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SUPPLEMENT ISSUE
The Cross:
Church
official
calls for
merciful
leaders
A crowd of mostly Knights of Columbus members, students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), residents from Baseco, Manila, and San Sebastian College Graduate School of Law students
packed the San Sebastian College Recoleto - Manila Little Theater for the #CleanVotePH Voters Forum, April 16, 2016. Seizing a rare opportunity, voters representing several sectors were able to air their
sentiments about the most important criteria Filipinos should consider when going to the polls on May 9. RODEL TATON
Mercy defined
What does it mean for leaders to
be merciful?
The missionary, known for his
peace advocacies in Mindanao,
said merciful leaders are
concerned about criminality and
do their best to make sure that
justice prevails.
He asserted, however, due process
of the law and respecting the rights
of individuals is still a must even
those accused of crimes.
They avoid shortcuts and do
not promote extra-judicial killings.
They believe that even if people
make mistakes, commit sin, or
do terrible thing no one is totally
evil and beyond redemption, said
Picardal.
Tough and ruthless leaders
have emerged at various times in
the past with disastrous results.
We have to say: Never again! No
to ruthless leaders. Yes to merciful
and compassionate leaders, he
stressed.
The priest warned that when
elected leaders lack mercy, the
people will end up in a society where
terror reigns and human rights
are violated, where due process and
the rule of law are ignored.
It will be a repressive society
without freedom and where people
are afraid to criticize the powers
that be otherwise they too could
be assassinated, said Picardal.
Merciful / A6
(R-L) Rep. Roman T. Romulo, Sen. Tito Sotto, Dr. Dante Liban, Rep. Martin Romualdez, Buhay Party-list
Rep. Lito Atienza and Atty. Jan Louenn Lumanta of Pro-life Partylist attend the Pro-Life and Candidates
Forum. YEN OCAMPOV
on April 13.
Atty. Jan Louenn Lumanta of Prolife Partylist said he will file a bill to
institutionalize the family crisisnest in every barangay.
Like marriage encounters and
Bill / A6
A2 NEWS
CBCP Monitor
Nigerians attend a Bring Back Our Girls protest April 14 outside the presidential villa in Abuja. Two Nigerian bishops
are calling on the government to hasten efforts to free more than 200 school girls abducted by insurgents in 2014.
(CNS photo/EPA)
in assisted suicide or
euthanasia.
What protections are
being offered? There are no
protections offered in this bill
at all, he said.
Backers of the bill say that
Canadas 10 provinces and
three territories will provide
these protections.
The cardinal questioned
this.
For all of Canada, theyre
making it acceptable to
provide a noxious substance
to somebody. But theyre
not providing the same
nationwide protections for
peoples consciences and for
havens of refuge.
He said that in this cold
world of euthanasia, there
must be places where you
know where you will be safe.
He worried of the pressures
on the elderly to hurry up
and die.
At a time when our priority
should be fostering a culture
of love, and enhancing
resources for those suffering
and facing death, assisted
suicide leads us down a dark
path, he said in an April 14
statement.
He noted that the Hail
Mary prayer focuses on now,
and at the hour of our death.
In these days ahead, may
that reflection guide us as in
a spirit of love, mercy and
compassion, we journey with
all those who are suffering.
(CNA)
CBCP Monitor
NEWS A3
Stigma, lack of health care, fake drugs impeding HIV fight, speakers say
VATICAN, April 14, 2016 The
fight against HIV/AIDS is being
hampered by continued stigma
against those who are infected,
a lack of access to appropriate
medical care and fake antiretroviral
drugs pedaled on the black market,
said activists taking part in a
Caritas Internationalis conference.
Caritas brought together
representatives of faith-based
groups from all over the world
to hammer out a road map
indicating the best ways to
promote or provide early diagnosis
and treatment for HIV, especially
in children. The gathering was
organized together with UNAIDS,
the U.S. Presidents Plan for AIDS
Relief (PEPFAR) and the Vaticans
pediatric hospital, Bambino Gesu.
About 80 people active in HIV/
AIDS policy and relief work took
part in the conference April 11-13
in Rome.
The importance of offering
effective antiretroviral treatment
can be seen in the work of Loretto
Sister Mary Owens, executive
director of Nyumbani, which
provides care and support in
Kenya for HIV/AIDS survivors,
especially children.
regulating pharmaceuticals to
guarantee quality and safety, said
Dr. Win Tun Kyi, national director
of Caritas Myanmar.
