A3
Chinese delegates visit
Phils for sustainable
agri training
Patronage politics
blamed for corruption
PATRONAGE politics is a “visible and devas-
tating” phenomenon under the Arroyo govern-
ment, a Catholic prelate said.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez accused
the current administration of using the power
of patronage to benefit administration allies.
The bishop’s comment came after noted ad-
ministration allies got chairmanship in major
committees of the lower House, including Presi-
dential son, Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo,
and brother-in-law, Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo.
Patronage / A6
CBCP to head campaign
vs. child porn
PREPARING FOR “BATTLE.” The CBCP Ad-Hoc Committee Against Child Pornography received a briefing from OMB Chairman Edu Manzano at the
Office on Women. The group led by former Ambassador to the Holy See Henrietta de Villa will present its plans and programs to the Catholic faithful
in time for the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15.
PIME Superior: “We already have two martyrs”
“WE have already had two PIME martyrs, Fr.
Tulio Favali who was killed in April 11, 1985
and Fr. Salvatore Carzeda, shot and killed in
Zamboanga City on June 20, 1992 and two
kidnap victims, Frs. Lucianno Benedetti in
1998 and recently, Giancarlo Bossi.”
These were the words of Fr. Gian Battista
Zanchi, superior general of the Pontifical
Foreign Missions (PIME), when asked by
CBCPNews if after the abduction Fr. Bossi
would be given new assignment.
Told of Fr. Bossi’s wish to return to Payao
after a brief vacation in Italy, Fr. Zanchi said
“not for the time being, it is not only our
wish but the government’s as well…he would
be given a new assignment, not in Mindanao
should he wish to return to the Philippines.”
Fr. Zanchi is scheduled to meet with 21
Philippine-based PIME missionaries begin-
ning tomorrow to think and reflect on the
latest events.
He said the congregation is at the service
of the local church. “We build mission cen-
ters, schools, dispensaries and social devel-
opment programs especially for those who
are really poor, marginalized and oppressed
which may also be a cause of possible kid-
napping,” he explained.
Pope names new bishop
of Eastern Samar
POPE Benedict XVI
has appointed Fa-
ther Crispin
Barrete-Varquez as
the new Bishop of
Borongan in Easter
Samar.
The new bishop-
elect will replace
Bishop-elect Crispin Barrete-
Bishop Leonardo
Medroso, who was
transferred to the
Varquez
Diocese of
Tagbilaran last year.
His appointment was released in the Vatican
high noon on Saturday, August 4. It was an-
nounced simultaneously in Manila, at 6 pm by
the charge d’affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature,
Msgr. Wojciech Zaluski.
The Philippines has been without a Papal nun-
cio since last month after Archbishop Fernando
Filoni was appointed as Assistant Secretary of
State in Vatican.
Varquez, 46, was born in Sevilla, Bohol. He
studied Philosophy at the Immaculate Heart
Seminary in Tagbilaran City and Theology at St
Augustine Major Seminary in Tagaytay City.
Pope / A6
• A7
KC names new director of
Catholic Information
Service
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
August 6-19, 2007
“We are not worried of the future, we are
going to do our job because our vocations
come from God and we know God is with us
and will protect all missionaries for every-
thing is going on according to His plans,” Fr.
Zanchi told CBCPNews.
“We are always on the side of the very
weak, we support them and we work with
them,” Fr. Zanchi said.
“Of course in other countries we face the
same risks,” Fr. Zanchi said. PIME mission-
aries are found in 18 countries, including In-
dia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong-SAR, Cambo-
dia, Thailand, Japan in Asia, and in the Ama-
zon, northern and southern Brazil, Mexico
and the United States. There are also PIME
missionaries in Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast,
Cameroon and quite recently in Algeria.
“Maybe God wants to say something to
our Institute, to our missionaries who serve
as witnesses of His love for the people,” Fr.
Zanchi said. He added, “Maybe God wants
us to change and do something to strengthen
and further improve our vocation.”
Fr. Giancarlo Bossi would meet Pope
Benedict XVI on Saturday, September 1 in
Loreto, Italy in time for a meeting with the
youth. “He will be given a chance to share
Villegas to head fight vs. gambling
GAMBLING promoters and op-
erators, be it legal or illegal, may
have to contend with a young and
bolder Catholic bishop.
Recently Lingayen-Dagupan
Archbishop Oscar Cruz has named
Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas to
replace him as head of the People’s
Crusade Against Gambling.
Cruz said the long-time aide
and protégé of the late Manila
Cardinal Rosales leads blessing of new Makati Church
MANILA Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales led the solemn
dedication of the newly con-
structed St. Alphonsus Mary de
Ligouri parish church on August
1, which was timed for the feast
of their titular saint.
Rosales was joined by Lipa
Archbishop Ramon V. Arguelles,
Bishops Camilo Gregorio of
Batanes, Franciso C. San Diego of
Pasig, Deogracias S. Iniguez of
Kalookan, Gabriel V. Reyes of
Antipolo and Mylo Hubert C.
Vergara of San Jose de Nueva
Ecija, Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Bernardino Cortes, Bishop-elect
B1
From litter to
better
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Vol. 11 No. 16 Php 20.00
By Melo Acuna
THE Media Office of the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
has initiated the formation of an ad-hoc
committee to address the influx of porno-
graphic materials featuring minors in per-
verted sex acts and lead effective advo-
cacy campaigns within the Church and the
media against the evils of child pornogra-
phy.
Sr. Pinky Barrientos, FSP of the CBCP
Media Office presided over the meeting
on June 30 that featured discussions on the
current nationwide situation.
Elected chair of the ad-hoc committee
was former Philippine Ambassador to the
Holy See and current PPCRV Chair
Henrietta T. De Villa. Dr. Zenaida Rotea,
MD, executive secretary of CBCP Office on
Women and Ernesto M. Burdeos, CBCP
Commission on the Laity’s executive sec-
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
retary, were elected vice presidents for
external and internal affairs, respectively.
Appointed secretary was Joseph S.,
Jesalva of CBCP Laiko and CBCPNews Edi-
tor and Veritas 846 broadcaster Melo
Acuña as research director.
Rev. Frs. Melvin P. Castro of the CBCP
Commission on Family and Life and
Conegundo Garganta of the CBCP Com-
mission on Youth and Tess Curia of the
his experience,” Fr. Zanchi said.
Asked whether his congregation paid
ransom to Fr. Bossi’s kidnappers, Fr.
Zanchi, now on his second six-year
term as PIME superior general,
said, “there as none. He said the
Italian authorities told him no
funds from their government
were paid.
“But we really don’t know the
political ‘insides’ for normally,
the Italian government says they
are ready to help build schools or
launch development projects but no
money goes straight to the kidnap-
pers,” he added.
“The Philippine and Italian govern-
ments deserve our official thanks for
the efforts for Fr. Bossi’s safe re-
lease,” the 65-year old PIME su-
perior general said. Fr.
© JP Acuña / CBCP Media
Zanchi served as PIME
Vicar General for six
years prior to his
election as Su-
perior Gen-
eral. (Melo
Acuña)
Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin is anyone. He is even more brave
worthy enough to run the anti- than me,” said Cruz.
gambling movement. Cruz has already tendered his
“I like him because he is very retirement to Pope Benedict XVI
straight, credible and has clear as archbishop of Lingayen-
stand to every issue,” he said. Dagupan.
But there’s more quality that He said he would formally turn
pushed Cruz to choose Villegas. over his seat as head of the
“And that is because he is coura- anti-gambling crusade the mo-
geous”. ment he is out of his position as
“He can’t be intimidated by Villegas / A6
Francisco de Leon of Antipolo, to the community, to the parish
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus council and the various commit-
Teodoro C. Bacani and 30 other tees who all spent their time, tal-
priests from various parishes. ent and treasure through various
The Archbishop of Manila ex- fund-raising activities.
pressed his appreciation to every- It was in 1965 when Msgr.
one responsible for the recon- Ferdinand Mempin thought of
struction of the church gutted by the establishment of the
fire on September 9, 2004. Fr. Magallanes community into a
Benito “Benny” B. Tuazon said he parish. Then Archbishop of Ma-
is thankful to all who shared in nila, His Eminence Rufino Car-
the construction of the church, dinal Santos approved the nam-
from the Roman Catholic Arch- ing of St. Alphonsus Mary de
bishop of Manila, His Eminence Ligouri as titular or patron saint.
Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales The first Mass was held at the
who immediately rushed to the church on August 2, 1969. (CBCP
fire scene and extended support News)
B8
CINEMA
Reviews
Bishops call for prayers
to avert drought
MANILA Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal
Rosales called on his flock to join him in re-
citing the Oratio Imperata (Obligatory Prayer)
to avert the ill effects of prolonged absence of
rain.
In a circular addressed to the Archdiocese
of Manila’s parish priests, shrine rectors, chap-
lains and school directors, Rosales said “it is
time for our rainy season and yet the rains
have not come.” He added people in authority
are saying a water/power crisis is in the off-
Bishops / A6
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Organiza-
tion also attended the organizational meet-
ing.
As no office has yet been tasked by the
CBCP Permanent Council to lead the cam-
paign against child pornography, the Me-
dia Office took the lead to call for a forma-
tion of an ad hoc committee that would
fight against the proliferation of porno-
graphic videos involving minors.
CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop
Angel N. Lagdameo will receive the first
report of the ad-hoc committee on August
9 in a meeting scheduled at 10 am. De Villa
said the advocacy against child pornogra-
phy will include the CBCP commissions,
Catholic schools and universities, and
mandated organizations.
Edu Manzano, OMB chair and legal coun-
sels Cyrus Paul Valenzuela and Resty
Meneses earlier sought the CBCP’s assis-
tance to lead the campaign against the pro-
liferation of child pornographic materials
in department stores and shopping malls
where flea markets abound.
Manzano said they are leading the cam-
paign against child pornography in their
personal capacities as private citizens.
They said they will file appropriate
charges against shopping mall owners,
managers and shop owners selling child
pornographic materials.
“Masses at
shopping mall ok,
but….” Cardinal
Rosales
ARCHBISHOP Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales said the Catholic Church has
begun to reach out to its faithful over
the years that is why Holy Masses are
now held in various shopping malls,
provided however, the organizers keep
the sanctity of the rites and correspond-
ing activities.
Speaking over Catholic-run Veritas
846, Archbishop Rosales said during the
pre-Vatican II days, Holy Mass was cel-
ebrated inside churches. “During the
1950s, church authorities allowed Eu-
charistic celebrations at various
schools, to get children to participate,”
Rosales said.
Rosales added Holy Masses were al-
lowed at agoras and large shopping
malls where most people converge on
Sundays.
“People from the provinces usually
drop by shopping malls and they are
given the opportunity to attend to their
Sunday obligations,” he further said.
He said while the Church has allowed
Eucharistic celebrations at shopping
malls, it should be held at the malls’
chapels or at decent places, even “in a
quiet corner” where people can actively
participate.
He further said Holy Masses are al-
lowed at various shopping malls pro-
vided permission is given by the par-
ish priest who exercises jurisdiction in
the area.
In a related development, Arch-
bishop Rosales said Holy Masses pro-
duced for television are for people who
are incapacitated, “the sick and the dis-
abled.”
He discouraged able-bodied persons
from just watching the Holy Mass aired
on Sundays at different television sta-
tions.
He further said Holy Masses should
be aired live on a specific day, as he
explained Sunday Masses should not
be recorded on any other day utilizing
the Sunday liturgy.
Speaking in Pilipino, Archbishop
Rosales said “Hindi maaari iyon at kung
ang Misa’y isinagawa sa araw ng Viernes,
dapat ang mga Pagbasa’y para sa araw din
ng Viernes.”
People who attend recorded Masses
should still attend Sunday Masses, the
Archbishop of Manila concluded.
(CBCP News)
 CBCP Monitor
A2 World News Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007

Pope recalls the Servant of Olympic torch for human

God, Paul VI and the Church
“in difficult years”
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, August 5, 2007—
Twenty nine years on from his death today
Benedict XVI recalled the figure of Paul VI,
which took place August 6th 1978, on the feast
of the transfiguration.
“The solemnity of the Transfiguration, said
the pontiff, remains linked to the memory of
my venerated predecessor, the Servant of God
Paul VI, who in 1978 here in Castel Gandolfo,
completed his earthly mission and was called
into the heavenly house of the Father. His
memory invites us to raise our eyes to Heaven
and to faithfully serve the Lord and the
Church, as he did in the difficult years of the
last century.”
In keeping with tradition Benedict XVI’s
Angelus address highlighted the Sunday
Gospel and liturgy. Today he sought to un-
rights to highlight Beijing
abuses
TAIPEI, Taiwan, August 3, 2007— The Taiwanese activists said
A group of human rights activ- they were particularly worried
ists from Taiwan have said they about the Tibetan question. The
intend to light an alternative Chinese government has in fact
Olympic torch to rival the Chi- announced that it “will tighten
eyes ‘on high’. Today’s feast too, of the dedi- nese one, which will serve to “to security in the region” through-
cation of the basilica of Saint Mary Major calls draw attention to China’s human out 2008 in view of “problems
on “the Virgin… to sustain us” so that “as we rights abuses”. linked to the increased tourist
bend the earth to our will we are not blinded The “human rights torch” will flux”.
by the short-sightedness of greed, but we be lit in Athens on 9 August, a The promoters of the alterna-
continue to strive for that which is good in day after the official one is lit, tive torch believe such statements
the eyes of good”. (Collect). exactly a year before the open- are simply paving the way for an
At the end of the Marian prayer, Benedict ing of the Games in Beijing. It even tighter stranglehold over
XVI also recalled a contemporary protago- will travel to 100 cities world- the population. (AsiaNews/
nist in dialogue between the Churches, the wide. Agencies)
Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist, who
died earlier this week. “At the solemn fu-
neral which took place Friday last in the ca-
thedral in Bucharest—added the pontiff—I
was represented by Cardinal Walter Kasper,
India: Catholics stunned
President of the Vatican Council for the pro-
motion of Christian Unity, with a special
delegation.
by nuns’ arrest

derline Christ’s warning “to guard against
all greed, for though one may be rich, every-
thing passes, everything can end suddenly”
and that “although wealth in itself is an accu-
mulation of goods, it must not be considered
as the absolute good”. “The real treasure for
which we Christians must tirelessly seek—
explained the Pope—lie in the things ‘from
above, there where Christ can be found at
the right hand of the Father’. Saint Paul in
his letter to the Colossians reminds us of this
today when he says that our life ‘is hidden
with Christ in God’ (3, 1-3)”.
The memory of Paul VI urges us to lift our
I warmly remember this noble Pastor who
loved his Church and gave a great and posi-
tive contribution to relations between Catho-
lics and Orthodox, constantly encouraging the
work of the International Mixed Commis-
sion for theological dialogue between the
Catholic and Orthodox Church.
A clear testament of his ecumenical com-
mitment were the two visits he made to my
venerable predecessor John Paul II and the
welcome which he in turn gave to the Bishop
of Rome during his historic pilgrimage to
Romania in 1999. ‘May his memory be eter-
nal’, that is how the Orthodox liturgy con-
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
NEW DELHI, India, August 1,
2007—The Catholic Church in
India has been stunned by the
arrest of two nuns in the east-
ern Orissa state on Saturday,
July 27.
The Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence of India (CBCI), in a state-
cludes the funeral rite of all of those who ment released on July 29, said
find eternal rest in the Lord. that Sister Mary and Sister Prema
Let us pray to God that he welcome our of the Congregation of St. Ann’s
Brother into the kingdom of light conceding had been arrested by police at 5
him rest and peace promised to the faithful am on Saturday and detained at
servants of the Gospel”. (AsiaNews) Mayurbhanj police station before
being shifted to Baripada.
“We are really shocked by
these arbitrary arrests,” Father
seph said the police seem to have
acted “at the behest of (Hindu)
fundamentalists who want to tar-
nish the image of the Church.”
The two nuns have been
booked on charges of “forcible
conversion” and “torturing stu-
dents” after two girl students
complained to Hindu fundamen-
talists that they had been “forced
to recite prayers” by the nuns.
The CBCI further pointed out
that memories of violence
against Christians are “still
fresh” in the region around
Baripada, where Australian
missionary Graham Stuart Stains

Priests arrested and put into solitary Babu Joseph, CBCI spokesman,
told CWN. He noted that the po-
lice who carried out the arrests
and his two young sons were
killed in 1999 by Hindu funda-
mentalists who set fire to a ve-

confinement: the government’s answer to had shifted the nuns to prevent

their release on bail. Father Jo-
hicle in which the three Chris-
tians were sleeping. (CWNews)

the Pope’s Letter Australian priest

ROME, August 2, 2007—At least
11 priests from the underground
church are being held under ar-
rest in various regions through-
out China. AsiaNews sources con-
firm that since last May their con-
ditions have worsened due to the
Pope’s Letter to China’s faithful.
In Hebei, Zhejiang and central
Mongolia, all of the activities of
the underground church not rec-
the arrest of several priests have
rendered their work impossible.
In the afternoon of July 24,
2007, in the Ximeng region of In-
ner Mongolia, three under-
ground priests from Xiwanzi,
Hebei were arrested by police.
They are Father Liang Aijun, 35
years old, Chong Li county, Fa-
ther Wang Zhong, 41 years old,
Gu Yuan county, and Father Gao
was arrested in Zhuolu county.
Local AsiaNews sources affirm
that this series of arrests is “a gov-
ernment answer to the Pope’s
Letter”. The sources note in fact a
hardening of both the police and
Patriotic Association which cor-
responds to the publishing of the
Letter, set for May 27, the feast of
Pentecost (then distributed on
June 30th).
Weeks before Pentecost the
police decreed solitary confine-
ment for several Hebei priests
who had been held in labour
camps, forbidding relatives to
visit them. According to the same
sources, there are 6 priests serv-
ing sentences of 3 years for ille-
gal religious activities. Until
May, last visits were permitted
and relatives brought them food
and clothing.
A clamp down has also been
registered in Zhejiang. Father
Jiang Sunian, Wenzhou diocese
chancellor, who had been prom-
to allow him travel on pilgrim-
age to Rome.
According to local priests, the
suspended over angry
violence against the under-
ground Church shows the Chi-
nese authorities contempt for
confrontation with teens
Benedict XVI’s courageous offer MELBOURNE, Australia, August The tape shows Msgr. Baron
of a hand of friendship. 1, 2007—Archbishop Denis Hart swearing at teenagers, and mak-
They also recall that in ’99 dur- has suspended the dean of the ing insulting sexual and ethnic
ing a period of dialogue between city’s cathedral after the cleric be- references, after they refused his
China and the Vatican on the pos- came embroiled in public contro- request to leave the cathedral
sibility of establishing diplomatic versy over an obscenity-laced ti- steps.
relations, there were also arrests rade at young people who were Appearing on Southern Cross
and a clamp down. skateboarding on the cathedral radio in Melbourne, Msgr. Baron
A secret Communist Party steps. apologized for his tirade, saying
document, dated August 17th Msgr. Geoffrey Baron stepped that “something snapped” when
1999, decreed that “whatever the down as dean of the cathedral af- he was taunted by the teenag-
future of Sino-Vatican relations ter a videotape of his confronta- ers.
be,” the underground Church had tion with skateboarders began to “I apologize to all who were
to be brought to obedience, attract attention on the internet. scandalized by my behavior,” he
through the re-education of the Although the incident occurred said— pointedly adding that he
Patriotic Association. The docu- last year, the priest’s outburst did not think he owed an apol-
ment stated that all those refus- became the center of attention ogy to the young people who
ing to be “re-educated would be when the videotape was posted were the original objects of his
denied the right to carry out their on the YouTube site. ire. (CWNews)
priestly activities”.
Those responsible for illegal or

ognized by the government have
been blocked. During the sum-
mer the priests dedicate their
time to youth meetings and
catechesis, but police controls and
Jinbao, 34 years old, Shang Yi
county. According to AsiaNews
sources the three were in
Mongolia on mission.
In Hebei, Fr. Cui Tai, 50 years,
ised early release due to ill health,
will have to remain in prison
until the end of his sentence that
is until the end of August 2007.
Fr. Jiang was arrested last August
for having falsified his passport
Bulgarian implicated in
subversive activities [such as cel-
ebrating mass in non registered
placed, or in homes; carrying out
processions without permission,
etc…] “will be severely dealt with
by authorities”. (AsiaNews) papal assassination bid
found dead
SOFIA, Bulgaria, August 1,
2007—Sergei Antonov, a Bulgar-
ian airline official who was ac-
cused of involvement in the plot
to kill Pope John Paul II was
found dead in his home on Sofia
this week, authorities report.
Bulgarian police said that
Antonov, who lived alone, had
been dead for two days before his
body was discovered. There was
no evidence of foul play, they
said. Antonov was 59 years old.
Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish
gunman who shot Pope John Paul
on May 13, 1981, identified
Antonov as one of several Bul-
garians who had assisted in the
assassination attempt.
At the time Antonov was work-
ing in Rome as a representative
of Bulgaria’s government-run air-
line. In 1986, an Italian court dis-
missed the charges against
Antonov and the other alleged co-
conspirators for lack of evidence.
After his release from prison
in Italy, Antonov returned to
Sofia, where he lived alone—re-
portedly suffering from declin-
ing emotional health in the years
before his death. (CWNews)

