•A3 Benedict XVI recalls

victims of war
•B1 Religious freedom, the
path to peace
•C1Ugnayan
The News Supplement for
Couples for Christ

Criminals can’t escape Zambo youth gather for

justice: Bishops
A CATHOLIC bishop warned offenders that
they cannot escape justice even if they belong
to influential families.
Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo made
the statement following the release of a son
of a senator and six others accused of killing a
family of three 19 years ago.
“The Supreme Court is not the last court.
Anyway there is always a divine justice,” said
Arigo who chairs the CBCP’s Commission on
Prison Pastoral Care.
Criminals / A6
local youth day
SOME 800 Muslim and Christian youth from
across the Zamboanga Peninsula gathered in
this city last December 18 for the 5th annual
Harmony Youth Day (HYD) organized by inter-
religious organization Silsilah Movement.
The participants, who hailed from 18 high
schools, colleges and universities, 5 youth
organizations and 6 communities mostly from
Zamboanga City and Basilan, converged at the
Harmony Village Auditorium, in Sinunuc town
in this city for an affair themed “Youth: Bridging
January 3 - 16, 2011 Vol. 15 No. 1 Php 20.00 Zambo / A6

Pope urges religious tolerance,

condemns attacks on Christians
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP

POPE Benedict XVI appealed for religious tolerance

amidst surging persecution of Christians and urged
the faithful to commit themselves in building a
society that ensures freedom of worship as a means
to achieve peace in the world.
Allowing everyone to have Christians targeted
the freedom of worship is the The pope made the plea for
only way to peace, the Holy peace in the light of continued
Father said. persecution of Christians, espe-
“I implore all men and women cially in countries that suppress
of good will to renew their com- freedom of worship.
mitment to building a world For anyone to suffer persecu-
where all are free to profess their tion because of religious belief
religion or faith, and to express is an affront to God and human
their love of God with all their dignity, the Holy Father said.
heart, with all their soul and The pope noted in his new
with all their mind,” the pope year’s message the violent attack
said in his 2011 World Day of on Iraq Catholics in October 31
Peace message. last year that killed two priests
He said he prays “especially and over 50 faithful while gath-
for peace”, as he noted how the ered for the celebration of Holy
previous year has been again Mass at the Syro-Catholic Cathe-
“marked by persecution, discrim- dral of Our Lady of Perpetual
ination, terrible acts of violence Help in Baghdad.
and religious intolerance.” Pope Benedict expressed his
But even as he appealed for closeness to the suffering Chris-
peace on New Year’s Day, media tian community who endured
reported of a suicide bombing in more attacks in the aftermath of
Alexandria, Egypt that targeted violence.

© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

Christian worshippers leaving
a New Year’s mass at a Coptic
Orthodox Church.
The bombing killed at least 21
people and injured several oth-
ers, according to reports.
“My thoughts turn in a special
way to the beloved country of
Iraq, which continues to be a
theatre of violence and strife Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, is accompanied by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas as he sprinkles holy
water to the congregation last Dec. 27. Archbishop Adams led the formal transfer of the Episcopal Seat and the establishment of the Cathedral Church of the arch-
as it makes its way towards a diocese from church on Zamora St. to the church on Burgos St.
Pope / A6

Poverty, not a result of an increasing

population—CBCP head
DESPITE dehumanizing conditions of
poverty and other social ills that grip
the country, the Church remains firm in
its stand that privation is not a conse-
quence of an increasing population.
CBCP president and Tandag Bishop
Nereo Odchimar, in a New Year Mes-
sage, said that poverty is not an effect
of increasing population, as he cited the
worldwide campaign to stamp demo-
graphic growth even “using methods
that often fail to respect even the right
to life.”
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he
said: “The extermination of millions
of unborn children in the name of the
fight against poverty actually consti-
tutes the destruction of the poorest of
all human beings. And yet it remains
the case that in 1981, around 40% of
the world’s population was below the
threshold of absolute poverty, while
today that percentage has been reduced
by as much as half, and whole peoples
have escaped from poverty despite
experiencing substantial demographic
growth.” ing realities of poverty, injustice and
The pope’s word clearly shows that unpeace that await Filipinos as a new
poverty can be fought “even without year begins, the prelate said.
depopulation,” Odchimar pointed Although hoping for a better life
out. ahead as New Year 2011 comes, Odchi-
Assuring that God is “concerned mar said Filipinos should also be prag-
with the plight of his people”, Odchi- matic to the realities around them.
mar told the faithful to “keep in the “This indubitable reality already
memory of our hearts the goodness of manifests in different circumstances
the Lord, who sees us through in our of various groups of people such as:
joys and pains, despite our human the landless farmers, jobless Filipinos,
iniquities.” homeless urban poor, dislocated tribal Bishop Odchimar
This, even with the same disturb- Poverty / A6

Surigao del Norte officials back HB 13

IN what could be another boost to pro-life
advocacy, the provincial government of
Surigao del Norte has manifested its sup-
port behind the Catholic Church in sup-
porting a measure that will protect unborn
children.
All the 10 members of the provincial
board unanimously approved a resolution
strongly supporting the passage of HB 13,
also known as “An Act Providing for the
Safety and Protection of the Unborn & for
www.img155.imageshack.us
Other Purposes.”
The media office of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines was fur-
nished with a copy of the Resolution No. 186
which was approved by Provincial Board of
Surigao del Norte during its regular session
on December 6.
“No implementing law of this particular
provision of the Constitution has been
passed since its adoption in 1987, most
Surigao / A6

Grand Knight ordained priest

A GRAND Knight of the Knights of Co-
lumbus was ordained to the priesthood by
Capiz Archbishop Onesimo Gordoncillo on
December 13.

Prelate slams terrorists’ attack on Jolo chapel Seminarian Anthony O. Aguason, 27, a
Grand Knight / A6

CAGAYAN de Oro Archbishop
Antonio J. Ledesma joined other
religious leaders in condemning
the senseless attacks by terrorists
on a Catholic chapel in Jolo on
Dec. 25.
Ledesma, who is also chairman
of the Commission on Interreli-
gious Dialogue of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philip-
pines, conveyed his New Year’s mes-
sage of peace in “solidarity with the
victims of the Christmas day bombing”
at Sacred Heart Chapel in Jolo.
The prelate said that “even as we
condemn the senseless bombings of in-
nocent church-goers by some extrem-
ists, we wish to express our message of
peace and hope to all peoples of vari-
ous cultures and religious traditions.
Fr. Romeo Villanueva, OMI
was celebrating the Christmas
Day Mass at the chapel when a
bomb exploded and shattered
the chapel’s roof.
The explosion left at least 11
innocent civilians wounded,
including Fr. Ricky Bacolcol,
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Villanueva’s assistant.
Jolo / A6

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

 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

Underground priest appeals for religious

freedom, remembers late Bishop Gao Kexian BEIJING, China, Jan. 3, 2011—Reflecting
on the papal Message of World Day of

Vatican Briefing
Peace, an underground priest in Shan-
dong has called for the commemoration
of the late John Gao Kexian, the bishop
of his diocese, who died in detention
In new message, Pope focuses on religious liberty for in 2004.
Christians
Father John, who is in his 40s, told
Religious liberty — and the growing struggles of Christians AsiaNews that the message, with the
and Church institutions worldwide — has emerged this year theme “Religious Freedom, the Path to
as one of Pope Benedict XVI’s most pressing concerns. It’s a key Peace”, reminded him of the religious
agenda item in the Pope’s recent meetings with ambassadors persecution of Bishop Gao, who was
and world leaders. At present, Christians are the religious jailed because of his Catholic faith and
group that suffers most from persecution on account of its loyalty to the Holy Father.
faith,” Pope Benedict writes in a message to mark to the annual On 16 November 1999, Bishop Gao
World Day of Peace, which is celebrated Jan. 1. (CNA) was arrested for the second time in
Pingduming village, Yantai diocese.
His whereabouts were unknown there-
Church must repent, repair damage caused by clerical
after. In 2004, Bishop Gao’s family and
abuse, pope says local Catholics learnt that he had died,
In response to the “unimaginable” scandal of clerical sex abuse against ill, at the age of 77.
minors, the church must reflect, repent, and do everything possible The next day, only the family and
to rectify the injustices suffered by victims as it works to prevent such several government officials hurriedly
abuse from ever happening again, said Pope Benedict XVI. The pope buried the prelate’s body (see AsiaN-
said he and others were “dismayed” when, during a year dedicated ews, in Italian, 14 September 2004).
to the world’s priests, further cases of clerical sex abuse came to light Father John describes the prelate as
“to a degree we could not have imagined.” (CNS) loyal to the Church and to the Pope,

www.asianews.it
enthusiastic about evangelisation, who
Vatican deplores China’s ‘hostile acts’ as signs of fear, was “martyred for his faith”.
weaknesses United Front officials and official
The Vatican issued a sharp rebuke to China for forcing bishops and Church clergymen tried to get Bishop
others loyal to Rome to take part in elections for Catholic organiza- Gao to join the Patriotic Association but
tions controlled by the ruling communist party. The incidents “mani- he refused and insisted in his loyalty to
fest a repressive attitude with regard to the exercise of religious liberty, the Holy Father.
which it was hoped had been consigned to the past in present-day
China,” the Vatican said in a statement issued Dec. 17. (CNA)

Leaked cable notes Church’s opposition to ‘aggressive’

Pope remembers UK visit with fondness
LONDON, Jan. 1, 2011—Benedict XVI is
population control recalling with “great fondness” his visit
A leaked State Department cable shows that the US Embassy to the last September to the United Kingdom.
Holy See is reading Catholic statements on the environment through The Pope recorded a Christmas mes-
the lens of population control policy. The cable, released Dec. 19, is sage to all the people of that region, which
one of hundreds of thousands of unauthenticated US State Depart- was transmitted Dec. 24 over the radio
ment documents being released through the WikiLeaks website. by BBC in London for the “Thought for
The Nov. 11, 2009 cable was apparently signed by US Ambassador the Day.”
to the Holy See Miguel Diaz. It explained that Pope Benedict XVI’s The Pontiff stated, “Recalling with great
proposal to curb environmental degradation is to reject “excessive fondness my four-day visit to the United
materialism and consumerism.” The cable noted Vatican officials’ Kingdom last September, I am glad to have
past claims that the world’s most populous countries were not the the opportunity to greet you once again, and
ones that released the most greenhouse gas. (CNA) indeed to greet listeners everywhere.”
“God is always faithful to his promises,
Pope hosts hundreds of poor at Vatican luncheon but he often surprises us in the way he
Pope Benedict XVI hosted more than 350 poor people at a fulfills them,” the Holy Father affirmed.
post-Christmas luncheon at the Vatican, an event that marked He continued: “The child that was born in
this year’s 100th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Mother Bethlehem did indeed bring liberation, but not
Teresa of Calcutta. The pope passed among the guests in the only for the people of that time and place — he
crowded atrium of the Vatican audience hall Dec. 26, then sat was to be the Savior of all people throughout
down at a table with 14 others for a three-course meal that the world and throughout history.
featured lasagna, roast veal with potatoes and the classic Italian “And it was not a political liberation
“pandoro” Christmas cake — this one with melted chocolate that he brought, achieved through military
and Chantilly cream. (CNS) means: Rather, Christ destroyed death
Born into a fervent Catholic family
in Zhoucun diocese in Shandong, he
entered minor seminary in Zhoucun
and major seminary in Jinan. In 1952,
for ever and restored life by means of his
shameful death on the cross.” he was sentenced to reform-through-
“Out of love for us he took upon himself labour, and was released in 1982. Or-
our human condition, our fragility, our dained a priest in 1985, he taught at the
vulnerability, and he opened up for us the Zhengding seminary from 1985 to 1997.
path that leads to the fullness of life, to a He was clandestinely ordained bishop
share in the life of God himself,” Benedict of Yantai in 1997.
XVI noted. The Chinese government and some
He added, “As we ponder this great mys- clergy in the official Church claim there
tery in our hearts this Christmas, let us give is religious freedom in China, he said,
thanks to God for his goodness to us, and but he wondered how Bishop Gao, Bish-
let us joyfully proclaim to those around us op Han Dingxiang of Yongnian (who
the good news that God offers us freedom died in 2007) and Bishop Fan Xueyan
from whatever weighs us down: he gives of Baoding (1992) died in detention, not
us hope, he brings us life.” to mention the whereabouts of Bishop
“Dear Friends from Scotland, England, Su Zhimin of Baoding and Bishop Shi
Wales, and indeed every part of the English- Enxiang of Yixian.
speaking world, I want you to know that I Father John was impressed by Bishop
keep all of you very much in my prayers Gao’s silence, life of prayer and his
during this holy season,” the Pope stated. loyalty to the Holy Father and the
He affirmed: “I pray for your families, for Church.
your children, for those who are sick, and Even though we did not talk about
for those who are going through any form religious freedom openly in those days,
of hardship at this time. (Zenit) I believe Bishop Gao was hoping to see
religious freedom in the country, he
said. (AsiaNews)

Jerusalem patriarch reviews lights, shadows of 2010

Notes satisfaction with record numbers of Holy Land pilgrims
JERUSALEM, Dec. 24, 2010—
In his traditional message for
Christmas, the Latin Patriarch
of Jerusalem offered eight points
to “emphasize above all the posi-
tive events [of the Middle East]
without, however, excluding the
suffering and the concerns that
remain.”
His Beatitude Fouad Twal
discussed issues ranging from
the synod on the Middle East to
the forest fires in Israel.
Regarding the Oct. 10-24 syn-
od, the patriarch thanked the
Pope for convening it. He said,
“During that time, we were able
ties, whether in Arab countries
or in Israel.”
The patriarch expressed his
satisfaction at record numbers
of pilgrims to the Holy Land.
He explained that by Novem-
ber, some 3 million people had
visited the Holy Places. “This
number could still increase
to arrive at nearly 3.4 million
visitors, a figure never reached
before, even in 2000, the Jubilee
Year,” he said.
Future projects
Patriarch Twal welcomed an
improvement in the process
tians in Baghdad in the Church
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
saying, “These innocent victims
are added to the thousands of
victims of fundamentalism and
violence afflicting our world.”
He spoke of his trips to Central
and South America, where he
was able to visit people of the
Middle East who have emigrated
to these lands. “Now they are all
well integrated into the local so-
ciety, and many have expressed
their willingness to support our
projects in the Holy Land and
come on pilgrimage,” he said.
“Among the major projects that
of Christ.”
Significant beginnings
Patriarch Twal praised “a very
significant gesture and [what]
may be a beginning of a fruit-
ful collaboration in the future,
when peace will be established
in this troubled land.” He was
speaking of the offer from the
Palestinian Authority to make
available teams of firefighters
for the forest fires of Haifa.
Still, he said, “We suffer from
the failure of direct peace nego-
tiations between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority.”
www.unitedchristiancommunities.org

to put our fingers on our wounds
and our fears, and at the same
time express our expectations
and our hopes. The synod called
on Christians in the Middle East
to live as true believers and good
citizens, not distancing from
public life, but involved in the
development of our communi-
for obtaining religious visas,
though he affirmed, “We still
have a long way to go.” He also
praised the resumption of talks
between the Holy See and the
Palestinian Authority for the
application of the basic agree-
ment signed in 2000. And he
decried the massacre of Chris-
the Latin Patriarchate is trying
to accomplish, I would like to
mention: the new pediatric hos-
pital in Bethlehem which will be
named after Pope Benedict, the
University of Madaba, which
will open in October next year,
and the new Pilgrims’ Center in
Jordan, on the site of the Baptism
But the patriarch continued:
“This should not lead us to
despair. We continue to believe
that on both sides, and in the
international community, there
are men of good will who will
work and put their energies to-
gether in their commitment for
peace.” (Zenit)

Japan’s bishops want Neocatechumenal Way to leave for five years

VATICAN City, Dec. 16, 2010—Citing
years of “trouble,” Japan’s Catholic
bishops have asked the Neocatechu-
menal Way to cease activities in the
country for the next five years.
Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami
of Nagasaki told CNA on Dec. 15 that
the bishops’ proposal, made directly to
the Way’s founder, Kiko Arguello, has
so far not been accepted.
Archbishop Takami was reached by
phone at his home in Nagasaki. Four
other Japanese bishops took part in a
Dec. 13 closed door meeting in Rome
with Pope Benedict XVI.
The Pope had called the meeting in
order to discuss the bishops’ proposal.
Archbishop Takami indicated that the
Pope was not comfortable with the plan.
Neither the Vatican nor officials of the
Neocatechumenal Way have made any
public comment on the meeting or the
proposal.
The charismatic Catholic group was
founded in Spain in the 1960s and is
dedicated to the ongoing religious
formation of adult Catholics. It has
been operating in Japan for more than
30 years. But in recent years, relations
between Way leaders and the country’s
bishops have hit rough waters.
Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada of To-
kyo first spoke to the Pope in December
2007. He described the Way’s presence
in Japan’s small Catholic community as
“a serious problem.”
The “powerful sect-like activity of
Way members is divisive and confronta-
tional,” and has caused “sharp, painful
division and strife within the Church,”
he told the Pope.
Further talks between the bishops
and the Pope led to closing of the Way’s
seminary in Takamatsu in March 2009.
Following the seminary’s closing,
seminarians were sent to the Way’s
Rome seminary, Redemptoris Mater.
Bishop Takaaki Hirayama, retired bish-
op of Oita, Japan became its rector.
Father Angel Luis Romero, vice rec-
tor at Rome’s Redemptoris Mater, told
CNA that neither he nor Bishop Hi-
rayama thought it prudent to make any
statement for the moment. They expect
an official statement to be issued by the
Way in the near future.
Father Romero said that 21 men are
enrolled in the Japanese seminary pro-
gram; two have been ordained since the
facility was moved. Both new priests, an
Italian and a Japanese, are now working
in Rome.
In conjunction with the seminary’s
closing, the Vatican also appointed a
vicar to cooperate with the bishops in
determining the administration of the
Way’s continued presence in Japan. At
the time, the Vatican expressed “confi-
dence” that the seminary would, in the
future, “continue to contribute to the
evangelization of Japan in ways deemed
most appropriate to this objective.”
But Archbishop Takami said the prob-
lems are difficult to resolve. The Way,
he said, “has made a lot of trouble in the
Takamatsu Diocese in many areas.”
He said that following his own experi-
ences with one Way priest and hearing
of similar problems from other bishops,
he had decided not to permit their min-
istry in his archdiocese.
Way priests’ divided obedience —
to both to local bishops and to their
superiors in Tokyo — makes for great
difficulties, he explained. searching to establish guidelines for the
“They say they want to be obedient to Way’s presence in Japan, Archbishop
the bishop in whose diocese we work, Takami said.
but they don’t do it, not completely, He did not know what exactly was
anyway, not sufficiently or in the proper said in the meeting between the Pope
way,” he said. and his brother bishops. He did say that
Problems are related not only to au- “all bishops of Japan surely are very
thority but also to the way the Mass is interested in this meeting.”
celebrated. Archbishop Takami emphasized that
While Way priests use the vernacular the bishops were united in wishing to
Japanese in the Mass, songs and chants obey the Pope’s decisions on the future
used in the celebrations are not. “They of the Way in Japan.
use everything they have according to He explained the proposal that the
the spirituality of Kiko, which is very, bishops had made to Way cofounder,
very different from our culture and our Kiko Arguello.
mentality,” Archbishop Takami said. The Way would cease operations
In addition, he said, Way members for five years and use that time “to
promote their celebrations as superior reflect on their activities in Japan,” he
to the “imperfect” way the Mass is cel- explained.
ebrated by ordinary diocesan priests. “At the end, after the five years,” said
This also creates division within par- Archbishop Takami, “we will be ready
ishes. to discuss things with them. We don’t
There is also the question of finances. want them to leave and never come
The Way keeps its finances apart from back. No, no. We want them to work
those of the parish, which makes re- in a way that we would like, for that
porting to the government difficult and they will have to learn the Japanese
makes parishes weaker. language and particularly Japanese
Frustrated Japanese bishops are still culture.” (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
A3

Benedict XVI recalls

victims of war
Asks Mary to Obtain Gift of Peace for the World
VATICAN City, Jan. 1, 2011—On this
World Day of Peace, Benedict XVI is
promoting awareness of the victims of
war and their sufferings.
The Pope stated this today in St. Pe-
ter’s Basilica in his homily during Mass
for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of
God. He recalled in particular today’s
celebration of the World Day of Peace.
The Pontiff said, “Today we want to
recall the cry of so many men, women,
children and elderly victims of war,
year just begun,” acknowledging “the
tragic events that mark history” and
“the logic of war that unfortunately is
not yet entirely overcome.”
The Holy Father noted the tradition
of the Church, spread throughout the
world, to spend this first day of the New
Year praying for peace.
“It is good to start a new phase of the
journey getting decisively on the path
of peace,” he affirmed.
Benedict XVI continued, “We pray
He underlined the need to pray for
“every person and all peoples, par-
ticularly those who are responsible for
governing” so that they would “walk
ever more determined on the path of
peace.”
“The Virgin Mary gives us her Son,
shows us the face of her Son, the Prince
of Peace,” the Pope said. “May she help
us to remain in the light of this face.”
The Pontiff concluded, “May the
Mother of God accompany us in this

www2.pictures.zimbio.com
which is the most horrific and violent today that this peace, which the angels new year; may she obtain for us and
face of history.” proclaimed to the shepherds on Christ- for the whole world the desired gift of
He asked the Lord to “bless the new mas night, can reach every place.” peace.” (Zenit)

Doctrine office says Pope’s words on

condoms and AIDS were ‘manipulated’
VATICAN City, Dec. 21, 2010— The statement acknowledged
More than a month later, Pope the role of prostitution in spread-
Benedict XVI’s remarks about ing AIDS and said those who
condom use and AIDS, made have AIDS and still engage in
in his latest book, continue to sexual activity “are consciously
provoke commentary and con- putting the lives of others at risk
troversy. through behavior which has re-
The Vatican’s doctrine office percussions on public health.”
says the Pope’s words were What the Pope said was only
widely “manipulated for ends that “anyone who uses a con-
and interests which are entirely dom in order to diminish the
foreign to the meaning of his risk posed to another person
words” — resulting in “confu- is intending to reduce the evil
sion” about the Church’s true connected with his or her im-
teaching on sexual morality. moral activity,” according to the
But in fact the Pope did not statement.
change anything in Catholic The Vatican also countered
moral teaching or pastoral prac- claims made widely in the media
tice, the Congregation for the that the Pope was teaching that
Doctrine of the Faith said in a note condom use would be the “lesser
issued Dec. 21. of two evils.”
The 1,100-word clarification “An action which is objec-
note, “On the Trivialization of tively evil, even if a lesser evil,
australianmarianacademy.blog.com

Sexuality,” addressed remarks can never be licitly willed,” ac-

the Pope made in his new book- cording to the statement.
length interview with German “The Church teaches that
journalist Peter Seewald, “Light prostitution is immoral and

of the World” (Ignatius Press,
$22).
In the book, the Pope was asked
to revisit remarks he made during
his 2009 trip to Africa. He repeat-
ed that condoms are not a “real or
moral solution” to the AIDS pandemic
on the continent. However, he sug-
gested that condom use, although never
moral or justifiable, might be sign of
moral awakening in some people.
He cited the example of a male pros-
titute using a condom. The Pope said,
“this can be a first step in the direction
of a moralization, a first assumption
of responsibility, on the way toward
recovering an awareness that not ev-
erything is allowed and that one cannot
do whatever one wants.”
Pope Benedict’s words were widely
reported as breaking with the Church’s
long-standing prohibitions against the
use of artificial means of birth control.
Such interpretations were “errone-
ous,” according to the new Vatican
statement: “The intention of the Holy
Father is clear: to rediscover the beauty
of the divine gift of human sexuality
and, in this way, to avoid the cheap-
ening of sexuality which is common
today.”
The Vatican said that “anyone who
reads” the Pope’s words in context
could see that the Pope was not talk-
ing about the use of condoms by mar-
ried couples, as some commentators
argued.
“As is clear from an attentive read-
ing of the pages in question, the Holy
Father was talking neither about conju-
gal morality nor about the moral norm
concerning contraception,” it said.
“The idea that anyone could deduce
from the words of Benedict XVI that
it is somehow legitimate, in certain
situations, to use condoms to avoid
an unwanted pregnancy is completely
arbitrary and is in no way justified
either by his words or in his thought,”
it added.
The Pope’s words instead referred
to “the completely different case of
prostitution, a type of behavior which
Christian morality has always consid-
ered gravely immoral,” according to the
new statement.
www.dc-cdn.virtacore.com
should be shunned. However,
those involved in prostitution
who are HIV positive and who
seek to diminish the risk of con-
tagion by the use of a condom
may be taking the first step in
respecting the life of another — even
if the evil of prostitution remains in all
its gravity. This understanding is in full
conformity with the moral theological
tradition of the Church.”
The Vatican concluded that the
Church’s role in the fight against AIDS
Pope calls religious leaders to
continues to be one of caring for those
infected with the disease and encour-
aging all men and women to “live
renew commitment to peace
abstinence before and fidelity within VATICAN City, Jan. 1, 2011—The Egypt killed 21 Coptic Christians
marriage.” Pope invited religious leaders leaving Mass on Jan. 1.
Quoting from the “Light of the from around the world to Assisi, In addition to calling for the
World,” the Vatican added: “It is also Italy to renew their commitment October meeting, Benedict XVI
important to condemn any behavior to peace. asked Catholics to pray “for peace
which cheapens sexuality because, as Pope Benedict announced plans throughout the world.”
the Pope says, such behavior is the for the peace summit in his words “I invite all of you to join in
reason why so many people no longer before the Angelus on Jan. 1. The heartfelt prayer to Christ the Prince
see in sexuality an expression of their October gathering will commemo- of Peace for an end to violence and
love: ‘This is why the fight against the rate the 25th anniversary of the conflict wherever they are found.”
banalization of sexuality is also part of first World Day of Prayer for Peace, The Pontiff then prayed that those
the struggle to ensure that sexuality is reported Vatican Radio. gathered receive “God’s abundant
treated as a positive value and to enable The Pope’s announcement came blessings” in 2011. (CNA/EWTN
it to have a positive effect on the whole shortly after suicide bombers in News)
of man’s being.’” (CNA/EWTN News)

Religious group denounces Church admits concern for youth wanting

human rights violations
MANILA, Dec. 12, 2010—The
current dismal situation of hu-
man rights in the country has
made the Aquino government
no different from the previous
administration, a group of reli-
gious and clergy said.
The convenors of Religious
Discernment Group, in a state-
ment released on Dec. 4, has
denounced the spate of human
rights violations in the country.
They expressed shock at the
program “Oplan Bantay Laya”
also worries the group because
of human rights violations as-
sociated with it.
“There will be no justice, free-
dom and peace for our people
until the Government take the
welfare of the people, especially
[those] of the urban and rural poor
instead of the interests of local
elites and large foreign corpora-
tions, as the starting point for all
development policies,” they said.
MANILA, Dec. 15, 2010— A
catholic prelate has admitted
that the youth have been sadly
abandoned by institutions, in-
cluding the Church.
CBCP’s Commission on Youth
Chair Joel Baylon made the ad-
mission as the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines
formally launched today 2011 as
the “Year of the Youth”.
“Many of them feel aban-
doned by the institutions that are
supposed to take care of them—
the Church included, we must
humbly admit,” said Baylon.
Baylon, also bishop of Legazpi
diocese, noted today’s “sad
truth” that many of the young
people are exploited and treated
“unjustly.”
A good number of them, he
lamented, also live under “abject
poverty; others fall victim to
drug addiction, child labor and
prostitution.
The church official said it’s
high time to give the neces-
sary attention and care that
the young Filipinos deserve, as
he reiterated that they are the
future of the country and of the
church.
“During this CBCP Year of
the Truth, let us together work
to intensify awareness about
the youth and their importance
to the life and activity of the
church,” Baylon said.
“By our witness let us help
the young in our midst—in our
homes, schools, communities,
etc—to find God in their lives
and generously answer His call
to service and love,” he added.
The prelate also said the
celebration will be doubly
meaningful because the CBCP
commission on youth will
mark its 25th anniversary in
July 2011.
“Let us pray that there may be
wider participation and greater
dedication in youth ministry,
leading to a meaningful and
fruitful service that is under-
taken with the fullest attention
and highest priority in every
way by all in the Church,” he
said. (CBCPNews)

fact that the new administration
of President Benigno Aquino has
an average of “one extra judicial
killing per week.”
“The number of sectoral lead-
ers, particularly peasants, jailed
on false charges has continued
to increase,” they said.
Illegally detained Morong
43 who have been in jail since
February this year, were ordered
released by Aquino on Decem-
ber 10.
The government’s failure to
bring to justice the perpetrators
of human abuses is an “indict-
ment” of Aquino’s “and daan
matuwid” (righteous path) man-
date, the group said.
The continued implementa-
tion of the counter-insurgency
“We ask the Government to
abandon plans to implement
Oplan… but rather to resume
peace talks with the NDFP and
MILF to ensure that the roots of
injustice are stamped out,” the
group further said.
Signatories to the statement
were convenors Fr. Wilfredo Du-
lay, MJ, Fr. Quirico Pedregosa,
Jr., OP, Fr. Gregorio Obejas,
OSM, Fr. Tito Maratas, MSC, Fr.
Joselito Sarabia, CM, Sr. Ailyn
Binco, RGS, Sr. Pat Fox, NDS,
Sr. Angelita Navarro, ICM and
Sr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS.
The group’s advent gather-
ing was held to discern their
prophetic role in promoting and
defending human rights in the
country. (CBCPNews)
Eco groups call for decisive action on human rights, climate justice
MANILA, Dec. 11, 2010—Environmentalists
called on President Benigno Aquino for deci-
sive action on the issue of human rights and cli-
mate justice during the worldwide observance
of Human Rights Day on December 10.
Green groups and climate justice activists
joined human rights organizations in de-
manding justice for victims of human rights
violations in mining areas.
Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator
of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), said environ-
mental and human rights go together and
government should take crucial action to
protect the environment.
“All these issues of mining, human rights
and climate justice go hand in hand as this
is our world we are talking about, our land
and our life. Where will we all be tomorrow if
we are trashing the earth that we have now?
We call on PNoy, the DENR and concerned
offices, ACT NOW! ENVIRONMENTAL
RIGHTS IS HUMAN RIGHTS!” he stressed.
Around 200 rallyists gathered outside the
Department of Energy and Natural Resourc-
es (DENR) Central office in Quezon City,
reminding government to stop its harmful
mining policies that kill people and displace
communities.
Garganera urged DENR Sec. Ramon Paje
to uphold the rights of indigenous peoples
who are greatly affected by mining opera-
tions.
“We join the human rights groups in their
call to uphold human rights for everyone.
Invoking our right to a sound ecology and
climate justice principles, we call on DENR
Sec. Ramon Paje to please uphold the rights
of our indigenous brothers and sisters—who
are greatly affected by the aggressive entry
of large-scale mining operations and made
more vulnerable because of the climate
crisis. We also plead for justice for mining
heroes and martyrs!” he said.
Garganera said he expects the president
and the DENR to take decisive action on the
issue of human rights and climate justice.
Human rights defenders kicked off their ob-
servance of Human Rights Day at the Quezon
Memorial Circle. The rallyists first trooped to
the Department of Agrarian Reform then pro-
ceeded to DENR. The march is part of the 10
Human Rights Violations (HRV) Stops call to
President Aquino “Tigilan na ang pambobola!
PNoy, Aksyon na!” (CBCPNews)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

EDITORIAL

Intolerance

“A MAN who is convinced of the truth of his religion is indeed

never tolerant,” Albert Einstein was once quoted. But that is, of
course, a way of saying. What is pervasive is religious intolerance
that maybe regarded as an anthropological phenomenon that
has been around since day one.
At a Country Report on Human Rights a couple of years ago,
John Shattuck of the U.S. State Department for Democracy
wrote: “Ethnic and religious conflict remain the most intractable
and dangerous problems in the world today.”
This issue is again coming to the fore due to recent spate of
violence committed against Churches. On Christmas evening
80 people died in bomb attacks in villages around Jos, Nigeria
which included onslaught on Churches in the Nigerian city of
Maiduguri that left 6 dead. Here in Jolo, a bomb detonated
at a Catholic chapel while the mass was being celebrated on
Christmas day, injuring a priest and several churchgoers. About
30 minutes into the New Year, as the Eucharistic celebration
ended in a Church of the Coptic Christian tradition in Alexandria,
Egypt, a car bomb exploded, killing nearly 2 dozen faithful
and injuring about 80 others as they made their way out of the
church. Violence continued in Iraq during the Christmas season
as an Islamic extremist group made good its threat to kill more
Christians by planting bombs in their homes thereby forcing
them to leave.
There are more of these as the one in Baghdad last October 31,