With low drug supplies, doctors
and clinics have to rely on the crossborder purchases and the black
market for many pharmaceuticals
including basics like penicillin and
vaccinations, he said.
Kyi said these medications are
usually low quality and there are
lots of fake drugs out there. I am
a medical doctor and I dont know
if a drug is good and where it
really came from since there are
no guaranteed controls.
Effective antiretroviral
treatment has been key to
preventing the spread of HIV
and extending the lifespan and
quality of life of those infected.
But the stigma of having HIV is
still strong in Myanmar, Kyi said,
so people who are infected often
dont disclose their situation and
get (the drugs) from the border
markets on their own without
adequate medical supervision.
Augustine Tuai Sian Piang,
program manager of health and
HIV/AIDS for Caritas Myanmar,
told CNS that when he started
A4 OPINION
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Social injustice
Amoris laetitia
THATS The joy of love in English, the title of the latest papal
document. It summarizes and integrates all the observations,
findings and conclusions of the two Synods of Bishops on the
family that took place in 2014 and 2015.
More than that, it outlines the papal thrust, and therefore that
of the whole Church, on how the pastoral care of the family should
be done today. It strikes me as a bold step forward in keeping pace
with the current state of family issues, complex and complicated
as they are now. In a nutshell, what it teaches and proposes is to
uphold traditional Catholic teaching on marriage and family and
also to encourage a new sensitivity, a new dynamism in dealing
with the different pertinent issues.
This document has to be read and studied slowly, because
the new things and approaches presented in this document can
always create some stir in the minds and hearts of some people
who are understandably attached to the traditional ways of doing
things. Its just unfortunate that some groups have immediately
taken the occasion to find fault in the document. They have even
gone to the extent of saying that Catholics cannot follow some
points articulated in the document.
This development seems disrespectful of the papal office at the
least. Any question or complaint they want to raise should be lodged
first with the proper office in the Church rather than immediately
going public and sowing confusion and distress on the people. But
then again, such development is not surprising at all, because even
in the time of Christ, many self-righteous people were always finding
fault in his ways of dealing with people who were considered as
sinners. Just the same, Christ finally submitted to their schemes,
offering his life on the cross, and asked for forgiveness for them.
Many people fail to see an organic shift from divine love to divine
mercy. They fail to see that the love that is at the core of the very
being of God is translated into mercy when extended to his creatures,
especially to us who, of all the creatures, are his masterpiece since
we have been created in his image and likeness.
It cannot be any other way. Creatures as we are, we cannot
replicate to the full the very love God has within himself, no
matter how best we try. We can only approximate it. And it is
Gods mercy that can fill up what will always be lacking and
missing in our love. This is not to say that we can flout any of the
moral teachings that the Church has so far developed through
the ages, based on the teachings and example of Christ himself.
It is rather to make some progress in our moral sense by giving
more attention to divine mercy as taught and shown by Christ
that appears to be ignored up to now.
Monitor
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Credible, acceptable,
reliable election
Duterte
Candidly Speaking
Fr. Roy Cimagala
BACK in 2009, the African bishops
held a synod that had as its theme,
The Church of Africa at the service of
reconciliation, justice, and peace. At
its conclusion, the then reigning Pope
Benedict XVI told the bishops to be
realistic but not to be too political in
doing their prophetic role in that aspect
of African life.
Its obvious that the assembly was
meant to tackle a tricky and delicate
situation where the Church, especially
the bishops and priests, have to know
how to strike the balance between the
spiritual and political dimensions of
Christian life. I can just imagine how
things were and continue to be in the
volatile continent of Africa.
Its a situation similar to ours, and I
suppose to many other places. Thats why
that piece of news immediately grabbed
my attention then and continues to do so,
CBCP Monitor
OPINION A5
By the Roadside
Fr. Eutiquio Euly Belizar, Jr. SThD
Duc In Altum
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Simple Gifts
Cotabato is unforgivable.
The poor farmers were
asking for rice but they were
instead given bullets. They
were asking for subsidy and
assistance during their group
action, instead they were
dispersed, a bloody dispersal
resulting to the killing of 3
farmers and wounding of
hundreds. In the first place,
the farmers would not have
staged the protest and the
violent dispersal could have
been avoided if only the
government had sincerely
taken action and did not ignore
the demands of the farmers.