Text messages on cell

phones prepare Austrians
for papal visit
VIENNA, Austria, August 1,
2007—In anticipation of a Sep-
tember visit to Austria by Pope
Benedict XVI, Church officials in
Vienna have established a ser-
vice that delivers daily bulletins,
including quotes from the Pope,
by text messages to subscribers’
cell phones.
The German-language ser-
vice, available through the web
site established by organizers of
the papal trip, will include daily
meditations featuring excerpts
from Pope Benedict’s written
work and public talks. Organiz-
ers recommend the daily re-
minders as a means of helping
people to “think about God, the
Christian faith, human nature,
and the meaning of life” as they
look forward to the Pontiff’s
visit.
Pope Benedict will travel to
Austria on September 7-9, to join
in festivities marking the 850th
anniversary of the Marian shrine
at Mariazell. (CWNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007
Worst of sex-abuse litigation is over,
experts say, though scars left behind
HUNTINGTON, Ind., August 3,
2007—The storm is passing. In
mid-July, when the Archdiocese
of Los Angeles reached a $660
million settlement with more
than 500 victims of clergy sexual
abuse, it also brought to a close
the largest number of abuse cases
in one diocese still pending in
U.S. courts.
Attempts to lift the civil stat-
ute of limitations in other states,
allowing victims abused as long
ago as the 1930s to bring suit
against their diocese, have failed
everywhere but Delaware. That
means the tidal wave of clergy-
abuse allegations that followed
California’s temporary lifting of
its statute of limitations is not
likely to recur.
Throughout the United States,
the number of criminal allega-
tions against priests and religious
also continues to drop.
According to a report com-
piled by the Georgetown Univer-
sity-based Center for Research in
the Apostolate (CARA), both the
number of victims and allega-
tions has dropped each of the past
three years.
Of the 632 allegations made in
2006, 60 percent of the perpetra-
tors were named in previous al-
legations and 70 percent were ei-
ther dead, already removed from
ministry or had left the priest-
hood or religious life by the time
the allegation was reported. Ten
percent of the allegations were
proven unsubstantiated.
“The worst of the litigation is
over,” affirmed Judge Michael
Merz, chair of the independent
National Review Board, estab-
Chinese delegates visit Phils for Church gears up for
sustainable agri training
MANILA, August 6, 2007—In an
aim to administer sustainable
agricultural projects of the Asia
Partnership for Human Devel-
opment (APHD) in mainland
China, Caritas-Hong Kong sent
two Chinese delegates to the
Philippines for training on sus-
tainable agriculture.
Both from Xi’an Catholic So-
cial Service Center, Baoliang
Pang and Fengfeng Zhou at-
tended a 12-day exposure trip
and field training on sustain-
able agriculture under the CBCP
Episcopal Commission on So-
cial Action, Justice and Peace
(ECSA, JP or NASSA).
“Since NASSA was named the
lead agency of APHD’s Pan Asia
Program on Sustainable Agri-
culture and Farmer’s Rights
News Features
lished by the U.S. bishops in re-
sponse to the scandal. “And with
it, will go the polarizing public
attention that accompanies big
litigation and the attempts to gar-
ner press attention that make
people feel the matter is still red-
hot.”
Despite the loss of public scru-
tiny that will occur once the abuse
scandal moves off the front pages,
Merz thinks it highly unlikely that
anyone in the American Catholic
hierarchy will again be tempted
to hush up abuse allegations or
shuffle offenders from parish to
parish.
“$2 billion is a lesson that’s
hard not to learn,” said Merz, re-
ferring to the more than $2 bil-
lion paid out by U.S. dioceses in
settlement costs. “The people who
make the decisions have got the
message.”
Getting it right
Mary Gautier, a senior research
associate at CARA, also pointed
to the “stringent measures” put
in place by the bishops in the 2002
Dallas Charter for the Protection
of Children and Young People as
a significant check on the
problem’s re-emergence.
“Although the policies are vol-
untary, the dioceses have been
almost universal in implement-
ing them,” she said. “That’s abso-
lutely a check.”
Those policies include back-
ground checks on all church em-
ployees and volunteers who come
into contact with children, as well
as mandatory “safe-environment
training,” which help children
and adults both identify and re-
spond to improper behavior. The
rural congress
(SAFaR), Caritas HK deemed us
a suitable partner in this en-
deavor,” said Yuri Munsayac,
NASSA coordinator for Sustain-
able Agriculture Program.
After a day of visiting
NASSA’s learning laboratory
and demonstration farm in Brgy.
Natividad, Nueva Ecija, the two
delegates attended a week-long
exposure and training at
NASSA’s sustainable agriculture
training center in Butuan.
“Their training consisted of
two parts. After each technical
lecture, we exposed them to
hands-on training to help them
realize what they were taught
through practical application,”
Munsayac said.
Among the technologies the
delegates were taught include
The Holy Father’s Intention for August
VATICAN CITY, July 31, 2007—Pope Benedict
XVI’s general prayer intention for August is:
“That all those who are going through moments
of inner difficulty and trial may find in Christ
the light and support which leads them to dis-
new policies also include not al-
lowing offenders to remain in
ministry.
“There are just more eyes out
there now,” Gautier said. “We
have a new level of awareness.”
Merz also believes the screen-
ing process at the seminary level
for men who could likely exhibit
pedophilic behavior has im-
proved. He admits, however,
that there is still a great deal of
uncertainty over how to screen
out men who are not true
pedophiles, but who rather,
years after their ordination, com-
mit single acts of abuse against
minors.
“I’m much more skeptical
about the processes in place for
seminarians,” he said. “We’re
still not sure of how to screen
for all possible types of offend-
ers.”
Loss of faith
As the storm of litigation that
has consumed dioceses across
the country for the past five
years dies out, and as the church
in the United States moves ahead
with her plan for preventing fu-
ture storms, the question people
are beginning to ask is, “How
much damage lies in the storm’s
wake?”
Assessing that, said Merz, is an
almost impossible task.
“It’s like asking somebody at
the Council of Trent how much
damage was done by the Refor-
mation,” he said. “We won’t
know the real cost for years.” At
least in the short-term, however,
the cost appears to be far less
than some expected.
According to Dean Hoge, pro-
systems of rice intensification,
seedbed preparation and trans-
planting method of MASIPAG
(MAgsasaka at SIyentipiko Para
sa Ikauunlad ng Agham Pang-
AGrikultura) organic rice tech-
nology, organic foliar fertilizer
processing, organic
composting and processing,
and livestock production.
Although considered a vet-
eran in this kind of training,
Munsayac said it is the first
time for NASSA to accommo-
date its trainees in the country.
“In the past, we visit the
countries where we are as-
signed to conduct similar train-
ing. This time, the trainees
were the ones who came here
to undergo our training,” said
Munsayac.
cover authentic happiness.”
His mission intention is: “That the Church in
China may bear witness to ever greater inner co-
hesion and may manifest her effective and visible
communion with Peter’s Successor.” (VIS)
fessor of sociology at The Catho- ber of people who were “very” or
lic University of America, the “somewhat” satisfied with the
overwhelming majority of bishops’ leadership rebound from
Catholics have not experienced 57 percent in January 2003 to 74
the sex-abuse scandal as “a crisis percent by October 2005.
of the creed or a crisis of the faith.” Hoge also said there’s no re-
Rather, he said, they believe “the search that suggests any wide-
crisis is that this church isn’t be- spread morale problem among
ing managed as it should be.” priests, while The Official Catho-
“If there’s been a loss of faith, lic Directory shows that adult
it’s been a loss of faith in the conversions to the Catholic faith
church’s leadership. And that’s held steady throughout the cri-
leadership at the highest levels – sis, with between 140,000 and
the bishops, not the pastors,” he 150,000 people continuing to en-
noted. ter the church each year.
Victims’ scars One possible long-term effect
But even that effect is beginning that does concern Hoge is the
to wane, with a survey conducted scandal’s impact on young
by CARA showing that the num- people.
MANILA, August 6, 2007—The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) has
begun the process of in-depth
planning for the 2n d National
Rural Congress (NRC) set next
year.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo said the NRC
secretariat and the executive
committee frequently gather in
preparation for the major
event.
“Somehow this congress is
now on the planning stage and
soon it will be on the action
stage,” said Pabillo, bishop-in-
charge of the social services
and development ministry of
the Archdiocese of Manila.
Seeing the same rural prob-
lems of today as those ad-
dressed by the Church 40 years
ago, the CBCP signified a com-
© Yuri Munsayac, CBCP-NASSA
mitment to hold another NRC
in 2008.
“The rural congress is an im-
portant way for us to hear the
voice of the poor and empower
them,” said Pabillo.
“What the Church will do is
to listen to their voice and
bring them to action through
the stakeholders like the busi-
Nonetheless, Munsayac as- ness sector, government and
sessed the training to be fruitful
since the participants showed
signs of cooperation despite a
PIME head clarifies more
relative language barrier.
“We can further assess the
success of the training through
the delegates’ feedback mecha-
nism. Once they succeed in re-
echoing what they learned from
us to their communities and
issues on Fr. Bossi
they began producing the ex- MANILA, August 6, 2007—Fr.
pected outputs, the training we Gian Battista Zanchi, Superior-
conducted will prove itself to General of the Pontifical Insti-
be successful,” Munsayac said. tute for Foreign Missions said
But even before expecting he personally regrets the deaths
feedback from the Chinese del- and beheading of Filipino sol-
egates, Munsayac said another diers in Basilan province last
delegation from Korea is set to month, reportedly searching for
attend a similar exposure trip the 57-year old Italian mission-
and training tentatively this ary Giancarlo Bossi.
November. (Kris Bayos) He said he received a call
from the Italian government
and “informed me there’s no Fr.
Bossi in that area (Basilan).”
Speaking to CBCPNews, Fr.
Zanchi who arrived in Manila
late Saturday afternoon for a
consultation with 21 mission-
aries from his congregation,
added his informants reported
“Fr. Bossi was still around
Payao (in Zamboanga-Sibugay
province.”
He recounted a number of
times when Italian journalists
tried to connect the kidnapping
A3
“They’re not as committed to
the institutional church as older
Catholics, and they give their
trust much less automatically,” he
said. “The church’s leaders really
have to buy the younger
generation’s trust with their own
actions.”
And there is, of course, one ma-
jor piece of devastation that no-
body expects to go away anytime
soon – the scars left on the lives of
the victims of sexual abuse.
“There are still an awful lot of
people out there with a lot of
hurt,” said Merz. “That’s going
to be with us a very long while.”
(Emily Stimpson / Our Sunday
Visitor)
even the Church itself so that
we can have a real develop-
ment,” he also said.
The process of the program,
he said, would commence by
holding a consultation that will
start from the parish level
through the Basic Ecclesial Com-
munities (BECs), then to the di-
ocesan and national levels.
The said lower level consul-
tations would be done from
September to December this
year. The diocesan level discus-
sion meanwhile could be done
from January to March next
year.
“Many times the voice of the
poor is not being considered,”
he said. “So we want to hear
how they look and judge at
their own situation if it’s good
or not.”
Pabillo said it would be done
through the optic of the social
teachings of the Church and
using the “see, judge and act”
process.
From the evaluation, he said,
the process will go to assess-
ing of what they themselves as
poor people, the government,
and the Church can do for the
sake of the rural poor. ( Roy
Lagarde)
to the Abu Sayyaf and the MILF
but “we believe (the kidnap-
pers) were simply after
money.”
He further explained “this
was the information we got
from the secret police of Italy.”
He said Italian journalists
tried to “sensationalize” the
Bossi kidnapping and accuse
people in government of not
doing anything to rescue or se-
cure the safe release at the soon-
est time. “I had to issue a clear
statement as PIME Superior-
General politics had nothing to
do with the incident for it was
a simple case of kidnapping.”
“Philippine and Italian gov-
ernment representatives told
me not to worry because Fr.
Bossi’s not there (in Basilan),”
Fr. Zanchi said, now serving his
second six-year term as the
congregation’s Superior Gen-
eral. (Melo Acuña)

A4
EDITORIAL
Child Pornography
ALREADY in 1999 the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil-
ippines issued a pastoral letter on pornography, “Blessed are
the Pure of Heart!” It identified its fatal effects: it destroys the
essence of human sexuality, corrodes human relationships,
gravely undermines family life and the family, weakens the
moral fiber of society, and is highly contributory to sexual
crimes.
The bishops called on the government and various sectors of
society to stem the proliferation of this social malady, which
was proffered by big business on an estimated annual gross of
15 billion dollars. A year after the release of the pastoral letter,
the bishops established an internet facility that would filter
pornography from the internet.
By then the subject of pornography were mostly teenage
girls. And the prominent media were VHS tapes, the print and
the internet. Today pornography has grown into gigantic and
gruesome proportions. Its subjects are not only girls—but kin-
dergarten kids. And its medium is as ubiquitous as the DVDs
in Quiapo and the readily downloadable video format in broad-
band.
Yes, kids are portrayed not only in nudity but in various
sexual acts disgustingly performed with adults and, susmariosep,
with animals. Only people with deviant behavior would pa-
tronize this and, therefore, the circulation of child pornogra-
phy would be limited to the confines of sick minds.
Or so, one would think. But no less than the Optical Media
Board of the government estimates that, based on daily sales,
the circulation of child pornography counts to hundreds of
thousands in the country. If this were so, then it should be safe
to conclude that there are hundreds of thousand Filipinos who
are sexually deviants and mentally sick. Unless, of course,
watching on DVD a 4-year old kid forced to perform a sexual
act with a dog, that would put to shame even Sodom and
Gomorrah, has already been considered normal.
The influx of big investors, mostly coming from nearby Asian
countries, to bankroll the production and distribution of child
pornography is an indicator enough not only of how lucrative
the business is, but how widespread is child pornography in
the Philippines.
But while the extent of child pornography is alarming, alarm-
ing, too, is the extent of silence in society vis-à-vis this deep-
seated social problem. To date, no one hears yet of any orga-
nized effort from the government or civic groups that runs
after the cartel of porno producers and distributors.
The only reason one can think of is, there must be more
serious problems to attend to—more serious than child por-
nography. And hereon, we look with sympathy and pity at
Malacañang and Comelec, both houses of congress, graft and
corruption, Pagcor and Jueteng, extrajudicial killings and dis-
appearances, and a fervent prayer that nothing of the sort of
Sodom and Gomorrah befall on this country.
A Call for Propriety
WHILE is necessary in a democratic society, partisan politics
however is not always right. In the same way, the majority
political party can be actually wrong in the event that it merely
means numerical might—with utter disregard for propriety,
decency and respectability. This is not hard to understand un-
less those concerned are devoid of conscience or deprived of
right reason. This reality has now taken on a special relevance
when no less than the highest executive in a country has com-
mand over a veritable dynasty of a family tripod in the Legis-
lative Branch of the government.
This is not meant to question personal motives, neither to
doubt individual qualifications nor to attribute any deliberate
devious goal and pursuant moves to those thus concerned. This
submission is only intended to emphasize the truth that the
higher executive and legislative offices politicians have, the
more they should be beyond suspicion—which, sad to say,
appears to be exactly the opposite in this particular case. Rightly
or wrongly, the national leadership still wallows in public
disapproval, still remains in a negative satisfaction rating of
many Filipinos. True or false, the constituent members of the
dynasty tripod are not exactly exempted from the same ad-
verse public perception.
Without judging its merit or otherwise, there appears to be a
rather common and loud outcry against two recent acts by the
pro-administration majority in the lower House of Congress.
More specifically, this is about the attribution of no less than
two chairmanship of signal committees with very critical na-
tional concerns to no less as well than two members of the
dynastic tripod—with the third member having been given a
lesser Committee legislative assignment. More concretely, this
is about Committee leadership on the matter of energy and
natural resources which have direct pertinence to certain nebu-
lous agreements/contracts hurriedly entered into by the present
administration.
There is the much-doubted JPEPA. In addition, there is the
well-questioned BROADBAND contract. Furthermore, there is
the very disturbing RP-CHINA agreement on about a million
hectares of Philippine land for bio-fuel exploitation and other
objectives. Recently, there was the debatable IPP issue on ac-
count of the projected energy crisis. There are and there will
certainly be other sensitive legislative agenda in the country
about the always needed energy and its ever delicate natural
resources.
ISSN 1908-2940
CBCP Monitor
P r o ta g o n i s t of Tr u t h , Promoter of
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
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Opinion
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
In and Out of Season
(This is lifted from the Message of Archbishop Angel
N. Lagdameo on the occasion of the Archdiocesan
Youth Gathering held in St. Vincent Ferrer Semi-
nary in Jaro, Iloilo).
OF the three people whom Jesus raised from
the dead, two of them were young, the twelve
year old daughter of Jairus (Mk. 5) and the
teenager son of the widow of Naim (Lk. 7).
We can recall, of course, the conversation of
Jesus with the rich young man, and the latter’s
question “What must I do in order to inherit
eternal life?” (Mk. 10/17). From these we can
glean the positive attitude of Jesus about the
youth. Since 1985 we have been celebrating
the World Youth Days. Soon we will be cel-
ebrating it with Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney
on 2008.
I am happy to know that the apostolate
among the youth is taken up through the
Youth Encounters, Youth Camps, Jerusalem
Mass and Taize Prayer. And today we have
the fellowship of the graduates of Youth En-
counters. It means that something has been
going on in the Archdiocese. It means that
something is going on. And this can be the
“take off points” for future developments in
the area of youth apostolate.
I can do no better at this point in time than
to recall what the Second Plenary Council of
the Philippines has stated. “The greatest re-
source of the Church for evangelization, are
Reaction to Atty. Nasser
Marohomsalic’s Paper - “ARMM: An
Electoral Basket Case”
I READ Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic’s paper
on ARMM: An Electoral Basket Case last
night. It made vivid again for me my first
experience of seeing, hearing and touching
an election in ARMM, particularly the May
26 Lanao del Sur special elections in 13 of its
municipalities. I was literally shell shocked
for two weeks after that. All the atrocious
election anomalies, fraud and violence I have
read about were made flesh right there and
then before my seeing, hearing, touching.
Atty. Nasser’s indictment of ARMM as an
electoral basket case is even more subtle than
the perception of some Muslim religious
leaders that ARMM is the cheating capital of
elections in the Philippines.
I am here to celebrate PCID’s efforts for
giving a new name, a new image to elec-
tions in the Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao. I am also here to continue
PPCRV’s resolve of seeking ways and means
to turn around such indictment, to transform
such perception because of the friendship
Peace forged between PPCRV and 12 Bangsamoro
civil society groups facilitated by dear Amina
Rasul Bernardo, the valiant woman of the
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy.
We worked together these 12 Muslim
groups and PPCRV in the May 2007 elections
in ARMM. And I have come to know them,
Nasser and Salic Ibrahim who is here and
many other Muslims as authentic persons,
men and women of truth, of honor, of good-
ness. And it is not fair to them and many
Muslims of their kind, and it is not fair for
Islam and democracy that nothing serious is
really being done by those who have the
power and the duty to change things in the
elections in ARMM. It is the height of injus-
tice, sinful even, that government and its re-
lated agencies, particularly COMELEC, seem
Layout by Denz Dayao
to have surrendered their responsibility and
accountability to the evil forces when it
comes to enforcing the rule of law in the
ARMM elections. Worse, human rights – the
right to life, the sanctity of the ballot, respect
Recalling PCP-II on the
Youth
the young people of the Philippines. Those
below 25 years of age constitute more than
one half of our population. They are hungry
for Christ and his Word. They need to be evan-
gelized. Unfortunately we do not reach the
majority of our young by catechetical instruc-
tion or the Sunday liturgy. Christ must be
proclaimed to them as the Lord, the savior,
the teacher, the goal and the fulfillment of
their lives. He must be presented to them as
the Son of God who emptied himself and
came not to be served but to serve and to lay
down his life that we might have life in abun-
dance (Jn. 10/10). He must be seen as their
brother who shows the way to the Father and
challenges us all to love as he has loved—by
the power of the Holy Spirit” (PCP-II 650).
The young are the future of both the
Church and Society. They, too, are the recipi-
ents of Christ’s call “Follow me.” What does
it mean? It means that after you have encoun-
tered Christ, you must now turn to encoun-
ter others with Christ. You must become
evangelizers yourselves, especially among
your peers. Young, evangelizing the young.
It is hoped that the young in the parishes will
be involved in parish and transparochial
apostolate. It is hoped that the young will
also be given a place and a role in parish
pastoral councils (PCP-II 651). At this point
in time, can we expect that parish and
Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa
for human dignity – become negotiable,
highly negotiable to the highest bidder dur-
ing elections. But have these negotiations
brought development to the 6 provinces of
ARMM. Have these improved the lives of
the majority of Muslims there who continue
to be poor, to be marginalized, to be disen-
franchised?
I am so enthralled by the Summit on Ex-
trajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappear-
ances that Supreme Court Chief Justice
Reynato Puno convened last week. It gave
so much hope. And hope is so necessary if
we are to go on believing that we can do
something, that we must do something for
good to triumph over evil. And election fraud
is evil. Election violence is evil. Inspired by
the declarations of the Chief Justice, we can-
not sacrifice the dignity of the human per-
son, his/her right to life. his/her right to
vote freely on the altar of greed, graft and
corruption. We must not lose eye contact
with electoral fraud that generates and re-
generates cheating, stealing, killing. Their
recurrence, election after election, must not
anesthesize our indignation, our rage.
But the bottom line is not rage, not angry
words, nor vengeful acts. Violence can only
beget more violence. We must come to-
gether—Muslims, Christians, all people of
goodwill—to search for solutions.
With humility, and in the spirit of truth
and love, I submit to you 2 proposals – which
are also the advocacies of the Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting.
1. Education – founded on the permanent prin-
ciples of the dignity of the human person, the
common good, subsidiarity and solidarity
• the human person seen as the image of
God—the created being as the center and
summit of the created order, not something,
but someone… a social being who in order
to live and develop his or her potential must
relate with others. Absolute power resid-
ing only in one person or one family, ram-
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007
archdiocesan youth councils have been cre-
ated? If yes, we are on the tract. If not, why?
What shall we do?
I would like to recall the decree of PCP-II,
no. 51.1: “Every diocese should form, orga-
nize and mobilize the young in such a way
that they get creatively involved in the life
of the diocese/parish as evangelizers of their
fellow youth. A systematic and comprehen-
sive program must be designed for this pur-
pose.” And No. 52.3: “Parish youth programs
must give special attention to those in diffi-
cult situation, e.g., street children, migrants,
those in crisis.”
I trust that for his massive apostolate among
the youth, the force of a TEAM APPROACH
will be adapted for more effective diocesan
and parish apostolate among the young. Un-
der the title “New Methods” of Evangeliza-
tion, the PCP-II speaks of the “participative
approach” (195) and “team approach” to evan-
gelizing. “In the growing recognition of
charisms by individuals and groups, and in
the face of grave and complex problems in the
Church and in society, individuals and groups
must band together to achieve their goals…
Such a team approach demands the emergence
of a new type of leadership that will animate,
facilitate and coordinate apostolic team efforts,
activate charisms and maximize participation”
(PCP-II 198).
Faith and Fire
pant in ARMM, active and visible in every
election, is a violation of the dignity of each
person which is equal to that of any person
(be he Gov. Ampatuan, or Virgilio
Garcilliano, or Lintang Bedol) and to all per-
sons. A just society can become a reality
only when it is based on the transcendent
dignity of the human person. (cf Compen-
dium of the Social doctrine of the Church)
This is also true for any and all electoral
exercises. A principle that is a fundamental
tenet of democracy.
• the common good – indicates the sum total
of social, political, cultural conditions which
allow people, either as individuals or as
groups, to reach total human development,
fully and easily. A society that aims to be at
the service of the human person at every
level is a society that has the common good
– the good of all people and of the whole
person—as its primary focus, and the aim
of good governance, too. The common
good involves all members of society and
no one is exempt from contributing to its
attainment, according to each one’s abili-
ties and possibilities. (cf. The Compendium
of the Social Doctrine of the Church) The
common good is likewise the aim of elec-
tions and no one is exempt from the respon-
sibility of voting freely and wisely, and from
counting the votes accurately and hon-
estly.
• subsidiarity – the principle of subsidiarity
protects people from abuses by those in
the higher level of social authority, instead
it calls on these authorities to help indi-
viduals and intermediate or minority groups
to fulfill their duties – each individual or
group has always something original to
offer to the community and the common
good. A superior order must adopt the atti-
tude and means of helping, supporting and
promoting the efforts of those in the lower
order, and not destroy, alienate or subsume
them. (cf. The Compendium of the Social
Faith / A7
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Building Bridges—From
Pastoral Companion Waitangi to Mindanao
“BUILDING Bridges” was the theme of the
Third Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dia-
logue in Waitangi, New Zealand, on May 29-
31, 2007. Fifteen countries from Southeast
Asia and the Pacific sent delegates to this re-
gional meeting, led by the four co-sponsor-
ing countries of Indonesia, the Philippines,
Australia and New Zealand.
Delivering one of the opening addresses,
President Gloria M. Arroyo herself stated that
“the Philippines looked forward to creating
deeper interfaith ties within the region as
together we work towards building bridges
for a culture of peace.”
In their Plan of Action, the Waitangi del-
egates called for building bridges among re-
ligious leaders with governments, with civil
society groups, and within one’s own faith
community. The Waitangi Declaration also
called for interfaith education in public as
well as religious schools. It cited the key role
of media in deepening inter-cultural and in-
ter-religious understanding.
However, barely a week and a half after
the Waitangi Dialogue, on June 10th, Fr.
Giancarlo Bossi, PIME, an Italian missionary
priest, was kidnapped while on his way to
saying Sunday Mass in one of the village chap-
els of Payao, a coastal municipality of
Zamboanga Sibugay province in southwest-
ern Mindanao. Payao is one of the 19 par-
Promises, Promises
PRIOR to the midterm elections, we had an
overload of campaign promises from candi-
dates who sought national and local posi-
tions. Today, we simply have to remember
their campaign promises and check whether
they would deliver.
A number promised to lower electric
power rates, deliver basic government ser-
vices to the public with a guarantee every-
one could sleep soundly as they have all
vowed to keep law and order.
Many were surprised with the number of
names mentioned by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo during her State of the
Nation Address. To some it appeared a roll-
call of governors, senators and congressmen
closely allied with the administration. We’d
like to check whether these folks would suc-
ceed in getting people behind jueteng behind
bars. If these local officials would fail, they
do not deserve to be close with the adminis-
tration for they are simple NPAs, non-per-
forming assets, if you may.
Very recently, this writer left for
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Love Life
LAST year, a five-year old child died of den-
gue. At the foot of his coffin during the wake
was a half-filled plastic bottle of twenty-five
centavo coins. His mother, sobbing in grief,
explained that Jay-jay specified during his
last hours to make sure the bottle reached
the hands of his religion teacher as the coins
were for Jesus.
John Jewel Estrada or Jay-jay, first heard
about the Pondo ng Pinoy from his kindergar-
ten teacher at Hospicio de San Jose located
near the Ayala Bridge, Manila. His mother,
who would drop him every morning before
she would go to her office at the Budget
Commission near Malacañang, used to won-
der why Jay-jay would insist on getting the
small coins rather than paper money for his
“baon”. He was also very solicitous in pick-
ing up the coins that he would find and drop
them in an empty mineral water bottle.
He was quite upset one day when one of
his sisters attempted to get some of the coins
for her jeep fare and saw that act as “stealing
from the poor” even if his sister promised
she would repay it later.
The unborn filmfests
NOT since Ishmael Bernal’s Hinugot Sa Langit
(1985) and Bernard Nathanson’s Silent Scream
(1984) have Filipino viewers come across
films that belly out the subject of abortion.
It’s an issue left behind the scenes; obscured
just like life in the womb.
Now, stories of pregnancy crises and the
unborn are coming to life, even taking cen-
ter stage, in film festivals from Toronto to
Cannes to Cinemalaya. This trend, which is
still in gestation, needs our support and imi-
tation whenever we can have our own film
exhibitions.
Coming to select theatres is Mexican di-
rector Alejandro Monteverde’s Bella, a story
of a man who helps a woman bear her life
and her baby. The film won the 2006 Toronto
Film Festival People’s Choice Award, beat-
ing Babel and The Last King of Scotland .
The heart-warming movie, whose title
rings a bell on the comedy-drama La Vita E
Bella , opens up its theme on unplanned preg-
Opinion
ishes of the Prelature of Ipil.
As former bishop of the prelature in 1997-
2006, I knew well Fr. Bossi and his PIME
confreres who had been establishing several
parishes in the former Jesuit mission district
of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. Indeed,
Fr. Bossi constructed the first parish church
and convento of Payao as it split off from its
mother parish of Siay in 1987. With his car-
pentry skills, he undertook much of the
manual work himself. Later on, he would also
build the convento and enlarge the parish
church of Bayog. As a soft-spoken, hard-
working “gentle giant,” Fr. Bossi endeared
himself to the parishioners of Siay, Payao,
and Bayog, wherever he was assigned.
The Prelature of Ipil itself is no stranger to
kidnappings and outbreaks of violence. In
the mid-70’s, the district was a theatre of war
between Christian and Muslim paramilitary
groups, the Ilagas versus the Blackshirts and
the Barracudas. In 1985, its first bishop, Msgr.
Federico Escaler, S.J., was held hostage with
other traveling companions for several days.
In 1995, the town of Ipil itself was attacked
by the Abu Sayyaf and other rebels, with its
market place razed to the ground and more
than 60 people killed.
In the following years, two other priests
who had worked in the prelature were kid-
napped—Fr. Luciano Benedetti, PIME, a
Melo M. Acuña
Camarines Sur and Albay provinces for some
family matters. Yes, we dared to take the
Daang Maharlika and the famed Quirino High-
way to find out whether motorists’ com-
plaints were true.
There were on-going road constructions
in a number of sections from Sta. Elena in
Camarines Norte to Tagkawayan in Quezon
Province and the towns of Del Gallego,
Ragay and Lupi, all in Camarines Sur. The
road section from Camarines Sur-Quezon
boundary to Tagkawayan was as its worst.
Road signs which were supposed to have
been strategically placed a safe distance from
actual road construction sites were merely
“50 inches” instead of what the signage men-
tioned “50 meters.”
Now that Congressman Diosdado “Dato”
Arroyo represents the First District of
Camarines Sur, we’ve got to see whether he
would deliver what his predecessors failed
to bring to the impoverished district. Let’s
see whether he would make a difference.
Consider the fact his uncle, Rep. Ignacio Ar-
“Jay-jay: the 25
Centavo Angel”
He was looking forward to submitting the
bottle before Christmas vacation, his esti-
mate that the bottle would be full by then,
and it would be his best gift to Baby Jesus.
Christmas here on earth never came for Jay-
jay. The rainy season in October bringing
with it the Dengue fever epidemic made Jay-
jay one of the victims.
While in the hospital, Jay-jay asked his
mother to bring over the Pondo ng Pinoy bottle
as he said he would ask the nurses to drop
their coins too so it would fill up faster. His
mother and sisters would bring him coins
and listen to him whisper “Para kay Jesus” as
he dropped a coin in his precious bottle. Did
he have a feeling that his days were num-
bered?
Jay-jay’s mother, sisters and teacher were
interviewed during the Third Anniversary
of Pondo ng Pinoy last June 16 at the La Salle
Greenhills gym. Over three thousand par-
ticipants listened to the inspiring story of
Jay-jay and his bottle. I could see many wip-
ing their eyes, not in sorrow but in awe that
a five-year old boy could grasp the concept
Nicolo F. Bernardo
nancy and life’s surprises with the line, “If
you want to make God laugh, tell him your
plans.”
Mexican soap opera star Eduardo Verstegui
plays Jose, the Latino athlete-turned-chef who
meets Nina (Emmy Award Best Supporting
Actress Tammy Blanchard), the single, New
Yorker waitress who loses her job and gets
pregnant. Nina thinks abortion is better for
her and her baby, until she fell for Jose and
they discover their capacity to love in the
face of the unexpected.
Bella contrasts the family-oriented culture
of Latinos (much like Filipinos) with a fast-
track individualist lifestyle, and which of
these offers more of life and real happiness.
The true-to-life movie echoes debates in
Mexico as the country’s socialist leaders re-
cently voted for legal abortion vis-à-vis what
perhaps most Mexicans (and the North
American festival voters) really believe.
“I think the people want to see the best of
confrere of Fr. Bossi; and Fr. Rhoel Gallardo,
a Filipino Claretian, who was eventually
killed in captivity on the island of Basilan in
the Jubilee Year 2000.
Fr. Bossi was eventually released on July
19, after a 40-day ordeal and after losing 40
pounds. He returned briefly to Payao a week
later amidst a joyous celebration to thank his
parishioners for their fervent prayers for his
safety. Yet, Fr. Bossi’s safe return was not ex-
actly a happy ending. During the week be-
fore his release, 14 Philippine marines had
been killed in Basilan while on a search ex-
pedition to find him. Ten of the dead sol-
diers’ bodies were beheaded and mutilated.
With the build-up of military forces in Basilan
to go after the perpetrators, war clouds are
looming once more over Mindanao.
It is in this context that the Bishops-Ulama
Conference, Catholic universities and other
Civil Society peace advocates in Mindanao
have all called for moderation and a thor-
ough investigation before an escalation of
hostilities breaks out. Indeed, the practicable
alternative to a Basilan offensive is the re-
sumption of peace talks between the govern-
ment and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF).
Echoing the Waitangi Declaration, “build-
ing bridges for a culture of peace” starts here in
Mindanao—in the midst of a brewing war zone.
Issues and Concerns
royo is chair of the House Committee on
Natural Resources and his brother, Rep.
Mikey Arroyo is chair of the House Com-
mittee on Energy.
One leads to wonder what happened to
the billions of pesos generated from Road
Users Tax or RUT. Did it vanish into thin
air? Had the government spent the RUT
alright we could have had the best roads.
As the House of Representatives begins
its budget hearings, this corner is reminded
of retired General Dionisio Santiago’s sob
story as far as PDEA’s experience with the
Department of Budget and Management.
After a series of budget hearings and the 2007
General Appropriations Act has been signed
into law, General Santiago who heads PDEA
has to receive a single centavo for his intelli-
gence operations from DBM.
One may venture to ask whether the national
government still has cash for if indeed it awash
with cash, General Santiago’s plight would be
considered purely an “isolated case.”
What’s going on?
of the Pondo ng Pinoy Catechesis—the Theol-
ogy of the Crumbs and how each little good
deed could be symbolized by dropping a
twenty-five centavo coin every day.
In the words of His Eminence, Cardinal
Rosales, “Today, Jay-jay sits at the feet of
Christ, and is embraced by the arms of the
Savior he loved with all his innocent and
trusting soul. His memory lives on, though,
not only in his beloved mother’s heart, but
in the hearts of all those who see in Pondo ng
Pinoy the chance “to do small things with
great love”, and to change the world one
small loving step at a time. Jay-jay’s love
story—for it is indeed a story of love—in-
spires everyone to look upon the humble
containers bearing the Pondo ng Pinoy logo
as the Hand of God extended in abiding love
and unfailing mercy.”
His story caused Cardinal Rosales, the Fa-
ther of Pondo ng Pinoy, to declare joyfully, “We
have our first saint!” He asked us to commit
to our hearts the gentle words of innocent
faith: “Pupunuin ko ‘yan, para sa amin ni Jesus.”
I call Jay-jay our twenty-five centavo angel.
Lifeguard
the human condition…It’s a sign of the
times,” producer Leo Severino told report-
ers of the Toronto festival on why the movie
gained the most votes.
As for its 60th anniversary, the Cannes Film
Festival last May also carried to term a full-
length film on abortion with its long “har-
rowing” images of the aborted baby and the
abortion operation. Cannes awarded the top
prize, Palm d’Or, to 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2
Days (4 Luni, 3 Saptamini si 2 Zile) by Roma-
nian director Cristian Mungiu. The movie’s
graphical scenes, in a very artistic manner,
deliver a message on the mother’s loss, un-
censored and uncut.
There the pregnant Gabita, with her friend
Otilia, obtains an illegal abortion during the
communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu.
Viewers face the lingering image of the
aborted baby in the bathtub and the brutal
abortionist who demands sex for a pay.
Lifeguard / A7
A5
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
I’m From a ‘Suffer’
Region
I MISSED the President’s last State of the Nation Address
(SONA) not for lack of trying. Excuse me, Madam, but my
hands were full of other things immensely more important: I
had a Mass to celebrate and then an Anointing of the Sick too.
But I read of how she spoke again of the country’s Super
Regions and, more or less, made her audience tour them in
near dazzling and dizzying terms. In so many words she
sounded a powerful statement of the Philippines’ bid to
achieve a first world status that, in her mind’s eye, could be
done in two decades. Out of curiosity I scanned summaries of
the speech, knowing something could be said about my home
province, Eastern Samar. What I saw disappointed me. East-
ern Samar was classified with Surigao as a “surfing eden” in
which “airport aprons” were under construction, specifically
mentioning Governor Ben Evardone’s “pet project in Guiuan”.
I certainly hope nobody in government is taking credit for
the Guiuan airport which, while it may be being improved to
bring it closer to this century, was really part of a U.S. naval
base and dates back to World War II. I wondered if this one
tiny mention of Eastern Samar meant we were part of some
Super Region. That would be super untruth.
It certainly does not look nor feel that way from where I sit.
Realities are more humbling. In Eastern Samar, I admit, occa-
sionally we see people that may fit the description of “surfer”;
most of the time, though, our people would feel more con-
nection with the word “suffer”. First, there is still our grind-
ing poverty that still pushes a lot of our people to migrate to
Manila, nearby cities like Tacloban or Cebu and abroad. De-
spite our recent graduation from the “Club Twenty” of the
country’s depressed provinces (we have our governor’s word
for it), the people I meet in our barangays and towns speak
mostly of how more difficult it is today than in the recent past
to earn enough money to cope with the rising prices of gas,
food, medicine, education and other prime commodities.
Second, there is Eastern Samar’s “forward to the past” kind
of roads, some of which remind you of the moon rather than
the millennium. The “thousand lakes craters” still greet trav-
elers who occasionally get relief from recently asphalted ki-
lometer-long ‘interruptions’ (which are at times mute wit-
nesses to substandard engineering work, judging from their
brand-new cracks or craters). I once asked a balikbayan’s son
what his impression was of Eastern Samar. He gave me one
word: “Bumpy”.
Third, there is our constantly ‘unstable’ power supply. In a
globalized world this is one that keeps us powerlessly ‘local-
ized’. Internet services, cable television and even cell phone
services regularly feature ‘sudden deaths’ to our feeble at-
tempts at worldwide communications. The culprit is mainly
power outages that have become as regular as a ‘promdi’
suitor’s weekend visits.
Fourth, there is the scandal of our largely fertile but unpro-
ductive lands because, among other reasons, our farmers’ still
use antediluvian farming and marketing methods. Lack of
agricultural education may not be enough to explain it; there
is the Eastern Samar State University, originally an agricul-
tural school, and its affiliates, that supposedly provide that.
Something somewhere between negative local attitudes to
farming and local mis-governance could provide other in-
sights.
I could go on. But the exercise could be depressing, no pun
intended (“depressed province” we are no more, say our lo-
cal LGU representatives). The only more depressing thing in
Eastern Samar is to experience our realities, knowing some-
thing could be done but precious little is attempted beyond
broken promises. For instance, we priests who constitute the
Team Ministry in our parish regularly visit the barrios to
celebrate the Eucharist and form Basic Ecclesial Communi-
ties. It pains us to see how people in Bgys. Calico-an, San Jose,
San Gabriel, Siha, Calingatngan, Surok and San Mateo have
constantly suffered what the late Pope John Paul II once termed
in Sollicitudo Rei Socialis as “unacceptable delay” of basic ser-
vices, such as good roads. Daily they flirt with danger, travel-
ing along cratered and furrowed roads mostly by ‘tricyle’,
the ubiquitous ‘beast of burden’ in this part. Imagine people
negotiating steep climbs and sharp descents on dirt roads via
tricycles filled to capacity with people and cargoes, and you
will have an idea. After periods of hesitation, we decided to
do something. With the barangay folks enthusiastically be-
hind us, we have spearheaded a ‘petition letter’ project ad-
dressed to our local leaders: the Congressman, the Governor,
the City Mayor and the District Engineer of the DPWH.
In the letter we “express our common dismay over the
continuing sorry state of the roads connecting the Poblacion
with its barangays” and how barangay residents and persons
whose services they need “are unnecessarily challenged by
the risks to life and limb” simply by traveling “to and from
these areas”. The letter appeals: “Please attend to our road
problems and take every appropriate and immediate action”.
It also states the reasons behind the petition letter being ad-
dressed to them. “First, you are our leaders to whom we have
given our sacred trust in looking after our common welfare.
Secondly, it is very clear to all that good roads are among the
essential services of good governance. Thirdly, our life, health,
education, commerce and the chance to make progress in our
livelihood efforts depend, in an incomparable way, on good
roads. Finally, such good road services in Borongan and in
Eastern Samar have long been overdue. In a word, it is a case
of ‘justice delayed, justice denied’. It is time for justice to be
served.”
We have been surprised by the large number of signatories
to the letter from among the barangay residents and faith
communities. Sometimes I am asked why, as priests, do we
have to do this. I say that if Jesus always tried to ease other
people’s sufferings, then there must be nothing wrong with
spearheading a better-roads-for-the poor petition. The greater
surprise, of course, could be our addressees’ positive response.
Up until now the lack of it has been the status quo. So why not
lend us your voices?
Join us too in praying and hoping that the movement from
‘suffer’ to ‘super’ in our part of the region does not take an-
other millennium.
CBCPNews is an alternative news organization staffed by
Cathlolic journalists dedicated to providing accurate
news written from a distinctively Catholic perspective.
 CBCP Monitor
A6 Local News Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007

