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Ignorance of faith risks creating cafeteria Catholics, pope says

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May the witness of these new saints speak today to the whole Church

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

Philpost issues Calungsod stamps

A LIMITED edition of Calungsod stamps was issued in honor of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod. The Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) launched the postage stamp at the historic EDSA Shrine on October 21, coinciding with the canonization of Calungsod in Rome. The single stamp design illustrates Calungsod holding a palm leaf on his left hand and his right hand at the chest signifying his deep Catholic faith. Also within the stamp is an image of the
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Filipinos celebrate new saint

By Aaron James Veloso and Nirvaana Ella Delacruz

October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

Php 20.00

ROMEThousands of Filipinos gathered in Rome to witness what they consider as a once in a lifetime experiencethe canonization of the Philippines new saint.
In a solemn canonization rite at the St. Peters Square in Vatican City on World Mission Sunday, Aug. 21, Pope Benedict XVI declared seven new saints of the Catholic Church including Pedro Calungsod. Waving Philippine flags, the Filipinos erupted in cheers and applause as the pope canonized the second saint of the Philippines, Asias largest predominantly Catholic country. In his homily during the canonization Mass, the pope praised the heroic courage and tenacious profession of faith of Calungsod, a young missionary martyred over 340 years ago. The pontiff went further

2nd honor During the canonization, the image of Calungsod was hanged third from the right at the balcony of St. Peters Basilica. Vice-Postulator for the Can-

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A pilgrim waves a Philippine flag during the canonization of Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, attended by thousands of Filipinos from different parts of the world at the St. Peters Square in Vatican City, October 21, 2012.

Bishop bares anomalies in Malampaya funds

A CATHOLIC bishop wants the government to hold accountable the people behind the alleged misuse of the proceeds from Malampaya Gas Project off Palawan. Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo claimed that certain powerful politicians were behind the anomaly, and therefore need to be punished for causing pain to the society. The money just went to corruption practically, Arigo said in a press conference in Manila on Tuesday. The bishop called on the Office of the Ombudsman to file appropriate charges over the questionable use of P2.3 billion based on the report of the Commission on Audit (COA). Arigo also asked the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to conduct an investigation on how the hefty funds released to the provincial government of Palawan are being utilized. He said former President Gloria Arroyo, then Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, former Palawan Rep. Abaraham Kahlil Mitra, who is now governor, are some personalities that should be investigated. He said the alleged irregularity also involved around 10 ranking officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Palawan. According to him, Arroyo and other Palawan provincial officials that conspired to constitute the Interim Sharing Agreement in 2009 must be held accountable. Definitely they should be held accountable because the interim sharing agreement between the provincial and national governments was created to use the money of Malampaya for their own, he said. Based on the two COA reports, malpractices proliferated in Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo (left) with Mika Ortega, a daughter of slain broadcaster and environmentalist Dr. Gerry the bidding of projects Ortega, answers questions from the media during a press involving P1.782 bil- conference in Manila, 23 October 2012. lion and P520 million, which were sourced from the Malam- the national government will split portions of the money from the Philippaya funds. He said that while the COA report af- pines largest natural gas development firms their long-standing call of irregulari- project. Even Arroyo herself said at that time ties in the use of the funds, they are not yet satisfied with the recommendation of im- that Palawan will soon be the richest posing simple administrative charges. province of the Philippines. Others said Even those accused in the misuse of Palawan will be like Singapore and this P355 million funds of the PCSO (Philip- is what happened a big letdown, pine Charity Sweepstakes Office) were said Arigo. The church official also believed that charged with plunder, he said. This Malampaya really has basis to be a the anomaly has something to do with the killing of environmentalist and plunder case. Arigo said he believes that the sup- hard-hitting broadcast journalist Gerry posed misuse of the Malampaya funds Ortega in 2011. It was being done secretly. It was brought huge disappointment to the Palawaneos since it initially held a lot only because of the exposes of Dr. Gerry Ortega that it was made known to the of promise. Under the agreement, Palawan and public, he said. (RL/CBCPNews)
Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia

Pope appoints Tagle as cardinal

POPE Benedict XVI has appointed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle as the Catholic Churchs newest cardinal. The pontiff elevated Tagle, head of the Philippines largest archdiocese, to the College of Cardinals along with 5 other archbishops from different countries. He will now be the countrys seventh cardinal joining the line of retired Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu. Other Filipino cardinals who already passed away include Rufino Cardinal Santos, Julio Cardinal Rosales, Jaime Cardinal Sin and Jose Cardinal Sanchez. At 55, Tagle will be the worlds youngest cardinal. The oldest living cardinal, following the death of Cardinal Mayer in 2010, is Ersilio Tonini, 98, the Archbishop Emeritus of RavennaCervia. Tagle along with other Filipino bishops is currently in Rome for the ongoing Synod of Bishops for New Evangelization. A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle

official in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking just below the Pope and appointed by him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. The duties of the cardinals are to atCardinal / A7

Youth merge marketing, new media to spotlight Saint Pedro Calungsod

be in the world and upload them to a special page on Facebook. People can also track him with geo-mapping or follow his journey to sainthood on www.sanpedrocalungsod.com The idea comes fr om a sp ec ia l team of young people who work on the New Media Committee of the communications office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. In a YouthPinoy! interview, New Media Committee head Eilleen Esteban explained how Pedrito is meant to adapt the very Pinoy culture of picture-picture by having Pedrito meet pilgrims, have his picture taken with them and post them on social media as part of a geo-tagging tracking of his whereabouts. Being true to St. Pedros quality of
Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia

Priest urges justice for Boracay Atis

MILF assures religious freedom in Bangsamoro

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has assured respect for non-Muslims in the soon to be created Bangsamoro government that they can even put up a piggery. Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said that respect for those with other religions is guaranteed in the new political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). He said that even political rights of Christians and other non-Muslim Bangsamoro constituents will be upheld and will remain protected.
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Photo courtesy of CBCP ECIP

Ati children celebrate Indigenous Peoples Sunday with songs and dances. The Atis of Boracay continue their struggle against displacement from their ancestral land due to aggressive development.

A CATHOLIC Priest has urged the faithful to listen to the Boracay Ati Tribes cry for justice. Boracay parish priest Fr. Arnaldo Crisostomo said that the Atis struggle to reclaim their ancestral land is also a struggle to regain their identity and

dignity as a people. He said the Atis struggle is a fight not only for them but for the rights of all indigenous peoples, to assert the values of their faith and culture, and a cause to promote the integrity of creation.
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MOVE over Flat Stanley, theres a new kid in town. His name is Pedrito and his goal is to reach the four corners of the Earth, helping people learn about the Catholic faith and get closer to God. Pedrito, of course, is a doll-version of Saint Pedro Calungsod, a Filipino teen catechist killed in Guam in the 17th century. People who have purchased the limited-edition of the small doll (its a little more than one-foot tall) are asked to take photos of him wherever he may

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Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia

Photos by Fr. Joriz Calsa, SDB

when he recalled the life of Calungsod in the Marianas mission. His desire to win souls for Christ made him resolute in accepting martyrdom, Benedict XVI said. Key in the pontiffs exhortation on the young martyr is the special circumstances of his deaththat he could have decided to leave Jesuit missionary Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores, but decided to stay on. Making an appeal to Filipinos, he said, May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the kingdom bravely and to win souls for God. Benedict XVI also praised Calungsod and the other new saints, for their heroic courage, (spending) their lives in total consecration to the Lord and generous service of their brethren.

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DENVER, Colo., Oct. 19, 2012 Some 40 Soviet propaganda posters against Christianity will soon be displayed at Denvers Catholic cathedral as part of an exhibit dedicated to religious liberty. These posters remind us that societies can turn very deadly when you have a kind of radical secularism which manifests in an anti-Christian attitude you see it in all its ugliness through the lens of these posters, Father Doug Grandon told CNA Oct. 17. The posters displayed at the cathedral are part of the collection of Fr. Grandon, parochial vicar at St. Thomas More parish in Centennial, Colo. The October 1917 revolution in Russia led to the atheistic, communist government of the Soviet Union which hoped to eradicate religion, and in particular the Catholic Church, from its empire. To do this, the government produced thousands of different propaganda posters which denigrated Christianity and which the Soviet Central Committee described in 1931 as a powerful tool in the reconstruction of the individual,

World News
his ideology, his way of life, his economic activity. Between 1919 and 1922, 7.5 million of these posters were distributed in the Soviet Union. As many as 250,000 copies of a given poster could be made in the 1930s. The propaganda posters continued to be made through 1983. The posters showing the Bolshevik worldview fall into three basic categories: icons of the worker, women, and the enemy. The Soviet government also produced antireligious cartoons and postcards. The posters contain such imagery as Lenin sweeping clergy from the earth, hypocritical priests, and Christians as sheep being fleeced by their priests. A poster from 1965 shows a young woman throwing out her icons while she watches a satellite in space on television. The poster says, the bright light of science has proven there is no God. Fr. Grandon first encountered the posters at a flea market in Moscow in 1999. When I first saw them I was fascinated by the blatant and ugly attack on religion that the posters represented, he recalled. He believes the posters are important for Coloradans to see because they give us a warning that this could happen again. Where you have a disrespect for the freedom of religion, a rampant kind of secularism, this could happen again. If we forget these horrific historical examples, and if we become lethargic in our political involvement, our prayers, in our practice of religion, our culture could be lost. It could happen even here. The communist government of the Soviet Union suppressed the Russian Orthodox Church and appropriated control over its institutions in 1917, killing over 1,200 clergy and 12,000 laymen in the process. Fr. Grandon reported that many remaining clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church became informants for the KGB. The Russian Orthodox Church was allowed to operate openly again in 1945. The Catholic Church was attacked in 1923, and by the end of the decade it had virtually disappeared from the U.S.S.R. In 1946, all property of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and that Church was not allowed to operate again until 1989. Fr. Grandon described Soviet religious persecution as not just on religion, but an attack on the human spirit, freedom, capitalism, human aspirations. It really did destroy the human spirit of the average Russian. He noted that even today, very few Russians practice any religion, and the country suffers from alcoholism, divorce, and devastating abortion rates. Communism really was devastating to the human soul, and theyre still experiencing the consequences of that, said Fr. Grandon. Fr. Grandon is on the board of the Mary Mother of God Mission Society, which works to revive the Catholic Church in Far Eastern Russia. Protect Freedom of Religion will be exhibited at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 in the evening, and on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. until noon. It is being presented by the Denver archdioceses Office of Social Ministry. (CNA)

CBCP Monitor
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

Soviet propaganda posters show importance of religious freedom

Gift of personal Bible inspires students

MENDOZA HEIGHTS, Minn., Oct. 20, 2012Freshmen at Visitation School in Mendota Heights received a special gift from the religion department on the second day of the school year: their own Bibles. The gift-giving ceremony that took place in the monastery chapel is part of an initiative begun six years ago to encourage more robust Scripture study. The Bibles are intended for their four years of high school and beyond. Each freshman received a third edition of the Catholic Youth Bible published by St. Marys Press, which is sprinkled with vignettes that personalize Scripture passages, as edited by Catherine Cory, an associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas. Their study is informed by material from local Catholic Jeff Cavins, a national Bible expert, and well timed as Visitations religion program inaugurates the new curriculum designed by the U.S. bishops. Received with gratitude It was the first Bible Stephanie Puma, 14, a member of Holy Rosary in south Minneapolis, had ever been given. Its really special to me, she said. Now, whenever I feel sad, I can look at the word of God and be comforted. Having these Bibles is going to be a great gift for us, added classmate Anna Evans, 15, a member of St. Joseph in West St. Paul. I really like the Psalms, especially Psalm 139I praise you, God, that I am wonderfully, fearfully made. Those words are a source of encouragement for any teenager struggling with self acceptance, Evans added. Colleen Scallen, 15, who belongs to Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, said shes looking forward to digging deeper into Scripture, especially after attending a predominantly Baptist summer camp where she was reminded of how well-versed Protestants tend to be with the Bible. The Bible is way more important than a textbook because it shows us examples of how to live, Scallen said. Catholics may not be as adept at citing verse and chapter, said religion teacher Mary McClure, but shes teaching her students to recognize patterns. For instance, if theyre seeking Scripture about the Virgin Mary, they should turn to the Gospel of Luke. A solid foundation The Bibles were presented to the freshmen by Sister Jane de Chantal Smisek and Sister Mary Paula McCarthy, who gave the students handwritten cards with various passages about the power of Scripture, such as Psalm 119:
www.catholicnewsagency.com

Religious freedom threatened all over Asia

ROME, Italy, Oct. 17, 2012A new Catholic report on minority religious freedom in Asia said persecution of Christians continued or worsened in many countries in Asia last year. Issued yesterday in Rome by Aid to the Church in Need, a Vatican foundation charged with helping Catholics in poorer countries spread the faith, the report singled out a terrible year for Pakistan following the killings of two top politicians, Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti, who opposed strict blasphemy laws. China saw tremendous violations of religious freedom, it added, while Vietnam looked to be following its northern neighbor by promoting patriotic religious groups in opposition to the Church. Myanmar was seen as making little headway towards tolerance of minority religions despite its recent political reforms, while in North Korea religious freedom continued to be totally denied. Meanwhile, India witnessed growing enforcement of anti-conversion laws which coincided with a rise in attacks against minorities, the report said. Speaking at the Rome launch yesterday, John Dayal, secretary-general of the All India Christian Council, said the recent rapid rise of extremist Hindu groups in opposition to what they perceive as an Islamic threat was the main factor behind worsening religious persecution during 2011. India is in a state of denial, he said. It refuses to acknowledge that there is such violence taking place. With the lowest group in Indias now-discredited caste system now comprising 60 percent Christians, the possibility that untouchables could unite under Christianity and pose a threat to the politics of the upper castes had prompted authorities to slowly strip away their right to choose a religious faith, said Dayal. Elsewhere, attacks by Muslims on Christians continued in the southern Philippines last year, according to the Aid to the Church in Need report, while in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka intolerance between different religions was noted on numerous occasions. Thailand was seen as one of the few bright spots as one of the first countries in Asia to make progress in interreligious dialogue, it said. (UCAN)

105: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. Sister Jane de Chantal said she was pleased by the students response to the gift. They are darling girls and eager to have their own Bibles. Their hearts are in it, and at this stage, when their lives are really beginning, you need a foundation, she said. The soft-spoken nun elaborated on the role of the Bible. Scripture study is the basis of our religious belief, she said. We know we got it directly from the source, and I believe in going to the source. Scallen said she was struck by Sister Jane de Chantals message when she presented the gift. She gave me the Bible and smiled at me and said: Youd be surprised by how smart God is. You should go to him for everything, little or big. (The Catholic Spirit/CNA)

Vatican Briefing
Pope commemorates World Food Day

House of the Angel, Catholics helping those with psychic disorders

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 19, 2012For the majority of Indonesians, mental illness is still a stigma, a social disgrace, a problem to be kept hidden at home, in a cage or in a clinic which, in reality, is more like a prison. Schizophrenia, depression, and disorders resulting from abandonment lead the subject to a progressive alienation from family, work, and everyday life, which is then transformed into deprivation, lack of feelings and ties, abandonment. Struck by the extent of the problem, which even the government purposely ignores, a Catholic woman with some medical training has decided to open a House of Angel, which has now also become a foundation. A place where people with mental disorders, psychiatric illnesses or abandoned to their fate, with no one willing to take care of them, can find shelter, a bed, a hot meal restore their strength. According to an unofficial reportin this area the numbers remain uncertainfrom April 2009, in Indonesia the people with disorders or mental illness were more than six million, or about 3% of the total. A number that surely has grown since then, just as the population has grown, passing from 200 to the current 250 million. For Dr. Surjo Dharmono, a specialist in psychiatry at a hospital in central Jakarta, the number of people with problems has surpassed six million. The majority of the cases are to be found in the big cities; stress, social tensions, traffic, crime, unemployment and lack of green spaces and public services are critical factors that increase the risk of psycherelated diseases. The psychiatrist confirms that in the capital and in nearby Bogor, more than 30% of his patients suffer from mental disorders, which often are not even diagnosed due to the lack of adequate controls. Under the provisions of the 1945 Constitution, the state has the responsibility to care for the needy, including the poor, the marginalized and those with mental disorders. However, the reality is quite different: the cultural heritage, social problems and the lack of adequate facilities deprive patients of treatment and care. And in many cases, to this marginalization are added violence and abuse, better known as pasung in Indonesian. This practicecommon in villages and poor areasinvolves confining the patient in a kind of bamboo cage, with their ankles tied. To respond to the crisis, private citizens have started centers or institutions that take care of people with mental health problems. Among them is the Catholic Dorothea Angelic Dolly Pudjowati, originally from Purwokerto, central Java, with medical studiesthough she never graduatedand a long experience in social work behind her. Shes grown to become the example of how the Church and its social doctrine can find practical application in helping ones neighbor. At first she helped the homeless, providing them with shelter and food. In 2008 she formed a group with whom she founded the house of grace, opening the door to poor and marginalized people. The parish of St. Anthony started a project to assist the homeless in East Jakarta, focusing on those who had psychiatric disorders, who were then conveyed to a counseling center called House of Love; at the same time, in a mobile clinic she offered free consultations. Those who have received aid and assistance have defined the work of the Catholic volunteer holy speeches without words. Her most ambitious project found fulfillment in 2009, with the birth of the House of Angel and of the the foundation of the same name, in the district of Bekasi, about thirty miles east of Jakarta. According to the philosophy of seek and find, the center doesnt expected the sick or those in need to seek help; the activists are the ones who travel the streets, among families or in meeting points such as public parks, train or bus stations, looking for people in need of assistance and help. Like the first patient Dorothea took care of in 2008, named Ucok, found in a state of confusion on board a large truck at the depot station. I want to help those in need of assistance, the woman told AsiaNews, as Jesus Christ has always taught us. Commitment and passion for the other, which have earned her a special recognition from the governmentan award for a Catholic woman in the most populous Muslim country in the worldbecause such commitment is based on the values of altruism and solidarity. (AsiaNews)

In a statement to the Director General of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Jos Graziano da Silva, Pope Benedict XVI stated that Church regards agricultural initiatives important in feeding the hungry. The statement was made by the Holy Father to mark World Food Day. Highlighting the importance of World Food Day particularly with the current economic crisis, he stated that it was the fundamental right of every person to have access to sufficient and healthy nutrition. The pope also said that the Catholic Church supports agricultural cooperatives as a means of living an experience of unity and solidarity that contributes not only to the economy, but to the social, cultural and moral growth of the community. (Zenit)
Pope confers Ratzinger Prize to Theology scholars

On Oct. 20, Pope Benedict XVI met in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace with the Synod Fathers to award the Ratzinger Prize to 2 recipients: Prof. Rmi Brague of France, a layman and a scholar of the philosophy of religions, and the Most Reverend Prof. Brian E. Daley, SJ, of the United States, historian of patristic theology. The pope thanked the recipients for their work while emphasizing the true mission and importance of academic work. The Pope explained that such work is possible only when it looks to God for inspiration and remains fixed on bringing each person to encounter Christ; something more relevant than ever in the work of the new evangelization. He also praised both recipients for their personality, the character of their work, their precious service to teaching, and their active work in the Church, as a lay married man and as a Jesuit. (Zenit)
Vatican condemns Beirut car bomb attack

The Vaticans spokesman is condemning the car bomb attack in Beirut, which killed a leading Lebanese security official and seven other people while wounding dozens. The attack in Beirut deserves the firmest condemnation, for the senseless murderous violence which manifested itself and because it runs counter to the efforts and commitment to preserve a peaceful coexistence in Lebanon, Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vaticans press office, said Oct. 19. He cited Pope Benedict XVIs call for Lebanon to be a witness to peace and hope for its residents and throughout the region. He said the Holy See shares in the grief over the deaths and injuries of so many people and hopes that the horrible act does not cause the further spread of violence. (CNA)
LA archbishop thinks best ways to reach youth are often old ones

U.S. bishops set to discuss ministry in the Digital Age

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 18, 2012 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will discuss the challenges and opportunities of communication in the digital in the upcoming General Assembly in November. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., chairman of the Doctrine Committee of the USCCB is set to present the document Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities for the Exercise of the teaching Ministry of the Diocesan Bishop, which will be voted by the assembly of bishops. According to a press release by the USCCB, the statement will cite several challenges presented by the quantum leap in the speed of communications since the invention of the Internet. It demands that bishops be able to respond immediately when Church teaching is challenged or misrepresented, the statement read. The bishops also face the challenge that amidst many voices in the digital world a bishop's voice on the Internet can appear to be just another in the competition for attention requiring bishops to explain to people the nature of their authority. The document, however, also points to new opportunities that can either hurt or help bishops in communicating with the faithful. They create new difficulties for bishops in the exercise of their teaching office yet they also offer powerful new tools for more effective ministry, the document states. (Zenit)

The New Evangelization needs to reach out to young people using every means available, new and old, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles says. It is our mission to ask God for the grace to discover new means to reach out to young people, Archbishop Gomez said. We need to use all the new means of communication so that they can understand what we are talking about. The New Evangelization must present timeless truths in new ways, he told CNA on Oct. 18 during a break of the synod on the New Evangelization. Young people are a major focus of the New Evangelizationwhich is aimed at reintroducing the faith to formerly Christian countries. (CNA)
Vaticans deputy official for religious to lead Indianapolis archdiocese

Pope Benedict named Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin as head of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on Oct. 18. Archbishop Tobins ministry as our new ordinary will certainly be able to build on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor, Archbishop Buechlein, said Indianapolis apostolic administrator, Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, at a press conference this morning at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Archbishop Tobin is taking over leadership of the Indianapolis archdiocese from Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, who resigned Sept. 21, 2011 at the age of 73 after numerous health problems. Since Archbishop Buechleins resignation, Auxiliary Bishop Coyne has served as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese. (CNA)

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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

News Features
spread and dominant nature of todays secularism, individualism and relativism means that even Christians are not completely immune from these dangers. Some of the negative effects include faith being lived passively or in private, a refusal to learn about the faith, and the rift between faith and life, he said. Often Christians dont even know the central core of their own Catholic faiththe creed thereby leaving room for a certain syncretism and religious relativism, he said. Without a clear idea of the faiths fundamental truths and the uniquely salvific nature of Christianity, the risk of constructing a socalled do-it-yourself religion is not remote today. Where do we find the essential formula of the faith? Where do we find the truths that have been faithfully handed down and make up the light of our daily life, he asked. with the living person of Christ who transforms lives. That is why having faith in God isnt merely an intellectual activity, but something that truly changes everything in us and for us; it clearly reveals our future destiny, the truth of our vocation within history, the meaning of life and the pleasure of being pilgrims heading toward the heavenly home. Pope Benedict said faith doesnt take anything away from ones life, rather it is what renders life more just and humane. Current cultural changes often show many forms of barbarity, which hide under the guise of victories won by civilization, he said. However, wherever there is domination, possessiveness, exploitation, treating others as a commodity, and arrogance, humankind is impoverished, degraded and disfigured. Faith shows that humanity wont find its full realization unless the human person is

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animated by the love that comes from God, he said. The gift of faith then finds expression in relationships full of love, compassion, care and selfless service toward others. Hundreds of pilgrims from Honolulu; Whitehorse, Canada; and Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska, attended the general audience with their bishops. They were in Rome for the Oct. 21 canonization of Blesseds Marianne Cope of Molokai, Hawaii, and Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American who was born in upstate New York and died in Canada in 1680. The pope also marked International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed Oct. 17, to promote greater awareness of poverty and destitution worldwide. The pope encouraged those working to end poverty to preserve the dignity and rights of everyone who is condemned to be subjected to the scourge of poverty. (CNS)

Ignorance of faith risks creating cafeteria Catholics, pope says

VATICAN City, Oct. 17, 2012 Ignorance of the faith puts Christians at risk of following a do-ityourself religion, Pope Benedict XVI said. People need to become more familiar with the creed because it is there that the Christian moral life is planted and ... one finds its foundation and justification, the pope said Oct. 17 at his weekly general audience. Before an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peters Square, the pope began a new series of audience talks to accompany the Year of Faith, which marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. He said he hopes the series of instructional talks, which is expected to run until Nov. 24, 2013, will help people strengthen or rediscover the joy of faith and realize that it isnt something foreign to or separate from everyday life, but is its soul. Pope Benedict said the wide-

He said the answer is the creed, or profession of faith, which needs to be better understood, reflected upon and integrated into ones life. Christians need to discover the profound link between the

truths we profess in the creed and our daily life so that these truths are allowed to transform the deserts of modern-day life. The Christian faith is not a belief in an idea or just an outlook on life, he said, but a relationship

Boracay Atis ask govt to resolve issues on Synod Fathers calling for a new Pentecost, says Cardinal Wuerl VATICAN City, Oct. 18, 2012Mixing cussions that has emerged ancestral domain old with new, a progress report on the very clearly, he reportMANILA, Oct. 18, 2012An Indigenous People (IP) group asked the government for help in resolving the issue of their contested ancestral domain in Boracay. In a press forum on Tuesday, a religious nun from the Daughters of Charity working with the Atis confirmed the IPs struggle to rereclaim their ancestral land. Sr. Herminia Jutarez, DC, who helps the Ati tribe and other IPs in Boracay said the Atis were awarded the certificate of ancestral Aggressive development in Boracay island has domain with 2.1 hectares of land in displaced the Atis from their ancestral domain. Boracay by the National Council We were the first settlers in Boracay for Indigenous People (NCIP) yet, they cannot fully occupy the land because of but we are treated as squatters. They wanted as out of the island, Justo said other claimants opposing them. The writ of possession is not yet in Filipino. Justo mentioned that currently, there given to the Atis. As of now, we are currently waiting for an order from are 45 Ati families leaving within a the government that will make the title part of the ancestral domain because strong so that they can fully occupy many tribe members surrendered on the land. For safety purposes, some of their cause. In a separate video interview by CBthem are already occupying a part of CPNews Reporter Yen Ocampo, Justo the land, Jutarez said. When asked who the claimants were, expressed her desire to address their the nun said they are mostly foreign and problem to the president and concerned government agencies. local investors. NCIP awarded us the title for the The land is very important in the lives of our native [people] because it ancestral domain but yet, we cannot is rooted within their culture, life and move freely on the land given to us living. If we take it away from them, because of people who are contesting they will lose their sense of culture, the land given to our tribe, Justo said. she furthered. She hopes that the president or any Delsa Justo, the tribal chieftain of the Boracay Ati said to reporters that government official would visit their without the help of the Catholic nuns, place to see their condition so they can they would not know where to go and render some help to the IPs in Boracay. (Jandel Posion) what to do. synod of bishops on the New Evangelization was delivered in Latin, the ancient language of the Church. Many Synod Fathers called for a new Pentecost of seeing the action of the Church today, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, as a reflection of the energy in the early Church when the apostles set out to bring the first disciples to the Lord, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., said late in the afternoon on Oct. 17. Many of the fathers spoke of the similarity between those early days of the Church and our moment in time today. The 71-year-old American cardinal is charged by Pope Benedict XVI with steering the work of the synod. Under the title of General Relator, Cardinal Wuerl guides the discussions of the 262 participants as they attempt to map out a plan for bringing the Gospel to the modern world. Part of his job is presenting the Oct. 7-28 synod with a summary of over 230 formal speeches and innumerable off-the-record discussions during the synods first half. First, he thanked Pope Benedict for his inspiration and guidance. At the synods opening session, the Pope reminded participants to keep in mind that the two great pillars of evangelization are a commitment to know and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ and to do it with love. It is only when we have the word inseparably lived in love that we achieve the evangelization so hoped for in this synod, Cardinal Wuerl said. One understanding in the synodal dised, is the understanding that the foundation of the New Evangelization for the transmission of the faith is above all the work of the most Holy Trinity in history. It is because Christ gave the Church the commission to share and make known his victory (over sin and death) that the Churchs primary mission is evangelization. The synod has also discussed ways of helping priests and bishops to be more effective evangelizers in the modern world, from doing parish work to media apostolates. But Cardinal Wuerl emphasized that the synod wants all Catholics to fulfill their roles as witnesses for Christ. The synod highlighted the important role of every disciple of Christ in the mission of spreading the faith, he said. Laypeople must use their God-given gifts to evangelize with eager dedication. To do so effectively, requires a spiritual renewal involving both heart and mind, he said. Spiritual renewal is the most important element of the New Evangelization insofar as it involves the renewal of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and a catechesis that fosters our spiritual growth. The role of proper catechesis, or instruction in the faith, has been a hottopic at the synod. A number of bishops spoke of the need to reinforce the role of the Magisterium
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(teaching authority) of the Church when dealing with all of those who are engaged in teaching the faith, Cardinal Wuerl said. This applies at the level of theological speculation or teaching at the elementary, secondary or university levels, and in all the expressions of catechesis. Sound catechesis is a big topic at the synod because the New Evangelization requires teaching the faith well to those who do not know itchildren, for exampleas well as presenting it anew to fallen-away Catholics who suffered inadequate or theologically unsound catechesis. To this end, Cardinal Wuerl said the synod has been considering how the Church can devise a program of catechesis which is both basic, complete and inspiring in the search for truth, goodness and beauty. On Oct. 19, the synod fathers will begin working in smaller groups focused on different aspects of the New Evangelization from using new media to priestly formation with the aim of giving Pope Benedict XVI specific proposals at synods end. (CNA/EWTN News)