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

2010 when Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Church was
attacked allegedly by Islamic terrorists during a Sunday evening
mass that left 63 dead including 2 priests and 120 wounded.
Of late these attacks and continued suppression of religious
freedom are commonplace mostly in some Asian countries so
that a news report quoted the pope as saying that Christians are
the most persecuted religious group due to their faith—although
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking to participants of the U.S.
Conference for the World Council of Churches in 2000 thinks
further: “It was Christians, you know, not pagans, who were Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
The work of Christmas
responsible for the Holocaust. It was Christians, not pagans,
who lynched people here in the South, who burned people at
the stake, frequently in the name of this Jesus Christ.”
Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas and New Year’s messages were
loaded with calls for peace. In recent months he has spoken
Living Mission begins
of repeatedly on religious freedom which culminated with his
January 1 message for the 44th World Day of Peace: “Religious LAST year I received an attrac- Epiphany seriously means more manifestation to all humanity. The and did him homage” (Mt. 2:11);
freedom, the path to peace.” He said: “Whoever is making tive Christmas card containing than a series of celebrations, Christmas narrative in Luke’s then they returned to their own
his way toward God cannot fail to transmit peace, and whoever this beautiful reflection: “When the exchange of gifts, and the Gospel (2:1-20) portrays the country.
builds peace cannot fail to draw nearer to God.” the shepherds are back with enjoyment of special holiday revelation of Christ to the Jews Leaving Bethlehem. Note that
their flocks [and the magi have foods. We are to take our hu- (symbolized by the shepherds). no one remains in Bethlehem.
Indeed, peace and religious freedom is an equation. Contrary
to Einstein’s observation, the mark of a man who is deeply returned to their country], let the manity seriously, to embrace it, Matthew’s version (2:1-12) nar- The shepherds and wise men go
convinced of the truth of his religion is the pursuit of peace—and, work of Christmas begin: to find to respect and defend it. Why? rates the epiphany of Jesus to to testify as to what they have
therefore, tolerance. the lost, to heal the broken, to God has created us in his image the Gentiles (symbolized by seen and heard. Even the Holy
feed the hungry, to rebuild na- in the flesh, and the very Word the magi); the Messiah’s saving Family is forced to flee as refu-
tions, to bring peace among all of God became flesh. Christmas presence reaches beyond the gees into Egypt for safety from
peoples, to make music in the and Epiphany make clear that bounds of Israel. Both shepherds Herod’s murderous designs
heart.” In short, we are not to God’s love embraces all flesh, all and magi praise and worship (Mt. 2:13-15). Scripture exegetes
remain in Bethlehem; we are to humankind. the new-born savior. The shep- detect a clear note of mission in all
go out into the world and “in- The dual feasts of Christ- herds went home “glorifying these narratives. When Jesus the
Development, Justice and Peace carnate” the compassion of the mas and Epiphany do not only and praising God for all they savior is encountered, one joy-
Incarnate Word. emphasize the Lord’s birth; had heard and seen” (Lk. 2:20). fully spreads the good news to
Thus, taking Christmas and they proclaim his presence, his The magi “fell to their knees Living Mission / A5
BY development we mean the development of every person
and of the whole person, of all people, especially the poor by
reason of the evangelical option for the poor. (Cf. Luke 6:18) Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Several UN “Decades of Development” have come and gone,
and still we witness increasing poverty and widening of the gap
between rich and poor. Beware of Anti-Life
The causes can be analyzed to death. Often we hear the facile
attribution of our situation of poverty and underdevelopment to
strategies and tactics Love Life
the many natural disasters that we have suffered and continue to
suffer. They do have something to do with our poverty. But we THE term “anti-life” refers to the individu- human beings have infected even naive of the situation beyond their own
cannot ignore the part human responsibility plays. (Cf. Amos 1:6) als and organizations that have turned so the “Earth-God” very limited sphere of influence. Without a
The unrestrained polluting of air and water resources through far away from God that they feel free of all Animal-rights activists who insist that ani- wider vision, they cannot properly grasp the
power plants and factories and the abusive exploitation of our constraints. They have become primarily mals are morally equal to implication of the strategies employed by the
natural resources through, for instance, irresponsible mining and self-centered, and are willing to commit any human beings, or even superior to them. enemy. It is critically important to know how
logging, geothermal plants and dams, etc. continue unabated in act that will result in self-gratification. They “Peace and justice” groups that support the anti-life enemy operates if we hope to
many parts of our country, slowly destroying for the sake of short are literally “consumed with freedom”. In abortion and the win the battle. It is also important to know
term financial gains for the few and powerful elite the very life
extreme cases, of course, other human be- United States “contraceptive imperialism” how the individual members of the anti-life
system of our environment: We live under a social structure in
which graft and corruption have been deeply imbedded. ings may even kill to satisfy this urge. The movement think, so that we can protect
anti-philosophy views human life as less The above list may seem shocking, offen- our selves and the interest of our families in
Our impoverishment, we see, are due to many factors. But than sacred, or assumes that some classes sive or judgmental to some pro-lifers, but day-to-day life.
greed for power and wealth is today, more than ever it seems, of human life are more worthy of existence one should consider the millions of people, Anti-life strategies are very adept indeed
the greatest contributing factor. It has led to the worsened than others. from the unborn stage to the elderly, who at manipulating public opinion and action
deprivation of many, to the exodus of men and women in quest Using this definition, the following groups have been wiped out by these groups’ mili- that are all based primarily upon deception
of word abroad, to the gaining of easy money through criminality are among, those that would be classified as tant cry from their own type of freedom, to and half-truths. They appear to be harmless
and exploitive vice. “anti-life”: have the grasp of the enormity of the anti-life and lull the average person into thinking
Pro-abortion and pro-euthanasia activists united force. that he or she will not be adversely affected
More than ever, we are keenly aware that criminality and
development are antithetical, and so are poverty on the one Radical Neofeminists The anti-life movement are so consistent by the social agenda that the Neoliberals are
hand, and justice and peace on the other. There is an intimate Radical Homosexual-rights organizations in their methods because they all have a pushing. Not joining their demand for rights
linkage between the one and the other. The enduring solution to Pornographers single coherent and easily-deniable focus makes one feel narrow minded and unjust.
criminality and vice is thus not simply the imposition of quick Those who view other human beings as from “Freedom especially freedom from The Neoliberals gospel of freedom and toler-
justice, sadly lacking as it is, but more basically the genuine objects such as prostitution agents, responsibility.” That is why we call them the ance is much more appealing to man’s fallen
equitable development of every person in civil society. rapists, pedophiles. “neoliberals” to distinguish them from the nature than self-sacrifice and self- discipline.
Population control and birth control liberals who have and are genuinely fighting This is the primary reason that is why it is
The ultimate solution to poverty is not simply economic groups for the most oppressed human beings. so very easy for a nation to slide down from
development but even more basically, justice and peace—justice Atheist Marxists, Communists, and many On the other hand the goals of the Pro- contraception to abortion to euthanasia and
to address the inequitable structures of society which beget Socialists life movement are more varied and difficult all forms of immorality, and why it is so dif-
poverty; peace to provide the conditions under which we Radical Environmentalists who believe that to define. Many prolifers are unaware and Love life / A7
can work out our development. On justice and peace, then,
true human development is based. From justice and peace,
development is begotten.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Development—The Fruit of Justice and Peace, 1996
Ad astra per aspera
Candidly Speaking
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
THAT means “to the stars economies. when finally needed. It´s like an big and relatively young and
through difficulties or hard- We are witnessing these days addiction. To treat it, one has to productive population in Chi-
work,” more or less. It simply dramatic shifts of power and proceed with extreme caution na and India are driving their
reminds us that if we want nice reversals of fortunes in many but with unwavering determi- economies forward, while the
things in life like progress, devel- parts of the world. And I can’t nation. dwindling population in Europe
opment, wealth, health, etc., we help but note that behind these In the US, efforts to solve are giving them nightmares.
have to work hard for it. In short, painful changes is the wanton their grave economic problems They also mentioned that
avoid good, easy life. violation of the principle “ad through bailouts and stimulus what can save the US now is
Pedro C. Quitorio Kris P. Bayos I’m happy that many schools astra per aspera.” spending have so far failed to their relatively young and pro-
Features Editor have adopted this as a motto. I I have read that in France, for achieve the desired results. The ductive population profile as
Editor-in-Chief
just hope that they manage to in- example, the government deci- reasons are many, but all that compared that in many parts of
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando culcate this very important value sion to extend the retirement age reflect a spoiled mentality of Europe.
Marketing Supervisor to the students. Through the from 60 to 62 as a fiscal measure entitlements and privileges. This should alert us of the
PUBLICATION LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS

Associate Editor
years, I’ve verified how students to mitigate their economic crisis, It’s feared that the US will not danger in our mindless effort
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos who study and work hard really was met with stiff, violent pro- only suffer a single dip in reces- to approve the RH Bill. To all
Managing Editor Circulation Manager succeed, while those floating in tests from the people sion, but a double dip, a double intents and purposes, that bill
“good life” sink sooner or later. In England, where a veritable whammy. Remember that they will reconstitute our healthy at-
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez This seems validated when we welfare state is ruling their edu- have been playing around the titude toward population. It will
News Editor Comptroller
consider the current world situa- cational system, similar protests financial markets for so long, put the contraceptive mentality
tion. Many so-called developed also erupted against the proposal creating a bubble and a fantasy in place, and will make us fear
countries that have been having to cut down on educational sub- world for a while until things babies and people. It will set us
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- a good time for decades are now sidies. There are worse examples cannot be put up anymore. up for a big fall in the future.
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices in deep crisis, while many poor in many European countries. Meanwhile, some serious stud- We should learn precious
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. countries accustomed to hard That´s because when people ies, reported in very respectable lessons from what is unfolding
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940
life are emerging to be potential get used to easy life, it is very media outlets like Bloomberg in many places these days. The
saviors of the floundering rich hard to break away from it and The Economist, claim that Candidly Speaking / A7
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
Opinion A5
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa

Rites of passage
Spaces of Hope Faith and Fire
The poor are our future
LIZA is a third-year college addictions; apart from chemical ***** their masters. Gangs test their
student taking up political sci- substances, many young people But where do we begin? new recruits.
ence in one of the universities in are addicted to the internet. A study reveals that for Asians,
Cebu. She is bright, articulate,
and exhibits good leadership
Physical exertion has given
way to a sedentary life with a
permeated by Confucian ethics,
the most basic need in Maslow’s
*****
The sacrament of initiation is
and the future is now
traits. This lands her in the resulting rise in obesity even as hierarchy of needs is not physio- actually a rite of passage. Sadly,
dean’s list. malnutrition continues. logical, rather the need to belong. this dimension is often over- MAY I share with you my talk delivered during the 150th an-
She recently joined a group Sadly, many support systems Once an individual belongs to a looked nowadays with baptism niversary of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Philippines at
of young people who have have broken down. The lack or group, the latter provides for his and confirmation viewed merely the Sta. Isabel College on December 9, 2010:
discovered the joys of an early- absence of parental figures, par- or her physiological, safety, and as legal or social requirements, Today marks the closing rites of our celebration of the Foun-
morning run. After one such ticularly father figures, affects other needs. A sense of family rather than entering the thresh- dation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Philippines
run, the group invites her to the psycho-emotional lives of the and community must first be old of new life. In the early 150 years ago. That is a long time. Any movement, associa-
partake of breakfast to which she young, including their sense of nurtured. Church, becoming a Christian tion, company, or society that can last for a century and a half
automatically declines. “I am not identity. Males seem to be most This need to belong manifests was a meaningful, often an emo- must have something extraordinary in it. SSVP has not just
hungry,” she said. vulnerable to this weak link. itself in many ways and often- tional, experience with clearly- one extraordinary thing, it has three. It has God. It has the
Her reaction is strange, as Furthermore, material poverty times it is the group that offers defined periods of separation, Poor. And it has YOU, the Filipino Vincentians. God, who is
she had just finished running 2 manifests itself in widening the a sense of family that manages transition, and incorporation. our salvation. The Poor, who are our way to God. And you,
kilometers non-stop. educational gap between the rich to increase its ranks and bring The unintended de-emphasis who must be the presence of God to the Poor. The Poor, since
I approach Liza to inquire and the poor. in the faithful. The youth are of Baptism, Confirmation, and they are our way to God, are therefore our Future.
about her strange behavior It is no surprise that the mid- especially vulnerable to this at- Eucharist as composing a rite If only this were a conference, it would be interesting to come
and soon my suspicions are life crisis of yesteryears have traction. of passage has implications for up with an in-depth exposition on their connectivity – God,
confirmed: she has developed given way to the so-called first- our identity as Christians. Might the Poor, and the Vincentian. Perhaps Mayleen, Buddy and
a routine of “memorizing” her quarter crisis of today’s genera- ***** this not be a factor in split-level Ed, our Trinitarian Vincentian servant-leaders, O, they have
breakfast and lunch since her tion. Closely connected to this need Christianity or in our struggle to been faithful, with the support of International Vincentian
daily allowance only covers In addition, it is also not easy to belong is the process of be- connect being a good Christian Superior General, dear Michael Thio, could organize one such
transportation. Liza used to live to connect one’s Christian faith coming part of a group. with being a good citizen and a colloquium in the near future. For certainly Vincentian Spiri-
with her grandparents until her with citizenship and leadership. According to anthropologists, good leader? tuality, as we scan the signs of the times, needs to be propelled
grandfather, whom she was very Even here the toxic fumes of people are not simply born but Perhaps the sad initiation by new methods, new expressions and new fervor.
close to, died. Now she lives with individualism, relativism, mate- they are made what they are of many youth leaders into a But tonight is a moment for the heart. I was thinking last
her uncle and aunt. rialism, and the lack of good role through rites of passage, how- corrupt political culture can be night ... an inspirational talk ... but only the Holy Spirit inspires.
I do not know how Liza does it models have seeped in the lives ever formal or informal these counteracted with youth move- And true enough, I felt the Spirit rushing me as I recalled my
and how long she would last. of the young. A generation ago, processes are. The latter always ments or activities that provide Vincentian years. If only my time and attention were not being
only grown-ups engaged in po- involves a separation, transition, a positive process initiating co-opted by the PPCRV, it would have been fantastic to gather
***** litical corruption; now even kids and incorporation. Separation the young with human and our poor friends of my Vincentian season ... our Maestranza
It is not easy to be a young per- are initiated into it early on. involves the suspension of or civic values as well as Christian squatter families—30 of them—for this foundation anniversary
son nowadays. There seems to be There is also the disturbing withdrawal from the ordinary virtues. celebration. They would have been authentic reasons for in-
more challenges and obstacles on pattern of rising membership or accustomed way of life of the Physical fitness would be spiration, for celebration.
their journey towards physical, in gangs and youth organiza- initiate. Transition is the period an entry point of the process. Since they are not here, I would like to share some stories
emotional, intellectual, psychic, tions that extol violence. A gen- marking the movement from an This recognizes the body as of our person-to-person contact with the poor in that extraor-
and spiritual integration. eration ago, kids settled quarrels accustomed way of life to a new the temple of the Holy Spirit. dinary space of being with them and for them.
The youth has many sources through fistfights; now many use role or identity. Incorporation is While the youth’s zest for life Maestranza was a 2000 square meter squatter colony in In-
of anxiety not faced by their guns to settle disputes. A genera- the intended end result of such and for healthy competition are tramuros populated by some three hundred families, with no
parents, like global warming and tion ago, even grown-ups were rites of passage. recognized, physical fitness must water system and sharing only 4 holes on the ground toilet fa-
other environmental concerns. reluctant to admit they were us- Researchers have even found ultimately be seen as a process of cilities then. It was awful. The first time I went there, the stench
There are many more sources ing condoms, now condoms are a positive correlation between making the Holy Spirit at home choked my throat, my stomach, my brain. The air could hardly
of distractions resulting from the easily accessible to practically all the degree to which persons in the temple of our bodies. squeeze through the barung-barongs that were the dwelling
convergence in modes of com- age groups. suffer for an experience and The said process would give places of some 1800 people. If the Poor are our Future, and
munication and a fast-paced, Yet, these disturbing develop- the value that they attach to a sense of family to the young with so many poor around us, then that Future is now.
instant, info-overloaded soci- ments are also golden opportu- the experience. This insight is who face many challenges. The A barung-barong I entered had this young mother who
ety, not to mention a rapidly- nities to reach out anew to the confirmed in actual practice. many “Lizas” out there certainly just gave birth 2 days ago and already she was washing the
shrinking, globalized world contemporary Filipino youth. Cadets go through their plebe deserve a fighting chance. tablecloths and napkins of a nearby restaurant for which she
where ideas and trends quickly There are spaces of hope among year. Seminarians are socialized (For comments, email Fr. Melo was paid 2 pesos per piece. What riveted my attention was
and indiscriminately spread. the youth waiting to be ignited into the clerical culture. Ap- at frmelodiola@gmail.com or visit her baby, 2 days old, lying on the floor on top of a stack of
There are many more sources of or are already being ignited. prentices learn the craft from www.dilaab.net) newspapers, old newspapers. I cannot forget how that night
I could not sleep, how I cried remembering that baby and her
crib of old newspapers. I was even questioning God. Where
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD is your justice? God, where are you? And then I realized I
A new and happy year? was lying on my soft mattress with a soft comforter to keep
me warm in my airconditioned room. And my bedsheet and
pillow cases matched the paisley prints of my comforter. And
Be or stay pro-life By the Roadside I had six sets of such beddings in my closet. I felt ashamed
questioning God about his justice when it was I who was not
living the justice of God. And I remembered Jesus when he
was born had only a manger from which animals ate as his
FATHER William Bausch tells of a cartoon St. John’s gospel that we read on Christmas truth), my freedom suffers from slavery to crib. And I dared to ask God where are you. He is there. He
first published in the magazine The New Day (Jn 1:14). The Eternal conjoined himself false values. is here. He is the Poor. The Poor, our way to God.
York World in 1925 to celebrate the birthday with our mortal nature. Isn’t that enough Fourth step: Submit to, and work for, an Then I remembered Australia. Panasco—the Australian
of Abraham Lincoln. The cartoon has become indication of the direction of true transfor- education towards respect for life from its Vincentian Conference I attended for the first time with May-
a classic. In it two farmers from Kentucky are mation? That direction must, to read the origins, sexuality according to its objective leen. We were toured to different SSVP hostels where the poor
chatting over a fence. One says, “What’s mind of John Paul II, lead us to the “Gospel meaning fulfilled in the gift of self to another could find free food and shelter for the night. These hostels
new? Anything new happened lately?” The of Life”, Jesus Christ himself (Evangelium in marriage, chastity respecting the ‘espousal had pantries as big as those of our restaurants in Manila, with
other farmer answers, “Oh, nothing much. Vitae, 29). The Incarnation is our clue. He meaning of the body’ as well as responsible groceries that could feed an army. And they were all there for
Just a new baby born in Tom Lincoln’s place must also take flesh in our daily life. Only he parenthood founded on moral values (EV the poor for free. And the Australian poor in terms of mate-
last night. There’s really nothing new around promises Life and fulfills it too. “I came that 97). In a word, listen to the many ways the rial and physical measures can in no way be compared to our
here.” Then Fr. Bausch delivers the punch: they may have life and have it to the full”, gospel of Jesus Christ is being made flesh in Filipino poor. Side by side, the former would look rich. When
“I’m sure there were folks who said the says he (Jn 10:10). our life today. they asked me to share my impressions in an assembly during
same thing in Bethlehem on the night Jesus I believe that in re-reading Evangelium Fifth step: Promote a “new lifestyle” fol- that Conference, I couldn’t keep myself from crying when I
was born. I can picture them—can’t you?— Vitae we get ample guidance on how to live lowing the primacy of being over having, realized how very, very poor our Filipino poor were.
standing on the corner, just outside the inn. the Incarnation and have newer, happier of the person over things (EV 98). Am I or is But SSVP Australia had such a big heart. Rupe Hudson,
‘Anything new happened around here?’ ‘No, lives. my family/community more concerned with their National President then poured out funds to set up
just a baby down in the stable. Nothing much First step: Develop a “deep critical sense, being good human beings and Christians projects in the Philippines. They funded the community hall
ever happens around here.’” capable of discerning true values and au- rather having more money, earning, profits, in Maestranza. Through our Sipalay Negros Conference, they
In other words, we tend to miss the point thentic needs” (EV 95). His quote from St. possessions? Am I or is my family/com- gave the capital to purchase carabaos for the poor farmers
of Christmas or even, to a degree, New Year. Paul is extremely helpful: “Walk as children munity more into improving relationships there. They even funded two projects in Smokey Mountain,
Just as Americans in Lincoln’s time didn’t of light…and try to learn what is pleasing among ourselves and with other people then the garbage dumpsite of Metro Manila where legions of
realize his greatness when he was born, we to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful rather than into achieving the best financial our poor lived. These two projects were: 1) industrial-type
Christians in our time don’t realize the awe- works of darkness” (Eph 5:8, 10-11). Is this status or the most number of projects? sewing machines that helped Smokey Mountain Community
some significance of the birth of Jesus. We decision/action/object my family and I Sixth step: Reconcile people with life and bag a Giordano sub-contract for the manufacture of T-Shirts;
tend to notice the sensational and basically have chosen following the Gospel or pleas- give witness to the true meaning of love in and 2) soap-making livelihood project.
what pleases us. We miss the real LIGHT ing mostly to my friends at the office or my self-giving and in the joyful acceptance of Then I remembered Kiko, a 9-year old Smokey Mountain
and LIFE wrapped in the utter simplicity and political circle? others (EV 99), Do I see other human be- boy. Once when I went there to visit I saw him rummaging
poverty of the manger and the swaddling Second step: Unite your faith and your ings, even babies, as threats to my space through the garbage when suddenly his eyes lighted up. He
clothes of Baby Jesus. life, starting at home, in your own choices, and my share of the earth’s goods? Or do grabbed a half eaten sandwich and without hesitation gobbled
These first few days of 2011 we will be in your own family, in your community (EV I feel a genuine sense of brotherhood with it up. He scrounged through another pile of garbage, again his
greeting one another, as in every circum- 95). I remember a lady who works for a them because of my faith in Jesus Christ who eyes lighted up. He pulled out a dirty torn magazine. As he
stance years earlier, “Happy New Year!” Catholic institution and very proud of it. But dwells in every human being and to whom went through its pages, his eyes became bigger and bigger.
Maybe we should ask why we have such she is a firm advocate of the RH Bill. People I owe the gift of myself no less? I peered behind his shoulders to see what delighted him so.
a fetish for the new. New pieces of news, ask in whispers: “Hello, don’t you see your Again let me illustrate a bit. A boy of ten I saw him savoring a page with naked women in different
new clothes, new shoes, new ideas etc. I slip showing?” Why declare yourself Catho- went caroling with friends one December poses. What is the future for Kiko? He lives on garbage. He
believe it’s basically because we are seeking lic Christian but deny it by what you do? night in a far barangay. When he came home, eats garbage. He inhales garbage, His eyes feast on garbage.
the transformation that satisfies our inner Third step: Submit to conscience formation he didn’t have as much money or goodies What will Kiko be when grows up? Garbage. The Poor are
desires for goodness, beauty, truth, justice, that must include two important criteria: as other kids of other groups. But he was our Future. The Future is Kiko?
peace, all the absolutes in life. Since nothing (a) inseparability of life and freedom; and surprisingly happy. His mother asked him How bleak for a celebration, isn’t it? But then, we have God.
earthly really brings us contentment, we set- (b) inseparability of freedom and truth (EV why he seemed happier. He said, “Because Vincentians may have enormous problems coping with the
tle for the sensational and whatever catches 96). That is to say, whatever hurts life, hurts we gave more tonight than we received, works of charity you have to come up with. But we have God.
our attentions at the moment. Result? We freedom, and vice versa; whatever is not Nanay. Most of the houses we went to said, And God is love. And now Smokey Mountain has been lev-
miss the eternal and the lasting. based on objective truth does not lead to ‘Utang la anay’ [Waray for ‘Patawad’ (We eled and from the garbage heap low cost tenement buildings,
All the more reason then for us to hear true freedom. If I say that my shirt is white owe you)…” He realized he was giving when pretty much like condominiums, have risen as houses for the
the late John Paul II’s plea that we work for when it is black (objective truth), then I’m he sang carols receiving nothing in return. poor. The poor who must live as human beings, as sons and
a transformation of our culture and society, not free from having told a lie. If I say hap- Who says it’s impossible to understand daughters of God. There are no children of a lesser God. We
such that lasting values start to put on flesh. piness means good sex and material comfort the true meaning of Christmas and Happy have only one Father in heaven. And this gives us hope—the
“And the Word was made flesh”, so declares (lie) instead of union with God (objective New Year? breathing space to hope extravagantly.
But the misery of the Filipino poor continues. And bleak-
Living Mission / A4
ness has not disappeared. It will be bleak, very bleak, if our
others. Christmas and Epiphany in our common humanity, in times to assist a variety of people Artaban. Are we truly “wise” definition of Poor and of Future were detached from Jesus.
are antidotes to any temptation the flesh. Indeed, the work of who needed his charitable help. men searching for the messiah? The POOR we must see as JESUS, the Way, the Truth and the
to privatize or domesticate the Christmas, the task of “enflesh- Yet, Artaban did not give up; He is no longer in Bethlehem or Life. This must be so especially for Vincentians. The Future
good news of God’s transform- ing” our Christmas experience, he continued his journey, al- Jerusalem. He is present in our we must understand as the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of
ing love in the world. now begins in the world. ways helping people along the needy brothers and sisters. As Love, Justice and Peace. The Kingdom that Vincentians must
Indeed, the revelation of God’s Other Wise Men? There is way. He spent all his treasures we offer our gifts to the least see as JESUS.
Word in our world is not only for an interesting story told by the aiding the needy. Finally, after among us, we are truly giving Celebrating our 150 years of being and doing is tracing back
some selected, privileged few; it American pastor and poet Henry a life-long journey and now them to Christ. The message is the way we have lived, the way we have loved, the way we
is for every living creature—all van Dyke; in 1896 he penned the empty-handed, he found Jesus clear—whether we read it in the have served. Defining a Vincentian must be an evaluation if
people, without exception. Old lengthy short story The Fourth in Jerusalem—journeying to New Testament or whether it we have lived the way Jesus lived, if we have loved the way
and young, women and men, Wise Man. In this narrative, there Calvary. Jesus told him that all is communicated to us through Jesus loved, if we have served the way Jesus served. In short, to
sick and healthy, weak and was a fourth magi named Arta- his gifts had been received: “As a contemporary short story. paraphrase a theologian: a Vincentian must be a re-definition
strong, simple and wise—all ban. He arrived in Bethlehem long as you have done it to the Generous and self-giving faith of what it means to be human.
are both recipients as well as late, only to learn that the Holy least of my brethren, you did it enables us to see and encounter Let me end with a song that I learned from our Mother
proclaimers of Jesus’ presence. Family had already departed. to me” (Mt. 25:40). Christ in others—and freely offer Butler Guild seminar last month. It touched me so much
And, what is more, we cannot He was delayed in his journey, Friends, we all are on a life- our gifts to them, to Him. Let the Faith and Fire / A7
now meet him anywhere except because he had stopped several long journey like the fictional work of Christmas begin!
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

Doctors seek ban on abortifacients Archbishop prays for

THE Philippines’ largest group
of doctors urged the Department
of Health to get rid of “abortifa-
cients” that may be present in
inventories of the agency’s fam-
ily planning program.
The Philippine Medical As-
sociation (PMA), the umbrella
organization of medical prac-
titioners in the country, made
the appeal in a letter to DOH
Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona dated
December 10.
PMA President Dr. Oscar
Tinio reiterated that “life begins
at fertilization” and anything
that prevents the fertilized ovum
to be implanted in the uterus is
considered “abortive.”
“And therefore, if prescribed,
may violate our solemn oath as
physicians to save and protect
human life particularly the un-
born,” Tinio said.
The letter to Ona was an off-
shoot of last week’s consultative
meeting between the PMA and
the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP)
wherein both parties agreed on
the premise that life begins dur-
ing fertilization.
Abortifacients, the PMA said,
may include any device, medicine,
substance, practice which may
damage, injure interfere or reckless-
ly endanger or cause the expulsion
or death of the unborn child.
“If life begins at fertilization,
anything therefore that prevents
the implantation of the living fer-
tilized ovum in the uterus of the
mother is abortive,” Tinio said.
A fertilized ovum results from
the union of the sperm and egg
which both the CBCP and PMA
believe at this stage possesses life.
In order for this living ovum
to survive it has to be implanted
in the uterus where it will be
nourished and given the chance
to develop, the doctors said.
“Contraceptives like intrauter-
ine devices (IUDs) and certain
hormones affect the environment
of the uterus which ultimately will
result in the failure of the living
fertilized ovum to be implanted
and survive,” they added.
“The PMA is against abortion
and so is the CBCP. We doctors
took an oath to save and protect
human life and that includes the
unborn child. The PMA and the
CBCP stands united on this,”
Tinio said.
Tinio said they are also willing
to share their scientific and medi-
cal expertise to the DOH “to shed
more light on the issue in order
for us to champion even more the
sanctity of human life.”
PMA has a national member-
ship of almost 70,000 medical
practitioners. It also has 118
component societies geographi-
cally distributed nationwide, 8
specialty divisions, 56 subspe-
cialty divisions, and 37 affiliate
societies. (CBCPNews)
progress founded on ethics
STRESSING the importance
of ethical practices in the pur-
suit of human and economic
development, Lingayen-
Dagupan Archbishop So-
crates Villegas said he prays
for a progressive 2011 but it
should be a progress that is
founded on ethics.
“In our pursuit of human
and economic progress, we
must not compromise our
immortal souls,” he said in a
New Year message.
The prelate stressed the
priority of putting more
importance on the spiritual
well being of the person over
happen if one has a right
relationship with God and
another.
“When our relationships
with God, with creation and
with one another are right,
we shall have true and last-
ing peace,” he said.
Calling for unity, espe-
cially for the people in his
archdiocese, he urged his
people to set aside differ-
ences and go above partisan
politics.
“May Pangasinan be truly
one! May we extend our
hands to our opponents with
forgiveness and tolerance,

Prelate calls for united efforts to transform nation
A CATHOLIC prelate called on both govern-
ment and public to work together to initiate
change in the country.
Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo,
in a New Year message, said “the goal of
national, local and neighborhood transfor-
mation” should involve everyone.
But national transformation can only hap-
pen if it begins with oneself, he said.
“It can only be done if we allow change in
our perspective, mindset and frame of refer-
ence, from self to others,” Lagdameo said.
When one’s perspective is changed, then
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
it is possible to change even the “face of our
the material things he can
acquire.
“Our years here on earth
government”, the former CBCP president are limited and finite. What
said. is important is invisible to
Lagdameo said the work of transforming the eye. The peso and dollar
the nation must not remain only a dream are not immortal. Our souls
but a reality. are. The peso and dollar are
He urged everyone to respond to the chal- not all mighty. Only God
lenge and work together so that “the culture is almighty. In Pangasinan,
of death will be transformed into a culture of may we always place God in
life… that the culture of power, privileges, our politics and business and
and prestige will give way to the culture of culture—indeed in all!”
servant-leadership and stewardship… that Wishing also for a peace-
the culture of injustice and dishonesty will be ful year, Villegas pointed
converted into the culture of integrity, trans- out that true peace can only
parency and accountability.” (CBCPNews)
respect and brotherhood!”
he said.
“May all of us be blessings
for one another. In Pan-
gasinan, may everybody
love everybody—that is the
greatest blessing of all,” he
added.
“As we usher in the new
year 2011, we hold hands
together in unity and prayer
that this year may be a year
of abundant blessings, a year
of true progress, a year of
real peace,” Villegas further
said. (CBCPNews)

Criminals / A1 Pope / A1

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guti-
errez, for his part, called on the
faithful to pray for both the
victims and the court.
“We need to pray for the Su-
preme Court,” he said. “I was
telling ordinary people here that
is how our legal system works,”
he said.
“I remember what (Brazil’s)
Archbishop (Oscar) Romero
said, that human justice is like a
snake. It only bites those without
shoes. We need reforms because,
as they say, our justice system
only affects the poor,” Arigo
also said.
The SC has acquitted Hubert
Webb and six other accused in
the rape and murder of then
19-year old Carmela Vizconde,
and the killing of her mother
Estrellita and seven-year-old
sister Jennifer in their Parañaque
house in June 1991.
In a vote of 7-4, the High
Court cited the failure of the
prosecution to prove their guilt
beyond reasonable doubt and
the unreliability of the testimony
of the prosecution’s star witness
as the main reasons for junking
the case.
The bishops, then, called on
the faithful to help Lauro Viz-
conde recover from the devastat-
ing effects of the SC ruling.
They added that prayers will
be utterly welcomed as it would
give Vizconde the continued
strength to pursue justice for his
family. (CBCPNews)
future of stability and reconciliation,” the
pope said.
The Special Assembly for the Middle
East of the Synod of Bishops held in Oc-
tober discussed the situation of unpeace
in the region, encouraging “the Catholic
communities in Iraq and throughout the
Middle East to live in communion and to
continue to offer a courageous witness of
faith in those lands.”
‘Most persecuted’
The pope said Christians are the most
persecuted religious group because of their
faith.
“Many Christians experience daily af-
fronts and often live in fear because of their
pursuit of truth, their faith in Jesus Christ
and their heartfelt plea for respect for reli-
gious freedom,” he said.
In his Christmas message, the pope es-
pecially prayed for the faithful in China to
remain steadfast in their faith despite restric-
tions “imposed on their freedom of religion
and conscience.”
Reiterating the message of peace that
Christmas brings, the Holy Father prayed
for countries who have suffered the most
due to injustices, conflicts, natural disasters
and political instability.
On Christmas Eve, a series of bomb blasts
targeting churches and a marketplace in Jos,
Nigeria killed at least 32 people and injured
72 others, according to news reports.
In the Philippines, a Catholic chapel in Jolo
exploded while a Mass was being celebrated
on Christmas Day, injuring a priest and sev-
eral churchgoers.
Denouncing the violent attacks in his Dec.
26 Angelus message, the pope renewed his
call for peace urging everyone “to abandon
the path of hatred in order to find peaceful
solutions to conflicts and bring security and
tranquility” to all.
Religious freedom
Religious freedom, the pope said, is the
“synthesis and keystone” of all fundamental
rights and freedoms.
Assuring persecuted Christians of his
prayers, the pope called on government
authorities to step in, citing the discrimina-
tion and religious intolerance being suffered
by Christian communities in Asia, Africa,
Middle East and Holy Land.
The pope expressed hope for end in hos-
tilities, especially directed towards Chris-
tians who are being prejudiced because they
chose to live their lives according to gospel
values.
Rooted in human dignity
“The right to religious freedom is rooted
in the very dignity of the human person,”
the Holy Father further stressed in his New
Year’s message.
Essential elements of this human dignity
are the right to life and the right to religious
freedom, the pope said.
He noted not without pain that “in some
areas of the world it is impossible to profess
one’s religion freely except at the risk of life
and personal liberty.”
The pontiff also decried religious extrem-
ism, saying that “fanaticism, fundamental-
ism and practices contrary to human dignity
can never be justified, even less so in the
name of religion.”
Calling on people to become peacemak-
ers, especially the young, the pontiff urged
them to open their hearts to God to attain
“authentic freedom.”
“Religious freedom is an authentic weapon
of peace,” Pope Benedict said, and “it gives
hope for a future of justice and peace, even
in the face of grave injustice and material and
moral poverty.”
Among other things, the pope’s lengthy
New Year’s message also touched on the
interrelationship between religious freedom
and mutual respect; the family as the first
training ground for freedom and peace; re-
ligious freedom as a common patrimony for
all; the public dimension of religion; and the
need for dialogue between civil and religious
institutions.