Likewise, some of the farmers
were arrested and are still in
detention. The Commission
on Human Rights and
other government agencies
have been investigating the
incident. We just hope there
will be no white wash in the
process. Meanwhile, the
Public Attorneys Office has
already petitioned the release
of the poor farmers.
His Holiness, Pope Francis,
issued his exhortation
Amoris Laetitia or The Joy
of Love on March 19, 2016,
the Solemnity of St. Joseph,
during the Extraordinary
Jubilee of Mercy. It relates on
love in the family.
The exhortation is the
result of two synods on family
organized by Pope Francis
in 2014 and 2015. It has 9
Merciful Leaders:
Criteria for Elections in
the Year of Mercy
AS the national and local elections draw near the question that
everyone is asking: who should I vote for? It is not for the
clergy to dictate to the faithful who to vote for but we can only
provide some guidelines that can help them make up their
mind. The CBCP in previous elections came out with such
guidelines which remain valid at this time. All that one needs
to do is to review and follow what has already been laid down.
Since this year has been declared by Pope Francis as the
Year of Mercy, it would be appropriate to emphasize mercy
as one of the chief qualities that we have to expect from the
politicians we should vote for.
What does it mean for leaders to be merciful?
It means being aware and concerned about the situation of
the people their suffering and pain. Since majority of the
people are poor, their main concern is how to alleviate their
poverty. They take the side of the poor. They are concerned
about their hunger, their hopes and their dreams. They
make sure that the economy excludes no one and benefits
the majority instead of just enriching the big capitalists and
foreign corporations.
Merciful leaders are concerned about the destruction of the
environment and its effect on the people. They are concerned
about the effects of mining on the farmers, fishermen and the
indigenous peoples. They know that coal-fired power plants
contribute to global warming and the coal mining is the most
destructive form of mining. They know that logging and
deforestation causes floods, droughts, and global warming.
They avoid getting involved in these activities and will do
all in their power to put a stop to these activities and come
up with policies that will save the environment and mitigate
climate change as well as promote disaster risk reduction
and management.
Merciful leaders are concerned about the effects of the neverending war on the nation. They know the effect of the spiral
of violence on a traumatized people. They know how armed
conflict prevents economic development. Thus, they go out of
their way to build peace a peace that addresses the roots of
conflict and that leads to healing and reconciliation. They are
willing to pursue the peace process with both the MILF and the
NDF that will ensure a genuine and lasting peace.
Merciful leaders do not tolerate corruption. They know
that corruption perpetuates poverty, war, and the destruction
of the environment. They will do everything to stamp out
corruption at all levels in government and hold accountable
those guilty of corruption.
Merciful leaders are concerned about criminality and do
their best to make sure that justice prevails. They make sure
that those who have committed crimes are prosecuted and
meted appropriate punishment. They respect the rights of
people even those accused of crimes and follow the due
process of the law. They avoid shortcuts and do not promote
extra-judicial killings. They believe that even if people make
mistakes, commit sin, or do terrible things no one is totally
evil and beyond redemption. They deserve to be given another
chance. Thus, they reject capital punishment and promote
restorative justice.
Merciful leaders respect the basic human rights--especially
the right to life - of everyone from the moment of conception to
its natural end. They are merciful, especially to the weakest--the
unborn--and will make sure that their rights are respected. They
will never allow abortion. They are merciful to the elderly and
make sure that their rights and privileges are respected. They will
make sure that the family will always be protected. Mercy should
not be selective nor should it discriminate. It should be inclusive.
There are many people who clamor for strong leaders who
they think can stop criminality, corruption, and all forms of
evil in society. They want leaders who can instill discipline
among the citizens with an iron hand. They want ruthless
leaders. For them being merciful is a sign of weakness. But
what happens when leaders lack mercy? We can end up with
a society where terror reigns, where dead bodies pile up and
human rights are violated, where due process and the rule
of law are ignored. It will be a repressive society - without
freedom and where people are afraid to criticize the powers
that be -- otherwise they too could be assassinated. Instead of
peace and order, we will have the peace of the cemetery and a
semblance of order maintained by ruthless bigger criminals.
Meanwhile, the vast majority remains poor and their children
who have gone astray are mostly the victims of death squads.
The big criminals big time thieves and murderers -- are at
large and hold office: the politicians who steal millions of the
peoples money and responsible for the death of thousands.
