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CBCP

JUNE 24 - JULY 7, 2019, VOL 23, NO. 13 CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM


PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

Pope to Filipino bishops:


Love, pray for persecutors
By Roy Lagarde

POPE Francis told the


Filipino bishops that
they are called to imitate
Christ by loving their
enemies and praying
for those who persecute
them.
The pope assured the bishops,
who recently went on pilgrimage
to Rome, that he is aware of the
Philippine situation and the issues
the local Church is facing.
In spite of these, the pontiff said
that the bishops are called to be
pastors, even to some politicians
who are adverse with the Church.
The bishops’ encounter with the
pope was shared by Cardinal Luis
Antonio Tagle to Manila’s clergy
during their monthly recollection
and meeting at the San Carlos
Seminary on June 18.
The head of the Manila
archdiocese was with a group of
Luzon bishops when they had an
audience with the pope on May 20.
In an article posted at the
archdiocese’s website, it reported
that clergy meeting started with a
Mass presided over by the cardinal.
In his homily, he drew inspiration
from the day’s Gospel, in which
Jesus teaches that love must be
universal, so as to be “perfect, just
as your heavenly Father is perfect”.
“Politicians who give us trouble A carosa carries the Eucharist in the Corpus Christi procession through the streets in Manila June 23, 2019. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle celebrated Mass marking feast at the Sta. Cruz Church before the
Persecution / A3 procession going to the Manila Cathedral. ROY LAGARDE

Filipino youth joins global


movement for climate action

Hundreds of young people join the launching of Laudato Si Generation – Philippines at the Quezon City Memorial Circle June 22.
COURTESY OF LAUDATO’ SI GEN – PILIPINAS

CHURCH leaders and green Hundreds of young people problems.


advocates are banking on the gathered at the Quezon City The call highlighted the
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan presides over Mass to commemorate the 14th death anniversary of youth to work on ecological Memorial Circle on June launching of the Philippine
Cardinal Jaime Sin at the crypt of the Manila Cathedral June 21. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROMAIN GARRY LAZARO issues, especially climate 22 and called attention to chapter’s “Laudato Si
change. the world’s environmental Climate / A6

Prison ministry marks 13 Bishop urges gov’t to stop Cardinal Tagle asks students
years without death penalty premium hikes for OFWs not to bully
THIRTEEN years after from the Philippine
the scrapping of death experience that death penalty
penalty, the Church’s prison is not a deterrent to crime.
ministry has marked the “We argue that there are
anniversary on Thursday other more deeply-rooted
with “disappointment” over reasons for the lack of peace
calls to bring it back. and order in our society
The CBCP Episcopal that our leaders have
Commission on Prison failed to appreciate and
Pastoral Care (ECPPC) acknowledge,” he said.
expressed dismay over the Rather than reviving the
renewed push for capital death penalty, he said that
punishment in the next the Church wants to explore
Congress. alternatives to mete out
“This is disturbing because justice. Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Migrants and Itinerant
it is strongly implies that Diamante called it a shift People. FILE PHOTO Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presides over the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Manila
the current set of elected in the paradigm of justice Cathedral June 19. COURTESY OF ROMAIN GARY LAZARO
leaders believe in killing as “from litigation to mediation; INSTEAD of adding burdens “There should be a
a ‘solution’ to the nation’s prosecution to healing; to overseas Filipino workers, moratorium on the said CARDINAL Luis Antonio near them.
peace and order problems,” punishment to reform the government should increase of contributions,” Tagle of Manila has asked the In his homily during the
said Mr. Rodolfo Diamante, and rehabilitation; from freeze all premium hikes to said Bishop Ruperto Santos, students to never bully others Mass of the Holy Spirit at
ECPPC Executive Secretary. retribution to restoration”. be collected from them, a who heads the CBCP’s or allow bullying to happen the Manila Cathedral June
He said that they know Ministry / A6 church official said. OFWs / A6 in their schools or anywhere Bully / A6
A2 WORLD NEWS June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Vatican Briefing Tribunal says China uses


Pope names administrator for Lyon as cardinal appeals coercion in organ harvesting,
targets religious minorities
conviction
Pope Francis has named a retired bishop to serve as apostolic
administrator of the Archdiocese of Lyon, France, three months
after refusing to accept the resignation of Cardinal Philippe
Barbarin. In early March, a French court gave the 68-year-old
cardinal a six-month suspended sentence after finding him guilty
of covering up sexual abuse by a priest. The Vatican announced
June 24 that Pope Francis had appointed retired Bishop Michel
Dubost of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, France, to serve as apostolic
administrator “sede plena,” meaning Bishop Dubost will be in
charge of the archdiocese while Cardinal Barbarin retains the
title of archbishop. (Cindy Wooden/CNS)

Doctors are servants, not owners, of life, pope says


Catholic doctors have a mission to show God’s compassionate
love to those who are suffering and to defend life at all stages,
Pope Francis said. While progress has been made in treating
patients, medical professionals always must “remember that
healing means respecting the gift of life from the beginning to
the end,” the pope said June 22 during a meeting with members
of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.
“We are not the owners: Life is entrusted to us and doctors are
its servants,” he said. “Your mission is at the same time a witness
of humanity, a privileged way of making people see, of making
them feel that God our father takes care of every single person,
without distinction. (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)

Pope calls jubilee for air travelers, Loreto pilgrims in


2020
Marking the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Our Lady
of Loreto as the patron saint of aviation and aviators, Pope
Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, addresses Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human
Francis has authorized a special jubilee year of celebrations, Rights and International Organizations, and other members of the subcommittee Sept. 27, 2018. Hu’s comments concerned the Chinese government’s persecution
especially at the Italian shrine of Our Lady of Loreto. “The Holy of Christians and adherents of other faiths. ZITA BALLINGER FLETCHER/CNS
Father has conceded the Laurentian Jubilee for all air travelers,
both military and civilian, and for all those pilgrims to the Shrine LONDON, England— An human rights group focused on forced in China to inquire about patient
of the Holy House from every part of the world,” said Archbishop investigative tribunal has said organ trafficking. transplants were told that the source
Fabio Dal Cin, the papal delegate to the shrine. The archbishop that forced harvesting of organs After concluding its hearings, of some organs was Falun Gong
announced the jubilee year June 22 at a ceremony at the shrine for transplant continues in China, the tribunal said that it had adherents.
with Col. Davide Salerno, commander of an Italian air force with religious minorities especially unanimously determined that it The tribunal estimated that
academy in Loreto. (CNS) targeted. was certain that Falun Gong is there are as many as 90,000 organ
“Forced organ harvesting has been “a source--probably the principal transplant operations taking place
Church wounded by internal tensions, pope tells committed for years throughout source--of organs for forced organ in China, which is much higher than
Jesuits in Romania China on a significant scale,” the harvesting,” the U.K. newspaper official statistics. There is numerical
Pope Francis told Jesuits in Romania that tensions and China Tribunal said in its final The Guardian reports. evidence that it is impossible for
struggles within the church have left it wounded and that judgement, issued June 17 in Falun Gong attracted tens of there to be “sufficient donors” under
the only path forward is through humble dialogue, not futile London. millions of followers to their China’s voluntary donor scheme, the
arguments. “I think of the church as a field hospital. The church Such a practice is “of unmatched practices of meditation, reflection tribunal concluded.
is so wounded, and today it is also so wounded by tensions wickedness — on a death for death on its texts and following its virtues “The conclusion shows that
within it,” the pope told the Jesuits during a meeting May basis — with the killings by mass to achieve enlightenment and very many people have died
31 in Bucharest. “Meekness, it takes meekness! And it takes crimes committed in the last salvation. The group began to suffer indescribably hideous deaths for
a lot of courage to be meek! But you have to go forward with century,” said the final report of persecution in China in 1999 after no reason, that more may suffer
meekness,” the pope said. “This is not the time to convince, the China Tribunal, NBC News Chinese leaders began to perceive in similar ways and that all of us
to have discussions. If someone has a sincere doubt, yes, one reports. it as a threat to the communist live on a planet where extreme
can dialogue, clarify. But don’t respond to the attacks.” As has The Chinese government has country. wickedness may be found in the
become customary when the pope meets Jesuits during a foreign previously rejected claims about The tribunal evidence came from power of those, for the time being,
trip, a transcript of his remarks was released on June 13 by the forced organ harvesting as rumors. medical experts, human rights running a country with one of
Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica. (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS) The China Tribunal is chaired investigators, and other sources. the oldest civilizations known to
by Sir Geoffrey Nice. The tribunal, The tribunal cited extremely low modern man,” said the tribunal.
Ignoring the poor falsifies the Gospel, pope says in reportedly independent, was launched wait times for organ transplant The Chinese government did not
message by the Australia-based International in Chinese hospitals, as little as take part in the hearings and has
Christians must not underestimate the importance of Coalition to End Transplant Abuse a couple of weeks. In the past, strongly denied the claims it forces
embracing and assisting the poor, oppressed and outcast, Pope in China, which describes itself as a investigators who called hospitals organ harvesting. (CNA)
Francis said. Not only did Jesus entrust his disciples with the
task of continuing his ministry on earth by giving hope to the
poor, but “the credibility of our proclamation and the witness
of Christians depends on it,” the pope said in a message for the
North Mexican state rejects attempt
World Day of the Poor. “Faced with countless throngs of the
poor, Jesus was not afraid to identify with each of them” and
tell his disciples “whatever you did to one of the least of these
to redefine marriage
my brethren, you did to me,” the pope said. The World Day of CULIACAN, Mexico—On woman” with “persons.” split their vote on the issue. of ConParticipación, also
the Poor—marked each year on the 33rd Sunday of ordinary June 18, the legislature Speaking with ACI In addition to a group applauded the vote, saying
time—will be celebrated Nov. 17 this year and, based on Psalm in the state of Sinaloa in Prensa, CNA’s Spanish of lawmakers from the that “citizens were able
9:19, will focus on “The hope of the poor shall not perish forever.” northern Mexico rejected language sister agency, Morena Party, legislators to clearly express their
(Carol Glatz/CNS) a bill which sought to Rodrigo Iván Cortés, from the Labor Party, the decision in support of the
redefine marriage. president of the National Institutional Revolutionary family and marriage, and
Vatican quashes rumors of Benedict XVI stroke The bill, which sought to Front for the Family, said Party, and the National the legislators realized that
Pope Benedict XVI is not dead and did not recently suffer a amend articles 40 and 165 the defeat of the legislative Action Party, among the only right and even
stroke, the Vatican confirmed on June 18. On June 17, rumors of the Sinaloa Family Code, proposal is encouraging, others, voted against politically profitable thing
circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms that was defeated by a vote of and shows that it is possible redefining marriage. to do was to listen to the
the Pope Emeritus had suffered a “mild ischemia”—a kind of 20 to 18. to “defend the institution Cortés said that “this citizens.”
stroke. “The rumours are false,” Alessandro Gisotti, director The rejection of the of marriage as the basis shows a plurality in Padilla said that “the
ad interim of the Press Office of the Holy See, confirmed to legislative proposal of society” in the Sinaloa support of the natural next thing for Sinaloa is to
the Catholic Herald on Tuesday. Archbishop Georg Gänswein, means that the Sinaloa legislature. institution of marriage, put aside gender ideology
Benedict’s personal secretary, called the rumors “fake news,” Family Code continues to “It’s a very relevant fact, which is noteworthy.” and care for all citizens,
Edward Pentin reported on Twitter. On multiple occasions recognize in its Article 40 it shines the light of hope The president for the the minorities too, with
over the past several years, Vatican officials have had to quash that marriage consists of on the rest of the Republic,” National Front for the a true inclusion without
similar rumors that the small, white-haired nonagenarian is “one man and one woman, he said. Family highlighted the confusion.”
close to death. (CNA) with equal rights, duties Cortés stressed that work of organized civil “Gender ideology
and obligations, with the even though the bill was society and noted that a benefits no one, but harms
Vatican Secretary of State marks 25 years of diplomatic possibility to generate primarily pushed by the few months ago, Sinaloa everybody, especially
relations with Israel human reproduction in National Regeneration enshrined in its state children, because it forces
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin marked the a free, responsible and Movement Party (Morena) constitution “the right to all of us to call marriage
25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See informed way.” of Mexican President life from the moment an something that cannot
and Israel June 13 by calling for a shared commitment to religious The failed bill had sought Andrés Manuel López individual is conceived.” be marriage,” he warned.
freedom and combatting anti-Semitism. “The peace process and to replace “a man and a Obrador, party members Marcial Padilla, director (CNA)
the future of the region are in the heart of the pope and the
Holy See,” Parolin said June 13 at a ceremony commemorating
the anniversary in the Great Synagogue of Rome. The Holy
California bishops call Catholics to ‘ecological spirituality’
See established full diplomatic relations with Israel with the SACRAMENTO, Calif.— On the recognize God’s artistry in creation,” products they produce.
Fundamental Agreement signed in December 1993, which fourth anniversary of Laudato Si’, the the bishops said. In addition, the bishops
set forth a common commitment to cooperate in combating bishops of California challenged the “We propose a practical application highlighted the importance of
anti-Semitism, the promotion of academic exchanges, and community to grow in an “ecological of the Laudato Si’ message of dialogue about environmental issues
cooperation in encouraging Christian pilgrimages. (Courtney conversion” that respects God, man, ecological spirituality - that the and the development of educational
Grogan/CNA) and creation. ecological well-being of California is materials to further awareness on
The California Conference of meant to be deeply embedded in a the topic. They called for works of
Pope Francis: The world needs an ecological ‘conversion’ Catholic Bishops issued a June 18 spirituality that unites all creatures art that reflect the beauty of creation
The world needs an ecological “conversion” in order to manifest pastoral statement reflecting on Pope and all creation in praising God.” in order to “inspire a culture of
the Church’s vision of an integral human ecology, Pope Francis Francis’ 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Man is responsible for caring for ecological and human care in the
said in an address to a conference on the social teaching of the Si’: On care for our common home.” creation, the bishops said in their light of the moral applications of the
Church. “...the word ‘conversion’ assumes a special importance The bishops reflected on the call to message. They encouraged people Pope’s encyclical.”
in our present situation. Adequate responses to current problems stewardship of the environment and to find ways to prevent waste The California bishops said climate
cannot be superficial. Rather, what is needed is precisely a how concrete actions are necessary and ensure sustainability. They change harms both the environment
conversion, a ‘turning around’, that is, a transformation of hearts to exercise this stewardship in suggested Catholics invest in energy and people, especially the most
and minds,” Pope Francis said on Saturday, June 8. The Holy preserving the natural beauty of efficient appliances, residences, vulnerable. They noted that Pope
Father spoke on the topic of Laudato Si and an integral ecology California. and vehicles. In two examples, the Francis has included the issue in
to the annual gathering of the International Conference of the “The astonishing diversity of bishops said families may consider his admonitions of a “throwaway
Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice Foundation, which gathered landscapes across California - adding solar panels to their homes, culture,” which also includes
in Rome. (CNA) formed by the dynamic interplay of and businesses may reflect on consumeristic excess, abortion, and
diverse natural forces - moves us to the environmental impact of the euthanasia. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 NEWS FEATURES A3

Cardinal calls for withdrawal of


Hong Kong’s divisive extradition bill
HONG KONG— Cardinal John Lam first announced June 15 she apology to all people of Hong Kong,” said Lam had met the religious John Mok Chit-wei, a young
Tong Hon, apostolic administrator had suspended the bill that would Lam said. leaders June 17 and that agreed to Catholic, did not accept Lam’s
of the Diocese of Hong Kong, and allow mainland China extradition However, Lam did not agree to listen to criticisms in the future. The apology.
the chairman of the Hong Kong rights over any Hong Kong resident, protesters’ demands to withdraw colloquium also called on people “She totally ignored the demands
Christian Council called on chief including foreign nationals and the extradition bill, retract the to return to their daily routines of the protesters, such as the
executive Carrie Lam to withdraw a tourists, ucanews.com reported. characterization of the June 12 protest to end the conflict and asked the complete withdrawal of the bill
controversial extradition bill. However, Hong Kong residents as a “riot,” seek responsibility from government to use leniency in and to stop charging protesters
In a June 19 statement, Cardinal were not satisfied with Lam’s the police over instances of brutality, meting out punishment to arrested with rioting,” he told ucanews.com
Tong and the Rev. Eric So Shing- announcement and turned out in even drop charges against protesters and protesters. “She also strongly defended the
yit, who leads the council that greater numbers June 16 than the 1 resign as the city’s leader. Biddy Kwok, president of the police’s use of excessive force. How
includes 21 churches, also appealed million estimated to have marched on As Lam’s media conference was Justice and Peace Commission can Hong Kongers accept such an
to the special administrative region June 9, reported ucanews.com. about to start, the Colloquium of of Hong Kong, believes only that apology?”
government to “launch a thorough In reissuing her apology, Lam Six Religious Leaders of Hong Kong, Lam’s resignation can solve the Mok also criticized the
independent inquiry” into clashes told reporters that she accepted which comprises representatives conflict. colloquium’s statement.
between police and protesters much of the responsibility for the of the Catholic Church, Protestant “Although she apologized, she “The statement asks people to
opposed to the bill days earlier. “deficiencies in the work of the SAR churches, Buddhism, Taoism, did not admit she did wrong and accept Lam’s apology and go back
The two religious leaders also said government over the amendment Islam and Confucianism, released a refused to make a correction to to school and work to stop further
they accepted Lam’s June 18 public exercise.” statement to ask Hong Kong people withdraw the bill. She only said conflict,” he said. “But the leaders
apology for the conflict over the “This has led to controversies, to accept her apology. Cardinal she will do better in the next three seem to be ignorant of the source
extradition bill that has provoked disputes and anxieties in society. Tong leads the colloquium. years during her term,” Kwok told of conflict. The government is the
mass demonstrations. For this I offer my most sincere The religious leaders’ statement ucanews.com. source.” (CNS)

Pope announces Marian theme of WYD 2022 in Lisbona 'Near twin' of Notre Dame
clock found in storage

The original clock is viewed from this side of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
World Youth Day 2019 in Panama. VATICAN MEDIA PHOTO FROM NDB FACEBOOK PAGE

VATICAN— At the conclusion two other Bible verses. dear young people, are action in a synodal Church, PARIS, France— A clock The old clock was then put in
of the International Youth “In the two coming years, called to be light in the and this is what you have nearly identical to the one storage, and was discovered
Forum Saturday, Pope I would ask you to meditate dark night experienced by so been thinking about and destroyed in the fire at behind a wooden board amid
Francis announced the theme on these two verses: ‘Young many of your friends who do reflecting on during these Cathedrale Notre-Dame statues and furniture in a
of World Youth Day 2022 man, I say to you, arise!’ not yet know the joy of new past days,” Pope Francis said. de Paris has been found small storage room.
to be held in Lisbon: “Mary and ‘Stand up. I appoint life in Jesus,” Pope Francis Pope Francis told the young in storage. The duplicate Olivier Chandez, who was
arose and went with haste.” you as a witness of what you told the International Youth adults in the forum that he was found at the Church of responsible for maintaining
“Do not tune out the voice have seen,’” the pope said in Forum. hopes to see “harmonious the Holy Trinity in Paris, the clock at Notre-Dame de
of God, who urges you to his meeting with the youth Pope Francis urged the coordination between our in what is being called a Paris, described the discovery
arise and follow the paths delegates at the Vatican’s nearly 250 participants in the journey towards the Lisbon “miraculous discovery.” as “almost a miracle.”
that he has prepared for apostolic palace. International Youth Forum World Youth Day and our This find brings new hope “If we only had the photos,
you. Like Mary, and in The Portugese capital set that the more one brings post-synodal journey.” restoration efforts at the we would have had to
union with her, may you to host World Youth Day Christ to others, the more “You need one another, if landmark cathedral. extrapolate,” he said. “But
daily bring to others all 2022 is just 75 miles from one will feel His presence in you are to make a difference The original clock was with this model, we have all
your joy and love,” Pope Fatima, one of the most their lives. in a world increasingly located near the cathedral the dimensions.”
Francis told the delegates visited Marian pilgrimage The International Youth tempted to divisiveness. Only spire, which collapsed during While the clocks are very
of the International Youth sites in the world. In Fatima, Forum was organized by if we journey together, will we the April 15 fire. It was feared similar, Chandez said that
Forum June 22. the Virgin Mary appeared to the Vatican Dicastery for be truly strong,” he said. there would be no way to there are enough differences
Pope Francis said that he three shepherd children over Laity, Family and Life June “With Christ, the Bread of rebuild the clock, as there to prevent restorers from
desires young people to reflect the course of 1916 and 1917 19-22 to discuss how best Life who gives us strength for were no surviving drawings simply inserting Holy
on this verse taken from St. with a message of peace and to implement ideas from the journey, let us bring his of its mechanism or any Trinity’s clock into the
Luke’s Biblical account of a request for prayer. the 2018 Synod of Bishops fire to light up the darkness digital records of how the refurbished Notre-Dame.
the Virgin Mary’s visitation “We were called to bring in young people’s home of this world!” Pope Francis clock was made. While it has not been
to her cousin Elizabeth after the light of Christ into the dioceses around the world. said. (Courtney Grogan/ The timepiece’s near-twin specifically confirmed that
the Annunciation, as well as darkness of the world. You, “You are young people in CNA) was found by clockmaker the rebuilt cathedral will even
Jean-Baptiste Viot, during include a clock, Viot insisted
a storage inventory at Holy that not doing so would be
Catholic aid group raises millions for persecuted Christians Trinity. unthinkable.
Viot called the find “A cathedral without a
VATICAN— Aid to the Church in “incredible,” and “like finding clock? It’s like an aircraft
Need raised over 111 million euros a second copy of a burned carrier without any planes,”
($125 million) in 2018 to help support book.” said Viot.
persecuted Christians, particularly in the The Church of the Holy Since the April fire, more
Middle East where tens of thousands of Trinity’s original clock was than one billion dollars has
Christians have been forced to flee their replaced by an electronic been raised for the restoration
homes due to ongoing war and conflicts model about 50 years ago. effort. (CNA)
over the last decade.
Releasing its 2018 annual report June Persecution / A1
20, the Vatican-recognized foundation
that assists minority Christian might be wounded people Archbishop Romulo Valles
communities and people persecuted and their behavior might be of Davao said the “core” of the
for their faith said the donations funded a cry for help… Can we empty pilgrimage was really their
“no fewer than 5,019 pastoral projects in ourselves and be the pastor’s dialogue with Pope Francis
some 139 different countries” with 27% love towards the enemy?” which lasted for around two
of the donations going to Africa and 25% Cardinal Tagle said. hours.
to the Middle East. He also encouraged “Before it was one on one,
Pope Francis blesses an icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians at the Vatican on Nov. 16, 2018. Aid to the clergy to continually like an oral exam. This time
Projects in the Middle East have the Church in Need raised over 111 million euros ($125 million) in 2018 to help support persecuted Christians.
increased since the 2011 Arab Spring, the VATICAN MEDIA work and minister to the it was a group audience…
foundation said. In the past seven years, youth and the poor who we can ask anything,” said
it said, the foundation has devoted to the India, Ukraine and Congo. religious literature. remain “underserved” in Valles, who is also the
region “a total of 99 million euros ($111.8 Among the projects supported by the In a statement released by Aid to the the archdiocese because of president of the Catholic
million), of which over 18 million euros funds collected by the Catholic aid group Church in Need, the foundation said their sheer number despite Bishops’ Conference of the
($20.3 million) were in 2018 alone.” were 23.2 million euros ($26.2 million) the annual report’s figures testified to the church’s anti-poverty Philippines.
Over 12% of the total aid, the report for construction or reconstruction of its support, “in a spirit of closeness, to programs. Ad limina visits are
said, went to assisting thousands of homes, chapels, churches, convents, the oppressed and persecuted church” For three weeks, from May traditionally scheduled every
Christians in the Middle East, especially seminaries and pastoral centers. as well as its ability to “react promptly” 20 to June 8, three sets of five years.
in Syria and Iraq, and funded the Donations also funded the formation in areas where Christians are attacked. bishops were in Rome to The visit is the first for
rebuilding of nearly 1,500 Christian of candidates for the priesthood and The donations, the statement said, report on the status of their Filipino bishops under
homes. religious life, education initiatives, demonstrate “that faith has the power dioceses, pray at the tombs Francis’ papacy. They made
The other nations in the top five for transportation as well as the purchase to overcome hatred.” (Junno Arocho of the apostles and met with the last one in 2011 when they
foundation-supported projects were and distribution of Bibles and other Esteves/CNS) Vatican officials. met with Pope Benedict XVI.
A4 OPINION June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Not a simple incident


