contradiction in terms and in reality.
Like the Western capitalist empires of the past and present
that oppress and exploit the poorer nations in the world through
multinational corporations, povety and inequality grow. These
multinationals work through organizations like the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC).They are stealing the natural
resources of poorer nations for a hundred years. China is now
doing the same in the West
Philippine Sea and beyond.
It is developing into a superpower with global interests
and hungry for raw materials
to satisfy its insatiable desires
for unlimited growth.
Andreas is just one of
the millions that has been
marginalized by capitalist
greed, many more suffer
the worse by Western liberal
capitalism that China once
condemned. China is not
interested so much in the fish
of the Southern Oceans but
the oil and minerals below
the ocean floor.
The Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meeting of 21 heads of states was
held in Manila last week. It
drew thousands of protesters
demanding true fairness and
an end to the land grabbing
of the Philippines by China
and the exclusion of the poor
from the Western dominated
world economy.
We have at last a prophetic fearless Pope Francis, he is giving
voice to the voiceless. In Bolivia last year he made a powerful
statement that ought to have been repeated at the APEC meeting.
He told the thousands of the poor that he stood with them
in their demands for justice and social and economic inclusion.
Let us not be afraid to say it: we want change, real change,
structural change, the Pope Francis told the cheering crowds referring to the unjust globalization of the economic system that has
imposed the mentality of profit at any price, with no concern for
social exclusion or the destruction of nature. He went on gto say:
This system is by now intolerable: farm workers find it intolerable, laborers find it intolerable, communities find it intolerable,
peoples find it intolerable. The earth itself--our sister, Mother
Earth, as Saint Francis would say--also finds it intolerable, he said.
Million of hungry people are left out of a just and fair world
and find it intolerable to live with such poverty and denied a life
of dignity and purpose and justice they grow up with hatred and
anger and release it through violence and terrorism and barbarity.
It is only when there is an end to global injustice and greed and
when fairness and dignity and human rights are fully respected
will there be peace and true prosperity.
Melo Acua
Marriage, B2
CBCP Monitor
STATEMENTS B5
A good priest,
therefore, is first of
all a man with his
own humanity, who
knows his history,
with its riches and
its wounds, and who
has learned to make
peace with it...
His mother gave him two spiritual slaps,
told him three or four truths, put him in his
place, and he went forward. Why?--because
he went to the root. Therefore, it is important
not to remove the root from where we come.
One must engage in mental prayer in the
Seminary ... Yes, certainly, this must be done,
learn .... But first of all pray as your mother
taught you, and then go ahead. But the root
is always there, the root of the family, as you
learned to pray as a child, also with the same
words, begin to pray like that. Then you will
go forward in prayer.
Here is the second passage: for men.
Here is a fundamental point of the life
and ministry of presbyters. Responding to
Gods vocation, we become prieststo serve
brothers and sisters. The images of Christ
that we take as reference for the ministry of
priests are clear: He is the High Priest, in
the same way close to God and close to men.
He is the Servant that washes the feet and
makes himself close to the weakest. He is the
Good Shepherd who always has as his end
the care of the flock.
These are the three images we must look
at, thinking of the ministry of priests, sent to
serve men, to have them attain Gods mercy
and to proclaim His Word of life. We are not
priests for ourselves and our sanctification is
closely connected to that of our people, our
unction to their unction: you were anointed
for your people. To know and to remember
that you are ordained for the people--holy
people, People of God--helps priests not
to think of themselves, to be authoritative
and not authoritarian, firm but not harsh,
joyful but not superficial, in sum, Pastors
not functionaries. Today in both Readings
of the Mass one sees clearly the capacity to
enjoy that the people have, when the Temple
is repaired and purified and, instead, the incapacity for joy that the heads of the priests
and the scribes have in face of the expulsion
of the merchants from the Temple by Jesus.
A priest must learn to rejoice, he must never
lose, even better, the capacity for joy: if he
loses it, there is something that is not right.
And I tell you sincerely, I am afraid of stiffening, I am afraid. From rigid priests ... stay
far away! They bite you! And there comes
to mind that expression of Saint Ambrose,
4th century: Where there is mercy there is
the spirit of the Lord, where there is rigidity,
there are only His ministers. Without the
Lord the minister becomes rigid, and this is
a danger for the People of God--be Pastors,
not functionaries.
