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VOLUME 19
NUMBER 13
CBCPMONITOR.COM
In his nearly 200-page encyclical entitled Laudato Si (Be Praised), the pontiff
cited a document of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines on the
environment.
Who turned the wonder world of the
seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of
color and life? the Pope quoted a CBCP
pastoral letter on ecology when he talked
about the destruction of marine resources.
Right direction
Published in January 1988, the statement
entitled What is happening to our beautiful land? is the worlds first pastoral letter
of Catholic bishops on the environment.
The landmark document was even adopted and published by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
After almost three decades, Laudato Si is
said to be the Vaticans first major teaching
on the environment and climate change.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP
president, said the citation was recognition
of the pastoral efforts of the local Church in
the area of ecological stewardship.
It is an affirmation that we in the Philippines are in the right direction in teaching
that creation is a gift that must be cared
for, Villegas said.
He, however, clarified that this was not
the first time the Pope cited the CBCP in
an encyclical.
Efforts, A7
Missionary to
govt: Leave IP
schools in peace
A CATHOLIC missionary
brother and indigenous peoples
(IP)s rights advocate has called
on the Philippine government to respect the status of
educational institutions for
IP children for what they are
supposed to be: second home,
peace zone, and preserver of
culture.
As the second homes of our
children, schools must always
be zones of peace. Children,
including those of our indigenous people, have all the right
to security without the threat
of militarization or of being
caught up in an encounter
with rebels, Br. Martin Francisco told CBCP News in an
interview.
Missionary, A6
WHATS INSIDE
The first encyclical wholly
from Francis overturns
expectations, A1
Pope Francis receives participants in the 9th plenary assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, at the Vatican
on June 19, 2015. The assembly of the worldwide association of Episcopal Conferences and more than 200 Catholic Biblical institutions is the first over which Tagle
is presiding as the new CBF President. L OSSERVATORE ROMANO
CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWORLD.NET
CFC seedbed for vocations FSP to continue campaign for media with a soul
priests
JUST days after celebrating bears fruits in its campaign from the faith, the religious
their centenary, the Daugh- for media with a soul.
sister said.
FSP / A7
Batches of FSP sisters, from 1948 to the most recent, look forward
to hundreds of years more as they mark a milestone in their
congregations history with a mini parade in celebration of their
100th foundation anniversary on June 15, 2015 at their provincial
house in Pasay City. RAYMOND SEBASTIAN
Young people raise hands in worship during the Liveloud Praise Concert held at the
World Trade Center in Pasay City on June 12. R. LAGARDE/CBCPNEWS
No mercy
The episode sends a
wrong message that we can
plead with the demon, as if
it has mercy and compassion. This is very misleading, he said.
When a priest-exorcist
performs an exorcism and
expelling demons, he is
not and should not make a
plea or request the demon
to leave but rather comExorcism / A6
A2 WORLD NEWS
Kkottongnaeon, South Korea - August 16, 2014: Pope Francis speaks to religious sisters
and brother from communities across Korea at the Training Center School of Love in
Kkottongnaeon, South Korea on August 16, 2014. CNA
CBCP Monitor
Vatican Briefing
Pope Francis speaks up for Italys unemployed youth
Former papal nuncio Josef Wesolowski will be tried by the Vaticans criminal court for sexual abuse of minors and for possession
of child pornography. The Vatican has said that Pope Francis
wishes to address (the case) justly and rigorously. Fr. Federico
Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, said last year
that from the very first moments that this case was made known
to them, moved without delay and correctly in light of the fact
that former nuncio Wesolowski held the position of a diplomatic
representative of the Holy See, particularly in recalling the former
nuncio to Rome for canonical trial. Wesolowski, a Polish-born
laicized archbishop, was papal nuncio to the Dominican Republic
from 2008 until he resigned in August 2013 due to allegations
that he had paid for sexual relations with minors. (CNA)
Help society and the church overcome all forms of discrimination and exclusion, Pope Francis told a delegation of Special
Olympics athletes. He encouraged the athletes to keep helping
each other discover your potential and to love life and appreciate it with all of its limits and, above all, beautiful aspects.
The popes comments came during an audience June 19 in the
apostolic palace with Special Olympics directors, coaches, family members and athletes, who will be representing Italy at the
games in Los Angeles July 25-Aug. 2. The world of sports can
look to the church to help guide it in fulfilling its true meaning
as an educational, physical and recreational activity that fosters
peoples dignity, he said. (CNS)
CBCP Monitor
NEWS FEATURES A3
The title of Pope Francis latest encyclical is taken from Saint Francis of Assisis Canticle
of the Sun, where the saint reflects on the Earth as a sister and mother. RUSSELL PALMA
Pope: Concern for poor is sign of Gospel, Will Pope Francis change
the date of Easter?
not red flag of communism
VATICAN, June 16, 2015Focusing
on poverty and sacrificing for the poor
are the heart of the Gospel, not signs of
communism, Pope Francis said at his
morning Mass.
Furthermore, if Christians dont dig
deep and generously open up their wallets,
they do not have genuine faith, the pope
said June 16 during the Mass in the chapel
of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
He said people often hear, Oh, this
priest speaks about poverty too much, this
bishop talks about poverty, this Christian,
this sister talk about poverty. Well, theyre
a bit communist, arent they?
But poverty is precisely at the heart of
the Gospel. If we were to remove poverty
from the Gospel, people would understand
nothing about Jesus message, he said,
according to Vatican Radio.
Being fully Christian means being rich
in spirit, faith, the Word, wisdom and
zealthings that Jesus has taught and offered all people, he said.
Make sure, however, that this huge
amount of wealth in the heart also impacts the wallet, he said, because when the
faith doesnt reach your pockets, it is not
a genuine faith.
Pope Francis said the theology of poverty is based on the fact that Jesusin
his divine richnessbecame poor; he
lowered himself and sacrificed himself to
save humanity.
The Beatitude, Blessed are the poor in
spirit, means letting oneself be enriched
by the poverty of Christ and not wanting
to be rich with those riches that are not
from Christ, he said.
Christian giving goes beyond plain charity, which is good, but isnt the Christian
poverty believers are called to embrace,
he said. Christian poverty is: I give to the
poor what is mine, not the excess, but also
An image of the Resurrected Christ is brought out in procession in Baclaran Church on Easter Wednesday.