Jolo / A1

Bacolcol, a native of Mamba-
jao, Camiguin, and a graduate
of Cagayan de Oro’s St. John
Vianney Theological Seminary,
was ordained priest only on
November 10 by Jolo Bishop
Angelito Lampon.
Ledesma said Villanueva has
been a long-time advocate for
justice and peace in the Sulu
archipelago.
The message of peace an-
nounced by the angel on Christ-
mas Day, the prelate said, “was
given not only to the shepherds
but also to the wise men and ev-
eryone today working for a just
and lasting peace in our land.”
Ulama condemnation
The National Ulama Confer-
ence of the Philippines (Zam-
boanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-tawi
Chapter) has condemned the lat-
est Church bombing in Jolo call-
ing it inhuman and barbaric.
In a two-page statement is-
sued on December 26, NUCP
said the forces of evil were once
again unleashed “to sow terror”
and “create discord” among
Christians and Moslems.
The bomb that ripped the
roof of Sacred Heart Chapel in
Asturias Village on December
25 has wounded at least 11 in-
nocent civilians. The explosion
was caused by an improvised
explosive device.
“The many kidnapping [and
bombing] incidents in the dif-
ferent parts of Mindanao are
barbaric acts of violence, cruelty,
and disrespect and must be con-
demned,” the ulamas said.
They said being religious lead-
ers, the National Ulama Confer-
ence of the Philippines extends
their deepest sympathies to the
victims as they called on gov-
ernment authorities to “move
heaven and earth to bring the
culprits to the bar of justice.”
The ulamas said suspicions
have been cast on the so-called
“Jama’a Islamia” or the Abu
Sayyaf but they hastened to add
that “whoever did such horrific
acts, we say that they are inhu-
man and that they are not serv-
ing the All – Compassionate and
All—Loving God.”
“No doubt they are serving
Satan,” the religious leaders
added.
They further said that if in-
deed the accusations against
the Jama’a Islamia and Abu
Sayyaf are true, the general
public should know the “brand
of Islam” being espoused by
the groups through their inter-
national and local accomplices
“has no place in the purity of
Islamic teachings” because
they simply wanted to advance
their personal political agenda
and use Islam to get support
from innocent and desperate
people.
The Ulamas challenged the
peace-loving Moslems to stand
up against the armed group as
they called on people from other
faith communities to help Mos-
lems “fight squarely these forces
of evil not to triumph.” (Melo
Acuña/CBCPNews)

Zambo / A1 Grand Knight / A1

Surigao/ A1
specially, on the protection of
the unborn,” part of the resolu-
tion read.
“HB 13 seeks to address this
gap by acknowledging the
unborn child as a human being
with human personality whose
basic right to life deserves
mantle of legal recognition and
protection from the moment of
conception,” it added.
The resolution was also
signed by Governor Sol Matu-
gas and Vice Governor Arturo
Carlos Egay, Jr.
This is the first time that a
provincial government openly
supported the proposed al-
ternative to the controversial
Reproductive Health (RH) bill
pending in Congress.
The officials did not spe-
cifically state whether they are
against the RH bill but said they
will favor measures that have
“high reverence of the sanctity
of life.”
Surigao Bishop Antonieto
Cabajog said he is elated by
the action taken the provincial
government and its commit-
ment in protecting the life of
the unborn.
“I’m calling on other prov-
inces to also come with such leg-
islation supporting the measure
(HB 13),” Cabajog said.
On Monday, the country’s
biggest group of doctors, the
Philippine Medical Associa-
tion (PMA), has also thrown its
support for the passage of the
HB 13.
The PMA also shared its
view with the church about the
beginning of life—“at the mo-
ment of fertilization”—during
a consultative meeting with the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines. (CBCPNews)
People as Instrument and Hope
for Dialogue and Peace.”
Aminda Saño, president of
Silsilah Movement was grateful
for the active participation of
the delegates, especially those
who express their talents and
their aspirations for peace in
the form of songs, dances and
theatrical arts.
She said the youth’s activeness
in the vision and mission of the
movement is vital in building
bridges despite the many vio-
lence and misunderstanding be-
tween Muslims and Christians.
“Silsilah will always be here
to continue to support our youth
who have the ideals and vigor
to make a positive change in
our society and as long as they
believe in the spirituality that the
movement is encouraging one to
enter, the spirituality to live life-
in-dialogue in relating with God,
Self, others and whole of creation
24 hours a day,” she said.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga City
Councilor Al-Jihan Edding, a
member of Silsilah Movement
during her youth, said she be-
lieves in the capability of the
young to be future good leaders
and an instrument for change to
build mutual understanding and
solidarity to achieve a peaceful
Mindanao.
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra,
PIME, founder of Silsilah Move-
ment, shared Edding’s thoughts,
saying: “It is our priority to
give formation especially to our
young people, to remain faithful
with their religious traditions
and beliefs and make use of
their energy to become a person
of dialogue for personal trans-
formation to make this change
ripple to the society as well.”
The whole day affair was not
just an extravagant and fun-filled
activity but also, an occasion for
recognizing young individuals
who showed commitment and
passion to live and promote
dialogue and peace in their own
capacity by giving them the Har-
mony Youth Award.
At least six youth leaders were
chosen to be this year’s recipient
for the Harmony Youth Award
2010. They were challenged to be
role models of dialogue, young as
they are, and to start responding
to the call of peace and making
one step ahead in making posi-
tive change for a future peaceful
Mindanao. (Kris Bayos)
Grand Knight of College Council
No. 13997 based at Sancta Maria
Mater et Regina Seminarium
in Roxas City, was ordained to
the priesthood during a solemn
ceremony held at the Immacu-
late Conception Metropolitan
Cathedral.
Aguason was ordained deacon
last July 28 also by Archbishop
Gordoncillo at the Seminarium
Chapel.
The newly ordained priest is
the first Grand Knight of this
college council which was orga-
Poverty / A1
groups, the fatalities of nefari-
ous massacre in Cotabato, the
recent victims of blast in Jolo
and the like,” said Odchimar.
He said the poor and miser-
able conditions of people, espe-
cially in the countryside, plays
a role in provoking conflicts,
“including armed ones”.
The prelate lauded the efforts
of government and private sec-
tors in combating poverty.
But even as he cited poverty
as a factor in fomenting other
social ills, the bishop said cor-
ruption is the root cause “of the
nized and instituted as a new
council on February l7, 2006
with 32 members.
Since then most of the pio-
neer members have graduated
from the seminarium and are
assigned in various parishes in
the archdiocese of Capiz.
Aguason is now assigned at
the archbishop’s residence in
Brgy. Lawa-an, Roxas City.
The new priest is the son of Fe-
lipe Aguason of Brgy. Dumolog,
and Bebing Onayan of Sapian,
Capiz. (Bienvenido P. Cortes)
misery of Filipinos.”
He urged the people to say no
to dishonesty and reject corrupt
practices that plague every level
of society.
“Let us then intensify and
sustain this righteous effort of
eradicating graft and corrup-
tion,” the CBCP head said.
“As we embark for another
year of challenging journey, we
bring with us this memory of
God’s unfailing presence so that
we shall face the future with
renewed strength and hopeful
spirit,” he said. (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
Film gives fresh take on popular
Marian devotion NAGA City— In commemo-
ration of the Tercentenary of
the Devotion to Our Lady of
Penafrancia, the Archdiocese
of Caceres has produced a film
that is expected to promote a
fresh perspective to appreci-
ate the popular devotion and
the Roman Catholic Church’s
teachings on faith, hope and
love.
The movie is expected to
bring the Blessed Mother and
her Child Jesus closer into the
consciousness of people of all
faiths, here and abroad.
Feleo and the special participa-
tion of Eddie Garcia.
The film’s premier showing
was held Dec. 17 at the Universi-
dad de Santa Isabel’s auditorium
at the heart of the city.
The story revolves around a
young, contemporary, rebel-
lious woman Vangie, (Ina Feleo),
whose family life and career
as a video editor are disrupted
when her only brother, a newly
ordained priest, Fr. Johnny,
(Marvin Agustin), is diagnosed
of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
(AML).
A7
cedures, the reasons for which
are rooted in an attempted, but
failed, abortion which she suf-
fered through many years ear-
lier and has since been troubled
about.
Vangie’s dysfunctional family
gravitates around Fr. Johnny,
and in their struggle to cope
with his illness, find themselves
drawn to Ina, begging for her
intercession. Their prayers are
answered, not so much by way
of a miraculous cure for Fr.
Johnny, but by the grace of con-
version, of love, of forgiveness,

www.facebook.com
Directed by veteran filmmaker
Marilou Diaz-Abaya, the movie
titled “Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig” fea-
tures Jomari Yllana, Marvin
Agustin, Jaime Fabregas, Oma
As a sibling, Vangie is called
upon to be a donor for Fr. John-
ny’s bone marrow transplant. At
first, Vangie is reluctant. She has
a clinical phobia for medical pro-
reconciliation, and hope.
The film was produced with
the support of Naga archdio-
cese’s benefactors and friends.
(CBCPNews)

Mati diocese celebrates 26th year foundation anniversary

MATI, Davao Oriental—The Diocese
of Mati celebrated its 26th year of
foundation on Dec. 14 with a con-
celebrated Mass presided by Mati
Bishop Patricio Alo with the diocesan
and religious clergy.
Also coinciding with the founda-
tion anniversary were the celebration
of Bishop Alo’s 26th year of service
in the diocese and the anniversary of
the recognition of the Church of San
Nicolas de Tolentino parish in Mati
as a Cathedral.
The thanksgiving Mass at the
Mati Cathedral was also attended
by religious sisters and brothers of
consecrated life, and the lay faithful
representing various Christian com-
munities, apostolates and movements
in the local church.
In his homily, Bishop Alo acknowl-
edged the continuing presence and
charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit
manifested in the active participation
of the faithful in the spiritual growth
of the diocese.
“I thank the Lord for the many
people helping in the Church’s work
of evangelization that has strength-
ened the Faith and the Spread of the
Kingdom of God through the Basic
Ecclesial Communities (Gagmayng
Kristohanong Katilingban or GKK),
and I thank you all in the name of the
priests serving in all our parishes,”
the bishop said, assuring that “All
these good things, and anything of
truth comes from the Holy Spirit, and
God will reward you for all the good
you have done.”
He encouraged everyone to “keep
the Spirit alive” by ever putting God’s
will above all, as expressed in his
motto or coat of arms “Seek ye first
the kingdom of God and his justice”
(Mt. 6:33), noting too that we are all
parts of the one Body of Christ, and
like a chain, be as strong as its weak-
est link; each member is as important
as the other and each one must help
the other to keep the chain from
breaking.
The Cathedral parish hosted a
lunch for all the clergy, religious, and
lay guests present during the affair.
The diocesan anniversary was further
imbued with Christmas joy as the day
also turned out to be the Panaghiusa
sa Pasko of the Cathedral parish.
On December 13, the clergy and re-
ligious of the diocese had their share
of Christmas fun and gift-giving.
The eve of the diocesan anniver-
sary was the clergy’s traditional
Christmas party dubbed Pasko En-
cuentro 2010.
Mati diocese currently has a total
of 16 religious congregations, 12 for
the women, and 4 for the men serv-
ing the diocese in various capacities.
It has 19 parishes are vigorously in
service, 10 in the gulf town area, and
9 in the east coast, “all working for
the greater glory of God.” (Sr. Mari-
etta Alo, OND)

Radio Maria expands Northern

Briefing
GRP optimistic of January talks with MILF
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— Despite the clear stand of the MILF
that it will only return to the peace negotiating table once the issue
on facilitation has been resolved, the government’s chief negotiator
with the Moro front is optimistic that the peace talks will resume
in January 2011. “We still remain optimistic that talks with the
MILF will resume in January. We hope that the MILF can share
that optimism,” said Dean Marvic Leonen. (Bong D. Fabe)
Lingayen ordains new deacon, priests
DAGUPAN City— The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
celebrated the feast of its patron, St. John the Apostle on Dec. 27
with the ordination of Rev. Dexter Carino to the diaconate and
Rev. Jasper Roma Hebron and Rev. Allan Cayabyab Soriano to
the priesthood. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas
presided the ordination rites at the newly-renovated Cathedral
of St. John the Evangelist in Dagupan City, in the presence of
the ordinandi’s families and friends. (CBCPNews)
Protect life, Bacolod bishop urged faithful
BACOLOD City— Saying that human life is in danger of being
violently assaulted due to a prevailing contraceptive mentality,
Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra called on the faithful of his
diocese to protect life and not to forget “the gift of human life
we have received from the Almighty Father.” In his Christmas
Message, the 71-year old prelate said in Philippine society hu-
man life at the moment of conception is violently assailed by
the culture of death because of what he described as rampant
contraceptive and abortionist mentality. (CBCPNews)
Bishop calls on faithful to get converted in Christ
SORSOGON City— Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said his
Christmas wish for his flock was to get converted to Christ again
and put Him in the center of their lives. He said it is only in follow-
ing Jesus faithfully that “we attain true salvation, which is freedom
from our sins and weaknesses, the strength to live upright lives,
and the pledge of eternal glory and bliss.” (CBCPNews)
Army to work with LGUs, church, NGOs to sustain peace gains
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry
“Diamond” Division vowed to pursue its partnership with
local government units (LGUs), Local Government Agencies
(LGAs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and the church
to sustain the gains of peace in its areas of responsibility. Major
Eugenio Julio Osias IV, commander of the Civil-Military Opera-
tions (CMO) Battalion of the 4th ID, said that the 4th ID’s part-
nership with LGUs, NGOs and the church is already a proven
strategy in “pacifying” a locality strategy against the inroads
of the four-decade old Maoist insurgency. (Bong Fabe)
Ozamiz prelate urges Misamis legislators not to vote RH Bill
OZAMIZ City—Ozamiz Archbishop Jesus A. Dosado, CM has urged
lawmakers of first and second districts of Misamis Occidental not to
vote the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in the Congress. In
an open letter, Dosado appealed to 1st district Congressman Jorge
Almonte, Sr. and 2nd district Congressman Loreto Leo Ocampos,
not to vote the controversial RH bill even as he encouraged them
to support the House Bill filed by Representative Roilo Golez. If
the two solons continued to support the bill, they should have the
sensitivity to refrain from Communion until this matter will have a
salvific resolution, the prelate said. (Wendell Talibong)
Luzon operations
TARLAC City— After eight
years of airing Church-based
programs in Tarlac and Nueva
Ecija provinces, Radio Maria-
Philippines has expanded its
coverage to Cagayan and Isabela
provinces.
The radio station has con-
structed repeater stations in
Tuguegarao City (101.5 FM) and
CBCP-BEC exec backs PeriodiCoop
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— An official of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) gave its support to the
first and only cooperative newspaper in
Mindanao, the Corridor Daily, published
by the first news publishing cooperative
in Mindanao.
Msgr. Elmer S. Abacahin, executive
secretary of the Office on Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BECs) of the CBCP, encour-
aged the staff and workers of PeriodiCoop
to continue the fight to uphold the rights of
abused media workers.
Abacahin, who said a Holy Mass with
the staff and workers of the newly-founded
PeriodiCoop, compared the plight of the
former employees of the Periodico News
Network (PNN) to that of the friends of the
paralytic man of the Gospel according to St.
Luke who were not deterred by hindrances
and challenges and presented their sick
friend before the Healer, Jesus Christ.
“What you have done is like bringing
healing to the wounded and abused mem-
bers of the press,” he said. Abacahin, an
active mediaman-priest, is a director of the
Cagayan de Oro City Press Club (COPC).
The PeriodiCoop, publisher of the Cor-
ridor Daily, emerged from the ashes of
the PNN, publisher of the defunct Daily
Corridor and Periodico Mindanaw news-
papers.
Monday’s Eucharistic Celebration was
said as a thanksgiving for the “birth” of
the PeriodiCoop, the first and only news
publishing cooperative in Mindanao, which
marked its 6th day of operation today. The
Corridor Daily first hit the newsstands on
December 2.
It was also a very timely celebration as it
was the birthday of PeriodiCoop’s chairper-
son, veteran journalist and environmental-
ist Bencyrus Ellorin.
According to Abacahin, the birth of
PeriodiCoop is very timely as the whole
Christian community is celebrating the
102.1 FM in Santiago City. These gurated earlier had it not been The Radio Maria-Philippines
two frequencies are part of the for the recent typhoons. is part of the World Family of
four frequencies approved by the With the support of the Archdio- Radio Maria, an international
National Telecommunications cese of Tuguegarao under Arch- radio network. It is a non-profit,
Commission since 2007. bishop Diosadado Talamayan and non-commercial radio station.
The 101.5 FM Tuguegarao City the Diocese of Ilagan under Bishop The radio station broadcasts
was inaugurated on June 19, 2010 Joseph Nacua, OFM Cap., Radio religious programs and relies
while 102.1 FM Santiago City is Maria-Philippines continues to on volunteer work. Fr. Jay M.
up for operations since January broadcast Church-based programs Policarpio is the current program
1, 2010. It could have been inau- in their respective areas. director. (Raymund Acuna)
fruits of our labor—in order to survive.
“Since July 15, PNN workers’ salaries
started to come in trickles. We were not
sure where to get food for the next meal,
worse, where to get money for the next
day exams of people who depend on us
for their education - our kids, brothers and
sisters. More scornful is the fact that these
happened while the owners of PNN bil-
leted themselves in posh hotels when they
could have rented an apartment, and rented
luxury vans when they could have bought
second hand cars for mobility.
“What happened to PNN is a case of gross
abuse on the part of its owners. Already de-
prived of their salaries, unsuspecting work-
ers were even used so they could get loans
from lending institutions on the pretext
that these were salary loans only to know
Abacahin later that the proceeds were used for their
personal whims,” the editorial added.
birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The Board of Directors of PeriodiCoop
this month. acknowledged that they still have a lot
But he cautioned the cooperative newspa- of learning to do in making a cooperative
per’s staff and workers not to be sidetracked newspaper work and become a success.
by the busyness of making a start-up coop- They also acknowledged the fact that
erative work from focusing on the end-goal, many small community publications all over
of bringing timely, accurate and honest Northern Mindanao are now closely watch-
information to the general public. ing PeriodiCoop, which suddenly became a
Freed from the clutches and abuses of a model and example for them to follow.
capitalist and abusive publisher, the staff Even the whole media community in
and workers of PeriodiCoop vowed to this city and Mindanao are now closely
make the cooperative newspapering busi- watching with bated breath how the coop-
ness work. erative newspaper business will turn out,
“Many have attempted the cooperative especially since many have attempted in
formula in freeing media business from the past but failed.
capitalist machinations. We do not claim These and others, the Board of Directors
to have the best formula now, but we have acknowledged, as just challenges that will
good reason to believe that we shall suc- impel them to make PeriodiCoop work.
ceed,” said Corridor Daily’s editors in their And with the blessing of the Church,
frontpage editorial for its maiden issue last with the support of the community, the
Thursday. Cooperative Development Authority, coop-
“Like a dying offspring determined to eratives and the whole media community,
live, we decided to creep out of the decaying PeriodiCoop’s staff and workers vow to
womb of Periodico News Network—whose make the newspaper cooperative a success.
owners have, day after day, sucked the (Bong Fabe)

Love life / A4 Candidly Speaking / A4 Faith and Fire / A5

ficult to struggle back up.
Pro-lifers must be pro-active.
There is no time to waste, for the
devil never sleeps. Volumes of
books and manuals have been
written on pro-life strategies
and these are available at the
Pro-life Resource Center. Your
individual step will bring the
pro-life movement a thousand
miles nearer to victory-God’s
victory.
(source: writings of Dr. Brian
Clowes, Human Life International,
USA)
most basic lesson is that we
should always take care of our
fundamental values and virtues.
We have to remain humble,
simple, pious and hardwired to
work and to serve, with no fear
of effort and sacrifice.
Let´s bury our tendency for
self-pity and our fascination for
comfort, convenience, wealth,
fame, power, etc. Just pray and
work, and if we get tired of it,
then let´s work and pray.
This does not mean we will
have a poor and sad life here. On
the contrary! Life will be rosier
that way, mind you. This is the
sure formula for true human
success and development.
Remember what Christ said.
We need to enter by the narrow
gate, because the big and wide
one leads to perdition. We have
to continually deny ourselves
and carry the cross, because
our damaged DNA tends to get
spoiled with every blessing and
favor we receive.
This lifestyle is also compat-
ible with dignity and elegance,
the real ones, not the ridiculous
imitations. We have to be wary
of the hyped images and mes-
sages transmitted in the media
and public opinion, since they
tend to be confusing if not down-
right false.
When appeals for goodness
and development are not based
on God, when there seems to be
an allergy to include religion
in our earthly affairs, we have
to be very suspicious. For cen-
turies, we´ve been had. Let´s
wake up!
that everyday I sing it to Jesus
in the morning and again at
night before I sleep. The refrain
goes this way: As I sing my
heart’s thanksgiving, and my
eyes look heavenward; How
the stars you flung like jewels
bid your welcome, shine your
light; As I marvel at your moon
rise I’m in awe, yet, I ask what
am I that you should love me;
And hold me as your dearest
love of all.
If the poor after being with a
Vincentian—with you, with me,
with all of us—can marvel and
be in awe, and say and feel: O
God, what am that you should
love me and hold me as your
dearest love of all.
The network of organized ac-
tive love embracing the world is
not only about material capital,
but primarily about presence ...
the presence of love.
Then we can celebrate. We
can say with hearts full, Rejoice.
Again, we say Rejoice.
The Poor are our Future. And
the Future is now.
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

Pope visits Vatican nativity scene

POPE Benedict XVI visited the was attended by ecclesiastical
Vatican Nativity scene at St. authorities of the Holy See and
Peter Square after presiding the civil authorities from the City
first vespers of the Solemnity and Province of Rome.
of Mary, Mother of God on De- His Eminence Giovanni Car-
cember 31. dinal Lajolo, President of the
The pope first knelt in silent Governorate of the Vatican City,
prayer before he toured the recognized the special contribu-
different nativity sections with tion of the Philippines. He also
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo. noted the dynamic faith of Fili-
The Vatican explanatory note pino Catholics and underlined
described the design of this that the Philippines is the largest
year’s nativity scene with back- Christian country in Asia.
ground that portrays the border Tuason, together with Bantug,
walls of Bethlehem and is sur- led the Filipino community in
rounded by typical elements of Rome during the unveiling.
the Palestinian landscape. In her message, Tuason
On the left side of the scene are thanked the Governorate of the
nine Filipino figures designed by Vatican City State for giving the
Filipino sculptor, Kublai Ponce- Philippines a special place in the
Millan, in a festive celebration center of the Roman Catholic

of faith, music, food and family
on the occasion of the birth of
Jesus.
The figures of Filipino fam-
ily pulling a net full of fish also
recall the story of the apostles
in the lakeshore of Galilee who
were called by Jesus to become
fishers of men.
Portrayed on the right side are
peasants and shepherds going
about their daily tasks when the
joyful news of the birth was an-
nounced by angels.
Also included in the nativity
scene are elements of water and
fire to symbolize the sacrament
of baptism and the victory of
light over darkness.
The larger than life statues of
the Holy Family and other fig-
ures around the crib were creat-
ed in 1842 by St. Vincent Pallotti
for the Basilica of Sant’Andrea
della Valle in Rome.
The Vatican note added that
“the combination of the tradi-
tional nativity figures in Rome
with the Filipino figures brought
an “eccentric and surprising
result with important symbolic
meaning: the universality of the
church”.
Mercedes A. Tuason, Philip-
pine Ambassador the Holy See,
Consul Lulu Tabamo and Jose-
phine Bantug led embassy staff,
Tuason family members and
other Filipino groups to witness
the special event.
Rosanna Tuason Fores, who
commissioned Filipino sculp-
tor, Kublai Ponce-Millan, and
supervised the completion of the
statues before they were shipped
from Davao to Rome, also came
for the occasion.
© L’Osservatore Romano
The Holy Father imparted
his apostolic blessing to the big
crowd gathered around the na-
tivity scene which concluded the
meaningful event.
The nativity scene was un-
veiled during a solemn evening
ceremony on Dec. 24.
The Governorate of the Vatican
City organized the event which
Church’s celebration of the birth
of Christ this year.
Tuason added that allowing
the Philippines to participate in
this event marked in a special
way the 60th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between the
Republic of the Philippines and
the Holy See”.
The Philippines is the first
country outside Italy to be given
a major part in the Vatican na-
tivity scene, since this tradition
was first begun in 1982 under
the pontificate of John Paul II.
(Fr. Jose V.C. Quilongquilong,
S.J.)