Teachers share in duty to preserve schools Catholic identity

MANILA, Oct. 11, 2012 Teachers in Catholic educational institutions share in the responsibility to preserve the Catholic identity of the institution, according to the Primer on the Year of Faith and on the New Evangelization, written early this month to help the faithful understand the significance of the Year of Faith, which starts October 11, 2012. The primer, written by Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, explained faith, secularism, the changing times, and living and strengthening our faith as Filipinos, but also zeroed in on life issues and the topic of dealing with dissension among Catholic schools. A Catholic institution of higher learning, whether pontifical or not, has to be faithful to its identity, nature, and role as a Catholic institution. One of the distinctive marks essential for Catholic identity is fidelity to the Christian message in conformity with the magisterium of the Church, the document stated. Faculty members share in the responsibility of preserving and promoting the Catholic identity of the institution. Pope Benedict XVI has pointed out the confusion created among the faithful by instances of apparent dissidence between some representatives of Catholic institutions and the Churchs pastoral leadership, said the primer, written and released in October 1. The Catholic identity of an educational institution is usually expressed explicitly in its vision-mission statement, the document stated, adding that this identity of Catholic universities in the Philippines is confirmed by membership in the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), the statutes of which were approved by the Holy See in 1949. Therefore, by its very nature and identity a Catholic educational institution adheres to the truths that are contained in the deposit of faith, Scripture and Tradition, as interpreted authoritatively by the Church. The fidelity of two Catholic universities had come into serious question in recent months after faculty members from each school publicly expressed their support for a legislative measure that mandates taxpayer-funded contraception, by becoming signatories in a declaration of support which explicitly carried the name of the universities in the documents, which were both widely circulated in social and mainstream media. The reproductive health (RH) bill, the measure in question, has been rejected by Church hierarchy and lay faithful, citing its blatant disregard for the dignity of persons primarily through institutionalized contraception. Magisterial teaching on artificial contraception is definite and not at all ambiguous, with the matter being tackled quite extensively by Pope Paul VI in the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life). Professors in the two universities invoked academic freedom in defending their moves in support of the birth control bill. Quevedo, however, clarified the matter. Academic freedom is not a right for faculty members of a Catholic educational institution to betray its Catholic identity and nature and cannot be a reason for dissenting against the official Catholic position as on the Reproductive Health Bill, the prelate stated in the primer. While promoters of the RH bill insist that the birth control measure had nothing to do with morality and that women deserved freedom of choice when it came to issues concerning their bodies, the prelate explained that as teachers of faith, the Bishops of the Philippines point out that the distribution and use of artificial contraceptive means to prevent conception and the implantation of the fertilized egg in the womb are not morally neutral. Based on official Catholic moral teaching, they are in fact morally evil. The freedom to choose cannot be contrary to the law of God who gave that freedom, he added. Briefly and simply, the freedom to choose is not absolute. It is necessarily limited by the moral law, as taught authoritatively by the magisterium or teaching authority of the Church. The issue concerning dissension by some faculty of Catholic schools took a more animated twist recently after a strongly worded editorial of a pontifical universitys official student publication pointed out the errors in insisting on the primacy of academic freedom over the nature and function of Catholic schools as regards the Churchs mission.(CBCP for Life)

IPs, farmers reiterate call for food security over mining

MANILA, Oct. 16, 2012Indigenous peoples (IPs) and farmers from different areas in Luzon reiterated their call on the government to ensure food security over mining. At least 500 IPs and farmers from Region 2 joined a four-day caravan to press government for the passage of Alternative Minerals Management Bill and a moratorium on large scale mining operations in the country. The caravan which began on October 14 converged in Mendiola near Malacanang on October 17, Wednesday. Joining the caravan were IPs and farmers from Kasibu and Dupax, Romblon, Mindoro, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales and Bulacan. The group urged government to revoke the FTAAs of Oceana Gold (Didipio Gold and Copper project) and SMI-Xtrata (Tampakan Copper Gold Mining Project) and called for a moratorium on large scale mining operations in the country. Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the negative impacts of mining to farmers [and ] indigenous peoples are undeniable . It will be completely unfair if this government will not heed their call to ensure food security first, before prioritizing the continued large scale mining operations in the country, he said. That is why the CBCP-NASSA has been asking the government to put a stop to mining first, and enact a rational mining policy, which for us is embodied in the AMMB, he added. A multi- sectoral movement against mining, the SOS-Yamang Bayan Network, in a press release said a new law is needed to address the issues and concerns of communities adversely affected by mining. The group seeks for solution to the many problems faced by communities and local government units and the country due to the flawed framework embodied in the current Mining Act of 1995. It said the AMMB is the new law that would embody all the issues and concerns of mining-affected communities. AMMB presents a framework for the rational, need-based, rightsbased, domestic oriented utilization, development and management of our mineral resources. We and our supporters regard mining as a threat to life that results from various tragedies linked to mining, it added. The group also cited mining explorations and development in Nueva Vizcaya, Tampakan and other areas across the nation that is reinforced by militarization as a cause of increased human rights violations and abuses towards opposing parties. Many anti-mining advocates and IP/peasant leaders have been killed in the past years. In response to this and to uphold the integrity of creation, we call for the passage of AMMB within the 15th congress as the legal alternative Mining Act, the group furthered. In July this year, seventy-two bishops signed a petition to support and stand for the integrity of creation: rivers, forests, agricultural lands, lakes, mountains and the displaced and loss of dignity and livelihood of IPs, farmers and fisherfolks. (Melanie Reyes/CBCPNews)

Education, livelihood outrank population control among social concerns - survey

MANILA, Oct. 12, 2012A national survey conducted by Radio Veritas in partnership with various lay organizations revealed that education and livelihood ranked as main priorities on issues of social concern among the people. Headed by top sociology professor Clifford Sorita, the survey was conducted during the second quarter of 2012. It showed education and livelihood outranked population control on issues of social concern, contrary to numerous claims that there is a vital need to manage the population. Education ranked third on the national scale, garnering 14.23%, while livelihood garnered 7.61% ranking at fourth. Population control only 2.57%, placing it at eighth. Peace and order took the first spot while poverty ranked second. Conducted in 85 archdioceses and dioceses covering all 17 regions, the survey got respondents based on the stratified random sampling with +/2% margin of error under the Slovins formula. Economics and politics were likewise included in the survey. Coming out number one on the list of issues of economic concerns was unemployment, followed by price of basic commodities. Graft and corruption, on the other hand topped political issues, with good governance coming in second. Also in the survey were proposed methods to effectively deal with social concerns and issues. Results showed work with no vested interest and work with clear vision among the proposed methods, getting 45.50% and 18.09%, respectively. (CBCP for Life)

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EDITORIAL

Opinion

CBCP Monitor
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

Faith that is proclaimed in Calungsod

THE Archdiocese of Cebu did it, and should be commended for giving the country and the world, at this point in history, St. Pedro Calungsod. Perhaps little, if at all, to the knowledge of most people how much the Cebu Archdiocese has been on the lead in unearthing this precious jewel from the 17th century and winding it through the tedious and stringent process of pursuing a cause at the Vaticans Congregation for the Causes of Saints. So scanty was known of Pedro Calungsod by Filipinos themselves even after his beatification in March of the Great Jubilee Year 2000. But once word came out that he was to be canonized in October this year, multimedia content about him spread like wildfire in just a couple of months prior to the canonization. It was mostly young people that found a peer in St. Pedro Calungsod who were mostly responsible in popularizing a new saint of the young by harnessing the enormous power of social media. The young saint literally conquered the pages of Facebook and Twitter. Notably, on the forefront of disseminating the young martyr are Facebook pages the likes of 100% Katolikong Pinoy! and Youth Pinoy. But Youth Pinoy is laudably credited for using new media such as the Pedrito dolls in getting the message across. On this note, CBCPNews reports from Rome that aside from aiming to trigger a social media maelstrom and drum up interest in the canonization, St. Pedro Calungsods mini version, Pedrito, is intended to inspire kids to sainthood. This, of course, did not sit well with some older Catholics like Philippine Star columnist Federico Pascual, Jr., who wrote: The 15-inch-tall doll, which looks like a toy, trivializes the saintly attributes of our own San Pedro.(who) should not be treated and marketed like a Pinoy male Barbie. Some people, kids especially, might start regarding and handling it as a toy. And that precisely is the juxtaposition of Eilleen Esteban who heads Youth Pinoythat kids would rather someday be dreaming of becoming a saint rather than a super hero. For her, Pedrito is, for the most part, a new evangelization tool or a way of promoting St. Pedro in a non-traditional way. The ongoing 13th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is talking about the new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith in the face of current trends especially among the young the world over. The methods and tools that these young people are using to propagate St. Pedro Calungsod may actually be an emergence of a new culture that might be handy in defining the lexicon of the new evangelization.

Philippine politics
PHILIPPINE Politics is curious and intriguing, interesting and entertainingand particularly detestable as well as disgusting. Philippine politics is not simply for the vicious but also for the avaricious, not merely for those wanting to serve but the more so, for those wanting to be served much and well. Philippine politics is the origin of wonderful promises and as well as the cause of big disappointments productive of misery and poverty. Philippine Politics is not simply the purveyor of hope but likewise the cause of despair. It is the jumping board of gross graft and corrupt practices instead of a response to the call of what is right, proper, and just. Philippine politics is anything but admirable even for those harboring optimismif not hallucination. Would that it were otherwise. And would that following thoughts and impressions were but in the realm of fallacy: It is a great business. While there are exceptions, most, however, enter the sphere of Philippine politics not really to render public service but to ascertain fast and fruitful self-service. This is precisely why it is very much worth making all the required capital investments in seeking elective public office whereas politics in the Philippine is a very profitable investment. Poor Filipino politicians are a rare breed. They are the picture of few small needles in a huge haystack. It is a distinctly advantageous

Oscar. V. Cruz, DD

Views and Points

way of life. Philippine politics is not only a convenient and advantageous way of making a living. It is also a highly profitable means of livelihood. This is why it is primarily the wealthy who aspire for, who hold on and cling to political positions. They have many family interests to protect, a good number of clan concerns to promote. Politicians need only talk much and act welland the beneficial returns are many and spectacular. It is an addictive adventure. It is not true that the maxim Once a boy scout, always a boy scout, is an exclusive claim and principle of scouting. There is the living and vibrant reality that once a politician, always a politician. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain the so-called political dynasties. How true it is that Philippine politics is very addictive indeed. Husband and wife and kid, father and son and daughter etc. etc. all in politics these are but few examples of the living proofs that politics is addictive. Would that Filipino politicians think of and work for the countrynot for themselves! Would that they dedicate themselves to the socio-economic development of the Philippines not that of their family and clan! Would that Philippine politics be for the public welfare and the common goodnot for dynastic well-being and progress! The People of the Philippines can dream, cant they?

Faith and Ideology

THE task of social transformation requires that we have a vision of the society we aim and strive to create. Such a vision can be very particular and detailed as to end and means, an ideology in the strictest of senses. The Gospel of Christ is not an ideology in that sense. It does not give a specific blueprint for economic or political development and neither does the Church as such. Individual Christians and groups of Christians can adhere to any particular ideology they believe is best to bring about the common good of society. But the Gospel nonetheless has plenty to say about their choice and practice of ideology. Simply put, it requires that they bring to bear on their ideology, infuse into their efforts to achieve it ends, the faith of Christ and its values. Faith judges ideology: liberal capitalism, Marxism. In practice this means that values of faith must be the criteria by which to judge all aspects of ones ideology, by which to guide and motivate ones actions for social chance, not the other way aroundideology judging, guiding, motivating ones faith. If this has to be said explicitly, it s because all too often ideologies are so absolutized to a degree that faith is made secondary and, worse, instrumentalized to serve narrowly ideological purposes (e.g. the gaining of political power and economic advantage by any and all means, ethical considerations making no difference whatsoever). This, when all is said and done, is basically what is wrong, for instance, with the graft-and-corruption that is so deeply entrenched in Philippine politics: it is making faith values subservient to personal, familial, or party interests. Our present Holy Father has pointed out that the churchs social doctrine adopts a critical attitude toward both liberal capitalism and Marxist collectivism. (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 21) Both are seen as imperialist, materialistic and manipulative of economic mechanisms. The crucial question is not Which one is right? for both are defective. It s rather In what way and to what extent are these two systems capable of changes and updating such as to favor or promote a true and integral development of individuals and people in modern society.? (SRS, 21) The outcry against Marxist socialism in Eastern Europe is not a sign that the liberal capitalism of the West is ideal. We ourselves have experience the most evil features of the latter in our country. We re-affirm the Churchs rejection of liberal capitalism. Its practical atheism, which results from the insatiable desire for profit and has created its own moralitythat what profitable is moral. The path of development for our country has so far been determined by the economic factor with a bias for the minority controlling sector of our society. The results are what we are todayone of the poorest in Asia with one of the most unequal distributions of wealth and income. (Acts of the Council, Nos. 368-372) Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, 1991

Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM

Living Mission
Vatican II Perspectives
VATICAN II sought to renew the Church and its engagement with the wider world. As a sign of this commitment, several messages addressed to various sectors of society were read at the closing ceremony on December 8, 1965. Some selected sections of these messages voice the desire of the Council to put the Church at the service of all humanity. Message to the Poor and Suffering. Identifying with their struggles, the Council Fathers noted: Christ did not do away with suffering. He took suffering upon Himself and this is enough to make you understand its value. All of you who feel heavily the weight of the cross, you are saving the world. This is the Christian science of suffering, the only one which gives peace. Know that you are not alone, separated, abandoned or useless. You have been called by Christ and are His living and transparent image. Message to Women. Fifteen women were official auditors at the Council. In sev-

Engaging the world today to serve evangelization

We wish also to be before you witnesses of this love of the Church for you workers. The Church is your friend. Message to the Youth. Affirming its faith in the youth, Vatican II said that the Church believes that the youth will know how to affirm faith in life and in what gives meaning to life, that is to say, the certitude of the existence of a just and good God. Be generous, pure, respectful and sincere, and build in enthusiasm a better world. Message to Artists. A sincere and heartfelt message was sent to all artists, those who are taken up with beauty and work for it. This world in which we live needs beauty. It is beauty, like truth, which brings joy to the human heart.... And all of this is through your hands. Remember that you are guardians of beauty in the world. These brief selections from much longer statements reflect the vision of the Council: engagement with the world and its peoplesall at the service of evangelization.

eral places Vatican II speaks of the role and dignity of womenand the need to avoid every type of discrimination. For in truth it must still be regretted that fundamental personal rights are still not being universally honored. (GS 29). In its final message to women, the Council makes this remarkable statement: Women, it is for you to save the peace of the world. Message to Workers. In its reflection on The Church in the Modern World, Vatican II asserts that the human person is always of primary value; human work must necessarily enhance human dignity. The Council Fathers state: we hold that by offering his labor to God a person becomes associated with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who conferred an eminent dignity on labor when at Nazareth He worked with his own hands (GS 67). A Council message to workers notes: Pope John XXIII gave a shining example of the Churchs love for working people.

St. Pedro Calungsod

EVERYONE is called to holiness. Everyone can and should be a saint. This is perhaps the main message, the good news that the canonization of the Cebuano Pedro Calungsod is telling us today. No matter how ordinary and obscure we are, like the new saint who found himself in faraway Marianas Island working as a catechist and helper to an equally holy priest, we can and should be a saint. God is no respecter of persons. He shows no partiality to anyone or class of persons. He calls everyone to holiness, whether rich or poor, intelligent or not so, etc. All we need do is to make use of what we have or are working at the moment, our ordinary daily duties and chores, to be the vehicle of our sanctification. In fact, God somehow favors the small and the lowly, the underprivileged and suffering over the big ones and the mighty who often are proud and vain in this game of life called sanctification. Remember the beatitudes? St. Paul reiterates the idea when he says: The foolish things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the wise. And the weak things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the strong. (1 Cor 1,27) And even no matter how sinful we may be, no matter how burdened we may be with sins, mistakes, weaknesses, etc., as long as we do our part seeking always the forgiveness of God whose mercy is forever, we can and should be saints. Just look at the saints. Many of them were great sinners, starting with the apostle Peter who denied Christ. Then you have saints like St. Augustine who even sired a child, St. Magdalene, a woman of ill-repute, etc.

Fr. Roy Cimagala

Candidly Speaking
But they repented and were forgiven and became great saints. There is always hope and likelihood for that, since in the first place this is the will of God. Christ clearly says it: Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt 5, 48) And St. Paul seconds: This is the will of God, your sanctification. (1 Thes 4, 3) We have to make this truth a common and constant guiding principle for us. We should not think to be a saint is such a big deal as to be reserved only to a few people who happen to have the appropriate temperament and circumstances. No. To be a saint is our ultimate common goal, achievable in various ways, ordinary ones more than the extraordinary. We have to remember that more than us shaping our destiny, it is God who does it with his omnipotent providence. All we need do is to cooperate or to correspond to his promptings which is what our human freedom is all about. But alas, that is usually our problem. We tend to think our freedom is absolutely ours alone. We can think it is self-generated by us, driving God out, when our common sense can easily give the lie to it. Our freedom simply comes from God. It can only be exercised following Gods will. It can only be lived properly in God. Contributing to this mess is the view that there is no God (atheism) or that God takes no interest in our affairs (agnosticism). He leaves us completely alone. We need to be clear about this fundamental truth and start to conform ourselves to it. Thus, we need to take our faith and religion more seriously. We need to be consistent to them at every
Candidly Speaking / A6

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

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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Opinion
Against all odds
while only a teenager with temperance could have survived the lonely nights of Guam. We really do not know much about this lad from the Visayas. As far as I could tell, there is no recorded dialogue attributed to him. He plays second fiddle to the missionary-priest. Pedro is a silent worker. It was by divine design that Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal first got to know about Pedro Calungsod through the erstwhile Archbishop of Guam sometime in 1985. Attend the beatification of Padre Diego De San Vitores in Rome and I will share with you a book that mentions a lad-companion of the martyred priest who was himself martyred, came the invitation. He attended and in addition got the book. This was the start of the process leading to the beatification in 2000 and canonization in 2012. If one considers the formation of the Archdiocesan team for Calungsods cause in 1994, this is a mere 18 years. Against all odds, Pedro makes it. *** I felt a personal loss at the demise of Jess Robredo. The spontaneous wave of public sympathy showed that he had connected with our peoples desire for good governance and principled leaders. Against all odds, Jess had led the charge for effective integrity in governance.
Spaces of Hope / A7

A5
Rev. Eutiquio Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola

Spaces of Hope
I AM writing this article on board a Cathay Pacific flight from Cebu to Hong Kong, en route to Rome for the canonization of the second Filipino saint, San Pedro Calungsod. I am on my way, against all odds. I am not supposed to be on board this flight. My usual answer to queries about whether I was going to attend the canonization of Dodong Pedro had been: I really would like to but I guess Blessed Pedro would also be happy that I use my limited resources to reach out to poor young men and women. There was no hidden agenda in this, just a simple statement of facts. Then it happened. While waiting for my flight inside the PAL lounge in Cebu last 17 August, I met two elderly women, one of whom is a friend of my mother, Elena. They were attending the Circus du Soleil in Manila. After some brief pleasantries, we parted ways. Upon reaching Manila, I proceeded to St. Peters parish in Commonwealth Ave. to prepare for a dawn trip to La Union for some talks on good governance with Atty. Alex Lacson and Monsignor Tony Labiao. The date for the gathering turned out to be a fateful one. Heading for supper with Fr. Leo Nedic and his team, I received a text from Monsignor Labiao informing me of the missing plane of Sec. Jess Robredo. He had died while we were wrapping up our daylong seminar on good governance.

By the Roadside San Pedro Calungsod: Martyr for Christ, forever young
SOREN Kierkegaard once said, A tyrant dies, and his rule ends. A martyr dies, and his rule begins. To go by that line of thought San Pedro Calungsod has been reigning in the whole believing universe since his death on April 2, 1672 in Tumhon, Guam when Matapang, the village chieftain who opposed violently his daughters earlier baptism by Blessed Diego de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest whom San Pedro accompanied, caught up with them with spears, with no little help from a non-Christian villager Hirao. The difference that canonization makes is that now we, nay, the whole world, recognize his martyrs rule. Much has been written and debated on San Pedro Calungsods real place of origin. Many, including Church authorities, favor Ginatilan, Cebu; others point to Leyte; still others claim Bohol is it. Perhaps it really matters little now except when we look at the issue from the gauge of truthfulness and less from honor due to family or homeland. It struck me, for example, that in not a single instance the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI referred to San Pedro Calungsod in his homily by his English and German name Peter. Without saying it directly the Holy Father was signaling all of us to go beyond our usual, if natural, patriotic yet myopic perspective when looking at San Pedros elevation to the altar of the Lord. San Pedro or St. Peter Calungsod now belongs to the whole Church or, rather, to the whole believing world. We need to rejoice not only in his recognition as being officially in heaven and one of our intercessors with God for our various needs and concerns but also in the other six newly canonized saints: 1. St. Jacques Berthieu, a French 19th century Jesuit priest, a missionary just like San Pedro Calungsod who was martyred in Madagascar. 2. St. Giovanni Battista Piamarta, a native of Brescia, Italy, in 1900, founder of a religious order, who put up a Catholic printing and publishing house to better share and clarify the faith to others. 3. St. Carmen Salles y Barangueras, a nun from Spain who, in 1892, also founded a religious order that specialized in the Christian education of children. 4. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first native American saint, a Mohican of the 17th century who had to flee persecution and ostracism at home for embracing, living by and ultimately dying in, the Catholic faith. Ironically the tribes that disowned her then now join together in reaping the accolades of her sainthood. 5. St. Marianne Cope, a Franciscan nun who left her native New York to care for leprosy patients in Molokai, Hawaii, under the tutelage of another saintly figure, St. Damien. 6. St. Anna Shaeffer, a German laywoman whose moving example of bearing her own tremendous suffering (when she badly burned her legs after falling into a boiler) and still caring for fellow sick persons is outstanding for our suffering-phobic age. In terse words the Holy Father presented to all and sundry the meaning and the message of St. Pedro Calungsods sacrifice for all Filipino Catholics: May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the kingdom bravely and to win souls for God. That San Pedro was only eighteen when he died as a witness to Jesus Christ prods people no end to present him as a patron and shining example to the youth, especially the Filipino youth. Others understandably scoff at the idea, seeing how very different he was and his times to the ordinary young Filipinos of today and what they have to go through. San Pedro Calungsond valued his faith, his Church, his pastor and priest mentor. Can the contemporary Filipino youth be in the same league? Obviously answers could vary. To my mind I could still see San Pedro Calungsod in the young Pinoys who set out to foreign shores for greener pastures, primarily for family, but without leaving behind their love for their Catholic faith and for the Eucharist and, even if mostly unannounced, pray to God and ask for Mama Marys prayers and those of St. Jude and many other Catholic saints. But I also get a glimpse of San Pedro Calungsod in the young idealistic Filipino activists or even rebels who, even in the dark night of not having really encountered Jesus Christ, think that ideology, belief systems and fraternities/sororities determine truth. San Pedro bringing a book of Doctrina Cristiana instead of a laptop, cellphone, iphone, ipad or ipod clearly points to the young where to look for truth that satisfies the questioning mind, the living water that quenches all thirsty souls. And it is not irrelevant that San Pedro Calungsod died proclaiming Jesus Christ and his teaching in a hostile environment, however pre-historic or savage-like the images of Matapang and Hirao hurling spears at two unarmed, harmless individuals. This is a condition that San Pedro and todays young Filipino Catholics share, namely, the experience of an environment hostile to ones embracing and living by the teachings of the Catholic Christian faith. The issues of the RH Bill, same-sex unions, the specter of pending divorce bills, among others, are no less challenging and hazardous to the mental, spiritual or moral health of a modern Pedro Calungsod trying to listen to the Church and observe her instructions. The environment becomes even more trying when those who are not so young anymore who influence the youngs education and mores have minds that are more shaped by the orientations and preferences of the United Nations or of the U.S. State Department than by the teachings of the Catholic magisterium. But the Holy Fathers call for courage and inspiration from San Pedro Calungsods sacrifice should not go unheeded. After all, considering that Sir Winston Churchill once referred to the Filipinos courage as second to none, we just need to realize that the demand of the Faith of our Fathers for a similar courage in our time is likewise first in line. We need San Pedro Calungsods courage to shine through our efforts to face up to the spears of secularism, materialism and hedonism that subject our young and adult Filipinos under constant attack. We need the same courage of San Pedro Calungsod who did not abandon a priest-mentor-friend in mortal danger to prod us not to abandon what we once heard from the tender lips of our mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers and catechists: the things of God, of his Son Jesus Christ, of his Church, of eternal life, not only of the life here and now. The early Christian writer Tertullian once wrote, The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. May the blood of St. Pedro Calungsod give birth to all of us becoming more Christ-like, not abandoning the truth of the Lord for the tricks of the world. Then we, like him, shall rediscover the secret of eternal youth.