Bishop challenges: Find Burgos and

prove gov’t control of public security
A SENIOR Catholic bishop has ers about natural and self-sustain- government should exert all their cusation as they vowed to locate
called on the government anew ing agricultural techniques. efforts and exhaust all means in the missing peasant leader.

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

to find the abducted Jonas Burgos
to prove that it is still in control of
the public’s security.
“They should solve this case. It
is their responsibility to ensure
our safety. They owe it to the
people to prove that they are in
control of the public’s security,”
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias
The activists are generally free
in the country but several of them
fighting for human rights have
been abducted and some have
been killed in recent years.
Jonas, son of the late press free-
dom fighter Joe Burgos, went
missing in suspicious circum-
stances after he was accosted by
finding him,” said Iñiguez, who
heads the Public Affairs commit-
tee of the Catholic Bishops’ Con-
ference of the Philippines (CBCP).
The Burgos family has long
been searching for Jonas but his
whereabouts remains unknown.
Human rights organizations
and various militant groups ac-
Some members of the Intelli-
gence Services of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (Isafp)
have also been linked to the ab-
duction by a separate probe
group.
The Supreme Court has already
ordered the Court of Appeals to
conduct a hearing on the writ of

Nat’l artist joins call for Iñiguez said.

The militant, Jonas Burgos, was
working for a peasant’s organiza-
suspected military men inside a
mall in Quezon City.
Jonas has been missing since
cused the military of being re-
sponsible for Jonas’ disappear-
ance.
habeas corpus case filed against
the military hierarchy, including
President Arroyo as commander-

Balanginga bells’ return

tion and has been teaching farm- July 28 and “in these instances, the But the military denied the ac- in-chief. (Roy Lagarde)

A RESPECTED national artist

has added his voice to a rising
chorus of concerned faithful
calling for the return of the his-
torical Church bells of
Balangiga, Eastern Samar.
Napoleon Abueva, national
artist for Sculpture, said he is
saddened that not even one of
the bells has been returned to
the belfry of St. Lawrence church
due to celebrate its annual feast
on August 10.
The two bells were hauled off
to the United States as ‘war
booty” by returning American
Cavalry troops 106 years ago.
They are now displayed on a
granite monument near the
flagpole at the Warren Air
Force Base in Wyoming.
The bells were rung to signal
an attack by native bolo fight-
ers that almost wiped out a
company of US Marines during
the infamous “Balangiga Mas-
sacre” on September 28, 1901.
The massacre of American
soldiers at Balangiga was said
to be the worst single defeat of
the US Army during the Philip-
pine-American War at the turn
of the century.
Abueva, the sculptor and
builder of the Balangiga Monu-
ment, also called on US Ambas-
sador Kristie Kenney to lend
Teachers get training on teen sexuality
MORE than 30 teachers from all based teacher of an American-In- deviation from accepted norms. commissioning ceremony where
her “helping hand” in the re- over the country attended a two- dian School in New Mexico, were Pro-Life volunteer Neng the participants vowed to live the
turn of the bells. He added he day trainors’ training program briefed on pro-life values and Ranada discussed matters about pro-life values and take-on the
had to fabricate a cast bronze on inherent values and dignity anti-life issues they can echo in human sexuality, with special pro-life mission by actively par-
bell at the monument’s belfry. of human life sponsored by Pro- their respective localities. emphasis on teen sexuality. ticipating in nation building that
During former President Fi- Life Philippines at the Good At the onset of the training, Meanwhile, Pro-Life founder respects and cares for human life.
del Ramos’ term, the belfry of Shepherd Convent in Quezon Pro-Life official Ed Sorreta ori- Sr. Pilar Verzosa, RGS discussed The Teen Sexuality Training
the church was refurbished to City. ented the participants on the di- matters about fertility and other Seminar has been an annual ac-
welcome the return of the bells. Pastoral workers, parents and vine purpose and meaning of sex pro-life issues. tivity of Pro-Life for a number of
“Sad and strange as it may youth leaders, including a US- and the dire consequences of any Capping the seminar was a years. (CBCPNews)
seem, the animosity has fueled
some of the elderly Filipinos to
nurture the fact that the Fili-
pino-American war of 1898-
1901 has not really been brought
Edu seeks Church’s help in fight vs. child porn
OPTICAL Media Board chair Edu lets, especially in Metro Manila, pornography has long been a cru- ment operations, they always seize
to a final conclusion due to the Manzano asked the Catholic which according to Manzano is al- sade of the Church because it affects optical media products containing
missing bells,” he said. Church’s help in its fight against the ready a manifestation of a growing the youth’s core values. child pornography.
The encounter in 1901 spread of pornographic videos in- nationwide problem. “We support their fight against “We are outraged because these
claimed the lives of 50 Ameri- volving minors. Since the OMB does not cover the pornography and even anti-piracy materials depict children as young as
can soldiers and 28 Filipino Manzano has met with Catholic fight against pornography, campaign which is another issue,” three years old being sexually abused
freedom fighters. Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- Manzano underscored that it’s more he said. and recorded on film and later
It was followed by the deaths pines (CBCP) spokesman Msgr. of a personal crusade against porno- He said that the CBCP media of- peddled into the streets,” he said.
of thousands of Samareños, Pedro Quitorio on July 26 to discuss graphic materials containing chil- fice will be drafting a proposal to Manzano said there are even ma-
mostly civilians 10 years old the gravity of the problem in the dren forced in deplorable sexual acts. formalize the joint effort and its ad- terials where minors are forced bes-
and above, when the American country’s growth areas, specifically Both CBCP Media Director Msgr. vocacy strategies. tial acts which is a glaring example
military retaliated with a “kill- Metro Manila. Quitorio and OMB Chair Manzano Manzano said the OMB is a wit- of exploitation and abuse. “Yes, with
and-burn” policy imposed by The meeting stemmed from pre- agreed to work together and create ness not only to the rampant and animals,” Manzano said.
General Jacob Smith. vious reports of the proliferation of an ad hoc committee to curb the pre- “mortifying” child pornographic “Daily, we witness how children
This policy of hatred and re- hard-core sex videos and other per- vailing threat to minors and adults materials easily accessible to the are degraded and treated as objects
venge was aimed to reduce verted activities. alike through sex videos. general public. that can be used and abused by
Samar into a “howling wilder- Porn films are having more out- Quitorio said the fight against He said that in all their enforce- adults,” he concluded.(Roy Lagarde)
ness.” (Roy Lagarde)

More homes to rise in

EBF opposes anti-terror law
BARRA, Misamis Oriental¯The “the oppressive, barbaric and de- years in prison”. Further, Section will take by putting forward a very
Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) monic anti-terror law.” 19 allows the “allows arbitrary vague definition of terrorism. By so

Albay of Mindanao have joined Catholic

OVER a hundred families
will soon find newly built
homes in Daraga, Albay be-
fore the year ends as the
CBCP’s National Secretariat
for Social Action, Justice and
Peace began its housing
project in the Diocese of
Legazpi this first week of
August.
After recently inaugurat-
ing “Dusayan Village” in
Cabusao, a town within the
Prelature of Libmanan, Sis-
ter Rosanne Malillin, SPC,
NASSA Executive Secretary,
said she looks forward to
turning over these homes to
the beneficiaries before New
Year’s eve.
Duplex-type homes with a
total floor area of 60 square
meters will be constructed on
100 square meter lots allow-
ing provisions for potential
expansion projects and back-
yard farming.
From a total of 3,373
Albayano families in need of
permanent shelter after su-
per-typhoon “Reming” dev-
astated a big portion of the
Bishops of the country in opposing
against the Human Security Act of
Members of EBF include Iglesia
Filipina Independiente, United
Church of Christ in the Philippines,
detention of a suspect for more than
three days, house arrest even if not
upheld by a judge and a ban on all
doing, the State has usurped the func-
tions that rightfully belong to God.
By playing God, the State commits
2007-RA 9372 (HSA) on the politi- Episcopal Church in the Philippines kinds of movement”. the highest form of sacrilege.”
Bicol Region, only 1,157
cal and economic situation in of South East Mindanao Jurisdiction Mindanao has revolutionary The members of EBF strongly
families will be accommo-
Mindanao, southern Philippines. and many Protestant churches/ movements such as the Moro Is- called on lawmakers in the 14th
dated from donors’ and part-
“Mindanao is rich in natural re- mission stations. EBF echoed the lamic Liberation Front (MLF) that Congress to outrightly repeal Re-
ners’ pledges.
sources and is a potential for the concern of Catholic bishops regard- has long been in struggle for the public Act 9372 and the Supreme
The new housing project
interest of foreign investors on ing the law. emancipation of Muslim Filipinos Court to declare the same as un-
will be located at a 7.72-hect-
mining industries and plantation of After the semiannual assembly, the for a separate state. These groups constitutional.
are property, far from ram-
high value crops to feed profit-hun- Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the are currently in peace negotiations “As church people, we commit
paging floodwaters and la-
gry multi-nationals. Thus militari- Philippines (CBCP) early this month with the government. ourselves to educate, organize alli-
har flows at Barangay Gapo,
zation is rampant in the country- called for the revision of HSA. “In the guise of running after the ances and mobilize the faithful to
Daraga, Albay.
side and even the cities to give way The CBCP in a press conference so-called terrorists and bandit be vigilant and effectively exercise
The housing site was the
to what the government calls de- on July 9, earlier called on the gov- groups in Mindanao, we believe our moral, prophetic and social
Diocese of Legazpi’s coun-
velopment but in effect is an ag- ernment to revise a new anti-ter- that this law does not in any way be ministries,” said EBF statement.
terpart in the project. “It is
gression to the populace which re- rorism law which took effect on 15 a solution to the Mindanao prob- They shall initiate and build
located far from the foot of
sulted to extrajudicial killings and July, saying the unlimited powers lems but rather surely aggravates strong alliances with other faiths
the famed 8,462 meter
abductions of peasant leaders, mili- it confers upon the army “could the already rotten political and eco- and sectors which are also working
Mayon Volcano still with
tant leaders, media practitioners, in- become a cause of gross injustice.” nomic situation, the EBF said. for peace, justice and genuine de-
tons of volcanic debris at its
cluding church peoples,” said the Human rights groups have also The participants said the HSA is velopment responsive to the
slopes,” Sister Rosanne said.
42 participants bishops, priests, pas- condemned it saying it could in- based on the notion that “the State people’s aspiration, said Bishop
The funds to shoulder the
tors of the Regional Consolidation vade privacy, noting court-autho- must be held above all else. The Felixberto L. Calang of Iglesia
project came from special
- Education of the EBF, in a state- rized wiretapping of suspects. Hun- State must wield absolute power, Filipina Independiente.
operations appeal launched
ment, July 16-18. dreds of left-wing activists urged using everything to control the ter- “True to our vocation, we shall
among NASSA’s Caritas
They made this statement after a the law’s repeal at a protest, vow- ritory and population of a country. continue to offer our churches and
Country Partners through
close study and reflection on the ing to question its legality in the This law however not only violates facilities as sanctuaries to the af-
Caritas Internationalis— a
implications of the HSA, known as Supreme Court. the 1987 Constitution but suffers flicted and the struggling people.
confederation of 162 coun-
the Anti-Terror Law, on the politi- According to Section 3 of the text, from what is called a fatal contex- We shall also conduct fact finding
tries whose presence is felt
cal and economic scenario in “terrorist activities” are all those tual infirmity.” and mercy missions to the commu-
in more than 200 countries
Mindanao, which is predominantly actions “causing widespread and “With the HSA, the State has set nities and peoples affected by the
and territories worldwide.
a Muslim-populated region. extraordinary fear and panic” and itself up as the absolute power that said draconian law,” he added.
EASCON Builders,
The forum described the law as they may be punished by “up to 40 determines what course people’s lives (Santosh Digal)
NASSA’s partner since 2005
was commissioned to do the Patronage / A1 Bishops / A1
project. (Melo Acuña) One reason for the continuous prevalence of ing and explained relief will come from na- again.”
graft and corruption in the country, he said, is ture. “And so we implore the Master of all Batanes Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio said
because politically-connected officials were creation, God, our Father, at whose com- they have been praying for rain as crops have

Bro. Ely is missing given top seats in the government.