A FILIPINO fishing boat was rammed by a Chinese vessel
which abandoned the 22 fishermen in the sea in June 9. In
this just an ordinary, simple maritime incident? This is the
claim by a Chinese diplomat which was readily seconded by
Duterte and then chimed in by his minions in cabinet and the
senate. At first the tone of the government was indignation,
then it softened down to mere downplaying.
Abandoning people to die in the sea is utter cruelty! It is
so inhuman! This is even against international law! Were it
not for a Vietnamese vessel which picked up the fishermen
from the waters, they would have died. And our government
does not have the guts to demand at least an apology from
the Chinese. Why can’t the government do this? Is it so much
indebted to the Chinese already?
It is good that there are still many Filipinos who are bold
enough to show their indignation. They raise their voice,
some in the streets, many in the social media and still many

ILLUSTRATION BY BLADIMER USI


in their conversations. This is not right! The government
should protect its people, at least within its own territory. We
should not be subservient to the Chinese. Justice demands
that there not only be apology but compensation for the
damage done. If we keep silent now, the Chinese will just
easily take us for granted in the future. Yes, we need an
independent foreign policy—independent from all, not only
from the West but also from the Chinese.
It is very unfortunate that it is always the poor who are being
taken for granted, and even victimized. The urban poor are the
Insights into Filipino Living Mission
primary victim of the war on drugs, thousands have already
been killed and the killings still continue; labor and farmer
youth today Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
leaders are being killed, tagged as rebels; lands and schools
of the lumads continue to be militarized. Now it is the turn
of the fishermen to be abandoned.
Let us, who are able, speak up. Let us not take the line of ONE beautiful outcome of the 2018 do not receive enough nutrition and the We need credible leaders we can count
Duterte that this is just an ordinary incident, and just be CBCP-sponsored youth conference needed medical attention. Depression on and trust to lead and make moral
silent about it. This is serious and we demand apology and was “An Open Letter of the Filipino and suicide are prevalent issues being decisions for the good of our country
compensation. If the government does not raise its voice, let Youth to the Catholic Church in the discussed by the young and about the and its people. In the same way, we feel
us raise ours. This is the least that we can do for our fishermen, Philippines.” The document provides young. Substance abuse, other forms of that we too can be leaders ourselves in
and for our Philippine sovereignty. pivotal insights into today’s youth, addiction, and HIV/AIDS also gravely various ways.”
-- Guest editorial: Bishop Broderick Pabillo their heartfelt concerns, as well as affect our fellow youth.” Seeking meaning in life.
orientations for youth ministry. In reference to the environment, the Continuing to paint their “self-portrait”
A sense of vocation Social relationships. In their young people noted: “We dream of a safe the Filipino youth speak openly about
“Open Letter” Filipino youth noted: “We and sustainable world to live in. We value their values, noting that they “find
WE should all be concerned about this matter. We need value our relationships as much as our Mother Earth and all of God’s creation. meaning in the reality of the family.”
to develop a sense of vocation, for the simple reason that families—at times even more. We want We understand the importance of caring “Dreams of prosperity emerge as we
everyone has a vocation. We come from God and we belong to belong, more than anything. Hence, for our common home.” aspire to improve the plight of our
to him. He always calls us to himself and offers us a way to we seek a community that empowers, Social challenges. Living in the families. However, aside from laboring
go to him. encourages, and challenges us. Friends contemporary world presents a variety for our parents and families, we also
The way to go to him, peculiar to each one of us given our and our social relationships are very of challenges for Filipino youth. As acknowledge our need to be devoted in
different situations in life and God’s specific plan for us, is the important…. These people not only the young themselves note, they have discerning our vocation.” We yearn for
vocation God gives us. We therefore should try to discover that journey with us and encourage us, but concerns regarding economic, political people in authority whom we can look
vocation as early as possible and correspond to it as fully as also form and influence us.” and cultural realities. “Our national up to as regards integrity and credibility,
possible also. To be sure, no one comes to existence by mere Yet, the youth honestly admit that at economy is said to be growing at as well as look to for guidance and
accident nor by pure chance and divine caprice. God does not times they “still feel left out.” “We still its potential.” Yet, “many of us still accompaniment.”
create us at random. Even a person who is considered unwanted sense that we do not belong. We also do experience difficulty in finding stable “It is our ultimate hope that as we seek
by his parents or is conceived through rape is already a person not see enough opportunities to actively jobs to keep our future secure; others our purpose, we are given much life….
planned and loved by God from all eternity. This is a fundamental participate. Now, more than ever, we even fall victim to human trafficking We wish to be given more opportunities
truth about ourselves that we should never take for granted. are ready to be trusted as partners in and other forms of exploitation…. We to share ourselves: not just with and for
Thus, we should try to develop this sense of vocation as early as shaping our country and our Church.” dream of a more inclusive economy that our families, but with and for the rest
possible. And this can mean as early as when one is still a child, Social concerns. The young noted provides equal opportunities to people of the community, our country, and
already beginning to be aware of what and who he or she is. This their deep concerns regarding health, regardless of age and gender.” the Church.” As fellow Catholics,
normally should start in the family, with the parents playing a education, and environment. They In reference to politics, “we seek we deeply appreciate the sincere
major role in this affair since they are our first teachers here on acknowledged “the need to be healthy. honest and authentic leaders who and honest searchings of today’s
earth. The parents should be quick in sowing the seeds of this However, in many places, young people stand for truth, justice and integrity. youth!
sense of vocation by making the child aware that he or she just
did not come from them but from God. And that he or she also
belongs to God. This basic truth should always be reinforced all
throughout the process of bringing up and educating the child. And That’s The Truth Living the
The parents should therefore plant the rudiments of piety in
their children, mainly through their example and with them Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
‘holiness of normality’
doing the appropriate catechesis. Their children should see
them praying and having a special and pious regard to God.
When the children see the love between them and feel their
AT an age when people, tend to wonder “Why in January 1944, when she her Fr. Josemaría Escriva’s
parents’ love for them, then the children will find it easy to
especially millennials, her?” If she were a nun, was at Mass in the Church telephone numbers; and
relate themselves with God in faith and love.
seem to seek personal they would wonder less, of the Conception on Goya she started to go to him
This is a big challenge for the parents nowadays since, with so
fulfilment through high- assuming perhaps that with Street in Madrid, she became for spiritual direction.”
many fascinating developments around, the children can easily
profile accomplishments, the environment nuns live in distracted and heard the Guadalupe’s being led to the
fall into self-absorption and self-indulgence. The parents should
one woman has just been it would only be natural (and voice of God inside telling Opus Dei founder himself,
be ready to handle this danger very well. They should come out
recognized as a model of easier) to be saintly. And her that although she had a and learning to discern from
with appropriate plans and means to help their children become
sanctity through devoting her maybe, to a certain extent, boyfriend, He had something a great teacher, certainly
God-centered instead of self-centered. Only in this atmosphere
life to teaching chemistry— they are right; it is really not else prepared for her. She left proved that the finger of God
of piety should the topic of vocation be brought up directly with
without fanfare. that easy to behave like a Mass impacted by this and was present in the direction
the children, explaining the why and wherefore of it.
She is Guadalupe Ortiz saint when you are steeped in knew that was God’s call.” of her life. Fr. Escrivá (now
At a certain point, the parents should start explaining to the
de Landazuri, the first mundane matters 24/7. This Aha! moment for the a canonized Saint) taught
children the different kinds of vocation, showing to them the
layperson of the Opus Dei When the call of God 27-year old Guadalupe was her that Christ can be found
different conditions involved and the different requirements
to be beatified, after Opus came to Guadalupe, she followed by a “coincidence”. in professional work and
needed of each kind. While parents can make suggestions as to
Dei founder St. Josemaria had a boyfriend, according Fr. Martinez de la Hoz says ordinary life.
what vocation is most likely fit for their children, they should
A6 Escriva and Blessed Alvaro, to Spanish priest Fr. José “On the tram going back On the Feast of St. Joseph,
refrain from pressuring their children in the choice of vocation.
his successor. Carlos Martinez de la Hoz home after Mass, she met March 19, 1944, Guadalupe
Parents should also see to it that this sense of vocation
When a layperson—and a who is responsible for the Jesús Hernando de Pablos, a joined Opus Dei as a
is reinforced in the schools their children go to. And they
woman at that—gets “elevated canonization causes of Opus family friend, and she asked numerary—which means she
have to be quick to react when certain elements can tend to
to the altar of sanctity” in Dei members in Spain. He him if he knew of any priest could not marry, for she was
undermine this sense of vocation. Nowadays, there are many
the Catholic Church, people recounts that “One Sunday she could talk with. He gave And That’s The Truth / A7
of these things that can undermine this sense of vocation. And
so while always respectful of the privacy of their children, they
should always be watchful of their children’s affairs. Perhaps,
parents should first be given the appropriate formation to
A tribute to a saint Candidly Speaking
carry out this delicate duty they have toward their children.
Fr. Roy Cimagala

Monitor
CBCP
JUNE 26 is the feast of St. Josemaria ‘provinciano,’ I was excited with the focused on my academic pursuits and
Escriva who was raised to the altar by idea that I was given a chance to study my worldly goals. In college, this time
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE Pope, now St., John Paul II in 2002. In in Manila because of a scholarship grant in Manila, the religious brothers again
his prayer card, he is said to have been and all I had in mind was to conquer tried to invite me to be like them. No
Pedro Quitorio chosen by God, granting him countless Manila and perhaps the world later. way, I said.
Editor-in-Chief graces, to found Opus Dei, a way of I remember that in grade school back But a college classmate of mine one
sanctification in daily work and in the in the province (Bohol), the nuns were day invited me to a place that later on
Nirva’ana E. Delacruz Ron Ramos, Sky Ortigas fulfillment of the Christian’s ordinary always running after me to enter the I realized was a center of Opus Dei.
Associate Editor Design Artists duties. seminary. When I graduated from there, I remember that day well. When I
The first time I met Opus Dei, I did not I asked my father if I could enter the entered the place, I felt differently. I
Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite know it was Opus Dei I was getting into, seminary. The answer was a flat no. And was impressed by the cleanliness and
News Editor Circulation Manager
and much less was I aware of the role of that was for me at that time the end of the orderliness of the place.
Christine Paguirigan Marcelita Dominguez St. Josemaria in it. I was only 17 then, any possibility to enter the seminary. I More than that, I was struck by the
Managing Editor Comptroller studying in De La Salle College Manila was not interested anymore in becoming warmth of the people there whom
when the school was still an exclusive a priest. I was focused on more mundane I found to be very nice and friendly
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the boys school. goals. in a natural way. At that time, I was
CBCP - Media Office with editorial and business offices
at 3rd Floor, CBCP Compound, 470 General Luna I had no intention of becoming a In high school, still in the province, kind of aware of being able to discern
Street, Intramuros, Manila. Email Address: cbcpmonitor@ specially spiritual person engaged the priests running the school also ran whether one’s niceness and friendliness
areopaguscommunications.com, Business: (632) 404 - 1612.
ISSN 1908-2940. in the spiritual affairs of people, and after me, egging me to join them. I did is genuine or fake. It was my way of
much less, a priest. A true-blooded not give them any attention at all. I was Candidly Speaking / A7
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 OPINION A5

When the poor are Whisper from the Desert


By the Roadside not preferred Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD
Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

“Commitment to the poor is based through theirs; secondly, by their That is to say, the Church is very
on the Gospel; it does not have to rely own government. As of this writing, much present among the fishermen, The separation of
on some political manifesto”—St. John even the president appears to hold the the government officials supposedly
Paul II (Conference of Latin American
Bishops, Puebla, 1979)
poor fishermen partly responsible for
their own plight by implying that the
protecting and promoting their
interests, the opposition figures who
Church and State
fishermen ignored the competing claims protest the fishermen’s plight and the
“THE Church should not interfere in politics since the
“If a free society cannot help the on the area by their country and that unsympathetic treatment they have
constitution provides for the separation of Church and state.”
many who are poor; it cannot save the of their perpetrators, counseling them received from their own government,
This is usually the reaction every time bishops, priests and
few who are rich”— President John F. further to be “careful” in their conduct the media that have trained their sights
religious denovunce extrajudicial killings, human rights
Kennedy, Inaugural Adress, January within the own country’s EEZ (exclusive on them, and ordinary citizens reacting
abuse, corruption, anti-poor economic policies, etc.
20, 1961) economic zone). on the sidelines.
What does the separation of Church and state really mean?
Excuse me, but it is simply beyond All the baptized, basic catechesis tells
In the first place, this is not about what the Church is forbidden
IT was an allision. That is, the poor this writer’s ken how the poor fishermen us, belong to the same Body of Christ in a
to do—getting involved in politics. It is about what the state
Filipino fishermen’s boat was stationary, could be more careful than being manner and fashion more intimate than
is prohibited from doing—the establishment of an official
not in motion, when it was hit by a stationary and sleeping. Or, pray tell: blood or nationality. But the question is:
state religion and the use of public money to support such
foreign ship. They were at rest; most has it become illegal or, to put it bluntly, Are they standing where Jesus Christ
religion. This allows for religious pluralism. The free exercise
of them, in fact, were asleep. For still “careless” to rest and sleep in the stands? Do they prefer his preferences?
of religion is recognized and guaranteed. The state cannot
undetermined reason(s), the offending middle of the fishermen’s collectively Allow me a story.
interfere in the affairs of the Church or any other religious
ship fled and left the sinking boat of considered safe side of the ocean? A king saw a very beautiful woman.
groups. Thus, there is no prohibition for the Church or any
poor Filipino fishermen to the elements, On the other hand, the Philippine He inquired about her. It was a love
religious groups from involvement in the political sphere.
till they were eventually rescued by media have feasted on and exposed at first sight. He came to know she
Even members of the clergy can run for public office although
another foreign ship from Vietnam. the incident with the starkness of was a peasant’s daughter. Not wanting
church law does not allow this. The Church is not just the
The nationality of the rescuers is worth detail, though often with the flair for her to know he was a king, he came
clergy—it is also composed of lay people. All the members of
mentioning here not only for their the sensational and controversial. to her dressed as an ordinary peasant
the Church can freely exercise their civil rights and obligations
humanitarian action but also for the But truth has been served by them as and even joined her and her friends in
as citizens of the country. This includes participation in the
fact that they also come from an often well. Ordinary citizens, depending on working, hoeing the soil, planting etc.
electoral process, opposing acts and policies of government
aggrieved and poor sector of another whose side of the political spectrum She eventually fell in love with him. It
that run counter to the common good and the moral values
developing country like that of the they support, have also been busy is then that he revealed himself to be
espoused by the Church. It is, therefore, preposterous to say
victims. It was, in a word, a case of the opposing or supporting actions taken king. In consequence, she distanced
that the Church cannot get involved in politics due to the
poor taking care of the poor. on behalf of or against the victims. herself. On the other hand, the laws
separation between the Church and the state.
Reactions from different sectors Their often opposing political views of the kingdom forbade the king from
From a historical perspective, the principle of separation
in Philippine society are a study of notwithstanding, majority of citizens marrying a woman not from a noble
of Church and state was a reaction to the union of Church
a predictable babel of contrasts. take the side of the poor fishermen. The family. So the king made a decision. He
and state which was expressed in Patronato Real or
Government officials initially reason is mostly the off-again-and-on- abdicated his throne and handed it to
royal patronage. This was operative in Europe and in the
condemned the abandonment by the again patriotic spirit of Filipinos that his younger brother. Then he became a
Philippines for three centuries under Spanish colonial rule.
perpetrators of the poor fishermen; does not always translate into positive peasant and it was then that the woman
The patronato was based on the principle of the state choosing
then, they later changed their tune results. agreed to be his bride.
an official religion—e.g. Catholicism (to the exclusion of other
to characteizing it as “an ordinary Where is the Church in issues like This is the story of God’s Son, Jesus
religions)—and the state’s obligation to support such religion.
maritime incident” or “accident”, a this, it is often asked. Often too the Christ, the King of kings. He fell in love
This means providing financial support for the clergy, the
version adopted by the leader of the Church is understood narrowly to be with us sinners. He left the glory of
building of churches and monasteries, and the defense of the
land, a bit surprisingly because it the hierarchy or the priests and bishops. heaven and became a slave when he took
Church against her enemies.
followed—some say ‘kowtowed’— closely But that is a gross misunderstanding our sinful human nature to himself. Paul
The Church needed the patronage of the state to carry
to the perpetrators’ own. The opposition that dies hard despite document after the Apostle speaks of this eloquently in a
out her mission. In exchange, the state gained the right to
predictably saw the other side of the document, catechesis after catechesis passage every priest and seminarian as
interfere in the internal affairs of the Church. The approval
picture. They came out almost in unison on the preferential option for the poor well as every conscientious lay faithful
of the state was needed for the appointment of bishops, the
decrying the way the poor Filipino and on the Church as meaning all the should know by heart: Philippians
establishment of religious orders and communities, the
fishermen were twice abandoned: baptized, both the hierarchy and lay 2:6-8). This is the so-called love of
construction of churches and monasteries. There were times
first, by the foreign ship that rammed faithful. By The Roadside / A7
when rulers could even call for Church councils to settle
doctrinal controversies and heresies that threatened the unity
Pilgrimage to the Catholic of the state. The state could even interfere in papal elections.

Churches in Europe Duc in Altum In its extreme, the patronato led to state absolutism and
control of the Church.
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago In the course of history with the rise of liberal democracy
(Part 2) and secular states, the union of Church and state was replaced
by the separation of Church and state. The Church lost its
privileged status but it was a blessing in disguise since it ended
London, England—As a continuing not the ones in the uphill climb) and by the beach. not just the patronage of the state but also interference and
pilgrimage to the different Catholic joined the 8:00pm Marian procession Then we proceeded to Pisa Cathedral, control of the Church by the state. Paradoxically, nowadays,
Churches in Europe, particularly in front of the Church of the Rosary. The a Romanesque-style Church in its white state control of religion only happens in communist states –
London, France and Italy, I am very congregation prayed the rosary and sang splendor with the Leaning Tower of Pisa bit without the state support or patronage.
thankful that the Lord still gave me the “Ave Maria” in the midst of rain shower. at the background. Its patron saint is Thus, the separation of the Church and state is to the
opportunity and good health to go to It was here where I offered prayers for Santa Maria Assunta. There was a long advantage of the Church for it protects the Church from state
these Churches. Sad to note, most of the my families, relatives, friends, for our queue of pilgrims and due to lack of control and interference. The Church can freely carry out
Catholic Churches are now converted bishops, clergies, deacons, seminarians time, I prayed for everyone in front of her mission in proclaiming the Gospel and the moral values
into Anglican Church, the national and those who requested prayers. I put the Cathedral. of the Christianity, in denouncing evil in society, in serving
religion of England, where the head is one by one into the petition box by the Then, we went to the famous St. the common good, in working for the defense of life and the
the Queen. Grotto the prayers-petitions of those Mark Cathedral in Venice, my 3rd visit, environment, and in the struggle for justice and peace, and
Our next stop was the Church of St. who entrusted them to me. We also surrounded by the waters from Adriatic in operating social action projects that benefit the poor. It
Severin in Nice, France. One thing I visited the house of St. Bernadette. Sea. it is the best example of Italo- does not prevent the Church from involvement in the social
noticed, most of the churches in Nice has Riding the train is the best way to Byzantine architecture. The image of the and political field.
the image of the rooster on its rooftop. travel in Europe. After almost one day Virgin Mary and St. Mark could be seen This means that a government official cannot just tell
At first, I thought it was not a Catholic of train transfers, we reached Vernazza, in the facade of the cathedral. Again, members of the Church to stop attending worship services
Church. The images of St. Therese of Italy. Unfortunately, the Santa Margarita due to long queue, we said our prayers or to stop giving financial contribution. It does not allow any
Lisieux were exhibited here. d’ Antiochia Church was already closed in front of the Cathedral. government official to dictate to the clergy what to preach
We then took the train to the Sanctuary when we reached it. Luckily, we were Luckily, we were able to hear the Holy and what not to preach. It does not allow the state to compel
of Our Lady of Lourdesin France, one of able to visitSan Giovanni Battista Church Trinity Mass at Milan Cathedral where priests to break the seal of confession. It does not require the
the most visited pilgrimage churches in Monterosso, one of the five islands we the patron saint is St. Ambrose. The permission or approval of government officials for the Church
in Europe due to the healing of most visited. It was a 13th century Ligurian guards allowed us to enter the church, to carry out her mission.
of the pilgrims. It was my second visit Catholic Church on top of the hill. The skipping the line, because we are going Thus, it is important to have a proper understanding of what
and aside from having the bath, I was Baroque Altar dates back to 1744. We to hear Mass (Ambrosian Mass). I separation of Church and state really means. Otherwise, it’s
able to attend the 9:00am Mass, did the used the lift (as they call the elevator in noted that the offering of peace was misunderstanding can be used to silence the Church.
Stations of the Cross (near the Grotto, Europe) to see the surrounding areas Duc in Altum / A7

Roadkill
Whatever
Fr. Francis Ongkingco

I WAS strolling with a friend when from rats, cats and dogs. Dogs peaceful revolution has already been Although our society may not horizons and show them new paths.
we spotted a very disgusting sight are a rare sight because they have “roadkilled”. Its relevance may now cradle and nourish a deep historical But if the elderly do not dream,
on the road. It was a grotesquely maneuvering skills that cats don’t be as dry and flat as the concrete road sense, it has one saving grace that young people lose clear sight of the
mangled cat that was like a bloody have. Cats are wired with a defense itself. We, especially the young, seem could actually help consolidate our horizon. (Christus vivit, no. 193)”
three-dimensional Rorschach freeze mechanism that shuts them to have already forgotten this historical people’s identity: our Christian In the age of the Internet, a
spread. down when a threat is nearby. They landmark and simply drove onwards. heritage. Pope Francis, however, virtual information highway, it is
“Oh, my! How horrible! Won’t they freeze when caught in the middle of Undoubtedly, every individual has a reminded us that this heritage is not easy for the young to lose sight of a
remove the poor thing?” she gasped a road and are easy targets for any ‘his-story’, but we do not seem to have passed on like a museum piece to be previous generation’s dreams and
when she managed to reconstruct vehicle. This is one reason there are a clear identity and dignity bound to a studied and observed. It is handed aspirations. It is easy for many ideals
what had occurred. more roadkill cats than dogs. common story that propels us towards on alive and fruitful—in words and and values to be roadkilled in this
I shrugged my shoulders and I occasionally drive through EDSA a brighter future. Some historians deeds—founded in our Christian virtual avenue. Instead of simply
said, “I’m not exactly sure, but such (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). The affirm that a history could not deeply heritage. writing about static past events and
mishaps are simply left for the cars to avenue was born on the 19th of June take root since an archipelago was Our faith is what will make it personalities, which undoubtedly
flatten, to dry and disappear.” in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal’s birthday. only a bridge for our ancestors to possible for us to forge a story that have a place in our culture, it is more
“That is so unfortunate. In other The Americans also called it Highway pass through. No one really bothered constantly purifies the intellect, important to build spiritual bridges to
countries, a roadkill is reported and 54 or as MacArthur Highway after to stay on and build for good. This inflames the will and delicately guides remove generational gaps so that the
the city’s sanitation department Gen. Douglas MacArthur. may explain the absence of imposing hands to make our history more elderly may pass on their stories, their
disposes it.” EDSA is world-famous for a structures like the Pyramids, the Great attractive for the next generation. experience, and dreams to the young.
“Is that so? That would require historical ‘peaceful revolution’ that Wall or Angkor Wat. This will eventually build a society Among these bridges are family
more taxpayer’s money,” I said. toppled a long-standing dictatorship. Although history isn’t something with a strong identity, with clear dining table conversations, visiting
“True, but it also tells a lot Today, it is infamous for being the merely left carved on structures or goals and for the common good. old or sick relatives, gathering photos
about a country’s standards and country’s largest parking space written on signs, how much harder Thus, the Pope says, “The elderly and letters that can be enjoyed and
sensibilities.” due to the still unresolved traffic can it survive within the fast flux of a have dreams built up of memories read from time to time, keeping a
Her last observation struck me congestion. Finally, this avenue also concrete thoroughfare where events and images that bear the mark family diary, having a family vision
and I realized that a ‘simple’ roadkill hosts random roadkill scenes. are run over, and over again until of their long experience. If young and prayer intentions, and many
could actually spell a lot about who I believe an EDSA roadkill they are flattened and forgotten. people sink roots in those dreams, other spiritually bonding activities
we are as a people and a country. illustrates how little historical sense Thus, it isn’t really clear what we are they can peer into the future; they that gradually build the material and
There different types of roadkill Filipinos have. For example, our passing on to the next generation. can have visions that broaden their spiritual history of our society.
A6 LOCAL NEWS June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Parents play key role


in sex education, says
Stand with Pinoy fishermen,
Cardinal Tagle bishops urge gov’t

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle watch children perform prior to his “dialogue with the
youth” at the Sta, Cruz Church in Manila June 23. ROY LAGARDE

IN educating children about Tagle said.


