•A3 Pope Benedict calls

for revolution of
•B1 ‘Your hands, your lips,
become... the Hands
•C1 The CROSS
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
holiness in Africa and Lips of God’ and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

Prelate favors P10-B calamity CBCP asks Congress to uphold

fund for storm victims inmates’ rights to suffrage
MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo THE Episcopal Commission on Prison Pas-
favored the allocation of P10 billion calamity toral Care (ECPPC) of the Catholic Bishops
fund and said huge chunk of the budget must Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called
be earmarked for reconstruction. on Congress to modify election laws to ensure
Speaking over Church-run Radio Veritas, prisoners of their right to vote.
Pabillo said giving housing to the poor whose In a press statement, the Commission lauded
houses were ravaged by typhoon Ondoy must both COMELEC and Bureau of Jail Manage-
be prioritized. ment and Penology (BJMP) for allowing pris-
“That calamity fund should be allocated for oners in detention to register to exercise their
housing so as not to put at risk once more the constitutional right to vote in the upcoming
lives of the poor,” he said. 2010 elections.
Pabillo chairs the National Secretariat for So- Reiterating the Commission’s statement, ECPPC
Fund / A6
October 12 - 25, 2009 Vol. 13 No. 21 Php 20.00 Suffrage / A7

CBCP head asks priests to

reclaim prophetic leadership

By Roy Lagarde role” in church and society.

THE head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines called on church leaders to
live their prophetic role more effectively.
Lagdameo said such celebration expressed the need to
develop a theology of leadership: the prophetic role of priests
and their call to stewardship.
“Year for Priests gives us priests the opportunity to regain
and reclaim our prophetic leadership, exercised in the present

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

This is more so because, according to Archbishop Angel context or realities of church and society in the Philippines,”
Lagdameo, the country’s current situation challenges church he said.
officials to move into more prophetic expressions of their role
as key actors in civil society. Discernment
As the church marks Year for Priests, he said it’s also about The CBCP head made the statement in his homily during
time to see whether the clergy have truly played a “prophetic Prophetic / A6

CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo exhorts priests to exercise their prophetic role and the call to stewardship more effectively amidst challenges of present societal conditions. The archbishop leads the Mass on October 13, at the
opening of the three-day National Discernment of Priests at the Lay Formation Center, San Carlos Seminary, Makati City. The National Discernment of Priests assembly is a response to the call of the hierarchy for the formation of “circles of discernment”
among the clergy.

Pope: RP needs ‘honest’ political leaders POPE Benedict XVI said the Philippines’ continuing struggle from
poverty signals the imperative need for upright political leaders.
Speaking to new Philippines Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes
Arrasitia Tuason, the pope urged public officials to rediscover the
real ethical foundation of their political authority.
“The struggle against poverty in the Philippines calls for honesty,
integrity and an unwavering fidelity to the principles of justice, es-
pecially on the part of those entrusted with positions of governance
and public administration,” Benedict XVI said.
The pontiff made the remarks on Oct. 2 at a function to welcome
the new Filipino envoy to the Holy See.
He also called on Filipino officials to work for peace especially in
Mindanao which, according to him, is a region ‘scarred by conflicts.’
Honest / A7

CBCP saddened over Dominican Network bags

abduction of priest,
worries of fragile health leadership of YouthPinoy
TWO offices of the
THE Catholic bishops’ leadership said they Catholic Bishops’
are saddened over the kidnapping of an Irish Conference of the
priest held hostage by still unknown kidnap- Philippines (CBCP)
pers in the restive southern Philippines. have appointed a
Columban missionary Michael Sinnott was Legal Manage-
seized from his home on the evening of October ment graduate of
11 in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. the University of
Authorities said six armed gunmen burst Santo Tomas to take
into Father Michael Sinnott at his residence the helm of its offi-
while he was strolling inside the Missionary
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

cial website for the

Society of Saint Columban compound in what Filipino Catholic
appeared to be a well-organized operation. youth.
Dragging him to a waiting car, he was Masbate Bishop
then trundled into a waiting speed boat at Joel Baylon and Fr.
a nearby beach. Conegundo Gargan-
The whereabouts of the octogenarian ta of the Espisco-
priest, born in Ireland, are still unknown, pal Commission on
while no group has yet to claim the respon- Youth, together with Msgr. Pedro Quitorio coalition of different youth groups and
sibility for the terrorist act. of the CBCP Media Office, have appointed ministries working behind the www.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president Eilleen Esteban of the Dominican Network youthpinoy.com portal.
Abduction / A7 as the first president of YouthPinoy, a YouthPinoy / A6

CBCP head sees warning sign in Bishops renew

calamities, calls for praying the rosary call for Comelec to
release source code
THE Church does not say that the dreadful flash
floods recently was a judgment of God but a prelate
believes there is a message in the disaster.
even the coming elections? We’re just asking! We
do not have the answer! That is why let us also
pray,” he said.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines While the country is yet to recover from wrath A MULTI-SECTORAL group led by Catholic bish-
president, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, said such of typhoon Ondoy, another typhoon, Pepeng left ops urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
terrible tragedy can, in the mysterious providence much of northern Luzon devastated and sub- to make public the source code of the Optical Mark
Illustration by Bladimer Usi

of God, also serve as a warning sign.
“In the destruction wrought by typhoons, we
must see not so much God ‘lifting His hand to
punish’ but moral evil having its ‘trail of harm and
ruin’ because we have destroyed God’s world,”
Archbishop Lagdameo said.
“We are challenged to open our hearts to God’s
warning signs. Should we not at least ask ourselves
if all the corruption and lies, the loss of integrity
and the mounting ‘destruction of morality and
moral values’ in the present government and the
present calamities: is there a connection? Is God
not giving us “hints” regarding the future and
merged in water.
The prelate said the situation calls for the faithful
to pray and seek God’s intervention to spare the
country from further calamities.
In this month of October, Archbishop Lagdameo
said the church recommend that the Rosary be
prayed by individuals, families or by communities
in parishes for the said intention.
“Our countrymen, still reeling in physical an-
guish and emotional distress, which many of them
hide in their smiles and sense of humor, need also
to be prayed for,” he said.
Rosary / A7
Reader (OMR) it would use in the 2010 elections.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and
Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez joined some
information technology experts, lawmakers and
non-government organization leaders in asking the
poll body to reveal the code for public scrutiny.
In a joint statement sent to Comelec chair Jose and CCS computer programs now before it is too
Melo, they said that asking for the source code late,” it read.
is meant to ensure transparent, fair and credible Pabillo heads the CBCP’s National Secretariat
elections. for Social Action while Iñiguez chairs the CBCP’s
“We reiterate in strongest terms our call for the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs.
Comelec to comply with Section 12 of RA 9369 Among those who signed the statement are Sr.
and release the source code of the PCOS-OMR Source code / A6
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

Holy Father canonizes five

new saints
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 11, 2009—Pope Benedict XVI has canonized five new saints in St. Peter’s Basilica,
including Fr. Damian of Molokai. During his homily, the Holy Father noted that all of the saints fol-
lowed the invitation of Christ: "Come, follow me!"
Speaking to the faithful packed in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope described the invitation of Christ,
saying that he "invites his disciples to the total gift of their lives, without calculation and human self-
interest, with a wholehearted faith in God."
This call, the Holy Father continued, is welcomed by the saints who "place themselves in humble
obedience" to follow the Lord.
They no longer focus on themselves, the Pope explained, but by their "logic of faith." They choose
"to go against the trends of the time living according to the Gospel."
Benedict XVI then gave a brief description of each of the five newly-canonized saints: a bishop, a
Trappist brother, two priests and a nun.
Archbishop Zygmunt Szczesny Feliński of Warsaw, founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan
Sisters of the Family of Mary, was committed to evangelization and support for the poor, defending

the oppressed during the Russian occupation of Poland, and was sentenced to 20 years in exile in
Jaroslaw on the Volga. "His gift of himself to God and man," the Holy Father said in Polish, was "full
of confidence and love," and "becomes a shining example for the entire Church."
To those younger generations today who "are not satisfied with what they have," the Pontiff gave
the example of Rafael Arnaiz Baron, who came from a wealthy family and was a bit "of a dreamer." A
Cistercian oblate, he died when he was 27 years old, and is considered one of the greatest mystics of
the twentieth century.
The Pontiff next spoke of Dominican Father Francisco Coll y Guitard, founder of the Congregation
of Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary.
Through his preaching, the saint spread his love of the Word of God and the Sacrament of Reconcili-
ation among all people especially the young.
Father Damian, the famous apostle to the lepers, left Flanders, Belgium at the age of 23 to go on a mis-
sion to modern day Hawaii. "Not without fear and loathing," Pope Benedict underlined, "Father Damian
made the choice to go on the island of Molokai in the service of lepers who were there, abandoned by
all. So he exposed himself to the disease of which they suffered. With them he felt at home. The servant
of the Word became a suffering servant, leper with the lepers, during the last four years of his life."
He continued, "To follow Christ, Father Damian not only left his homeland, but has also staked his
© www.vancouversun.com
health so he, as the word of Jesus announced in today's Gospel tells us, received eternal life."
The figure of Father Damian, Benedict XVI added, "teaches us to choose the good fight not those that
lead to division, but those that gather us together in unity."
And finally, the Pope spoke of Jeanne Jugan. Referring to her by her religious name of St. Mary of the
Cross, from the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Holy Father commented on her "wonderful work to help
the most vulnerable elderly." He noted that her initiatives and goals are "still valid today, given that
many elderly people suffer from multiple poverty and loneliness, sometimes even being abandoned
by their families."
The Pope concluded by inviting all present "to allow themselves to be attracted by the shining ex-
ample of these saints, to be guided by their teachings so that our entire lives become a hymn of praise
to God's love." (CNA)

Benedict XVI prays Rosary with college

students, tells youth to seek the truth
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 12, 2009—Pope Benedict prayed a Rosary
with university students from both Rome and Africa on Saturday
night at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall. Following the Marian prayer,
the Holy Father remarked that students must be “passionate seek-
ers of truth.”
Synod Fathers from the ongoing Synod for Africa, Roman univer-
sity students and via satellite, university students from eight African
cities: Cairo, Egypt; Nairobi, Kenya; Khartoum, Sudan; Johannes-
burg, South Africa; Onitsha, Nigeria; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic
of Congo; Maputo, Mozambique, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
participated in the event.
Following the Rosary, Benedict XVI spoke to the students and
asked them to be “workers of intellectual charity” in both the Church
and society. Living out this call is “so necessary if we are to face up
to the great challenges of the present time,” the Pope said.
While at the university, he continued, the students must be “pas-
sionate seeks of truth,” and must build “academic communities of
the highest intellectual standard, where it is possible to exercise and
enjoy that open and all-embracing rationality which paves the way
to the meeting with God.”
He then exhorted the students to also also collaborate among their
various institutions, especially with the African schools.
Speaking to the African students, the Pope invited them to use
their years of study as “preparation to carry out a service of cultural
animation in your countries.”
“New evangelization in Africa also depends on your generous
efforts," he concluded. (CNA)

Pope discusses World Youth Day with Vatican paper calls Nobel
Prize for Obama ‘premature,’
Spanish delegate
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 12, 2009—Benedict XVI held a brief meeting
with Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss preparations for
the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos was in the Rome as the head of highlights his abortion stance
the official Spanish delegation that attended the canonization issues of mutual interest and other points that affect Church-
of the first two Spanish saints canonized by this Pope: Father State relations." ROME, Italy,
Francisco Coll and Brother Rafael Arnáiz. The Holy Father also received the delegations from the native Oct. 12, 2009—
"Among the topics discussed was the prepara- countries of the other newly canonized saints. The semi-official
tion for World Youth Day, which will take place Attending on the Belgian side, in honor of St. Vatican daily,
in Madrid in August of 2011, and the meaning Damien De Veuster, apostle of the lepers in Molokai, L’Osservatore
of the canonizations for the Spanish Church and were King Albert II and Queen Paola of his home- Romano, has
society," the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See land. called the deci-
reported. As Molokai is in Hawaii, the ambassador of the sion to award
The communiqué added that after the meeting United States to the Holy See, Miguel Díaz, also at- President
with the Pontiff, the minister had a "lengthy con- tended the ceremony along with one of the state's Obama with
versation" with Archbishop Dominique Mam- senators, Daniel Kahikina Akaka. the Nobel Peace
berti, the secretary for relations with states. In honor of St. Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski Prize prema-
It added, "In an atmosphere of great cordial- of Poland, the president of the Republic, Lech ture and more
ity, the interlocutors addressed among other Kaczynski, was present in the Vatican. of an invitation
topics: the priorities of the Spanish presidency France, which was celebrating the newly canon- to choose peace
of the European Union beginning in January of ized St. Jeanne Jugan, was represented by Prime through politics. The award is also questionable because of his
2010, the Alliance of Civilizations, international © www.ourladyofmercy.info Minister François Fillon. (Zenit) position on various bio-ethics issues, especially abortion.
The article points out that “the awarding of the Nobel Peace
Prize to Barack Obama has taken everyone somewhat by surprise,
Divorce between Church and State could ruin Mexico, first and foremost the U.S. president himself.”
“During the last 90 years,” L'Osservatore noted, “the prize
has never been awarded to a sitting U.S. president—when it was

Cardinal Rivera says
MEXICO CITY, Oct. 12, 2009—The Archbishop
of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera
Carrera, warned last week that “the divorce
between Church and State could cause our
ruin,” as he commented on those who want to
overlook the country’s religious roots.
The cardinal made his remarks during the
opening of the 2009 Guadalupan Congress,
saying he rejects the attempts by some to
celebrate Mexico’s bicentennial by “disre-
garding the religious roots of our country.”
He criticized those who wish to follow the
ideologues of Europe and turn Mexico into
a secular country, forcing Mexicans to deny
“a part of who we are.”
After noting that many thinkers in history
have tried to define the Mexican people, Car-
dinal Rivera explained that it is necessary to
awarded to Jimmy Carter in 2002 he had been out of office already
for some time—[but was] involved in politics and susceptible,
therefore, to making a range of decisions related to peace.”
recognize that “in our Perhaps for this reason, the newspaper said, “Analysts have
national context, Holy almost unanimously interpreted his selection as a way of pres-
Mary of Guadalupe is suring Obama to make pacifist choices as his administration
a fundamental force continues forward.”
for national unity, L'Osservatore also questioned the administration’s actions
and devotion to her is in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that the decisions seem aimed
now totally indepen- at trying to find a middle way between “fidelity to the pacifist
dent of the Mexican statements made during the campaign season and a more realistic
state … She has con- policy, which some have defined as a continuation of that of the
tributed to cementing ‘warmonger’ Bush.”
a national Catholic This back-and-forth policy, the paper observed, is very similar
identity, because all to the approach that Obama has taken to “the great bioethics is-
Mexicans are in some sues, with abortion being first and foremost.” His way of doing
way Guadalupans.” things has generated great controversy among Catholics in the
He went on to country, the daily added.
stress that the popu- The Vatican newspaper also brought to mind Mother Teresa
lar phrase, “To be Mexican is to be Guada- think the same about Guadalupe, or that we being honored with the Peace Prize in 1979, and said, “Obama
lupan,” does not mean “that we all have to all have to practice a Guadalupan devotion. ought to recall that in 1979 he was preceded by Mother Teresa,
But there is a part of being Mexican that who had the courage to state in her acceptance speech that the

European bishops promote solidarity signifies an unique relationship with Holy

GDANSK, Poland, Oct. 12, 2009—The Euro-
pean bishops gathered representatives from
29 countries to create strategies for building
solidarity on the continent in the first ever
“Catholic Social Days for Europe.”
These days, sponsored by the Commis-
sion of the Bishops’ Conferences of the Eu-
ropean Community, took place in Gdansk
from Thursday to Sunday.
In the closing statement, titled “Solidar-
ity Is the Future of Europe,” the bishops
recalled the 70th anniversary of the begin-
ning of World War II, and the resulting
quest for reconciliation that gave rise to
the European Union.
They underlined the need to uphold the
principles of solidarity and subsidiarity so
as to promote the common good through-
out Europe.
The bishops affirmed, “Selfish behavior,
utilitarianism and materialism need to give
way to sharing, as has been clearly demon-
strated by the current economic crisis.”
They added that “the inalienable dignity
of human life from the moment of concep-
tion to natural death must be respected.”
“We should not be afraid,” the prel-
ates stated, as “solidarity is our common
future.”
They continued: “The unity of Europe
has been the dream of some. It has become
a hope for many. Today it is our duty to
ensure that it continues to serve the objec-
tive of global solidarity.” (Zenit)
Mary of Guadalupe,” he said.
Although “at times we manifest it and
other times we want to hide it,” he said, Our
Lady of Guadalupe “is very present in our
cultural roots, in very concrete events: when
our mixed race began, at our Independence,
during the Revolution, during important
national events, and she is also present in
our daily lives, for this reason [there is] the
insistence that to be Mexican is to be Gua-
dalupan,” the cardinal said.
The Archbishop of Mexico City also said
that Our Lady of Guadalupe was instrumental
in uniting the divided people of what is now
Mexico. “And then came the Guadalupan
event, and what seemed irreparable became a
pathway, what seemed irreconcilable became
a nation. Holy Mary of Guadalupe is the
remedy that God provided for what seemed
to be our destruction,” he said. (CNA)
harshest war with the greatest number of ‘fallen’ is the practice
of abortion, legalized and facilitated as well by the international
structures.”
Pointing out an inconsistency, L'Osservatore noted that Pope
John Paul II was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for years
but was never chosen for the award, not even in 2003 “after his
condemnation of the war in Iraq.”
“Pope Wojtyla was considered by the members of the com-
mittee as too ‘conservative’ in other areas, and they feared that
awarding it to him would be seen as favoring the Catholic Church
over other religions. Their fears were evidently overcome in the
much more controversial case of the selection of Obama,” the
Vatican daily said, noting that the selection process has become
mired in being politically correct.
Nevertheless, the article concluded, “at the same time, as the
director of the Holy See’s Press Office has stated, we cannot
help but rejoice at the recognition of President Obama’s efforts
at nuclear disarmament and his personal disposition towards a
policy that seeks peace more than the affirmation of U.S. power
in the world.” (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
A3

Pope Benedict calls

for revolution of
holiness in Africa
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 4, 2009—In St. Peter’s Basilica, during Sun-
day’s Opening Mass for the Synod of African Bishops, Pope Benedict
XVI preached holiness as a means to societal reconciliation and
peace. The Holy Father also called for a new evangelization of Africa,
highlighting the primacy of God, marriage and protecting children
from violence as the areas most in need of the Gospel.
Benedict XVI, who visited Cameroon and Angola in March of this
year, began by stating the unity between this Synod and the first one
opened in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.
This “spiritual lung” that is Africa risks two “dangerous diseases,”
he warned. "First, a disease that has spread throughout the Western
world, namely practical materialism, combined with relativistic and
nihilistic thinking.” The second, he said, is “religious fundamental-
ism. Mixed with political and economic interests, groups claiming
different religious affiliations are spreading in Africa.”
For Pope Benedict, the work of the Synod must focus on two
themes: marriage and children.
born, for as the Lord Jesus, the Church does not see them primarily
as recipients of care, lesser still as vessels for pietism or exploitation,
but persons in their own right.”
To address these challenges, the Holy Father continued, the
Church in Africa must implement “a new evangelization, which
takes account of the rapid social changes of our time and the phe-
nomenon of worldwide globalization.” In addition to numbers, "We
need to focus increasingly on the 'high standard' of Christian life,
that is holiness. Pastors, and all members of the ecclesial community,
are called to be saints.”
He added: “The lay faithful are called to spread the fragrance of
holiness in the family, workplace, school and all other social and po-
litical spheres. May the Church in Africa be a family of true disciples
of Christ, where the difference between ethnic groups becomes a
motive and stimulus for mutual human and spiritual enrichment."
"Reconciliation,” the Pontiff recalled, “is a gift of God that men
have to plead for and accept. It is the stable foundation on which to

"Marriage as the Bible presents it does not exist outside of our
relationship with God,” he said. "To the extent that it preserves and
develops its faith, Africa can find huge resources to donate to the
benefit of the family founded on marriage."
The Synod, the Pope advised, should pay attention to "the reality
of childhood, which is a large and unfortunately suffering part of the
African population." The Church in Africa, he said, "manifests her
own motherhood towards the smallest children, even those not yet
© www.scross.co.za
build peace, a prerequisite for true progress of mankind and society,
according to the design of justice willed by God.”
“By the redeeming grace of the Risen Lord,” he proclaimed, “Africa
will be ever more enlightened by his light and, guided by the Holy Spirit,
it will become a blessing for the universal Church, contributing their own
and qualified to building a world more just and fraternal world.” over the world, parishes and movements, the sick and suffering to
At the conclusion of his homily, Benedict XVI asked the cloistered accompany with prayer the work of the Synod Fathers "so that the
monasteries and religious communities in Africa and spread all Lord render fruitful this second Special Assembly.” (CNA)

FABC Secretary Cardinal calls priests in Ars to love enemies

reports of similarities ARS, France, Oct. 9, 2009—St. Jerome is said to have removed a thorn from
the paw of a lion who would attack him. The archbishop of Boston says this
ness and asked that he open his
heart to him. Nehemiah said that

between Asian and image is a calling for priests to love even their enemies.
Cardinal Sean O'Malley reflected on the legend of St. Jerome when he
addressed priests on retreat in Ars, in the context of the Year for Priests and
his heart was broken because the
Holy City, Jerusalem, and the
Temple were in ruins."

African Churches
MANILA, Oct. 9, 2009—The Secretary General
of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference
(FABC), Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo,
OMI, told African bishops in the presence of the
Holy Father that there are similarities between
Asian and African Churches.
The two conti-
nents “bear simi-
the 150th anniversary of St. John Vianney. The seven-day retreat ended last
Sunday.
The cardinal pointed to St. Jerome's description of the first Christians, about
"We also see the problems of
secularization, the sexual scan-
dals, the Church scorned and
whom it was said, "They live near us, in our midst, but they do not abort abandoned by so many people,"
and they respect marriage. This is strange!" The cardinal suggested this letter the prelate reflected. "But the king
"could have been written last week." acceded to Nehemiah' solicitude
Christians are called to be different, the cardinal illustrated, pointing to the who requested: 'Send me to Ju-
"golden legend" of St. Jerome. This story depicts the saint surrounded by a dah to reconstruct the city of my
group of monks. When they are attacked by a lion, they all flee, but Jerome forefathers.'"
stays: He sees that the lion is lame and he removes a thorn from his paw.
Cardinal O'Malley extracted this lesson: "We must behave like this. Christ Christ's home

© www.boston.com
lar experiences of is our physician, our Savior. We must be convinced and convince others and Cardinal O'Malley referred
sorrow and joy,” have the grace that our enemies become our brothers." as well to the young man of the
said Quevedo Nevertheless, the cardinal acknowledged, priests also sometimes betray Gospel of the day, who said to
who represented their mission. He spoke of the Apostles abandoning Jesus in his passion. Jesus, "I will follow you wherever
the FABC in the "Peter, on the afternoon of his ordination, cut off Malchus' ear, saw the you go." The cardinal recalled that Cardinal Sean O’Malley
Second Special soldiers, and fled," he said. "He tried to do what all of us have tried at some Jesus' reply affirms "the Son of
Assembly of the time, to follow Jesus, but at a prudent distance. However, someone recognized Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Synod of Bishops him, not a soldier armed with a sword, but a servant – who treated him with Similarly, the Boston prelate observed, the first disciples asked: "Where do
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

for Africa now contempt – and he denied his Master." you live?" And they hear the answer: "Come and see..." and "they discover
on progress in Yet, Cardinal O'Malley continued, at the moment of "breakfast" on the shore that he is a Teacher without a home."
Rome. of the lake, after the Resurrection, Christ asks Peter three times: "Do you love "He was born in a stable and was buried in another's tomb," the cardinal said.
The Filipino Me?" Peter answers that he loves him and Christ says to him: "Follow me." He proposed that this image can be applied to priestly celibacy: "Our celi-
prelate said there Spiritual authors evoke this second calling, the "second opportunity" – a bacy is a participation in the fact that there is no home for the friend of the
is sorrow because new opportunity after our slips, our withdrawals. We, as priests can all receive Bridegroom and the other disciples. Celibacy without love has no meaning.
of “the many forc- this grace of a new calling, like St. Teresa of Jesus who received a second [...] It should, on the contrary, be the sign of the joy of the faith in the spirit,
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo es of a culture of conversion before the image of the Ecce Homo, he affirmed. in the risen Christ."
death… such as the increasing poverty and mar- Truth and liberty "May the holy Cure d'Ars help us find our way of Ars here on earth," the
ginalization of our peoples; … injustices against Cardinal O'Malley also commented on the first reading from the day's cardinal prayed, "our way in a renewed interior life of profound friendship
women and children; … our inability to compete Mass, taken from the Book of Nehemiah: "The king saw Nehemiah's sad- with Christ and with our brother priests." (Zenit)
with the powerful in a global economic order un-

CBCP Official urges Congress to consider options to detention

guided by juridical and moral norms.”
He also referred to the “religious intolerance
instead of a dialogue of reason and faith” prevalent
in both churches.
Quevedo however added that both Asia and Af-
rica “experience great joy and hope in movements
of justice and peace; ... in the solidarity of people of
good will from different social classes and religious
traditions to work for a more just, more peaceful,
more fraternal social order.”
He added that as far as he understands the
MANILA, Oct. 12, 2009—Saying that imprison- look on the The Episcopal commission argues that other ef-
ment is counterproductive for the rehabilitation situation of fective measures can be applied to meet the goal of
and wellbeing of prisoners, an official of the the inmates, imprisonment, since not “all socially undesirable
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines the reason of conduct can be classified as crime”.
called on Congress to think instead of alternatives their deten- City jails in Metro Manila and provinces are
to detention. tion and how often filled up to capacity with petty crime of-
Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the long they fenders.
Episcopal Commission on Pastoral Care, said in have been in- Congress can decriminalize those crimes, Dia-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

Church in Africa is “exploring the theological and
pastoral implications of the Church as the Family
of God.”
“In Asia, we have been led by the Holy Spirit, we
believe, to explore in the Asian context the theology
of Church as communion and as humble servant of
the Gospel and of Asian peoples,” he said.
Quevedo was president of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) before he
a statement that the sorry state of the country’s side prison. mante said.
penitentiary system “impinges on several human It has been “We can also use diversion strategies, divert
rights [of prisoners], like provision on basic needs noted that offenders to alternative programs like community-
like food, shelter and medicines.” many of the based program, treatment centers or work and
“Prisoners are often held in grossly overcrowded inmates have study furlough,” said Diamante.
conditions, poorly clothed and underfed,” he been lan- The statement was released in time for the up-
said. guishing in coming celebration of Prison Awareness Week on
Due to this dismal condition, “prisoners are par- jail for a long ECPPC Exec. Sec. Rodolfo Diamante October 25. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
ticularly vulnerable to disease, and yet are given period of time

Migrant chaplains raise funds for

took leadership of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ poor medical treatment,” he added. while still await-
Conferences. (CBCPNews) Diamante said policy-makers should take a close ing trial.