Tough and ruthless leaders have emerged at various
times in the past with disastrous results. We have to say:
NEVER AGAIN! No to ruthless leaders. Yes to merciful and
compassionate leaders.
And Thats the Truth / A4
A6 FEATURES
MANILA Archbishop
Lus Antonio G. Cardinal
Tagle has recently set up
a new ministry under the
archdiocese that will tackle
environmental issues and
disaster preparedness and
response
Considering the need to
create a more responsive
ministry that deals with
disaster preparedness
and response as well as
Management Program
of Caritas Manila, Radio
Veritas, and the Ministry
on Ecology into one single
Ministry on Ecology of
the Archdiocese of Manila
(RCAM).
The cardinal added
that the ministry will be
a special branch under
Caritas Manila, which
is in its turn under
RCAMs Commission
a Catholic Again,
and a wife and
mother to boot,
she sees to it that
everything they
believe, say, and
do is in keeping
with the Catholic
faith.
So with my
kids I always make
sure its really an
important part of
their life. More
than anything,
its more of a
relationship they
need to have, she
stressed.
Christine
Faith at home
I think thats already half the battle
for any parent if they know that their
child is close to God, she said.
Christine shared she and her
husband go out of their way to instill
in their children the fundamentals
of the faith like teachings on the
Mass, Confession, and the other
Sacraments.
They also read them stories
from the Bible to complement and
reinforce what they learn at school.
How I rear them, how I lecture has
always been on the faith. I say, Whatever
you do make sure you can always of it
front of lolo and lola (grandfather and
grandmother), she added.
They make sure the little
Sandejasesall five of themwill
grow up respectful, honest, and
disciplined.
Values are very important for me,
exclaimed Christine.
Hands-on mom
Like other hands-on parents, she
is very particular and refuses to be
dependent on other people in terms
of caring for her kids.
If theyre feeling sick, I wanted to
know why theyre feeling sick. Its not
because somebody would tell me,
she said.
She shared that an ordinary
day at the Sandejas home
revolves around her scheduling,
organizing, running various
errands, working out, bringing
kids to school, waiting for them
to come home, and helping with
their homework.
On top of it all, Christine believes
that a mother should lead by example,
putting the welfare of her kids before
her own.
Not so much about going to
Mass everyday. Its not that. Its just
understanding the kids, empathizing
with them, being there for them. I
think for me that would be a mom,
she said. (Raymond A. Sebastin
/ CBCP News)
Merciful / A1
Ending corruption
The priest also said compassionate
leaders are aware of and concerned
about the situation of the people,
especially the poor and the
marginalized.
They make sure that economy
excludes no one and benefits the
majority instead of just enriching
Catholics as well.
The Carmelites of the
Holy Spirit moved to their
present location from
their original monastery
in Barangay ManganVaca, Subic which they
occupied since the 1970s.
But due to constant
flooding in the area
which has grown worse
over the years, the nuns
have decided to find a
more conducive place
Casinos / A1
Nuns / A1
CBCP Monitor
Ending gambling
In spite of everything, Capistrano
assured the public that SLP believes
the Philippine government will
effectively put an end to the
proliferation of casinos in the
country and work for the enactment
of a more thorough and binding
Anti-Money Laundering Law.
The Bishops have spoken.
Organizations have spoken. Recent
happenings have shocked us and
caused shame to our country. Let us
be united in putting an end to this
malaise, she said.
In a recent statement, the
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) reiterates
the moral teaching that gamblings
malice consists in the desire of the
Polls / A1
CBCP Monitor
FEATURES A7
Simple Gifts / A5
Duc In Altum / A5
counseling groups in
every parish, we must
offer those services in the
government, he said.
Department of Families
Lumanta questioned
several lawmakers belief
in the legalization of
divorce and believes that
parting ways is not the
immediate solution to a
marital problem.
First District
Congressman Martin
Romualdez of Leyte stated
that pro-divorce advocates
want a speedier solution,
saying he will review the
provisions on annulment
once he becomes senator.
Candidly Speaking / A4
A8
Bishop of Tagum Wilfredo Manlapaz ordained eight deacons of the diocese, April 7, his 75th birthday. Brenda Milan
Econome General.
Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista,
DD, presided over the Holy Mass
to mark the new set of officers
installation on April 13, 9:00 a.m. at
Betania Retreat House, Tagaytay City,
Philippines.