FEW days
after the re-
lease of
Italian mis-
sionary Fr
Giancarlo
Bossi, a for his safety.
seminarian
this time
has been reported missing
since July 23 in Tagaytay
City.
Bro. Eliseo “Ely” Cadivin,
34, a second year theology
student of the Divine Word
Seminary, was last seen at
Olivarez Plaza on July 23
wearing black shirt and car-
rying black bag.
Cadivin was due to claim
a “birthday gift” from his
brother in Manila at a West-
ern Union branch.
His last communication
was a text message to his
brother confirming that he
already got the money
worth P1, 500.
Since then, Cadivin van-
ished and what puzzled his
superiors more is that
they’ve been trying to call
“When there is an appointment, it should be
based on qualifications and not as favors or
mand the winds and the seas obey, to send
us rain,” Cardinal Rosales further said.
He called on his priests to include special
been severely affected.
Interviewed before the solemn dedication
of the newly constructed St. Alphonsus Mary
paybacks. What is happening now is that even intentions into the daily and Sunday Prayers de Ligouri parish at Magallanes Village last
him but his phone only unworthy people get appointed,” said Iñiguez of the Faithful of the Mass “to send the rain Wednesday, the prelate said no heavy rains
keeps ringing. who also heads the CBCP Public Affairs Com- we badly need especially in Luzon so that and typhoons have been felt in his diocese
As of press time, class- mittee. the damage to crops and other livelihood for the past five months. He said prayers
mates and his superiors had He said that although the two Arroyos in the and an impending power shortage may be would be most effective.
little clue where he may Congress may have qualifications to run two averted.” Boac Bishop Rey Evangelista said they
have gone as they also pray major committees, “it’s hard to dissociate their CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop An- have been praying for rain even during their
appointments from the hands of Malacañang”. gel N. Lagdameo said we are “surely pray- community’s Holy Hour. Irregular rainfall
Seminary prefect Fr. “Even if they’re qualified (Mikey and Iggy), ing for rain because our farmers have not has also been noticed in Marinduque.
Emmanuel Menguito said people might still think that they’ve been ap- planted yet.” Over in Bacolod, Bishop Vicente Navarra
there was now “real con- pointed because of the fact that they’re Ar- Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. said rains have been pouring in Negros Oc-
cern” for the seminarian, royos,” he said. Cruz prayed: “We are now suffering much. cidental for the past few days. Malolos
who had not been heard for There are three Arroyos in the House, We are now in big want. Our water is not Bishop Jose Oliveros said Bulakeño farmers
four days now. namely: Iggy, who represents Negros Occiden- enough. Our soil is thirsty. Our plants are have not felt the signs of drought or long
Menguito ruled out rob- tal; Mikey, who represents Pampanga; and drying. Through your Almighty providence, absence of rains yet.
bery as possible angle for presidential son Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, who your endless forgiveness and great love for Lipa Archbishop Ramon V. Arguelles said
his disappearance, saying represents Camarines Sur. us, please, we beg, send us rain from the they have not felt the effects of drought in
the amount was “too Administration critics have questioned the heavens. Let the clouds yield their waters to Batangas. “I will personally check with our
small”. appointment of the Arroyos accusing make our rivers full again, to make our farmers,” Archbishop Arguelles added.
The priest said they had Malacañang’s hand in it. (Roy Lagarde) plants grow again, to make our lives well (Melo Acuña)
kept in contact with the
seminarian’s family to moni- Villegas / A1 Pope / A1
tor any latest development. active member of the Catholic Bishops’ Con- He was ordained priest at the age of 28, eral of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. He was
He said the city officials ference of the Philippines (CBCP). and then did Postgraduate studies on Semi- serving in that position when he was ap-
and police authorities had Cruz, 73, has been the head of the said arch- nary Formation in Cebu City and on Fam- pointed as the new prelate of Borongan.
been informed about his diocese for 15 years. He heads both the ily Counseling in the Center for The Diocese of Borongan is served by 74
disappearance. Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng and Krusadang Family Ministry, at the Ateneo de Ma- diocesan and religious priests, in 29 par-
The SVD community al- Bayan Laban sa Sugal. nila University. He served as Formator in ishes, and by 58 religious sisters. It also
ready has set up an appeal Cruz also stressed the reason why he chose the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary has 131 seminarians studying in the
to the people of Tagaytay Villegas is because he wants their group to in Tagbilaran for four years and as Diocese, and 27 more studying in Palo,
for information in a bid to have a representation in the CBCP. Formator at St. Augustine Major Seminary and in Manila.
trace Cadivin’s steps. (Roy The prelate said he has already given in Tagaytay, for five years more. No date has been set for the consecra-
Lagarde) Villegas reading materials on jueteng and Varquez also became Vicar Forane of the tion of Varquez as bishop, or for his in-
other forms of gambling. (Roy Lagarde) St Joseph Vicariate, and then Vicar Gen- stallation in Borongan. (Roy Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007 Features A7
Itinerant catechists
spread out over U.S. to
announce the good news

© Craig Lassig/epa/Corbis
Hundreds gather in
prayer for victims
DENVER, USA, August 3, 2007—
Nearly 500 members of the
Neocatechumenal Way gathered
airplane tickets to 150 dioceses.
At their destination they were
to give whatever money they had
Rose Mary McLeod, who with her
husband, a seminarian and a
priest make up the itinerant team
of Minneapolis
in Denver July 5-20 for a bian-
nual national retreat called an
“itinerants’ convivence.”
But it wasn’t an average retreat
as the participants were sent out,
to the poor and depend solely on
God’s providence as they an-
nounced the good news to the
bishop, if he was available, and
to pastors.
responsible

rado.
for
Neocatechumenal Way in Colo-
the

“There is a (scriptural) mandate

two by two, to every U.S. state
for eight days with no money to
announce the good news of sal-
vation; 204 teams of two people
were sent with round-trip bus or
KC names new director of
They were also free to make
the announcement to lay Catho-
lics and non-Catholics. “It’s in the
Scriptures and everything in the
Scriptures applies to us,” said
from Jesus Christ,” McLeod con-
tinued, “to go without sandal,
without extra tunic, without
purse to announce the love of
God—the salvation that’s avail-
able for us.” (CNS)
bridge collapse
ST. PAUL, Minn., USA, August 2, 2007—Hun-
dreds gathered Aug. 2 at the Cathedral of St.
Paul in St. Paul and St. Olaf Church in Minne-
apolis to pray for victims of the Interstate 35W
bridge collapse in Minneapolis Aug. 1.
Coadjutor Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of
St. Paul-Minneapolis led the cathedral prayer
service, while Father Kevin McDonough, vicar
general, presided at a Mass at St. Olaf.
At the cathedral, Archbishop Nienstedt said
in his homily that God was not at fault for the
ters, you and I together and all the citizens of
these Twin Cities find ourselves today in the
depths of distress.”
He acknowledged the “quick and profes-
sional response of the city and state officials,
police officers and fire personnel, the (Ameri-
can) Red Cross and all those volunteers who
assisted those afflicted in this horrible experi-
ence.”
He said, “In moments of urgent need, it is a
consolation to know that there are those who

Catholic Information Service disaster. “That was the fault of human causes,”
he added. “Indeed, my dear brothers and sis-
are ready, willing and able to lend a helping
hand.” (CNS)

Father Juan-Diego Brunetta, OP
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Au-
gust 2, 2007—Dominican Father
Juan-Diego Brunetta has been ap-
pointed director of the Catholic
Information Service.
Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson announced July 9 that
Father Juan-Diego Brunetta, O.P.,
has been appointed director of
the Knights of Columbus Catho-
lic Information Service.
Father Brunetta, 41, was or-
dained in 2001, and holds a doc-
torate in canon law from The
Catholic University of America.
He also holds a bachelor’s degree
in biology from St. Joseph Uni-
versity in Philadelphia and a
master’s degree in religious stud-
ies from Providence College.
He succeeds Father Gabriel
O’Donnell, O.P., who became
Vice President and Academic
Dean at the Dominican House of
Studies in Washington, D.C. ear-
lier this year. Father O’Donnell
will remain the postulator for the
cause for sainthood of Father
Michael J. McGivney, the founder
of the Knights of Columbus.
“I’m very excited about work-
ing at CIS,” Father Brunetta said.
“It’s perfectly positioned to re-
spond to the late Holy Father
John Paul II’s invitation to engage
in a new evangelization. It’s a
special pleasure to build on the
work of Father O’Donnell, Father
John Farren and the other won-
derful priests who have headed
this program over the years.”
Father Brunetta is a Third De-
gree Knight, and for the past
three years has served as associ-
ate state chaplain of the Con-
necticut State Council. He also
served as chaplain to Catholic
University of America Council
9542 while he was completing his
doctoral studies at CUA. He is the
oldest of four brothers, and was
born in Vineland, N.J. His father
recently retired as chief of police
there, after 43 years in law en-
forcement.
Supreme Knight Anderson said
that “the Order is very fortunate
indeed to have Father Brunetta
join us as head of the Catholic In-
formation Service. He brings a
wealth of knowledge, faith and
enthusiasm to the program, and I
know that Knights and Catholics
generally will be much more able
to understand and to promote
their faith in the years to come
because of his efforts.”
Bossi not to be assigned in Payao
ITALIAN priest Giancarlo Bossi
would not be assigned again to his
parish San Pablo in Payao in
Zamboanga Sibugay, said his re-
gional superior on July 22.
Speaking exclusively to
CBCPNews Fr. Gianbattista
Sandalo, at the Mary Queen of
Apostles Parish in the Diocese of
Parañaque, south of Manila, said
Fr. Bossi will be working in
Mindanao, but certainly not in San
Pablo parish.
However, the final decision will
depend on Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi,
superior general of PIME (Pontifi-
cal Institute of Foreign Mission),
who is expected to arrive in Ma-
nila end of this month for a meet-
ing of the congregation, Fr.
Sandalo said.
Fr. Bossi will join him back to
Italy to meet Pope Benedict XVI,
family and relatives and possibly
the Prime Minister of Italy, and
address an Italian Youth gathering
in Loreto on August 1-2, which is
organized by the Italian bishops’
conference. Meanwhile, Fr Bossi
will also take some months rest in
Italy, Fr. Sandalo said.
When asked how long Fr. Bossi
will stay in his home country, Fr.
Sandalo said “couple of months”
after which Fr. Bossi will return to
Philippines.
Earlier Fr. Bossi said he is will-
ing to go back to his parish after he
returns from Italy, if his superiors
will allow him.
“It is up to Fr. Zanchi, superior
general, and the newly-elected
bishop Msgr. Julius Sullan Tonel
of Ipil, about my assignment,” Fr.
Bossi said.
However, he will visit his par-
ish on 26th July for a day, which
the parishioners and others are ea-
gerly awaiting for, before he flies
to Italy.
Fr. Bossi celebrated his first Mass
at Mary Queen of Apostles Parish
in the Diocese of Paranaque on
Sunday, after he was released on
July 19.
About 200 people attended the
church service. Bossi, a 57-year-old
missionary from Milan, thanked
those who had prayed and sup-
ported him during the 39-day or-
deal, including the Pope and 14 Ma-
rines who were killed in a clash with
rebels while searching for him.
He was seized July 10 and held
in the jungles along the borders of
southern Lanao del Norte and
Lanao del Sur by rogue members
of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front, a rebel group engaged in
peace talks with the government.
“I still feel like a prisoner,” he
jokingly told the congregation,
saying he has been overwhelmed
by the limelight and flurry of me-
dia interviews. (Santosh Digal)

Faith / A4
Doctrine of the Church) The
consequence of subsidiarity is
always participation, people
participation. Elections are al-
ways about people participa-
tion. An informed and respon-
sible people participation in the
casting, counting, canvassing
and transmission of votes. And
democracy is the participation
of the people, by the people and
for the people.
• solidarity – is a mindset, a reflex
of the heart, a proactive com-
mitment to unity for the com-
mon good, making man and
woman the object and the sub-
ject of equality, development,
and peace. It recognizes the
bond of interdependence be-
tween individuals and duly con-
stituted authority at every level.
It transforms this interdepen-
dence into relationships that
have ethical, social and politi-
cal implications. Solidarity
above all has its value as a
moral virtue, a moral force that
determines the order of
institutions.(cf. The Compen-
dium of the Social Doctrine of
the Church) The structures of
sin that dominate elections, that
are embedded in the electoral
culture must be overcome and
transformed into solidarity
structures for the speedy and
equal enforcement of the law,
for the equal and unequivocal
respect for human rights, for the
equal and consistent demoli-
tion of the 3 Gs—guns goons
gold, perpetuated through per-
versely controlled areas,
shameless political dynasties
and abominable election scala-
wags.
And education – political edu-
cation based on these principles:
the dignity of the human person,
the common good, subsidiarity
and solidarity should begin in
the family, integrated in the cur-
riculum beginning grade school,
and carried on to the secondary
and tertiary levels. PCID, and all
sectors together must push for
education which in the final
analysis can only be the lasting
solution to our flawed electoral
process in the ARMM and in our
nation as a whole.
2. Electoral Reforms
• the immediate and honest imple-
mentation of Republic Act 9369
otherwise known as An Act
Authorizing COMELEC to Use
An Automated Election Sys-
tem. I say immediate since it
takes time to get our voters fa-
miliar with using the computer
for voting, counting and can-
vassing votes. I say honest
since the first attempt to com-
puterize elections was marred
by questionable deals and
questionable operators.
• there are good people in the
COMELEC – we can attest to
this – but elections 2007 and
those before it call for a com-
plete and thorough houseclean-
ing by COMELEC of its rank
and file, so that only civil ser-
vants of integrity and compe-
tence in conducting elections,
not tainted by graft and corrup-
tion, nor perverse loyalty to
vested interests or political
groups, will serve in all its lev-
els – national, regional, provin-
cial, city and municipality
• for the President of the Philip-
pines to take the necessary ac-
tions, with courage and politi-
cal will, to restore public trust
in the elections and in the Com-
mission on Elections by ap-
pointing men and women of
true integrity and proven com-
petence as Chairman and Com-
missioners of COMELEC, since
come February 2008 there shall
be 4 vacancies in the Commis-
sion. And going a step further
in adherence to democracy, to
appoint a non-partisan multi-
sectoral committee that will ac-
cept and process nominations
for these 4 vacancies in
COMELEC and submit a short
list to the President. The activi-
ties and proceedings of said
committee must be open to pub-
lic scrutiny and for the feedback
desired.
Electoral Reforms could be an
immediate agenda for PCID.
PPCRV is ready to join hands
with you in this effort.
There is this wise man, an In-
dian philosopher who says sal-
vation can only happen through
love. But he claims love has 2 ori-
entations: one is salvation-ori-
ented love; the other is action-
oriented love. He illustrates it
with a story of the hermit who
practices austerities for a long
time in search of God or Krishna
and liberation. The other a devo-
tee who sings the name of God
and performs his praises all his
life. They both went, one at a
time, to Narda, a messenger of
God. The hermit asked Narda,
“Will you do me a favor, please
find out how long it will take me
to attain full liberation?” Narda
replied, “I checked your records
and it will take you three more
reincarnations to attain libera-
tion.” The hermit was furious,
“What, 3 more reincarnations and
I have been practicing austerities
all my life? That is unfair! That
is unjust of God!”
The devotee made the same
request to Narda. And Narda told
him, “I am sorry to tell you that
it will take you a hundred more
reincarnations to attain liberation
and go to Krishna’s abode.” The
devotee exclaimed, “Is that all?
Only a hundred more reincarna-
tions and I can go to Krishna and
be privileged to be with him and
to serve him? How wonderful to
have still so much time to praise
God and serve mankind!” At that
moment Krishna appeared, gave
him blessings, took him to his
abode, and he attained complete
liberation.
For the devotee, it did not mat-
ter where he was or how long it
will take him to praise God,
serve his fellowmen and attain
liberation. It only takes love.
God, Allah or by whatever other
name we call him, God is love.
Love the liberation of our elec-
tions… in ARMM or any other
place.
Asalamo Alaikom.
(This is a reaction paper presented at
the Islam and Democracy Media Forum
held at Club Filipino, San Juan City,
July 25, 2007)
Lifeguard / A5
During the movie’s press con-
ference, Mungiu cleared that his
film is not about the issue of
backstreet abortion or of “getting
caught,” but women taking time
to reconsider abortion’s conse-
quences and for governments to
be supportive of pregnant
women.
France seems to have re-
sponded well, granting a Na-
tional Education Prize govern-
ment funding for the film’s DVD
release, especially for school ex-
hibitions on the topic of teenage
pregnancy.
Meanwhile, the screening of
Still Life , an official selection to
the Cinemalaya film festival on
July 20 to 29, impressed a Cannes
juror, who wants the movie to
exhibit and compete in France.
This directorial debut of Katrina
Flores, head writer of Star
Cinema’s award-winning soap
opera Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay,
revolves on an artist’s resignation
from life until he meets a girl who
once attempted abortion.
James Masino (stage actor Ron
Capinding), suffers a paralyzing
disease that slowly disables him
from continuing his craft. He
goes into a private island rest
house where he can paint his last
masterpiece and end his life. But
James happens to share his “final
vacation” with the cheerful
young girl Emma (GMA-7’s
Glaiza de Castro). As James
opens up his anxieties, Emma in
turn reveals her broken past as a
pregnant teenager from a poor,
dysfunctional family. She tells
James how she eventually
learned to let life be; that life it-
self is not subject to choice as no
one can know of the real stakes—
the possibilities life may offer.
Instead, advises Emma, we
should labor conceiving mean-
ing in life as a painter does to his
empty canvass.
“I wish to offer hope with this
life-affirmative movie,” Flores
told this writer. “I thought of the
theme after I took a break from
work on where the film was shot
(Quezon). There I asked myself,
if the things that mean most to
me were to be lost, would life still
be worth living? And I realized
that with all our possible losses
there is still life, it endures for us
to always find a new reason, a
new passion.”
Cinemalaya likewise featured
Solita Garcia’s Tagapaglitas, a short
film on an abortionist who suf-
fers karma. The movie got the UP
Film Institute’s Best Thesis Award
for 2006-2007. Garcia’s assistant
director Mark de la Cruz also
made a similar short Garapon, a
split-screen installation about
“the insanity of choice,” which
bagged the first prize in experi-
mental category of the 2004 UP
Film and Video Festival.
These films, expecting nativity
in more film festivals and multi-
plications of their kind, are fi-
nally aborting a silence where
lives are at stake. The real pic-
ture from both sides of the de-
bate, from the light to the grim,
from the mother and the child,
rolls a strong ethic of life from
where we held our very first the-
ater seats—back to the womb.
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6-19, 2007

Caceres Launches Books

THE Holy Rosary Minor Semi-
nary and the Catechetical Center
of the Archdiocese of Caceres
launched on August 8 recently
published books by Archbishop
Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, DD, on
the topics of priesthood and Cat-
echism at the St. Vincent de Paul
Auditorium, Holy Rosary Minor
Seminary, Naga City.
The occasion coincided with
the celebration of the Feast of St.
Dominic of Guzman and the Thir-
tieth Episcopal Anniversary of
Archbishop Legaspi.
The two books are entitled
on Priesthood, Catechism
“HEART TO HEART – Journey-
ing with the Priests in Prayerful
reflection” and “PASSION FOR
CATECHESIS – A Collection of
Catechetical Talks and Articles”.
“HEART TO HEART” is about
the story of a journey of a Shep-
herd with his Sheep, an Arch-
bishop with his Priests. It is a
spiritual journey, a Retreat of the
Priests with their Archbishop.
Intended not only for the
priests to know how priestly
identity and ministry depend
much on a Christ-centered spiri-
tuality; the book is also proposed
for lay people to know how the
priests have to reflect, pray and
serve with their hearts truly com-
mitted to loving that overcome
human frailties.
Reading the book will not just
lead one to know what is priestly
identity and ministry, but will
also inspire the heart to love fur-
ther the gift of the ministerial
priesthood, which is lived in its
various human realities.
As a Shepherd, a Father, a
Brother, and a Friend in a local
Church with about two hundred
fifty ordained priests, Arch-
bishop Legaspi has brought the
light of love that continually
shines and makes the hearts of
his priests burn with zeal and
love for the Church.
“PASSION FOR CATECHESIS”
meanwhile, is a most fortunate
and revealing title for this col-
lection of articles and talks by
Archbishop Legaspi, which is di-
vided in three parts:
“Catechetical Documents,”
“Catechetical Tasks and Chal-
lenges,” and “Evangelization and
Catechesis. The book contains
what could be called the “in-
side story” of the
progress made
by the
catechetical minis-
try in the Philip-
pines in the past
thirty years. It offers
the key to understand
the “why” and “how”
certain changes and
improvements took
place.
In “Passion for
Catechesis” we find pre-
cious nuggets of HISTORY
of the catechetical
apostolate in the Philip-
pines, and the VISION that
has enlightened and system-
atized the catechetical land-
scape of our country with its
major challenges and poten-
tials. We find in it also some of
the splendid ATTAINMENTS
that have been the fruit of the ac-
tual carrying out of the plans in-
spired by that vision and con-
ceived in response to the national
catechetical situation. And all
these in the light of all-impor-
tant principles of
INCULTURATION and INTE-
GRATION enshrined in the
NCDP.
“Passion” is a unique blend
of theory and practice;
of planning
and imple-
mentation; of dreams
and fulfillment – three pairs that
have characterized the long and
fruitful years of Archbishop
Legaspi’s commitment to the
growth of catechesis in all its as-
pects.
Chairman of the Episcopal
Commission for Catechesis and
Catholic Education (ECCE) from
January 1975 to November 1987
and from December 1995 to No-
vember 2003, Archbishop
Legaspi’s “Passion for
Catechesis” has led him to real-
ize countless catechetical initia-
tives both in the local and na-
tional levels. Thus, this book
was made to give us a quick
look of what he has done
through the years. This is
why “Legaspi” has become
for many a new way of
spelling “catechesis.”
Archbishop Legaspi’s
various writings com-
municate, in one way or
another, his great love
for the Church and the
Priesthood, a love
that has moved his
heart to enlighten
all, especially the
priests entrusted to
his shepherding
care in Christ’s
grace.
His other publications include
“The Church We Love”, “Light
to All”, and “Ang Kaharian ng
Diyos, Katesismo sa Talinhaga”.
The books are published by
the University of Santo Tomas
Publishing House, España, Ma-
nila. (Lina Salazar, FSP)