human sexuality, the adult “The problem is it is not
society especially parents complemented by education.
should get in the game, a top Children are exposed to these
churchman said. things, and imitate them,
Cardinal Luis Antonio but they lack the necessary
Tagle of Manila stressed guidance,” he lamented. The 22 Filipino fishermen in the Recto Bank collision aboard a ship en route to Mindoro, June 14, 2019. PHOTO FROM DA SEC. MANNY PIÑOL’S FACEBOOK PAGE
the need for parents to He noted that some parents
recognize that they are the rely on teachers or catechists CATHOLIC bishops Pabillo said. collision of two boats. “The government should
most significant teachers for to educate their children. challenged the government The bishop was reacting to “Maritime incident is a send the message that this
their children. But at the end of the day, to stand with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte’s maritime incident. It is best is a serious matter that
“There is a need to face he said that parental duty to fishermen whose boat was remark that seemed to investigated. And I do not should be resolved and not
the truth of our times: the influence a child’s upbringing rammed and sunk by a downplay the June 9 incident now issue statement because be treated only as a mere
perception on the so called in a positive way cannot just Chinese vessel near Recto in the West Philippine Sea. there is no investigation and incident,” he said.
sexuality,” Tagle said. be abdicated. Bank. Breaking his silence on the there is no result,” Duterte Bishop Arturo Bastes
He was responding to The cardinal also stressed Manila Auxiliary Bishop issue, Duterte on June 18 said. of Sorsogon said the
a comment on the rising that a harmonious family Broderick Pabillo said the appealed for calm over what “The only thing we can government’s treatment on
incidence of teenage environment can positively government cannot leave he called a “little maritime do is to wait and give the the issue shows its bias for
pregnancy in the country affect their children’s future the fishermen in lurch as incident”. other party the right to be China.
during a “dialogue with as well. it is obliged to intervene to In a speech during the heard. That’s important,” “Duterte is selective in
the youth” at the Sta. Cruz “The parents play key role protect their interest. Philippine Navy’s 121st he added. dispensing justice,” Bastes
Church on Sunday, June 23. in teaching our children the “The government has a anniversary celebration Bishop Pabillo urged said. “This is a sign that
The cardinal also noted right behavior and values. duty to protect its citizens in Sangley Point, he said the government to use its his judgement cannot be
the impact of media on how If not, we may ask other and its territory. It should that tension should not diplomatic channels to hold relied upon on serious
young people think and relatives, like grandparents, not allow itself to be bullied be allowed between two accountable the Chinese moral and social issues.”
how they respond to the uncles, aunts to help guide and let its people suffer,” countries just because of a crew involved in the incident. (CBCPNews)
sexualities of those around our children,” he added.
them.
“Now, sexuality is out in the
The dialogue was in line
with the archdiocese’s Arrested drug suspect was never a priest
open… and children do not celebration of the Year of the
fully understand the holistic Youth, and was held before CONTRARY to some media controversy.
issue of sexuality, that it is Tagle celebrated mass on reports, a man arrested for The Catholic Directory of
not just a physical need but the Solemnity of the Corpus the second time over illegal the Philippines, from the past
that it has its consequences,” Christi. (CBCPNews) drug trade is not a “former to the current edition, does
Catholic priest”. not list the name of Ferolin
Climate / A1 Local police arrested as an ordained priest nor
on June 19 John Baring as a member of the Mission
Generation”, which is the the youth to make their own Ferolin, 42, during a buy bust Society of the Philippines
youth branch of the Global history by joining advocacies operation in Matalam, North (MSP).
Catholic Climate Movement. for the betterment of the Cotabato. In 2016, Ferolin was also
Columban Fr. John Leydon community and not to let The reports quoted arrested for the same offense
of GCCM Philippines said the their lives be a “blank page”. Matalam police chief Joseph and claimed to be a member
local chapter is the response “Get involved advocacies Brian Placer saying Ferolin of the Salesians of Don Bosco
of young Filipinos to the especially on the one which was “a former minister of (SBD).
global call “to move young is so important to the heart of the Mission Society of the The Salesians, however,
people for the earth”. God: love, care and protection Philippines”. disowned Ferolin as a
“We need the youth, the of mother nature,” Tirona Fr. Jonathan Germinanda, member of the religious
planet needs the youth,” Fr. said. MSP superior, told congregation.
Leydon said. “Without the Launched during the NDBCNews that the society Ferolin has also claimed
youth, nothing’s going to World Youth Day in Panama never had a priest-member to be a priest of the Military
happen.” in January, the global youth nor a former seminarian Ordinariate of the Philippines
The creation of Laudato movement called on church with that name. He said he but the diocese denied his
Si Gen – Philippines, he and political leaders to take is saddened that the name of claim. (Rommel Lopez / John Baring Ferolin poses for a mugshot after he was arrested in a buy-bust operation
said, is also “very significant” climate change seriously. the society is dragged in this CBCPNews) in Matalam, North Cotabato on June 20, 2019. PHOTO FROM NDBC NEWS
because the country one of Cardinal Luis Antonio
the world’s vulnerable places Tagle of Manila earlier called OFWs / A1
to climate change. on young Filipinos to join the
“People will listen to the movement and be oriented Commission on Migrants the existing employment working permits. Kong over a hotly contested
youth because they are with the need to care for the and Itinerant People. contracts of the migrants “This will discourage legislation, among other
looking into the future,” said environment. The prelate made workers. foreign employers of hiring challenges,” said Susan Ople,
Fr. Leydon. “Let us take care of the statement amid the He also opposed certain OFWs,” said Santos, adding former labor undersecretary
The launching was our environment and the scheduled increases in provisions in the new social that memberships should be and head of the Blas F. Ople
highlighted with a Mass world we live in which will OFW contributions to the security law that would tie- “voluntary and encouraged”. Policy Center, adding that the
presided over by Archbishop be inherited by the future Social Security System and up OFW collections with A non-government salaries of Filipino domestic
Rolando Tria Tirona of generation,” he said. Philhealth. the issuance of an overseas organization (NGO) on labor workers abroad have been
Caceres, who heads Caritas Laudato Si’ Gen already “It is added financial employment certificate. migration earlier warned that stagnant for more than a
Philippines. has thousands of members burden and will cause The new law requires the increases in contributions decade.
It also coincided with the worldwide, primarily more difficulties to our newly hired OFWS to pay would likely push more “Asking them to pay that
third fourth anniversary between the ages of 15 to 30. OFWs,” he said. “Our OFWs in advance the P960 per workers away from existing much considering that they
of Laudato Si, the papal It holds regular webinars should be assisted, helped month SSS premium while legal deployment channels. will be away from the country
encyclical letter which and members can join and promoted not to be returning workers will pay “The outlook for our for at least two years, would
was pivotal in building the working groups focused burdened.” a three-month advance overseas workers is not at its cause undue burden given
momentum for the historic on outreach, spirituality, The bishop warned that contribution amounting brightest, with tensions rising their vulnerable status and
Paris Agreement. communication and the new increased rates to P2,880 or they will not throughout the Middle East work conditions,” Ople said.
In his homily, he urged activism. (CBCPNews) are “unfair” and impaired be issued the mandatory and ongoing protests in Hong (CBCPNews)
Ministry / A1
Bully / A1
The Coalition Against “We appeal to our legislators 19, he noted the growing phenomenon said. The cardinal also stressed the
Death Penalty (CADP) and policy makers to affirm of bullying, especially online. Addressing the teachers, the cardinal importance of imparting the value of
particularly lashed out at the dignity of the human “Gossiping, vulgarity, to urged them to expand not only their word of honor and by being truthful.
newly elected lawmakers who person and the sanctity of underestimate others, spreading fake students’ intellectual dimension, but “When you said something, do it and
are openly pro-death penalty. life, the foundation of a moral news, and bullying are not the works also the human heart. make sure that it’s based on truth,” he
“While we believe that vision for society,” he said. of the Holy Spirit,” an article posted on Catholics schools are called to lead said.
we should resolve and fight The Philippines abolished Radio Veritas’ website quoted Tagle as their students to Jesus, according to Hundreds of students and teachers
crimes, one wonders about capital punishment in saying. him. in Manila’s Catholic schools attended
the wisdom of meting out the 2006 but the Duterte Instead, he called on students to tap “Whatever is the subject matter, make the Holy Spirit Mass, a tradition among
extreme penalty of death,” administration wants to modern communication to spread the sure that what you are teaching are ideas many Catholic educational institutions
said Jesuit Fr. Silvino Borres, revive it citing a runaway Gospel. and concepts that lead the students to to mark the start of the academic year.
CADP President. crime rate. (CBCPNews) “Don’t be shy to proclaim Jesus,” he God,” Tagle added. (CBCPNews)
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 DIOCESAN NEWS A7

Displaced Filipinos hold Bishop urges BECs to promote


Marawi ‘shoe parade’
human dignity
BAGUIO City— A Catholic
bishop has encouraged
Basic Ecclesial Communities
(BECs) to continue to be
instruments of evangelization
and promotion of human
dignity.
In a pastoral letter for the
BEC Sunday, Bishop Victor
Bendico of Baguio said that
reaching out to the margins
of society is the direction
BECs should take.
“People in our parishes,
gimongs, barrios and sitios—
Hundreds of pairs of shoes are displayed on a stretch of road in the southern Philippine they need to belong, they
city of Marawi on June 20 to mark World Refugee Day. UCAN/COURTESY OF ASLANI MONTILA need to be recognized, to be
welcomed, to be respected, to be
MARAWI City— Hundreds Khalid Ansano, secretary- accorded with their dignity, to
of pairs of shoes were lined general of the non- be forgiven and given a chance,
up along a stretch of road government Development to be helped,” Bendico said.
in the southern Philippine Assistance Team, said the The bishop also committed Bishop Victor Bendico of Baguio. PHOTO FROM THE DIOCESE OF BAGUIO FACEBOOK PAGE
city of Marawi on June Marawi crisis “obliterated the diocese’s journey in
20 to remember those the dreams and futures of the coming years through “We believe that we can directs us; we need to support Trinity Sunday.
who died during the 2017 both the fallen and their its vision and mission for become better Christians our parish priests, catechists, The bishops during its
conflict that devastated families.” a “caring Church” and by when we live as small lay leaders and ministers,” he plenary assembly in July
the city. “They are at the mercy of strengthening its BECs. communities of faith,” added. 2018 approved that the
The “shoe parade” was the whims of uncertainty, For many years now, the Bendico said. The Church observed the Trinity Sunday every year will
held on World Refugee Day discomfort, suffering and diocese has made BEC the “We urgently need to first BEC Sunday for the first be celebrated as BEC Sunday
to dramatize the call by shame,” said Ansano. foundation of its pastoral strengthen our BECs along time on June 16, coinciding throughout the country.
Marawi residents for the About half a million people programs. the path our vision-mission with the commemoration of (CBCPNews)
government to hasten the were affected and displaced
rebuilding of the city and
reparation of those affected
by the five-month siege after
terrorist gunmen attacked
Davao Catholic school deplores wrongful arrest of former staff
by the conflict. Marawi in May 2017. DAVAO City— A Catholic school urged truthfully and accordingly,” the school apprehended on mere suspicion,” the
The global observance of The Office for the the government to take stern action said in a statement released today. school said.
World Refugee Day started Coordination of against those involved in the wrongful Valle, who is also a journalist, was Valle, 61, used to be ACD’s senior high
in 2000 to draw attention Humanitarian Affairs of the arrest and detention of a former faculty arrested by cops and soldiers in Cagayan school Parents-Teachers Association
to the millions of refugees United Nations estimated member. de Oro City on June 9 and was released head and secretary to the school
worldwide who have been that as of May this year, at The Assumption College of Davao after being held for almost 12 hours. president.
forced to flee their homes least 66,000 people remain has lamented the arrest of Fedelina While the police hierarchy has already As a faculty member, she taught
due to armed conflict and in temporary shelters around Margarita Valle, who was mistaken for apologized, it said “there is more than social sciences and women studies in
persecution. the ravaged city. a fugitive. enough reason for us to sound the alarm ACD’s college department and was its
The footwear was displayed The Initiatives for The school called on the authorities to as the arrest clearly violated Valle’s consultant for research and community
on a road in Marawi leading International Dialogue, take right actions to prevent such case rights”. engagement programs.
to temporary shelters where meanwhile, called for from happening again. “If it was indeed a case of mistaken Valle said she will file a lawsuit
an estimated 2,000 families “stronger solidarity” for the It said that such “scandalous error” identity, such a failure of intelligence claiming that police arrested and
still live. people of Marawi, saying the and “grave blunder” must “be dealt with, endangers the life of anyone detained her illegally. (CBCPNews)
Aslani Montila, executive “tragic events resulted in the
director of civil society unnecessary loss of innocent Candidly Speaking / A4
group Siyap ko Pagtaw, lives.”
said the display was “part The organization vowed protecting myself in a big city boardmates began to study, if a vocation, one in which I friendliness of the people,
of remembering” the lives to sustain humanitarian where the good and the bad at all, only after midnight, after had to give myself totally in though they surely helped.
of those who died and assistance to help in the can look the same. a session of monkeying around apostolic celibacy, I don’t It was what I learned from
for those who experience rehabilitation and rebuilding I remember that I and drinking. know what happened but St. Josemaria who taught
the “desperation of being of the city and the “safe spontaneously asked the So I frequented the place I just said yes. I did not about sanctification of my
homeless.” and dignified return and people there how I can be part and got to know more about anymore consult my father daily work and my full
“Each item of footwear reintegration” of those who of that place. And they just told Opus Dei and its founder. or anyone else. I was quite responsibility over my
symbolizes every civilian were displaced. me to come around as often Little by little, it dawned sure of what I said. Christian’s ordinary duties. I
killed, every child whose This year’s observance as I wanted. And I was happy on me that I was meant for What made me say, yes? was so drawn to that teaching
dreams were shattered, of World Refugee with that invitation because something else in my life. No, it was not the cleanliness I was willing to change my
every family’s disrupted Day carries the theme at that time, I could not study And when they told me to and orderliness of the plans drastically. That’s how
life, every person’s “#StepWithRefugees —Take in my boarding house. My consider the possibility of place, nor the niceness and I met Christ!
destroyed future who still A Step on World Refugee
remain displaced,” said Day.” (Divina M. Suson/ By The Roadside / A5
Montila. UCAN)
preference for the poor. PCP II shows us Two, Jesus associated himself with 18:15-16); he went against the tide of
the three levels of Jesus’ actualization of “the morally poor, and those who were social culture that considered women
Duc in Altum / A5 his own love of preference for the poor. uninstructed in the law (Lk 15:1-3) but second-class citizens by associating
One, Jesus himself became materially were humble enough to acknowledge himself with them in his ministry (Lk
done after the homily. It is in the Passion of Christ are poor, associated himself with the poor their sinfulness, unlike the proud scribes 8:1-3) and even chose them to be “the
this Church where the Gold located - the piece of wood of and even considered them blessed. The and pharisees. He declared that it is first witnesses to his resurrection (Lk
Image of the Blessed Virgin his cross, the nail, a piece of pattern of his entire life was a testimony not those who are well that are in need 24:1-10; Mt 28:1-10) [PCP II 50-51]”.
Mary was enthroned on the thorn in the crown brought to of this love of preference for the poor” of a physician but the sick. He did not The fishermen’s plight points to the
roof. Rome by Empress St. Helena, (PCP II 48): he became poor so that come to call the righteous but sinners to plight of the poor in the Philippines.
Finally, we reached Rome mother of Roman Emperor by his poverty we might become rich repentance (Lk 5:31-32)” (PCP II 49). Often they are treated as proganda
where I had my 3rd visit Constantine. At that time, the (2 Cor 8:9); his first beatitude extols Three, Jesus called to himself or scoop material; they are seldom
- the 4 pontifical basilicas Basilica’s floor was covered the “poor”(Lk 6:20); he chose poor and showed love for the socially treated the way Jesus treats them
of the Vatican. First was with soil from Jerusalem. It is fishermen as his followers (Lk 5:1-11); marginalized, “the little ones”— such and everyone else—with “love of
of St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the origin of our Santacruzan he lived the poor life of “an itinerant as children and women. “Let the preference” (to borrow the language
here where we climbed the in the month of May. preacher” homeless; he lived and died little children come to me and do of St. John Paul II).
351 steps up to the Dome, Then, we went to Scala poor, “buried in a grave that was not not prevent them” and made “a little And when the poor are not preferred,
with the first 200 steps via Santa, the Pontifical even his own” (ibid.) child the model for his followers (Lk Jesus Christ is not preferred.
elevator. We also paid tribute Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs
to the tomb of St. Pope John where we climbed on knees And That’s The Truth / A4
Paul II, at the left side of the 28 marble steps stairs.
the image of the Pieta. We The Holy Stairs are said to to be completely available December 12, 1916, her birthplace Madrid on 1975, the feast of Our Lady
also had our sacrament of be the steps leading up to for the work of the prelature. Guadalupe studied chemical May 18, 2019, Pope Francis of Mount Carmel. Another
reconciliation (confession) the praetorium of Pontius Another “coincidence”—that sciences and was one of five lent his presence digitally, “coincidence”? Our Lady
before an English-speaking Pilate in Jerusalem on she committed herself to women in her graduating delivered his message, of Mt. Carmel is the patron
priest. We were so blessed which Jesus stepped on celibacy on the day honoring class. Her award-winning and asked the audience of another great woman,
that during the Wednesday his way tomtrial during the Patron Saint of women thesis was on insulating at St. Peter’s Square in Saint Teresa of Avila, who
General Audience with Pope his Passion. It was really a looking for a God-given refracting materials from rice Rome to applaud Blessed taught that sanctity may
Francis, he passed by our sacrifice climbing the steps husband? husks—hardly a topic people Guadalupe Ortiz “who also be attained when one
area twice. I called “Lolo due to sweat of pilgrims that During her first years would think as leading a placed her many human works lovingly in the kitchen,
Kiko, Lolo Kiko, we are from males the marble slippery. as an Opus Dei member, person to sanctity. She taught and spiritual qualities as “God also walks among
Pilipinas.” He looked at our The stairs were reputed to Guadalupe’s work was Chemistry in many schools at the service of others, the pots and pans.” It may
direction, he smiled and we be brought to Rome by St. focused on the Christian and institutes. She was also helping in a particular way sound silly or superstitious to
had eye contact while he Helena. formation of young people in engaged in many activities other women and families some, but those whose lives
gave us his blessing. By the Next is the Basilica of St. Madrid and Bilbao. In time that educated women and in need of education and have been touched by such
way, through thr invitation John Lateran, also of St. John she was to be entrusted to children and benefitted development… not with a “coincidences” may disagree,
of Fr. Reupert Garcia, I was the Baptist where the Chair begin the apostolic work of communities, among which proselytizing attitude but such as Blessed Guadalupe
able to get inside the Crypt of of St. Peter is enthroned at Opus Dei in Mexico. was organizing a mobile simply through her prayer Ortiz who (unwittingly
St. Peter where Fr. Phillippe the Altar. Her life took yet another clinic that went from home and witness.” echoing her compatriot St.
Garcia of the Diocese of We stopped by the Basilica challenging turn when in 1956 to home, offering services Pope Francis went on to Teresa of Avila) showed us
Kalookan celebrated Mass. of Santa Prassede located she settled in Rome, where she to the poor who could not “encourage all the faithful that “sanctity can be found
Unfortunately, I had to skip near Santa Maria Maggiori. worked with Fr. Josemaría in afford to go to doctors’ clinics of the Prelature, and all who amidst chemistry books and
the Mass due to our flight One can find here a portion the administration of Opus or hospitals. Through her take part in their apostolates, classrooms.”
back to London. of the pillar where Jesus was Dei. But it turned out to be profession she helped many always to aspire to this And for millennials,
Next is the Basilica of flagellated. a short-lived assignment. to approach God with joy, holiness of ‘normality’, which however self-sufficient they
St. Paul Outside of Wall, Then to the Basilica of After two years, noting a service and availability— burns within our hearts with may think they are, there’s
meaning it is located outside Santa Maria Maggiori where pain in her chest, she moved qualities that endeared her the fire of Christ’s love, and no telling where or when
the Vatican. Pope Francis goes before back to Spain for a cardiac to her superiors, and which which the world and the God may surprise them with
Then to the Minor Basilica and after his pastoral visits surgery. In Madrid she served as witness to what Church are so in need of His call. Maybe while they’re
of Baroque style Santa to different countries. The resumed teaching and began Pope Francis would call today.” enjoying a pizza, or browsing
Croce in Gerusalemme, one last time we were in Rome, a scientific research towards “holiness of normality.” At the age of 59, Guadalupe the internet—who knows?
of the pilgrim churches in we had our confession at this her doctoral thesis. At Guadalupe’s died of heart disease in Ours is a God of surprises.
Rome, where the relics of Basilica. Born in Madrid on beatification rites held in Pamplona, Spain on July 16, And that’s the truth.
A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES June 24 - July 7, 2019, Vol 23, No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Butuan welcomes new bishop


NEWLY ordained and installed and more than 100 priests and the
Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla religious also attended the event.
celebrated his first Mass in Butuan In his homily, Cardinal Tagle
on June 25 announcing himself as reminded the new bishop that
both a father and servant in the “there’s only one brand of
diocese. shepherding that you can give to
The around two-hour service at Jesus’ flock”.
St. Joseph Cathedral was the first “Jesus said ‘follow me’. But how
and among the celebrations to get can you follow Him if you forget
Almedilla acquainted with his new that you are also a sheep, you are
flock. part of the flock,” Tagle said.
More than 3,000 gathered at the “And as a sheep, learning the
cathedral to meet the man who shepherding love of Jesus then
will serve as the third bishop of follow Him, give the flock the
the diocese in the southern region caring, the tending that Jesus gives
of Mindanao. to to you,” he added.
“I come to you not as a bishop Pope Francis appointed Almedilla
but more as a father who cares, a to head the Butuan diocese on
servant who is willing to work with March 25, taking the post that was
you all,” Almedilla said. vacated by Bishop Juan de Dios
The 59-year-old prelate admitted Pueblos who died in October 2017.
he was afraid of his new task, Born in San Miguel, in Bohol,
adding that never in his wildest Almedilla was ordained a priest
dream that he would become a for the Diocese of Talibon in 1987.
bishop. He used to be spiritual director
He said that his whole desire was at the John XXII College Seminary
just to be an ordinary member of and director of the Holy Child
the presbyterate and to serve the Academy in Bohol, and chaplain
people. Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla waves to the crowd after his episcopal ordination and installation as the new bishop of Butuan at the St. Joseph Cathedral at the Asian Hospital and Medical
Bishop Almedilla has chosen for June 25. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOL DULTRA Center in Muntinlupa City.
his episcopal motto a phrase from Since 2015 until his appointment
the Gospel of St. John: “Pasce oves His sheep here in the diocese of watch online. Malaybalay and Daniel Parcon of as bishop, Almedilla, who is known
Meas” (Tend my sheep). Butuan,” he said. The principal consecrator was Talibon. for promoting the Basic Ecclesial
“I did chose to listen and obey The service was streamed on the Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Papal nuncio Archbishop Community movement, has been
His call for greater task and internet with schools and parishes Cagayan de oro. Co-consecrators Gabrielle Caccia, Cardinal Luis assistant pastoral director of the
service and that is to take care or throughout the diocese able to were Bishops Jose Cabantan of Antonio Tagle of Manila, 21 bishops Talibon diocese. (CBCPNews)

NHCP turns over restored Former Baguio Bishop Cenzon dies at 80


Bulacan’s oldest church RETIRED Bishop Carlito Immaculate Heart of

to diocese Cenzon of Baguio passed


away at the age of 80.
The prelate died
Mary (CICM).
“The Diocese of Baguio
is one in prayer with the
due to an illness at CICM community in
3:37 p.m. on June 26 this hour of sadness,”
at St. Lukes Hospital Bendico said.
in Quezon City, said Cenzon retired from
Bishop Victor Bendico the pastoral governance
of Baguio said. of the Baguio diocese in
Cenzon served as 2016 at the age of 77.
bishop for nearly 27 years. At the Catholic
He was first appointed in Bishops’ Conference of
1992 as Vicar Apostolic of the Philippines, among
Tabuk. the posts he served
In January 2002, include as chairman
he was named Vicar of the Commission on
Apostolic of Baguio and Mutual Relations.
two years later became its He also served
bishop when Baguio was as member of the
elevated into a diocese. Commission on
Cenzon was ordained Indigenous Peoples and
The newly restored Saint John the Baptist Church in Calumpit, Bulacan. COURTESY OF priest in 1965 for the Commission on Mission.
FR. JOSE LUIS DR PEREZ Congregation of the (CBCPNews) Bishop Emeritus Carlito Cenzon of Baguio, 1939-2019.