Arroyo gov’t accused of undermining indigenous rights
MANILA, Oct. 7, 2009—The Philippine
government has been accused of racism
by a Catholic Church-backed advocacy
group in United Kingdom for its disre-
gard of indigenous rights.
The agency berated the Arroyo admin-
istration for its position in two disputes
in environment and indigenous claims,
accusing it of favoring mining companies
at the expense of ethnic minorities.
The Catholic Agency for Overseas
Development (CAFOD) refuted govern-
ment reports that rights of indigenous
peoples (IP) in the Philippines are re-
spected well.
On paper, CAFOD policy analyst So-
nya Maldar said, the government gives
its 12 million IP extensive legal protec-
tion, including rights to approve or reject
plans for any large-scale developments
like mining on their ancestral lands.
“But legislation is not being enforced
and there are countless examples of
these rights [that] are being violated in
practice,” she said.
On Philippine President Arroyo’s
recent visit to UK, CAFOD’s partner
Indigenous Peoples Links (PIPLinks)
challenged her to act on racial discrimi-
nation against indigenous people.
The UK-based support group pre-
sented the president with a letter which
drew attention to new findings from the
UN Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination.
This high-level committee, made up
of experts from 18 countries, has raised
critical concerns about how well indig-
enous peoples’ rights are respected in
the Philippines.
PIPLinks contributed evidence from
IPs to a “shadow report” for the com-
mittee to counter Arroyo government
claims that there is no racial discrimina-
tion in the Philippines.
"We await a response from the
government, but in the meantime are
concerned that the President prioritized
meeting mining companies in London,
when their activities are the source of so
many of the ongoing concerns raised by
indigenous peoples in the Philippines,”
said Andy Whitmore from PIPLinks.
In its final report, the committee cited
the case of the Subanon people who
have lived on the west of the island
of Mindanao for hundreds of years.
Canadian company TVI Pacific began
operating a new open-cast mine in this
area in 2002.
Since then, local people have reported
that their farmland has been bulldozed
by the company without consent, warn-
ing or compensation. Some also claimed
that they have been threatened or vio-
lently forced to leave their homes.
The farmland is on Mount Canatuan,
an area considered sacred by local
Subanon indigenous people. Part of this
mountain has now been destroyed by
large-scale mining.
As part of CAFOD’s “Unearth Justice”
campaign, its partners are helping indig-
enous communities exercise their consti-
tutional right to give or withhold “free,
prior and informed consent” for mining
on their lands, as well as helping them
relocate and re-build their livelihoods.”
Further recommendations from the
UN committee included ensuring that
IPs are protected in situations of armed
conflict and that fair investigations are
conducted into all allegations of human
rights violations.
The committee asked the government
to report back in one year on progress.
(Roy Lagarde)
typhoon victims
MANILA, Oct. 1, 2009─Filipino mi-
grant chaplains stationed overseas
quickly spearheaded a fund campaign
among Filipino communities to help
flood victims back home.
Migrant chaplains from Tel Aviv,
Berlin, Spain and Kuwait were among
the very first to respond to the appeal
for assistance, according to Fr. Edwin
Corros, Executive Secretary of the
Episcopal Commission for Migrants
and Itinerant People.
“As early as 11 a.m. [of] Sept. 26, I
have written some of the chaplains and
friends overseas describing the huge
amount of [rain that flooded] Metro
Manila… It was very spontaneous
on the part of our migrant chaplains
overseas to raise funds particularly in
Tel Aviv, Berlin, Spain and Kuwait,
because they were immediately in-
formed of the disastrous effect of the
recent typhoon,” Corros said.
Fr. Ric Fernando, chaplain of the Di-
vine Mercy Chapel in Tel Aviv said he
would launch an appeal so Filipinos
in Tel Aviv could participate in the
“re-building of lives of [those] hard
hit by this natural calamity.”
“I am thinking first of all of extend-
ing needed help to those in the Divine
Mercy Chapel whose families have
suffered total loss,” he stated in his
email to Corros.
For his part Fr. Adonis Narceles, an
SVD based in Berlin, Germany said
that he was able to collect little amount
for the victims after reading Corros’ let-
ter to the people during the Mass.
Likewise, Fr. Ben Barrameda, chap-
lain of Holy Family Cathedral in
Kuwait and Fr. Casey Ureta based in
Sydney, Australia are also spearhead-
ing a campaign drive to collect dona-
tions for the flood victims.
“We are doing fund raising here
for the victims of Ondoy. I appealed
to our parishioners in Narraweena to
help,” Ureta said.
He said many groups in Sydney have
expressed their willingness to contrib-
ute to help the victims. Aside from
second collection during masses, they
are also planning to hold dinners with
proceeds intended for the victims.
Fr. Fabio Baggio, director of Scalabrini
Migration Center in Manila, who is cur-
rently in Madrid, also sent word that
Filipino migrants in Spain are collecting
donations and will send aid either in cash
or in kind. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
A4
EDITORIAL
Now it’s the Pope’s word
AFTER that very courageous post-election statement of
Philippine Catholic Bishops in February of 1986, many more
pastoral statements followed denouncing bad governance and
the way politics is done in the country. In that statement, the
one-liner that has launched a thousand courageous moves seems
to be this: “Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to
repair the wrong. The wrong was systematically organized.
So must its correction be.”
The removal of the dictator appeared to have been the
“correction”—or at least as long as the “yellow euphoria”
lasted (which maybe said to be lingering still today with the
reappearance of “yellow candidates” though without much
credentials to speak of beyond sentimentalities.) But, truth to
tell, nothing much has really changed. The collars have been
gaily changing, but the dogs are substantially the same. The
killings and disappearances, the corruption and name it during
the dictatorship, are really not foreign today.
Which is why in 1997, or eleven years after the exile of the
conjugal dictatorship, the crispiest verbiage came with the
Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics that goes “Philippine
politics—the way it is practiced—has been most hurtful of
us as a people. It is possibly the biggest bane in our life as a
nation and the most pernicious obstacle to our achieving the
full human development.”
And now the Holy Father takes the stage. During the
presentation of the Letter of Credence by the new Philippines
Ambassador to the Vatican, Mercedes Arrasitia Tuason last
October 2, the Pope retorted: “The struggle against poverty in
the Philippines calls for honesty, integrity and an unwavering
fidelity to the principles of justice, especially on the part
of those entrusted with positions of governance and public
administration.”
Protocol-wise, such events are usually occasions for affirmation
of friendship and goodwill between nations. But this time the
pope, who may have been shown the real plight of Filipinos,
wrapped in the rather dirty hands of their political leaders,
had to go beyond the ordinary call of diplomacy. Ironically,
he actually showed true friendship and goodwill by playing
the child, as in the old fable, to be able to tell that the king
has no clothes.
Now, it’s the Pope saying. The Philippines needs honest
political leaders.
Destruction in the name of progress
HOW can the fish swim in running sewers like the Pasig and
so many more rivers which we have polluted? Who has turned
the wonder world of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft
of color and life? Imagine: only 5% of our corals are in their
pristine state! The blast of dynamite can still be heard on our
coastal waters. We still allow muro-ami fishing methods which
take a terrible toll both on the young swimmers and the corals.
Mine tailings are dumped into fertile seas like Calancan Bay in
Sta. Cruz, Marinduque where they destroy forever the habitat
of the fish. Chemicals are poisoning our lands and rivers. They
kill vital organisms and in time they will poison us. The ghost
of the dreaded Minamata Bay disease hangs over towns in the
Agusan river basin and the Davao gulf.
Most of this destruction has taken place since the beginning of
this century, a mere wink of an eye in the long history of our
country. Yet in that time we have laid waste complex living
systems that have taken millions of years to reach their present
state of development.
We often use the word progress to describe what has taken
place over the past few decades. There is no denying that in
some areas our roads have improved and that electricity is more
readily available. But can we say that there is real progress?
Who has benefited most and who has borne the real costs? The
poor are as disadvantaged as ever and the natural world has
been grievously wounded. We have stripped it bare, silenced
its sounds and banished other creatures, from the community
of the living. Through our thoughtlessness and greed we have
sinned against God and His creation.
One thing is certain: we cannot continue to ignore and disregard
the Earth. Already we are experiencing the consequence of our
shortsightedness and folly. Even though we squeeze our lands
and try to extract more from them, they produce less food.
The air in our cities is heavy with noxious fumes. Instead of
bringing energy and life it causes bronchial illness. Our forests
are almost gone, our rivers are almost empty, our spring and
wells no longer sparkle with living water. During the monsoon
rain, flash-floods sweep through our towns and cities and
destroy everything in their path. Our lakes and estuaries are
silting up. An out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality allows us to
flush toxic waste and mine tailings into our rivers and seas in
the mistaken belief that they can no longer harm us. Because
the living world is interconnected, the poison is absorbed by
marine organisms. We in turn are gradually being poisoned
when we eat seafood.
– What is happening to our beautiful land,
A CBCP Pastoral Letter on Ecology, 1988
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor Feature Editor
Melo M. Acuña Laarni Bergado
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor
Roy Q. Lagarde Ernani M. Ramos
News Editor Circulation Manager
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Layout Artist and Online Editor Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com-
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and
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P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
ISSN 1908-2940
Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD Promoting Culture of Respect,
Dialogue and Friendship in
In and Out of Season the Digital Generation
WE are now in the part of human history in which everything is identity of those who commented on my statements remain hidden
digital. It is characterized by the invasion of modern technologies to me because they are pseudonyms.
like computers, internet, cell phones, electronic mail and social One could pretend in the internet or in the cell phone to the one he
network websites is communicating that he is a bachelor, but in reality he is not. Here
Our experience in this digital generation redefines our paradigms, we see the possibility of deception in cyberspace. We include here
our sense of community, our relationships and our self-identity. the issue of hackers who would pretend to have legitimate access
The Church in order to be relevant and able to evangelize and
proclaim the gospel has to know this new era. She has to identify
to some computer programs of banks, business establishments and
government institutions.
the benefits of this generation and the challenges that it brings us. Another phenomenon in this age is the flooding of information,
The Church has to sow seeds of Christian values in this news space because of the accessibility of information in the internet; we could
we are into—the cyberspace. just research and gather data from any sources with different search
engines like Google. However, there is a drawback here in this
Benefits of the Digital Generation situation, indeed, there is flooding of information but it diminishes
There are benefits of the present generation of internet and com- depth. As a result, our young today may have a lot of information in
puters: easy access to information, easy communication that can their head but they have difficulties on matters of decision making
facilitate efficiency in business and constant contact with families or critical thinking. Here, personal identity is reshaped. The focus
abroad. on value has been changed to information. The young now receives
There are now social networks in the internet where our desire information and do not bother to evaluate or critically check if the
to find friends, express ourselves and be in a community is catered. information is true and valuable.
We could enumerate some like: Friendster, Facebook, and Twitter. Virtual community. In this new space we acquire a new experi-
As a result we enter into a new realm of social relationship or com- ence of community. It is what we call virtual community which is
munity, the virtual community. The sim card of our cell phones are manifested in the many social networks in the internet. We seem to
our new community; it contains the names of people we consider find ourselves very happy to have friends through this new innova-
significant to us, our community within a small gadget. tion. However, looking at it closer we discover that this community
With this new digital technology boundaries break down, geographi- could be devoid of commitment, real dialogue, real friendship and
cal or even cultural boundaries. We could now go to different places just it detaches us from our real community.
browsing the internet. We could share our views based on our religious The possibility that in this virtual community we could have real
belief on a certain issue to other people of different religious orientation dialogue, real friendship and commitment is based on the proposi-
just by blogging in the internet; sitting in front of a computer. tion that a person could hide his/her identity in relating to others.
Many schools for aeronautics have benefited in the training of fu- When the truth of the identity is withheld then no real relationship
ture pilots by using the simulator wherein the students sit in a room could flourish.
and the experience of a cockpit in an airplane is simulated. Then there is the possibility that you are communicating not to a
real person in the internet but internet robots specifically chatter-
Challenges in the Cyberspace bots. They allow people to ask in plain English and then formulate
Let us not be overwhelmed by the benefits provided to us by this a proper response. There bots can often handle tasks, including
era of computers, let us also look into the challenges that it brings reporting weather, zip-code information, sports scores, converting
to humanity. currency or other units, etc.
First we define cyberspace. Cyberspace according to Wesley Lastly, the internet brings us together, but it also keeps us apart.
Copper in his work Internet Culture “is the information highway”. The time one spends in front of the computer with his virtual com-
It is a space where all the interconnections of the networks in the munity detaches him/her from the real people around him/her.
internet, data and online communication take place. In layman’s term Our young today spends many hours updating their Facebook, their
cyberspace is the place between the phones; an indefinite place “out Friendster but could not find time to be with their family to go to
there” where two or more persons meet virtually and communicate. mass or have a meal with them.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, it is the new digital arena.
Here, in this space the new challenge emerges when the issue of Church Teachings
the identity of the human person and relationship in the community We have enumerated above both the benefits and the challenges
is taken into consideration. that is brought by the present digital generation. On the part of the
The identity of the human person in cyberspace. One could hide challenges we presented, the messages of our Holy Fathers, the
his/her identity in the internet. He could use a lot of pseudo-identity. Servant of God John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI provide us with
Taking away from his/her the responsibility of whatever he/she attitude that we should have as we immerse ourselves and use this
may do in this space. Here the problem of accountability surfaces. new technologies in our evangelization.
I usually read comments on my statements in the internet but the In and Out / A6
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Organ Donation
Love Life
I RECEIVED an email from my brother yes- back to work in two months. She has only We in the health profession know the
terday, reminding us that it was the tenth one kidney now while he is running around many advantages and “miracles” that hap-
year since he received the kidney of my with three (I guess they do not remove any pen because of organ transplants, thanks to
sister and both of them are doing well. This of the defective ones and leave them there the generous organ donors. Most preferred
good news is of course a source of rejoicing till they conk out completely!) are relative donors, since often, they are also
for our family. To many people, organ donation is still a the most compatible. Organs from the dead
It seemed only a few years ago when we strange and frightful idea. Especially with are obtained easily when he/she has given
were all filled with anxiety that my brother’s news that some organs are removed from instructions, orally or in writing, that body
kidneys were failing due to nephritis, a dying patients, even when they are not yet parts can be taken immediately after death.
condition he has had since he was a child. I d-e-a-d. And that is a challenge to the bio- Sometimes, the hospital asks the relatives of
remember my mother praying novenas for ethicians, to help the medical profession an accident victim permission to obtain body
him as she, a physician, knew more than define when is the moment that a person can parts before the remains are turned over to
any of us, the seriousness of his condition. be declared dead. When one stops breath- them. And many families have done so, with
Well, he survived high school, then college, ing? When one’s heart has stopped beating? the thought that their son or daughter will
and way into his 52nd year of life—and that When the brain waves have ceased? live on in the life prolonged through their
is when he had his kidney transplant. Another issue concerns the selling of generosity, no matter how painful was the
He and his wife and daughter were al- organs by the poor people who are willing loss of their loved one.
ready living in Virginia, USA. So the surgery to give up their kidney or important body I am a willing organ donor, and I hope
was done there. My youngest sister (the organ even for a small amount of cash, and that many people will sign up too. Before
eighth in the family) was the most compat- often are prey to unfair middlemen. Some- our Religious Profession of Vows, we write
ible donor. And she whole-heartedly offered. times they are not informed enough of the out our Last Will and Testament and Instruc-
My offer to donate was rejected—since I risks that they as donors are taking, in giving tions regarding our death and burial. I have
was nearing 60 years old by then, and they up the organ, especially when they are not in given instructions and the members of my
said my kidneys would age faster than his tiptop health due to their poverty. community know my intention—that imme-
body (ha ha). Anyway, the transplant was Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP, Dr. Angelita Alora, diately after my death, all parts of my body
successful, my sister was discharged from and the members of the UST Bioethics Com- that the doctors can make use of I willingly
the hospital in three days and returned to mittee have written many useful articles on offer. I pray that there will still be a good
the Philippines within two weeks while this topic—and they can be read in their number of parts that they can still make use
he was discharged within a week and was publications and website. of by then.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP
Posthaste
UNKNOWN to many, there is a proliferation of cyber churches in
the internet, attracting millions of advocates and members. One of
these is the Virtual Church of the Blind Chihuahua. Hundreds of
internet surfers visit the website daily. The church describes itself as
“the sacred place in cyberspace named after a little dog with cataracts
that barked sideways at strangers because he couldn’t see where
they were”. The blind Chihuahua is supposed to symbolize all of
us who, when praying, bark at a God we cannot see. Its main creed
is: “We can’t be right about everything we believe, and thanks God
we don’t have to be.” The church strongly recommends its teach-
ings to everyone, except the fundamentalists whom it considers as
beyond redemption. Fundamentalists are hopelessly sure that they
are always right.
People who doubt and suspect everything will find solace in the
Church of Reality. It calls itself an alternative church for those who
want to see the world the way it really is. Its basic tenet is: “If it’s
real, believe in it.” Members are called realists, defined as those who
dedicate their life to the quest for truth, not those who necessarily
know it. Members of other churches are called sheep because they
do not know how to think for themselves.
A church that explicitly excludes lawyers, auditors and tax agents
from membership goes with the acronym COQO, which stands for
the Church of the Quivering Otter. Its set of beliefs is formulated
somewhat like the Ten Commandments, although the church calls
these The Nine Basic Suggestions. Some of these are: 1) Thou shalt
deal fairly. 2) Thou shalt share. 3) Thou shalt eat plenty of fiber. 4)
Thou shalt get regular check-ups. 5) Thou shalt smile. Those who are
interested to join COQO are promised membership in the church’s
18 fast food restaurants, 37 car washers, and 1 used Kleenex shop.
On being Pinoy during
Opinion
Have you heard of
these churches?
Fanatics of Tiger Woods will be happy to know that there ex-
ists the First Church of Tiger Woods, established to celebrate “the
emergence of the New Messiah”. Its founder strongly believes
that Tiger Woods is God himself. Ample proofs of this can be seen
in the celebrated games of Woods that many golfers themselves
consider “miraculous”. The church’s founder said Woods revealed
his divinity when, in one difficult tournament which he eventually
won, Woods exclaimed: “To be under par, as bad as I am shooting
today, was kind of a miracle.” Wood’s choice of a girlfriend also
proves that he is God. His girlfriend’s family name Jagoda contains
the word GOD.
A man named Hacim was visited one night by a chinchilla and was
given a message from God. He realized that his name, when read
backwards, was Micah (one of the minor prophets in the Old Testa-
ment). Armed with this revelation, he promptly formed the Church
of the Gerbil. A gerbil is a cute mouse with long hind legs and long
furry tail, often kept as children’s pet in many countries in Asia and
Africa. The church believes that “God is a gerbil”. Its code of conduct
is summarized in its Ten Condiments, some of which are: 1) Thou
shalt listen to the Chipmunk song. 2) Thou shalt not microwave. 3)
Thou shalt stand on your head and crow like a chicken.
By the time you read this, another weird-sounding church has been
added in this list of cyber churches. Incidentally, I came across this
list in the Internet under the heading: HUMOR. It is amazing how
people would forget that, and seriously join as members. Not only
does this prove how desperate people are in their search for God,
this also shows how seemingly impotent mainstream Churches are
in combating the internet’s immense influence on people’s religios-
ity and faith.
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
A5
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
Flood water—the
great equalizer
THE rainfall brought about by Typhoon Ondoy was extraordi-
nary. Measured by the Doppler radar as 410.6 millimeters from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., this was greater than Hurricane Katrina’s 396
mm which ravaged the city of New Orleans. The overflow of the
Manggahan floodway carried the flimsy homes of the informal
settlers residing along the banks of the Pasig and Marikina Rivers.
It inundated as well all the modern homes of the plush subdivi-
sions in Marikina, Pasig, Cainta, Taguig, San Mateo and Quezon
City. No one was prepared to face this emergency, least of all the
government, to save people trapped in the upper floors and ceil-
ings of their inundated homes. Despite the provision of calamity
funds by Congress, only a few rescue boats were available, at-
testing to the utter lack of preparedness by the government. The
Regional Disaster Coordinating Council director, Tomas Ortega
reported that they had only 4 rubber boats—2 were dispatched
to Quezon Province and 2 to Rizal Province.
Heroic deeds were shown equally by the rich and the poor to save
people trapped in their homes as flood waters rose to the second
floor of subdivision homes in a few hours. A movie star and a con-
struction worker equally showed heroism in spite of extreme danger
to save the lives of people trapped in Provident Village located along
the curve of the Marikina River. Actor Richard Gutierrez borrowed
a speedboat to rescue his friend actress Christine Reyes who was
heard on television begging for help to rescue her family trapped
in their plush apartment. An unknown construction worker, an
OFW who worked as a seaman, now a construction worker of the
adjacent building of the chapel inside Provident Village, rescued 9
or 10 elderly mass-goers trapped in the ceiling of the church. He did
it single-handedly by tossing to the group a length of rope which

the time of calamity
SOME of our kind say that being Pinoy is
almost synonymous with ‘calamitous’. And,
like it or not, there are tons of reasons behind
their saying so.
First, there is the reality of our predict-
able, permanent, yearly visitors’ program
reserved to the most unwelcome tourists,
namely, TYPHOONS and their notorious
relatives, such as flood-causing rains, life-
and-property-devastating winds, diseases,
family displacements, unemployment, rise of
criminality. I might have missed mentioning
their other relatives but I swear Pinoys never
miss them one bit. As far as most of us are
concerned the only other thing worse than
being in the path of typhoons is being unable
to relocate the country to, say, somewhere
below Hawaii.
Then there is also our calamitous poli-
tics that largely runs on our patronage
and transactional culture for fuel. For the
educated Pinoy this one is among the most
frustrating occupants of our National Hall of
Shame because it keeps on leaving the hall
in order to incessantly ravage and possess
our people who transfer its bad spirit on to
our politicians. The culprit, we all realize, is
less our poverty than our stubborn resistance
to change a deeply-ingrained quid-pro-quo
cultural mindset. You want my vote? Not
a few voters seem to say. Then give me my
advance share of your lucrative access to our
money once in power. Even well-meaning
politicians are aghast over this hushed-over
disease but eventually succumb to conta-
gion. Money is expected to abound on the
way to next year’s elections, our poor could
behave like ‘instant millionaires’ destined to
be ‘instantly impoverished’ in subsequent
days. Could massive, no-nonsense voter
education programs such as those being
contemplated by many sectors, including
the Church, help? Something in me aches
to think so. But reality check might dampen
our enthusiasm. For a good start, we should
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
collectively pray for a miracle to cure the
moral cancer inside our culture that basically
wrecks havoc on our spirits.
We should not by-pass our chronically
challenged (read: lack of a) sense of disci-
pline. The massive environmental pollution
in our urban centers and our ubiquitous
traffic mess (“Why are Filipinos unable to
obey traffic rules?” many foreign visitors ask
in bewilderment) are classic cases in point.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, upon honestly
assessing the latest flood disaster in vari-
ous places in Metro Manila, we will simply
acknowledge a simple truth: we are mostly
the cause of the disastrous effects we see
around us. We do not dispose of our garbage
properly. We hardly follow building rules
for our houses and establishments. We do
not observe our own traffic rules. Now we
literally reap the whirlwind.
No, I don’t believe in mere self-flagella-
tion. I believe in acknowledging the truth,
which is why we need to talk turkey about
ourselves, as, I believe, I had tried to above.
But there is also so much that is good in be-
ing Pinoy. We need not mention how but,
especially during the time of calamity, we
also show our better selves.
We keep on rediscovering we can be
heroes by our simple ‘bayanihan’ spirit,
‘bayani’ meaning hero. Neighbors rescu-
ing, feeding and sheltering neighbors are a
staple story in our every disaster experience,
not excluding that from ‘Ondoy’. When my
sister’s family residing at De Castro, Pasig
City, ran out of food as they were battling
more than ten-feet flood, their neighbors
came to offer a share of the little food they
had. Scenes like that were multiplied in
many other neighborhoods.
We also happily realize the power of pray-
ing together, the living praying together, the
living asking the prayer of saints or simply
invoking the all-powerful name of ‘Jesus’ to
spare fellow Pinoys and the whole country
By the Roadside
from further suffering born of the much-
hyped Super-Typhoon ‘Pepeng’. When
my sister panicked on seeing flood waters
reaching their house’s second flood (thank
God, they have a second floor), with the
rains continually pouring, I counseled her to
keep calm and to pray with me. After fifteen
minutes, she texted back and informed me
that just as she finished the rosary, the rains
stopped. “Please offer our dawn rosaries
specifically for the super typhoon to spare
our people in Luzon,” I beseeched some
parishioners after morning Mass. I saw
most nodding in deep sympathy. Wonder
of wonders, ‘Pepeng’ veered away from its
feared route, even if Northern Luzon was
eventually hard hit. The point is that Pinoys
rediscovered the power of praying together,
something that even a political phenomenon
like Edsa 1 showed them.
Most of all, people like us in Samar Island
who think we know most what typhoon vic-
tims go through, now could offer our most
profound sympathy, for a change. We have
been typhoon victims ourselves since time
immemorial. As my small barangay parish
prepared to send the little aid we can afford
to our brothers and sisters in Metro Manila,
I remembered, as a child, horrible typhoons
that twisted and felled down our coconuts,
trees, crops and houses. Yet we simply picked
up the pieces the next day. There was very
little evidence of government-sponsored res-
cue operations. And I don’t remember any-
one complaining about it. We simply relied
on family, neighborhood and community.
Recently a true-blooded Eastern Samarnon
whose name I wouldn’t wish to mention
here in print made a remark: “I used to have
a classmate in Manila who kept on asking me
a question I often took for an insult: ‘Ano ba
ang bagyo?’ (‘What is a typhoon?’). I’m sorry
to know his area was recently flooded. But, at
least, I see one positive spot here. I don’t need
to answer his question anymore.”
allowed them including the old ladies to be led to the second floor
steel forms of the unfinished convent. From this precarious posi-
tion, they were already accessible to rescuing teams.
Filipinos abroad as well as previously uninvolved local citizens
volunteered what best they could give to help the typhoon victims.
Students with no cash to contribute gave free services by helping
in preparing relief packages containing rice, canned goods and
bottled water. An elite group of ocean surfers contacted each other
through text and formed a rescue group led by one of the members
of the team who owned a bodega of surfboards. The team, chose
to distribute relief goods to far-flung isolated areas along Laguna
Bay – Jala-jala, and neighboring towns which were not accessible
even by the Red Cross. The trapped families sitting on the rooftops
for days owe their lives to these modern day heroes.
An owner of a restaurant knowing he had all what it takes to
prepare “hot soup—chicken macaroni sopas” used his cauldrons
that could cook for 200 servings. He personally distributed the hot
soup to the drenched evacuees and their children. What he saw
touched him so he decided to triple his feeding program. When his
funds were becoming low, he sought help through his Facebook
buddies. To his surprise, there was a deluge of contribution from
his friends abroad and from his rich friends in the Philippines.
One of the problems, if you may call it that, is receiving 6,000
eggs in one day from another rich friend. He found the instant
solution—preparing “Pospas” served with one boiled egg each
served in a disposable dish. This was consumed with gratitude
by all—rich and poor evacuees who were hungry and cold.
The meaning of the Bayanihan Spirit of the Filipinos is clearly
defined in the outpouring of unsolicited help and provision of
the basic needs of those who were victims of the calamity. The
great flood caused by Typhoon Ondoy followed by the devas-
tating wind and rain of Typhoon Pepeng in Northern Luzon, a
typhoon that lingered for days in Batanes and the Ilocos Region,
tested the ability of the Local Government Units if they could
follow new guidelines from the National Disaster Coordinating
Council for the evacuation of residents. This was a pre-emptive
move to protect the citizens from becoming victims of Typhoon
Pepeng. As usual there were homeowners who would rather
stay in their houses for fear that looters will take advantage of
the situation and haul all their possessions.
There are key questions that the newly elected government of-
ficials in 2010 will have to answer in the light of the devastation and
suffering caused by the government’s lack of preparedness for such
a catastrophic event. It was explained by technical people of the pri-
vate sector and the government that there was a study undertaken
by the government in 1977 that anticipated the flooding of Metro
Manila as well as the earthquake that was predicted to happen along
the Marikina fault line. Environmental Planner Felino Palafox, Jr.
observed that if the recommendations were pursued by the govern-
ment to construct the Paranaque Spillway, to drain the overflow
accumulating on the floodplains of Marikina, Pasig, Cainta, Taguig,
to Laguna de Bay and South China Sea, this could have prevented
the Ondoy catastrophic loss of lives and property.

