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CBCP

VOLUME 19
NUMBER 15

July 20 - August 2, 2015

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

CBCPMONITOR.COM

CBCP urges climate

change action
By Nirva Delacruz

IT is time the country started translating

words on combating
climate change into action, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines said.
CBCP president Archbishop
Socrates Villegas, in a statement
on Monday, said this include
actions by everyone: citizens,
governments, and international
organizations.
Advocacy of Church communities in behalf of the common
good should influence policy
makers and translate itself into
community action as well, Villegas said.
Climate change has brought
about suffering for nations,
communities and peoples, he
said. When they who are in
need cry out, it is not an option
to respond. It is an obligation.
The CBCP called for action
ahead of a Paris summit in December.
Echoing Pope Francis enClimate / A7

CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWORLD.NET

Bishops back a
BBL rooted in
social justice
GOD always does something
for the poor. What about
you?
Inviting the faithful to
commit themselves to serve
the poor each time they receive Communion, a Catholic priest has pointed out
poverty exists not so much
because the Lord wants it,
but rather because humans
refuse to live for one another,
to care for one another, and
to see the image of God
which they all share.
How do we see ourselves
in [the poor]? How do I see
Jesus in them? asked Fr. Enrico Martn F. Adoviso, head
of the Archdiocese of Manila
(RCAM)s Commission on
the Year of the Poor, in a
talk he gave at Santa Cruz
Church on Sunday, June 7,
for the Solemnity of the Most
Holy Body of Blood of the
Lord (Corpus Christi).`
BBL / A6

WHATS INSIDE
Striving for just peace,
the moral road, B1

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE. Archbishop Jos Rodrguez Carballo, OFM, secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, poses
with the participants of a dialogue with religious juniors and seminarians held at the UST in Manila on July 16. Prior to the UST event, the Vatican official also met with hundreds
of men and women religious at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nio in Cebu City. ROY LAGARDE

CBCP on K-12: Dont forget the poor

THE Catholic bishops has
called on education authorities not to forget the poor
as the country gears up for
the full implementation of
the K-12 program.
In a pastoral letter, the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) again voiced its
concern that many students
will drop out of school as a
consequence of the whole
program.
However, they said, we
do not yet see this issue
being addressed in the program.
Reelected CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas is flanked by Bishops Patricio Buzon of Kabankalan
and Glibert Garcera during the National Convention on Family and Life in Cebu City on July 17. Organized by
the CBCPs Commission on Family and Life, among the the events outputs included the setting of regional
conventions and the forming of national partnerships and local secretariats. SAMMY NAVAJA

Issue of dropouts
There should be means
to help out these dropouts,
K-12 / A6

The CBCP plenary assembly gathers twice a year, in January and in July. From the recent assembly, the bishops
issued three pastoral statements. CBCPNEWS

Prelate lauds Popes penalty vs. bishops inaction

on erring priests
RETIRED Lingayen-Dagupan
Archbishop Oscar Cruz has recently lauded as both relevant
and impressive the new normative penal provision made by
Pope Francis on bishops who fail
to discipline erring priests within
their territorial jurisdiction.
In the past, it was the standard practice that priests who
err by commission against continence and/or celibacy are penalized. And rightly so. But
now, the Pope himself made a
signal categorical option that is
duly translated into an official
penal provision, specifically in
conjunction with bishops, said

Vatican City - May 27, 2015. Pope Francis in St. Peters Square for the Wednesday General
Audience on May 27, 2015. Pope Francis spoke about the importance of engagement
as a preparation for marriage. CNA

the prelate in his recent column.

According to the former Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) president,
while bishops remain subject to
penal sanctions when they themselves engage in immoral acts,
Pope Francis raises their personal
accountability for priests under
their jurisdiction by making
them subject to sanctions when
they fail to do what is right
with regard to clergy members
in need of disciplinary or punitive actions.
So it is that now, bishops
incur the pertinent ecclesiasti-

Church issues oratio imperata

for territory tensions
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Monday issued an obligatory prayer
in a bid to ease political tension
in the West Philippine Sea.
While the Philippines has its
own plan to resolve the territorial
dispute with China, re-elected
CBCP president Archbishop
Socrates Villegas said the faithful
must must offer prayers to soothe

Penalty / A6

in a press release, noting that the launch

was just the first step towards a massive
mobilization of the Philippine Church
backed by her leaders.
The first petition events are currently
ongoing, and are addressed to diocesan
leaders from the regions of Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao.
Campaign / A6

Illustration by Brothers Matias

75 parishes and counting

A first round of 75 parishes have
already received the campaign materials and will start collecting signatures
in Sunday masses, said Lou Arsenio,
coordinator of the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM)s Ministry on Ecology, as
well as of the Global Catholic Climate
Movement (GCCM) in the Philippines,

Oratio Imperata / A6

Tagle to Pinoys: Pass on faith to the young

Catholic Climate Petition campaign launched

INSPIRED by the encyclical Laudato
Si, the Catholic Church in the Philippines, led by Manila Archbishop Lus
Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, spearheaded
the Catholic Climate Petition campaign
recently, and called on all Filipinos to
take action now for the sake of what
Pope Francis describes as our common
home.

increasingly strained relations

between the countries.
We do not have the means to
negotiate with superpowers, we
cannot represent the Philippines in
the international court, but we can
certainly represent the Philippines
before God and ask God, who is
the sure source of peace, to take
care of the Philippines, he said.

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has underscored anew the need for the older
generation to hand down the faith
to todays youth if the Filipino

faithful are to avoid the problems

the Church in much of the Western world faces with its reportedly
rising number of lax Catholics.
Tagle / A6

A2 WORLD NEWS

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

After deadly Chattanooga shooting, bishop

rallies shaken community to prayer
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.,
July 17, 2015Bishop Richard
Stika of Knoxville is calling the
faith community to prayer after
Thursdays fatal shooting at a
military recruiting center in
Chattanooga, on the southern
end of his diocese.
We ask for your prayers for
the souls of those who lost their
lives, the recovery of the police
officer wounded in these shootings, and for all of their families,
Bishop Stika said in a statement.
Muhammed Youssef Abdulazeez, age 24, is suspected of
attacking two military facilities
in Chattanooga on Thursday
morning, killing four U.S. Marines and wounding a police
officer and two others.
According to authorities, Abdulazeez fired into the first facility, a military recruiting center,
from his car before driving a few
miles to the second site, a Navy
Operational Support Center and
Marine Corps Reserve Center.
He exited his car and killed the
four Marines there, reports said,
and was later killed in a shootout
with police.
The tragedy has stunned not
only the local community but
also the diocesan seat in Knoxville, more than 100 miles away.
Its been foremost in the
bishops mind, the dioceses
communications director Jim
Wogan told CNA. Its saddened

Vatican Briefing
To fight human trafficking one of Pope Francis core commitments

An upcoming conference being held at the Vatican examining the

link between climate change and human trafficking is a reflection
of the importance that ending modern slavery holds for Pope
Francis, according to one of its organizers. Presenting the meeting on Modern Slavery and Climate Change: The Commitment
of the Cities, Archbishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor
of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, showed a copy of
the handwritten letter Pope Francis had sent him suggesting that
his office focus its efforts on the issue of human trafficking. Pope
Francis has been committed to combating human trafficking ever
since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he established an
annual Mass for the victims of human trafficking. (CNA)

Vatican applauds Iran nuclear deal, calls for commitment to make it

bear fruit

After global powers reached an agreement with Iran July 14

limiting the countrys nuclear activity, the Vatican said the deal
was an important step and expressed their hope the fruits would
spread to more than just the nuclear field. The agreement on the
Iranian nuclear program is viewed in a positive light by the Holy
See, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ said in a July
14 statement, shortly after the announcement of the deal. It
constitutes an important outcome of the negotiations carried out
so far, although continued efforts and commitment on the part
of all involved will be necessary in order for it to bear fruit. He
said the Holy See hopes these fruits will not be limited to just the
nuclear sphere, but may indeed extend further. (CNA)
College students and others gather in prayer across the street where a gunman attacked a recruiting office in Chattanooga, Tennessee
on July 17, 2015. GETTY IMAGES

him, its disturbed him.

Clearly its shaken the community, its shaken the diocese.
The rector of the citys Basilica
of Sts. Peter and Paul, Fr. David
Carter, held a prayer service
Thursday night and the bishop
will travel down to say Mass
there for the deceased Marines
on Sunday at 9 a.m., Wogan
confirmed. He will address the
tragedy there.

In addition, the bishop is expected to release a video message

calling for prayers for all involved
in the tragedy.
The tragedy hits close to home
for Bishop Stika, who noted in
his statement that he has two
brothers that have served in the
U.S. Marine Corps. I recognize
and appreciate the selfless service
all members of the military give
to protect us, he said.

Chattanooga holds a special

place in the history of the diocese, Wogan explained. There is
a deep tradition of Catholicism
in that area, he said. In fact, the
history of the basilica there goes
back to the 1850s when it was
founded as a parish.
Other bishops and dioceses
weighed in to express their
condolences and support for
Chattanooga. (CNA)

Hyderabad bishop meets Muslim brothers and

sisters for the end of Ramadan
PAKISTAN, July 18, 2015On the occasion of the end of Ramadan, the Islamic
holy month of fasting and prayer, the
bishop of Hyderabad opened the doors
of his own home to our Muslim brothers and sisters for a moment of shared
celebration.
Msgr. Shukardin Samson, who was recently appointed to the diocese of Sindh
province in southern Pakistan, wanted to
promote a moment of encounter and dialogue for the Eid al Fitr in a nation often
torn by sectarian violence.
The meeting was held last Tuesday, 14
July, the 27th day of Ramadan, known in
Muslim tradition as the Night of Destiny
in which God revealed the first verses of the
Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
The new bishop worked hard to organise
the meeting, which saw the participation
of government officials, religious leaders,
friends and prominent dignitaries from
both faith communities.
The daily fast ended in a joint prayer,
followed by a convivial moment. Welcoming those present, Mgr Shukardin read the
message issued by Card Jean Louis Tauran,
president of the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue, on the occasion
of Ramadan.

Titled Christians
and Muslims: Together to counter
violence perpetrated in the name of
religion, the English language message was read first,
with a summary
given in Urdu, so
that everyone could
understand it.
Those present
gave the message a
round of applause
to show their appreciation for the
cardinals remarks, and discussed its main
points.
Participants agreed that they shared
the same objectives, such as a desire to
boost ties between Muslims and Christians and an unequivocal condemnation
of violence in the world committed in
the name of religion, because terrorists
have no faith.
To prevent abuse, everyone agreed that
humans need unity, tolerance and the capacity to accept others.
Muslim dignitaries and political lead-

all of Asia.
Fr Eremita Rebello, former
vice-postulator for the cause of
canonization of Joseph Vaz, is
studying Fr Gonsalves life to
see whether he too might be
destined for sainthood.
Born on 8 June 1676 in
Divar, Gonsalves joined the
Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri (the
Oratorians) as a novice on 2
November 1700 in Cruz dos
Milagres (Old Goa).
Described as figure with

ers in attendance welcomed Pope Francis

wishes to the Islamic world for the feast of
Eid al Fitr.
They stressed that this was the first interreligious meeting in Hyderabad on the
occasion of Ramadan. From here on, they
added, everyone must work to strengthen
future cooperation.
For Bishop Shukardin, this is a ray of
hope, one that foreshadows future relationships in which love and harmony may be
built between representatives of different
faiths and peace be promoted among and
between communities. (AsiaNews)

many aspects to his personality,

the priest was also a linguist, a
poet and a writer.
After arriving in Ceylon, Vaz
asked him to write Christian
texts so that he could bring
the Word of God to the island.
His large output includes,
among other things, 42 works
written in Tamil and Sinhalese,
a first for the country, as well
as a catechism of the Catholic
Church.
Nicknamed the father of
Sinhalese Christian literature,

he died at Bolawatte on 17
July 1742.
In his book on Gonsalves,
the famous Church historian
SG Perera said that both he and
Vaz stand out in the history of
the Catholic faith in Sri Lanka.
Father Vaz did the planning, Father Gonsalves watered
the vineyard of Ceylon, and
God made it grow. The modern
Church of Ceylon owes its existence, numbers, traditions and
literature to these two priests.
(AsiaNews)

Jordan bank of river where Jesus baptized declared UNESCO heritage site
JERUSALEM, July 15, 20015UNESCO
declared Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on
the eastern side of the Jordan River, as a
World Heritage site and the location of
Jesus baptism.
The decision is logical. The Eastern
side is where all the Byzantine antiquities
and churches are located, said Franciscan Father Eugenio Alliata, professor
of Christian archaeology at Jerusalems
Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. He said
pilgrimages to the Western side began
only about 600 years ago. But for us it
is the Jordan River, the middle, which is
the most holy place.
For years, Israel and Jordan have been at
odds as to which side of the Jordan River
is the actual site of Jesus baptism, as both
sides vie for the title to increase tourism.
Israel upgraded its shoreline with chang-

ing rooms and a wooden deck access to the

murky waters.
But three popes have visited Jordans
eastern shore as a sign of the Catholic
Churchs official recognition of the site
known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
The Gospel of John (1:28 and 10:40) records this place as where John the Baptist
carried out his baptisms, including that
of Jesus.
Pope John Paul II made the first visit
to the site on his millennial pilgrimage to
the Holy Land in 2000, followed by Pope
Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis
last year.
The remains of more than 20 Christian
sites over six centuries and dating to Roman
and Byzantine periods have been discovered
near the site. They include several churches,
a prayer hall, baptismal pools and a sophis-

Vatican official says its time to act on protecting the environment

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vaticans Secretary of State, has expressed his hope that Pope Francis recent environmental encyclical will have a strong impact on the United Nations three major
gatherings this year, and will inspire global powers not only to talk,
but to act. The cardinal spoke to CNA July 2, saying he hopes the
effect of the encyclical on the U.N. meetings will be especially
concrete in climate change impact. We have discussed a lot about
the problem of climate change; now it is time to act. I think this
is exactly what the Pope is requesting from us, to act and to start
to change our lifestyle to preserve our common house which is
the earth. The cardinal answered reporters questions before addressing a Vatican conference titled: People and Planet First: the
Imperative to Change Course. (CNA)

Human dignity must be center of political debate Pope on Greek

debt crisis

Pope Francis on July 1 called for prayer for the people of Greece,
shortly after the nation defaulted on a significant loan payment on
its more than $300 billion debt. The news from Greece regarding
the economic and social situation of the country is worrying, Fr.
Federico Lombardi, Holy See press officer, said in a July 1 statement. Pope Francis invites all the faithful to unite in prayer for
the good of the beloved Greek people. Greece faces a debate over
the role of austerity measures, such as pension cuts and tax hikes,
as it negotiates new financial bailouts with its creditors. The countrys unemployment rate is above 25 percent, and individuals are
unable to remove more than $70 a day from ATMs. The Vaticans
statement adds that the dignity of the human person must remain
at the centre of any political and technical debate, as well as in the
taking of responsible decisions. (CNA)

Pope calls communist crucifix protest art, but says he wasnt offended

After Joseph Vaz, the Goa Church wants another Sri Lankan saint
GOA, July 17, 2015The
Catholic Church in Goa (India) is considering the possibility of starting the cause
of canonization for Fr Jacome
Gonsalves, who was a fellow
missionary with Saint Joseph
Vaz in Sri Lanka in the 18th
century.
Declared a saint on 14 January by Pope Francis during
his trip to the island nation
formerly known as Ceylon, the
Indian-born Vaz is considered
a model of evangelization for

CBCP Monitor

ticated water reticulation system.

At least 12 new churches are under construction in the area, with the Catholic
Church expected to become the largest
church complex in the Middle East, at nearly
323,000 square feet.
Father Alliata said ancient iconography shows Jesus in the middle of the
river rather than on any of the two
shores, and there are accounts by ancient pilgrims of marble columns in the
middle of the river marking the site of
Jesus baptism.
History has different ways of being
remembered, he said. If there was an
agreement between Israel and Jordan (on
the issue) they could combine the place East
and West. Both have importance, the East
in ancient times and the West in modern
times. (CNS)

Responding to waves of controversy after receiving a communist

crucifixa carving of Christ crucified on a hammer and sickle
from Bolivian president Evo Morales, Pope Francis said he took no
offense, but understands the work as protest art. I would qualify
it as protest art, which in some cases can be offensive, the Pope
said during an inflight news conference on his July 12 overnight
flight from Paraguay to Rome. But given the context of this piece
of art, he added that he understands the idea behind the crucifix,
and for me it wasnt an offense. (CNA)

Pope declares Ukrainian church leader venerable

Pope Francis has signed a decree declaring venerable Metropolitan

Andrey Sheptytsky, who led the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the
tumultuous period of both world wars and at the beginning of Soviet
occupation. The pope July 16 signed the decree recognizing that
Metropolitan Sheptytsky heroically lived a life of Christian virtue.
The recognition is an initial step in the sainthood process; the Vatican
would have to recognize a miracle attributed to his intercession in
order for a beatification ceremony to be scheduled. Metropolitan
Sheptytsky led the Ukrainian Catholic Church from 1901 until his
death in 1944. During his leadership Ukraine and its people were
ruled by seven different regimes: Austrian, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Soviet, Nazi, and finally, the Soviets again. (CNS)

Pope: Mining industry needs radical change to protect people, nature

The mining industry, especially in the worlds poorest countries, must

make a radical change to respect the rights of local communities
and protect the environment, Pope Francis said. The companies,
the governments that are supposed to regulate them, investors and
consumers who use the myriad products relying on mined material
are called to adopt behavior inspired by the fact that we are all part
of one human family, the pope said. The Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace, which had sponsored a reflection day in 2013 for
two dozen mining company executives and was preparing another
session with them in September, was holding a meeting July 17-19
with small organizations working at the grass roots to oppose mining
operations in their countries. (CNS)

Vatican welcomes Irans historic nuclear deal

The Holy See welcomed Irans historic nuclear deal and expressed
hopes that more future breakthroughs be on the horizon on other
issues. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said
that the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program is viewed in
a positive light by the Holy See. It constitutes an important
outcome of the negotiations carried out so far, although continued
efforts and commitment on the part of all involved will be necessary in order for it to bear fruit, he said in a written statement in
response to reporters questions July 14. It is hoped that those
fruits will not be limited to the field of nuclear program, but may
indeed extend further, he said, without specifying what other areas
of progress the Vatican hoped to see. (CNS)

Educate young to care for others, for the earth, pope tells teachers

Education is a right and a privilege that should impart not only

knowledge and skills, but also a sense of responsibility for others
and for the earth, Pope Francis told representatives of Ecuadorean
schools and universities. God gives us not only life, he gives us
the earth, he gives us all of creation, the pope told an estimated
5,000 educators and students gathered for an outdoor meeting at
the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. God created man
and woman for each other and gave them huge potential, the pope
said July 7, but he also gave themand gives each persona mission to be part of his creative work. I am giving you seeds, soil,
water and sun, the pope said God tells human beings. God gave
people hands and gave them one another; he gave everything as a
gift, the pope said. (CNS)

CBCP Monitor

NEWS FEATURES A3

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

To fight human trafficking one of Pope

Francis core commitments
VATICAN, July 16, 2015An upcoming conference being held at the Vatican
examining the link between climate
change and human trafficking is a reflection of the importance that ending
modern slavery holds for Pope Francis,
according to one of its organizers.
Presenting the meeting on Modern
Slavery and Climate Change: The Commitment of the Cities, Archbishop
Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor
of the Pontifical Academy for Social
Sciences, showed a copy of the handwritten letter Pope Francis had sent him
suggesting that his office focus its efforts
on the issue of human trafficking.
Pope Francis has been committed to
combating human trafficking ever since
he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires,
when he established an annual Mass for
the victims of human trafficking.
In a Sept. 23, 2011 homily, he stressed
that Jesus has not come to propose a
theory of freedom, but rather stands
with our brothers and sisters who live
under slavery.
We have been taught that slavery has
been abolished, but you know what? It
is not true, because in the city of Buenos
Aires slavery is not abolished. In this city
slavery is present in different forms,
the then-Cardinal Bergoglio said. And
he gave as examples exploited workers,
and the women and children forced
into prostitution, and thus deprived of
their dignity.
All these topics have been among the
core issues of his pontificate.
The first time it was raised was during the speech Pope Francis gave Dec.
12, 2013 to a group of ambassadors
newly accredited to the Holy See. The
Pope underscored that it is a disgrace
that persons are treated as objects,
deceived, assaulted, often sold many
times for different purposes and, in the
end, killed or, in any case, physically and

Pope Francis departing from the Apostolic Nunciature in Sarajevo, Bosnia on June 6, 2015. CNA

mentally harmed, ending up discarded

and abandoned, adding that the issue
worries him very much.
Then on March 5, 2014 he sent a
message to the faithful in Brazil on the
occasion of the Annual Lenten Fraternity Campaign, whose theme was
Brotherhood and human trafficking.
It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human
beings are bought and sold like goods,
Pope Francis wrote. I think of the
adoption of children for the extraction
of their organs, of women deceived
and forced to prostitute themselves,
of workers exploited and denied their
rights or a voice, and so on. This is hu-

Bishop to lectors: Listen to Gods

Word, be holy

Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, DD, installs three seminarians to the ministry of acolytes
and nine seminarians to the ministry of lectors on July 15 during a Holy Mass held at the
Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) Graduate School of Theology Chapel,
Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan. ARCJ

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, July

19, 2015Installing three seminarians to the ministry of acolytes and nine seminarians to the
ministry of lectors on July 15,
Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros,
DD, gave them words of wisdom
on how to serve well: listen to the
Word of God.
Listen to the Word of God
that you may be holy, the prelate told the seminarians installed
during a Holy Mass held at the
Immaculate Conception Major
Seminary (ICMAS) Graduate
School of Theology Chapel,
Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The prelate explained that acolytes should listen to the word of
God in a deeper manner, saying,
Listening to the word of God
must lead you into service.
Prepare well
The prelate also shared his
personal way of listening to the
Word of God which he practiced
since he was a seminarian. He
said a seminarian, a lector in particular, should read and reflect
upon the texts for the Holy Mass
the night before the celebration.
He told the lectors to be well
prepared before performing their
duty in the celebration of the
Holy Mass. Never should they
read at Mass without any practice, Oliveros reminded them.

Oliveros said in the vernacular,

The Lord has called twelve apostles And now, here are twelve
young men before us, who will be
installed as lectors and acolytes,
at the service of the Word and
[of ] the Holy Eucharist. It is our
prayer that they may faithfully
listen and follow the Lord.
Oliveros presided over the
Eucharistic celebration together
with the ICMAS formation
team, ICMAS professors, and
other guest priests.
Preparation for the priesthood
The celebration was attended
by the ICMAS community, and
the families, relatives and friends
of those who were installed.
Serving in the ministry of
acolytes and lectors is part of
seminary formation.
The ministries are entrusted
to seminarians in preparation
for their priestly ordination.
The acolytes are responsible for
helping the priests celebrate the
sacraments, especially the Holy
Eucharist as well as in distributing communion to the congregation and to the sick.
The lectors, on the other hand,
have the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God in
the celebration of the sacraments and prayers. (Arvin Ray
Jimenez/CBCPNews)

man trafficking!
The anti-human trafficking effort
took an ecumenical angel when Pope
Francis signed an agreement March 18,
2014 with Anglican Archbishop Justin
Welby, by which the Church and the
Anglican Communion will support
an anti-slavery, anti-human trafficking
initiative, the Global Freedom Network.
The agreement was also underwritten by
a Sunni scholar on behalf of the grand
imam of al-Azhar University in Cairo.
The Pontifical Academy for Social
Sciences took the floor Nov. 2-3, 2014,
organizing a workshop on Trafficking
in Human Beings: Modern Slavery.
Upon the close of the seminar, confer-

ence organizers issued a joint statement

based on the suggestions presented by
the participants, which included proposals for media, religious institutions,
civil organizations, and the business sector to work together in order to combat
human trafficking.
One month later, Dec. 2, 2014,
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Jewish,
Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist leaders
signed a Joint Declaration of Religious
Leaders Against Modern Slavery as
a public statement of their commitment to work together in spiritual and
practical action to eradicate this crime
against humanity and restore dignity
and freedom to its victims.

In the mean time, the Pope had chosen the theme of the 2015 World Day
of Peace, No longer slaves, but brothers
and sisters, thus making human trafficking one of the core issues of Vatican
diplomacy during the year.
The Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences organized Apr. 27, 2015 a conference on Trafficking with a special focus
on children, together with the Swedish
embassy to the Holy See.
The upcoming conference with the
mayors of some 70 prominent cities
worldwide is intended to combine environmental issues with human trafficking
issues, through Pope Francis approach.
In the encyclical Laudato Si, Pope
Francis had in fact backed this combination between ecology and human
trafficking issues.
In paragraph 91 of the encyclical,
Pope Francis wrote that a sense of deep
communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness,
compassion and concern for our fellow
human beings. It is clearly inconsistent
to combat trafficking in endangered
species while remaining completely
indifferent to human trafficking, unconcerned about the poor, or undertaking to destroy another human being
deemed unwanted. This compromises
the very meaning of our struggle for the
sake of the environment.
This way, Pope Francis has brought
his care for the victims of human trafficking to a higher lever. From care for
victims, to diplomatic effort, up to a
theological approach based on the notion of human ecology.
These are the steps Pope Francis has
undertaken in combating human trafficking, on the basis of his past experiences as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
(Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA/EWTN
News)

Pope: Mining industry needs radical change to protect people, nature

VATICAN, July 17, 2015
The mining industry, especially in the worlds poorest countries, must make a
radical change to respect the
rights of local communities
and protect the environment,
Pope Francis said.
The companies, the governments that are supposed
to regulate them, investors
and consumers who use the
myriad products relying on
mined material are called to
adopt behavior inspired by
the fact that we are all part
of one human family, the
pope said.
The Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace, which had
sponsored a reflection day in
2013 for two dozen mining
company executives and was
preparing another session with
them in September, was holding a meeting July 17-19 with

small organizations working

at the grass roots to oppose
mining operations in their
countries.
Cardinal Peter Turkson,
president of the council, said
his office could not ignore
what Pope Francis, in his encyclical on the environment,
called both the cry of the
earth and the cry of the poor.
Italian Comboni Father
Dario Bossi, a missionary
in northern Brazil and part
of an ecumenical coalition
representing the rights of
communities impacted by
mining, told reporters July
17, Communities in different parts of the world face
situations of violence and
intimidation, illegality and
corruption, pollution and
violations of human rights
because of activities tied to
mining.

When local people protest,

he said, the response of the
government often is to arrest
them, rather than investigate
their complaints.
The mining companies that
affirm they want dialogue
with the local communities
often are not interested in
making any concessions or
changes in their operational
plans, he said; they just want
approval for projects that will
bring the local community
few long-term benefits.
Speaking at a Vatican news
conference, other representatives from groups in India,
Chile and Brazil said mining
companieswith the approval
of local governmentsregularly invade and denude the
traditional lands of indigenous
peoples and poor farmers,
expropriate water used for
irrigation and drinking and

leave polluted land and water

behind.
Pope Francis, in his letter, praised the groups for
echoing the cry of numerous
persons, families and communities that suffer directly
or indirectly because of the
too frequent negative effects
of mining.
The groups, he said, cry for
land lost, for the extraction
of riches that benefit only the
mining companies, for harm
to locals health and for working conditions that treat local
employees little better than
slaves.
Theirs, he said, is a cry of
sadness and impotence for
the pollution of water, air and
soil and a plea to be consulted
when making the terms for
new mining projects. (Cindy
Wooden/Catholic News Service)

Lessons from South America: How to greet and understand Pope Francis
VATICAN, July 16, 2015People make
special preparations for welcoming a special
guest, and watching what worked and did
not work in Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay
may help people preparing for Pope Francis
visit to the United States in September.
Some of the plans, however, will require
common-sense adjustments, especially
because the U.S. Secret Service is likely to
frown on certain behavior, like tossing things
to the popea phenomenon that occurs
much more often with Pope Francis than
with any previous pope. At the Vatican, the
items tend to be soccer jerseys and scarves; in
Ecuador, it was flower petalslots of them.
Watching the pope July 5-12 in South
America it is clear:
Pope Francis loves a crowd. He walks into
events with little expression on his face, then
lights up when he starts greeting, blessing,
kissing and hugging people. Persons with
disabilities, the sick and squirming babies
come first.
The pope does not mind being embraced,
but he does not like people running at him.
As a nun in Our Lady of Peace Cathedral
in La Paz rushed toward Pope Francis July
8, the pope backed up and used both hands
to gesture her to calm down and step back.
In the end, she did get a blessing from him,
though.
At Mass, Pope Francis tends to be less
animated. His focus and the focus he wants
from the congregation is on Jesus present
in the Eucharist. At large public Masses on
papal trips, he sticks to the text of his prepared homilies, although he may look up
and repeat phrases for emphasis.