THE National Historical the structure’s unique portal


Commission of the
Philippines turned over the
murals featuring, according
to its architectural profile,
JesCom, JMM pay tribute to Jesuit Music with “Ginintuan”
newly restored centuries-old the life of St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist Church and the Baptism of Jesus.
to the Diocese of Malolos. Bishop Ongtioco assured
The June 24 ceremony, the diocese’s continued
which included the unveiling collaboration with cultural
of a marker, was part of agencies and organizations to
NHCP’s project to restore preserve much of Bulacan’s
Bulacan’s first and oldest cultural heritage.
church, located in Calumpit Among the other churches
town. in Bulacan identified
The event was highlighted as heritage structures
with a Mass presided over are Nuestra Señora de la
by Bishop Honesto Ongtioco Asuncion Parish in Bulakan,
of Cubao and apostolic San Francisco de Asis Parish
administrator of Malolos. in Meycauayan City; St.
NHCP Executive Director James the Apostle Parish in
Ludovico Badoy stressed Plaridel; St. Monica Parish in
the need to take care of the Angat, San Isidro Labrador
country’s historical items and Parish in Pulilan, and La
places “as part of our cultural Purisima Concepcion Parish
heritage”. in Sta. Maria.
“It is a blessing that the The turnover was held as
Church of Calumpit, a the community culminated
historic church is seen as an its month-long preparations
inheritance to the people that for the town fiesta. JESUIT Communications Foundation freshman by the name of Manoling and community choirs Tinig Barangka
cannot be replaced,” Badoy On June 23, thousands (JesCom) and Jesuit Music Ministry Francisco would collaborate with and Pansol Choir. Other noteworthy
said. of devotees joined the (JMM) proudly celebrate the rich the legendary teacher Dr. Onofre JMM artists scheduled to perform are
Started in 2015, the “Libad Festival,” honoring musical tradition of the Philippine Pagsanghan and produce the timeless Jay Gomez, Toto Sorioso, and soprano
restoration efforts include St. John the Baptist and Province of the Society of Jesus, in hymns “Mariang Ina Ko” and “Hindi Lara Maigue.
the retrofitting and adding highlighted by the traditional its upcoming concert, “Ginintuan”: Kita Malilimutan”. Alongside his best Also gracing the event are outstanding
structural support to the fluvial procession along Celebrating Fifty (50) Years of Jesuit friends Jandi Arboleda and Norman musical artists Bituin Escalante and
facade and belfry of the the river. (Kendrick Music”, on July 13 at the Henry Lee Irwin Agatep, Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ Noel Cabangon, together with the
church, which was declared Ivan Panganiban and Theater, Ateneo de Manila University. would form the acclaimed Bukas Palad evening’s special guest, His Excellency
a diocesan shrine in 2013. Mye Christle Rañola/ The landmark celebration honors Music Ministry. Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle.
The project also refined CBCPNews) the enduring legacy of the late Fr. Following other notable compositions “Ginintuan: Celebrating 50 Years
Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, whose such as Fr. Charlie Cenzon, SJ’s “Awit of Jesuit Music” also aims to generate
compositions in the vernacular, Ng Paghahangad”, Fr. Jboy Gonzales funds for the rehabilitation project of
dating back to the late 1960’s, soon SJ’s “Panunumpa” and Fr. Arnel Aquino JMM’s recording studio.
became heralded as classics of Filipino SJ’s “Pagsibol” and “Ito Ang Araw”, As it faces the challenging yet exciting
liturgical music: “Ama Namin”, Ang Himig Heswita experienced newfound possibilities of the present digital age,
Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri (Magnificat)” growth, together with Bukas Palad it is indeed with the help, kindness
and “Pananagutan”. and Hangad. JMM then continued its and generosity from its ardent fans
Throughout the era of social progress into the New Millennium with and followers that JMM can continue
upheaval that witnessed Martial Law Lauds, Vespers and Matins’ meditative to produce its brand of meditative and
and the People Power Revolution, music, and the vibrant, youthful sound reflective music that uplifts the soul for
Jesuit Music continued to thrive with of One Praise. the years to come.
the release of Himig Heswita, where Joining in “Ginintuan’s” festive Tickets for “Ginintuan: Celebrating
Jesuit composers Fr. Nemy Que, Fr. commemoration of half a century of 50 Years of Jesuit Music” are available
Fruto Ramirez, and Fr. Danny Isidro, truly inspiring talent and creativity are at Tanging Yaman outlets at Sonolux
all worked hand in hand with the JMM’s multi-awarded music ministries, Building and SM Megamall. For
beloved Fr. Hontiveros. Bukas Palad, Hangad, Himig Heswita, inquiries, please call 426-5971 local 113
Later, an Ateneo High School Koro Ilustrado, and Musica Chiesa; or text 0908 886 8447. (CBCPNews)
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

Pope Francis celebrates Mass marking the feast of Corpus Christi at Santa Maria Consolatrice parish in Rome June 23, 2019. VATICAN MEDIA

‘Whatever we have can bear


fruit if we give it away’
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ;
Church of Santa Maria Consolatrice, June 23, 2019
TODAY, God’s word helps us to appreciate come to Mass, certain that we will be blessed of sharing.  Surprisingly, the account of the or small. The Lord does great things with our
more deeply two verbs that are simple, yet by the Lord, and we leave in order to bless multiplication of the loaves does not mention littleness, as he did with the five loaves.  He
essential for daily life: to speak and to give. others in turn, to be channels of goodness in the multiplication itself.  On the contrary, does not work spectacular miracles or
To speak.  In the first reading, Melchizedek the world. the words that stand out are: “break”, “give” wave a magic wand; he works with simple
says: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High… This is also true for us: it is important for us and “distribute” (cf.  Lk  9:16).  In effect, the things.  God’s omnipotence is lowly, made up
and  blessed  be God Most High” (Gen14:19- pastors to keep blessing God’s people.  Dear emphasis is not on the multiplication but of love alone.  And love can accomplish great
20).  For Melchizedek, to speak is to bless.  He priests, do not be afraid to give a blessing, to the act of sharing.  This is important.  Jesus things with little.  The Eucharist teaches us
blesses Abraham, in whom all the families of bless the People of God.  Dear priests, continue does not perform a magic trick; he does not this: for there we find God himself contained
the earth will be blessed (cf. Gen12:3; Gal 3:8).  to bless: the Lord wants to bless his people; change five loaves into five thousand and in a piece of bread.  Simple, essential, bread
Everything begins with blessing: words of he is happy to make us feel his affection for then to announce: “There! Distribute them!”  broken and shared, the Eucharist we receive
goodness create a history of goodness.  The us.  Only as those who are themselves blessed, No.  Jesus first prays, then blesses the five allows us to see things as God does.  It
same thing happens in the Gospel: before can we in turn bless others with that same loaves and begins to break them, trusting in inspires us to give ourselves to others.  It is
multiplying the loaves, Jesus blesses them: anointing of love.   It is sad to think of how the Father.  And those five loaves never run the antidote to the mindset that says: “Sorry,
“Taking the five loaves, he looked up to heaven easily people today do the opposite: they curse, out.  This is no magic trick; it is an act of trust that is not my problem”, or: “I have no time, I
and blessed and broke them, and gave them despise and insult others.   In the general in God and his providence. can’t help you, it’s none of my business”.  Or
to the disciples” (Lk 9:16).  A blessing turns frenzy, we lose control and vent our rage on In the world, we are always trying to that looks the other way…
five loaves into food enough for a great crowd: everything and everyone.   Sadly, those who increase our profits, to raise our income.  In our city that hungers for love and
the blessing releases a cascade of goodness. shout most and loudest, those angriest, often But why?  Is it to give, or to have?  To share care, that suffers from decay and neglect,
Why is it good to bless?  Because it turns appeal to others and persuade them.  Let us or to accumulate?  The “economy” of the that contains so many elderly people living
a word into a gift. When we bless, we are avoid being infected by that arrogance; let us Gospel multiplies through sharing, nourishes alone, families in difficulty, young people
not doing something for ourselves, but for not let ourselves be overcome by bitterness, for through distributing.  It does not sate the struggling to earn their bread and to realize
others.   Blessing is not about saying nice we eat the Bread that contains all sweetness greed of a few, but gives life to the world their dreams, the Lord says to each one of you:
words or trite phrases.  No, it is about speaking within it.  God’s people love to praise, not (cf. Jn 6:33).  The verb Jesus uses is not to “You yourself give them something to eat”. 
goodness, speaking with love.   That is what complain; we were created to bless, not have but to give. You may answer: “But I have so little; I am
Melchizedek did, when he spontaneously grumble.   In the presence of the Eucharist, He tells his disciples straight out: not up to such things”.  That is not true; your
blessed Abram, who had not said or done Jesus who becomes bread, this simple bread “You give them something to eat” (Lk 9:13).  “little” has great value in the eyes of Jesus,
anything for him.  Jesus did the same thing, that contains the entire reality of the Church, We can imagine the thoughts that went provided that you don’t keep it to yourself, but
and he showed what the blessing meant by let us learn to bless all that we have, to praise through their minds: “We don’t have enough put it in play.  Put yourself in play!  You are
freely distributing the loaves.   How many God, to bless and not curse all that has led bread for ourselves, and now we are supposed not alone, for you have the Eucharist, bread
times too, have we been blessed, in church us to this moment, and to speak words of to think about others?  Why do we have to for the journey, the bread of Jesus.  Tonight
or in our homes?  How many times have we encouragement to others. give them something to eat, if they came to too, we will be nourished by his body given
received words of encouragement, or a sign of The second verb is to give.  “Speaking” is hear our Teacher?  If they didn’t bring their up for us.  If we receive it into our hearts,
the cross on our forehead?  We were blessed thus followed by “giving”.  This was the case own food, let them go back home, it’s their this bread will release in us the power of
on the day of our baptism, and we are blessed with Abraham who, after being blessed by problem; or else give us some money to buy love.  We will feel blessed and loved, and we
at the end of every Mass.   The Eucharist is Melchizedek, “gave him a tenth of everything” food”.  This way of thinking is not wrong, will want to bless and love in turn, beginning
itself a school of blessing.  God blesses us, his (Gen 14:20).  It was the case, too, with Jesus but it isn’t the way Jesus thinks.  He will here, in our city, in the streets where we will
beloved children, and thus encourages us to who after reciting the blessing, gave the loaves have none of it: “You give them something to process this evening.  The Lord comes to our
keep going.  And we, in turn, bless God in our to be distributed among the crowd.  This tells eat”.  Whatever we have can bear fruit if we streets in order to speak a blessing for us and
assemblies (cf. Ps 68:26), rediscovering the joy us something very beautiful.  Bread is not give it away—that is what Jesus wants to tell to give us courage.  And he asks that we too
of praise that liberates and heals the heart.  We only something to be consumed; it is a means us—and it does not matter whether it is great be blessing and gift for others.
B2 FEATURE June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Sexual misconduct of some priests:


Plugging the procedural gaps
(Part IV)
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.

IN the preceding Parts of this long article,


we had reviewed the pertinent legislation
regarding the handling of cases of sexual
misconduct by clerics, specifically through the
following documents:
1st The M.P. Sacramentorum Sanctitatis
Tutela (SST), issued by Pope John Paul II on
30.IV.2001, which first mentioned the crime
of sexual misconduct by clerics as among the
so-called delicta graviora (“most serious
crimes”)—together with crimes against the
faith, against the Holy Eucharist, against the
Sacrament of Penance, and the attempted
ordination of women—and established the
norms for their investigation and punishment.
2nd The Normae de Gravioribus Delictis
(“Norms on the Most Serious Crimes”), issued
by Pope Benedict XVI in May 2010, updated
the provisions of the previous document and
added extensive procedural norms for the
investigation of allegations of sexual abuse
of minors.
3 rd T h e M . P . C o m e u n a M a d r e
Amorevole (“As a Loving Mother”), issued
by Pope Francis and coming into force on
5.IX.2016, put the burden—for making sure
that such cases are brought to the attention of
the Holy See for proper prosecution—squarely
on the shoulders of the local Ordinaries, under
pain of removal from office.
4th The latest M.P. Vos estis lux Mundi
(“You are the Light of the World”) was also
issued by Pope Francis and entered into force
last 1.VI.2019. At the face of the failure of
the previous legislation to quell the tide of
scandals of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated
by clerics, due to the seeming negligence
to address such allegations on the part of
ecclesiastical authorities, and of late even
perpetrated by such authorities themselves, it
attempts to fill the remaining two lacunae legis
regarding the matter: (1) the proper reception
of reports of sexual abuse by clerics and
members of institutes of consecrated life or
societies of apostolic life, and (2) the handling
of cases where the local Ordinaries and their
equivalents are the alleged perpetrators, with Clerical sex abuse survivors and their supporters rally outside Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome Feb. 21, 2019. PAUL HARING/CNS
detailed norms approved ad experimentum
for three years. c. Whenever a cleric or a member of an - the Congregation for Bishops; by the competent Dicastery. Unless there
Institute of Consecrated Life or of a Society of - the Congregation for the Evangelization are further instructions from the competent
A. General Provisions Apostolic Life has notice of, or well-founded of Peoples; Dicastery, the faculties of the Metropolitan
1. Scope of application motives to believe that, one of the facts - the Congregation for the Clergy; cease once the investigation is completed.
a. Subject: Reports regarding clerics or described above—whether delicts against the - the Congregation for Institutes of
members of Institutes of Consecrated Life or 6th Commandment or actions or omission Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic 5. Duration of the investigation
Societies of Apostolic Life. by persons in authority that are prejudicial Life. 1) The investigation is to be completed
b. Object: Reports concerning: to the examination of such delicts—has within the term of ninety days or
1) Delicts against the sixth commandment occurred, that person is obliged to report the 3. Procedure applicable in the event within a term otherwise provided for by the
of the Decalogue consisting of: fact promptly to the local Ordinary where the of a report concerning a Bishop of the instructions received from the competent
a) forcing someone, by violence or threat events are said to have occurred or to another Latin Church. The M.P. goes to great detail Dicastery.
or through abuse of authority, to perform or Ordinary among those referred to in cc.134 in this matter. Among others, we can mention 2) Where there are just reasons, the
submit to sexual acts; CIC and c.984 CCEO. the following praxis established: Metropolitan may request that the competent
b) performing sexual acts with a minor or a d. Any person can submit a report 1) The Authority that receives a report Dicastery extend the term.
vulnerable person; concerning the delicts or conducts transmits it both to the Holy See and to the
c) the production, exhibition, possession described above, using the methods Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province 6. Establishment of a fund
or distribution, including by electronic mentioned above, or by any other appropriate where the person reported is domiciled. 1) Ecclesiastical Provinces, Episcopal
means, of child pornography, as well as by means. 2) If the report concerns the Metropolitan, Conferences, Synods of Bishops and Councils
the recruitment of or inducement of a minor e. When the report concerns the or the Metropolitan See is vacant, it shall of Hierarchs may create a fund, to be
or a vulnerable person to participate in local Ordinary or his equivalent, it is be forwarded to the Holy See, as well as to established and administered according to
pornographic exhibitions; addressed to the Metropolitan; and the senior suffragan Bishop by promotion, the norms of canon law, whose purpose is to
2) Conducts consisting of actions or should it concern the Metropolitan, to whom, if such is the case, the following sustain the costs of the investigations.
omissions intended to interfere with or avoid then to the Senior Suffragan Bishop. provisions regarding the Metropolitan apply. 2) At the request of the appointed
civil investigations or canonical investigations, The report can always be sent to 3) In the event that the report concerns a Metropolitan, the funds necessary for the
whether administrative or penal, against the Holy See directly or through the Papal Legate, it shall be transmitted directly purpose of the investigation are made
a cleric or a religious regarding the delicts Pontifical Representative. to the Secretariat of State. available to him by the administrator of the
against the sixth commandment of the f. Information can also be acquired  ex fund; the Metropolitan remain duty-bound
Decalogue mentioned above, carried out by: officio. 4. Duties of the Metropolitan. Again to present an account to the administrator at
a) Cardinals, Patriarchs, Bishops and   the M.P. is remarkably detailed in this matter, the conclusion of the investigation.
Legates of the Roman Pontiff; B. Provisions concerning Bishops and as shown in the following praxis established:
b) clerics who are, or who have been, the their Equivalents 1) Unless the report is manifestly 7. Compliance with state laws
pastoral heads of a particular Church or of 1. Subjective scope of application unfounded, the Metropolitan Finally, in answer to the accusations from
an entity assimilated to it, Latin or Oriental, The procedural norms referred to in this immediately requests, from the some seculars that the Church has been
including the Personal Ordinariates, for the title concern the conduct and delicts referred competent Dicastery, that he be covering up, the M.P. explicitly stipulates
acts committed durante munere; to in the General Provisions, when carried out assigned to commence the investigation. that its “norms apply without prejudice to
c) clerics who are or who have been in the by persons with power of governance, to wit: 2) The Dicastery shall proceed without the rights and obligations established in
past leaders of a Personal Prelature, for the a) Cardinals, Patriarchs, Bishops and delay, and in any case within thirty days each place by state laws, particularly those
acts committed durante munere; Legates of the Roman Pontiff; from the receipt of the first report by the concerning any reporting obligations to the
d) those who are, or who have been, supreme b) clerics who are, or who have been, the Pontifical Representative or the request for the competent civil authorities.”
moderators of Institutes of Consecrated Life pastoral heads of a particular Church or of assignment by the Metropolitan, providing the
or of Societies of Apostolic Life of Pontifical an entity assimilated to it, Latin or Oriental, appropriate instructions on how to proceed in Conclusion
right, as well as of monasteries sui iuris, with including the Personal Ordinariates, for the the specific case. We can conclude with some excerpts
respect to the acts committed durante munere. acts committed durante munere; 3) Once he has been appointed by from the introductory section of the Motu
c) clerics who are or who have been in the the competent Dicastery and acting in Proprio:
2. Reception of reports and data past leaders of a Personal Prelature, for the compliance with the instructions received, the “The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our
protection. acts committed durante munere; Metropolitan, either personally or through one Lord, cause physical, psychological and
These norms effectively plug one of the two d) those who are, or who have been, supreme or more suitable persons: spiritual damage to the victims and harm the
lacunae legis that had made all the previous moderators of Institutes of Consecrated Life or a) collects relevant information regarding community of the faithful. In order that these
legislation ineffective to a certain degree. Thus, of Societies of Apostolic Life of Pontifical right, the facts; phenomena, in all their forms, never happen
it stipulates: as well as of monasteries sui iuris, with respect b) accesses the information and documents again, a continuous and profound conversion
a. One or more public, stable to the acts committed durante munere. necessary for the purpose of the investigation of hearts is needed, attested by concrete and
and easily accessible systems for These provisions effectively plug the other kept in the archives of ecclesiastical offices; effective actions that involve everyone in the
submission of reports of sexual abuse by lacuna legis remaining, which had been c) obtains the cooperation of other Church.”
clerics and religious should be established rendering the previous legislation relatively Ordinaries or Hierarchs whenever necessary; “This responsibility falls, above all, on the
by each ecclesiastical circumscription (or ineffective—i.e., when those charged with the d) requests information from individuals successors of the Apostles, chosen by God to
groupings thereof) no later than 30 May prosecution of the delicta graviora are the and institutions, including civil institutions, be pastoral leaders of his People, and demands
2020, even through the institution of a ones guilty themselves. that from them a commitment to follow closely the
specific ecclesiastical office.  The Dioceses 4) Every thirty days, the Metropolitan path of the Divine Master.”
and the Eparchies shall inform the Pontifical 2. Competent Dicastery sends a status report on the state of “What more closely concerns the successors
Representative of the establishment of these For the purposes of this title, “competent the investigation to the competent of the Apostles concerns all those who,
systems. Dicastery” means the Congregation for the Dicastery. in various ways, assume ministries in the
b. The Ordinary who received the Doctrine of the Faith, regarding the delicts 5) Having completed the investigation, Church, or profess the evangelical counsels,
report shall transmit it without delay to reserved to it by the norms in force, as well as, the Metropolitan shall transmit the acts or are called to serve the Christian People.”
the Ordinary of the place where the events are in all other cases and as far as their respective to the competent Dicastery, together “Therefore, it is good that procedures be
said to have occurred, as well as to the Ordinary jurisdiction is concerned, based on the proper with his votum regarding the results of the universally adopted to prevent and combat
of the person reported, who proceed according law of the Roman Curia: investigation and in response to any queries these crimes that betray the trust of the
to the law provided for the specific case. - the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; contained in the instructions originally issued faithful.”
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 FEATURE B3

Addressing clerical sexual abuse:


Overcoming the dark side of leadership
By Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD culture, while compassionate,
should be intolerant of any wrong-
POPE Francis recently came out doing. They should never cover-up
with a motu propio entitled Vos the misconduct and immoral deeds
Estis Lux Mundi which provides of their fellow priests. Regular
procedure and norms in reporting periods of communal examination
and investigating clerical sexual of conscience and celebration of
abuse in the Church. The focus is on the sacrament of penance and
the responsibility of each bishop to reconciliation should be scheduled.
come up with a diocesan mechanism This can be done not only during
or system on receiving complaints clergy annual retreat but also during
and investigation of sexual abuse advent and lent.
complaints. Cover-up of such abuses The dark side which has
will also be subject to investigation. psychological origins is very difficult
Protection for whistle-blowers and to deal with and may require
victims are to be assured. professional intervention. This
As an initial step, this is laudable. means availing of counselling and
But this is not enough. More has other intensive programs that can
to be done to address the roots of help priests overcome the dark
clerical sex abuse. While many blame side. Some of the priests afflicted
clericalism and homosexuality with this dark side whose origin
among the clergy for the sexual is pathological should not have
abuse, the deeper root of sexual been accepted into the formation
abuse can be traced to the dark program or should not have been
side that seeks to dominate all of ordained. If they are not capable
us—especially those in leadership of change or therapy it would be
position. From a psychological better to dismiss them from the
perspective, the dark side is often priesthood. Those with criminal
associated with personality disorder liability should be made to account
and abnormal behavior which for their misdeeds before the civil
has roots in the unconscious. authorities.
Among the manifestations are The responsibility to deal with
narcissism, insecurity, bipolar the dark side of leadership should
disorder, obsessive compulsions, not only be left to each individual
despotic behavior, aggression, – whether the priest or the bishop.
uncontrolled anger or intermittent There should be a mechanism and
explosive disorder, addictive protocol that should be put in place
behavior, sexual abuse, etc. More at the parish and diocesan level.
often, the underlying causes of At the parish level, a feedback
such disorder is complex—some mechanism can be introduced
involving childhood psychological whereby parishioners can express
trauma, abuse, rejection, etc. their views on how the parish
Christian tradition often associates priest and parochial vicars are
the manifestation of the dark side exercising their leadership role. This
with the so-called seven deadly sins should include both appreciation
or cardinal sins: pride, greed, lust, (the bright side) and complaints
envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. (the dark side). Suggestions and
Every human being, including recommendations should also be
priests, are prone to these “capital included. Parishioners should feel
vices.” The dark side is associated free to approach their priests to give
Cardinals and bishops attend a penitential liturgy during a meeting on the protection of minors in the church at the Vatican Feb. 23, 2019. CNS/EVANDRO
with the four cravings or basic INETTI, POOL
their feedbacks. This can also be
temptations that try to dominate the done in writing. Feedbacks coming
life of each human being, especially above the law and does not have to lives. has been touched by the Word and from the faithful is important and
those in leadership position: (1) the follow or observe the law—whether Pastoral Leadership is moral / undergone conversion. He cannot the pastor should listen to them.
craving for sensual pleasure; (2) the it be the divine law or the laws of ethical leadership. Moral Leadership ask people to turn away from sin Parish pastoral council meetings
craving for material possession; (3) society. He does not respect the demands that the clergy live up to while he himself remains sinful and parish assemblies are venues to
the craving for power and influence, dignity and rights of others. He does the standards of morality. They are or fail to overcome sin within get the feedback of the parishioners.
(4) the craving for popularity, fame not listen to his conscience or has called to be exemplars or model himself. He cannot condemn the The pastoral visit is also an occasion
and glory. We can be vulnerable a dull conscience. He lacks moral of Christian moral values. When evils of corruption, immorality, for the bishop to hear from the
to one of these and even all of the compass and becomes immoral. they do not live up to this, he misconduct and injustice in society feedback of the parishioners
above. Sexual misconduct or abuse come becomes like the Pharisees that if he himself is guilty of these. He regarding their priests.
One basic temptation for a leader easy. He lacks a sense of remorse Jesus condemned. The worst cannot contribute to the renewal At the diocesan level, there should
is to gratify one’s sensual desire. The and guilt. Having a hardened heart, that could happen to a priest or of the Church and society unless also be a mechanism for the members
leader has at his disposal whatever he does not care if others suffer bishop is not just to fall into sin or he has undergone renewal himself. of the parishes to express their
he wants and he can easily indulge as a consequence of his acts and violate his vows and commitment. The bishop as the chief shepherd feedback to the bishop regarding
in addictive behavior—whether it decisions. All he cares about is It is the loss of moral conscience— of the diocese and the spiritual their priests – both positive and
be food, alcohol, gambling, drugs himself. of having a dull conscience, of father of the priests has the primary negative. These feedbacks can
or sex. Another temptation is to The temptation to succumb to the failing to acknowledge his mistakes, responsibility to promote renewal also be submitted to the diocesan
indulge in illicit sexual behavior/ dark side becomes greater in society his sinfulness—as if everything is and conversion among the clergy. personnel board. Records should be
misconduct (whether heterosexual and culture where those in position alright and there is nothing wrong While he must be patient and kept at the chancery and be made
or homosexual)—keeping a of authority and leadership are with him or his behavior. compassionate, he should not available if there are investigation to
mistress/or concubine, including placed in a pedestal. Thus, in such To overcome the dark side, one abdicate his responsibility of be made. This can be made available
abuse of minors. a societal culture, one is treated must be aware of it and acknowledge admonishing and correcting erring to the nunciature in case a priest is
A leader has access to huge amount with deference and privilege. There its existence. This requires spending priests. He does this by engaging in considered for the episcopacy.
of money. The big temptation is to is a high regard and respect for the time in solitude, silence and dialogue with them, reporting the Protocols regarding clergy sexual
use his position to accumulate leader. Leadership is a position prayerful reflection. This is a time complaints he received from the lay abuse should be implemented. But
wealth and material possessions. of power. He is above the rest. spent for examination one’s life people and fellow priests including this should be widened to include
The dark side of leadership becomes Everybody looks up to him and bow and conscience. This should be his own observation and getting financial mismanagement and
evident when this becomes his to him and kisses his hand or ring (if done regularly and be part of the their side. He should not tolerate other forms of abuse of authority.
main motivation. His heart is full of he is a bishop) and address him with rhythm of one’s life. This is a time any misconduct and scandal among A thorough investigation should
greed and avarice. He needs more honorific titles which can reinforce for introspection—to examine the his priests. Sanctions should be be made to check the veracity
to maintain a luxurious lifestyle—a this superiority complex. Feeling lights and the shadows of one’s used when the erring priest remains of the complaints. Appropriate
palatial home, the latest fleet of powerful, the leader feels that he is exercise of leadership. This is the incorrigible and unrepentant. intervention should be made and
cars, clothes, gadgets, etc. This is above the law and can do anything time to see the ulterior motives In order to be credible and above sanctions applied.
also necessary to maintain his vices he likes—including committing behind his deeds and behavior. The reproach, the bishop himself must The feedback mechanism should
and addiction – to drugs, alcohol, sexual abuse. question that one must constantly constantly examine his own life, his also be applied to the bishop. The
gambling, sex or in seducing minors. Unfortunately, there have been ask is: “Which temptation am I behavior and actuations. The bishop priests, religious and the faithful
When a person occupies a position periods in the history of the Church most vulnerable to? How far have I is not immune to the dark side. He should also be able to express their
of authority and leadership, he often when the dark side dominated succumbed to the temptation of the can also, God forbid, be dominated positive appreciation as well as their
feels powerful. Traditionally, this those who occupied positions dark side?” Acknowledging that one by the drive for sensual pleasure, complaints to the bishop. Without
power is associated with the capacity of leadership – priests, bishops, is a sinner and that he has allowed material possession and wealth, this, the bishop may feel that he is
to impose his will and dominate cardinals and even popes. This himself to be dominated by the dark power and prestige. The shepherd doing very well and fail to see that
others. He makes decisions and was prevalent in the middle-ages side is the first step. There is a need himself can also get lost. That is why he has already succumbed to the
expects to be obeyed. He can and renaissance period. Although to recognize and struggle against he himself needs to be aware of his temptation of the dark side. He
threaten and coerce others to do nowadays the Church no longer one’s personal demons. own weaknesses and sinfulness and must be able to accept both praise
his bidding, to demand respect and has temporal power and less This requires going through a his need for personal conversion and criticism. Failure to listen can
even fear. He can even have the wealth, the dark side can still process of conversion (metanoia)— and redemption. lead to a crisis of leadership and
power of life and death over others. dominate some members of the conversion to Christ—the center Correcting erring priests should loss of credibility. It will be very
This power comes with perks and clergy – including bishops and of his life, a moral conversion—a not only be the responsibility of difficult for him to lead a diocese
privileges. He has at his disposal cardinals. The Church is weakened change of how he behaves and how the bishop. The presbyterium, the when the clergy and faithful turn
the wealth and resources that comes not by the external enemies or he lives. This means striving to collegial body of the priests in the against him. When this happens the
with the office. Power tends to be despots who seek to destroy her. become the best version of himself. diocese, must also be engaged in only recourse for them is to appeal
aphrodisiac. Sexual abuse can be The leaders who are dominated by Acknowledging that he is a sinner, fraternal correction. Priests should to a higher authority to whom
an assertion of power. It is an abuse the dark side are the ones who are he strives to be a saint. From being be able to mutually affirm and the bishop is accountable. In the
of power. doing more damage. a hireling, he strives to become a appreciate the good things that they past, the Church has been wracked
The dark side is part of the fallen, Immoral behavior by the clergy good shepherd. are doing and to admonish those with scandal and weakened due
sinful nature of human beings. At creates a credibility gap. The priest If the dark side has deep who fail to live up to the ideals of to her leaders who have been
the core of all these is selfishness, or bishop loses credibility, trust psychological roots, the priest must the priesthood whether informally dominated by the dark side. This
greed and pride. The dark side and respect when people perceive not hesitate to avail of professional or formally – during meetings should never be allowed to happen
is associated with ignoring or him as selfish, greedy, power- help. This means going to a psycho- and recollections. There is a need again. Ultimately, the only way to
breaking God’s commandment and hungry, materialistic, ego-driven. therapist or to a center that can help to develop a corporate culture overcome the dark side of leadership
falling into sin. When he does this, When those he ministers to do not him in facing and overcoming his among the clergy where everyone is to live in the light, to undergo a
the leader makes himself a god – believe in him, do not trust him, dark side. There are already such is encouraged and inspired to constant process of conversion
failing to recognize that he is only and do not respect him, he can no renewal centers that is designed for live up to the high standards of and to become humble, loving,
a creature and there is someone longer minister effectively. All his clergy and religious. the priesthood and those whose compassionate good shepherds
greater than himself to whom he preaching will be in vain because One cannot preach and call behavior is inappropriate or sinful and servant-leaders, following the
is accountable. He thinks that he is what he says is opposite to how he people to conversion unless he can be corrected. Such clerical example of Jesus.
B4 FEATURE June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Trinity of grace, love,


and communion
By Bishop Ambo David

I STARTED my homily today with the sign of contrary to God’s holiness. Does the sign of the
the cross. Without gesturing, I said, “In the cross have the same value when performed by
name of the Father and of the Son and of the a thief who is about to steal, or a criminal who
Holy Spirit. AMEN.” Almost automatically, ev- is about to commit murder, or a terrorist who
erybody in the congregation made the gesture is about to detonate a bomb that will hurt a
of the sign of the Cross. I said, “I wasn’t really whole crowd of people? It is blasphemy. It is
asking you to make the gesture of the sign of as blasphemous as an Abu Sayyaf member who
the cross. I just wanted to invoke the name of cries “Allah hu ‘akbar!” (God is great!) before
God for us Catholics, whom we celebrate today cutting the throat of his captive because no
as a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I ransom money had been delivered.
wanted to make you a bit more aware that the After starting with an invitation to make the
sign of the cross is actually the sign of the Trin- sign of the cross invoking the name of God,
ity. But I do understand that for us, Catholics, the priest opens with a greeting that is also
it is almost automatic to sign ourselves with Trinitarian. He says, “The GRACE of our Lord
the familiar gesture, pointing at our forehead Jesus Christ, and the LOVE of the Father, and
for the Father, at our heart for the Son, and the COMMUNION of the Holy Spirit be with
at left and right shoulders for the Holy Spirit. you!” Take note that, unlike in the sign of the
Often we’re not even conscious of what we do cross, in the priest’s opening greeting, the
anymore. I see jeepney drivers and passers-by Son comes first, the Father second, and the
making the sign of the cross as they pass by the Spirit last. How come? It is because it is the
Church. I see people performing the gesture Son who has revealed to us the essence of the
before eating, before sleeping, before a meet- LOVE of the Father. This love is unconditional.
ing, or even before darting off for a marathon. It is not being given as a reward for our good
Even boxers do it in the boxing ring; someone deeds. It is only through Jesus, the Son, that
we all know very well in the Philippines used to we have been made fully aware of that. The
do it before each fight. We all know, of course, Gospel, from John chapter 3, says, “For God
that he has stopped doing it. Perhaps it was so LOVED the world, he gave us his only Son
because he did not really know what it was for, so that all who believe might not perish but
in the first place. Perhaps his newfound fellows might have eternal life.” In short, the essence
in the evangelical Church had dissuaded him of God consists in giving life, not in punish-
from doing it because it had every semblance ing or condemning. This is not so clear yet
of a superstitious gesture, something like a for people who promote a fearful, a wrathful,
lucky charm. I do not blame him for not doing a vengeful God--who rewards only the righ-
it anymore. I’ve also felt a bit queasy myself, teous and punishes the sinners. Because we
seeing him and his Mexican Catholic contend- all have the tendency to sin, we are afraid of
ers both making the same sign of the cross, God. In fact, it is a value to be “God-fearing”,
and then beating each other up violently. It even when we know that what the Bible means
does indeed have the semblance of blasphemy by fear of God is really “reverential fear”, not
against the name of God, which that sign “fear in the sense of terror”. What the New
represents.” Testament emphasizes is LOVE, not FEAR. In
I invite you, dear fellow Catholic Christians, fact, the epistle of John says, “Perfect LOVE
to restore that beautiful sign to its original casts out all fear.”
sense and meaning. We do it precisely to con- The Son is associated with GRACE (“The
secrate ourselves, our bodies, our activities, GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ...”) because
our food, our every endeavor, in God’s name. He reveals to us the Father as a God whose
And so we say, “in the name of the Father, desire is to save, not to condemn. “God sent Finally, why do we associate the Holy Spirit can always unite with people of good will, and
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The His Son into the world not to condemn the with COMMUNION? Because it is the com- transcend cultural, racial, linguistic, political,
gesture is in fact already a complete prayer in world but to save it.” No wonder the Son was munion of the Father and the Son that makes and religious differences. We’re not Catholic if
itself. When we do it before partaking of our named JESUS, from the Hebrew YESHUA, it possible for us to be bestowed or gifted with we can have communion only with people of
food, we’re already saying, “We partake of this which is a shorter version for YEHOSHUA the Spirit. Communion is spiritual union or our own faith and beliefs. We’re in fact forfeit-
food in God’s holy name.” That is why it makes (Joshua) and YESHAYAHU (Isaiah), which solidarity; it is that which enables us to enter ing our catholicity if we believe that salvation
sense why all our liturgies begin with it. We basically means “Yahweh saves”. We are never into fellowship with one another. Communion is exclusively only for us. To be catholic is to
engage in acts of worship in the name of God. to associate God with damnation, but rather is what makes community possible. And we believe that God intends the salvation of all
But does not the Lord’s Prayer say we must with salvation! As St. Paul eloquently declares can become truly human, strong, noble and humankind. We are not being truly “catholic”
“hallow God’s Name”? Yes, hallow (as in hal- in Romans 8: “Who will condemn us?” It beautiful only when we become community, if we cannot be instruments of peace, unity,
loween), which means “keep holy” or conse- couldn’t be the Father, could it? Remember when we build community. I do not mean only and harmony.
crate. But if the activity is meant to destroy, or how the Father “did not spare his own Son but the community in the sense of Church or unity On this Feast Day of the Holy Trinity, let us
defraud, or to commit violence against another handed him over for us all!” It could not be the among those who profess Christ. A Christian is remind ourselves that the sign of the Cross
person, how can it hallow God’s Name? It Son either, could it? “It is Christ who died for always an agent of UNITY and COMMUNITY is the sign of the Trinity. That this beautiful
does the opposite, doesn’t it? It blasphemes us... and who intercedes for us!” Paul ends by in the world. Religion is not the only basis gesture is a prayer. That this sign means we
God’s Name. confidently saying, “Nothing can separate us of unity and community. If we cannot unite consecrate our lives, our actions, our food, in
For Jesus, we’re like orphans who have been from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” and build community with people because of the holy name of God, who is GRACE, LOVE,
adopted and given “God’s name”. God has And so we understand why we associate the religious differences, we can always explore and COMMUNION.
called us to be members of his family. And Son with GRACE. He is the ultimate expression other grounds for unity. We can unite around If we hallow ourselves in the name of God
so he gives us His Holy Name. We have the of the LOVE of the Father that is bestowed on a common purpose, such as for the common who is Trinity, it means we commit ourselves
duty and responsibility never to dishonor this us through the Son who died for us “while we good, for the good of the environment, for the to becoming agents of GRACE, LOVE, AND
name, never to invoke it in activities that are were yet sinners.” GRACE is unmerited LOVE. protection of the weak and the vulnerable. We COMMUNION in this world. AMEN?

Yes Virginia, Jesus told jokes too


By Bishop Ambo David

I call this joke of Jesus a clever, albeit a tend to seek God in the theatrics of life, only
rather morbid one too, because it is supposed to find that He is easier to find in silence? It
to make a person think after being induced to was in prayer that Elijah encountered the God
laugh about it. There is a catch in His statement he sought, who alone could heal him and
that makes one realize the ridiculousness of give new strength to his troubled soul. If one
the solution: the purported problem. Cut if off, allows God to rebuild his soul, the rest of the
IF IT CAUSES YOU TO SIN. But can my body body follows.
parts really cause me to sin? Is it the hand that Today happens to be also the feast of one
steals that is to be blamed for the stealing? Is of the greatest Franciscan saints in history:
it not, rather the mind or the will that moves St Anthony of Padua, a great teacher and
the hand to carry out a sinful act? preacher whom people nowadays know better
Why will i cut it off if it’s not what really as an intercessor for finding lost objects. St
causes me to sin? It is the same principle with Anthony was sought out by many people with
stealing, isn’t it? Have you ever wondered a broken spirit, people in his time who felt lost
why the need for a tenth commandment but found themselves again because his words
about not coveting one’s neighbors’ goods led them to God. He was like the angel who
if there’s already a seventh commandment awoke and fed Elijah and made him endure
about not stealing? Or why the need for a the desert journey so that he could climb
ninth commandment about not coveting God’s mountain and encounter God in a still
one’s neighbor’s wife if there’s already a voice. Anthony led many lost souls to God
sixth commandment prohibiting adultery? through his own gentle voice and demeanor.
Because the root causes for both stealing and Thousands, we are told, flocked to him. His
adultery are not our body parts but the human inspiring thoughts on the Scriptures led them
I COULDN’T help but laugh at the things Jesus person asks for an explanation, it only means
spirit. And we do not refer to the human will home like lost sheep found and brought back
says in today’s (Fri June 10) Gospel, Matthew s/he didn’t get it. I wonder how many of Jesus’ as a body part even if we often represent it to the fold by the Good Shepherd.
5, 27-32. And I am inclined to believe, even as sayings were actually told as jokes, but which figuratively with “the heart”. Now I understand why Anthony became
a Bible scholar, that Jesus meant it as a joke. we no longer find funny because we’re so We all know how a broken spirit can affect known as patron of the lost. Before we think
What will you do with your hand, your eye or far removed already from his linguistic and us physically. Like Elijah in the first reading of him as intercessor for finding lost objects
your foot, if it “causes you to sin”? Get rid of semantic world? who was so depressed he wanted to sleep we should think of him, first and foremost
it! I call this one of Jesus’ clever jokes that was What is funny about the morbid idea and not wake up again. Queen Jezebel had as a patron of lost souls, of people with a
most probably intended not just to make his of plucking out one’s eye or chopping off just murdered all the prophets of Israel. broken heart, of people with a drooping spirit.
audience laugh but also to make them think. one’s hand or one’s foot? Nothing but Elijah knew that he too could get arrested Almost always, these are people who lose
I imagine him saying it tongue-in-cheek. He the ridiculousness of it all, and its being and executed, any moment. Surely his body a sense of direction halfway through their
rubs it in precisely to draw a reaction that purposively ludicrous. Who in his right mind refused to carry on. But the angel had kept journey through life, because of their adult
could be the start of a serious reflection. would do such a thing?! waking him up and prodding him to go on with preoccupations with what the Little Prince
Imagine how people would react to our Jesus has just spoken about the relationship his journey to the holy mountain. calls “matters of consequence”. No wonder St
Pinoy jokes two thousand years from now. between lust and adultery. Surely his male There he seeks God, who alone can revive Anthony’s image always goes with the child
They’d probably not even be able to guess audience has already included in the list of his drooping spirit. He would find him, not Jesus. He has no other mission than to lead
that they were meant as jokes. Jokes, like prospective body parts to be cut off that part in the wind, or in the earthquake, or in the us back to Jesus, and through Jesus, to allow
parables, do not have to be explained. If the of their anatomy that is often activated by lust. fire, but rather in a still voice. Don’t we also us to rediscover the childhood that we’ve lost.
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 STATEMENTS B5

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis


for the First Online Bullying Conference
Organized by WeZum, the International youth observatory of the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, June 21, 2019
DEAR young people of Scholas:

It is a pleasure to talk to you. I know all about


what you are doing, that is a big job, a great
effort that each of you put in to organize these
meetings.
An issue that concerns me a lot is that each
one of you should find your own identity, and
without the need to diminish or obscure the
identity of others. Finding your own identity
is a path, it is a path of dialogue, it is a path of
reflection, it is an inner path.
And a very easy way not to do it in the right
way is to attack or diminish the identity of
others. Here bullying is born. Bullying is
a phenomenon of self-compensation, self-
assessment, not of finding myself, but of
decreasing the other to feel better. It means
learning to look from top to bottom, and badly.
Do not forget that it is only legitimate for one
person to look at another downwards, from
above, do you know when?
When helping them to get up. Any other
way of looking from above downwards is not
legitimate. And when it occurs in youth groups,
in schools, in neighborhoods, wherever, in
these expressions of aggression, bullying,
you see the poverty of the identity of the
person who attacks, who needs to attack in
order to feel that he or she is a person. In
the pharmacy do not sell remedies against
bullying, laboratories have not yet achieved
the formula. Meanwhile, what to do? The only Pope Francis passes youths holding cell phones as he arrives for a meeting of the international network “Scholas Occurentes” at the Vatican May 11, 2018. CNS/VATICAN MEDIA
way is to share, to live together, to dialogue,
to listen to the other, to take time to walk good to give to the other, each one of us We are journeyers, all equal; we all walk, all will then be strong, and that same strong
together, to take time because it is time that needs to receive something good from the different, but all in harmony. Declare war on peace will let you discover your own dignity,
makes the relationship. Do not be afraid to other. Dialogue, the dialogue that makes us bullying, because it diminishes dignity, and your own dignity. May God bless you, and
dialogue: each of us has something to give equal, not in identity—we all have different stand up for dialogue; walking together, with go ahead, do not be afraid of dialogue, it is
to the other. Each one of us has something identities—makes us equal along the way. patience of listening to the other. The peace worthwhile.

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Director General of the FAO
for the inauguration of the United Nations decade of Family Farming
relationships in which we learn to live with Lastly, the food crisis in underdeveloped to the assault of the technocratic paradigm”
others and in harmony with the world countries and the grave economic and financial (cf.  Laudato Si’, 111). The transmission of
around us. It thus represents a fertile ground crisis in developed countries have prompted these values, embedded in the family, can
and a model for conducting a sustainable renewed efforts in various parts of the world to shape the life of local communities and
agriculture, with beneficial effects not only make farming not only a means of employment, international life itself.
for the farming sector, but also for mankind but also of development for individuals and Mr Director General: this opportunity to
as a whole and for the protection of the communities. The employment of young reflect on and to promote family farming as
environment. In this sense, the family can people in agriculture, in addition to combatting part of the effort to eliminate hunger also
help us appreciate the interconnection of unemployment, can bring new energies to provides an incentive for an increased societal
humanity, creation and agriculture. a sector that is proving to be of strategic awareness of the needs of our brothers and
Family life also exemplifies the principle of importance to the national interests of many sisters lacking the basic necessities of life. To
subsidiarity, which, as a means of regulating countries. The goals of the 2030 Agenda cannot this end, there is a need to provide peoples
human relationships, is capable of shaping ignore the contribution of young people and with a suitable structure that can help set
the social order. Through an appropriate their capacity for innovation. them free from hunger. This will be possible
subsidiarity, public authorities—from the local It is important to reassess educational only as a result of joint efforts, carried out
level to the broadest international level—can systems, so that they can better respond to in a spirit of willingness and determination,
work together with families to develop rural the needs of the agricultural sector and thus and guided by an approach that takes into
areas, without overlooking the goal of the help integrate young people in the labour consideration fundamental human rights
TO Professor José Graziano da SilvaDirector common good and by giving priority to people market. The interests and talents shown and intergenerational solidarity as the basis
General of the Food and Agricultural in situations of greatest need. by young people in the field of agriculture of sustainability. These actions will be vital
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) In this “subsidiarity from below”, which should be encouraged by suitable educational for attaining, also through family farming,
  helps us to be attentive and considerate to our opportunities and economic policies capable the objective laid down by the second of
Mr. Director General, neighbours, we can see how family farming calls of providing them with the necessary tools the Sustainable Development Goals.
I am writing to you on this, the opening for the specific contribution of the feminine to put their abilities to good use and thus to May the Lord bless the efforts and activities
day of the United Nations Decade of Family genius, so necessary in every expression become agents of change and development of the Representatives of the nations accredited
Farming (2019-2028), an initiative aimed of the life of society (cf.  Compendium of for their communities, with a view to an to the FAO, of all those associated with this
at reaching the Zero Hunger 2030 target the Social Doctrine of the Church, 295). integrated ecology. Educational systems need Organization and of all who contribute to the
and attaining the second of the Sustainable Especially in developing countries, women to pass from simply conveying knowledge realization of this initiative at the service of
Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda: make a significant contribution to agricultural to fostering that ecological culture which our greater human family.
“End hunger, achieve food security and activity. They play a role in all the stages of necessarily includes “a distinctive way of
improved nutrition and promote sustainable food production from sowing to harvesting, looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, From the Vatican, 29 May 2019
agriculture”. in the management and care of livestock, and an educational programme, a lifestyle and a  
The family consists of a network of even in more demanding forms of labour. spirituality which together generate resistance FRANCIS