He also led the installation rite for
newly-elected Congregational Servant
Leaders and the newly-appointed
Regional Superiors of Luzon, Visayas,
Northern Mindanao as well as the
District Superiors of Italy, USA-Canada,
Ghana, West Africa, and Indonesia.
Fifty-three delegates gathered to
elect the RVM counci, observing a
Triduum of silence and prayer to
prepare for the said undertaking.
(CBCPNews)
(CBCPNews)
FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
CBCP Monitor
PASTORAL CONCERNS B1
CNA
CBCP Monitor
Vatican City - April 8, 2016. Pope Francis post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (the Joy of Love) at the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City on April 8, 2016.
CNA
Vatican City - August 5, 2015. Pope Francis blesses a newly married couple during the Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Audience Hall on August 5, 2015.
B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS
CBCP Monitor
THIS issue is neither pre- nor postVatican, but rather belongs to the
wisdom of the Churchs long pastoral experience, formalized in norms
that have found their way in the two
codifications of Canon Law in the 20th
Century.
The Proper Place for the Sacrament
of Penance: Church or Oratory
The Code of Canon Law establishes
the norms for the present question in
the following terms:
Can. 964 1. The proper place
for hearing sacramental confessions is a
church or oratory.
2. The conference of bishops is to
issue norms concerning the confessional,
seeing to it that confessionals with
a fixed grille between penitent and
confessor are always located in an open
area so that the faithful who wish to
make use of them may do so freely.
3. Confessions are not to be heard
outside the confessional without a just
cause.
Proper place does not mean the only
place, but rather the most apt for the
sacred character of the sacrament,
which is at the same time an ecclesial
action. Thus, a sacred placea church
or oratory (1)is the most adequate
place for its celebration. But nothing
impedes the administration of this sacrament in other places if there is a just
cause (3)e.g., the sick in hospitals,
the elderly or handicapped in their
homes, or any faithful who may need
the sacrament in a moment away from
an oratory or church.
Likewise, nothing impedes the
competent authoritythe Episcopal
conference according to 2from allowing the installation of a confessional
in another place, or indeed the establishment of another seat for the administration of the sacrament. In fact, the
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faithin the Ordo Paenitentiae
(2.XII.1973), n.38authorized the
Dominic Barrios
2
Cf. VV.AA., Manual de Derecho Cannico (2nd
ed.), Pamplona (1991), p.528.
Dominic Barrios
The sources of the history of the liturgy are many and complex.
Among the most important sources are the Jewish elements.
sites such as Catholic Answers
or go for more in-depth treatises such as Blessed John Henry
Newmans 1845 Essay on the
CBCP Monitor
FEATURES B3
Below is the Vatican-provided summary of Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (On
Love in the Family) released on April 8, 2016
CNA
Vatican City - August 19, 2015. Newly married couples receive a blessing from Pope Francis at the general audience in Paul VI Audience Hall on August 19, 2015.
C h a p t e r f o u r : L ove i n
marriage(89-164)
The fourth chapter treats love
in marriage, which it illuminates
with Saint PaulsHymn to Lovein
1Corinthians13:4-7. This opening
section is truly a painstaking, focused, inspired and poetic exegesis
of the Pauline text. It is a collection of brief passages carefully and
tenderly describing human love
Vatican City - April 8, 2016. Press conference on Pope Francis post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (the Joy of Love) at the Holy See Press Office in Vatican
City on April 8, 2016.
CNA
B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS
CBCP Monitor
Keith Bacongco
Liturgy, B2
the Gospels, the rest of the New Testament reveals some elements of a distinct
Christian worship.
Several times the Acts of the Apostles
mention the breaking of bread as
something exclusive to the Christian
community. The writings of St. Paul and
Revelation contain examples of early
Christian hymns, the fact of gathering
on a Sunday and even the name the
Lords Day (Revelation 1:10). These
texts show that very soon after the Ascension the Christian community had
begun to develop a basic structure of
prayer to carry out Christs commands
to do this in memory of me (Luke
22:19) and Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you
(Matthew 28:19). They also considered
CBCP Monitor
STATEMENTS B5
CNA
CBCPNews
everyone.
Pray ALL the mysteries of
joy, light, sorrow and glory EVERYDAY until May 9. Pray as
a family. Pray while travelling.
Pray in the offices or factories.
Pray everywhere for our national
elections.
By the power of the rosary,
we can stop the evil of election
violence and cheating.