RAYMOND SEBASTIAN
A4 OPINION
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Monitor
CBCP
Pedro C. Quitorio
Ronalyn R. Regino
Editor-in-Chief
Design Artist
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Gloria Fernando
Associate Editor
Marketing Supervisor
Roy Q. Lagarde
Mercedita Juanite
News Editor
Kris Bayos
Features Editor
Circulation Manager
Marcelita Dominguez
Comptroller
Living Mission
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Torre de Babel
Candidly Speaking
Fr. Roy Cimagala
elsefamily-wise, professionally,
socially, politically, etc.
Lets never be deceived that
our life is mainly physical, and
its development is just a matter
of struggling externallythat we
manage to eat, to work, to earn,
to stay away from physical danger,
etc. The real battle is in our internal selvesin our thoughts and
desires, our will and plans.
The struggle in life cannot just be
a matter of economics or politics.
The battle always starts and ends in
our mind and heart, in the spiritual
aspect of our life. This is where
things start to happen, and where
things also get resolved.
Even if there are still things to be
fixed externally, we can still manage
to fix them internally, because thats
where we get in touch directly
with God, and with him, nothing is impossible. Lets disabuse
ourselves from the thought that
we get our ultimate peace and joy
somewhere else.
Thats why we have to see to it
that our thoughts and desires are
properly engaged with God who is
their true foundation and end, for
outside of Him, we will just expose
ourselves to all sorts of random and
CBCP Monitor
OPINION A5
Falling and
Falling in Love
Whatever
Duc In Altum
Pitik-Bulag
Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ
Commentary
Fr Robert A. Gahl, Jr
Surprised by Francis
WITH his new encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis continues to break
the mold of preconceived, rigid expectations. Our polarized culture
instinctively sorts people and positions into neat boxes according to the
politicized categories of right and left or, more simplistically, for and
against. Many analysts quickly respond by oversimplifying his profound
teaching. Many critics hone in on their favorite topic and promptly applaud or chastise the Pope if he seems to take their favorite view on their
favorite topic, or not.
But no one should feel comfortable with Laudato Si. Francis does not
seek applause for his teaching but that it be taken to heart. The Pope
presses his careful reader to deep conversion and to concerted action in
economic and political policy.
None of this should be a surprise. Since the late 19th century, with
Leo XIIIs Rerum Novarum, Popes have pronounced on matters of social
doctrine. Pope Francis is perfectly in continuity with his predecessors and
he makes the point in the introduction to this new encyclical by laying
out its foundation in the teachings of John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II,
and Benedict XVI. All of these Popes have expressed acute concern for
the environment. Benedict even made the effort to install a vast array of
solar panels on the roof of his audience hall to achieve carbon neutrality
within Vatican City State, the first state to achieve such a goal.
Nonetheless, the run-up to the publication of the encyclical was marked
by controversy, even to the point that, on account of their scepticism with
respect to the solidity of global warming science, some observers were
expelled from meetings on climate change recently held in the Vatican
by the Pontifical Academy of the Sciences. Global warming concerns
dominated the pre-publication controversy. Media attention increased
interest in the Pope and excitement for his encyclical on ecology.
Laudato Si is probably the most anticipated encyclical in history because concerted attempts were made by opposing political proponents
within the Church and in the secular world to modify, delay, impede,
and to spin the text before it was finalized. Then, in the final days before publication, a leak of a draft, hardly distinguishable from the final
document, fanned the flames of controversy, also regarding the ethics of
publishing, or even just discussing, a leaked draft. Exposing irreconcilable
views of the journalistic profession, journalists quoted other journalists
regarding the tensions between institutional loyalty, accreditations, and
the obligation to bring to light matters of international public opinion.
Given that Pope Francis enjoys universal recognition as the most
influential moral authority today and that many hold that we are living
in an historic moment of impending global tragedy on account of the
devastating effects of irreversible climate change, activists hold that he
must speak out and lead the world towards concerted effort to reduce the
emission of carbon dioxide and to save the world from impending doom.
Is the Pope taking sides?
Indeed, Pope Francis faces an unprecedented situation. In early centuries, Papal teaching focused on the content of revelation, for instance,
the unity between the human and divine natures of Jesus; the relationship
between the three Persons of the Trinity; the nature of grace, justification;
and the sacraments -- all subjects foreign to contemporary concerns of
secular, political debate.
But in recent times, Popes have concentrated on teaching regarding the
implications of divine revelation in human affairs. Consequently, they
have pronounced encyclicals dedicated to marriage, family, human life,
economics, democracy, and all features of social justice.
So, if the world is truly facing impending doom, due to anthropogenic, or man-made global warming, then, perhaps, the Pope does
have an unprecedented obligation to use his authoritative voice to warn
the world and to bring everyone together to act in concert to prevent
world-wide devastation. Many scientists and proponents of calling our
age the anthropocene claim that acting alone, or even as an entire nation or continent, would be ineffective to stave off the global effects of
greenhouse gases. If the warnings of climate scientists are well-founded,
then surely the Pope must forcefully proclaim the obligation for global
coordinated effort to reduce the warming. Moreover, it seems that he
must do so without delay in preparation for his upcoming trip to the
USA in September, when he will address the joint session of Congress
in Washington DC and the UN General Assembly in New York, and
prior to the UNs climate change conference in Paris next December.
Only Pope Francis has the moral force to bring all together to make
courageous commitments to preclude the devastation. Nevertheless, if
the Pope were to take sides in a politicized debate between ideologies, he
would lose his moral authority and his teaching would no longer enjoy
the secure foundation in Gods revelation. Some Catholics, and even some
nonbelievers, fear that if he proclaims global warming a matter of religious
belief, then he will have damaged the oldest teaching office in history.
The unusual title of the encyclical encapsulates the debate and frames
Francis entire response to the vexing issue. He begins the encyclical
quoting St. Francis famous Canticle of the Creatures with the words be
praised in the original, Umbrian version of medieval Italian Laudato
si`. The very title lends itself to misinterpretation for those who do not
read the encyclical. The history of environmentalism can help explain
the contradictory interpretations.
The history of environmentalism
The environmental movement began with anti-Christian roots in
utopian, neopaganism. In the early 1970s, environmentalists joined
forces with proponents of the sexual revolution and neo-Malthusians
with their aims to eliminate population growth through contraception
and abortion. For these neo-Malthusians, our world is a zero-sum game.
We are all locked into a Petri dish in competition with other animals for
natural resources, especially limited food and water. Only so many humans can survive on this planet and with accelerating population growth,
they claimed, the human race would kill itself out by using up all the
resources. Doom and gloom was prophesied, but all of their predictions
proved entirely false.