Environmental advocacy statement


WE are living at a time of ecological attract legitimate and productive local and b) To identify and delineate boundaries of plunder and abuse of our local environment.
emergency. There is an urgent call for local foreign investments and eventually create the coastal areas which shall form part of the d) Divest from dirty sources of energy into
and global action to mitigate the adverse employment opportunities and increase mangrove reservation areas. green renewable energy in our communities.
effects of climate change brought about income and productivity in the rural areas c) To legislate and declare mangrove
partly by development of all local and foreign around the Freeport zones”. We affirm the reservation areas solely for the preservation, We pray that God Almighty may bless our
investors that is profit driven without regard good opportunities that CEZA provides to the protection, and rehabilitation of mangrove endeavor.
to the protection of the environment and community of Sta. Ana and the development forest as stipulated National Protection and
local residents. and progress it has brought about the place. Preservation of Mangrove Forest Act Declared and signed this 13th of June 2019,
Sta. Ana Cagayan lies at the northernmost However, we perceive ecological threats on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Anthony
tip of the country and it is called the “paradise in the plans for massive development that 2. We call on our brothers and sisters in of Padua, at the FAS Motherhouse in Sta.
of the North” on account of her pristine CEZA has announced since 2018 like the plan CEZA to respect the integrity of creation, Cruz, Sta. Ana Cagayan Valley.
natural resources. By ocular observation, for a $4.5B project City Polaris and the Pozo protect our mangrove forest cover and
Sta. Ana coastal areas and riverbanks are Robo Resort Project in San Vicente, Sta. Ana the rights of the poor including common
covered by mangroves. Mangroves are vital Cagayan. We also observed other ongoing resources. SR. ZENAIDA J. VASALLO, FAS
for food security and protection of coastal developments like clearing of areas covered 3. We call on all people of Sta. Ana to Vicar General
communities; they provide a wide diversity of by mangroves in Barangay Palawig while our be vigilant and get involved in protecting
forest products, nurseries for aquatic species, assembly was ongoing. our local environment from any activities/ SR. TERESITA TAUYAN, FAS
fishing grounds, carbon sequestration and As a faith community, we, the Franciscan development that destroys and disregard General Council
crucial natural coastal defences that mitigate Apostolic Sisters assembled together during human dignity. the common good and
the impact of erosion and storm action annual retreat and assembly on May 26 integrity of creation. SR. MYRNA FERTALVERO, FAS
(Unesco). to June 13, 2019 in Sta. Ana Cagayan, our General Council
In relation to the longest mountain range motherhouse. In the light of the call of Pope As a faith community, we commit ourselves
that stretches across 10 provinces shielding Francis regarding the care for mother earth, to: SR. NEMESIA GABALES, FAS
the whole Luzon from the Pacific Ocean, our common home, we entered into collective a) Collaborate in the protection, General Council
Sta. Ana Cayagan holds the northern tip of discernment, among other things, on the conservation and preservation of our
the Sierra Madre mountain where flora and prevailing environment issues and concerns environment. SR. JOSEPHINE P. MATA, FAS
fauna resources can be found naturally. in the town of Sta. Ana. b) Make people aware through education Superior General
Sta. Ana, Cagayan, in 1995 became the home We call for an urgent action: and other forms of community engagement
of CEZA created by RA 7922 “envisioning to 1. We call on our Local Government Unit, on the importance of the environment to Endorsed by:
be a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, PENRO, BFAR and the DENR: the lives of the people and the generations
financial, tourism and recreational center a) To conduct an inventory on the status to come. +SERGIO L. UTLEG, D.D.
in order to effectively encourage and of our mangrove forests in Sta Ana Cagayan c) Voice out our common stand against the Archbishop of Tuguegarao
B6 REFLECTIONS June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Peacemaking—not an optional The universal call to proclaim


and build God’s Kingdom
commitment but a requirement of 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Luke 10:1-12.17-20)

discipleship
July 7, 2019
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Luke 10:1-12.17-20) SO few workers for such an abundant role in it.
July 7, 2019 harvest! This remark, justified in The magnitude of the task to be
the time of Jesus, is more than accomplished should not discourage
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD appropriate today. There is the anyone. It has never been easy to be a
whole world to be brought to Jesus. worker in the field of God. Jesus told
Or better, Jesus has to be made the seventy-two that he was sending
present to the whole world. More them as “lambs among wolves.” (See
than six billion human beings have Lk 10:3.) Proportionally, the wolves
not yet received the Good News. are as numerous today as in the
They are not yet aware of how times of Herod and Nero. We need to
much God loves them and of what be as brave as the Apostles, none of
a wonderful future He has in store whom died of old age, except John.
for them! The harvest is plentiful. Indeed,
The workers are few. This is there is so much to be done. There
not just a fact but also a lament, is peace to be sown and nurtured
an invitation, and a challenge. in the hearts of men, if we want to
For centuries, the Church has see it flourish among the nations.
endeavored to respond to the There is so much healing to be done
challenge through her elite troops: among the numberless victims of
the clergy and the religious. Now, the terrible cancer called “sin.”
she has come to realize ever more There is a Kingdom we have to keep
clearly that she needs many, many proclaiming and establishing, in the
more apostles if she is to fulfill her endless alternation of victories and
mission of preaching the Gospel to setbacks.
all men. If billions of humans do not know
What was never denied in the and love Christ, no Christian should
past is now proclaimed loud and try to excuse himself/herself. Woe to
clear: The Church needs the Laity. us if we do not preach the Gospel!
They are an immense potential of (See 1 Cor 9:16.) This is a duty and
99% that has been kept dormant a privilege that none of us may
for too many centuries. The 1987 delegate to others. The roles and
Synod acknowledged it frankly. styles in this great undertaking may
“Christifideles laici” (the post- be different. They may change with
EVEN IF ONE just limits his reading humiliation. But what is peace? For wholeness and integrity in the life synodal exhortation written by the times and circumstances, but the
to newspaper headlines this month, the prophet, peace is not merely the of the people and community— Pope John Paul II after that Synod) essence remains: every Christian is
it will not take him more than a absence of war. One does not create the right relationship among the proclaims it bravely and as a matter called to be a worker in the harvest
minute to conclude that this is not a desert and call it peace. Using the members of the community and of urgency. The time for a renewed of God, today. Every Christian is
a peaceful world. But despite these image of the New Jerusalem as a nation and the right relationship evangelization has come, and the called to be a herald and builder of
endless happenings of violence and mother who consoles the returning between the people and God. lay faithful are to play their rightful the Kingdom.
war, people—especially those who exiles at her breast and dandles them But will we ever experience it? In
experience war and those who are
victims of human rights violations,
of disinformation and blackmail—
at her lap, the prophet describes
peace in terms of the mournful
experiencing comfort, prosperity
the theology of the New Testament,
such peace—it is experienced—is
often elusive. This is because, viewed
Love without borders
know the need and long for peace. spreading over the land, and all according to the Jewish symbolic 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Luke 10:25-37)
In today’s 1st Reading (Isa 66:10- inhabitants being joyful in mind and universe, evil forces are at work. July 14, 2019
14c), Isaiah speaks of peace that heart. Isaiah’s imagery expresses An example of this explanation is
God will bestow on his people in another way the Old Testament given in a scroll found at Qumran By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
who suffered strife, defeat and idea of peace as an experience of Peacemaking / B7

Responding to God’s Word by


transcending legalism
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Luke 10:25-37)
July 14, 2019
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD

THE Christian concept of neighbor unpredictable victims whom Divine


is easy to define in words – neighbor Providence places on our journey,
is every human being, especially one which stretches from birth to burial.
who is in need of help. But it may be “Neighbor” may have a million
quite hard to accept it in practice, different faces and more. It can be
HOW CAN ONE achieve the good Josephus, the well-known Jewish But Jesus told the story about a for it is very demanding to be the the helpless squatter looking for
life? In a secular society where historian, said that the whole certain man who, on his way from neighbor of certain individuals a permanent dwelling; the drug
people value wealth more than life of every Jew was dominated Jerusalem to Jericho, was stripped, or groups . . . One always has the addict, now reduced to a wreck; the
any other, it might be said that by law. The Torah defined his beaten and left half dead by bandits impression of being on the “giving deserted wife or the unwed mother;
it is important that one has to be Jewishness, gave him a system of (Luke 10:30) precisely to bring to side,” and this hurts our instinctive the mentally challenged child or the
included in the small circle of friends values, and a sense of integrity. It the fore the insufficiency of merely self-centeredness and the tendency lonely old folk; the school drop-out
who have access to the corridors of is not surprising, therefore, that in knowing and obeying what the Law to expect good things, rather than or the unemployed… Many people
power, owns a mansion in a beach the Gospel, Jesus referred the lawyer commanded. He likely wanted to give them. (even “religious” people!) will cast
resort, is in possession of a good to some injunctions in the law: “You stress that the priest and the Levite, Most of us (all, perhaps?) prefer on them a look of commiseration,
number of dollar accounts in several shall love the Lord your God with who were religious and knew the a neighbor that is strong, generous, and stride on, without stopping for
banks both here and abroad and has all your heart, with all your soul, Law, did nothing for the man not pretty, reliable . . . one who is at hand a minute, afraid to get involved with
a beautiful wife and kids studying in with all your strength and with all because they were heartless or and on whom we can rely when we people that may tarnish their image
Boston or in London. That would your mind, and your neighbor as insensitive to human misery, but are in need. Hence, “neighbor” is the in the “good society”…
probably be heaven on earth. yourself” (Lev 19:18 ; Deut 6:5). because they were following the relative, the friend, the benefactor, The indifferent, the over-cautious,
But first-century Jews did not But is the observance of the injunction that says: “Everyone who the one we like! This is all too easy. the “Christians-in-name” can be a
have that outlook. In the Jewish Torah sufficient for one to be part touches a dead person, whether Such was the concept of “neighbor” very large crowd indeed, and their
social world at the time of Jesus, of the new age of the Messiah? he was slain by the sword or died which most of the Israelites had. But example of non-caring attitude is
what was most important was to be From the point of view of Luke’s naturally or who touches a human Jesus shattered all these convenient often a hard test for the generous
included in the new age, when the community, such a claim cannot bone or a grave, shall be unclean human patterns with a parable that souls who would like to put into
Messiah would come to establish be sustained. Following the Law for several days” (Num 19:16). They portrayed his own attitude and practice the message of the Parable
a reign of justice and love; in other is not enough for the new age. To probably thought that the poor life—a life of service unto death for of the Good Samaritan. It really
words, to be part of God’s people. stress this point, Luke tells us the man was dead, and the law, which the good of absolutely all. takes a stout heart to opt to be
That is the sense of the lawyer’s vignette on the Good Samaritan. required ritual purity of priests, Starting with Jesus, “neighbor” non-conformist—in imitation of
question in today’s Gospel (Luke The Jews would have found the forbade them to touch a corpse, if has become a universal category. It Jesus, the most non-conformist of
10:25 -27): “Teacher, what must I story stunning because the hero is they were to take part in the temple has come to encompass all human all men—to choose to do what is
do to inherit eternal life?” (v 25). In their hated enemy. The Samaritans, service. In other words, these beings. It includes even the “enemy”! right, even when the majority are
answer, Jesus pointed to him what who had bitter tension with the privileged members of the Jewish The insidious road from Jerusalem bent on doing what is pleasurable or
was contained in the Law. (The law Jews, were descendants of a mixed society were observing the law by to Jericho stretches far beyond its convenient or fashionable.
was the Five Books of Moses.) Of population occupying the land after having nothing to do with the man 37 kilometers. It crisscrosses the But a wonderful reward awaits
course, Jesus and the lawyer were its conquest by the Assyrians in 722 lying on the road. whole world and intersects our lives those who have such courage: Jesus
familiar with the Torah, and there BC. They opposed the rebuilding With this parable Jesus says every day. We see it strewn with Christ, the one present in all the
was nothing in their conversation of the Temple and Jerusalem, and to us in effect that the Law is not numberless victims, robbed of their victims and needy people, will say to
about it that was unknown to them. set up their own temple on Mount enough for one to be part of the new moral and spiritual assets by the them the warmest “Thank you!” one
For the Jews, the Torah was the Gerizim. The Jews considered them age. Only God’s word is. Though enemy of all good. can ever receive. And he will explain:
fundamental law of existence. It was as ceremonially unclean, social the Torah is a concretization of A real follower of the Divine “Whenever you did this for one of
the foundation of the entire Jewish outcasts and religious heretics. the word of God in which the Law Samaritan has to be prepared my least brothers, you did it for me!”
social and legal system, and of the They were the exact opposite of the finds its roots, yet the word is not to change his plans, make an (Mt 25:40) Since Christ’s days, in
way of life of the individual and lawyers who were known for being exhausted by or confined to the law. unscheduled stop, and even a detour, fact, “neighbor” is the newest name
society. Understandably enough, knowledgeable about the Torah. Transcending / B7 in order to “become neighbor” of the of God.
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 SOCIAL CONCERNS B7

The organic mangoes of the Aeta people


By Fr. Shay Cullen

MY hands are sticky from sorting the


freshly-harvested, organic fair trade
mango fruits of the Aeta indigenous
people of Zambales and Bataan. We
were gathered in a group surrounded
by crates of mangoes and working
hands-on with the people and the
Preda Fair Trade team to segregate
the over-ripe pico mangoes. They are
fair trade mangos because Preda Fair
Trade pays a much higher price to
the Aeta farmers than local traders
for their mangoes if they buy them
at all.
Pico is not a popular variety and
a low-earning fruit but Preda Fair
Trade has found a buyer for organic
pico puree with World Partner
in Ravensburg, Germany and we
buy it for a higher price. This is
a big benefit to the Aeta people.
Otherwise, their mangoes would
fall to the ground unsold and they
earn nothing. Besides the higher
price, the Aeta get Preda Foundation
development projects in their
villages and educational assistance
for some of their children in school.
The mangoes are delivered to our
partners at the efficient processing
plants of Weambard and Profood
in Bulacan to be processed into
mango puree or mash. This is
sealed in aseptic bags and placed
in steel drums. It will be exported
to Germany and made into organic
fair trade products to be sold to the
world shops throughout Germany,
Austria and Switzerland.
Buying the produce of the hard
work of the poor for higher fair
trade prices is one way to support
them and reduce poverty. They
struggle to survive in their remote
villages without electricity, roads or
nearby schools. There is little social
PREDA FOUNDATION
service or government assistance to
help them make a life of dignity for gases is directly impacting the climate to regulate the growing of chemical farming to grow stronger pesticides, or blossom-inducer
themselves and their children. indigenous people before all others, their crops. They know and feel supported by the chemical fertilizer found in the pristine mountains
The organic fair trade mangoes it seems. the effects of global warming. We corporations. Besides, this deprives that they are proud to call home and
are green and shiny and there are I can feel the heat as the must do all we can to hold global customers of the healthy food they which they protect. Every year, we
many this year. The farmers are thermometer reads 38 degrees warming at 1.2 degrees centigrade. want and need. Chemical farming share 3,000 mango tree saplings for
elated and happy with a bumper centigrade. I sit and chat with the Thousands of children worldwide causes sickness and the health bill the Aeta to plant, a share from the
harvest for pico mangos this year. Aeta people. They speak Zambal are campaigning to get government of developed economies is growing. sale of the mango puree.
There is a hot dry Philippine summer and Ilocano but also Tagalog which to stop burning fossil fuels and turn The Aetas, however, have survived Surplus earnings from sales
brought about by the El Niño I speak and understand. They are to more renewable source of power for thousands of years on medicinal is donated by Preda Fair Trade
weather phenomenon. That has to a clever, wise and intelligent people generation. plants and eating only organic food. to support the victims of human
do with the ocean currents and the speaking and understanding three The crops and mango fruits of the No processed meats or chemical- trafficking. It helps the recovery
winds that blow across the Pacific. languages. We rest a while from Aeta indigenous people are certified laced packaged food for them. and healing of the victims of unfair,
Everything in nature is connected sorting the mangoes and discuss organic by international inspection Everything is natural and organic corrupt and evil trade in human
and interdependent on the planet the failure of the harvest for the past bodies including Naturland who as that is their culture and lifestyle beings, women and children. The
as it rotates and travels through the three years. The onslaught of untimely insist on the highest EU organic from time immemorial. The recent Preda home for abused children is
solar system of space. rainstorms that washed away the standards. Some of the EU strict inspection by an organic supported by some of the proceeds
Our food and fruit growing mango blossoms was a serious regulations for organic certification certification body challenged them of the Fair Trade sales. We would
seasons are greatly dependent on indication of unwelcome climate are made for western crop growers to achieve the standard and qualify do well to learn from the indigenous
this planetary travel and rotation change. These amazing indigenous who are rich, mobile and can for organic certification as they have Aeta people and eat only organic
of the earth as a balanced climate is people have survived for 30,000 years easily meet the standards. Over done for the past four years and will food, dried mango fruits and organic
vital for their well-being. The rise in and endured much hardship. strictness and seeking perfection do so again this year. mango products and help the poor
global temperatures caused by man- They live in the mountains close can reduce and turn away organic There was no evidence of any through Fair Trade. We must also
made pollution and greenhouse to nature and depend on a timely growing by many farmers and allow chemicals, fertilizers, deadly do all we can to clean up our planet.
Peacemaking / B6 Transcending / B6

caves: “All dominion over the sons of evil, peace is now possible. Of community, in the nation and in the To obey the word of God, there are ourselves whether so-and-so is our
of perversity is in the hand of the course, during his public ministry, world, Jesus needs men to spread times when one has to transcend neighbor nor not. We must get into
Angel of darkness; they walk in the he already anticipated this victory it. It cannot be privatized as if it the law. God’s word—hearing action and obey; we must behave
ways of darkness. And because of over evil and triumph for peace were an individual possession, with and doing which constitutes one’s like a neighbor to him.” Thus, this
the Angel of darkness all the sons through his healings and exorcisms. the bearer unmoved by the events, real happiness (cf Luke 11:28 )—is despised Samaritan is presented as
of righteousness go astray; and all “For with what authority and power vicissitudes and concerns in this life. present in the events of our life, in a moral paradigm of one who lives
their sin and iniquities and faults, he commands the unclean spirits Peace always involves relationships women and men in the world. It the word of God and, hence, who is
and all the rebellion of their deeds, and they come out” (Luke 4:36). within communities and between is also present in the man in need. truly part of God’s people.
are because of his dominion… And By undoing Satan’s work, Jesus peoples; it is always about their Hence, one’s acceptance or rejection In effect, contrary to the thinking
all the blows that smite them, all the challenged the demonic power and unity and harmony. If Jesus gave his of the needy is also his acceptance or of many Christians that following
times of their distress, are because its influence. peace to his disciples (cf John 14:27), rejection of the word of God. rules will ensure one’s place in
of the dominion of his malevolence. That is why, in today’s Gospel his disciples must bring it to men. The parable of the Good Samaritan God’s kingdom, achieving eternal
And all the spirits of his lot cause (Luke 10:1-12.17-20), the seventy- This is why in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an example of what it life—which Christian religion is
the sons of light to stumble; but the two disciples, who were given power sent his disciples for the mission means to go beyond what the law concerned with—is far from being
God of Israel and His Angel of truth by Jesus, could exclaim in triumph: to spread peace: “On entering any says. Though he was regarded as all about laws. God’s word cannot
succour all the sons of light” (1QS “Master, even the demons are house, first say, ‘Peace to this house’. a person who does not properly be wholly identified with them.
3:20-25a). subject to us in your name” (Luke If there is a peaceable man there, observe the law, and for that very God’s word is rather about life,
The influence of Satan’s power 10:17). They penetrated into the your peace will rest on him” (Luke reason was despised and ridiculed, about people in need who are our
is vast and difficult to eradicate. territory of Satan who, unseen by 10:5-6). What Jesus meant here is yet his action on behalf of the man neighbors because God’s word is
This is evidenced in, among men, exercises influence over people not a simple greeting that one gives in need—dressing his wounds, uncomfortably present in them.
others, personal rifts and social and events in the world. Thus, even to people he meets on the way, but hoisting him on a beast, bringing People in need—those who are
and political conflicts where, it is in his public ministry, the power of an announcement of the peace that him to an inn and caring for him wounded psychologically, who
assumed, he dominates. According Satan to sow evil was already being the salvation of Jesus brings. (Luke 10:34)—was a loving response have no power to lean on, who are
to this symbolic universe, illness broken. As Jesus himself said, “I We, Christians, must be peace- to God’s word. He proved to be forgotten by the dominant society,
and physical handicaps are results watched Satan fall from the sky like bearers. We are to be vehicles of the neighbor of the man in need. or who are even our enemies—they
of the activity of Satan’s power. lighting” (Luke 10:18). Though the peace—for it is only through the Unlike the lawyer who wanted to are God’s word to us, inviting our
Also, if there is no harmony and eschatological battle between the communities of disciples will real know who, from the point of view response that does not issue from
prosperity in the land, it is because forces of good and evil has begun, peace come upon earth. We have to of the Torah, was his neighbor, the the pressure of law’s demand. We
his demonic power controls not only now the ultimate victory over Satan be involved in the peace-process. In Samaritan was not interested in must therefore go beyond legalism.
the life of the individual but also the is being won, with the rising of our time, that process would include the fine points—the minutiae—of We must transcend the thinking of
relationship within the nation and Jesus to new life. In the words of not only maintaining the balance of the law; he was more interested in our law-oriented institutions. If
among nations. In the light of this the Johannine Jesus, “Now has power, but even more important, responding to God’s word in the not, then we will feel comfortable
view of reality, one can claim that judgment come upon this world, safeguarding of the goods of persons, man in need, which is the spirit of even in face of uncomfortable
the power of Satan lies behind the now will this world’s prince be free communication among men, the law. He went beyond the narrow situation, because we rest on the
proliferation of prohibited drugs, driven out, and I—once am lifted respect for the dignity of persons legal definition of neighbor. Luke is mantle of law. If not, we can
and other evils that plague our up from earth—will draw all men and peoples, and assiduous practice thus giving us the impression that always assure ourselves that we
present society. to myself” (John 12:31-32). And as of charity (CCC 2304). And it may the lawyer’s question “Who is my remain respectable and good people
With Jesus, however, came new Paul puts it, “then the God of peace be stressed that to spread peace is neighbor?” is entirely wrong. For without doing anything concretely
and full power (cf Matt 28:18). will quickly crush Satan under your not a work of mercy—it is rather a man who listens to the word of commendable simply because we do
Through his cross and resurrection, feet” (Rom 16:20). demanded by our status as disciples God, the correct question should be, not transgress any law at all. That
he vanquished the powers of this But what does the Gospel wish to of Jesus. “Peacemaking is not “To whom can I be a neighbor?”, for is why the word of God challenges
world: “thus did God disarm the teach us about peace? We all long for an optional commitment. It is a every man in need is a neighbor, and us to look beyond the system we
principalities and powers. He peace, for wholeness, integrity and requirement of our faith. We are God’s word to him. As D. Bonhoeffer are confined to by seeing the word
made a public show of them and, well-being--which is meant by the called to be peacemakers, not by puts it, “neighborliness is not a of God in other people, places and
leading them off captive, triumphed Hebrew word shalom, but in order some movement of the moment, quality in other people; it is simply things. Like the person in need we
in the person of Christ” (Col 2:15). to establish this peace not only in but by our Lord Jesus” (NCCB, The their claim on ourselves. We have encounter in the ordinary event of
Because he defeated the forces our individual lives, but also in our Challenge of Peace, 333). literally no time to sit down and ask our lives.
B8 ENTERTAINMENT June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Buhay San Miguel Brothers Matias

Men in Black International


Watching this movie is like
eating a dish of plain pasta
garnished with nachos, gelatine
TERIBOL OG Bladimer Usi
cubes, jalapeno peppers,
sprinkles, baba ghanoush, and
Oreo cookies.

Technical assessment: 3
Moral assessment: 3
CINEMA rating: V14
MTRCB rating: PG

Molly (Tessa Thompson)


earns a probationary term
in MiB after impressing “O”,
(Emma Thompson), head of
MiB who made her undergo
a series of tests. It’s a dream
come true for Molly who as a
child befriended and set free

Buhay Parokya
a baby alien that had strayed The CGI of the outer space
into her bedroom. In MiB creatures look lifelike; the FIND 3 MISSING THINGS:
London, Molly becomes the baby alien and Pawny (M’s 1. HOLY ROSARY
rookie “Agent M” assigned to minuscule alien sidekick) are 2. POPE JOHN PAUL II
team up with veteran Agent endearing enough; the action 3. SAINT LORENZO RUIZ
H, Henry (Chris Hemsworth) keeps you from dozing off; the
Henry, a glib and cocky gadgets, although generics,
operative who’ll do anything are in new shapes; Riza’s
to accomplish a mission — outlandish costume matches
including having interspecies the character’s eccentricity,
sex with Riza (Rebecca and yet altogether they fail to
Ferguson), a glamorous cross excite. Even the much touted
between human and octopus. chemistry supposedly carried
Riza has three arms and she’s over from Thor Ragnarok by
an arms dealer — how funny Hemsworth and Thompson
is that — and now happens can’t save the day.
to be in possession of a little What, then, spares Men
doomsday weapon that H in Black International from
and M must find and destroy, total oblivion by its fans?
with the full support of MiB If you just close your eyes
London division’s honcho, to the abovementioned
High T, (Liam Neeson). disappointing elements and
With a trite and convoluted focus instead on the human
plot, Men in Black values still enveloped in the
International (the fourth story, you’ll find a number of
of the MiB series), can be desirable and rewarding traits
likened to a dish of boiled demonstrated by the characters:
pasta garnished with nachos, kindness to a stranger (Molly
gelatine cubes, jalapeno saves the life of the baby alien);
peppers, sprinkles, baba single-mindedness in pursuing
ghanoush, and Oreo cookies a goal; gratitude for one’s life
— bland carbohydrates plus saved; self-confidence rooted
garnishings that might be in self-knowledge; sacrificing
palatable or even exotic self-indulgence to give way to
when taken singly but when service. In the end traitors are
together served as a meal uncovered and a good cause is
would make you seriously rewarded; it is unmistakable,
wonder what culinary school too, that good triumphs over
the chef got his hat from. evil.