Ifugao community wants to build solar-powered chapel

POOR in material things, but rich
in faith.
Residents of a mountain village
in Ifugao have no church, not even
a chapel to hold their Sunday Mass
and services, but they never failed
to attend.
The people of Inwaloy, in the
mountains of Ifugao have one big
dream as a community—to build
a chapel where they can celebrate
Mass and hold bible services when
the priest is not around.
The basic ecclesial community is
part of the Our Lady of the Assump-
tion Mission Station in Mayoyao, Ifu-
gao under the jurisdiction of the SVD
missionaries of Philippine Northern
province.
Residents plan to build a chapel
pel amidst the Ifugao Rice Terraces”
has been put up in a bid to generate
support for the project from generous
individuals worldwide.
Consisting of 92 households with a
population of 437, Inwaloy was first
visited in 2008 by Fr. Romeo Benitez,
SVD, who was then rector of the May-
oyao Catholic Mission.
The priest’s constant visit to the
barrio led the people to go back to the
practice of their Catholic faith and the
establishment of the basic ecclesial
community, with particular empha-
sis on youth, education, altar, social
services and temporalities ministries
(BEC-YEAST).
Supported by their current pastor,
SVD priest Fr. Gil Rochar Dulay, the
community decided to ask help from
ture extension, and cultural heritage
preservation.
The people promised to render
free labor in building their dream
chapel.
In a letter of appeal posted in their
facebook account, the community
said that with the regular masses said
by the priest, “baptized Catholics
could now attend catholic services.”
But without a chapel, the commu-
nity holds their Sunday Mass and
services in the house of a couple in
the barrio.
The nearest chapels to Inwaloy are
St. Luke Chapel in Magulon which
is a two-hour hike going up the
mountain, and St. Andrew chapel in
Guinihon, an hour and a half hike
going down from Inwaloy.

powered by solar energy, according
to a facebook account put up by the
SVD’s.
The facebook account titled “Help
Build a Solar-Powered, Catholic Cha-
generous people so they can build
a chapel that can also be used as a
multi-purpose center for outreach
activities like medical missions,
disaster response and relief, agricul-
www.facebook.com
Mayoyao is one of the mission
stations of the SVD priests in the
Northern province of the Philippines.
The place is part of the world-famous
Ifugao Rice Terraces. (CBCPNews)

Filipinos celebrate Rizal day in Rome

Markings
APPOINTED. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
PHILIPPINE Ambassador to
the Holy See, Mercedes A.
Tuason, led embassy staff in
commemorating the 114th an-
niversary of the martyrdom of
Museum and the church of
St. Mary Major, which is also
magnificent.”
After the mass, the group of-
fered flowers before the Rizal
Rizal next year.
Tuason announced to the
group that a new and bigger
monument of Jose Rizal will be
constructed in Rome, in time
for the 150th birth anniversary
Blumentritt: “I’m in Rome!
Everything I tread is the dust
of heroes.”
Themed “Rizal:Haligi ng
Bayan” (Rizal: Pillar of the
Cardinal Rosales has been appointed Apos- Philippine National Hero, Dr. monument at Piazzale Manila. Nation), the Rizal Day celebra-
tolic Administrator of the Diocese of Pasig by Jose Rizal. Ambassador Romeo Manalo of the national hero on June tion served as an occasion for
Pope Benedict XVI upon the resignation of Visiting family members and embassy staff from the 19, 2011. Filipinos in Rome to remember
Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego. Cardinal
Rosales’ appointment, which was announced
of Tuason and Fores clan Philippine Embassy to Italy Josephine Bantug, a rela- not only Rizal’s heroic role in
on December 21 at 12:00 noon in Rome (7 with other friends from Ma- joined in the program. tive of Jose Rizal through the Philippine nation-building but
p.m. local time), is concurrent with his being nila also attended the simple In his message, Ambassador family line of Narcisa Rizal, is also his visit to Rome which he
Archbishop of Manila. The pope has accepted commemorative event which Manalo recalled stories about assisting Ambassador Tuason found deeply consoling.
the resignation of Bishop San Diego who began with a Holy Mass at the the martyrdom of Jose Rizal on the project. In the same letter to Blumen-
turned 75 on October 10, 2010. San Diego’s
resignation is in accordance with Canon. 401, Basilica of Saint Mary Major as narrated by his grandfather The program concluded tritt, Rizal expressed: “I should
paragraph 1 of the Code of Canon Law which in Rome. who witnessed the execution with the reading of Jose Rizal’s like to stay here until the last
requires bishops to tender their resignation Rizal mentioned this Mar- in Bagumbayan. last poem “Mi Ultimo Adios” moment. I will give up visiting
upon reaching the mandatory age of 75. The ian basilica in his letter to He also mentioned about by the participants. the other cities. If I had one
prelate has been bishop of Pasig for the past seven years. Ordained bishop on
August 10, 1983, San Diego served as Coadjutor Apostolic Vicar of Palawan Blumentritt during his visit to some activities being orga- Rizal’s four-day visit to more year, I would spend it all
from 1983 to 1987 and Apostolic Vicar from 1987 to 1995. Rome on 27 June 1887: “I have nized by the Philippine Em- Rome in 1887 was short but he here… Ancient Rome allures
also visited some churches and bassy to Italy to commemorate found the experience deeply me exceedingly…” (Fr. Jose
AWARDED. Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, president of the museums, like the Capitoline the 150th birth anniversary of impressive as he wrote to Quilongquilong, S.J.)
Ateneo de Naga University was awarded by the
Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd. and the Philippine
Jaycee Senate as one of The Outstanding Filipi-

Filipino priests, nuns in Rome hold

nos (TOFIL) for 2010 for his dedicated work in up-
lifting the situation of the poor. Tabora’s dedication
to help the poor began during his early days as a

Marian concert
parish priest in Payatas, a commitment he carried
on to his current post as head of Ateneo de Naga.
Tabora is known for supporting programs aimed
at helping the poor. As Ateneo de Naga president,
he has steered the university to become a modern
and technologically equipped institution in the Bicol
region. Tabora received his award together with
THE Association of Filipino Priests, and performed by Filipino priests, nuns, It aims to build inter-congregational
other awardees on December 9, according to the Religious, members of Societies of seminarians and lay faithful. exchange and sharing of charism, and
TOFIL website. The other TOFIL awardees include Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral, Dr. Apostolic Life and Seminarians in Italy It aimed to celebrate the role of Mama support to seek to establish programs
Ray L. Catague, Dr. Isagani R. Cruz, Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz, and Dr. Anthony C. (AFPRS) held a musical concert in honor Mary in our life, in all of Filipinos. She that recognize and uphold integration
Leachon. A brainchild of the Philippine Jaycee Senate and supported by Insular of Our Lady on December 8, at 3 and 6 watches over us even in our darkest mo-
Life, the The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award was institutionalize in 1988 to
with the local Italian Church and to
give recognition to men and women, 41 years of age and over, whose exemplary p.m. respectively. ment and gathers us to get close to her promote coordinated pastoral activities
contribution to society are worthy of emulation. The song and dance concert was Son Jesus. through the Filipino Chaplaincies and
centered on the story of the struggle in The AFPRS is a community of persons collaboration with the Embassies of the
LAUNCHED. The Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the faith-vocation of a priest who never lost who witness to God’s call and serve
Philippines has launched on December 16, 2010 retired Archbishop Oscar
Philippines to the Holy See and to Italy
Cruz’s personal website, www.archbishopcruz.com. The website, which is faith in Mama Mary. Christ’s body, the Church, in Italy in vari- and the Collegio Filipino in Rome. (Fr.
actually a “gift” for Cruz’s 76th birthday last Nov. 17, gives information about The event was planned, coordinated ous capacities and responsibilities. Garret Alfonso Ulanimo)
him and his statements on various church and social issues. The website also
contains a list of Cruz’s books, coin collections, and his sculptures and paint-
ings, and links to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and clips from

Film seminar for religious educators slated

the video-sharing facility YouTube. The event also coincided with the launching
of “Paskong Pinoy sa Mundo” website, a project of the CBCPNews, the official
information agency of the CBCP, and the China Radio International (CRI) to
let Overseas Filipino Workers send greetings to their loved ones. Filipinos
overseas who wish to get in touch with their loved ones through cyberspace RELIGIOUS educators will showings and analysis, discus- of SIGNIS, the international each to cover materials and
may send their Christmas and New Year’s greetings on text, audio or video now have a means to make sion, workshops and spiritual Catholic body for film, ra- meals. CFA offers discounted
formats to the websites of CBCPNews and CRI-Filipino Section.
teaching sacraments more reflection. dio and television. He is rates for early and group regis-
LAUNCHED. Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, Ateneo Law School dean emeritus interesting to students. International film critic Fr. an internationally known trations or for Signis members.
and newspaper columnist, launched his third book on Philippine presidents A seminar on Film and Sac- Peter Malone, MSC will be author and lecturer on film Interested participants may
on December 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas Center for raments which will explore the main lecturer. Fr. Stephen and media education. He contact CFA Training Depart-
Continuing Legal Education and Research, Ateneo Professional Schools at
Rockwell Center, Makati City. The book, first to be published for Fr. Bernas
the use of films for teaching Cuyos, MSC and Film Director is a regular member of the ment at: 713-2732, 713-2972,
by Jesuit Communications, is titled “A Living Constitution, Constitutional Is- the sacraments is being or- Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., will Catholic Jury at Interna- or at 713-2981 loc 182 and
sues Arising during the Gloria Arroyo Presidency, Part II.” The first two books ganized by the Communica- showcase Filipino films on the tional Film Festivals such look for Melissa Cortez or
involving the Estrada Presidency and the first part of the Gloria Arroyo Presi- tion Foundation for Asia on third day. as Cannes, Venice, Berlin as Michelle Duzon. You can also
dency were published by Ateneo Press. Fr. Bernas was handpicked by the January 13-15, 2011 at the CFA Malone is a former mem-
late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino to join the 50-man Constitutional well as in Asia, Africa, and email: training@cfamedia.org
Commission that framed the 1987 Constitution that eventually replaced the Lagerwey Hall from 9:00 a.m. ber of the Pontifical Council the Americas. or cfamedia_training@yahoo.
1973 Marcos and the Freedom Constitution of 1986. to 5:00 p.m. for Social Communications Participants will be charged com for reservations. (CBCP-
It will feature lectures, film and was the first President with a seminar fee of P2, 500 News)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
Religious freedom,
the path to peace
Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI For the celebration of the World Day of Peace 1 January 2011
1. AT the beginning of the new year I
offer good wishes to each and all for
serenity and prosperity, but especially
for peace. Sadly, the year now ending
has again been marked by persecution,
discrimination, terrible acts of violence
and religious intolerance.
My thoughts turn in a special way
to the beloved country of Iraq, which
continues to be a theatre of violence
and strife as it makes its way towards
a future of stability and reconciliation.
I think of the recent sufferings of the
Christian community, and in particular
the reprehensible attack on the Syro-
Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of
Perpetual Help in Baghdad, where on
31 October two priests and over fifty
faithful were killed as they gathered
for the celebration of Holy Mass. In the
days that followed, other attacks ensued,
even on private homes, spreading fear
within the Christian community and a
desire on the part of many to emigrate
in search of a better life. I assure them
of my own closeness and that of the
entire Church, a closeness which
found concrete expression in the recent
Special Assembly for the Middle East
of the Synod of Bishops. The Synod
encouraged the Catholic communities
in Iraq and throughout the Middle East
to live in communion and to continue
to offer a courageous witness of faith in
those lands.
I offer heartfelt thanks to those
Governments which are working to
alleviate the sufferings of these, our
brothers and sisters in the human family,
and I ask all Catholics for their prayers
and support for their brethren in the
faith who are victims of violence and
intolerance. In this context, I have felt it
particularly appropriate to share some
reflections on religious freedom as the
path to peace. It is painful to think that in
some areas of the world it is impossible
to profess one’s religion freely except
at the risk of life and personal liberty.
In other areas we see more subtle and
sophisticated forms of prejudice and
hostility towards believers and religious
symbols. At present, Christians are the
religious group which suffers most from
persecution on account of its faith. Many
Christians experience daily affronts
and often live in fear because of their
pursuit of truth, their faith in Jesus
Christ and their heartfelt plea for respect
for religious freedom. This situation
is unacceptable, since it represents an
insult to God and to human dignity;
furthermore, it is a threat to security
and peace, and an obstacle to the
achievement of authentic and integral
human development.[1]
Religious freedom expresses what
is unique about the human person, for
Pastoral Concerns
it allows us to direct our personal and
social life to God, in whose light the
identity, meaning and purpose of the
person are fully understood. To deny
or arbitrarily restrict this freedom is to
foster a reductive vision of the human
person; to eclipse the public role of
religion is to create a society which
is unjust, inasmuch as it fails to take
account of the true nature of the human
person; it is to stifle the growth of the
authentic and lasting peace of the whole
human family.
For this reason, I implore all men
and women of good will to renew their
commitment to building a world where
all are free to profess their religion or
faith, and to express their love of God
with all their heart, with all their soul and
with all their mind (cf. Mt 22:37). This is
the sentiment which inspires and directs
this Message for the XLIV World Day of
Peace, devoted to the theme: Religious
Freedom, the Path to Peace.
A sacred right to life and to a spiritual
life
2. The right to religious freedom is rooted
in the very dignity of the human person,[2]
whose transcendent nature must not
be ignored or overlooked. God created
man and woman in his own image
and likeness (cf. Gen 1:27). For this
reason each person is endowed with
the sacred right to a full life, also from
a spiritual standpoint. Without the
acknowledgement of his spiritual being,
without openness to the transcendent,
the human person withdraws within
himself, fails to find answers to the
heart’s deepest questions about life’s
meaning, fails to appropriate lasting
ethical values and principles, and fails
even to experience authentic freedom
and to build a just society.[3]
Sacred Scripture, in harmony with our
own experience, reveals the profound
value of human dignity: “When I look at
your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you have
established, what is man that you are
mindful of him, and the son of man, that
you care for him? Yet you have made
him little less than God, and crowned
him with glory and honour. You have
given him dominion over the works
of your hands; you have put all things
under his feet” (Ps 8:3-6).
Contemplating the sublime reality of
human nature, we can experience the
same amazement felt by the Psalmist.
Our nature appears as openness to the
Mystery, a capacity to ask deep questions
about ourselves and the origin of the
universe, and a profound echo of the
supreme Love of God, the beginning and
end of all things, of every person and
people.[4] The transcendent dignity of
the person is an essential value of Judeo-
Christian wisdom, yet thanks to the use
of reason, it can be recognized by all.
This dignity, understood as a capacity
to transcend one’s own materiality and
to seek truth, must be acknowledged as
a universal good, indispensable for the
building of a society directed to human
fulfilment. Respect for essential elements
of human dignity, such as the right to
life and the right to religious freedom,
is a condition for the moral legitimacy
of every social and legal norm.
Religious freedom and mutual
respect
3. Religious freedom is at the origin of
moral freedom. Openness to truth and
perfect goodness, openness to God,
is rooted in human nature; it confers
full dignity on each individual and is
the guarantee of full mutual respect
between persons. Religious freedom
should be understood, then, not merely
as immunity from coercion, but even
more fundamentally as an ability to
order one’s own choices in accordance
with truth.
Freedom and respect are inseparable;
indeed, “in exercising their rights,
individuals and social groups are bound
by the moral law to have regard for the
rights of others, their own duties to others
and the common good of all”.[5]
A freedom which is hostile or indifferent
to God becomes self-negating and does
not guarantee full respect for others.
A will which believes itself radically
incapable of seeking truth and goodness
has no objective reasons or motives for
acting save those imposed by its fleeting
and contingent interests; it does not have
an “identity” to safeguard and build
up through truly free and conscious
decisions. As a result, it cannot demand
respect from other “wills”, which are
themselves detached from their own
deepest being and thus capable of
imposing other “reasons” or, for that
matter, no “reason” at all. The illusion
that moral relativism provides the key
for peaceful coexistence is actually the
origin of divisions and the denial of the
dignity of human beings. Hence we can
see the need for recognition of a twofold
dimension within the unity of the human
person: a religious dimension and a
social dimension. In this regard, “it is
inconceivable that believers should have
to suppress a part of themselves – their
faith – in order to be active citizens. It
should never be necessary to deny God
in order to enjoy one’s rights”.[6]
The family, the school of freedom and
peace
4. If religious freedom is the path to
peace, religious education is the highway
which leads new generations to see
others as their brothers and sisters,
with whom they are called to journey
and work together so that all will feel
that they are living members of the one
human family, from which no one is to
be excluded.
The family founded on marriage, as
the expression of the close union and
complementarity between a man and a
woman, finds its place here as the first
school for the social, cultural, moral
and spiritual formation and growth
of children, who should always be
able to see in their father and mother
the first witnesses of a life directed to
the pursuit of truth and the love of
God. Parents must be always free to
transmit to their children, responsibly
and without constraints, their heritage
of faith, values and culture. The
family, the first cell of human society,
remains the primary training ground
for harmonious relations at every level
of coexistence, human, national and
international. Wisdom suggests that
this is the road to building a strong and
fraternal social fabric, in which young
people can be prepared to assume their
proper responsibilities in life, in a free
society, and in a spirit of understanding
and peace.
A common patrimony
5. It could be said that among the
fundamental rights and freedoms rooted in
the dignity of the person, religious freedom
enjoys a special status. When religious
freedom is acknowledged, the dignity of
the human person is respected at its root,
and the ethos and institutions of peoples
are strengthened. On the other hand,
whenever religious freedom is denied,
and attempts are made to hinder people
from professing their religion or faith
and living accordingly, human dignity
is offended, with a resulting threat to
justice and peace, which are grounded
in that right social order established in
the light of Supreme Truth and Supreme
Goodness.
Religious freedom is, in this sense, also an
achievement of a sound political and juridical
culture. It is an essential good: each person
must be able freely to exercise the right
to profess and manifest, individually or
in community, his or her own religion
or faith, in public and in private, in
teaching, in practice, in publications,
in worship and in ritual observances.
There should be no obstacles should
he or she eventually wish to belong to
another religion or profess none at all. In
this context, international law is a model
and an essential point of reference for
states, insofar as it allows no derogation
from religious freedom, as long as the
just requirements of public order are
B1
www.annaarcosdiary.files.wordpress.com
observed.[7] The international order
thus recognizes that rights of a religious
nature have the same status as the right
to life and to personal freedom, as proof
of the fact that they belong to the essential
core of human rights, to those universal
and natural rights which human law can
never deny.
Religious freedom is not the exclusive
patrimony of believers, but of the whole
family of the earth’s peoples. It is an essential
element of a constitutional state; it cannot
be denied without at the same time
encroaching on all fundamental rights
and freedoms, since it is their synthesis
and keystone. It is “the litmus test for the
respect of all the other human rights”.
[8] While it favours the exercise of our
most specifically human faculties, it
creates the necessary premises for the
attainment of an integral development
which concerns the whole of the person
in every single dimension.[9]
The public dimension of religion
6. Religious freedom, like every freedom,
proceeds from the personal sphere and is
achieved in relationship with others. Freedom
without relationship is not full freedom.
Religious freedom is not limited to
the individual dimension alone, but is
attained within one’s community and
in society, in a way consistent with the
relational being of the person and the
public nature of religion.
Relationship is a decisive component
in religious freedom, which impels
the community of believers to practise
solidarity for the common good. In this
communitarian dimension, each person
remains unique and unrepeatable, while
at the same time finding completion and
full realization.
The contribution of religious
communities to society is undeniable.
Numerous charitable and cultural
institutions testify to the constructive
role played by believers in the life
of society. More important still is
religion’s ethical contribution in the
political sphere. Religion should not be
marginalized or prohibited, but seen
as making an effective contribution to
the promotion of the common good. In
this context mention should be made of
the religious dimension of culture, built
up over centuries thanks to the social
and especially ethical contributions of
religion. This dimension is in no way
discriminatory towards those who
do not share its beliefs, but instead
reinforces social cohesion, integration
and solidarity.
Religious freedom, a force for freedom
and civilization: dangers arising from
its exploitation
Freedom / B3
B2 Updates
The Juridic Protection of the Church
Teaching against Contraception (Part II)
By Fr. Jaime Blanco
Singing at the
Achacoso, J.C.D.
A RECENT column of Atty. Jose
Elevation
Sison (A Law Each Day, The
Philippine Star 8.XI.2010, p.15)
caught my attention. Quoting
an e-mail he received from a Jose
Teodoro Sagalo, he focused on what
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina the latter qualified as “grave error
Apostolorum university, answers the following query:) that the Loyola School of Theology
has posted in the Ateneo website
Q: Our priest used to sing a verse from “Come Let Us Adore endorsed earlier by Fr. Nebres,
Him” during the elevation of the consecrated host. Most Ateneo President, for reflection, and
of the congregation would sing along with him and it was now endorsed by Roberto Rivera
beautiful. Then someone threatened him that they were going of the John Carroll Institute.” A
to report this to the bishop, so now he has stopped singing quick check of the primary source
this. Is there any reason why a priest could not sing during verified the presence of the offensive
the elevation and thus bring the message to the congregation proposals, in a paper issued jointly
more fully?—T.V., Canada by the Loyola School of Theology
and the John J. Carroll Institute
of Church and Social Issues and
authored by Fr. Eric O. Genilo,
S.J., Fr, John J. Carroll, S.J., and Fr.
Joaquin Bernas, S.J.
My questions are: (1) Does the
Catholic Church really teach─in
an authentic, infallible, obligatory
way─the instrinsic moral evil
of contraception, or is this a
matter of religious persuasion,
therefore admitting of a variety
of interpretations in a pluralistic
society like the Philippines? (2) If
the Church indeed officially teaches
the intrinsic evil of contraception,
can a Catholic institution─like the
Loyola School of Theology─publicly
propose otherwise, and get away
with it? In other words, is there no
provision in Church Law against a
Catholic School of Theology teaching
something contrary to Catholic
© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM
Doctrine?
These questions bring to a
head something which I had
A: While the priest’s zeal in promoting faith in the Real Presence
is appreciable, I cannot agree with this particular mode of doing
so as it goes against sound liturgical principles. It may also
be true that the priest stopped acting this way not so much
out of fear of the bishop but rather that some parishioner
convinced him of his error. I am sure that a priest who shows
such veneration for the Real Presence would also desire to
show equal respect for liturgical law.
The overarching principle to be applied in this respect is
that of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 24:
“Nevertheless, the priest must remember that he is the servant
of the Sacred Liturgy and that he himself is not permitted, on
his own initiative, to add, to remove, or to change anything
in the celebration of Mass.”
The motive behind this principle are well articulated in the
instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[11.] The Mystery of the Eucharist ‘is too great for anyone to
permit himself to treat it according to his own whim, so that its
sacredness and its universal ordering would be obscured.’ On
the contrary, anyone who acts thus by giving free reign to his
own inclinations, even if he is a Priest, injures the substantial
unity of the Roman Rite, which ought to be vigorously
preserved, and becomes responsible for actions that are in no
way consistent with the hunger and thirst for the living God
that is experienced by the people today. Nor do such actions
serve authentic pastoral care or proper liturgical renewal;
instead, they deprive Christ’s faithful of their patrimony and
their heritage. For arbitrary actions are not conducive to true
renewal, but are detrimental to the right of Christ’s faithful to been wanting to address in this
a liturgical celebration that is an expression of the Church’s forum for some time: the juridic
life in accordance with her tradition and discipline. In the protection of the Word of God.
end, they introduce elements of distortion and disharmony Put another way, indeed there
into the very celebration of the Eucharist, which is oriented must be something in Church
in its own lofty way and by its very nature to signifying and Law that guarantees─with
wondrously bringing about the communion of divine life coercive and punitive force─the
and the unity of the People of God. The result is uncertainty doctrinal soundness of Catholic
in matters of doctrine, perplexity and scandal on the part of institutions. Still put another
the People of God, and, almost as a necessary consequence, way, in much the same way that
vigorous opposition, all of which greatly confuse and sadden the Republic of the Philippines
many of Christ’s faithful in this age of ours when Christian has the opportune departments
life is often particularly difficult on account of the inroads of to establish standards for what
‘secularization’ as well. are taught in the centers of
“[12.] On the contrary, it is the right of all of Christ’s elementary, intermediate and
faithful that the Liturgy, and in particular the celebration of higher education, the Church
Holy Mass, should truly be as the Church wishes, according must have the necessary means
to her stipulations as prescribed in the liturgical books and to guarantee that only sound
in the other laws and norms. Likewise, the Catholic people Catholic doctrine is taught in the
have the right that the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass should be officially Catholic institutions
celebrated for them in an integral manner, according to the of education. To illustrate: if
entire doctrine of the Church’s Magisterium. Finally, it is the a chemistry professor at the
Catholic community’s right that the celebration of the Most University of the Philippines
Holy Eucharist should be carried out for it in such a manner (my department and alma mater
that it truly stands out as a sacrament of unity, to the exclusion respectively) were to insist on
of all blemishes and actions that might engender divisions and teaching his students theories
factions in the Church.” of alchemy that had already
And with specific mention of the Eucharistic Prayer: “[53.] been long disproven, and if the
While the Priest proclaims the Eucharistic Prayer ‘there university authorities were to
should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other allow him to continue deforming
musical instruments should be silent’ except for the people’s his students in that way─with dire
acclamations that have been duly approved ….” consequences in his chemistry
From another standpoint I think that introducing the phrase practice thereafter─the Republic
“Come let us adore him!” in fact unwittingly reduces the scope of the Philippines would have
of the Eucharistic mystery. By concentrating only on the Real grounds to call the university to
Presence, this expression leaves out the full reality of the Mass task, aside from of course flunking
as a memorial making present the entire salvific mystery that its graduates in the professional
is, in a way, the latest moment in salvation history. In fact, this board examinations.
reality is better expressed by the usual acclamations after the In a previous issue of this paper,
consecration which ties the Eucharistic mystery of faith to the I summarized a series of articles
Passion, Resurrection and Second Coming. I had written in this column in
I certainly have no objections to a priest singing in order to previous years regarding the
underline the importance of this moment of the celebration, Canonical Protection of the
but this can be done without any undue additions. First of all, Church’s Magisterium. At this
the rubrics already allow him to sing the entire consecration point, and before finally making
itself. It is also highly recommendable that he also intones a canonical appraisal of the
the “Mystery of Faith” so that the faithful can also sing the question posed by our reader
memorial acclamation. above, allow me to summarize
the corresponding rights and
duties of the faithful in relation to
the Magisterium of the Church.
1. Rights and Duties of the
Faithful in relation to the
Magisterium
1) Fundamental right to
receive an integral catechesis.
The Christian faithful, since they
are called by baptism to lead a life
in conformity with the teaching
of the Gospel, have the right to
a Christian education by which
they will be properly instructed
so as to develop the maturity of
a human person and at the same
time come to know and live the
mystery of salvation (c.217). This
canon, situated under the title
of Obligations and Rights of All
Christian Faithful, corresponds
to the duty of the Church to
evangelize.
2) Right-Duty to do apostolate:
Aside from the Magisterium, we
must not forget that the whole
Church is the carrier of the true
meaning of human life; therefore,
the whole Church—not just the
Hierarchy—has the right and
duty to inform the temporal
structures with the Gospel
message. Nevertheless, This duty
of the faithful to do apostolate
has no public character—i.e., the
apostolate that they are bound to
carry out has no public character
(personal apostolate), even if they
are not barred from carrying out
a more public apostolate.
3) Duty to give an assent of
faith to Universal Magisterium:
All that is contained in the written
word of God or in tradition, i.e., in
the one deposit of faith entrusted
to the Church and also proposed
as divinely revealed either by
the solemn Magisterium of the
Church or by its ordinary and
universal Magisterium, must be
believed with divine and catholic
faith.... therefore, all are bound
to avoid any doctrines whatever
which are contrary to these truths
(c.750).
The Code defines two situations
contrary to this norm (c.751):
a) Heresy - is the obstinate
post-baptismal denial of some
truth which must be believed
with divine and catholic faith,
or an obstinate doubt concerning
the same.
b) Apostasy - is the total
repudiation of the Christian faith.
Furthermore, the Code typifies
the above situations as crimes,
establishing that an apostate or
a heretic incurs automatic (latae
sententiae) excommunication
and if a cleric, he can also be
punished by additional expiatory
penalties (cf. c.1336, §1, nn.1-3).
4) Duty to give religious
respect of intellect and will to
Authentic Magisterium. Such
religious respect implies, aside
from an intellectual assent to the
doctrine, also an assent of the
will as manifested by an external
actuation in accord with it. This
is manifested at two levels:
a) Universal Level. A religious
respect of intellect and will, even
if not the assent of faith, is to be
paid to the teaching which the
Supreme Pontiff or the college
of bishops enunciate on faith or
morals when they exercise the
authentic magisterium, even if
they do not intend to proclaim
it with a definitive act. Therefore
the Christian faithful are to take
care to avoid whatever is not
in harmony with that teaching
(c.752).
b) Particular Level. Although
they do not enjoy infallible
teaching authority, the bishops
in communion with the head and
members of the college, whether
as individuals or gathered in
conferences of bishops or in
particular councils, are authentic
teachers and instructors of the
faith for the faithful entrusted
to their care; the faithful must
adhere to the authentic teaching
of their own bishops with a sense
of religious respect (c.753). 1
3) Duty to refrain from dissent
in matters of faith and morals: All
the Christian faithful are obliged
to observe the constitutions and
decrees which the legitimate
authority of the Church issues
in order to propose doctrine and
proscribe erroneous opinions;
this is especially true of the
constitutions and decrees issued
by the Roman Pontiff or the
college of bishops (c.754).
It is senseless to speak of a
right to dissent as an expression
of a religious freedom within
the Church. By definition, this
is a freedom that exists only in
civil society, and as an eminent
canonist has poi nted out, what
exists in the Church is the
“right of opinion and expression
(cc.212; 218), a right which is not
absolute, but limited and one of
the limitations is the magisterium
of the Church. A member of the
faithful cannot dissent from what
makes up the deposit of faith
without breaking ecclesiastical
communion, since it amounts
to ceasing to be a disciple of the
Master.” 2
Thus, even if the Universal
Magisterium and the Authentic
Magisterium can be differentiated
in that an internal act of assent is
required in the former while not
in the latter, in both cases the
faithful is duty-bound to refrain
from active (external) dissent.
2. The Loyola House of Studies’
“TalkingPoints”foraDiscussion
on the RH Bill
The offending paper is actually
too long to tackle in detail, but
I would like to focus on what
I think is the ethical principle
which underpins the entire set
of talking points, which to my
mind is not in sync with official
Catholic teaching as enunciated
in the ordinary, authentic and
infallible magisterium of the
Roman Pontiffs. Quite early on,
the paper reads:
“Contraceptives without
abortifacient effects are treated
differently in church teaching.
They are forbidden for Catholics
but other religious traditions
allow them” (italics mine). It then
goes on to make a proposal:
“Proposal: The State first has
to make a clear position whether
it considers the prevention of
implantation of an embryo
as an abortion. If the State
takes this position, there must
be a careful and scientifically
based evaluation of each of the
medicines and devices provided
by the Bill. Those contraceptive
medicines and devices which are
determined to have abortifacient
effects are to be banned even now
and regardless of whether the RH
Bill is passed or not.”
The implication here is that
there is one morality for Catholics
and another for people of other
religious traditions. This is
clearly contrary to the notion
of intrinsically evil acts—as
taught by John Paul II in Veritatis
splendor—and the qualification
of contraception as an intrinsically
evil act—as taught by Paul VI
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
in Humanae vitae and again
by John Paul II in Evangelium
vitae.
The proposal to delve into the
question of whether or not the
prevention of implantation of
an embryo is an abortion only
serves to muddle the issue and
take the discussion away from
the more fundamental doctrine:
the intrinsic evil of contraception.
Put another way, engaging the
proponents of the RH Bill in a
debate on the abortifaciant or
non-abortifaciant character of
the contraceptives it proposes
to promote is tantamount to
conceding that contraception is
not the issue but rather abortion.
Even from the point of view
of rhetoric or debate, that’s a
concession that the Church is ill-
advised to make, since in fact the
proponents of the RH Bill have
always affirmed their staunch
disapproval of abortion.
This in fact is the problem
with some theologians from
the aforementioned theological
school: through the years, they
have repeatedly defended the
position that the official Catholic
teaching on the intrinsic evil
of contraception—repeatedly
enunciated by the popes of the
recent past, by Vatican Council II
and at present by Pope Benedict
XVI—is just one more position, on
equal footing with the opposite
view of—what a Philippine
Star Jesuit columnist calls—an
equally responsible Catholic
position that contraception is licit
in certain situations.
The question now is: Can
these theologians, teaching in
a Catholic university, where
young minds are supposedly
www.3.bp.blogspot.com
being formed in the Catholic
faith, maintain such heterodox
positions with impunity? Can’t
the Law of the Church even
protect the youngest of its own
faithful against doctrinal error?
Or put another way, if the
bishops are so concerned about
the environmental pollution
brought about by irresponsible
mining, shouldn’t they be more
concerned about the doctrinal
pollution being brought about
by irresponsible theologizing in
Catholic universities? After all,
environmental degradation is
not as serious as the erosion of
Catholic faith, which is at bottom,
is the reason for the increasing
acceptance of the RH Bill among
the Catholic faithful.
This question is masterfully
answered in a book by Rev.
Jesu Pudumai Doss, SDB,
titled Freedom of Enquiry and
Expression in the Catholic
Church: A Canonico-Theological
Study, published by Kristu Jyoti
Publications, Bangalore (India)
in 2007. Based on the author’s
doctoral dissertation in Canon
Law at the Salesian Pontifical
University (Rome), the book
bears a foreword of Angelo
Amato, then Secretary of the
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith. I shall attempt to
summarize the pertinent sections
in the next issue of CBCP Monitor.
(To be concluded.)
NOTES
1 Cf. John Paul II, Apost. Letter Aposto-
los suos (21.V.1998), n.11.
2 J. Hervada, Pensamientos (unpub-
lished), Chap. VII, n.21. Paraphrased
in J.A. Arrieta, op.cit. See also J. A.
Fuentes, El derecho a recibir el mensaje
evangélico, in Fidelium Iura, 3 (1993),
442-446.
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
B3

Philippine Agrarian Reform Situationer as of December 2010:

Challenges Confronting
CARPER Advocates

Photo courtesy of Gemma Rita Marin

By Sulong CARPER
Background
State-led agrarian reform
was given a new lease on
life when Republic Act 9700,
more commonly known as
the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Extension with Reforms
(CARPER) was passed July 1,
2009. The extension provided
reform-oriented peasant
movements with a law that
enables them to pursue land
distribution peacefully.
CARPER mandates the
completion of land distribution
by 2014. Aside from land
redistribution, it also mandates
agrarian justice delivery
and program beneficiaries’
development. To effectively
implement the law, a substantial
funding of P150 Billion or P30
billion a year was allocated for its
five-year implementation. Sixty
percent of the budget goes for
land acquisition while 40% goes
for support services.
CARPER includes reforms to
make it more responsive to the
realities on the ground. Among
the more substantive reforms are:
a) the referral system which would
expedites the decriminalization
of agrarian reform-related
criminal cases filed against
tenants; b) unhampered process
of coverage that should continue
in spite of protest or application
for exemption/exclusion; (c) the
removal of the stock distribution
and voluntary land transfer
modes of land, thus making
Compulsory Acquisition as the
main mode of acquisition and
distribution; (d) indefeasibility of
CLOA and emancipation patents.
There are major difficulties,
however, that make CARPER
completion by 2014 a difficult, if
not impossible, target.
Challenges to CARPER
1. Completing land
redistribution. CARPER is left
with an official balance of more
or less one million hectares
in its five-year (2009 – 2014)
timeframe. The biggest and most
contentious private landholdings
comprise most of the balance. To
complete land redistribution, the
government needs to distribute
an average of 200,000 hectares
a year. This is a gargantuan
challenge and if early trends
will continue, the Department
of Agrarian Reform may not
even accomplish half of that
target by end 2014. In 2010, the
CARPER budget was about P20B.
In 2011, the Congress has only
allocated P16.5B which would
render the targets impossible to
achieve. In the first 1 ½ years of
CARPER (June 2009 – December
2010), DAR will only be able
to distribute 140,000 – 160,000
hectares or about 105,000 a year. It
will be difficult to maintain even
this level of accomplishment due
to the budget cuts and the lack
of a clear signal from the Aquino
Administration that agrarian
reform is a priority concern, as
exemplified by the following
high profile cases and issues:
a. The failure of the President
to keep his election campaign
promise to distribute the lands
of Hacienda Luisita;
b. Delays in the distribution/
installation of ARBs on the
Arroyo lands in Negros;
c. The appointment by the
administration coalition of Rep.
Pryce Teves as Chair of the House
Committee on Agrarian Reform
despite a conflict of interest
situation from the continued
resistance of the Teves family to
the installation of farmers with
CLOAs to the land;
d. Substantial shortfalls of
33%-50% in the appropriated
funds compared to the budget
of P150 billion over 5 years with
serious consequences to the land
acquisition and distribution
targets and the provision of
support services to beneficiaries.
Thus, the high expectations
on CARPER under a supposedly
reformist presidency are slowly
dissipating.
2) CARPER is also encountering
anti-reform societal actors like
landlords and armed movements
that do not want CARPER to
succeed in order to create a
revolutionary situation.
In some areas these anti-
reform actors combine as strange
bedfellows in an effort to defeat
CARPER.
Hence, these armed movements
are anticipated to increase their
activities which will result in
increased human rights abuses
in rural areas.
2014 Scenarios
1. Land redistribution will
not be completed. The most
likely scenario given the
trend in land distribution’s
yearly accomplishment is an
unfinished land distribution
under CARPER. At the rate
things are going, it will be a
miracle for DAR to achieve
even half of its distribution
balance when it can only
accomplish 160,000 hectares in
1 ½ years . Hence, the problem
of landlessness and poverty
should be expected to continue,
if not worsen, beyond 2014.
2. Resurgence of armed
movement in areas with
unfinished land reform. Without
a state program on land rights,
peaceful landless peasants’
movements today may shift
to more radical actions post-
CARPER. Some groups may even
be vulnerable to agitation for
violent means to effect change,
as history has proven.
3. In the coming years, an
aggressive government policy
and global investments on food
and fuel will compete with
redistributive land reform and
will most likely marginalize pro-
poor land distribution of private
and public lands.
4. Injustice and non-
compliance with the law will be
rewarded. Those who resisted or
circumvented the law through
the years will still have their
lands. This is a very bad message
in a democracy under the rule
of law.
5. Finally, if land distribution
is not completed by 2014,
another extension is unlikely,
given a presidency that has not
demonstrated any commitment
to agrarian reform.
What can be done by CARPER
Advocates
1. Push DAR to be more decisive
in implementing agrarian reform
in the remaining three and a half
years, especially in the top 20 or
25 provinces with the biggest
backlog. This means that DAR
should engage and mobilize
pro-CARPER NGOs and all
agrarian reform stakeholders as
well as fully pursue inter-agency
convergence and cohesion,
particularly with DILG, DND,
PNP and AFP, to address policy
and operational concerns.
2. Push for the maximum
allocation of budget especially
for land redistribution. The
CARPER should get an average
of P40 Billion a year starting
2012 if it hopes to compensate
for the previous years’ shortfalls.
Anything less than the total
mandated budget of P150B
means that the government is
not serious in completing land
reform by 2014.
3. Monitor land redistribution
accomplishment and the
provision of required support
services based on transparent
yearly targets especially in the
top 20-25 provinces, with a
system that enables civil society
to actively and regularly interact
with DAR in validating targets and
step-by-step accomplishments on
the ground.
4. Seek a dialogue between
President Noynoy Aquino and
the agrarian reform community
to clarify his administration’s
agenda on CARPER and to
agree on the way forward to the
completion of land distribution
by 2014 and continued support
servicesuntilthefullemancipation
of the farmers is attained.