With more people on hand, more creativity was unleashed and more
resources were discovered, extracted, and even created with the power of
human entrepreneurship. The economist and Nobel Prize laureate Julian
Simon eloquently analyzed the power of human creativity with his book
The Ultimate Resource, by statistically demonstrating that the human
being is the greatest treasure for economic development.
Despite the evidence, Malthusians of all stripes remain stuck in their
materialistic misconceptions. They fail to appreciate the power of the
human mind to transcend the limitations of stuff. So, they continue to
ally with the more extreme utopian neo pagans who worship the earth,
the plants, and the animals, while holding that humans are a blight that
pose a danger for the extinction of other species. They claim a religious
obligation to reduce the human population, even by exterminating the
very young and the old and through demographic campaigns of forced
sterilization in developing countries.
For radical environmentalists, Pope Francis quotation of St. Francis
might seem like a song to mother earth and to her creatures. But the
Pope promptly explains the point of his title. Who should be praised?
The entire encyclical responds that God is to be praised through his
creatures by the human person who is at the pinnacle of Gods material
creation. Our role in nature is so crucial that God became man so that
he could touch this world of ours with his hands, so that he could spend
30 years working as an artisan so as to teach us to raise material creation
in praise to God, Our Father. Indeed, Francis writes: Jesus worked with
his hands, in daily contact with the matter created by God, to which he
gave form by his craftsmanship. It is striking that most of his life was
dedicated to this task in a simple life.... In this way he sanctified human
labour and endowed it with a special significance for our development.
As Saint John Paul II taught, by enduring the toil of work in union with
Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son of God
for the redemption of humanity(98).
Natural ecology and human ecology
Following John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Francis teaches that natural
ecology must go hand in hand with human ecology. With Benedict,
Francis denounces the dictatorship of relativism and extends Benedicts
Commentary / A7
A6 LOCAL NEWS
CBCP Monitor
Vatican City - June 18, 2015. A press conference on Pope Francis newly released encyclical Laudato Si in Paul VI Hall on June
18, 2015. Laudato Si is taken from St. Francis of Assisis medieval Italian prayer Canticle of the Sun. Pope Francis addresses the
environment, climate change, abortion, embryonic experimentation, and population control in the encyclical. CNA
Urgent call
This beautiful and urgent call to action from
Pope Francis, besides challenging our lifestyles and
behaviors, has perfect timing ahead of the COP21
summit, shares Toms Insua, GCCM movement
coordinator, in a recent statement.
According to him, Pope Francis himself said he
wanted the encyclical to influence the international climate negotiations, and now is the time for
Catholics and all people of good will to mobilize
and remind world leaders of the moral imperative
of climate action.
Universal solidarity
Representing over 100 Catholic global organizations
working on climate justice, GCCM joins Pope Francis
in his call to create a new and universal solidarity
that recognizes those integral relationships between
the social and economic ills of our age.
The movement noted that a new and better paradigm
of socio-economic development is necessary, one that is
sustainable and includes intergenerational solidarity, in
Pro-choice / A1
Exorcism / A1
Vocations / A1
Filipinized icons
Like Dakilang Likha, Inang
Likha has incorporated elements
from indigenous Filipino art
forms which give the Blessed
Mother and the Holy Child strikingly Austronesian complexion
and features.
We are adapting ethnic patterns, he said, commenting on the
Asian-looking clothes the subject
wears.
Also like Dakilang Likha, the
Madonna-and-Child icon revives
the use of baybayin, with the
phrase dakilang likha in the ancient Tagalog script written on the
left side of the panel.
Praying and painting
According to him, right before
he sets off working on a new picture, he prays, stressing he needs
the guidance from above for this
spiritual task.
You need guidance before cocreating, Jakosalem explained.
Traditionally, iconographers,
people who write icons, see
themselves as more than artists
given that what they help create are
no ordinary works of art.
They [icons] are the windows to
heaven, Jakosalem added.
Greenheart Hermitage
Coming from a family of painters in Western Visayas, the Recollect brothers shared he is connected to the Greenheart Hermitage,
an ecological center founded
by the Recollects in 2010 at the
University of Negros OccidentalRecoletos in line with the congre-
Missionary, A1
Soldiers as teachers?
Francisco, a Blessed Sacrament Missionary of the Poor (BSMP) who has been
ministering to the Dumagats of Bulacan
for almost a decade, made this appeal in
view of the decision of the Department
of Education (DepEd) to convert three
special schools in Davao del Norte the IPs
themselves built into a regular high school
where members of the military are reportedly slated to serve as para-teachers.
We ask our government, the Armed
Forces of the Philippines [AFP], as well as
the rebel elements to respect these schools
Anti-IP
Francisco bemoaned the idea of appointing soldiers as para-teachers, pointing out
this move runs directly against what the
education department envisions for an IP
school with an IP-oriented curriculum.
According to him, the Indigenous
Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 mandates the state to recognize and promote
all the rights of Indigenous Cultural Com-
IP kids rights
Noting their vital role in nation-building, the law also guarantees the rights of IP
children to their physical, moral, spiritual,
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well-being.
Sec. 28 of IPRA reads: The State shall,
through the NCIP [National Commission
on IP], provide a complete, adequate and
integrated system of education, relevant to
CBCP Monitor
A7
Fr. John Leydon, SSC blesses the icon Jesus of Creation at the Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church in Malate, Manila on June
18, coinciding with the release of Laudato Si, the encyclical on the care of our common home. A delegation of Filipino Catholic
environmentalists are set to bring the icon to the Vatican and give it as gift to Pope Francis. GREENHEART HERMITAGE
icons, he pointed out Jesus of Creation differs from the others in its
use of Baybayin, the Old Tagalog
script.
The word Dakilang is on
Christs top left side with Likha
on the top right, Likha, forming
Dakilang Likha, which roughly
translates to distinguished among
Gods Creation, the icons alternate name.
The icon Jesus of Creation
will be in Rome next week to be
given as a gift to Pope Francis by
the Philippine Catholic Eco-team
delegation to support the Popes
Homes made of local materials have been built in six municipalities in Eastern Samar
to address the lack of more resilient shelter facilities after super typhoon Yolanda. CRS
Country Representative Joseph Curry said each build-up home costs Php 45,000, while
other homes cost less depending on the recipients needs. MELO M. ACUA
Bishop Emeritus Angel Hobayan of the Diocese of Catarman, and Bishop Filomeno G.