A meeting with priests, religious and

seminarians is a fixture on papal trips within
Italy and abroad; in Cuba and the United
States, the meetings with take place during vespers services, Sept. 20 in Havana
and Sept. 24 in New York. At vespers, like
at Mass, Pope Francis tends to follow his
prepared text. However, when the gathering takes place outside the context of
formal liturgical prayer, he never follows
the prepared text, even if he may hit the
main points of the prepared text as he did
in Bolivia July 9.
Pope Francis has said he needs a 40-minute rest after lunch and his official schedule
always includes at least an hour of down
time. However, like his free afternoons at
the Vatican, the pope often fills the breaks
with private meetings with friends, acquaintances or Jesuits. In fact, his trips abroad
have always included private get-togethers
with his Jesuit confreres, although in South
America one of the meetingsin Guayaquil,
Ecuadorwas a luncheon formally included
in the itinerary. But he also spent unscheduled time with Jesuits at Quitos Catholic
university the next day. In Paraguay, he made
an unscheduled visit to 30 of his confreres in
Asuncion and then went next door to their
Cristo Rey School to meet with more than
300 students from Jesuit schools.
In South America, Pope Francis specifically asked that his meetings with the bishops
be private, informal conversations similar
to the way he handles the regular ad limina
visits of bishops to the Vatican to report on
the state of their dioceses. For the ad limina
visits, he hands them the text of a rather

general look at their country and Catholic

community, then begins a discussion. But
when he makes a formal speech to a group
of bishops, his words can seem critical. But,
in fact, the tone tends to be one of addressing
his fellow bishops and his words are more
of a collective examination of conscience
than a scolding.
Pope Francis speeches in general
whether to presidents, civic and business
leaders, young people or even, for example,
the prisoners in Boliviaacknowledge what
is going well and being done right, then seeks
to build on that. Its a combination of a pat
on the back and a nudge forward. While
Bolivias Palmasola prison is notorious for
its difficult conditions and while the pope
pleaded for judicial reform in the country,
he also told the prisoners: The way you live
together depends to some extent on yourselves. Suffering and deprivation can make
us selfish of heart and lead to confrontation.

Since the days of the globetrotting
St. John Paul II, the nunciature stakeout has
been a staple of papal trips. In fact, anywhere
a pope sleeps, people will gathershouting
and singingin the hopes that the pope will
make a special appearance. St. John Paul,
retired Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis
have all obliged on occasion. Although in
Quito, Ecuador, it seems that Pope Francis
was inspired at least partially by the complaints of neighbors about the noise. The
three nights Pope Francis stayed there, he
came out to say good night. Increasingly his
tone was that of a dad who had already told
his children five times to go to bed. (Cindy
Wooden/Catholic News Service)

A4 OPINION

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

WHAT is happening to our common home? This is an apparently

simple question. The answer however is not only profound but also
quite intricate as well as disturbing. With the help of renowned scientists, respected environmentalists plus a number of orthodox schools
of ecology, Pope Francis wrote an encyclicala formal and official
letter addressed to the world as a whole, irrespective of race, color and
creedentitled Praised be to You, my Lord (24 May 2015). While
sincere and profound gratitude to the Good Lord is expressed for His gift
of earth as a whole to the whole of humanity as the latters Common
Home, much lamentation, too, is in order and thereby clearly expressed.
Reason: The people are gradually and continuously destroying nothing
less than their one and only Common Home while forgetting that in
doing so, they are likewise doing nothing less than pitifully destroying
their own selves.
So it is that instead of a home where a family finds its shelter and
safety, its food and rest, the human community precisely suffers from
want, disease, death well-included, precisely in their own Common
Home called Earth. The air they breathe is poisonous. The water
they drink from it is unsafe. The food they produce and eat is not only
little in quantity but also questionable in quality. So it is that their
Common Home has instead become a common danger not only to
them but to their posterity as well. It is easy to deny this truth. But
then, such is but a deadly falsehood.
Man has become his own enemy, his own killer even by the serious
and continuous pollution he causes, by his throwaway culture, by his
destruction of biodiversity, by the challenge to ecology and climate he
slowly but certainly causes. Hence: The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the
world to us men and women, but because human life itself is a gift which
must be defended from various forms of debasement. (Op. cit., n.5)
When the exploitation of nature by man himself is ill-done, then no
less than humanity itself risks in actually destroying itand thereby
likewise takes the risk in becoming the subject-object of the destruction. This is not really unlike someone making poison, surrounding
himself with poison and eventually poisoning himself. Needless to say,
such actuation is against reason and ethics as well as contrary to faith
and morals. In other words, the destruction of ones Common Home
ultimately means his own self-destruction in due time.
It is not only right and proper but also necessary and wherefore mandatory to know and remember that the now frequently heard term Ecology
refers to that branch of biology that deals with the relation of living beings/
things to both their environment and to each other. So it is that the good
of one is the blessing of the other and what is bad for one is bad for the
other. Would that humanity take good care of the environment so that
this, in turn, would take good care of humanity. GOD Enlighten those
who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference
that they may love the common good, advance the cause of the weak and
care for this world we live in. (Idem, n.246)

The Eucharist in the Churchs

dialogue with the youth
THE Churchs mission today includes directing young people toward
the Eucharist for sustenance in the faces of their many uncertainties
and questions. For it is in the Eucharistic gathering that the Church
an best engage the youth in a dialogue in which she proclaims to
them the Gospel of Christ from which they get the unique and satisfying response to their most deep-seated aspirations. From their
Eucharistic encounter Christ in Word and Sacrament are offered
enlightenment and guidance in their quest for meaning and purpose
in life. In the Eucharist, Jesus looks upon the youth with that special
love that he showed upon the young man in the Gospel and invites
them to follow him (Cf. Mk 10:21) in his loving relationship with
the Father and in his saving mission to humanity and to the world.
By engaging them in active participation in the Eucharistin
attentive listening, in generous and appropriate bodily expressions,
in the observance of silence at the appropriate moments, or in undertaking specific ministries in the celebrationthe youth can best be
formed both for their future and present roles in the Church and in
society . In the Eucharistic dialogue, the Church has to so much to
talk about with the youth and the youth, with their so much energies
and enthusiasm, have so much to share with the Church. Around
the table both of Gods Word and of Christs Body, the Church
offers instruction and nourishment by which young people can be
prepared to be the good soil where the seed of Gods Word can
spring up, take root, grow, and bear abundant fruit. The Eucharist
is the perfect school for the young where they can lean the values
of presence that builds relationship and communities, of a sense of
gratitude and responsibility for Gods creation and of service and
sacrifice that gives life, healing, and wholeness to others.
Considering the young peoples attraction to various means of
social communication and their adeptness in their use of the same,
the Church will do well to present the Eucharist to them as the highest embodiment and ideal of communication where friendships are
established and nurture, where hopes, dreams, joys, and anxieties
are shared, and where noble causes and advocacies are worked out
together. In the school of the Eucharist, young people will learn that
communication is more than the exchange of ideas and of emotion
but, at its most profound level, the fiving of self in love.
The Church should never get tired of telling the young that Christ
instituted the Eucharist as the most perfect and intimate form of
communication between God and man which leads to the deepest
possible unity among men and women. (Cf. Pastoral Instruction
Communio et progressio on the means of social communication).
The Eucharist is where the deepest and transforming communication takes placein response to the prayer of invocation, the Father
through his Son sends the Holy Spirit so that the bread and the wine,
as also the assembly, will become the Body of Christ.
- From the Theological and Pastoral Reflections in preparation for the
51st International Eucharistic Congress

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

Our common home

Living Mission
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Year of the Poor Reflections
RECENTLY, on May 23, 2015, Oscar
Romero, the martyred Archbishop of San
Salvador in Central America, was beatified,
setting him on the path to sainthood. Earlier on February 3, 2015 Pope Francis had
officially declared Oscar Romero, murdered
on March 24, 1980, a martyr of the Catholic
faith. Romero was known, respected, and
loved as a defender of the poor during one
of the most difficult periods in El Salvador
(1970s and 1980s), during which five priests,
numerous catechists, and countless Catholic
laity were assassinated.
We know that every effort to improve
society, especially when society is so full of
injustice and sin, is an effort that God blesses;
that God wants; that God demands of us.
These were the words with which Romero
ended his homily during an evening Mass on
March 24, 1980; minutes later as he raised
the chalice after the consecration, he was shot
and killed by a hired assassin.
For Romero, It is inconceivable that
someone is called Christian and does not
give preference to the poor as Christ did. It
is a scandal when todays Christians criticize
the Church because she is concerned with
the poor. This is not Christianity (Homily:

September 9, 1979). Romeros words are

always prophetic, always relevant, always a
challenge to live our faith.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was once asked
to explain the phrase option for the poor
which captures the Churchs commitment
to serving Gods little people in our society. He replied:I offer you this by way of
example. A building is on fire and youre
watching it burn, standing and wondering if
everyone is safe. Then someone tells you that
your mother and your sister are inside that
building. Your attitude changes completely.
Youre frantic; your mother and your sister
are burning and youd do anything to rescue
them, even at the cost of getting charred.
Romero continued: Thats what it means
to be truly committed. If we look at poverty
from the outside, as if were looking at a fire,
thats not to opt for the poor, no matter how
concerned we may be. We should get inside
as if our own mother and sister were burning. Indeed, its Christ who is there, hungry
and suffering.
Romero also explained the meaning of the
message that he in the name of the Church
was preaching to the poor: The hope we
preach to the poor is in order that dignity be

A bridge to oneness

restored to them, and to give them courage

to be themselves, the authors of their destiny.
In a word, the Church has not only turned
toward poor persons, but makes them the
privileged recipients of her mission. The
Church has not only embodied herself in the
world of the poor, giving them hope, but she
is firmly committed to their defense.
Pope Francis, as manifested in his Philippine visit, resonates deeply with Romeros
vision. Francis bluntly states: I want a
Church which is poor and for the poor.
They have much to teach us; in their
difficulties they know the suffering Christ.
We need to let ourselves be evangelized
by them. We are called to find Christ
in them, to lend our voice to their causes,
but also to be their friends, to listen to
them, to speak for them, and to embrace
the mysterious wisdom which God wishes
to share with us through them (Evangelii
Gaudium 198).
What should remembering Archbishop
Romero mean for us today? It means to
become active, to continue his work, to witness to the faith, to promote social justice.
Blessed Oscar Romero is a contemporary
icon of the Churchs option for the poor.

And Thats The Truth

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

COME away by yourselves to a

deserted place and rest a while.
As a worker in the world I find
this invitation (Mark 6:31) by Jesus one of the most empowering
of His deeds. His miracles are
amazing; His teachings, inspiring. I am mesmerized by His
wisdom and style in enlightening
people, and His holiness for me
is an irresistible magnet. And yet
this Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a
while I see as a concrete bridge
to oneness with Him.
Due to the cerebral nature of
my workmostly writingId
be lucky to stop working after
eight hours. As a writer Im
working as long as Im awake,

and that could sometimes be up

to 20 hours a day, but paradoxically it is in rest that I am most
active. Puzzles that keep me
awake are solved in dreams; problems melt away as dawn breaks.
I believe rest in the way of Jesus
is key. A days work wraps us up
in temporal concernsmainly
activities to help us survive and
enjoy life as much as possible
pulling our minds further away
from the core of our being.
We need R, E, S, T in the
footsteps of Jesus to get our bearings. At the end of a demanding
day Jesus would Retreat to the
mountains to be alone with
the Father; we can follow
Him to that secluded place,

Candidly Speaking
Fr. Roy Cimagala

Monitor

Oscar Romero,
Saint of the Poor

which is not necessarily a literal

mountain but one inside of us
to lift us up from the level of
worldly concerns. The virtually rarefied air of this place of
solitude Energizes us and opens
us to the Fathers presence. We
surrender to this Presence that
Sanctifies our efforts to rest in
Him. In the silence we are led to
the Truth. And we come to ask
ourselves vital questions, some
of which could be: Why are we
here on earth? Why are we living? Why are we working our
backs off to remain alive? What
comes after our retirement?
What lies beyond? I am aware
that I am trying to squeeze into
a few typewritten lines a truth

that sages, philosophers, and

saints have pondered through
the agesthat following Jesus
leads to Truth, which in turn
sets us free.
In this age of information
technology when people would
rather stay plugged in to the
world and its sounds than to
the silence of Jesus, its tough to
lure young people to this wondrous truth. Nonetheless, we
can be inspired by Pope Francis
who marches on with his battle
cry for the youth to befriend
Jesus in silence. His message
World Youth Day in Rio de
Janeiro is a recurrent theme in
his talks to audience of all ages:
And Thats the Truth / A6

Beware of our
ingratitude

CBCP

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief

Ronalyn R. Regino
Design Artist

Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Associate Editor

Gloria Fernando
Marketing Supervisor

Roy Q. Lagarde
News Editor

Mercedita Juanite
Circulation Manager

Kris Bayos
Features Editor

Marcelita Dominguez
Comptroller

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus Social

Media for Asia, Inc. with editorial and business offices at Ground
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IT all started with our first parents. After being created in the divine image and likeness,
and endowed with the best of things, they
eventually disobeyed Gods law and strayed.
Its a sad fact of life that continues to take
place even up to now. We seem to get easily spoiled by whatever goodness, blessing
or privilege is given to us. We need to be
more prepared to cope with this proneness,
cultivating the relevant attitude, skills, and
virtues.
The basic problem we have is that we
tend to forget God and fail to thank Him
for whatever good we have and enjoy in life.
As a result, we tend to make our own world,
creating a bubble of life that sooner or later
will just burst to nothingness.
Lets remember that all goodness comes
from Him even if its also true that that
goodness could also be a result of our own

efforts. Nothing actually is truly good unless

it somehow comes from God.
Our sense of gratitude is what keeps us
always in touch with our Creator and the
indispensable maintainer of our existence
and source of whatever good we enjoy in
life. We should do everything to sharpen
that sense as we go along. Its what reminds
us of the basic relationship we have with hhm
whom we tend to forget or take for granted.
Our greatest passion should be to be
thankful to God always. If theres some passion we have that is greater than this, then
we can be sure that we would be treading on
a dangerous path in life.
Lets always remember what Christ told us
about what Gods greatest commandment
is for us. We should love God with all our
might and strength. That love has to involve
our whole being, not only our spiritual and

intellectual part, but also and all the way to

our feelings, emotions, and passions.
And thats simply because if our strongest
passion is not love for God expressed in part
by always being thankful to him, then it
would be something else. And most likely,
it would be something that is not proper to
us, but rather one that may offer us some
human good that will eventually separate
us from God.
This is what is happening these days with
all the advantages and privileges afforded
us by the new technologies. They offer us a
lot of good, but if not related to God, they
can become a competitor of God. They can
become our god.
And the most subtle of this danger is
when it is done in the field of religion itself. During the time of Christ, this was a
Candidly Speaking / A6

CBCP Monitor

The 111th CBCP Plenary

Statements on Social Issues

Duc In Altum
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

held its mid-year plenary assembly this July. Not only the
Catholics, but the whole nation, always look forward to
the CBCP statement on social
issues which affect the country,
since such statements have been
discussed, deliberated on, and
carefully prepared by the bishops
before the same is issued. This
July, the CBCP issued not only
one but three statements on current issues.
First, the CBCP Statement on
the Peace Process in Mindanao
and the Bansangmoro Basic Law
(BBL). The Bishops stated that
they do not intend to endorse
or not to endorse any draft BBL
being discussed by the Philippine Senate and the House of
Representatives; but they intend
to envision a BBL that is based
on and guided by social moral
principles.
The bishops noted that: (1)
Christianity and Islam are religions of peace; (2) The vast
majority of Muslim, Christian,
and Indigenous People (IPs)
communities in Mindanao aspire
for peace; and (3) All-out war is
not the answer to the Mindanao
situation. The bishops noted that
since colonial times, the Muslim
leaders expressed three major
grievances: the reduction of their
ancestral territory, the erosion of
their cultural identity, and the loss
of self-determination in the development of their communities.
The bishops further stated
that the basis of the deep fundamental Bangsamoro aspiration to self-determination in an
autonomous region is the moral
principle of social justice. Social
justice implies the other moral
principles of just peace and
inter-religious harmony. The
moral imperative to lasting peace
is this: Christians, Muslims,
Lumads and members of other
faiths have to begin trusting in
one another. Continuing mistrust is the road to continuing
violence and unrest in Mindan-

OPINION A5

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Rev. Eutiquio Euly Belizar, Jr., SThD

ao. Trust is a moral pre-requisite

for justice, harmony and peace.
The bishops emphasized that
like everyone else they want just
and lasting peace. They want a
BBL that is rooted in social justice and promotes social justice;
addresses the injustices suffered
by the Bangsamoro as well as the
injustices suffered by IPs and various religious minorities within
the proposed Bangsamoro area;
concretely achieves the self-determination of the Bangsamoro
in an identified area that remains
part and parcel of the territorial
integrity and under the national
sovereignty of the Philippine
Republic; promotes harmonious
relationships between peoples of
various ethnic groups and of different faiths; effectively protects
universal human rights, particularly the rights of IPs already
enshrined in law, and the rights
of Christian minorities who fear
harassment and further marginalization; responds concretely
to the concerns, hopes and aspirations of all stakeholders, of
various Bangsamoro groups, and
of non-Moro citizens within the
new Bangsamoro autonomous
region; the provisions are clearly
Constitutional, without betraying the intent and spirit of peace
agreements. The BBL being
envisioned is the one based on
social moral principles of social
justice, harmony and peace. It
is a vision that goes beyond the
proposals now being discussed
in the our legislature.
***
Second, the CBCP Pastoral
Letter on Drug Trafficking and
Drug Addiction. The bishops
maintained that drugs feed the
evil in a person and present an
alternate reality that further isolates him from life. Those who
manufacture and peddle drugs
destroy persons and communities, in a much worst way than
natural calamities.
The bishops stated that the
situation of Mary Jane Veloso
showed the existence of people
running cartels and syndicates

The Trinity: Three Ways

of Loving Us
THREE persons in one God. It is one of the
mysteries of our faith. But we shall forever
remain in the state of incompleteness in
our desire to understand this mystery. And
the only way to understand such profound
trinitarian mystery is to look at it through the
eyes of faith. For the Gospel a few months
ago says, When the disciples saw Jesus, they
worshipped him; but some doubted.
In order for us to understand the unity
of the TrinityGod the Father, Son, and
the Holy Spirit, it is good to understand
the synthesis of Scripture from Genesis to
Revelation. And one thing is obvious, based
from the words and action of Yahweh in the
Old Testament, Jesus in the New Testament,
and the Holy Spirit all throughout the Scripture, which was also highligted in the Gospel
reading for that day:
Behold, I am with you always, to the close
of the age. (Matthew 28:20). The whole
Bible narrative is simply telling us one clear
message ... GOD IS WITH US ALWAYS.
In the Book of Genesis, in the creation
story, the most repeated words that God
used was, And God said ... and so it hap-

that recruit the young and prey

on the innocent to carry out
their crimes and elemental human rights to determine. The
transporters of their prohibited
substances are called mules,
an insult both to the beast who
helps human beings in carrying their burdens, and to the
humans who are reduced to a
beastly, deadly, and criminal
task.
The bishops call on the police
and law-enforcement agencies to
prevent the trafficking of drugs;
to apprehend those involved
in the trafficking of drugs; to
dismantle syndicates and cartels
involved in the drug trade, and
to make sure that the drugs
they seize are not recycled and
brought back into the underground market. The bishops call
for the relentless prosecution of
those responsible for trafficking
in drugs and for those who traffic
persons to be their drug mules.
The community of the faithful should stand as one and be
united in fighting this destructive menace and social evil. We
must be firm in our resolve to
eliminate it in our communities
so that our young can live towards a healthy, productive, and
vibrant future, and our adults
not be sidetracked in their quest
for fullness of life.
Third, the Pastoral Letter on
the Transition Years of the K
to 12 Program. The bishops
mentioned three principles that
can guide the faithful to shape
attitudes open to the transition
phase of the K to 12 program.
First, the family is the first
school of the young. The parents are the first educators, first
catechists of their children; the
home is the first school. The
bishops appeal to parents to get
to know the K to 12 program
thoroughly and the school and
education officials must be ready
and capable to discuss it with
parents and students.
Second, the Church has a
preferential love for the poor.
The bishops said that the K to

12 program provides skills and

competencies for the poor who
may not have access to college
education. Through the senior
high school program, the K to
12 graduate at age 18 can enter
the work force. This is a big help
to the poor. There will be many
students who will drop out of the
whole program. Catholic schools
must always have a place for
them, not merely as out-reach,
but as part of their education
ministry, and members of their
learning community.
Third, the principle of solidarity and subsidiarity must be
observed. The bishops declared
that in the Church, there is no
competition, only communion.
They plead with government
agencies tasked to implement
the K-12, to do everything to
ensure that all members of the
schools are not displaced or
unemployed. The schools in a
given territory or region must
discuss the years of no enrollment in college and see how
best to cope with this reality.
The K-12 program should not
lead to the teachers and school
personnel losing tenure in their
employment. Adjustments will
have to be made by all, but no
one should be made to unjustly
suffer in the implementation of
the program. In line with the
principle of subsidiarity, the personnel affected by the transition
should be consulted and their
views and suggestions be given
serious consideration. May this
not lead to the contractualization
of the teaching personnel.
Our bishops also issued Oratio
Imperata in times of grave danger particularly the controversy
over the West Philippine City.
***
We would like to greet Fr.
Ronaldo Pedroso and Fr. Luis
Zapata, IVE of the Diocese of
Kalookan a very Happy Birthday. Happy 21st Sacerdotal Anniversary to Fr. Mariano Bartolome, Jr., who will be installed as
the new parish priest of San Jose
de Navotas on July 25.

Pitik-Bulag
Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ

pened. (Genesis 1:1-31). When we reflect

on it, God was simply reiterating a divine
reality - He would fulfill His promise to us.
GOD IS WITH US.
In the all the Gospels, after the resurrection of Jesus, one of His repeated words
to console His disciples were, The Son of
Man will be handed over to the chief priests
... and condemn him to death. But on the
third day he will be raised to life! (Matthew 20:17-19). He was affirming his never
ending presence with His disciples. GOD
IS WITH US.
And when Jesus was about to ascend in
heaven, He promised a consoler, the Holy
Spirit, to continue accompanying us in this
chaotic world, If you love me, you will keep
my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,
to be with you forever. (John 14:15-17)
GOD IS INDEED WITH US ALWAYS.
Three distinct persons with three distinct
roles but only ONE GOD. Our God the
Father revealed His love for us through
creation. GOD THE FATHER IS OUR
PROVIDER. God the Son revealed His

Whatever

love for us by saving us from our impending

eternal death. GOD THE SON IS OUR
SAVIOUR. And the Holy Spirit revealed His
love for us by guiding, healing and empowering us. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR
BREATH OF LIFE.
Three different manifestations, and yet one
clear heart and mission: his great love for
us and His desire to save us. We hope that
these three distinct manifestations of Gods
presence in us will compel us to re-evaluate
ourselves and join them in their mission to
save all people.
We have experienced the unconditional
love of God and His undying presence in
our life, and yet we are still doubting. We
are called to make disciples of all nations,
and yet we are not taking the role seriously.
The Holy Trinity will continue their distinct
roles to save the humanity. They dont stop
working for us. They really love us. But as
children of God, it is their hope that one of
these days, we shall be on board and join
their divine mission to save the humanity.
Lets pray that others may feel Gods presence through us.

Messing Things Up Well!

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

I COULDNT help but be

thrilled once again with yet
another catchy Bergoglismo
which I would loosely translate as: How to Mess things
up well! (*Note: The Spanish
word lio can be translated as in
messed up situation or absorbed
by something problematic or
complicated) This expression
summarized Pope Francis address to the youth (and youngat-heart) in Asuncion, Paraguay
last 12th of July.
After listening to the various
testimonies from the youth,
the Pope took advantage of
underlining the importance of
acquiring genuine freedom, not
only for ones personal growth
and maturity but to be exercised

By the Roadside

through solidarity with and service for ones neighbors.

The words of Francis were
both soul soothing and demanding. To know God is to be
strong, that is, to know God,
to get close to Jesus is hope and
strength; and this is what the
young need today: youth with
hope, courage. We dont want
wimpy young people who are
just getting by without committing themselves. We dont want
young people who tire easily
and go through life tired, with
bored faces.
He continued with encouraging and fiery words: We want
strong, hopeful young people,
people with hope and courage.
() Do you think a young per-

son who lives in this way has a

bored face? (he asked) No! (the
participants respond) Does he
have a sad heart? No! (they answer again). This is the way, but
sacrifice is necessary, we need to
go against the grain.
The Pope went on to synthesize these youthful ideals
by surprising them with a very
catchy phrase: learn how to mess
things up well!
He seems to have adapted
this from a priest who jokingly
told him, If you [Holy Father]
continue encouraging the youth
to mess things up, they will do
so Sadly, we are the ones who
end up will fixing their mess for
them.
He used this anecdote to tell

the young that they should

indeed make a mess but then
straighten things up well. He
says, Both things are important,
okay? () A mess that gives us
a free heart, that gives solidarity,
hope and a mess that is born
from having known Jesus and
knowing that God whom I have
known is my strength. This is,
and ought to be, the mess that
you should to make!
Naturally, messing up doesnt
mean breaking, stealing, failing,
and committing sins against
Gods commandments. It actually has a positive ascetical lesson
that was already taught by Jesus
Himself: if you want to receive,
you must learn to give; if you
Whatever / A6

The true Israelite, the true

believer (Reflections on
Jeremiah 17:5-14)
IF someone hands you a one-thousand-peso bill as a cash gift
you would probably react initially with jubilation. Suppose that
someone is a stranger, would your jubilation not be coupled
with caution? You bet, you would say. That is simply because
the bill could be fake. So your first concern would be: Is this
one-k bill genuine or fake? In the same fashion, if you had
been living as a member of the community of Gods People,
would you not also be concerned about whether or not you
are a true of a false member?
In this text the prophet Jeremiah tries to tell us how to
identify the true Israelite, that is, the genuine member of the
Gods People as opposed to a fake one.
The authentic Israelite trusts in the Lord God and not in
creatures (humans or things of earth). Verses 5 to 7 illustrates
this truth by means of a curse and a blessing. The curse is
handed to the person whose trust is in human beings or any
mortal for his life. He is compared to a bunch of thistles in
dry land, or parched desert places, or a sand land where no one
lives or finds happiness (v. 6). I know, for a fact, that there are
a number of people who will never ever give any importance
to a priest calling or inviting them to Church but who, by
a word of a politician or a boss, will come to him/her faster
than the speed of a tricycle. Another illustration: God in Gen
2:22-24 created woman out of mans rib and gave her to him
in a union later to be called marriage, thus a man must leave
his father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh (Gen 2:24). Lets note well that nowhere
in Genesis does it say that a man must cling to his husband
or that a woman must cling to her wife. But in our time there
is an increasing pressure to rely on words of human beings
insisting that same-sex unions are also marriages. Whose words
are they relying on? Whose words are under a curse? But there
is also a blessing being given to one who relies on the Lord
God and whose confidence is in the Almighty (v. 7). He is
being compared to a tree planted near water that thrusts its
roots towards the stream (v. 8). In other words, the genuine
Israelite or believer precisely trusts in the Lord, not in creatures
(human beings or earthly objects), and is proven wise because
the Lord God gives life and rest.
The authentic Israelite enjoys freedom from fear because
of faith. If gold is tested by fire, so is faith tested by events or
realities that invite fear. For instance, when a super typhoon
comes, there is no denying the fear we feel but our fears become determination when faith constantly makes us express
confidence in God who can make something out of nothing,
life out of death, and restoration out of disaster. Jeremiah insists
that the genuine Israelite has no fear when the heat comes,
his leaves are always green: the year of drought is no problem
and he can always bear fruit (v. 8). Faith, in a word, is an
excellent companion in this age of global warming, not really
because it solves the problem but because it provides the real
light behind the quest for solutions.
The authentic Israelite guards over his/her heart in deference
to the Lord. In anticipation of Jesus teaching of the heart
being the source of good or evil in a human person (Mt 15:8;
Mk 7:21), Jeremiah the prophet points out how deceitful
the heart is (v. 9). A man might profess an undying love to
his wife and yet his words could be hiding another woman
(or man!) in his heart. But if anyone can fool fellow humans
with bold words declaring one thing or another, no human
being can deceive the Lord God or escape from His prying
and all-knowing eyes. In fact, through Jeremiah He says:
I, the Lord, search the heart and probe the mind. I give to
each one as his ways and deeds deserve (v. 10). This helps
us understand why, for instance, we have the examination of
conscience in the Catholic tradition: We allow the Lord to
probe our hearts, so we could confront our sinfulness and take
the path of repentance and renewal.
The genuine Israelite does not pile up riches unjustly. Our
countrys perennial problem is corruption. Billions of money
are lost every year to unconscionable politicians, businessmen
and their co-conspirators who find ways and means to steal
them in the guise of legitimate businesses or non-government
entities. Jeremiah reminds us: Like a partridge hatching eggs
it did not lay on is the person who piles up riches unjustly.
When his life is half over, his wealth deserts him, and in the
end he is nothing but a fool (v. 11). The prophet would have
sympathized and, in all likelihood, joined those who are waging
a t-shirt campaign with the slogan HUWAG MAGNAKAW
or DO NOT STEAL.
The genuine Israelite clings to the Lord, the fountain of
living water. Jeremiah the prophet experiences so much rejection and suffering because of his obedience and devotion to
proclaiming the word of the Lord God, regardless of peoples
favorable or unfavorable reaction. He does not give too much
importance to himself, as he just bears peoples harsh words
with courage. However, when it is the Lord who is being
rejected, he reacts by uttering a strong warning: Lord God,
hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame and
those who turn from you will be cast out from your land, because they have rejected the Lord God, the fountain of living
water (v. 13). Mincing no words, he asserts that what makes
any member of Gods People authentic is constant recourse
to the Lord or be forever thirsting. For Jeremiah only the
Lord provides living water, something only a true Israelite
appreciates.
The genuine Israelite, in his wounded-ness, seeks healing
from the Lord.. Recognizing that human beings, even if they
are among Gods People, can fail God and his expectations,
Jeremiah points out where to look for healing. Heal me,
Lord God, he exclaims, and I shall be whole again, save me
and I shall be safe (v. 14). We often are tempted to explain
our failures and downfalls in terms of our psychological state,
environmental pressures, improper diet, and even the effects of
global warming. Dr. Karl Menninger once asked: Whatever
became of sin? A Filipino writer answered: He became a
Cardinal. The real answer is right under our noses: Sin has
been dressed up as a virtue or, as a singer once put it, been
reduced to a lesson to learn from. Non-recognition of sin
leads to non-recognition of God. Jeremiah would have none of
this. Recognizing sin as the real root of the problem naturally
leads us to the solution Scripture recommends: Gods healing
action extending us forgiveness and enticing us to repentance
and renewal. If sin is our fundamental disease, God is the
ultimate Doctor with the cure only he can extendour forgiveness leading to salvation.