By the power of the rosary, we
can win the battle for peaceful
and credible elections.
By the power of the rosary, we
can fight stubbornness, cynicism
and stupidity in making our
Sangguniang Laiko ng
Pilipinas Statement on the
Kidapawan Incident
THE Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (LAIKO), the umbrella organization of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) for Catholic lay organizations, condemns in the strongest
terms the unwarranted use of force by government forces against
an unarmed group of starving civilians.
In a predominantly Catholic country there is seemingly a pattern of disregard for the basic lawthe protection of human life.
LAIKO has taken cognizance of the fact that the use of force against
the 5,000 farmers whose livelihood has been severely affected by
the El Nino phenomenon is totally uncalled for.
The LAIKO National Director and Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Laity, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, also urged
the government to release all the farmers who have been detained
and charged. The Bishop also stressed that the violent dispersal of
the protesting farmers in which three were felled by bullets fired
by PNP elements, is not the way to react to the grievances of the
farmers which in the first place the government has failed to address.
That these farmers resorted to hold a rally to protest government inaction to their pleas for assistance should not be taken against them. The
farmers were simply asking for rice and basic necessities for their farms,
yet the kind of response they received from government was violent
dispersal. Has this become now the official policy of the government
to address the needs of the poor and the downtrodden?
LAIKO deplores the government strategy of sending the police
and the military to harass, wound and kill the poor, whose only way
to call attention is to protest and hold rallies for their basic rights
to be addressed. These farmers should not be labeled as a threat to
national security and accused as communist for their mass action.
LAIKO likewise condemns the indiscriminate acts of violence and
terrorism against civilians regardless of where such incidents occur.
These heinous acts cannot be justified by any cause especially when
superior force is applied against hapless civilians.
Instead, LAIKO urges the government to look at the problem
from the social and economic standpoint because this seeming
discontent could be the beginning of a bigger social malady.
The tragic Kidapawan massacre speaks about the neglect of the present
Aquino administration on the plight of the poor and has become calloused as
toallowitscitizenstosuffer. ThereforeLAIKOurgestheAquinoadministration
thatintheremainingdaysofhisgovernance,theresultsoftheinvestigationofthis
lamentable neglect, be dealt with assiduously in the name ofTruth and Justice.
For the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas:
ZENAIDA F. CAPISTRANO
National President
B6 REFLECTIONS
CBCP Monitor
He is the one
who consoles and
protects us;
who leads us to
the knowledge of
all truth.
He is the one who
fills our hearts
with faith, hope,
and love.
God of Love, B7
Salamon de Bray
ENCOUNTERS
Well-informed vigilance
Bo Sanchez
SOULFOOD
CBCP Monitor
SOCIAL CONCERNS B7
Rick Hall
or the human trafficker. It is a false argument to claim the girls are working
to support their families back in the
province. Some do but most apparently
dont. Poverty and inequality is at the
heart of the problem.
Their documents showing them as
adults are fake or are those of an elder
sister. Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but this is ignored. Children as
young as 14 are offered for sex on the
street and sex bars.
Corrupt officials are getting payments
from the human traffickers and club
owners. So outside police are needed.
Thats why I promote the formation
of a multi-national police force with
jurisdiction wherever they are assigned
to investigate traffickers using trained
undercover officers.
Local mayors give operating permits
to sex bars. Such government approval
is at the heart of the crime. In the
Philippines alone, there is an estimated
100,000 minors trafficked and sexually
exploited every year. The worldwide
business is worth US$110 billion, according to the UKs Anti-Slavery Independent Commissioner Kevin Hylan,
a dedicated campaigner.
What is needed is action on the
ground to rescue, protect, heal, help
them recover, and testify to bring the
criminals to justice. That is not sufficiently present. Thats why we need
a special human trafficking court in
each region on which two international
retired judges will sit trying the child
abusers and human trafficking suspects.
A new law for this can be passed if there
is commitment.
But one thing is certain: this crime is
the shame of humanity and the blight
of each nation. To fail to act against it
is to condone it and silence about abuse
is the greater crime.
Summary, B3
Power, B6
Vigilance, B6
God of Love, B6
B8 ENTERTAINMENT
Moral Assessment
CBCP Monitor
Brothers Matias
Lolo Kiko
Bladimer Usi
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
E
xcellent
SUPERMAN VS.