Bactol, DD, the Bishop of Naval, Bishop Crispin B. Varquez, DD, the Bishop of Borongan,
and Fr. Neil Tenefrancia pose after the golden jubilee celebration of the Seminario de
Jesus Nazareno. FR. NEIL TENEFRANCIAS FACEBOOK
Efforts, A1
FSP / A1
Commentary / A5
A8
CBCP Monitor
Legion of Mary to
mark 75 years
THE Legion of Mary will
celebrate its Diamond Jubilee
on July 19, Sunday, with a
concelebrated Mass at the SM
Mall of Asia Arena at 10:00
a.m. with Manila Auxiliary
Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo as
main presider.
The celebration hopes to
remind all legionaries in the
Philippines how this lay organization has grown when
the world was at the brink of
World War II and survived
periods of instability and recovery and some problems within
the Catholic Church, said Sr.
Olivia Gellangarin, President
of the Senatus of Northern
Philippines.
The 75th Anniversary has
Lehiyonaryo: Alagad ng mga
Dukha as its theme.
She added the celebration
is also in thanksgiving for preserving the legionaries amid
adversities.
Legionaries from all over the
country are expected to mark
the occasion with members flying in from Papua New Guinea
and Guam which are under the
supervision of the Senatus of
Northern Philippines.
Gellangarin said the Legion
of Marys first praesedium was
established at the Hospicio de
San Jose in Manila on July 21,
1940.
The celebration will begin
with a procession at 7:00 a.m.
with the Regia of Antipolo.
Msgr. Celso Ditan, the Spiritual Director will lead in the
opening prayer and recitation
of the Holy Rosary.
Expected to participate are
delegations from Vigan, Mindanao, Western Visayas, Cebu,
Northern Philippines, Bicolandia, Manila, and Silang, Cavite.
(Melo M. Acua/CBCPNews)
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma celebrates a Mass to mark the 100th year foundation anniversary of the Daughters of the St. Paul (FSP) at their provincial house in Pasay City
Sunday, June 14, 2015. RAYMOND SEBASTIAN
Markings
Appointed. Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Victor Ocampo, 63
from Bataan as the new bishop of the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon
province. Vatican announced the appointment of Ocampo as the fifth
bishop of Gumaca on June 12. Bishop-elect Ocampo is currently the
chancellor of the Diocese of Balanga and parish priest of the Santo
Domingo Church in Abucay town, Bataan. He will succeed Bishop
Buenaventura Famadico who was transferred to the Diocese of San
Pablo in Laguna in 2013. Bishop-elect Ocampo was born in Angeles
City, Pampanga in 1952. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of
Balanga in 1977. His Episcopal ordination will be held at the Balanga
cathedral on August 29.
Magnesium deficiency
The importance of the mineral to the body,
effects of it deficiency, and its capability to relieve various pains will be discussed, she said.
After the lecture, the priests will be taught about
the therapy and its application, Netario-Cruz said.
Magnesium therapy, which is conducted
transdermally, was introduced by Netario-Cruz
in the country in 2011.
It has addressed over 500 cases, said Fr.
Dari D. Dioquino, who is possibly the worlds
first magnesium advocate priest.
Back pain, insomnia
Magnesium therapy recipients reported
relief from various conditions, like back pain,
headache, frozen shoulder, muscle cramps,
stiff fingers, arthritis, and even insomnia, said
Victoria Baterina-Solis, a magnesium therapy
coach, also called a magi coach.
Most cases of body pains, especially among
seniors, are triggered by magnesium deficiency
as a result of diet poor in this mineral, Netario-
Mary Jean Netario-Cruz (4th from left 2nd row) and her team of magnesium advocates pose for a photo at St. Joseph
the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran before a healing mission in Bohol early this year. From left 1st row are magnesium
advocate priests Fr. Fernando Dodong Po and Fr. Dari Dioquino. OLIVER SAMSON
Cruz said.
Unhealthy lifestyle, like excessive intake of
caffeine and alcohol, long-term medication,
and stress, exacerbates the deficiency, she added.
Having gained the interest and support of
the religious people in 2014 with regard to
magnesium therapy, Garcera invited NetarioCruz and her team of magnesium advocates,
who include three magi coaches (magnesium
therapy coaches) and two magi coach apprentices to conduct the training in Bicol. (Oliver
Samson/CBCPNews)
PASTORAL CONCERNS B1
File Photo
CBCP Monitor
Concerned citizens, including religious men and women call for a stop to mining in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
(First of a series)
Laudato Si
Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with
which God has endowed her. We have come
to see ourselves as her lords and masters,
entitled to plunder her at will. The violence
present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also
reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident
in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all
forms of life. This is why the earth herself,
burdened and laid waste, is among the most
abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she
groans in travail (Rom8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth
(cf.Gen2:7); our very bodies are made up
of her elements, we breathe her air and we
receive life and refreshment from her waters.
Nothing in this world is indifferent to us
3. More than fifty years ago, with the world
teetering on the brink of nuclear crisis,Pope Saint
John XXIIIwrote anEncyclicalwhich not only
rejected war but offered a proposal for peace.
He addressed his messagePacem in Terristo the
entire Catholic world and indeed to all men
and women of good will. Now, faced as we are
with global environmental deterioration, I wish
to address every person living on this planet. In
my Apostolic ExhortationEvangelii Gaudium, I
wrote to all the members of the Church with the
aim of encouraging ongoing missionary renewal.
In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.
4. In 1971, eight years after Pacem in
Terris,Blessed Pope Paul VIreferred to the
ecological concern as a tragic consequence
of unchecked human activity: Due to
an ill-considered exploitation of nature,
humanity runs the risk of destroying it and
becoming in turn a victim of this degradation.[2]He spoke in similar terms to the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations about the potential for an
ecological catastrophe under the effective
explosion of industrial civilization, and
stressed the urgent need for a radical change
in the conduct of humanity, inasmuch as
the most extraordinary scientific advances,
the most amazing technical abilities, the
most astonishing economic growth, unless
they are accompanied by authentic social
and moral progress, will definitively turn
against man.[3]
5. Saint John Paul II became increasingly concerned about this issue. Inhis first
Encyclical he warned that human beings
frequently seem to see no other meaning in
My appeal
13. The urgent challenge to protect our
common home includes a concern to bring
the whole human family together to seek a
sustainable and integral development, for we
know that things can change. The Creator
does not abandon us; he never forsakes his
loving plan or repents of having created
us. Humanity still has the ability to work
together in building our common home.
Here I want to recognize, encourage and
thank all those striving in countless ways to
guarantee the protection of the home which
we share. Particular appreciation is owed to
those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic
effects of environmental degradation on the
lives of the worlds poorest. Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can
claim to be building a better future without
thinking of the environmental crisis and the
sufferings of the excluded.