Upon my return to Cebu two days later, my paths again crossed unexpectedly with the same two ladies on the PAL lounge in Manila. Are you attending the canonization, Father? one of them asked me. I responded with my standard reply. You should go. I will get you a ticket, she answered. So here I am on my way to the Eternal City with 40 of the 5,000 expected Filipino pilgrims. *** One can only imagine what must have gone through the mind of young Pedro Calungsod as he boarded the ship that would take him and Padre Diego De San Vitores to an island known today as Guam. Todays youth would probably say, Mom, Dad, I will skype you upon my arrival or Will connect with you through FB. How about, See you next year when I visit you during our vacation knowing how air and sea transportation have revolutionized travelling? But Dodong Pedro had none of these conveniences. When he said goodbye, it had the ring of utter finality. It was against all odds that he would see his family again. This 17year old teenage catechist-martyr was indeed bold and brave. He had deep faith and is a model of the virtue of fortitude. How he weighed his options about joining the team of Padre Diego was an exercise in prudence

Following the footsteps of St. Pedro Calungsod

VATICAN City. The pilgrims of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko) are now in the Eternal City of Rome, more particularly in Vatican City. Laikos 10 days Pilgrimage to Holiness Organizing Committee is composed of its National President Atty. Aurora A. Santiago as the Tour Organizer, Vice President for Luzon Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go as the Pilgrimage Committee Chairperson, Vice President for Ecclesiastical Province of Manila Dr. Marita Wasan as the Tour Coordinator, Most Rev. Jesse Mercado as the Tour Chaplain and Bro. Millard Villaverde as the Pilgrim Escort. The main purpose of the pilgrimage is to be in solidarity with the Filipino people on the occasion of the Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. Thereafter, the Laiko pilgrims will visit the different churches in Rome, Assisi, Padua, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Milan. The pilgrims arrived 2 days earlier to go to San Giovanni Rotondo where Maria de le Grazie Church is located. We were told that it is here where Padre Pio said his last Mass. Bishop Mercado presided over the Mass while 11 Filipino priests concelebrated with him. This columnist was the Reader and another Filipino pilgrim from another group read the psalm. Bro. Millard served as the Commentator. Several groups of Filipino pilgrims and from all over the world visited the pilgrim site where the tomb of Padre Pio is located. Prior to the canonization of Blessed Pedro on October 21 at Piazza San Pietro, a Triduum was held: October 18 Mass at Basilica di SantAgostino presided by Archbishop John Du with Bishop Precioso Cantillas as Homilist; October 19 Mass at Chiesa del Ges presided by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo with Bishop Patricio Buzon as Homilist; October 20 Mass at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore presided by Archbishopemeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with Archbishop Orlando Quevedo as Homilist. This was followed by the Penitential Service at Chiesa Santa Pudenziana. In the evening of his Canonization, vespers was held at Chiesa Santa Pudenziana presided by Archbishop John Du with Bishop Precioso Cantillas as Homilist; this was followed by a procession of the Image of St. Pedro Calungsod. The day after the Canonization, Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Apse of St. Peters Basilica presided by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal with Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Guam as the Homilist. *** From October 25 to November 27, there will be Duaw-Nasud or Nation Visit of the Image of San Pedro Calungsod, which was brought to Vatican City during the Canonization, and will go to the different Archdioceses and Dioceses. The visit in the Diocese of Kalookan is scheduled on November 07 and will stay overnight at the San Roque Cathedral at Mabini Street, Caloocan City. The last stop is at Talibon before the Image is brought to Cebu where the Triduum will be held from November 27 to 29 prior to National Thanksgiving Day on November 30. Several Papal Nuncio, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious and

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

Duc in Altum
Laity are expected to join this very historic event not only in the life of the Philippine Catholic Church but also in Philippine history. *** In our parish in San Ildefonso de Navotas, our parish priest Fr. Jerome Cruz declared that all Sunday Masses on October 21 were special Masses due to the blessing the Filipino people received from the Lord, the second Filipino Saint, St. Pedro Calungsod. A procession of the Image of St. Pedro will follow after the 6 p.m. Mass. The Special Ministers of the Word, Creative Liturgy Ministry, Youth Ministry and the Knights of the Altar prepared something special for all the Masses this Sunday. *** Many thanks to the Cardijn Community International for inviting this columnist to deliver a talk about the Social Teachings of the Church and the Role of the Laity during its international conference on October 11-14, 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vatican II. The Community also launched its three year project on the Councils implementation with the theme Vatican II + 50 - A Cardijn Perspective. There were participants from different countries, international organizations and Church leaders. The Cardijn Community is a movement of people working for development inspired by the ideals, spirituality and methodology of the late Josef Cardinal Cardijn, the founder of the Young Christian Workers movement. *** The Archdiocesan Council of the Laity of San Fernando, Pampanga headed by its President Bro. Banjo Serrano and the Councils trustees and officers celebrated its Laity Day during which Most Rev. Paciano Aniceto, Archbishop of San Fernando, presided over the Holy Mass concelebrated by the Archdiocesan Clergy. The leaders from the different parishes and vicariates attended the whole day affair. This columnist was also invited and delivered the keynote speech about the Laikos National Laity Week theme which they adopted Building Up the Body of Christ and Strengthening Our Faith Through New Evangelization. *** Happy 1st Birthday to my grandnephew Charleroi Guillaume Castro or C-2, the baby boy of our niece Mary Gretchen (daughter of our Ate Violy and Kuya Cel Rosales) and her husband Charlie Castro. Birthday wishes also to my brother youngest Roberto Santiago, to Hello Father 911 Saturday Edition Music and Technical Director Dr. Jojo Robles and to Laikos Executive Director Joseph Jesalva. Condolence to Laikos San Pedro Calungsod Pilgrimage to Holiness Pilgrim Escort Bro. Millard Villaverde who received the news about the death of his mother Carmencita as soon as we arrived Rome. Bro. Millard offers the plenary indulgence that would be earned during the pilgrimage for the eternal repose of the soul of his mother. Eternal rest grant unto Carmencita, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her; may she rest in peace, Amen.

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

Whatever
HAVE you ever witnessed a real flea circus or seen pictures of it? Did you ever wonder how in the world it occurred to anyone to think of mounting a spectacle out of such detestable insects? And did you ever imagine how these little high jumping blood suckers are trained to perform tricks? I was amazed to read how people enterprising enoughperhaps, with a lot of time at handtrain these tiny vile creatures with something as ordinary as a shoebox. Of course a shoebox alone isnt enough to do the trick, but at least it limits their capacity to jump way out of control. So whats the secret? When they continuously try to jump out, they discover the discomfort of hitting their stubborn heads on the cover. Little by little, they adjust themselves to jump only high enough to avoid hitting the lid. The trainer then lowers the cover each time until the fleas barely jump. Once this is achieved, the circus training can now begin. I believe this is a very appropriate anecdote to begin a series about how to rediscover and relive the gift of our faith and making it operative. This is a wonderful adventure because this theological virtue a grace which can only come from Godis the door that opens the person to a fantastic reality called the supernatural life. Moreover, as Saint Thrse of Lisieux

Leaping Our Faith

(Year of Faith Series)
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life. (Jn 6:27) Can there be anything more astounding or awesome than this invitation to eternal life? Isnt it intriguingly attractive that the invitation to receive the faith is like receiving a key to enter Heaven? Furthermore, how extraordinarily compelling it becomes when the very key is itself the door that opens to eternal life now while we live here on earth? These wonderful considerations have their starting point in our baptism. At the beginning of the Holy Fathers letter we read: The door of faith (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. () To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn 17:22). Therefore it is with more reason that we ought to rediscover the beauty of the gift of our baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to
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once said, Only on this earth can we live by faith. Thus, we have to strive to make the most out of it, for it is only in this life that we can merit and work efficaciously for the salvation of humanity. Let us make the most of our opportunity. (G. Courtios, Before His Face, vol. 2) Unfortunately, many Christiansincluding you and myselfcan live our faith like fleas. We end up conditioning ourselves to jump lower each time. Perhaps, we lose our supernatural perspectives offered to us by God because of our activism or the immoderate concern for temporal affairs. With the start of the Year of Faith last 11th of October, we are given very concrete means to once again leap our faith. When we truly engage the gift of our faith, we will discover that we can in fact do more things for God and others. Nothing is insignificant for a faith-filled man or woman, because everything he does will now be permeated by the presence and fruitfulness of Christ. *** Pope Benedict XVI, in his Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei, says, We cannot accept that salt should become tasteless or the light be kept hidden. () We must rediscover a taste for feeding ourselves on the word of God, faithfully handed down by the Church, and on the bread of life, offered as sustenance for his disciples. Indeed, the teachings of Jesus resound in our day with the same power:

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Local News
AN official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has refuted the claim of party-list group Gabriela that high wedding fees push couples to shun marriage. Msgr. Joselito Asis, CBCP secretary general, said the statement is incorrect and blaming the church is uncalled for. He emphasized that donation for a simple Catholic wedding is only minimal but many couples still prefer a special one so its expensive. In fact many parish churches offer free weddings for those who want to receive the sacrament of marriage, Asis said. The pro-divorce party list group claimed that one of the reasons for declining church weddings is because they cost more than P100,000. It also called on the church to lower its fees for couples eyeing their dream nuptials if only to encourage couples to undergo church wedding. Asis, however, clarified that cost for a simple wedding is minimal although donations to the church vary depending on the request of the couples. And according to canon law, donations given to this celebration of sacrament or the so-called stole fees have standard per region, he said. In Metro Manila, he said, stole fees for weddings in many parishes normally ranges from P6,000 to P7,000 packaged with decoration and choir.
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CBCP Monitor
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

Bishop hits UN proposal to legalize prostitution in PH

A CATHOLIC bishop has added his voice to the growing criticisms over a United Nations report recommending that sexrelated jobs be legalized in the country. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that UNs argument is morally unacceptable and does not improve the situation, but instead makes it worse. Give women real rights and decent jobs and not prostitution, said Pabillo, chairman of the National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace. The bishop also warned that if sex trade becomes legal, it would open a gate to predators to abuse more women. The UN recently said that the Philippines and other Asian countries should legalize prostitution to help curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. Titled Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific, the report stated that legal recognition of prostitution as an occupation enables sex workers to claim benefits and pensions. However, the prelate rejected the idea of decriminalizing sex trade will help control the spread of STDs. In fact HIV is still prevalent even in countries where prostitution is legal, Pabillo said. Instead of legalizing sex trade, he urged the government to focus on behavioral change, adding that HIV transmission can remain high if the problem of risky sexual behavior is not tackled. (CBCPNews)

CBCP official refutes costly church wedding claim

But for a simple wedding, which means no decorations or choir, he said, the church just asks donations between P2,000 to P3,000. Quiapo Church charges only around P1,500 for a simple wedding. At the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, a wedding ceremony packaged with decorations, singers and other services cost around P25,000. Other churches charge more for air condition, decorations and other services requested by couples, said Asis. In the provinces, he added, stole fees ranges only from P1,500 to P2,000 for a simple wedding. He said there are also certain occasions in all parish churches where they offer free marriages and mass weddings. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said couples could approach their parish priests to have their marriage scheduled on the days when it holds free weddings. The head of the countrys National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal added that outfit is no big deal as long as it is decent. You dont have to wear white if you want the free wedding. Just dont come in swimming suits, and its okay, Cruz said. The (wedding) veil, cord, and ring can be provided by the church. But of course, these must be returned afterwards, he added. (CBCPNews)

Bishop Broderick Pabillo

Church renews opposition to amend juvenile justice law

THE prison ministry of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has reiterated its opposition to a House bill seeking to lower the age of criminal liability. The CBCPs Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) criticized the move of legislators to change a law that has not been fully implemented. The place for children is school and not in jail, said Rodolfo Diamante, ECPPC executive secretary. We deplore the general thinking that children have to be incarcerated and punished in order for them to be corrected, he said. He was referring to House Bill 6052, which has been passed on third and final reading. The measure seeks to amend the RA 9344 of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) of 2006. The CBCP agency made the statement ahead of the Catholic Churchs annual celebration of the Prison Awareness Sunday on October 28. Diamante added that the law is only a measure that embodies the principle of restorative justice and that is in consonance of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Along with other child rights organizations, the ECPPC have been lobbying to oppose the amendments of the JJWA. Diamante also called on its local volunteers in prison service (VIPs) in different dioceses to manifest their opposition to amendments of JJWA by writing their respective congressmen and the senators. (CBCPNews)

Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care criticized the lawmakers move to amend the juvenile justice law at a forum held recently.

Pedrito dolls meant to inspire kids to sainthood

ASIDE from aiming to trigger a social media maelstrom and drum up interest in the canonization, St. Pedro Calungsods mini version, Pedrito, is intended to inspire kids to sainthood. According to Eilleen Esteban, head of the New Media team under the National Commission for the canonization of Pedro Calungsod, who thought up and brought Pedrito to life, she hoped that through the Pedrito dolls, [kids would] rather someday dream of becoming a saint than a super hero. Because there are no real super heroes, just like those comic books show, but everyone can be a saint, she explained further. Esteban explained, the official page of St. Pedro Calungsod has been receiving more requests for information and orders for the
MILF / A1

Children may someday dream of becoming a saint because of St. Pedro Calungsods little version, Pedrito.

doll than the team members can actually respond to. The high interest generated by the chub-faced Pedrito is also the

reason for making more Pedritos available to the general public. As Esteban explained, the original purpose for coming up

with the Pedrito doll was to aid the online geo-tagging scheme that would track the itinerary of Calungsods official image around Rome, specifically during the Triduum masses, the canonization and eventually, when it flies back to the Philippines for the Duaw Nasud or to visit different places, when St. Pedros statue visits different dioceses in the country. But she cautioned that the dolls are not to be mistaken for religious images that can be venerated on altars. Pedrito is, for the most part, a new evangelization tool or a way of promoting St. Pedro in a non-traditional way. Inquiries about Pedrito are available on his official page at www.facebook.com/FilipinoSaintPedroCalungsod. (Nirvaana Ella Delacruz)

Jandel Posion / CBCPMedia

FILE PHOTO

As a matter of fact, according to him, even the rights of women are guaranteed in the framework agreement which lays down groundwork for the final and enduring peace in the countrys troubled south. This is a democratic government. Christians will be allowed to hold their church activities or celebrate Christmas, Jaafar said. They will also be allowed to put up piggery all these things. The rights of every individual in the Bangsamoro government are protected. If the Muslims of the Bangsamoro can run for a political position, a non-Muslim can also run for political position, he said. Islam considers pig unclean because they are omnivorous, which means it can and will eat anything unlike cows and sheep for instance, which are herbivores. Muslims do not eat pork of any type and consider pigs and their meat filthy and unhealthy to eat. On October 15, chief negotiators of the government and the MILF signed the framework government in Malacaang. The event was also witnessed by President Benigno Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim and other partners. Spirituality Several Catholic bishops in Mindanao viewed the framework agreement with vigilant optimism and at the same time raised six core values that constitute a
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peoples platform of peace in Mindanao. These include the value of spirituality which according to them is wherein Muslims, indigenous peoples, Christians and members of other faith traditions live together in harmony and religious freedom. The religious traditions of both Islam and Christianity as well as of indigenous people can bring about both internal and external peace. Peace as spirituality and as religious tolerance can flow into society, they said. The prelates said that some of the concrete measures would be: to integrate peace and religious instruction in schools; to apply Islamic teachings in Muslim society; to promote interreligious and intercultural understanding; and to promote interfaith dialogue leading to forgiveness and reconciliation. There is also a call for more active participation of religious leaders on peace and good governance. Ritual healings can provide definitive closure of conflict situations, they added. Other principles that the bishops want to be considered in the making of the final peace agreement are sincerity, security, sensitivity, solidarity and sustainability. Two years is long enough Aquino is set to issue an executive order creating the Transition Commission as soon as the government and the MILF negotiators finish the annexes of the recently approved framework agreement. The president said that the agreement

should be worked out as soon as possible for both parties to finally come up with the final peace accord. And for Jaafar, two years of working on the agreement is long enough. We hope it will not take long because our people have been waiting for so long and probably many of them are expecting that the Bangsamoro government will be set up immediately, he said. It must not be beyond two years and I think the Bangsamoro regional government must already be operating three years from now or before the expiration of the term of the president, said Jaafar. No more repeat of ARMM failure Aquino earlier said that the ARMM was a failed experiment and the MILF assured that problems encountered before will not happen again under the Bangsamoro political entity. Out of this experience, it is but natural that we will not repeat this failure experience, said Jaafar. He added that at this time, they have already been successful in molding the kind of leadership envisioned by the late Hashim Salamat, MILF founder a righteous and God-fearing leadership. When we have this kind of leadership, our people will never fail because we have the leaders who are accountable to God and they serve not just for themselves (but for all the people), he said. (CBCPNews) main Title (CADT) to Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO). But the legality of the CADT is being contested and brought the Ati into inevitable land conflict with non-Ati residents and rich property claimants. The journey of the Ati towards full possession of their ancestral land goes on. Here [Boracay], the Ati mission of the Parish of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary takes it form, said Crisostomo. The priest added that through the Daughters of Charity, they will accompany the Boracay Ati Tribe towards the realization to their dream -for self-determination, complete possession of their ancestral land, and their full integration into the mainstream society. (Social Action News)

life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word. (no. 1213) *** What are some concrete ways to be grateful for the gift of our baptism and to leap with the graces that come with it? know and remember the day and date of your Baptism, and celebrate it with prayer and thanksgiving frequently; reawaken your baptismal sentiments when you go to Holy Mass and especially to Confession where sins are forgiven; constantly and gratefully keep in mind the priest who administered baptism to you; pray for your parents and godparents who were there on your behalf; review our commitments (Baptismal vows) and foster
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them constantly; pray and offer sacrifices for those who were baptized but have left the faith; say a daily prayer or offer some minutes of your work for those who have died without having received this wonderful gift, especially those who died due to abortion. *** We close with an inspiring consideration of St. Gregory of Nazianzus about Baptism: God's most beautiful and magnificent gift.... We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. (Oratio 40, 3-4: PG 36, 316C)

Nirva Dela Cruz / CBCPMedia

dynamism and energy, mini Pedro has been moving around Romeriding the Italian metro trains and buses nearly nonstop since touching down on the eternal city. The new media team we met at the Vatican Press Office gave their Pedrito his own iPad. They said its obvious hed have
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one because he is the saint of the youth and even though he died in the 17th century, he is a saint for the 21st! People can also follow Pedrito and the new media teams coverage of the canonization on twitter @ jpcalungsod or on Facebook at FilipinoSaintPedroCalungsod. (Carol Glatz / Catholic News Service)

The treasures of Boracay are the people who protected its natural beauty for hundreds of years, making it possible for people to enjoy it today, Crisostomo, pastor of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, said. The treasures of Boracay are not only the white beach and the blue sea, nor only the forests, the mangroves, or the wet lands, Crisostomo said. To protect the Ati and their rights is to protect Boracay. Please be one with us, the priest added. According to him, the Boracay Ati Tribe were the first settlers in the island, but when the tourists discovered the island and came in droves, rapid urbanization and commercial tourism gradually displaced the natives of Boracay.

With great demand to accommodate thousands of tourists, business minded people came and poured in investments. Forests, mangroves, and wetlands had to give way to hotels and other business establishments and infrastructures. Even the coral reefs were not spared. Best talents and resources were used in attracting more tourists to come, Crisostomo furthered. The priest lamented that the same talents and resources were used to create unfounded stories, claiming that the Boracay Ati Tribe were late comers in the island, giving the reasons for those in power to drive them out from their own place. But several academic studies were made to disprove the allegations. Studies revealed that the

natives gave the names of places found in Boracay proving that they were in the island before anyone else. It is therefore a sad fact that while Boracay welcomes foreigners, the Ati who are natives of Boracay, are little by little driven out of this island, Crisostomo said. In 1997, Kalibo Bishop Gabriel Reyes established the Diocesan Commission on Indigenous People Apostolate to address the rights of the IPs. Reyes requested the Daughters of Charity to help the diocese in their apostolate to the indigenous people in Boracay. On January 21, 2011, the National Commission on the Indigenous People (NCIP) awarded the certificate of Ancestral Do-

missionarys route to the Marianas Island where Calungsod was killed. Philpost is issuing a limited edition of 50,000 stamps with denomination of P9.00, which will be available starting October 22, 2012 up to October 20, 2013 at selected post offices nationwide. Interested clients may also call the postage and philatelic departments at (02) 527-0132.
Candidly Speaking / A4

Philpost urged the faithful especially the youth to participate in activities commemorating the life and sacrifice of Calungsod, a young layman who have given his life to serve God. Calungsod was a 17-year old Visayan martyr who was killed while doing missionary work in the Marianas Island in Guam in 1672. He was beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. (CBCPNews) some low moments. But definitely, it will be a drama with a happy ending. Evil will never have the last word. Its good to meditate Christs words to boost our hope amid trials: There is no man who has left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother...for my sake and for the gospel, who shall not receive a hundred times as much, now in this time: houses, and brethren, and sisters...with persecutions, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Mk 29-30) St. Pedro Calungsod lived these words.

moment. The skills of prayer, meditation, contemplation, offering sacrifices, etc. should be cultivated. There may be difficulties, but these are understandable and in fact should be expected. Christ himself warned us about them. In the world you will have affliction. But take courage, I have overcome the world. (Jn 16, 33) We should just trust Gods providence and correspond to it as much as possible. Doing so will surely lead us to a divine adventure that will always have its highs even if it will also have

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Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Diocesan News
He also expressed this sincere appreciation for the youth groups actively helping in parish activities across Basilan, among the countrys poorest provinces. It was in 1963 when Pope John XXIII issued a papal bull, which created the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan though there were only four parishes. In 1963, there were about 35,000 Catholics in Basilan and in 2007, while Basilan had a population of 420,000, there are now 130,000 Catholics, Jumoad said. He also said that at the St. Isabella of Portugal Cathedral, there is a baptismal book bearing the date 1866, which signifies there were already Catholics in Isabela at that time. The bishop added when the Claretians came in 1951, there were only two parishes, St. Isabella Parish church in Isabela City and St. Peter Parish in Lamitan City. He acknowledged the sacrifice of the Augustinian Recollect fathers, the Jesuits and the Claretians who ministered to the people. According to him, the missionaries then faced uncertainties, danger and risks as the missionary sisters from St. Paul Chartres, the Dominicans of the Holy Rosary and the other congregations. Jumoad said the first diocesan priests came in 1975 though most residents preferred the services of the Spanish missionaries. He added the diocesan priests sacrifices paid off eventually. Kidnap for ransom remains a genuine threat for church workers and priests in Basilan, a known stronghold of terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. However, not even one of them is intimidated by it. The prelature personnel, from the lay workers up to the bishop himself, are one in standing firm on no ransom for kidnapping. (Melo M. Acua/CBCPNews)

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Basilan launches Golden Jubilee Year

ISABELA City, BasilanPreparations are underway for the Prelature of Isabela in the predominantly Moslem province of Basilan which is turning 50 years old next year. The celebration kicked off with a Mass led by Bishop Martin Jumoad at Claret College on October 21, coinciding with the canonization of the countrys second saint, Pedro Calungsod, in Rome. Among the highlights of the event was when the bishop and priests carry the Jubilee Cross as they launched their 365 days of preparation for the prelatures Golden Jubilee next year. Jumoad, the prelatures third bishop, called on the faithful to observe the coming days as opportunities of thanksgiving and renewal. The church official lauded support of different lay organizations to the various pastoral programs of the prelature.

Isabela Bishop Martin S. Jumoad and his priests carry the Jubilee Cross which symbolizes the launching of their 365 Days of Thanksgiving and Renewal of Faith in the predominantly Muslim province of Basilan.

IPs throw support to Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro

CAGAYAN DE ORO City Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao have thrown their support behind the recently signed Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB), as a Catholic archbishop urged unity among and with all communities in Mindanao for peace to bloom in the island. We IPs (indigenous peoples) are supportive of this agreement that will usher peace in our homeland and benefit all, said Victorino Datu Migketay Saway of the Talaandig tribe of Lantapan, Bukidnon. Sawaya member of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), a grassroots network of Indigenous Peoples, Bangsamoro and Christian communities and leaders who have common vision for peace in Mindanaosaid that the FAB is a positive development for all IPs in Mindanao as it expanded the IPs vision of a genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao. The FAB signals the start of trust of our Moro brothers and sisters in our government. For our Moro fellows, congratulations, and mabuhay to our government for addressing peace in the south, he added. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, former head of CBCPs Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue and member of the Bishops-Ulama Forum, said that genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao will not automatically come after the signing of the FAB. We have to work now in the grassroots for peacebuilding and reconciliation, he said, reiterating his earlier statements that the FAB is just the beginning of the transformation of the whole Mindanao towards a culture of peace. Ledesma said that sincerity to attain genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao from both government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is needed more than ever since the roadmap to peace has already been signed. He said the FAB is just part of the whole process to attain unity and solidarity between and among the IPs, Bangsamoro and Christian settlers in Mindanao. The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), meanwhile, urged everyone in Mindanao to support the FAB. The peace talks have been an important, integral part of our social agenda for the past many years, and before us now stands the most crucial moments in our joint concern and unrelenting effort. Peace is in our hands, as we often say, the IRSMP said in a statement. The IRSMP said that the journey in the long road to peace has just begun with the signing of the FAB. And because the road is long, perseverance is needed towards the attainment of peace. No political agreement is perfect on paper, until we make it perfect and most of all fair and fulfilling to all by dint of our deed, he said. Love peace, talk peace, do peace, pray peace. Goodwill and platitudes are not enough. Peace is the highest prize, and because it is so it requires also the toughest of tasks. But with all of us working together, with the Framework Agreement showing the high way, the golden prize will soon be ours as a gift of God and reward for our tears, IRSMP added. (Bong D. Fabe)

Tarlaqueos fill town square to protest RH bill

TARLAC CityNearly a thousand Tarlaqueos coming from various municipalities and a number of schools flocked to this citys town plaza recently to protest the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill. The protest rally, called by Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense kicked off with a rousing talk by former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, who highlighted the need to oppose the measure. Atienza also questioned RH proponents insistence that Filipinos need the measure.Bakit nila sinasabing payag ang mga Pilipino sa RH bill? Binobola pa tayo, he said. Program hosts during the program openly endorsed voting for anti-RH candidates, later leading a chant on voting for Buhay party-list, of which Atienza is a nominee. The bishop warned that the country may suffer from moral degradation which he said has happened to other countries that embraced the contraceptive lifestyle. Lahat ng mga naniniwala dito sa mga contraceptives at safe sex ay talagang bumababa ang moralidad. Kaya ayaw natin na tayo ring mga Pilipino ay malulong sa mga bagay na ganyan, Cinense said. (CBCP for Life)

Tarlaqueos flock the town square in protest of the reproductive health bill
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www.cbcpforlife.com

Briefing
Prelate urges respect for non-Muslims under Bangsamoro govt

onization Cause of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson said this is the second highest place of honor. Leyson explained that the center balcony is the highest place of honor. The next ranks then move out from the center. He added that the ranks are decided by three factors: first, martyrs rank higher than nonmartyrs; bishops rank higher than priests; priests, who rank higher than religious, and laypeople. The six other new saints include Jacques Berthieu, a Jesuit missionary in Madagascar who was martyred; Giovanni Battista Piamarta, founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth; Maria Carmen Salles, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Marianne Cope, Sister of Saint Francis of Syracuse; Kateri Tekakwitha, companion of the Jesuit missionaries in North America; and Anne Schaeffer, a German laywoman and mystic. Filipino pilgrims Despite no available official crowd estimates, a foreign journalist claimed that most of the hordes of people who attended the canonization were Filipinos than any other nationality. Reports said there were about
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80,000 crowds from different countries that filled the St. Peter Square. Daniela Petroff of the Associated Press said that the large Filipino delegation could be attributed to the large attendance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Italy. There are an estimated 131, 000 Filipinos currently living in Italy. Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Tuason also believed that most of the attendees at the canonization were Filipinos. According to Tuason, the Italian Embassy in the Philippines issued 4,000 visas for Filipino pilgrims living in the country. One thousand pilgrims also flew in from Paris, France alone. She pegged the Filipino crowd at the canonization to be at least 7,000 people. Fr. Jan Limchua, a member of the Rome Commission for the canonization, said that a large Filipino delegation from the US also attended the historic occasion. Even with these figures, it is still difficult to approximate the number of Filipinos living in nearby European countries and even from the Middle East who were at the Vatican.