BATMAN: DAWN
OF JUSTICE
S H O R T LY a f t e r a l o v e
quarrel with her fianc, Michelle (Elizabeth Winstead)
f i g u re s i n a c a r a c c i d e n t
and loses consciousness.
On waking up she finds
herself chained onto a wall
without any idea where she
is. In that strange place she
meets Howard (John Goodman)) who explains to her
that she has been rescued
from the danger of chemical hazards and is brought
to the underground place
for safety and protection to
keep her alive. In the same
place, Michelle meets Emmet ( John Gallagher, Jr.),
another rescued sur vivor.
The two of them think that
Howard is an equally dangerous man when he denies
e n t r y t o L e s l i e ( Su z a n n e
Cryer), who is already contaminated by the chemical.
Emmet and Michelle plan
to escape. But Howard
discovers their attempt to
flee. 10 Clover field Lane
has a commendable plot.
It is well developed, unpredictable and impressively
sustains suspense.
The director did well
in carr ying the stor y with
effective attention to detail. The actors equally
gave their share of excellent, thrilling performance. The cinematography is likewise good; it
complements the amazing
production design while
being enhanced further by
careful editing. The rest
of the technical aspects
satisfactorily contribute to
the overall aesthetic value
of the film.
There is value in possessing foresight, resourcefulness, and strong determination to protect life. There
is further value when interest for safety is not contained to ones self but is
extended to include others.
The film depicts charity
that is marked by hospital-
10 CLOVERFIELD
LANE
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA Rating: V14
Buhay Parokya
THE CROSS
KCFAPI officers (from left to right): BRO Manager Edwin B. Dawal, Legal Service
Manager Atty. Neil Jerome Rapatan, Vice President FBG Gari M. San Sebastian, Knights
of Columbus Luzon South Deputy Ramoncito A. Ocampo, Executive Vice President Ma.
Theresa G. Curia, KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, Executive Secretary Annie M.
Nicolas, Vice-President TBH Group Mary Magdalene G. Flores and FBSD Manager
Michael P. Cabra pose a picture with Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
and Shopping Center Management Corporation during the First State Convention of
the Knights of Columbus Luzon South Jurisdiction which was held on April 1, 2016 in
Tagaytay City. (Photo by Jerome De Guzman)
Attending the 11th Visayas State Convention are (from left to right): Bro. Vincent A.
Pacis, Membership and Program Consultant, Bro. Eugenio S. Hautea, State Advocate,
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD. State Chaplain, Bro. Anthony P. Nazario, Visayas
State Deputy, Bro. Alonso L. Tan, Supreme Director, Bro. Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr., Vice
Supreme Master, Bro. Teofrido B. Lagria, State Secretary and KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio
Isidro G. Yap. (Photo by Jerome De Guzman)
Mindanao State Officers and former Mindanao State Deputies of Knights of Columbus
in the Philippines together with (center, from left to right): Archbishop Romulo Dela
Cruz, Mindanao State Deputy Reynaldo C. Trinidad, Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan,
Membership and Program Consultant Vincent A. Pacis, Vice-President FBG Gari M. San
Sebastian (far right) and KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio Isidro G. Yap (2nd from far right)share
their valuable experiences and knowledge during the 17th Mindanao State Convention
which took place last April 15-17, 2016.
RAMONCITO A. OCAMPO
Luzon South State Deputy
ANTHONY P. NAZARIO
Visayas State Deputy
REYNALDO C. TRINIDAD
Mindanao State Deputy
RAMONCITO A. OCAMPO
Luzon South State Deputy
REYNALDO C. TRINIDAD
Mindanao State Deputy
ANTHONY P. NAZARIO
Visayas State Deputy
ARSENIO ISIDRO G. YAP
KCFAPI Chairman
C2
Chairmans Message
Curia Settings
Presidents Message
Efforts on Evangelization Bear
Fruit
Deepening the faith of the
Knights of Columbus (K of C)
members
Efforts on evangelization, be it as
simple as a smile to start a friendship,
or as intense as a heart-to-heart talk
coupled with a question and answer
portion, can surely bear fruit. We
should be creative in the work of
evangelization so that this range of possible strategies can
grow wider and wider.
Every K of C member has the duty to evangelize new Catholic
gentlemen they meet every day. Let us start by inviting them
to become members of the K of C. Once they are already K of
C members, we continue to evangelize them by setting a good
example to them in the way we live out our faith. Oftentimes, what
they see in action is more effective than a lengthy monologue.