DADITAMA
THE Filipino bayanihan spirit could not have been more manifest
again than the overwhelming local and global outpouring of gener-
ous sharing of time, talent and treasure for the victims of the recent
flooding in the country brought about by natural torrential is rains.
This shining Filipino trait never fails us. In times like these we are
able to manifest brilliantly our true nature—may awa, may pagma-
malasakit, may pakikipagkapwa. We could not be more thankful
for this than when calamity strikes.
The rich and poor, the famous and the unknown, the strong and
the weak all come together somehow and extend a helping hand
to the needy. Civil society groups, business and government mo-
bilize themselves to respond as quickly and as effectively as they
can. Behind these groups are the men and women who transcend
themselves. They bring out the true selflessness in the Filipino—the
caring and sharing, self sacrificing heart of the Filipino. I salute you
all and thank you. The common good, which is the good of all, is best
served when this bayanihan spirit prevails over the opportunistic
greed of wicked people either by commission or omission.
When such bayanihan spirit translated into concrete individual
and collective action is inspired and fueled by the Christian virtue
of charity, then it becomes “sambayanihan.” This sense of solidar-
ity and pursuit of the common good is driven by Faith in God and
belongingness to an ecclesial community it acquires a transcendent
quality that extends to eternity—“Whatsoever you did to the least
of my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:40)
I continue, however, to observe with dismay coupled with out-
rage, the continued lack of preparedness and incapacity of different
institutions of governance to mitigate risks of disaster and more co-
ordinated, systematic and effective response to recurring calamities
especially in disaster prone areas and regions. This is probably one
of the manifestations of the dysfunction and underdevelopment of
governance in our country brought about by decades of negligence
and misuse and wasteful use of political authority and resources.
This is simply symptomatic of the continuing culture of corruption
in the sphere of governance. And the ones most injured by such a
condition are the vast majority who are already poor and deprived
Sambayanihan for
New Politics
and disadvantaged.
The CBCP in 1997 in its Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics
noted, “If we are what we are today—a country with a very great
number of poor and powerless people—one reason is the way we
have allowed politics to be debased and prostituted to the low
level it is now” (PEPP, p. 10) Such recurring unpreparedness and
incapacity due to bad governance is truly a national man made
disaster. For this we—the governed and governing are responsible
and accountable.
Would it not be great if all our laity, who can and should, would
harness our Sambayanihan to address not only natural disasters but
more so the continuing human disaster in our society, by repudiat-
ing incompetent, corrupt, and useless traditional politicians in the
coming 2010 elections. Traditional politics is hopeless. They have not
worked in the past and present, for the vast majority of our people,
and will continue to do the same in the future. Using Sambayanihan
let us collectively and truly break away from our own traditional
patronage politics and usher in a new breed of politicians passion-
ate for new politics that will bring us new hope for the future. Who
may these people be in your local communities? Be vigilant and
pray and act.
A special challenge to our lay Catholic politicians was made by
the CBCP last January when it said, “We challenge all lay people
involved in politics to renounce corruption and bond together in the
task of evangelizing politics for effective governance and the pursuit
of the common good. We challenge the laity involved in legislation to
unite themselves and consciously allow their actions to be guided by
the truth of the Gospel and the Christian faith.” (CBCP statement,
Year of the two hearts towards social transformation and peace
building, January 2009)
And to the laity in general, the CBCP gave this directive in their
July Pastoral statement, “We remind the laity that it is within their
right as well as their duty to campaign for candidates they believe
to be competent, honest, and public-service minded in order to
reform our country.” (CBCP Statement, July 12, 2009). Email da-
ditama_now@yahoo.com.ph
This is a prime example of the government’s lack of proper and
timely governance. Money was not available for such a huge
project but more than the amount needed for flood control was
available for our legislators’ pork barrel and infrastructure proj-
ects of which 30% to 40% of the appropriation were dissipated
to graft and corruption.
My guess is that, voters in the affected areas will think hard
whether to vote again for the mayors, governors, congressmen
and senators who are part of the establishment that fueled this
catastrophic event for utter lack of good governance.
Quote in the Act
“Very little is said on the indomitable human spirit which,
when influenced by spiritual values, can minimize if not
prevent unnecessary human pain and suffering.”
Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, while lauding the hero-
ism of individual Filipinos who put their lives on the line to save
others during massive flooding brought by Typhoon Ondoy, also
noted that a post-typhoon human development should benefit
both body and spirit.
“It is a desecration of the religious values and an
infringement against the spirit of human dignity and
solidarity, which the Muslims and Christians are
jointly pursuing.”
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Manila Auxiliary Bishop and Na-
tional Director of CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action-
Justice and Peace; in a statement denouncing the kidnapping of
Irish Columban missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott by still unknown
abductors.
“Our young today spends many hours updating their
Facebook, their Friendster but could not find time to be
with their family to go to mass or have a meal with them.”
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, CBCP President; writing
in his column In and Out of Season, on the importance of using
the internet to reach out to today’s digital generation.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

Isabela rice crop badly damaged by

flooding, food shortage foreseen
VAST rice fields in the Diocese of Ilagan have turned into large pools floodwaters brought about by typhoon Pepeng and worsened with
of stagnant brown water killing rice harvests.
The typhoon may have recorded zero casualties but Msgr. Marino
Gatan said it caused considerable damage to the farming sector.
“The rice farms in northern Isabela including San Pablo, Santa
spilling of flood waters from nearby dams.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz said he is praying
government authorities would stop releasing water from any dam,
“especially San Roque dam.”
Manila offers plenary
Maria, Tumauini, Catbagan, Magsaysay, and part of Ilagan were
affected by floods,” said Gatan, Diocesan administrator.
The parish priests have been
Interviewed by CBCPNews, the prelate said the rain has stopped
and floodwaters have begun to subside.
Asked of the archdiocese’s
indulgence, promotes
pilgrimages
tasked to take care of their pa- response to the calamity, Cruz
rishioners which according to said “all the church disaster
Gatan only proves the situation funds of the four vicariates have
is “not that bad” because local been released as of today.”
church and communities can Central Pangasinan is still PLENARY indulgence can be granted to the faithful who visit
attend to their own concerns. without electric power. Bangus some churches in the Archdiocese of Manila in observance of
“The government should is now sold at P30.00 a kilo due the Year for Priests.
assist the farmers recover from to the floods. The measure was made by the archdiocese’s chancery with a
decree dated September 25, 2009.

the losses they incurred due to
the recent floods,” he added.
The priest said assistance in
the form of rice seeds would be
highly appreciated.
Over at the Diocese of San
Jose in Nueva Ecija, the rice-
producing towns of Licap,
Quezon, Llanera, Guimba,
Rizal and San Jose City were all affected by the floods.
Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said there were farmers who were
able to harvest and dry their crops but were all swept away by the
floods brought by the storm.
He said they were able to generate relief goods in the form of used
clothes and nearly a thousand sacks of rice to Metro Manila for On-
doy’s victims but they themselves have to address the destruction
brought by the latest weather disturbance.
“We’re prepare to send our commitment to Metro Manila,” Bishop
Vergara said.
He added they were also to help the Archdiocese of Tuguega-
rao with donations from their benefactors in the United States of
America.
He said the Diocese of San Jose has already released relief assis-
tance to affected residents but would still need additional data to
focus on rehabilitation of farmers from low-lying areas.
“We will go for rehabilitation projects and we expect additional
information not later than Monday,” he added.
In the entire province of Pangasinan, one of the country’s most
populous provinces (2,645,395 at the latest census), reels from
Prophetic / A1
Mass to formally open a national gathering prophet is also called to embody and to enact the
© www.flickr.com/photos/dannysky
For his part, Alaminos Bishop
Marlo M. Peralta said several
parishes in his diocese have
been affected by floods.
“Our Social Action Center is
on standby and will be ready to
provide assistance to affected
residents in due time,” the prel-
ate told CBCPNews.
He added while most of the residents would need food and
medicines, priority will be given to affected parishes in western
Pangasinan. Floods have been reported in Aguilar, Bugallon and
parts of Bolinao town.
The Diocese of Alaminos also launched its relief campaign for
“Ondoy’s” victims in Metro Manila and nearby provinces but will
now raise their own relief goods for the affected residents.
Urdaneta Bishop Jacinto A. Jose said most of the farmers in eastern
Pangasinan will have a bleak Christmas considering the damage to
rice crops brought about by floods.
“The floods affected the towns of San Manuel, Asingan, Nativi-
dad, San Nicolas, Santa Maria, Umingan along with Rosales, Car-
men, Sto. Tomas and Alcala,” the prelate said in an interview with
CBCPNews.
He said they were able to generate relief goods scheduled to be
shipped to Manila to help “Ondoy’s” victims but will have to dis-
tribute them to local residents who need help instead.
“It will be difficult for farmers to recover because most of them
are about to harvest palay in less than a month,” he further said.
(Melo M. Acuna)
services to the poor.
In accordance with the decree, the faithful can receive the
plenary indulgence when they make a devotional pilgrimage to
one of the designated churches until June 19, 2010.
Still, when the faithful make the pilgrimage, they have to fulfill
ordinary conditions for the plenary indulgence which include
Sacrament of Penitence, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer
for Pope’s intentions.
Additionally, a partial indulgence will be offered to the faithful
each time they pray five “Our Father,” “Hail Mary” and “Glory
Be,” or any other duly approved prayer “in honor of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, to ask that priests maintain purity and sanctity
of life.”
The designated churches in the Archdiocese of Manila are:
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in San Antonio village and
Saint John Mary Vianney Parish Church in Cembo, both in
Makati City.
“We encourage the faithful to avail of these spiritual benefits
of the holy year. It is also a good opportunity to hold catechesis
on the priesthood, indulgences and Saint John Mary Vianney,”
said Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr., chancellor.
He said the two mentioned churches will gladly welcome pil-
grims and delegations, especially those coming from the parishes
of the archdiocese.
“Let us continue to pray for our priests and for more vocations
to the priesthood. May this year be an occasion for spiritual re-
newal in our respective communities,” Sescon said.
The Vatican last May also announced that during the Year
for Priests, which runs June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010, Pope Bene-
dict XVI will grant plenary indulgences to priests and faithful.
(CBCPNews)

NAMFREL elects new head

of priests at the San Carlos Seminary in
Makati City “to discern on their prophetic
role” on Oct. 13.
Around 300 priests from various dio-
ceses gathered for a three-day assembly in
response to an earlier call of the bishops’
hierarchy for the formation of “circles of
discernment” among the clergy.
It underlined the challenges of poverty,
corruption, injustice and other issues that
today challenge the church on what and how
they can help address it.
Lagdameo said the prophetic role of the
priests, an aspect of pastoral leadership that
needs improvement, must be central to the
life and leadership of the community.
“More than proclaim God’s Word, the
Word of God that he announces,” he said. As a body, in a way, the church helped and
“Righteousness, for God, means seeking continuously helping raise the cause of the
the well being of the people; so must the marginalized and the downtrodden.
community seek its ‘wholeness’ by looking The list is endless. This is, however, not the
THE National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has for-
after the good of everyone that makes up time, Lagdameo said, to either boast of one’s
mally appointed its new head.
the community,” he added. many good deeds or to rest on one’s laurels.
He is Jose Cuisia, Jr., a prominent businessman and a member
It’s high time, he said, to see whether church
of the Opus Dei, a personal prelature within the Catholic Church
High time leaders have been effective in their prophetic
whose members finds holiness in their daily chores.
The Catholic Church somehow has played role and whether they are equipped enough
Cuisia succeeds Henrietta de Villa who resigned last month
a key role in the country’s development. Its to face the challenges that lie ahead.
to devote more time to her work as head of the Parish Pastoral
contribution to education has been second With the country’s present situation, the
Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which focuses on
to none. answer is obvious, he said.
voter’s education.
In the field of medical services, it played
Namfrel is a poll watchdog accredited by the Commission on
a stellar role in bringing health care to the Agents of change
Elections to conduct quick count of votes.
far-flung corners of the land. To be just, according to Lagdameo, means
Cuisia is currently the vice chairman of the Philippine Ameri-
It also engaged in agricultural develop- to choose good over evil and life over death.
can Life and General Insurance Company.
ment, in low-cost housing and providing And justice, he said, becomes visible not in
From 1986 to 1990, he served as Governor of Bangko Sentral
articulation but in moral behavior.
ng Pilipinas and from 1990 to 1993 as Administrator of the Social
“Prophets are agents of change. They are
Security System.
loved and appreciated by those who also
The Namfrel chairman-elect also served as a Director of San
have the vision of change. They are disliked
Miguel Corporation, Philippine Airlines and Philippine National
by those who resist change or are afraid of
Bank.
the consequences of change,” he said.
The organization has also elected, during their recent meet-
But the greatest challenges to the prophets
ing, former Senator Vicente Paterno as its national vice chair-
themselves are not outside them, but within
person.
them, he furthered.
Other members elected for the Namfrel’s National Council
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

“Prophetic leadership starts within the

Priests from various dioceses nationwide gather for a three-day discernment process to reflect on their prophetic
role and call to stewardship at the Lay Formation Center, San Carlos Seminary, October 13-15.
In and Out / A4
The encouragement of the Servant of God John Paul II in his mes-
sage for the World Communications Day gives us that assurance to
move on amidst the challenges of this digital generation. “To hearts
which are troubled by the risks of the new technologies of commu-
nication, I would reply: Fear not… the Church, full of care for man
and woman, is aware of the deep aspiration of the human race for
fraternity and solidarity—an inspiration often disowned and dis-
figured but indestructible because it is sculpted in the human heart
by the same God who has created in it the need for communication
and the capacity to develop it on a planetary scale.” (Pope Paul II,
Message World Communications Day, 1988)
On a more concrete way Pope Benedict XVI responds to the chal-
lenges regarding untruthful identity in cyberspace and its effect in
communitarian relationship saying: “The new technologies also
opened the way for dialogue between people from different countries
and religions… such encounters, if they are to be fruitful, require
honest and appropriate forms of expressions together with attentive
and respectful listening. The dialogue must be rooted in genuine
and mutual searching for truth if it is to realize its potential to
promote growth in understanding and tolerance.” He added that
“We should be careful, therefore, never to trivialize the concept or
the experience of friendship. It would be sad if our desire to sustain
and develop online friendships were to be at the cost of our avail-
ability to engage with our families, our neighbors and those we meet
in the daily reality of our places of work, education and recreation.
If the desire for virtual connectedness becomes obsessive, it may in
fact function to isolate individuals from real social interaction while
also disrupting the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are
necessary for healthy human development.” (Pope Benedict XVI,
Message World Communications Day, 2009)
Conclusion
In the end, we conclude that we have to take every opportunity
to use modern technologies for our work of evangelization. And the
new sphere that the church has to evangelize is the cyberspace. As
the Mount Carmel Declaration on Technology and Responsibility
observed in 1974 in its 8th article, “We need guardian disciplines to
monitor and assess technological innovations, with special attention
to their moral implications.”
This Mt. Carmel Declaration is a call for the Church to be the moral
guide in this new arena of the digital world. She has to make present
prophets themselves undergoing the change
they dream,” the CBCP head underscored.
The challenge therefore is for the bishops,
priests and the religious to ensure that the
church is truly becoming a community that
is led by the prophetic sprit. “...Because holy
men can change the destiny of people,” said
Lagdameo.
Christ in this area by sowing in a special way Christian values.
The Servant of God Pope John Paul II enumerated some Christian
values to be observed in this arena: “In order that the very existence
of brotherhood and human solidarity may be made possible, and
still more so that their Christian dimension may be more intensely
developed, the elementary values which underlie them have to
be given recognition…respect for others, willingness to dialogue,
justice, healthy ethics in personal and community living, freedom,
equality, peace in unity, promotion of the dignity of the human
person, the capacity to share and to divide with others.” (Pope John
Paul II, Message World Communications Day, 1988)
May we sow the culture of respect, dialogue and friendship in
cyberspace!
Source code / A1
Mary John Mananzan, co-chairperson of the Association of Major
Religious Superiors in the Philippines; Rev. Rex Reyes, Jr., general
secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines
(NCCP); Alfredo Pascual, president of the UP Alumni Association
(UPAA); Prof. Rommel Feria of UP’s Department of Computer
Science; and Profs. Sherwin Ona and Wilmarc Lopez, De La Salle
University IT department, among others.
NBN-ZTE whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada, an ICT engineer; law-
yer Aquilino Pimentel III, secretary general of PDP-Laban; Bill Luz,
chairman of the Movement for Good Governance (MGG); Dr. Judy
Taguiwalo, convener of Pagbabago; and Alvin Peters, president
of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) also
joined the call.
The demand for the release of the source code is in line with the
earlier request of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance
and was approved by Comelec en banc on June 10, 2009.
“Until now, however, no source code has been obtained. Despite
the Comelec’s en banc approval, poll officials said any release would
be ‘premature’ and that it can only be made available at the end
of customization in November this year or in February 2010,” the
statement read.
“While our demand for the release of the source code is based
on law, we believe that the review is critical on moral, political and
economic grounds. Let us work together in making sure that the
integrity of the machines and our votes will not be under grave
threat,” it added. (CBCPNews)
were Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo, Christian Monsod, Protestant
Bishop Efraim Tendero, Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI, David Bal-
angue, Joey Bermudez and Telibert Laoc. (Roy Lagarde)
YouthPinoy / A1
Aside from Esteban, the CBCP has also assigned Xavier Padilla of
the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL)
and April Frances Ortigas of the Couples for Christ Global Missions
Foundation, Inc. (CFC) as the organization’s external and internal
vice presidents, respectively.
Meanwhile, Kris Bayos of the CBCP Media Office was ap-
pointed as the organization’s secretary general, Bernadette
Felix of the Chiro Youth Movement and Lea Dasigan of the
Salesian Youth Movement were chosen to be the secretaries,
and John Paul Atienza of the Pro-Life Philippines was assigned
as treasurer.
Baylon, Garganta and Quitorio made the announcement during
the YouthPinoy strategic planning seminar held at the Bataan Tech-
nological Park, Inc. last October 9 to 11. Baylon led the officers’ oath
taking after celebrating a Saturday Mass.
The three have also announced that the first set of officers of the
YouthPinoy will have a term of one year. Baylon, however, clarified
that the tenure of office can be cut short or even extended based on
the appointed officers’ performance.
The YouthPinoy portal is a joint project of the ECY and CBCP
Media Office. The website was established in response to Pope
Benedict XVI’s call to evangelize the youth through online media.
(CBCPNews)
Fund / A1
cial Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
He said it’s just right for the government to increase assistance
to the typhoon victims but said it must be spent with necessary
safeguards.
“It’s okay to have a budget for the calamity victims but with the
necessary safeguards as to how it’s going to be spent,” the bishop
said.
Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines president
Msgr. Gerardo Santos, for his part, urged transparency in using
the fund.
“I do hope we can be as transparent as possible and effective in
terms of distribution so that our people will really experience the
compassion of our government,” Santos added.
Last week, the two houses of Congress have agreed to approve a
P10-billion supplemental budget to augment the country’s depleting
calamity funds and help the victims of tropical storm Ondoy and
past calamities.
The proposal to augment the country’s calamity funds came dur-
ing a meeting between leaders of Congress and Defense Secretary
Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
A7

Briefing
Prelate notes import of total human dev’t in times of
Bishop calls for Holy
Hour, relief goods to
crises
DAVAO CITY—While Archbishop Capalla lauded the
“remarkable acts of heroism among Filipinos” who helped
typhoon Ondoy victims, he also noted the need for the
Church to maximize existing programs on total human
development. He said that along with it is the development

flood victims in Laguna

not only of the human body but also the human spirit which
is the source of heroic deeds. (Mark S. Ventura)

Laoag diocese conducts relief operations to flood

victims
LAOAG CITY—The diocese of Laoag’s Social Action Center
(SAC) has conducted relief operations to victims of flooding
after nearly a week of heavy rains and strong winds brought
by typhoon Pepeng. “We also have our relief operations to
help the typhoon victims just like other non-government
organizations have been doing,” said Laoag Bishop Sergio
Utleg. (Mark Vertido)
Lagdameo urges Ilonggos to help back Manila
ILOILO CITY—Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo has called
on the Ilonggos to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy as one
way of returning the favor they received from Manila. “Just
as we had been helped when typhoon Frank hit Iloilo last
June 2008, its now our turn to help the victims of typhoon
Ondoy,” he said. (Kate Laceda)
San Jose donates 342 sacks of rice for Ondoy victims
SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija—San Jose diocese has donated 342
sacks of rice recently for the victims of typhoon Ondoy in
and around Metro Manila. Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara
said aside from rice are other relief goods which include
158 boxes of canned goods, 133 boxes of instant noodles,
12 big boxes of assorted groceries, 49 bags/boxes and sacks
of clothing, 10 boxes of mineral water, 14 pieces of sleep-
ing mats, a box of mosquito nets, and other basic needs.
(Melo Acuña)
SAN PABLO CITY—The Bishop of San Pablo Diocese, Laguna appealed
to all parish priests in more than 80 parishes and religious communities
in the province to contribute relief goods and asked that Holy Hour in
every parish Church and chapels be conducted for good weather and
for all the victims of the flood spawned by Tropical Cyclone “Ondoy”
which kept villages and towns submerged under deep waters.
Bishop Leo M. Drona, through his personal secretary Fr. Eugene
A. Fadul encouraged “all parishes and religious communities in
the Diocese of San Pablo to have the Holy Hour before the Blessed
Sacrament on First Saturday.”
Some parish priests and religious communities had conducted
their Holy Hour and Benediction on First Friday (October 2) or some
other days convenient to them. San Gabriel the Archangel parish
had held its Holy Hour on First Friday.
“Like Nineveh in the Bible, with one voice, we will ask God to
spare our nation from destruction caused by calamities,” Fadul
quoted the prelate as saying.
Meanwhile, the bishop through the Social Action Center has
directed all parishes to conduct relief operations for areas severely
affected by typhoon Ondoy.
Diocesan SAC Director Fr. Rene B. Eriga, in a communication to
all priests in the diocese, said that his office has identified 19 mu-
nicipalities that are affected severely by the floods which measures
from waist deep and deeper.
Some of the worst and continued flooding occurred in coastal
towns and villages in San Pedro, Binan, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Los
Banos, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan, Lumban, Paete,
Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Mabitac and several others.
“Your parishioners are urged to solicit goods in cash or in kind
(food, blankets, towels, medicine, first aid materials, etc.) for the
relief operations to be conducted soonest.”
“Let us once again join hands in serving our brothers and sisters,
victims of typhoon Ondoy. God Bless!” the communication said.
Maan Leopando, an accountant officer in a State Elementary and
Secondary School in Siniloan town told CBCPNews in a text message
that although their place did not feel the effects of typhoon Pepeng,
yet she observed that the water level (caused by Ondoy) that literally
submerged their school compound had increased from knee-deep
to breast-deep level.
As a result, students had to hold classes at the only building near
the Highway spared by the flood on shifting basis. The elementary
students had to do it in two shifts while the high school students
in three.
In Sta. Cruz capital town of Laguna, an unidentified officer of the
Philippine Army said elements of the 403rd Civil defense Center are
on 24/7 red alert for any rescue operations as the already extremely
deep Sta. Cruz river could easily inundate and overflow over the
town proper once more rains come. (Fr. Romulo O. Ponte)

PNP chapel marks first feast

OROQUIETA CITY—The chapel of St. Therese of the Child
Jesus in PNP’s Camp Naranjo here, marked its first feast re-
cently with ranking officials present. Police prov’l chaplain
Fr. Marlou Labares said parishioners were in high spirits
celebrating the first patronal feast of the chapel which was
consecrated last Aug. 11 by military Bishop Leopoldo Tu-
mulak. (Wendell Talibong)

Diocese holds 30th day memorial mass of slain priest

CATARMAN, N. Samar—A throng of parishioners here
trooped to the Catarman Cathedral on Oct. 6 to commemo-
rate the 30th day of the killing of Fr. Cecilio Lucero. The
human rights advocate was ambushed by still unknown
assailants on Sept. 6 in San Jose town. Bishop Emeritus
Angel Hobayan led the Mass with around 30 priests as
concelebrants. (Roy Lagarde)

MILF condemns kidnapping of Irish priest

COTABATO CITY—MILF Vice Chairman for Political Af-

© Laura Sheahen / CRS

fairs Ghadzali Jaafar condemned the kidnapping of Irish
Missionary Michael “Mick” Sinnott, 79 years old in Pagadian
City last Sept. 11. Jaafar said they condemn this kidnapping
which he described as “cowardly act.” (Melo M. Acuña)

Church cautious on accepting donations for typhoon

Bicolanos repay Manileños’ kindness

victims
MANILA—The church is exercising caution in accepting
aid as international and local donations continue to come
in for typhoon Ondoy victims. Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP
Media Director, said they just want to make sure the money
it’s getting are “clean.” “We don’t screen donors. But if
somebody donates money from jueteng, for example, we
won’t accept it. So we are just being cautious,” he said.
(CBCPNews)
Church, LGU to give Fr. Lucero posthumous award
BORONGAN, E. Samar—The Bishops of Samar Islands
along with the local government units led by E. Samar
Gov. Ben Evardone will give a posthumous award to the
murdered priest, Fr. Cecilio Lucero. Evardone said the
move is in recognition and tribute to the priest’s involve-
ment in creating peace and development in their province.
(Kate Laceda)
LEGAZPI CITY—It’s basically repaying
compassion with compassion.
In a real display of reciprocity, Bicolanos
recently offered a helping hand to residents
of Metro Manila who were badly hit by
typhoon Ondoy.
In the past, they were on the receiving end
of assistance due to two killer typhoons. This
time it’s the other way around.
Around 30 vehicles laden with Bicol’s
indigenous relief goods and several trucks
rolled into evacuation centers in Metro Ma-
nila, Rizal and Laguna provinces recently
bringing with them an assortment of food
and supplies for victims of Ondoy.
“This is a way of saying ‘Dios Mabalos’
to all the good people of Metro Manila who
came to our assistance when we suffered
from Reming’s wrath in 2006,” said business-
man and civic leader Zaldy Co.
There are at least ten dump trucks with
brooms made from coconut midribs and
sleeping mats from Albay province and food
items from concerned Bicolano residents
who trooped with their donations to various
radio stations in this city, in Iriga and Naga
cities in Camarines Sur province.
Atty. Rodel Batocabe, Ako Bikol convenor
said there are also heavy equipments consist-
ing of two loaders and some dredging equip-
ment to help in the clearing operations.
Co and Batocabe said the assistance costs
about P5 million. They said the relief mission
was made possible through the support of
various businesses, civic and professional
organizations including the Legazpi Jaycees,
Rotary Club of Legazpi Central, PICPA-Albay,
Filipino-Chinese Fire Volunteers of Legazpi
and Tabaco cities, Legazpi City government,
KBP Albay-Legazpi chapter, Bombo Radyo
Philippines, People’s Broadcasting Network
Foundation, Bureau of Fire Protection-Tabaco
and Sunwest Group of Companies.
The group will also do medical mission
aside from relief distribution at Bagbag,
Novaliches, Quezon City, Cainta, Rizal,
Marikina City and Los Baños in Laguna
Province. (Melo M. Acuna)