Jubilant In the Philippines, Masses, vigils, processions, and musical events have been held across the country to celebrate the canonization of Calungsod. Thousands of faithful gathered at the Santo Nio de Tondo Parish Church in Manila to witness the canonization rites in the Vatican, which was shown to them via live streaming. As Benedict XVI declared Calungsod as saint, the crowd cheered as a tapestry of the Visayan martyrs official canonization portrait was unveiled at the churchs loggia. Mercy Pascual, a sidewalk vendor, said the life of Calungsod should serve as inspiration to all the Filipinos especially the poor. He is a good example for all of us Catholics, Pascual, 55, said in Tagalog. In San Juan City, about 4,000 faithful also gathered at the San Juan Arena to watch the canonization shown live using a feed from EWTN downlink. Waving Philippine flaglets and mini-flags bearing the face of the new saint, the crowd cheered when the pope called out the name of the second Filipino saint. A 76-year old woman could

not help but be emotional as she watched the canonization ceremony. Its really a different feeling making me proud to be a Filipino because we have a new saint, said Norma Reyes. It was the same for a youth delegate from the Santuario de Sto. Cristo Parish, in San Juan. This serves as a reminder and inspiration that each Filipino can make a huge difference in proclaiming our faith, Monica Francia said. President Benigno Aquino III has also declared October 21, a national day of celebration to honor Calungsods life and martyrdom. Several activities to celebrate the canonization of Calungsod were also held in Novaliches, Makati City, Malolos, Zambales, Pampanga, and Bacolod. In Cebu province, a liturgical celebration and other activities was held in Ginatilan town, some 135 kilometers south of Cebu City, believed to be Calungsods birthplace. Calungsod was doing missionary work in Guam in 1672 when he was killed at age 17 for his faith together with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores. (With reports from Roy Lagarde in Manila)

ISABELA City, BasilanIsabela Bishop Martin Jumoad called on the soon-to-be-created Bangsamoro set-up to respect nonMuslims. How I wish the approach of the new government is respect, respect, respect, he said. We ask that the Bangsamoro political entity through its leadership to always observe utmost respect for everyone. He also appealed to those who would occupy seats of power in the Bangsamoro political entity to prove theres no more graft and corruption and work for peace and development. (Melo M. Acua)
Diocesan Marian youth day to focus on RH issue

NAVAL, BiliranWith the celebration of October as Marian month, a diocesan Marian youth day to be held at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Leyte on Oct. 26 to 27 will discuss issues concerning the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and the Virgin Marys role on the issue. Fr. Cornelio Amante, Jr., diocesan youth director, said the youth in Biliran are aware of the issue on RH bill but conceded that many of them are still confused on the issue. (Jandel Posion)
Caceres opens Year of Faith

NAGA CityThe Archdiocese of Caceres opened the solemn Year of Faith with a Eucharistic celebration led by Archbishopelect Rolando Tria-Tirona at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, October 11. Archbishop-emeritus Leonardo Legaspi, OP, explained during his homily that the archdiocesan celebration of Year of Faith aims to provide renewal and conversion through an encounter of Christ, a deeper understanding of, and authentic witnessing to faith. The yearlong celebration is divided into four thematic periods over the liturgical season. From October 2012-January 2013: Conversion through encounters of Grace; February- May 2013: Conversion through Fruits of Faith; June-September 2013: Conversion through Charity and Mercy; and October-November 2013: Conversion through the Service of Communion. (CBCPNews)
Priest seeks independent medical assessment for Arroyo

Governor Lala and I have agreed on signing the covenant on good governance, was the communication I got from Bishop Romy de la Cruz of Kidapawan. We shall proceed with the signing on September 5, he continued. September 5 had been the date proposed by Sec. Robredo when he enthusiastically agreed to attend the day-long seminar for UBAS (Ugnayan ng Barangay at mga Simbahan) and witness the signing between the local ordinary and the governor. There was no turning back for the organizers. The clergy of Kidapawan had looked forward to this date. Some, like Fr. Jess Esparagoza, still recall how the late secretary had arrived in Kidapawan the day after the attempted jail breakout last February 21, 2012 to do crisis management. He even made time to go to mass without making much fuss about it. Good governance is starting to take root, albeit amidst great difficulties, in Kidapawan. During our after-lunch discussions, I overhead one lay leader say that one very likely candidate for next years election would surely make it because he is recognized as good, even if he did not have any money, meaning even without resorting to vote buying. The covenant signing proceeded as planned. All 554 barangays were represented
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and all of North Cotabatos municipalities passed the seal of good housekeeping, an initiative of Robredo. Ang Simbahan ay hindi kalaban, the Governor said. Bishop Romy recalled critical collaboration, a term dear to the late Cardinal Sin. In North Cotabato good governance proceeds against all odds. *** After some awkward beginnings in promoting Pedro Calungsods causeafter all it is not every day that a local church promotes someone for beatificationCardinal Vidal finally made some headway with the appointment of Fr. Ilde Leyson in 1996. But the odds were stacked up against Pedro with more than 3,000 other candidates for beatification. Nevertheless, Pedro unexpectedly made it in 2000. Pedros recent canonization comes 12 years later. This time more than 400 causes were on the line, some already on the list for 25 years or more. Cardinal Vidal was ready to wait for some more time when a fellow Cardinal informed him that Benedict XVI was looking for a youth who is a catechist to be a model for the year of faith that began in 11 October, the 50th anniversary of the start of the very historic Vatican II. With a healing miracle attributed to the intercession of San Pedro Calungsod and the martyred lad fitting the attributes Benedict

XVI was looking for, Pedros canonization was in itself a miracle of sorts. Magaling sa timing si San Pedro, says Cardinal Vidal with an impish smile. *** San Pedro Calungsods timing and fast-tracking deserves a closer look. His inspiration had led to the formation in 1995 of the Pundok ni Pedro Calungsod and the celebration of the Sinulog in Rome. A copy of a Cebuano Catholic Study Biblestarting with the four gospelswill be given by Cardinal Vidal to Benedict XVI as a tangible gift of faith. The initial phase of the projectalso against all oddsis a 12year effort by Cebuano-speaking exegetes translating directly from the Greek into Cebuano. While these efforts have a regional dimension that contributes to the rich tapestry of the Filipino Christian faith, San Pedro also speaks to our dream of a better nation. Like him, our desire for development can be fast tracked only when we get our acts together to change ourselves and the Philippines one step at a timestarting with replacing the cycle of vice and egotism with that of virtue. By committing to live virtuous lives, we shall have begun the cycle of Christian solidarity and development. And with God we shall prevailagainst all odds. Viva San Pedro Calungsod!

QUEZON CityThe government should let former President Gloria Arroyo undergo an independent medical assessment to erase doubts about her real health condition, a Catholic priest said. Fr. Marlon Lacal, executive secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Men in the Philippines, said it is high time to have an independent medical team to examine Arroyos condition. I think theres really a need for an independent medical team to assist her situation, Lacal said over Church-run Radio Veritas. (CBCPNews)

tend the meetings of the Sacred College and to make themselves available individually if the pope desires their counsel. Cardinals also have additional duties either leading many of the churchs dioceses and archdioceses or running the Roman Curia. The most important function of Cardinals in the Church is to elect the Roman Pontiff who usually comes from their rank.

Tagle has been serving as the 32nd archbishop of Manila only since last December, succeeding Rosales. Born in Manila on June 21, 1957, Tagle took his Philosophy and Theology at the Ateneo De Manila Universitys San Jose Major Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 27, 1982, at the age of 25. From 1985 to 1992, he was sent for further studies at the Catholic University of America in Wash-

ington D.C. where he earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Since 1997, Tagle has been a member of the International Theological Commission of the Vatican. In 1998, he was as an expert at the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Asia that took place in Rome. On December 12, 2001, he was ordained Bishop of Imus. Since then, he has been engaged in many activities. He travels

throughout the country in answer to many invitations as a speaker. At the Synod of Bishops held in Rome in 2005, he was elected member of the post-synodal Council and assistant to Cardinal Angelo Scola, general reporter of this Synod. Tagle is currently the chairman of the Commission on Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (RL/CBCPNews)

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People, Facts & Places

CBCP Monitor

October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

Tagle, Villegas appointed to Synod Message Commission

TWO Filipino archbishops have been appointed to the Commission for the Message for the synod of bishops being held in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI has named Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle as the vice president of the commission that will produce a statement to the world to be issued at the conclusion of the synod. Tagle will work with Florence Archbishop Giuseppe Cardinal Betori who was appointed by the 85-year old pontiff as president of the 12-member commission. The pope will appoint a further two members of the body while the Synod Fathers elected the eight others, including Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. The commission is tasked with preparing a message, which, after the approval by the Synod Fathers will be published to inform the faithful about the themes dealt with during the Synodal Assize. The 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will end on Oct. 28, will address the theme The Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. Other Filipino archbishops joining the synod are Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles. The gathering is guided by a working document, issued June 19, which is the result of more than a year worldwide consultation among church leaders. Part of the document states that New Evangelization must provide an adequate response to the signs of the times, to the

Calungsod inspires Filipino art

A retablo by Pampanga artist Willy Layug depicts in two large bas relief panels the martyrdom of Filipino Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod. The retablo is set to be installed at the crypt chapel of Collegio Filippino in Rome.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle sits with other bishops at the Vatican Plenary Hall on the second day of the Synod of Bishops for the New Evangelization, October 9, 2012. Tagle was one of the 36 Synod Fathers named by Pope Benedict XVI. (FABC OSC/Photo by: Annie Lam/Holy Spirit Study Center, Hong Kong Diocese)

needs of individuals and people of today and to the new sectors with their cultures through

which we express our identity and the meaning of our lives. (RL/CBCPNews)

Catholics hold real-time events on Calungsod canonization

IN celebration with the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in Rome on October 21, a simultaneous big event were held at the Sto. Nio de Tondo Parish in Manila from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dubbed as The Canonization of Bl. Pedro Calungsod, the event was attended by more than 1,000 young people from all over Metro Manila including the youth of the Archdiocese. A live telecast of the canonization rites direct from the Vatican was aired during the program. A closing mass was celebrated by Fr. Tirso Gliponeo, SOLT, the parish youth minister and Fr. Jacinto Rey Padua, the parish priest of Sto. Nio de Tondo Parish, Manila. Other local celebrations took place in different venues such as in the diocese of Novaliches where a Calungsod Youth Day was held. Another event at 2 p.m. held at the Good tion of St. Pedro Calungsod. Titled Pedro at Ako, the event was held at the Savio Dome of Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening. The Catholic Media Network also led a celebration of Pedro Calungsods canonization in San Juan where nationwide radio and TV networks simultaneously broadcast the canonizations rites in Rome via EWTN downlink. In Cebu, the Commission on Youth of the Archdiocese and the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue, together with the City Government invited every Sugbuanon to watch Barkada ni Pedro Live, a live telecast of the canonization in Rome from 12 noon to 6:30 p.m. The event, which includes a drama on the life of the 2nd Filipino saint, talks and trivia games, was held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. (Jandel Posion/ CBCPNews)

Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia

WHEN Pampanga ecclesiastical artist Willy Layug talks about Calungsod with an irrepressible energy one instantly knows the young martyr is an inspiration not just spiritually, but artistically as well. Layug has just finished work on a new retablo or a tableau depicting the martyrdoms of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Saint Pedro Calungsod. It will be installed next week at the crypt chapel in the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the residence of Filipino priests who undergo further studies in Rome. In an interview, he explained how he wanted the retablo to be a visual feast of uniquely Filipino elements and materials like bamboo, pine wood and gold leaf. Even the angels wear Filipino costumes, Layug said, describing an angel with very Filipino features in the retablo, garbed in the traditional barot saya. Giving back The retablo, which is a gift from acclaimed Presidential Merit Awardee Willy Layug, depicts in two large bas relief panels the death scenes of the two Filipino saints. The story of the project began when Layug was introduced to Fr. Greg Gaston, Rector of Collegio Filippino, earlier this year. Layug said he was really interested in donating the retablo to the Collegio Filippino, saying that besides the prestige this project will bring to him, Layug honestly feels the desire to give

back to the Church which has patronized his works over the years. I really dreamt about donating to Collegio, Layug added. On the spot conversion An interesting trivia about the retablo is that the artist, like many of the great European masters before him, modelled one of the persons in the relleve after himself. If people look closely at the figure of Hirao, who was one of the two men who killed Calungsod, it should not be surprising that he uncannily resembles Layug himself, since this was intentional. Even my son teases me, saying that I killed Pedro Calunsgod, Layug said jokingly. Layug explained that a possible behind-the-scenes explanation is that one of the killers got converted on the spot and repented from killing Calungsod. The retablo will be officially installed and blessed in a liturgical celebration presided over by Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, the retired Archbishop of Cebu, on October 22. This will be after the thanksgiving mass for the Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, which will be held in the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter at Saint Peters Basilica. Besides this commission, Layug is also currently making another bas relief of Blessed Pedro, which will most likely be given to the Holy Father as a gift. (Aaron James R. Veloso/ Nirva'ana Ella Delacruz)

A tapestry of Pedro Calungsod is displayed on the facade of Santo Nio de Tondo Parish in Manila on October 21 after Pope Benedict XVI declared the Visayan martyr in a canonization ceremony at St. Peters Square, Vatican City.

Shepherd Cathedral Covered Court had 600 young people as participants. In Makati City, the Federation of National Youth Organization (FNYO) also marked their FNYO Day by celebrating the canoniza-

CBCP welcomes new guidelines on detainee voting

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Prison Ministry office welcomed the promulgation of guidelines by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to aid detainees in voting for the upcoming 2013 elections. Comelecs Resolution No. 9371 provides that a detainee voter of legal age and have stayed inside detention centers for at least six months prior to May 2013 election can file their voter applications via satellite registration. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care executive secretary Mr. Rodolfo Diamante said that their advocacy on detention prisoners voting has been granted. The resolution provides for candidates to campaign inside detention facilities and as of yesterday, there are about 24,706 prisoners who are registered to vote on the 2013 election, Diamante said. Registration centers will be put up inside detention centers and jails managed by respective election officers in the city or town where the jail is located. Registered voters in the 2010 national polls can update their information in case of transfer of jail facility. Special polling places will be established in detention centers or jails with at least 50 registered detainee voters and will be manned by the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI). (Jandel Posion/ CBCPNews)

Markings
APPOINTED. Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Lingayen-Dagupan Auxiliary Bishop Renato Mayugba the new bishop for the Diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Mayugba will succeed Archbishop Sergio Utleg who was appointed to head the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in June 2011. Mayugba was born December 4, 1955. He entered the priesthood on April 25, 1981. His episcopal ordination was on December 27, 2005. Upon his installation, Mayugba will shepherd a diocese that has around half-a-million Catholics. APPOINTED. The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop-emeritus of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, as his special envoy to the 10th plenary assembly of Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC). The gathering will be held at the Xuan Loc Diocese Pastoral Centre from November 19 to 25, 2012. The concluding ceremony will take place in the cathedral of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The FABCs plenary assembly is held every four years, the last being in Manila in 2009. This years gathering will mark the 40th anniversary of FABC, the apex body of the Catholic Church in Asia. About 100 participants consisting of presidents of bishops conferences, theologians and other church leaders are expected to attend the event. With the theme FABC at Forty YearsResponding to the Challenges of Asia: The New Evangelization, they will discuss the ways of living the spirit of renewal and the vision of evangelization in Asia. FABC has 15 bishops conference membersBangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos-Cambodia, Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It also has 10 associate members Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Siberia (Russia), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and East Timor. CELEBRATED. Fr. Jorge Peligro, OAR, 25th anniversary of sacerdotal ordination, October 3, 2012. A native of Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, Peligro made his simple profession of vows at the Seminario Mayor-Recoletos in Baguio on June 11, 1983 and solemn profession in October 18, 1986 in Marcilla, Navarra in Spain. He was ordained to the priesthood in October 3, 1987 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Cebu City. Peligros many responsibilities include assignments in schools, seminaries and houses of the OAR and a post overseas. He took his further studies in Rome and finished it in 1992. Currently, he is assigned at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City as Vice President for Academics and Dean of Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School. ORDAINED. Narciso Corvera Jr. y Pedagat to the Sacred Order of Deacons, October 22, 2012. Corvera is a native of San Pablo City and a Theology graduate at the SVD Theological Seminary in Tagaytay City. San Pablo Bishop Leo M. Drona SDB, presided the solemn ceremony at the St. Peters College Seminary in San Pablo City.

National Youth council evaluates Year of the Youth celebration

THE National Youth Coordinating Council (NYCC) composed of youth directors, coordinators, and leaders from 14 youth regions gathered in Sorsogon last October 6 and 7 for an evaluation of the celebration of the Year of Youth held in 2011. The National Youth Coordinating Council (NYCC) acts as the consultative body of Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The gathering also served as a common celebration for youth leaders of ECYs 25th anniversary while evaluating how the commission will direct national plans and activities for the coming years until 2015. When asked about what they achieved during the meeting, ECYs executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta said they were able to define the target of their plans for the coming years although the plans are yet to be finalized. Plans like a possible survey, following up the 2002 survey of the youth will be observed and plans for this will be worked out with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). This is just one of those we were able to achieve during the NYCC 2012, he added. Garganta hopes that with the help of region heads, the ECY will be able to formulate its vision and mission as a starter for the strategic planning on November 20 for ECY bishops to be able to direct the commission to make its plan for the coming years. The priest also mentioned the thrust of ECY is the clear situation of the youth on what to achieve on the coming years, the kind of youth we want to know and see at least until 2015. ECYs direction will be the evolution of becoming ready and organize in offering capability building task for the youth ministry, he furthered. The next NYCC meeting will be held in the Diocese of Kabankalan on May 2013. (Jandel Posion/CBCPNews)

Calungsod musicale to go on campus tour

THE successful premiere showing of the Pedro Calungsod musical at the culmination of National Laity Week has inspired organizers to plan for a campus tour to introduce the Saint Pedro Calungsod to the young. Teen Saint Pedro Musicale Producer Bob Serrano said the focus of the musicale is for Pedro to be introduced to the young and be a model to them. We want the young to know Calungsods faithfulness, purity, being able to serve without counting the cost and making sacrifice for a greater good. Those qualities of the teen saint can be acquired by the youth and make him their model, Serrano said. Serrano added that through the musicale, people will know Calungsods life and works and his contribution to the Church and faith. When asked about the songs used in the musicale, Serrano mentioned most of the songs come from the original musical Scenes of Martyrdom written by Msgr. Rudy Villanueva of Cebu. We have adopted some of the songs but we also contributed some songs composed by me and my partner Nonong Sampang. This is really a refreshed version of the original musical in Cebu and it is versed in English so that it can be shown not just in the country, but around the world, Serrano furthered. TV actor Makisig Morales portrays Pedro Calungsod in the musicale. They had a public showing at the Meralco Theater on October 17. (Jandel Posion/ CBCPnews)

Teen actor Makisig Morales plays Calungsod in the musicale Teen Saint Pedro.

Young Filipino appointed to SSVPs intl youth commission

THE Parisian-based International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has recently appointed a young Filipino as representative of Asia and Oceania in its international youth commission. Dr. Michael Thio, president general of the Confederation, has appointed Karl Michael Hila of the Philippines as member of the SSVPs international youth commission. Hila is currently the director for youth development of the SSVP National Council of the Philippines. In an appointment letter dated September 27, 2012, Thio confirmed Hilas appointment, which will end on September 27, 2014. By virtue of his appointment, Hila will directly depend on the vice-president for international youth, Julien Spiewak, for fraternal assistance. Together we shall try to develop and promote the Vincentian work all around the world, through our apostolic action as Vincentians and humble servants of our Lord, Thio told Hila in the letter. In an interview with YouthPinoy, Hila said he was overwhelmed by the news of his appointment after attending the recently concluded National Conference for Youth Ministers (NCYM) held in Legazpi City, Albay. I am still overwhelmed with joy because of the NCYM and the upcoming Taize Intercontinental Meeting so when I read the appointment confirmation, I just cant help but cry! Hila told YouthPinoy. I have appreciated the NCYM theme even more, Youth Ministers chosen by Christ, living the faith, and fruitful in mission. It is a great honor, and I just feel unqualified and unworthy. Nevertheless, He doesnt call the qualified but qualifies the called. I am indeed overwhelmed with joy, he shared. (YouthPinoy)

Nirva Dela Cruz / CBCPMedia

Photo courtesy of Willy Layug

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Pastoral Concerns

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May the witness of these new saints speak today to the whole Church
(Homily of Pope Benedict XVI at the Canonization of Seven New Saints on October 21, 2012.)

DEAR Brother Bishops, Dear brothers and sisters!

Today the Church listens again to these words of Jesus, spoken by the Lord during his journey to Jerusalem, where he was to accomplish the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection. They are words which enshrine the meaning of Christs mission on earth, marked by his sacrifice, by his total self-giving. On this third Sunday of October, on which we celebrate World Mission Sunday, the Church listens to them with special attention and renews her conviction that she should always be fully dedicated to serve mankind and the Gospel, after the example of the One who gave himself up even to the sacrifice of his life. I extend warm greetings to all of you who fill Saint Peters Square, especially the official delegations and the pilgrims who have come to celebrate the seven new saints. I greet with affection the Cardinals and Bishops who, during these days, are taking part in the Synodal Assembly on the New Evangelization. The coincidence between this ecclesiastical meeting and World Mission Sunday is a happy one; and the word of God that we have listened to sheds light on both subjects. It shows how to be evangelizers, called to bear witness and to proclaim the Christian message, configuring ourselves to Christ and following his same way of life. This is true both for the mission ad Gentes and for the new evangelization in places with ancient Christian roots. The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (cf. Mk 10:45) These words were the blueprint for living of the seven Blessed men and women that the Church solemnly enrolls this morning in the glorious ranks of the saints. With heroic courage they spent their lives in total consecration to the Lord and in the generous service of their brethren. They are sons and daughters of the Church who chose a life of service following the Lord. Holiness always rises up in the Church from the well-spring of the mystery of redemption, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading: the Servant of the Lord is the righteous one who shall make many to be accounted as righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities (Is 53:11); this Servant is Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and living in glory. Todays canonization is an eloquent confirmation of this mysterious saving reality. The tenacious profession of faith of these seven generous disciples of Christ, their configuration to the Son of Man shines out brightly today in the whole Church. Jacques Berthieu, born in 1838 in France, was passionate about Jesus Christ at an early age. During his parish ministry, he had the burning desire to save souls. Becoming a Jesuit, he wished to journey through the world for the glory of God. A tireless pastor on the island of Sainte Marie,

then in Madagascar, he struggled against injustice while bringing succour to the poor and sick. The Malagasies thought of him as a priest come down from heaven, saying, You are our father and mother! He made himself all things to all men, drawing from prayer and his love of the sacred heart of Jesus the human and priestly force to face martyrdom in 1896. He died, saying I prefer to die rather than renounce my faith. Dear friends, may the life of this evangelizer be an encouragement and a model for priests that, like him, they will be men of God! May his example aid the many Christians of today persecuted for their faith! In this Year of Faith, may his intercession bring forth many fruits for Madagascar and the African Continent! May God bless the Malagasy people! Pedro Calungsod was born around the year sixteen fifty-four, in the Visayas region of the Philippines. His love for Christ inspired him to train as a catechist with the Jesuit missionaries there. In sixteen sixtyeight, along with other young catechists, he accompanied Father Diego Lus de San Vitores to the Marianas Islands in order to evangelize the Chamorro people. Life there was hard and the missionaries also faced persecution arising from envy and slander. Pedro, however, displayed deep faith and charity and continued to catechize his many converts, giving witness to Christ by a life of purity and dedication to the Gospel. Uppermost was his desire to win souls for Christ, and this made him resolute in accepting martyrdom. He died on the second of April, sixteen seventy-two. Witnesses record that Pedro could have fled for safety but chose to stay at Father Diegos side. The priest was able to give Pedro absolution before he himself was killed. May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God! Giovanni Battista Piamarta, priest of the Diocese of Brescia, was a great apostle of charity and of young people. He raised awareness of the need for a cultural and social presence of Catholicism in the modern world, and so he dedicated himself to the Christian, moral and professional growth of the younger generations with an enlightened input of humanity and goodness. Animated by unshakable faith in divine providence and by a profound spirit of sacrifice, he faced difficulties and fatigue to breathe life into various apostolic works, including the Artigianelli Institute, Queriniana Publishers, the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth for men, and for women the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord. The secret of his intense and busy life is found in the long hours he gave to prayer. When he was overburdened with work, he increased the length of his encounter, heart to heart, with the Lord. He preferred to pause before the

Blessed Sacrament, meditating upon the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, to gain spiritual fortitude and return to gaining peoples hearts, especially the young, to bring them back to the sources of life with fresh pastoral initiatives. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you (Ps 32:22). With these words, the liturgy invites us to make our own this hymn to God, creator and provider, accepting his plan into our lives. Mara Carmelo Salls y Barangueras, a religious born in Vic in Spain in 1848, did just so. Filled with hope in spite of many trials, she, on seeing the progress of the Congregation of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching, which she founded in 1892, was able to sing with the Mother of God, His mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation (Lk 1:50). Her educational work, entrusted to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, continues to bear abundant fruit among young people through the generous dedication of her daughters who, like her, entrust themselves to God for whom all is possible. [in English] I now turn to Marianne Cope, born in eighteen thirty-eight in Heppenheim, Germany. Only one year old when taken to the United States, in eighteen sixty-two she entered the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis at Syracuse, New York. Later, as Superior General of her congregation, Mother Marianne willingly embraced a call to care for the lepers of Hawaii after many others had refused. She personally went, with six of her fellow sisters, to manage a hospital on Oahu, later founding Malulani Hospital on Maui and opening a home for girls whose parents were lepers. Five years after that she accepted the invitation to open a home for women and girls on the island of Molokai itself, bravely going there herself and effectively ending her contact with the outside world. There she looked after Father Damien, already famous for his heroic work among the lepers, nursed him as he died and took over his work among male lepers. At a time when little could be done for those suffering from this terrible disease, Marianne Cope showed the highest love, courage and enthusiasm. She is a shining and energetic example of the best of the tradition of Catholic nursing sisters and of the spirit of her beloved Saint Francis. Kateri Tekakwitha was born in todays New York state in sixteen fifty-six to a Mohawk father and a Christian Algonquin mother who gave to her a sense of the living God. She was baptized at twenty years of age and, to escape persecution, she took refuge in Saint Francis Xavier Mission near Montreal. There she worked, faithful to the traditions of her people, although renouncing their religious convictions until her death at the age of twenty-four. Leading a simple life, Kateri remained faithful to her love for Jesus, to prayer and to daily
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Proclaim your faith!