Freedom / B1
7. The exploitation of religious freedom
to disguise hidden interests, such as the
subversion of the established order, the
hoarding of resources or the grip on power
of a single group, can cause enormous harm
to societies. Fanaticism, fundamentalism
and practices contrary to human dignity
can never be justified, even less so in the
name of religion. The profession of a
religion cannot be exploited or imposed
by force. States and the various human
communities must never forget that
religious freedom is the condition for the
pursuit of truth, and truth does not impose
itself by violence but “by the force of its
own truth”.[10] In this sense, religion is
a positive driving force for the building
of civil and political society.
How can anyone deny the contribution
of the world’s great religions to the
development of civilization? The
sincere search for God has led to greater
respect for human dignity. Christian
communities, with their patrimony of
values and principles, have contributed
much to making individuals and
peoples aware of their identity and their
dignity, the establishment of democratic
institutions and the recognition of
human rights and their corresponding
duties.
Today too, in an increasingly globalized
society, Christians are called, not only
through their responsible involvement
in civic, economic and political life but
also through the witness of their charity
and faith, to offer a valuable contribution
to the laborious and stimulating pursuit
of justice, integral human development
and the right ordering of human affairs.
The exclusion of religion from public
life deprives the latter of a dimension
open to transcendence. Without this
fundamental experience it becomes
difficult to guide societies towards
universal ethical principles and to
establish at the national and international
level a legal order which fully recognizes
and respects fundamental rights and
freedoms as these are set forth in
the goals—sadly still disregarded or
contradicted—of the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
An issue of justice and civility:
fundamentalism and hostility to
believers compromise the positive
secularity of states
8. The same determination that
condemns every form of fanaticism and
religious fundamentalism must also
oppose every form of hostility to religion
that would restrict the public role of
believers in civil and political life.
It should be clear that religious
fundamentalism and secularism are alike
in that both represent extreme forms of a
rejection of legitimate pluralism and the
principle of secularity. Both absolutize
a reductive and partial vision of the
human person, favoring in the one
case forms of religious integralism and,
in the other, of rationalism. A society
that would violently impose or, on the
contrary, reject religion is not only unjust
to individuals and to God, but also to itself.
God beckons humanity with a loving plan
that, while engaging the whole person in
his or her natural and spiritual dimensions,
calls for a free and responsible answer
which engages the whole heart and being,
individual and communitarian. Society
too, as an expression of the person and
of all his or her constitutive dimensions,
must live and organize itself in a way
that favors openness to transcendence.
Precisely for this reason, the laws and
institutions of a society cannot be
shaped in such a way as to ignore the
religious dimension of its citizens or to
prescind completely from it. Through the
democratic activity of citizens conscious
of their lofty calling, those laws and
institutions must adequately reflect
the authentic nature of the person and
support its religious dimension. Since
the latter is not a creation of the state,
it cannot be manipulated by the state,
but must rather be acknowledged and
respected by it.
Whenever the legal system at any
level, national or international, allows
or tolerates religious or antireligious
fanaticism, it fails in its mission, which
is to protect and promote justice and the
rights of all. These matters cannot be left
to the discretion of the legislator or the
majority since, as Cicero once pointed
out, justice is something more than a
mere act which produces and applies
law. It entails acknowledging the dignity
of each person [11] which, unless religious
freedom is guaranteed and lived in its
essence, ends up being curtailed and
offended, exposed to the risk of falling
under the sway of idols, of relative goods
which then become absolute. All this
exposes society to the risk of forms of
political and ideological totalitarianism
which emphasize public power while
demeaning and restricting freedom
of conscience, thought and religion as
potential competitors.
Dialogue between civil and religious
institutions
9. The patrimony of principles and
values expressed by an authentic
religiosity is a source of enrichment for
peoples and their ethos. It speaks directly
to the conscience and mind of men and
women, it recalls the need for moral
conversion, and it encourages the practice
of the virtues and a loving approach to
others as brothers and sisters, as members
of the larger human family.[12]
With due respect for the positive
secularity of state institutions, the
public dimension of religion must
always be acknowledged. A healthy
dialogue between civil and religious
institutions is fundamental for the
integral development of the human
person and social harmony.
Living in love and in truth
10. In a globalized world marked by
increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-
religious societies, the great religions
can serve as an important factor of unity
and peace for the human family. On the
basis of their religious convictions and
their reasoned pursuit of the common
good, their followers are called to
give responsible expression to their
commitment within a context of religious
freedom. Amid the variety of religious
cultures, there is a need to value those
elements which foster civil coexistence,
while rejecting whatever is contrary to
the dignity of men and women.
The public space which the international
community makes available for the
religions and their proposal of what
constitutes a “good life” helps to create
a measure of agreement about truth and
goodness, and a moral consensus; both
of these are fundamental to a just and
peaceful coexistence. The leaders of the
great religions, thanks to their position,
their influence and their authority in their
respective communities, are the first ones
called to mutual respect and dialogue.
Christians, for their part, are spurred by
their faith in God, the Father of the Lord
Jesus Christ, to live as brothers and sisters
who encounter one another in the Church
and work together in building a world where
individuals and peoples “shall not hurt
or destroy … for the earth shall be full of
the knowledge of the Lord as the waters
cover the sea” (Is 11:9).
Dialogue as a shared pursuit
11. For the Church, dialogue
between the followers of the different
religions represents an important
means of cooperating with all religious
communities for the common good. The
Church herself rejects nothing of what
is true and holy in the various religions.
“She has a high regard for those ways of
life and conduct, precepts and doctrines
which, although differing in many ways
from her own teaching, nevertheless
often reflect a ray of that truth which
enlightens all men and women”.[13]
The path to take is not the way of relativism
or religious syncretism. The Church, in
fact, “proclaims, and is in duty bound to
proclaim without fail, Christ who is the way,
the truth and the life (Jn 14:6); in Christ, in
whom God reconciled all things to himself,
people find the fullness of the religious life”.
[14] Yet this in no way excludes dialogue
Freedom / B5
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

A Pastoral Letter of Bishop Gilbert A.

Garcera On the Four Diocesan Celebrations
in the Diocese of Daet for 2011
“Do this in Memory of Me” (Lk. 22:19) - Remembering the First Churches
GREETINGS of Peace! How beautiful the
first reading today expresses that prayerful
longing: “May the Lord bless you and keep
you. May the Lord let his face shine on you
and be gracious to you and may the Lord
uncover his face to you and bring you peace”
(Nm 6:24-26). This is my prayer and my wish
to all my priests, the religious and the lay
leaders and to all in Camarines Norte.
Today, January 1, we celebrate the
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Her
conception and birth of Jesus offered the
family of humanity a fresh beginning, a new
hope for true peace. The gift of every new
year reminds us of that hope. And so with
renewed fervour and sense of commitment,
we move forward in our journey of faith that
has God for its origin, inspiration and goal.
May this lead to the continuing renewal and
growth of the Church.
The giftedness of the New Year 2011 is
accentuated by four significant celebrations
in our diocese this year.
The first is the Quadricentennial Celebration
of the foundation of the first three parishes in
Camarines Norte. We take a lead from Jesus’
words at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory
of me” (Lk 22:19b). We want to do what He
invited His disciples to do, that is, to remember
with gratitude what happened in the past, to
bring its power and blessing to the present,
and allow it to empower us to face the future
(rf. Pope John Paul II, Novo Millenio Inuente,
no.1). We look back with gratitude at the
foundation of the first parishes in Paracale,
Daet and Vinzons in 1611 that was the fruit
of the pioneering efforts of the Franciscan
missionaries to sow the seeds of the Gospel
beginning in 1581. We hope to build on and
continue their evangelizing effort so that it will
bear more fruits acceptable to the Lord.
Second, I will begin my Pastoral Visit
to thirty parishes in the Diocese this 2011.
Required by Church Law, the pastoral visit
is one of the ways through which I, as your
Bishop, can maintain personal contact with the
clergy and the other members of the People
of God. It is an occasion to rejuvenate the
energies of those engaged in evangelization,
to praise, encourage and reassure them. It is
also an opportunity to invite the faithful to a
renewal of Christian life and to an ever more
intense apostolic activity. This pastoral visit
will help me to evaluate the effectiveness of the
structures and agencies designed for pastoral
service, taking account of the circumstances
and difficulties of the task of evangelization, so
as to determine more accurately the priorities
and the means required for overall pastoral
provision.
Third, our Diocese launched the Year
of the Youth last December 17, 2010 at the
Holy Trinity Cathedral in Daet. This national
event sponsored by the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines aims to generate
efforts to promote the youth ministry and to
deepen the awareness of our young people
that they have a great part to play in the
life and mission of the Church today and in
the future. The young generation is drawn
towards technological addiction, materialism,
consumerism and hedonism, unaware that
underneath these beds of roses are filthy mud
and emptiness. Our Church needs to guide
and strengthen our young members to reject
the culture of instant-pleasure and instead
accept Jesus Christ, who is “the Way, the
Truth and the Life” (John 14:6).
Lastly, we declare this year 2011 as the
Year on Prayer. This is a response to the
Diocesan Pastoral Assembly that concluded
four months ago. It is also our initial
preparation for the 40th Anniversary of our
Diocese in 2015. The main objectives of this
Year of Prayer are the following: first, to
inculcate the value of prayer as a means of
drawing ever new strength from Christ that
we urgently need in the face of activism
and growing secularism (rf. Pope Benedict
XVI, Deus Caritas Est, nos. 36-38); second,
to create a culture of God’s presence; and
third, to initiate programs which will enable
the Diocese to discern the movement of the
Spirit, both in the personal and communal
life. I urge every parish to encourage and
inspire the people to come to Jesus in the
Most Blessed Sacrament where He is really
present as well as to intensify the Marian and
other devotions. As they face the realities of
daily life, may the members of every parish
find spiritual nourishment and inspiration
in and through prayer, especially the daily
celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We also
hope that every family find time to gather in
prayer at home every day because “the family
that prays together stays together.”
As we start this Year on Prayer, I ask you,
my dear People of God, to “pray without
ceasing” (1 Th 5:17). All the work ahead of
us is not so much our work as it is the Lord’s.
We are confident that as a people in love with
Mary, we can always rely on her continued
guidance and protection. We can also count
on the intercession of St. Joseph, the Patron
of our diocese.
Happy New Year and may God bless you
and your loved ones abundantly.
+GILBERT A. GARCERA, D.D.
Bishop of Daet
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
January 1, 2011

Church leaders reaffirm ‘Jesus of Nazareth Repeats to His Disciples:

commitment to protect
Mindanao environment to
promote peace
By Bong D. Fabe
HUNDREDS of Roman Catholic
church leaders all over the southern
Philippines recently reaffirmed
their commitment to protect the
integrity of creation in Mindanao
as a key issue in the promotion of
peace in the island.
Two hundred and thirteen
delegates to the 14th Mindanao-
Sulu Pastoral Conference held at
the Holy Cross Academy in Digos
City, reaffirmed in a statement
their seven-fold commitment to
reverse the effect of the threats to
Life and Peace in Mindanao.
These seven-fold commitment
are: (1) protect the integrity of the
Mother Earth, the Visible Sign of
Divine Order and Wisdom as well
as the Life in the Mother’s Womb
which is the Sign Center and
Foundation of God’s Creation
and to safeguard the Sacredness
of marriage and Family Life;
(2) strengthen our dedication
and formation of our families,
communities, parishes and Local
Churches based on the Word
of God and the Christian Faith
centered on the Holy Eucharist; (3)
pursue the formation of Christian
Environmental Conscience,
Intergenerational Justice and
the Promotion of the Culture of
Peace as well as to pursue the
paths of the New Evangelization
using solid catechesis for the care
of the Earth and for the creation
of Peaceful Environment; (4)
undertake concrete measures
like Environmental Education
and peace Campaigns in all
Churches, BECs, Parish Groups,
Catholic Schools and Colleges,
as well as conduct activities
such as tree planting, adopt-a-
forest program, setting up of
nurseries in all Catholic Facilities
and on Church Lands wherever
possible; (5) conduct information
and education campaigns to the
faithful regarding the Alternative
Mining Act (AMB), now filed
in Congress and is known
as National Management of
Resources and Stewardship
Bill, as alternative to the present
Philippine Mining Act of 1995;
(6) strengthen the interfaith and
inter-religious dialogue for the
cause of Integrity of Creation
and Peace; and (7) continue
dialogue and cooperation with
civil society, government and
the basic sectors for authentic
human Development and peace
as well as to uphold the rule of
law at all levels.
The delegates, composed of
archbishops, bishops, priests,
religious men and women, and
lay faithful from twenty-one
(21) Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions in
Mindanao said they “have reflected
on and rediscovered the importance
of the Word of God in addressing
issues and concerns affecting the
Environment and Peace.”
“Moved by the goodness and
Creative Power of the Word of
God we have seen the immensity
of our Mission as Local Churches
in Mindanao. We are challenged
to follow the paths toward the
New Evangelization which
would transform our context,”
they said in the statement, which
was signed by Bishop Guillermo
D. Afable, D.D., of the Diocese
of Digos.
The delegates also condemned
in the strongest terms (1) all
activities which threaten and
devastate Creation: The non-
sustainable and irresponsible
mining activities particularly
open-pit mining, logging
activities which denude our
forests, toxic agricultural
practices, destructive fishing,
and all activities contributory
to climate change and global
warming; (2) any and all forms
of aggression against the lives,
cultures and livelihood of the
Indigenous Communities as well
as anomalous encroachments
into their ancestral domains; (3)
all activities of violence, hatred,
vengeance and bloodshed
perpetrated by individuals,
groups and institutions even as a
means of correcting what maybe
is wrong; and (4) everything
and every act which harms,
endangers, destroys and kills
life; extra-judicial liquidations,
terrorism, drug pushing; artificial
contraception, sterilization and
abortion; thus everything and
every act which prevents the
conception and birth of human
life.
“We, therefore, condemn in the
strongest terms every sin which
creates disorder, disrupts peace
and harmony in individuals and
the society at large,” they said.
The delegates said that
“Mindanao is a beautiful land
which we love so rich in natural
resources the home of good and
beautiful people endowed with
rich and diversified cultures.”
“But it is also the land damaged
by violence, aggression and
selfishness,” they said, adding
that these all contribute to
situations of unpeace in some
localities in Mindanao.
“We know that the situations
of unpeace are often land-
based, and so geographically
localized. They are all related
to mal-distribution, usurpation,
monopoly, misuse and abuse
of resources. The corruption of
economic and political powers,
the distortion of moral and
spiritual values, the materialistic
culture of amassing wealth for
vested interests have very high
environmental and social costs,”
they added.
Although the situation in
Mindanao looks bleak, the
delegates see many signs of
hope—“a good number of
conscientious individuals,
groups, and institutions are
working untiringly for the
Protection of Creation as well
as for the Promotion of Peace”
whose ranks are “increasing
everyday. Many have dedicated
their lives for the Call toward the
Culture of Peace and Christian
Environmental Stewardship.”
The 14th MSPC, held last
October 18-2, 2010 at the Holy
Cross Academy in Digos City,
brought together clergy and
religious from the Mindanao
region to share on their faith
experiences in the light of the
word of God.
It was also aimed at reliving the
paths towards renewed essential
evangelization to regain the
lawful dignity of human life in
the midst of God’s creation.
With the theme “Word of
God in Mindanao, Creation and
Peace,” the 14th MSPC was also
aimed at helping each arch/
diocese, prelature and vicariate
create and prepare plans of
pastoral actions in harmony
with the collective efforts for the
resolution of Mindanao problems
in agreement with the mission of
the Church in Mindanao.
Do Not Be Afraid’
Dear Priests and Deacons,
At this time, when the Holy
Father has graciously named
me as the new Prefect, I would
like to take the opportunity to
convey a cordial greeting to
each and every one of you.
The Year for Priests, recently
brought to a conclusion,
remains always before us,
both in its content and in
its model of sanctity, St.
John Mary Vianney. With
regard to its content, it is to
be fully assimilated into the
environment of the formation
of the Clergy, both in the
initial and ongoing stages,
especially concerning to the
central place it wished to
recognize of the Eucharist,
celebrated and adored; with
regard to the model of sanctity
that was offered, the heroic
participation of the Curé of
Ars in the self-giving of Christ
for the life of men shines forth,
and that witness spurs us
continually to offer ourselves
to the Lord in the “fragrant
sacrifice”.
Even in the face of the storm
of the “worldly sea,” Jesus
of Nazareth repeats to his
disciples, “Do not be afraid!”
To the temptation of activism
and of the fitful searching after
solutions that are human, and
all too human, He beckons us act with Christ” (Allocution falls to pieces of himself;
gently, “Remain in my love” at the Pontifical Roman Major sometimes he does just so
(Jn 15: 9). Seminary, 12 February 2010). much as is beneficial, and then
As the Holy Father Benedict Dear friends, it is precisely this is removed. Commonly the
XVI pointed out, “If we primacy of the ontological over Church has nothing more to
continue to read this Gospel the ethical, of the “abiding” over do than to go on in her own
passage attentively, we also the “doing” that is the guarantee, proper duties, in confidence
find a second imperative: and the only guarantee possible, and peace; to stand still and
“abide”, and “observe my of the fruitfulness of our to see the salvation of God”
commandments”. “Observe” apostolate! (Biglietto Speech, 12 May
only comes second. “Abide” In the face of prevailing 1879).
comes first, at the ontological secularism and rampant With these sentiments of
level, namely that we are relativism, Blessed John Henry profound, radical fidelity to
united with him, he has given Cardinal Newman reminds us the Lord in the Church and in
himself to us beforehand that, “Christianity has been too history, in the Lord of my and
and has already given us often in what seemed deadly of your sacerdotal existence, I
his love, the fruit. It is not peril, that we should fear for ask a particular remembrance
we who must produce the it any new trial now. So far is in your prayers, while I assure
abundant fruit; Christianity certain; on the other hand, what you of my pastoral concern,
is not moralism, it is not we is uncertain, and in these great entrusting each one of you
who must do all that God contests commonly is uncertain, to the powerful protection of
expects of the world but we and what is commonly a great Her who, by virtue of a most
must first of all enter this surprise, when it is witnessed, special title, is the Mother of
ontological mystery: God is the particular mode by which, Priests: the Blessed Virgin
gives himself. His being, in the event, Providence rescues Mary.
his loving, precedes our and saves His elect inheritance.
action and, in the context of Sometimes our enemy is turned CARDINAL MAURO
his Body, in the context of into a friend; sometimes he PIANCENZA
being in him, being identified is despoiled of that special Prefect, Congregation for
with him and ennobled virulence of evil which was Clergy
with his Blood, we too can so threatening; sometimes he December 2010
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
B5

Peace and prosperity to one and all!

TODAY, we are at the very threshold of
the year 2011, welcoming it with deep
gratitude as well as with much anticipation
and jubilation. In our solemn retrospect
of the times past, may we be drawn to a
joyful thanksgiving for the many graces
God has so richly blest us. Let us keep in
the memory of our hearts the goodness of
the Lord, who sees us through in our joys
and pains, despite our human iniquities. As
we embark for another year of challenging
journey, we bring with us this memory of
God’s unfailing presence so that we shall
face the future with renewed strength and
hopeful spirit.
We usually begin the New Year with well
wishes and a salvo of noble resolves. But,
before our illusions consume us, let us first
be awakened by this disturbing reality:
What awaits the majority of Filipinos in the
year ahead, much as we hope for the better,
perhaps are still the same dehumanizing
conditions of poverty, injustice, and unpeace.
This indubitable reality already manifests in
different circumstances of various groups of
people such as: the landless farmers, jobless
Filipinos, homeless urban poor, dislocated
tribal groups, the fatalities of nefarious
massacre in Cotabato, the recent victims of
blast in Jolo and the like. The late venerable
Pope John Paul II once spoke that there are
negative repercussions for peace when the
entire populations live in poverty. Poverty is
often a contributory factor or a compounding
element in conflicts, including armed ones.
In turn, these conflicts fuel further tragic
situations of poverty.
There have been measures led by the
government and by some other private
institutions that fight poverty. The most
conspicuous among others is the campaign
against corruption. I would like to agree that
corruption is the radical cause of the misery
of Filipinos. Therefore, it is but only proper
to reject what is base and dishonorable! Let
us then intensify and sustain this righteous
effort of eradicating graft and corruption.
However, there are other measures that
apparently disagree to the very conscience
of many Christian Filipinos. There are
those who believe that poverty is often
a consequence of demographic change.
For this reason, there are international
campaigns afoot to reduce birth-rates,
sometimes using methods that often fail
to respect even the right to life. The Holy
Father Benedict XVI, in his address on the
occasion of the World Day of Peace, wrote:
“The extermination of millions of unborn
children in the name of the fight against
poverty actually constitutes the destruction
of the poorest of all human beings. And
yet it remains the case that in 1981, around
40% of the world’s population was below
the threshold of absolute poverty, while
today that percentage has been reduced by
as much as half, and whole peoples have
escaped from poverty despite experiencing
substantial demographic growth.” This
implies that we can combat poverty even
without depopulation.
“See, I am doing something new! Now it
springs forth, do you not perceive it?... (Is.
43:19).” The word of the Lord spoken by the
prophet Isaiah opens us to the reality of God
who initiates the work of transformation.
God is doing something new—perhaps
something better than what we see around.
This boldly expresses God’s loving concern
with the plight of His people. Here, God
assures us that social transformation can
happen. Peace and prosperity is within our
reach. And the certainty of its realization
lies in the fact that we are not alone in this
task. God is with us!
Hence, at the very outset of this new
chapter of human history, we are invited,
more than ever, to discern which work is
God’s and eventually collaborate with Him.
A Blessed New Year to all!
+NEREO P. ODCHIMAR, DD
Bishop of Tandag, CBCP President

‘Justice for whom? Justice New Year’s Message

delayed, justice denied: ON behalf of the Commission on
Interreligious Dialogue of the
But, even as we condemn the
senseless bombings of innocent

The Vizconde Tragedy’ Catholic Bishops’ Conference of

the Philippines, I would like to
convey our message of concern
church-goers by some extrem-
ists, we wish to express our
message of peace and hope to
AFTER nineteen long years, justice continues to elude Estrellita, and solidarity with the victims all peoples of various cultures
Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde, victims of a heinous crime, of the Christmas Day bombing and religious traditions.
of rape and homicide. of a Catholic chapel in Jolo. The angelic message of Peace
It is difficult to understand how the Supreme Court could We condole in particular to all men and women of good
reverse the decisions of two lower courts who actually saw and with Fr. Romeo Villanueva, will was given not only to the
heard the witnesses and were convinced by the prosecutors OMI, the main celebrant of the shepherds but also to the wise
whom they also saw and listened to, beyond reasonable aborted Mass. Fr. Villanueva men and everyone today work-
doubt, that the accused were guilty. It prompts one to ask: has been a long-time advocate ing for a just and lasting peace
How reasonable was the doubt of the justices who voted for for justice and peace in the Sulu in our land.
acquittal? With the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the archipelago. May the Christmas blessings
rulings of the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals, We also express our sympa- of Light, Love, and Life, espe-
we are back to square one—who killed the Vizcondes? thies with Fr. Ricky Bacolcol, cially for the lowly, be ours to
We share the grief and anguish of Lauro Vizconde who was his assistant, who was slightly share throughout the coming
treacherously robbed of a family and a peaceful life nineteen injured in the bombing. Fr. year.
years ago. The wounds have been opened up again and there Ricky comes from Mambajao,
seems to be no closure to his ordeal. Camiguin, and was ordained +ANTONIO J. LEDESMA, SJ
Time is running out for those determined to bring the only last November 10th in Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro
perpetrators to a court of law. Jolo by Bishop A. Lampon. He Chairman, Episcopal Com-
We implore the government to find and determine who the is a graduate of St. John Vian- mission on Interreligious
killers are and bring them before the bars of justice. This is made ney Theological Seminary in Dialogue
more urgent by the fact that no charges can be filed against Cagayan de Oro. 27 December 2010
them after the prescriptive period lapses (20 years according to
news reports). And this investigation should not exclude those
acquitted since even the spokesperson of the Supreme Court
said their acquittal does not mean they are not guilty. We ask
the Supreme Court to consider a motion of reconsideration by
May the New Year be a year of peace
the prosecutors especially if they can present new witnesses.
Those who have knowledge of what happened on that fateful AS we usher in the New Year mighty. Only God is almighty. In
night of June 30, 1991, should come out and tell the truth. Be 2011, we hold hands together Pangasinan, may we always place
not afraid for the Lord our God is with you. in unity and prayer that this God in our politics and business
We ask those whose hands are bloodied by these heinous year may be a year of abundant and culture—indeed in all!
crimes to confess and accept the consequences. Sooner or later, blessings, a year of true progress, Finally, may the New Year
you will face the Lord and be judged. a year of real peace. be a year of peace. Peace is
We pray for the victims—Estrellita, Carmela, Jennifer—that All blessings are from God. right relationships. When our
they may find peace in the bosom of our Lord. We must put God first. We must relationships with God, with
We pray too for Lauro Vizconde at this time of great stress put God in all, for we all know creation and with one another
and ask the Lord to give him strength and courage to once that only God will remain in the are right, we shall have true and
again go through this ordeal. We beg in all humility that our end. In all things, may God be lasting peace. Beyond partisan
just and loving Father give justice to Lauro and his family. glorified! But we realize too that politics, linguistic differences
blessings come to us through and varied social strata, the
Sr. Mary John M. Mananzan, OSB one another. May all of us be call for unity beckons. May
Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, OP blessings for one another. In Pangasinan be truly one! May
AMRSP Co-Chairpersons, December 20, 2010 Pangasinan, may everybody love we extend our hands to our
everybody—that is the greatest opponents with forgiveness
blessing of all. and tolerance, respect and

We Condemn the Jolo We pray for progress but

progresswithethics.Inourpursuit
of human and economic progress,
brotherhood!
Happy new year! Magayagan

Church Bombing
THE forces of evil are again unleashed to sow terror and to
create discord among peoples. The latest bombing in Jolo church
wounding many innocent civilians and the many kidnapping
incidents in different parts of Mindanao are barbaric acts of
violence, cruelty, and disrespect and must be condemned.
As religious leaders, we, the National Ulama Conference of
the Philippines extend our deepest sorrow to the victims. We
call on the authorities to move heaven and earth to bring the
culprits to the bar of justice.
Again, suspicions have been cast on to the so called “Jama’a
Islamia” or the Abu Sayyaf. Whoever did such horrific acts, we
say that they are inhuman and that they are not serving the All-
Compassionate and All-Loving God but no doubt they are serving
Satan. If it is true, then let it be known to all that the “brand of Islam”
being espoused by the so-called “Jama’a Islamia” and its international
and local accomplices has no place in the purity of Islamic teachings.
Theirs is to advance their personal political agenda using Islam to
get support from innocent and desperate people.
We challenge the peace-loving Muslims to stand up against those
who use Islam for their self-serving interest. And we call on other
faith communities to help us Muslims to face squarely these forces
of evil not to triumph, as the saying goes, “The only thing necessary
for evil to triumph is for the good men to do nothing.”
National Ulama Conference of the Philippines
ZamBaSulTa Region, December 26, 2010
DR. ABOULKHAIR S. TARASON to acknowledge and affirm universal truths,
Vice-Chair, NUCP principles and values which cannot be denied
SHEIKH JAMAL S. MUNIB
Chair, NUCP ZamBaSulTa
SHEIKH ABDULMUHMIN A. MUJAHID responsible way on the basis of an objective
Exec Dir., NUCP ZamBaSulta and integral knowledge of the facts; it means
PROF. ALIH S. AIYUB
Sec Gen, NUCP ZamBaSulTa, Exec Dir, Salam Foundation
balon taon ed sikayon amin!
we must not compromise our From the Cathedral of Saint
immortal souls. Our years here John the Evangelist, Dagupan
on earth are limited and finite. City, December 31, 2010
What is important is invisible
to the eye. The peso and dollar +SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
are not immortal. Our souls are. Archbishop of Lingayen
The peso and dollar are not all Dagupan
Freedom / B3
and the common pursuit of truth in different rights; it means fostering an unswerving
areas of life, since, as Saint Thomas Aquinas commitment to base positive law on the
would say, “every truth, whoever utters it, principles of the natural law.[16] All this is
comes from the Holy Spirit”.[15] necessary and consistent with the respect for
The year 2011 marks the twenty-fifth the dignity and worth of the human person
anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for enshrined by the world’s peoples in the 1945
Peace convened in Assisi in 1986 by Pope Charter of the United Nations, which presents
John Paul II. On that occasion the leaders universal values and moral principles as a
of the great world religions testified to the point of reference for the norms, institutions
fact that religion is a factor of union and and systems governing coexistence on the
peace, and not of division and conflict. The national and international levels.
memory of that experience gives reason to
hope for a future in which all believers will Beyond hatred and prejudice
see themselves, and will actually be, agents 13. Despite the lessons of history and
of justice and peace. the efforts of states, international and
regional organizations, non-governmental
Moral truth in politics and diplomacy organizations and the many men and women
12. Politics and diplomacy should look to of good will who daily work to protect
the moral and spiritual patrimony offered fundamental rights and freedoms, today’s
by the great religions of the world in order world also witnesses cases of persecution,
discrimination, acts of violence and intolerance
based on religion. In a particular way, in Asia
without denying the dignity of the human and in Africa, the chief victims are the members
person. But what does it mean, in practical of religious minorities, who are prevented from
terms, to promote moral truth in the world of freely professing or changing their religion
politics and diplomacy? It means acting in a by forms of intimidation and the violation
of their rights, basic freedoms and essential
goods, including the loss of personal freedom
deconstructing political ideologies which end and life itself.
up supplanting truth and human dignity in There also exist—as I have said—more
order to promote pseudo-values under the sophisticated forms of hostility to religion
pretext of peace, development and human which, in Western countries, occasionally
find expression in a denial of history and the
rejection of religious symbols which reflect
the identity and the culture of the majority
of citizens. Often these forms of hostility
also foster hatred and prejudice; they are
inconsistent with a serene and balanced vision
of pluralism and the secularity of institutions, to
say nothing of the fact that coming generations
risk losing contact with the priceless spiritual
heritage of their countries.
Religion is defended by defending the
rights and freedoms of religious communities.
The leaders of the great world religions
and the leaders of nations should therefore
renew their commitment to promoting and
protecting religious freedom, and in particular
to defending religious minorities; these do not
represent a threat to the identity of the majority
but rather an opportunity for dialogue and
mutual cultural enrichment. Defending them
is the ideal way to consolidate the spirit of
good will, openness and reciprocity which
can ensure the protection of fundamental
rights and freedoms in all areas and regions
of the world.
Religious freedom in the world
14. Finally I wish to say a word to the
Christian communities suffering from
persecution, discrimination, violence and
intolerance, particularly in Asia, in Africa,
Freedom / B7
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

Must Christians Arm Themselves in Their Mission?

Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (Matt 11:2-11) January 9, 2011
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo,
SThD
BY a newspaper account, kidnap gangs
in Mindanao and Sulu, including the
Abu Sayaf, have increasingly targeted
priests and sisters working in missionary
areas since 1986. Killed among the priest-
captives were Rev. Roel Gallardo, Rev.
Benjamin Inocencio, and Rev. Rufus
Halley. Because of the kidnapping and
abduction cases, the Catholic bishops
of Mindanao at one time were reported
to have “called on all priests, especially
those assigned in areas of conflict, to resist
any abduction attempts—at all costs.
Some priests have interpreted the call as
tantamount to ordering them to arm and
defend themselves from kidnappers.”
However, the same report said that the
Vatican’s ambassador to the Philippines
at that time, Abp. Antonio Franco,
“frowned upon suggestions that priests
assigned in areas of conflict in Mindanao
should be armed.” Ferdinand Zualosa,
in his article “Arming of Priests Rejected”
quoted the Nuncio as saying that “arming
our priests is a crazy idea.” Must priests,
and any Christians for that matter, armed
themselves in their mission?
Today’s Gospel (Matt 3:13-17), which is
about the baptism of Jesus, can help shed
light on this problem. Matthew’s account
of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
exhibits an editorial reworking of his
Markan source principally in the insertion
of a dialogue between John and Jesus. It
seems that by the time Matthew wrote his
Gospel, Christians were already wrestling
with a problem: If Jesus, who is God’s
Son, is sinless, how come he submitted
himself to John the Baptist’s baptism
of repentance? Does his submission to
Jesus: “I should be baptized by you, yet
you come to me” (Matt 3:14). Secondly,
though superior to John, Jesus submitted
himself to John’s baptism not because
he needed repentance—which is what
baptism of repentance implies—since
he was sinless, but “in order to fulfill all
righteousness” (Matt 3:15b). It may be
noted that in Matthew, “to fulfill” does
not simply mean “to obey” or “to do”; it
usually means to fulfill a prophecy, and
while “righteousness” can mean moral
conduct in keeping with God’s will (cf
Matt 5:10), in the present context it seems
to mean the saving activity of God, as in
Matthew 6:33 (“Seek first the kingdom of
God and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given you besides”). The
crucial text therefore means that Jesus
allowed himself to be baptized by John the
Baptist in order to fulfill the prophecies
and thereby fulfill God’s work of salvation.
If Jesus came, in other words, it was to
fulfill God’s purpose in salvation history,
and his baptism by John was part of God’s
saving plan that Jesus had to do. But what
did God demand in the prophecies for the
salvation of the human race?
One of the prophets who spoke of the
work of God’s anointed was Isaiah. In
the 1st Reading today (Isa 42:1-4.6-7),
he describes the Messiah’s person and
mission: “Here is my servant whom I
uphold, my chosen one with whom I am
pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting, not making
his voice heard in the street; a bruised reed
he shall not break, and a smoldering wick
he shall not quench, until he establishes
justice on the earth; the coastlands will
wait for his teaching” (Isa 42:1-4). It is
this Servant that Matthew has in mind
when in his account of the baptism of
Jesus the heavenly voice confirms Jesus
Messiah assumes the role of the Servant
of Yahweh; it is he of whom God said, “I
have called you for the victory of justice”
(Isa 46:6). For this reason, he receives
the Spirit of God (Isa 42:1b; Matt 12:18),
takes up our infirmities and endures our
sufferings (Isa 53:4; Matt 8:17), and gives
his life as a ransom for all (Isa 53:6-12; Matt
20:28). As such, he is the paradigm of a
righteous sufferer, on account of which
he accepts the good portion, the portion
of the chastised; he takes sides with the
poor and the powerless, even as he is being
delivered into the hands of the mighty and
the powerful. His mission is not only to
bring Israel to righteousness, but also the
deliver justice to the nations. This is what
it means to be God’s beloved Son (Isa 42:1;
Matt 3:17). For Matthew, it appears that
the baptism of Jesus by John is no less than
an epiphany—it proclaims the identity of
Jesus as the Servant of Yahweh.
Since in Christian theology it is by
baptism that we share in the mission of
Jesus which the Father gave him, today’s
message is a big challenge to all of us. In our
time, much has been said about changing
the world, about bringing justice and
peace to it. In fact, many of us take up good
causes to make this world a better place to
live in; we protest against suppression of
human rights, environmental destruction,
dictatorial regimes, lopsided economy
and many other issues. As the Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines puts
it, we exercise our share in the kingly
mission of Christ whenever “we make
the world a place more worthy of the
children of God, whenever by our work
we improve the world and permeate it
with the values of Christ, whenever we
are able to overcome sin in ourselves and
in the environment and allow the grace
of God to break through into the world.”
But often enough, we are scared of the

John’s baptism imply an acknowledgment
of John’s superiority, as John’s disciples
seem to have claimed? By inserting the
dialogue between these two characters,
Matthew makes two points. First, John
is made to recognize the superior of
as the Son of God whom God delights
in (Matt 3:17; Isa 42:1). In other words,
for Matthew this Isaianic prophecy finds
fulfillment in Jesus. According to Isaiah,
in fulfilling the mission God gave him, the
www.cenewsblog.com
toll, the cost of giving ourselves to these
causes. Some of us do not want to suffer.
We are afraid of ridicule, of dismissal for
refusing to compromise higher values.
Mission / B7

Bishop Pat Alo

The Humiliated God in the Image of Santo Niño
Feast of Santo Niño (Matt 18:1-5.10) January 16, 2011
ENCOUNTERS By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, General, who was staying at the
SThD Place, gave Brother Juniper a
harsh and severe scolding in the
presence of the community of
IN a section on the life of Brother friars. Then he said: “Your fault
Juniper, one of the original is so great and serious that I don’t
companions of St Francis of know what penance I should give
Assisi, the book The Little Flower you.” And the Brother replied:
of St Francis relates that one “I’ll tell you Father, that I came
day, when Brother Juniper saw here naked, so as penance I should
go back naked along the same
gives a hoot about, and whose
death hardly anyone mourns. We
recall this biographical incident
in the life of Brother Juniper
because it goes against what
people in our “normal” society
strive after—social status. To
be candid about it, most people
probably want to be important
before the eyes of society, and
to feel important. They want
disciples were arguing “who was
the most important among them”
(Mark 9:33-34). In Matthew’s
Gospel, however, we are not told
of the setting; he simply relates
that the disciples came up to
Jesus to ask the question: “Who
is of greatest importance in the
Kingdom of God” (Matt 18:1).
That such question is raised
merely indicates that the Christian

Sensitive but true

many pilgrims going to a solemn
celebration taking place in Assisi,
the spirit of self-contempt came
over him. He stripped himself
THE Church’s stand versus the RH Bill has become a stark naked without his breeches,
sensitive issue causing some division among groups. and went through Spello and
two other villages, and passed
But we should keep on the search for the truth. After all
through the center of Assisi and all
it is the “truth that sets us free” (cf. Jn. 8:32).
the crowd, and came to the friars’
First of all, the Church’s official position has been and
Place. Very much shocked and
is consistently opposed to artificial contraceptives and
scandalized, the friars rebuked
abortion. Why? Because it is pro life and follows God’s him, calling him a lunatic, a fool,
original decree: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and and a disgrace to the order of St
conquer it” (Gen. 1:22). The Church’s position and belief Francis, and declaring him to be
are in favor of a disciplined family morality and openness put in chains as a madman. The
to life in the sexual relations of man and woman united
in faithful monogamous marital union.
They talk of overpopulation but what will happen as Fr. Francis Ongkingco
road to the place from which I
came to this festival.”
This anecdote enables us to
peer through the life of some
of the original companions of
St Francis, a life characterized
by a blatant disregard for social
status. Of course, only a fool,
or one who considers himself
equal to one, would walk naked
through the city streets, and
fools, like the scum of the earth,
are the expendables of society,
whose presence hardly anyone
to be number one. That is why
some become sad when others,
for example, surpass their level
of importance in the estimate
of society. No wonder the rich
exploit the poor, the intelligent
take advantage of the simple,
men lord it over women, the
white oppress the black. It is
most likely that this culture has
seeped in through Matthew’s
community. In the Gospel of
Mark, we are told that upon
returning to Capernaum, the
community has not been immune
to this disease called striving after
prominence. That is why Matthew
preserved for us this episode in
order to warn us of its dangers.
For one thing, when it has
members who want to get ahead
of the rest and be recognized
as number one, the community
suffers and is divided, with the
result, for example, that there
arises a stiff competition among
them. Relationships are, of course,
Santo Niño / B7

effect of undue population control? It will be a sort of
depopulation tending towards humanity’s extinction.
Observe the places where contraceptives are extensively
practiced. Sure there is such feeling of satisfaction and
being unrestrained in immoral practices in a great number
of places, but the people’s strength is being sapped when
there are no more younger people who would eventually
be the support of the older generation.
It is ironical to observe the phenomenon of the more
progressive powerful nations insinuating through
monetary allurements and offers, plus some veiled
coercion so as to make the poorer developing nations
control their populations. Perhaps the latent motives
may be to get hold of the natural resources of the
underdeveloped countries and have political control
over them.
Certainly the issues have somehow become divisive
and emotional. At least we must try to seek out the truth
of the whole issue at hand. St. Padre Pío had mentioned
this: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept it
with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the
human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject
it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you”
(from the book Padre Pío the Stigmatist, written by Fr.
Charles Mortimar Carty, p. 104). Psalm 71:15 somehow
expresses this inadequacy of man in front of Divine
truth. It says: “I will tell of your goodness; all day long
I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I
can understand.”
Surely this issue is sensitive since some prominent
legislators have been requesting to be exempted from
Church sanctions. But there’s nothing personal or
emotional there. The Church speaks authoritatively
within her realm of faith and morals. Canon law gives
some sanctions. But deep in your heart you know you
cannot escape from God’s justice. “It is a dreadful thing
to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). It is
for your own eternal well-being when the Church exhorts
us to follow God’s eternal decrees. Man is destined, with
God’s help and mercy, for an eternal bliss unless he loses
it through his own fault and pride if he dares abuse of
God’s goodness. Let’s not forget the hidden agenda of
Satan who keeps on busily campaigning for more inmates
to the shady dungeons of Hell.
WHATEVER
THEIR pre-Christmas retreat was going to
end in two days. Ralph and his classmates
entered a room adjacent to the school chapel.
They approached a row of bright and colorful
Christmas stockings. Each stocking had a
participant’s name assigned to it.
Ralph pulled out an envelope from the
stocking with his name. He was reluctant
to open it. After a few hesitating seconds he
peeked and was once again disappointed
with what he discovered: NOTHING! “I
knew it,” he whispered with resignation,
“this is who I really am.”
It was a tradition in their school for juniors
and seniors to do an annual retreat. Everyone
looked forward to the part called “envelope
revealing sessions” that Sister Sharon –who
had already passed away some time ago– had
taught the students. The students were open to
a very discrete means to growing spiritually.
This was a concrete spiritual exercise
to know how one was perceived by his
classmates. Every day of the retreat focused
on some virtue or theme. Before going to
bed, the participants would rate how their
other classmates performed the day’s virtue
or theme by either placing a stub or none into
their classmate’s envelopes.
This was done simultaneously and
discretely as possible. In this way, no one
would know who had placed the stubs or
not. The room was then locked and everyone
went to bed. The following day, each one
would go to their stocking and count how
many stubs one received.
The students were discouraged to share
or compare the results. They each had to
The empty envelope
sincerely desire to help the others, and should
not see this as an occasion to get back at
someone for something. What was important
was to discuss the results in one’s prayer
with Jesus before the morning Mass. The
participants then tried to arrive at concrete
resolutions or conversion points based on
what they learned.
The retreat was ending, and Ralph had not
yet received a single stub. The topic of the
last day was humility. Ralph tried his best
to see how he could practice this virtue and
perform his best during the group exercises.
“Jesus,” he said in quiet prayer, “I don’t know
what else I can do. I guess I’m not just up to
becoming good yet.”
Now the last evening’s session was rather
special. Like the previous days, the students
also placed stubs for one last time. These
stubs now indicated how well they felt one
had done the entire retreat. The facilitators
would seal the envelopes and put them inside
the still empty crib of Jesus. These were to be
part of tomorrow’s offering in the Mass.
Sister Sharon used to explain that this
was one’s offering to Jesus. “It’s not how
many stubs you have or don’t have. What is
important is to offer oneself to Him as one
is, and allowing Him to do with what we
are and have.”
Ralph returned to his seat after placing a
stub into one of his classmates envelop. He felt
rather lost and sad. “I have nothing to offer
the Child except an empty envelop.”
The next day, the students entered the
Chapel to attend Mass. The priest in his
homily exhorted them to be generous and
optimistic. “These days close to Jesus are
always going to be fruitful. You have learned
to know yourselves better, with the help of
God’s grace and the ‘graced stubs’ of your
peers. But what is important is not the good
we do, but how we allow Jesus to do good
through us.”
At the end of the Mass, the students then
approached the crib and retrieved their
envelopes. Once again, they spent the few
minutes of thanksgiving after Mass to talk
to Jesus about what they realized during the
entire retreat.
Ralph felt resigned about not getting any
stub. He simply took his envelope and began
reading some Eucharistic aspirations in a
compilation of thanksgiving prayers after
Holy Mass. He then placed the envelope on
the empty seat beside him.
As the envelop left his hand, Ralph noticed
that something different with it. It seemed
a little thicker and he noticed something
protruding from its sealed edge. He was
curious and carefully examined envelope.
Slowly, he opened it and to his surprise,
he saw it filled with numerous fine strands
of hay.
Ralph then understood what Sister Sharon
had taught. Sometimes God empties us, so
that He may then fill us with His love.
***
“My Lord Jesus, grant that I may feel your
grace and second it in such a way that I empty
my heart, so that you, my Friend, my Brother,
my King, my God, my Love|... may fill it!”
(St. Josemaría Escrivá, The Forge, no. 913)
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
B7

By Fr. Shay Cullen

AS the representatives of 120 nations and
thousands of climate change experts and
campaigners work in Cancun, Mexico,
to try once again to avert the pending
disaster that is coming to the world, I
add my voice to those of hundreds of
thousands and if not millions crying out
for the conference to succeed.
It’s vitally urgent for humanity that
progress be made in reducing world levels
of carbon dioxide, methane emissions,
and deforestation. The greenhouse
gasses emitted when we burn coal, oil,
wood, garbage in power plants all over
the world in ever increasing amounts
are called that the gasses, especially co2,
rise into the earth’s stratosphere and
form an insulation blanket that traps
the earth’s heat leading to an overheated
planet causing the climate to be affected,
The Point of No Return
violently at times. The most direct impact
this has is seen in the retreating ice glaciers
of the Arctic.
The once gigantic mountains of ice and
snow are melting rapidly and the mirror
effect they had in radiating the sun’s rays
back into space is greatly diminished.
Scientists measure the retreating ice
and warn that if the temperature of
the planet increases above 2 degrees
centigrade, the Greenland mass of ice
will disappear. That will be a point of
no return. The water unleashed by this
catastrophic event will cause sea levels to
rise 7 meters. Millions of coastal villages
that rely on fishing will be wiped out
and driven inland.
With the ice diminished, the natural
reflectors gone, the sunbeams can
penetrate the oceans and scorch the
earth. This year alone, millions of people
have suffered the consequence of the
highest temperatures on record in many
countries. Forest fires raged beyond
control in Russia, Greece and Portugal.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of
woodland has been destroyed, 18,000
hectares in Portugal alone. Such a loss
of green shade adds to the rise in global
warming. Moscow had temperatures
that were 20C higher than normal. That
was a massive climate change.
In China, Pakistan, and India,
devastating floods resulted; millions
were and are still homeless living
on handouts. Perhaps the unusual
heavy melting ice on the Himalayas
was the cause and super powerful
typhoons caused by the warmer oceans
evaporating the sea and raining down
a billion tons more water. Everything
in this amazing and beautiful planet
is connected and interacts. Living
creatures are the most effected, that
means you and me and every plant and
animal. We must protect them from
human greed and overdevelopment.
TheconferenceinCancunhaspersuaded
the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases,
China, India and the USA to cut back on
emissions. If the ever rising temperature
is not held below 2C, then we can expect
the worst. That is the tipping point when
one event triggers another and the domino
effect kicks in. The permafrost marshland
and bogs of Siberia and North Canada
are already releasing billions of tons of
methane gas, it clogs the atmosphere.
Wildlife and plants that survive the
cold will be greatly affected and become
extinct. Drug resistant species of giant
mosquitoes will likely breed and swarm
south to human populations bringing
malaria and dengue.
If humanity does not change from
an addicted self-destructive consumer
society to a responsible sustainable
society, we will pay an awful price in
human hardship. Nations driven to
unchained greed and global ambition
for power and dominance can only
lead people to self-harm, collapse of the
economy and poverty.
We can all do something to make it
a better and safer world. We can save
electricity, drive less miles, buy locally
grown foods, eat organic natural food,
start a small tree planting project on waste
land wherever you live and support a
group campaigning for a clean and
healthy environment. Preda/forest feast
fair-trade sales of dried mangos pay for
the planting and protection of 200 fruit
tree saplings 2 meters tall done with the
indigenous people for the past 6 years.
So eating the right food does justice,
plants trees, saves the soil, provides
shade, cools the earth, conserves water,
and prevents landslides. Everything is
connected on this God-given planet, be a
part of something really good, let’s save
it. [email: Preda@ info.com.ph]

www.greenideastoday.com
Freedom / B5

in the Middle East and especially
in the Holy Land, a place chosen
and blessed by God. I assure
them once more of my paternal
affection and prayers, and I ask all
those in authority to act promptly
to end every injustice against the
Christians living in those lands.
In the face of present difficulties,
may Christ’s followers not lose
heart, for witnessing to the Gospel
is, and always will be, a sign of
contradiction.
Let us take to heart the words
of the Lord Jesus: “Blessed are
those who mourn, for they shall
be comforted … Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied … Blessed are you when
men revile you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of evil against
you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your
reward is great in heaven” (Mt
5:4-12). Then let us renew “the
pledge we give to be forgiving
and to pardon when we invoke
God’s forgiveness in the Our
Father. We ourselves lay down
the condition and the extent of
the mercy we ask for when we
say: ‘And forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven those who
are in debt to us’ (Mt 6:12)”.[17]
Violence is not overcome by
violence. May our cries of pain
always be accompanied by faith,
by hope and by the witness of
our love of God. I also express
my hope that in the West, and
especially in Europe, there will be
an end to hostility and prejudice
against Christians because they
are resolved to orient their lives in
a way consistent with the values
and principles expressed in the
Gospel. May Europe rather be
reconciled to its own Christian
roots, which are fundamental for
understanding its past, present
and future role in history; in this
way it will come to experience
justice, concord and peace by
cultivating a sincere dialogue
with all peoples.
Religious freedom, the path to
peace
15. The world needs God. It
needs universal, shared ethical
and spiritual values, and religion
can offer a precious contribution to
their pursuit, for the building of a
just and peaceful social order at the
national and international levels.
Peace is a gift of God and at the
same time a task which is never fully
completed. A society reconciled
with God is closer to peace,
which is not the mere absence
of war or the result of military
or economic supremacy, much
less deceptive ploys or clever
manipulation. Rather, peace
is the result of a process of
purification and of cultural, moral
and spiritual elevation involving
each individual and people, a
process in which human dignity
is fully respected. I invite all those
who wish to be peacemakers,
especially the young, to heed
the voice speaking within their
hearts and thus to find in God
the stable point of reference for
attaining authentic freedom, the
inexhaustible force which can
give the world a new direction
and spirit, and overcome the
mistakes of the past. In the words
of Pope Paul VI, to whose wisdom
and farsightedness we owe the
institution of the World Day of
Peace: “It is necessary before all
else to provide peace with other
weapons – different from those
destined to kill and exterminate
mankind. What are needed above
all are moral weapons, those
which give strength and prestige
to international law – the weapon,
in the first place, of the observance
of pacts”.[18] Religious freedom
is an authentic weapon of peace,
with an historical and prophetic
mission. Peace brings to full
fruition the deepest qualities and
potentials of the human person,
the qualities which can change the
world and make it better. It gives
hope for a future of justice and
peace, even in the face of grave
injustice and material and moral
poverty. May all men and women,
and societies at every level and
in every part of the earth, soon
be able to experience religious
freedom, the path to peace!
From the Vatican, 8 December 2010
BENEDICTUS PP XVI
NOTES
[1] Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical Letter
Caritas in Veritate, 29, 55-57.
[2] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Declaration on Religious
Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 2.
[3] Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical Letter
Caritas in Veritate, 78.
[4] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Declaration on the Relation of
the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Nostra Aetate, 1.
[5] ID., Declaration on Religious Free-
dom Dignitatis Humanae, 7.
[6] BENEDICT XVI, Address to the Gen-
eral Assembly of the United Nations (18
April 2008): AAS 100 (2008), 337.
[7] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Declaration on Religious
Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 2.
[8] JOHN PAUL II, Address to Partici-
pants in the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Organization for Security and Coop-
eration in Europe (OSCE) (10 October
2003), 1: AAS 96 (2004), 111.
[9] Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical Letter
Caritas in Veritate, 11.
[10] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENI-
CAL COUNCIL, Declaration on Religious
Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 1.
[11] Cf. CICERO, De Inventione, II, 160.
[12] Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Address to Rep-
resentatives of Other Religions in the
United Kingdom (17 September 2010):
L’Osservatore Romano (18 September
2010), p. 12.
[13] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Declaration on the Relation of
the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Nostra Aetate, 2.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Super Evangelium Joannis, I, 3.
[16] Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Address to Civil
Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps
in Cyprus (4 June 2010): L’Osservatore
Romano (6 June 2010), p. 8; INTERNA-
TIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION,
The Search for Universal Ethics: A
New Look at Natural Law, Vatican City,
2009.
[17] PAUL VI, Message for the 1976 World
Day of Peace: AAS 67 (1975), 671.
[18] Ibid., p. 668

Santo Niño / B6

affected. Some would refuse to talk with
those they compete with. Snobbery
passes for virtue. The community in the
end imitates people in the secular world
who are caught up in a social order that
values only the rich, the powerful, and the
prestigious. Because such a culture harms
the Christian community, Jesus offers
an alternative social order where man is
respected not because of what he has—
prestige, money, power—but because
of what he is. His alternative, which is
God’s will for our society and community,
is the Kingdom of God. Under the rule
of God, a new set of values is provided.
And Jesus does this by setting the child
as the greatest in the Kingdom: “Whoever
makes himself lowly, becoming like a
child, is of greatest importance in that
heavenly reign” (Matt 18:4).
But why a child? The reason for this is
that a child in the Jewish culture of Jesus’
time was a social nobody. In practice,
he has no legal rights. His words do not
count. This implies that in the social
order that Jesus anticipates, which is the
Kingdom of God, one no longer thinks
in terms of social hierarchy or status.
What matters is not one’s credentials
or what he has, but what he simply
is—a child of God. St Paul puts it this
way: “There does not exist among you
Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male
or female” (Gal 3:28). What Vatican II
says is of relevance: “There remains a
true equality with regard to dignity and
the activity which is common to all the
faithful in the building up of the Body of
Christ” (Lumen gentium, 32). We know
of course that in the secular society, the
bond of the community suffers precisely
because members vie for the most
prominent place; others even destroy
each other just in order to be in that
place of prominence. Moreover, if Jesus
chooses a child as model for the society
of the future, it is because he envisages a
reversal of outlook: “Unless you change
and become like little children, you will
not enter the Kingdom of God” (Matt
18:3). Changing and becoming little
children mean the same thing here:
both refer to an abandonment of the
standards and values of the secular
world and acceptance of God’s values.
In other words, the saying involves a
change of values and a reversal in the
direction of our lives. This means, for
example, that greatness lies in one’s
being unimportant. And what the world
holds as valuable has no importance at
all before the judgment seat of God.
In practical Christian living, this
means that instead of aspiring for
one’s prominent place in the Christian
community, a Christian ought to think
in terms of what he can contribute to it.
As we saw, the community of believers is
one body, members of one another (Eph
4:25b). Such being the case, one’s behavior
always affects the whole community. If
the head, for instance, gets all the food,
and some parts do not function, the whole
body will suffer. There are two important
implications of this interconnectedness.
First, because one must think not in terms
of one’s individual concern but of the
whole body, to be a child means to serve
others, rather than one’s self: “Anyone
among you who aspires to greatness
must serve the rest, and whoever wants
to ranks first among you must serve the
needs of all” (Matt 20:26-27). It is through
serving one another that we express our
equality, and our being children in one
family of God. Second, since one ceases
to think of himself, to be a child means
self-effacement. One is able to assume the
lowest rank before the eyes of the secular
society, and accept one’s nothingness.
This is what Jesus precisely did: “Though
he was in the form of God… he emptied
himself and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men. He
was known to be of human estate, and
it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death, death
on the cross!” (Phil 2:7-8). In Jesus we
see the humiliation of God, not so much
unlike Brother Juniper who received
insults for walking naked!
Earlier, we noted that in the face of
our society that values being number
one, Jesus offers an alternative society.
In this community, there is equality of
all the members, as they are all children
of God, and there is unity, as they are
all members of one another. But what
make this possible are the service of
one another and the humiliation of each
member. Since they go together, these
two are inseparable—there is no real
service without humiliation of self, and
humiliation is meaningless unless it is
accompanied by service.

Mission / B6

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 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

TITLE: Father Jejemon

CAST: Dolphy, Cherie Gil,
Maja Salvador, Ejay Fal-
con, Roy Alvarez, Tony
Mabesa, Efren Reyes Jr.,
Nash Aguas, Roadfill,
Moymoy Palaboy and
Rhap Salazar
DIRECTOR: Frank Gray Jr.
WRITERS: Bibeth Orteza and
Rhandy Reyes PRODUC-
ER: RVQ Productions
Technical Assessment:

Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: PG 13 (For
viewers aged 13 and
below with parental guid-
ance)
MATANDA at nanghihina na
si Fr. Baby (Tony Mabesa), kura
paroko ng parokya Parm Bil.
Ang tanging kasama’t taga-alaga
sa kumbento ni Fr. Baby ay ang
kanyang kapatid na si Violeta
(Cherie Gil) at ang anak nitong
si Isabel (Maja Salvador). Bilang
paghahanda sa kanyang pagyao,
hiling ni Fr. Baby na makatulong
niya sa kaniyang parokya ang
kanyang kababatang si Fr.
Jejemon (Dolphy) pinaikling
“Jeremiah Jerome Montes.”
Tatanggihan ni Violeta (Cherie
Gil) ang pagdating ni Fr. Jejemon
sa pangambang palalayasin
nito silang mag-ina kapag wala
na ni Fr. Baby. Tatangkaaing
buwisitin ni Violeta si Fr. Jejemon
sa pag-asang lilisanin nito ang
parokya pagkat hindi ito kawili-
wili, ngunit mahinahon lang
tatanggapin ng pari ito, pati
na ang paninira sa kanya ng
asenderong si Mr. Perez o “Mr. P”
(Roy Alvarez). Bilang nagmamay-
ari ng pataniman ng kape, si Mr.
P ay popular sa mga tao sa Parm
Bil pagkat ugali nitong tumulong
sa mga nangangailangan, ngunit
“maaamoy” ni Fr. Jejemon ang
tunay na layunin ni Mr. P at
pagdududahan nito ang pagka-
malapit ng asendero sa alkalde
at hepe ng pulisya ng Parm
Bil. Pagkat tama ang kutob ni
Fr. Jejemon, takot si Mr. P na
mabunyag ang katotohan tungkol
sa kanya, kaya’t kukuntsabahin
at susuhulan ni Mr. P ang ilang
mga ina sa parokya upang
palabasing isang “pedophile” o
nang-aabuso ng mga bata si Fr.
Jejemon.
Pangunahing layunin:
magpatawa
Kapag nasa isang pelikula
si Dolphy, tinaguriang “Hari
ng Komedya” sa industriya ng
pelikula sa Pilipinas, umasa
kang hindi maaaring walang
pagtawanan. Kuwela man o
korni ang mga patawa, hinihingi
man ito ng kuwento o hindi, hindi
mawawala iyan pagkat iyan ang
pangunahing layunin ni Dolphy
sa paggawa ng pelikula: ang
magpasaya ng manunood, kahit
siya na ang pagtawanan ng mga
siyang tao at mahilig magbiro,
pero kung dapat maging siryoso,
siryoso siya, halimbawa’y kapag
kinakausap niya nang masinsinan
si Fr. Baby o kapag nagsesermon
siya. At kahit napapaligiran
na siya ng “kakuwanan” ng
mga tao, kahit siya na mismo
ang pinupuntirya nito, hindi
ito nagiging dahilan para siya
ay mainis o magalit. “Dedma”
lang, hindi siya nagtatampo sa
Diyos.
Saan nag-uugat ang lakas ni Fr.
Jejemon?
Maaaring hindi ito
sinasadyang isaad sa pelikula
ngunit maliwanag na makikita
rito ang ugat ng pagiging
panatag ni Fr. Jejemon kahit
sa harap ng panganib: ang
kanyang puso ay puso ng isang
paslit—payak, mapagtiwala sa
Diyos, walang pagkukunwari.
Nasasalamin ito sa paraan ng
kanyang pananalangin kung
saan—habang nakaluhod sa
harap ng imahen ng nakapakong
Kristo—mistula siyang isang
musmos na nakikipag-usap sa
kanyang mapagmahal na Ama.
Ikinalulungkot niya na tila
hindi siya tanggap ng mga tao
sa parokya; nangangako siya
sa Panginoon na tatanggapin
niya kahit saang parokya siya
ipadala, ngunit humihingi siya
ng palatandaan, ng liwanag,
upang matiyak kung ano ang
mali ang paggamit ni Fr. Jejemon
sa Roman collar niya—nasa
ilalim ng kuwelyo ng ordinayo
at makukulay na polo shirt. Ito
ba’y kapabayaan ng direktor at
costume designer, o tanda ng
pagiging kakaiba ni Fr. Jejemon,
o sinasabi ba ng pelikula na ang
mga tumatandang pari ay wala
nang pakialam sa katumpakan
ng pananamit nila?
Kapuna-puna rin na sa
pagkamalapit ng mga kabataan
kay Fr. Jejemon ay natural
lamang na yakap-yakapin siya
ng mga ito. Ngunit kahit isang
marilag na dalaga (Salvador)
ang yumayapos at humihilig sa
dibdib niya, kilos-pari pa din si
Fr. Jejemon, “malinis ang hipo”
ika nga, at walang malisyang
mababakas sa mukha, tunay na
“tatay ng lahat.” Sa eksenang
ito, agad naming naalala ang
pagmamahal at debosyon ni Fr.
Jejemon sa kanyang yumaong ina
na tila buhay pa kung kausapin
niya. Maaaring ang inang ito
ang kumakatawan sa Birheng
Maria sa kanyang pagka-pari,
kaya’t napapatnubayan siya nito
laban sa tukso ng laman—sino
ang makapagsasabi? Maaaring
tinutugon din ng Diyos ang
debosyon ng pari sa mahal
niyang ina, kung kaya’t hindi
rin siya nayayanig nang siya ay
nililibak na ng mga parokyano
bilang isang pedophile. Habang
namamalatak na sa tuwa ang mga
Moral Assessment
 Abhorrent
 Disturbing
 Acceptable
 Wholesome  Above average
 Exemplary  E
Title: Tanging Ina Mo Rin (Last at sinuportahan niya ang pasya
na ‘to) ng kaibigan. Kahit mabigat sa
Cast: Ai Ai delas Alas, Eugene loob ay sinamahan niya si Ina
Domingo, Marvin Agustin, sa mga paghahanda sa kanyang
Shaina Magdayao, Nikki, pagpanaw. Inayos niya ang
Carlo Aquino
paghahati-hati ng ari-arian sa
Musical Director: Jesse Los- bangko para mailipat sa mga anak
eten
Editor: Maya Ignacio at walang pataw na magmahalan,
Story and Screenplay: Mel Del magkaisa at magkasundo ang
Rosario magkakapatid. Isang kahilingan
Director: Wenn Deramas ni Ina na bago siya pumanaw
Producer: Charo Concio and ay makapiling niya ang lahat ng
Malou Santos kanyang mga anak.
Distributor: Star Cinema Pagpapatuloy sa pagwawakas
Genre: Drama/Comedy ng unang dalawang kuwento
Location: Manila angTanging Ina mo rin (last
Running Time: 110 minutes
na ‘to). Uminog ito sa tema ng
Technical Assessment:  pagkakaroon ng malubhang
Moral Assessment:  karamdaman ng bida at ang
CINEMA Rating: PG 13 pagdadala nito bilang ina.
Maganda ang naging takbo
Masaya naman sana sa buhay at pagbibigay saysay sa
ang tanging ina na si Ina a.k.a. pagwawakas ng kwento ng
Madam (Ai Ai de las Alas) sa tanging Ina. Mahusay ang
kabila ng pangungulila sa ibang pagkakadirehe ng pelikula.
anak na hindi na niya kapiling. Matagumpay na nailabas ang
Subalit napuno siya ng agam- mga kinakailangan emosyon sa
agam matapos ma-diagnose ang mga eksenang drama at patawa.
di-matiyak na karamdaman na Magaling ang mga nagsiganap
pinangangambahang malubha sa paghahatid ng mga karakter
at maaring bilang na araw ng na kanilang ginampanan. Hindi
kanyang buhay. Sumailalim sa nabigo ang pelikula sa mga
iba’t ibang pagsusuri si Ina at datihan at baguhang artista.
habang hinihintay ang resulta Bawa’t isa ay may mga tampok
ay namayani sa kanya ang na eksena at naging markadong
takot dahil sa tingin niya ay pagganap mapa-drama o
hindi siya handang iwan ang komedya. Maayos ang mga kuha
kanyang mga anak. Ipinasya ni ng kamera. Hindi masyadong
Ina na ilihim sa kanyang mga gumamit ng effects dahil di
anak ang kanyang kalagayan. naman kailangan. Maganda
May kani-kaniyang masalimuot ang disenyo ng produksyon,
na sitwasyon ang magkakapatid gayundin ang make-up. May
at ayaw niyang makadagdag pa konting sablay sa editing sa mga
sa kanilang alalahanin. Dahil pagpapalit ng eksena pero halos
sa mga problema ay madalas di nahalata. Akma ang inilapat
na namamagitan si Ina sa mga na musika lalo na sa mga sundot
pagtatalo sa loob ng bahay. Sa mga ng eksena ng pagtutog ng piyano
panahon ng ganitong ligalig ay at trumpeta ng kasambahay
di naman siya iniwan ng matalik sa pelikula. Sa kabuuan ay
niyan kaibigan na si Rowena maganda ang teknikal na aspeto
(Eugene Domingo). Di sang- at makikitaan ang mga nasa likod
ayon si Rowena sa paglilihim ni nito ng pagsisikap na makagawa
Ina sa mga anak pero iginalang ng makabuluhang panoorin.
MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi
Technical Assessment
 Poor
 Below average
 Average
xcellent
Muling ipinakita sa pelikulang
Tanging Ina mo rin (last na ‘to)
ang kadakilaan ng isang ina na
walang hinahangad kundi ang
malagay sa ayos ang mga anak.
Sa mga panahon ng pagsubok
ay nagpapakatatag ang isang
ina at humuhugot ng lakas
sa pananalangin sa Diyos, sa
pagmamahal ng mga anak at
suporta ng matapat na kaibigan.
Malinaw ang hatid na aral ng
pelikula lalo na sa mga anak na
palaging magkasundo. Bagamat
natural ang pagkakaroon ng
alitan sa pagitan ng isa’t isa,
lalo na sa mga praktikal na
kadahilanan katulad ng pera o
utang at palitan ng masasakit
na salita ay di marapat na
magkimkim ng galit at sama
ng loob para manatili ang
kapayapaan at pagmamahalan
sa tahanan. Sa halip ay unawa
at suporta ang dapat na pairalin
upang maging maayos ang
buhay. Para sa mga magulang,
may hatid na kasiyahan ang
makitang nagkakasundo ang
mga anak na may kani-kaniya
ng buhay. Gayundin naman
mas mainam ang pagiging
bukas sa bawat isa at huwag
maliitin ang kakayahan ng
mga anak na maunawaan ang
mga seryosong kalagayan lalo
na may kaugnayan sa buhay at
kalusugan sa pamilya.
Sagana sa positibong mensahe
ang pelikula bagama’t nabahiran
ito ng salungat na parating:
sa kagustuhan marahil na
magpatawa ng pelikula, naging
paulit-ulit ang pamimintas at
panlalait ng ina sa panlabas
na anyo ng mapapangasawa
ng kanyang magandang anak.
Binalewala ng pelikula ang
gintong kawikaan na di dapat
husgahan ang tao sa panlabas na
anyo kundi sa nilalaman ng puso
at sa pag-uugali nito. (Imelda
Benitez)

kritiko. Tutal, biling-bili naman
siya ng kanyang mga tagahanga
pagkat kuhang-kuha niya ang
kiliti ng masang aliw na aliw sa
slapstick at toilet humor.
Sa Fr. Jejemon, makikita mong
marami ang patawang korni at
walang kinalaman sa istorya,
na alam mong isinisingit pa rin
para lang magpatawa. Meron
ding patawang napapaloob sa
istorya pero eksaherada naman
sa haba—tulad nung eksena ng
tatlong matatandang hikain na
bumubuo ng koro—sinasayang
lang ang oras. May mga patawa
din namang sadyang nakakatawa
dahil hindi pilit at nakabase pa sa
mga totoong pangyayari, kagaya
nung “tumikim” ng alak na
pang-misa yung tatlong batang
sakristan, kaya gumewang-
gewang ang lakad nila patungong
altar at nagkandatulog pa sa
misa.
Hindi maaaring pagtawanan
Ang hindi mo pagtatawanan
ay ang pagganap ni Dolphy
bilang isang pari: dibdiban. Ang
papel ni Dolphy sa Fr. Jejemon
ay katuparan ng isang pangarap
para sa “King Of Comedy.”
Sa ilang dekada niya bilang
artista, lumabas na si Dolphy sa
kung ano-anong papel maliban
lamang sa pari. Sa Fr. Jejemon
(na ayon kay Dolphy ay huli
na niyang pagsali sa Manila
Film Festival), nagampanan
nang mahusay ni Dolphy ang
ipinipinta ng kuwentong larawan
ng isang maka-Diyos at maka-
taong pari na laging panatag
ang kalooban sa anumang
kalagayan. Ang pagiging ulirang
pari ni Fr. Jejemon ay hindi
nakasalalay sa isang uri ng di-
makabasag-pinggang panglabas
na kabanalan, hindi sa pagiging
isang santo-santito, kundi sa
pagiging isang tunay na taong
tapat sa sarili at sa Diyos.
Bagama’t pa-kuwela at
maunawain si Fr. Jejemon sa mga
kabataan, hindi siya kunsintidor;
marunong siyang manuheto
kung kinakailangan. Masayahin
kalooban ng Diyos para sa
kanya.
Kung paano siya makipag-
usap sa kanyang Ama sa langit,
ganoon ding kapayak ang
kanyang pakikipag-usap sa
kanyang inang nakabaon na sa
lupa. Ang unang-unang hinango
ni Fr. Jejemon mula sa kanyang
maleta pagdating niya sa
kanyang bagong silid-tulugan ay
isang aklat-dasalan, sinundan ng
isang naka-kuwadrong larawan
ng kanyang yumaong ina na
lagi niyang kinakau-kausap na
animo’y buhay at kasama niya
sa kuwarto.
Nagpapatawa lang ba talaga?
Hinangad lang kaya ng
pelikulang Fr. Jejemon na
magpatawa lamang, o tinangka
din kaya nitong tawagin ang
pansin ng mga nanunood sa
ilang bagay tungkol sa ating
pananampalataya, sa Simbahang
Katoliko, at sa kalagayan ng
mga pari? Maaaring tulad ng
dati, gusto lang ng pelikula
ni Dolphy na magbigay-aliw
habang nagbabahagi din ng
ilang makabuluhang aral.
Ngunit sa mga manunood na
bukas ang “ikatlong mata” at
may damdamin sa Simbahan,
mayroong mga parating ang
Fr. Jejemon na makabubuting
pagnilayan.pagkatapos ng
tawanan.
Isa na rito, bukod sa mga
nabanggit na, ay ang kalagayan
ng mga paring matatanda na’y
wala pang makahalili sa parokya.
Sino ang mangangalaga sa
kapakanan nila upang sila
ay hindi mapagsamantalahan
ng mga makapangyarihan at
halang ang kaluluwa sa kanilang
parokya? Tama ba na ang
mga kadugo ng pari ang mga
kasama niya sa kumbento? May
nagmamalasakit ba sa kanilang
kilos at pananamit upang
tiyaking wasto ang kanilang bihis
at kapita-pitagan ang kanilang
anyo? Bagama’t mukhang
malinis ang damit ng dalawang
pari sa pelikula, kapuna-punang
Buhay Parokya
utak ng paninira kay Fr. Jejemon, Look for the images of
hindi niya ipinagdiinan ang Archangel Gabriel, Holy
kanyang pagka-malinis, bagkus Bible, and Pope Benedict XVI.
ay naghahanda siyang lumisan (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
sa parokya na buo ang tiwala na
lulutang din ang katotohanan
pagdating ng panahon.
Katapatan at katapangan
Ang katapatan ni Fr. Jejemon sa
kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin
ay nababakas sa kanyang walang-
luhong pamumuhay. Nang
dumating siya sa Parokya Parm
Bil at inilagay siya ni Violeta sa
kuwartong mistulang bodega
sa kalat at dumi, masaya niyang
tinanggap iyon. Masaya niyang
ginagampanan ang kanyang
tungkulin sa kabila ng pagiging
hamak ng kanilang parokya—
wala silang magarang kumbento,
sariling man lamang sasakyan,
o makabagong mga kagamitan
na maaaring makatulong sa
kanilang Gawain. Para kay Fr.
Jejemon, ang yaman ng Parm Bil
ay ang mga parokyano—lalo na
ang mga kabataang na inaasahan
niyang magdulot ng pagbabago
sa parokyang malaon nang
pinaghaharian ng kasakiman at
sabwatan nila Mr. P, ng alkalde,
at ng hepe ng pulisya.
Kung katatawanan ang hanap
mo at ang titingnan mo lamang
ay ang mga poster ng pelikula,
mae-engganyo kang manood
ng Fr. Jejemon, at maaaring
makita mo ang hanap mong
aliw. Kung isa ka naman doon
sa mga nangalisag ang balahibo
at naglabas ng pangil dahil
sa nakita mong kabastusan sa
trailer ng pelikula, at nag-aabang
ka pa ng mga pambabastos
na lalo mo pang ikagagalit,
masisiphayo ka, pagkat ang pari
dito ay isang tapat, matapang
at mahinahong kalaban ng
kasamaan. Sa kadulu-duluhan
ng pelikula, mauunawaan ng
masusing manunood na ang Fr.
Jejemon ay isang butil ng ginto na
nababalot sa mumurahing palara.
Sana, dumami pa ang mga paring
katulad ni Fr. Jejemon. (Teresa R.
Tunay OCDS)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
C1

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

KFC: Changing the World

By Kirby Llaban
THE CFC Kids for Christ 13th
International Kids Village
(IKV) was held in Singapore
at the Singapore Expo and
Camp Sarimbun on December
18-20, 2010.
It was participated in by Kids for
Christ members from 11 countries
namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Qatar, United Kingdom, Canada, Sey-
chelles, China, Australia, Singapore,
and the Philippines. The event made
history because it was the first time
that the International Kids’ Village was
conducted outside of the Philippines.
The theme of the event was “World
Changers,” anchored on Philippians
4:13, “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.”
To become World Changers, the kids
were taught that they had to be able to
Envision, Enable, and Empower. They
were asked to “envision” a bright new
world, to train hard so as to “enable”
them to be young Christ-like leaders,
and to be “empowered” by the Holy
Spirit to do God’s will.
The first day was a formal event, ala
Oscar awards night. The kids wore
their national costumes and walked
through a red carpet to the venue.
The host country, Singapore, opened
the conference by presenting an amaz-
ing production number wherein the
different cultures in Singapore were
showcased through dances and cre-
ative videos.
The parade of delegations soon fol-
lowed and featured a sharing from a
representative of each on how he/she
can change the world. The kids then
had a good time watching the World
Changers Stage Play, wherein a family
of super heroes showed the kids how
it is to change the world by bringing
others to God, serving with the family,
saving the environment, and helping
the poor.
The first day was capped with the
presentation of awards to all the coun-
tries and Philippine regions who par-
ticipated in the Global Day of Service
(GDS) held simultaneously globally on
September 4, 2010.
Day 2 of the IKV was really exciting
for the kids as they went through the
World Changers Training Camp. There
they experienced leadership activities
that taught them about courage, com-
munication, trust, initiative, servant-
hood and faith in God. The activities
included a wall climbing activity
and all sorts of obstacle courses that
brought out the leadership qualities
in the kids and a Global Christian
Parenting Summit participated in by
KFC Coordinators and the parents of
the delegates.
The summit talk was given by Melo
Villaroman, CFC Family Ministries Di-
rector. He emphasized that parents are
the primary formators of the children
and thus it is essential that parents live
out Christ’s teachings by being good
examples and providing continuous
pastoral guidance. He also stressed
that sex education is a role that parents
should never delegate to others, espe-
cially the school since the teachers, who
may not be well-grounded on Christian
values, may well be promoting anti-
life efforts and putting sex outside the
context of marriage.
After the summit, the parents, the
Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ
serving in the Kids ministry had the
R.O.C.K. Global Summit. R.O.C.K.
stands for Reach Out Christ to Kids
and through this activity, the ROCK
volunteers had the chance to get to
know fellow servants from different
parts of the world. The key message of
the summit was to be strong in prayer,
love, and service. It concluded with a
praisefest, empowering each other to
serve God more through our young
brothers and sisters in KFC.
On the third day, the kids from Sey-
chelles led everyone in singing praise
action songs. The Kids Preach session
that followed saw four kids coming
from Singapore, United Kingdom, and
the Luzon and Mindanao regions of the
Philippines giving talks about chang-
ing the world. It was amazing how
these kids, young as they are, were able
to express their own convictions about
God in front of hundreds of people.
The last session of the conference
began with a powerful exhortation
given by Nic Escalona, the incoming
KFC International Coordinator. Nic, a
former KFC himself way back in 1993,
KFC / C3

A New
CFC Home Office held their Christmas party at the grounds of the new CFC home
in Cubao last December 17.

By Zeny Gimenez
IF we were to count our
blessings in 2010, as we are all
wont to do at the end of every
year, the purchase of CFC’s
new home in Quezon City
would be at the top of the list.
The story of how we acquired
it is the story of a dream come
true, of wondrous miracles, of
sacrifices and tears and of joys
and triumphs.
First, the Dream
It all began in 2007 when, still
reeling from the shock of the
resignation of top leaders and
the subsequent crisis spawned
by those leaders’ decision to
form their own group, we also
discovered that we had been left
saddled with a huge debt. But
we were not about to wallow in
self-pity. Instead we danced in
celebration of God’s goodness
during a festive gathering that
we called “A Time to Dance.”
On that night, the campaign for
a debt-free CFC was launched
– “One Time Big Time!” By
the January leaders conference
in Araneta only a month later,
then Executive Director Joe Tale
was able to joyfully announce
that the global community had
responded generously to the
campaign and that we had al-
ready gathered half, or about
P10 million, of the debts we
needed to pay off!
It was during that same con-
ference that Joe Yamamoto was
moved to prophesy that per-
haps the Lord was directing us
to channel that same generosity
to building our permanent CFC
home. The Araneta dome thun-
dered with the loud acclama-
tions of approval from the more
than 18,000 leaders present.
A few short months later,
when CFC was officially debt-
free, Joe Yamamoto would
wonder out loud to the lead-
ers in Mindanao whether the
campaign for a new CFC home
should be kicked off by a small
group of leaders in every region
to be called “Gideons,” pledg-
ing P50,000 each. The leaders
would respond immediately
and unexpectedly with actual
donations and pledges. The
donations were acknowledged
and received but would lie dor-
mant. After all, the actual cam-
paign was yet to be launched.
It seemed that the time was not
yet ripe for the community to
be called to rally behind such a
campaign.
The Search
But the dream would not die.
A committee of “dreamers” was
formed to quietly but actively
look into the possibilities, in-
cluding scouting around for
other promising sites, prefer-
ably already existing buildings,
since building from scratch
would involve a huge budget
that may be out of reach.
The committee met almost
weekly, each week bringing
fresh hope but also dashing
that same hope when potential
buildings, many of them seem-
Year,
A New
Home!
ingly perfect for our needs,
were snatched from right under
our noses by those who had the
ready cash to pay.
Reality Bites
It seemed we needed to first
achieve a certain level of fi-
nancial capability that would
allow us to go into any nego-
tiating table. That meant we
needed to raise the money
FIRST! Building on a vacant
lot would entail at least P200
million. The committee felt that
was too steep a figure to present
to the community, particularly
since 2009 was not such a good
financial year for most. Thus
it was agreed to set P60 mil-
lion as the fundraising goal, on
the premise that this amount
should be good enough to be
either as down payment for the
construction materials or for an
already existing building. The
prayer was that the Lord would
show the way. He did.
During the Philippine Mis-
sion meeting in January 2010, in
a totally unscripted way, one of
the leaders stood up to inquire
about the plans for a CFC home.
That simple inquiry led to one
leader pledging his donation,
followed by another, and anoth-
er. By the time the last pledge
was made, or within the space
of 30 minutes, the pledges had
amounted to P4.8 million! True
to our prayer, God had shown
the way. The campaign had its
soft launch.
The official launch would
come much later, on March 19,
2010, the feast of St. Joseph the
Carpenter, the father of Jesus.
In that one night alone, pledges
and actual donations amounted
to about P2.5 million, bringing
the total to almost P8 million.
The Dream Becomes Reality
The fundraising campaign
continued. But discouragement
set in among the committee and
the Home Office. It seemed that
things were going too slow.
Was God still listening? Was
the dream of a CFC home just a
bubble about to be burst? Why
weren’t CFC leaders sharing
the vision?
But then, seemingly from out
of the blue, an offer came. A
four-story building on a prime
location in Quezon City was for
sale, there were still no takers
and best of all, the entire build-
ing was being sold for only P50
million! This was well within
the P60 million target!
Things rapidly fell into place
after that. Suddenly, because of
the Build My House campaign,
we had the initial funds and
we could negotiate. God must
have been at the negotiating ta-
ble with us because everything
went smoothly, barring the
minor legal hitches and the time
spent for due diligence.
Finally, on September 22,
2010, the contract to purchase
was signed and CFC gave the
first down payment of P10 mil-
lion. The contract signing was
a joyous affair, with dozens of
CFC leaders and staff from the
Home Office witnessing the
event.
CFC celebrated this momen-
tous occasion with a gather-
ing at the Ultra called “Filled
with Thanksgiving…CFC Cel-
ebrates!” It seemed that the
theme of CFC for 2010 was
indeed prophetic: “Fullness
of Life in Christ,” from Colos-
sians 2:6-7: Since you have
accepted Christ Jesus as Lord,
live in union with him. Keep
your roots deep in him, build
your lives on him and become
stronger in your faith, as you
were taught. And be filled with
thanksgiving.”
True to His promise, God had
brought us to fullness and had
given us reasons to be indeed
filled with thanksgiving.
The Sacrifices and the
Miracles
The tears and the discourage-
ment have been lifted. But we
still remember, and honor, the
many sacrifices that were of-
fered so that we may be able to
achieve this dream.
The Build My House com-
mittee, led by Penny de Leon
and George Campos, and ably
assisted at the Home Office by
the female triumvirate of Mel
Laiz, Cristy Balilo and Linda
Pangilinan, worked tirelessly,
often at the expense of family
time and other commitments.
They issued memos, ran after
pledgors, tallied up deposits,
cleared confusion in bank re-
ports. Their work is not finished
but they continue to be cheerful,
knowing that as God loves the
cheerful giver, He also loves
those who toil so that the giving
may be smooth.
There are many stories of
sacrifice. There is the sister
who donated P108,000, will-
ingly letting go of a dream to
own a signature bag. There is
the laundrywoman who do-
nated her coin bank, containing
about P700 -- a small pittance
but a fortune in the eyes of the
laundrywoman who earns less
than that in a day’s work. That
she chose to give it towards the
dream of a CFC home speaks
volumes about the culture of
giving and loving that CFC
teaches and lives.
There are also the many mem-
bers of the Coops for Christ
who borrowed P50,000 from
the Coops just to be able to be
counted as Gideons, never mind
that they would have to shell
out the amortization to pay back
the loan within a year or two.
These sacrifices constitute
the little miracles of love. But
there is one miracle that stands
out. Under the terms of the
purchase contract, CFC would
have to complete at least 50% of
the total price, or P25 million, by
December 15. We were able to
generate the monthly amortiza-
tion of P5 million for October
and November, for a total of P20
million, but needed the P5 mil-
lion to complete the 50%.
By the first week of December,
we had on hand only P800,000!
How would we be able to man-
age raising the balance of P4.2
Home / C3
 C2 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011

Joe Tale, CFC Chairman

The Road To Take

IT is once again a new year. Another
chance at life. A time of new beginnings.
For this, we thank the Lord, a God who
gives us new opportunities, a God of
second, and third, and fourth and so
on, chances.
How does 2011 look to us? What new
things will it bring? How should we
respond to yet another opportunity of
starting anew? Which road, out of many
highways and byways, do we take this
new year?
The poet Robert Frost wrote a haunt-
ing poem, The Road Not Taken, which
in the last stanza reads:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverge in a wood,
and I –
I took the one less traveled by, And that
has made all the difference.
Indeed, there are decisions to make,
and we need to sincerely pray for the
Lord’s guidance as we make those de-
cisions, and be more confident that we
take the right road without any regret
of the road not taken.
Of course, our loving God also guides
us into taking u-turns when we commit
mistakes, when somehow we fail to see
or, having seen, still fail to follow His
directions. Always, if we humble our-
selves and seek His will, He will direct
us to the right path.
Thus, prayer is the best starting point
for a decision to be made. For prayer
itself is indicative of our attitude, an
attitude that recognizes that beyond
ourselves, there is God who has the
most wonderful plans for us (Jeremiah
29:11). Such attitude makes the whole
difference in everything we do. Rightly
so, the actions we take begin with our
attitude, with our outlook, with our
appreciation and our experience of the
loving hand of God in our lives.
The difference that an attitude makes
became clear again to me in the past
few weeks.
One tradition that my wife Babylou
and I observe is to go home and be with
our respective mothers during their
birthdays. I did so last November 28,
my Mom’s 92nd birthday. Of course,
my Mom is old, is now hard of hearing,
has become more and more forgetful,
has weak knees that make it difficult
for her to walk, but we praise God for
her overall good health, with no serious
ailment. And as in every visit I make,
we play a game that, for me, is a good
way to keep her mind stimulated. My
Mom used to be a teacher, is fond of
poems and still memorizes a few to this
day. I would recite an opening line, and
she would continue on and finish the
stanza, complete with feelings.
One of those she can still recite from
memory is a portion of Elegy Written
in a Country Churchyard by Thomas
Gray, a poignant stanza of which says:
Full many a gem of purest ray serene, the
dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush
unseen, and waste its sweetness in the
desert air.
After reciting the stanza, she would
invariably say, “Kalu-oy no?” (mean-
ing, “how pitiful”). She refers to people,
who because of their situations, are
hidden from the eyes of many and not
recognized for what they are and what
their full potential can bring. She could
very well refer to the poor, who are
likewise created in the image and like-
ness of God, but because of their situ-
ation, remain uneducated, unhealthy,
ignored, and thus unappreciated for
what they are deep inside and what they
can be. “Kalu-oy”, indeed, if that is all
there is to it, if it remains that way, if our
attitude just says that’s the way it is and
we cannot do anything about it.
Joe Tale exhorts the CFC Home Office personnel
during their rodeo-themed Christmas Party on
December 17.
On the other hand, in Isaiah 35, one
of the readings during Advent, an alto-
gether different attitude is expressed,
one vibrant with hope, one that points
to a new and exciting vision of renewal.
With God, one does not remain in a
sorry state, but can actually experience
a rebirth and transformation. Its open-
ing lines read:
The desert will rejoice, and the flowers
will bloom in the wastelands,
The desert will sing and shout for joy; it
will be as beautiful as the Lebanon we should take.
Mountains and as fertile as the fields of
Carmel and Sharon.
Everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, see
his greatness and power.
In the Good News Bible version,
Isaiah 35 is entitled “The Road of Holi-
ness”, and it could very well be the road
to take in 2011, and even beyond.
Let me share my personal reflec-
tions on what the prophet wrote. After
painting a vision of a world that will
experience the Lord’s splendor, power
and greatness, that even the desert will
rejoice, the next verses tell us what our
response should be, what we should do
to help make it happen:
Give strength to hands that are tired and
to knees that tremble with weakness.
Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be
strong and don’t be afraid!
God is coming to your rescue, coming to
punish your enemies.”
When we respond that way, when
we extend our hands to the poor and
weak, when we share the good news of
God’s love and the salvation He brings,
when we become channels of hope to
those in despair, Isaiah pictures to us
the miracles that will happen.
The blind will be able to see, and the deaf
will hear.
The lame will leap and dance, and those
who cannot speak will shout for joy.
Streams of water will flow through the
desert; the burning sand will become a lake,
and dry land will be filled with springs.
Where jackals used to live, marsh grass
and reeds will grow.
The prophet then describes the road
There will be a highway there, called “The
Road of Holiness.”
No sinner will ever travel that road; no
fools will mislead those who follow it.
No lions will be there; no fierce animals
will pass that way,
Those whom the Lord has rescued will
travel home by that road.
And when we faithfully take that
road, we are assured that we shall reach
our ultimate destination in the heavenly
Jerusalem.
They will reach Jerusalem with gladness,
singing and shouting for joy,
They will be happy forever, forever free
from sorrow and grief.
There it is, the road to be taken, laid
out before us by a prophet of the Lord.
Indeed, while we thank our Lord of
second chances for continuing to give
us new opportunities, we know that
this is not a forever open-ended situa-
tion that may lull us into inaction and
procrastination.
A new year should therefore spur us
into action, into a proactive responding,
into a seizing the moment mindset, an-
chored on a hopeful attitude, that our God
of new beginnings will journey with us,
will guide us, will protect us, will bless us
with miracle moments, and since he loves
us unconditionally, will never leave us.
May we therefore confidently take
the road of holiness that He is directing
us to follow.
A Blessed New Year full of Joy and
Peace to all!

Joe Yamamoto, CFC Director

THE year 2010 started well for
Couples for Christ. Even as the
community struggled with the
crisis of leadership, there were
also burgeoning signs of sure
footing. At the Leaders Confer-
ence at the Araneta Coliseum,
the clarion call was to respond
dynamically as ‘One CFC, One
Mission, One Global Army.’
This was the perfect rallying
pronouncement for a commu-
nity striving to faithfully live its
particular mandate of evangeli-
zation. It led to a series of con-
nected and mutually reinforcing
conferences and activities that,
taken as a whole, point to the in-
creasing vibrancy that animates
the rank and file of CFC.
The Family Ministries con-
tinued to demonstrate record
attendance in their conferences,
highlighting the reality that
members of the nuclear family
find the community life crucial
to their spiritual growth. CFC
gatherings were also eagerly
anticipated and participated not
only in the country but more so
abroad.
We can compare our journey
to that of riding in a car or bus,
getting in the driver’s seat, and
as driver, knowing that taking
charge involves skills and com-
petence. The driver knows that
in moving the vehicle forward,
he also needs to look at the rear
view mirror as well as the side
mirrors regularly and habitually
in order to ensure safety and
unhampered travel.
Our journey in the year that
is about to pass took us to many
leaps of faith. And so we real-
ize, as we look at our rear view
mirror, that God loves and cares
for the community enough to
guide and guard us at all turns
in this difficult road that we are
traversing. With God, nothing
happens by accident. Thus,
navigating through dangerous
and treacherous waters, we were
able to get clear of the dangers
and draw a sigh of thanksgiving
and relief.
CFC leaders who attended
the annual conference at the
Marikina Convention Center
in January 2010 excitedly rel-
ished the groundswell and call
to have a building that will be
our permanent home. Many
leaders took the leap of faith
Leaps of Faith
during that January event but
the distinction of being the very
first Gideon (the term given to
a group of CFC who pledged
at least P50,000 towards the
purchase of the CFC building)
rightfully belongs to Chito Ga-
lay of North Cotabato. Other
Mindanao leaders followed suit-
Luis Kong, James Solano, Boie
Sescon. The brothers took the
bold jump way back in Febru-
ary 2008, during the Mindanao
leaders gathering in Davao City.
They eagerly responded to the
initial call for ‘Gideons’ when
the plan to have our very own
home was just a distant dream
and huge fundraising was not
fashionable. Berto Ramos of
CFC Italy generously gave his
Gideon contribution in Febru-
ary 2010 during the CFC Europe
leaders summit in Geneva. Thus
he holds the distinction of be-
ing the first CFC international
Gideon.
Considering that, in January
2010, CFC did not even have
a specific and concrete site nor
even the substantive fund with
which to negotiate a purchase,
we took a big leap of faith!
What we had was the power
of a dream and the supreme
confidence in the Lord who
consistently bestows abundant
grace.
The leap of faith yielded im-
mediate results. By September
2010, we signed the contract to
purchase a building in Quezon
City. By December, CFC was
halfway through the payments
and looking with fullness of
hope in the next few months
to fully pay off our debt. To
date, the global family of CFC
continues to respond admirably
and generously to the rally for
our home. As 2 Corinthians 9:7
proclaims: “so let each one give
as he purposes in his heart, not
grudgingly, or of necessity, for
God loves a cheerful giver.”
Another thing to be thank-
ful for is that this is the fourth
straight year that CFC has not
incurred a deficit. Three short
years ago this month, a humble
appeal for a debt-free CFC was
called out during the “One
Time Big Time” campaign. In
spite of the economic uncertain-
ties of the time, CFC members
responded and we achieved
debt-free status, after hurdling
our biggest financial burden. We
can label the turn of event any
which way but clearly it was a
leap of faith.
Leaps of Faith have a nice ring
to it for somehow it fittingly
characterizes the journey of the
community we all love and cher-
ish so much. CFC is all of these
things - a community, a Catholic
lay movement, a holistic orga-
nization, a foundation, family
renewal, a ‘womb to tomb minis-
try’ and best of all, a way of life.
In all the steps and travels it has
taken to date and the journey it
has yet to take, CFC has its True
North set on Christ and con-
tinually takes leaps of faith with
recurring regularity. Trust in the
Lord begets the quiet confidence
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)
Our recent history brings to
mind the dark chapters of the
community that is too painful
to relive. The resignation of
top CFC leaders was unprec-
edented and triggered events
that plunged the whole com-
munity in so much uncertainties
and threatened to nearly break
us apart. The resolution was
not easy or quick. It came as a
series of purification and some
even called it a ‘purging” within
the community. We survived
through the mercy and grace of
God, whose plans are beyond
human understanding and com-
prehension.
We need to appreciate the
reality that God wants us to
release our inner baggage that
distracts us from the life and
mission that He cut out for us.
This painful event was the best
example of plunging in a leap
of faith that brought us a fresh
wind of the Holy Spirit. “For I
know the plans I have for you,”
says the Lord.” They are plans
for good and not for disaster,
plans to give you hope and a
future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
In taking that momentous
leap, CFC was given the rare
opportunity to look into itself
and go into deep soul searching
to discover the answer to: Are
we still “families in the Holy
Spirit renewing the face of the
earth”? God in His perfect time
answered us through a series
of pastoral congresses. The
congresses, and the exhaustive
discussions with the clergy
and with each other, affirmed
that indeed, we are. To top it
all, He gave us the courage to
declare that CFC is “...moved
by the Holy Spirit, one with the
Catholic Church...”
Not all leaps of faith are ver-
tical plunges. Sometimes it can
take the form of a lateral leap.
To my mind, letting go of our
former work with the poor and
embracing ANCOP is a bold
lateral leap. It is in consonance
and alignment with our two-fold
mission of Building the Church
of the Home and Building the
Church of the Poor. Contrary to
some unfounded allegations, we
did not give up our work with
the poor but rather provided a
much more aligned and well-
integrated expression of com-
munity life in ANCOP.
As if in further affirmation of
this lateral leap, our launching of
ANCOP on December 8, 2009 at
the Mall of Asia coincided with
the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception of Mary- the Star of
Evangelization and our Patron-
ess for the Work with the Poor
(as Our Lady of Banneux).
So what is in store for CFC in
the years to come? Of course,
only the good Lord knows.
However, we can venture some
enlightened reflections.
By all indications, we will see a
vibrant and dynamic community
that will fortify and strengthen
its commitment to being “Fami-
lies in the Holy Spirit renewing
the face of the Earth,” doing its
work of evangelization with
much enthusiasm and passion.
We see it involving itself in the
affairs of society, not just in the
parishes and dioceses, but truly
living out its appreciation of the
social doctrines of the Church. It
will strive to spread the bless-
ings of evangelization not only
among Filipinos but to as many
peoples, nations and territories
the Lord may lead us, at all times
adapting to languages, cultures
and changing circumstances
without compromising our
core values, culture, teachings,
identity, and oneness with the
Catholic Church.
We will see CFC touching base
with all peoples from all walks
of life, including migrants and
their families, and providing
a prayerful support and com-
munity life. In faith, we claim
abundance of material and fi-
nancial resources to field more
missionaries, not just individu-
als, but couples and families.
The vertical jumps are defi-
nitely more challenging because
they have to defy the downward
pull of gravity. Notwithstanding
these considerations, there are
important principles to keep
in mind:
1. Christ is the center of our
life and work. Keeping this
indelibly in our life and ever
before us, we are to proclaim
Christ in word and in action.
“The heart of the mission is
the heart of Jesus Christ.”
2. CFC was raised by God to be
a community of evangeliz-
ers. We are a community of
believers who, on account of
the imprint of the Holy Spirit
by way of our Baptism and
Confirmation, must faithfully
discharge the great commis-
sion we all received. We can
and must go out of our com-
fort zones but at no given time
should we get out of our zone
of strength, i.e the charism of
evangelization. If our work is
evangelization, then it stands
to reason that all our actions,
plans and activities must be
seen as expressions of our
evangelistic fervor.
3. “One CFC, One Mission, One
Global Army, One Commu-
nity.” These are key words
that broadly outline our desire
and commitment to belong to
one undivided community. To
keep it One, we must all strive
to do our share of preserving,
protecting, nurturing and
defending that oneness.
4. Core Values – Pro-God, Pro-
Life, Pro-Family and Pro-
Poor. These are core values
that must continually be cul-
tivated and nurtured daily in
our lives. Because they are
core values, every CFC mem-
ber and his family must learn
to live them out and express
them in the simplicity and
even quietness of their day-
to-day existence.
5. Vision and Mission- Constant
repetitions and reinforcements
are key and vital elements of
the life and mission of CFC
that starts with understanding
the vision and mission of the
community.
6. The principle of Unity in the
Community is expanded to
incorporate the elements of
– INTEGRATIVE, UNITIVE
AND SUBSIDIARITY.
• Unitive – The concept of
Unity and Oneness is simple
and straightforward and yet
perplexingly challenging. The
only way a community can
move forward confidently and
strongly is when the rank and
file accept and recognize that
they are all parts of a whole
and that for the whole to
work well, everyone must be
a stakeholder and contribute
to making the Oneness a real-
ity.
• Integrative – Because the com-
munity is one and whole, all
aspects of its life and work
must fit well and be integrated
into the bigger body. There
is no room for vertical silos,
parallel structures or dual/
multiple leadership struc-
tures. In CFC there is a need to
be vertically integrated to one
pastoral organization and one
pastoral structure.
• Subsidiarity – In a nutshell,
no part of CFC must be bigger
than the whole. At all levels
of the work, the principle
of subsidiarity prescribes
subordinating the part to the
whole, the individual to the
collective.
7. CFC must remain a prayer-
ful and Spiritually-rooted
community. Prayer life and
foundation of a life based
in the Word of God are sine
qua non of our Christian life.
Important in our lifelong com-
mitment and responsibility is
to continuously don and “Put
on the Full Armor of God.”
(Eph.6:11)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3 - 16, 2011
Ugnayan C3