A6 LOCAL NEWS

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Pope to miss IEC in Cebu

POPE Francis will not attend the forthcoming 51st International Eucharistic
Congress (IEC) to be held in Cebu
City January next year, the head of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines said Monday.
But Archbishop Socrates Villegas,
CBCP president, said the Vatican will send
an envoy on behalf of the Pope.
He is not coming. Thats sure already,
Villegas said, while admitting there was
no direct message from the Vatican yet
regarding the matter.
It will be recalled that the Archdiocese

of Cebu made a number of adjustments to

accommodate the Popes schedule in 2016.
This include the changing of the proposed date of the IEC which was originally
scheduled in June.
Villegas ruled out another papal visit
to the Philippines since the Vatican has
hinted that an envoy will arrive instead.
He also stressed the significance of the
Pontiffs sending of an official representative in his stead.
The sending of a papal envoy [is like
saying] Im there with you, he said.
The re-elected CBCP chief said they

understand the Popes decision since he

also needs to visit other countries.
Let us give other countries the chance
to see him. Because if we insist, its as if
were being selfish because it will lessen
his opportunities to visit other countries,
Villegas said in Filipino.
The huge event is set on Jan. 24 to 31
and is expected to draw 15,000 pilgrims
from all over the world.
The Philippines first hosted one of the
most remarkable church events in 1937
when the 33rd IEC was held in Manila.
(Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

And Thats The Truth / A4

You are never alone; you have a

friend who is always there for
you. Jesus is a friend, talk to him
everyday about your thoughts,
problems, feelings, how your day
has beenand ask Him Jesus,
what do you want me to be?
The Popes enjoinment is a re-

minder of a need among Christs

followers, echoing the words
of St. Teresa of Avila, born 500
years ago, who was made the first
woman Doctor of the Church
for her teachings on prayer. She
would write (Life 8:7) prayer
is nothing else than an intimate

sharing between friends; it means

taking time frequently to be alone
with Him who we know loves us,
and in her poem In the Hands of
God, I am Yours and born for
You; what do You want of me?
People needed rest in silence in
Jesus time, need the same now,

and will need it always in order to

remain connected to Him. The
Lords invitation to rest in silence
is nothing new, really; but we can
use reminders now and then, lest
we forget where we came from,
and where were going. And
thats the truth.

Oratio Imperata / A1

Prayers that reach God

Villegas made the statement during a press
conference after bishops plenary assembly at the
Pius XII Center in Manila on Monday.
If the dispute escalates and it becomes
a problem of peace, how can the Church
not be involved? Peace is the mission of the
Church, said Villegas.
The United Nations arbitral tribunal has
begun the arbitration court proceedings on
the territorial dispute at The Hague last week.
Not all of us can go to The Hague, not all
of us can patrol the West Philippine Sea, but
all of us can kneel and pray for our prayers
reach God and benefit people, Villegas

added in Filipino.
After the news conference, Villegas led
other CBCP officials in praying the oratio
imperata which reads:
Oratio Imperata
O Lord our God, Maker of heaven and
earth, the sky and the seas, look kindly on
us, Your children of the Philippine islands,
our home, now beset with tensions over our
West Philippine Sea.
We pray to you for peace over that part of
our islands and waters.
We pray that questions over it may be
resolved through justice and respect for

peoples rights.
We pray that no harm may be done to our
marine creatures and habitat.
We pray that our fellow Filipinos, protecting our islands and seas, be kept safe from
natural and manmade disasters.
Loving God, You are our wonderful Creator, our generous provider of good things.
Send Your Holy Spirit of wisdom and understanding to our leaders, that they may resolve
this crisis with courage and in the spirit of
dialogue. Help us all to remain faithful to
Your Word and obedient to Your will always.
This we ask through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen. (CBCPNews)

Campaign / A6

Nationwide drive
Meanwhile, on July 10, the
Permanent Councils of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) hosted
a presentation of the petition
campaign, which is expected to
be followed by a series of GCCM
events throughout the country.
Leaders of the Church in the
country have responded to the
Holy Fathers latest encyclical by
supporting the petition which
aims to collect at least one million
signatures to convince world leaders who will be present at a climate
summit in Paris, France in late
November about the pressing is-

sue of environmental degradation.

Global campaign
The Catholic Climate Petition
is a global campaign led by the
Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), a coalition of
over 140 Catholic organizations
from all continents working for
climate action.
Pope Francis endorsed the petition campaign in May when he
met with representatives of the
movement at the Vatican.
Everyones issue
In an earlier CBCP News
post, Manila Auxiliary Bishop

Broderick S. Pabillo pointed

out the environment is an issue
that should concern not only
scientists and specialists, given
that its conservation or destruction has implications that can
directly affect the future of all,
especially the poor.
Does the Church have a right
to teach on environmental issues? Yes! Our Father in heaven
created nature and He created
it good. And since we are all children of God, it is only our duty
to care for all that our Father had
created, he explained.
Charity
He said caring for the environ-

ment is one of the many ways

the faithful can concretely express charity to their neighbors,
particularly the poorest of the
poor, whom he laments are
the ones often most affected by
flash floods, landslides, and other
hazards like the greed of policymakers and industrialists bring
about in the name of progress.
Pabillo further bemoaned that
many capitalists, particularly
those involved in irresponsible
mining, see the environment
and its resources merely as something to be exploited for profit.
(Raymond A. Sebastin/CBCP
News)

BBL / A1

CBCP re-elects Abp.

Soc as president
ARCHBISHOP Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan
was reelected president of the
Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines.
Majority of the 82 out of the
95 active bishops attending the
CBCP plenary assembly in Manila voted in favor of the second
term of Villegas.
Also reelected was Archbishop
Romulo Valles of Davao as the
vice president of the Philippine
conference of Catholic bishops.
CBCP officials have a two-year
tenure in office, or a total of four
to include the second term.
The bishops also elected members of the CBCP Permanent
Council.
The regional representatives
for Luzon are Bishops Rodolfo
Beltran of San Fernando, La
Union, Ruperto Santos of Bal-

anga, Gilbert Garcera of Daet,

Bernardino Cortez of Infanta
and Reynaldo Evangelista of
Imus.
For Visayas, the representatives are Bishops Crispin Varquez
of Borongan and Narciso Abellana of Romblon.
Representatives for Mindanao,
include Bishops Jose Cabantan
of Malaybalay and Angelito
Lampon of Jolo.
Most of them are current
permanent council members
except for Santos, Evangelista
and Abellana who will be serving
their first term.
Also reelected were Palo
Archbishop John Du as CBCP
treasurer, Fr. Marvin Mejia as
secretary general.
They will serve the Conference
from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2017. (CBCPNews)

Penalty / A1

cal penalty not only for doing

wrong themselves but also for
not doing that which is right
as far as the members of their
respective clergy are concerned,
Cruz added.
New tribunal
This new provision, which
came from the five-point plan
presented by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors during the meeting of the
Council of Nine Cardinals with
Pope Francis last June, signifies
the importance of implementing
discipline and accountability
within the church hierarchy.
In news reports, Vatican Press
Office head Fr. Federico Lombardi said a new Vatican tribunal will be created within the
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith to judge all such
cases connected to the abuse of
children and vulnerable adults.
This move, which marks an
important development in the
ongoing process of making
Church leaders accountable for
the actions of errant priests, will
have a five-year development and
evaluation period.
Sin of omission
Cruz welcomed the new penal
provision, noting that when
bishops do not correct the erring members of their clergy, this

is a sin of omission which can

readily (bear) negative effects.
First, it can scandalize the lay
faithful in their respective ecclesiastical jurisdictions who look
up to their priests with respect
and reverence, he said.
Second, it can scandalize
the other members of their
own clergy who are living their
commitment according to their
best, added the judicial vicar of
the CBCPs National Appellate
Matrimonial Tribunal.
Furthermore, Cruz noted,
Third, it can scandalize the seminarians who are taught about
the dignity of the priesthood
that they have to live by when
ordained as priests themselves.
Moral imperative
According to Cruz, the said
provision is clearly intended to
emphasize more not only the ethical but also the moral imperative of
having disciplined clerical authorities in the Church.
He said that the imposition
of disciplinary punishment is an
explicit and official admission
on the part of the Church that
though gifted with holiness as a
whole, the universal ecclesiastical community nevertheless has
certain clerics or members of the
Clergy who for one reason or another violate Church laws. (Jennifer M. Orillaza/CBCPNews)

Whatever / A5

Deaf, numb
Brothers and sisters, God has always
listened the cries of the poor. It is only us
who turn deaf to their agonies, who are indifferent to their sufferings, and who refuse
to act for their sake. The Lord has already
done His part for them. It is time we do
ours, he added.
The priest stressed that each believing
Catholic is called upon to take responsibilitypananagutanfor his fellow humans,
especially those who have fewer opportuni-

ties in life: to love them, to minister to them,

and to make sure they are not abused.
When we have faith it means we
gamble But its not just taking chances.
Whenever we receive the Body and Blood
of Christ, we are affirming our responsibility for our neighbors, he explained.
Loving outcasts
Moreover, Adoviso went on to exhort the
faithful to recall in the consecrated Host the
plight of the millions of people worldwide
who experience hardships.

We are duty-bound to accept them, to

love them, to serve them, to be compassionate towards them, to help them stand on
their feet, and to ensure they are not taken
advantage of by virtue of their being created
in Gods image, he added.
In closing, Adoviso urged his audience
to reflect on how they can be a neighbor to
their neighbors, particularly to the impoverished, the wounded, and to those whom
society treats as outcasts. (Raymond A.
Sebastin/CBCP News)

Tagle / A1

Youth no-show
When I celebrated Mass at
a church in Milan, I felt bad.
Was it because of my Italian? I
didnt know why until I went
back to my seat. I realized there
was not a single youth in my
congregation, lamented Tagle
in his homily for the installation Mass of Fr. Macas Wency
D. Serfica, the new head pastor
of San Isidro Labrador Parish in
Pasay recently.
The prelate stressed that what
is taking place in the Church in
Europe could also be the fate of
the Church in the Philippines
if the young faithful are left to
themselves with nobody to guide
them and to ensure the transmission of the faith.

CBCP Monitor

Church as museums
He went on to share that many
church buildings in Europe,
cathedrals even, which some
of the greatest Catholic saints
frequented, had to be sold to the
tourism department, given that
former parishioners no longer
had interest in them.
Before I got irritated whenever there was a baby crying or
toddlers running around during
Mass. I got easily distracted by
them. Now I crave them. I welcome them, he said.
Because of them I am convinced that our faith community has a future ahead of it,
he added, stressing that evangelization is the duty not of the

clergy alone, but of all baptized

persons.
Domestic Church
Lumen Gentium (LG), the
Dogmatic Constitution on the
Church in the Modern World,
speaks of the family as the domestic Church where children
first learn about the faith.
Part of LG 11 reads, From
the wedlock of Christians there
comes the family, in which new
citizens of human society are
born, who by the grace of the
Holy Spirit received in baptism
are made children of God, thus
perpetuating the people of God
through the centuries. The family is, so to speak, the domestic
Church. In it parents should, by
their word and example, be the

first preachers of the faith to their

children; they should encourage
them in the vocation which is
proper to each of them, fostering with special care vocation to
a sacred state.
Challenge of evangelization
Tagle ended by urging Serfica to take on the challenge
of shepherding his new flock
to the best of his abilities, so
the forthcoming generations
will have a chance to hear the
Good News.
Likewise, the cardinal exhorted the San Isidro parishioners
to help their pastor out, to work
with him, in the task of evangelization. (Raymond A. Sebastin/
CBCP News)

K-12 / A1

the letter, signed by re-elected CBCP president Archbishop Villegas, reads in part.
The bishops also called on Catholic schools
to go beyond merely preparing for the program and turn their eyes and affection to
the poor.
They said the fate of the indigenous
people, the children in conflict with the law,
the street children, and the persons with
disabilities should particularly be of utmost
concern.
Catholic schools must always have a place
for them, not merely as out-reach but as part
of their education ministry, and members
of their learning community, Villegas said.
They also cautioned that the K-12 should

not lead to the teachers and school personnel losing their jobs, saying no one should
be make to unjustly suffer in the program.
No to contractualized teachers
The bishops said personnel affected by
the transition should be consulted and their
views and suggestions be given serious
consideration.
Teachers are not to be considered just as
expenses but as partners in the noble mission
of education. May this not lead to the contractualization of the teaching personnel,
Villegas said.
The bishops also called on for solidarity
and subsidiarity in the implementation

of the K-12 program in the service of the

common good.
It is not the time for unbridled competition among schools of who can offer the
best education, they stressed.
Instead, the bishops added: It is the time
to activate communion through solidarity
and subsidiarity.
We call everyone to enter the table
of fellowship and engage in appreciative
conversations regarding the education of
our youth. Let us listen to one another bare
their worries, concerns and misgivings. Let
us all walk towards enlightenment and allow
charity to permeate our dialogue, they said.
(Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

want to be strong, you must

learn to become weak; and if
you want to live, you must give
up your life.
Thus, messing up in an
evangelical sense entails interior struggle - going against the
grainby stepping on our pride,
cutting off our wild imagination,
and curtailing our lazy memories. It also means constantly
living temperance, and sobriety
when indulging in noble earthly
goods (i.e. food, sports, entertainment, etc.).
Messing up ourselves also
invites one to think more about
the needs of others before his
own, serving cheerfully, showing
timely affection, silently praying,
and making expiation for those
who may be literally messing up

their own lives and that of others.

At the end of his impromptu
discourse, Pope Francis asked the
youth to join him in praying for
those whose lives may be messed
up: Jesus, I ask you for the boys
and girls who do not know you
as their strength and who are
afraid of living, of being happy
and of dreaming.
He ended, as if asking the
Lord to be the One to mess us
up well, by asking God to help
teach us how to dream: Jesus,
teach us to dream, to dream of
great things, beautiful things,
things whicheven though they
may be so commonenlarge
the heart. Lord Jesus, give us
fortitude, give us a free heart,
and give us hope, love and teach
us to serve. Amen.

Candidly Speaking / A4

rampant problem. The leading

men got so stuck with their own
religious laws and practices that
they failed to recognize the God
who became man. They were so
convinced with the goodness
of their laws and practices that
they absolutized them, and made
them their god, instead of God
who became man.
Nowadays, we see a lot of
self-righteous people who have
their own version of what is true,
good, and beautiful, without
referring it to the One who is
all true, good and beautiful.
They are now redefining things
and building their own tower
of Babel.
We should try our best to
always keep God the center and
focus of our life. We need to
remind ourselves of this fundamental truth because like toddlers
who can go on with their childish
ways unmindful of the people
around, we, too, can go on with
our many temporal affairs and
concerns unmindful of God.
We should never forget that

we cannot outgrow our dependence on God, and that the more

mature and more accomplished
we become, the more dependent
we ought to be on God. We need
to remind ourselves of this truth
constantly, making many deliberate acts of faith and thanksgiving during the day.
Thats why there is always a
need also to cultivate the sense of
spiritual childhood, that awareness that in the eyes of God we
will always be children in need
of His help and guidance.
Even if we are totally free and
responsible for our life and actions, such freedom is no excuse
for declaring independence from
God who is the author, law and
pattern, as well as goal of our
freedom.
We need to educate ourselves
to make many acts of thanksgiving all throughout the day, and
feel in our flesh our complete
dependence on God. Lets not
be ingrates who arrogate to
ourselves what actually belongs
to God.

CBCP Monitor

A7

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Yolanda survivors in N. Iloilo

to receive Caritas housing
JARO, Iloilo132 houses will be the
blessed and turned over to survivors of
super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on
July 29 in Ajuy, in the province of Iloilo,
announced the Jaro Archdiocesan Action
Center (JASAC).
The official turn over ceremonies on July
29 will start at 8 a.m. with a Eucharistic
celebration to be presided over by Jaro
Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo.
The housing project called Caritas Village consists of 66 duplex houses built on
1.6 hectares of land in Barangay Malayu-an,
Ajuy.
Project partners
Aside from the provisions of shelter, a
road network, a water system, childrens
playground, a multi-purpose building,
and a basketball court, the housing
project offers a package of services that
includes livelihood programs and ecosystems.
JASAC director Msgr. Meliton Oso, said
the project was made possible through the
sponsorship of Caritas Austria through

Caritas Internationalis, NASSA/Caritas,

Philippines, and the Archdiocese of Jaro,
through the
Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center.
The direct recipients of the houses, considered project-partners for their active
collaboration in the undertaking, will be
132 families whose houses had been totally
damaged by typhoon Yolanda and were not
allowed by the lot owners to rebuild their
houses or whose houses were within 40 meters of a no-build zone and have agreed to
be relocated, Oso explained.
The least served
The Social Action director said the projectpartner families were selected because they
were the most in need but the least served!
Explaining the significance of Caritas
Village, the JASAC director said: One
has to understand that after Yolanda these
people lost not only their homes but also
their means of livelihood.
It is important to help families regain
their livelihood and make their communities
function again.

We cannot allow these people to be reduced to mendicancy, he stressed.

Yolanda destruction
Nueva Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria
Tirona, OCD, chairman of NASSA/Caritas
Philippines, who will also represent Caritas
Internationalis, will be present.
Also expected to come to the turn over
ceremonies are the Social Action directors
of the nine dioceses that were worst hit by
Yolanda.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor and
Mayor Juan R. Alvarez of the Municipality
of Ajuy will attend the event, representing
the Philippine government.
Several towns in Iloilo province suffered
destruction as super-typhoon typhoon
Yolanda ripped through Panay Island on
Nov. 8, 2013.
The coastal communities in the towns of
Estancia, Concepcion, and Ajuy were wiped
out by the storm. Other affected towns were
Janiuay, Barotac Viejo, Carles, Batad, San
Dionisio, San Rafael, Balasan, and Sara, Oso
said. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas/CBCPNews)

Have high tolerance for suffering, seminarians told

DAVAO CityServing the
Church will entail a lot of persecution and challenges, so
ministers, which includes all
who serve in the Church, should
develop a high tolerance to pain
and suffering as they respond to
peoples needs.
This was the message of the
Davao Archbishop Romulo G.
Valles to newly-installed seminarian lectors and acolytes of
the St. Francis Xavier Regional
Major Seminary, which used
to be the only seminary in
Mindanao.
During the Mass and rite of
installation held at the San Pedro
Cathedral here last July 4, the
prelate called on the seminarian
lectors and acolytes to be constant
in prayer and be more tolerant of
frustrations and difficulties.
Service and prayer
Lectors are tasked to spread
the Good News being readers of
the Word of God while acolytes
assist the priests and deacons
in the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist.
Service and constant prayer
are inseparable. They are nonnegotiables in our faith, said

Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles installed on July 4, 2015 seminarian lectors and
acolytes of the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary, Davao. The prelate called
on all those who serve in the Church to have a high tolerance for the pain and suffering
they will encounter because of their service. BRENDA MILAN

Valles in his homily, adding that

the Eucharist is one of the nonnegotiables in their ministry and
in their faith.
Valles said the seminarians
should also be in love with the
Eucharist, so they will be ready
to minister.
Your dreams, mind should be
one with the Church. You should
love the Church the way Jesus
did, he said.

To serve those in despair

The ministers are there to
serve and not to be served. As
a minister, you should serve the
Church, Valles added, recounting the washing of the feet of the
12 apostles, which according to
him is a powerful image.
You should serve the people,
those who are in despair, he told
the 32 lectors who are first year

students of Theology and there

are 27 acolytes coming from
the second year Theology of St.
Francis Xavier Regional Major
Seminary in Catalunan Grande,
Davao City.
The archbishop also thanked
the Foreign Missionaries of Quebec, better known as the PME
Fathers, for their contribution
in building the local church of
Davao.
Its an honor recalling the
work of the PME Fathers. Thats
why we [did] the ceremony here
in the cathedral, Valles told the
bishops, priests, seminarians,
and the Mass-goers present.
The rector of the seminary,
Msgr. Abel Apigo, said the institution of lectors and acolytes
is a way of promoting priestly
vocations as there were college
seminarians coming from different dioceses present during
the Mass.
Meanwhile, the archbishop
also led the investiture of the 23
seminarians of the Pre-Theology
Year who received the vestment
or sotana, which he blessed during the rite of investiture. (John
Frances C. Fuentes/CBCP
News)

Convention forges common family, life direction for PH

CEBU City The National Convention on
Family and Life, which ended today, helped
383 delegates representing 48 organizations
and 63 dioceses forge a common direction
for the Family and Life Ministries in the
country.
Organized by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP ECFL),
headed by Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera, the
events concrete output included the setting
of regional conventions and the forming of
national partnerships and local secretariats.
The national theme for family and life
efforts in 2016 was also finalized: The
Filipino Family, Missionary Disciples of the
Eucharist.
How renewal will happen
CBCP president Archbishop Socrates
Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan set the tone

in his message where he noted the CBCPs

declaration of 2016 as the Year of the Eucharist and the Family, and Pope Francis call
for a Jubilee of Mercy. Calling attention to
the significance of 2016, the prelate said it
will also be 25th anniversary of the Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP-II).
Villegas stressed how renewal will happen
if we, as missionaries, will learn to kneel
again: in repentance, in adoration, and to
wash one anothers feet (Jn 13:14).
Meanwhile, Fr. Miguel Garcia, SSS gave
updates on the 51st International Eucharistic Congress which will be held in Cebu
in January. George Campos of the Couples
for Christ Global Mission Foundation and
Frank Padilla of the Couples for Christ
Foundation for Family and Life shared their
experiences and reflections as participants of
the third Extraordinary General Assembly

of the Synod of Bishops last October 2014.

Dr. Antonio Torralba of the University of
Asia and the Pacific highlighted the results of
their research on the Philippine Response to
the Synod on the Family. Fr. Ronald Quijano
of the John Paul II National Institute for
Studies on Marriage and Family (Bacolod) expounded on a pastoral response to the Synod.
Bishops dialogue with families
The highlights of the convention included
the bishops dialogue with families, the regional workshops, and the national meeting.
Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Kabankalan Bishop Patricio Buzon, Boac Bishop
Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Paraaque
Bishop Jesse Mercado, Laoag Bishop Renato
Mayugba, Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas,
and Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable attended
the said conference. (CBCPNews)

Climate / A1

cyclical Laudato Si, the bishops

said the people must transform
words into action, keeping the
poor and hungry at the center
of the efforts.
And since climate change is
also an issue of social justice,
the bishops said the notion of
the common good must extend
to future generations.
All persons of good will
Villegas said there is no doubt
that world leaders can tackle
climate change but that is not
enough.
All persons of goodwill must
train their eyes on Paris, and by
collective and communitarian
action, make the issues that will
be there discussed, the issues
and concerns of all, for in truth,
caring about climate change and
its deleterious and devastating
effects on all, but especially on
impoverished and struggling
nations and communities, is our
way of attending to the needs
of the least of our brothers and
sisters; it is how, today, we must

wash each others feet, he said.

As part of their pastoral formation on the climate change
issues, the bishops committed
themselves to organize symposia and conferences that will be
taken up in Paris.
Replace consumption with
sacrifice
Villegas added that meaningful participation and debate are
premised on sound information
and adequate knowledge. But
more direct and immediate
action can and should also be
taken, he said.
Meanwhile, Caritas Internationalis president and Manila
Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has earlier called on the
faithful to undertake a mission
to save the planet.
In a letter to Caritas confederation on Laudato Si, he said
the Pope reminds us to replace
consumption with a sense of
sacrifice, greed with generosity
and wastefulness with a spirit of
sharing.