(Homily of Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I, at the last day of the Triduum leading to the Canonization of Pedro Calungsod, on October 22, 2012 at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore; Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales presided the Mass.) MARYthe Star of Evangelization First, a question. On this final day of our Triduum, why do we celebrate the Mass in honor of the Holy Name of Mary? Because this Mass brings us back to the Mariana islands of the 17th century, It brings us back to the time when Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, S.J, and his young missionary partner, the Visayan lay catechist, Pedro Calungsod proclaimed the Christian faith to the Chamorros of Guam. Our Mass this morning reminds us that Padre Diego had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. He dedicated the first church in the new mission to the Sweet Name of Mary. By the sweet name of Mary he hoped that the mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the Chamorros would be blessed by God with abundant fruit. That hope has been realized. On the original site of the first Church, there now magnificently stands the Cathedral Basilica of the Sweet Name of Mary, a symbol of the Christian and Catholic faith of the people of Guam. Through the veins of their beloved leader, Archbishop Anthony Apuron who is with us today, flows the blood of his Chamorro ancestors as well as the blood of his Filipino grandfather from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. In the history of the local Church of Agana, Guam we see once again the truth of that ancient aphorism: The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity. Padre Diego passed on his deep devotion to Mary to the young Pedro Calungsod. These two valiant missionaries, priest and lay teenager, under the inspiration and guidance of the Blessed Mother proclaimed their faith with zeal and courage among the Chamorros. The Mass this morning also brings us back to the 1st century, to that room in Jerusalem where Mary and the Apostles were gathered in prayer. Suddenly in that room there was the sound of a mighty wind. The Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit filled them and transformed them. Driven by the Holy Spirit, inspired and strengthened by the presence of Mary the Blessed Mother the Apostles would later go forth to the different parts of the civilized world, even to distant unknown lands, literally to the ends of the earth. Everywhere they proclaimed Jesus as the Lord and Savior of all. As Mary saw the Apostles off to tell the story of Jesus, her own Son, she prayed for them and was their Mother from afar. For the Apostles, Mary was the living memory of Jesus, their beloved Teacher and Lord. Mary then was present at the beginning of the Churchs mission to evangelize. She was also present when Padre Diego and Pedro Calungsod began their missionary work. Mary, indeed, is the Star of Evangelization, as Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have said. She is the Star, the brilliant beacon that reflects to others the face of her own Son. She is the Star that points unmistakably to her Son. Jesus the Center of Proclamation But what did Padre Diego and Pedro Calungsod really proclaim? What do we proclaim when we evangelize? Do
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Photos courtesy of www.facebook.com/youthpinoy/Fr. Joriz Calsa

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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Celebration of the Holy Mass by a Married Priest

Ending a homily
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following queries:) Q: I have been taught that the homily, whenever given, is part of the Mass, many times obligatory (Sundays and solemnities), and always advisable, when possible. It should lead the faithful from the banquet of the Word to the Eucharistic banquet. In fact, it is good that the last words of the homily make some express reference to the Eucharist. That is why I have always understood that homilies should not be ended with the words, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This usage breaks the unity between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. There should rather be a smooth passage to the rite of the Eucharist. Those words are to be said at the beginning and at the end of the Mass, but not at the end of the homily. My question is: Is this correct? Should it be incorporated somewhere in the rubrics or in the General Introduction of the Roman Missal? Should it be taught to young and old priests who might have forgotten it? That invocation to the Blessed Trinity, so beautiful, is not proper to the homily, but perhaps it is to sermons and other expositions of Christian doctrine outside the celebration of the Mass, as in novenas, etc.--A.D., Nairobi, Kenya A: The most recent and complete official pronunciation on the importance of the homily is found in the 2010 postsynodal apostolic exhortation, Verbum Domini: 59. Each member of the People of God has different duties and responsibilities with respect to the word of God. Accordingly, the faithful listen to Gods word and meditate on it, but those who have the office of teaching by virtue of sacred ordination or have been entrusted with exercising that ministry, namely, bishops, priests and deacons, expound the word of God.Hence we can understand the attention paid to the homily throughout the Synod. In the Apostolic ExhortationSacramentum Caritatis, I pointed out that given the importance of the word of God, the quality of homilies needs to be improved. The homily is part of the liturgical action and is meant to foster a deeper understanding of the word of God, so that it can bear fruit in the lives of the faithful. The homily is a means of bringing the scriptural message to life in a way that helps the faithful to realize that Gods word is present and at work in their everyday lives. It should lead to an understanding of the mystery being celebrated, serve as a summons to mission, and prepare the assembly for the profession of faith, the universal prayer and the Eucharistic liturgy. Consequently, those who have been charged with preaching by virtue of a specific ministry ought to take this task to heart. Generic and abstract homilies which obscure the directness of Gods word should be avoided, as well as useless digressions which risk drawing greater attention to the preacher than to the heart of the Gospel message. The faithful should be able to perceive clearly that the preacher has a compelling desire to present Christ, who must stand at the center of every homily. For this reason preachers need to be in close and constant contact with the sacred text; they should prepare for the homily by meditation and prayer, so as to preach with conviction and passion. The synodal assembly asked that the following questions be kept in mind: What are the Scriptures being proclaimed saying? What do they say to me personally? What should I say to the community in the light of its concrete situation? The preacher should be the first to hear the word of God which he proclaims, since, as Saint Augustine says: He is undoubtedly barren who preaches outwardly the word of God without hearing it inwardly. The homily for Sundays and solemnities should be prepared carefully, without neglecting, whenever possible, to offer at weekday Masses cum populo brief and timely reflections which can help the faithful to welcome the word which was proclaimed and to let it bear fruit in their lives. This text says much regarding the importance of the homily but practically nothing regarding such questions as to how to appropriately begin or conclude a homily. Indeed there do not appear to be any strict rules regarding this, although there are many opinions. In the above text Benedict XVI insists above all that Christ be the center of any homily, and I believe that this is sufficient to connect the table of the Word to the table of the Eucharist. Asking the homilist to always attempt an explicit reference to the Eucharist is more likely to be counterproductive and end up imposing a formulaic and artificial construction. Something similar could be said about using the Trinitarian formula. Some preachers might do so as an act of devotion and as a way of underlining that their preaching is done in Gods name and not for personal glory. Even when such high motivations exist, however, I do not think it is a good idea to always conclude in this way. I believe that it is generally better to prepare a conclusion appropriate to the readings. In some cases it might even be a way of avoiding having to make a proper conclusion at all by using a catch-all phrase. However, there is no express prohibition on doing so. Indeed, concluding the homily with a Trinitarian doxology was quite common in patristic times when the doxology served the role of the preachers profession of faith before the introduction of the creed into the Mass. Some medieval preachers, such as St. Peter Damian, would also frequently conclude the homily with a Trinitarian doxology. Both Blessed John Paul II and our present Holy Father tend to finish the homily with an exhortation or a prayer of intercession. The use of the Trinitarian formula is rare, although it concluded at least one homily on the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Most of Benedict XVIs homilies end with an Amen after a prayer. For example, he recently concluded his homily on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this way: Let us entrust ourselves to her Motherly intercession, that she may obtain that he strengthen our faith in eternal life; may she help us to live the best way the time that God has given us with hope. May it be a Christian hope, that is not only nostalgia for heaven, but a living and active desire for God who is here in the world, a desire for God that makes us tireless pilgrims, nourishing in us the courage and the power of faith, which at the same time is the courage and the power of love. Amen. Several writers have claimed that Benedict XVI will be remembered most for the quality of his homilies. I certainly believe that many priests would benefit from close contact with his work. The faithful would probably be grateful as well.

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

GIVEN the shortage of priests, especially in certain regions, some faithful have asked the Holy See ifwith a just reason, as for example the lack of priests to celebrate Mass in the rural areas on Sundaysit might be licit to ask a married priest to celebrate Mass, citing the provision of c.1335 of the Code of Canon Law. Can this be applied to the case of the Philippines, where in many places, priests have to celebrate as many as six Masses on Sundays, just to accommodate the many chapels attached to a given parish? In the same line, is there merit to the move of some ex-priestsi.e., Catholic priests who have been dispensed from their priestly duties, or may even have been granted the dispensation to get marriedto request for the faculty to celebrate Mass precisely to alleviate the situation of shortage of clergy for the celebration of Masses on Sundays and other days of obligation? The Provision of the Code Can.1335 states: If a censure prohibits the celebration of the sacraments or sacramentals or the exercise of a power of governance, the prohibition is suspended whenever this is necessary to provide for the faithful who are in danger of death. If a latae sententiae censure has

not been declared, the prohibition is also suspended whenever one of the faithful requests a sacrament or sacramental or an act of the power of governance; for any just reason it is lawful to make such a request. Applying this norm to the case in question, it would indeed seem like it might be licit to ask a priest who had attempted marriage because technically this is the situation of a so-called married priest, since the civil marriage he might have entered into (obviously a canonical marriage would be invalid ab initio) would not really be a marriage in the eyes of God or of the Churchto celebrate Mass, especially if the latae sententiae suspension has not been declared. Authentic Interpretation of the Law The Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, in a rescript approved by Pope John Paul II on 15.V.1997 and subsequently published on 19.V.1997, gave the following authentic interpretation of the law as regards this point in the following terms (which I quote extensively). 1) The attempted marriage by a subject with Holy Orders is a serious violation of a duty proper to the clerical state (cf. c.1087 of the Code of Canon Law) and therefore determines an objective situation of

lack of suitability for the performance of pastoral ministry, according to the disciplinary demands of ecclesial communion. Such action, besides being a canonical offense for which the cleric incurs the penalties laid down in c.1394,1 of the CIC, automatically leads to his irregularity for the exercise of sacred orders, in accordance with c.1044, 1, 3 of the CIC. This irregularity is perpetual and therefore is independent even of the eventual remission of any penalties. Consequently, apart from the case of the administration of the sacrament of penance to a faithful in danger of death (cf. c.976 of the CIC), it is unlawful for a cleric, who has attempted marriage, to exercise holy orders in any way, particularly the Eucharist; neither can the faithful legitimately ask him to do so you for any reason, except in danger of death. 2) Furthermore, in this case, although the penalty has not been declared, no just and reasonable cause exists for the faithful to legitimately ask the priestly ministry. Indeed, given the nature of this crime and regardless of its legal consequences, there arises an objective unsuitability to perform pastoral ministry; besides, considering that in this case the illicit and criminal situation of the cleric is wellknown, the conditions for

recognizing the just cause referred to by the canon do not exist. The right of the faithful to the spiritual goods of the Church (cf. c.213 of the CIC) cannot be conceived as justifying such a claim, since such rights must be exercised within the limits of and with due respect to the canonical norms. 3) As for the clerics who have lost the clerical state in accordance with c.290 of the CIC, and whether or not they have subsequently married after the dispensation from celibacy granted by the Pope, it is known that they are prohibited from exercising the power of Orders (cf. c.292 of the CIC). Therefore, and always except for the sacrament of penance in danger of death, no Catholic can legitimately ask a sacrament from such former clerics. Conclusion In summary, so-called expriests may not legitimately celebrate Mass or any other sacrament, except the sacrament of Reconciliation for a penitent in danger of death. Conversely, neither is it legitimate for the faithful to ask such priests to exercise Holy Orders, except for the case of the Sacrament of Penance when the penitent is in danger of death.

Vestments in hot climates

Q: Why do priests and religious still vest in their habit, cassocks, chasuble, albs and the like in our modern world? I am in Ghana and the weather can be so hot that you pity the priests in their cassock, alb and the chasuble during Mass. -- E.S., Accra, Ghana A: I think our reader has hit a nerve that touches on deeper motivations than the practical or on the question of fulfillment of liturgical laws. I think the question can be divided into two parts, one is more theoretical: Why do priests wear such vestments in our modern world? The second part deals with what changes can be made for climatic purposes. The reason why priests wear liturgical vestments today is the same reason why they have been worn for most of the Churchs history. It is true that there were no special vestments for the celebration in the first few centuries, but these developed as a natural process in which the best clothes were reserved for the liturgy and little by little developed forms exclusive to their sacred use. Vestments help all involved to understand the role that is proper to them. They remind priest and faithful alike that he is above all a sacred minister. Although they appear to single out the priest, in fact the individual, with his quirks and qualities, disappears below the symbol of his ministerial role. I remember reading many years ago the story of an English Catholic prisoner of war during World War II. A German military chaplain came to celebrate Mass. The English soldier commented that, once the enemy uniform was covered by the sacred vestments, the German was simply a priest representing God, the Church and nobody else. Vestments, with their ample form and

almost zero practicality, also remind us that we are in a solemn time when actions should be carried out with unhurried pace and due reverence. In other words, they slow us down and remind us to give God time to speak. The beauty of vestments is also a way of reminding us that God deserves our best. The vestments are also a means of teaching through the use of liturgical colors and symbols. With respect to the second part of the question I would first say that it is not necessary to go to Ghana for uncomfortable climates; a Roman summer can be muggy enough. Also, if anything, modern technology makes it far less uncomfortable to wear liturgical dress than in former times. Even in places where air-conditioning is not available, there

are options such as beautiful light fabrics for vestments that ease the discomfort. Furthermore, in very hot climates, a priest can wear lighter clothing under his alb and could dispense with the cassock during the celebration of Mass. In conclusion, although there are times and climes that occasionally make it uncomfortable to don full vestments, this is a small sacrifice to make in order to give Our Lord the best we can offer in our acts of worship. This is why the Church asks that liturgical norms be respected in all places. Many priests offer excellent example, not only of obedience to the law, but above all of a sense of the importance of their sacred ministry.

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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

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Synod Report
The 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops On the New Evangelization for the transmission of the Christian Faith
Selected Interventions October 9, 2012 - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Socrates VILLEGAS, A rc h b i s h o p o f L i n g a y e n - D a g u p a n (PHILIPPINES) W H Y i s t h e re a s t ro n g w a v e o f secularization, a storm of antipathy or plain cold indifference towards the church in some parts of the world necessitating a new wave of evangelization programs? The new evangelization calls for new humility. The Gospel cannot thrive in pride. When pride seeps into the heart of the Church, the Gospel proclamation is harmed. The task of new evangelization must begin with a deep sense of awe and reverence for humanity and her culture. Evangelization has been hurt and continues to be impeded by the arrogance of its messengers. The hierarchy must shun arrogance, hypocrisy and bigotry. We must punish the errant among us instead of covering up our own mistakes. We are humans among our human flock. All our beauty and holiness we owe to God. This humility will make us more credible new evangelizers. Our mission is to propose humbly not to impose proudly. Secondly, the new evangelization must be done by new saints and we must be those saints. The great poverty of the world learn humility from Jesus. Gods power and might appears in the self-emptying of the Son, in the love that is crucified but truly saves because it is emptied of self for the sake of others. The Church is called to follow Jesus respect for every human person. He defended the dignity of all people, in particular those neglected and despised by the world. Loving His enemies, He affirmed their dignity. The Church must discover the power of silence. Confronted with the sorrows, doubts and uncertainties of people she cannot pretend to give easy solutions. In Jesus, silence becomes the way of attentive listening, compassion and prayer. It is the way to truth. The seemingly indifferent and aimless societies of our time are earnestly looking for God. The Churchs humility, respectfulness and silence might reveal more clearly the face of God in Jesus. The world takes delight in a simple witness to Jesus, meek and humble of heart. October 13 - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Romulo G. VALLES, Archbishop of Davao (PHILIPPINES) MENTION is made in the Instrumentum laboris [no. 80] of the beautiful experience of the formation and development of Basic Christian Communities in parishes, we have been actually doing and organizing events and activities which can truly be considered modes of Initial Proclamation without really considering and explicitly referring to them as such, in the way the Instrumentum laboris describes them. We have continued doing them because we have seen how effective they are in sustaining and nourishing and celebrating our faith in the Lord Jesus. Now we know more. Now we are greatly encouraged. October 17 - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Jose S. PALMA, Archbishop of Cebu, President of the Episcopal Conference (PHILIPPINES) THE Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP H) was convoked in 1991 to effect renewal and revitalization in the spirit of Vatican II. We gathered again in 2001 for the National Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal (NPCCR) to assess how much of PCP II we have implemented. This year we launched the nine-year preparation for the 2021 celebration of the fifth centenary of the first baptism and first Mass in the Philippines in 152l. We adopted as our annual focus the nine pastoral priorities defined during the NPCCR. What is the sacramentum or blessing that PCP II can contribute to our

We Encourage the Synod Fathers to Pray for a New Pentecost for the Whole Church
(OCT. 22, 2012Text of the English Working Groups Report delivered by His Excellency, Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham (Great Britain-England and Wales) THE New Evangelization is not a strategy or program, but an invitation to an encounter and life-long relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. It involves falling in love with the person of Jesus Christ and his bride, the Catholic Church. This encounter with Christ takes place in and through the Church so as not to foster a false dichotomy between spirituality and religion. Encounters with Christ in the Church help the faithful to understand the need for salvation and forgiveness from sin. Following the initial encounter with Christ, the faithful desire to spend time with the beloved in prayer, sacrament and to contemplate the face of God (Novo Millennio Ineunte). Hence, the Synod Fathers might propose a lifelong accompaniment of each Catholic on their journey of faith modeled on Christs walk with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. The faithful need the continued work of systematic, comprehensive and lifelong catechesis. Evangelization and catechesis should help the faithful k n o w, u n d e r s t a n d , live and share the faith. A catechesis for youth and adults that is age-appropriate and presented in an appealing and apologetic manner that answers the genuine questions of those participating in their formation would enhance the New Evangelization. This basic presentation of the fundamentals of our faith, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in an attractive and appealing manner, for example at World Youth Day, will help to revive a confidence in the faith and a greater ability to share it with others. Fostering some practical initiatives would assist the New Evangelization and catechesis: Lectio Divina, teaching prayer, making the Sacred Scriptures and the Sacrament of Penance more readily available (perhaps through offering the Sacrament at new times and on a consistent basis during Lent or Advent), pilgrimages, sharing the stories of the saints and martyrs, and making known the excellent work and ministry undertaken by Catholic institutions and apostolates. We discussed presenting the Sacraments in a new light aimed at reaching contemporary society. The preparation for individual sacraments should model the catechumenate and allow for personal encounters with Christ and the proclamation of the kerygma. Small Christian communities can help to connect people to one another, allowing for prayer and reflection on the Scriptures. We encourage the Synod Fathers to pray for a New Pentecost for the whole Church and to better understand the ways in which the Holy Spirit is working in the Church and lives of Catholics and other Christians. We stressed the importance of Liturgy well-celebrated and homilies that inspire and share the faith in a compelling manner. This will require formation for the clergy in liturgy, homiletics, and the New Evangelization since they are formators for the new evangelizers. In order to be effective evangelists, the laity needs better preparation for evangelization. This should include doctrine, helping evangelists share the faith, perhaps through a wider use of images, suitable for the people they serve, some of whom may be illiterate; humility, acquiring the ability to articulate ones story of faith and testimony of Christ. Our group would wish to encourage bishops, priests and permanent deacons to know the lives of the people they serve in a more personal way. The bishop is an evangelist who leads by example and shares with all the baptized the blessings of being called to evangelization. His ministry must have the characteristics of the shepherd (ad intra) and the fisherman (ad extra). Ongoing formation for clergy on the New Evangelization and methods for evangelization in the diocese and parish are needed. The family is a privileged center for the new evangelization. Catholic families are in great need of regular support and direct assistance from the Church and parish to become witnesses to the faith. Continuing inculturation of the gospel could bring together the life of Christ with the life and culture of all people. The inculturation of the Gospel involves becoming more of a welcoming Church to immigrants and those in need. We also considered the contribution of Religious and the witness of consecrated life, the establishment of catechists as a stable ministry within the Church, the need for post-sacramental catechesis, especially following Confirmation, the wisdom of consulting our Canon Lawyers when formulating diocesan policy, the particular needs of the Deaf Community, and the management of natural resources in times of conflict or warfare.
www.intermirifica.net

now is the poverty of saints. Whether we come from the first world or third world countries, everybody is looking for models to inspire and emulate. Our youth need models to inspire them. They need living heroes to ignite their hearts and excite them to know Jesus and love Him more. Our experience in the Third World tells me that the Gospel can be preached to empty stomachs but only if the stomach of the preacher is as empty as his parishioners. Lastly, the new evangelization must be a call for new charity. We will be credible bringers of Gospel joy if the proclamation is accompanied by its twin messenger of charity. The charity of Jesus is the gift of Himself. The charity of the new evangelization must be the gift of Jesus. The new evangelization needs a new humility; a renewal in holiness and a new face of charity for it to be credible and fruitful. October 9 - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Antonio Luis TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila (PHILIPPINES) A YOUNG girl asked: Are we the youth lost or has the Church lost us? Her question expresses a longing for a Church where she can be found by Jesus and where she can find Him. But for the Church to be the space of a faithencounter with the Lord, she [i.e. the church] must learn anew from Jesus in whom we meet God. The Church must

and that this has transformed these parishes into animated and enlivened communities of faith. Our experience in the Philippinesand I have first-hand experience of this in the region and island of Mindanaoconfirms this. We call them Basic Ecclesial Communities. The Christian faith is better sustained and nourished, and deepened and protected when lived and practiced by individuals and families in these Basic Ecclesial Communities. In these communities, the witness to and confession of faith and the necessary catechism about our faith, are experienced more intensely; the celebrations of faith, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, are experienced as moving encounters of the Lord, in his Word and the Eucharist; and the service in charity is easily seen and closely felt. Our positive experience of the presence of Basic Ecclesial Communities in our dioceses and parishes makes us very hopeful that our missionthe New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faithcan be done. We are convinced that the emergence and development of Basic Ecclesial Communities is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mention is also made in the Instrumentum laboris [nos. 138-146] about the Demands of Initial Proclamation. This really caught my attention. First, because there is a very good and interesting explanation and description given about it. Second, that in many dioceses in the Philippines,

new evangelization? It is both the process and the disposition that it invites us to: a. Humbly and honestly assess our situation. What are the lightsthe good traits and success stories we have to strengthen and replicate? What are the shadowsthe failures or malpractices we have to stop or modify? b. Prayerfully discern our vision of being church. We want to become a community of disciples and a church of the poor. c. Boldly define our mission or outline what we have to do in order to achieve our vision. We resolved to embark on integral evangelization by renewing our catechesis, our sacramental life and our life of service or social action. d. Appreciate and collaborate with the various agents of renewal. I suggest that this Synod exhort our lay faithful. Many of them are not just objects but are surely subjects of evangelization. Thanks to Vatican II, the universal call to communion and mission has taken root in the hearts of many of our laity. Our two saints, Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, are both laymen. We think of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and migrants and the many more who are at home actively involved in various renewal groups, faith communities, lay associations and movements, diocesan and parish structures. They need our pastoral care so that they could become effective witnesses to faith, harbingers of hope and sharers of the joy that only the Lord can give.

Composition of the Commission for the Message

DURING the General Congregation, the first ballots for the election of the Commission for the Message were cast, presided by pontifical nomination by H. Em. Rev. C a rd . G i u s e p p e B E TO R I , Archbishop of Florence (ITALY) and Vice President H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Luis Antonio G. TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila (PHILIPPINES). At synodal assemblies, it has been the practice to publish a Message (Nuntius) addressed to the People of God, particularly to those persons directly associated with the synods topic. Pastoral in nature, the Nuntius purpose is to encourage the People of God to respond faithfully to their proper vocation, and to praise them for the efforts already being made. The definitive text of the Nuntius is published at the end of the synods work. The list of the members of the Commission for the Message, with the names of the President and Vice President nominated by the Pope, the names of the 8 members elected during the Sixth Congregation in the afternoon of October 13, with the names of the 2 members nominated by the Pope, is published below: President - H. Em. Rev. Card. Giuseppe BETORI, Archbishop of Florence (ITALY) Vice President - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Luis Antonio G. TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila (PHILIPPINES) Members - H. Em. Rev. Card. Polycarp PENGO, Archbishop of Dares-Salaam, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM - SECAM) (TANZANIA) - H . E m . R e v. C a r d . Christoph SCHNBORN, O.P., Archbishop of Vienna, President of the Episcopal Conference (AUSTRIA) - H. Em. Rev. Card. Gianfranco RAVASI, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture (VATICAN CITY) - H. B. Card. George ALENCHERRY, Archbishop Major of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, Head of Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church (INDIA) - H. Em. Rev. Card. Timothy Michael DOLAN, Archbishop of New York, President of the Episcopal Conference (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Andr LONARD, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussel, President of the Episcopal Conference (BELGIUM) - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. John Atcherley DEW, Archbishop of Wellington, President of the Episcopal Conference, President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) (NEW ZELAND) - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Srgio DA ROCHA, Archbishop of Braslia (BRAZIL) - H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Socrates B. VILLEGAS, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan (PHILIPPINES) - Rev. F. Adolfo NICOLS PA C H N , S . I . , S u p e r i o r General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

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Features

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Padyak draws people together, drums-up support for Mangyan and Boracay Atis
By Bernadette Reyes
WHILE many tourists visit Boracay Island for its white sand beaches and beach activities, many of us forget that the island is also home to one of our countries Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Atis. In August of 2011, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, has awarded 2.1 hectare lots in Brgy. Manoc-manoc to 200 members or 40 families of the Ati Tribe of Boracay as their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). The awarded lots are part of the 1,032 hectare Boracay Island. But threats on the encroachment of Mangyan Ancestral Lands in Mindoro and related ecological destruction such as contamination of major water source, have surfaced in recent years as well as associated hazards like decrease of agricultural production, erosion, flooding and landslides due to mining investment specifically on Intex Resources Mindoro Nickel project. The fight for the land and rights of IPs continues as long as there is the realization that land and life are connected. The celebration of Indigenous Peoples Sunday becomes relevant in view of strengthening the resolve of IPs and the marginalized. The IP Sunday theme comes to the fore on better understanding and acceptance of its importance. The theme for this year is Evangelization and Inculturation. Evangelization and inculturation work together in the integration of Gospel values among the indigenous peoples in the language they are familiar with and most importantly, those respectful of their cultural practices, traditions and cultural heritage. of Boracay Island, the two-day biking rallied support for our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Participants from all over Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Bicol and Atis from Albay, Zambales, AuroraCasiguran and the Mangyans of Mindoro came together as the 129 km. or so ride from Calapan to Roxas, Mindoro Oriental was ventured by participants-bikers and supporters alike who care for our IPs as they face threats of mining and other ecological destruction. The 35th celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Sunday was observed at the Holy Rosary Parish in Boracay, Malay, Aklan. The celebration commenced through a ritual by the Atis and immediately followed by the Holy Mass concelebrated by Most Rev. Sergio Utleg and Most Rev. Jose Corazon Talaoc, Bishop of Kalibo, together with Holy Rosary Parish Ministry team of Boracay led by Fr. Arnaldo Crisostomo, and bikerpriests from the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, Diocese of Laoag and Mangyan Mission of Calapan. A demonstration march was held right after the Eucharistic Celebration from the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish through the stretch of Boracay beach until Station 3. This was participated in by more than 500 people which include students, civic leaders, parishioners and local supporters of Ati in Boracay Island, bikers groups from the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, and Metro Manila, including Manila Water-Boracay Island group, representatives of PMTB, Firefly Brigade, and staff of Mangyan Mission, NASSACaritas Filipinas, PANLIPI, KATARUNGAN, ECIP National Secretariat and select IP leaders from Zambales and Bataan. The marchs last stop was at the Atis ancestral domain in Manoc-manoc wherein presentations of the Atis and sharing of commitments from representatives of different government agencies such as DSWD-Aklan, Department of Education-IP education Office, (DepEd) and National AntiPoverty Commission (NAPC). It was an expression of commitment to work together to achieve a common good for all. The event hopefully has brought faith and greater realization that land is life for our indigenous peoples, that we are stewards of our nations culture and environment. Bikers-participants have completed their routes from Calapan City to Boracay Island looking forward to another year of Padyak para sa Katutubo at Kalikasan!

ECIP Chairman and Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg leads the biking event from Calapan, Mindoro to Boracay Island in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Sunday, October 14, 2012.

On October 13, 2012, after a concelebrated mass by the Most Rev. Warlito Cajandig of the Vicariate of Calapan and the Most Rev. Sergio Utleg, Chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples and Archbishop of Tuguegarao and Mindoro priests, some 100 bikers, participants and supporters were sent-off to bike and traverse the east side of Mindoro and later on the island of Boracay. The Sto. Nio Cathedral in Calapan Oriental Mindoro served as the assembly point for all participants of this years Padyak para sa Katutubo at Kalikasan II, an event organized by the Catholic Bishops ConferenceEpiscopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (CBCPECIP.) In coordination with the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP)/Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (CFFI), Vicariate of Calapan, Mangyan Mission, the Diocese of Kalibo, and the Atis

Photos courtesy of CBCP-ECIP

The Atis of Boracay join the march to call attention for their cause to re-claim the land awarded to them by the government.