Fake priest nabbed in Davao

DAVAO CITY— Police arrested a man who is accused of defrauding
various groups and individuals by posing as a Catholic priest.
Archbishop Dosado to priests: Be men of charity
Felipe Quesada face charges Jr., 44, faces charges in Davao City of OZAMIZ CITY—Archbishop the commandment we have from tions and any spirit of domina- manded of priests such as good-
obtaining money under false pretenses, said Criminal Investigation Jesus Dosado, CM has called on him: whoever loves God must tion so as to imitate the example ness of heart, sincerity, strength
and Detachment Group (CIDG). the clergy of Misamis Occidental also love his brother”. of the ‘Son of Man’ who ‘did not and constancy of mind, careful
Quesada, married, was nabbed in an entrapment operation to be men of charity and to pos- He added, Jesus describe this come to be served but to serve,’” attention to justice, courtesy,
conducted by the CIDG along Ponciano Street in Davao City last sess an authentic true apostolic love as that of a “good shepherd he said. etc., as well as patience, readi-
October 5. zeal. who does not seek his own inter- The prelate also said priests ness to forgive quickly and
Police nabbed Quesada, who used names “Father Ted” and Fa- Dosado said, since a priest is a est, his own advantage, like a will have to be committed to generously, kindness, affability,
ther Mike Silvosa” was arrested after receiving P500 bill marked “man of God”, he must be man hired hand but loves his sheep to some very important tasks today the capacity to be obliging and
money from a CIDG agent representing sponsor fee of the latter for of charity. the point of giving his own life. to know his own sheep espe- helpful.
a Sunday Mass. Priests cannot have true love Dosado emphasized that those cially by contacts, visits, rela- The prelate said that the grace
Quesada, claiming to be parish priest of San Pedro Cathedral for God (nor even true piety or who, by virtue of priestly ordi- tions of friendship, planned or and charity of the altar must
Parish, is accused of soliciting money for religious purposes. (Mark true apostolic zeal) without love nation, receive the mission of occasional meetings, etc., always spread to the pulpit, the con-
S. Ventura) for their neighbor, he said. shepherds are called to witness for a reason and with the spirit fessional, the parish office, the
“Loving the Lord, your God the heroic love of the Good of a good shepherd. school, recreational activities,
Honest / A1 with all your heart” cannot be Shepherd. Quoting Pope Paul VI’s Pres- homes and streets, hospitals,
Benedict XVI tried to avoid any direct reference to Islamic groups, separate from “loving your “Jesus urges his Apostles to byterorum Ordinis, Dosado public transportation and the
and instead stressed the need for “work of charity" and perseverance neighbor,” he stressed. “This is renounce their personal ambi- mentioned the qualities de- media. (Wendell Talibong)
in peace-building in Southern Philippines.
“In an age when the name of God is abused by certain groups, the Abduction / A1 Suffrage / A1
work of charity is particularly urgent,” he said. of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the hard for Sinnott who spent his entire priestly Executive Secretary Rodolfo Diamante in an
He also lauded the “courageous steps” being taken in the Philip- Philippines, said Sinnott’s health condition ministry in Mindanao helping poor people. interview, said the prisoners’ right of suffrage
pines “to foster reconciliation and mutual understanding.” is the key factor for their deep concerns. “As we urge the people to pray for his must be respected and that “the lost of this right
He cited in particular the “commendable work” of the Bishops- “The fact that he is already old and sickly safety, we also appeal to his abductors to must not form part of punishment.”
Ulama Conference, the Mindanao People’s Conference, as well as worries us all,” Lagdameo said. treat him with respect and release him soon- He called on the government to review
that of the many grassroots organizations. Various bishops have earlier appealed for est,” said Cabajar. election laws to guarantee that the rights to
Tuazon was among the three new ambassadors to the Holy See Sinnott’s safe release and urged authorities “Let me reiterate my appeal to the good suffrage of prisoners are upheld.
that presented their Letters of Credence to the pope at his summer to intensify efforts to secure his freedom as sense of the abductors to respect and provide The Commission likewise urged govern-
residence in Castel Gandolfo, 30 kilometers south of Rome. soon as possible. Fr. Mick with all his needs, especially medical ment agencies involved in electoral process to
The two others were Henriette Johanna Cornelia Maria van “We are also calling on the faithful to pray needs. He is a man of peace. Please, allow him put the needed reforms in place in time for the
Lynden-Leijten of the Netherlands, and Miguel Humberto Diaz of for the welfare of Fr. Michael Sinnott that he to go back to his charitable work,” he said. national and local elections in May 2010.
the United States of America. may be released by his captors in the shortest A member of the Columban order, Sin- ECPPC is the social arm of the CBCP that
The top church leader often uses the reception of a new ambas- time possible,” the archbishop added. nott is originally from Barntown in Country promotes the total human development of
sador as a venue to send a message to their government expressing CBCP Media Director Msgr. Pedro Qui- Wexford in Ireland. Ordained in 1954, he the prison society and works for reforms
his concerns or appreciation about certain matters. torio, for his part, said they are hoping that was assigned to Mindanao region in 1957 for the country’s criminal justice system.
Over the years he has been briefed about the situation in the coun- adductors would consider the health condi- following his studies in Rome. (CBCPNews)
try by Filipino bishops as well as by the apostolic nuncio. tion and release the priest who is sick and in He served in Mindanao until 1966 before
Benedict XVI also expressed closeness to the Filipino people who need of vital medicines. being assigned to the theology staff in Dal- Rosary / A1
lost family members and homes in a recent tropical storm that caused The 79-year old priest had just undergone gan Park, Navan. “With the World Apostolate of Fatima and
extensive flooding in and around Manila. a heart bypass surgery in Cebu City in 2007 Sinnott returned to the Philippines in 1976 the Apostleship of Prayer and other religious
He assured the Filipino ambassador of his “spiritual closeness and is currently under medication, according where he has served in a variety of pastoral (“praying”) organizations, we appeal not only
and prayers, especially for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana,” that to Msgr. Pedro Quitorio. and administrative roles. Since 1998, he has for material assistance for the victims of Ty-
claimed over 300 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of fami- Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar ear- been involved with a school for children with phoon Ondoy, but also for prayer, repentance
lies. (CBCPNews) lier called on the kidnappers not to make life special needs in Pagadian City. (CBCPNews) and penance,” he added. (CBCPNews)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

CBCP slates 2nd National

Congress of the Clergy
FOR the second time Filipino priests will come together from different dioceses all over the country
for a congress in Manila.
The Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has an-
nounced the 2nd National Congress of the Clergy to be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of
Asia in Pasay City on Jan. 25-29, 2010.
Thousands of priests and bishops from 86 ecclesiastical jurisdictions are expected to attend the
gathering.
The Commission, chaired by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, said the event carries
the theme “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests.”
The congress will be part of the Philippine Catholic Church’s celebration of the Year for Priests as
declared by Pope Benedict XVI.
Organizers said Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, Papal Preacher to John Paul II and the present
Pope, will be the Retreat Preacher.
Reflections will also be given by Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of the Diocese of Imus and other bishops.
The congress is expected to tackle priestly formation and vocation crisis, among others.

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The church is currently experiencing a decrease in priestly vocations especially in urban areas like
Manila.
In 2004, the CBCP said that at least 25,000 more priests are needed to serve some 68 million Filipino
Catholics.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo earlier stated the ideal ratio should be one priest per 2,000
parishioners. But in Manila alone, he said, the ratio is one priest to 20,000 parishioners.
The first National Congress of the Clergy was held in July 2004 in Manila. (Roy Lagarde)

Laiko convention to reflect on laity’s potential to

change society
LAY leaders nationwide are set to gather in a three-day convention
in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga to reflect together
on their potential to bring about change to oneself and society.
With the theme “The Laity: Changing Self and Society with Jesus
and Mary”, the three-day event will be a combined assembly of the
16th National Biennial Convention of the Sangguniang Laiko ng
Pilipinas and Laiko Regional Gathering in Luzon.
Running from October 16 to 18, the national assembly is hosted
by the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga and will be held at
the University of the Assumption in San Fernando City.
The convention opens in the afternoon of Oct. 16 with a procession of
the image of Virgen de los Remedios and Santo Cristo del Perdon from
the Archbishop’s House to the University of the Assumption Gym.
Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David will lead the opening concelebrated
Mass at the university gym.
Keynote speaker will be Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ who will talk on
“The Laity: Changing Self and Society with Jesus and Mary.”
Included among other activities and workshops during the con-
vention is the presentation of the Laiko National Team to the del- compose the Board of Trustees for the year 2010-2011.
egates of the “Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas and its Programs.” Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas is the implementing arm of the
Other celebrants and homilists during the convention are Auxiliary Episcopal Commission for the Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
Bishop Roberto Mallari who will lead the Mass on the second day and ence, in promoting nationwide initiatives and coordinating national
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto on the third day. Chairman of the Epis- programs of the laity. It is made up of Arch/diocesan Councils of
copal Commission for the Laity (ECLA) and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel the Laity, National Lay Organizations, National Movements and
Reyes will deliver his message to delegates at the closing mass. Church-oriented groups. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
The convention will also elect a new set of leaders that would

CBCP holds training for diocesan treasurers

A TRAINING seminar that aims to edu-
cate financial administrators of dioceses
into becoming competent managers of the
temporal goods of the Church is currently
being held at the Pope Pius XII Center,
Manila from October 12-28.
Consisting of three parts, the seminar
puts emphasis on developing the skills of
financial administrators “to do their jobs
better as stewards of the temporal goods
of the Church.”
The three main modules are financial
accounting, scheduled on October 12-15,
Management Accounting, October 19-21,
and Financial Management, October 26-
28, with Professor Don Brodeth as main
speaker. Filler modules include Actuarial
Aspects, Legal and Canon Law with Mr. Juan
Mabini, Fr. Jaime Achacoso and Atty. Liza
Rosario as speakers, respectively.
The seminar was thought of in order to
respond to the needs of diocesan finance
administrators who are neophytes in finan-
cial matters.
A survey conducted in last year’s conven-
tion of Archdiocesan Financial Administra-
tors of the Philippines (ADFAP), showed
that 66 percent of diocesan finance managers
are still new in the ministry while only five
percent are knowledgeable on finances.
With this training, organizers hope dioc-
esan treasurers will get an understanding of
the various concepts involved in the admin-
istration of goods, implement applications of
management accounting that would lead
to better management decisions, and adopt
a wider, more entrepreneurial outlook in
addressing problems in finance.
The program comes at an opportune
time when many dioceses are computer-
izing their accounting system.
With 26 participants coming from differ-
ent arch/dioceses, the course was organized
by the CBCP Pension Plan Office of the Cath-
olic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) and ADFAP officers in collaboration
with Taft Consulting Group (TCG).
TCG is a select partner of the De La Salle
University Graduate School of Business and
provides high valued management consult-
ing and training programs. (CBCPNews)
Markings CELEBRATED. Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, of the Diocese of Laoag, 60 years of
foundation, October 11, 2009. Founded in 1949,
Laoag Carmel is the eight Carmelite monastery
established in the Philippines spearheaded
by then Nueva Segovia Archbishop Santiago
Sancho. The present structure of the mon-
astery which took ten full years to finish was
completed in 1963. In its 60 years of presence
in the diocese, Laoag Carmel has become a
place of prayer to countless individuals who
sought to meet God in the silence and solitude
of the convent walls. The monastery has opened
itself to renewal and adapted to post-modern world
while remaining essentially faithful to its charism. A
simple Eucharistic celebration on October 11 marked the occasion. On the
evening of October 25, a musical concert will be staged as an expression
of gratitude to countless friends and benefactors who have journeyed with
the Carmelites throughout the years. Laoag Carmel currently has 14 nuns

Radio Veritas opens Marian exhibit inside the cloister including two from Ilocos region.

ORDAINED. Revs. John

IN order to raise funds for the victims
of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng and to
deepen one’s personal relationship with
Jesus and Mary, Radio Veritas together
with Caritas Manila Restorative Justice
Ministry have organized the 4th Grand
Marian Exhibit that opened Oct. 8 at the
SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
“This exhibit has been put up to raise
funds for typhoon victims. Hopefully
they would experience in their lives the
presence of God and the Blessed Mother.
Ginawa itong exhibit to raise funds to
help the many victims of typhoon in our
country and,” said Fr. Anton Pascual,
President of Radio Veritas.
Charice Jose, Religious Event Coor-
dinator of Radio Veritas, said that the
images of the Blessed Virgin Mary were
classified into three categories, namely
the litany images, devotional images and
apparitional images.
She disclosed that one of the displayed
© Kate Laceda / CBCP Media
of Radio Veritas,”
The collected donations will be forward-
ed to Caritas Manila, a Catholic agency for
social services, which is currently aiding
the victims of the typhoons.
To date, Caritas Manila has already
helped more than 90,000 families through
relief operations in the five dioceses in
Manila and nearby dioceses of Antipolo,
Malolos and San Pablo in Laguna.
Pascual also said that the exhibit fea-
tures the paintings of the prisoners/de-
tainees who have experienced the power
of conversion inside the jail.
But more than anything else, the Mar-
ian exhibit is intended to deepen devo-
tion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Radio Veritas is focusing more on
evangelization and part of the evange-
lization is learning and deepening our
faith as a Catholic and Marian devotee.
This Marian exhibit is also a means for
Catholics to realize the richness of our
Rany Pablo Geraldino, Russel
Garcia Ocampo and Michael
Borjal Villaflor of San Carlos
Seminary; Richard Enrique
Samper Garrido of Redemp-
toris Mater; Fernando Lawag
Sabado, Jr. of Lorenzo Ruiz
Mission Society; and Jaime
Vidal Martinez Zuñiga of San
Jose Seminary, to the Sacred
Order of Priesthood, October 3, 2009. His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales presided the Eucharistic celebration and the rites of ordination at
the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral. The ordination of the six deacons took
on a special significance as it was held during the year-long celebration of
the Year for Priests as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI.
ORDAINED. Rev. Lhem Naval of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, in
Baliangao town, Rev. Sandy Cometa of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish,
Sinacaban, and Rev. Danny Rudinas of Saint Michael the Archangel Par-
ish, Tangub City, both of the province of Misamis Occidental, to the Sacred
Order of Deacons, October 6, 2009. The solemn ceremony was held at
the Immaculate Conception Cathedral presided by Archbishop Jesus A.
Dosado who counseled the newly ordained deacons to live in obedience
to their prelate and not to get involved in partisan politics as they enter the
rank of ordained ministers. The deacons finished their theology studies
from Saint Mary Theologate Seminary (SMT), Ozamiz City. The ordination
had the theme “Faithfulness in Christ, Faithfulness in Deacons.”

images of Mary, the Our Lady of Caysasay,
is personally owned by Manila Archbish-
op Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Pascual said that “majority of the
donations will be allotted to the victims
of typhoon Ondoy and some will be
used to support the Marian programs
Marian tradition and the many different CELEBRATED. Oblates of Mary Immacu-
titles that we are attributing to her pow- late (OMI), 70th anniversary of founda-
erful intercession as a Mediatrix to our tion in Cotabato and Sulu provinces,
September 28, 2009. The first group
Lord Jesus Christ,” Pascual said. of OMI missionaries who established
The exhibit carries the theme, “Maria, the foundation in Cotabato and Sulu
Kalakbay sa Katotohanan.” It culminates provinces came from USA. They
on October 14, 2009. (Kate Laceda) were Fr. Gerard Mongeau, Fr. Fran-
cis McSorley, Fr. George Dion, Fr.

Students hold concert for

Cuthbert Billman, Fr. Joseph Boyd,
Fr. Emile Bolduc and Fr. Egide
Beaudoin, known in OMI history as

Ondoy victims
THE University of Asia
and the Pacific Chorale
with Choirmaster Danilo
N. Monte, Jr. presented
“Magnificat: A Concert of
Sacred Choral Music", at
the Stella Orientis Oratory,
University of Asia and the
Pacific (UA&P), Pasig City
on October 9.
the “Magnificent 7”. The OMI pioneers
embarked on a fruitful missionary activ-
ity in the Muslim-dominated provinces of
by Ondoy,” said the orga- Mindanao establishing schools, parishes, and
other socially-related projects. Three of these pioneer-missionaries later
nizers. became bishops. Fr. Mongeau was appointed bishop of the province of
Earlier, students of Cotabato and Sulu, Fr. McSorley became the first bishop of Sulu and Tawi-
UA&P took advantage of Tawi, and Fr. Dion, who later also became bishop of Sulu. Fr. Dion was
the suspension of classes also linked with the first commercial broadcast media in the country. Fr.
to volunteer in helping the Billman, on the other hand, founded the first local newspaper in Mindanao,
the Mindanao Cross which started printing in 1948, and the Sulu Star.
typhoon victims. Founded by St. Eugene de Mazenod, the Oblates is the seventh largest
Through the Office of congregation of men in the world today. There are almost 5,000 OMI’s
Student Affairs of the in nearly 70 countries globally. “They are present in the vast wastes of
UA&P, these student vol- Canada, in the howling winds of the North Pole, in the hot regions of Africa,
in the war-torn countries of Latin America, the impoverished countries of
Photo courtesy of Laiko

The Marian concert was unteers were distributed

presented in time for the
month of the Holy Rosary.
Its proceeds will be given
for the benefit of the vic-
tims of typhoon Ondoy.
“Through the concert,
the students of the UA&P
hope to contribute in the
efforts of various aid or-
ganizations for the reha-
bilitation of those affected
Asia and in the industrialized countries of Europe and America.” The heroic
to help in various relief courage shown by OMI missionaries in living out their missionary presence
efforts especially in Camp even in mission places considered not too friendly for missionaries has
Aguinaldo and in the Rizal amazed even Pope Pius XI that he called them “Specialists in the Most
Chapter of the Philippine Difficult Missions of the Church.”
National Red Cross.
Audience with the Apostolic Nuncio. Representatives of LAIKO’s National Board of CELEBRATED. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, RCJ, 25th sacerdotal anniversary,
The concert was orga- September 5, 2009 at the Holy Spirit Chapel of the Di Francia Center of
Directors led by Bishop Gabriel Reyes, DD, (seated, 2nd from left) Chairman of CBCP
nized by "Kultura" a cul- Commission on the Apostolate of the Laity paid a courtesy call to Archbishop Edward Studies in Sucat, Parañaque City. Fr. Rampazzo is a Rogationist priest
tural initiative of the Office Joseph Adams, (seated, 2nd from right) Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, on September who has worked as a missionary in the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea,
of Student Affairs, Univer- 8, 2009. LAIKO president Dr. Linda Tacorda, (seated, right) briefed the Nuncio on LAIKO’s Indonesia, India and Papua New Guinea.
sity of Asia and the Pacific. composition and main thrusts and updated him on LAIKO’s recent activities, especially the
regional meetings. DIED. Sr. Ma. Eufrocina S. Claridad, RVM, October 8, 2009.
(Fr. Mickey Cardenas)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009 Pastoral Concerns B1

‘Your hands, your lips, become ...

the Hands and Lips of God’
Dear brothers in the priesthood,
As you can imagine, I would have been
enormously happy to be able to be with you on
this international priestly retreat on the theme:
“The Joy of Being a Priest: Consecrated for the
Salvation of the World.” You are many who
participate and are benefited by the teachings of
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. I cordially greet
the other preachers and the bishop of Belley-Ars,
Guy Marie Bagnard. I have had to be content
with addressing this taped message to you, but
I want to believe that with these words, I speak
to each one of you in the most personal way
possible, so that, as St. Paul said, “I hold you in
my heart, for you are all partakers with me of
grace” (Philippians 1:7).

St. John Mary Vianney d’Ars is a religion of joy, not a

emphasized the indispensable
role of the priest when he
said: “A good pastor, a pastor
according to the heart of God,
this is the greatest treasure that
the good God can give a parish,
and one of the most precious
gifts of divine mercy” (The
Cure of Ars, Thoughts, Bernard
Nodet, Desclee de Brouwer, Foi
Vivante, 2000, p. 101). In this
Year of the Priest, we are all
called to explore and rediscover
the grandeur of the sacrament
that has configured us forever
to Christ the High Priest and has
“consecrated” all of us “in truth”
(John 17:19).
Chosen among men, the priest
continues to be one of them and is
called to serve them giving them the
life of God. He it is who “continues
the work of redemption on earth”
(Nodet, p. 98). Our priestly vocation
is a treasure that we bear in earthen
vessels (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7). St.
Paul expressed happily the infinite
distance that exists between our
vocation and the poverty of the
answer we can give to God. Let
us keep present in our ears and in
the depth of our heart the Apostle’s
exclamation full of confidence, who
said: “for when I am weak, then I
am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Awareness of this weakness opens
us to intimacy with God, who gives
us strength and joy. The more the
priest perseveres in friendship with
God, the more he will continue the
work of the Redeemer on earth
(cf. Nodet, p. 98). The priest is no
longer for himself, but for all (cf.
Nodet, p. 100).
Precisely therein lies one of the
greatest challenges of our time.
The priest, man of the divine
Word and of sacred things,
must be today, more than ever,
morbid seeking of mortification,
as sometimes has been believed:
“Our happiness is too great,
no, no, we will never be able to
understand it” (Nodet, p. 110), he
said, and also “when we are along
the way and we catch sight of a
bell tower, this should make our
heart beat as the sight of the roof
of the dwelling of the beloved
makes the bride’s heart beat.”
Thus, I would like to greet with
particular affection those of you
who have the pastoral charge of
several churches and who spend
yourselves without counting the
cost to maintain a sacramental life
in your different communities.
The recognition of the Church is
immense for you all! Do not lose
courage, but continue praying
so that numerous young men
will agree to respond to Christ’s
call. Christ does not fail to want
to increase the number of his
apostles to carry out the mission
in his fields.
Dear priests, I am also thinking
of the enormous diversity of the
ministries you exercise at the
service of the Church. Think
of the great number of Masses
you have celebrated or will
celebrate, each time making
Christ present on the altar. Think
of the innumerable absolutions
you have given and will give,
allowing a sinner to be forgiven.
You perceive in this moment
the infinite fecundity of the
sacrament of [holy] orders. Your
hands, your lips, become, in the
space of an instant, the hands and
lips of God. You bear Christ in
yourselves; you have, by grace,
entered in the Holy Trinity. As
the saintly Cure said: “If one
had faith, he would see God
www.mrpoplife.typepad.com

hidden in the priest as a light

a man of joy and hope. To men
who can no longer conceive that
God is pure Love, he will always
affirm that life is worth living,
and that Christ gives it all its
meaning because he loves men,
all men. The religion of the Cure
behind a glass, as wine mixed
with water” (Nodet, p. 97). This
consideration should help to
harmonize relations between
priests in order to bring about
that priestly community to which
Your hands / B2

‘A priest at the bedside

of a sick person
represents Christ’
Dear Sick and Suffering Brothers and Sisters,
Venerable Brother Bishops and Priests responsible
for pastoral care for the sick,
Esteemed Associations of the Sick,
All those who Provide Generous Service to the Sick
and the Suffering,

WE are in the full unfolding indifferent to the fate of those

of the Year for Priests that was
proclaimed by Benedict XVI on
19 July 2009 on the occasion of the
150th anniversary of the birth of
John Mary Vianney, the Patron
saint of all the parish priests in the
world. In his letter proclaiming a
year for priests, the Holy Father
wrote: ‘This Year is meant to
deepen the commitment of all
priests to interior renewal for
the sake of a stronger and more
incisive witness to the Gospel in
today’s world’. In this time of
grace the whole of the Christian
www.godzdogz.op.org
who suffer. Indeed, through
the sacraments of the Church,
administered by a priest, Jesus
Christ offers to a sick person
healing through reconciliation
and the forgiveness of sins,
through anointing with holy oil
and lastly in the Eucharist, in the
viaticum in which Christ himself
becomes, as Giovanni Leonardi
used to say, ‘the medicine of
immortality’ by which ‘we
are comforted, nourished,
transformed into God, and
participants in the divine nature

community is called to rediscover (cf. 2Pt 1:4)’. In the person of the

the beauty of the priestly vocation
and thus to pray for priests.
A priest at the bedside of a sick
person represents Christ himself,
the Divine Physician, who is not
priest is thus present at the side
of the sick person Christ himself
who forgives, heals, comforts,
takes that person by the hand and
A priest / B2
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