Clarita

sa kaso ni Clarita. mukhang luma ang mga tuwing sasaniban si Clarita. nanggaling mismo kay Clarita,
Ang galing ng pagganap eksena — dekada singkwenta Ang layo na ng narating na itinaboy ng kanyang mga
Sinasamantala ng demonyo ang ating kahinaan, lalo na kapag ni Sta. Maria. Kahit balot nangyari ang kababalaghan ng pelikulang Pilipino sa kababaryo at nag-iisang
bumibitaw tayo sa ating pananalig at kapit sa Diyos. ng prosthetic makeup ang na base sa tunay na buhay — aspetong ito. Proud to be tumangis sa pagkamatay ng
mukha, litaw pa rin ang pag- ginamitan ng madilaw na ilaw Filipino tayo. kanyang ina. Nang sabihin
Technical assessment: 3 Moral assessment: 3.5
CINEMA rating: V14 MTRCB rating: R13 arte niya. Si Buencamino at vignette effect ang pelikula. Lumabas kami sa sinehang ni Emilia sa kanya na “di
na sa unang parte lang ng Minsan, biglang magliliwanag may malinaw na aral na ka namin iiwan at lalaban
Sunud-sunod ang malagim nakumbinsi na rin siya. istorya lumabas ay astang at magmumukhang bago ang nakuha sa pelikula. Una, tayo”, sumagot si Clarita:
na pagkamatay ng mga Pinakiusapan ni Mayor mayor talaga at komportable paligid, kaya nakakalito. Di rin Diyos at Siya Lamang ang “Ngayon ko lang nadinig
taong may kaugnayan kay si Father Salvador (Ricky sa kanyang karakter. Puede masyadong napagtuunan ng makakagupo sa demonyo, ang ‘tayo’.” Nakakayanig.
Clarita (Jodi Sta. Maria), na Davao) at Father Benedicto pang pagandahin ang script at pansin ang bawat eksena kaya hindi ang paring si Salvador Sa sinabing iyon ni Clarita
kasalukuyang nakakulong (Arron Villaflor) na palayasin palalimin ang karakter nina parang sinalansan lang ang na itinuring na pagsubok nakapaloob ang ating papel
sa Manila city jail. Hirap ang masamang espiritu mula Davao at Villaflor, para sana’y mga ito. Ang ganda pa naman sa kanyang kakayanan sa sa mundo: ang ipadama sa
nang magpaliwanag sa media kay Clarita sa pamamagitan hindi lahat ng nasasaloob ng istorya ng dalawang pari eksorsismo ang kaso ni Clarita. ating kapwang nangungulila
si Mayor Arsenio Lacson ng eksorsismo. Napapayag nila ay kailangang isa-isahing at ni Emilia, na may kanya- Pangalawa, sinasamantala ng na sila ay bahagi ng isang
(Noni Buencamino). Ayaw naman ng reporter na si sabihin. Siguro kasi ay kanyang dahilan kung bakit demonyo ang ating kahinaan, malawak na sambayanan, at
kasi niyang dalhin sa usaping Emilia (Alyssa Muhlach) nagsimula agad sa eksorsimo pursigidong matulungan si lalo na kapag bumibitaw tayo ang pamilyang ito — hindi
sinasapian ng demonyo si ang dalawang pari na siya ang pelikula, hindi napaigting Clarita. Gayunpaman, saludo sa ating pananalig at kapit ang kasamaan — ang siyang
Clarita. Kasi nga naman, na ang mag-dokumento sa ang suspense, kaya kulang sa kami sa production setup, at sa Diyos na siyang sandata gagabay at aagapay sa kanila.
taliwas ito sa rasyonal na gagawing eksorsimo kasabay sindak at simpatya sa mga lalo na sa prosthetic makeup natin laban sa kasamaan. At Hindi pagtataboy kundi
paniniwala. Pero sa huli, nag pagsusulat niya tungkol karakter. Para palabasing at mga special effects sa ang pinakamagandang aral ay pagyakap.
Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CBCP Monitor. Vol. 23 No. 13 June 24 - July 7, 2019 C1

CFC @ 38: Family at Center Stage!


CFC Global Communications ate added, “Today, in a special way,
we commemorate our special con-
COUPLES for Christ celebrated nection with Jesus in this Feast of
this June not only the great mile- Corpus Christi. He remains with us
stone of 38 years of its spiritual even physically, in the real presence of
journey but more significantly, its Jesus in the Eucharist. We cannot be
Christians without Christ. We cannot
putting family at the focal point be Catholics without the Eucharist.”
of its evangelization and mission. After the final blessing, CFC Chair-
In previous years, the heart of the man Melo Villaroman Jr. delivered
celebration zeroed in on transforma- his message to the 50,000-strong del-
tion of the individual members and on egation at the Quirino Grandstand, as
pushing towards new frontiers glob- well as the 25,000 online viewers of
ally. This year, the community took the anniversary celebration worldwide.
the family to center stage, praising “What makes the number 38 spe-
God for the gift of family, honoring the cial?” Villaroman began. “Look to your
hundreds of thousands of families that right and left, brothers and sisters.
comprise CFC, families that can radi- Look around you. It is 38 years of
ate the light of Christ to other families. people all around you declaring, "I AM
Many religious and secular ex- FOR CHRIST!" It is 38 years of a com-
perts agree that, regardless of faith, munity of believers lighting up a fire
nationality or upbringing, the family in this darkened world, and declaring,
is where man learns to interact from “Kayo po ang aming ilaw, Panginoon!”
the moment he is born. Cardinal Sean (You are our light, Lord!) It is 38 years
Bradley, Archbishop of Armagh and of household prayer meetings and
Primate of All Ireland, in his address at worship happening every week, in
the Céifin Conference, stated that the 120 countries in different languages!”
family is “the natural community in He said, “Brothers and sisters, today
which human social nature is experi- is not just a thanksgiving party but
enced… born from the stable and com- a challenge from the Lord as we in
mitted communion of persons which CFC strive to shine His light upon a
marriage provides.” He added, “The darkened world. Tomorrow is the first
family, therefore, as a community of morning of the 39th year of CFC. What
persons, is the first human ‘society’.” shall we do? Let us respond to the very
The annual celebration was held at clear challenges from the Lord with
the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on ABC!” Villaroman added.
June 22. This grand gathering was According to Villaroman, the
preceded by a week of conferences acronym ABC stands for: AWAKE!
and gatherings. Gising! BANGON (Arise) and CHIL-
Ruel Aguirre of the CFC Institute DREN OF LIGHT.
began the anniversary celebration at AWAKE! - The gift of the Holy
the Grandstand by proclaiming that Spirit in CFC is given not to be private
God is the fountain of life and that property but to be a gift shared with
He continuously moves and renews the world. CFC must rekindle and
the light in oneself, in the family, and awaken this gift so as to share it to
in community. many families of the world.
The traditional praise parade fol- How does one awaken and rekindle
lowed soon after, with an opening the Holy Spirit? Villaroman referred
number by Couples for Christ, Singles to the elements prescribed in Talk
for Christ, Youth for Christ and Kids 10 of the Christian Life Program—
for Christ, declaring how enlightened Prayer, Scripture, Service, Sacraments,
families must become children of Light. Fellowship. Thus a CFC member is
Families from Metro Manila, the called to deepen one’s prayer life;
Philippine Missions and the Interna- meditate on scripture; say yes to
tional Missions joined the parade, car- service; receive the Eucharist and the
rying placards which show how fami- sacrament of reconciliation, faithfully
lies can become a gift to other families, attend the household prayer meeting
to the community, to the Church, to and be in fellowship with one another.
society and the whole world. Villaroman added, “If we do these
After the parade, it was time for the we will live lives not like zombies
traditional Holy Mass, always a fitting but wake in the Lord. Gising para
end (and in many conferences, often a mag-evangelize! We have a dream
fitting beginning) for all CFC gather- in CFC—that one day the world will
ings everywhere. be made up of Families in the Holy
His Excellency Most Reverend Spirit renewing the Face of the Earth!
Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop It is a beautiful dream. But we have to
of the Archdiocese of Manila, and wake up from our collective sleep to
CFC Spiritual Adviser, led more than transform our dream into action and
40 priests, among them 4 bishops, in reality. Let us go out into the world
the celebration of Holy Mass. In his and conduct more CLPs, more gateway Photo credits: Bryle Raviz, Dannah Viktoria, Camille De Leon, Zac Talampas, Luisa Sanchez, Angela Andres, Mikael Montano, Thaddy Boniquit, Ralph Bolusa,
homily, Bishop Pabillo shared how evangelization, be more involved in Kim Tesorio, Nadine Dumasig, Merlin Dionisio, Nadine Dumasig, Jr Gamogamo, Lino Santos, Alex Gopez, Chanell Sision, Fedil Lamcis, Sanet Cruz, Arthur del
Jesus, the treasure of Christianity, is ANCOP and the Social Development Rio, Joel Dayao, Tony dela Cruz, Emil Santos, Alma Alvarez
the glue that keeps families, and the Programs, have more engagement with that to arise (bangon) means not just defend our mission always and only go out to the peripheries, and not be
bigger family of CFC, together. our one Church, so that this dream to open one’s eyes but to stand up, with great love of Christ. Rather than afraid to light a fire amidst darkness.
He said, “Jesus is not just a person can transform to reality, and we will and make a stand. CFC is for CHRIST! judge those who struggle, we will ac- We will not fear the darkness that
of the past. We do not only remem- see Heaven on earth! Let us not grow CFC is for FAMILY! CFC is for the company them. Rather than condemn is in the world. We shall go into the
ber Him, but He remains in us. We tired and weary of staying awake in the POOR! CFC stands against those who the sinner, we will continue to love dark world and set it ablaze! Exodus
continue to encounter Him in prayer, Light of the Lord! will disrespect Christ, destroy fam- them, for we too continue to sin, yet 14:13-14 says, “Fear not. Stand your
in His Word, in the poor.” The prel- BANGON! - Villaroman explained ily, and bully the poor. “But we will Christ continues to love us. We will CFC ANNIVERSARY, p3

CFC EA Convenes, Clergy and Laity — Together in Missionaries Come Together at the
Elects New CFC IC Upholding the Families of the World Missions Conference
ON JUNE 21, 2019, the Elders leaders are brave.” COUPLES for Christ family and contin- ber, yet firm such
Assembly of Couples for Christ Fr. Jun-G also mentioned that strongly believes ues to defend it. As that it can with-
convened at the SMX Conven- another quality of CFC leader- that family is a gift. the basic unit of stand the rapid and
tion Center for their annual ship is trust. “Our leaders trust As a gift, it is meant society, the family oftentimes ruthless
regular meeting. This year, the that whatever decision the body to be given (by a molds an individual changes that affect
meeting’s highlight was the of elders make, the Lord is with giver), accepted (by into the person he the family.
election of a new set of Board of us.” The community has faced a recipient), opened or she is to be. It is It is in this con-
(upon receiving), in the family where text that this year’s
used (in order to a person learns val- CFC Clergy - Lay
bless others), shared ues, where his tal- Congress, held on
with others (in or- ents are nurtured, June 20 at the MOA
der to be of value), where his dreams SMX Convention
and celebrated, so and aspirations are Center, centered on
that all may see the encouraged and the family, its value,
living Christ alive later realized. As and the attacks on
in each one. an institution, CFC this social and sa-
In unity with the must be tender and cred institution.
Catholic Church, compassionate so as His Excellency
CFC upholds the to mold each mem- CLERGY - LAY, p3

Trustees for Couples for Christ many challenges in the past, “DARE to be Daniel! Dare to a missionary. He exhorted, “All
who will serve from July 1, 2019 but despite all that, the Lord stand alone! Dare to have a pur- of us have been smitten by this
to June 30, 2021. has put CFC in the palm of His pose, and dare to make it known!” Love, by this pursuer in the
Fr. Jun-G Bargayo, SJ cel- hand, and the community has With these words, CFC Presi- person of our great God!”
ebrated the Mass to open the witnessed God’s greatness in the dent Michael Ariola opened the Ariola, who began his CFC
assembly. In his homily, he midst of man’s failings. CFC Missions Conference on life as a Youth for Christ mem-
exhorted, “One of the gifts of “In choosing our next lead- June 21 at the SMX Convention ber and who said Yes to being a
community is leadership. And ers, we must choose those with Center, Pasay. In attendance missionary in Africa for several
leadership in CFC is not about a clear vision. But how will we were almost a thousand mis- years, reminded the delegates of
what we can do. It is about know who they are? As elders, sionaries from CFC and its the life and mission of Couples
courage. Our community has we must always follow the will Family Ministries. for Christ, and that from the
become like this because our ELECTIONS, p2 Ariola shared his journey as MISSION CONFERENCE, p3
C2 June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

You Are our Light, Lord


(Excerpts from the anniversary message of CFC Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr., June 22, 2019, Quirino Grandstand)
BROTHERS and sisters in CFC, sons large crowds. MATTHEW 9:36 says, ters worship even louder than I do!" more gateway evangelization, more and serve in a darkened world. What
and daughters in the Family Minis- "When the Lord saw the crowds, These are the Kids for Christ, Youth ANCOP and Social Development are the biggest ills in this dark world
tries, a Happy 38th Birthday! His heart was moved with pity for for Christ, Singles for Christ, Hand- Programs, more engagement with our today? Individuals losing hope, fam-
What makes the number 38 spe- them because they were troubled maids of the Lord, and Servants of one Church, so that this dream can ilies weakening, the powerless and
cial? Look to your right and left. and abandoned, like sheep without the Lord. (They are those) who serve transform to reality, and life becomes poor being neglected. What is our
Look around you. It is 38 years of a shepherd". Today, I imagine how in ANCOP, Cornerstone, Isaiah, OSM, Heaven on earth! mission in CFC? CHRIST, FAMILY,
people all around you declaring, "I the Lord feels as He looks at all of us. Migrants, Oikos, Reform, STMA, B is for BANGON! Arise! To arise POOR! If we bring the light of Christ
AM FOR CHRIST!" 38 years of a If I were to write verses describing GKARE. means not just to open our eyes but to a person, will he ever lose hope? If
community of believers lighting up this moment, it will be different from Brothers and sisters, today is to stand up, and make a stand! We are the Holy Spirit enters and remains
a fire in this darkened world, and Matthew 9:36. "When the Lord saw not just a thanksgiving party but for CHRIST! We are for FAMILY! We in a home, will it not be stronger? If
declaring, “KAYO PO ANG ILAW the crowd at the Luneta, His heart a challenge from the Lord as we in are for the POOR! We stand against we serve the Poor, will they still feel
NAMIN, PANGINOON.” (You are was no longer moved with pity, CFC strive to shine His light upon those who will disrespect Christ. We alone? You and I are really called
our light, O Lord!) but rather moved by great joy. For a darkened world. Tomorrow is the stand against those who will destroy to change the world with the light
It has been 38 years of household He no longer saw sheep without first morning of the 39th year of Family! We stand against those of Christ. A single spark of light
meetings and worship happening a shepherd. Rather, when He saw CFC. What shall we do? We know who will bully the Poor. But we will can break any darkness, a million
every week, in 120 countries in dif- the crowd at Luneta, behold! He what to do, brothers and sisters… defend our mission always and only lights can defeat darkness, and set
ferent languages! If you believe we are saw a community of modern-day we just have to respond to very clear with great love of Christ. Rather the world on fire with love! Choose
many today, there are more celebrat- shepherds called household heads challenges from the Lord! Let us keep than judge those who struggle, we to be the light in your home. Choose
ing with us—around 3,000 Chinese taking care of His flock!" this simple…let us shout ABC! will accompany them. Rather than to be the spark in your workplace.
members in China, 21,000 locals in I also sense strongly the Lord be- A is to AWAKE! Gising! The gift condemn the sinner, we will continue Choose to be the bonfire in your
Africa, 1000 recent CLP graduates ing very happy seeing two kinds of of the Holy Spirit in CFC is given to love them, for we too continue to mission. Have no doubt, you and I
in Latin America, among them from parties happening this afternoon. to us not to be our private property sin, yet Christ continues to love us. are called to change the world with
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras! The first party is this big celebration but to be a gift shared with the We will go out to the peripheries, and the light of Christ!
And at this very minute, there is a CLP that we all see. But I sense the Lord world. Therefore, we have to re- not be afraid to light a fire amidst Brothers and sisters—where will
going on in Panama! equally delighted with the second kindle and awaken this gift already darkness. Exodus 14:13-14: "Fear you be in 2057? That is 38 years from
But what truly makes us all come party that we do not see. Tap your inside us, so that we can share this not. Stand your ground, and watch now! I will be 93 years old by then.
here with great joy? It is knowing in heart for a second…the Lord is rejoic- gift to many families of the world. the victory the Lord will win for Maybe many of us will be in Heaven.
our hearts that our main celebrant, ing at the private celebration happen- How do we awaken and rekindle the you today. For the Lord, your God, Many of us will be walking with a
our dear Lord, is here celebrating ing, raging inside your heart right Holy Spirit? Let us go back to TALK will fight your battles for you!" cane or walking stick. But what I am
with us today. In fact, this party is for now, that party only the Lord can # 10 of the CLP we attended years To BANGON, or to arise, is to stand sure of is this: whether you will be in
Him! We are celebrating the blessing see! 1 Samuel 16:7 “For man looks back. PSSSF—Prayer, Scripture, up and face the reality of the world Heaven, or still here on earth, in the
of 38 years of being able to live and at the outward appearance, but the Service, Sacraments, Fellowship! and culture we evangelize today. year 2057, you will be rejoicing with
serve as Couples FOR Christ! Not Lord looks at the heart.” This is the (Deepen our Prayer life; reflect on Our message from the Gospel does your children and grandchildren as
just Couples for Prayer, or Couples private party inside your heart shout- the Scriptures, says Yes to Service, not change, but our approach can be they celebrate the 76th anniversary of
for Family, or Couples for the Poor, ing: "Lord, thank you that when my go to Mass and receive the Sacra- tweaked to be relevant to the people we Couples for Christ, millions strong,
or Couples for Progress, or Couples world was dark many years ago, ment of reconciliation, attend our serve today. I was in Cebu early June here at the Luneta!
for Work, or Couples for Charity, you invited me to the CLP, and it households and Fellowship with and found out that in some simple Why am I certain and confident
but Couples FOR Christ ! Today we was like you telling me, 'Let there them.) If we do these, we will live villages, their Orientation Session is this will happen? Because today, like
are not just Couples but Singles for be marvelous light into your life!' lives not like zombies but awake a GiveCare Medical Mission, followed the Blessed Mother, you continue to
Christ; Youth for Christ; Kids for Thank you Lord that while CFC is in the Lord. Awake and evangelize! by the CLP. Maybe if your participants say YES to the Lord! Our loving Lord
Christ; Handmaids of the Lord; Ser- a global gift, it is at the same time We have a dream – that one day the are all young couples, Family is a Gift will bless and honor your YES, for
vants of the Lord! your personal gift and love song world will be made up of Families in can be the Orientation Talk, followed generations to come. Brothers and
Have you ever wondered how our to me, that has changed me, my the Holy Spirit renewing the Face of by Talk # 1 of the CLP. Maybe to a sisters, let us always keep saying YES
main celebrant, Jesus, could be feel- children, my parents." the Earth! It is a beautiful dream. But group of working professionals, your to the Lord. Let us always choose to
ing right now, seeing this massive It is the love expressed beyond the we have to wake up from our collec- Orientation session will be “Christian be His light. Let us go into the dark-
crowd? You know, 2000 years ago, words of the song you sing, "Lord, tive sleep to transform our dream to Leadership in the Workplace.” ness with Christ holding our hand,
when the Lord walked the earth, thank you that I as worship you, I action and reality. Let us go out to C stands for CHILDREN OF and Yes, THERE WILL BE LIGHT!
He felt differently when He saw am not alone- my sons and daugh- the world and conduct more CLPs, LIGHT! Brothers and sisters, we live Happy Anniversary!

CFC 25th Golf Classic Opens Anniversary Week ANCOP, SOCDEV Give Inform Stakeholders
COUPLES for Christ golf enthusiasts gathered for
the 25th CFC Golf Classic on Tuesday, June 18, 2019,
a net score of 73.6.
Class A had Lyndon Pamintuan as 2nd runner- of New Developments
starting off the week-long activities of CFC’s 38th up, Micray Gonzales as 1st runner-up and Manny
anniversary. Espeleta with a gross of 76, net of 71 as Champion. ANCOP and the Social Devel- of Labor and Employment The ANCOP Shelter Pro-
As early as 5:30 AM, golfers started to arrive at the Overall champion was Carlo Canicosa. opment Programs of Couples (DOLE) in ministering to the gram reported on the annu-
Summit Point Golf and Residential Estates in Lipa In the Team Category, runner-up was the team for Christ gave CFC leaders migrant workers and their al increase in output as far
City, Batangas for the annual fellowship for a cause. composed of AS Tanjangco, Anthony See, Carlo and volunteers an update on families, and addressing is- as community building and
This year, the 117 golfers played for the benefit of Jimenez and Julio Fernandez. The team declared the community’s mission of sues related to migration such organizing is concerned,
the ANCOP Education Sponsorship Program. Champion was composed of Lyndon Pamintuan, Building the Church of the as human trafficking. while ANCOP Health con-
The sun cooperated with the golfers, who offi- Cezar Layag, Ken Padua and Lito Aguilar. Poor, via the ANCOP and OIKOS is entering into new tinues to go to far-flung
cially teed off simultaneously at 7:40 AM. It was a It was indeed a day of sun and fun for the CFC Social Development Summit partnerships and strategizing areas to make healthcare
morning of friendly competition among CFC golf golfers, their friends and the tournament sponsors. on June 21. for the care of the environ- more accessible to all.
old-timers, among them CFC International Coun- Aside from the competition awards, there were Rene de Rueda, head of ment such as planting 1 mil- The ANCOP Finance team
cil members Lito Tayag, who is also CFC ANCOP also raffle prizes and loot bags from sponsors for OIKOS, CFC’s program for lion trees by the year 2021. It reported that proper care of
Chairman of the Board, and Reggie Ragojos, and all the players. the environment, delivered, also helps to promote the care ANCOP funds, coupled with
the young blood of CFC led by Nestle Jeturian and This year’s Golf Classic was a happy mixture of on behalf of Social Develop- for the common home as a way prudent management, is a
his household. players from the Philippines (from as far as Kalinga ment Programs Head Mon de of life for all families in order way of expressing love for
Jeturian, who was also this year’s event head, was and Butuan City), Australia, Singapore, and South Leon, updates on the CFC Co- to create a greater impact. the poor. The group is also
pleased with the turnout of golfers, many of whom Korea. (Alma Alvarez) operatives Federation (CCF), An exciting piece of news constantly learning new ap-
were non-CFC, as well as with the sponsorship Isaiah 61:1 (Prison Ministry), from ANCOP is the addition plications in order to make
response as this would mean more funds for CFC the Migrants Program, OIKOS, of three more mobile training transmittal and liquidation
ANCOP and more scholars. CFC ReForm, and St. Thomas centers for the TVET Program. of funds more effective.
During lunch, the CFC Golf Classic Committee More and Associates (STMA). This endeavor is in partner- ANCOP President Rudy
awarded the winners for Class A, B, and C, the over- Art Alabanza, Head of the Or- ship with Don Bosco Techni- Gaspillo challenged the
all champion, and for the Team Category. der of St. Michael, presented cal School, and aims to reach stakeholders to not allow the
For Class C: 2nd runner-up was Trudy Cruz, 1st for OSM. more people who wish to learn Church to be another NGO.
runner-up was Raph Garcia and Champion was Jojo Based on the reports, there technical-vocational skills Quoting Cardinal Robert Sar-
Ignacio, with a net score of 72.8. For Class B: 2nd has been an increase in mem- and land better jobs. ah, Gaspillo said, “Catholic
runner-up was Ron Castro, 1st runner up was Karl bership and capitalization for Having been ISO accred- charity is not only giving
de los Santos and Champion was Henry Yutuc, with the CCF, as well as the launch ited early this year, ANCOP food... but giving GOD!”
of new products, such as in- has streamlined processes Dom Pangilinan, Country
ELECTIONS, p1 surance, gateway payment which ensure better delivery Coordinator for Papua New
system, travel and tours, and of the programs. ANCOP Guinea, gave an update on
of the Lord. And as much as Yamamoto said, “Two years “The finances of the CFC affordable solar energy panels honored their stakeholders the learning center CFC has
leadership is a gift of CFC, I be- from now, we will be celebrat- Global Mission Foundation Inc. for home use. for being able to submit put up for the women of PNG,
lieve that being disciples or fol- ing the community’s 40th year. are healthy, and we are raring Isaiah 61:1, CFC ReForm deliverables on time. The with Bishop Rozario Mane-
lowers is an equally important This will coincide with the 500th to go and set the world on fire!” and the OSM continue to grow Education Sponsorship Pro- zes, SMM, appealing to CFC
gift that CFC has,” Fr. Jun-G year of Christianity in the Philip- Tayag concluded. in number, as these programs gram has had 783 graduates for help so that the women in
shared, adding that “Of course, pines. Looking forward to that After the reports, COME- have become effective gate- for the past schoolyear, 22 of his diocese can have a source
let us not forget to magnify the milestone, we need to remember LEC Chairman-designate Tony way evangelization venues of whom finished with honors. of livelihood. In response
Lord so that others may see the following commitments we Gimenez took the stage to give the community. Efren Tompong presented to the appeal, CFC ANCOP
not only His greatness but His have made: an overview of the election pro- Aside from holding govern- the first Aeta graduate, Myla pledged monetary assistance
loving ways, His ways of forgiving, • Awake! Let us open our eyes cedure. This was the second time ment corporate fellowships Sevilla of Pampanga, who for the improvement of the
and His compassion.” to the realities of the world that the elections were done elec- and breakfast fora, the STMA will be teaching other Aeta learning center.
During the meeting proper, Joe that we evangelize. We stand tronically, with the help of the has participated in election- children once she finishes Indeed, it has been a boun-
Yamamoto, outgoing IC member shoulder to shoulder with the Mission Information and Systems related exercises and will her training at OB Mont- tiful year for CFC ANCOP
and standing in for Chairman hierarchical Church in re- Technology (M.I.S.T) department venture into voters’ education erssori in Greenhills. and the Social Development
Melo Villaroman who was among sponding to accompaniment. of the CFC GMC. on a national level. The Mi- Cornerstone continues to be Programs. CFC is truly deep
the candidates for election, gave • Arise! Let us make a stand for Of the total 314 members of the grants Program, on the other a venue for gateway evangeli- into building the Church of
the Elders Assembly updates on Christ, for family, and for the Elders Assembly, 256 were physi- hand, continues to collaborate zation while helping children the Home and of the Poor
the state of the community in the poor, and let us do everything cally present, while 35 submitted with the Church via the CBCP reach their potential through for the past 38 years and is
last two years. in love, with compassion, al- their votes via proxy, adding up to Episcopal Commission on Mi- tutoring while at the same bent on doing so for many
Yamamoto emphasized the lowing the Lord to penetrate a total of 291, or 92.7%, one of the grants and Itinerant Peoples time guiding parents in ac- more years to come. (CFC
rekindling of the role of Chapter our own being so we can be- highest quorums ever recorded. (ECMI) and the Department companying their children. Global Comm)
Leaders, who are at the forefront come effective hands and feet In an atmosphere of prayer, the
of shepherding a chapter or in bringing to our neighbors Elders Assembly quietly exercised
the “mini CFC.” He expounded the Gospel. their voting rights. At the end of
briefly on the CFC roadmap
and mission strategy house,
among the strategies of which
• Live as children of light!
Evangelize as you go, go and
evangelize; let us shine the
the voting period, the COMELEC
declared the following as the new
members of the International
Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST
are the strengthening of the light of the Lord every day, Council: Francis Rabboni “Bong”
core, expanding the reach and starting with our families, Arjonillo, George Campos, Ri-
answering the cry of the poor. our work, our mission. By cardo “Ricky” Cuenca, Emmanuel
He focused on the pastoral role the power of the Holy Spirit, “Nonoy” Dalman, Jaime “Jimmy” Michael C. Ariola
of the International Council, the you and I are called to change Ilagan, Redentor “Reggie” Ragojos, IC Oversight
restructuring of the mission ge- the world.” Arnel Santos, James Solano, and Zenaida A. Gimenez Alma M. Alvarez
ographies (the Americas, Europe, Lito Tayag, CFC Treasurer, re- Ermelo “Melo” Villaroman, Jr. Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor
Asia & Oceania, the Middle East ported on the financial position of Outgoing CFC President Mi-
and Africa for International CFC. He mentioned that the CFC chael Ariola prayed over the new Deomar P. Oliveria Evangeline C. Mecedilla
Missions, Luzon, Visayas, Min- Global Mission Center Finance Council members and their fami- Layout Artist Circulation Staff
danao and Metro Manila for the staff has been going around the lies, invoking God’s protection
Philippines) in order to better Philippine provinces, mounting and guidance for them as they The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at
prepare the next generation of Mission Support Conferences, in settle into their awesome role as 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 31 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856
leaders and make evangelization order to determine the financial shepherds of the global family of www.couplesforchristglobal.org globalcommunications@couplesforchristglobal.org
more effective. status of the provinces. CFC. (Alma Alvarez)
CBCP Monitor June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 C3