14. I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future
of our planet. We need a conversation which
includes everyone, since the environmental
challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. The
worldwide ecological movement has already
made considerable progress and led to the
establishment of numerous organizations
committed to raising awareness of these
challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek
concrete solutions to the environmental crisis
have proved ineffective, not only because of
powerful opposition but also because of a
more general lack of interest. Obstructionist
attitudes, even on the part of believers, can
range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind
confidence in technical solutions. We require
a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops
of Southern Africa have stated: Everyones
talents and involvement are needed to redress
the damage caused by human abuse of Gods
creation. [22] All of us can cooperate as
instruments of God for the care of creation,
each according to his or her own culture,
experience, involvements and talents.
15. It is my hope that this Encyclical
Letter, which is now added to the body
of the Churchs social teaching, can help
us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity
and urgency of the challenge we face. I will
begin by briefly reviewing several aspects of
Laudato Si / B2
B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS
Laudato Si / B1
Laudato Si
CBCP Monitor
Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
I. POLLUTION AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
Pollution, waste and the throwaway
culture
20. Some forms of pollution are part of
peoples daily experience. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants produces a broad spectrum
of health hazards, especially for the poor, and
causes millions of premature deaths. People
take sick, for example, from breathing high
levels of smoke from fuels used in cooking
or heating. There is also pollution that affects
everyone, caused by transport, industrial
fumes, substances which contribute to the
acidification of soil and water, fertilizers,
insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and agrotoxins in general. Technology, which, linked
to business interests, is presented as the only
way of solving these problems, in fact proves
incapable of seeing the mysterious network
File Photo
CHAPTER ONE
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COMMON HOME
17. Theological and philosophical reflections on the situation of humanity and the
world can sound tiresome and abstract, unless they are grounded in a fresh analysis of
our present situation, which is in many ways
unprecedented in the history of humanity.
So, before considering how faith brings new
incentives and requirements with regard
to the world of which we are a part, I will
briefly turn to what is happening to our
common home.
18. The continued acceleration of changes
affecting humanity and the planet is coupled
today with a more intensified pace of life and
work which might be called rapidification.
Although change is part of the working of
complex systems, the speed with which human activity has developed contrasts with the
naturally slow pace of biological evolution.
Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant
change are not necessarily geared to the
common good or to integral and sustainable
human development. Change is something
desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety
when it causes harm to the world and to the
quality of life of much of humanity.
19. Following a period of irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, some
Laudato Si / B4
FEATURES B3
By Robert Z. Cortes
POPE Franciss comprehensive and beautifullywritten encyclical on ecology is out and is entitled Laudato si. Its title is from the first line
of a prayer of St. Francis: May you be praised,
my Lord. From beginning to end, the encyclical
indeed, is an act of praise to God.
For my part, I would praise it for having
foiled both the conservative right and the
progressive left in their assumptions of both
the encyclical and Pope Francis.
In the time leading to the publication of the
encyclical, the former
had expressed consternation that the Pope
was writing on something out of his reach.
The latter, for their part, had expected his radical, revolutionary side to finally appear. Well,
Pope Francis was quite radical, all right, and the
encyclical some sort of a Green Revolution:
but not the sort that they were expecting.
As an article in The Atlantic (an American
magazine) succinctly
summarized it, what this encyclical is not is
a love letter to GreenpeaceFrancis is embracing environmental stewardship as a Catholic
theologian, not a liberal activist.He does so
by contextualizing the topic squarely within
his proper ambit: care for humanity in general,
but especially the poor. Indeed, his environmental theology here is a manifestation of the
Churchs preferential option for the poor. Its
also a continuation and development of his
predecessorsfrom St. John XXIII to Benedict
XVIwhom he quotes a lot in the document.
Yet, the encyclical is revolutionary. It is the
first that ever had ecology as its main theme.
It is radical unlike any document on the environment because it gets to the real root of the
problem he mentions sin early onand its
solution.
In the first part the Pope discusses pollution,
climate change, water
shortage, and the loss of biodiversity. But
he does so not for their sake, but to highlight
the ultimately more important consequences
of dodging them: the suffering of human beings. It is they who are truly important. No
wonder Pope Francis moves on swiftly from
environmental to economic, social, and cultural
ecology.
Yet he goes further to the ecology of everyday life. Here the Pope brings down ecology
to its most central purpose and its most radical
source: the human person and his immediate
community. Logically, in this very section of
his encyclical, Francis recalls Benedict XVIs
affirmation that there exists an ecology of
manMan also has a nature that he must
respect and which he cannot manipulate at his
own pleasure.
He echoes that statement in probably the one
statement that could
summarize his entire encyclical. The integral
ecology requires openness to categories that
transcend the language of the exact sciences or
(Robert Z. Cortes is a PhD student in Social Institutional Communication at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce, Rome. He has an M.A. in
Ed. Leadership from Columbia University, N.Y.)
CBCP-Nassa
CBCP Monitor
A Gospel of Creation
Pope Francis proposes a new
approach of addressing the climate
crisis: dialogue of faith & science,
where the manifestation of greed in
the areas of economics and technology were proven; faith and science
thus far proved to conscienticize
our global citizens.
It is through re-examining our
faith-beginnings, from convictions
along with the living experience
of the gospel of life, lived in the
written pages of witnessing. The
ultimate purpose of other creatures
is not to be found in us. Rather,
all creatures are moving forward
with us and through us towards a
common point of arrival, which is
God, in that transcendent fullness
where the risen Christ embraces
Ecological Life / B7
(Note: The Theological and Pastoral Reflections for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress that
has been serialized in this page will continue next issueEds.)
B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS
Laudato Si / B2
can undermine the sovereignty of individual nations. In fact, there are proposals
to internationalize the Amazon, which only
serve the economic interests of transnational
corporations.[24]We cannot fail to praise
the commitment of international agencies
and civil society organizations which draw
public attention to these issues and offer critical cooperation, employing legitimate means
of pressure, to ensure that each government
carries out its proper and inalienable responsibility to preserve its countrys environment
and natural resources, without capitulating
CBCP Monitor
Laudato Si
Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
to spurious local or international interests.
39. The replacement of virgin forest with
plantations of trees, usually monocultures,
is rarely adequately analyzed. Yet this can
seriously compromise a biodiversity which
the new species being introduced does not
accommodate. Similarly, wetlands converted
into cultivated land lose the enormous biodiversity which they formerly hosted. In some
coastal areas the disappearance of ecosystems
sustained by mangrove swamps is a source of
serious concern.