The presumption of validity of marriage

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, obligation is certain. However,
J.C.D. such objectors forget that the
principle in dubio pro libertate
operates only when there is no
I am a Parish Priest and I am opposing presumption based on
sometimes presented with problems a certain fact, such as the common
of couples—claiming irreconcilable good which is the case in the favor
difference—who “in conscience” matrimonii.
think that their marriage was On the other hand, what they
invalid from the start. At times their claim as the right to freedom of
recounting of the circumstances are the spouses almost always refers
so compelling, that even I am tempted to the future i.e., a liberation from
to agree with them, more so if either past commitments disregarding
spouse has already moved on to a the obvious fact that such
new union, which has subsequently commitments were made in the
born fruit in the form of a new and exercise of their own freedom
happy family. How do I resolve this in the first place. It is interesting
dilemma? to understand favor matrimonii
precisely from the point of view
A. Notion and point of of the freedom of the spouses
controversy i.e., the protection of their ius
Your dilemma in fact illustrates connubii which had already
one of the hottest issues in been exercised (and exhausted)
Matrimonial Law Canon in the when they validly contracted
last two decades of the 20th marriage.
Century, so brilliantly resolved
by John Paul II in his annual Conclusion
address to the Roman Rota on In the end we have to conclude
29.1.2004. with John Paul II that “the
Can. 1060 of the Code of Canon problem concerns the concept of
Law states: Marriage enjoys the marriage seen in a global vision of
favor of the law; consequently, reality. The essential dimension of
when a doubt exists the validity the justness of marriage, which is

of a marriage is to be upheld until
the contrary is proven. Though
the canon clearly establishes
the presumption of validity of a
canonically celebrated marriage,
the continued applica¬bility of
such a juridic presumption has
been contested.
The problem stems in part
from the very redaction of
c.1060, in which the causal
particle “consequently” (quare
in the original Latin) seems to
suggests that the reason for
the presumption of validity of
a marriage (duly celebrated
or peacefully accepted and
consequently placed in doubt)
is the favor iuris (presumption of
law) enjoyed by mar¬riage. Thus,
this doctrine has been attacked
from the point of view of the
validity of the favor matrimonii,
i.e., the favor iuris enjoyed by
marriage itself.
B. Clarifying Can. 1060:
Removing the Red Herring.
Before addressing the attacks
against the favor matrimonii
itself, it is good to remove the
red herring, by making the
conceptual distinction between
the two parts of c.1060:
1st Part: Marriage enjoys
the favor of the law. This is the
canonical declaration of the favor
matrimonii. what appears outwardly to be
2nd Part: When doubt exists,
the validity of a marriage is to
be upheld until the contrary is
proven. This actually constitutes
the canonical declaration of
the presumption of validity
of a marriage duly celebrated
canonically or hitherto peacefully
accepted.
It is important to realize that the
foundation of the presumption
of validity of a duly celebrated
canonical marriage is not the
favor matrimonii. Rather, it is
simply an application to the case
of canonical marriage of a general
presumption that constitutes a
principle in all juridic systems:
The presumption of validity
of a juridic act whose external
(juridically relevant) elements
have been verified correct,
as expressed in c.124, §2: A
juridic act correctly placed with
respect to its external elements
is presumed to be valid.
This is what is known in Law
as a juridic presumption—i.e., a
link established by law between a
certain fact (the external elements
of given juridic reality), which is
called the factical index or basis
of the presumption, and that
juridic reality, which is called the
presumed fact
On the other hand, as John Paul
II in the aforementioned address
to the Roman Rota on 29.1.2004
points out “this presumption
cannot be interpreted as the
mere protection of appearances
or of the status quo as such,
since the possibility of contesting
the act is also provided for,
within reasonable limits. Rather,
correctly placed, to the extent
that it is lawful, deserves initially
to be considered valid and,
consequently, to be upheld by
law since this external reference
point is the only one which
the legal system realistically
provides to discern situations
which must be safeguarded.
To hypothesize the opposite,
that is, the obligation to provide
positive proof of the validity
of the respective acts, would
mean exposing the subjects to
a demand that would be almost
impossible to achieve.”
C. Arguments against the Favor
Matrimonii
John Paul II, in the
aforementioned address,
outlined the attacks against the
principles enunciated by c.1060
as follows:
1. Skepticism vs. Validity
of Consent at Present Times.
To some people, [the favor
matrimonii] seems to be anchored
in social and cultural situations of
the past, in which the request to
marry in accordance with canon
law had normally implied that
those engaged to be married
understood and accepted the
true nature of marriage. In the
crisis that marks the institution of
marriage today, those people hold
the very validity of the consent
may often be jeopard¬ized, due
to various forms of incapacity
or to the absence of the essential
properties. Thus, these critics
wonder if it might not be correct
to presume the invalidity of the
marriage contracted rather than
its validity. In this perspective,
the favor matrimonii, they say,
should give way to the favor
personae [favoring whatever
is good for the spouses], the
favor veritatis subiecti [favoring
whatever is subjectively good for
the spouses] or the favor libertatis
[respecting the freedom of the
spouses to opt out of a marriage
bond].
2. Skepticism vs. Process of
Ascertaining the Validity of a
Marriage. Often the real problem
is not so much the presumption
in words as the overall vision
of a marriage itself; hence, the
process to ascertain the validity
of its celebration is put in doubt.
In this regard, a more or less open
scepticism has been inferred as to
the human ability to recognize
the truth about the validity of
a marriage. In this area too, a
renewed confidence in human
reason is necessary with regard
both to the essential aspects
of marriage and to the specific
circumstances of each union.
3. Failure of Marriage
Argument. Finally is the
argument which holds that the
failure of conjugal life implies
the invalidity of the marriage.
Unfortunately, this erroneous
assertion is sometimes so forceful
as to become a generalized
prejudice that leads people to
seek grounds for nullity as a
merely formal justification of a
pronouncement that is actually
based on the empirical factor
of matrimonial failure. This
unjust formalism of those who
are opposed to the traditional
favor matrimonii can lead them
to forget that, in accordance with
human experience marked by
sin, even a valid marriage can
fail because of the spouses’ own
misuse of freedom.
D. Logical and conceptual flaws
of the arguments against the
Favor Matrimonii
After clarifying the real basis
of the presumptio iuris for the
validity of a duly-celebrated
canonical marriage, we can
www.flickr.com
reduce the objections to the favor
matrimonii to two:
1. Favor matrimonii vs. favor
personae seu favor veritatis
subiecti. The confrontation that
some authors make between
the favor matrimonii and the
so-called favor personae or
favor veritatis subiecti belies
a reductive vision of the favor
matrimonii, understood almost
exclusively in its abstract or
institutional sense, disconnected
from any concrete marriage,
which is always founded on the
truth of an authentic marital
consent legitimately manifested
between two capable persons.
We have to recall that the favor
matrimonii is simply the juridical
protection of a very personal
right the ius connubii of the
spouses and the truth of a very
real and concrete marriage.
At the same time, such
objection often belies an equally
narrow view of the so-called
favor personae or favor veritatis
subiecti which often refers only
to the person of the spouse or
spouses who are pretending
the declaration of nullity of a
marriage, disregarding those
who hold its validity or who
may be interested in its eventual
convalidation.
2. Favor matrimonii vs. favor
libertatis. More absurd still is
the contraposition made by
other authors between the favor
iuris enjoyed by marriage and
an erroneous application of the
general principle in dubio pro
libertate, according to which
one must not burden anyone
with an obligation unless such
based on an intrinsically juridical
reality, is replaced by empirical
viewpoints of a sociological,
psychological, etc. kind, as well
as by various forms of juridical
positivism. Without in any way
belittling the valid contributions
of sociology, psychology or
psychiatry, it cannot be forgotten
that an authentically juridical
consideration of marriage
requires a metaphysical vision
of the human person and of the
conjugal relationship. Without
this ontological foundation
the institution of marriage
becomes merely an extrinsic
superstructure, the result of the
Law and of social conditioning,
which limits the freedom of the
person to fulfill him or herself.
It is necessary instead to
rediscover the truth, goodness
and beauty of the marriage
institution. Since it is the work
of God himself, through human
nature and the freedom of
consent of the engaged couple,
marriage remains an indissoluble
personal reality, a bond of justice
and love, linked from eternity to
the plan of salvation and raised in
the fullness of time to the dignity
of a Christian sacrament. It is this
reality that the Church and the
world must encourage! This is
the true favor matrimonii!”
Finally, as to the concrete
problem at hand, we have to
remind everyone that nobody
can decide unilaterally—neither
can a couple agree on their
own—that a marriage contracted
canonically suffers invalidity on
whatever ground. It is for the
competent ecclesiastical tribunal,
after all the parties have been
listened to, to judge the case and
declare the validity or invalidity
of the marriage.

Your hands / B1

Frequency of the Extraordinary Form

(Father Edward McNamara, professor
of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum
university, answers the following
query:)
Q: I am confused about the
permission given by our Holy
Father regarding the celebration of
Mass using the Tridentine rite (the
extraordinary form). Can a parish
substitute for all daily Masses
throughout the week the “Tridentine
form” instead of the “ordinary form”?
I understand Sunday Masses must be
of the ordinary form, with perhaps the
exception of one Tridentine Mass.—
D.F., St. Clair Shores, Michigan
A: The most relevant document
regarding this point is probably Article
5 of “Summorum Pontificum”:
“In parishes, where there is a stable
group of faithful who adhere to the
earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor
should willingly accept their requests
to celebrate the Mass according to the
rite of the Roman Missal published
in 1962, and ensure that the welfare
of these faithful harmonizes with the
ordinary pastoral care of the parish,
under the guidance of the bishop in
accordance with Canon 392, avoiding
discord and favoring the unity of the
whole Church.
Ҥ2 Celebration in accordance with
the Missal of Blessed John XXIII may
take place on working days; while
on Sundays and feast days one such
celebration may also be held.”
Canon 392 refers to the bishop’s
overall right and duty to oversee
and enforce the observation of
ecclesiastical laws within his
jurisdiction.
While the papal document
certainly allows some leeway, the
fact that it asks pastors to ensure that
the celebration of the extraordinary
form harmonizes with the ordinary
pastoral care would suggest that
a parish should not habitually
substitute all daily Masses for the
extraordinary form.
A parish with more than one priest
could have daily Mass in both forms.
Likewise, in areas where churches
are in close proximity, the bishop
could allow one parish to celebrate a
daily Mass in the extraordinary form
for the faithful from several parishes.
Other possibilities include rotating
the celebration of the extraordinary
form during the week among two or
three nearby parishes.
If the need arises, the papal letter
issued “motu propio” (on his own
initiative) also foresees the possibility
of the bishop establishing a special
parish, thus Article 10:
“The ordinary of a particular place,
if he feels it appropriate, may erect a
personal parish in accordance with
Canon 518 for celebrations following
the ancient form of the Roman rite, or
appoint a chaplain, while observing
all the norms of law.”
As is obvious all celebrations in
such a parish or chaplaincy would be
according to the extraordinary form.
The above document says that it
is important to seek positive and
charitable solutions to the needs of
all the faithful so as to avoid discord
and to favor the Church’s unity.
St. Peter exhorts (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) to form
the body of Christ, upbuilt in love (cf.
Ephesians 4:11-16).
The priest is the man of the future:
he who has taken seriously Paul’s
words: “If then you have been raised
with Christ, seek the things that are
above” (Colossians 3:1). What is done
on earth is in the order of the means
ordered to the last End. The Mass is
the only point of union between the
means and the End, because it allows
us already to contemplate, under the
humble appearance of bread and wine,
the Body and Blood of him whom we
will adore in eternity. The simple but
profound phrases of the saintly Cure on
the Eucharist help us to perceive better
the richness of that unique moment of
the day in which we live a vivifying
A priest / B1
says: ‘I am the resurrection and the life;
who believes in me, even though he dies,
will live; whoever lives and believes in
me will never die’ (Jn 11:25).
The Year for Priests will end with the
solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in
June 2010, the year when the Pontifical
Council for Health Care Workers will
celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary
of its creation. Indeed, the Servant of
God John Paul II, of venerable memory,
founded this Pontifical Council on 11
February 1985, memorial of the Blessed
Virgin Mary of Lourdes, in order to show
‘the solicitude of the Church for the sick
by helping those who serve the sick
and suffering, so that their apostolate
of mercy may ever more effectively
respond to people’s needs’ (Pastor
Bonus, art. 152).
Because of this providential
anniversary, I am near to each one of
you and I invite you, dear sick brothers
and sisters, to unceasingly address
face to face [encounter] for ourselves
and for each one of the faithful. “The
happiness there is in saying the Mass
will be understood only in heaven,”
he wrote (Nodet, p. 104). Therefore, I
encourage you to reinforce your faith
and that of the faithful in the sacrament
you celebrate which is the source of
true joy. The Saint of Ars wrote: “The
priest should feel the same joy (of the
Apostles) on seeing Our Lord, whom he
has between his hands” (Ibid.).
Thanking you for what you are and
for what you do, I repeat: “Nothing
will ever replace the ministry of priests
in the life of the Church” (Homily
during the Mass of Sept. 13, 2008, on
the Esplanade des Invalides, Paris).
Living witnesses of the power of God
who works in the weakness of men,
your prayers and the offering up of
your sufferings to the Lord of life for
the holiness of your well loved priests,
so that they can with devotion and
pastoral charity perform the ministry
that is entrusted to them by Christ,
the physician of bodies and souls. I
exhort you to rediscover the beauty of
the prayer of the Holy Rosary for the
spiritual benefit of priests, in a special
way during the month of October. In
addition to this, every first Thursday
and every first Friday of the month,
which are respectively dedicated to
devotion to the Eucharist and the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, are days that are
particularly suited to participation in
Holy Mass and adoration of the Most
Holy Sacrament.
I would like to remind you that in
praying for priests one can obtain
special indulgences this year. The
decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary
declares: ‘The Plenary Indulgence will
consecrated for the salvation of the
world, you are, my dear brothers,
chosen by Christ himself to be, thanks
to him, salt of the earth and light of the
world. May you be able to experience
in a profound way, during this spiritual
retreat, the Inexpressible Closeness (St.
Augustine, Confessions, III, 6, va 13,
p. 383) to be perfectly united to Christ
in order to proclaim his love around
you and to commit yourselves totally
to the service of the sanctification of
all the members of the people of God!
Entrusting you to the Virgin Mary,
Mother of Christ and of priests, I impart
to you all my Apostolic Blessing.
(Above is the text of a video message of
Pope Benedict XVI to the participants of the
international retreat of priests held in Ars,
France, September 28 to October 4, 2009)
likewise be granted to the elderly, the
sick and all those who for any legitimate
reason are confined to their homes
who, with a mind detached from any
sin and with the intention of fulfilling
as soon as possible the three usual
conditions, at home or wherever their
impediment detains them, provided that
on the above-mentioned days they recite
prayers for the sanctification of priests
and confidently offer the illnesses and
hardships of their lives to God through
Mary Queen of the Apostles. Lastly, the
Partial Indulgence is granted to all the
faithful every time they devoutly recite
five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias,
or another expressly approved prayer,
in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to
obtain that priests be preserved in purity
and holiness of life’.
I would also like to entrust to your
prayers the pilgrimage of hospital
chaplains which, on the occasion of
A priest / B5

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bishops …......……………………………..... 2
Priests:
Diocesan ……………………………….. 100
Religious:
Filipino ………………………………..... 11
Foreign ……………………………….... 3
Deacon ………......………………………...... 1
Sisters:
Filipino ………………………………….... 75
Foreign …………………………….…........ 9
Seminaries:
High School …………………………........ 1
Pre-College …………………………........ 1
College ………………………………......... 1
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates ……………………………....... 5
Parishes ……………………………….... 28
Population ................………………….. 705,600
Catholics ……………………………… 656,320
Area ……………………..…........ 2,141.4 sq.km.
Diocese of Sorsogon
By Fr. Tony Lorilla and Mr. Ra-
mon Dino
A BIRTH is usually met with jubilation,
prayer and thanksgiving. It was thus
when the Diocese of Sorsogon came into
being. When the Papal Bull of June 29,
1951 mandated that Sorsogon become a
suffragan of the Archdiocese of Caceres,
exultation and thankful prayers filled
the hearts of its people.
Spanish conquistadores gave Sorsogon
its first encounter with Christianity. This
was in the year 1569 when Fr. Alfonso
Jimenez, chaplain of the expedition
under Luis Enriquez de Guzman
celebrated the first mass upon landing
on the coast of sitio Gibal-ong, barangay
Siuton, in the town of Magallanes.
Christianity, however, was formally
established in Sorsogon with the planting
of the Cross on the shores of Casiguran
town, in 1600, by Franciscan Friars. This
was a prelude to the erection of the first
church building dedicated to Our Lady
of the Most Holy Rosary, still presently
revered as Casiguran’s patroness.
From there, Franciscan missionaries
devotedly spread the faith to the other
towns. In Bacon, 1617, Bulusan, 1630 and
Donsol in 1668. The other twelve towns
followed suit in the course of time.
In the original geographic division,
the province of Sorsogon formed part
of Albay province. It seceded as a
separate province on October 17, 1984.
By canonical reckoning the Diocese
of Sorsogon was originally part of the
Archdiocese of Caceres. When it came
into its own as a diocese, it embraced the
territory of Masbate until March 23, 1968
when the Holy See decreed that Masbate
be made into a separate diocese.
At present the Diocese of Sorsogon
encompasses the civil territory of the
Province of Sorsogon and the City of
Sorsogon.
Sorsogon became a diocese at a time
when bishops were still regarded as
lords in the hierarchical chain of a
Church steeped in rites and pageantry.
They appear before the people in regal
attire, deeply accentuating the barrier
that divided the faithful from the clergy
and the clergy from the episcopate. The
local Church then was characterized
by this visible demarcation when the
Most Rev. Teopisto V. Alberto was
installed on October 7, 1952 as the first
Bishop of Sorsogon. Notwithstanding
such conditions, Bishop Alberto
underwent the sacrifices and difficulties
of establishing a diocese so recently
weaned. In recognition of his efforts, he
was elevated as Coadjutor Archbishop
of the Archdiocese of Caceres. His
successor, the Most Rev. Arnulfo S.
Arcilla, was installed on December 12,
Diocese
B3
1959 as the 2nd Bishop of Sorsogon. In the later part of Bishop Arcilla’s term, November 27, 1980. Meanwhile, Bishop By October 1981, a general assembly—
administrative difficulties emerged. This Sarte was awaiting transfer to his new made up of priests, representatives from
Winds of change from Vatican II led the Holy See to appoint on August 30, assignment as Bishop of the Diocese each religious community existing in the
Bishop Arcilla’s term came at the 1977 the Most Rev. Concordio ma. Sarte, of Legazpi. diocese and handpicked lay delegates
time when Pope John XXIII convened D.D., as Auxiliary Bishop of Sorsogon. from the cross-section of each parish
the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council When Bishop Arcilla retired on Decade of healing and pastoral (carefully chosen through a strict set of
(Vatican II) which brought progressive December 12, 1979, the Holy See organization criteria)—was convened.
changes in the Church. Pastoral attempts appointed Bishop Sarte as Apostolic On December 12, 1980, Bishop Jesus The group worked intermittently for
to keep abreast with the emerging Administrator of the Diocese “Ad Nutum Y. Varela took his oath of office in the seven months, going through arduous
changes enabled Bishop Arcilla to initiate Sanctae Sedis” (directly responsible to presence of the planning made up of meetings and
entire clergy workshops. On July 16, 1982, Feast
and Apostolic day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in
Administrator. Magallanes, Sorsogon, the Five-Year
The oath- Diocesan Pastoral plan was launched.
taking was It’s Vision—“A community of Faith
simple, even living in Love according to the Gospel
austere. Bishop Message responding in Service to the
Varela deemed signs of the times striving in Hope for
it appropriate the coming of the Kingdom.”
to forego a The first five years of Bishop Varela’s
triumphal episcopate yielded modest gains which
celebration somehow integrated the diocesan efforts
because of towards healing its wounds. Systematic
the existing pastoral management was adopted. The
situation in the diocesan coffers which was at its nadir
diocese. when Bishop Varela took over, began
The process to fill until it was capable of operating
of “healing” programs conceived in the Diocesan
began. The Pastoral Plan.
p e c u l i a r However, the calamities of 1987—
needs of the super typhoons Herming and Sisang—
diocese were devastated the diocese to a vast extent.
immediately Losses in lives and properties were
attended to by unprecedented. This was a time when
its new pastor. the local church reaffirmed its major role
In July 1981, a in the work of restoring the community,
core group of not just in the spiritual aspect. Aside from
programs of relief and rehabilitation
reforms in areas TOPMOST: Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD. under CBCP’s National Secretariat for
of Worship, ABOVE: CME-GNFSI Building houses the diocesan TV and radio stations and the printing press. Social Action, the 4.2 million pesos
Christian ON BACKGROUND: The Cathedral Rectory shelter program funded by USAID was
education and put under the charge of the diocese—a
Temporalities. credit to the local church’s credibility,
Social Action integrity and new found capability.
programs It was through the Diocesan
were also Pastoral Plan which encompassed
introduced. a holistic approach towards Total
Bishop Arcilla Human Development where the local
s pe a r h e a d e d church succeeded in transforming
l o w - c o s t the old image of the hierarchical
h o u s i n g church into community of the faithful
and tried to which encouraged collegiality and
implement the co-responsibility between the clergy,
program of the religious and laity. Liturgical
cooperativism celebrations were then contextualized
in the parishes. to reflect the aspirations of the people
As the spirit and real life situations. These enhanced
of Vatican II lay participation towards a level of
began to renew meaningful involvement. The role of
the notion the laity was further highlighted by the
of “being installation of Lay Ministers of the Word
Church,” and the Eucharist. The people accepted
progressive thinking permeated the the Holy See). seven priests elected by and from among these changes with keen interest.
ranks of the clergy with a deepening Clearly needed was a pastor with a gift the clergy were trained in the SAIDI EVANGELIZATION became the
involvement in Social Transformation. of integrating and reconciling diverse (Southeast Asian Interdisciplinary central focus of concern. New approaches
True to the historical attitudes toward pastoral viewpoints into harmony. Development Institute) process of made use of both print and broadcast
change, a struggle to better understand Most Rev. Jesus Y. Varela, then still the pastoral planning. They went around media. On November 22, 1984, FM radio
the interplay of ecclesiastical structures, Bishop of Ozamiz, was designated by the the parishes to inculcate the idea of a franchise was acquired and DWLH-
took its toll in the local church. Holy See as 3rd Bishop of Sorsogon on common pastoral plan. Sorsogon / B4
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

Restorative justice and alternatives to imprisonment

By Rodolfo Diamante and Gerry prisoners may be serving sentences for
Bernabe petty or non-violent offenses or may be
awaiting trial for unacceptably lengthy
periods of time. For them, imprisonment
IN our current criminal justice system, may not be suitable at all. Alternatives
justice is believed to have been achieved to imprisonment offer a variety of
after a lengthy court trial, conviction strategies for dealing appropriately
and meting out punishment. A criminal with such persons that do not involve
does his time in the penitentiary, and imprisonment at all.
by wallowing inside a decrepit prison ALTERNATIVES MAY BE MORE
cell, pays his debt to society and thus EFFECTIVE—Several social objectives
justice is served. The meaning of justice are claimed for imprisonment. It
is primarily shackled in legal terms keeps persons suspected of having
which exact punishment that fits the committed a crime under secure
crime. control until a court determines their
Prisons are found in every country culpability. Moreover, it punishes
in the world. Policy makers and convicted offenders by depriving them
administrators have come to regard of their liberty. The reality is that most
them as a given and not try to find of the objectives of imprisonment can
alternatives to them. Yet imprisonment be met more effectively in other ways.
should not be taken for granted as Alternatives may both infringe less on
the natural form of punishment. But the human rights of persons who would
imprisonment has been shown to be otherwise be detained and may be less
counterproductive in the rehabilitation expensive.
and re-integration of those charged with What then should be done? We
crimes. These are several important propose the following:
reasons on the need to focus on DECRIMINALIZATION—Since
alternatives that reduce the number of criminal justice systems are the main
people in prison and for imprisonment consumers of prison resources, the first
to be used only as a last resort. question to ask when tackling the issue
Individual liberty is one of the most of imprisonment is whether particular
fundamental human rights, recognized in forms of conduct must fall within the
international human rights instruments scope of the criminal justice system. Not
and national constitutions throughout all socially undesirable conduct needs to

Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

the world. The loss of liberty that results
from imprisonment regularly impinges
several other human rights as well. In
the Philippines, prisoners are deprived
of basic amenities of life. They are often
held in grossly overcrowded conditions,
poorly clothed and underfed. They are
particularly vulnerable to disease and
yet are given poor medical treatment.
They find it difficult to keep contact
with their families.
So why consider alternatives to
imprisonment? Let us cite the following
arguments:
IMPRISONMENT IS EXPENSIVE—
the cost of imprisonment worldwide is
hard to calculate. Direct costs include
building, salaries of correctional officers
and workers as well as housing, feeding
and caring for prisoners. There are also
significant indirect or consequential
costs, for imprisonment may affect the
wider community in various negative
ways. Prisons are incubators of diseases
such as tuberculosis and AIDS, especially
so when they are overcrowded.
be classified as crime. Decriminalization
is the process of changing the law so that
conduct that has been defined as a crime
is no longer a criminal act.
DIVERSION—Under diversion
strategies, authorities focus on dealing
in other ways with other people
who could be processed through the
criminal justice system. Members of the
police need to have a clear instruction
on when they can themselves issue
IMPRISONMENT IS OVERUSED—It warnings and take no further action,
is essential that policy-makers take when they may be able to divert
a close look at who are being held in qualifying offenders to alternative
prison, why they are there, and for programs without referring the case to
how long they are being detained. Such Restorative / B5

May They Be One: Bringing Christ to the poor

By Jayzl Nebre
‘When one gives a Bible to somebody, he’s
actually giving Christ to that person!’
THIS is how Fr. Rally Gonzaga OFMCap,
Parish Priest of Sta. Teresita del
Niño Jesus Parish (STP) describes the
experience of sharing Christ through
his Word via a Bible distribution event.
Early this year, his parish distributed
copies of the May They Be One Bible to
their less privileged members during the
celebration of National Bible Week.
The effort to distribute Scriptures
started when some of their Basic Ecclesial
Community (BEC) leaders realized that
several of their members did not have
a copy of the Bible when they meet for
weekly fellowships. This prompted
them to solicit from those better off so
that everyone would have his own Bible
when they meet.
The results of this initial Bible
distribution attempt, however, were
not that encouraging. Even though a
number of people responded to their
call, the Bibles that they received were
not what they needed, mostly in English
and some even in Cebuano. Their BECs
were conducted in Tagalog thus their
need was for Tagalog Bibles.
Fortunately, a parishioner was
aware that the Philippine Bible Society,
working together with the Episcopal
Commission on Biblical Apostolate, are
making Bibles available at a subsidized
price of P50 for those who cannot afford
the regular price of P150. They joined
the May They Be One Bible Campaign
and were able to secure low-cost Bibles
for their needy members.
The problem did not end after the
Bibles were distributed. Fr. Rally
realized that while the people now have
their own copy of the Scriptures, there
is no guarantee they will actually read
it. The real challenge is how to make
them interested enough so as to develop
a habit of daily reading and apply its
teachings to their lives.
True to the precepts of the founder of
their Religious Community, Francis of
Assisi, Fr. Rally believes that the Gospel
must not only be talked but walked.
He says that “If there are people today
dubbed as ‘walking dictionaries’ or
‘walking encyclopedia,’ then there must
also be ‘Walking Scriptures’. One of
these, he says, is Francis of Assisi himself
who not only preached the Word, but
also lived it to the full.
He laments the fact, however, that
most Catholic Christians are not that
exposed to the Bible. “How then could
one follow the Gospel if he doesn’t
know it, much less read it?” He admits
that in the past, the Roman Catholic
Church poured her attention to things
like doctrine and magisterium while
the Scriptures were not given proper
treatment and respect. But with the
brave declaration of Pope Pius XII for
Catholics to ‘do as the Protestants do,
when it comes to studying the Bible’,
there came a renewed appreciation of
the sacred Scriptures. Slowly, Catholics
are realizing that most of their liturgical
traditions have biblical bases, and
are now starting to enjoy personally
engaging with the Word.
After distributing Bibles to the poor
families, the beneficiaries are asked to
join the Sta. Teresita del Niño Jesus
Parish Basic Ecclesial Communities
where they meet once a week for
fellowship and sharing. During these
meetings, the Sunday Gospels are read
by the members of the community and
afterwards, they share their experiences.
This program ensures that they get to
read their Bibles at least once a week.
“The Spirit of the Word is still relevant
today,” says Fr. Rally. According to
him, the experiences of the earlier
churches like those in Rome, Corinth,
Thessalonica, Ephesus, etc., are similar
to the experiences of people in our
modern times. Thus, if the Scriptures
spoke to them then, it can also speak
to us now.
To further encourage the parishioners
to read the Bible, every Sunday, the
Church prints on a piece of paper some
Scripture references which they give to
the mass goers to bring home. Instead
of printing the entire verse or text, STP
only identifies the passage reference
(i.e. John 3:16 instead of the full ‘For
God so loved the world...). This gives
the people the opportunity to open up
their own Bibles at home and read the
text from there.
“Who knows, that might be God’s
answer to your prayer,” says Fr. Rally,
as he encourages parishioners to each
get a piece of paper. Surprisingly, a
number of people go back to him and
confirmed that the Scripture Passage
they read indeed gave them answers
to the trials or problems that they were
facing at that point in their lives.
For Fr. Rally, the most important
part of Scripture Work is to motivate
the faithful to read the Bible. He adds
that when they are motivated, they
will open the Bible by themselves and
personal transformation, sooner or later
will follow.
He stresses that more than anybody
else, it is the youth that have to be
motivated to read the Bible as they will
soon be the leaders of the country. And
with their sheer number, young people
are not only the ‘future’ of the Church,
they are also its ‘present’.
Fr. Rally recalls how he himself was
motivated to start reading the Bible
when he was younger. Their teachers
used to ask them to bring their Bibles
everyday to school and the students
were given incentive if they could share
with the class some things that they
read from their Bibles. He hopes that
this practice can be replicated in other
schools as well.
But for Fr. Rally, there is another
enticement to delve into the pages of
the Holy Scriptures—love. The Bible,
he says, tells of the beautiful love story
between God and man. It makes people
understand how special we are in God’s
sight. And for him, that’s all the reason
he needs to keep on reading.