The Year of Faith and the Filipino Philosophical Atmosphere

By Fr. Deogracias Aurelio V. Camon, MA
THE Holy Father opened the Year of Faith 2012 2013 on October 11, 2012 marking the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council. The Vatican Council II sets the stage for the many initiatives in the renewal of both our understanding and experience of the faith in the present times. The Year of Faith 2012 2013 is an opportune time for Christians to encounter again the center of their faith-life with renewed vigor, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a moment to proclaim the Good News with new zeal to the world. However, we ask ourselves what is the present state of the world unto where we bring the Good News? We might even asked ourselves are the people nowadays receptive of this Good News? Is it possible that what we considered as Good News is relegated to the realm of superstitions by the present society? To answer these questions, I proposed that we take a look at a possible prevailing philosophical atmosphere of the Filipinos. With the term philosophical atmosphere, I meant those pervading philosophical paradigms that a particular group of people adhered to, whether consciously or unconsciously, which they utilized in understanding the world they lived in and how they interact with this world. Admittedly, this article cannot cover such a wide discourse, I will limit myself here with the attempt to understand an aspect of this philosophical atmosphere based on popular sayings. Here are some of those sayings which I believed are dominant in our time. First, the saying that pareho- pareho lang lahat yan. I oftentimes heard this from the mouths of those who are either proselytizing or are skeptical of the varieties of beliefs and religions.
Witness / B1

There are many cases when people were misled because they believed that indeed every belief system or faith is just the same. Pareho-pareho lang lahat yan primarily denies the distinction between the various beliefs systems and at the same time placing these in the same equal category. The danger of this mentality lurks in its capacity to lead the person away from objective revealed truths into what is otherwise a hodgepodge of beliefs from various sources chosen according to ones own convenience. This phenomenon is called as cafeteria spirituality, which has become a household term. This also led to the emergence of various spiritualities from non-Christian sources. Oftentimes, proponents of these spiritualities combine diverse elements and beliefs in a form that is appealing to as many people as possible. People nowadays considered it fashionable to call themselves as spiritual but not religious since identifying ones self with a particular religion is considered a sort of taboo or as politically wrong among the politically correct. With this paradigm truth is reduced to subjectivism. Second, kung saan ka masaya, susuportahan kita. This seemingly benign saying actually carries with it the fangs of relativism. To support the person in his or her search for happiness is a laudable act. Yet, this mentality also points to the need of identifying what are the criteria of our happiness? Without becoming pessimistic, we find that most often our own criteria for happiness are self-centered. This is related to another saying that advises that kung saan ka masaya doon ka. Instead of finding ones happiness in what is true and right, our present criterion for happiness is the satisfaction of our sensual inclinations. No one is going to do the right thing, when one can do the fun thing. At the heart of this paradigm is subjectivism, which is ingrained in our contemporary culture. The center is I, me and myself that eliminated

from the picture self-sacrifice and other- centeredness that are essential in Christian living. Related to this is the mentality that gagawin ko ang gusto ko basta wala lang akong tinatapakan. It indicates an attitude in relation to how we judge what is good. To say that a person can do whatever one wants as long as he or she does not hurt other people is an example of a minimalist stance towards doing what is good. This mentality is more inclined towards omission and negation rather than of an active attitude of standing for what is true and right. This relegated to the margins ones active involvement in

the lives and good of others. Kung ano ang gusto ko, gagawin ko. This can clearly result to the loosening of our moral value because it shifted the criterion of what is right or wrong to what makes the person happy. In one popular American TV show I saw lately, the characters argued about things that are not right but it is ok. In other words, things can be alright even if it is not moral and it becomes ok if it is pleasurable. Thirdly, to see is to believe. Our contemporary technological society is avaricious in its thirst for empirical evidence. Usually this thirst for empirical evidence is related with

the pragmatic mentality that what is true must yield concrete results in forms of technological advancements, development or material progress. This is a veiled attack against the benevolence of God. It has been cited that if Christianity with its doctrines are true then why is the world still filled with violence, poverty and inequality among many others. This pragmatic philosophy has been utilized by skeptics and atheists alike in their arguments against the effectivity and veracity of the Christian teachings. It is as if we needed to test God in our laboratories and unless he allowed himself to do so, then his existence is questionable. The sensational news about the discovery of the so-called God particle brought some jubilation among those who believed that finally we are on the verge of edging God away from the picture of how the cosmos came into existence. While it may seem harmless, it actually implied that ultimately human beings are no more than just the product of some random cosmic event. It strengthens the evolutionary model of human existence, proving that humans are not special or unique part of creation because they are not created according to the image of likeness of God. Consequently, human dignity is no longer based on being created in the image and likeness of God. To fill in the void, the intelligentsia put forward such basis like productivity, race and gender equality, social status and the likes as sources of human dignity, which brought about a radical change in the understanding of human life. We glimpse here some reasons why it has become acceptable for many to exterminate the life of the elderly, the disabled, the weaker sex, and those races considered as genetically undesirable. Thus, we have euthanasia, abortion and holocaust. Lastly, many considered Religion as something which is private, personal and unverifiable. It is not a surprise that

it has become a commonly accepted belief that religion has to remain in the private realm and should not interfere with the public life. This is not so much about the separation of the Church and State but rather it focused more on the very nature of religion itself. This mentality which is rooted in the philosophical paradigm that only that which is verifiable must be involved in the agora. Since what religion put forward cannot be verified it has becomes a fad among the intelligentsia to portray the Church as an anachronistic institution that is out of touch with the realities of the present world. The Church is portrayed as being interested only with the preservation of its rituals and hierarchy. It seems to be the in thing to attack or laugh off whatever the Church is teaching treating its teachers with apathy and disdain. This mentality virtually marginalized religion away from the everyday life of society. Our faith is supposed to give the impetus of transformation to a human society that is inclined towards corruption and degeneration because of sinful inclination. In conclusion, while the Philippines is still undoubtedly a Christian nation. There is a need for the Church in the Philippines to reflect if indeed the Church is losing its grips from the realities of the Filipino people. The Year of Faith is an opportune moment for self- examination of how we can present the truths of our faith as relevant to the lives of our people. It is to show to the world that religion is not something reserved in the realm of the fancy. The Church is challenged to proclaim that God is the source of authentic happiness that this world cannot give with its empty promises of fleeting pleasures. Ultimately, the words of Paul VI ring true for us today, that as Christians especially those who are in important positions, must be witnesses. Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

Mass. Her greatest wish was to know and to do what pleased God. She lived a life radiant with faith and purity. Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation, so unusual in her culture. In her, faith and culture enrich each other! May her example help us to live where we are, loving Jesus without

denying who we are. Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in all of North America! May God bless the first nations! A n n a S c h a e f f e r, f r o m Mindelstetten, as a young woman wished to enter a missionary order. She came from a poor background so, in

order to earn the dowry needed for acceptance into the cloister, she worked as a maid. One day she suffered a terrible accident and received incurable burns on her legs which forced her to be bed-ridden for the rest of her life. So her sick-bed became her cloister cell and her suffering a missionary service. She struggled for a time to accept her fate, but then understood her situation as a loving call

from the crucified One to follow him. Strengthened by daily communion, she became an untiring intercessor in prayer and a mirror of Gods love for the many who sought her counsel. May her apostolate of prayer and suffering, of sacrifice and expiation, be a shining example for believers in her homeland, and may her intercession strengthen the Christian hospice movement

in its beneficial activity. Dear brothers and sisters, these new saints, different in origin, language, nationality and social condition, are united among themselves and with the whole People of God in the mystery of salvation of Christ the Redeemer. With them, we too, together with the Synod Fathers from all parts of the world, proclaim to the Lord in the words of the psalm that he

is our help and our shield and we invoke him saying, may your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you (Ps 32:20.22). May the witness of these new saints, and their lives generously spent for love of Christ, speak today to the whole Church, and may their intercession strengthen and sustain her in her mission to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.

Photos courtesy of CBCP-ECIP

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Statements

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Towards Building a Just and Lasting Peace in Mindanao

(Statement of Catholic Bishops in Mindanao on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro)
Joser dumbrique/oPAPP

International Theological Commissions Statement on the Year of Faith

FIDES quaerens intellectum, theology exists only in relation to the gift of faith. It presupposes the truth of the faith and endeavours to demonstrate its boundless riches (Eph. 3:8), both for the spiritual joy of the whole community of believers and as a service to the Churchs evangelizing mission. The International Theological Commission gratefully welcomes, therefore, the invitation of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his Apostolic Letter Porta fidei (October 11, 2011), to celebrate a Year of Faith. Each member of the International Theological Commission will take part personally in various events commemorating this Year of Faith. But, as a community of faith, the International Theological Commission wishes to heed the message of conversion which is central to the Year of Faith and to renew its commitment to the service of the Church. In order to do so, on December 6, 2012, the International Theological Commission, led by its President, Most Rev. Gerhard Mller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will make a pilgrimage to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major during its annual Plenary Meeting, and will entrust there its activities and those of all Catholic theologians to the intercession of the faithful Virgin Mary, model for believers, bulwark of the true faith, who is proclaimed blessed because she believed (Lk. 1:45). In connection with the Year of Faith, the International Theological Commission is committed to providingin medio Ecclesiae its own specific contribution to the new evangelization promoted by the Apostolic See, by plumbing the revealed mystery for the benefit of believers, using all the resources of reason enlightened by faith, so as to promote the reception of that faith in the world of today, since the essential content that for centuries has formed the heritage of all believers needs to be confirmed, understood and explored ever anew, so as to bear consistent witness in historical circumstances very different from those of the past (Pope Benedict XVI, Porta fidei, n. 4). The recent document of the International Theological Commission, titled Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria, develops the understanding that theology is entirely derived from faith, and that it is practised in constant dependence on the faith that is lived by the people of God under the guidance of its pastors. In fact, only faith allows the theologian to reach really the object of theological enquiry: the truth of God that bathes the whole of reality in the light of a new daysub ratione Dei. It is also faith animated by charity which awakens in the theologian the spiritual dynamism needed in order to explore tirelessly the wisdom of God in its rich variety made known ... in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:10-11). As St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, when anyone has a ready will to believe, he loves the truth he believes, he dwells upon it and embrace it with whatever reasons he can find in support of it [cum enim homo habet promptam voluntatem ad credendum, diligent veritatem creditam et super ea excogitat et amplectitur si quas rationes ad hoc invenire potest] (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae, IIae-IIae, q.2, a.10). The theologian works to inculturate in human intelligence, in the form of an authentic science, the intelligible content of the faith that was once and for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3). But the theologian also pays particular attention to the act of faith itself. It is the theologians task to understand more profoundly not only the content of the faith, but also the act by which we choose to entrust ourselves fully to God, in complete freedom. In fact, there exists a profound unity between the act by which we believe and the content to which we give our assent (Pope Benedict XVI, Porta fidei, 10). The theologian highlights the great human significance of that act (cf. Pope John Paul II, Fides et ratio, 31-33), investigating how Gods prevenient grace draws out from the very heart of human freedom the yes of faith, and showing how faith is the foundation of the entire spiritual edifice [fundamentum totius spiritualis aedificii] (St. Thomas Aquinas, In III Sent., d. 23, q. 2, q.1, a.1, ad 1; Cf. Summa theologiae, IIa-IIae, q. 4, a.7), in that it informs all the various dimensions of Christian life, personal, familial and communitarian. Not only is the work of the theologian dependant on the living faith of the Christian people, attentive to what the Spirit is saying to the churches (Rev. 2:7), but its whole purpose is to foster the growth in faith of the people of God and the evangelising mission of the Church. Theology begets, nourishes, defends, and strengthens that most wholesome faith (St. Augustine, De Trinitate, XIV, 1,3). Indeed, the vocation of the theologian, in responsible collaboration with the Magisterium, is to serve the faith of Gods people (cf. Instruction Donum veritatis of May 24, 1990). In the same way, the theologian is the servant of Christian joy which is the joy of truth [gaudium de veritate] (St. Augustine, Confessions, X, 23, 33). St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished three dimensions in the act of faith: It is one thing to say: I believe in God (credo Deum), for this indicates the object. It is another thing to say: I believe God (credo Deo), for this indicates the one who testifies. And it is yet another thing to say: I believe unto God (credo in Deum), for this indicates the end or goal of faith. Thus, God can be regarded as the object of faith, as the one who testifies, and as the end of faith, but while the object of faith and the one who testifies can be a creature, only God can be the end of faith, for our mind is directed to God alone as its end (St. Thomas Aquinas, In Ioannem, c. 6, lectio 3). Believing unto God (credere in Deum) is essential to the dynamism of faith. By adhering with personal faith to the Word of God, the believer consents to the supreme attraction exerted by the full and absolute Good that is the Blessed Trinity. It is the desire for happiness, deeply rooted in every human heart, which drives the spirit and leads the human being to fulfilment in confident surrender to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this sense, faith and theology as the science of faith and wisdom offers to all lovers of spiritual beauty (St. Augustine, Regula ad servis Dei, 8,1) a full-flavoured foretaste of eternal joy.

WE view with vigilant optimism the announcement of a coming peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the first steps towards forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. We believe that continuing consultations with all stakeholders are necessary to bring the peace process forward. We recall the rejection inAugust 2008 of the Memo of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) due to its lack of transparency and certain provisions that were deemed unconstitutional. In the aftermath of that rejection, we recall the efforts of the BishopsUlama Conference to sponsor a year-long series of multi-sectoral consultations to uncover the underlying factors for promoting a culture of peace in Mindanao. Konsult Mindanaw thus outlined six values that constitute a peoples platform for Peace in Mindanao. We reiterate these visions and voices for peace coming from Muslim, Lumad, Catholic and Protestant participants in these consultations. The first value is Sincerity to dispel the atmosphere of mistrust and confusion in many communities. There is need for policy cohesion among the various agencies of the Philippine Government as well as transparency through public consultation and communication. Previous agreements should be honored and a consistent mandate should be given for the credibility of the peace panels. The Bangsamoro groups should also strive to act with one voice while good governance practices

in the present Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao could be highlighted as a prelude to the creation of a new political entity. A second value is Security. Mindanao has been depicted for a long time as a theatre for war and intermittent local conflicts. Peoples fears and insecurity have to be addressed. The proliferation of armed groups has to be checked. To enhance security, authorities should intensify humanitarian work and the reintegration program, radically reduce arms and war profiteers, strengthen localized security strategies, and align economic and environmental projects with peacebuilding efforts. A third value is Sensitivity. Many communities in Mindanao are suffering under layers of hurts and biases as a result of a long history of colonization and conflict. For some, this has resulted in losing their ancestral domain and in being looked down upon. Many indigenous people (Lumad) communities feel left out of the peace process. To counter these adverse factors, there is need for respecting the peoples right to self-determination, multi-cultural sensitivity in education, and healing of trauma for internally-displaced persons and communities. A fourth value is Solidarity. A sense of oneness among the tri-people population of Mindanao can only come about when ordinary people can meaningfully participate in the building of peace. It is in this sense that information and

communication channels could provide a venue for peoples participation. Mass media, schools for peace, and Civil Society peace movements can all contribute towards forging solidarity. We need to build social infrastructure that connects communities rather than divides them. We should pay special attention to the needs of IDPs in conflict-affected areas. Spirituality is a fifth value. Konsult Mindanaw participants envision a peaceful Mindanao where Muslims, Lumads, Christians and members of other faith traditions live together in harmony and religious freedom. The religious traditions of both Islam and Christianity as well as of indigenous people can bring about both internal and external peace. Peace as spirituality and as religious tolerance can flow into society. Some concrete measures would be: to integrate peace and religious instruction in schools; to apply Islamic teachings in Muslim society; to promote interreligious and intercultural understanding; and to promote intrafaith dialogue leading to forgiveness and reconciliation. There is also a call for more active participation of religious leaders on peace and good governance. Ritual healings can provide definitive closure of conflict situations. A final value is Sustainability. For the longterm viability of the peace process, government and social institutions have to be harnessed to work for the people. Among the initiatives

that need to be institutionalized are the following: Legislate new structures as needed for the peace accord to bear fruit. Mainstream the peace lens in local governance. Professionalize peace efforts. Strengthen the NCIP and the Indigenous Peoples Movement. Correct discriminatory practices in the Justice System. Strengthen peace education. Make knowledge and imagination work for human development and social cohesion. Aformal peace agreement is not the end of peacebuilding; rather it is just the beginning of much hard work in concretizing the meaning of Sincerity, Security, Sensitivity, Solidarity, Spirituality, and Sustainability in our various communities in Mindanao. May the two highest values in all our religious traditionslove of God and love of neighbourbe our constant guide in working for reconciliation and building a Culture of Peace in Mindanao. 14 October 2012 Signatories: Bp. Guillermo Afable (Digos) Bp. Jose Colin Bagaforo (Cotabato) Bp. Jose Cabantan (Malaybalay) Bp. Edwin de la Pea (Marawi) Abp. Jesus Dosado (Ozamis) Bp. Elenito Galido (Iligan) Bp. Dinualdo Gutierrez (Marbel) Bp. Martin Jumoad (Isabela) Abp. Antonio Ledesma (Cagayan de Oro) Abp. Orlando Quevedo (Cotabato) and others

What One Government Gives, Another Government Takes Away

(Statement of Bishops and Priests of the National Clergy Discernment Group and the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group on the Barangay Luz, Cebu City Demolition)
To do all we can with what strength we have, however, is the task which keeps the good servant of Jesus Christ always at work: The love of Christ urges us on (2 Cor 5:14) [Deus caritas est, 35]. WITH these words of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, we, bishops and priests of the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group and the National Clergy Discernment Group, give our full support to the legitimate and just cause of the families of 32 households facing demolition in Barangay Luz, Cebu City who are heirs of land given to them in the 1950s by the government of President Magsaysay through Proclamation 394 on March 15, 1957. The barangay was then named by the people after his wife Luz Banzon Magsaysay. More than 50 years later, another government takes away their land, through some technicality, as decided by the Supreme Court. The Cebu City Council refuses to act on the Executives proposal for on-site relocation. The reasonthe Council is dominated by the opposing political party. The usual trapo politicking, results in more suffering for the people. The judge who implemented the Supreme Court decision is now in a bind. The first nine families whose houses got demolished and got evicted are told that their designated relocation lots are in fact already owned by other families. So, the evicted families are left to live under tents next to their own inherited landironic!

We hear them crying out, like Jesus on the Cross: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt 27:46) and we respond with collective voice in asking the Supreme Court to order the RTC of Cebu to postpone further demolitions until all the requirements of relocation are adequately in place; preferably that the heirs hold on to the land given to them by President Ramon Magsaysay. Secondly, the bishops and priests of the NCDG urge the

Executive and Legislative branches of the Cebu City LGU to lay aside partisan politics, and serve the people. May the day wont come that we would have to ask the Lord: ...When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you? And may we would not have to hear the Lord reply: I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me. And these shall go

into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting (Mt. 25:44-46). Signed by 86 Priests from Different Dioceses in the Country and Submitted to the Supreme Court on October 17, 2012. In behalf of the NCDG and VCDG, +GERARDO ALMINAZA, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Jaro October 17, 2012

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Ref lections

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Blind Bartimaeus: A disciple who recognizes and follows Jesus with the eyes of faith
An exegetical reflection on the Gospel of the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B (Mark 10:46-62) October 28, 2012
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD
AT first blush, the Gospel would seem to be a miracle story. Mark tells us of a story of a miracle in which Jesus healed the blindness of a beggar of Jericho, Bartimaeus by name, because of his persistent request. However, the manner in which the pericope is situated in the whole Gospel, as well as the way in which it is narrated in Mark, makes it clear that the Evangelist uses the story to teach us a lesson on what it means to follow Jesus. He placed it on the section of the teachings on discipleship that Jesus imparted to his followers on the way to Jerusalem, after having been given the revelation that he was the Messiah. Mark holds Bartimaeus as a model of Christian discipleship. To appreciate this point, we might well compare Bartimaeus with the disciples of Jesus. The disciples were not blind; their eyes could see. Bartimaeus, on the other hand, was blind; his eyes could not see. But it is he whom Mark holds up for imitation. James and John, for example, were not blind, yet they could not understand who Jesus was. Even though they have already heard of Peters declaration that Jesus was the Messiah, yet they betrayed their spiritual blindness in requesting to be seated at the right hand and at the left hand of Jesus (Mark 10:37). Jesus in fact told them they were ignorant ofblind towhat they were asking. In other words, though they saw physically, yet the disciples continued to be spiritually blind (Mark 8:18.21). Even Peter was not an exception. Of course, it was Peter who made the solemn declaration that Jesus was the Messiah (Mark 8:29). It is clear, however, that in Marks story, Peter was likewise spiritually blind, though he could see physically. When Jesus spoke openly about the implication of this messianic title, Peter took him aside and rebuked him. Jesus in turn rebuked Peters spiritual blindness by saying: Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do (Mark 8:33). Physically blind though he was, Bartimaeus was different from the disciples. Although he called Jesus only by the title Son of David, (Mark 10:47a fulfillment of 2 Sam 7:12-16), yet he requested Jesus to heal him (Mark 10:51). Unlike the disciples, he knew what he was askingthat the Messiah came to save him from blindness: Master, I want to see (Mark 10:31). What made the difference? Bartimaeus was different from the disciples because he had faith (Mark 10:32). The disciples, on the other hand, are described in the Gospel as having no faith at all, or having only little faith. In the story of the calming of the storm, for example, Jesus asked them: Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith? (Mark 4:40) That is why, they could not recognize Jesus with the eyes of faith, and therefore unable to understand the Lord, his word and his work. In the story of the walking on the waters, Mark remarked that the disciples were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves (Mark 9:52). Lacking in faith, their hearts were hardened, like Jesus enemies (Mark 3:5-6), and could not comprehend what he disclosed to them: Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see (Mark 8:17-18b). It is therefore not surprising that when Jesus was arrested, all of the disciples abandoned him and fled
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The Christian response to Gods initiative: A life of Eucharistic love

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B (Mark 12:28-34) November 4, 2012
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD
IN one of our reflections, we stressed that the distinctive feature of Christianity is Jesus himself. Christianity is a religion that is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. Ours is not a religion of law. A person is a Christian, not because he follows the Ten Commandments. (The Jews observe the Decalogue, so do the Jews. And yet, they are not Christians.) One is a Christian because he follows Jesus, his word and life. But, if Christianity is a religion of a person, does this mean that it has no place for the commandments of God? Of course, not. Even in civil society, laws are needed; they are of use to human relationships. All kinds of laws are intended to regulate order. Without them, society is doomed to chaos. And of course, in any religion, probably never was there a time that laws never existed. In Christianity, however, laws are not the heart of it; basically, the commandments express the peoples response to Gods initiative. In them we find a manner of life that is congruent with the offer of God. That manner of life is essentially the life of love. The Gospel today makes this point. When the scribe asked Jesus about the greatest of the commandments, Jesus summarized them into two, although the rabbis taught that God gave Moses 613 commandments (365 prohibitions; 248 positive commands). In summarizing them, he quoted from Deut 6:4-5 (Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.) and Lev 19:18 (You shall love your neighbor as yourself.). The summary shows that behind the commandments is revealed the life of love that God demands from his people. That love is shown in the love for the neighbor, because this form of love springs from the love of God. The practice of religion, therefore, is not simply about doing nothing bad or offensive. More than refraining from evil deed or participation in it, it is always linked with loving God, shown in the love for others. It is along this gamut of thought that we shall understand St. Augustines maxim, love and do what you will. For when a person loves, he will do nothing that would harm his neighbor because his act of loving comes from the love of God. Paul describes this in terms of freedom: For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Gal 1:13-14). This is the heart of the Jewish religion, and even of Christian religionprovided that we redefine what that love is. In Christian understanding, that love is none other than the love of Christ (John 15:12) shown in the Eucharisthis body is broken, his blood poured out (Mark 14:22.24). It is this form of love that ought to animate Christian praxis. Obviously, it is because of this redefinition that Jesus remarked to the scribe: You are not far from the kingdom of God (Mark 12:24). This has many consequences for Christian practice, but we can focus on one. Because love belongs to the heart of religion, liturgical worship would be less meaningful if there were no love. This explains why in the Old Testament, and as the scribe remarked (Mark 13:33), loving God is worth more than burnt offering and sacrifices: Sacrifice and offering you do not want, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocaust and sin-offerings you do not require, so I said, Here I am (Ps 40:7-8a). It is therefore understandable that, when the Jews laid much emphasis on the cult, the prophets readily criticized them. Hosea, for example, declared in Gods name: For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice; and knowledge of God rather than holocausts (Hosea 6:6; see also Jer 7:21-23; 1 Sam 15:22; Eccles 4:17). This prophetic critique was a serious one, considering the fact that the Temple worship, together with the Law, was central to the Jewish religion. This has much bearing on our eucharistic celebration and other liturgical and devotional celebrations. In the final result, all of them should be celebrations of love. What is so much important is not that we have fulfilled the rubrics, or omitted nothing in the novena, or we have acquired charismatic gifts, like the ability to speak in tongues, or the ability to work miracles. It is our loving attitude to God, shown in our concern for other people, especially the poor, that counts. If, for instance, we celebrate Mass, we ought to know and even feel that we are celebrating the love of Christ. And it is expected that our liturgical celebration will deepen our love for him and for others. Our external worship should express our internal loving attitude; for, otherwise, that would be empty: If I speak in human and angelic tongues if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge if I have all faith so as to move mountains, if I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love, I am nothing (1 Cor 13:1-3).

Let there be light in all aspects of our life

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B; Prison Awareness Sunday; October 28, 2012
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
IF we close our eyes for just one minute and attempt to move around, we will immediately experience the uncertainty and helplessness of the blind. It is a feeling of chilling darkness that sips through our emotions and grips even our minds. Blindness is a terrible enslavement which cripples and mortifies those who suffer from it. No wonder that Bartimaeus kept shouting Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me! in spite of the bystanders attempts to silence him. (See Mk 10:4748.) Having heard about the healing power of Jesus, Bartimaeus felt that Christs passing by might be his chance the chance of his life to acquire his eyesight, to see the shape and colors of the innumerable things in nature; to see the faces of people . . . . And Jesus did not let him down. He who is the light of the world (Jn 8:12), enveloped with his radiance the blind man from Jericho. The sight returned to Bartimaeus eyes, as a wonderful reflection of the splendor of faith which had already flooded his heart. Thus, Jericho lost a beggar and Christ acquired a new, enthusiastic disciple. (See Mk 10:52.) And for those who wanted to see, that was yet another sign that the Kingdom of God was at hand, present in and through Jesus. The whole world, even today, is like an immense Jericho in which billions of spiritually blind people stand by the wayside, most of them unaware of what the light of Christ is and what it could mean for them. Deprived of the light of faith, in most cases through no fault of theirs, these billions of brothers and
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31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B; November 4, 2012

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
THE scribe had come up with a vital question, but imperfect in its formulation: Which is the first of all the commandments? Jesus answer contained an indirect rectification of the question itself. We cannot speak of just one most important c o m m a n d m e n t . T h e y a re two. There is no monorail to heaven . . . The road leading to eternal life is indeed one: LOVE. But this love-track consists of two rails: LOVE OF GOD and LOVE OF NEIGHBOR, inseparably joined together by Gods very will. Such is the teaching of Jesus, contained in that splendid synthesis that brings together the two fundamental precepts found in two different books of the Bible (see Dt 6:4f, and Lv 18:19), but already underlying the whole of the Old Testament revelation. (See Mt 22:40.) No one should attempt to separate these two precepts

The two-rail track to eternal life

CBCPMedia

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Bishop Pat Alo

ENCOUNTERS

The secret societies

THERE are societies in this world that have evil plans against the Church and society but the only way we can beware of them is by following Jesus warning who said in the gospels (Mt. 7:15), Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Yes you know the false prophets or false friends because of their evil deeds, which are already known from past events and happenings in history. In the gospel of Jn. 8:44 Jesus tells that the devil is a liar and the father of lies. Jesus called hypocrites those who pretended to be good and religious people but were really greedy and ambitious ones. Thats what the insincere people pretend to be while inside they secretly plan to do harm to the neighbor. God wants us to have a simple and open life, after all He knows our deepest secrets which we cannot hide from Him. Do not be afraid of them therefore, for everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers proclaim from the housetops (Mt. 10:26-27). Yes, open and fearless speech, not hidden agenda. God wants us to be simple and sincere unlike the nature of snakes which are deceitful, hidden and cunning. As Jesus warns in the cited text: You will know the false prophets by their deeds as you know the tree by its fruit (Mt. 7:15). You can know that studying the history, of peoples and events, God wants us to be true to ourselves in all we say or do. Do not pretend to be what you are not. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. In all things be true to God, yourself and your neighbor. The proverb is ever true: Truth will out. (One way or another, in spite of all efforts to conceal it, the truth will come to be known.) Even the famous poet William Shakespeare talks about this in Hamlet Act I, sc. 3: This above allto thine own self be true, and it must follow, as night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. In particular I am talking about Freemasonry or other societies of the same sort, which plot against the Church or against legitimate civil authority. The Catholic Church, under penalty of excommunication, forbids Catholics from joining above-mentioned secret societies which normally operate with strict secrecy.