40. Oceans not only contain the bulk of
our planets water supply, but also most of the
immense variety of living creatures, many of
them still unknown to us and threatened for
various reasons. What is more, marine life
in rivers, lakes, seas and oceans, which feeds
a great part of the worlds population, is affected by uncontrolled fishing, leading to a
drastic depletion of certain species. Selective
forms of fishing which discard much of what
they collect continue unabated. Particularly
threatened are marine organisms which we
tend to overlook, like some forms of plankton; they represent a significant element in
the ocean food chain, and species used for our
food ultimately depend on them.
41. In tropical and subtropical seas, we
find coral reefs comparable to the great forests
on dry land, for they shelter approximately
a million species, including fish, crabs, molluscs, sponges and algae. Many of the worlds
coral reefs are already barren or in a state of
constant decline. Who turned the wonderworld of the seas into underwater cemeteries
bereft of colour and life?[25]This phenomenon is due largely to pollution which reaches
the sea as the result of deforestation, agricultural monocultures, industrial waste and
destructive fishing methods, especially those
using cyanide and dynamite. It is aggravated
by the rise in temperature of the oceans. All of
this helps us to see that every intervention in
nature can have consequences which are not
immediately evident, and that certain ways
of exploiting resources prove costly in terms
of degradation which ultimatelyreaches the
ocean bed itself.
42. Greater investment needs to be made
in research aimed at understanding more
fully the functioning of ecosystems and
adequately analyzing the different variables
associated with any significant modification
of the environment. Because all creatures are
connected, each must be cherished with love
and respect, for all of us as living creatures
are dependent on one another. Each area is
responsible for the care of this family. This
will require undertaking a careful inventory
of the species which it hosts, with a view to
developing programmes and strategies of
protection with particular care for safeguarding species heading towards extinction.
IV. DECLINE IN THE QUALITY OF
HUMAN LIFE AND THE BREAKDOWN OF SOCIETY
43. Human beings too are creatures of this
world, enjoying a right to life and happiness,
and endowed with unique dignity. So we cannot fail to consider the effects on peoples lives
of environmental deterioration, current models
of development and the throwaway culture.
44. Nowadays, for example, we are conscious of the disproportionate and unruly
growth of many cities, which have become
unhealthy to live in, not only because of pol-
Whatever is fragile,
like the environment,
is defenseless before
the interests of a deified market,
which become the only rule.
lution caused by toxic emissions but also as
a result of urban chaos, poor transportation,
and visual pollution and noise. Many cities
are huge, inefficient structures, excessively
wasteful of energy and water. Neighbourhoods, even those recently built, are congested, chaotic and lacking in sufficient green
space. We were not meant to be inundated
by cement, asphalt, glass and metal, and
deprived of physical contact with nature.
45. In some places, rural and urban alike,
the privatization of certain spaces has restricted peoples access to places of particular
beauty. In others, ecological neighborhoods
have been created which are closed to outsiders in order to ensure an artificial tranquility.
Frequently, we find beautiful and carefully
manicured green spaces in so-called safer
areas of cities, but not in the more hidden
areas where the disposable of society live.
46. The social dimensions of global change
include the effects of technological innovations on employment, social exclusion, an
inequitable distribution and consumption of
energy and other services, social breakdown,
increased violence and a rise in new forms of
social aggression, drug trafficking, growing
drug use by young people, and the loss of
identity. These are signs that the growth of
ISACA
CBCP Monitor
STATEMENTS B5
relation between individual and community is a relation between one totality and
another [130].
File Photo
Savagery of Torture
We appreciate the earnest efforts of
law-enforcers to keep the peace and to
spare the population from the ravages of
terrorists, but we cannot countenance the
torture of suspects even when motivated
by the noble end of ferreting out the
truth and sparing innocent victims. The
savagery of all acts of torture contradicts
all noble deeds.
Christian Duty
Our Catholic laity must not only come
to the aid of victims of torture. We can
stomp out this scourge from our midst
by vigilance and discernment. When,
in the meetings of our basic ecclesial
communities, torture becomes an issue, let witnesses muster the Christian
courage to speak prophetically against
it even testifying in court against its
perpetrators.
When we act with resoluteness against
the perpetrators of torture, it is and
should be the incomparable dignity of
the human person that should be our end,
and the criterion of the rightness of our
advocacy and endeavors.
From the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines, June 23, 2015
+ SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
President, CBCP
CNA
Violating the
rights of the
environment also
means violating the
very rights of
the poor.
for rich countries to take on the responsibility
of ensuring that poor countries can adapt to
the climates adverse impact. He boldly stated
that leaders should put effort to protect and
improve our world by transforming todays
political and structural powers into something
that will ensure sustainable development of
human race and the environment.
Edel Garingan, PMPI Project Officer for
Anti-Mining Campaign believed that the core
of the environmental encyclical is the call for
change in our perspective of the environment,
our home. To me this is a critique of how
people, businessmen and world leaders have
looked at the environment in a very utilitar-
Praised be the
Lord.
An Encyclical on
the Environment
EVEN before Pope Francis released to the world his encyclical on
the environment and on climate change, some thought he was
venturing into a field best left to scientists.
But a Papal Encyclical is not teaching on science. To search
for scientific explanations to phenomenathat is the province
and the competence of science and of scientists, and while the
Church takes keen interest in scientific discoveries and studies it
is not a teacher of science.
This, however, is what Gaudium et Spes (of the Second Vatican
Council) says: The truth i that the imbalances under which the
modern world labors are linked with that more basic imbalance
which is rooted in the heart of man. For in man himself many
elements wrestle with one anotherThe Church firmly believes
that Christ, who died and was raised up for all, can through His
Spirit offer man the light and the strength to measure up to his
supreme destiny. (n. 10)
B6 REFLECTIONS
CBCP Monitor
Caravaggio
Caitlin Regan
We do not have
the right to walk
away from our
responsibilities
to the Truth. We
have to stand for
the truth of the
Lord, whether
it is popular or
not, whether it is
convenient or not.
ing and then treat it as though this were a
truth. For example, a number of years ago
a rather faulty sampling of Catholics was
taken and printed by the leading newspaper of our area saying that the vast majority
of Catholics do not believe in the presence
of the Lord in the Eucharist. I doubt the
credibility of the statement and certainly
doubt the credibility of the newspaper
involved, but I am deeply disturbed by the
concept that Catholics should determine
Bo Sanchez
SOULFOOD
ENCOUNTERS
Change of heart
When you
focus on your
problems, you
have tunnel
vision. Like
a horse with
blinders.
pened.