Sorsogon / B3

FM was born as a diocesan
radio station. The lackeys of
repressions serving the Marcos
Dictatorship tried to close the
radio station when it exposed and
opposed prevalent human rights
violations. Friendly elements
in the field of communications,
however, did not carry out the
order, but instead empathized
with the diocesan struggle.
On May 15, 1986, weeks after
‘People Power’ toppled the
Marcos dictatorship; the diocesan
radio station changed its call sign
to DZGN-FM, the station that
brings the Good News.
Complementing the broadcast
medium is the Good News
Newsletter, a diocesan monthly
publication. The innovative use
of media has helped effectively
and efficiently in the program of
Evangelization.
At this juncture (the decade
spanning 1980-1990), the people
of Sorsogon had apparently begun
to understand their role in the
Church. The old idea of the Church
as the majestic bastion of ordained
ministers still persisted, but it was
gradually being replaced by a new
consciousness. The efforts to reach
out and educate the people began
to spread particularly in the areas
of Religious Instruction, Family Life
Apostolate,YouthProgramsandthe
service to marginalized society.
Enhancement of Formation
and Education about practice of
Faith became institutionalized
with the implementation of
the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
The building of a Diocesan
Pastoral Formation Center (1984)
provided a venue for developing
knowledge, where farmers,
fisherfolks, rural and urban
poor sectors hold seminars,
assemblies, consultations and
formation sessions for analyzing
practices and experience (praxis)
for the building of Basic Christian
Communities.
The early success of the
implementation of the Diocesan
pastoral Plan resulted in the
rapid growth of Christian
community. The Cathedral
parish, particularly, expanded
immensely in both population
and pastoral activities. This
necessitated a strategic division
for better management. On July
16, 1987, Bishop Jesus Y. Varela
signed Acta, segregating 10 out of
the 36 barangays of the Cathedral
parish to be canonically known as
Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
The first decade of the Diocesan
Pastoral Plan cauterized and
soothed the past pains of the
diocese with a new apostolic
fervor and opened hope for
eventual and complete healing as
it strove to achieve the Diocesan
Pastoral Plan’s goals in three
phases, namely: 1) “To form the
local Church into an evangelized
and evangelizing community of
Faith, Hope and Love.” 2) “To
organize the local Church of
Sorsogon into worshipping and
serving communities that give
witness to a life of Unity, Justice,
Peace and Love.” 3) “To organize
in the local Church of Sorsogon
basic communities that are fully
worshipping and serving, and
empowered to give witness to
Christian Stewardship.”
Presenting a glaring contrast to
the pageantry and pomp which
had been the historical image of
the Church and its Bishops, the
Diocese of Sorsogon kept in step
with Vatican II and the concept
of the Church of the Poor.
Keeping on with the task of
empowerment
The year 1991 ushered a special
event for the Philippine Church.
On January 20–February 17 of
this year, the Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines (PCP
II) was held. Its vision was of a
“renewed Philippine Church,
through a renewed integral
evangelization by workers of
renewal as a community of
disciples.” It was heartening to
discover that many of the matters
under discussion in PCP II were
already implemented in our
diocese (e.g. Earthcare Program).
Even that of being the Church of
the Poor, which was the ecclesial
image PCP II decided for the
Philippine Church, was already
the model of our local church.
This meant that we are in the
leading edge of Evangelization.
We preserved our involvement
in the social and political arena,
maintaining our strong stand for
Justice and Peace, the defense
of Human Rights, Disaster
Preparedness, Relocation and
organization of the urban
poor (IDEA project), Health
Program and most recently, the
empowerment of women with
our Promotion for Women’s
Empowerment and Rights
project.
In the aspect of Social
Communications, the radio
station was supplemented with
the printing press and television
station. All were pioneering
efforts including the Internet
service in the diocese that paved
the way for Sorsogon’s access
to global communication. We
harnessed modern technology
at the service of Evangelization,
disseminatingwidelythemessage
of the Gospel and the work for
people empowerment.
Within this decade we made
a significant addition to the
commissions which are pillars
of our pastoral plan. Originally,
there were four commissions that
made up the acronym WEST. It
stands for Worship, Education,
Service and Temporalities.
We added another pillar to
strengthen further the foundation
of local church. Thus, Media for
Evangelization became another
commission that strengthened
the original WEST, which became
ME-WEST.
Once again, another strategic
segregation was undertaken for a
more systematic implementation
of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
This time, 14 rural barangays
of the 26 remaining barangays
of the Cathedral parish were
canonically established as the San
Ramon Nonnatus Parish.
The diocese now comprises
26 parishes divided into five
Vicariates. the Acts and Decrees and Synodal
As concepts keep coming Propositions. All these will be
and the signs of times called for guiding beacon of the Diocesan
new ideas and responses, the Pastoral Plan, Phase IV.
work of Evangelization took on After this landmark activity,
added challenges. The concern another important event was to
for the Family, Laity and Youth occur for the diocese. On its feast
decidedly required primary day, honoring Sts. Peter and Paul,
focus. Thus three new councils on the 29th of June 2001, fell the
were established, one for each of Golden Jubilee of its erection
these three sectors. The totality as diocese. It was celebrated as
of the diocesan program now the Jubilee Year for the entire
carried the acronym FLY-ME- Catholic Church.
WEST. As Bishop Varela turned 75
years old on December 18, 2001,
Passing the Shepherd’s Staff he submitted his compulsory
As the pastoral plan of letter of retirement to the Vatican.
the diocese continues to be The Vatican responded with
implemented in full gear and appreciation of his services.
with his compulsory retirement, Meanwhile, the choice for a
Bishop Jesus Y. Varela requested coadjutor bishop for the Diocese
for a coadjutor bishop from the of Sorsogon had been decided.
Vatican through the Apostolic On July 25, 2002, as it was being
Nuncio. Due to this, Most Rev. announced publicly by the
Antonio Franco, the Apostolic Vatican, Bishop Varela made a
Nuncio of the Philippines, simultaneous announcement
paid a visit to the diocese and through a press conference at
sought audience with the clergy, St. Matthew’s Hall, that Most
religious and the lay leaders of Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, at that
the diocese. The purpose was to time bishop of the Diocese of
gauge their sentiments for better Romblon, was elected coadjutor
guidance in the choice of Bishop bishop of Sorsogon, with
Varela’s coadjutor and eventual right of succession. Bishop
successor. Bastes assumed his position as
Along this timeline, the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese
Diocesan Pastoral Plan was of Sorsogon in a fitting ceremony
entering the fourth phase of on September 22, 2002.
its implementation. For this On April 15, 2003, Bishop Varela
purpose, Bishop Varela convened turned over the Diocesan Curia
the first Diocesan Synod from Office to his coadjutor bishop.
November 19 to December Bishop Varela’s resignation
01, 2000. It adopted the theme was subsequently approved by
“Called to Proclaim.” The end the Pope the next day April 16,
product was meant to embody Sorsogon / B7
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
B5

Statement on the Kidnapping

of Fr. Michael Sinnott theStatement of
27th ECIP
THE CBCP National Secretariat for Social
Action – Justice & Peace strongly denounces
the kidnapping of Columban Missionary, Fr.
Michael Sinnott, last October 11 in his home in
Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. We appeal
– IPA National
to the kidnappers of Fr. Sinnott to release him
immediately so he may safely return to his parish
and his community.
Convention
Fr. Sinnott has been active in various social We, the 75 participants of the 27th ECIP – IPA National
services, like in the Centre and School for Special Convention held at Maryridge Retreat House, Tagaytay City
Children, which he established, and has been on September 14-18, 2009, reflecting on the theme: “The Church
and the Indigenous Peoples Reflecting on Faith” in the context
bravely working for interfaith, and peacebuilding of the “10th Year Anniversary of the Day of Pardon Mass on
programs in Mindanao. March 12, 2010”, declare that:
We express our solidarity with the Diocese of Integral Evangelization with the Indigenous Peoples is
witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus, journeying with them in a
Pagadian, headed by the Most Rev. Emmanuel dialogue of life and faith and celebrating the richness of each
Cabajar, and to the community of the Columban other’s values and life-events.
Missionaries. Together, we respect human dignity, uphold the right to
We likewise emphasize that Fr. Sinnott’s ancestral domain and cultural identity and work towards total
human development and integrity of creation.
kidnapping constitutes a flagrant distortion of the Towards this end, we commit ourselves to:
aims and aspirations of the peace-loving people * enter into an interfaith dialogue with Indigenous Peoples
of Mindanao. It is a desecration of the religious (IPs) who adhere to their traditional belief systems;
* facilitate inculturation among the baptized Catholic IPs;
values and an infringement against the spirit of * engage in ecumenical dialogue with IPs of other Christian
human dignity and solidarity, which the Muslims faith;
and Christians are jointly pursuing. * heed the imperative of immersion in our dialogue of life
A crime of this kind is a fresh reminder of with the IPs, entering into their worldview and understanding
their way of life;
the need for a sustained effort in dealing with * support the IP communities in their efforts towards self-
kidnapping and abduction committed by terrorist determination and genuine empowerment; and
groups. We call upon the government to bring to * appreciate and affirm the creation spirituality of the IPs.
It is our hope that as we journey with them, we truly share
justice those responsible for this outrageous crime the dignity of being children of the one God.
and demonstrate that lawlessness and impunity For the participants of the 27th ECIP-IPA National
will not be tolerated. Convention,

+MOST REV. SERGIO L. UTLEG, DD

+ MOST REV. BRODERICK S. PABILLO, D.D Bishop of Laoag
National Director Fr. Michael Sinnott Chairperson, Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples
October 12, 2009

Message on the 22nd Prison Awareness Sunday

THE gospel in today’s celebration of
Prison Awareness Sunday reminds us
that Christ brings light to those who are
in the dark. Jesus brought light in the life
of Bartimeus when He made him see.
We who are called to follow Christ
are also asked to bring that same light
wherever there is darkness.
There is darkness when there is no
freedom, when you’re abandoned and
separated from your loved ones, when
you are suffering from loneliness, fears,
condemnation and injustices. It is this
kind of darkness that the prisoners and the
victims of crimes are suffering from.
The prisoners need to see light, the
victims need to be in the light and the
community needs to see their role as
light bearers—the same light that Christ
brought to Bartimeus and to us.
Bartimeus came to Jesus and asked that
he may see. Because of his faith Jesus
gave him what he was asking for. With
the same faith, we can come to Jesus and
ask for the graces that we need especially
for our brothers and sisters who have
been hurt by crime.
To make our observance of the Prison
Awareness Sunday, let us then invoke
God:
* That the Church through its
faithfulness to the gospel values may
continue to bring the light of Christ to
the world that is in darkness because
of the proliferation of materialistic and
distorted values.
* That the leaders of our nation through
their selfless and competent leadership
may bring light to a nation that is in
darkness because of corruption, poverty
and division.
* That the families and friends of the
prisoners and victims of crime that their
understanding, forgiveness and love may
bring healing and reconciliation to those
who are in darkness because of loneliness
and separation.
* That the members of the custodial
force and correctional employees through
their commitment to serve and help in the
restoration of the prisoners may bring
light to our brothers and sisters who are
in darkness.
* That the prisoners and the victims
may be a source of the light of Christ to
each other as they work together to build
Christian communities among themselves
and promote justice that heals.
* That those who are actively involved in
prison ministry may continue to bring light
in the life of the prisoners and the victims
through their steadfast commitment to
serve the prison society.
* That we link arms together with Christ
and be a caring church responding to
those who have been hurt by crime and
help build Christian communities in our
society and like Christ be an instrument of
healing, reconciliation and the new life.
+MOST REV. PEDRO D. ARIGO, DD
Vicar Apostolic of Puerto Princesa
Chair, Episcopal Commission on Prison
Pastoral Care
October 25, 2009

CBCP-ECPPC urges consideration of UN TOKYO Rules on

non-custodial measures and alternatives to imprisonment
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines–Episcopal Commission
on Prison Pastoral Care in observance
of 22nd Prison Awareness Sunday on
October 25, 2009 calls on Congress and
policy makers to consider alternatives
to imprisonment.
The CBCP-ECPPC argues that
particularly vulnerable to disease, and
yet are given poor medical treatment.
It is about time that our policy-makers
take a close look at who are being held
in prison, why they are there, and for
how long they are being detained. Many
prisoners are just awaiting trial for
unacceptably lengthy periods of time.
also use diversion strategies—divert
offenders to alternative programs
like community-based program,
treatment centers or work and study
furlough.
The CBCP-ECPPC adheres to the
principle that IMPRISONMENT
SHOULD BE USED AS A LAST RESORT
Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECPPC

imprisonment is counterproductive
in the rehabilitation and integration
of prisoners. It impinges on several
human rights — like the provision
on basic needs like food, shelter, and
medicines. Prisoners are often held in
grossly overcrowded conditions, poorly
clothed and underfed. The prisoners are
Others are serving long sentences.
The CBCP-ECPPC maintains that
the objectives of imprisonment can
be met more effectively in other ways.
The commission observes that not all
socially undesirable conduct needs to
be classified as a crime. Our legislators
can decriminalize these crimes. We can
and that criminal justice system should
move beyond punishment towards
restoration.
RODOLFO DIAMANTE
Executive Secretary, Episcopal
Commission on Prison Pastoral Care
October 10, 2009

A priest / B2 Restorative / B4

the twenty-fifth anniversary of
the creation of this Pontifical
Council, will take place next
April, first in Lourdes and then
in Ars. Indeed, a close and
profound tie exists between
these two French towns. When
speaking specifically about
this providential connection
in his Letter Proclaiming a
Year for Priests, Benedict XVI
invoked the observation made
by blessed Pope John XXIII who
wrote: ‘shortly before the Curé
of Ars completed his long and
admirable life, the Immaculate
Virgin appeared in another
part of France to an innocent
and humble girl, and entrusted
to her a message of prayer and
penance which continues, even
a century later, to yield immense
spiritual fruits. The life of this
holy priest whose anniversary
we are commemorating,
anticipated in a real way the
great supernatural truths taught
to the seer of Massabielle...The
holy Curé would always remind
his faithful that “after giving us
all he could, Jesus Christ wishes
in addition to bequeath us his
most precious possession, his
Blessed Mother”’.
To you, therefore, dear sick
and suffering brothers and
sisters, I entrust the Church
which needs your prayers and
sufferings, the person of the
Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI,
and all the bishops and priests
in the world, who strive every
day for your sanctification. I ask
from you a special prayer for
priests who are sick and afflicted
in their bodies who every day
experience, like you, the weight
of pain, together with the force of
saving grace which comforts and
heals the soul. Pray also for the
beatification and canonization
of the Servant of God John Paul
II! Pray with insistence for holy
priestly and religious vocations!
And here I propose to you a
beautiful prayer of John Paul II
which you can say every day.
Pray also for me! I, also, as a
priest and bishop, count on
you and the offering up of your
sufferings so that I may perform
in the best way possible, in the
fear of God, the task of being
the President of the Pontifical
Council for Health Care Workers
which was entrusted to me by
the Holy Father. For my part, I
assure you that I will pray for
you, together with those who
work with me at this Pontifical
Council, every day at the hour
of the ‘Angelus’ with the words
of Benedict XVI:
Let us pray for all sick people,
especially those who are most
seriously ill, who can in no way
provide for themselves but
depend entirely on the care of
others. May each one of them
experience, in the solicitude of
those who are beside them, the
power and love of God and the
richness of his saving grace!
Mary, health of the sick, pray
for us!
In this spirit of mutual prayer
I impart to all of you, to your
loved ones and to those who
care for you, my blessing: in the
name of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit
Archbishop Zygmunt
Zimowski
President of the Pontifical Council
for Health Care Workers
The Vatican, 1 October 2009
the prosecuting authorities and
when they must refer alleged
offenses. Similarly, prosecutors
need clear guidelines. Both
police and prosecutors need
to consider the views of the
victims although victims have
no veto over state action in the
criminal justice system. In some
countries, community service
is used as a sanction, whereby
the offenders are tasked to
do a community project of
endeavor e.g., cleaning the
streets, planting trees, de-
clogging of sewerage and
drainage systems, etc.
Such were the considerations
raised and agreed upon by the
international community and
which paved the way for the
enactment of the United Nations
Standard Minimum Rules
for Non-custodial Measures,
better known as the Tokyo
Rules, which was adopted by
the United Nations General
Assembly through Resolution
45/110 of December 14, 1990.
The Rules were intended to
“promote greater community
involvement in the management
of criminal justice, specifically in
the treatment of offenders, as well
as to promote among offenders
a sense of responsibility towards
society.” (Art. I, 1.2)
With the current form of justice
leaving a lot to be desired in terms
of output and on achieving its
goal of attaining genuine justice,
we believe it is now high time
for us to change our lenses, try a
different approach of achieving
justice for all, through innovative
means, without compromising
the safety and order in our
society.
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

By the side of the road we cry out

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B, (Mark 10:46-52); October 25, 2009
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
“MASTER, I want to see.”
Jesus passes the Blind Man. Bartimaeus
can only hear the commotion.
“Master, I want to see.”
Our world is full of noise, full of people
telling us what we should say, do and
think. The whole goal of our existence
has been confused by an agnostic or
even atheistic media and a consumerism
that has turned materialism into a new
idolatry. And we work like dogs for
food that we lap up in seconds then we
go to work again. Is this life?
“Master, I want to see.”
Jesus is walking by. There is no time
for Bartimaeus to hesitate. If he does
not take advantage of the presence of
the Lord now, he will remain blind
forever.
“Master, I want to see.”
We do not know how many
opportunities we will have to respond
to the presence of the Lord. Sometimes
the doors he opens for us are only
opened momentarily. A teenager hears
a subtle challenge to the faith in school
and asks his parents how they could
believe. The opportunity is right then
and only then to nurture his faith. A
neighbor is looking for someone to speak
to. It is then and only then that we can
bring Christ’s love to her. A husband,
www.saintjosephcatholiccommunity.org
was told that one of his descendants,
would be greater than he was, greater
than he could ever imagine.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
The world has longed for the Savior
who has been given to us. Jesus the
Christ is the one who brings order into
the chaos of our lives. He is the Great
King, the King of Kings. He is the focal
point of the history of mankind. He is the
Son of David and the Eternal Word of the
Father. And he is reaching out to us.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
Bartimaeus realizes that he is at the
bottom of his society. No one has use
for a blind beggar. He’s in the way.
Now, as Jesus walks by, Bartimaeus is
making a nuisance of himself. “Quiet
down, Bartimaeus. You’re embarrassing
us.” But he is not embarrassing Jesus.
Jesus sees him, hurts for him, calls him,
has mercy on him.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
People want to convince us that we
are numbers. They want to convince us
that God is too great for us, we are too
insignificant. But no one is insignificant
to God. Jesus sees each of us and loves
each of us. “Are not two sparrows
sold for a small coin? Yet not one of
them falls to the ground without your
Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs
of your head are counted. So do not be
afraid; you are worth more than many
sparrows.” Bartimaeus’ society had no
for each of us. He reaches out to heal us.
He calls. We must go to him.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
Bartimaeus realizes that only Jesus
can heal him. He has faith in the Lord.
His faith is the basis of Jesus’ mercy.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
Some of us suffer from injuries we
have inflicted upon ourselves. Some
of us suffer from the way we have been
treated by others. Some of us suffer
from ailments caused by no one, but just
resulting from our human condition.
We have heart problems, or cancer. We
are caring for a relative with Alzheimer
Disease. We are beside ourselves with
our problems and we wonder where
we can possibly turn. Jesus passes by
and says “Have faith in me.”
“He is a priest forever according to
the order of Melchizedek.”
The eternal Father appointed his son
Jesus to care for his people. He pleads
with his Father every day for every one
of us. We are significant because Jesus
knows us and loves us and brings our
needs to his Father. He is our eternal
priest, forever, like Melchizedek. We
have nothing to fear, ever.
“Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at
the head of the nations; proclaim your
praise and say: The LORD loves his
people.”
God loves us.
Today and every day we proclaim his

a wife is discouraged. The spouse must
be supportive now, not later. The Lord
only gives us so many opportunities in
life. We only have so much time to take
advantage of each of them.
“Son of David, Have mercy on me.”
Blind Bartimaeus calls out to the Lord
invoking the name of David. David
the great king. David the unifier of the
Jewish people. David who was promised
a reign that would never end. David who
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
use for the blind. They were forced to
beg for food. But Jesus saw Bartimaeus,
and hurt for him and healed him. Our
society has no use for many people in
many stressful circumstances. They may
be infected with a terrible disease like
AIDS. They may be starving in a country
of Africa. They may be mentally ill in
America. Our society may have no use
for them and even may have no real use
for each of us. But Jesus sees us. He hurts
love to the world. He has had mercy on
us. He has given us the gift of sight, the
gift of seeing his love in our lives.
We have been blessed. We join
Bartimaeus who immediately after he
received his sight followed Jesus on the
Lord’s way to Jerusalem. We must join
Bartimaeus following the Lord on a new
path of greatness, a path of sacrificial
love, a path that leads to a New World
that is the Kingdom of God.

WHATEVER
Bishop Pat Alo

“SO what’s your favorite color?” I asked the
young lady who modestly informed me that
she was a painter.
“Oh, it’s brown, Father,” her half-smile
revealed that wasn’t all she wanted to say.
“That’s a pretty dul… ah, I meant simple
color,” I tried rectifying immediately.
“You’re quite right, Father, it’s quite ‘dull’,”
she giggled to say that she actually guessed
my first adjective.
“Ah, yes, actually…,” I scratched my head,
“I find it rather plain. So I guess you use other
colors to brighten up your paintings?”
“Actually…none,” she rolled her eyes.
“Just brown…simply brown.”
“Oh, okay, I get it. That’s as down to earth
as you can get. So what’s your medium?”
“Coffee, Father,” she said.
“No, I meant, what do you use to paint?”
I thought she was offering me more coffee.
And I felt stupid having to explain something
to someone who was supposed to know how
to paint.
“Coffee, Father,” she started laughing.
“No, really, I’m good with one cup…,” I
stopped myself when I realized how amused
she was with my response. “You mean you
paint using coffee?”
“Yup,” she had managed to recompose
herself quickly.
“How did it occur to you to use it as a
medium?”
“Well, I guess I was inspired when I went
to a museum of Ripley’s Believe It or Not
where I saw the signature of a man who wrote
using coffee. What struck me was that it was
never erased throughout the centuries. So
Bo Sanchez
ENCOUNTERS
‘Blends for the soul’ Divine
that’s when I thought I could probably give
it a try. So there!”
“I’m just a little curious about one thing,”
trials in our life.”
“Cool! I never saw things that way,” she
gasped. “I wonder what God’s favorite
Mercy
I stirred the hot coffee in my blue mug. “Is color is?”
painting with coffee like Chinese paintings “Oh, very much like you, He has only one
on rice paper?” color to paint with: love. It comes, however, THE popularity of the Divine Mercy devotion is due to the
“In what way, Father,” she asked. in different strokes, or should we say blends. fact of man’s sinfulness and our urgent need of obtaining
“I mean, that you have to be careful not This is according to what He sees the soul God’s merciful action. This devotion has so much been
to make a mistake. Otherwise, there’s no needs for its conversion.” strengthened by the writings of St. Faustina as compiled
way to undo an unwanted stroke or worse “And the blots we make?”
in her book: The Diary of Divine Mercy in my Soul.
when a drop of paint accidentally falls on “Well, that’s what we’re good at actually.
the canvas.” But God always manages to –as long as we The fact, we have to admit, is that first of all we are all
“It’s the same with painting with coffee, are humble and sincere—to make it come sinners in need of God’s Mercy. It’s only the proud who
Father,” she nodded as she pensively sipped out as a richer element upon the canvas of may dare to say “I have no sin.” Yet we know from looking
her cappuccino. our life. In fact, I just read something that all around our world the evidence of man’s weakness,
“What do you do when it happens?” Pope Benedict XVI said: ‘God allows our sinfulness and corruption. It’s only a hypocrite who
“Well, I simply try my best using my freedom and, however, He knows how to pretends to be without fault or weakness.
imagination to make the error come out as find through our falls new paths for His love. Thus in paragraph 1541 of St. Faustina’s book we read
naturally as possible within the painting,” she God doesn’t fail. (Homily, 8-IX-07, Nativity the words of Jesus to her: “My daughter, encourage souls
smiled as she shrugged her left shoulder. of our Lady)” to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me
“And that must be pretty hard, isn’t it?” “But doesn’t He get tired having to correct to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet.
“Yup,” she nodded. “Why do you ask, all our falls and mistakes?”
When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with
Father?” “Well, we will never fathom God’s Fatherly
“Oh, I thought this is very similar to how and infinite mercy. And as long as we’re peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one. Write
God paints in our souls,” I started to carefully humble and prompt to use the sanctifying this for the benefit of distressed souls: When a soul sees
sip my hot coffee. “Wooow! That’s one real means—the sacraments of Confession and and realizes the gravity of its sins, when the whole abyss
good blend.” the Eucharist, seeking constant guidance of the misery into which it immersed itself is displayed
“Paint?” she was lost. from a wise and pious director, etc.–, we will before its eyes, let it not despair, but with trust let it throw
“Yes, He wants to paint a wonderful always find ourselves well on the way back itself into the arms of My mercy, as a child into the arms
scenery of love in us. But sometimes we towards His love. of its beloved mother. These souls have a right of priority
knock off the paint, or literally brush away “That’s really something new for me, to My compassionate Heart, they have first access to My
His Fatherly hand when He’s about to gently Father,” she said. mercy.
paint a color of grace in us.” “Now let’s see some of that coffee art of
Tell them that no soul that has called upon My mercy has
“How does this happen, Father?” yours!”
“This occurs when we sin gravely. When “Okay, Father,” she smiled mischievously. been disappointed or put to shame. I delight particularly
we rebel by refusing to pray, when we become “Which blend would you like to start with? in a soul which has placed its trust in My goodness. Write
complacent and shun the purifying effects of Caffeinated or decaffeinated?” that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying,
I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not
as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior.”
The popularity of the Divine Mercy devotion is due to the