A Corporate Executive’s
View of Servant Leadership
By Zeny Gimenez
MY assignment was to interview
Ysmael Baysa, Vice-President for
Corporate Finance of Jollibee Foods
Corporation and chapter head at
the Sta. Maria Della Strada chapter
in Quezon City. He had recently
been named CFO of the Year by the
Financial Executives Association
and the ING Group and we wanted
to feature his story.
I had originally proposed to
him a question and answer ap-
proach, via email, considering his
busy schedule and his stature. But
instead, to my very pleasant sur-
prise, he invited me to lunch.
During the lunch, another of my
expectations/misapprehensions
was debunked. I fully expected
to be interviewing someone who,
flushed with the prestige that ac-
companies any award, would talk
only about the award and why he
was chosen. It turns out brother
Ysme did not want to talk about
the award, except as a platform for
his views on servant-leadership,
on loyalty to friends, on the impor-
tance of valuing one’s roots, and
on setting priorities straight.
Ysme is not ashamed of his
roots. He grew up poor in Sariaya,
Quezon, having been orphaned
of his mother at age 4 and of his
father at age 13. Still this did not
prevent him from excelling aca-
demically, graduating as valedic-
torian from high school at the St.
Joseph Academy in Sariaya. But
poverty precluded his going to
Manila to study. Ysme says, “I was
heartbroken. I wanted to be either
a journalist or an architect and
dreamed of going to Manila but my
older siblings (I am the youngest)
sat me down and explained our
circumstances. I ended up going to
Luzonian University in Lucena and
getting a degree in BSBA, major in
Accounting.” It was 1976 and he
was 20 years old.
By May of that year, he had
found work as chief accountant at
a small company in Quezon City.
Two years later, he would be hired
by Procter & Gamble Phils, doing
various work in finance and inter-
nal audit. Within eight years from
this assignment, he would move
swiftly up the ladder, being Senior
Financial Analyst, doing work for
P & G Ohio and P& G Asia, then
Associate Finance Director for P
& G Asia Pacific Ltd, shifting his
base from Singapore to Hongkong
and to Manila.
In 2001, he became Senior Vice-
President of Union Bank and
finally in 2003, he joined Jollibee
where aside from being CFO, he is
also Head of Corporate Planning,
Financial Services, Investor Rela-
tions and Legal Division.
His roots remain important to
him. He goes to Sariaya regularly,
and is teaching his children, to love
their roots as well. He sees his
former classmates, some of whom
are farmers, OFWs and policemen,
regularly. He is involved in Sar-
iaya town activities and has been
involved, since 1998, in improving
and preserving the Sariaya Church
which is more than 300 years old.
He says, “I am so proud of the
work we are doing in the church,
especially when we see more and
more people coming to church.”
So how was he chosen as CFO
of the year? Ysme cited several
criteria used in determining the
award: financial performance
of the company (focusing on
consistency), the role played by,
or the direct impact of, the CFO
in making the financial perform-
ance consistent, and the personal
integrity of the candidate.
According to Ysme, “the CFO
plays an important role in pre-
serving the integrity of the cor-
poration. He makes sure that the
CEO is in line with the vision/
mission of the corporation. He
helps create the culture of good
governance in the corporation. In
my particular case, as head of the
Legal Division, I also handle legal
matters and I have to make sure
that all our actions and decisions
are compliant with the law.”
He cited as an example of this
culture the recent purchase of
Jollibee of the Mang Inasal chain
of restaurants. Initially apprehen-
sive about their future, the Mang
Inasal workers were pleasantly
surprised (and relieved) to learn
that Jollibee was concerned about
their welfare and was not plan-
ning any mass layoffs.
Ysme and his wife Emma have
been in CFC since 1992. “We had
our CLP in St. Joseph Church
in Hongkong and our leader
then was Chito Magsajo who, at
that time, was the head of PNB
Hongkong. Our household was
composed of 6 couples, and there
were only two Filipino couples,
with the rest being of other na-
tionalities. I learned the value of
commitment early on, ironically
from one of our members, a pilot,
who never missed a household
meeting because he would sched-
ule his flights around the prayer
meeting days. In 1993, we moved
to Singapore and there was a
small CFC community there. I
was assigned as household head
of an all-Filipino group, almost all
of them engineers employed in
the construction industry there.
By 1996, we were back in the
Philippines. We have been with
the Sta. Maria della Strada chapter
ever since.”
Ysme confessed to being a fre-
quent traveler, primarily because
his company has many businesses
abroad. Since he is in charge of
investor relations, he also has to
launch various roadshows to meet
investors. So how does he find
time for his CFC commitments?
“I try to keep things simple. Ac-
tually I don’t think about it. All
I know is that I need to give up
a lot of things. I actively chose a
way of life that does not include
cocktails, golf, and lunch and
dinner engagements. My friends
are in Sariaya, Quezon and in
CFC; that means I have chosen to
replace socialization with parish
and community activities.”
Ysme further states: “Do I feel
that I am somehow missing out on
something by choosing to reject
an active social life? No, I don’t.
I have no regrets. I enjoy my life.
I choose to go straight home from
work and have made it a point
to be home for 7 PM dinner with
Emma and our two children.
When I go on a trip, even if I can
stay longer and sightsee, I choose
to go straight home to my family.
I bring them, especially Emma,
sometimes so that Emma can see
the sights and shop while I con-
duct my business. Other people
may see it differently, but I feel ful-
filled. It all boils down to a choice.
This is my choice. Everything is
temporal so we just have to put
things on balance.”
How has being in CFC im-
pacted on his life? “Being in CFC
is so different from the corporate
world. CFC turns the world up-
side down. What one values so
much in the world is the opposite
of what CFC teaches. In the corpo-
rate world, power and authority
is the ideal. In CFC it is humility.
In the corporate world, you have
staff who serve you and cater to
you; in CFC we learn to serve. In
my work, I deal with fund manag-
ers who handle billions of dollars;
in CFC, I deal with people who
have no money even for education
and basic health care. So you see,
CFC makes both worlds fresh. It is
like night and day. I really believe
that CFC is a gift.”
I came away from the brief
lunch-interview with my own
world turned upside down and
my own view of CFC refreshed.
Ysme spoke of the word ‘integrity’
as meaning “to be whole.’ If the
basic criteria of the CFO of the
Year Award was integrity in this
particular context, then clearly
Ysme deserved to be adjudged
as such.

By Gani Rael
I recently went on mission to the
Solomon Islands, upon the prodding
of Dom Pangilinan and Denis Reyes,
members of the CFC Australia National
Council. It was a short journey of three
days but it brought me a lifetime of
joyful, inspiring and loving memories.
The venue for the weekend’s retreat
was the Don Bosco School Gymnasium.
Bill Barile, head and coordinator of
Solomon Islands, and I arrived there
at 7:30PM and the sight of the smiling
young Kristone, who would serve as
my co-missionary, was a much welcome
and joyful one. He had arrived earlier to
do the groundwork, together with the
two fulltime local YFC workers, John
and Kevin. He presented me with the
program schedule for the three-day
event. I felt that finally things were
starting to happen, in spite of our earlier
fears of low attendance and inadequate
preparations.
The retreat opened with a very pow-
erful worship session led by Bill Barile
with the YFC music ministry. The music
and the singing was so vibrant and loud
but harmonious, that when the slow
worship songs started, I just closed my
eyes and felt the Holy Spirit filling up
my whole being. I felt that I had “put
on the full armor of God” and ready to
do His work.
An Island Sojourn
As I started my first talk, “The Power
to See the Mission Clearly,” I saw the
hundreds of unfamiliar faces looking
back at me- KFCs, YFCs, SFCs, HOLDs
and SOLDs with wide and attentive
eyes. I felt humbled and honored to
be delivering God’s message. I was in
awe as well, because I knew that they
had come from far distances, taking
whatever means of transport, such as
the back of trucks, to get there. Some
even walked many kilometers. They
brought their own tents because for two
nights, they and their families would be
sleeping on the floor inside the venue.
I felt so humbled, knowing that in
Australia, many would use the excuse
of “distance” -- a 20-30 minute travel in
the comfort of their cars – not to attend
a household meeting or assembly.
Kristone informed me that majority
of the participants did not have dinner
that Friday night because the SI$20
conference fee that they paid did not
include dinner. Again, I remembered
the abundance of food that oftentimes
ended up in the rubbish bins after every
household meeting and assembly in
Australia.
On Saturday, Kristone and I arrived at
the venue at 8:30 AM. The participants
must have slept very fitfully because it
rained during the night and I learned
that they kept moving their tents from
the perimeters of the gym until they
were all concentrated in the center.
More surprises and challenges were
in store. The leader who was supposed
to deliver Talk 3 –The Power to Heal,
did not show up so Bill Barile asked
me to deliver it, with only 10 minutes
to prepare. It seemed that for this par-
ticular talk, the CFC members would be
separated from the Family Ministries.
That was the plan but apparently God’s
plan was to integrate the groups, so I
ended up delivering the talk to all. The
separation of the groups came after the
talk, when Bill decided that he and I
would recap and entertain questions
regarding the last three talks from the
couples and Kristone, John and Kevin
would do the same for the family min-
istries.
Our session with the couples be-
came the highlight of the mission. Bill
recapped the first talk and then asked
me to take charge of the proceedings. I
recapped the remaining two talks and
shared some of my life’s experiences. I
requested for volunteers to share and in
the beginning, no one wanted to stand
up. Finally one of the women did, shar-
ing that she was not even supposed to
be there but she was so glad she came
because she had all sorts of work and
personal issues at the moment and lis-
tening to the talks, she felt healed and
at peace. One by one, the participants
stood up to share and I heard a lot of
healing happening, a lot of confusion
getting cleared, a lot of recommitment
and refocusing on CFC and the mission
being confessed.
They shared how the split in CFC
affected them. One leader shared that
he almost lost his trust in God and
community because nobody seemed
to care about them. I shared my own
feelings about the split, including
having zero resources, such that our
mission fund was down to nothing. In
the end they understood and affirmed
that their decision to once again align
with the International Council was the
right one.
That night, before we went to bed,
Kristone shared his own experiences
with the family ministries, particularly
with the youth. He said it was really
providential that we chose not to sepa-
rate the participants during the Power to
Heal talk because a number of the young
people told him how they were touched
by the talk and how some questions in
their minds were answered.
Sunday, anniversary day, started with
a Mass officiated by a priest from Don
Bosco. It was the 4th Sunday of advent
and the theme of the week was “God
with Us, Emmanuel.” There was no
doubt for everyone who was there at
the Mass that God was with us in those
three days full of Spirit filled, joyful and
inspiring moments.
The anniversary program was very
simple. But the vibrancy of the worship
and the joy of the brethren made up
for the simplicity. I learned that CFC
started in SI on Immaculate Conception
Day – Dec 8, 1998 - with initially 12 cou-
ples. Today there are about 200 couples,
including some HOLD and SOLD mem-
bers and 15,000 KFCs, YFCs and SFCs.
Apparently there was a slow down and
decline in the CFC numbers especially
after the split but the ministries are still
going strong. In fact a bishop in one of
the provinces is anxious for CFC and
its ministries to go to his province and
begin the work there.
At the end of the weekend, as I was
preparing to go back to Australia, I
realized that I had come to SI with so
little to give but I was going away full
to the brim with the love and affirma-
tion from our brethren there. I looked
at John and Kevin and I felt humbled
by the extent of their commitment and
dedication to the work. Even during the
civil unrest in 2000, they proved to be
brave evangelizers, going to dangerous
places, and proclaiming God’s Word
with quiet courage. I see them carrying
on the work even when Bill and the
other leaders are gone. Truly CFC in
Solomon Islands is thriving.
No amount of sharing can fully
express the beauty of community, the
fulfillment, the empowerment and the
purest love that I experienced during
this mission trip. My prayer is that all
of you are given the opportunity to
experience it as well.

KFC / C1

We are CFC, We are from West C!
By Mike Santos
CFC West C of Metro Manila
decided to gain a headstart
for the year 2011 by conduct-
ing a teambuilding activity
for the entire sector on the
weekend of December 10 and
11. Sector Head Steve and
Minnie Maningat together
with the governance
team composed of
Cesar and Sylvia
Cruz, Joe and Letty
Francia, Chito and
Grace Dela Cruz
and Mike and Rea
Santos, opted for
the teambuilding in
order to fulfill the
sector leadership’s
goal of seeing the
sector more united,
more cohesive and
more geared up for
the work ahead.
The teambuilding activ-
ity was well attended by the
Mission Core. It was great
to see the sector coming to-
gether -- the first generation of
CFC and the new generation
(coming from Family Minis-
tries) in communion with one
another. The presence of the
young blood added vigor and
vibrancy to the event.
The event started off with a
contest ala “Amazing Race.”
Watches were synchronized and
everyone set off for the venue,
Leticia’s Garden in Calumpit, Bu-
lacan, with the aim of starting the
activity on time. The sector was
divided into several teams and
each team was given a specific
instruction. It was overwhelm-
ing to witness the Mission Core
taking part on each assignment
and assembling ahead of time.
As a result of the teamwork ex-
hibited in simply assembling all
the teams, everyone was at the
venue at 7:40 am, way ahead of
the scheduled start which was
worship at 8:00 AM.
The entire sector got the idea
right away – the learning had
begun. During this first exercise,
everyone had to consider what
was important, come up with
new ideas, add creativity and
texture and yet not disregard
the essence and objective of the
exercise.
As the weather was coopera-
tive, so were the attendees. All
were eager to get involved. It
was a revelation to see the first
generation CFCs of the sector
actively sharing their wisdom,
experiences and sweating it out
at the same time. The first day
was not yet over but everyone felt
the intensity and renewed drive
to be counted.
The evening of the first day
featured a Lord’s Day celebration
that was solemn, in contrast with
the day’s noisy and sometimes
chaotic activity. Sumptuous food
was prepared to also celebrate
the sector’s Christmas party.
All came in wearing unique
hats as the night’s theme was
“Hats Galore.”
The second and final day
started with a Eucharistic
celebration. All were in high
spirits for the next activity.
The venue was again filled
with noise and chaos as one
and all tried to outdo
each other trying to
finish the assigned
task ahead of the oth-
ers. Joe Tale, CFC
Chairman and Metro
Manila Mission Direc-
tor, delivered the clos-
ing remarks, inspiring
and reminding every-
one of their commit-
ment to God and to
the community.
At the end of the
teambuilding activ-
ity, all were in agree-
ment. The sector is ready
to Learn, Un-Learn and Re-
Learn. The first generation of
CFC members and the young
bloods were one in mind and
purpose. We have chosen
this road… the road to holi-
ness. We will travel together
as one.
We are CFC! We are from
West C!
told the kids present that, “the
greatest gift that my parents has
given me is Kids for Christ.” He
asked the kids to remember the
letters W and C so that they can
be reminded of the statement,
“With Christ, We Can be World
Changers.”
The kids responded by writ-
ing on a hand-shaped paper,
the five things they will do to
change the world for Jesus.
The session ended with a pray-
over session, exhorting God
to strengthen the family, and
to commission them as world
changers, renewing the face of
the earth.
The closing ceremonies fea-
tured a surprise farewell video
and a song and dance number
prepared by CFC Singapore.
The IKV ended with an award-
ing of winners for the differ-
ent talent competitions and a
Home / C1
million in order to meet the
deadline? By faith we trusted
and in faith we moved. Calls
went out to the leaders. Prayers
were said in many household
prayer meetings everywhere.
On the morning of December
15, the miracle happened. The
donation that would complete
the P5 million came in, just in
time. That God engineered the
miracle was obvious – the tim-
ing was perfect and the amount
was just right, no more, no less.
This was the perfect affirmation
powerful praise and worship,
kids style!
The first and last day’s Masses
were officiated by CFC Singa-
pore’s Spiritual Director, Fr.
Stephen Yim, while the Mass on
the second day was celebrated
by Fr. Damian de Wind. Concel-
ebrating at all the Masses were
Fr. Matthew Zhen, Fr. Bao Jing
po, Fr. Joseph Guo, Fr. Song
Zhanping, all from China and
Fr. Christian Benedict Guerra
from Aklan, Philippines.
To change the world, where
there is war, global warming,
poverty, immorality and greed
may seem an impossible task.
But there is hope because the
kids will be changing the world
with and for Jesus. A generation
of World Changers will rise, fully
convicted that with God, nothing
is impossible. Yes, With Christ,
We Can be World Changers.
that truly God was guiding our
every move, blessing every
decision, and confirming the
dream.
Within the first quarter of
2011, when we are called to “Put
on the Full Armor of God,” and
to gird ourselves for the mas-
sive work that still lies ahead,
we will be doing so from the
confines of our very own home
– at our new CFC building on
20th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon
City. What a marvelous God
we serve!
 C4 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 1
January 3- 16, 2011

Indonesia is Filled with Christ

By Manny Mercado
WITH only 24 days to go before the
scheduled conference, our household
accepted God’s calling to be the service
team of the Fullness in Christ Weekend
Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. We
simply surrendered everything to
God and everything simply fell into
place. The unbelievable speed and
cohesiveness that followed during
the preparation -- from venue choice,
vocals and instruments for the music
ministry, availability of funds and
speakers and translators for non-
Bahasa Indonesia speakers to the sub-
titling of the videos in Bahasa -- was
proof to us of God’s providence.
On the conference day itself, we
gathered in prayer and asked God to
renew us all in faith and service and
to allow this conference to touch all of
CFC Indonesia who were coming in
from the different provinces to attend
the conference. Little did we know that
with simple prayer, we would get more
than we asked for!
The speakers were topnotch and
Spirit-filled as they powerfully shared
God’s message to all.
Jojo Apolo gave the first talk on “Ac-
cepting the Call.” He shared an “Aha!
experience” in 2000 when, while attend-
ing a CFC Leaders Training in Manila,
he was unexpectedly asked to share in
front of 5,000 leaders. It was then he
realized the great privilege of serving
God and right there and then, declared
his commitment to serving God in Indo-
nesia instead of accepting an offer from
a multinational company to come home
to the Philippines. Ten (10) years hence,
the tangible blessings for everyone to
witness were his five children: Gabby,
21, Carissa, 20, Patricia, 18, Michael,
16, and JC, 14, all willing to serve the
Lord with him as well. The siblings
presented a creative dance during the
conference.
Jimmy Santiago, Country Head of
CFC Indonesia, spoke of being “One
and Rooted in Christ.” He reflected on
John 15:5 “ I am the vine and you are the
branches ...” and admonished everyone
to be rooted in Christ by being faithful
to prayer time and Bible reflection, by
having devotions and frequently avail-
ing of the sacraments.
Jun Uriarte, CFC Regional Coordina-
tor for Southeast Asia and member of
the CFC Board of Elders, talked about
“Journey in Faith.” He shared his story
of seeing an “ordinary” bank employee
travel every weekend from the province
to Manila to facilitate their CLP group
discussions and how this sacrifice
melted the hearts of the participants,
all of them executives and members of
high society, who eventually became
attuned to God’s calling and spirit.
This unselfish act of his facilitator led
to Jun’s completing the CLP and ac-
cepting service in various countries and
areas: Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia,
Myanmar, Laos and even in the govern-
ment, when he became Secretary of the
Department of Science and Technology.
It was during his stint as department
secretary that one of the most significant
and strategic CLP’s was conducted – it
was attended by congressmen and sen-
ior cabinet members of the Philippine
government!
Jun shared that his amazing journey
continues as he is bidding farewell to
Indonesia for the third time because his
stint as Executive Director of the Asean
Foundation is ending. With faith Jun
declared: “We come back to the Philip-
pines jobless, but with the knowledge
that God has something new for our
journey in faith!”
Bonnie shared and wowed the crowd
with his stories and journey in faith. He
shared how he and the entire service
team cried after none of the participants
in a CLP that they faithfully served
signed the covenant. But Bonnie was
undeterred. Declaring that zero is not
a negative result, he and his team con-
ducted another CLP in Central Java and
got over a hundred participants!
Ricky Cuenca, President and CEO
of the CFC ANCOP Tekton Founda-
tion, gave the final talk on “Filled with
Thankgiving” as he enthusiastically
shared his numerous experiences in
opening up new countries in South
Africa, armed only with faith. He
recounted how every fruitful harvest
from one CLP led to doors opening to
another country, and another, and an-
other. He called Gunawan and Theresia,
CFC Indonesia National Director, to
model couple honoring and to lead the
whole community in singing a popular
Indonesian unity song: “Kemesraan” as
each one hugged and gave thanksgiving
for each other.
The one-day activity was indeed a
fun, inspiring and spirit filled event.
My wife and I may have been physi-
cally tired, but we were both spiritually
fulfilled.
The following day, Joe Tale, CFC
Chairman, attended the planning ses-
sion of CFC Indonesia. He spoke of
the strong message from the Lord of
“a new springtime of evangelization, a
new beginning and bountiful harvest to
come” and encouraged all the leaders to
be joyful and continue to be rooted in
Christ. (with Jojo Apolo)

East B Sector Celebrate 25th Anniversary
COUPLES for Christ East B Sector gathered in the
evening of Sunday, December 12, at the Marikina
Convention Center to celebrate 25 years of evan-
gelization in Metro Manila East, covering the areas
of Antipolo, Marikina, San Mateo, and Rodriguez
(Montalban).
About a thousand-strong crowd of enthusiastic
members coming from the sector’s seven clusters,
composed of 27 chapters filled the venue for a Spir-
it-filled night of celebration. International Council
members Joe and Babylou Tale, Joe and Mila Ya-
mamoto, and Manny and Ditas Garcia graced the
occasion and delivered inspiring messages.
The festivities started with the Eucharistic
celebration presided by Monsignor Rigoberto
De Guzman of the Archdiocese of Antipolo. His
CFC Anniversaries
homily was a simple reminder for the faithful to
be wary of the hustle and bustle of the season,
and instead to take time to reflect on the coming
of the Savior.
The sector was entertained over dinner by guest
singers from the HOLD Ministry as well as by
Marikina’s doctor vice-mayor, Fabian Cadiz. The
program proper then kicked off with the evening’s
hosts, Jun and Zeny Farcon, introducing song-
dance tableaus performed by the different clusters
to chronicle the history of the sector’s CFC service
during the past 25 years.
The final number was a very touching song
“Seasons of Love” that paid tribute to the deceased
members who actively served in the sector during
their lifetime.
CFC North A Goes Silver
By North A
IN 1985, the first CLP in
Novaliches opened in Amparo
Village, Caloocan City North
and graduated 37 couples. In
November 2010, CFC North A
marked its 25th anniversary with
the theme ─ From Silver to Gold:
Our Journey of Faith Continues.
It was a month-long celebra-
tion as the sector lined up four
major activities to celebrate this
significant milestone – a bowling
tournament on November 21, a
showcase of musical talents on
November 28, a Silver Ball on
December 10 and a Family Day
on December 12. chant competition and variety all the activities and challenged
The Silver Ball (Gabi ng shows of the family ministries everybody to stay the course in
Parangal) was held at the social as well as special presentations the journey of faith.
hall of the Sugar Regulatory Ad- of the winners of the musical After the praise parade that
ministration, Quezon City. CFC competitions. featured the participants dressed
Chairman Joe and wife Babylou F. Abe Bermundo, SOLT, of in international costumes, it was
Tale and IC member Melo Vil- the Holy Cross Parish, celebrated time for the praisefest, raffle
laroman, with wife Nini, graced the Mass. In his homily, Fr. Abe draws, and the announcement of
the occasion. Melo and Nini articulated his own thoughts on winners of the Cheering Chant,
were among the night’s hono- CFC’s nature as being of Christ Best in Costume, Foodfest, and
rees, having finished their CLP in and for Christ. He commended Praise Parade competitions.
1989 in the Novaliches area. the community for having the The support and participation
The ultimate event of the an- patience and perseverance over of everyone in the sector in all
niversary celebrations was the a quarter of a century in continu- the activities together with the
Family Day at Bagumbong High ing its service. sponsors emboldened everyone
School. A motorcade of the dif- North A Sector Head Senen to proclaim that they are now
ferent clusters from their respec- Reyes thanked the sector mem- aiming for Gold in 2035, when
tive mission areas kicked off the bers for their overwhelming CFC North A will be vibrantly
day, followed by the cheering presence and untiring effort in alive, kicking, and serving!

Zambales Gives Sydney Bishop Lauds CFC

Thanks
By Benedict Landicho
COUPLES for Christ Zambales celebrated their 21st anniversary
last December 4 at the SBECC convention hall.
The anniversary celebration began with Holy Mass officiated by
By Josie Pangilinan enumerated CFC’s Vatican Stat-
utes as approved in 2005 and
THE Most Rev. Julian Porteous, noted the method of electing the
Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, elders and leaders internation-
included Couples for Christ in ally, as well as the criteria for
his new book, “A New Wine general membership. The recent
and Fresh Skins, Ecclesial challenges to CFC did not escape
Movements in Australia.” the bishop’s research. He notes:

MCG Toronto
Msgr. Crisostomo Cacho, VG who congratulated CFC Zambales for His research on CFC focused “More recently there has been a
another victorious year for the Lord. on how CFC originated in Ma- split in the leadership of the CFC,
The Youth for Christ kicked off the celebration with an energetic nila and evolved resulting in

Christmas Celebration
and colorful ati- atihan presentation followed by a musical play pre- as a major move- two sepa-
sented by the Servants of the Lord. The Kids for Christ sang carols ment, now ac- rate groups
and performed in a hilarious yet heartwarming skit. tive in about 124 b e i n g
The anniversary had for its theme the Philippine fiesta and so countries. On formed…
everyone was dressed in native costumes. In keeping with tradition, page 97 of his m o v e - By Rico Tingin
the “Karakol,” a parade in honor of patron saints was held. book, the bish- ments with
Romy Alfaro, Provincial Area Head, announced the new line up op wrote: “The these expe-
of CFC leaders from the Council to the Chapters. Nonong Ignacio Philippine-based riences in THE CFC-Toronto Mission Core Group (MCG) gathered in
Central Luzon Regional Head, gave an inspirational message and community, Cou- their past December for a simple yet memorable Christmas celebration.
exhorted the leaders to always be mission ready, saying: “We have a ples for Christ, have now What is different from this year’s celebration was the simplicity in
great challenge but we have great anointed leaders, who will always has a mission to developed everything that we did together. And yet, everybody went home
say, yes, Lord, I will be there for you.” married couples CFC Australia leaders Dom Pangilinan better sys- happy, satisfied and understood the real meaning of Christmas.
at its very heart. (left) and Denis Reyes visited Bishop t e m s o f A call was made prior to the celebration to do away with the tra-
Porteous and were given autographed
It sees its primary copies of his new book. govern- ditional gift-giving and, instead, channel the money into sponsoring
role as being in- ance.” children through our ANCOP CS program. The target was to simply
tended for the renewal and The author concluded that continue sponsoring the three children MCG managed to sponsor
strengthening of Christian lay communities “witness to the from the money raised in last year’s Christmas party. Jong Amante,
family life… CFC offers pro- beauty of the Christian life, are at the beginning of the celebration, challenged everybody to gener-
grammes for couples with the works of the Holy Spirit and are ously respond and to do the same in their respective families.
purpose of building up Chris- movements at the heart of the The MCG members responded to the challenge such that, by the
tian family life… Couples are Church… one of the ‘surprises’ end of the night, enough money had been raised to sponsor not
renewed and strengthened. of the Spirit and extraordinary three but four children!
Strong faithful couples make action of God in our time…” The MCG also gleefully feasted on a very simple meal this year
strong secure families, which Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, in response to our elders’ call to be one with the poor. Instead of
will make Spirit-filled parishes President of the Pontifical the different varieties and excessive leftovers from prior years, we
that will serve society.” Council for the Laity, wrote the just had pancit (noodles) and sandwiches.
Further down, the bishop introduction to the book. The celebration was capped by singing of Christmas carols from
the various sectors, ministries and regions.