Bo Sanchez

SOULFOOd

Do you know what you really want?

PEOPLE ask me all the time, Bo, I dont know Gods purpose for my life. But its really easy. Let me help you. I tell them, The easiest way for you to know Gods purpose is to look for the intersection between your passion and your potential. In other words, find alignment. Fulfilling your purpose may or may not earn you money. And thats okay. Life is not about earning money. This was my experience. For 20 years, I didnt earn from the intersection of my passion and potential which was speaking. It was pure ministry. I would speak anywhere and everywhere for free. I was very happy but very poor. With my finances, I could never raise my family or give more to the ministry. So one day, I decided to go into business. To earn money, I sold hotdogs, squid balls, ice cream, memorial plans, and even engine oil. All those businesses failed. Why? Because I went out of my two circles of passion and potential To earn money, I had to go back to my corethe intersection of my passion and potential. But I had to do something else. If I wanted to prosper financially, I had to add one more circle. (I borrowed this idea from Jim Collins book, Good To Greatjust changed the terms). The Peso circle consists of the various ways I could earn. I asked myself, Where can I earn the most? I realized that I could earn the most at that sweet spot where these three circles intersect. That sweet spot for me was still communication, but this time, I needed to find a way to monetize it. Obviously, even to this day, MOST of my speaking is still for free. I speak at the Feast each week without pay. But once a month, Im invited by companies to speak and they pay me more than what I used to earn in a year.

www.lavistachurchofchrist.org

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Social Concerns
present, 61 units have already been awarded to the qualified beneficiaries; while the last 21 units will be due for awarding by the first week of November 2012. Water system is now in place through the generousdonations of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro under City Mayor Emano. With the collaborative efforts of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Abp. Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, the Projects Area Coordinator, Mr. Dodong Arellano, and NASSA, the new community is now experiencing new life, filled with new hope in their new shelters! NASSA and DSAC-Iligan Caritas Village Shelter Project The relocation site in Iligan City is a four-hectare land at Brgy. Upper Tominobo, and the construction of the 160 units it can accommodate is currently on progress. Forty units have already been awarded to qualified beneficiaries last September 15 and October 14, respectively. To date, around 60 more units are almost completed and ready for the next turn-over; while another 50 units from one of its Caritas donorsCaritas Singaporeare being constructed on the adjacent lot which the Diocese of Iligan has again purchased. Kudos to the very energetic Social Action Director, Fr. Albert Mendez and his Project Staff, and to Bp. Elenito Galido for his untiring support and concern for all their endeavors! NASSA and DSACDumaguete Caritas Village Shelter Project There are two relocation sites in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental both provided by the City Government of Dumaguete under Hon. Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria III. These sites

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are at Brgy. Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City. The first site which is 5,000 sq.m. can accommodate 58 single-detached shelter units; while the acquisition of the second site where 92 more units will be constructed is still in progress. At present, 28 units were already awarded to their qualified beneficiaries. The Project Team headed by its Social Action Director, Fr. Burton Villarmente, is determined to finish the remaining 30 units at the first site and they look forward to award these units by the second week of November 2012. In totality, entire project has initially sheltered 129 TS Sendong-victim families. They are now enthusiastically beautifying their new homes as these shelters have brought a reawakening of their dreams for a better life after Sendong. Living in a new community, they strive to live in witness to the name of the community they bear: CHARITY!

Caritas Village Shelter Project for Typhoon Sendong victims

By Sr. Mapet Bulawan, DC
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA) / Caritas Philippines is currently implementing a relocation project for Typhoon Sendong victims in the Dioceses of Iligan, Dumaguete, and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Known as the CARITAS VILLAGE SHELTER PROJECT, this endeavor is a fruit of the Emergency Appeal of CBCP-NASSA to its international Caritas Partners through Caritas Internationalis. NASSA and ACDO Caritas Village Shelter Project In Cagayan de Oro, the relocation site is a one-hectare lot at Brgy. Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City. The site can accommodate 90 single-detached permanent units. At

www.facebook.com/Sr. Mapet Bulawan

www.facebook.com/Sr. Mapet Bulawan

The Caritas Village Shelter Project at Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete and Iligan.

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we proclaim an inspired book called the Sacred Scriptures? Do we proclaim a set of beliefs and rites that we call Christianity or Catholicism? Do we proclaim an ideology or a humanitarian program that we call human development? No, my brothers and sisters, we proclaim a Person, a Person who has a face and a name. We proclaim Jesus of Nazareth, Marys Son, Gods own Son, Jesus the Crucified One. We proclaim the mystery of Jesus passion, death and resurrection, that same divine mystery by which Jesus saved us and all humankind from sin. It is the story of Jesus that we tell. Jesus is the beginning, the center and the summit of our proclamation. The Duty to Proclaim But do we have a duty to proclaim Jesus? Yes we do. We hear today the poignant words of St. Paul, who cried out: Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! (1 Cor. 9-16). This cry follows from his words: Faith comes by hearing. But if no one speaks how can we hear? And how can one speak unless one is sent? (see Rom. 10:14-18). When you and I were baptized and became members of the family of faith, the Lord sent us to speak his name, to tell his story to others. It is through the Sacrament of Baptism that we become a people of faithin mission. How to Proclaim JesusTell the Story of Jesus But how do we proclaim Jesus? Our model of proclamation is Pedro Calungsod. Let us look at his statue. Pedro is carrying a book titled, Doctrina Cristiana, It was the Spanish catechism written in the Philippines from which he
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learned the fundamental articles of our faith. From it he developed a strong and lively devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Mother. His mentor was Padre Diego. They were not only teacher and pupil to each other. They were partners and friends. It is from their friendship and especially from their intimate friendship with the Lord that they could teach others about the love of Jesus. And so by carrying the catechism book, Pedro Calungsod teaches us that we have first to know our faith, to know Jesus, to believe in Jesus, and be united with Jesus. The Doctrina Cristiana of the 17th century has evolved into a new synthesis of the Christian faith in the 20th century, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To know your faith, the sure guide is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. When you take up the catechism believe what you read, live what you believe, and share what you believe. But knowing Jesus is not enough. We must have, most of all, a passion for Jesus, a love for Jesus so intimate and so strong that we just have to share him with others. He is the divine gift that we cannot keep for ourselves. We must want to share him with others. But how to share and proclaim the Lord and Savior? My brothers and sisters, simply tell the story of Jesus to others. Tell the stories that Jesus toldabout the providence of His Father, tell others that God is concerned most about the human person even as he cares for the beautiful lilies of the field and the blithe birds of the sky. Tell people about the Lords mercy and kindness, his love of the poor. Tell others about how he drove away those who desecrated the

house of prayer, why he called some people hypocrites, how he abhorred those who were greedy and selfish, how he had compassion on the little ones of society, widows, orphans, strangers and little children. Tell the stories that Jesus told about love of neighbor, about forgiveness, and prayer. Parents and Children If you are parents, tell the story of Jesus to your children. Children love stories, tell them of Jesus birth, how Jesus was lost and found in the temple, tell them story after story, miracle after miracle, parable after parable, tell them his message in simple ways, how Jesus loved children, how he loved the poor. Tell them about how Jesus sacrificed his very life on the Cross for them. Share with them your devotion to Jesus, your love for Jesus. Teach them about the Mass and how to pray, be their leader of prayer at home. Pray the Rosary with them. You must love Jesus passionately in order to do these. Husbands and Wives Husbands and wives, remind one another about what it means to be Christian, to be a follower of Jesus. Remind one another that your marital love is a sharing of the love of Jesus for you. Tell one another that the love of Jesus for you and for us is ever faithful, that even when we are unfaithful, He forgives. The love of Jesus for you must flow to your children. Such love within the family makes responsibilities less burdensome and is carried over to the fulfillment of responsibilities at work, at the office. It is a love that works for justice in society, the kind of love that struggles against social evils, against the lack of integrity and the bane of
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corruption so deeply entrenched in our beloved Philippines. It is a love for others without pretense. Mass Media Today we have to use the means of social communications to proclaim Jesus, his life and message. You do not have to be a radio broadcaster or a TV personality. So often the internet is used for evil, for pornography, for scams and crimes. Instead use the internet to share what is good. Send biblical messages by SMS, by texting. Use twitter and blogs to share your faith, Chat with others about how your faith has always been an anchor of hope in the midst of difficulties. Send inspirational pictures and images by email, youtube, or facebook. To d a y t h e p o w e r o f communications, of the internet, email, facebook, is beyond calculation. Young People May I appeal particularly to young peopleand for young people. San Pedro Calungsod was only 14 years old when he went with Padre Diego to proclaim the Lord Jesus in Guam. He was not too young to be an evangelizer. He is the model for young people to live and proclaim their faith. Already in our country, the youth are at the vanguard of renewing the Church and society. They are active in the catechetical, liturgical, and social action ministries. They serve in various transformative small communities of faith. With energetic and enthusiastic youth, parishes become a communion of communities. Yet today various forces compete for the attention
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of the young. At their most impressionable age, young people are constantly bombarded by mass media with images and messages of secularism and materialism that are contrary to the Gospel. The loss of faith is evident and widespread in the world. We hope that the ongoing Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization can provide answers to the question: How can we proclaim the faith to young people with new ardor, new methods and expressions? The young are the present and future of the Church. We all need to be with them. Overseas Filipino Workers At this point may I give tribute to the millions of our overseas Filipino workers in every continent of the world. We only think of OFWs as our countrys economic saviors. But they are more than economic agents. They are faith-givers. We have heard hundreds of stories about how OFWs are not embarrassed to show the external signs of their Catholic faith, how they bring to Mass the children of families that they work for and teach them how to pray. By doing so they attract the parents of the children to renew their faith and begin to pray again. You, our dear OFWs, are truly the new missionaries and evangelizers of today. We salute and thank you most deeply. Hold on to your faith. We pray with you and for you as you work, often in a hostile environment. Martyrdom and the Daily Witness of Life My brothers and Sisters, in all probability you and I might never be asked by God to give up our life for the sake of our faith. God

indeed asked Pedro Calungsod. And he responded generously and courageously with his life. With his teacher, missionary partner, and friend, Padre Diego, he went to his death for the sake of Jesus. Now both Padre Diego and the lay catechist Pedro hold the palm of martyrdom. Look at his statuePedro is holding that palm. Martyrdom is the ultimate witnessing to Jesus, the ultimate form of proclaiming the faith. But as Blessed John Paul II has saida faithful Christian life, though silent and unsung, is a most eloquent proclamation of our faith in Jesus (see Ecclesia in Asia). You are credible in telling the story of Jesus to others only when your life is lived as a faithful disciple of Jesus, a disciple who lives the Divine Teachers way of valuing, his way of relating with people, especially with the most needy, his way of doing good. For in the final analysis, to proclaim Jesus is really to share your own experience of Jesus, your own friendship with Jesus, your own following of Christ. This is what the Apostle John said: What we have seen, what we have heard, what we have touched, this is what we proclaim to you so that you may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship is with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ! (see 1 Jn.1: 1-4). When we truly proclaim Jesus by our daily Christian life, we can also exalt with Mary, the Star of Evangelization, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord! My very life, my very being proclaims the greatness of the Lord! My brothers and sisters, God bless you! +ORLANDO B. QUEVEDO, O.M.I. Archbishop of Cotabato

(Mark 14:50). Even Peter denied him not only once but three times (Mark 14:72). Because they were blind, they could not understand Gods revelation to them, even though their eyes could see. That is why they did not follow him on the road to his death. How different was Bartimaeus! He had great faith. Despite the effort of many to discourage him, his faith did not waver. He persisted in calling out the name of Jesus (Mark 10:48). His faith was so great that he was too ready to put aside his old life, symbolized by his cloak (Mark 10:50). Because of his faith, he never doubted the healing word of Jesus. And abandoning himself to him, he was cured of his blindnesshe received his sight. With eyes now open, his faith having the ability to know the power of God working in Jesus, he followed Jesus on the waywhich is the same as the way of discipleship (cf Acts 9:2; 19:9.23). As Jesus way was to Jerusalem, Mark wants to say that Bartimaeus was ready to follow the footsteps leading to Calvary and to embrace the cross (Mark 10:52b). And once he is crucified with the Lord, he would be able to make an offering to God for others (Heb 5:3; 2nd Reading; see Lev 9:7). In other words, for Mark, Bartimaeus is a model of discipleship.

What does this mean for us? Though, unlike Bartimaeus, we may not be physically blind, and so we can even go through the usual practices expected of a Christian, yet, we can be blind spiritually. We may continue to profess Christianity, but our being Christian does not go beyond the boundaries of the nominal. Brought up in a secular culture that hardly recognizes God, we are simply unable to see beyond the superficialities. Money, power, self-interest, honor and glory blind us to what is real. But our life need not be without hope. What we need is faith. If we have the faith of Bartimaeus, then, we can allow Jesus to heal us. He will give us spiritual sight. With our ability to see spiritually, we will be able to recognize who Jesus really is in our lives, and having known him, he will enable us prefer him and the kingdom of God to all those worldly values that deprived us of our vision. We will put aside values that secular society clings to. With the power of the Spirit working in us, empowering us to listen to his words and act of them, we will follow him on the road to Jerusalem, accepting suffering and even death for the sake of the Gospel. Our journey of discipleship will culminate in the offering of ourselves for others, and for the good of the community of faith.

sisters live in the flickering twilight shed by human philosophies and creeds, or are enveloped in the darkness of degrading superstitious beliefs. Christ, the light for all nations (Is 42:6), keeps coming to them in the person of the missionaries, the bearers of his faith-giving light. They go to share with their less privileged brothers and sisters the splendor of a faith which fills their life with meaning, worth, and direction. The light of the Gospel reaches also those who are serving sentences in prison, whether they are guilty or are victims of a miscarriage of justice. Those who have justly been condemned need the light of Christ to bring them to understand the gravity of the wrong done, feel sorry for it and make every effort to make up for it. Those who have been unfairly condemned need Christs light to take courage from his example and to transform an unjust sentence into an opportunity for spiritual growth. They can even deepen their participation in the mystery of Christs passion, and thereby contribute more abundantly to the salvation of others. Indeed, the light of Christ is a blessing for all!

which God Himself has conceived as complementary. When unnatural dichotomies creep in, dangerous imbalances and even moral perversion follow inevitably. A misguided religiosity which focuses on God, while forgetting the practical demands of love of neighbor, is not according to the divine will. As St. John piercingly puts it, If anyone says My love is fixed on God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar (1 Jn 4:20). And there are so many ways of failing or refusing to love ones neighbor, while claiming to love God . . . St. James puts it positively as he gives a practical example: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God... is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction (Jas 2:27). In the same way, a misdirected love for people which makes them the supreme value in life, but positively refuses to relate it to God as its source, is a form of idolatry. It is a perversion. Such a creature-centered love soon will become possessive, discriminatory, oppressive... It will be no love at all, for love is of God... (1 Jn 4:7). At best, a God-less love of neighbor will be limited to this

earthly life, but we, as the Christian faith teaches us, are made to live forever. Genuine love of neighbor must also include and show concern for their eternal salvation. Instead, when these two loves are kept united as Christ teaches us in words and deeds, then wonders happen. The life of a person flourishes like a tree planted by the riverside. The barren desert of human society, tormented by selfishness and hatred, blossoms into a splendid garden, rich with countless flowers and fruits bearing the trademark of LOVE, with its related virtues, such as: mercy, compassion, solidarity, forgiveness, generosity . . . . Such a unified love is the most powerful energy which we need in life. It can change and uplift the face of the earth. It can gather the scattered children of the dispersion caused by hatred, vengefulness, callousness . . . into a wonderful family, characterized by brotherly sharing and care. Love is what brings us to work together under God, journeying together toward Him in harmony and peace. That will be the sign that His Kingdom is already in our midst.

www.facebook.com/Sr. Mapet Bulawan

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Taken 2
NEW YORK (CNS)--Liam Neeson scowls his way through the sour sequel Taken 2 (Fox). Moviegoers may find themselves displaying a similar expression should they choose to spend a long 90 minutes watching Neeson tangle with --and inevitably best-one anonymous heavy after another. This time out, Neesons Bryan Mills--a retired CIA agent short of fuse but long on mad fighting skills--is up against the machinations of a grudgebearing Albanian by the name of Murad (Rade Sherbedgia). Murad is out for revenge because Bryan killed his son, the principal baddie of the first installment of the franchise. Never having been exposed to the civilizing influences of Walmart and the Olive Garden, poor benighted Murad, whos not only Eastern European but a Muslim to boot, fails to understand that junior had his torturous death at Bryans hands coming. So he hatches a plot to kidnap Bryan, Bryans ex-wife, Lenore (Famke Janssen), and their teen daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). Since Kims previous abduction by Murads pride and joy--a serial human trafficker --provided the premise of the earlier go-round, perhaps she should contact Lloyds of London at this point and see if they dont offer an insurance policy for this sort of thing. The perfunctory setup we witness before Murad springs his trap includes a nod or

Entertainment
Alex Cross
NEW YORK (CNS)--Tyler Perry makes a considerable dramatic leap from portraying the unruly grandma Madea to personifying the iconic detective Alex Cross (Summit), hero of the best-selling series of crime novels by James Patterson. In this action-packed thriller directed by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious), Perry is up to the challenge, putting his own stamp on a role played by Morgan Freeman in two previous Patterson-based films: 1997s Kiss the Girls and 2001s Along Came a Spider. Alex Cross is loosely adapted from Cross (2006), the 12th novel in Pattersons series and essentially an origins story. Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist in the Detroit Police Department. Hes also a devoted family man. The father of two already, hes excited that his wife Maria (Carmen Ejogo) is expecting again. His feisty mother Nana (Cicely Tyson) runs the household and dispenses moral advice. On the job, Alex has two partners, Thomas (Edward Burns), a tough Irish cop, and Monica (Rachel Nichols), a rookie whos eager to stand toe to toe with the big guys. When a wealthy businessman and his entourage are brutally tortured and murdered, the team realizes theyve got a serial killer on their hands. More specifically, a stimulusseeking psychopathic narcissist, as Alex profiles him. And how. The culprit (Matthew Fox) goes by the name Picasso because he draws cubist portraits of his victims, who are first drugged, then dismembered, and finally killed. Picasso is a hired gun with a hit list of international industrialists. The moguls have gathered in the Motor City for a conference. What ensues is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that becomes personal for the detectives when tragedy strikes close to home. Seeking justice yet tempted by revenge, Alex Look for the image of San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Pedro Calungsod and Jaime Cardinal Sin. (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 16 No. 22

October 22 - November 4, 2012

two in the direction of family togetherness and hints at a possible reconciliation for Bryan and Lenore. But, given that Bryans methods of paternal protectiveness resemble those of a Mafia don, the emotions expressed on the way to his killing spree ring hollow. In reality, mayhem for its own sake seems to be the driving principle behind director Olivier Megatons otherwise largely pointless shoot-em-up.

The film contains frequent, sometimes gory violence, including beatings and torture, brief premarital sensuality, at least one use of profanity and occasional crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III--adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13-parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (John Mulderig/Catholic News Service)

uses his psychiatric skills to probe Picassos twisted mind for clues to his whereabouts. F o r t u n a t e l y, t h e s t ro n g violence in Alex Cross is lightened by moments of humor, even camp. The picture also deserves credit for showing a tender side to its hero, with some poignant scenes of family interaction and others highlighting the role of faith in his life. The film contains intense

violence, including torture, drug use, a brief non-marital bedroom scene with partial nudity and a few instances each of profane and rough language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III-adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13--parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Joseph McAleer/ Catholic News Service)

MAC en COLET

Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya

Pitch Perfect
NEW YORK (CNS)-- Extravagant musical TV shows and movies are all the rage, from the campy Glee to the sternfaced Step Up Revolution. Some of these productions are calculated to appeal exclusively to aspiring entertainers. Others attempt to use song and dance to proclaim a message, whether it be the importance of self-confidence or of social justice. Pitch Perfect (Universal) avoids these two missteps, offering instead a comedy that is happy to sing its own tune, peopled by an eclectic array of engaging characters. Its occasional lapses into off-key humor, moreover, represent rare departures from a generally pleasing tone. Loner freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick)--a wannabe DJ with a taste for dark eye shadow and remixed tunes--finds herself a fish out of water at fictional Barden University. But a chance encounter with overly friendly fellow student Chloe (Brittany Snow)--who discovers Becas vocal abilities by overhearing her sing in the shower--leads to Becas membership in Chloes a cappella group, the Bellas. The Bellas are on track to compete in an annual completion they lost in spectacular fashion the previous year. As they recruit a gaggle of new cohorts, including the audacious Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson)--she calls herself that, we learn, to preempt insult--Beca clashes with the ensembles traditionally minded leader Aubrey (Anna Camp). She also finds romance with fellow music lover Jesse (Skylar Astin), despite the fact that Jesse belongs to a rival band of all-male warblers. Director Jason Moores multi-melody romp features pop hits whose origins range from the 1980s to the present--from Simple Minds to Rihanna, endowing it with wide appeal. While Kay Cannons enjoyable screenplay -- adapted from Mickey Rapkins 2008 book Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory--is mostly wholesome, some salty language and a lax outlook on premarital sexuality bar recommendation for youngsters. The film contains implied non-marital relationships, adult themes and references, including to aberrant sexuality, a few uses of profanity, occasional crude and crass language and an obscene gesture. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III--adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13--parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Adam Shaw/ Catholic News Service)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - Novermber 4, 2012

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

The Cross

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Photo shows Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, DD together with His Excellency Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle,DD receiving a check representing the interest earned in 2011 on the P10 Million CBCP Seed of Hope Fund established by KCFAPI in 2008. Also in photo are the KCFAPI officials led by its Chairman Hilario G. Davide, Jr. and President Guillermo N. Hernandez.

Davide joins PHP delegation to Calungsod canonization

By Roy Lagarde

An official of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. has joined the Philippine delegation to the canonization of the countrys new saint in Rome on October 21.
Former Chief Justice and incumbent KCFAPI Chairman, Hilario Davide, Jr. was among the 5,000 strong Filipino pilgrims who attended the canonization of Pedro Calungsod.

Other government personalities who witnessed the historic occasion include Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. The pilgrims were led by some 200 cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and the religious. Davide is a member of the National Commission for the Canonization of Calungsod that organized preparations for the Visayan martyrs canonization. The Philippines got its second saint Sunday with Pope Benedict XVI canonizing Calungsod along with six others in a solemn ceremony at St. Peters Square in Vatican City. About 80,000 crowd from

different countries filled the area just to witness what many pilgrims consider as a once in a lifetime experience. Flag-waving Filipinos cheered as the pontiff declared Calungsod a saint and worthy of veneration by the entire Catholic Church. Other new saints include Kateri Tekakwitha, Maria Anna Cope, Jacques Berthieu, Maria Schaeffer, Giovanni Battista Piamarta, and Maria del Carmen. In the Philippines, Masses, vigils and processions have been held across the country on the same day to celebrate their new saint. At the Santo Nio de Tondo

Parish in Manila, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause as a tapestry of Calungsod was unveiled at the churchs loggia after the pope declared him a saint. About 4,000 faithful, most of them waving Philippine flaglets, also gathered at the San Juan Arena to watch the canonization shown live using a feed from EWTN downlink. Celebrations were also held in Novaliches, Makati City, Malolos, Zambales, Bacolod, and Pampanga. In Cebu City, processions in all parishes and a fluvial procession of Calungsods statue along the Mactan Channel were held.

Several events were also held in Guinatilan town, some 135 kilometers south of Cebu City and believed to be Calungsods birthplace, President Benigno Aquino III earlier issued Proclamation No. 481, declaring Oct. 21 as a national day of celebration on the canonization of Calungsod. Calungsod was a teenage Cebuano catechist who accompanied Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in Tumhon vil-

lage in Guan, Marianas, where they were killed on April 2, 1672. He was beatified in March 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Local govt cites KC as vital partners in nation building

THE local government of Iloilo City has lauded the Visayas Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus as vital partners in nation building and community service. Iloilo provincial administrator Dr. Raul Baas cited the Knights various civic activities in the community like the recently held tree planting project initiated by the local government and participated in by various councils in Visayas. This worthy activity of action for the cleaning and transformation is an effort to address the climate change and to reforest the now depleted forest of the province. We are calling on all sectors to actively engage in this kind of activities like what the Knights of Columbus is doing in their local communities. The objective of planting one million trees can only be achieved if everybody participates, Baas said. A past Grand Knight of Council 10767, Baas added that theyve been involved in the community activities like campaign against dengue. The K of C has been a partner in the worthy programs in the country like this yearly massive tree planting program for the province. "As a Christian brotherhood, we have a lot of engagement in the civic action of our communities in our aim to improve the lives of the locals", Baas furthered. (VizNews)

Zamboanga City installs new district master

BROTHER Jose Tan Jr. was recently installed as the new District Master for District 10 in Zamboanga City held at the Badjao Room of the Garden Orchids Hotel, Zamboanga City. The installation rite was conducted during the Convention of all District Masters in Ferdinand Magellan Province (4th Degree in the Philippines) under Vice Supreme Master Pedro Rodriguez Jr. Meanwhile, the Fr. Alfredo Paguia SJ Council 3362 of the Mindanao Jurisdiction has conducted their Family Day at the Zamboanga Golf Beach. A bowling tournament was also held for the fit members of the Council. Council 3362 also offered their prayers for the recovery of Brother Leonardo Parcon, presently confined at Zamboanga General Hospital because of mild stroke. (MindaNews)

Members of the Knights of Columbus in the Visayas Jurisdiction with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. during the tree planting activity initiated by the local government in Dumangas, Iloilo.