HLI awards Atienza, Versoza

for Pro-Life Work
Former Mayor and Mrs. Lito Atienza with Sr. Pilar Versoza, RGS and Eileen Cosby, President of Filipino Family Fund during
the HLI anniversary banquet.
HUMAN Life International (HLI) cited former
Mayor of Manila, Lito Atienza and Sr. Pilar
Versoza, RGS, founder of Pro-Life Philippines,
with a “Pro-life Achievement Award” during the
35 th HLI Anniversary Banquet held at the Army
Navy Club in Arlington, Virginia, USA last July
7, 2007.
The first mayor ever to proclaim Manila as a
Pro-Life city, Atienza was cited by HLI for his
achievement in influencing the city employees to
implement pro-life programs. As mayor, he en-
forced an Executive Order banning all the City
Hospitals and Health centers in Manila from dis-
tributing contraceptives and abortifacients and
performing sterilizations.
Atienza has committed to be more involved in
Pro-Life Philippines activities, now that he has
retired from his fifteen years of service in the City
Hall—first as Vice-Mayor for six years and nine
years as Mayor. He is co-founder of BUHAY
Partylist which won over a million votes last May
elections and will sit three congressmen this term.
Meanwhile, Versoza was cited for founding Pro-
life Philippines 32 years ago. When abortion was
legalized in the USA in 1973, Fr. Paul Marx, OSB,
founder of HLI; traveled all over the world and
gave talks on the devastating effects of the Cul-
ture of Death.
Versoza attended one of Marx’s lectures during
his visit to the Philippines in 1974. It was instru-
mental in the founding of Pro-Life Philippines.
Versoza requested Marx for copies of the films on
abortion and whatever materials he had. Since
then, HLI has generously sustained and donated
pro-life videos, brochures, books, posters and
MANILA Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales signs the Deed of Donation of the lot donated by the Augustinian
Recollect Sisters to the CBCP-Commission on Clergy, June 5, 2007 as Rev. Mo. Maxima Pelaez, AR, Superior General and
two witnesses look on. The lot was used for the construction of John Mary Vianney Development and Retreat Center for
Priests to be blessed on August 15, 2007.
Markings
CELEBRATED. RT. REV. MSGR. APPOINTED. FATHER
VICENTE F. HILATA, P.A. Vicar CRISPIN BARRETE-
General, 40th sacerdotal anni- VARQUEZ , as the new
versary; June 3, 2007. Born in Bishop of the Diocese of
Cuartero, Capiz on January 16, Borongan by Pope
1943, Msgr. Hilata studied at St. Benedict XVI, August 4,
Pius X Seminary (Capiz) and St. 2007. A native of Sevilla,
Vincent Ferrer Seminary (Jaro). Bohol, Fr Varquez was or-
He continued his theological dained a priest at age of 28.
studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmit sburg, He took Philosophy at the
Maryland, U.S.A. He was ordained to the priesthood Immaculate Heart Seminary
in Maryland on June 3, 1967. Among his previous as- in Tagbilaran City and Theology at St. Augustine Ma-
signments were: Professor, St. Pius X Seminary, Roxas jor Seminary in Tagayt ay City. The bishop-elect is
City; Asst. Parish Priest, St. Thomas Villanova Parish, currently the Vicar General of the Diocese of
Dao, Capiz; Parish Priest, St. Monica Parish, Panay, Tagbilaran upon his appointment. He will replace
Capiz; Parish Priest, Mt. Carmel Parish, Roxas City; Bishop Leonardo Medroso who was transferred to
and Rector of Immaculate Conception, Metropolitan the Diocese of Tagbilaran late last year. Borongan
Cathedral, Roxas City. He is the Vicar General of the diocese is currently served by 74 diocesan and reli-
Archdiocese of Capiz being appointed in that position gious priests, in 29 parishes, and by 58 Religious
in July, 1988. He also received the high honor of Proto- Sisters.
training manuals to Versoza. Not ary Apostolic Supra Numerum. Presently he is as-
signed as College Rector of Colegio de la Purisima DEDICATED. ST.
Rev. Fr.Tom Eutenueur, President of HLI, gave Concepcion , Roxas City. ALPHONSUS
Atienza and Versoza the Plaque of Achievement MARY DE
to bring back to the Philippines. CELEBRATED. DOMINICAN SIS- L I G U O R I
Atienza challenged the audience, mostly Donors TERS OF SIENNA, 311th foundation C H U R C H ,
anniversary, July 26, 2007. In 1695, Magallanes Vil-
of HLI; to continue doing pro-life work as this is Doña Antonia Esguerra, a devout lage, Makati City,
the right thing to do. woman; started a house of retreat August 1, 2007.
Versoza expressed her sincerest gratitude to HLI for women who wanted to devote Manila Archbishop
for their generosity to Pro-life Philippines, with- their life to God’ s service. Fr. Juan Gaudencio B. Car-
de Sto. Domingo, then Dominican Provincial, formally dinal Rosales, D.D.
out which, Pro-Life we would not have been able launched the foundation and on July 26, 1696 estab- led the solemn dedication in a three-hour rite
to sustain its mission through the years. lished its rules and gave for its patron, St. Catherine of concelebrated by nine other bishops and over 30
Atienza and Versoza also spoke to several Fil- Sienna. The Dominican Sisters started with 15 choir priests. A fire believed to have been caused by faulty
American groups in Washington, DC area. Both nuns, in honor of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. wiring razed the 34-year old structure in 2004. Arch-
Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo became its first bishop Rosales led the groundbreaking ceremonies
encouraged the groups to join their local pro-life prioress. She died on August 24, 1711. From a house for the reconstruction of the church a year after the
organizations, and support the pro-life/pro-fam- of retreat, the Dominican Sisters of Sienna developed fire. The Magallanes community was established as
ily groups in the Philippines by lobbying the US into an educational institution offering excellent edu- a parish in 1965 with St. Alphonsus de Liguori as
Congress to stop sending funds for population con- cation. The congregation has now extended its ser- patron saint through the initiative of Msgr. Ferdinand
vices beyond the country’s borders, responding to Mempin. The first mass was held at the church on
trol, contraceptives and abortifacients.
the various needs of humanity; fulfilling the goals and August 2, 1969. Fr. Benny Tuazon currently serves
Versoza also met with the Redeemed for Life vision for which it was established. as parish priest.
group in Texas, a ministry for post-aborted
women. She was invited to sit in the Board of Di-
rectors of Women for Life International, a lobby
group to reverse the legalization of abortion in
the US. They plan to submit over 6,000 testimo-
nies of women who regret their abortion, reveal-
ing the devastating effect of their wrong decision
SASMA to celebrate alumni
because abortion has been too easy to obtain.
Pro-life bills to be filed in Congress will hope-
fully ban the sale and distribution of abortifacient
pills and devices. Pro-Life groups also want that
homecoming
the conscience and freedom of religion and moral SAINT Augustine Major Semi- Dumaguete, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Atty. Alexander Lacson, author
beliefs of health workers be respected, not force nary (SASMA) will hold its Cebu, Butuan, Zamboanga and of the best-selling book, “10 Little
them to distribute contraceptives and do ligations, Alumni Homecoming on August other places. Things Every Filipino Can Do To
and to stop contraceptive-promoting type of sex 27-29, 2007 at its seminary In its almost four decades of ex- Help Our Country” will speak be-
education in schools. (Jenin de los Reyes) grounds located along SVD Road istence, SASMA has formed men fore the alumni members. He will
in Tagaytay City. whose desire is to imbibe the share his insights on how those
With the theme “SASMA @ 38: spirit of mutual charity and com- in the ministry can help form
Celebrating Life and Commun- munion which Saint Augustine other Filipinos in building this
ion” the biennial homecoming proposes. country.
and fellowship hopes to gather Three SASMA alumni-priests Fr. Ed Panlilio, a SASMA alum-
all “SASMAtics” in the spirit of have been ordained bishops— nus, and now governor of
communion and camaraderie— Most Rev. John F. Du, D.D. Pampanga, also confirmed his at-
both those who were ordained (Bishop of Dumaguete), Most tendance. He will share his
to the priestly ministry and those Rev. Buenaventura M. Famadico, thoughts and experiences as a
who chose other callings in life. D.D. (Bishop of Gumaca), and newly-elected public servant.
SASMA has been in existence Most Rev. Oscar Solis, D.D. (Aux- It is in this spirit that SASMA
for the past thirty eight years. Es- iliary Bishop of Los Angeles, calls once again its alumni to join
tablished in 1969, the seminary California). Other SASMA alumni the homecoming. For more in-
was conceived to become a house are now working in various ca- formation, please contact the
of formation for future priests of pacities as seminary formators, SASMA Alumni Office through
Mindoro island. However, it has diocesan curia personnel and par- the following address and num-
opened its doors to seminarians ish priests, among others. bers: SASMA Alumni Associa-
from other dioceses as a service SASMA Alumni Board Presi- tion, c/o St. Augustine Major
to various local Churches in the dent Fr. Joel Francis Victorino Seminary, SVD Road 4120
Philippines. and seminary rector, Fr. Carlos Tagaytay City; telephone num-
There are SASMA alumni- Paglicawan are paving the way bers (046) 413-1308 / 413-1319;
priests serving in the dioceses of for the alumni homecoming. mobile phone number 0916-
Bangued (Abra), San Fernando Program of activities are being 7916355; email address:
(Pampanga), Malolos, prepared for the gathering which sasma_alumni@yahoo.com.ph.
Cabanatuan, Manila, Antipolo, will include moments of prayer, (Fr. Joel Francis Victorino)
Imus, Palo (Leyte), Romblon, sharing, games and a conference.
 CBCP
Vol. 11 No. 16
Monitor
August 6 - 19, 2007
B2 Updates
Ordinary and Extraordinary
Forms of the Missale
Romanum
B4 Commissions
Today’s Youth Offer Real
Promise of Tomorrow
RCAM’s KABALIKASAN
From litter to better
Text and Photos By Kris Bayos
FOR people born and raised at
the measly dumpsites of the me-
tropolis, waste picking is the
lone career left for them to earn
a living. But despite this ill-fated
reality, a significant few still
thinks otherwise.
Aside from the dangers it can
cause to health, Danilo Estinor
said waste picking in the
dumpsites is a lot more risky.
“Hindi kami nakakasigurado sa
mga natatapakan namin, lalo na
kapag gumuho yung gabundok na
basura. Baka mabaon kami nang
buhay (We are not sure of the
trash we are stepping at, espe-
cially when mass of trash col-
lapse. We might soon find our-
selves buried alive among the
garbage),” said Estinor, a 40-
year-old waste picker from the
infamous Smokey Mountain of
Tondo, Manila.
But because waste picking is
the only trade his family knows,
Estinor said they cannot help but
endure the consequence—not
until the Ecology Desk of the
Archdiocese of Manila orga-
nized them to deviate from the
usual trade of waste picking.
Thanks to RCAM
After a series of training and
values formation under the
Archdiocese of Manila’s (RCAM)
Ecology Desk, 21 waste pickers
from Smokey Mountain, includ-
ing Estinor, and nine other resi-
dents living along the Philip-
pine National Railways formed
a cooperative of waste pickers
called Samahan ng mga Kabalikat
ni Inang Kalikasan sa Kabuhayan at
Matatag na Kinabukasan or
KABALIKASAN.
According to Lou Arsenio,
RCAM’s Ecology Desk Coordi-
nator; their programs are not
only limited to public education
through formal training, semi-
nars and advocacy.
“Here at the Ecology Desk, we
take into consideration the situ-
ation of the scavengers who re-
main to be victims of exploita-
tion of junkshop operators and
other syndicates earning from
the trades in the dumpsites. That
is why we helped them form
this organization to further train
them on resource recovery and
assist them in recovering their
dignity as human beings,” said
Arsenio.
In 2005, the group started to
sort out trash from Catholic
schools and institutions around
Manila. Their generous partners
Pastoral Concerns
include the De La Salle-College
of Saint Benilde, St. Scholastica’s
Academy, Asilo de San Vicente,
Concordia College and San
Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe.
“Nanghihingi kami ng mga
basura sa mga schools para ma-seg-
regate. Kapag nabenta na namin
yung mga kalakal, binibigyan namin
sila ng kalahati ng kinita namin (We
outsource schools to lend us
their garbage
for segrega-
tion. In return,
we pay them
half of our
earnings from
selling recy-
clable materi-
als),” said
Anita Ansale,
KABALIKASAN’s
treasurer.
The income
generated
from trading
the recyclable
finds constitutes the
cooperative’s income. Everyone
in the group gets the same al-
lowance provided they render
work on their specific duty
hours.
“Mayroon sa aming nagtatrabaho
sa umaga at sa gabi. Kailangan
talagang magtrabaho kami ng maigi
para kumita kami ng marangal (We
have people who work at day
and at night. We have to double
our work for us to earn
enough),” said Estinor, the
cooperative’s incumbent presi-
dent.
But since collection, segrega-
tion and transportation of gar-
bage takes a lot of effort and ex-
penses, Arsenio applied for a fi-
nancial grant from RCAM’s
Pondo ng Pinoy.
In 2006, the organization was
finally awarded the financial
grant, from which they con-
structed a tambakan from a spare
lot just beside the Ecology Desk
greenhouse at the Caritas Manila
compound in Pandacan. It is
where they tempo-
rarily unload all
trash collected and
segregate them ac-
cording to use before
dispatch.
The remainder of
the grant, meanwhile,
was used to other dis-
tinct yet parallel ven-
ture: retail of recycled
merchandizes.
ABOVE: A member of the
KABALIKASAN segregates
trash collected from a
school in Manila.
LEFT: Another member
sews throw pillow cases
where pulverized plastic
will be stuffed as cushion.
BELOW: Affordable herbal
soaps also made by the
members.
Aside from filling cushions for
throw pillows, pulverized plas-
tic wrappers are even used as an
additional ingredient in concrete
hollow blocks.
“Mas matibay ang may kasamang
plastic kung ikukumpara sa
ordinaryong hollow blocks na
madaling mabasag. Mas makakamura
din dahil nababawasan ang dami ng
ginagamit na buhangin (Concrete
hollow blocks with pulverized
plastic contents are a lot more
durable compared to the ordi-
nary ones that tend to be brittle.
These are even cheaper since the
production requires a lesser
amount of sand),” Estinor said.
Meanwhile, the wives of the
waste pickers venture into
herbal soap and ointment mak-
ing.
Made purely from leaves of
bayabas, acapulco, calamansi,
labanos, and carrots, these herbal
soaps only cost P20 to P30 pesos
in retail. The acapulco ointment
is only priced at P20.
Aside from the sale of
recyclables, these ventures add
income to the organization—
making possible for each mem-
ber to earn a daily allowance of
P150.
“Mabuti nang may aasahan
kaming kikitain kahit ganito lang
trabaho namin (It’s better this way.
At least, we can expect regular
income from this job),” said
Ansale.
But according to Estinor, there
is more to earning decently that
was learned in the cooperative.
Values formation
“Natuto kami dito na maging
disiplinado (We learned how to
discipline ourselves),” Estinor
said.
Being managed directly under
the Ecology Desk, the members
of the cooperative are regularly
convened for religious forma-
tion.
“Nasasanay na kaming magsimba
dahil sa formation namin. Natuto
na rin kaming umiwas sa bisyo para
makapagtrabaho (We now attend
mass regularly because of our
formation. We likewise learned
to avoid indulging in vices to
concentrate more on work),”
Estinor said.
Meanwhile, Bro. Fernan
Mendoza from the Little Broth-
ers of Jesus congregation said the
members are gradually becom-
ing receptive to the goals of for-
mation he conducts among them.
“Iba’t iba talaga ang ugali ng
bawat isa pero nakikita kong
nagbabago naman sila at mas higit na
nakikibahagi sa mga prayer meet-
ing (They have different charac-
ters but I can see their gradual
change and participation in our
prayer meetings),” said
Mendoza.
Arsenio likewise said values
integration indeed played a vi-
tal part in the organization’s suc-
cess.
“They have to prove their
worth for the all the help and
trust the Archdiocese of Manila
gave them. They have to be men
with values, otherwise they
won’t succeed,” Arsenio said.
B1
B8 Entertainment
Ratatouille
7QUESTIONS
Bishop
Antonieto D.
Cabajog, DD
MOST Rev. Antonieto D. Cabajog was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of
Cebu on March 16, 1999. He was appointed 4th Bishop of Surigao on
April 21, 2001 and was installed on July 24, the same year. In this
issue of CBCP Monitor, Bishop Cabajog talks about empowerment of
basic ecclesial communities, the laity’s greater participation in the life
of the Church, the integration of family life in the BEC program, the
quality of vocations entering the seminary, the social concerns agenda
of the diocese and participation in politics as part of the prophetic role of
the Church.
How is the BEC program in your diocese?
In the vision-mission statement of the diocese of Surigao BEC takes
center stage. The local Church of Surigao has conceived the idea of
empowering BEC through integral evangelization. This has been
working since the promulgation of the Diocesan Synod in 1992. Upon
my arrival in Surigao, we picked up from where the First Diocesan
Synod left off and established the ministries called for by the Synod.
Seeing the great importance of the BEC program, a diocesan BEC
Committee was established. This body surveyed and leveled off all
parish BECs in order to launch a unified direction and plan of action.
If success is measured in church attendance, then we could say we
have been successful. Church goers on Sundays, even in the farthest
barrio chapel, have increased. Now, more aware of stewardship; love
offerings and financial assistance to the parishes are easy to drive.
Amazingly, participation in the liturgy and other parish activities are
very heartwarming. In its totality BEC has created a remarkable change
in the life of the Christian communities. However, a sort of revitalization
is always needed to keep the BEC spirit going. Like the ningas cogon
attitude, BEC also suffers the consequences of waning interest and cold
treatment among its members. But all in all, it enhances the faith-life of
the Christian communities in the diocese of Surigao.
How is the role of the laity in the Church as defined by PCP II being
realized in your diocese?
The role of the laity has been enhanced by their full and active
participation in the activities of the diocese and in the parishes. Visible
signs of these are the active participation of the laity in liturgical cel-
ebration as extraordinary ministers of communion and in the Sunday
celebration in the absence of a priest as Laykong Ministro sa Liturhiya
(LML).
On the other hand, other key roles in the parish in its organizational
set-up are usually filled up with laity. This is concretized in the parish
officers’ set-up where laity takes a prominent place. They exercise their
role according to their capacity and charism.
Up to what degree should the participation of the laity be especially in
terms of decision making in the local Church?
PCP-II speaks about Empowerment of the Laity. This is very impor-
tant because a large part of the Church is composed of the laity. The
ordained ministers are only so few in proportion to the lay faithful.
With the “awakening” of the laity in their very important role in the
life and mission of the Church, their voice and expertise should be
considered in decision-making. Although the Bishop is the Chief-Shep-
herd in the diocese, prudence demands that a good decision may be
arrived at after considering and hearing from all.
Pastoral governance is best effected when the laity are involved.
They are in the world and they know the intricacies of living in the
world. They are experts in their respective fields and professions. These
are beautiful and rich angles from which views of the Church are very
important to consider.
The laity’s sense of “belonging” is best cultivated when they are
given a share in decision-making. There are limits, definitely, but we
should not lord it over them. They have so much to contribute in this
aspect.
How is the family and life program in your diocese?
Encouraging Catholic families to live Christian lives spurs us to
strengthen and nourish Family and Life apostolate. The diocese of
Surigao has full attention to this apostolate and has integrated it in the
BEC program. Seminars are given for family growth and develop-
ment. Value education among families is inter-connected with the
faith-sharing of each BEC group. So the family and life apostolate has
come into the mainstream of diocesan life. One of the concrete actions
that FLA has ventured into was the two CBCP-sponsored National
Catholic Family Bible Quizzes. The FLA is regular in their propaga-
tion of Natural Family Planning method.
How is the quantity and quality of vocations entering the seminary
today?
My predecessor Bishop Miguel Cinches, SVD, built the Maradjao
Magbalantay College Seminary in 1999. Temporarily, the seminar-
ians took residence at the Clergy House. A few years after he retired,
we inaugurated the new seminary building in Barangay Togbongon,
this city. We gave him the privilege of blessing the new building in the
new site.
We have not been wanting in terms of vocations and seminarians.
We get more than a hundred applicants each year. However, we have
to be quite discriminating in our admission examinations and inter-
views. Right and proper motivation is what we seek out well in every
applicant.
Financial constraints always confront us in seminary formation. We
are not exempt from this. However, we may have been a step ahead
due to the establishment of our own Seminary Foundation. Spear-
headed by lay faithful and aided by our lay vocation collaborators, the
Maradjao na Magbalantay Seminary Foundation has been very help-
ful in the upkeep of the seminary, assistance to seminarians, and con-
cern for the future. All seminary activities see the involvement of the
Foundation as well as the clergy and parents of seminarians.
Our Vocation Ministry, headed by the Vocation Director, is actively
involved from the time a young man applies for admission to the
seminary. Once passed, the Vocation Director makes a personal fol-
low-through by visiting the parents and the candidate concerned. Here
a good appraisal is already brought about. When already in the semi-
nary the same body, as well as the Foundation, help when financial
7 Questions / B7
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Responses to Some Questions
Regarding Certain Aspects of the
Doctrine of the Church
Introduction
The Second Vatican Council, with its Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, and
its Decrees on Ecumenism (Unitatis redintegratio) and the Oriental Churches
(Orientalium Ecclesiarum), has contributed in a decisive way to the renewal of Catho-
lic ecclesiology. The Supreme Pontiffs have also contributed to this renewal by
offering their own insights and orientations for praxis: Paul VI in his Encyclical
Letter Ecclesiam suam (1964) and John Paul II in his Encyclical Letter Ut unum sint
(1995).
The consequent duty of theologians to expound with greater clarity the diverse
aspects of ecclesiology has resulted in a flowering of writing in this field. In fact it
has become evident that this theme is a most fruitful one which, however, has also
at times required clarification by way of precise definition and correction, for
instance in the declaration Mysterium Ecclesiae (1973), the Letter addressed to the
Bishops of the Catholic Church Communionis notio (1992), and the declaration Domi-
nus Iesus (2000), all published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The vastness of the subject matter and the novelty of many of the themes in-
volved continue to provoke theological reflection. Among the many new contri-
butions to the field, some are not immune from erroneous interpretation which, in
turn give rise to confusion and doubt. A number of these interpretations have been

© Kim Kulish/Corbis
referred to the attention of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Given
the universality of Catholic doctrine on the Church, the Congregation wishes to
respond to these questions by clarifying the authentic meaning of some
ecclesiological expressions used by the magisterium which are open to misunder-
standing in the theological debate.

Did the Second Vatican Council change the
CatholicdoctrineontheChurch?
TheSecondVaticanCouncilneitherchanged
nor intended to change this doctrine, rather it
developed,deepenedandmorefullyexplained
it.
This was exactly what John XXIII said at the
beginning of the Council.[1] Paul VI affirmed
it[2] and commented in the act of promulgating
the Constitution Lumen gentium: “There is no
better comment to make than to say that this
promulgation really changes nothing of the
traditional doctrine. What Christ willed, we
also will. What was, still is. What the Church
has taught down through the centuries, we also
teach.Insimpletermsthatwhichwasassumed,
is now explicit; that which was uncertain, is
now clarified; that which was meditated upon,
discussed and sometimes argued over, is now
put together in one clear formulation”.[3] The
Bishops repeatedly expressed and fulfilled this
intention.[4]
Whatisthemeaningoftheaffirmationthatthe
Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic
Church?
Christ “established here on earth” only one
Church and instituted it as a “visible and spiri-
tual community”[5], that from its beginning
and throughout the centuries has always ex-
isted and will always exist, and in which alone
munion with the Catholic Church, on account
of the elements of sanctification and truth that
are present in them.[9]Nevertheless, the word
“subsists” can only be attributed to the Catholic
Church alone precisely because it refers to the
mark of unity that we profess in the symbols of
the faith (I believe... in the “one” Church); and
this “one” Church subsists in the Catholic
Church.[10]
Whywastheexpression,“subsistsin”adopted
insteadofthesimpleword“is”?
The use of this expression, which indicates
the full identity of the Church of Christ with the
Catholic Church, does not change the doctrine
ontheChurch.Rather,itcomesfromandbrings
out more clearly the fact that there are “numer-
ouselementsofsanctificationandoftruth”which
are found outside her structure, but which “as
giftsproperlybelongingtotheChurchofChrist,
impel towards Catholic Unity”.[11]
“It follows that these separated churches and
Communities, though we believe they suffer
from defects, are deprived neither of signifi-
cance nor importance in the mystery of salva-
tion. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained
from using them as instruments of salvation,
whose value derives from that fullness of grace
and of truth which has been entrusted to the
Catholic Church”[12].
Catholic Church, the visible head of which is
the Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Peter,
is not some external complement to a particu-
lar Church but rather one of its internal consti-
tutive principles, these venerable Christian
communities lack something in their condi-
tion as particular churches.[17]
On the other hand, because of the division
between Christians, the fullness of universal-
ity, which is proper to the Church governed by
the Successor of Peter and the Bishops in com-
munion with him, is not fully realized in his-
tory.[18]
Why do the texts of the Council and those of
the Magisterium since the Council not use the
title of “Church” with regard to those Chris-
tian Communities born out of the Reforma-
tion of the sixteenth century?
According to Catholic doctrine, these Com-
munities do not enjoy apostolic succession in
the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, de-
prived of a constitutive element of the Church.
TheseecclesialCommunitieswhich,specifically
becauseoftheabsenceofthesacramentalpriest-
hood, have not preserved the genuine and inte-
gral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery[19]
cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called
“Churches” in the proper sense[20].
The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, at the Audi-
ence granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of
tian doctrine in its entirety, and with nothing taken away tium.
from it, is accepted with renewed enthusiasm, and se-
rene and tranquil adherence… it is necessary that the D) [In Nr. 2 Schema Decreti: Act Syn III/II 297s]
very same doctrine be understood more widely and
“Pag. 6, lin. 1- 24: Clarius exprimatur unicitas Ecclesiae.
more profoundly as all those who sincerely adhere to
Non sufficit inculcare, ut in textu fit, unitatem Ecclesiae.
the Christian, Catholic and Apostolic faith strongly de-
sire …it is necessary that this certain and immutable
R(espondetur): a) Ex toto textu clare apparet identificatio
doctrine, to which is owed the obedience of faith, be
Ecclesiae Christi cum Ecclesia catholica, quamvis, ut
oportet, efferantur elementa ecclesialia aliarum
explored and expounded in the manner required by
c o m m u n i t a t u m ” .
our times. The deposit of faith itself and the truths
contained in our venerable doctrine are one thing, but
”Pag. 7, lin. 5: Ecclesia a successoribus Apostolorum
the manner in which they are annunciated is another,
cum Petri successore capite gubernata (cf. novum textum
ad pag. 6, lin.33-34) explicite dicitur ‘unicus Dei grex’ et
provided that the same fundamental sense and mean-
lin. 13 ‘una et unica Dei Ecclesia’ “ (Act Syn III/VII).
ing is maintained” : AAS 54 [1962] 791-792.
The two expressions quoted are those of Unitatis
[2] Cf. Paul VI, Address of 29 September 1963: AAS 55 redintegratio 2.5 e 3.1.
[1963] 847-852.
[5] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution
[3]Paul VI,Address of 21 November 1964: AAS56 [1964] Lumen gentium, 8.1.
1009-1010. [6] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
[4] The Council wished to express the identity of the redintegratio, 3.2; 3.4; 3.5; 4.6.
Church of Christ with the Catholic Church. This is clear
[7] Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution,
from the discussions on the decree Unitatis
redintegratio. The Schema of the Decree was proposed
Lumen gentium, 8.2.
on the floor of the Council on 23.9.1964 with a Relatio [8] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dec-
(Act Syn III/II 296-344). The Secretariat for the Unity of laration Mysterium Ecclesiae, 1.1: AAS 65 [1973] 397;
Christians responded on 10.11.1964 to the suggestions Declaration Dominus Iesus, 16.3: AAS 92 [2000-II] 757-
sent by Bishops in the months that followed (Act Syn III/ 758; Notification on the Book of Leonardo Boff, OFM,
VII 11-49). Herewith are quoted four texts from this “Church: Charism and Power”: AAS 77 [1985] 758-759.
Expensio modorum concerning this first response.
A) [In Nr. 1 (Prooemium) Schema Decreti: Act Syn III/II
[9] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Ut unum sint, 11.3:
AAS 87 [1995-II] 928.
296, 3-6]
“Pag. 5, lin. 3-6: Videtur etiam Ecclesiam catholicam
[10] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitu-
tion Lumen gentium, 8.2.
inter illas Communiones comprehendi, quod falsum
e s s e t . [11] Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution
Lumen gentium, 8.2.
R(espondetur): Hic tantum factum, prout ab omnibus
conspicitur, describendum est. Postea clare affirmatur
solam Ecclesiam catholicam esse veram Ecclesiam [12] Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
Christi” (Act Syn III/VII 12). redintegratio, 3.4.