We must give, and not simply give up. We are called to free
ourselves from all that is heavy
and negative and wasteful and
to enter into dialogue with our
global family, he said.
Petition
In the Philippines, the cardinal also led the Global Catholic
Climate Movement (GCCM)
climate change petition recently,
and called on all Filipinos to take
action now for the sake of what
Pope Francis describes as our
common home.
A first round of 75 parishes
have already received the campaign materials and will start
collecting signatures in Sunday
masses, said Lou Arsenio, coordinator of the Archdiocese of
Manilas Ministry on Ecology,
noting that the launch was just
the first step towards a massive
mobilization of the Philippine
Church backed by her leaders.
The first petition events are
currently ongoing and are addressed to diocesan leaders from

the regions of Luzon, Visayas,

and Mindanao.
On July 10, the CBCP also
hosted a presentation of the
petition campaign, which is expected to be followed by a series
of GCCM events throughout
the country.
Filipino bishops have supported the petition which aims
to collect at least one million
signatures to present to world
leaders in December at the Paris
climate negotiations, where they
are expected to sign a potential
agreement for international action to address climate change.
The Catholic Climate Petition
is a global campaign led by the
Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), a coalition of
over 140 Catholic organizations
from all continents working for
climate action.
Pope Francis endorsed the
petition campaign in May when
he met with representatives of
the movement at the Vatican.
(with reports from Raymond
A. Sebastin)

PNoy urged to push release

of pro-poor lay worker
ILIGAN CityThe Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
(RMP) has launched an online
petition urging President Benigno S. Aquino III (PNoy) to
intervene for the immediate
release of Joel Yagao, a lay worker
who was allegedly unjustly jailed
on what appears to be trumpedup, baseless charges.
Injustice
We, the signatories of this
statement, are certain that
the cases filed against him are
trumped-up, baseless charges,
meant only to detain him physically so that he will not be able
to continue his work among
the poor and the marginalized.
We demand for his immediate releaseand of Bernas and
Gundayaand for justice to be
served to these rural community
workers whose only aim is to
fulfill their mission to God by
serving His people, says RMP
in an open letter to PNoy.
Justice should be served to
rural community workers whose
only aim is to fulfill their mission
to God by serving His people,
it adds.
Harassment
For more than five years, Yagao had been actively working
for the RMP based in Northern
Mindanao Region (RMP-NMR)
on community-based land campaigns, particularly in the eastern municipalities of Misamis
Oriental.
He was reportedly arrested
within the compounds of the
Roman Catholic Church of Our
Lady of Guadalupe in the municipality of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental on Sept. 8, 2013,

and was among those charged

with murder resulting from the
armed encounter between the
Communist-led New Peoples
Army (NPA) and the convoy of
Ruthie Guingona, the mayor of
Gingoog City.
Husband and father
In carrying out our work
we are subjected to harassment,
threats, accused of being members of the New Peoples Army
by the government and its law
enforcers, Yagao stated in his
open letter to Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines.
At the time of his arrest, he
was 44-years old, married, and
with two children to support.
As an RMP-NMR lay worker,
Yagao had been immersed in rural communities, working with
farmers, farm workers, fisher
folks, and indigenous peoples
who aspire for their own land,
to bargain for a better price for
their products, and to increase
their wages as farm laborers.
Land reform
Their small victories over the
years have gained the ire of the
landowners, and their greater call
for genuine agrarian reform, the
brand that they are instigating
rebellion, RMP-NMR explains.
The group laments that Yagao
continues to languish in jail
together with his co-accused
Modesto Bernas and Reynaldo
Gundaya, both simple farmers.
According to RMP-NMR,
the schedules of his hearings
are always moved because of
the non-appearance of the supposed witnesses to his crime.
(Raymond A. Sebastin/CBCP
News)

Palos Pope Francis Center now

houses abandoned elderly, orphans

The Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo Leyte, financed by the Vatican, was blessed
by the Holy Father, on Jan. 17, 2015. EILEEN NAZARENO BALLESTEROS

PALO, LeyteSix elderly and a

teen orphan now live at the Vatican-built Pope Francis Center
for the Poor complex located at
the foot of Bukid Tabor in Brgy.
Arado of this town, a stones
throw away from the Bishops
Residence (Gonzagahaus).
Sr. Matthia Cho, local supervisor of the Congregation
of Kkttongnae Sisters of Jesus,
said it was determined that the
said individuals were abandoned,
based on thorough inquiries
into their background, before
they were accommodated at the
Complex.
As wards, the elderly and the
teen whose identities they choose
not to disclose for security reasons, have their basic needs met,
such as food, care, and shelter.
They are the first of the twenty
elderly and twenty orphans the
Complex could house.
Gift to Palo
The Pope Francis Center for
the Poor, erected on a sprawling 1,414.60 square meter plot
of land, was Pope Francis own
gesture of mercy and compassion, which was also the theme
of his visit to the Philippines in
January this year.
Financed by the Vatican
through the Pontifical Council
Cor Unum for Human and
Christian Development for the
amount of Php 60 million, the
complex contains five buildings
for receiving guests, a kitchen,
bedrooms, a dining area, and
maintenance facilities.
The facility, which is the Supreme Pontiffs gift to the people
of Leyte who were victims of
the super typhoon Yolanda, is
primarily intended to house
abandoned elderly and orphans.
When the project was broached
to the archdiocese leadership,

it was with the understanding that the archdiocese will

find the means to manage and
maintain it.
After Yolanda hit Palo, we
came to see what happened here.
We heard that the archbishop is
looking for a congregation that
could manage this so we went to
him [to tell] him we are willing
to open a center here in Palo but
he suggested to us to manage
[one already existing] here, not
to open our own. So we accepted
his proposal, narrated Cho.
Relying on donations
According to her, local residents told them about the elderly
and the teen orphan. Many
people already knew that we
inaugurated the orphanage and
elderly house, so the neighbours
informed us [about them] and
they visited. And after the interview and [we] saw their situation, we brought them here,
she recalled.
At the moment, the Kktttongnae Sisters fundraise through
personal solicitations. We have
no income that is why we rely on
donations, Cho disclosed.
Cho also stressed that the
congregation would be willing to
return their wards to their legitimate families. Why not? They
should live with their family, so
we will give them back to their
family if they will fetch them
she said.
Du, who is the nominal head
of the institution, visits the facility every now and then to check
on the condition of the wards
and of the facility itself, according to Cho. There are also volunteers who visit the facility to help
clean the area and to talk to the
elderly, bringing with them food
to share. (Eileen NazarenoBallesteros/CBCP News)

A8

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

CBCP Monitor

Ateneo alumni to give Clergy rediscover

priestly joy in
free talks on Laudato Si renewal course

Vatican City - June 18, 2015. Copies of Laudato Si at a press conference on where 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 and Pope Francis addresses the environment, climate change, abortion, embryonic
experimentation, and population control. CNA

THE public is invited to a attend a series of

talks on Laudato Si (Praised be) on July
25, Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Faber Function Room, Faber Hall, Ateneo de
Manila University (AdMU), Loyola Heights,
Quezon City.
Pope Francis released an encyclical on
environmental protection was officially
published at noon on June 18, 2015, accompanied by a news conference. (Photo:
Raymond Sebastian)
Organized by the Companions in the

Ignatian Journey and JVP Network of Leaders, the discussion is set to feature renowned
academics and environmentalists who will
give their take on Pope Francis muchtalked about encyclical on the care for our
common home, its implications, as well as
the various challenges it presents to society,
especially in the personal and professional
life of each individual.
The speakers, all Ateneo alumni, are Fr.
Albert E. Alejo, S.J., anthropologist and poet;
Patria Gwen M.L Borcena, environmental

sociologist; Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, scientist

and academic; Dr. Antonio M. La Via, human rights and environmental lawyer; and Dr.
Donna Paz T. Reyes, environmental educator.
The event is a continuing formation program in honor of Fr. Daniel McNamara, S.J.
and of Fr. Francis Reilly, S.J.
Assembly and registration will be at 12:30
p.m.
For inquiries,interested parties may email
companions2011@gmail.com. (Raymond A.
Sebastin/CBCP News)

A RENEWAL course for parish

priests with a program called
Priestly Joy was held at St.
Scholastica Center of Spirituality
in Tagaytay City from July 6 to
15, 2015.
Organized by the Focolares
Center for the Spirituality of
Communion for diocesan priests,
deacons and seminarians (Scuola
Epi), the course gathered fifteen
priests from the dioceses of Digos,
Davao, San Pablo, Laguna, Malolos, Bulacan, and from the Archdioceses of Cebu, Davao, Semarang
(Indonesia), and Myanmar.
In the spirit of effective
and affective communion, the
course allowed the participants
to have a brief respite from the
rigors of ministry; to be updated
about the Church, theology,
ecclesiology, and mission; to

improve their potentials and

skills through various workshops
and, above all to deepen their
personal relationship with Jesus.
Plenary conferences were given by Bishop Roberto Mallari of
the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva
Ecija (On Gods love in priestly
life); Bishop Gerardo Alminaza
of the Diocese of San Carlos
(Diocesan Priestly Spirituality);
Bishop Jose R. Rojas Jr (Moral
Issues Today); Bishop Gilbert
Garcera (Pastoral Leadership);
Fr. Andrew Recepcion (The
Church and the 21st Century);
and Dr. Crescencia Gabijan
(Mission and Inculturation).
The participants were enriched
not only by the program but also by
the fraternity and exchange of significant experiences in their priestly
life and ministry. (CBCPNews)

Great Walled City

Run 2015 set

Lay Catholic leaders to tackle divorce, homosexuality

CARING for wounded
families and pastoral care
for homosexual persons
are among the topics that
will tackled in a forum on
marriage and family, with
Manila Archbishop Luis
Antonio Cardinal Tagle
among the speakers.
Heads of family ministries of the different
dioceses, pro-life advocates, and faith-based
groups will convene at
the Century Park Hotel
in Manila on July 25 for a

monumental conference,
during which significant
issues facing the Church
and Filipino families will
be discussed.
The so-called Marriage
Encounter National Congress is the countrys second
forum of its kind which
seeks to formulate motions
for the two-week Synod of
Bishops on the family at the
Vatican in October.
Organized by the Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines,

Inc. (MEFP), the forum

will serve as a venue for
consensus-building on
common marital and
family enrichment programs that can be shared
by faith-based orgnizations.
Tagle will deliver the
keynote speech, while
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas,
CBCP president, will
be the opening plenary
speaker.
Issues on divorce and

single-parent families will

be discussed by Jesuit Fr.
Rex Mananzan, while Fr.
Daniel Healy, spiritual director of Courage Philippines, will talk about pastoral attention towards
persons with homosexual
tendencies.
Other speakers include
Fr. Dominador Guzman,
Jr., SSP, on Pastoral Care
for Couples Civilly Married or Living Together;
Ms. Mitos Rivera on
The Transmission of Life

and the Challenge of the

Declining Birthrate; Fr.
Benito Tuazon on Guiding Engaged Couples
in their Preparation for
Marriage; Fr. Ruben Tanseco, SJ, on Accompanying Married Couples
in the Initial Years of
Marriage; and Fr. Anton
Pascual who will focus on
Upbringing and the Role
of the Family in Evange- ALL are invited to join the fun
lization. (Luke Godoy/ run dubbedThe Great Walled
CBCPNews)
City Run 2015 on Sept. 6,
2015 at the historical Intramuros, Manila.
In celebration of the 57th
founding anniversary of the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association in the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI), the insurance
arm of the Knights of Columbus
in the country, participants may
join the 5K race category for a
Php 500.00 registration fee and
10K for Php 700.00.
The registration fee includes a
dri-fit shirt and race bib for the
5K category; the 10k category
runners will get an additional
finisher shirt and medal.
Organizers are also seeking

Pro-life group, visual artists to hold art exhibit on papal visits

PROLIFE Philippines Foundation, in partnership with art
group GruppoBiswal, will be
holding an art exhibit this July,
featuring papal visits around the
world to raise funds for two of
its projects that aim to help the
Archdiocese of Palo.
Opening on July 31, Friday
at 5:30 p.m. at Barbaras Restaurant, located at the Plaza San
Luis Complex in Intramuros,
Manila, the exhibit will run until
Aug. 14, 2015.
2nd Benedizione exhibit
Held in partnership with
GruppoBiswals visual artists, the
exhibit, entitled PAPA KIKO
Benedizionedel Papa II, will
feature a collection of paintings
of Pope Francis and his visits to
different parts of the globe. The
collection will also include memorable images of the Supreme
Pontiffs visit to the Philippines
last January.
The upcoming showcase,
which marks the second Benedizione exhibit to be held, aims
to raise funds for the maintenance of the Pope Francis Center
in Palo, Leyte and to help finance
the needs of the orphans at the
Hayag Orphanage in Ormoc
City, Leyte.
The first Benedizione exhibit was mounted at the Manila
Cathedral Basilica from Dec. 31
until the actual papal visit last
January.
Big difference
It was highlighted by the
unveiling of the Mural of the
Five Popes, blessed by Manila
Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The Mural, now displayed in the Manila Cathedral
Basilica sacristy, was also painted
by GruppoBiswal artists.

collaborators who can partner

with them.
Inspired by KC Philippines
founder Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJs charity and care for the needy,
the proceeds of this event will
support the charitable activities
of two foundations KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. and KC Fr.
George J. Willmann Charities, Inc.
The foundations have been
providing assistance to the victims of different calamities,
providing scholarships to the
deserving students and religious scholarships for those with
priestly vocations.
Interested parties may contact
RJ Mariano or MM Gatdula
at (02) 527-2223. (KC News/
CBCPNews)

Vicente santos on display

in Alabang
SOME original works of
post-war sculptor Maximo
Vicente, Sr., will be on display at Gallery II of the
San Beda College Museum
in Alabang from July 16 to
August 16, 2015.
Organizers said Vicentes
workshop called Talleres
de Maximo Vicente created
quality pieces of religious
art that could well rival the

works of the best artisans in

Europe.
Every piece that came
out of this shop was perfect
in artistry and workmanship, they said.
The San Beda College
Alabang exhibit is a rare opportunity for one to be able
to own an image from the
famed talleres, they added.
(Luke Godoy/CBCPNews)

Concert to benefit orphans set

Leyte is among the most

battered places by typhoon
Yolanda (international name:
Haiyan) which ravaged Central Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013
with tsunami-like storm surges
and winds of up to 315 kilometers an hour, claiming the
lives of at least 6,200 people

with 2,000 others missing.

Your donation will certainly
make a big difference in the lives
of our brothers and sisters in the
Archdiocese of Palo and in all
the other places where Pro-Life
Philippines will endeavor our
brethren to embrace the value of
life and the natural family, Palo

Archbishop John Du said in his

endorsement letter.
For more information about
the exhibit, interested parties
may call or text Pro-Life Philippines at +639192337783 or via
email at life@prolife.org.ph/
prolifephil@gmail.com. (Jennifer M. Orillaza/CBCP News)

ENJOY music and help keep a

roof over orphans heads.
The Casa Miani (Somascan
Fathers) Foundation, Inc. invites the public to support the
concert of singer comedian
Ogie Alacasid at the Sylvia P.
Lina Theater Della Salle Zobel,
Ayala Alabang on Aug. 15,
2015, 8 p.m. which will benefit
the children of the Casa Miani
of the Somascan Fathers in
partnership with the Friends of
St. Jerome Emiliani.

Entitled Pag-asang Handog,

the concert will also feature guest
performers like Matteo Guidicelli and Agot Isidro.
Founded by St. Jerome Emiliani, the Somascan Fathers is
an international religious congregation that helps orphans by
providing them with education,
spiritual and moral formation,
as well as decent shelter.
St. Jerome is known as the universal Patron of the Needy Youth
and Orphans. (CBCPNews)

PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Bangasmoro Transition Commission

CBCP Monitor

Locals from Brgy. RH-8, Notre Dame Village gather for a community dialogue on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Striving for just peace,

the moral road

(Statement of CBCP Plenary Assembly adopting the Mindanao Catholic Bishops position
on the BBL and the Peace Process)
Our Common Stand
Questions and varying opinions about
the peace process and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) abound at all levels
of Mindanao society.
As religious and moral teachers we,
Catholic bishops of Mindanao, stand on
common moral ground on the issues.
We do not intend to endorse or not to
endorse any draft BBL being discussed
by the Philippine Senate and the House
of Representatives. But we intend to envision a BBL that is based on and guided by
social moral principles.
We note that:
1) Christianity and Islam are religions
of peace;
2) The vast majority of Muslim, Christian, and Indigenous People communities
in Mindanao aspire for peace; and
3) All-out war is not the answer to the
Mindanao situation.
Ever since colonial times, Muslim leaders have expressed three major grievances:
the reduction of their ancestral territory,
the erosion of their cultural identity, and
the loss of self-determination in the development of their communities.
At the basis of the deep fundamental
Bangsamoro aspiration to self-determi-

some kind of BBL.

On our part, viewing the issues from a
moral angle, we do not want a BBL that
does not effectively address the root causes
of social injustice.
We do not want a BBL that does not
achieve the centuries-old Bangsamoro
aspiration for self-determination.
We do not want a BBL that makes
the proposed Bangsamoro area of selfdetermination less autonomous than the
ARMM it is meant to replace.
We do not want a BBL that discriminates by not effectively protecting and
promoting the rights of minorities, indigenous or not.
We do not want a BBL that will foster
ethnic, religious, political, and economic
discrimination.
A BBL We Want
Like everyone else we, Bishops, want a
just and lasting peace.
For this reason, we want a Bangsamoro
Basic Law that is rooted in social justice
and promotes social justice.
We want a BBL that effectively addresses the injustices suffered by the
Bangsamoro as well as the injustices suffered by indigenous peoples and various
religious minorities within the proposed
Bangsamoro area.

stitutionality of BBL provisions and

their root-documents, the Framework
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)
and the Comprehensive Agreement on
the Bangsamoro (CAB). The other group
rejects them as unconstitutional.
In the light of these divergent expert
opinions we note the scrutiny of the BBL
by Ad Hoc Legislative Committees.
We pray that the Ad Hoc Committees
seriously and fairly consider these contrary expert opinions so as not to imperil
the requirements of social justice for the
Bangsamoro.
The suggestion of many experts, we
believe, is wisethat such issues be left
to the Supreme Court for judicial review.
If left out through substantive revisions,
the Supreme Court can no longer reinsert them.
The Need for Trust in Waging Peace
Through many years of intense, and
often adversarial debates, the relationship
between our government peace panel and
the MILF peace panel has evolved from
suspicion and hostility to mutual trust and
understanding.
Theirs was a labor of partnership and
they have produced, they believe, an
agreement that, though imperfect, is a
pathway to a just and lasting peace.

We want a BBL that effectively addresses the injustices

suffered by the Bangsamoro as well as the injustices
suffered by indigenous peoples and various religious
minorities within the proposed Bangsamoro area.
nation in an autonomous region is the
moral principle of social justice. Social
justice implies the other moral principles
of just peace and inter-religious harmony.
This is the moral framework from
which we view the peace process and the
draft BBL.
A Social Climate of Mutual Mistrust,
Bias and Prejudice
The present social context is one of
mutual biases and prejudices, of mutual
charges of injustice. Such social climate
demands moral consideration.
For the Christian disciple, the fundamental wake-up call to conscience would
be: Would Jesus approve our biases and
prejudices that create unpeace?
Bias and prejudice are part and parcel
of the deep mistrust between Christians
and Muslims, two peoples coming from
the same Abrahamic faith.
It is this climate of mistrust that the
horrible human tragedy at Mamasapano,
Maguindanao, has resurrected. It has
placed the peace process and the proposed
BBL in limbo. But we believe that the
Mamasapano disaster must not be equated
with the BBL.
A BBL We Do Not Want
Everyone wants peace, everyone wants

Oratio Imperata
in time of grave
tension
O LORD God Almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, the sky and the seas,
look kindly on us your children of the
Philippine islands,
our home, now beset with tensions over
our West Philippine Sea.
We pray to you for peace over that part
of our islands and waters.
We pray that questions over it may be
resolved through justice and respect for
peoples rights.
We pray that no harm be done to our
marine creatures and habitat.

We want a BBL that concretely achieves

the self-determination of the Bangsamoro
in an identified area that remains part and
parcel of the territorial integrity and under
the national sovereignty of the Philippine
Republic.
We want a BBL that promotes harmonious relationships between peoples of various ethnic groups and of different faiths.
We want a BBL that effectively protects
universal human rights, particularly the
rights of IPs already enshrined in law, and
the rights of Christian minorities who fear
harassment and further marginalization.
We want a BBL that responds concretely to the concerns, hopes and aspirations
of all stakeholders, of various Bangsamoro
groups, and of non-Moro citizens within
the new Bangsamoro autonomous region.
We want a BBL whose provisions are
clearly Constitutional, without betraying
the intent and spirit of peace agreements.
That is the BBL we envision on the basis
of social moral principles of social justice,
harmony and peace. It is a vision that goes
beyond the proposals now being discussed
in our legislature.

Let us then transcend the negative emotions of human tragedy and continue on
the road to peace by way of dialogue, based
on mutual trust, openness, and respect.

We pray that our fellow Filipinos

protecting our islands and seas

Conclusion
We reiterate the fundamental intention
of this statement. It does not intend to be
either for or against the various drafts of
the BBL being discussed in our Legislature. It simply presents social and moral
principles and envisions, in general terms,
a BBL that flows from the same principles.
The moral imperative to lasting peace
is this: Christians, Muslims, Lumads and
members of other faiths have to begin
trusting in one another.
Continuing mistrust is the road to continuing violence and unrest in Mindanao.
Trust is a moral pre-requisite for justice,
harmony and peace.
Mary is eminently honored in both the
Quran and the Christian Bible as the Virgin Mother of Jesus, whom we Christians
call Our Peace. To the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the Mother of Peace, we commend
all our striving for a just and lasting peace.

be kept safe from natural and man-made

disasters.

The Constitutional Issue

On both sides of the constitutional
issue are legal experts and constitutional
luminaries. One group defends the con-

On the Occasion of the CBCP Plenary

Assembly
Pius XII Center, Manila
11 July 2015

Loving God you are wonderful Creator,

our generous Provider of good things;
send your Holy Spirit of wisdom and
understanding to our leaders
that they resolve this crisis with courage
and in the spirit of dialogue.
Help us all to remain faithful to your
Word and obedient to your Will always.
This we ask through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

CBCP Monitor

Continued from previous issue

CHAPTER THREE
THE HUMAN ROOTS OF THE
ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
101. It would hardly be helpful to describe symptoms without acknowledging
the human origins of the ecological crisis.
A certain way of understanding human
life and activity has gone awry, to the
serious detriment of the world around us.

the economic resources to use them, an

impressive dominance over the whole of
humanity and the entire world. Never
has humanity had such power over itself,
yet nothing ensures that it will be used
wisely, particularly when we consider
how it is currently being used. We need
but think of the nuclear bombs dropped
in the middle of the twentieth century, or
the array of technology which Nazism,

of something formless, completely open

to manipulation. Men and women have
constantly intervened in nature, but for a
long time this meant being in tune with
and respecting the possibilities offered by
the things themselves. It was a matter of
receiving what nature itself allowed, as if
from its own hand. Now, by contrast, we
are the ones to lay our hands on things,
attempting to extract everything possible

nature.[88]Our capacity to make decisions, a more genuine freedom and the

space for each ones alternative creativity
are diminished.
109. The technocratic paradigm also
tends to dominate economic and political life. The economy accepts every
advance in technology with a view to
profit, without concern for its potentially
negative impact on human beings. Fi-

technology, itself viewed as the principal

key to the meaning of existence. In the
concrete situation confronting us, there
are a number of symptoms which point
to what is wrong, such as environmental
degradation, anxiety, a loss of the purpose
of life and of community living. Once
more we see that realities are more important than ideas.[91]
111. Ecological culture cannot be

Laudato Si

Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
Should we not pause and consider this?
At this stage, I propose that we focus on
the dominant technocratic paradigm and
the place of human beings and of human
action in the world.

from them while frequently ignoring

or forgetting the reality in front of us.
Human beings and material objects no
longer extend a friendly hand to one
another; the relationship has become
confrontational. This has made it easy to
accept the idea of infinite or unlimited
growth, which proves so attractive to
economists, financiers and experts in
technology. It is based on the lie that
there is an infinite supply of the earths
goods, and this leads to the planet being
squeezed dry beyond every limit. It is the
false notion that an infinite quantity of
energy and resources are available, that
it is possible to renew them quickly, and
that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily
absorbed.[86]
107. It can be said that many problems
of todays world stem from the tendency,
at times unconscious, to make the method and aims of science and technology an
epistemological paradigm which shapes
the lives of individuals and the workings of society. The effects of imposing
this model on reality as a whole, human
and social, are seen in the deterioration
of the environment, but this is just one
sign of a reductionism which affects every
aspect of human and social life. We have
to accept that technological products are

nance overwhelms the real economy. The

lessons of the global financial crisis have
not been assimilated, and we are learning
all too slowly the lessons of environmental deterioration. Some circles maintain
that current economics and technology
will solve all environmental problems,
and argue, in popular and non-technical
terms, that the problems of global hunger
and poverty will be resolved simply by
market growth. They are less concerned
with certain economic theories which
today scarcely anybody dares defend,
than with their actual operation in the
functioning of the economy. They may
not affirm such theories with words, but
nonetheless support them with their
deeds by showing no interest in more
balanced levels of production, a better
distribution of wealth, concern for the
environment and the rights of future
generations. Their behavior shows that
for them maximizing profits is enough.
Yet by itself the market cannot guarantee
integral human development and social
inclusion.[89] At the same time, we
have a sort of super development of
a wasteful and consumerist kind which
forms an unacceptable contrast with
the ongoing situations of dehumanizing
deprivation,[90] while we are all too
slow in developing economic institutions

reduced to a series of urgent and partial

responses to the immediate problems of
pollution, environmental decay and the
depletion of natural resources. There
needs to be a distinctive way of looking
at things, a way of thinking, policies, an
educational programme, a lifestyle and
a spirituality which together generate
resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm. Otherwise, even the best
ecological initiatives can find themselves
caught up in the same globalized logic.
To seek only a technical remedy to each
environmental problem which comes up
is to separate what is in reality interconnected and to mask the true and deepest
problems of the global system.
112. Yet we can once more broaden
our vision. We have the freedom needed
to limit and direct technology; we can
put it at the service of another type of
progress, one which is healthier, more
human, more social, more integral. Liberation from the dominant technocratic
paradigm does in fact happen sometimes, for example, when cooperatives
of small producers adopt less polluting
means of production, and opt for a nonconsumerist model of life, recreation
and community. Or when technology is
directed primarily to resolving peoples
concrete problems, truly helping them

from either utility or security.[85]But

human beings are not completely autonomous. Our freedom fades when
it is handed over to the blind forces of
the unconscious, of immediate needs,
of self-interest, and of violence. In this
sense, we stand naked and exposed in
the face of our ever-increasing power,
lacking the wherewithal to control it.
We have certain superficial mechanisms,
but we cannot claim to have a sound ethics, a culture and spirituality genuinely
capable of setting limits and teaching
clear-minded self-restraint.

not neutral, for they create a framework

which ends up conditioning lifestyles
and shaping social possibilities along the
lines dictated by the interests of certain
powerful groups. Decisions which may
seem purely instrumental are in reality
decisions about the kind of society we
want to build.
108. The idea of promoting a different cultural paradigm and employing
technology as a mere instrument is
nowadays inconceivable. The technological paradigm has become so dominant
that it would be difficult to do without
its resources and even more difficult to
utilize them without being dominated
by their internal logic. It has become
countercultural to choose a lifestyle
whose goals are even partly independent
of technology, of its costs and its power
to globalize and make us all the same.
Technology tends to absorb everything
into its ironclad logic, and those who are
surrounded with technology know full
well that it moves forward in the final
analysis neither for profit nor for the
well-being of the human race, that in
the most radical sense of the term power
is its motive a lordship over all.[87]As
a result, man seizes hold of the naked
elements of both nature and human

and social initiatives which can give the

poor regular access to basic resources.
We fail to see the deepest roots of our
present failures, which have to do with
the direction, goals, meaning and social
implications of technological and economic growth.
110. The specialization which belongs
to technology makes it difficult to see
the larger picture. The fragmentation of
knowledge proves helpful for concrete
applications, and yet it often leads to a
loss of appreciation for the whole, for the
relationships between things, and for the
broader horizon, which then becomes
irrelevant. This very fact makes it hard
to find adequate ways of solving the
more complex problems of todays world,
particularly those regarding the environment and the poor; these problems
cannot be dealt with from a single perspective or from a single set of interests.
A science which would offer solutions to
the great issues would necessarily have
to take into account the data generated
by other fields of knowledge, including
philosophy and social ethics; but this is
a difficult habit to acquire today. Nor are
there genuine ethical horizons to which
one can appeal. Life gradually becomes
a surrender to situations conditioned by

live with more dignity and less suffering. Or indeed when the desire to create
and contemplate beauty manages to
overcome reductionism through a kind
of salvation which occurs in beauty and
in those who behold it. An authentic
humanity, calling for a new synthesis,
seems to dwell in the midst of our technological culture, almost unnoticed, like
a mist seeping gently beneath a closed
door. Will the promise last, in spite of
everything, with all that is authentic rising up in stubborn resistance?
113. There is also the fact that people
no longer seem to believe in a happy
future; they no longer have blind trust
in a better tomorrow based on the present state of the world and our technical
abilities. There is a growing awareness
that scientific and technological progress
cannot be equated with the progress
of humanity and history, a growing
sense that the way to a better future lies
elsewhere. This is not to reject the possibilities which technology continues
to offer us. But humanity has changed
profoundly, and the accumulation of
constant novelties exalts a superficiality which pulls us in one direction. It
becomes difficult to pause and recover

Raymond Bandril

I. TECHNOLOGY: CREATIVITY
AND POWER
102. Humanity has entered a new
era in which our technical prowess has
brought us to a crossroads. We are the
beneficiaries of two centuries of enormous waves of change: steam engines,
railways, the telegraph, electricity, automobiles, aeroplanes, chemical industries,
modern medicine, information technology and, more recently, the digital
revolution, robotics, biotechnologies and
nanotechnologies. It is right to rejoice in
these advances and to be excited by the
immense possibilities which they continue to open up before us, for science and
technology are wonderful products of a
God-given human creativity.[81] The
modification of nature for useful purposes has distinguished the human family from the beginning; technology itself
expresses the inner tension that impels
man gradually to overcome material limitations.[82]Technology has remedied
countless evils which used to harm and
limit human beings. How can we not feel