The People of God and the whole of humanity are the recipients of the mission of
priests, to which the whole work of formation tends. The human formation, the intellectual and spiritual formation come together
Popes Address to
Pontifical Council
for Health Care
Ministry
(Given to the participants
of the 30th International
Conference of Health Care
Ministry on the theme, The
Culture of Salus and of
Hospitality at the Service of
Man and of the Planet, held
on November 19-21, 2015 at
the Vatican)
DEAR Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your reception! I thank His Excellency
Monsignor Zygmunt Zimowski for the courteous greeting he
addressed to me on behalf of all those present, and I give my
cordial welcome to you, organizers and participants of this
30th International Conference, dedicated to The Culture
of Salus and of Hospitality at the Service of Man and of the
Planet. A heartfelt thank you to all the collaborators of the
Dicastery.
Many are the questions that will be addressed in this annual
meeting, which marks the 30 years of activity of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry (for Health Pastoral
Care), and which also coincides with the 20th anniversary of
the publication of the Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae of
Saint John Paul II.
In fact respect for the value of life and, even more so, love
of it, finds irreplaceable accomplishment in making oneself
close, in taking care of those that suffer in body and in spirit:
all actions that characterize health care ministry. Actions and,
even first, attitudes that the Church will highlight especially
during the Jubilee of Mercy, which calls us all to be close
to our most suffering brothers and sisters. In Evangelium
Vitae we can trace the constitutive elements of the culture
of salus: namely, hospitality, compassion,
understanding and
forgiveness. They are
the habitual attitudes
of Jesus in his relations
with the multitude of
needy persons that
approached him every
day: the sick of all
sorts, public sinners,
demoniacs, the marginalized, the poor,
strangers ... And, curiously, in our throwaway culture, they are
rejected, they are left
to one side. They dont
count. Its curious ...
what does this mean?
That the throwaway
culture is not of Jesus,
its not Christian.
Such attitudes are
those that the Encyclical calls positive requirements of
the Commandment
about the inviolability
of life, which, with
Jesus, are manifested
in all their breadth
and depth, and which
again today can, better yet, must, distinguish health care
ministry: they range from caring for the life of ones brother
(whether a blood brother, someone belonging to the same
people, or a foreigner living in the land of Israel) to showing
concern for the stranger, even to the point of loving ones
enemy. (n. 41).
This closeness to the other--true, not feigned closeness--to
the point of regarding him as someone that belongs to me--an
enemy also belongs to me as brother--surmounts every barrier
of nationality, of social extraction, of religion ... as the Good
Samaritan of the Gospel parable teaches us. It also surpasses
that culture in a negative sense, according to which, be it in
rich countries or in poor ones, human beings are accepted or
rejected according to utilitarian criteria, in particular, social
or economic utility. This mentality is parent of the so-called
medicine of desires: an ever more widespread custom in rich
countries, characterized by the quest at any cost of physical
perfection, in the illusion of eternal youthfulness; a custom
that in fact induces to discard or marginalize those that are not
efficient, those who are regarded as a burden, a disturbance,
or are simply ugly.
Likewise, making oneself close--as I reminded in my
recent Encyclical Laudato Si--also implies assuming unbreakable responsibilities towards Creation and the common
home, which belongs to all and is entrusted to the care of
all, also for the coming generations.
The anxiety that the Church nourishes, in fact, is for the
fate of the human family and of the whole of creation. It is
about educating everyone to look after and to administer
Creation as a whole, as a gift entrusted to the responsibility of
every generation, so that it is handed all the more whole and
humanly liveable to the coming generations. This conversion of
the heart to the Gospel of Creation implies making our own
and rendering ourselves interpreters of the cry for human dignity,
This conversion
of the heart to
the Gospel of
Creation implies
making our own
and rendering
ourselves
interpreters of
the cry for human
dignity, which is
raised above all
by the poorest
and excluded, as
sick and suffering
persons often are.
Health Care, B7
B6 REFLECTIONS
I have overcome
the world
It may take
time to discover
the truth but
with time
and patience
we shall be
victorious.
Bo Sanchez
SOULFOOD
Just diamonds
There are
many rich
people who are
dying on their
death beds,
surrounded by
their millions,
but their hearts
are hungry for
loveand they
find none.
0
FRIEND, there are some things more important than money.
As I write this, there are many rich people who are dying
on their death beds, surrounded by their millions, but their
hearts are hungry for loveand they find none.
Dont get me wrong. Money is important. After all, we
need to feed our families.
But our souls real food is love.
So yes, earn money. You need it.
In fact, be an expert in how money worksso that you
have passive income flowing into your lifeso that you can
focus on more important things.
Dont center your life on money.
Center your life on love.
Spend time with your family.
Invest in your friendships.
And give your life to God.