SOULFOOD
fact of man’s sinfulness and our urgent need of obtaining
God’s merciful action. This devotion has so much been
strengthened by the writings of St. Faustina as compiled
in her book: The Diary of Divine Mercy in my Soul.
The fact, we have to admit, is that first of all we are all

I MET Gilbert last week.
Let me describe him to you.
He’s a totally illogical, more-or-
less insane, slightly deranged guy
who distributes our inspirational
publications in the far-away
island of Maasin, Leyte.
He’s got the makings of a
Motor-cross champion.
On his motorbike, Gilbert
whizzes through the island’s
thirty barrios, distributing God’s
Word, through scorching sun,
torrential rains, and muddy
roads.
He’s got the strength of an
Olympian weightlifter
He hand-carries more than a
thousand KERYGMA copies! A
thousand! In fact, if you happen
to see Gilbert driving on his
bike, you won’t see him at all.
You’ll just see a mountain heap
Smile more often
of magazines pass by.
He’s a lover of God
This is the neurosis part.
Because he isn’t paid with
salaries, perks, bonuses, and
benefits; Instead, his reward is
simply an idea. The idea that he’s
being used by God to deliver His
love to hungry hearts.
Because Gilbert is permanently
sunburned from his mission-
trips, his teeth shine every time
he smiles—which is about 99%
of the time. (I told you our
volunteers have to be slightly
deranged.)
You know what? He’s got the
kind of smile I’ve not seen in a
long time. And it’s not because
of his toothpaste, mind you. He’s
got the bubbling joy that people
who sit on cushioned chairs in
front of giant TV sets will never
sinners in need of God’s Mercy. It’s only the proud who
may dare to say “I have no sin.” Yet we know from looking
all around our world the evidence of man’s weakness,
sinfulness and corruption. It’s only a hypocrite who
know. He’s got the bubbling joy God’s love to the farthest corners pretends to be without fault or weakness.
that corporate folks who work for of this country. Thus in paragraph 1541 of St. Faustina’s book we read
money and cars and houses will What do I need now? People the words of Jesus to her: “My daughter, encourage souls to
never know. who may not be the type who say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to
Because he’s forgotten himself. hop on motorbikes and spread grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. When
And loves God. God’s Word in a remote island,
hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and
By the way, Gilbert isn’t alone. but who believe in our mission
We have one-thousand crazy and are willing to support this the hour of their death will be a happy one. Write this for
volunteers who do such insane mission financially. the benefit of distressed souls: When a soul sees and realizes
things, making KERYGMA the Like Gilbert, I’m inviting you the gravity of its sins, when the whole abyss of the misery
widest read Catholic inspirational to forget yourself. into which it immersed itself is displayed before its eyes, let
magazine in Asia! Be my MISSION PARTNER! it not despair, but with trust let it throw itself into the arms
But enough of the good Share a love-gift every year to of My mercy, as a child into the arms of its beloved mother.
news. the Lord for the supreme mission These souls have a right of priority to My compassionate
I’ve got bad news as well. of spreading God’s Word to Heart, they have first access to My mercy.
We’re broke! (“The spirit is the spiritually thirsty. And like Tell them that no soul that has called upon My mercy has
willing but the wallet is weak.”) Gilbert, get rewarded by the been disappointed or put to shame. I delight particularly
Because we’ve virtually given idea that YOU are being used
in a soul which has placed its trust in My goodness. Write
away inspirational magazines by God to deliver His love to
many times in our eleven-year hungry hearts. that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying,
history, we’ve drained our And you’ll be surprised. I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not
finances dry. Unless help comes, Smiling more often may be easier as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior.”
we can’t continue proclaiming than you think.
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
B7

Photos courtesy of Laura Sheahen/CRS

Pastoring in times of calamities
By Fr. Fernando P. Guillen,
sch.p.
THE curious visitors of Rome can
observe interesting marks in the façade
of some churches. For example, in the
exterior wall of Santa Maria sopra
Minerva there is a mark recalling the
flood of the Tiber in Christmas 1598. At
that time, Saint Camillus de Lellis and
Saint Joseph Calasanz collaborated in
saving affected people. The case arrived
often for centuries. The Church has
always reacted in front of all kind of
natural calamities. In this short essay,
we intend to give simple pastoral clues
for action and reflection. Our framework
is parishes and similar religious
institutions.
Humanitarian Aid—charity
The first evident aspect is striving in
humanitarian aid. The immediate needs
are food, clothes and medicines. In
the clamorous cases, donations do not
lack. Easily, donors, both national and
international, put their trust in religious
institutions. Truly, parish priests, lay
ministers, apostolic associations and
movements show great capacity of
organization. Different systems of storing
and distributing are set up. The control
of real victims is also provided through
the areas coordinators and responsible of
Basic Ecclesial Communities—suitable
system of tickets or coupons.
In some cases there are also donations
in school supplies and other goods that
can be necessary to reopen institutions
and normal life.
More difficult should be the sound
reconstruction of houses and the resetting
of all kind of services: water, electricity,
telephone, cleaning of garbage, streets,
transportation, schools, hospitals and so
forth. However, we can realize a narrow
collaboration with the officials of different
agencies of the government in order to act
fast in the work or rehabilitation. Anew,
the mediation of the Church is often the
key to all these delicate operations.
The most complex operation should be
donations of money. Here, the wisdom
of pastors and the collaboration of
parishioners who work in administration
would be absolutely needed.
Another humanitarian action should
be the search of missing, burial of the
deceased in the catastrophe, the consoling
of the afflicted and the help of all those
suffering psychological traumas. Charity
must illuminate our humanitarian aid.
Moral Reflection—faith
During the event and immediately
after, we can realize many extraordinary
actions and generous behavior. The
extraordinary circumstances awake
extraordinary capacities. People of all ages
and conditions are able to give services,
sometimes with the risk of their own
life. We see cases of rescuing from the
flood, saving from the destroyed houses
and taking care of old people, children
and sick.
Later, it is not rare to observe volunteers
that give their time and their skill in
working with complete generosity. It is
also a moment in which everybody is
able to detach from their own goods and
give them to the needy people. It arrives
especially with food and clothes, but also
with medicines and other supplies.
Though it is not easy to work timely,
we admire these anonymous armies,
especially young people that these days
are in the parishes and in other institutions
just to help and collaborate.
We cannot hide, however, the possible
abuses and frauds in these special periods.
Some people are especially skilled to draw
profits. They find abandoned goods. They
take possession of common things that are
now in the streets. They falsified coupons
or tickets or they sell them to others. In
many cases, the gratuitous donations
are sold and enrich some clever people
against all moral rules. Sometimes, alike
values of the people in the moment of the
disaster are not very correct. We mean,
instead of thinking first of the life of
children, old men and women, and the
sick, they try to spare devices, furniture,
motors and other useful and expensive
things. People without true need will
claim urgently that they are in a danger
of death. In short, we find also in these
critical circumstances all the temptations
of selfishness of the human spirit, and
sometimes with greater acuity.
The pastoral care will do a wise balance
of all different attitudes and point on the
one hand the true Christian values, and
indicate on the other the malice that can
be introduced in all human relations
of distress and necessity. Faith must
illuminate our moral behavior.
Theological contribution—hope
There is the deeper contribution of our
pastoral reflection in front of calamities. In
fact, we all inquire in a moment of peace:
Is there a meaning in this catastrophe?
Can we see the hand of God and in what
sense? Is there place for hope?
We propose first a short philosophical
approach.
The human will is the cause of murders,
wars, adulteries, robberies, slanders and
so on. These are moral evil. Why do they
exist? Why does God permit them? A
simple answer should be; God permits
these horrible sins because of the greater
gift of human freedom. No freedom, no
sin. But if there is freedom, sin is possible.
However, we must choose good and
not evil.
The natural laws are the cause of
typhoons, floods, earthquakes, fires,
epidemics and so forth. These are physical
evil. Why do they exist? Why does God
permit them? Another simple answer
should be: God permits these terrible
devastations for the greater good of the
order in the visible world. Yes. Wind,
water and fire are natural elements and
they act according to their nature: wind
blows, water wets, and fire burns. They
can kill. Of course, human intelligence
tries to rule these natural laws and to avoid
their dangers. But human’s covetousness
can destroy the harmony of creation. That
is the case in our time. Now, in some
sense, the human beings are more and
more responsible of natural catastrophes.
Physical evil becomes moral evil.
Second, let us have a biblical glance.
Sometimes, God uses natural diseases as
punishment of sin. Wasn’t that the case of
the universal deluge (Gen 6: 5f), or the fire
upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
(Gen 19:23)? A call to conversion is always
necessary.
Sometimes, God uses natural diseases
as admonition or threat in order to awake
repentance and change of life. Wasn’t that
the case of preaching of Prophet Jonah for
the conversion of Nineveh (Jon 3: 4-5)?
Sometimes, God uses natural diseases
and sufferings to purify the souls and to
reach greater justice and holiness. Then,
suffering becomes purification. Wasn’t
that the case of Job that only through
suffering could confess: “Before, I knew
you Lord only by hearsay, but now I
have seen you with my own eyes” (Job
42: 5)?
Is that also the case in the New
Testament? Jesus said the cause of being
born blind was not sin (Jn 9: 1-3), and also
that those who died due to the failure of
the tower of Siloam were rather guilty
than others in Jerusalem (Lk 13: 4-5).
However, he warned the cities of the lake
of Galilee (Lk 10: 13-15). Particularly, the
prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem
(Lk 21: 6) and his tears before the city in
the Sunday of Palms (Lk 19: 41-44) are
so significant. The incredulity deserves
terrible punishment.
We can add that Jesus admonishes us
to be always prepared, that means to live
in his grace, because we do not know the
day or the hour (Mt 25: 13).
But in the supreme case of Jesus, God
offers to his Son the chalice of suffering
his terrible passion and death to show
his love for us (Jn 3: 16) and to redeem us
from sin and damnation (Mt 26: 28). So
evil can turn in a shining cause of glory.
The loving obedience of Jesus is the source
of our redemption. The last word of the
Bible is Resurrection.
Lastly, let us reproduce the wise answer
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
to the problem of evil, in order to foster
our hope in the divine Providence of the
Holy Trinity in us: “The fact the God
permits physical and even moral evil is
a mystery that God illuminates by his
Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to
vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty
that God would not permit an evil if he
did not cause a good to come from that
very evil, by ways that we shall fully
know only in eternal life” (CCC n. 324).
Hope must support our spirits and their
deep concerns.
So in the pastoral care of the faithful,
in front of terrible natural calamities,
we must put together humanitarian
aid, moral reflection and theological
contribution in order to edify them in
charity, faith and hope.
(Fr. Fernando Guillén, sch.p, is a Spanish
piarist who presently teaches at Loyola
School of Theology and at Maryhill School
of Theology)

Sorsogon / B4

2003.
At the Mass of Holy Chrism
on Holy Thursday, April 17,
2003, Bishop Varela officially
announced to the clergy and the
faithful that he was turning over
the Shepherd’s Staff, symbol of
Episcopal authority, to Bishop
Arturo M. Bastes, the 4th Bishop
of Sorsogon.
Bishop Jesus Y. Varela guided
the local church of Sorsogon
through a dark and arduous
path towards a dynamic present
that provided it with a vision,
mission and goal. By his efforts
we now have a militant clergy,
communities of religious orders
that work, discern and pray
towards the achievements of
our local vision, supported by
a laity that is now fully aware
of their role in the local church.
The refinement of whatever
imperfections still existing we
have to leave in the hands of the
new bishop.
Ubi episcopus, ibi ecclesia.
Where the bishop is, the Church
is! To Bishop Bastes is now
relegated the task to see to it that
the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Phase
IV is implemented.
What can the diocese expect
from its new bishop and the
implementation of the new
plan? We can only tell with the
unfolding of time and with the
commitment and cooperation that
all of us willingly and devoutly
give as a community of faith.
Under Bishop Bastes
Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes,
SVD, DD, Bishop of Romblon
Diocese,wasappointedCoadjutor
Bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon
on July 25, 2002, and was installed
on September 22, 2002. De jure,
he took over as the canonically
designated fourth bishop of
Sorsogon on April 16, 2003. His
installation took place at the
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of
Sorsogon on the following day.
The first task given to Bishop
Bastes by Bishop Varela, so
that he would come to know
the clergy, his would-be close
collaborators, was to convene the
assembly of priests (only 70 at
the time, since 30 were working
outside the diocese) on October
9, 2002.
On the seventh month of
his administration, he held
a DIOCESAN PASTORAL
ASSEMBLY on November
24-26, 2003 at the Our Lady
of Peñafrancia Seminary to
discuss the new pastoral plan
which will give direction to the
pastoral ministry of the diocese
within the next five years. It
was attended by 170 delegates
from the clergy, religious and
the laity. It decided to create
NINE COUNCILS which were
formerly diocesan commissions,
thereby changing the pastoral
structure and organizational
chart of the diocese as a whole.
The councils were 1) Family and
Human Life 2) Laity 3) Youth
4) Media for Evangelization 5)
Worship 6) Education 7) Service
8) Temporalities 9) Seminaries.
Firstly, these councils were
tasked to make policies, which
would be under the care of
the different councils to be
carried out by their different
commissions at the vicarial and
parochial levels. Secondly, the
nine councils identified their
respective enabling objectives
which became the basis for
formulating concrete programs
and plans of action, designed to
answer the five areas of concern,
namely, evangelization, Christian
formation, structure, resources
and social justice. Thirdly, it
mandated the ministries to
produce “Manuals of Operation”
whose primary purpose is to
ensure a smooth and uniform
implementation of the action
plans and programs throughout
the whole diocese in a period of
five years. With clear objectives,
doable action plans and guidance
of the manuals of operation,
Bishop Bastes hoped that the new
diocesan pastoral plan, called
DEEP (Diocesan Ecclesial and
Evangelization Program), would
be faithfully and systematically
implemented.
The DEEP’s dream and aim is
profound: that the diocese will
become a local church where faith
and life are integrated, where
justice is the norm of societal life
and where authentic Christian
families are formed through an
effective organization, properly
managed resources and sufficient
program of formation.
The following highlight the
events that took place in the six
years of Bishop Bastes in the
Diocese of Sorsogon:
1. “Wasting time” with priests:
Unannounced, Bishop Bastes
visits a parish to have an informal
talk with the pastor, in order to
come to know him better and
also familiarize himself with
the place.
2. The Vicarial Pastoral Visits:
His visits to the five vicariates
were well received by the people;
the vicarial conferences on the
DEEP well-attended by the
implementers brought forth
many very fruitful insights,
suggestions, recommendations
and pastoral decisions.
3. The quarterly gathering
of priests per vicariate, per age
groupings (junior, middle and
senior), and General Assembly
of the Presbyterium (the last
preceded by a recollection,
individual confession and
common holy hour) help promote
the spirituality and solidarity of
the clergy.
4. The monthly regular
board meetings of the different
foundations and councils,
which give attention and proper
response to the problems at
hand.
5. The creation of two barangay
parishes 1) Sto. Niño Parish
in Cogon, Gubat, Sorsogon
under the administration of the
Augustinian Fathers, and 2) San
the landowners. This historic
hospital, partly owned by the
Diocese of Sorsogon, provides
medical care for the Sorsogon
clergy and is an instrument
for the healing ministry of the
church.
9. His infrastructure projects—
FOUR MAJOR ONES at the
moment—the renovation of
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral,
the nearly finished Cathedral
Rectory, the CME-GNSFI Bldg.
(now in use by the diocesan tri-
media ministry—radio, TV and
printing press), and the new
chancery—are all expressions of
faith in Divine Providence.
10. He issued a decree declaring
a TUESDAY DAY-OFF for his
priests so that they will have their
much-needed rest and remain
healthy. In fact, he has a dream
of building a diocesan hospital,
primarily for the welfare of the
priests.
11. He turned unproductive
diocesan lands into productive
ones by leasing them so that the
revenues could support the Curia
and other instrumentalities.
12. Through Bishop Bastes,
the diocese has now an existing
memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) with the Diocese of
Richmond (VA) and Dodge City
(KA) in which said diocese would
support the diocese of origin of

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8. Bishop Bastes saved the
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location by negotiating with
guest priests, for a period of five
years, after which a new set of
priests will be sent.
Though very busy with
administrative concerns, Bishop
Bastes still has time to engage
in biblical work in the diocese
and elsewhere, in and out of the
country. He is also concurrently
the EC Moderator of the Catholic
Biblical Federation (CBF), full
member representative of the
region of Asia and Oceania,
Convenor of the biblical desk of
the OE of the FABC and president
of the Philippine Bible Society.
The new quinquennium (2009-
2014) started last July, with the
reshuffle of priests in the parishes
and offices. The diocese, led
by the bishop, looks forward
to the continuous pursuit of
the diocesan vision, walking
together in the implementation
of the DEEP.
 B8
FAME is a remake of a
1980’s film of the same
title. In is set in a New
York performing arts
school named Fiorello
H. LaGuardia High
School of Music &
Art and Performing
Arts where we see
aspiring actors, singers
and dancers from their
auditions until their
graduation four years
later.
Jenny (Kay Panabaker) wants
to be an actress but is too
uptight and shy to let go. Marco
(Asher Book) is a carefree singer
who falls in love with Jenny.
Meanwhile Denise (Naturi
Naughton) studies classical
piano at her parents insistence
when she longs to be a pop singer
and Malik (Collins Pennie) hides
from his mom that he is enrolled
as an actor-rapper. Making
sure that the students are well
rounded is Principal Angela
Simms (Debby Allen) and several
other performing arts teacher
who show the students how life
and drama are intertwined.
There is no reason to produce
a Fame remake other than to ride
on the success of other musical
films. The angst and struggle that
MAC en COLET
Buhay Parokya
Entertainment
made the 1980 version successful
is no longer present in the 2009
version. While the characters
and their issues are cleaner,
the passion and brilliance are
disappointing. A main problem
is that it tries to present 10
different stories spanning for
four years in 107 minutes. So no
one goes beyond being sketchy
caricature stereotypes. The
production design’s shoddiness
is emphasized over time as
none of the characters change
appearance even though the
plot spans for four years. The
musical numbers though are
entertainingly good, showcasing
the talents of the casts. Director
Kevin Tachareon manages to
bring energy to the scenes.
FAME challenges parental
authority especially when what
they what contradicts what their
children feel should be done.
No matter if parents only have
their child’s welfare in mind.
Although being assertive and
determined to achieve something
important and fulfilling is a
laudable virtue, it should not be
made at the expense of a strict
or uncompromising parent who
wishes only to ensure that their
children are always on the right
path.
FAME question fame
itself. It presents success and
popularity secondary to having
Christ at the center and being
fulfilled personally. FAME is
not the product of discipline,
Ni Bladimer Usi
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
Title: Fame
Cast: Naturi Naughton, Kay Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
Panabaker, Megan Mullaly,
Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey
Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth  Abhorrent  Poor
and Debbie Allen  Disturbing  Below average
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Producers: Mark Canton, Gary
 Acceptable  Average
 Wholesome  Above average
Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg,
 Exemplary  E
xcellent
Richard S. Wright
Screenwriters: Allison Burnett,
Christopher Gore
Music: Mark Isham
Editor: Myron L. Kerstein
Genre: Romance, Comedy,
Musical
Cinematography: Scott Kevan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer (MGM)
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Running Time: 107 mins.
Technical Assessment:  ½
Moral Assessment:  ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
perseverance and talent but a
bonus to being accomplished as
a person, as a member of society
and as children of God.
FAME emphasizes being true
to oneself and using this honesty
to harness and unleash one’s
creativity and talent.
However, the movie contains
scenes involving suicide, a sexual
situation, underage drinking bad
language and compromising
scenes and situations - definitely
not suitable for very young
audiences.
Look for the
images of the
Sacred Heart of Title: The Ugly
Jesus, Abraham Truth
Cast: Katherine
and Isaac,
Heigl, Gerard
and the Angel Butler
Cherubim. Director: Robert
(Illustration by Luketic
Bladimer Usi) Producers:
Kimberly di
Bonaventura,
Gary Lucche-
si, Deborah
Jelin New-
myer, Steven
Reuther, Tom
Rosenbeg,
Kirsten Smith
Screenwriters: Ni-
cole Eastman,
Karen McCul-
lah Lutz
Music: Aaron Zig-
man
Editor: Lisa Zeno
Churgin
Genre: Romantic
Comedy
Cinematography: Russell Carpenter
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Location: Los Angeles, California
Running Time: 95 min.
Technical Assessment:  ½
Moral Assessment:  ½
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above
Abby Ritcher (Katherine Heigl) is an award-winning
producer of a morning show whose ratings are slowly
dropping. Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) is crude host of
a late night talk show titled “The Ugly Truth.” Abbey is
a conservative control freak who can’t get a man to date
her after their first dinner. Mike is a cynical chauvinist
who thinks women try to hard when men are only after
sex. After a heated argument on-air, Abbey and Mike are
forcibly teamed up when he is hired by her boss to spice up
the ratings of her program. As expected, the two clash at
every occasion as Abby finds Mike vulgar and disgusting
while Mike thinks Abby is uptight and domineering.
However, Mike does spruce up the ratings, salvages the
relationship of his married anchors and proves to make the
right decision so Abby can get her neighbour Colin (Eric
Winter) interested in her. Things take another twist when
both realize they have feelings for each other and share
a passionate kiss. But the ugly truth is the relationship
cannot work.
The ugly truth about The Ugly Truth is that is tries so
hard to be original and funny but ends up being a poor
deconstruction of When Harry Met Sally. The scenes rely on
crude sex jokes for laughs and fail to elicit genuine tickles
and brilliant comedy. The story is predictable and offers
nothing new to keep the audience watching after the first 30
minutes. Romance does not surface with Heigl and Butler’s
non-existent chemistry and their flat and unsympathetic
performances. Even the hot air balloon chroma looks crude
and old. The only thing memorable about the movie is the
choices of contemporary music.
The movie tries to intellectualize men-women differences
and relationships. It has hoped to say two important things.
One, that no matter how cruel fate has been, there is always a
window for happiness if one dares to jump into the moment.
Two that a relationship can never be based on concepts and
theories and that true love begins when one accepts the
other for who she really is. However, all it achieves is to
be a collection of offensive uncensored sex jokes and bad
language. Not only has the movie trivialized man-women
interaction and reduced relationship as an excused to be
licentious, it also portrays men as shallow and insensitive
primates. The movie is not suitable for young impressionable
teenagers and a waste of time for the adults.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
C1

The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo, Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Treasurer Antonio T. Yulo and Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan together with KCFAPI employees and residents of Tanay, Rizal during the distribution of relief goods
for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy at San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish last September 30.

KCFAPI distributes relief

goods to typhoon victims THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) has given donations to the victims of
typhoon Ondoy last September 30.
KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo led the distribution of goods at San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish in Tanay, Rizal.
Tanay is only one of the highly damaged areas in Rizal were hundreds of people have died while some still missing
after heavy flooding brought by heavy rains from typhoon Ondoy inundated the area.
Other areas that have been greatly smashed by the typhoon are Antipolo, Teresa, Marikina, Bulacan, Quezon City, Pam-
panga, Laguna and Cavite.
Other KCFAPI officers who joined the relief distribution were Executive Vice-President Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Corporate
Secretary Alonso L. Tan and Treasurer Antonio T. Yulo.
Some KCFAPI employees also participated in the relief distribution. (KCFAPI News)

Task Force Ondoy gives

KCFAPI employees during the repacking of relief goods held at KCFAPI home office for the
victims of typhoon Ondoy. relief goods to
Knights affected by typhoon
“TASK Force Ondoy,” the Relief Operation Team of the Knights of Co-
lumbus Luzon Jurisdiction, has distributed hundreds of bags of relief
goods to Brother Knights who were affected by Typhoon Ondoy.
Headed by Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan and Task Force
Ondoy Chairman Bonifacio B. Martinez, the operation was held at
the Chamber of Marikina Valley Council 6178 last October 1, 2009.
The group has targeted the distribution to the Dioceses of Anti-
polo and Pasig.
LD Tan said that “the team intends to systematize and centralize
all actions to respond to the said crisis which include solicitation of
donations and distribution to those directly affected by the flood,
giving priority first to the members of the Order.”
He also said that an amount of PhP250,000.00 was released last Sep-
tember 29. It was used to buy basic goods for the immediate relief of the
Brother Knights directly affected by the typhoon in the said dioceses.
LD Tan also mentioned that the team will distribute relief goods
in some areas of Marikina, Antipolo and Pasig on the first week of
October.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomi-
cal Services Administration (PAGASA), Ondoy has brought 341 millime-
ters of rainfall in the country within six hours last September 26.
The rains have caused instant flooding on large portions of Metro The Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction’s Relief Operation Team headed by
Manila and nearby provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Task Force Ondoy of KC Luzon Jurisdiction’s Relief Operation Team during the Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan during the distribution of relief goods at the Chamber
and Quezon. (Kate Laceda) distribution of relief goods to Brother Knights affected by Typhoon Ondoy. of Marikina Valley Council 6178 last October 1.

Luzon Knights gather for the 10th State Convention

HUNDREDS of Knights of Columbus delegates
from different provinces attended the recently
held 10th Luzon State Convention at the Palacio
De Maynila in Malate, Manila.
Organized by the KC Luzon state officers headed
by Luzon State Deputy, Alonso L. Tan, the said
convention was held October 10.
The convention carried the theme, “Neighbors
Helping Neighbors, Service Together.”
Tan said that the theme was a response to this
Columbian Year’s call of Supreme Knight, Carl A.
Anderson, to dedicate the year for volunteers to
help buffer the effects of the worldwide economic
crisis.
He also added that it is also the answer of the
jurisdiction to the Supreme Knight’s call to increase
the man-hours each knight volunteers in its chari-
table causes and give special attention to brother
knights affected by the crisis.
The convention opened with the Eucharistic
celebration presided by Parañaque Bishop Jesse
Mercado and concelebrated by Msgr. Pedro C.
Quitorio, Assistant State Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Rene
M. Sapungan, Rev. Fr. Enrico Emmanuel A. Ayo,
Rev. Fr. John Leydon, and Rev. Fr. Deogracias M.
Fajota.
Various projects and activities of the jurisdiction
were discussed during the convention primarily
the relief operations that intend to help the victims
of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
Brian Caulfied, Communications Specialist of the
Supreme Council, conveyed in person the video
message of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
He also announced that the Supreme Council has
donated a total amount of $90,000 for the victims
of the recent typhoons through the National Sec-
retariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Other speakers of the convention were Com-
mission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner
Rene V. Sarmiento on the upcoming automated
elections; Msgr. Pedro Quitorio on the Year for
Priests; District Deputy Amado A. Sanglay on di-
saster preparedness; Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., State sociation’s social relevance through its support to Rodriguez, Jr., two Masters of the Fourth Degree,
Advocate, who read the talk of the guest speaker the Order, the church and the community. 36 other State Officials, and KCFAPI Officers led
Fr. Ranhillo Aquino who could not be present due Borromeo, in his speech said that the “The name of by Chairman Patrocinio Bacay, and Executive Vice
to the floods; and the President of the Knights of KCFAPI carries with it the name of the Order of the President Ma. Theresa Curia.
Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. The KNIGHTS OF CO- KCFAPI Board of Trustees, officers and Area
Inc. (KCFAPI), Antonio B. Borromeo who talked LUMBUS therefore, must vicariously be KCFAPI.” Managers and other staff of KC and KCFAPI were
about the financial stability of KCFAPI and the As- Also present were the former Luzon State also in attendance.