Linking the family and the parish
As they continue to be active members, let us take every
opportunity to also involve the family. Their wives can be an
instrument for evangelization to other wives whose husbands
are not yet members of K of C. The wives can also be powerful
support to their husbands who are loaded with various K of C
projects. We can further the familys involvement to include
their sons to become members of the Columbian Squires.
Together as a family, they can also serve their respective parish
church and strengthen the connection of the family to their
parish church. In this way, we build the domestic church (the
family at home) that is linked to the bigger church - the parish.
At the start of the Columbian year 2015-16, the Luzon North
Jurisdiction had an organizational meeting held in Manila. It
was on this occasion that we launched the theme Answering
the Call to Evangelize. Part of this theme is the task of building
the domestic church. We all know that the basic unit of society
is the family. When we strengthen K of C families, we directly
contribute to our respective parishes and to our society.
The fruits of evangelization
The work of evangelization continues. We will also continue to
encounter problems and difficulties that can make us feel discouraged
and exhausted. But dont despair. Let us not forget that in this work of
evangelization, God is always with us. Truly, Luzon North Jurisdiction
is a witness to Gods help and guidance. In fact, our awesome God has
blessed us with the fruits of our work, as follows:
1. Membership has increased speedily such that we have
reached our annual goal already at this point in time;
2. New Councils have been formed and many suspended
Councils have been revived;
3. Reporting has improved in terms of timeliness and no. of
councils submitting reports.
Because of these achievements, your hard work has paid
off. Let these laurels be an inspiration to continue the work of
evangelization with even greater zeal. Let us look forward to
our first Luzon North Jurisdictions Convention on April 30,
2016 and beyond, to celebrate Gods goodness and faithfulness!
The Cross
Michael P. Cabra
My Brothers Keeper
A Last Stand
IT is said that history is written by
the victors. Yet sometimes, people
perform such heroic and inspiring acts
that they become legendary parts of
history and culture even though they
were on the losing end of the battle.
Three examples of such events come to
mind: the Battle of Thermopylae, Third
Servile war, and the Battle of Bataan.
The Battle of Thermopylae tells
the story of the alliance of Greek city
states-led by King Leonidas of Sparta
who fought against the Persian Empire
of Xerxes I. The Greek forces were
estimated to be at a total of 7,000 men
who fought against an overwhelming
force of an alleged one million soldiers
of the Persian army. The battle was
fought in the narrow coastal pass of
Thermopylae where the small force led
by Leonidas was able to hold their own
during two full days of battle before
being betrayed by a local resident who
The Cross
C3
Luzon / C1
Fraternal Association of
the Philippines, Inc; and
Luzon South State Officers
Bonifacio B. Martinez,
Danilo A. Sanchez, Conrado
S. Dator, Jr, Edwin B. Dawal,
Elmer Z. Eroles, Isagani B.
Maghirang, Saturnino J.
Galang, Jr, among others.
(LuzonNews)
Association of the
Phils. Inc. (KCFAPI)
was in full support to
the convention, present
were: KCFAPI Chairman,
Bro. Arsenio Isidro G.
Yap who delivered an
inspiring, informative,
remarkable KCFAPI
report; Fraternal Benefits
A Last Stand / C2
By James B. Reuter, SJ
C4
The Cross
More than 100 fraternal counsellors attended the soft launching of KCFAPIs new products held last April 13, 2016 at 3rd Flr. KCFAPI Bldg. Intramuros Manila. Guest speakers of the said events were: Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia and KCFAPI Chairman
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap who gave inspirational talks.
Vice President FBG Gari M. San Sebastian and FBSD Manager Michael P. Cabra gave an award to Central Luzon
Believer Bro. Lauro Evangelista for being a consistent annual awardee. This took place last April 13, 2016 during the
2016 KCFAPI New Product Orientation.
DISCOUNTED RATES
GROSS SINGLE DOUBLE
Standard
Php2,000.00 Php999.00 Php1,600.00
Premium
Php2,500.00 Php1,800.00
Family Php3,500.00 Php2,500.00
Free shuttle service
Free breakfast will be provided based on occupancy. One free breakfast
for single occupancy, two free breakfasts for double occupancy, and
maximum of four free breakfasts for family room. Additional breakfast
will be charged Php200.00
Additional bed will be charged Php400.00