Communism and other totalitarian regimes have employed to kill millions of

people, to say nothing of the increasingly
deadly arsenal of weapons available for
modern warfare. In whose hands does all
this power lie, or will it eventually end
up? It is extremely risky for a small part
of humanity to have it.
105. There is a tendency to believe
that every increase in power means an
increase of progress itself, an advance
in security, usefulness, welfare and vigor;
an assimilation of new values into
the stream of culture,[83]as if reality,
goodness and truth automatically flow
from technological and economic power
as such. The fact is that contemporary
man has not been trained to use power
well,[84] because our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human
responsibility, values and conscience.
Each age tends to have only a meager
awareness of its own limitations. It is
possible that we do not grasp the gravity
of the challenges now before us. The
risk is growing day by day that man will
not use his power as he should; in effect, power is never considered in terms
of the responsibility of choice which
is inherent in freedom since its only
norms are taken from alleged necessity,

gratitude and appreciation for this progress, especially in the fields of medicine,
engineering and communications? How
could we not acknowledge the work of
many scientists and engineers who have
provided alternatives to make development sustainable?
103. Technoscience, when well directed, can produce important means
of improving the quality of human
life, from useful domestic appliances to
great transportation systems, bridges,
buildings and public spaces. It can also
produce art and enable men and women
immersed in the material world to leap
into the world of beauty. Who can deny
the beauty of an aircraft or a skyscraper?
Valuable works of art and music now
make use of new technologies. So, in the
beauty intended by the one who uses new
technical instruments and in the contemplation of such beauty, a quantum leap
occurs, resulting in a fulfillment which
is uniquely human.
104. Yet it must also be recognized
that nuclear energy, biotechnology, information technology, knowledge of our
DNA, and many other abilities which we
have acquired, have given us tremendous
power. More precisely, they have given
those with the knowledge, and especially

II. THE GLOBALIZATION OF THE

TECHNOCRATIC PARADIGM
106. The basic problem goes even
deeper: it is the way that humanity has
taken up technology and its developmentaccording to an undifferentiated and
one-dimensional paradigm. This paradigm
exalts the concept of a subject who, using
logical and rational procedures, progressively approaches and gains control over
an external object. This subject makes
every effort to establish the scientific and
experimental method, which in itself is
already a technique of possession, mastery and transformation. It is as if the
subject were to find itself in the presence

Laudato Si / B4

CBCP Monitor

FEATURES B3

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Christ in you, our hope of glory

The Eucharist: Source and Goal of the Churchs Mission

Theological and pastoral reflections in preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress
(Fifth of a series)

the midst of so much diversity

and, many times, of conflicts of
various kinds, the Church by
her own life, is called to witness
to Gods call to life-giving unity
and harmony and be a visible
sign and instrument of such
unity. (Cf. LG, 1). Equipped
with their Christian Faith and
commitment, the lay faithful
have a distinctive role to play
in this dialogue on account of
their presence and action in the

and contemplation are just

some of the precious values
that are shared in common by
the people of Asia, regardless
of religious persuasion. In our
Eucharistic Celebrations, these
values are present and are upheld
in a beautiful and powerful way.
Our Eucharistic participation
should sharpen our longing to
secure these highly treasured
values and spur us on to concrete
actions that realize them among

A. Dialogue of life and heart

The seeds of Gods Word. In
her dialogue with the multireligious countenance of Asia, the
Church takes on the attitude
of deepest respect and honor
toward the other religions and
faiths, acknowledging that these
have somehow been instrumental in drawing people to God.
(Cf. Vatican II, Declaration
Nostra aetate: On the Relation
of the Church of the Church
to Non-Christian Religions
(28 october 1965, 2). As she
endeavors to keep strong her
rootedness in Christian Faith,
she also seeks to better understand the life, doctrine, tenets,
and rituals of other religious
traditions in order to engage
them in a mutually enriching
and respectful encounter. These
great religious traditions, after
all, enshrine spiritual, ethical,
and human values that are
expressions of the presence of
Gods Word and of the Holy
Spirits continuing creative activity in the world. Our forebears most profound religious
experience as well as the noblest
longings of their hearts have
been deposited in them, while
present adherents continue to
draw meaning, guidance, and
strength from them.
Pattered after the incarnational plan of salvation. This
positive disposition toward
other religious cultures in the
continent conforms with the
incarnational plan of salvation
whereby Christ embraced everything that is human (except sin)
in order to assume them within
the radius of his redeeming love
and power. (Cf. AG, 10). It was
within the religious tradition of
Israel that Christ revealed the
mystery of God and accomplished his saving mission. His
apostles and the earliest foreign
missionaries of the Church had
the same dialogical stance in
the face of the varied religious
cultures of the Greco-Roman
world.
In an ecumenical and mis-

ture, melodies, languages, and

sciences of the other religious
traditions, provided that these
are not incompatible with the
Gospel and the Christian faith,
to praise the glory of the Creator.
This attitude of openness
and sharing will enable Christians to discover and therefore
appreciate the heart and soul
of their fellow Asians and the
most genuine expression of
the same. Far from placing
their Christian Faith on shaky
ground, this dialogue with other
religious cultures and traditions
will motivate Christians to find
authentic ways of living and
expressing their own Christian
Faith amidst the adherents of
other faiths. It will help them
discover the many riches of their
own faith which they might not
have seen before. This dialogue
will help them discern in the
light of Gods Word how their
faith in Christ can be enriched
by other religious traditions,
what in these religious cultures
must be purified, healed, and
made whole before being absorbed into the practice of the
Christian Faith.

B. The primacy of witnessing
Given the multireligious context of Asia, the evangelizing
mission will have to consist,
first of all, of witness given to
the Fathers love in a simple
and direct way. (Cf. EN, 26).
This means that, by living like
Christ, Christians and Christians and Christian communities are called to draw their nonChristian brothers and sisters to
faith in the one God revealed by
Christ. Most of the time, this
may be in the form of presence
and solidarity with people to
make them feel cared for and
wanted in their poverty and
misery. It may be to respond
to peoples needs as Christ
would do in the Gospel, making
them feel welcome and more
important than institutions
and structures. Perhaps this
attestation of God will be for
many people the unknown God
whom they adore without giving him a name, or whom they
seek by a secret call of the heart
when they experience the emptiness of all idols. But it is fully
evangelizing in manifesting the
fact that for man the Creator is
not an anonymous and remote
power; He is the Father and we
are one anothers brothers and
sisters in God. (EN, 26). In

worldfamily, politics, education, culture, social environment. In the manner of leaven,

they are enjoined to direct the
course of human affairs and
history to the eschartological
fullness that every man and
woman of goodwill hopes for.

and in the midst of our Asian

neighbors. Our Eucharistic
participation should increase in
us the conviction that it is Gods
dream to gather us all once more
as his children into his one family and translate this conviction
into dialogue and prayerful
discernment, unrelenting efforts
to announce this divine dream
to the housetops, and follow
them through with effective
actions of service that both
diminish the oppressive effects
of sin on our peoples lives and
usher in peace and well-being
where they can enjoy in fuller
measure the dignity that is theirs
by Gods design.
For the Eucharist, on one
hand, has the purpose of building up those who are within

C. Unity and Christian hope

A respectful and loving dialogue with other religious
cultures is always in view of
proclaiming Christ in the spirit
of sharing ones greatest treasure.
In the concrete multireligious
context of Asia, this should be
the ideal form of evangelization
where, in humility and mutual
respect, we seek to share with
our non-Christian brothers and
sisters that fullness of Christ

into a holy temple of the Lord,

into a dwelling place for God in
the Spirit, to the mature measure
of the fullness of Christ. (SC,
2). In the concrete mission of
the Church in multireligious
Asia, on the other hand, the Eucharist marvelously strengthens
the Christians resolve and power to preach Christ, and thus
shows forth the Church to those
who are outside as a sign lifted
up among the nations under
which the scattered children of
God may be gathered together,
until there is one sheepfold and
one shepherd. (SC, 2).

B. Implications and consequences

The bishops of Asia have for
many years discerned that the
Church in Asia must increasingly be a Church of the poor
with all its implications and consequences. (Cf. Asian Bishops
Meeting, Message of the Conference, Manila 1970; in FAPA 1, p.
5. Quite clearly, since that meeting, the Spirit has been leading
the discernment of the Church
in Asia that the Church of Asia
must increasingly become the
Church of the poor.) To be a
Church of the poor implies,

first, that those who have been

placed as shepherds of Gods
flock in Asia must lead a life of
simplicity by which the poor
can perceive that their pastors
share in their poverty. By this
simplicity of life, too, which is
a luminous sign of the Gospel
in action, the poor will feel the
genuine and heartfelt closeness
of their shepherds and will feel
more free to run to them for
help and guidance.
A second implication of the
Churchs preferential love for the
poor is that she should engage
in active interventions for the
liberation and promotion of the
situation of the poor. It means
being in the service of human
development and of life itself
engaging in the important work
of healthcare, education, and
peacemaking. This is a call
that concerns everybody, not
reserved to a few: You yourselves give them something to
eat! (Mk 6:37). It also means
promoting a disposition of
solidarity among allthat new
mindset which thinks in terms
of community and the priority
of the life of all over the appropriation of goods by a few
which is the spontaneous reaction by those who recognize that
the social function of property
and the universal destination of
goods are realities which come
before private property. (EG,
188-189).
The third implication of the
Churchs preferential option
for the poor is that she has to
take a prophetic stance against
the negative consequences of
economic and cultural globalization, the ongoing impact of
foreign debt especially upon the
livelihood of the poor, and the
environmental damage brought
about by scientific, economic,
and technological progress. This
program for progress often
creates massive harm to human
beings and families, especially
the poor. There are many human, cultural, and ethical/
moral issues involved, which
the Church and Christians must
give attention to. Concerning oneself with these pressing
matters is part of mission in
our time.
C. The response called for:
work for them, walk with them
The First General Assembly of the Federation of Asian

CNA

traditions such as Buddhism,

Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism, and
Shintoism. (EA, 6) There are
also other traiditional or tribal
traditions that are practiced with
varying degrees of structured
ritual and formal religious teaching. The mission of the Church
in Asia should be undertaken
in dialogue with religions and
religious culture.

VII. Mission in dialogue with

the poor
The mission of the Church
in Asia has to be undertaken in
dialogue with the poor. This is
because while the continent is
rich in culture and its people
are rich in human and religious
values, a great multitude of them
live in situations of poverty,
powerlessness, marginalization,
victimization, and suffering.
They are poor not because their
continent lack natural and materials resources but because they
are deprived of access to material goods and resources which
they need to live with dignity
and ensure a stable future for
themselves and their families.
Oppressive and unjust social,
economic, and political structures keep them from enjoying
the rich natural patrimony of
their lands.
A. Preferential option for the
poor
In the face of the particular
situation in Asia where multitudes are poor and have no access even to basic necessities to
live a life worthy of their human
dignity, the Church in Asia has
a special calling to be a Church
of the poor. She must have the
poor, the deprived, and the oppressed at the forefront of her
life and mission. As in the case
of the Churchs dialogue with
cultures, the Churchs dialogue
with the poor is a theological
and moral imperative. The
primary reason why the Church
has to take on this preferential
option for the poor is the very
example of Christ who became
poor and who identified himself with them in a special way
(Cf. Mr. 25:40): Amen, I say
to you, whatever you did for
one of these least brothers of
min, you did for me. (Cf. EA,
343; EG, 186). It is called a
preferential love not to exclude
anyone but to express that the
poor, the deprived, and the
exploited have a priority claim
to the Churchs attention, services, and resources. The Sacred
Scriptures, both the Old and
the New Testaments, are replete
with attestations to the fact that
the poor have always occupied
a privilege place in Gods heart,
not the least, in the life and
mission of Christ of which the
Gospels are eloquent testimonies. (Cf. EG, 187).

CNA

VI. Mission in dialogue with

religions and religious traditions
Close to its being multicultural, Asia is also home to a wide
array of religions and religious
cultures. Asia is birthplace
and host to the worlds major
religionsJudaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, as
well as of many other spiritual

sionary spirit. In its desire

to strengthen whatever can
help to call all mankind into
the Churchs fold, (SC. 1) the
Church enjoins all Christians to
assume an attitude of openness
toward other religious traditions
and discover with gladness
and respect those seeds of the
Word which lie hidden among
them. (AG, 11). Moreover, she
encourages them to use cultural
forms, teaching, arts, architec-

which is Gods plan for the

whole creation, in its entirety
and in its great and wonderful
diversity. The common quest
for God and for the fraternal
bond shared by all humans will
always be a source that one day
the whole human family may be
gathered as one under the fatherhood of the one God.
D. The Eucharist in the
Churchs dialogue with other
religious cultures
Family, reconciliation, sharing
of life, solidarity, hospitality,
service, love of nature, silence,

Bishops Conferences in 1974

challenged the Church (and
local Churches) in Asia to a
continual endeavor to become
more and more the Church of
the anawim, a Church [which]
does not merely work for the
poor in the manner of a beneficent institution, but labors truly
with the poor, sharing their life
and their aspirations, knowing
their despair and their hope,
walking with them in their
search for authentic humanity
in Christ Jesus. (FABC, Evangelization in Modern Day Asia.
Eucharist / B7

B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS
Laudato Si / B2

depth in life. If architecture reflects the

spirit of an age, our mega structures
and drab apartment blocks express the
spirit of globalized technology, where a
constant flood of new products coexists
with a tedious monotony. Let us refuse
to resign ourselves to this, and continue
to wonder about the purpose and meaning of everything. Otherwise we would
simply legitimate the present situation

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

with God in the work of creation, man

sets himself up in place of God and thus
ends up provoking a rebellion on the part
of nature.[95]
118. This situation has led to a constant schizophrenia, wherein a technocracy which sees no intrinsic value in lesser
beings coexists with the other extreme,
which sees no special value in human
beings. But one cannot prescind from
humanity. There can be no renewal of
our relationship with nature without a

Hence we should not be surprised to

find, in conjunction with the omnipresent technocratic paradigm and the cult
of unlimited human power, the rise of
a relativism which sees everything as
irrelevant unless it serves ones own immediate interests. There is a logic in all
this whereby different attitudes can feed
on one another, leading to environmental
degradation and social decay.
123. The culture of relativism is the
same disorder which drives one person to

of work is a concept of the relationship

which we can and must have with what
is other than ourselves. Together with
the awe-filled contemplation of creation
which we find in Saint Francis of Assisi,
the Christian spiritual tradition has also
developed a rich and balanced understanding of the meaning of work, as, for
example, in the life of Blessed Charles de
Foucauld and his followers.
126. We can also look to the great
tradition of monasticism. Originally, it

Laudato Si

CBCP Monitor

To claim economic freedom while real

conditions bar many people from actual access to it, and while possibilities
for employment continue to shrink, is
to practise a doublespeak which brings
politics into disrepute. Business is a noble
vocation, directed to producing wealth
and improving our world. It can be a
fruitful source of prosperity for the areas
in which it operates, especially if it sees
the creation of jobs as an essential part of
its service to the common good.

Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
and need new forms of escapism to help
us endure the emptiness.
114. All of this shows the urgent need
for us to move forward in a bold cultural
revolution. Science and technology are
not neutral; from the beginning to the
end of a process, various intentions and
possibilities are in play and can take on
distinct shapes. Nobody is suggesting
a return to the Stone Age, but we do
need to slow down and look at reality
in a different way, to appropriate the
positive and sustainable progress which
has been made, but also to recover the
values and the great goals swept away by
our unrestrained delusions of grandeur.

take advantage of another, to treat others

as mere objects, imposing forced labour
on them or enslaving them to pay their
debts. The same kind of thinking leads
to the sexual exploitation of children
and abandonment of the elderly who
no longer serve our interests. It is also
the mindset of those who say: Let us allow the invisible forces of the market to
regulate the economy, and consider their
impact on society and nature as collateral damage. In the absence of objective
truths or sound principles other than the
satisfaction of our own desires and immediate needs, what limits can be placed
on human trafficking, organized crime,
the drug trade, commerce in blood diamonds and the fur of endangered species?
Is it not the same relativistic logic which
justifies buying the organs of the poor
for resale or use in experimentation, or
eliminating children because they are not
what their parents wanted? This same
use and throw away logic generates so
much waste, because of the disordered
desire to consume more than what is really necessary. We should not think that
political efforts or the force of law will
be sufficient to prevent actions which

IRRI

III. THE CRISIS AND EFFECTS OF

MODERN ANTHROPOCENTRISM
115. Modern anthropocentrism has
paradoxically ended up prizing technical
thought over reality, since the technological mind sees nature as an insensate
order, as a cold body of facts, as a mere
given, as an object of utility, as raw
material to be hammered into useful
shape; it views the cosmos similarly as
a mere space into which objects can
be thrown with complete indifference.

renewal of humanity itself. There can

be no ecology without an adequate anthropology. When the human person is
considered as simply one being among
others, the product of chance or physical
determinism, then our overall sense of
responsibility wanes.[96]A misguided
anthropocentrism need not necessarily
yield to biocentrism, for that would
entail adding yet another imbalance,
failing to solve present problems and
adding new ones. Human beings cannot be expected to feel responsibility for
the world unless, at the same time, their
unique capacities of knowledge, will,
freedom and responsibility are recognized and valued.
119. Nor must the critique of a misguided anthropocentrism underestimate
the importance of interpersonal relations.
If the present ecological crisis is one small
sign of the ethical, cultural and spiritual
crisis of modernity, we cannot presume
to heal our relationship with nature
and the environment without healing
all fundamental human relationships.
Christian thought sees human beings
as possessing a particular dignity above
other creatures; it thus inculcates esteem

[92]The intrinsic dignity of the world is

thus compromised. When human beings
fail to find their true place in this world,
they misunderstand themselves and end
up acting against themselves: Not only
has God given the earth to man, who
must use it with respect for the original
good purpose for which it was given,
but, man too is Gods gift to man. He
must therefore respect the natural and
moral structure with which he has been
endowed.[93]
116. Modernity has been marked by
an excessive anthropocentrism which
today, under another guise, continues
to stand in the way of shared understanding and of any effort to strengthen
social bonds. The time has come to
pay renewed attention to reality and
the limits it imposes; this in turn is the
condition for a more sound and fruitful
development of individuals and society.
An inadequate presentation of Christian
anthropology gave rise to a wrong understanding of the relationship between
human beings and the world. Often,
what was handed on was a Promethean
vision of mastery over the world, which
gave the impression that the protection
of nature was something that only the
faint-hearted cared about. Instead, our
dominion over the universe should be
understood more properly in the sense
of responsible stewardship.[94]
117. Neglecting to monitor the harm
done to nature and the environmental
impact of our decisions is only the most
striking sign of a disregard for the message contained in the structures of nature
itself. When we fail to acknowledge
as part of reality the worth of a poor
person, a human embryo, a person with
disabilities to offer just a few examples
it becomes difficult to hear the cry of
nature itself; everything is connected.
Once the human being declares independence from reality and behaves with
absolute dominion, the very foundations
of our life begin to crumble, for instead
of carrying out his role as a cooperator

for each person and respect for others.

Our openness to others, each of whom
is a thou capable of knowing, loving
and entering into dialogue, remains the
source of our nobility as human persons.
A correct relationship with the created
world demands that we not weaken this
social dimension of openness to others,
much less the transcendent dimension
of our openness to the Thou of God.
Our relationship with the environment
can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God. Otherwise, it would be nothing more than
romantic individualism dressed up in
ecological garb, locking us into a stifling
immanence.
120. Since everything is interrelated,
concern for the protection of nature is
also incompatible with the justification
of abortion. How can we genuinely teach
the importance of concern for other
vulnerable beings, however troublesome
or inconvenient they may be, if we fail
to protect a human embryo, even when
its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties? If personal and social
sensitivity towards the acceptance of
the new life is lost, then other forms of
acceptance that are valuable for society
also wither away.[97]
121. We need to develop a new synthesis capable of overcoming the false
arguments of recent centuries. Christianity, in fidelity to its own identity and the
rich deposit of truth which it has received
from Jesus Christ, continues to reflect
on these issues in fruitful dialogue with
changing historical situations. In doing
so, it reveals its eternal newness.[98]
Practical relativism
122. A misguided anthropocentrism
leads to a misguided lifestyle. In the Apostolic ExhortationEvangelii Gaudium,I
noted that the practical relativism typical
of our age is even more dangerous than
doctrinal relativism.[99]When human
beings place themselves at the centre,
they give absolute priority to immediate
convenience and all else becomes relative.

was a kind of flight from the world, an

escape from the decadence of the cities.
The monks sought the desert, convinced
that it was the best place for encountering the presence of God. Later, Saint
Benedict of Norcia proposed that his
monks live in community, combining
prayer and spiritual reading with manual
labour (ora et labora). Seeing manual
labour as spiritually meaningful proved
revolutionary. Personal growth and
sanctification came to be sought in the
interplay of recollection and work. This
way of experiencing work makes us more
protective and respectful of the environment; it imbues our relationship to the
world with a healthy sobriety.
127. We are convinced that man is
the source, the focus and the aim of all
economic and social life.[100] Nonetheless, once our human capacity for
contemplation and reverence is impaired,
it becomes easy for the meaning of work
to be misunderstood.[101]We need to
remember that men and women have
the capacity to improve their lot, to further their moral growth and to develop
their spiritual endowments.[102]Work
should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of
life enter into play: creativity, planning
for the future, developing our talents,
living out our values, relating to others,
giving glory to God. It follows that, in
the reality of todays global society, it is
essential that we continue to prioritize
the goal of access to steady employment
for everyone,[103]no matter the limited interests of business and dubious
economic reasoning.
128. We were created with a vocation to work. The goal should not be
that technological progress increasingly
replaces human work, for this would
be detrimental to humanity. Work is
a necessity, part of the meaning of life
on this earth, a path to growth, human
development and personal fulfillment.
Helping the poor financially must
always be a provisional solution in the
face of pressing needs. The broader objective should always be to allow them
a dignified life through work. Yet the
orientation of the economy has favored
a kind of technological progress in which
the costs of production are reduced by
laying off workers and replacing them
with machines. This is yet another way

New biological technologies

130. In the philosophical and theological vision of the human being and
of creation which I have presented, it is
clear that the human person, endowed
with reason and knowledge, is not an
external factor to be excluded. While human intervention on plants and animals
is permissible when it pertains to the
necessities of human life, theCatechism
of the Catholic Churchteaches that experimentation on animals is morally acceptable only if it remains within reasonable
limits [and] contributes to caring for
or saving human lives.[106]TheCatechismfirmly states that human power has
limits and that it is contrary to human
dignity to cause animals to suffer or die
needlessly.[107]All such use and experimentation requires a religious respect for
the integrity of creation.[108]
131. Here I would recall the balanced
position of Saint John Paul II, who
stressed the benefits of scientific and
technological progress as evidence of
the nobility of the human vocation to
participate responsibly in Gods creative
action, while also noting that we cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem
without paying due attention to the
consequences of such interference in
other areas.[109]He made it clear that
the Church values the benefits which
result from the study and applications
of molecular biology, supplemented by
other disciplines such as genetics, and
its technological application in agriculture and industry.[110] But he also
pointed out that this should not lead
to indiscriminate genetic manipulation[111] which ignores the negative
effects of such interventions. Human
creativity cannot be suppressed. If an
artist cannot be stopped from using his
or her creativity, neither should those
who possess particular gifts for the advancement of science and technology be
prevented from using their God-given
talents for the service of others. We need
constantly to rethink the goals, effects,
overall context and ethical limits of this
human activity, which is a form of power
involving considerable risks.
132. This, then, is the correct framework for any reflection concerning
human intervention on plants and animals, which at present includes genetic
manipulation by biotechnology for the

In many places, following the introduction of these crops,

productive land is concentrated in the hands of
a few owners due to the progressive disappearance
of small producers.
affect the environment because, when
the culture itself is corrupt and objective
truth and universally valid principles are
no longer upheld, then laws can only be
seen as arbitrary impositions or obstacles
to be avoided.
The need to protect employment
124. Any approach to an integral
ecology, which by definition does not
exclude human beings, needs to take
account of the value of labour, as Saint
John Paul II wisely noted in his Encyclical Laborem Exercens. According to
the biblical account of creation, God
placed man and woman in the garden
he had created (cf.Gen2:15) not only
to preserve it (keep) but also to make
it fruitful (till). Laborers and craftsmen
thus maintain the fabric of the world
(Sir 38:34). Developing the created
world in a prudent way is the best way
of caring for it, as this means that we
ourselves become the instrument used
by God to bring out the potential which
he himself inscribed in things: The Lord
created medicines out of the earth, and
a sensible man will not despise them
(Sir38:4).
125. If we reflect on the proper relationship between human beings and the
world around us, we see the need for a
correct understanding of work; if we talk
about the relationship between human
beings and things, the question arises as
to the meaning and purpose of all human
activity. This has to do not only with
manual or agricultural labour but with
any activity involving a modification of
existing reality, from producing a social
report to the design of a technological
development. Underlying every form

in which we can end up working against

ourselves. The loss of jobs also has a negative impact on the economy through
the progressive erosion of social capital:
the network of relationships of trust,
dependability, and respect for rules, all of
which are indispensable for any form of
civil coexistence.[104]In other words,
human costs always include economic
costs, and economic dysfunctions always
involve human costs.[105]To stop investing in people, in order to gain greater
short-term financial gain, is bad business
for society.
129. In order to continue providing
employment, it is imperative to promote
an economy which favors productive
diversity and business creativity. For
example, there is a great variety of smallscale food production systems which feed
the greater part of the worlds peoples,
using a modest amount of land and
producing less waste, be it in small agricultural parcels, in orchards and gardens,
hunting and wild harvesting or local fishing. Economies of scale, especially in the
agricultural sector, end up forcing smallholders to sell their land or to abandon
their traditional crops. Their attempts to
move to other, more diversified, means
of production prove fruitless because of
the difficulty of linkage with regional and
global markets, or because the infrastructure for sales and transport is geared to
larger businesses. Civil authorities have
the right and duty to adopt clear and firm
measures in support of small producers
and differentiated production. To ensure
economic freedom from which all can
effectively benefit, restraints occasionally
have to be imposed on those possessing
greater resources and financial power.

sake of exploiting the potential present

in material reality. The respect owed by
faith to reason calls for close attention
to what the biological sciences, through
research uninfluenced by economic
interests, can teach us about biological
structures, their possibilities and their
mutations. Any legitimate intervention
will act on nature only in order to favour
its development in its own line, that of
creation, as intended by God.[112]
133. It is difficult to make a general
judgment about genetic modification
(GM), whether vegetable or animal,
medical or agricultural, since these
vary greatly among themselves and
call for specific considerations. The
risks involved are not always due to the
techniques used, but rather to their improper or excessive application. Genetic
mutations, in fact, have often been, and
continue to be, caused by nature itself.
Nor are mutations caused by human
intervention a modern phenomenon.
The domestication of animals, the
crossbreeding of species and other older
and universally accepted practices can
be mentioned as examples. We need
but recall that scientific developments in
GM cereals began with the observation
of natural bacteria which spontaneously
modified plant genomes. In nature, however, this process is slow and cannot be
compared to the fast pace induced by
contemporary technological advances,
even when the latter build upon several
centuries of scientific progress.
134. Although no conclusive proof
exists that GM cereals may be harmful to
human beings, and in some regions their
use has brought about economic growth
Laudato Si / B7

CBCP Monitor

STATEMENTS B5

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Advancing in wisdom and favor before God and man