Luzon Deputy lauds unique projects

LUZON Deputy Arsenio Isidro Yap has lauded his fellow Brother Knights and Squires for conducting a unique project in their community. The Knights of Columbus Council 12308 and Columbian Squires 4548 have initiated some unique projects in celebration of the Sta. Teresitas 35th Parish Anniversary. Ka-Linaw Optical Mission Project and Ka-Linis Body and Soul Make Over for young Catholics. Brother Knights have provided fire-hose bath with free soap, slippers, shorts, t-shirts, and free meals after attending a Eucharistic celebration. Both projects had more than 300 beneficiaries. This is a very unique project, I like it very much. Don't forget to enter this in the Luzon Service Program Competition. Deadline is on May 15, 2013 but you can submit any time before May, said Yap. (LuzonNews)

The Knights of Columbus Visayas Jurisdiction joined the Action for Regreening and Transformation, a tree and mangrove planting in coastal barangays of Dumangas, Iloilo. (VizNews)

Knights of Columbus radio program launched in Mindanao

THE Mindanao Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus launched a weekly radio program at DXCP-CMN 585 kHz titled Knights of Columbus Hour. Already three weeks on air, the onehour program has a 15-minute segment

titled Mindanao Deputy Time where the Mindanao Deputy has a chance to talk with Brother Knights about their activities, programs and projects orderwide. The program begins with the song "Onward Christian Soldiers" to at-

tract the listeners attention, most of whom are Knights and their families. After the intro music, listeners are given a chance to review what transpired during the previous weeks episode of the program, Mindanao
Mindanao / C2

THE St. Pio of Pietrelcina Council 15139 of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines joined the 2012 Padre Pio Caracol Del Tierro Festival in celebration of St. Pio of Pietrelcina's first fiesta held at the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Severina Km.18, Paraaque City. Brother Knights took charge of the carroza Honor Guards escort the image of St. Pio during the 2012 carrying the image of Padre Pio Caracol Del Tierro Festival. St. Pio. They also organized a Family Fun After the run, the Gen. Manager Run as one of the highlights of the fi- o f S l i m m e r s W o r l d P a s a y R o a d esta celebration, sponsored by Slimmers Branch, Ms. Yen Lopena (Grand World Int'l. Winner of Miss Bikini Philippines The Fun Run was participated in by 2008) led the parishioners in the families of the parish community with aerobics session. men running 5K, women running 3K They gave away Gift Certificates, and children ages 13 and below run- Gym Bags and free Vital Signs check. ning 2K. (KC News)

Council 15139 joins Caracol del Tierro Festival

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Chairmans Message
Life that is offered, Faith that is proclaimed
BEING a Catholic and a Filipino, I have never been more proud as during that most signal moment when the rite of canonization of the Visayan Protomartyr and six others unfolded before my very eyes at St. Peters Square in the Vatican. Even before the canonization proper that started about ten in the morning of October 21, I was already overwhelmed with the splendor that unfurled on the balconies of St. Peters Basilicathe portraits of the seven Blesseds who were to be canonized. The tapestry of St. Pedro Calungsod occupied the second place of honor in the balcony that was assigned to martyrs. In his homily during the mass that immediately followed the canonization rite, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI acclaimed the heroic courage and the tenacious profession of faith of St. Pedro Calungsod, to the excitement of several thousands of Filipino pilgrims who were weaving the Philippine Flag and occupying the greater portion of the Square more than any other nationality. Let me share with you a portion of the Homily of the Holy Father devoted to our very own St. Pedro Calungsod: Pedro Calungsod was born around the year sixteen fifty-four, in the Visayas region of the Philippines. His love for Christ inspired him to train as a catechist with the Jesuit missionaries there. In sixteen sixty-eight, along with other young catechists, he accompanied Father Diego Lus de San Vitores to the Marianas Islands in order to evangelize the Chamorro people. Life there was hard and the missionaries also faced persecution arising from envy and slander. Pedro, however, displayed deep faith and charity and continued to catechize his many converts, giving witness to Christ by a life of purity and dedication to the Gospel. Uppermost was his desire to win souls for Christ, and this made him resolute in accepting martyrdom. He died on the second of April, sixteen seventy-two. Witnesses record that Pedro could have fled for safety but chose to stay at Father Diegos side. The priest was able to give Pedro absolution before he himself was killed. May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God! Notice that this portion of the Popes homily ends by exhorting Filipinos to announce the Kingdom bravely in the brand of St. Pedro Calungsod. A beautiful rendition of this challenge is the very theme of his canonization: Life that is offered, Faith that is proclaimed. What a beautiful subject for reflectionand consequent action. Vivat Iesus!

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

CBCP Monitor
October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 18

Hilario G. Davide, Jr.

Prayer for the Beatification of Father George J. Willmann, SJ

LORD God, look down upon us, your children, who are trying to serve You with all our hearts, in our beloved land, the Philippines. Deign to raise Fr. George J. Willmann, of the Society of Jesus, to the honors of the altar. He is the wise, strong, cheerful, dauntless model that all of our Filipino men need in this new era, in this new millennium. He was your Knight, Your gentle warrior, especially in his ministry with the Knights of Columbus.

A man leading other men, in the war of good against evil, in the war of the Gospel of Life against the Culture of Death. Make him the lamp on the lamp stand giving light to all in the house. Make him the city set on the mountain, which cannot be hid, so that all of us may learn from his courage, his integrity, his indomitable spirit in the struggle to lead men to God, and to bring God to man. We ask you this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luzon jurisdiction conducts Flood Relief Operation in Pampanga

THE Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction has conducted a relief operation in Apalit, Pampanga last September 12. Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap together with Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan, State Program Director Bonifacio B. Martinez, State Community Director Romulo E. Estrella and State Disaster Relief Operation Chairman Saturnino J. Galang Jr, spearheaded the operations. The Jurisdiction sponsored relief goods worth P32,000 which were doubled by the officers of District S17, raising the donation to P64,000.00. Grand Knight Mark Lodrigito from Calumpit Council also received another P32,000 donation from Luzon Jurisdiction for flood relief operation. The Holy Family Parish were given some 300 packs of relief goods. One hundred packs of relief goods were donated to parish priest Fr. Teodoro P. Valencia of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Macabebe, Apalit. The relief goods for Council 7216 in Masantol were sent via dump truck as the flood was still high. Di s t r i c t D e p u t y N o e l L .

Guillermo N. Hernandez

Presidents Message
Year of Faith
I AM quite certain that all of us already know by now that the Holy Father has declared a Year of Faith from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. This declaration was contained in his Apostolic Letter entitled Porta Fidei that was released in October last year. With so many concerns and commitments in our hands, declarations such as this do not really get much of our attention. After all, they always come and go and, normally, it is always business as usual. In 2009, the Vatican declared the Year for the Clergy. The Philippine Church declared 2010 as the year of the Youth; and 2012 as the Year of the Missions. In Preparation for the 500 years anniversary of evangelization of the Philippines, our bishops has dedicated every year for a particular pastoral concern for the next 9 years, until 2021. This is precisely where the rub iswe do not give much attention to annual celebrations declared by our Mother Church. It should not be any wonder then that our brand of Christianity has become very personally centered rather than community oriented; inward rather than outward looking. So we see a lot of us who are good in personal prayers and personal devotion but very awkward when it comes to social concerns, especially in being caring and concerned with our disadvantaged brothers and sisters. I must think that it is in this sense that the gap between faith and life is getting wider and widerespecially because we have defined faith as simple religiosity or that dimension in our life that is devoted to spiritual matters. But faith is not just about things spiritual. It has to be integrated with life itself or else it is empty and senseless. That should be the reason why faith has to be seen in our office work, at home and in our communities. It should be visible in the bigger facets of our lives such as in politics, economics, academe, entertainment, sports and the encompassing culture. If only we will get serious about this, I think the Year of Faith will keep us on track. Throughout this year, perhaps the church will teach and lead us how to bridge the gap between faith and life so that one day we will enjoy our lives bubbling with faith.

Timoteo of District S-17 Holy Family Parish, Colgante, Apalit together with their Parish Priest Fr. Bernabe J. Flores, Jr., Grand Knight Carmelo T. Banal of Council 13776 and their officers likewise received assistance.

The Luzon Jurisdiction also donated an amount of P32,000 to District Deputy Tienzo S-15, District Deputy Tolentino S-13, and Former District Deputy Sampang of S-17 for flood relief operation. (LuzonNews)

Luzon jurisdiction holds small engine skills training

THE Luzon Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines conducted a Skills Training Program on Small Engine (Motorcyle) Repair and Maintenance. The formal opening of Service Skills Training Program on Small Engine was held at the KCFAPI Social Hall last October 1 with Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap and KCFAPI President Guillermo N. Hernandez as guest speakers. There were 20 enrollees to the 3-week course (120 hours) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare Manila Manpower Development Center. Skills Training Program Chairman Rolando E. Mirande and State Youth Director Eduardo A. Lara organized the said training while State Service Program Director Bonifacio B. Martinez provided an outdoor tent for the project and was eventually used in other outdoor activities. (LuzonNews)

Henry Byrne Council 8722 in San Marcelino, Zambales recently conducted an exemplification ceremony in its aim to reactivate its council. A total of 16 new members including their parish priest were exemplified. (KC News)

The Knights of Columbus Council 6000 of the St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish Cathedral in Cabanatuan City conducted a Medical and Dental Mission sponsored by the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center led by Dr. Hurberto F. Lapuz. (LuzonNews)
Mindanao / C1

The Round Table of District Deputies of Nueva Ecija led by Chairman Gil Dindo Berino together with the regional membership director, KCFAPI area manager, and the three district deputies, namely, Jesus Angelo Royeca of Calasiao, Camilo Melendez of Binmaley and Arturo Ladislao of Bugallon have initiated an indoctrination and spiritual formation to 39 new Brother Knights (from 12 Councils) on October 7 held at the St. Thomas hall of the St. Peter and Paul Church in Calasiao, Pangasinan. (LuzonNews)

State Secretary Joven B. Joaquin was guest of honor and speaker during the 30th Anniversary of Mary Help of Christians Council 8256 at Better Living Subdivision, Paraaque City held last October 5. Grand Knight Rodrigo V. Ponce, organizer of the event and District Deputy Vicente Duroy of District P24 were present during the occasion. Messages of the Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap were given and incorporated in the souvenir program. (LuzonNews)

The Knights of columbus San Fabian Council 5739 celebrated their 47th anniversary with the installation of Council officers held last October 7. (KC News)

Deputy Balbino Fauni said. The members of Knights of Columbus Hour are Former Provincial Deputy Ramon Fuentes, Past Grand Knight Bing Alejo and Grand Knight Cesar Cagas, all of Lagao Council, General Santos City. The anchorman also t a lk s a b ou t a p r ep a r ed or researched topic like What is Charity and Faith? We have a new topic every week. There is also a humor and joke time, playing of love songs, dedicated to listeners and loving couples who are celebrating their birthdays and wedding days, Fauni added. Listeners are free to call in or text their comments and suggestions to help improve the program. We are open to suggestions on how we can improve our K of C Hour. We want to be closer to our brother knights in the different islands of Mindanao Fauni ended. (MindaNews)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 22
October 22 - November 4, 2012

The Cross

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(Excerpt of the Annual Report of the Supreme Knight during the 130th Supreme Convention held in Anaheim, California, USA, Aug. 7-9, 2012)
A TRUE measure of the strength and relevance of the Knights of Columbus today is our continued membership growth. I am proud to report to you that for the 41st consecutive year, our membership has grown. It reached a new all-time high of 1,829,121 as of the end of our fraternal year on June 30. In the past year, we have added 215 new councils, bringing their total to 14,377. In other words, more than 14,000 communities now benefit from the good works of the Knights of Columbus. Last year, 86 new councils were established in the Philippines, and I had the pleasure of personally congratulating our brother Knights there in April, when I attended the Ninth Philippine National Knights of Columbus Convention in Manila. There are now more than 290,000 Knights in the Philippines, and their enthusiasm and faith are truly extraordinary. While I was in Manila, we conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Father McGivney Multimedia Studio located at the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. This state-ofthe-art facility, a gift from the Supreme Council, will enable the Church to use the most modern technology to educate and evangelize in the largest Catholic country in Asia. We were honored to have the president of the Philippine Bishops Conference, Archbishop Jos Palma, bless the new studio. He also blessed a new statue of Father McGivney outside the Knights of Columbus Headquarters in Manila, and a new oratory there as well. Many of our other jurisdictions also had strong membership growth, including Texas, which brought in more than 2,100 new members; California, which gained nearly 1,600; and Florida, which added more than 700. I am also pleased to report that every jurisdiction in Mexico grew last year, and 14 new councils and more than 1,000 new members were added there. And the Dominican Republic added seven new councils and more than 350 new members. In Europe, our membership is also increasing. Poland added 10 new councils, and membership there has now grown to more than 2,200 Knights. We have seen how much good 1.8 million committed Knights can do. But just imagine how much more we could do; how much more we should do. This is why we must invite more men to join us. We do this not for ourselves, but for the good of our communities, our Church, our society, and for the men themselves, who join us in this work. We are asking every council to recruit at least one new member every month. That is a very achievable goal, and we owe it to our fellow parishioners to give them the opportunity to live out their Catholic faith with us in charity, unity and fraternity. The combined Catholic population of the countries in which we are active is more than 300 million. Our potential is tremendous. Our fellow Catholics need us, and we need them to do even more good work. Our goal must be to invite every eligible Catholic man to join the Knights of Columbus and become a part of the greatest lay Catholic organization in the world. If every council recruited at least one member every month during the coming year, our membership would grow by nearly 175,000. But we could invite even more men to join us, and together we could be an enormous force for good in a world that so obviously needs the love of God and love of neighbor, which are reflected in our work.

Membership Growth

Series of GK, FS Seminars held in Sorsogon, Legazpi City

THE Luzon Jurisdiction through State Program Director Bonifacio B. Martinez and New Council Development Chairman Efren V. Mendoza has conducted a series of Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries Seminar at the Diocese of Sorsogon and Diocese of Legazpi on September 21 to 23. Six Grand Knights, 28 Financial Secretaries and two District Deputies attended the GK and FS Seminar on September 22 at the Mahogany Grand Lodge, Sorsogon. On September 23, four Grand Knights, 24 Financial Secretaries and two District Deputies attended the GK and FS Seminar at the Nazpen School of Safety and Technology at Legazpi City. Martinez tackled the Luzon Goals and Objectives, General Policies and GK duties and responsibilities while Mendoza talked about reportorial forms and duties and responsibilities of FS, Treasurer and Trustees. Major issues brought up during the open forum were the termination of membership of non-paying members. The procedures were explained and members were asked to adhere to the requirements. The participants were thankful that such seminar was held in their area because many of them are not familiar with the protocol. (LuzonNews)

The Our Lady of Fatima Council 9636 recently celebrated their 25th Year Founding Anniversary and Installation of Officers at the Ayala Alabang Country Club in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa with Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro Yap as guest of honor and Speaker. (LuzonNews)

KC News Briefs
ON October 14, the K of C 4th degree members in Full Regalla Uniform joined the procession (Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar) in Mina, Iloilo for their Town Fiesta. A day before, they celebrated the Death Anniversary of Teresa Magbanua, hero in Pototan, Iloilo and also called the Joan of Arc in the Visayas. *** MORE than 130 candidates from the Archdiocese of Manila were exemplified to the Third Degree on September 9 at the Council 1000 Hall, Intramuros Manila. Ceremonial team was headed by State Ceremonial Director Deogenes F. Francia. Host District Deputy was Efren de Guzman of District M45. *** ST. Joseph Council 11131 of Pototan, Iloilo holds a Dawn Rosary around the Public Plaza every 4:30 a.m. in observance of Rosary Month in October. *** A TOTAL of 65 participants attended the Spiritual Formators Training for new trainers on September 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the KCFAPI Social Hall, Intramuros, Manila. Present were State Secretary Joven B. Joaquin, State Auditor Raoul Villanueva and State Spiritual Formation Chairman Luis A. Adriano Jr. *** THE Chartering of Bishop Antonio Rillera Council 15459 was conducted on September 9. Former District Deputy Santiago Barba of District B41 and Bro. Josefino Valencia led the ceremony. *** ON September 9, the Luzon Jurisdiction was invited by Faithful Navigator Danilo del Rosario (FDD Diocese of Cubao) to Santiago, Ilocos Sur to witness the installation of officers of Council 8580. Present were St. James the Great parish priest Fr. Reginald Pira and their former parish priest and chaplain Fr. Marcelo Cantorna (who attended the 9th National Convention in Manila). The members were proud to see the Luzon Deputy who made an unscheduled visit. The installing officer was DD Juan Soliven of Candon,Ilocos Sur. The council proudly presented their Monument to the Unborn erected in front of the church. *** SUPREME Director Alonso Tan and Paraaque 2nd District Representative Roilo Golez praised the Divine Mercy Council 15139. Tan was the guest of honor and speaker in the installation of officers of Divine Mercy Council 15139. This council was chartered during the term of Bro. Tan. State Community Director Romulo Estrella also attended the event. The installation was held at Jose Pio/Shiela Drive SAVVY-25 Severina Km18, Paraaque City last August 25. *** Columbian Squires Chairman Jose F. Cuaresma, State College Council Chairman Raymund Gubat and Diocesan Area Chairman Sherwin Mamaril were participants at the National Conference for Youth Ministers held in Legazpi City from October 1 to 5, 2012. The Columbian Squires is an active member of the Federation of National Youth Organization (FNYO) of the Philippines which is a member of the organizing committee of the NCYM. *** LUZON State Secretary Joven B. Joaquin attended the 2nd Anniversary of the Columbian Squires Diocesan Coordinating Body of Paraaque and Induction Ceremonies last September 29. He inducted the officers in behalf of Columbian Squires Chairman Jose F. Cuaresma (who was attending the Parish Pastoral Planning in Tagaytay City at that time). Bro. Jose R. Autencio III was inducted as the Diocesan Area Chairman (DAC) while, Bro. George Michael T. Tuyay was the outgoing DAC. Also present was District Deputy Vicente Duroy of P24.

State Secretary Joven B. Joaquin was the guest speaker in the Spiritual Formators' Training (Refresher Course) attended by 25 participants recently held at the KCFAPI Social Hall. State Spiritual Formation Chairman Luis A. Adriano Jr. organized the whole day event for the Metro Manila Spiritual Formators. (LuzonNews)

Councils join Bowling Tournament

The Luzon Deputy made the ceremonial bowling throw at the 6th NCR Luzon Deputy Cup Duckpin Bowling Tournament held at the RJ Bowling Lanes, Congressional Avenue, Quezon City last September 23.

AROUND 22 councils registered for the bowling tournament hosted by Balintawak Council 8014 under GK Antonino Naldo. Present at the opening of the event were State Membership Director Ramoncito A. Ocampo, representing State Program Director B. Martinez who was at Legazpi City for the GK and FS Seminar; State Council Director El-

mer Eroles, Athletic Events Chairman Cesar Galang, State Treasurer Joseph P. Teodoro, State Community Director Romulo Estrella and other District Deputies, Grand Knights, Faithful Navigators and Brother Knights. Also present as a special guest was Quezon City 1st District Congressman Vincent 'Bingbong' P. Crisologo. (LuzonNews)

Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc., is an established mutual benefits association and a scientifically designed insurance system organized exclusively for the members of the Knights of Columbus and their immediate families. At present, the Association is looking for professionals in the field of: Training Real Estate Audit Accounting Marketing & Sales Management Actuarial If you are dedicated, service-oriented, and have the promising potential to join us in our continuous drive to provide mutual aid, assistance and excellent service to our members. Kindly send your comprehensive resume thru fax number 527-2244 or hand-carry resume with a 2x2 photo and transcript of records to:

KC Family . . . Our Concern

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES INC. Gen. Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila You may also call 527 2223 local 202 for queries and look for Ms. Ma. Kristianne Pascual or or Ms. Gladys Lovette Luis The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc., is an established and progressive mutual benefits association operating for 54 years, has been highly committed to provide mutual aid and assistance to its members and their immediate families. KCFAPI firmly believes that the continued progress and success of the association depends to a great extent on its human capital KCFAPI also believes that through training and a host of other benefits if coupled with hard work, will help employees and the association attain their goals and objectives. In our continuous drive to provide excellent service to our members, we are inviting individuals with promising potentials. He must be dedicated, service oriented, and willing to undergo training Our compensation and employee benefits are comparable, if not better than most companies of our same size and nature of business.

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KC Foundation scholar places 5th in the CPA Board Exam

FOUR (4) foundation scholars recently passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given recently by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi. They are Ms. Mary Anne Jelli E. Gaza (Council 10642, Hermosa, Bataan), Mr. Francis Ryan Parcasio (Council 11250, Kipalbig, Tampakan, South Cotabato), Ms. Maria Catalina Alaon (Council 3975, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur) and Ms. Mariangela G. Bellen (Manila Council 1000 Intramuros, Manila). Ms. Gaza, who placed fifth in the said examination, is the eldest daughter of Bro. Jenifer and Sis. Lilibeth Gaza from Hermosa, Bataan. Aside from being a Palanca awardee for Essay Category in 2007, Jelline (as she is fondly called) has been a consistent honor student since elementary. She was the valedictorian of her high school class and then graduated Magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Accountancy last April 2012. Ms. Gaza was a scholar of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. from 2007 to 2012. Mr. Parcasio on the other hand, is the eldest child of Bro. Melchor and Sis. Flocerfida Parcasio of Kipalbig, Tampakan, South Cotabato. Also a consistent honor student since elementary, Francis graduated Cum laude last March 2012 with a Bachelors Degree in Accountancy at the Mindanao State University General Santos City. Mr. Parcasio was a beneficiary of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. from 2007 to 2012. The third new CPA, Ms. Alaon, is the daughter of Bro. Rolando and Sis. Merlita Alaon from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. Maria actively participated in various activities of her school and graduated Valedictorian in High School. Ms. Alaon obtained her Bachelor's degree in Accountancy at the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur last March 2012. She was a beneficiary of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. under the Supreme Council Scholarship Program from 2008 to 2012. Last but not the least is Ms. Bellen who graduated last April 2012 from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Intramuros with a Bachelors Degree in Accountancy. She is the daughter of Bro. Regino and Sis. Katherine Bellen of Pandacan, Manila. A consistent honor

The Cross

CBCP Monitor

October 22 - November 4, 2012

Vol. 16 No. 22

KCFAPI Officers led by KCFAPI President Guillermo N. Hernandez and KCFAPI EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia with KC Foundations Director Roberto T. Cruz, KCFAPI Spiritual Director Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III, Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan, Luzon Deputy Arsenio G. Yap and KC Foundations Scholars who passed the recently held CPA Board examinations: Francis Parcasio (seated, 2nd from left) and Mary Anne Jelli Gaza (seated, 3rd from right).

student in High School and a choir member, Mariangela listed Journalism as one of her favorite subjects. She was a beneficiary of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. under the Supreme Council Scholarship Program from 2008 to 2012. To date, the KC Philippines Founda-

tion, Inc. has successfully provided assistance to a total of 392 students from all over the country consisting of: 277 collegiate scholars, 114 vocational grantees and 1 high school beneficiary. Scholarships are open to graduating high school students with at least 85% general weighted average and whose father is a

Knights of Columbus member in good standing. Active Columbian Squire Members are also welcome to apply. The Foundation is now accepting application for Collegiate Scholarships for schoolyear 2013-2014. Deadline for submission of applications is on January 15, 2013.

Nueva Ecija, Aurora RTDD hold 1st Degree Exemplification

Council 8014 joins Saint Joseph the Worker parishs 53rd anniversary

KCFAPI Central Luzon Conquerors Area Manager and Regional Membership Director, Manuel Naldoza discusses the indoctrination of the Order.

THE Round Table of District Deputies of Nueva Ecija and Aurora headed by Chairman DD Gil Dindo Berino held indoctrination to the Order of the Knights of Columbus with Spiritual Formation Course and 1st degree exemplification on September 15 at the Archbishop Gabriel assembly hall in Cabanatuan city. Speakers were Central Luzon Conquerors Area Manager Naldoza who discussed the Indoctrination of the Order; Ronald Pascual, who spoke about the Ten Commandments, Nestor Berber, on basic prayers and sin and Larry Santos on the seven sacraments. The initiating team was composed of Grand Knight Hon Panahon, Council 8226; Former District Depu-

ties Nong Fernando, Jr., Council 3692 and Nestor Berber Council 10860; Bro Ed Paulo and Bro Ambrosio from Council 6000. The event was a monthly undertaking of the RTDD of Nueva Ecija and Aurora in collaboration with KCFAPI CLC Area Manager and Regional Membership Director Manuel Naldoza. Around 64 Brother Knights from 14 K of C Councils and 21 Sister wives participated. Sister wives were encouraged to attend the Indoctrination and spiritual formation held at the KCFAPI branch office, after which they joined the Brother Knights during the graduation. They were also provided with KCFAPI umbrellas. (KC News)

Thousands of devotees flocked to the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish as they were visited by the image of the Black Nazarene.

THE Knights of Columbus Balintawak Council 8014 took charge of security when the Black Nazarene visited the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Quezon City during their 53rd Anniversary celebration of the parish. The Brother Knights secured devotees who flocked to the parish to pay homage to the Black Nazarene last September 14. According to Grand Knight Anton Maldo, Parish Priest Fr. Gilbert Dumlao

requested the visitation of the Black Nazarene to the parish for their 53rd Anniversary celebration last September 16. Maldo explained that the presence of many Nazarene devotees in their area prompted Fr. Dumlao to request for the visit and to conduct a procession. Fr. Dumlao expressed his gratitude to Msgr. Clem Ignacio, rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica of the Black

Nazarene for granting their request. We are very thankful to the Lord as we celebrated the 53rd Anniversary of the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish. We are celebrating our faith with the Black Nazarene. His visitation may strengthen the faith of the residents in Balintawak, majority of which are poor. Yet, despite their deprived situation, they are showing their unity and their assistance to one another, Fr. Gilbert said. (KC News)

Cotabato Brother Knights hold Community Outreach Program

THE Knights of Columbus Council 3504 and Circle 1515 of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish in Cotabato City conducted a Community Outreach Program which consists of provision on Deworming, Feeding and Gift Giving Program to more than 500 pupils of Daycare Center and neighborhood children of Barangays Poblacion 2 and Rosary Heights 2 in Cotabato City last October 4 5, 2012. Likewise, on October 06, another Community Outreach Program was conducted by the Brother Knights in the far-flung communities of Teduray tribe in Sitio Pindaag, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, a nearby town of Cotabato City. A total of 120 Brother Knights and 5 Columbian Squires headed by Grand Knight Rey Anthony C. Del Rosario participated and assisted in the three consecutive days of the outreach program. All local officials were thankful for the initiative of the Knights of Columbus as they provided used clothing and grocery items to the pupils and their neighbors.

Holy trinity memorial chapels celebrated 30 years of compassionate service

The members of the Knights of Columbus in Cotabato City together with the local officials during the three-day community outreach program.

The Community Outreach Program is in close collaboration with Rotary Club of Cotabato City - South under District 3870, OJ Merchandise, Restaurant, Bakeshop, and Meatshop and the

Luzon Jurisdiction holds relief operation in Bulacan

TEN State Officers headed by Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap conducted a Flood Relief Operation Program in San Miguel and Calumpit, Bulacan on October 3. The Luzon Jurisdiction gave cash donation for the purchase and packing of relief goods by Calumpit St. John the Baptist Council 10582 headed by Grand Knight Mark Lodrigito. More than 300 packs of relief goods were distributed to the community. The officers were met by District Deputy Zacarias Candelaria (Vice Mayor of Calumpit), District Deputy Carlito Fernando, Regional Membership Chairman Efren Casupanan and Former District Deputy Manumbas. They also made a courtesy call to the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Parish, Fr. Jose Rodel Ponce. The Luzon State Officers who assisted in the distribution of relief goods were State Program Director Bonifacio B. Martinez, State Community Director Romulo B. Estrella, State Disaster Relief Chairman Saturnino Galang Jr., State Treasurer Joseph P. Teodoro, State Membership Recruitment Chairman Conrado S. Dator Jr., New Coun-

Sustainable Education and Enterprise Development Foundation in Mindanao (SEED Foundation) and Tactical Operations Group - 12 of Philippine Air Force. (MindaNews)

Photo shows (from upper left) are Atty. Henry A. Reyes, President of Keys Realty & Dev. Corp./HTMC, Teodoro O. Arcenas, Chairman- KRDC/HTMC and Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Chairman-KCFAPI and KRDC Board of Advisor delivering their inspirational messages during the celebration held on October 10, 2012 at HTMC Bldg., Sucat, Paranaque City. In the middle photo are from left Mrs. Carmen C. Flores, Executive Consultant, Bro. Arsenio Isidro C.Yap, Luzon Deputy & KRDC Director, Bro. Jun Galang of Council 5922, Mrs. Apol S. Dominguez, VP-Mortuary Operations/HTMC, Bro. Ismael V. de Leon, KRDC/HTMC Director, Bro. Vicente V. Ortega, KRDC/HTMC Director, Atty. Henry A. Reyes, President-KRDC/HTMC, Bro. Riz S. Nicolas, VPFinance & Realty Admin.-KRDC, Bro. Alonso L. Tan, Supreme Director & KRDC/ HTMC Director, Atty. Ruben Aldea, District Deputy P-25. Rev. Father Rex Palaya officiated the thanksgiving mass.

State Deputy Arsenio Isidro Yap together with the other K of C officials during the Flood Relief Operation Program in San Miguel and Calumpit, Bulacan.

cil Development Chairman Efren V. Mendoza, State Ceremonial Director Deogenes

V. Francia and Technical Assistant Ramon C. Sanchez. (LuzonNews)