KC Supreme Council gives $70k

Deputies, namely Arsenio R. According to Arsenio G. Yap, Luzon State Sec-
Lopez, Antonio T. Yulo and retary, state conventions in the Philippines were
Rodolfo C. Magsino; Vice initiated in 1987 by then Luzon Territorial Jurisdic-
Supreme Master Pedro M. tion. (Kate Laceda)

disaster relief to RP regions of the country. Hundreds of

THE Supreme Council of the Knights
of Columbus has sent an emergency
donation of $70,000 to the Philippines
to help in the efforts to recover from
flooding caused by Tropical Storm
Ketsana (known locally as Typhoon
Ondoy).
The Supreme Council forwarded
the funds to the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),
which is coordinating Catholic relief
efforts. There are more than 250,000
Knights in the Philippines, nearly all of
whom have been adversely affected by
the flooding.
More than 120 people died in flood-
ing within the capital of Manila, where
more than 80 percent of the city was
under water at the height of the storm
which affected 27 provinces in seven
thousands have been displaced, and
are without electricity or clean drink-
ing water.
State and local councils are encour-
aged to contribute money for Philip-
pine disaster relief as well.
All online donations made to Unit-
ed in Charity through Oct. 31, 2009,
will be earmarked for Philippine
disaster relief and will be sent to aid
the victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana.
(KCNews)
Fatima Council donates 50K for typhoon victims
OUR Lady of Fatima Council 9636 in
Philamlife Village, Las Piñas has given
help to victims of tropical storm Ondoy
through a donation of P50,000 to Luzon
Jurisdiction.
Grand Knight Sergio G. Meneses
together with District Deputy Rodolfo
F. Salanga of District P28 and PGK
Eduardo M. Arreza went to the main
office of the Knights of Columbus Luzon
Jurisdiction in Intramuros, Manila last
October 2 to personally hand over the
PhP50,000.00 check to Luzon Deputy
Alonso L. Tan.
The said amount will be allotted for
the relief operations that are being un-
dertaken by the Luzon Jurisdiction for
the victims of tropical storm Ondoy.
The typhoon brought extensive flood-
ing over Metro Manila and neighboring
provinces and rendered thousands of
residents homeless. (KC News)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C2 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

Chairman’s President’s
Message Message
Antonio B. Borromeo
Patrocinio R. Bacay MORE than three weeks have passed since the destructive
typhoon “Ondoy” has left the country and yet we still feel
the loss of a loved one or property ravished due to the tor-
rents of rain and wind. We Filipinos have shown resilience
IT cannot be denied that we all have been allowed one of the most heart-breaking tragedies that have in many ways during times of hardship and calamities.
befallen our brother Filipinos. We may not have been personally involved in such suffering but surely This time our faith in God has helped us in more ways than
we must have been touched by the pain and anguish of each one going through such agony. Our prayers one to overcome this ordeal. Likewise our innate goodness has led us to voluntarily help those in
and sympathy are with them especially for the loss of loved ones. We humbly ask God that they do not need, may it be through our time, money or prayers so that the Almighty God will look over our
have to experience such pain again. fellow brethren.
Truly in the midst of our utmost difficulties, it is our God whom we ask for rescue. Would it not be For our Association, we immediately brought relief goods to Tanay, Rizal as your Association’s
possible that God wishes to ask us if we did our share in abetting these difficulties or disasters? Do we way of helping those most in need. Nearer to home, assistance was also given to some of our em-
take care of our refuse? Are your drainages working? Is everything in place to avoid these pains and ployees who were greatly affected by the storm. The sales force who experienced the same tragedy
grief in your life? God created man and nature in all its orderliness. God would never work against were allowed to avail of emergency loans with zero interest. For our BC Holders, we have extended
nature. We just have to do our best and leave the rest to Him. the grace period for the payment of insurance contribution for another 30 days for the months of
The best we can do for now is to find ways to help them through their great pain. Likewise, the best that October, November and December renewal premiums for those areas affected by the storms Ondoy
we have witnessed through this tragedy is the capacity of each one to help beyond all expectations. and Pepeng.
May God shower His love and blessings to those who have suffered and to those who have been Our Brothers and Sisters who wish to send in donations in cash and in kind through the Knights
trying to alleviate their sufferings. of Columbus may please contact Ms. Annie Nicolas at telephone numbers: 527-22-42 or 527-22-23.

Filing for TOKCA nominees closes

THE deadline for filing of nomination for TOKCA nominees, which
was originally set on September 15, was extended up to the close
of business hours last September 30, 2009.
The Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) during its regular
meeting held on September 14 has decided to extend the filing of
nominations for The Outstanding Knights of Columbus Awards
(TOKCA).
Joseph P. Teodoro, Vice-President of the Fraternal Benefits Group
(FBG), said that the deadline was extended because of numerous
requests of the Brother Knights.
TOKCA is a search for KC members who have excelled in their
chosen professions.
KC members on government service; accountancy and business;
engineering, science and technology; academe; medical and health
care services; law and judiciary; sports and entertainment; journal-
ism and media; agriculture; youth and community development;
arts and literature; and entrepreneurship and chosen by the parish
priest or chaplain of his council are eligible for the TOKCA.
The TOKCA awarding ceremony will be held during the KC
Tri-State Convention on April 2010 in Cebu City.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, KCFAPI Spiritual Director, Patrocinio Ba-
cay, Chairman of KCFAPI, Antonio Borromeo, KCFAPI President,
Luzon Deputy Alonso Tan, Visayas Deputy Dionisio Esteban, Jr.,
Mindanao Deputy Sofronio Cruz and another associate which will
be chosen by the Board will compose the Board of Jurors. (Kate
Laceda)

Special report: Father McGivney

Sainthood cause advances
KC Luzon distributes relief goods in Zambales
THE State Officers of Luzon distributed 200
blankets, pails and “banigs” while the differ-
Knights of Columbus founder witnesses ent councils of the Diocese of Iba led by their
Grand Knights and District Deputies have
to pastoral vocation contributed packed goods that include rice,
milk, sugar, biscuits, canned goods and used
THE founder of the Knights of Columbus, Father Michael Mc-
clothes for typhoon victims in Zambales last
Givney, might be closer to recognition as a saint, as an expanded
September 25.
report on a possible miracle has been sent to Rome.
In the report of the Regional Disaster Co-
The Knights of Columbus announced in a press release, that of-
ordinating Council (RDCC) last August 11,
ficials of a supplemental tribunal from the Hartford Archdiocese,
typhoon “Kiko” has left some 1,946 residents
where Father McGivney served as a parish priest, has formally
of Botolan, Zambales homeless after the
sent the report to the Congregation for Saints' Causes.
flood control dike in Bacao River collapsed
Carl Anderson, the supreme knight, as well as a regular ZENIT
from continuous heavy rains.
columnist, explained that this submission "marks an important
Ten barangays in Botolan were hit by
step forward."
floods induced by the typhoon that struck
He explained: "The Vatican's congregation for the causes of
most of Northern Luzon.
saints will now have valuable additional testimony that clarifies
The group also visited and personally gave
and adds significantly to the original submission.
donations to more than 200 victim families
"We believe that the congregation will now have all the infor-
at the evacuation centers managed by the
mation it needs to complete its assessment of the case, although
Philippine National Red Cross and the Parish
of course this review could take several years."
Pastoral Council (PPC) in Botolan.
The new report includes additional testimonies and interviews
Together with Tan, the other state officers
from witnesses and medical doctors who supported the original
who joined in the relief distribution were
description of the reported miracle.
State Secretary Arsenio G. Yap; State Pro-
Father McGivney founded the knights in 1882, and died in 1890
gram Director Bonifacio B. Martinez; State
at age 38. The cause for his sainthood was opened by Archbishop
Ecology Chairman Carlos I. Gubat; and State
Daniel Cronin of Hartford in 1997. In March 2008, Benedict XVI
Ways and Means Chairman Miguel T. Yu.
declared him venerable. KC Luzon Jurisdiction during the distribution of relief goods in Botolan, Zambales last September 25.
(KC News)
"Father McGivney's beatification would be an important
event," Anderson said, "not only for Knights of Columbus, but for
the many thousands of parish priests who quietly do the Lord's
work in parishes each day and regard him as an outstanding Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa- The Knights of Co-
lumbus Fraternal
example for priests everywhere."
The supreme knight added, "In this Year for Priests it is an tion of the Philippines Inc., Association of the
Philippines Inc., is
an established Mutual Benefits Association
especially appropriate step forward." (Zenit)
an established and pro-
is currently looking for: gressive Mutual Benefits
Association operating for
51 years, has been highly
Underwriting Supervisor committed to provide
mutual aid and assis-
Underwriting Staff tance to its members and
their immediate fami-
Accounting Staff lies.

Accounting Supervisor KC Fraternal firmly be-

lieves that the continued
Auditor progress and success of
the association depends
to a great extent on its
human capital
If you are dedicated, service-oriented, and have the
promising potential to join us in our continuous drive to KC Fraternal also be-
provide mutual aid, assistance and excellent service lieves that through train-
ing and a host of other
to our members. Kindly send your comprehensive benefits if coupled with
resume’ thru fax number 527-2244 or hand-carry re- hard work, will help em-
ployees and the asso-
sume’ with a 2x2 photo and transcript of records to: ciation attain their goals
and objectives.
Mace/PhilBritish Sales Promo Mechanics:
Promo Period: Policies effective May 1, 2009 to Nov. 30, 2009
In our continuous drive
Awarding Ceremonies: December 11, 2009 at Mace office in Intramuros, Manila
Benefits to SA: These prizes are exclusive of all Commission currently enjoyed by SA.
to provide excellent ser-
Promo Description: vice to our members, we
1. The Sales Promo drive covers all policies issued with effect date May 1, 2009 to Nov. are currently on the look-
30, 2009.
out for individuals with
Awarding of prizes shall be held on Dec. 11, 2009 at the Mace office in Intramuros,
Manila. promising potentials. He
2. This Sales Promo Drive is open to all existing accredited Soliciting Associates (SA) must be dedicated, ser-
of Mace Insurance Agency, Inc.
vice oriented, and willing
3. Qualified Production will be all policies issued by Philippine British Assurance Co., Inc.
under Mace Insurance Agency. to undergo training
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

All non-life product line of business except Compulsory Third Party Liability (CPTL)
Coverage is covered under this Promo Drive.
4. Basis will be Mace Insurance Agency Office records, and Basic Premium only Exclu- KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL Our compensation and
employee benefits are
ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES INC.
sice of all charges.
5. A Soliciting Associate may opt to choose a combination of prizes mentioned. comparable, if not better
than most companies of
Gen. Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts.,
For example:
If SA A produce P500,000 during the period, he may choose a combination of: One SM our same size and na-
Gift Certificate (credit P100,000) + 2 units of Nokia 5000 (credit P400,000) for a total
of P500,000.
or SA A may opt for this combination with production credit of P500,000: One unit
Intramuros Manila ture of business.
iPod Nano (credit P300,000) + One unit Nokia 5000 (credit P200,000) for a total of
P500,000. You may also call 527 – 2223 local 202 for queries and look for Ms. Kristianne.
Come and Join this Promo Drive and enjoy lasting Rewards for your effort!
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009
C3

The pope’s new encyclical illuminates

the great commandments of love
By Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson
BENEDICT XVI’s recent encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in
Truth), should serve as a reminder of the importance of the first
principle of our Order.
In his introduction to the encyclical, the pope writes, “Charity is at
the heart of the Church’s social doctrine.” He then makes clear that
our charity must be true charity. “Without truth,” he says, “charity
degenerates into sentimentality.” On the other hand, “practicing
charity in truth helps people to understand that adhering to the
values of Christianity is not merely useful but essential for building
a good society and for true integral development.”
We might look at this in light of the Lord’s Prayer. Pope Benedict
quotes the first two words of that prayer—“Our Father”—at the
end of his encyclical. If we take those two words seriously, we must
realize the truth that all of us are members of one family.
From this perspective, it is easier for us to see how the law and
prophets are summarized in Christ’s two great commandments –
that we love God totally and love our neighbors as ourselves (see Mt
22:37-40). Thus, we are able to speak of “caritas in veritate.”
When we understand that we are all members of the same human
family and accept these two commandments, we can no longer ask
Cain’s question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). Instead,
we must realize that our freedom cannot take the form of simply
amassing as much wealth as we can. Instead, the actions we take
should reflect the reality of our familial connection to our neighbor,
and we should take stock of how everything we do affects others. In
fact, to be a Christian is to be a man or woman for others.
This is the beautiful message of the encyclical.
Sadly, not everyone will focus on this message. Some will try
to view the encyclical as a political document, as support for their
policy preferences or political philosophy. But to do that would miss
the point. As the document itself states: “The Church does not have
technical solutions to offer and does not claim ‘to interfere in any
way in the politics of States.’ She does, however, have a mission of
truth to accomplish” (9).
The question is not whether this encyclical validates our viewpoint,
but rather how it can help us to grow in our faith as children of God
and members of the human family. All human beings, including the
unborn, are part of that family. The pope made this perfectly clear in
his encyclical: “Openness to life is at the center of true development.
When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends
up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive
for man’s true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the ac-
ceptance of a new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are
valuable for society also wither away” (28, emphasis in original).
Additionally, the Holy Father points out that religious liberty is a
key component to development. He wrote, “The Christian religion
and other religions can offer their contribution to development only
if God has a place in the public realm, specifically in regard to its
cultural, social, economic, and particularly its political dimensions”
(56, emphasis in original).
In the August issue of Columbia, we explore the contribution of
the Catholic Church in the areas of health care, social service, edu-
cation and religious freedom. The success of each of these ventures
has been a result of the commitment by individual Catholics to
charity in truth.
Let us honor their legacy, and the pope’s call, by renewing our
commitment to true charity.
Vivat Jesus!

Assistant State Chaplain urges Brother planted

Mangrove tree saplings
along Parañaque
Knights to ‘work closely with priests’ and Las Piñas
MSGR. Pedro C. Quitorio, Assistant State Chaplain of the mass at the Three Kings Parish Church led
of the Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction, told by Fr. Antonio A. Mangahas, Jr.
new officers of Council 3939 that knighthood attains Armando G. Yu, Outgoing Grand Knight, gave
full stature by being a strong defender of the Church his valedictory address while Grand Knight Edwin
which begins by working closely with the priests. C. Alcantara imparted his inaugural message.
“I enjoin you to work very closely with your Surprise numbers and a fraternal dinner culmi-
bishop and priests in the diocese,” he said. nated the installation.
Quitorio was the guest speaker during the 58th Quitorio’s talk was in connection with the theme
Installation of Officers of the Three Kings Council of the 127th Supreme Convention, “Stand with Pe-
No. 3939 of District C-07 held at the SK Manuel ter in Solidarity with Our Bishops and Priests.”
D. Mallare Hall in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija last This theme was relative to the celebration of the
September 19. Year for Priests that began on June 2009 and will
Led by Arturo P. Vasquez, District Deputy of end on June 2010.
the council, and assisted by District Warden Rex E. The said Supreme Convention held in Phoe-
Blanco, the program opened with the celebration nix, Arizona last August had among its guests,
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who
expressed his gratefulness to the Knights for their
“continued commitment to a culture of life and
support for priests.”
“In promoting the goals of charity, unity, frater-
nity, patriotism and fostering dedicated Catholic
faith, strong family life and active involvement in
the community, your witness and service make
a tremendous difference in our Church and our
world and we are grateful,” the cardinal said.
Quitorio also enjoined the Knights to always
follow the church not only on matters of faith and
morals but even on diverse social issues prevailing
in the country. (KCFAPI News)
HUNDREDS of mangrove tree saplings were
planted in the reclaimed areas of the Coastal Road
along Parañaque and Las Piñas during the annual
tree planting program of the Knights of Columbus
Luzon Jurisdiction last September 19.
This is an “institutionalized project of the KC
order.” It has been established to support the thrust
of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) in environmental protection
and development.
Led by Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan, Councils
from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor have par-
ticipated in the tree planting.
LD Tan thanked his Brother Knights who sup-
ported and participated in the activity. He likewise
appealed to all KC members to constantly support

KC launches info drive on poll automation

SAYING that voting electronically
is an easy but a delicate job, the
Catholic-based organization Knights
of Columbus is waging an all-out
educational drive for voters.
Armando Galang, Grand Knight of
the K of C Padre Crisostomo Council
6000 in this city, said Thursday that
all councils of the Order are asked
to conduct the campaign after in-
formation technology experts from
its Manila office held a briefing
among members in the countryside
recently.
“It is the patriotic duty of every
knight to help our voters know the
voting process so that their rights will
not go to waste,” Galang said.
Ronnie Infante, an IT expert, said
that while automation will definitely
make the exercise of the right to suf-
frage of every Filipino easier and
faster, voters education is an urgent
necessity owing to the unfamiliarity
of most people on the system.
Among the possible errors voters
can commit is over-voting, accord-
ing to Infante. Over voting, he said,
happens when a voter shades circles
opposite the candidates’ names
more than the number of required
position. Thus, a voter who shaded
13 or more circles for senators will
find all his or her votes for senators,
including the 12 he actually meant to
vote, invalid.
There could be no problem, how-
ever, if the voter will blacken circles
less than the twelve in the field.
Gari San Sebastian, meanwhile,
said that besides actual voting pro-
cess and the automated counting,
elections almost look the same as
the previous set. “There will still be
lawyers, watchers and other parties
concerned,” he said. Protests could
even be possible, he added.
They laid down four specific ac-
tions a voter should do to vote. These,
they said, include the early check of
their names in the voters’ list, present
to the board of election inspectors
valid identification card, shade the
circles opposite the candidates he or
she elects on the ballot and put the
ballot correctly in the machine which
serves as ballot box.
Illiterate citizens can still ask assis-
tance from their relatives, as allowed
in the previous elections.
The K of C officers underscored the
need for everyone to deliver informa-
tion to others.
All of its councils nationwide are
enjoined to conduct the voters’ forum
even to the smallest units of society
such as their own families, San Sebas-
tian added. (SK Armando Galang)
the “environmental protection program.”
The said program of the Luzon Jurisdiction was
supported by the Public Estate Authority. This is
to ensure the success of the activity and the growth
of the planted tree saplings.
Luzon State Ecology Chairman Carlos I. Gubat
had coordinated with the DENR in identifying
areas that needed the said tree saplings.
Dubbed as “Puno Alay Ko Sa Kalikasan,” this
project of the Luzon Jurisdiction is dedicated in
honor of Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J., and is now
on its 3rd year.
The Knights of Columbus is one of the participat-
ing organizations in the 24th International Coastal
Clean-up of DENR. (KC News)
Fraternal Benefits Group
Schedule of Activities
October 10, 2009
Luzon Convention
Fraternal Service Training (Butuan City)

October 11, 2009

Fraternal Service Training (Butuan City)

October 17, 2009

Voters’ Education (San Fernando, La Union)

October 27, 2009

Voters’ Education (Baliuag, Bulacan)

October 28-29, 2009

Fraternal Service Training (Manila)

You may contact KCFAPI

through our TEXT CON-
NECT INFORMATION
SYSTEM (TEXT BILIS)
Send to: 0917-825-KOFC
or 0917-825-5632

To register
KCREG<space>FCCODE<spa
ce>PINCODE<space>CONFIR
M CODE
Example: KCREG 00000 123456
123456

To inquire allowance
ALLW<space>FCCODE
<space>PINCODE
Example: ALLW 00000 123456

To inquire for Submitted, Released & Paid BCs

SRP<space>FCCODE
<space>MMYYYY
Example: SRP 00000 012008

To inquire for the status of Benefit Certificate

BCINQ<space>ACCOUNT#<space>BIRTHDATE
Example: BCINQ 1002840 01061971

To text a particular Department

DEPTCODE<space>Your Name<space>Your Mes-
sage
Example: To text Underwriting Department for follow-
up
UND Juan Dela Cruz Follow-up application of Bro. Joel
Garcia

DEPTCODE:
UND - for Underwriting
FBG - for FBG
FMAS - for FC’s Account
SERVICE - for BC Services
CORPSRV - for FADB
FGJWF - for Foundations
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 13 No. 21
October 12 - 25, 2009

KC Willmann Charities hosts

Family TV Mass

Knights of Columbus - Luzon Jurisdiction during the wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J. at
KC home office in Intramuros, Manila last September 14. The TV Mass held at San Agustin Church last September 14 in commemmoration of the death of Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J.

TO mark the 32nd death anniversary of its founder, the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann
Charities, Inc. has hosted a Family TV Mass last September 14 at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros,
Manila.
Aired September 20 over TV Channel 4, the mass was presided by Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado
and concelebrated by Msgr. Joselito C. Asis; Fr. William D. Araña, OSA; Fr. Benjamin Deogracias M.
Fajota; Fr. Rene M. Sapungan; Fr. Milan Ted D. Torralba; Fr. Enrico Emmanuel A. Ayo; and Fr. Isabelo
R. San Luis.
According to Mercado, Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J., who is the Father of the Knights of Columbus
in the Philippines, embraced his Cross to serve as an inspiration to each KC member. He added that
the legacy of Fr. Willmann has taught each member the genuine power of the Cross.
“The Cross is life-giving. It is our source of strength. Fr. Willmann was not afraid to carry his Cross,”
Mercado said.
The Parañaque Bishop has reflected on the centrality of the Cross in the life and priestly ministry of
Fr. Willmann who died on September 14, 1977 on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Meanwhile, donations for the Family TV Mass will be allotted for charitable activities such as the
scholarship of 40 needy seminarians from various archdioceses nationwide, support nine KC chaplains
who are pursuing their Licentiate/Doctorate Studies and various activities of the KC Priest-scholars.
Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc is one of the foundations of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI).
It was first established under the name “Fr. Willmann Fund for Seminarians” which was later merged
with the Christopher Foundation.
In 2000, it was expanded and became the KC Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc.
The foundation has been sponsoring seminarians who are on the last four years of their priestly formation
as well as priests who wish to go on further studies in various ecclesiastical disciplines. (Kate Laceda)

Back-to-Back ‘pakulo ngayong pasko’ NEL Cavaliers

TRULY, KCFAPI inspires our KC brothers and their families
to continually uplift our Mission and Vision. Through the Area Meeting
tackles incentive
Reinstatement Program tagged as ‘Back-to-Back paKulo
ngayong pasKo’, a benefit certificate holder from Western
Visayas Beta Area fortunately won the prize and experi-
enced the unrelenting gratitude of KCFAPI to all its BC

holders throughout the country.
Bro. Arnold H. Senope, a KC member of Council 7145,
Leganes, Iloilo, won the ‘Back-to-Back paKulo ngayong
pasKo’ under the Benefit Certificate Holder Category when
he applied for reinstatement of his Benefit Certificate no.
1923096.
Bro. Khristian M. Hidalgo, as the authorized representa-
tive, received the prize of a brand new mobile phone on
September 8, 2009, in behalf of Bro. Arnold H. Senope.
The awarding took place at the KCFAPI Iloilo Service
Office. Bro. Rudolph Gerard M Elizaga, Iloilo S.O. Fraternal
Benefits Associate handed over the prize. The recipient
parted a simple yet grateful message, ‘Madamu guid nga
salamat, KCFAPI!’ (April Vasquez)
Bro. Khristian M Hidalgo, as the authorized representative of Bro. Arnold H. Senope, accepted
the brand new Nokia 7610 Series from Mr. Rudolph Gerard M Elizaga, Iloilo S.O. – FBA.
drives of FBG
THE area meeting of the North Eastern Luzon (NEL) Cavaliers
focused on the incentive drives of the Fraternal Benefits Group
(FBG).
Headed by Bro. Armando Gonzales, Area Manager of NEL, the
group discussed the Council Circle of Honors and the extended
filing of The Ten Outstanding Knights of Columbus Awards
(TOKCA) nominees.
Gonzales announced that the filing of the TOKCA nominees
has been extended until September 30, 2009.
He also presented the qualifications of the forthcoming Council
of Honors Awards.
This event is intended for the KC Councils of the Luzon,

Asis, Hongayo win KCFAPI badminton mixed doubles Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions.
Eligible councils must have a good standing with their ter-
ritorial jurisdictions and should have active serving fraternal
GREGORIO E. Asis and Nina counselors.
S. Hongayo took the champion- Gari San Sebastian, Fraternal Benefits Services Manager, was
ship trophy in the KCFAPI’s the resource speaker of the meeting.
first badminton mixed doubles, San Sebastian talked about DRIVE 110 wherein he presented
defeating Manuel L. Mendoza the sales production and performance as of September 15, 2009
and Carmelita S. Ruiz. as against the 2009 target of the NEL Area.
Asis and Hongayo carved out Gonzales then proposed that recruitment to the KC order will
21-11, 21-17 straight sets victory help the FCs to increase their sales production.
against Ruiz and Mendoza. He also discussed the plans of the Knights of Columbus Fra-
Meanwhile, Riz S. Nicolas and ternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) such as the
Marianne M. Malabanan won C.A.R.E.S Plans or the Capital Accumulator Plan, Assurance
the third place, beating Michael Plan, Retire Plus Plan, and the Super Saver Plan.
B. De Castro and Rowena M. The said meeting was held at the Green View Lodge in Santiago
Diapolit. City, Isabela last September 18-20, 2009. (KCFAPI News)
The third placers won 19-21,
21-17, 21-15 at the Feather’s Badminton Court in Committee chaired by Ms. Ruiz herself, the tour-
Intramuros, Manila last September 26. nament, aimed at upholding camaraderie and
Asis and Hongayo, a tandem of a veteran and goodwill, was held last September 26.
a promising rookie proved that with a mixture of Equipped with badminton gears and smashing
speed and intelligent net play, a team could easily skills, 13 teams vied for the most number of team
win a game. wins to grab the championship title.
Trophies were given to champions, first and Ms. Ruiz said it was one-day tournament of
second runners-up. intense competition, fun and excitement. (Roy
Organized by the KCFAPI’s Summer/Sports Lagarde)
Participants of the Badminton tournament held at Feathers & Strings Badminton Court in Intramuros, Manila last September 26.

GK Ferdinand T. Callueng of San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite Council 14359 (2nd from right) receives from
SK Nonilon D. Ayon – Area manager of South Western Luzon Star KCFAPI (right) the death claims of his mother Sis.
Winners of the KCFAPI Badminton tournament (from L-R) Manuel Mendoza, Carmelita Ruiz, Nina Hongayo, Gregorio Juana T. Callueng. Also in photo are SK Mark Rey B. de Castro – Deputy Grand Knight (DGK) (left) and Bro.Reynaldo
Asis, Marianne Malabanan and Riz Nicolas. G. Geronimo – Chancellor (2nd from left).