SPECIAL FEATURES

On Accompanying Depressed Parishioners A Pastoral Response to Persons who Experience


SHIELA Marie Hocson, Ph.D. gave a session who deal with young people must be quick to Same Sex Attraction
on how to shepherd individuals in parishes recognize that misbehavior could mean there
who suffer from depression during the CFC is a mistaken interpretation of how to find “A LOT of people think that maus, The two disciples were the Creator, who is able to
Clergy - Lay Congress on June 20. The ses- belonging and significance. the Catholic Church does not actually “going the wrong heal their woundedness, the
sion is a sample of what the Family is A Gift There are also telltale signs of mental health care for persons experiencing way”, since Jesus had ear- Creator and Healer who is to
Program offers to families in the parishes, problems that need to be recognized, such same sex attraction. That lier instructed them through journey with them.
dioceses, and schools as part of their modules as: eating or sleeping too much or too little; is farthest from the truth,” Mary Magdalene to stay in Valles, who used to work
and course offerings. pulling away from people and usual activities; This was how Edwin Albert Jerusalem. While they were for a pharmaceutical com-
Focusing on positive psychology, Dr. Hocson having low or no energy; feeling numb, as if Valles, president of Courage going the wrong way, Jesus pany, applied the principle of
discussed how having a growth mindset over nothing matters; having unexplained aches Philippines, began his session Christ met them. Valles puts proper wound care manage-
fixed mindset can be a indication of a healthy and pain; feeling helpless or hopeless; smok- during the CFC Clergy - Lay the homosexual lifestyle in ment to the accompaniment
frame of mind. ing, drinking, or using drugs; feeling unusu- Congress on June 20 at the the same context of “going of homosexuals. This prin-
The World Health Organization, in studies ally confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, SMX Convention Center. His the wrong way”, and it is ciple involves TIME: tissue
it conducted in 2017, says that worldwide 10 worried, or scared; yelling or fighting with session was “A Pastoral Re- while they are in that act that management, inflammation
- 20% of children and adolescents experience family, friends and classmates; experiencing sponse to Persons who Expe- Jesus meets them. and infection control, main-
mental health disorders, and that half of all severe mood swings that cause problems in rience Same-Sex Attraction.” “While Jesus did not re- taining moisture balance, and
mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 while relationships; having persistent thoughts and Continuing, Valles said, quire the two disciples to go epithelial advancement.
75% begin in the mid-20s. memories one can’t get out of his or her head; “There is actually a commu- back to Jerusalem to comply Relating these to pasto-
According to Hocson, “Children with hearing voices or believing things that are not nity within the Church that with His instructions, He ral accompaniment, Tissue
mental disorders face major challenges with true; thinking of harming oneself or others; expresses charity towards decided to meet them. He management helps clear the
stigma, isolation and discrimination, as well and inability to perform daily tasks persons experiencing same said to them, ‘What are you wreckage of the wounded
as lack of access to health care and education “Counsellors usually use the Depression sex attraction, and that is the discussing…what things?’ person’s past through pres-
facilities, in violation of their fundamental DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria to look for five or COURAGE apostolate.” This act of Jesus, Valles ence, counselling, trauma
human rights,” more symptoms during a two-week period to According to Valles, the said, makes use of the accom- recovery, forgiveness jour-
In today’s setting, counsellors and psy- diagnose depression,” Dr. Hocson shared. The COURAGE apostolate is a paniment principle of meet- ney and pursuit of chastity.
chologists encourage the Church to pay diagnostic criteria include having a depressed Catholic apostolate for per- ing people where they are. By Inflammation and infec-
special attention to millennials and the mood, a diminished interest in usual activi- sons with same sex attrac- doing so, those ministering tion control helps prevent
Gen Z, as they comprise a large chunk of ties, weight loss, insomnia or hypersomnia, tion, and was founded in to persons with homosexual “infections” through deeper
the present population. psychomotor agitation or retardation, loss of 1980 in New York City, USA, inclinations would be able personal encounter with the
Though both are digital natives (compared energy or fatigue, the feeling of worthlessness during the start of the AIDS to discover the underlying Lord, growth in sacramental
to the previous generations who are considered or guilt, inability to concentrate, indecisive- epidemic. Courage began as factors and causes of their life, regular prayer time and
digital migrants), the Gen Z’s, those born after ness, thoughts of death and suicide. a response to address the ac- inclinations. That is why it is spiritual direction. Main-
1995, are identified as true digital natives. “More than the ability to recognize the companiment of homosexual important for one to be pres- taining moisture balance
However, there is a new group called the alpha symptoms of mental disorder and depression persons in the Diocese of New ent to them, because chances offers fellowship, support
generation (who may be children of millenni- among those we deal with, we should know York. In the Philippines, are, these persons have sto- and friendships, through
als) that needs more attention. These are the how to enforce positive education,” Dr. Hocson Courage started in 1995, ries to tell about their past affirmations, role model-
first generation born at the beginning of the said. “Make it a goal to start each day with a spearheaded by the late Jaime that may have become the ling and real connections.
21st century. Studies show that this generation personal connection. A warm greeting to your Cardinal Sin. Courage carries cause of their homosexual Finally, Epithelial advance-
shuns religion of any kind, subscribing to such loved ones every morning is good practice. Use a Canonical status of a Dioc- tendencies. ment (the formation of new
handles as YOLO (you only live once), FOMO story time for teachable moments. Teach them esan Clerical Public Associa- Based on counselling expe- tissue to cover the wound as
(fear of missing out), NOTOMO (no tomorrow), how to work in a group. It is an important life tion. As such, it is the Bishop riences of experts, some of the it heals) involves leading and
and GITMO (give it to me or else). skill. People will learn how to negotiate with who approves the existence of causes may be parental issues, guiding the wounded person
Dr. Hocson emphasized that the older gen- others, develop leadership skills and figure Courage in the diocese, and lack of affirmation, gender to witness and be in awe at
eration need not fear dealing with them. “Old out their own strengths and how they can best it is the priest who listens insecurity, bullying, sexual how God works through a
school values” such as empathy, and compas- contribute to the group.” to their stories and is ready abuse, social maladjustment, support system.
sion; being friendly and kind backed up by Nurturing a culture of kindness, always to apply the remedies of the or the lack of role models. The typical response to
firm discipline and fair treatment; and respect saying positive words, setting up a “peace Church for all the struggles of Going back to the Em- persons with same sex at-
for multicultural diversity, individual differ- place” in the home with comfy pillows to sit the homosexual person. maus story, the discernment traction is to correct them,
ences, inclusion and equality are useful when on, noise-canceling headphones, a fish tank, “Why are we doing this? In part of the pastoral cycle to tell them that what they
dealing with the younger generations. journaling materials, calming images and/ Amores Laetitia #250, Pope reveals where Jesus Christ are doing is wrong. However,
By keeping socio-emotional learning in or books, teaching employees how to manage Francis wrote, ‘During the is amidst the confusion of from a pastoral lens, this is
mind, both the young and adults would be able conflict with peer mediation, developing an Synod, we discussed the situ- the disciples while walking not the proper approach. The
to understand and manage emotions, set and attitude of gratitude are just some of the tools ation of families whose mem- to Emmaus. Luke 24: 26-27 homosexual person is one
achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy and techniques that one can use to promote bers include persons who ex- says, “Was it not necessary who is suffering from several
for others, establish and maintain positive positive mental health to all. perience same sex attraction, that the Messiah should suf- kinds of woundedness, and
relationships, and make responsible decisions. In conclusion, Dr. Hocson reminded the a situation not easy either fer those things?” And so the gospel stories describe
Self-awareness and management, respon- clergy and laity to make sure the message of for parents or for children… Jesus interpreted to them the Jesus as going out of his way
sible decision making, relationship skills and love always gets through, no matter what tools Such families should be given things about himself. The to understand the wound-
social awareness can all be learned in the home, one employs. The genuine love and concern of respectful pastoral guidance, accompaniment principle edness of humanity and to
the community, and the school environment. one ministering to those experiencing mental so that those who manifest a here is finding Christ in the show compassion.
So, when faced with setbacks like misbehaving illness can open the floodgates of healing. (CFC homosexual orientation can homosexual person. Valles encouraged the cler-
children or young people, the laity and clergy Global Comm) receive the assistance they It is important to see the gy and the laity to journey
need to understand and fully homosexual person as a through the pastoral accom-
carry out God’s will in their wounded person, someone paniment of persons with
CFC ANNIVERSARY, p1
lives.’” Valles shared. who suffers from the causes same sex attraction. He also
ground, and watch the victory What are the biggest ills in this To cap the celebration, CFC Valles referred to the story enumerated earlier. It is thus suggested that the Church
the Lord will win for you today. dark world today? Individuals President Michael Ariola led of the two men who encoun- easier for those who minister set up COURAGE in dioceses.
For the Lord, your God, will fight losing hope, families weakening, the huge crowd into a power- tered Jesus on the road to Em- to them to point them to (CFC Global Comm)
your battles for you!” the powerless and poor being ful praisefest. As a symbol
He further explained, “To neglected. Villaroman asked, of CFC’s focus on the family,
arise is to stand up and face the “What is your mission in CFC? he called his wife Carel and
reality of the world and culture Christ, family, the poor! If you children Andrea and Caleb on MISSION CONFERENCE, p1
we evangelize today. Our mes- bring the light of Christ to a per- stage. He honored the bigger very beginning, God already had plans for CFC. of their faith, with the aid of the Holy Spirit and
sage from the Gospel does not son, will he ever lose hope? If the CFC family, and challenged He also reminded the missionaries that they are the overflowing love of God.”
change, but our approach can Holy Spirit enters and remains everyone to make the biggest able to evangelize only because of the light and Tale reminded the missionaries to seek the good
be tweaked to be relevant to the in a home, will it not be stron- group hug in the history of love of Christ, and through the guidance of the in others as this will fuel one's joy in mission.
people we serve today. I was in ger? If you serve the poor, will CFC anniversaries. Holy Spirit that allows them to remain in the same During the lunch break, the mission workers
Cebu early June and found out they still feel alone?” He added, The ardent flame of the Spirit light and love. gathered together at table for fellowship, break-
that in some simple villages, “You and I are really called to was palpable in the venue as In the second session, Joe Tale, former CFC ing bread and sharing mission stories among
their Orientation Session is change the world with the light everyone sang, danced and wor- Chairman and now Vatican Relations Head and one another.
a GiveCare Medical Mission, of Christ. A single spark of light shipped God. The lanterns that CFC Europe Regional Mission Center Coordinator, In the last session, Fr. Sam Agcaracar, SVD,
followed by the CLP. Maybe if can break any darkness, a mil- each family, household, chapter, shared his own missionary experience. He related a former Singles for Christ member, lamented
your participants are all young lion lights can defeat darkness, area or country brought to the his trials and victories, and how these inspired how hard it is to re-propose the Gospel to
couples, Family is a Gift can be and set the world on fire with Quirino Grandstand twinkled him even more to continue what the Lord started many Catholics who are disappointed with
given as the Orientation Talk, love! Choose to be the light in like a million stars which had in his life. the Church. But he reminded the lay mis-
followed by Talk 1 of the CLP. your home. Choose to be the come down from heaven to light He encouraged his fellow mission workers that sionaries that the Catholic Church is not
Maybe to a group of working spark in your workplace. Choose up the anniversary celebration. despite the present realities, one should not lose about the messengers, but about the Gospel
professionals, your Orientation to be the bonfire in your mis- It was a wonderful sight to be- heart and instead remain faithful to his or her message and Jesus.
session will be “Christian Lead- sion. Have no doubt, you and I hold! And a beautiful memory prayer life and relationship with the Lord. He He exhorted everyone to remain humble and
ership in the Workplace.” are called to change the world everyone will treasure for years said, “We are able to carry out what the Lord told grounded so that in the end, what people see is
CHILDREN OF LIGHT! - with the light of Christ!” to come. us—to bring others to Christ and to the renewal the light of Christ. (CFC Global Comm)
CLERGY - LAY, p1
Most Reverend Gilbert Garcera, Arch- “Social exclusion weakens the family gift, CFC must cease to be exclusive observe from the balcony, but to allow that the clergy and the laity should
bishop of Lipa and Chairman of the and becomes a serious threat to the after 38 years of existence. My dear the Lord to touch them, to be active think about and cooperate on, in order
Episcopal Commission on Family and dignity of communities in the Phil- Couples for Christ, help dioceses and and be alive so as to be sharers of life. to help families become enlightened.
Life (ECFL), was the congress’ keynote ippines,” the archbishop explained. parishes. Go out!” More importantly, families are called The program Family is a Gift (FiG)
speaker. Archbishop Garcera spoke of Quoting Cardinal Chito Tagle, he A gift is meant to be unwrapped, to learn the art of accompaniment. proposes three important post-Cana ac-
the participation of Philippine bishops said, “In the case of migration, many opened and shared, and the prelate en- The families, to be a gift, must extend tivities that families can do to truly be
at the Visitatio Ad limina Apostolo- married couples separate not because couraged the community, “Each one of pastoral attention to strengthening a gift: to advocate pro-family values; to
rum or the Visit to the Threshold of they hate each other. They choose you has received a special grace, so, like marriages and preventing breakdowns equip couples and family members in
the Apostles, held at the Vatican. In separation because of their love for good stewards responsible for all these than giving pastoral assistance in building strong families; and to provide
this gathering, Archbishop Garcera their family. And they bear the pain different graces of God, put yourselves failed situations. an environment of mutual support and
presented to Kevin Cardinal Farrell, of separation to find jobs elsewhere.” at the service of others.” (1 Peter 4:10) The reality, however, is that there caring for them. These may be accom-
Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, However, amidst these problems lie He enjoined CFC to help the clergy are many families who do not experi- plished by families getting involved
Family and Life the state of Filipino pieces of silver lining because of the by sharing the community’s pastoral ence such gift, or giftedness. There are, in the various partnerships and FiG
families. role of Filipinos as evangelizers in the formation courses, to go beyond the for instance, 3.8 million children and activations in the parishes or dioceses.
Archbishop Garcera said, “In my world. A Filipino nanny, for instance, CFC community, to go and serve those youth who are out of school. There are As a response to the issues presented
report, I told the Cardinal that here singing the “Ama Namin” to children in the peripheries, with the missionary young people who become objects of by Archbishop Garcera, CFC President
in the Philippines, we have a long under her care as a lullaby, is indirectly aspirations of reaching everyone. human trafficking and sexual molesta- Michael Ariola expounded on addi-
history of defending the family. We evangelizing the family she works for. Quoting 1 Peter 4:11, he added, tion. Because of extreme poverty, there tional factors that could change the
have been promoting human dignity, Families who are active in ministry “If you are a speaker, speak in words are fathers who succumb to organ traf- landscape of Christianity and family
and have been protecting human life within and outside of the Church exist which seem to come from God; if you ficking. Many are victims of abuse and life in 30 years—the rapid growth of
from natural conception to natural to bring the Good News everywhere. are a helper, help as though every ac- violence. Substance abuse is very much Islam, the increase in the numbers
death.” He added, “I reported how you, For the Congress, Archbishop Gar- tion was done at God’s order; so that prevalent. Young people are subjected of “unaffiliated” or those who do not
lay people, have given us (the clergy) cera presented God’s plan for the fam- in everything God may receive the to a web of ideologies, and have become believe in the existence of a Supreme
occasions to respond to the teachings ily in the light of Amoris Laetitia and glory, through Jesus Christ, since to entangled in the digital realm such that Being, and the devaluation of marriage
of the Church. The Cardinal was so exhorted the clergy to continue to take Him alone belong all glory and power technology has hindered them from as an institution.
happy to know about the role of the the lead in accomplishing God’s mis- for ever and ever.” being truly connected. As members of the Church whose
Filipino people in view of mission and sion for the family together with the He repeated the challenge posed by The archbishop asked: If families primary involvement is in the Family
the family.” laity. He also presented CFC’s Family Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium for are a gift, how are they responding Life Apostolate, the family of Christ
The prelate also reported to the is a Gift program as an equipping tool the clergy and the laity --to “be bold through post-Cana activities that needs to confront all these challenges.
Dicastery on the five main problems to reach out and help more families in and creative in this task of rethinking would bring the gift of accompani- The Congress brought out the most
of the country, namely poverty, mi- the parish/diocese. the goals, structures, style and methods ment to families in these realities? important fact that both the clergy and
gration, broken marriages, disasters According to Archbishop Gar- of evangelization in their respective Despite the realities staring the laity the laity must work hand in hand in
and natural calamities, and social cera, to be a gift to the families, communities.” (EG 33) in the face, there is still hope. Arch- facing these challenges, and in making
issues such as the RH Law and same the Church must trigger post-Cana Families are called to serve, to be bishop Garcera constantly mentioned sure that God’s plan for families will be
sex union. activities. He exhorted, “To be a protagonists of change, to not just post-Cana activities, or those activities fulfilled. (CFC Global Comm)
C4 June 24 - July 7, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

CFC International Mission Core Gathering


EVERY year, CFC leaders across Convention Center in Pasay City.
the globe and from all over the Testimonies were heard from
Philippines come to Manila, leaders in the International Mis-
Philippines to gather as one sions, the Philippine Missions,
community for fellowship, to and the Metro Manila Missions,
share mission stories, and to including Vatican Relations
worship the Lord as one global Head Joe Tale.
community. The Metro Manila sectors
This year, as Couples for Christ and some provinces brought
celebrated its 38th year, CFC lead- different kinds of food to the
ers came together and boldly venue, giving the delegates a
proclaimed God's victory in their taste of their native delicacies.
respective areas at the CFC Inter- The prayer assembly was led by
national Mission Core Gathering International Council member
on Tuesday, June 18 at the SMX Joe Yamamoto.

Let us get to know, and pray for, the newly-elected members


THE NEWLY ELECTED IC
of the Board of Trustees, also known as the CFC International ARNEL SANTOS
Council, who will serve the community until June 30, 2021. 52 years old (December 5, 1967)
NONOY DALMAN
71 years old (December 9, 1947) Married for 22 years (July 7, 1997)
Married for 40 years Married to Mariter “Bing” Santos
BONG ARJONILLO (December 12, 1979) Names of children/age: Jose Emilio - 21;
60 years old (January 23, 1959) Married to Ma. Violeta (Marivie) Dalman Maria Psalma - 13
Married for 34 years Names of children/age: No. of years in CFC: 21 years
(December 8, 1985) April – 39; Chrissie – 37; Ryan - 35 (CLP at Our Lady of Fatima, QC)
Married to Carol Arjonillo No. of years in CFC: 27 years Previous CFC service: IC member, 2012-2015; PFO Director
Names of children/age: (CLP taken at Diliman, Quezon City) (2015), Metro Manila Director (2014), ANCOP IC overseer (2013);
Francis - 32; JB - 29; Robbie - 24; Topper - 19 Previous CFC service: Regional Head, South Central B Region, Corporate Secretary (2012-2015); Sector Head, CFC West B
No. of years in CFC: 25 years CFC-USA, Country Coordinator, Canada (2010-2012); PAH, CFC Apayao (2009-2012); Head, CFC Social
Previous CFC service: HH, UH, CH, CLH, SH, YFC Int’l. Coordina- Present CFC service: Regional Coordinator, Southern South America Development Programs; Secretary, BOE; PAH, CFC Rizal; Country
tor, PAH, Regional Coordinator, Regional Coordinator for North Coordinator, CFC Singapore
Asia, Sector Head, South B Present CFC service: IC member; Evangelizatioin and Missions Director
Present CFC service: Board of Elders, Mission Head, Asia & Oceania JAIME ILAGAN
57 years old (January 28, 1962) JAMES SOLANO
GEORGE CAMPOS Married for 35 years 54 years old (April 22, 1965)
56 years old (April 26, 1963) (January 11, 1984) Married for 31 years (June 4, 1988)
Married for 32 years Married to Lorna Ilagan Married to Ella Solano
(September 5, 1987) Names of children/age: Names of children/age:
Married to Cynthia Campos James Laurence – 33; Jaime Lorenzo – 31; Yen - 30; Jim - 29; EJ - 21
Names of children/age: Julian Lemuel - 25 No. of years in CFC: 24 years
Patrick George - 31, Mary Angeli Therese - 29, No. of years in CFC:30 years (CLP taken in Davao City)
Mary Ctherine Anne - 25, Mary Christen Louise - 17 (graduated the CLP on December 1, 1989) Previous CFC service: RH of South Central Mindanao, PAH of
No. of years in CFC: 29 years Previous CFC service: HH, UH,CH, CLH, SH, FM Coordinator, COMVAL, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Gensan. RC of South-
Previous CFC service: MM Sector Head - East A, Country Coord - GT Head of PFO, PAH, Country Coordinator of UAE, Regional west Europe, CC of France; BOE member, Mindanao Mission
USA / Vietnam, PAH – Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya,International Coordinator - Middle East, IC member, CFC ANCOP President, Director, PAH of Misamis Oriental
Council member, Metro Manila Missions Director Overseer for West Asia, Philippine Missions Director Present CFC service: IC member
Present CFC service: Board of Elders, Church Relations Office Head Present CFC Service: Board of Elders
MELO VILLAROMAN JR
RICKY CUENCA REGGIE RAGOJOS 55 years old (December 16, 1963)
64 years old (April 28,1955) 60 years old Married for 30 years (March 11, 1989)
Married for 40 years (March 14,1979) Married for 38 years Married to Ma. Antoniette “Nini” V. Villaro-
Married to Irma Cuenca Married to Janet Ragojos man
Names of children/age: Jacqueline - 40; Names of children/age: Christian Noel - 38; Names of children/age:
Krissy - 36 Jerome - 33; Jeffrey - 33; Mary Regine - 25 Dave Melo - 29; Samuel Melo - 22
No. of years in CFC: 31(CLP taken at BF Homes No. of years in CFC: 27 years No. of years in CFC: 30 years
Parañaque) Previous CFC service: HH, UH, Chapter Head, Cluster Head, PAH. (CLP taken at Zabarte, Novaliches)
Previous CFC service: IC Chairman, Board of Elders, CFC ANCOP RH,Board of Elders, RH Central Visayas, Regional Head, Central Previous CFC service: International Council; Singapore National
Chairman Luzon Council Member Overseeing Ancop SG, Board of Elders
Present CFC service: President, ANCOP Canada; IC member Present CFC service: IC member Present CFC service: CFC Chairman

CFC ANNIVERSARY GALLERY

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