Pastoral Letter on the Transition Years of the K to 12 Program

Times of changes and opportunities

Indeed we live in very challenging
times and amid the changes whirling
around us, we take on the lenses of
hope; a hope that moves us to engage in
a continuous dialogue (Compendium of
the Social Doctrine of the Church, 18).
In dialogue, we show solidarity, respect
and affection for the whole human family. It is in the spirit of dialogue that we
face the transition years of the K to 12
program of basic education.
The Church, the family and the
school are the three institutions of moral
stability responsible for the formation,
education and training of the young.
And for the Church, the integral formation of the young is a commitment to
excellence. This excellence is holiness of
life. The aim of education in the mind
of the Church is to make saints of our
students (Pastoral Letter of CBCP on
the 400 years of Catholic Education).
For government, as enunciated by its
Department of Education, education
should aim at making Filipinos become
maka-Diyos, maka-Tao, maka-Bayan,
and maka-Kalikasan.
Curriculum is always in process
A vital tool of imparting knowledge
in the school is the curriculum, which
is never static but ever dynamic to
respond proactively to the needs of the
learners and the emerging realities of
society and thew orld. In our country,
one of these changes is the K to 12
program, deemed by many experts as a
necessary response to global situations
and ever-expanding knowledge. The
Church confronts this change through
its education ministry and the many
schools she runs. How ready are we
to implement this program? In dealing with this question, we begin with
an attitude of openness and respect.
There are petitions on K-12 in the
Supreme Court. We leave the issues on
the legality of the K-12 program to the
honorable court. Our concern here is
on principles that can guide us.
Three principles can guide us to shape

Department of Education

SAINT Luke provides us this glimpse of

the hidden life of Jesus, in Nazareth
where also the dynamics of family and
learning played out for Him. Nazareth
was the home of the Holy Family and
the school of Jesus. We, too, can draw
from the interplay and social relationships of the Holy Family in Nazareth in
dealing with the changing opportunities
and challenges for us today

We plead with the government agencies tasked to implement

this new policy, to do everything to ensure that all members
of the schools are not displaced or unemployed.
attitudes open to the transition phase of
the K to 12 program.
First, the family is the first school
of the young.We have said this time
and again parents are the first educators, first catechists of their children;
the home is the first school. The government and its agencies are tasked to
assist the parents, and the first school.
To this end, the Church says: Public
authorities must see to it that public
subsidies are so allocated that parents
are truly free to exercise this right without incurring unjust burdens. Parents
should not have to sustain, directly or
indirectly, extra charges which would
deny or unjustly limit the exercise of this
freedom. The refusal to provide public
economic support to non-public schools
that need assistance and that render a

service to civil society is to be considered

an injustice. Whenever the State lays
claim to an educational monopoly, it
oversteps its rights and offends justice
... The State cannot, without injustice,
merely tolerate so called private schools.
Such schools render a public service
and therefore have a right to financial
assistance. (CSDC 241)
In this regard, we appeal to the Department of Education through the
Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) to increase the subsidy to
private schools both for the students
(ESC) and the teachers (TSS) especially
the Churchs mission schools in farflung areas, that arein heroic survival
modes in order to transmit excellence
to students.
The K to 12 program in basic educa-

tion should have all the mechanisms in

place in order for the smooth transition
to happen. Parents should be provided
regular updates on the transition
plan. There will be fewer anxieties and
resistance if lines of communication
are kept openamong all those involved
in the transition. There is no perfect
mechanism to effect change but a positive attitude can help all to weather
these difficulties.
We appeal to parents to get to know
the K to 12 program, thoroughly.
School and education officials must be
ready and capable to discuss it with parents, and even the students themselves
in an atmospher of loving dialogue. The
K to 12 program is about our childrens
future. Let us not simply pass on to the
school the responsibility of educating

them. We all are their educators and

formators. Indeed, it takes a village to
raise a child.
Second, the Church has a preferential
love for the poor. Where are the poor in
the K to 12 program? The K to 12 program provides skills and competencies
for the poor who may not have access
to college education. Employment is
no longer the privilege of the college
graduate. Rather, through the senior
high school program with its varied
trackings and the academe industry
linkage, the K to 12 graduate at age 18
can enter the work force. This is a big
help to the poor! Realistically though
we know that there will be many students who will drop out of the whole
program. There should be means to
help out these dropouts. We do not
yet see this issue being addressed in the
program.
At the same time Catholic schools
must go beyond merely preparing for
the K to 12 program and turn their
eyes and affection to the poor: the indigenous people, the children in conflict
with the law, the streetchildren and
the persons with disabilities. Catholic
schools must always have a place for
them, not merely as out-reach, but as
part of their education ministry, and
members of their learning community.
Third, the principle of solidarity and
subsidiarity must be observed.In the
Church there is no competition, only
communion. This means solidarity and
subsidiarity. Saint John Paul II said in
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, solidarity is
the virtue of interdependence; it is the
new name of peace. It is working hand
in hand with each other in the service
of the common good. It is to see the
other as part of my life; it is to carry one
anothers burden.
We call everyone to enter the table of
fellowship and engage in appreciative
conversations regarding the education of our youth. Let us listen to one
another bare their worries, concerns
and misgivings. Let us all walk towards
enlightenment and allow charity to
permeate our dialogue. As we go
through this challenging phase in our
work of education let us all, parents,
school officials, industry partners and
government agencies such as DepEd,
CHED, DOLE and TESDA, walk in
enlightenment and collaboration and
solidarity for the good of our children
and a better future for them.
We plead with the government
agencies tasked to implement this
K to 12 / B7

Addiction, freedom and disciples

CBCP Pastoral Letter on Drug Trafficking and Drug Addiction

WHEN Pope Francis visited
us in Januarythose wonderful, faith-filled and joyful
dayshe asked us not to
allow ourselves to be victims
of new forms of colonization.
He certainly had in mind
imported values and borrowed tastes that threaten
our identity, dilute our spirituality and wreck our sense
of what is right and wrong as
formed by our consciences
that have been immersed in
the God-loving, God-fearing
culture of the Filipino nation.
Certainly, one of the most
pernicious forms of colonization has to do with the
traffic in drugs and their use.
Not too long ago, media was
abuzz with reports of a new
party fix: liquidmeth,it is
apparently called, patronized,
peddled and consumed by
the wealthy, both the adults
and the young. But the poor,
too, fall prey to this habit,
through shabu, known as the
poor mans cocaine. It is less
expensive than cocaine but
still it is something the poor
certainly could not afford.
Shabu is also daringly ubiquitous, oftentimes peddled
openly in parks, bars, and
street corners.
Contrary to the Image
of God
Life in man is the glory of
God; the life of man is the vision of God. If the revelation
of God through creation gives
life to all who live upon the
earth, much more does the
manifestation of the Father
through the Word give life
to those who see God(Ad-

versus Haereses, Bk IV, 20, 5-7).

We are not only creatures of
God. We are hisimago etsimilitudo...his image and likeness.
And, above all, we are hearers
of the Word to whom He has
communicated not thoughts,
not ideas, but Himself in His
Eternal Word, Jesus the Lord.
Social Moral Decay
The Pontifical Council for
Pastoral Assistance to Health
Care Workers included an entire
section on Dependency and
Drugs in itsCharter for Health
Care Workers. It says:
Dependency, in medical-health
terms, is an addiction to a substance or product such as drugs,
alcohol, narcotics tobacco -- for
which the individual feels an
uncontrollable need, and the
privation of which can cause him
psycho-physical disorders. The
phenomenon of dependency is
escalating in our societies, which
is disturbing and, under certain
aspects, dramatic. This is related,
on the one hand, to the crisis of
values and meaning which contemporary society and culture is
experiencing and, on the other
hand, to the stress and frustrations
brought about by the quest for efficiency, by activism and by the high
competitiveness and anonymity of
social interaction. (n. 92)
Drugs and drug-dependency
are almost always the result of an
avoidable evasion of responsibilityan expression of masochism
motivated by the absence of
values. (n. 93)
These statements from the
Charter sound harsh, but the
problem can be addressed resolutely only when it is accurately
diagnosed, as the Pontifical
Council did.

We are Responsible
The Charter points out that
while the drug-dependent cannot be blamed completely for
the addiction, neither is it right
to hold him or her as a blameless
and helpless victim.
Every individual is free to
make decisions, and while we
are faced with lifes frustrations,
hardships, and loneliness, with
communities that are no longer

the motivation to change.When

the person who has become addicted to drugs or the members
of his family say of his dissolute
ways talagang ganyan na yan,
then the most powerful forces capable of breaking the destructive
cycle of addiction are neutralized
by this terribly mistaken belief!
I set before you, life and
death...(Deut. 30:19). This is
the wisdom of the Scriptures:
that it is a fundamental human

Talagang ganyan na yan...

is a common expression that
is related to the problem drug
abuse. When one sees things as
fated, as something about which
a person is helpless, or a fact to
which we resign ourselves,
then we give up on human
freedom and lose the motivation
to change.
held together by faith, many
do not turn to prohibited substances. We, your bishops, thus
seek to address this matter of individual freedom and discretion.
Talagang ganyan na yan...is a
common expression that is related to the problem drug abuse.
When one sees things as fated, as
something about which a person
is helpless, or a fact to which we
resign ourselves, then we give
up on human freedom and lose

experience that every person is

free; that he or she can make a
choice against destructive habits,
and turn from sinful ways. If
the human person were not free,
the call to conversion would be
utterly senseless!

because society is itself, adrift in

so many ways.
Rapidly vanishing is a sense
of the worthy and the noble, of
what is worth pursuing in life.
It is the Churchs mission to
provide the flock with the vision
of a good and full life. TheCatechism for Filipino Catholicsshow what life-everlasting is,
that ought to be our hope:
No longer will we have to
lie to ourselves that what we
enjoy now will last forever. It
will not, but it will be returned
ahundredfold.
No longer must we fear and
disguise the reality of death. We
will die, but live ever more fully
in Christ.
No longer need we deplore the
fleeing, transitory character of
time that drains away even the
earthly memory of our fragile
joys. These momentary sparks
of joy will be brought together
in the eternal Light of the Risen
Christ.
No longer must we bewail
twisted limbs, withered by age,
or dread the revelation of our
sinfulnesswe shall be made
whole in a new creation of body
and soul.
No longer will solitary emptiness and loneliness threaten
us: we will be received in the
company of all Christs joyous
members. (n. 205)

Let us remember the question of Glyzel to Pope Francis at

the University of Santo Tomas,
There are many children neglected by their parents. There
Moral Response
There is a social dimension to are also many who became victhe slavery of an addicted person. tims and many terrible things
Society has not provided him happened to them, like drugs
or her with a moral compass, or prostitution. Why is God

allowing such things to happen? Why are there only a few

people helping us?
The youth cry for meaning.
That meaning can only be
found in God. We must not
get tired of answering that
only in God can we find lifes
meaning.
Sustained Pastoral Programs
How can this answer reach
the youth? Humbly we admit
that we are not doing enough
to fight drugs because we
have failed in bringing God
to the youth as the only way
to happiness.
The dioceses and parishes
must invigorate and energize
their youth ministry to make
them more creative, pro-active and responsive and come
up with judiciously planned
activities and programs for
and by the youth with the
help of and in collaboration
with youth ministers both
priests and laypeople. There
must be an effort by the
adult Church people to listen to young people and
become familiar with their
temper, moods, language and
norms.
More importantly, the
Church, in the spiritual
and physical sense, must
be a haven for the youth
where their restlessness can
be quelled and their curiosity
assuaged through productive
interaction with their peers
and with adults who can
share with them the Good
News in a meaningful and
enlightening fashion, and
Drugs / B7

B6 REFLECTIONS

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

CBCP Monitor

Reach out for the stars!

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, John 6:24-35 (B) August 2, 2015

rialistic world which values and pursues
especially what can be seen, measured,
and enjoyed physically or esthetically,
we often find it much easier to settle for
the lower, more immediate values. The
wound of original sin that weakens us
all makes the attraction of the material
world still more appealing.

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

THE people that tracked down Jesus
didnt easily accept to lose sight of him.
In their enthusiasm they crossed the lake
and looked for him everywhere, till they
found him at Capernaum. Frankly, their
motivation was not very high: as Jesus
himself pointed out bluntly, they were
looking for him because they had eaten
their fill of loaves (see Jn 6:25b); and
obviously they were looking forward to
a repeat . . .
In itself, there was nothing wrong
with such an interest and expectation.
Man has material needs which are part
of his nature. God made us so, and He
himself caters generously for such needs
as Jesus reminds us in his Sermon on
the Mount (see Mt 6:26-30). The very
multiplication of bread and fish performed by him is a clear sign of Gods
care for our physical needs. (See Gospel
passage of last Sunday.)
But that miracle was also a sign of
something else. It was the prophetic
sign of a spiritual type of nourishment through which God caters for
our higher needs. Jesus wants to
lead his audience to an appreciation of
such needs and to a desire for the food
which can satisfy them. Not on material bread alone does man live (Lk 4:4,
quoting Dt 8:3).
Jesus invites them and us to raise
our priorities and to focus on higher
values: the lasting spiritual values that
the Father offers us in Jesus His Son
(see Jn 6:27b). The fundamental condition for us to enjoy such superior gift
is FAITHfaith in Christ as the Bread
of Life which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world (v. 33).
All this is not easy. Born into a mate-

Lambert Lombard

Born into a
materialistic world
which values and
pursues especially
what can be seen,
measured, and
enjoyed physically
or esthetically, we
often find it much
easier to settle for
the lower, more
immediate values.
Hence, Jesus invitation to work
for the food that remains unto eternal
life (v. 27) is very much a challenge: the
challenge to undergo a real conversion.
We have, once and for all, to straighten
up our priorities; to raise our minds and
hearts to the superior realities which
alone can satisfy us fully and which are
perceived and received only through
Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.

Food for the journey

Reflections on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
IN todays first reading we come upon
the prophet Elijah, fleeing in the desert
from the terrible Queen Jezebel. Jezebel
had sworn to kill Elijah in retaliation for
Elijahs killing the false prophets of Baal
on Mt. Carmel. Elijah fled to the desert.
He would try to cross it. He knew that
the soldiers wouldnt think he would go
there. No one could survive crossing the
desert. Thats where we find Elijah in that
first reading. Elijah had had enough. He
was out of food and water. More than
that, he just didnt have the fortitude
or the stamina to continue to do Gods
work. He laid down under that broom
tree, and he said to God, Look, I just
cant do this anymore. Im no better than
anyone who has come before me. I just
cant continue your mission to Israel.
And he fell asleep, hoping to die. But
the angel of the Lord woke Elijah and
gave him food and water. Elijah fell
asleep again, and again the angel of the
Lord woke Elijah and told him to eat and
drink. And, the reading concludes with
the nourishment the Lord provided, he
walked forty days and forty night to the
mountain of God Horeb.
God gave Elijah the power to complete
the mission. Elijah first had to journey to
the same mountain that Moses journeyed
to when he received the Covenant of the
Law, the Ten Commandments. In Moses
time this mountain was called Sinai. In
Elijahs time it was called Horeb. God
gave Elijah the food he needed to journey
to this mountain. On Mount Horeb Eli-

jah received instructions to anoint Hazael

to be King of Aram, Jehu to be King of
Israel and Elisha to be the prophet who
would continue after him.
Like Elijah in the desert, there are times
that all of us feel so spiritually drained
that we wonder whether or not we have
the stamina to complete the particular
mission the Lord has for us. There is a
mountain we have to journey to, a mountain we have to climb. The mountain is
Gods unique plan for each of us. There
is a mystery in that although the plan is

ties because it was just too draining for

them. I am sure that all Moms and Dads
feel pushed to the limit by the children,
but it is sad to learn about some parents
who just stop putting any energy into
raising their children. The same thing
can be said about people who give up
on the continual sacrificial love of Jesus
Christ that the sacrament of matrimony
demands. The same thing can be said
about priests and religious who decide that
their own needs are more important than
the continual demands the Lord places

We all, myself included, need to remind

ourselves of the tremendous gifts we have
received from God so we are able to serve
Him. We have received the gift of Jesus
Christ, the eternal Word become one of
us. It is difficult for us to
comprehend the depth of this gift. Like
the people in the Gospel, we often treat
the Lord as a great man, but nothing more
than a man. Perhaps, we have overemphasized the humanity of the Lord to such a
point that we overlook His divinity. Jesus
is God, one with the Father and the Spirit

Like Elijah in the desert, there are times that all of us

feel so spiritually drained that we wonder whether or not
we have the stamina to complete the particular mission
the Lord has for us.
unique, it encompasses a position in life
that we share with many people. For
example, many people are called to be
parents, but each person is called to be a
parent in a unique way.
The same came be said for all vocations in life. The plan is a mountain. The
journey is our lives. It takes a tremendous
amount of strength and determination to
be a good husband or good wife, a good
parent and even a good child, a good
priest, or a good Teen. It takes a great
effort to be a true follower of Christ. It
takes a tremendous determination to allow Gods plan for us to take place. It is
much easier to just give up. All of us know
about people who leave their responsibili-

upon them to care for his people.

Like Elijah in the desert, we often feel
drained, but like Elijah in the desert, the
Lord gives us the ability to complete his
work. An angel of the Lord brought Elijah
food and water, and he walked forty days
and forty nights to the mountain of God.
We have a gift far greater than Elijah
received. It is not an angel of the Lord
that is telling us to take and eat. It is Jesus
Christ who gives us the nourishment we
need to complete the work with which
we have been entrusted. And we are not
given just a hearth cake and water, we
are given the very Body and Blood of the
Lord to help us complete the journey of
the Lord.

Bo Sanchez

SOULFOOD

Bishop Pat Alo

ENCOUNTERS

Gods forgiving mercy

THE practice of regular confession appears to have declined in number, and

perchance some clarification has to be
made. In this regard, forgiveness must
be seen as a relationship between God
and man. But in this mutual and dual
relationship it is man who has to reform
and turn aside from evil, and be converted
to God who is there waiting all the time
(cf. Rev. 3:20, Ps. 34:14).
If this is not understood this way, how
else? Even the parable of the Prodigal
Son which portrays such mystery of Gods
forgiveness shows therein a return of the
sinner back to the Fathers house. In human experience, that would be a return
to the normal, legitimate circumstances
surrounding a persons life.
In the shepherding or pastoral (for such
is the work of the pastor which in Latin

at the creation of the universe. The whole

Gospel of John was written to combat
the denial of the divinity of Christ. The
conclusion of this Gospel is the theme of
the gospel:
John 20:31This has been written
that you may (come to) believe that Jesus
is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that
through this belief you may have life in
his name.
He is God. And He is ours. We are
not alone on our journey of life. He is
with us always. But we are human. We
are often drained. All of us are stretched
to our limits over and over again. But we
are given food for the journey. This food
is the Bread of Life, the Eucharist.

Our belief in the presence of the Lord in

the Eucharist begins with our recognition
of his divinity. If He were not God, He
could not transform bread and wine into
His body and blood. us this gift which
defies the limits of our rational capacity.
As we come to a greater awareness that
the communion we receive is the Body of
Christ, we realize that this divine nourishment is far more than a meal of fellowship.
This is the food that provides the spiritual
strength for us to make it through the
week. This is the food that helps the
Mom and Dad continue to be giving to
their children when they are tired. This is
the food that helps the husband and wife
find ways to sacrifice themselves to each
other and give the world an example of
the sanctity of Christian marriage. This
is the food that helps the Christian grow
closer to the Lord despite physical and
emotional challenges.
God does not demand the impossible
from us. He does not give us more than
we can handle. He gives us all that we
need to complete the journey of our lives
to His mountain. The mountain is the
goal of our lives. The mountain is the
reason why He created each of us. We
have to believe in Him. We have to trust
in Him. With the food that He gives us,
His very body and blood, we can complete
the journey: we can be good Moms and
Dads, good husbands and wives, good
single folk, good Christians and for some
of us good priests and religious.
With the nourishment He gives us, the
Eucharist, we can live well and die well,
for the Lord is living in us and working
through us.

means shepherd) ministry of the Church,

the sacrament of Confession is precisely
one which is best in bringing sinners to
reconciliation with Godnot just with
any created being, but with God alone (cf.

Forgiveness must
be seen as a
relationship between
God and man.
Mk. 2:7). The others follow only as a compliment to the fulfillment of Gods will.
That is why this is an important sacrament;
a part and parcel of the proclamation of the
Word, for here we do proclaim the mercy
of God towards repentant sinners.

Life is a Mirror

ONE day, a Genie appeared

to a woman and said, This is
your lucky day! I will give you
3 wishes.
Yeheey! the woman squealed.
But on one condition, said
the Genie, Whatever you ask
for, your husband will receive 3
times more.
The woman frowned, What?
But I hate my husband! Hes a
despicable man!
The Genie shook his head.
Im sorry. Im the Love Genie.
I repeat: What you ask for, your
husband will receive 3 times
more.
The woman said, Oh, okay.
My first wish: Make me very
rich. I want $1 Million.
The Genie asked, Are you
sure? Your husband will have
$3 Million.
She says, Oh, never mind.

What is his is mine and what is

mine is his.
Very well then! the Genie
said, and with a wave of his
hand, Poof! and the woman
had $1 Millionand her husband had $3 Million.
My second request is that I
want to be very beautiful.
The Genie asked, Are you
sure? Your husband will look
like Piolo Pascual and John
Lloyd and Daniel Padilla put
together. This is very dangerous.
The girls will flock to him.
The woman said, Just as long
as Ill be beautiful.
And with the wave of his hand,
Poof! and she became utterly
beautiful and the husband three
times more handsome.
The woman then said, For the
third wish, I would like to have a
very mild heart attack

Heres the lesson: Whatever

you give to yourself, you give to
others more.
If you like yourself, youll like
others too.
If you dislike yourself, youll
dislike others too.
Because life is a mirror. What
you see in others is a reflection of
what you see in yourself.
Ive met very critical people.
Sometimes, I think they feel that
they were born to criticize others.
Its their life mission. All they
do is size up everyone they meet
and point out their mistakes.
Where does this critical spirit
come from? In their heart of
hearts, I believe they dont like
themselves. And they project
this self-criticalness on others.
This disliking ourselves
is more widespread than we
think

CBCP Monitor
Laudato Si / B4

which has helped to resolve

problems, there remain a number
of significant difficulties which
should not be underestimated. In
many places, following the introduction of these crops, productive
land is concentrated in the hands
of a few owners due to the progressive disappearance of small
producers, who, as a consequence

SOCIAL CONCERNS B7

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

cussions are needed in which

all those directly or indirectly
affected (farmers, consumers,
civil authorities, scientists, seed
producers, people living near
fumigated fields, and others)
can make known their problems
and concerns, and have access to
adequate and reliable information in order to make decisions
for the common good, present
and future. This is a complex

plinary research capable of shedding new light on the problem.

136. On the other hand, it
is troubling that, when some
ecological movements defend
the integrity of the environment,
rightly demanding that certain
limits be imposed on scientific
research, they sometimes fail to
apply those same principles to
human life. There is a tendency
to justify transgressing all bound-

development. In the same way,

when technology disregards the
great ethical principles, it ends
up considering any practice
whatsoever as licit. As we have
seen in this chapter, a technology
severed from ethics will not easily
be able to limit its own power. (To
be continued)

_______________

[81]JOHN PAUL II,Address to Scientists and

Representatives of the United Nations Univer-

Laudato Si

der Neuzeit, 9th ed., Wrzburg, 1965, 87

(English: The End of the Modern World,
Wilmington, 1998, 82).

105 (2013), 1114.

[92]ROMANO GUARDINI,Das Ende
der Neuzeit, 63 (The End of the Modern
World, 55).

[84]Ibid.
[85]Ibid., 87-88 (The End of the Modern
World,83).

[93]JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus(1 May 1991), 38:
AAS 83 (1991), 841.

[86]PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE,Compendium of the

Social Doctrine of the Church, 462.

[94]Cf.Love for Creation. An Asian Response to the Ecological Crisis, Declaration of the Colloquium sponsored by the
Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences
(Tagatay, 31 January-5 February 1993),
3.3.2.

[87]ROMANO GUARDINI,Das Ende

der Neuzeit, 63-64 (The End of the Modern
World, 56).
[88]Ibid., 64 (The End of the Modern
World, 56).

[95]JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Let-

Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Care of our Common Home
ter Centesimus Annus(1 May 1991), 37:
AAS 83 (1991), 840.
[96]BENEDICT XVI,Message for the 2010
World Day of Peace, 2: AAS 102 (2010), 41.
[97]ID., Encyclical LetterCaritas in Veritate(29 June 2009), 28: AAS 101 (2009), 663.
[98]Cf. VINCENT OF LERINS,Commonitorium Primum, ch. 23: PL 50, 688:
Ut annis scilicet consolidetur, dilatetur
tempore, sublimetur aetate.
[99]No. 80: AAS 105 (2013), 1053.
[100]SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the Modern WorldGaudium
et Spes, 63.
[101]Cf. JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 37:
AAS 83 (1991), 840.
[102]PAUL VI, Encyclical LetterPopulorum Progressio(26 March 1967), 34: AAS
59 (1967), 274.
[103]BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical LetterCaritas in Veritate(29 June 2009), 32:
AAS 101 (2009), 666.
[104]Ibid.
[105]Ibid.

Dr. Vilas Gayakwad

of the loss of the exploited lands,

are obliged to withdraw from
direct production.[113] The
most vulnerable of these become
temporary laborers, and many
rural workers end up moving to
poverty-stricken urban areas. The
expansion of these crops has the
effect of destroying the complex
network of ecosystems, diminishing the diversity of production
and affecting regional economies,
now and in the future. In various
countries, we see an expansion of
oligopolies for the production of
cereals and other products needed
for their cultivation. This dependency would be aggravated were
the production of infertile seeds
to be considered; the effect would
be to force farmers to purchase
them from larger producers.
135. Certainly, these issues
require constant attention and
a concern for their ethical implications. A broad, responsible
scientific and social debate needs
to take place, one capable of considering all the available information and of calling things by their
name. It sometimes happens that
complete information is not put
on the table; a selection is made
on the basis of particular interests,
be they politico-economic or
ideological. This makes it difficult
to reach a balanced and prudent
judgment on different questions,
one which takes into account
all the pertinent variables. Dis-

There is a tendency to justify transgressing all boundaries when

experimentation is carried out on living human embryos.
environmental issue; it calls for a
comprehensive approach which
would require, at the very least,
greater efforts to finance various
lines of independent, interdisci-

aries when experimentation is

carried out on living human
embryos. We forget that the inalienable worth of a human being
transcends his or her degree of

sity,Hiroshima (25 February 1981), 3: AAS

73 (1981), 422.
[82]BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical LetterCaritas in Veritate(29 June 2009), 69:
AAS 101 (2009), 702.
[83]ROMANO GUARDINI,Das Ende

[89]Cf. BENEDICT XVI, Encyclical LetterCaritas in Veritate(29 June 2009), 35:

AAS 101 (2009), 671.
[90]Ibid., 22: p. 657.
[91]Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Gaudium(24 November 2013), 231: AAS

[106] Catechism of the Catholic Church,

2417.
[107]Ibid., 2418.
[108]Ibid., 2415.
[109] Message for the 1990 World Day of
Peace, 6: AAS 82 (1990), 150.
[110] Address to the Pontifical Academy
of Sciences(3 October 1981), 3:Insegnamenti4/2 (1981), 333.
[111] Message for the 1990 World Day of
Peace, 7: AAS 82 (1990), 151.
[112]JOHN PAUL II,Address to the
35thGeneral Assembly of the World Medical
Association(29 October 1983), 6: AAS 76
(1984), 394.
[113] EPISCOPAL COMMISSION FOR
PASTORAL CONCERNS IN ARGENTINA,Una tierra para todos(June 2005), 19.