I got a really tall pile of Bad
News, and an almost non-existent
pile of Good News. Because Media
sells Bad News.
Weve been trained to focus on
SOCIAL CONCERNS B7
There are twelve venues being used averaging 50,000 each in capacity. About six
million fans gathering their garbage are a lot
of carbon credits! Is it impossible? No. As
Christiana Figueres, UN Climate Change
Chief said: Big sporting events are increasingly
winning green medals for their environmental
performance.
And Frederic Chome, director of Belgiumbased carbon consultancy Factor X, realistically added with a lot of caution that: A
truly green sports event is a flight of fancy. The
best we can do is to have much stricter environmental criteria from the point of determining
candidate hosts.
This direction is good. The fight against
climate change is always a concerted effort.
Mitigation through making all events, not
Instead of sulking,
cursing, blaming
or whatever
way of relieving
themselves of
their frustration in
defeat, they vented
it on picking up
empty beer bottles,
peanut shells,
leftover nachos, etc.
Manilaspeak
CBCP Monitor
Laudato Si / B4
considers nuclear arms and biological weapons. Despite the international agreements
which prohibit chemical, bacteriological and
biological warfare, the fact is that laboratory
research continues to develop new offensive
weapons capable of altering the balance of
nature.[34] Politics must pay greater attention to foreseeing new conflicts and addressing the causes which can lead to them.
But powerful financial interests prove most
resistant to this effort, and political planning
tends to lack breadth of vision. What would
induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to
power only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and
necessary to do so?
58. In some countries, there are positive
examples of environmental improvement:
rivers, polluted for decades, have been
cleaned up; native woodlands have been
restored; landscapes have been beautified
thanks to environmental renewal projects;
beautiful buildings have been erected; advances have been made in the production
[13]Address to the Clergy of the Diocese of BolzanoBressanone(6 August 2008): AAS 100 (2008), 634.
[14]Message for the Day of Prayer for the Protection
of Creation(1 September 2012).
[15]Address in Santa Barbara, California(8 November
1997); cf. JOHN CHRYSSAVGIS, On Earth as in
Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Bronx, New York, 2012.
[16]Ibid.
[17]Lecture at the Monastery of Utstein, Norway (23
June 2003).
[18] Global Responsibility and Ecological Sustainability, Closing Remarks, Halki Summit I, Istanbul
(20 June 2012).
[19]THOMAS OF CELANO,The Life of Saint Francis,
I, 29, 81: inFrancis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 1,
New York-London-Manila, 1999, 251.
[20] The Major Legend of Saint Francis, VIII, 6,
in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 2, New
York-London-Manila, 2000, 590.
[21]Cf. THOMAS OF CELANO,The Remembrance of
the Desire of a Soul, II, 124, 165, inFrancis of Assisi:
Early Documents, vol. 2, New York-London-Manila,
2000, 354.
[22] SOUTHERN AFRICAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS
CONFERENCE,Pastoral Statement on the Environmental Crisis(5 September 1999).
[23]Cf.Greeting to the Staff of FAO(20 November
2014): AAS 106 (2014), 985.
[24]FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE LATIN
AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN BISHOPS,Aparecida
Ecological Life / B3
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B8 ENTERTAINMENT
PH yuppies read
14th-century poem for
Mercy Year
INSPIRED by the Holy Fathers
glowing praise for Dante Alighieri,
two young Catholic Filipinos have
recently began ransacking shelves for
copies of the Italians immortal threepart poem, The Divine Comedy,
ahead of the Year of Mercy set to
open on December, inviting others
to do the same.
Lolo Kiko
Buhay San Miguel
Faith-reason
Dante did a great job showing
that faith and reason, in fact, do
complement, rather than dismiss,
each other and that together
they can both lead people to God,
he said.
According to Ranque, who was
introduced to the poem by a friend,
Dante made him a better person,
noting how humility runs through
much of the work.
Raymond A. Sebastin
Pope Francis recommends reading Dante Alighieris early 14th-century masterpiece, the
Divine Comedy. in advance of the Year of Mercy opening this December.
Great mystery
The Sacred
Heart shows us a
great mystery
Despite all the
pains He had been
through, Christ only
has love to give us.
Despite our unfaithfulness and our sins,
He loves us just the
same, he explained.
Valeza went on
to point out that
true love, the one
which Jesus has for
humans, does not
count the cost nor ask for anything in
return, but drives Him to give all that
He can for those He loves.
The love of Christ is perfect and
complete, he declared.
Invitation
Moreover, the priest stressed that in
baring His Sacred Heart to the world,
Jesus invites the faithful to resign
Raymond A. Sebastin
Buhay Parokya
CBCP Monitor
Brothers Matias
Bladimer Usi
Brothers Matias
CBCP Monitor
C1
CFC at 34:
On Being Shepherds
One of the major activities of the CFC anniversary week was the Governance Team (GT)
Summit, held to clarify and define the roles and
responsibilities of governance teams in the Philippines and abroad, whether as individuals, as a
household and as governing bodies. The summit
was held on the morning of the last day of the
week-long anniversary celebrations, Sunday, June
20 at the MOA SMX venue.
As is usual with CFC conferences, the morning begun with the celebration of the Holy Mass,
officiated by Fr. Gerard Timoner, Head of the
Dominican Province in the Philippines. His
homily, taken from the Bible passage that speaks
of Jesus being awoken from his sleep and stilling
the storm that had caused so much fear in his
disciples, was particularly apt as he spoke of how
we should not be afraid as we do our work and
how we should be at peace because God and our
brethren are with us.
He said: When we know we are in it (the
mission) together, our fears are assuaged by the
people who we know are with us. When we know
God is with us, then we know He will never ever
abandon us and that is enough.
The hall was filled as leaders from all over
listened to ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagans
exhortation on how leaders can best govern
their flock. Chairman Joe Tale then spoke and
offered the participants the best way to lead to
be shepherds of the flock, to be true witnesses of
love and care.
The open forum that followed was lively as
the leaders spoke about their concerns in being
shepherds and how they can be more effective in
their mission.
GT SUMMIT, C2
ening of relationships.
The week started with the
Liveloud Concert on Friday,
June 12 at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig. It was a celebration of youth, featuring
band music, testimonies,
and exuberant worship.
The CFC community has a new set of leaders nine men called by the Lord to be the communitys pastors
and shepherds for the next two years.