1st Sunday of Advent (C), Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; November 29, 2015
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
GOD does not wait till the end
of the world to judge us. We shall
have to face Him as our Judge at
the end of our life, even if the sun
keeps shedding its light as usual,
and the rest of mankind may
be enjoying perfect tranquility.
On that day (or night), we shall
see the end of our world--of the
relationships we have established
with things, places, and people.
The question, then, is not if
this world of ours will end. It
shall surely end, for us, when
we die. It is not even when and
how it will end, for that is not
for us to know. Rather, what
matters is HOW we will reach
the end i.e., what will be the
disposition of our heart when
we meet the Lord at our death.
That will be the most dramatic
moment in our existence, since
our eternal destiny will depend
on that encounter. Hence, the
exhortation to be vigilant at
all times and pray.
To be vigilant, in this case,
does not mean to be like a sentry on the lookout for possible
attacks from external enemies,
though we live in an unfriendly
world, and the great day will
close in on us like a trap (Lk
21:34). Rather, it means that we
have to guard ourselves against
our sinful inclinations fanned
by the devil, and the moral
disorder which both original
Govert Flinck
ENCOUNTERS
Maria Tan
CBCP Monitor
SOCIAL CONCERNS B7
Ida Colasito with her sewing machine provided by CR. The sewing machine helps her make
bedding and clothing for her growing list of customers.
WHEN an opportunity comes, grab it! This is the idealism of a humble mother named Lovelyn Clavines. She is
a student of the Livelihood project implemented by Capiz
Archdiocesan Social Action Center (CASAC) funded by
Caritas Italiana. She is an Out of School Youth (OSY).
Lovelyn is already a mother at the age of 22 and was not
able to study in college because of financial incapacity. She
had a dream to become a teacher. Unfortunately, this dream
did not come into reality when she got pregnant. Then she
became hopeless and worried about her future. At present,
Lovelyn has two kids: a 6-year old boy and a two-year old
girl living with a hard working husband.
When typhoon Yolanda devastated Capiz, Lovelyn was
truly hurt because
they lost their
house and resources. She said
there was no end
to the difficult
situation that we
found ourselves
in. She and her
husband decided to live at her
mothers house
and she started to
look for a job to
help her husband
in attending to
the needs of their
children.
CASAC was
a blessing Lovelyn uttered with
a smile when she
Aside from offering massage services, heard that the
Lovelyn Clavines also sells bread commission is
outside of their house.
looking for interested OSYs to join the training. Despite her age, Lovelyn
grabbed the chance to enroll. The only thing that she had
is the willingness and the faith hoping to pass and to be
counted as one of CASACs OSY students. After the interview, Lovelyn received the good news that she will attend
the first training in Hilot Wellness and Massage.
Now, she attended different vocational courses offered by
CASAC and it helped her a lot particularly when they are
having their IGP (Income Generating Program) The tip
box was my saving grace. That through the IGP program
of CASAC I could buy something for my kids, now, I can
afford to buy their favourite hamburger, provide our daily
needs and still I have small amount left from my income
to save for emergency cases .The highest tip that I received
was P1,000 and I was very happy that time. Meanwhile,
Lovelyn have fears especially hearing negative feedbacks
from customers. But for her it is common and it inspired
her to improve her skills.
Indeed CASAC contributed happiness, strength and new
beginning to Lovelyns life. Hardships and poverty tested her
determination. Her experiences made her strong in order
to face the challenges and but also grab opportunities that
the future will reserve to her and her family.
Caritas Italiana
CBCP Monitor
Mayad gd tana ang my aram! Enrequita beams when asked if she will also
send her grandson to school as soon as
he is ready. She believes that education
is important and it is something that
nobody can steal.
The vegetable seeds she availed from
DSAC were sweet potato cuttings,
pechay, eggplant, tomato, raddish,
hantak and okra. She would earn P500
per month in selling her vegetables to
her neighbors. The income she earns
helped her in buying groceries, rice,
soap and viand. She also eats what
she plants in her backyard. She also
teaches her grandson to eat vegetables
at a young age.
Jubilee, B1
Caritas Belgium
My Grandma, My Mama
B8 ENTERTAINMENT
Moral Assessment
CBCP Monitor
Brothers Matias
Lolo Kiko
Bladimer Usi
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
E
xcellent
OLD SKOOL
LEAD CAST: Tessie Tomas,
Angel Aquino, Buboy Villar
DIRECTION: Cia Hermosa
Jorge
GENRE: Drama
DISTRIBUTOR: Star Cinema
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA Rating: VA
MTRCB Rating: G
THE PRENUP
Buhay Parokya