Drugs / B5

who can show them the fulfilling path

of discipleship.
Drug trafficking
The evil of trafficking came to our
homes and vivid consciousness through
Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino sentenced
to death by firing squad in Indonesia
for bringing in, unknowingly, she said,
about two kilos of heroin. We pleaded
and prayed for her life, and our pleas
and prayers were answered when she
was granted a last minute reprieve. Her
dire situation showed the existence of
malevolent people running cartels and
syndicates that recruit the young and
prey on the innocent to carry out their
crimes and elemental human rights to
determine. The transporters of their
prohibited substances are called mules
an insult both to the beast who helps
human beings in carrying their burdens,
and to the humans who are reduced to a
beastly, deadly, and criminal task.
In 1992, the Pontifical Council for
the Family, writing precisely on drug
addiction, had this to teach:
In todays society an artificial consumerism, which is contrary to the

health and dignity of man and favors

the spread of drugs, has taken root.
This consumerism creates false needs
and urges the person, especially the
young, to seek satisfaction only in
material goods, thus causing dependence on them. Furthermore, a certain
economic exploitation of young people
easily spreads in this materialistic and
consumerist context.
To be sure there are psychological and
emotional prompters for the use of and
dependency on addicted substances but
mostly at the root of the addiction is
the pleasure derived from it and the
momentary escape from the realities
of life that oftentimes demand responsibility, maturity, respect for others, and
many other virtues.
Thus drugs feed the evil in a person
and present an alternate reality that further isolates him or her from life. Those
of who manufacture and peddle drugs
destroy persons and communities, in a
much worst way than natural calamities.
Proactive Socio-Civic Pastoral Guidance
The ministries for the pastoral care of

K to 12 / B5

new policy, to do everything

to ensure that all members of
the schools are not displaced
or unemployed. We call on
schools in a given territory or
region to discuss the years of
no enrollment in college and
see how best to cope with this
reality. One way is through the
assistance to be provided by the
basic education schools in the
area that will offer senior high
school. It is not the time for
unbridled competition among
schools of who can offer the
best. It is the time to activate
communion through solidarity
and subsidiarity. We caution that
the K-12 program should not
lead to the teachers and school
personnel losing tenure in their
employment. Adjustments will
have to be made by all but no
one should be make to unjustly
suffer in the implementation of
the program. In line with the
principle of subsidiarity the personnel affected by the transition
should be consulted and their
views and suggestions be given
serious consideration. Teachers
are not to be considered just
as expenses but as partners in
the noble mission of education.
May this not lead to the con-

migrants and their families should set

up desks in every parish where regular
seminars can be given to persons who
plan to work abroad. The persons
manning these desks must be trained
in their tasks, and thus should also
have gone through the proper related
para legal courses with the private and
government agencies involved in labor
migration and foreign travel.
The ideal is for Filipinos who have
families to be with them and work in
our country and not have to be compelled by economic reasons to work
abroad. But the increasingly global
nature of the economy should also
provide and ensure that work and travel
should be safe and not be a channel for
criminal activity.
More Resolute Action from Government
While the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines reiterates that
the Church is against the death penalty,
it calls for resoluteness from the police
and law-enforcement agencies to prevent the trafficking of drugs; to apprehend those involved in the trafficking

of drugs; to dismantle the syndicates

and cartels involved in the drug trade,
and to make sure that the drugs they
seize are not recycled and brought back
to the underground market. We call
for the relentless prosecution of those
responsible for trafficking in drugs and
for those who traffic persons to be their
drug mules.
Community Vigilance
It has been said that the day we stop
buying is the day they stop selling.
There is also a need for communities
to be formed into being involved in
the prevention and persecution of
crime. It is the duty of the community
to report crime, report the criminals
in their midst, and ensure that justice
is meted on the guilty through their
testimony. The community should be
on the lookout for another, especially
being conscious of those who bring bad
influence to their youth.
Stand as One
The community of the faithful should
stand as one and be united in fighting this destructive menace and social

evil. We must be firm in our resolve to

eliminate it in our communities so that
our young can live towards a healthy,
productive, and vibrant future, and our
adults not be sidetracked in their quest
for fullness of life.
We pray with you, calling on the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, our Mother, who is our guide,
our counsellor, the comforter of the
afflicted, and the source of perpetual
help, to pray for us, our young people,
our compatriots seeking work abroad,
that we may be safe and kept from harm
and the clutches of the evil of drugs and
their criminal traders.
We ask the Holy Spirit to constantly
shine His light on us, so that we may
walk in freedom and peace with Jesus,
towards the Kingdom of the Father.
From the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines, Intramuros, Manila,
July 13, 2015
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
President, Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines

Eucharist / B3

tractualization of the teaching

personnel.
Prayer
We invoke the Holy Spirit in
making this transition to this
new program, this new way of
learning, smooth and effective.
May our Lord Jesus who grew
in wisdom, age and grace, under
the guidance of Mary and Joseph
in Nazareth, inspire and guide all
our young people towards the
plan of God in their lives.
We entrust all the parents,
educators, students, and workers
in academe and government, to
the Heart of Jesus. And we pray
through the intercession of Mary,
the Seat of Wisdom that all our
efforts may help to form men and
women engaged for the service
and love of God and country, for
the life of the world (pro Deo et
Patria pro vita mundi)
From the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines,
July 13, 2015
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
President, Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines

Statement of the First Plenary

Assembly, in For all the Peoples
of Asia 1, Documents from
1970-1991 cit., pl 15).
The first step that the Church
had to take in working for and
walking with the poor of Asia
was to identify who and where
these poor are and what kind
of poverty they were suffering
from. They are the homeless
families who abound in city
streets or build temporary shelters in slums. They are refugees
fleeing their war-torn countries
or oppressive regimes in their
native land, or immigrants and
overseas workers who, in search
of better livelihood opportunities for their families, often find
themselves friendless, culturally
estranged, linguistically disadvantaged, and economically
vulnerable. They are indigenous
and tribal peoples who are
often discriminated against on
account of their culture, color,
race, caste, economic status, or
because of their way of thinking.
They are the women who are
victims of domestic violence or
are being traded like commodities in prostitution, tourism, and
entertainment industries. They
are the children who have never

experienced peace right in their

homeland and who fall victim
to various forms of intolerable
exploitation and violence, like
pedophilia and child labor. (EA,
34). But they are also those who
are kept from realizing their full
potentials and talents because of
limited opportunities for education and gainful occupation in
their countries, or none at all.
The Church has to work not
only for them in the manner of
dole out and relief goods after
the onslaught of a typhoon or
an earthquake, but also with
them, involving them in the task
of transforming those structures
that perpetuate their poverty
and deprivation. It also involves
genuine commitment and effort
to bring about social justice in
our societiesactions that are
fed with prayer and discernment
so that such actions will always
be genuinely motivated by Gods
will to liberate his people with
no intrusion by any Godless
ideology.
D. The Eucharist in the
Churchs dialogue with the
poor
In the Churchs dialogue with
the poor, the Eucharist, on one

hand, upholds and reaffirms

values that negate causes of
poverty. It confronts selfishness
and greed which are the roots
of many forms of injustice,
with the self-sacrificing love of
Christ. It calls into question
apathy and individualism which
desensitize people from feeling
the pain of the poor and suffering by Christs invitation to be
a family calling the one God as
Our Father. It confronts oppressive totalitarian leaderships
that put political and economic
advantages above people, with
Christs leadership of service
that of the Master and Lord who
washed the feet of his disciples
(Cf. Jn 113:13). Above all, the
Eucharist challenges utilitarianism, consumerism, and materialism that treat the poor and
the weak as commodities and
tools that can be used for ones
gain and pleasure with Christs
self-donation that breaks and
shares oneself so that others may
live. For each celebration of the
Eucharist makes sacramentally
present the gift that the crucified Lord made of his life, for us
and for the whole world. (SAC,
88). From our participation in
the Eucharist, we are sent forth

to be witnesses of Gods compassion toward all our brothers

and sisters.
On the other hand, Jesus is
encountered in the Eucharist as
the Bread of life (Jn 6:35). He
is such by being both the Word
that comes from the mouth of
God (Cf. Dt 8:3) and the living bread that came down from
heaven (Jn 6:51), the bread
of the poor received in the
proclamation of the scriptural
Word and in Holy Communion.
He is the daily bread we pray
for in the Our Father. In
Holy Communion, Jesus gives
himself as our bread to feed us.
And so, we in turn should go to
our brothers and sisters who are
hungry, and become bread to
feed them in compassion and
love, in the works of mercy, in
giving life, and giving it abundantly. The celebration of the
Eucharist indeed abounds with
such indications of how the Eucharist expresses Christs and the
Churchs preferential option for
the poor as she realizes her mission in Asia. (See Section III. B
Eucharist and Mission, especially
on the Preparation of the Offerings, the Eucharistic Prayer and
Communion.) (To be continued)

B8 ENTERTAINMENT

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Moral Assessment

CBCP Monitor

Buhay San Miguel

Brothers Matias

Lolo Kiko

Bladimer Usi

Abhorrent

Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome

Exemplary
Technical Assessment

Poor
Below average

Average

Above average
E
xcellent

OUT of boredom, Minions

Kevin, Bob, and Stuart aim to do
something worthy and remarkable
under a despicable master. When
they see from a hacked TV broadcast about a major event gathering
of villains called by the super villain
Scarlet (voiced by Sandra Bullock),
they immediately go out, hoping
to hitch a ride to the venue of the
event in Orlando, Florida, to actually meet a potentially new boss.
After some failed attempts to get
a ride, they are finally taken in by
a family who, like them, are also
heading on to the villains event in
Orlando. Along the way, this family
amazingly orchestrate robbery to the
surprise of the Minions. At the villain convention, the Minions, particularly Kevin, steals the scene by
accidentally winning the challenge
by Scarlet and becomes her partner
in her next crime missionto steal
the crown of Queen of England. In
time, something happens that irks
Scarlet, making her aim to stage
revenge on the Minions.
Minions offers an unusual story
of protagonists who join the crowd
of praising a woman super villain
in her greatness and remarkable
leadership in the field of crime. But
the plot development manages to
keep the focus and audience sympathy on the innocence and cuteness
of the Minions as main characters
especially when they talk in their own
language. Subtitles are not provided
in the film but characterizations are
still well carried out. Dubbing by
voice cast is impressive, especially that
of Bullock (for Scarlet). The voicing
blends well with the digital creation
of motion picture and sounds. Humor in form of jokes is constantly injected in the film which brings more
fun and entertainment. The director
did well in the overall treatment for
Minions as digital film creation. The
musical score complements the film
to consistently highlight the requirement of the scenes such as the music

of the 60s. The editing is good and

has contributed to the entertaining
quality of the movie.
Whose person with good moral
ascendency will join a known and
proud supervillain? This happens in
Minions. In reality, even the most evil
person will not openly admit or be
proud of his villain status. Even the
most obvious criminals deny their
wrong doings in court. This is because bad actions are not something
that anyone can be proud of. The
end justifies the means, appears to
be the message of Minions, but the

MINIONS
DIRECTOR: Pierre Coffin, Kyle
Balda
LEAD CAST: Sandra Bullock,
Pierre Coffin, Jon Hamm,
Michael Keaton
SCREENWRITER: Brian Lynch
EDITOR: Claire Dodgson
GENRE: 3D computeranimated comedy
LOCATION: United States
RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:

CINEMA Rating: For viewers 13

years old and below with
parental guidance
MTRCB Rating: PG 13

entire run of the film highlighted in

scenes, characterization and dialogues
all praises to the villains. Although
it tackles positive messages like loyalty and friendship, and towards
conclusion, there is an effort to
correct the wrong, these messages
are overpowered by negativity and
malicious humors. A persons search
for despicable master can be a noble
personal mission and may be a good
opportunity to practice humility and
spirit of service. And there are surely
good and upright masters around.
The film is fun and entertaining but
parental guidance must be given to
viewers 13 years old and below.

NAG-AARAL ng abogasya si Trixie David (Sarah Geronimo) bilang

pagsunod sa kagustuhan ng mga magulang (Dennis Padilla at Rio
Locsin), ngunit musika ang kanyang hilig at pangarap. Pinagbigyan
siyang sumali sa isang music camp kung saan nakilala niya si Gino
Avila (Piolo Pascual) na isang musikero. Kinumbinse ni Gino si Trixie
na maging miyembro ng Pencil Grip na banda niya. Tuluyan nang
huminto sa pag-aaral si Trixie at gumawa sila ni Gino ng magandang
musika. Nagtagumpay ang banda nila ngunit umiral ang pagkainsecure ni Gino nang makita nitong laging pinupuri si Trixie. Parang
nasasapawan na siya ni Trixie kayat ipinagtulakan niya itong palayo.
Pagkalipas ng tatlong taon, muli silang inanyayahang mag-perform na
magkasama. Makakaya bang magpatawad ni Trixie? Magkakabalikan
pa kaya sila?
Magkasama sa unang pagkakataon sina Sarah Geronimo at Piolo Pascual
sa Breakup Playlist. Mahusay silang magsiganap bilang Trixie at Gino, at
kahit malayo ang agwat ng edad ay kapani-paniwala ang kanilang chemistry, at ang kanilang musika. Nagpakita ng higit na galing sa pag-arte si
Geronimo sa pagsasabuhay ng kanyang papel. Makabuluhan din ang pagganap ng mga supporting actors na nagbigay ng kabuuan sa mundo ng mga
pangunahing tauhan. Kakaibang
love story ang Breakup Playlist,
salamat sa malikhaing panulat ni
Antoinette Jadaone, na nakilalang
direktor sa That Thing Called
Tadhana. Simpleng kuwento ng DIRECTOR: Dan Villegas
pag-ibig na magsisimula sa breakup LEAD CAST: Sarah Geronimo,
Piolo Pascual, Rio Locbago makita ng manonood kung
sin, Dennis Padilla, Diego
paano ito nagsimula. Maraming
Loyzaga, Maris Racal,
memorable dialogue at nakakatuwa
Anna Luna, Teddy Corpuz,
din ang paggamit ng mga titolo ng
Cris Villonco, Badji Mortiz,
CD albums sa kanilang pag-uusap.
Jet Pangan
Akma ang musika kaya lang ay SCREENWRITER: Antoinette
Jadaone
sobrang lakas ng volume nito. MaGENRE:
Drama, Music, Rohusay ang paggamit ng flashback
mance
kaya lang ay parang pilit ang conclu- RUNNING TIME: 115 minutes
sion. Kapansin-pansin ang somber TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
at dramatic lighting ng pelikula, na

ibang-iba sa mga romance movies, MORAL ASSESSMENT:

na bumagay naman sa takbo at MTRCB rating: PG 13
timbre ng istorya. Kaya lang, bakit CINEMA rating: V 14 (Viewers
age 14 and above)
napakaraming product/service
endorsement na halatang isiningit at
wala namang kaugnayan sa kwento?
Makatotohanan ang paglalarawan ng pamilya sa Breakup Playlist.
Nariyan ang pagsisikap ng mga magulang upang maging maganda ang
kinabukasan ng anak, ang mga pangarap na nasawi, ang hangganan ng pagpapaubaya, at ang pagpapatawad. Makikita rin ang kapusukan ng kabataan
sa kabila ng kagustuhang tumalima sa magulang, at ang pagtugon sa sariling
pangarap at hilig. Bahagi ng responsibilidad ng magulang at ng mga anak
ang linangin at pagyamanin ang anumang kagalingan/talent na ipinagkaloob
sa iyo. Isinabuhay rin dito ang karaniwang insecurity ng kalalakihan ang
kahirapang tumanggap sa galing at tagumpay ng kababaihan, na para bang
kumpetisyon ang buhay. Ipinapakita rin na sa anumang relasyon, kailangan
ang pagkilala at pagtanggap sa sariling kahinaan at pagkakamali, ang pagpapakumbaba ubang humingi ng tawad at ang pagpapatawad.
Sa kabila ng magagandang aral na napapaloob sa pelikula, iminumungkahi ng CINEMA na mga kabataang mula sa edad na 14 lamang at pataas
ang manood nito dahil sa tema, at sa subliminal suggestion na OK lang na
magsama ang magkasintahan bilang mag-asawa na hindi ikinasal.

THE BREAKUP
PLAYLIST

Buhay Parokya

Look for the images of Holy Trinity, Holy

Chalice, and Holy Cross.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

CBCP Monitor

C1

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

Caring for Our Common Home

The CFC Nationwide Tree Growing Day

IN POPE Francis latest encyclical Laudato Si, he reminds the faithful that humanitys common home is
like a sister with whom we
share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her
arms to embrace us. He
also quoted from St. Francis
of Assisis Canticle of Creatures: Praise be to you, my
Lord, through our Sister,
Mother Earth, who sustains
and governs us, and who
produces various fruit with
colored flowers and herbs.

To concretely live this out, Couples

for Christ declared July 18, 2015 as
Nationwide Tree Growing Day. CFC
from the Metro Manila Sectors and the
Philippine Missions, in partnership with
DENR-PENRO, planted thousands of
seedlings all over the country. The activity
was spearheaded by OIKOS, with help
from CFC HOLDs Ang Ganda Mo! and
YFCs Greeneration. The activity was also
in support of the Philippine National
Greening Program.
The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) provided CFC with the planting area and
seedlings, while CFC took care of the
transportation and manpower to do the
actual planting.
Members from CFC and the Family Ministries actively participated and
genuinely enjoyed the experience. Perhaps
this could be a yearly event? (Text: CFC
Docu Team; Photos courtesy of Metro
Manila Missions and Philippine Missions Documentation)

On to a green future! 1. CFC Pampanga at Mt. Arayat; 2. HOLD Bacolod; CFC Capiz; 4. CFC Bulacan; 5. CFC Occidental Mindoro at Abra de Ilog; 6. CFC Isabela at Magat Watershed; 7. CFC Southern Leyte at Barangay
Laboon, Maasin City with Governor Roger Mercado and Maasin City Councilor Rene Hatayna; 8. New trees for Ipo Dam; 9. HOLD Laguna at the National Housing Authority Relocation Site, Southville, Calauan; 10.
CFC Apayao; 11. HOLD Cavite at Camella Springville East 1, Molino, Bacoor; 12. CFC South Cotabato; 13. CFC Isabela.

CFC Statement On The Supreme Court

of the United States (SCOTUS) Ruling
EVERY human person is a gift.
And it is in our discovery that we are a gift a
gift that must be shared that we are able to relentlessly pursue our deep longing for happiness a
kind of happiness that is not short-lived but rather
transcends through time, a kind of happiness that
not only would edify us but also the one with whom
we decide to offer ourselves.
The recent decision by the Supreme Court of
the United States (SCOTUS) calling the ban on
same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, thereby
affirming its approval for it, has triggered waves of
reaction from various parts of the world. Lesbians,
gays, bisexuals, trans-genders (LGBTs) and other
people who support their cause have hailed the
decision as a landmark decision that promotes
equality and liberty for everyone regardless of their
sexual orientation. It is, for them, a decision that
has at long last destroyed the barrier of exclusivity
of marriage between a man and a woman which
they find as discriminatory.
But while the decision has been celebrated by
some sectors, we who uphold the truth about the
sanctity of marriage view the recent development
not necessarily as a death of morality but rather as
a call by the Lord for a deeper sense of introspection - a greater call for us to reflect on our own
innate giftedness, individually and collectively, so
that, moved with greater zeal, we can more actively
respond to the challenges that threaten the very
foundations of the family. The decision sends a
clear message for us to widen our understanding of
the issue at hand and, more importantly, to use our
Christian values as a tool to open the eyes of those
who have developed a deluded sense of happiness
and freedom.
In line with the teachings of the Catholic Church,
we in Couples for Christ:
Firmly believe that marriage is first and
foremost a gift and part of Gods plan for
the good of humanity. It is not born out of a
whim but rather a vocation that requires deep
commitment and dedication. It is evidence
of Gods great confidence that humanity man and woman - have the ability to share
and participate in His desire to bring into
existence another human person as marriage
is ordered to the procreation and education
of the offspring and it is in them that it finds

its crowning glory. (CCC 1652)

Will continue to uphold the truth that
marriage can only be between a man and a
woman. We recognize that God inscribed in
the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility,
of love and communion (CCC 2331)
Stand firm in our belief that sexual desire
leaves room for the exercise of the will. And
in exercising that will, the human person
should acknowledge and accept his sexual
identity (CCC 2333) both body and
soul not rejecting any part of it and, in so
doing, able to totally give himself to another
person who would be able to fully receive
him because of the complementary nature
inscribed in their bodies.
Continue to believe that, in mans pursuit of
happiness, freedom is not absolute and has its
own limitations. And that by deviating from
the moral law man violates his own freedom,
becomes imprisoned within himself, disrupts
neighbourly fellowship, and rebels against
divine truth. (CCC 1740)
Maintain our respect for people of homosexual orientation. We acknowledge that they too have been given
by the Lord various gifts essential for the fulfilment of
Gods plan. At the same time, we fully understand that
what they need is acceptance and not tolerance, that we
should not waver in inviting them to self-mastery that
teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of
disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace;
they can and should gradually and resolutely approach
Christian perfection. (CCC 2359)
The times have truly been challenging for the Christian faith.
But while we can continue to voice out our opposition against those who threaten marriage, we
should more resolutely pursue more effective ways
by which we can defend the family. Our own marriages and family lives, because they are centered
on Christian values, should be a living witness to a
world that would rather listen to actions than words.
By having our message clearly heard, we may then
lead others towards the right path to happiness and
freedom, indeed to Christ Himself.
We must all the more persevere in prayer and in
faith in order that our marriages become a genuine
reflection of Gods image here on earth!

CFC Leaders Attend National Convention

on Family & Life

IN preparation for the various Church events in 2016,

and to lay down the responses to Pope Francis' challenge
to the Filipino families, the Episcopal Commission on
Family and life (ECFL) convened the clergy, religious,
lay communities and parish workers involved in the
family and life ministry in the National Convention on
Family and Life last July 16 to 18, 2015 at the Summit Circle Hotel in Cebu City. The Convention also
presented the ECFL Pastoral Plans and Initiatives for
the next years and discussed as well the coming 2016
Year of the Family and the Eucharist.
International Council members George Campos and
wife Cynthia; Rouquel Ponte and wife Nina; Jimmy Ilagan and wife Lorna; and Manny Garcia and wife Ditas,
plus other CFCs from the various Dioceses attended the
NCFL. George Campos was one of the presenters for
the Extraordinary Synod on the Family.
On Day 1, Fr. Miguel Garcia, SSS, Executive Secretary and member of the CBCP permanent Committee
on the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), gave
an orientation on the IEC, which is set to happen on
January 24 to 31, 2016 in Cebu.
On Day 2, in his Keynote Address, His Excellency
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP President and
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, enumerated the various events in the Philippine Church which will happen

next yearthe silver anniversary of the convocation

of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines,
the Year of the Eucharist and the Family, and the
Jubilee Year of Mercy. Archbishop Villegas exhorted
the delegates on the significance of the Convention
with the milestone events of 2016, saying, If we
want renewal, we must learn to kneel again.
He encouraged the faithful to kneel in repentance
for renewal in the Jubilee Year of Mercy; to kneel
to adore for renewal in the Year of the Eucharist; to
kneel and wash each others feet for renewal in the
Year of the Family; and to be kneeling missionaries
for renewal in the Philippine Church.
This set the tone for the day, as the delegates
listened to responses on the Extraordinary Synod
of the Family.
Day 3 saw the meeting of the Family and Life
Diocesan Directors and the Heads of National
Organizations regarding the 2016 Year of the
Eucharist and Family, and the World Meeting of
Families on September 22 to 25, 2015, happening
in Philadelphia, USA.
At the end of the Convention, the Most Reverend
Gilbert Garcera, DD, Bishop of the Dioceses of
Daet, led the celebration of the Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebrated Mass. (CFC Docu Team)

C2

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

CFC USA National Council Statement on the U.S.

Supreme Court Decision on Same-sex Marriage
JUNE 26, 2015 will forever be a
dark day for our nation, with the
United States Supreme Court decision requiring all states to recognize
and legitimize same-sex marriages.
CFC USAs position on this issue has
never wavered.
Our CFC Global Vision states that
we are one with the Catholic Church
and its teachings.
One of our CFC Global goals
includes strengthening and defending
the family as a basic unit of society
and of the Church in accordance with
Gods plan.
Our CFC Statement of Philosophy states:
WE BELIEVE in marriage as an
indissoluble institution as taught by
our Lord Jesus Christ (Mt 19:6). That
God created marriage primarily for
love between man and woman, and
for the procreation and proper rearing
of children.
WE BELIEVE that God created
man and wife with equal personal
worth and dignity. That God ordained order in the family by giving
the man the role as head of the family and the woman as helpmate and
support, which best expresses their
complementarity.
True to our CFC theme of 2015, our
response is to Love More.
We will love more our God
and faithfully obey His Commandments.
We will love more our Church
that He instituted and continue
to promote, defend and live by
her teachings.

We will love more our children and

the younger generation and pass on
to them Gods truth on marriage.
We will love more our brethren
with opposing views and treat
them with respect, justice and
pastoral care.
We will love more by not being
indifferent or passive, but instead
by being a light of Christ in this
world that seeks to destroy the basic
unit of society, the family.
Below is the full statement from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
Regardless of what a narrow majority of
the Supreme Court may declare at this moment in history, the nature of the human
person and marriage remains unchanged
and unchangeable. Just as Roe v. Wade did
not settle the question of abortion over
forty years ago, Obergefell v. Hodges does
not settle the question of marriage today.
Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and
as a result, both will eventually fail. Today
the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly
immoral and unjust for the government
to declare that two people of the same sex
can constitute a marriage.
The unique meaning of marriage as
the union of one man and one woman is
inscribed in our bodies as male and female.
The protection of this meaning is a critical
dimension of the integral ecology that
Pope Francis has called us to promote.
Mandating marriage redefinition across
the country is a tragic error that harms
the common good and most vulnerable
among us, especially children. The law
has a duty to support every childs basic

right to be raised, where possible, by

his or her married mother and father
in a stable home.
Jesus Christ, with great love, taught
unambiguously that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of
one man and one woman. As Catholic
bishops, we follow our Lord and will
continue to teach and to act according
to this truth.
I encourage Catholics to move forward with faith, hope, and love: faith
in the unchanging truth about marriage, rooted in the immutable nature
of the human person and confirmed
by divine revelation; hope that these
truths will once again prevail in our
society, not only by their logic, but by
their great beauty and manifest service
to the common good; and love for all
our neighbors, even those who hate us
or would punish us for our faith and
moral convictions.
Lastly, I call upon all people of good
will to join us in proclaiming the goodness, truth, and beauty of marriage as
rightly understood for millennia, and I
ask all in positions of power and authority to respect the God-given freedom
to seek, live by, and bear witness to
the truth.
We strongly encourage all CFC USA
members to be united in our efforts to
pray, fast, offer up our daily Rosary and
Mass intentions, and make our voices be
heard through the democratic process
by upholding marriage in our respective
states and continue to promote, defend
and live the good and the truth of marriage as the blessed union of one man and
one woman as husband and wife for life.

CSP is expanding in Kenya!