are found all the elements that Christ himself
instituted.[6]“This one Church of Christ, which
we confess in the Creed as one, holy, catholic
andapostolic[…].ThisChurch,constitutedand
organised in this world as a society, subsists in
the Catholic Church, governed by the succes-
sor of Peter and the Bishops in communion
with him”.[7]
In number 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution
Lumen gentium ‘subsistence’ means this
perduring, historical continuity and the per-
manence of all the elements instituted by Christ
in the Catholic Church[8], in which the Church
of Christ is concretely found on this earth.
It is possible, according to Catholic doctrine,
to affirm correctly that the Church of Christ is
present and operative in the churches and
ecclesial Communities not yet fully in com-
WhydoestheSecondVaticanCouncilusethe
term “Church” in reference to the oriental
Churchesseparatedfromfullcommunionwith
theCatholicChurch?
The Council wanted to adopt the traditional
use of the term. “Because these Churches, al-
though separated, have true sacraments and
above all – because of the apostolic succession –
the priesthood and the Eucharist, by means of
which they remain linked to us by very close
bonds”[13], they merit the title of “particular or
local Churches”[14], and are called sister
Churches of the particular Catholic
Churches.[15]
“It is through the celebration of the Eucharist
of the Lord in each of these Churches that the
Church of God is built up and grows in stat-
ure”.[16] However, since communion with the
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ratified
and confirmed these Responses, adopted in the Ple-
nary Session of the Congregation, and ordered their
publication.
Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, June 29, 2007, the
Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
William Cardinal Levada
Prefect
Angelo Amato, S.D.B.
Titular Archbishop of Sila
Secretary
[1] John XXIII, Address of 11 October 1962: “…The
Council…wishes to transmit Catholic doctrine, whole
and entire, without alteration or deviation…But in the
circumstances of our times it is necessary that Chris-
B) [In Caput I in genere: Act Syn III/II 297-301]
“4 - Expressius dicatur unam solam esse veram
Ecclesiam Christi; hanc esse Catholicam Apostolicam
Romanam; omnes debere inquirere, ut eam cognoscant
et ingrediantur ad salutem obtinendam...
R(espondetur): In toto textu sufficienter effertur, quod
postulatur. Ex altera parte non est tacendum etiam in
aliis communitatibus christianis inveniri veritates
revelatas et elementa ecclesialia”(Act Syn III/VII 15). Cf.
also ibid pt. 5.
C) [In Caput I in genere: Act Syn III/II 296s]
“5 - Clarius dicendum esset veram Ecclesiam esse solam
Ecclesiam catholicam romanam...
R(espondetur): Textus supponit doctrinam in
constitutione ‘De Ecclesia’ expositam, ut pag. 5, lin. 24-
25 affirmatur” (Act Syn III/VII 15). Thus the commission
whose task it was to evaluate the responses to the
Decree Unitatis redintegratio clearly expressed the iden-
tity of the Church of Christ with the Catholic Church
and its unicity, and understood this doctrine to be
founded in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gen-
[13] Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
redintegratio, 15.3; cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, Letter Communionis notio, 17.2: AAS, 85
[1993-II] 848.
[14] Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
redintegratio, 14.1.
[15] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
redintegratio, 14.1; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Ut
unum sint, 56 f: AAS 87 [1995-II] 954 ff.
[16] Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
redintegratio, 15.1.
[17] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Letter Communionis notio, 17.3: AAS 85 [1993-II] 849.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis
redintegratio, 22.3.
[20] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Declaration Dominus Iesus, 17.2: AAS 92 [2000-II] 758.

Nine Questions on the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Missale Romanum
1. Why was the 1962 Missal of
Blessed John XXIII chosen as the
extraordinary form?
From the time of the Coun-
cil of Trent to the Second
Vatican Council there were
seven official editions of the
Missale Romanum. They were
promulgated by Popes Saint
Pius V (1570), Clement VI
(1604), Urban VIII (1634), Leo
XII (1994), Saint Pius X (1911),
Benedict XV (1920), and
Blessed John XXIII (1962). The
1962 edition was chosen as the
last edition of the Missale
Romanum promulgated before
the Second Vatican Council.
2. Are the extraordinary and
ordinary forms entirely dif-
ferent?
The Holy Father observes
that there is “no contradiction
between them and that the his-
tory of liturgical books is char-
acterized by “growth and
progress, but no rupture.”
What earlier generations held
as sacred, remains sacred and
great for us too, and it cannot
be all of a sudden entirely for-
bidden or even considered
harmful. It behooves all of us
to preserve the riches which
have developed in the Church’s
faith and prayer, and to give
them their proper place. (Pope
Benedict XVI, Cover Letter to
the Apostolic Letter Summorum
Pontificum)
3. How does participation of the
faithful in the Missale
Romanum of Blessed John
XXIII differ from theMissale
Romanum of the Servant of God,
John Paul II?
In both the ordinary and extraor-
dinary forms of the Missale Romanum,
full, conscious, and active participa-
tion of the faithful is to be desired
above all else. ( Sacrosanctum
Concilium, 14) In both forms, this be-
gins with an interior participation
in the sacrifice of Christ, to which
the gathered assembly is joined by
the prayers and rites of the Mass. The
ordinary form of the
rite customarily ac-
complishes this par-
ticipation through
listening and re-
sponding to the
prayers of the Mass
in the vernacular, and
by taking part in
forms of exterior
communal action.
The extraordinary
form accomplishes
this participation
largely through lis-
tening to the prayers
in Latin and follow-
ing the words and actions of the
Priest and joining our hearts to “what
is said by him in the Name of Christ
and [what] Christ says [to] him.”
(Pope Pius X, Daily Missal and Liturgi-
cal Manual from the Editio Typica of the
Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962
Baronius Press, London 2004, p. 897)
4. How does the role of the Priest
differ in the Missale Romanum of
Blessed John XXIII differ from
theMissale Romanum of the Ser-
vant of God, John Paul II?
The major differences concerning
the role of the Priest in the ordinary
and extraordinary forms pertain to
orientation and language. During
most moments of the Mass the Priest
faces the altar with his back to the
people. All prayers are in Latin, with
only the readings and the Homily
in the vernacular.
5. What other major differences char-
acterize the extraordinary and ordi-
nary forms of the Missale
Romanum? See graph
6. What are the reasons why people
remain strongly attached to the
preconciliar form?
The Holy Father suggests a num-
ber of reasons. In the case of the fol-
lowers of Archbishop Lefebvre,
while the preconciliar Missal be-
came “an external mark of identity,”
it is clear that “the reasons for the
break, which arose over this, how-
ever, were at a deeper level.” (Pope
Benedict XVI, Cover Letter to the
Apostolic Letter Summorum
Pontificum). Some remained strongly
attached to rites with which they had
become familiar from childhood. A to the Apostolic Letter Summorum
primary cause of this affection in Pontificum). With this motu proprio
other faithful Catholics was the false he is responding to all three of these
sense of creativity unfortunately groups.
practiced by some in the celebration
of the postconciliar liturgical rites, 7. Won’t the new norms cause di-
leading to “deformations of the lit- vision in parishes and exacerbate
urgy which were hard to bear.” (Pope the tensions between those at-
Benedict XVI, Cover Letter to theAp- tached to the preconciliar and
ostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum) postconciliar forms?
The Holy Father adds a personal The Holy Father sees such fears
note in his cover letter: “I am speak- as “quite unfounded,” since the kind
ing from experience, since I too lived of rubrical and linguistic skills re-
quired for the
preconciliar form is
not found very of-
ten. It is, therefore,
“clearly seen that the
new Missal will cer-
tainly remain the or-
dinary Form of the
Roman Rite, not only
on account of the ju-
ridical norms, but
also because of the ac-
tual situation of the
communities of the
faithful.” (Pope
Benedict XVI, Cover
Letter to the Apostolic
through that period with all its Letter Summorum Pontificum )
hopes and its confusion. And I have
seen how arbitrary deformations of 8. How will the two forms influ-
the liturgy caused deep pain to in- ence each other?
dividuals totally rooted in the faith The Holy Father expresses his
of the Church.” (Pope Benedict XVI, hope that the new saints and some
Cover Letter to the Apostolic Letter of the new prefaces can eventu-
Summorum Pontificum) Finally, the ally be integrated into the 1962
Holy Father describes those young Missal by the Ecclesia Dei Com-
people who “have discovered this mission, while the use of the
liturgical form, felt its attraction and preconciliar form will enhance an
found in it a form of encounter with appreciation in the ordinary
the Mystery of the Most Holy Eu- form for “the sacrality which at-
charist, particularly suited to them.” tracts many people to the former
(Pope Benedict XVI, Cover Letter usage.” In this regard he empha-
sizes: “The most sure guaran-
tee that the Missal of Paul VI
can unite parish communities
and be loved by them consists
in its being celebrated with
great reverence in harmony
with the liturgical directives.”
(Pope Benedict XVI, Cover
Letter to the Apostolic Letter
Summorum Pontificum)
9. What mandate did the fa-
thers of the Second Vatican
Council give for the renewal
of the Sacred Liturgy?
In the Constitution on the Lit-
urgy (Sacrosanctum concilium),
number 50, the Council Fa-
thers decreed that:
The Order of Mass is to be
revised in a way that will
bring out more clearly the in-
trinsic nature and purpose of
its several parts, as also the
connection between them, and
will more readily achieve the
devout, active participation of
the faithful.
For this purpose the rites
are to be simplified, due care
being taken to preserve their
substance; elements that, with
the passage of time, came to
be duplicated or were added
with but little advantage are
now to be discarded; other el-
ements that have suffered in-
jury through accident of his-
tory are now, as may seem
useful or necessary, to be re-
stored to the vigor they had
in the traditions of the Fathers.
(Pope Benedict XVI, Cover let-
ter to the Apostolic Letter
Summorum Pontificum)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007 Diocese B3
The First Lay Missionaries

The Diocese of Talibon

Indeed, “God writes straight in
crooked lines,” as He did in the
Christianization of Bohol. Catholicism
first reached Bohol by an unexpected
turn of events which many history
books dare not reminisce.
After Ferdinand Magellan’s death on By Fr. Jonathan D. Pacudan & Fr. Adolfo D. Dagohoy, Jr.
April 27, 1521 in the hands of Lapulapu,
the Spaniards suffered another terrible
blow that made them finally flee Cebu.
Some 800 warriors, led by Rajah
Humabon, plotted a bloody massacre
that killed 27 Spanish commanders and
crew of the galleons Trinidad, Concepcion
and Victoria to avenge the 50 Cebuana
women raped by Magellan’s men. To
save themselves, the Trinidad’s crew
sailed to Talibon-Jetafe. Some of them
settled there, took native wives and
taught their families the rudiments of
the Faith. They also dedicated the place
to the Santissima Trinidad in honor of
the patron of their fateful ship. Hence,
the survivors of that Cebu massacre
who sought refuge in Talibon became
the first lay missionaries to Bohol.

Evangelization by the Friars

The famous Blood Compact on March
25, 1565 between Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi and the Boholano Chieftain
Sikatuna was not a missionary venture
but a diplomatic treaty. Fray Andres
de Urdaneta and his four other Augus-
tinian confreres, who were with
Legaspi, did not attempt to preach and
convert the Boholanos lest they apos-
tatize and fall back into paganism, as
there could be no missionaries yet to
establish the church of Bohol. However,
he made a promise that in the future,
missionaries would be sent for evan-
The Most Holy Trinity
gelization. Cathedral of Talibon.
For 30 years, the Boholanos waited Insets show the interior
patiently until the advent of the excel- of the church.
lent Jesuit missionaries and educators
in 1596. Fr. Pedro Chirino, S.J., the Pro-
vincial Superior of the Jesuits in the
Philippines, sent Fr. Juan de Torres, S.J.
and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, S.J. to officially
commence the spiritual conquest of

Photos courtesy of the Diocese of Talibon

western Bohol, particularly Loboc and
Baclayon. From there, Fr. de Torres pro-
ceeded to the mountains called “Las
Minas de Talibon,” where many people
from all parts of the island converge
for the gold rush and wash. Upon his
arrival, Fr. de Torres was welcomed by
the Spaniards and the first Christians
of Bohol catechized by the Spanish lay
missionaries, the escapee-Spaniards of
the May 1, 1521 massacre, who in the
absence of the friars dutifully per-
formed the informal evangelization by
“baptismal priesthood.” Fr. de Torres
was surprised and happy to discover
that right in the mountain ranges and
slopes of Talibon, where the Boholano
Christians lived and prayed together,
was a church built by the natives them-
selves.
Over two centuries passed before
Talibon became a municipality in 1830,
and a year after, a parish under the pa-
tronage of the Most Holy Trinity. Fr.
Ramon de Santa Ana, O.R.S.A. was its
first parish priest. In 1852, the pious
pastor began the construction of a per-
manent church, now known as the Most
Holy Trinity Cathedral, with the use of
coral rocks hauled from the sea by con-
scripted labor of the natives, as was the
practice then.
During these times, the missionary
work in Bohol came by way of Cebu.
The episcopal jurisdiction then was un-
der Cebu’s Bishop Santos Gomez
Maranon of the Augustinian Order.
The Diocese of Tagbilaran
It was only on November 8, 1941 that
the island-province of Bohol was estab-
lished as the new Diocese of Tagbilaran,
separate from Cebu, her mother-dio-
cese, by virtue of a Papal Bull by Pope
Pius XII. The new diocese, however, did
not immediately have a bishop due to
the outbreak of World War II, which
left her to the apostolic administration
of the Archbishop of Cebu, Most Rev.
Gabriel Reyes, D.D.
In 1945, Most Rev. Julio R. Rosales of
Calbayog, Samar was installed as first
bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
When he was elevated as Archbishop
of Cebu in 1950, he remained Apostolic
Administrator of Tagbilaran until 1952.
Archbishop Rosales left the diocese a
living legacy, the Immaculate Heart of
Mary Seminary (IHMS), which has
made Bohol the home of many priests
and bishops.
In 1952, a Boholano Bishop, Most Rev.
Manuel Mascariñas, D.D. of Antequera,
took the reins of the diocese for more
than twenty years. His Auxiliary
bishop, Most Rev. Juan Nilmar, D.D.
assisted him in the administration of
the diocese. In 1976, Most Rev. Onesimo
Gordoncillo, then Auxiliary Bishop of
Dumaguete, succeeded in the episco-
pacy.
The Diocese of Talibon
The Diocese of Talibon was created
on January 9, 1986, in the 10th year of
Bishop Gordoncillo’s incumbency. It
was canonically erected on December
3, 1986, under the titular of the Most
Holy Trinity, with Most Rev. Christian
Vicente Fernandez Noel, D.D. of Sangi,
Asturias, Cebu, as its first Bishop. Most
Rev. Bruno Torpigliani, D.D., then Ap-
ostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, pre-
sided over the rites of the diocese’s ca-
nonical erection as well as the new
bishop’s installation at the Most Holy
Trinity Cathedral. The new diocese con-
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Bishop ………..…………………………. 1
Priests ………………………………….... 89
Sisters ………………………………….... 42
Deacons …………………………............... 4
Seminarians:
Theology ……………………………... 15 On the occasion of Bishop Noel’s
College ……………………………….. 21
Pre-College ………….......................... 21
celebration of his 25th anniversary
Diocesan Divisions: of Episcopal ordination and
Vicariates ……………………………. 7
Parishes …………………………….. 34 Talibon’s 20th year as a diocese on
With Resident Pastors ………… .. 34
Entrusted to Diocesan December 2, 2006, the event was
Clergy …………………………….. 34
Chapels …………………….....… 838 commemorated with a Eucharistic
Educational Centers: celebration attended by fellow
College:
Directed by Religious ……………... 1 bishops and priests. The occasion
High Schools:
Diocesan/Parochial ……………….14 was highlighted by the blessing of
Directed by Religious ……………... 3
Elementary: the newly completed Retreat
Diocesan/Parochial ………………. 3
Directed by Religious …………….. 1
House, the celebration’s landmark,
Pre-Schools:
Diocesan/Parochial ………………. 9
constructed by the Missionary
Directed by Religious …………….. 3 Sisters of Christ the King in the
Population ……………………..... 653,778
Catholics …………………………. 572,844 barrio-parish of Bagacay, Talibon,
Area ……………………… 2,243 sq. kms.
Bohol. Most Rev. Christian Vicente Fernandez Noel, D.D.
sisted of 23 parishes, namely, the seat- quasi-parishes, each with resident to formulate a vision-mission state- On the occasion of Bishop Noel’s
cathedral parish of Talibon (Most Holy priests, have also been created. ment in answer to the momentum of celebration of his 25th anniversary of
Trinity), Alicia (St. Joachim and Ann), On April 17, 1996, the diocese was reg- renewal ushered in by the Second Ple- Episcopal ordination and Talibon’s 20th
Anda (Holy Infant), Bien Unido (Holy istered to the Securities and Exchange nary Council of the Philippines. In Feb- year as a diocese on December 2, 2006,
Child), Buenavista (Our Lady of the Commission (SEC). ruary 1995, the Clergy ventured into the event was commemorated with a
Rosary), Candijay (St. Joseph), Carmen Thirty-three young men have been an introductory planning of a five-year Eucharistic celebration attended by fel-
(St. Anthony the Abbot), Clarin (St. ordained to the priesthood, 31 of whom diocesan pastoral program to involve low bishops and priests. The occasion
Michael the Archangel), Dagohoy (Our are for the service of the diocese. At the lay faithful in the formulation of a was highlighted by the blessing of the
Lady of Lourdes), Danao (Holy Fam- present, there are 63 major and minor vision-mission statement and a dioc- newly completed Retreat House, the
ily), Duero (Immaculate Conception), seminarians in formation preparing for esan pastoral plan. In February 1996, celebration’s landmark, constructed by
Guindulman (Our Lady of Consolation), the priesthood. the Clergy defined its Diocesan thrust, the Missionary Sisters of Christ the
Inabanga (St. Paul), Jetafe (Holy Infant), Forty-six religious sisters coming that is, the building of Basic Ecclesial King in the barrio-parish of Bagacay,
Mabini (St. Monica), Pilar (Our Lady of from five congregations, the Augustin- Communities (BEC). Talibon, Bohol.
the Pillar), President Garcia (Holy ian Recollect sisters, the Daughters of Currently, the diocese now comprises Certainly, the creation of the Dio-
Child), Sagbayan (St. Augustine), San St. Teresa, the Siervas de Nuestra thirty-four parishes with the erection cese of Talibon is God’s providence for
Miguel (St. Michael the Archangel), San Señora de la Paz, the Missionary Cat- of another nine new parishes: the good-willed Talibongnons. The
Pascual (St. Vincent Ferrer), Sierra- echists of the Sacred Heart, the Abachanan, Sierra Bullones (St. Isidore); Holy See has duly avowed the matu-
Bullones (Immaculate Conception), Canossian Daughters of Charity, and Aguining, President Garcia (St. Isidore); rity of the People of God in Talibon.
Trinidad (St. Isidore the Farmer) and the Sisters Oblates of the Holy Spirit, Bagacay, Talibon (St. Rochus); Bugtong Definitely, being the cradle of Chris-
Ubay (Holy Child). are apostolically committed in the 27 Lubi, Inabanga (Sto. Niño); San Roque, tianity in Bohol, Talibon deserves to
However, in a decree issued by the Catholic schools (College, Secondary, Mabini (St. Michael the Archangel); become a Diocese, which must have
Sacred Congregation for Bishops on Elementary and Pre-school) and other Guinacot, Guindulman (Sto. Niño); La been the dream and prayer of the first
July 7, 1988, the parish of Jagna (St. various key apostolates in the diocese. Hacienda, Alicia (St. Isidore); Lonoy, Boholano Christians.
Michael the Archangel) was annexed to Jagna (St. Joseph the Worker); and Thus, Talibon opened a new chapter
the new Diocese of Talibon in exchange Pastoral Programs Pasanan, Inabanga (St. Joseph). Three in its venerable history: from a blaz-
of Clarin and Sagbayan which were In an annual retreat in July 1993, ini- quasi-parishes including two chaplain- ing galleon, to a native hut, to a stone
detached in favor of the Diocese of tiatives were taken by the local Clergy cies have also been created. church, to a Cathedral!
Tagbilaran.
The Diocese Continues to Grow
Twenty years later, the diocese of
Talibon has continued to grow under
the able leadership of Bishop Noel.
Trusting in the providence of God and
the goodwill of the people, Bishop Noel
has constructed the Most Holy Trinity
Diocesan Pastoral Center in Talibon that
has become the venue of lay, religious
and clergy formation.
Three new parishes have been
erected, namely, Cogtong, Candijay (St.
Joseph), Mahayag, San Miguel (St.
Isidore the Farmer) and Biabas, Ubay
(St. Isidore the Farmer), making a total
number of 25 parishes all in all. Six
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007

Basic Ecclesial Communities

(BEC) way responding to the call
of National Rural Congress
By Msgr. Elmer S. Abacahin, PC
Executive Secretary, CBCP-BEC National Office

THE greater number of our poor is in the rural areas. Year 2007 is the 40th
anniversary of the rural congress of 1967. it was at this congress that the
participants, most of them diocesan and parish action workers, came to
crucial conclusion that the church must go to the barrios. The reason was the
heavy realization that the rural parts of the country were the most neglected
by both the government development programs and the church’s pastoral
care. By this time our farmers must do that speaking by themselves, the
discerning , the proposing of their ideas, the planning of how we must as a
people come together to work for the common good of the country of
ourselves. (CBCP statement on the Dignity of the Rural Poor, 28 January
2007).
Based on the commonly accepted methodology on SEE-JUDGE-ACT –
we will try to put it in the context of Basic Ecclesial Communities experience.
We know we are adopting many models on Basic Ecclesial Communities.
(BEC) but let us try to see it working in the cell approach.
BECWay…inResponsetoNationalRuralCongress(BasicEcclesialCom-
munity)

SEE-JUDGE-ACT…
The Cell – which is composed of six to eight participating households in
the immediate neighborhood – meets once a week at an agreed convenient
time for the session in Christian living. The Cell considers the sharing of
current life problems affecting any of the members of the entire neighbor-
hood as integral to the session in Christian living. In this way, “faith and
justice issues are not dissociated from one another; on the contrary, the living
out of one’s faith in the concrete circumstances of life receives an added
dimension when shared within the confines of a grass-roots community.