The new International Council members, also called the Board of Trustees of Couples of Christ, were chosen
by the Elders Assembly from a list of 27 nominees last June 19, 2015. They are: Joe Tale, Joe Yamamoto, George
ELECTIONS, C3
C2
CBCP Monitor
see beyond our needs. Despite having needs ourselves, we still have to
look to others, to go another mile,
as what Jesus said in scripture.
Because that is who God is. Loving
more is to be more identified with
our Lord.
That is why we in ANCOP
should try to be like Christ.
The Gospel, on the other hand,
is telling us what temptations we
could face. When we are working
with the poor and giving much of
ourselves, there are times when we
lose sight where these things come
from. Our temptation when we
do good works is to tell the people
we help that everything is from
us, forgetting that these provisions
come from God.
The evil forces will not rest until
MISSION SYMPOSIUM, C1
GT SUMMIT, C1
ANCOP SUMMIT, C1
George B. Campos
IC Oversight
Zenaida A. Gimenez
Editor-in-Chief
Deomar P. Oliveria
Layout Artist
Alma M. Alvarez
Associate Editor
Evangeline C. Mecedilla
Circulation Staff
The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial
offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City.
Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 23
Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856
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CBCP Monitor
C3
Young seminarians from the SVD religious congregation, all former members of the Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ, introduce themselves to the audience.
LAY-CLERGY, C1
ELECTIONS / C1
The second, Fr. Ruper, who is a regular Mass celebrant at the CFC Global Mission Center in Manila,
also came from Youth for Christ. He brought with
him several of his seminarians, all from YFC and SFC
themselves, to thank the Lord for planting the seed of
vocations in their hearts.
The main speaker, Fr. Neo Saicon, SJ, was also a
YFC leader when the desire to discern for priesthood
came. (See his story on page 3.)
As a response, Isaac Santos of CFC, father of Fr.
Abner Santos, a former SFC member, likewise testified how he and his wife supported their sons call to
become a priest.
It is truly a blessing that Catholic families, including
those in CFC, are being blessed to be co-formators
of young men and women who consider the religious
vocation. (A.M. Alvarez)
C4
CBCP Monitor
A Night to Remember
The members of the Governance
Teams of Metro Manila, the Philippine
Missions and the International Missions let their hair down, so to speak,
in an evening of dining and dancing
at the MOA SMX last June 18, 2015.
Everyone enjoyed the meal and
each others company, as well as the
great music courtesy of the West of
Bethany Band. A special number from
the brethren from China was one of the
evenings highlights.
Caption: Fr. Brian Soliven expounds on poverty of the West. (Photo by Feddie A. Espiritu)
CBCP Monitor
C5
Over 20 couples attended the Covenant Orientation on April 22nd conducted by Hector
Poppen, who was assisted by Michael Rovalanche
and Fr. Paul Raj, CFC Spiritual Adviser in the area.
CFC was established in the area in July 2014 by a
team from CFC India and CFC Singapore.
Agustin, Primrose
Soria, Fredielyn
School year 2014-15 was a banner year for the Child Sponsorship
Program (CSP) of CFC ANCOP, as
the CSP produced one (1) magna
cum laude, five (5) cum Laude and
seven (7) elementary/high school
valedictorians and salutatorians. A
large number of the scholars were
also included in the college Deans
List, were among the top ten in their
class and/or cited for academic and
non-academic performance.
Leading the pack of outstanding
graduates is Ruby Kailing, who
completed her BS Education degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the
Visayas State University, a premier
state-funded school in the Visayas.
Rubys parents only managed to
reach grade school and currently earn
their living as farmers, but this did
not deter them from providing good
education for their seven children.
After graduating from high
school, Ruby was out of school for
four years, enrolling in college only
in 2010, when she received funds
from the Give Love activity of
CFC ANCOP. The Leyte ANCOP
Global Walk (AGW) provided
annual funding for Ruby until she
completed college in 2015. As
Ruby now shares, I never lost hope
despite the eight long years I had to
wait to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. I trusted that the Lord
would provide for my needs and He
Beso, Jovie
Kailing, Rubie
Obillos, Diane
Ruales, Jessa
Nagaland
HOMILY, C2
The Gospel is very clearwe should always go back to the source, to always be connected to the One
who is the source of everything that we have. We should always have these attitudes, my dear brothers and
sisters, when we answer the cry of the poor.
First, humility. We have been called by God to participate in this holy work. We are not worthy, but
God called us. That is what Paul always tells the community in Corinthit is a chance for us, when
someone poor is calling out for help, to participate in self-giving love. Because giving is natural, and will
make us more human, more spiritual.
Secondly, when we participate in the self-giving love of God, we must always pray the prayer of
gratitude. When we always thank God, whether for victories of failures, because it is a realization that
everything we do is because of His grace, then whatever we do becomes holy.
And so, as we talk about and do our work with the poor, let us not lose our footing, to where we are
rooted. If we do, this becomes our work, not Gods work anymore.
Let us always remember that this is a call from God, the God who said, I hear the cry of the poor,
and I will answer them.
C6
Liveloud 2015:
Tearing Down Walls
God is here. He is searching for us. He
wants to meet us but, because we have
built walls around and within us, it is
hard for us to receive that precious gift.
The good news is He wants to tear down
the walls between us and in us.
This was how Noli Manuel, International Coordinator of Singles for
Christ, exhorted the 11,000 young
people who came to the World Trade
Center in Manila last June 12, 2015
for Liveloud, an extraordinary Catholic
worship experience.
CBCP Monitor
CFC@34, C1
gusty winds blowing away the bishops caps, leading Bishop de la Cruz
to joke that he was in the exact same
situation as Pope Francis whose
cap blew off amid the strong winds
that came as he was saying Mass at
the Tacloban, Leyte airport. But
the rains did not fall, much to the
delight of the huge crowd.
As dusk fell, after the Mass, the
crowd was led to full celebratory
mode by the Kids Praisefest led by
Ablaze President Rommel Ancheta.
Fireworks lit up the sky after the
praisefest, a fitting and colorful
ending to a tiring but truly enjoyable day.
Photos courtesy of John Paolo Bautista, Inigo
Buenaventura, Jason de Leon, Art del Rio, Jamie
Laguio, Jaen Manegdeg, Micah Melecio, Macky
Pasco, John Johriel Rosarda, Caloy Rubio, Ahyan
Talisic, Joey Tomas, Deo Oliveria, Jerry Tanigue,
Ruel Tenerife, Jay Umali, Carol Wong,