THE COUNTIES of Nakuru, Narok and Rusinga, located midwest of Kenya, are the latest recipients of the Child Sponsorship
Program (CSP) as ANCOP expands its program in Kenya. In the
past year, ANCOPs CSP has been operating in two key Kenyan
cities of Soweto and Eldoret, providing for the educational needs
of over 80 poor Kenyan children.
In a recent visit to Kenya, ANCOP Canada coordinated with
members of the clergy and nuns managing various schools to
initiate the CSP and to ensure continuity.
The highlight of the mission trip was the meeting with various Archbishops and Bishops of Kenya who welcomed ANCOP
Canada warmly and expressed appreciation for the work of CFC
and ANCOP. Among them were Bishop David Kamau of Nairobi; Bishop Maurice Muhatya of Nakuru; Bishop Philip Anyolo
of Homabay; and Archbishop Martin Kivuvu of Mombasa. Fr.
James Kairu, a Kenyan priest based in Vancouver, BC, facilitated
the meetings.
The Bishops strongly encouraged ANCOP Canada to continue

the work, and to be patient and faithful in its efforts to help the poor.
Bishop Maurice Muhatya of the Diocese of Nakuru committed
full support to the program as he entered into a contract agreement with ANCOP Canada towards the educational support of
15 seminarians in his diocese. Present during the signing of the
agreement was the dioceses Vocation Director Fr. David Ngigi.
In Narok, 32 children in grade school became the recipients
of CSP at St. Clare School through the Contract of Agreement
signed with Sr. Elizabeth Paragua, the school head. Fr. Moses
Khisa of the Franciscan Capuchins in Rusinga, Homabay signed
the contract for the initial scholarship of 15 children in his school.
In the words of the clergy working alongside ANCOP, The
clergy and the people of Kenya truly appreciate CFCs help in
strengthening families and its compassion for the poor.
CFC and the CFC ANCOP team in Kenya are just grateful
for the opportunity to love and serve the less fortunate and to be
able to help pave the way for them to reach their dreams. (Malou
Clarito, ANCOP CSP Coordinator, Kenya)

CBCP Monitor

ANCOP Launched at Parliament Hill

CFC ANCOP Canada was recently

brought for the first time to Parliament
Hill in Ottawa, Canadas capital. This is
historic for ANCOP Canada as it brings
forward its global work of helping the
poor to the seat of the government of
Canada. CFC ANCOP Ottawa opened
up an opportunity for ANCOP to raise
the governments awareness about itswork,
and to rallysupport for its shelter and child
education sponsorship programs.
The ANCOP launching was a prelude to
the annual ANCOP Walk slated in August
in major cities across the country including Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray,
Hamilton, Lethbridge, Montreal, Ottawa,
Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver,
Victoria, Windsor, Winnipeg and Yellowknife. The ANCOP Walk is a major annual
fundraising event of ANCOP International
Canada as well as the ANCOP global family, aimed to raise funds to build homes for
poor families and to send poor children to
school. The ANCOP Walk also encourages
people to get involved and to campaign
for funds.
The launching materialized through the
initiativeof Filipino-Canadian Senator Tobias (Jun) Enverga, who has always been a
strong supporter of ANCOP. The senators
colleagues in Parliament Hill took time to
participate in this event.
Distinguished guests included Pierre
Poilievre, Minister of Employment and
Social Development and Minister of State
(Democratic Reform); Senator Thanh Hai
Ngo; Senator Mobina Jaffer; and Philippine
Consul General in Ottawa, Eric Tamayo.
Members of local organizations including
Migrante Ontario, Archdiocese of Ottawa,
the media, and Patricia Marsden-Dole were
also present.
Leaders of CFC ANCOP from Ottawa
and Toronto came in huge numbers, recognizingthe significance of the occasion. Rhea
Rivilla, a member of Couples for Christ
Ottawa emceed the program.
Minister Pierre Poilievre, in his keynote
speech, highlighted the federal governments ongoing support for the poor and its
commitment to help not only the poor in
Canada but also the poor in other countries.
Canada is a great place to live and
everyone is welcome here, the Minister
said. He alsoshared that he is proud of the
Filipino community and what it has done
for this country. He expressed support for
ANCOP and the forthcoming ANCOP
Walk, encouraging everyone to continue
the good work.
Senator Thanh Hai Ngo isan advocate
for freedom, democracy, human rights, and
the rule of law. He spoke highly of Senator
Envergas passion and dedication to help
the poor, and he, too supports ANCOPs
work. He said that he is encouraged by the
contribution of the Filipino community in

Canada and by the work they have done to

uplift the poor.
Senator Mobina Jaffer, representing the
province of British Columbia, chairs the
Standing Senate Committee on Human
Rights. Sheworks to engage communities
in protecting human rights, celebrating
Canadas diversity, and promoting progress.
Senator Jaffer spoke about her experiences
working with Filipinos and highlighted the
importance of family values, generosity and
hospitality especially among Filipino families. She stated that Filipinos in Canada are
well known for their Christian beliefs, values
and for sharing their home. She confessed
that she is proud to be associated with the
Filipino community and is pleased to know
about ANCOP Canadas initiatives to help
the poor in the Philippines and other parts
of the world.
Senator Jaffer ended her remarks with
a heartwarming statement: I salute you
(ANCOP supporters) for the work that you
do. And before you sleep tonight, I want
you to think about the child who sleeps well
through the night because of the help and
support you provide to him/her through
ANCOP.
Philippine Consul General in Ottawa
Eric Tamayo thanked everyone in the
hall for their presence, and for their effort and support in helping the poor of
the Philippines. He was pleased to know
that there is much support from Canada
to help the poor. He encouraged CFC
ANCOP to contact him if they need his
help on anything.
ANCOP International Canada Marketing Director, Gabby Consulta gave the audience a birds eye view of the purpose, goal
and vision and mission of ANCOP. A situationer on the life of the poor was presented
ina number of videos that showed the life
and plight of the children and families living in poverty in the Philippines. Consulta
also showed how ANCOP has grown and
developed over the years, supporting poor
families and children in the Philippines,
India, and the African countries of Ghana,
Nigeria, Kenya.
To date, more children and families
are being lifted out of poverty because
of the generous support of Canadians,
Gabby said. Heurged everyone present
to do what other Canadians have done
and continue to do soto sponsor a child
and join the ANCOP Walk in Ottawa on
August 22, 2015.
The program ended with an insightful testimony from TJ David who spoke
about his mission and passion to reach out
to the poor through ANCOP. It is very
rewarding to experience the life of a poor
family who has none and still be able to
smile despite the challenges ofevery day,
David shared. (Mariel Velasco, CFC ANCOP Ottawa)

CBCP Monitor

C3

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

Tarlac at Twenty-five

JUNE 6, 2015 was a very important date for Couples for

Christ Tarlac. it was the communitys 25th anniversary.
All roads led to the Camiling
Sports Complex in Camiling, Tarlac
as members from all parts of Tarlac
began the day with a motorcade
Efren Inocencio, Tarlac West
Sector Chapter Head, led the
morning worship. Gilbert Alvare z, Tarlac AGT member
a n d Se c t o r He a d o f Ta r l a c
West Sector, welcomed all the
participants and guests which
included International Council
members Joe and Mila Yamamoto, George and Cynthia
Campos and Arnel and Bing
Santos. Also present were Regional Heads Romy and Edit
Alfaro (Central Luzon), Tony

and Zeny Gimenez (Western

Visayas but formerly Area Head
of Tarlac), Ding Aguinaldo
(Calabarzon) and Tarlac Provincial Area Head Omy Santos
and his wife Fe.
After inspirational messages by Joe Yamamoto, George
Campos and Arnel Santos, a
sumptuous lunch was served at
noon followed by Holy Mass
celebrated by His Excellency
Bishop Florentino Cinense of
the Diocese of Tarlac, together
with Msgr. Melvin Castro, parish priest of Tarlac Cathedral.
After the Mass, Bishop Cine nse praye d ove r t he n e w
CFC Tarlac leaders. Afterwards,
the entire province presented
plaques of appreciation to seven
couples from Camiling and 11

couples from Tarlac City

couples who planted the seed
of Couples for Christ in the
province of Tarlac.
By mid-afternoon, the daylong event featured various Philippine festivalsTarlac Central
Sector with the Maskara Festival;
Tarlac North Sector with the
Sinulog Festival; Tarlac South
Sector with the Panagbenga Festival; and the host, Tarlac West
Sector, the Ati-Atihan Festival.
Gerone Baladhay of CFC
Singles for Christ of Tarlac
South Sector led the Praisefest.
Everyone agreed that even after
25 years, ever yone was still
burning with zeal for the mission and looking ahead to a joyful journey towards the next 25
years and beyond. (Mac Bustos)

CFC MM North B Turns 30!

WITH the theme One in Christ, more than
700 members of CFC Metro Manila North B
gathered at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman,
for a Dinner-Dance-Fellowship to celebrate their
30th anniversary in April of this year.
The sectors 30th anniversary was a grand
reunion of sorts, with the presence of brothers
and sisters from the Foundation for Family and
Life (FFL) and Gawad Kalinga (GK). It was an
evening of sharing meals, renewing friendship,
and journeying down memory lane. There were
games and dancing non-stop.. For a most fitting
closing to a night of remembrances, brothers and
sisters swayed and held hands to the tune of You've
Got a Friend.' The night ended with members
feeling rejuvenated in body and spirit, all looking
forward to the 'Family Day', the second phase of
CFC NB @ 30.
A week later, on April 19, 2015, the members
trooped with their families as early as 7:00 A.M.
to the Ateneo High School covered court for the
NB @ 30 One In Christ Family Day. The Parade

Campos congratulated North B for being a gift

to the community because of their generous sharing of the Word to all and for producing leaders
for local and foreign assignments. Campos likewise
facilitated the turnover of the mantle of North B
Sector leadership from Balarbar to Fortune Ilaya.
Balarbar, who served CFC North B for a productive
7 years and 2 months, said that he was able to serve
only because the Lord stood by me. Balarbar and
wife Cathy expressed sadness that they were leaving
the sector for another mission assignment, but were
joyful that North B will be in the good hands of the
Ilaya couple, Fortune and Ethel.
We look forward to serving God by spreading the
beauty of the Church to families and the poor in cooperation with the Catholic Church, the Ilayas said.
By late morning, activities started simultaneously, starting with a Praise Dance presentation
by the Family Ministries. Several booths promoted
handmade artworks by the Handmaids of the
Lord. There was also a showcase of the history,
accomplishments, activities and advocacy of the

of Colors preceded the Holy Mass which was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Teodoro Bacani.
Bishop Bacani affirmed that NB @ 30 is like
a cluster of pearlskasing ganda ng Perlasthe
30th anniversary being the Pearl Anniversary.
The good Bishop, however issued a caveat: Ang
ating pagkakaisa ay kalooban ng Diyos ngunit hindi
pa ito ganap at lubos. (Unity is Gods will for us but
this is not yet fulfilled nor complete.) And Gods
will and His way of peace will be ours only if we as
members of the community will do the following:
1. Repent, 2. Read the Word, 3. Pray together, 4.
Attend prayer meetings and gatherings.
Ernie Balarbar, outgoing Sector Head, welcomed
the attendees and called on CFC International
Council member George Campos to give his inspirational message.

CFC and its family ministries.

Sports Fun Competitions came nextVolleyball for women, Father & Son basketball, and
the Father & Son Shootout. The Creative Fun
Competitions turned out to be a real showdown
in dance and song via the Family Dance and
Family Duet. Parlor games such as Maria Went
to Town, Tug-of-War, Three-legged Race, Bottle
Straw Relay, Family Cup Relay, also elicited
laughter from players and spectators alike. Special entertainment numbers in dance and song
added more spice and flavor to the hot afternoon.
Everyone was exhausted from the days activities
but refreshed and looking forward to more joyful
celebrations for the welfare of all family members
and for the greater glory of God. (Grace RinozaPlazo/E. J. Bautista)

OVERDRIVE: The breakthrough in our crossroads

JESUS is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

This verse from Hebrews 13:8 was the anchor
verse of the Jesus and Me or simply JAM Nighta
praise concert of the CFC Youth for Christ Iloilo
held last July 17 at the Leganes Gym, Iloilo. The
concert gathered more than 700 youth hungry to
praise and worship God in the spirit of the theme
Overdrive: the breakthrough in our crossroads.
Consecrating the event to Jesus through Mary,
CFC YFC Iloilo officially opened the evening with
the Holy Rosary, followed by a throwback video of
YFC activities. Fifty percent of this gateway evangelization campaign were non-YFCs, hence, one
feature of the night was the teaching of songs, with
emphasis on the essence of the praise and worship.
Sessions followed immediately, with Renz
Christian Narida, sector youth head, as the first
speaker. Life is the greatest journey one will ever
be embarking on, he began. It is a journey rich
in experiences and learnings.
The second speaker, Clyle Lyde E. Balansag,
High school-based Program Head, stressed, Along
the road of our journey, we face challenges and
struggles that could hinder us. There are many
crossroads and stops along the way. What must
we do?
The third speaker, Sheena Mae Planto, Cluster
Youth Head, challenged, Which path will you
taketo follow Gods will or your will? Three

other YFC members gave personal testimonies

on their respective journeys, particularly on their
attachment to material things, brokenness and uncertainties, and how they overcame these struggles.
The session concluded with the community
dancing to the rhythm of the Kids for Christ
song, Adventure of a Lifetime performed by the
South Band.
The praisefest was led by Sherwin Dave Judicpa,
YFC fulltime pastoral worker. In his exhortation,
Judicpa encouraged the youth to Discover your
purpose and why God wanted you to go on this
journey with Him.
Sherwin presented the former leaders of the
province to the crowd, who were joined by Singles
for Christ members who transitioned from YFC
and the couple coordinators, each of them holding
a lit candle. Sherwin them thus: The God of these
leaders is indeed a great God, and the God that
they have is the same God we have today, and He
is still great. God is still great in this generation!
He added, There is no turning back. God is challenging us to continue the journey no matter what.
The evening moved to dancing as the concert
made way for a rave party. There were secular
songs, balloons and dynamic production numbers
which led the young crowd to an awesome experience of what YFC calls clean, holy fun. (John
Christian Lacao)

ANCOP NEWS

Thirteen missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) came to the Philippines for an immersion
in two ANCOP Communities--ANCOP AVANAI in Quezon City and ANCOP Bani in Bataan. The immersion program is the first
endeavor following the partnership between FOCUS and ANCOP. According to their team leader, Taber Carlson, a full time
missionary for FOCUS, the experience was one of a kind, and he would encourage other FOCUS missionaries to come to the
Philippines to experience the same. The missionaries stayed for a week in each community, helping build houses in Quezon
City and doing medical mission work in Bataan.

Faith, Freedom, Fun and Fellowship in

Daklak Province

THE CFC Youth for Christ

conducted a youth camp last
June 5 to 7, 2015 at the pari s h o f C h a u S o n , B a n Me
Thuot City, Dak Lak Province,
Vietnam for the Catechism
students, ages 13 20, of the
Chau Son Parish. There were
60 participants of the camp
and 36 of them25 girls and
11 boys, all of them Vietnamese committed themselves to
become members of the CFC
Youth for Christ. The camp
was conducted after a year of
dedicated visits by their Area
Head Odilon and Rowena
Barbosa, assisted by their counterpart Joachim.
It all started when Odie invited a small group of young people who wanted to learn English
through songs. Equipped with
his talent, and much trust
in God, Odie and Joachim

patiently visited the area every month, conducting guitar

classes and at the same time the
monthly CFC gathering. The
lessons, and gatherings, initially
started at Thanh Tam Parish
(Cathedral) of Ban Me Thuot,
then in Chau Son Parish, and in
another parish in the far district
of the Diocese at the Parish of
Quang Da.
When the group of youth
in the parishes of Thanh Tam
(Cathedral) and Chau Son were
ready for the camp, CFC Saigon
organized a team led by Rick
and Winella Montera, with the
help of Joachim. The team was
composed of YFC members
Emily Rosales, Angela Linh
Ubaldo, Juan Nathanielz, Tran
Anaya and Yael Verrano; SFC
member Diane Belandres, and
the music ministry composed
of Philip and Jaja Malabanan,

Josephine and Marris Bravo.

Anthony Hung and John Baptist Tuat translated the manuals
and talks in preparation for
the camp.
Yo u t h f o r C h r i s t ' s 4 F ' s
( Fa i t h , Fr e e d o m , Fu n a n d
Fellowship) were the teams
guiding principles in conducti n g t h e c a m p. T h o u g h t h e
team was a mixture of new
and old members, the camp
flowed with ease despite the
challenges of time, culture and
of course language.
Even though most of the team
members were unable to speak
the native language, they were still
able to express themselves, were
understood and able to understand
the activities that were happening.
The seed has been planted in
the hearts of these young people;
the great challenge ahead is how
to nurture that seed.

The News Supplement

of Couples for Christ

George B. Campos
IC Oversight

Zenaida A. Gimenez
Editor-in-Chief

Deomar P. Oliveria
Layout Artist

The second batch of houses at the ANCOP Taysan Community in Legaspi City, Albay were turned over to the home partner
families last July 18, 2015. The community was made possible through the partnership between CROSS Catholic and ANCOP,
in collaboration with the Diocese of Legaspi and the Local Government.

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
www.couplesforchristglobal.org
cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

facebook.com/CFC.Global.Mission

@CFChrist

C4

July 20 - August 2, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 15

WE WILL LOVE MORE!

Highlights of the 2015 CFC Canada National Conference and KFC Kids Village

IT WAS a weekend of teaching, sharing,

creative activity, worship and fellowship as
brethren attended the 2015 CFC Canada
National Conference and KFC Kids Village at the RBC Convention Center in
Winnipeg, Manitoba. The conference truly
lived out the 2015 CFC theme, Love
More, as more than 800 delegates from all
over Canada reaffirmed their love for God,
their respective spouses and brothers and
sisters in the community. Indeed, it was
one of the most enjoyable conferences for
CFC Canada.
The celebration started as early as Thursday, July 9, with the ANCOP Canada
Summit held at the North Centennial
Community Centre in Winnipeg. The
day began with a Holy Mass officiated by
Fr. Reneiro Sarce, Pastor of St. Edwards
Parish. ANCOP Canada President Ricky
Cuenca then welcomed the delegates and
heralded the completion of Pope Francis
ANCOP Village in Tacloban. The 400
homes were the first-ever built in partnership with the Municipality of Tacloban and
SM Cares Foundation.
Bong Garrucho of CFC Vancouver
moderated the series of lectures and workshops about embracing CFCs Work with
the Poor program. Joe Yamamoto, CFC
ANCOP International Director provided
the closing remarks to end the day-long
summit.
CFC brethren from across Canada
trooped to the RBC Convention Center
on Friday for the opening of the Love
More conference. The center was a flurry
of activities as both the CFC Conference
and KFC Kids Village were held simultaneously in the same venue.
The conference started with the recitation of the Rosary, followed by a solemn
Mass officiated by Fr. Yoli Gamallo, Parish
Priest of St. John Cantius, and Spiritual
Adviser of CFC Winnipeg. Fr. Yoli was
joined by other priests from various areas

of Canada in the concelebrated Mass.

Members of SFC and CFC Youth then
opened the weekend with a lively number,
followed by the opening of the Kids Village
by Jojo Facun, KFC Canadas Core Team
Head from Vancouver. Subsequently, Greg
Parillas, CFC Canada National Director,
along with Arnel Simbulan, CFC Canada
Central Region Coordinator, and Ador
Cabrera, CFC Manitoba Area Director,
officially opened the 2015 CFC National
Conference.
Nic Escalona, KFC International Coordinator, began the conference by providing
a gist of the talks while explaining the
relevance of the 2015 theme Love More,
which was taken from John 21:15-17.
The Saturday sessions started with the
Rosary and Mass, with no less than the
Most Reverend Archbishop Albert LeGatt
of the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface in
Winnipeg presiding. Archbishop LeGatt
welcomed all the delegates and challenged
everyone to truly experience Gods love
in every moment in order to extend that
love to others.
Jun Clarito, CFC Canada Eastern
Region Coordinator, gave the first session
titled It is Too Little. The next talk,
Come Have Breakfast was delivered by
Joe Yamamoto, CFC International Mission
Head for the Americas. Talk 3, Do You
Love Me More Than These, was delivered
by ANCOP Social Development Program
Head, Arnel Santos. The talks were punctuated by powerful and inspiring Love
More testimonies from brothers and
sisters across Canada, which sent messages
for CFC to pray more, study Him more,
serve Him more and hunger more for the
sacraments. The sessions likewise emphasized that the true measure of loving God
is when one fully commits to obey Him
and feed His sheep.
In the evening, the delegates dressed up
in formal attire for a Hollywood-inspired

red carpet event, complete with paparazzis clicking away on their cameras similar
to the Grammy Awards night. It was followed by dinner and dancing, plus the
honoring of members of the clergy in a
simple yet heart-warming Clergy Appreciation ceremony.
The celebration continued the following day, Sunday, with a Mass celebrated
by Fr. Vic Tunghol, now a retired priest.
Fr. Vic was the first Spiritual Adviser of
CFC in Winnipeg and was instrumental
in the introduction and growth of CFC
in the area.
The final talk, Love More, delivered by Eric Delos Reyes, CFC Canada
Country Coordinator, was highlighted
by a testimony from Larry Vickar, a
businessman based in Winnipeg and a
staunch supporter of ANCOP. Vickar
with his wife Tova, who are both Jews,
did not allow their beliefs to hinder them
from helping the poor. Larry shared his
recent visit to the Philippines where he
saw for himself the growth of the village
he supported and officially awarded the
completed units to the deserving home
partners. He surprised everyone by
announcing a new check donation of
$25,000.00 on top of what he has already
given. He vowed to continue supporting
and promoting ANCOP to other people,
including members of the Rotary Club
he belongs to.
To end, Bong Salmon of Winnipeg led
everyone in a rousing praisefest. Several
citations and prizes were also announced
and given out. CFC Canadas conference hosts for 2016 will be Ottawa for
the Eastern Region and Calgary for the
Western Region.
It was indeed a remarkable weekend,
with fond memories of friendships rekindled and a firm resolve to love one
another more, and love God even greater.
(Rico Tingin)

Gift of Life Conference Held in Calgary

CBCP Monitor

Encountering Love in Leyte

OVER a thousand members of CFC
from Leyte and Southern Leyte gathered
for the spirit-filled Love More Retreat
last July 12, 2015 at the VSU Convention Hall, Baybay City, Leyte.
The conference centered on CFCs
2015 theme Love More, taken from
John 21:15-17. Davis Abuel, CFC
Leyte SOLD Provincial Coordinator,
led the opening worship.
A stage play, which is an adaptation
from the movie The Encounter,
introduced the sessions, with the
characters portrayed by some members
of CFC Metro Manila South B. The
story highlighted problems that are
usually encountered by CFC members
and leaders, until they are eventually
resolved because of their strong faith,
trust and love for God.
Arnel Sacris, Cebu Provincial Area
Director, delivered the first talk (It
is too Little) with great simplicity
and humor but the message was very
clearJesus should be in every service,
for without Jesus, ones efforts will
prove to be too little. In her testimony, Neneng Sacris recounted that
the service she and her husband Arnel
rendered for over twenty years is still
too little. As couple, they continue
to accept whatever new assignment is
given to them as they are called to serve
the community passionately.
The second talk titled Come Have
Breakfast was delivered by International Council member Lito Tayag,
with King Lariosa, a member of Area
G, as his sharer. Lariosa shared his
painful childhood experience, causing
him to have so much hatred towards

his father. But God healed him as he

learned to forgive his father. His story
was a call to action for all members
of CFC: to continue the mission of
evangelizing more couples as it may
help prevent, if not totally eradicate,
the cases of child abuse.
The afternoon session started with
a mass with Rev. Fr. Brian Flandez of
Holy Spirit Parish as celebrant.
Before the final blessing, Jude Abenoja, Leyte Provincial Area Director, and
CFC Southern Leyte Provincial Area
Head, expressed his thanks to Rev. Fr.
Brian Flandez, as well as the speakers
and music ministry from Metro Manila
South B, headed by Raymond Bucu,
CFC Leyte Provincial Area Head, who
selflessly gave their time to be part of
the Love More Weekend.
The third talk titled Do You Love Me
More Than These was delivered by Ramuel Garcia, UAE National Council Director.
He openly shared his unfailing love for his
wife whom he fondly calls giliw. His
wife Beth, a nurse by profession, shared the
hurdles both she and Ramuel experienced
as CFC leaders in UAE.
T h e l a s t t a l k ( L ove Mo re ) w a s
delivered by Middle East Regional
Coordinator,UAE Country Coordinator and Central Luzon Regional Head
Romy Alfaro. The story shared by
Victor and Wilma Laurel, KFC Leyte
Central Couple Coordinator, of the
deep love that abides in their family,
filled the venue with laughter and tears.
As a fitting ending to a great conference, the 1,400 delegates all came
together for a vibrant praisefest.
(Maricel Ngo)

New Assignments Announced

The CFC International Council recently
announced the following appointments:
CFC Chairman Jose Tale is the Evangelization and Missions Office Head, with
the other members of the IC holding the
following positions:
International Missions Jose Tale
Philippine Missions Joe Yamamoto
Metro Manila Missions Manny Garcia
Church Relations Office Rouquel Ponte
Pastoral Formation Office Rouquel Ponte
Jimmy Ilagan is the new Family Ministries Director, while Joe Yamamoto is the
Mission to the Poor (ANCOP) Director.
CFC Global Mission Support is headed by
George Campos, with Eric Ylagan as the
GMC Administrator and Arnel Santos as
Legal Counsel.
Lito Tayag oversees the Global Mission Center Committee on Audit, while
Bong Arjonillo heads the Committee on

Compensation. The Committee on Risk

and Compliance is handled by George
Campos.
The following are the Continent Overseers:
Joe Yamamoto - the Americas
Rouquel Ponte Europe
Shok Ariola Africa
George Campos - West Asia (the
Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and
Central Asia), Bong Arjonillo - East Asia
(Southeast Asia, North Asia, and Greater
Mekong Area), Lito Tayag - Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Solomon Islands,
Polynesia, Miconesia and Melanesia).
The entire CFC community is encouraged to continue to pray for these leaders
that the Lord may continue to equip each
one to be effective ministers and evangelizers of CFC.

CFC Executive Director Visits Kenya

THE COUPLES for Christ Canada Gift of Life Ministry, in

partnership with the Life and Family Resource Centre of Diocese of Calgary, held a conference on Theology of the Body in
3D (Desire, Design & Destiny) at St. Bonaventure Parish. The
church was full to capacity with an estimated 550 participants,
majority of them young couples and some non-CFC.
The Gift of Life Ministry headed by Vuoleen and Eden Ben and
supervised by Lanny and Nancy Zacarias, were prime movers of
the event, from ticket sales, to preparation and execution of the
event. The Area Governance Team and some Chapter leaders
were also present to extend a hand.
The presence and support of the Bishop of Calgary, His Excellency Bishop Frederick Henry was a blessing. As expected, main
speaker Christopher Wests expertise on the Theology of the
Body captured the audience and made them excited to know
more. Jason Clarke, who set the mood with his short prayer
and rendition of the song Sanctuary, likewise added to the spirit
of the conference.
Wests topic in talk 1, entitled Desire, was about mans burning
desire for the true, the good, and the beautiful. People are born
with an expectation to find satisfaction in life. That burning,
yearning desire is always part of each individual. The Greek
called this feeling, Eros. According to West, Eros should not be
limited to romantic love or sexual desire but rather a yearning
for Infinite Love and union; a yearning for something beyond.
Gods mercy is available to us, West added.Like the saints
who are mystics, we can take this opportunity to ask God for
His mercy to guide and redirect our hunger our yearning to
the stars to the infinite.
The goal in all of nature is life. Every living thing in
creation is designed to reproduce, West emphasized in Talk
2 on Design. He added that every plant, every tree, every

blade of grass tells the story of the seed that found purchase
in fertile soil.
Indeed natures reproductive process is happening all around
us all the time. If God is speaking to us through the natural
world then it is clear that one of his favorite subjects is mating
and fertility, coupling, and life-giving-ness, he explained. He
went on to stress that one has to be blind not to recognize this
unending song of love and life everywhere.
West went on, God created us as sexual beings (male and
female) to tell the story of His own life giving love in the world,
and to invite us to participate in that life giving love eternally.
This is the code written into the very design of our bodies, our
deepest desires, and into the whole universe.
Talk 3, which talked about Destiny had West stating the following fact from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Heaven
is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings,
the state of supreme definitive happiness.(CCC 1024)
He quoted Pope Paul VI: Eternal life is not an unending
succession of days on the calendar, but something more like the
supreme moment of satisfaction in which totality embraces us and
we embrace totality. It is like plunging into the ocean of infinite
love a plunging ever anew into the vastness of being, in which
we are simply overwhelmed with joy,we must think along these
lines if we want to understand what it is that our faith leads us
to expect. (Pope Paul VI,
12)
Dax Magsisi, National Gift of Life coordinator, exhorted the
participants in his address: Man is surrounded by the culture
of death but there is no reason for us to fear. Fear can keep you a
prisoner, but hope can set you free. God has shown us the way
Theology of the Body is our best antidote. Together let us keep
that hope in us that eventually we will awaken that desire, embrace
our design and eventually reach our destiny. (Angie Magsisi)

GEORGE Campos with wife Cynthia

visited CFC-Kenya last May 18-26. Their
presence made CFC in Kenya happy and
excited as the Camposes graced the different activities lined up.
The Campos couple was joined by
Team Kenya in paying courtesy visits to
the Couples for Christ Chaplain, Fr. Peter
Kamomoe as well as His Lordship, Bishop
David Kamau (Nairobi) and Bishop Philip
Anyolo (Homabay). Team Kenya is composed of Kenya-based Goi and Charm
Villegas together with Ghamay Pepito,
fulltime pastoral waorker in charge of the
ministries. They were also joined by the
Claritos, Kenya Country Coordinators
from Canada.
After the visit, the team trooped to Songa
Mbele na Masomo (Moving Ahead in Education), an informal education centre that
caters to the needs of poor children who
are physically and intellectually disabled.
This is one of the prospective areas for the
ANCOP Child Sponsorship Program.
On the other hand, the well-attended
2015 Kenya Love More Conference

was made special by the the presence of

George Campos who gave Talks 1 and
4, followed the inspiring testimony of
Cynthia. It was Kenyas first conference with the presence of a member of
the International Council which they
have been looking forward to for many
years. Overwhelmed by the success of
the conference, the Fr. Peter Kamamoe
asked Team Kenya to offer a thanksgiving Mass at the Basilica where he asked
The Camposes to briefly say something
about what CFC is.
On the last day of the couple's stay in
Kenya, the Area Governance Team had a
household meeting at the CFC Mission
House where Abraham Munene, Area Director of CFC Nairobi presented a roasted
goat to the Camposes as a sign of respect
of a leader to another leader.
The visit of the Camposes was well
received by CFC Kenya and has brought
renewed spirit to the community. And as
they look forward to another visit, CFC
Kenya says, Asanteni Sana! (Thank You!)
(Malou Clarito)