I.FIRSTPHASE
The Cell – which is composed of six to eight participating households in
the immediate neighborhood – meets once a week at an agreed convenient
time for the session in Christian living. The Cell considers the sharing of
current life problems affecting any of the members of the entire neighbor-
hood as integral to the session in Christian living. In this way, “faith and
justice issues are not dissociated from one another; on the contrary, the living

© Roy Morsch/Corbis
out of one’s faith in the concrete circumstances of life receives an added
dimension when shared within the confines of a grass-roots community.

I. Introduction: The host family and the Alagad greet and welcome those
comingforthesessioninChristianliving;songsonerehearsed,etc.Whenthe
facilitatorfeelsthatitisabouttimetobeginthesessionshe/heannounces. Let
us now make ourselves be aware of God’s living presence among us have

Today’s youth offers real

and prepare to listen to him and to one another, a short pause for silence
follows.

II. Song: Singing is one way of praying so when people sing together, they
pray together.

promise of tomorrow
III. ReadingoftheThematicGuide: withpastor,orinvitedresourceperson
on the text from the Bible, Pastoral Statement on Rural Congress, Compen-
dium of the Social Teachings of the Church etc. but contextualized in their
own dialect etc.

IV. Preparatory Prayers: Euch one is invited to share a prayer in one’s own
words, to express to the Lord one’s own feeling regarding the theme of the
session. One’s prayer maybe in a form of praise, thanksgiving, petition, etc..

V. First Reading of the Gospel (select appropriate) the facilitator or some-

body assigned read the gospel.
VI. Invitation to Contemplation: The facilitator makes the following invita-
tion to everyone present.
Praying with the Word of God contemplating the person of Jesus is the
most important part and activity of our session.
During the second reading of the same gospel we will imagine ourselves
to be with Jesus in the very place where this episode in his life is happening.
We will use our imagination to the full; making the gospel story alive,
withusinit,weseeJesusandotherpersons.Whattheyaredoing,wehearthe
sounds and listen to what they are saying.
WefocusourattentiononhowinthehumanityofJesus,Godrevealstous
who he is and what he wants us to be and do.
HowdidJesusspeakandact?Howdidherelatetofriendsandenemies,to
the poor and the rich, to women and to the crowds of people? What did he
considerimportant?Howdidlittleandbigthingsaffecthim?HowdidJesus
show his love, his spirit of self sacrifice?
VII. Second Reading of the same Gospel: The same gospel is read again,
slowly,reflectively,withappropriatepauses.Thenapauseforafewminutes
follows.
VIII. Sharing of Faith-Life: each one is invited to share with the group how
he/sheisaffectedbythegospel. Thefacilitatorssetthesharinginmotionwith
the following lines:
We have been in the company of the Lord in the episode the gospel
presented to us. In our imagination we refreshed one part of his life on earth.
Letusnowsharewithourcompanionshowourmindandheartareaffected
by the gospel by what the spirit of Jesus communicated to us.
IX. Sharing of experiences: The facilitator reads again the thematic guide,
“The Call for Rural Congress… etc. Sharing of current life problems that
affect any of the members of the entire neighborhood is considered integral.
In this way, faith and justice issues are not dissociated from one another.
Towards the end of the sharing the facilitator rounds up the sharing: Let us
nowsummarizeoursharingandseeifwecanfocusourplanofactiononthat.
X. Plan of Action: ThisistodeterminewhattheCellshoulddoforthewhole
week, etc. to operationalize the gospel message and their faith-life. The
facilitator opens the plan of action in the following way:
TheLordhascommunicatedtouswhatweshouldbeandwhatwecando
when we contemplate him in the gospel. The sharing of our experiences
suggests to us what action we should take so that out of love we can serve
others in community. What is within our capacity to accomplish as servants
of the Lord and one another? We will talk about now.
What should we plan to do? For whom? When? Where? Do we have to
ask the help of others? What should be our steps?
Each Cell member is encouraged to participate in the planning.
XI. Concluding Prayers: Each participant is encouraged to share a short
prayertotheLordexpressinghis/hergratitude,joy,fear,need,etc.Attheend
of these shared prayers, the group prays or sings the “Our Father.”
XII.EvaluationandPreparationforthenextsessioninChristianliving:Here,
the session in Christian living which has just been completed is evaluated,
reports are given and preparations for the following week session are made.
A.Whatdidwelearnfromoursession,aboutJesus,(aboutthecallforrural
congress)aboutwhattheChurchisteachingus,aboutourcommunity,about
ourselves.
What about our former place of actions? Accomplished?
Have we been fulfilling our covenant as cell members?
B. Reports (properly noted and recorded)
C. Preparation for the next session
II.SECONDPHASE:
Reports from each cell will be collated and be brought to the bigger
grouping.
*Cell – Chapel – Purok – Parish – Vicariate or District – Diocesan Level*
By Fr. Cunegondo Garganta
A FORMER youth coordinator of a diocese of lack and of absence. be responsible and accountable for.
once asked me to help him assess a number But when I was already alone, the joke It is a challenge though, that for what is
of youth applicants to a Send a Youth to School seemed to have hit me. It made me reflect already at hand to multiply, one has to learn
program that he initiated. I readily agreed and think more about the situation of many creativity. Say, for example, our vocal chord
since it is also my dream to help send poor of our young people. Generally, almost ev- produces sounds that are translated into
but deserving students to school. I also came eryone has the desire to study but lack the comprehensible words, yet we know that it
to know that he was asked by another per- financial resources to do so. It is a pity that is not the only benefit we have. It can be for
son to look on the possibility of creating a the culture places a high value on education, some their strength to earn a living. We are
foundation which will focus on providing yet a big number of the young population in a way made to re create ourselves, to
scholarship assistance to poor but deserv- fail to draw from the well of education and achieve higher awareness of our being.
ing students. It looks like that there is go- knowledge. But are we simply to point our Asa ka pa, could be a condition of one’s
ing to be a partnership on this noble cause. fingers to the system that run in contrast with state of mind or of a heart in doubt. It may
His initial plan was to name the founda- what we value and how we lived the values? be a lack of faith, a lack of trust. It may be a
tion HOPE Foundation for the simple rea- He, who offers and finds a way to help combination of both. But what actually does
son that the help being rendered is to offer these young people, is one who has seen pov- it mean? It could mean that the bases for
something to look forward to, something erty as an excuse for not having education. hope to stand on is practically lacking.
to put their best foot forward to. But he himself did not make use of poverty With this first batch, it is clear that they
The first batch that I interviewed, were as an excuse or his reason to have an educa- have a dream. They all believed that their
fresh graduates from high school. There tion. He considers himself an average in dreams will come true. Yet, they are aware
were five on this batch. I diligently talked terms of the academics. But he prides himself of certain fears. They fear that their families
to each applicant, lack the enthusiasm
to journey with
digging to their
core. One of the But when I was already alone, the joke seemed to have hit them. They fear
themselves, they
questions raised
was about their mo- me. It made me reflect and think more about the situation of feel unworthy, and
lack of self confi-
tive on pursuing a
course in college.
many of our young people. Generally, almost everyone has dence.
Since all of them the desire to study but lack the financial resources to do so. The lack of basic
came from a poor concept about self,
family, the answer is It is a pity that the culture places a high value on education, others and God will
a chorus—”I want to yet a big number of the young population fail to draw from be a block to a mean-
ingful self actualiza-
offer change for my
family, to raise the the well of education and knowledge. But are we simply to tion and widening of
one’s expanse. The
family’s financial ca-
pacity.”
point our fingers to the system that run in contrast with asa ka pa tone could
The motive may what we value and how we lived the values? be taken here as a
sound selfish and in- precaution to the be-
nevolent sponsor.
dividualistic, but
what else can we do, it is perhaps driven by of the love for life and the creativity to live This is a good hint of really having a good
the reality that these young individuals life passionately. The years of hard work and look at the disposition and attitude of the
have been exposed to poverty all their lives. dedication to life has now paved the way to recipients. Is it possible for the grant to
When further asked on why they should that idea of “pay back time”. After he has supplement this possible deficiency? Let us
be chosen to receive the scholarship, again crossed his own bridge, he now extends his hope it will. We all want an integral forma-
the answer is in chorus—”I am willing to hands to encourage others to move on and tion of an individual, most especially the
commit myself to the opportunity of com- to continue their journey. youth who will mirror the expressions and
pleting the course. It is my only chance of Others may think that there are secrets to manifestations of hope.
change, socially and economically.” success, the little success that he humbles What is its appeal to you now “a scholar-
After the interview, I told the youth coor- himself with. But taking a second look, we ship grant fills the stomach?” You cannot
dinator that I am giving the first batch of will discover that there are no secrets to the give what you do not have, we all say. That
applicants a big yes. Though I am looking little successes, only a capacity to hold on to is true. Again, the first batch with all their
for a missing link, —for me there has to be the truth. The truth that each is given an humanness proudly each own a heart whose
an expressed manifestation of the willing- arena, a lacuna to nurture and put into good soft part has a special place reserved for pos-
ness to share to or with others the dream, use what God gave all of us—a share in His sibly helping their own kind somehow,
not only to satisfy the self and the family, life. It is on how an individual will invest someday. For now, they need others to help
to have an eye for the bigger family—the life that will bring results to raise his con- them to first fulfill their dreams.
community. Jokingly I told him to re think sciousness and bring fruition to his efforts. In their dreams, the concerns for others
about the name he will give the founda- This youth coordinator has learned that seem to revolve around the margin. Yet, if
tion—and told him to name it “Asa ka pa!” not having enough is a blessing and strength their hope now is not a hope in vain, there
With a surprising look, he asked what the rather than a curse. He says, “We actually are certainties that these young aspirants to
title connotes. I said, look, you want these have more than enough.” The problem is the sponsorship will one day be a guide to
young people to look forward with hope, we do not have enough appreciation; we lack lead others see the light of hope.
but it seems their capacity for hope appears appreciation of what we actually already I for my part will dream with this youth
to end only with their stomach. There has have. minister. I will journey with his journey. I
to be more. Now I understand why and how all things will confidently hope and not simply asa ka
Asa ka pa, sounds like a hopeless response for him just fall in the right place. Believing pa. Our youth offers a real promise of to-
to an obvious reality of not having enough, that what you have is what you are called to morrow, a real cause to hope.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007 Statements B5

Press statement on the

release of Fr. Bossi
WE welcome with joy and gratitude the release of the missionary, Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, by his
abductors. For many weeks, in behalf of his relatives and community, many people prayed
and appealed for mercy and compassion for Fr. Bossi.
Foreign missionaries are giving a great service to the people in far-flung corners of the
© JP Acuña/Media Office

country especially in Mindanao, at great sacrifice and even dangers. We hope that what
happened to Fr. Bossi will not happen again.
Prior to the release of Fr. Bossi, there was the barbaric and bloody ambush of Philippine
Marines at which 14 (?) lost their lives. We condemn such heinous act, and join the appeal for
justice in the restoration of peace. Let the same not happen again in our society of already
precarious peace.
We express appreciation to all who facilitated his release.
We recognize in the incidence, the elements of peace-making and peace-giving, from
which we can try to move on.

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
July 20, 2007

Promotion of abortion in the guise of

Pastoral statement on oil human rights for women
exploration in Bohol Strait 15 May 2007

The International Executive Committee (IEC)

TO OUR dear People of God and all
men and women of good will:
Sometime in June to July 2007 a
seismic survey was conducted in the
seawaters of Panglao, Dauis,
Maribojoc and Loon, Bohol. It is a
procedure that determines the vol-
ume of oil deposit under the sea by
the use of sounds and echoes. It was
conducted by a foreign company
named NorAsian Energy Ltd.
(NAEL) with the approval of both
the Department of Energy (DOE) and
the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR). Accord-
ing to the contract awarded by our
government to NAEL, the survey
shall be followed by an extensive oil
drilling program possibly next year.
For our part, we, the Clergy of the
Diocese of Tagbilaran, have listened
to the sentiments of our people, care-
fully studied the issues at hand and
prayerfully reflected on them. Prod-
ded by this we come out with this
Pastoral Statement making a moral
judgment on the seismic survey as
well as provide moral guidance on
the planned oil drilling project.
Our Moral Judgment on the Seismic Survey
1. We are appalled to learn that,
given the nature of the seismic sur-
vey and its short and long term im-
pact to human and marine life, the
local communities and
their officials as well as
other groups who have a
stake in the area were not
duly consulted before the
survey had been under-
taken.
The DOE and NAEL
simply disseminated in-
formation in their
websites. As regards in-
forming local people,
they coursed it through
the newly elected local
officials on a very short
notice. In view of this be-
havior, it is difficult not
to conclude that right
from the very start the
DOE and NAEL did not
intend a consultation but
simply an information.
2. We are disappointed
to learn that the seismic
survey, conducted on an exploration
site that had been officially declared
by the national and local govern-
ments as a marine protected area
(MPA), was suddenly granted by the
DENR a Certificate of Non-Cover-
age (CNC), thereby exempting it
from stringent measures required
by the laws of the land that seek to
preserve the nation’s ecosystem.
Needless to say, the exploration
site boasts of numerous marine sanc-
tuaries and coastal based resource
management programs. It is also
home to a thriving and world-fa-
mous eco-tourism industry that
provides livelihood to hundreds of
families and a source of pride of ev-
ery Boholano. Millions of pesos
have been spent by local govern-
ment units (LGUs) and non-govern-
ment organizations (NGOs) for the
establishment and maintenance of
these projects, not to mention the
amount of creativity and energy
that the local people have invested
into them.
What has happened to our laws
such as the Philippine Environment
Impact System Act (PD 1586) and the
Local Government Code of 1991
(Sections 26-27) to name a few? If
we use the recently concluded seis-
mic survey as a litmus test of com-
mitted and responsible governance,
we dread to see the day when the
integrity of our ecosystem will
again be put in harm’s way and the
pertinent laws be arbitrarily
shelved off in favor of an energy-
hungry nation.
3. We are saddened to know that,
given the adverse effects that the
survey had on the livelihood of
those dependent on either commer-
cial or small-scale fishing, the DOE
and the NAEL did not seek the par-
ticipation of the local people and
draw a clear and dependable mecha-
nism of just compensation.
Why is it that in almost every gov-
ernment sponsored or approved
project that has the prospect of good
return of investment (ROI) for for-
eign corporations, it is our poor and
marginalized brother and sister Fili-
pinos who are asked to sacrifice?
Granting, without admitting, that it
is their turn yet again to forego for
the greater good, isn’t it right that
they be guaranteed with a just com-
pensation?
Our Moral Stance on the Oil Drill-
ing Program
Beyond the seismic survey, the
risks of an oil drilling program are
far greater. Lest there be a repeat of
the mistakes, we wish that the deci-
sions and conduct of all stakehold-
ers shall abide by the following
moral principles:
1. Activities meant to improve the
What has happened to our laws such
as the Philippine Environment Im-
pact System Act (PD 1586) and the
Local Government Code of 1991 (Sec-
tions 26-27) to name a few? If we use
the recently concluded seismic survey
as a litmus test of committed and
responsible governance, we dread to
see the day when the integrity of our
ecosystem will again be put in harm’s
way and the pertinent laws be arbi-
trarily shelved off in favor of an en-
ergy-hungry nation.
economy should “not (to) be left to
the judgment of individuals or
groups who possess too much eco-
nomic power, nor of the political
community alone…It is only right
that, in matters of general interest,
as many people as possible…should
participate actively in decision-
making” ( Gaudium et spes, 65).
In this light, let us exhaust all
peaceful means to prevent the oil
drilling program from proceeding
unless the DOE and NAEL shall dis-
close to the public the details of the
service contract and other agree-
ments, conduct consultations that
are wide in scope, accessible to all
stakeholders, honest and transpar-
ent to affected communities, and
broadly participative in working
out decisions.
2. The defense an d preservation of
the common good such as the natu-
ral and human environments should
not be left to the dictates of market
forces but to a strong juridical or le-
gal framework based on “the need
to respect the integrity and cycles
of nature”(Sollicitudo rei socialis , 26;
Centesimus annus, 40).
In this light, we call on public of-
ficials concerned to courageously
apply the full force of our environ-
mental laws to the oil drilling pro-
gram even as we urge all NGOs and
other groups to take the lead in ex-
ercising vigilance on this regard.
3. “The fulfillment of the needs
of the poor” and their “active par-
ticipation in economic life” is a
moral criteria that “must pervade
all plans and legislation for devel-
opment” (Second Plenary Council
of the Philippines, 314).
In this light, and in view of the
greater risks to both human and
marine life, it is a serious moral
obligation for those who will de-
rive profit from the natural re-
source to set up a mechanism of
just compensation before the oil
drilling begins and with the par-
ticipation and approval of those
who may bear the possible harm or
loss because of human error or ac-
cidents.
4. But over and above these moral
imperatives, the principle of equi-
table sharing of revenues should
be observed. The history of oil ex-
ploration is replete with examples
of individual and corporate greed
and insensitivity to the people in
the locality. A repeat of this sad ex-
perience is possible if Section 29 of
the Local Government Code shall
not be honored: “Local govern-
ment units shall have an equitable
share in the proceeds derived from
the utilization and development of
national wealth within their re-
spective areas, including sharing
the same with the inhabitants by
way of direct benefits.”
This law is in perfect accord
with the church’s moral teach-
ing: “The economic prosper-
ity of any people is to be as-
sessed not so much from the
sum total of goods and
wealth produced as from the
distribution of goods accord-
ing to the norms of justice.”
Justice demands that, “with
the growth of the economy,
there should occur a corre-
sponding social development
so that all citizens will ben-
efit equitably from an in-
crease in national wealth”
(Mater et Magistra , 73-74).
In this light, let us do ev-
erything we can to prevent
the oil drilling program un-
less a mechanism of equitable
sharing of revenues shall be
in place so that, instead of
dole-outs or piecemeal projects de-
pendent on the whims and so-called
charity of the corporation or the al-
lied politician, the revenues ac-
crued to the inhabitants of the lo-
calities shall be guaranteed by law
and shall empower them to take
the path of integral development.
While the bounty of God’s creation
in the Bohol Strait is a national
wealth, it is however first and fore-
most a local wealth. Inasmuch as
the local people are its primary
stewards, they ought to be the first
beneficiaries.
Conclusion
Will the blue sea of Bohol Strait
remain the pure essence of life-giv-
ing water to the present and future
generations, or will it degenerate
into a murky water of non-life, an
ugly reminder of our indifference
and irresponsibility? Let us listen
to God saying: “Today I offer you
a choice of life or death, blessing
or curse. Choose life and then you
and your descendants will live”
(Deut 30:19-20).
The choice is ours. With Mary, the
patroness of our diocese, at our
side, it is time to act on behalf of
life so that “all may have life and
have it in its fullness” (Jn 10:10).
Most Rev.Leonardo Medroso, DD, JCD
Bishop of Tagbilaran
17 July 2007
Amnesty International
International Secretariat
Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
LondonWCIX 0DW
United Kingdom
Dear Members of the IEC:
We read, with deep dismay and trepidation, your memo-circular of 5 April
2007 regarding your recommended policy statement on selected aspects of
abortion (as amended at the Chairs Forum, 10th March 2007), and we take this
venue to strongly protest its adoption and promotion.
Stripped of its euphemisms, your policy statement, in effect, urges all mem-
bers of the global human community, in their individual capacity as sovereign
states, through legislation, 1) to present abortion as an option in cases of un-
wanted/unplanned pregnancy; 2) to legalize the killing of unborn children,
though conceding to certain “reasonable restrictions” by the state, like gesta-
tional limits; 3) to allow abortion without restrictions for “specific cases” like
rape and incest; 4) to give mothers of aborted children access to medical ser-
vices when complications arise. All these in the name of protecting women’s
right to choice.
We are deeply disturbed with your policy statement because it contradicts
and defeats the fundamental purpose for which Amnesty International had
precisely been created, clearly reflected in your organization’s vision of “a
world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.” Even
more seriously, we are fearful of its adoption because, coming from a highly-
regarded international institution like Amnesty International, your policy state-
ment will surely have grave repercussions on our common global fight against
fundamental human rights violations.
Allow us to explain our position on this issue.
Firstly, it cannot be argued that, by all ethical and moral standards, the most
fundamental of all human rights is the right to life. Thus, the inviolability of the
right to life is of prime importance. Without it, measures at protecting any
other human rights are rendered meaningless. Under this premise, every hu-
man community, and the political community itself are founded.
In recognition of this, the United Nations, 3 years after its creation, adopted,
in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which declared unequivo-
cally that, firstly, “everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”
The order of the stated rights is significant—LIFE above all other rights.
To strengthen this declaration, it was followed by, among others, the Decla-
ration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, and reaffirmed by the Convention of
the Rights of the Child in 1989. It should be noted that both documents lay the
premise that: “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity,
needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, be-
fore as well as after birth…” By stating thus, the life, as well as the personhood,
of the unborn child, are recognized.
In this light, your policy statement urging all states to decriminalize abortion
violates the unborn child’s right to life, not only as a living organism but also,
and more importantly, as a person and a human being. Although your policy
statement sets concessions for “specific cases” and “reasonable restrictions”,
these do not, in any way, mitigate the violation. If anything, these concessions
only subject the unborn child to further discrimination.
Secondly, with respect to the human rights of women, we are all well-aware
of the many international instruments that aim to specifically protect women’s
rights. Two of the more significant ones are the Convention on the Elimination
of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence Against Women. Yet, on this matter, your recom-
mended policy statement fails on at least two (2) counts:
1) Reports have it that even to this day, gender-selected forced abortion
continues to be practiced in some parts of the world. For instance, the China Aid
Association has recently reported that in the 2nd week of April 2007, at least 61
women were forced to abort their unborn female children at the Guangxi Prov-
ince. Yet, your recommended policy statement fails to give amnesty to these
women and their like who are obviously victims of discrimination and vio-
lence.
2) It has been well-documented, and now medically recognized, that women
who undergo abortion experience various physical, emotional, psychological,
and spiritual turmoil. The after-effects, collectively known medically as Post
Abortion Syndrome, include adverse medical conditions (e.g. sterility, prema-
ture births in subsequent pregnancies, early hysterectomies, and cervical and
breast cancers), deep sadness, regret and remorse, guilt feelings, depression,
and anxiety disorders. For this reason, Women For Life International, whose
membership represents women who have undergone legal abortion, has at-
tested that abortion, legal or otherwise, is degrading, cruel, and a violent act
against women, exploiting their vulnerabilities at a very stressful period in
their lives. Yet again, your recommended policy statement on abortion fails to
recognize the full range of the harmful after-effects of abortion on women, and
offers no protection against them.
When an organization like Amnesty International, whose mission it is to de-
fend and promote human rights, urges state authorities to willfully violate the
fundamental right to life of persons in their initial stages of childhood, who and
what will stop any one from subjecting all others to the same violence, at any
time, in any place? Then again, when Amnesty International is indifferent to acts
of discrimination and violence against mothers of unborn children, who and
what will stop any one from subjecting other women to other forms of discrimi-
nation and violence, at any time, in any place? We shudder at the thought!
We appeal to each and every member of your committee to rescind your
recommended policy statement on selected aspects of abortion, as we echo John
Paul II’s appeal to all: “respect, protect, love, and serve life, every human life! Only in this
direction will the world find justice, development, true freedom, peace, and happiness!”
For Human Life and Dignity,
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Chair, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc.
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007

Bo Sanchez

Do small acts
of kindness
A GUY with a large black bible clutched under his arm rode the
jeepney I was on. At once, I noticed that peculiar glazed look on
his eye and the friendly smile on his face—and I knew it wouldn’t
be too long before he’d make his first move. In my next breath,
bingo, he cornered his first victim—a college girl beside him—
with the question asked in a typical preacher’s modulated voice,
“Friend, are you saved?”
Instantly, the young woman nervously faced the other way.
Undeterred, the zealous evangelist turned next to the fiftyish
man in front of her and inquired, “Do you know Jesus Christ?”
You won’t believe what this man did: He signaled the driver to
stop and got off immediately. But I shivered when I realized I was
the only passenger in the jeepney left to talk to. We smiled at each
other, and I wondered what his opening line would be.
“Friend, if you die right now,” he asked with utter seriousness,
“do you know where you would go?”
My eyes squinted. “Um, let me see…Funeraria Paz? Eternal
Gardens?”
My evangelist’ jaw fell to the floor.
I chuckled and held out my hand to him, “I’m Bo. I’m also a
Christian.”
He laughed and asked, “What church do you attend, brother?”

© Bob Thomas/Corbis
“The Catholic Church,” I said as matter-of-factly as I could.
“Oh… that,” he muttered, swallowing hard. His face likened
that of one whose mother had just passed away. “Then, you are
not a Christian,” he said somberly, “for I too was a former Catho-
lic until God saved me from that Babylonian religion.”

No sweet and easy peace

At that point, I regretted why I ever began the conversation.

Hopefully, if after a few days, they feel my

20 Sunday in Ordinary Time
th
sincere love for them, they get a tangible
(Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10; Heb. 12:1-4; Lk. 12: 49-53) experience of God’s sweet love—without
August 19, 2007 hearing one word from me.
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
I’ve been in these situations before where I defended my Catholic
I SUPPOSE every Christian would wish Jesus’ life and ministry was character- So what good is faithfulness when one faith, but always I felt I was talking to a brick wall. So I decided to
to live in sweet and easy peace. Who ized by being a sign of contradiction, in suffers and dies, while the other triumphs do what one does to brick walls.
wouldn’t? There is enough trouble and the same mold as the prophets of the Old and lives? Suffering and death does not I avoid them. “I’ll see you in Heaven!” I told him, as I stepped
tribulation in this world. One would natu- Testament, like that of John the Baptist, have the last say. Life and love endures down the jeepney.
rally want faith and religion to bring which led to his own martyrdom. Jesus, all and conquers all. Eternal life is prom- As I watched the vehicle roar away, the evangelist was now
some comfort and peace rather than fur- too, suffered the same fate. ised and fulfilled in Jeremiah, in Jesus, talking to the driver.
ther anxiety and division. But fire and di- The prophet Jeremiah was also one and in you and all who hear the WORD Now don’t get me wrong. I admire guys like him. Their zeal;
vision is what the Lord Jesus is proclaim- such sign of contradiction. This is why and put it into practice. their sincerity; their courage to talk to total strangers. But it’s the
ing to us today. Let us try to So, in one’s journey of same type of admiration that one has for killer sharks. As long as
understand this more deeply. faith in Jesus Christ, one you see them from a distance, or on TV, that’s fine—you admire
“Do you think I have come to So, in one’s journey of faith in Jesus Christ, should not be surprised of their strength, their speed, their raw power. But my admiration
bring peace on earth? No but one should not be surprised of being disturbed being disturbed and dis-
turbing of the sweet and
never makes me want to swim with them in the same pool.
For the past twenty years of my life, I’ve been an evangelist as
rather division.” The truth and
values of the Kingdom of God, and disturbing of the sweet and easy peace easy peace that one can be well. I write, I preach, I do all sorts of things to tell people about
gifted with. Christian dis- God’s love.
that Jesus proclaims and lives
by, put one in a position that
that one can be gifted with. Christian cipleship is not at all like In fact, I sometimes talk to total strangers, too. I remember
compels him to make a choice. discipleship is not at all like that. When trials that. When trials and tribu- knocking on the doors of my new neighbors to give them fruits,
a piece of chocolate cake, or even cookies. No preaching. No
There can be no neutrality in lations do inevitably come
the face of the Kingdom. To and tribulations do inevitably come because of because of one’s pro Jesus testimonies. Sometimes, I just greet them a happy morning and
buzz away. Small acts of kindness. Nothing much, really.
choose God’s kingdom, sets
him apart. In fact, it sets him
one’s pro Jesus choices, REJOICE! This is a choices, REJOICE! This is a
sign that you are truly fol- Hopefully, if after a few days, they feel my sincere love for
in a collision course against sign that you are truly following the real lowing the real Jesus, cruci- them, they get a tangible experience of God’s sweet love—with-
those who resist, oppose, re- fied and forsaken. out hearing one word from me.
ject, or are simply indifferent Jesus, crucified and forsaken. This reminds me of another And perhaps, later, my neighbors may want to talk, and I’d be
to Jesus Christ. So, inexorably gospel passage that brings to there to listen.
he disturbs and he sets the sheep apart he was misunderstood and hated by his light the theme of this Sunday’s Word of And perhaps, later still, I’d pray with them, and share my faith
from the goats, as it were. own people and suffered for this in the God, word of Life, “Fortunate are you when to them.
The second reading from the letter to manner that is narrated to us in the fist people hate you, when they reject you and insult No, I don’t want to be a shark. I’d rather be a dolphin.
the Hebrews speaks of this opposition reading. But Jeremiah, true and faithful you and number you among criminals, because of Even kids love to go near dolphins—and I love kids.
that the faithful inevitably encounters in to God’s will, persevered to the end. the Son of man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, It’s not only more effective.
their journey of faith. The first, being Jeremiah’s vocation and mission was not for a great reward is kept for you with God. Re- It makes my life—and my mission—immeasurably fun.
one’s own sins, and second from sinners characterized by success, but by faithful- member that is how the fathers of these people
who oppose Jesus’ person and message. ness to God. treated the prophets.” (Lk. 6:22-23)

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Love for the Church

LOVING the Church is a duty
we all have. But how are we
developing and cultivating
it? For, mind you, it is not just
a passing sentiment. It has to
be love that is deep and
strong, able to penetrate the
true dimensions of the
Church and transform
people’s lives individually
and socially.
Given the complexity of
life in the Church, given our
weaknesses and mistakes, the
occasional scandals among
Church leaders, etc., if we are
not scientific in developing
this love, we certainly would
be lost.
There are at least three
points which, to me, are cru-
cial in developing this love.
There can be many other ele-
ments involved, of course.
But in the meantime, I feel
these three are basic and in-
dispensable.
First is that our model in
loving the Church should be
none other than Christ him-
self. Second is that this love
is shown in our love for the
Eucharist. Third is that our
union with the person and in-
tention of the Pope, and the
bishops in union with him, is
a sure proof of our love for
the Church.
Who can question Jesus as
model in our love for the
Church? He is the founder,
and he considers the Church
as his bride, the object of his
undying love. He is faithful
to her. He is generous in en-
dowing her with the best of
things, especially his mercy cease being merely intellec- Paul explains: “Because there
that limits evil. tual concerns. They have to is one bread, we who are
On our part, we can imitate infuse and leaven our many are one body, for we all
him by offering our life to thoughts and deeds, and partake of the one bread.” (1
her. Our faith in her should leave their mark in all aspects Cor 10,17)
be such that we believe she of our life. Faith and life That is to say, union with
has the answer to all the should merge. Christ is also union with all
questions affecting our sal- Then, loving the Church is those to whom Christ gives
vation, our faith and morals. concretely shown also when himself. I cannot possess
We should do all we can to we take care of developing Christ just for myself. I can
foster the development and true Eucharistic piety. This is only belong to him if I unite
growth of the Church. For because the sacrament con- myself with all those who
have become, or will become,
Christ’s own.
Then, loving the Church is concretely shown This is how the Holy Eucha-
rist should strike us. It should
also when we take care of developing true not just give us some tender
moments of nice feelings. It
Eucharistic piety. This is because the has very practical conse-
sacrament contains nothing less than our quences that need to be acted
out by us.
greatest treasure, Jesus Christ himself. It is Thus, Eucharistic piety
the sacrament that effectively brings us should give us constant im-
pulses to show our faith and
closest to Christ, fills us with his life and love for God and his Church
with deeds.
goodness, reminds us of everything that The third element for lov-
Christian life entails. This is the sacrament ing the Church is to be united
with the person and inten-
that builds the Church. tions of the Pope, and all the
other bishops in union with
him.
this we have to be generous tains nothing less than our This is because where Pe-
in our sacrifices and in our greatest treasure, Jesus Christ ter is, that is where the
efforts to do active apostolate himself. Church is (“ ubi Petrus, ibi
in any form available to us. It is the sacrament that ef- Ecclesia”). In short, if we are
For example, the fectively brings us closest to not united with the Pope, we
apostolate of doctrine. The Christ, fills us with his life are not united with Christ.
Church is in dire need of men and goodness, reminds us of This union with the Pope
and women who can consis- everything that Christian life and the bishops is shown by
tently give witness to their entails. This is the sacrament loving and appreciating the
faith in their respective fami- that builds the Church. Church magisterium: study-
lies and in places they work, As such, the sacrament ing, reading and following
as well as in business, poli- brings us closest to others in the encyclicals, letters and
tics, culture, etc. the endless variety of our other documents from the
Church doctrine should possible conditions. As St. Pope and the bishops.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007
Caritas and Pondo lead
housing project in Calauan
By Choy Gagalac
FORTY squatter families living along
Quirino highway in the City of Ma-
nila whose houses were demolished
by the Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) as part of their
METRO GWAPO project were awarded
their own houses in a relocation site
in Calauan, Laguna last June 30.
The housing project was spear-
headed by Caritas Manila and Pondo
ng Pinoy of the Archdiocese of Manila
and the Diocese of San Pablo.
The 202n d Infantry Brigade of the
Philippine Army under Col. Jorge
Segovia built the 40 housing units at
the NHA site in Barangay Santo
Tomas, Calauan, Laguna.
Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual of Caritas
Manila and Radio Veritas; Rev. Fr. Rene
Eriga, Social Action Director of the Dio-
cese of San Pablo; along with Vicentian
Religious priests Fr. Nono Fajardo and
Fr. Mar Castillo; represented the
Church during the blessing and award-
ing.
Fr. Pascual noted that although these
families have now houses and they
(Caritas and PnP) hope to build more,
the main problem is sustainability of
livelihood for these people.
Livelihood remains the major issue
why some members of these families
are forced to go back to Manila. This is
the crisis that needs to be addressed as
soon as possible if this project is to suc-
ceed, stressed Fr. Pascual.
On his part, Caritas Manila’s priest-
in-charge of the housing issue, Fr.
Fajardo, emphasized that humane treat-
ment should be accorded to families be-
ing relocated.
“These families should not be relo-
cated only because the government has
to improve a certain area. When we re-
locate, we need to make sure that they
will be transferred to a humane place,”
he said.
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Social Concern B7
Photos courtesy of Caritas Manila
“We are working on the premise
that our community is a community
of God,” added Fr. Eriga.
In an interview with Radio Veritas
846, Calauan Mayor Buenafrido Berris
said the local government of Calauan
is ready to accept those people who
will be affected by the MMDA demo-
lition in Metro Manila.
“Dito sa Calauan tatanggapin naming
lahat ng gustong tumira. Welcome sila
dito (We will accept in Calauan all
those who want to live here. They are
welcome here),” said Mayor Berris.
But he also added that the relocation
must be organized and properly co-
ordinated.
Mayor Berris provided the first 40
families with vegetable seeds for
planting. The NHA relocation area in
Calauan has many plots ready for
planting.
“We support this project but we are
also telling the government that the
place needs major social and infra-
structure preparation like schools, a
hospital, proper streets, water and
electricity,” said Fr. Pascual.
Referring to the cooperation be-
tween the Church and the government
that resulted in this project, Fr. Pascual
stressed that “these [necessities] TOPMOST: The housing units in Calauan's relocation site. ABOVE: At the awarding ceremonies; Fr. Eriga, Fr. Pascual, Fr. Castillo, Col. Segovia and
should be addressed before any ma- Fr. Fajardo seated in front
jor relocation in undertaken.
“Inaasahan natin na sana tuloy-tuloy 7 Questions / B1
itong partnership na ito upang mas marami
pa tayong units na magawa (para) sa ating difficulties arise. sponsible in this area of the Church’s mis- gether in a Prayer Rally marching from dif-
mga kababayan,” (We expect that this From the many applicants each year, we sion. This ministry attends to some current ferent points in the city and converging at
partnership will continue so that we have tried to accept twenty. From our expe- issues that need immediate response. This is the front of the Cathedral. This was fol-
can construct more housing units for rience only half of this number report for to emphasize that the Church is not just blind lowed by prayers by the different faith-
our people), emphasized Fr. Pascual. admission. Being relatively new, we have to what is happening around her. groups and culminated in a joint-statement
While expressing their gratitude to yet to expect the first ordination from our Concretely, our social concern may be of concern for the common good of the coun-
the Church and the local government, graduates. gleaned from the creation of different the- try. It was the common prayer of all to have
some beneficiaries disclosed this is the matic programs in the Social Action clean, peaceful and honest elections.
first time in their lives they had a de- How is the Social Concern agenda of the Apostolate like Basic Orientation Seminar on On March 30 this year, through
cent house they can call their own, in- Church being concretized in your diocese? Sustainable Agriculture (BOSSA), Livelihood PEACE-SURIGAO, the diocese spear-
cluding the land. The Social Action Ministry is directly re- Program or Micro Financing, Environment headed the inter-faith movement to sig-
Ecology, Human Rights, Political Education nal our common concern for the
and Community Based Coastal Resource country’s future by choosing capable
Management. These programs are specifically and God-fearing public servants. A Cov-
focused on five pilot areas which are consid- enant Signing by all candidates from all
ered beneficiaries, namely Nonoc, Placer, political parties involved in the May
Name _________________________________________________
(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
Malimono, Rizal and Socorro.
In the parish level, creation of the Parish
Social Action Center (PSAC) has been initi-
ated. This will bring to the parish level the
2007 elections culminated the Prayer
March on the last day of candidacy fil-
ing.
We have to emphasize that we are not
Mailing Address ________________________________________ social action activities of the diocese. Along into supporting and favoring particular po-
this line, the Social Action Apostolate, fully litical parties. Our call is to guide the politi-
________________________________________________________ supported by the Clergy of Surigao, has not cal exercise by evangelizing our faithful in
been lacking in immediately coming to the doing God’s will “on earth as it is in
Phone No.: _________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ rescue in times of disasters as well as in pov- heaven”.
erty alleviation. With the aim of honest, orderly and
Mode of Payment
peaceful elections, the Church played an
Check/PMO enclosed Cash Payment Would you consider participation in politics a important role in the establishment of
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) partofthesocialconcernagendaoftheChurch? strong foundations to serve as guideposts
Relative to the May 2007 Elections, the for future political exercises. To fully
local Church in Surigao came up with Inter- make a meaningful encounter between
________________________ Faith Political Involvementin Voter Education, the Church and political affairs she has
Signature Poll Watching and Quick Count with to clearly define the boundaries which
NAMFREL and PPCRV. As early as Decem- precisely centers on faith and morals. The
PLEASE SEND TO: ber 2006 the Catholic Church, the United same is true as far as political awareness
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), is concerned. The Church has to exercise
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and the her prophetic role to achieve order and
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com Philippine Islamic Council (PIC) came to- harmony in the land.
 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 11 No. 16
August 6 - 19, 2007

REMY (Voice: Patton Oswalt) an
extraordinary rat, has been nur-
turing the dream of being a gour-
met chef. Unable to see how he
could be one, instead, he helps
his family and their community
of rats to forage for food in hu-
man territory. His keen sense of
smell enables him to direct the
scavengers to what is edible,
andaway from what is already
poison as they work around the
garbage dumps. In one foray,
they are almost attacked by hu-
mans, and have to scatter for
safety. Remy gets separated
from everyone. Wandering
around, he is surprised to find
himself looking into the busy
kitchen of Gusteau’s Restaurant.
Forgetting his plight, he ob-
serves a young cook spoiling his
soup in the making. This is
Linguini (Voice: Lou Romano)
the garbage boy who wants to
do good and keep his job. When
unobserved, Remy quickly steps
in to do some adjustments to the
soup, and then disappears. The
soup turns out a hit and is cred-
ited to Linguini, who discovers
Remy, someone he could not do
without, if he is going to keep
his new status as chef. The two
forge a successful partnership:
Remy hidden inside the chef’s
hat on Linguini’s head giving
Moral Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
instructions, and the new chef
keeps busy preparing the vari-
ous recipes for the patrons.
It is a fun and well thought out
story of a rat and a young man
working in a partnership to cook
for customers coming to
Gusteau’s Restaurant. They are
successful in reviving the popu-
larity if this dining place, at the
same time making a name for
Liguini (who turns out to be
somebody) who only wanted to
keep a job. Remy had his happy
opportunity to be a chef (though
in hiding) and later some recog-
nition. The action-filled tale with
the animated characters going
through various situations-
funny and sometimes serious
could easily keep young view-
ers’ interest on the screen. The
visuals are in attractive colors
that blend interestingly. The
CGIs (Computer Generated Im-
ages) help a lot in making the
human and rat characters have
their own uncommon interest-
ing look. The combination of
characters and voices is a are well
matched. Memorable are: Lou
Romano as Linguini, Peter
O’Toole as Anton Ego and Patton
Oswalt as Remy.
Young viewers and adults
could easily find the same fun
and entertainment in this movie.
Title: Ratatouille
Technical Assessment Running Time: 130 mins
Cast: (Voices) Patton Oswalt, Lou
Romano, Janeane Garofalo, Peter
Poor
O’Toole, Ian Holm, Will Arnett,
Below average Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Brad
Average Garrett
Above average Director: Brad Bird
Excellent Producers: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis,
Galyn Susman
Screenwriter: Brad Bird
Music: Michael Giacchino
At the same time teenagers and
Editor: Darren T. Holmes
the older viewers could easily Genre: Animation/Adventure Comedy
make worthwhile observations Cinematography: Robert Anderson,
and come up with nuggets of Sharon Calahan
ideas presented by the story. Distributor: Columbia Pictures
There is the unexpected way of Location: Paris, France
solving the problem of discrimi- Technical Assessment: ½
nation by making a rat (Remy) Moral Assessment: ½
and a young man (Linguini) face CINEMA Rating: For viewers of all ages
each other and come up with
something positive. Each is so
different from the other, but
they had related needs. Remy
allowed his father and the whole
rat colony to depend on him be-
cause of his special talent. When
he got lost, he took advantage
of the opportunity given him,
and with daring an ingenuity
found the way to become a chef.
His father admired him for hav-
ing the “guts” to go after his
dream. Remy had a brother
Emile who was always around
when he is need. He tells his chef
brother, “You have to be who
you are”. Colette (Voice:
Janeane Garofalo) resented
Linguini for taking away her
chance for a promotion; but she
relented and helped him to be a
worthy chef. They ended up to-
gether. These are among other
easilyidentifiable values like
true friendship, community,
spirit, compassion, and coopera-
tion.

Title: Blind Dating
Running Time: 95 mins
Cast: Chris Pine, Eddie Kaye Thomas,
Jane Seymour, Anjali Jay
Director: James Keach
Producers: Costa Theo, James
Keach, Joy Mellins, David Shanks
Screenwriter: Christopher Theo
Music: Heitor Pereira
Editor: Larry Bock
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Cinematography: Julio Macat
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Location: USA
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment: ½ romantic comedy because even though there
CINEMA Rating : For mature viewers
18 and above
DANNY (Chris Pine) is a young, intelligent,
strong-minded and handsome man who re-
fuses to make his blindness an obstacle in
living a normal, happy life. He almost suc-
ceeds as he takes up law without telling his
school of his handicap, he has a perfect aim in
basketball and has all the love and support of
his family and friends. He succeeds to have a
happy normal life…almost except that he
hasn’t found love. Larry (Eddie Kaye Tho-
mas), his brother, does not understand this
and sets Danny up on a slew of bad dates;
ranging from the overly emotional to the
very promiscuous. Finally he meets some-
one on his own, Leeza (Anjali Jay) the recep-
tionist at his eye doctor’s office. Leeza is In-
dian and engaged but still goes out with
Danny. She falls for him but chooses her fiancé
over him for cultural reasons. Danny and
Leeza are separated and go through some
ups and downs but ultimately they end up
together.
The movie is a misfit to be classified as a
are light and funny moments, it ultimately
centers more on the struggle to define one-
self as a complete person, though handi-
capped. The movie starts slow and is almost
a cliché with too many stereotype characters
and situations but eventually develops into
something heartwarming and satisfying. The
cultural difference angle though is a bit over-
used and underdeveloped but it manages to
pull off with a saccharine ending. The narra-
tive is simple and brilliant as it combined
sexy comical moments with tender and en-
dearing ones. Technically it is smooth and
flawless with good angles and quick pacing.
The quest for a meaningful relationship
goes beyond physical attraction, the socio-
cultural difference and one’s handicap. The
movie demonstrates this explicitly with
Danny unable to start a relationship with the
many women he is set up with. A real rela-
tionship that stems from love transcends at-
traction and differences, the physical and so-
cial boundaries. It is when one is willing to
embrace the risks, accept the sacrifices and let
go of oneself can he or she be mature enough
to enter into a meaningful relationship. Be-
cause a real relationship is not merely about
finding someone to boost one’s confidence
or to fill that emptiness in one’s life. A rela-
tionship inspires a person to do achieve and
give and empowers him or her to become a
better person. Hence when one recognizes
real love, one does everything in his or her
power to pursue it and make it work regard-
less of limitations the two might have. Al-
though the film sends this positive message,
certain scenes, language and treatment are
offensive and inappropriate for the younger
audience.

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MAKALIPAS ang pagkasunog ngunit Bagama’t tila hango sa Title: Ouija

dalawampung taon, hindi na nila natapos ang mga sumikat na Running Time: 100 mins
muling nagkita-kita sa ritwal ng laro. Lingid sa Asyanong horror, Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Jolina Magdangal, Iza
Camiguin ang kanilang kaalaman ay nagawa ng Ouija na Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Desiree del Valle,
magkapatid sa ama na may natawag silang bigyan ng kakaibang Anita Linda, Perla Bautista, Jackie Lou
Blanco, Ruby Rodriguez
sina Romina (Jolina kaluluwa na kanilang bihis ang kuwento Director: Toppel Lee
Magdangal) at Aileen naikulong sa Ouija upang maging angkop Producers: GMA Films and Viva Films
(Judy Ann Santos) pati board. Ito ang simula ng sa kulturang Pinoy. Screenwriter: Aloy Adlawan
ang kanilang mga malalagim at Nakakamangha ang Genre: Horror
pinsang sina Sandra (Iza kakilakilabot na mga special effects na Technical Assessment:
Calzado) at Ruth (Rhian pangyayari sa kanilang nagawang kapani- Moral Assessment:
Ramos) upang magpipinsan pati na ang paniwala ang konsepto CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
makipaglibing sa mga taong malalapit sa ng multo.Kapuri-puri
namatay nilang lola kanila. Ang tanging ang lahat ng mga
(Anita Linda). makakapagligtas na nagsipagganap mula sa at lumilikha. Walang susi sa ganap na
Napagkatuwaan ni lamang sa kanila sa mga bidang si Judy Ann hihigit pa sa multo ng kapayapaan. Bagama’t
Sandra ang lumang kapahamakan ay Santos, Jolina mga nakaraan na hindi pinaigting ng pelikula
Oujia board ng kanilang malaman at makilala Magdangal, Iza Calzado mapakawalan sa puso at ang paniniwala sa
lola at naglaro sila ng ang espritung kanilang hanggang sa mga isip tulad ng sobrang kapangyarihang itim ng
spirit of the glass natawag upang pangalawang tauhang poot, inggit at Ouija, kitang-kita pa rin
kasama ang kaibigang si mapalaya ito sa Ouija sina Anita Linda at pagtatanim ng galit. na ang tao ay sa Diyos
Lucy (Desiree del Valle) board at hindi na sila Desiree Del Valle. Ito’y mga multo na pa rin mananalangin sa
at yaya (Ruby gambalain. Maging ang karakter ng patuloy na gagambala gitna ng kagipitan.
Rodriguez). Hindi Isang mahusay na nagmumulto ay sa isang tao hanggang Sinasabi rin ng pelikula
nakikisali si Romina, pelikula ang Ouija. mahusay ang matuto siyang na hindi dapat husgahan
bagay na madalas Maayos ang pagkakaganap. Pulido magpatawad. Ito rin ang ang isang tao sa
ikayamot ni Aileen pagkakahabi ng ang sinematograpiya, kadalasang dahilan kanyang panlabas na
bukod sa hindi pa rin kuwento ng apat na musika at tunog. At ang kung kaya’t may mga kaanyuan. Kung
tanggap ni Aileen ang magpipinsan at ang pinakamahalaga sa espritung hindi minsan, kung sino pa
kapatid kaya’t malamig lagim na bumabalot sa lahat, tumpak sa matahimik. Kasabay ng ang sa una’y inaakala
ang pakitungo niya rito. kuwento ng hindi tiyempo ang daloy ng paglaban ng mga nating masama, ito pala
Sa kanilang pagtawag matahimik na espiritu. buong kuwento. tauhan sa espiritung ang mabuti sa bandang
ng espiritu ay may Isang tunay na Paano nga ba tayo nagmumulto sa kanila, huli. Kailangan lamang
lumabas na ahas sa katatakutan ang pelikula dapat lumaban sa mga ay ang kanila ring gabayan ang mga
kanilang harapan at na may malalim na multo ng ating buhay? paglaban sa kani-kaniya batang manonood ng
lahat sila ay nagulat at kahulugan ang bawat Ipinakita sa Ouija na ang nilang mga multo. Sa Ouija upang ang
napatilapon sa apoy ang hibla ng kuwento na mga multo, madalas bandang huli ay konsepto ng pagtatawag
Ouija board. Nasalba nailagay sa tamang kaysa hindi, ay tao pagpapatawad at ng kaluluwa ay hindi
naman ito sa tuluyang lugar at panahon. mismo ang nagtatawag pagmamahal pa rin ang nila tularan.