•A3 Pontiff: Bioethics •B1 ‘The Justice of God Has Been

Manifested Through Faith in

•C1 The CROSS
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
needs natural law Jesus Christ’ and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

Bishop wary over World Christian leaders

‘harmful’ drugs on store link arrest of 43 health
shelves workers to May polls
SOME drugs long known to be “harmful” CHRISTIAN leaders from around the world
to peoples’ health continue to stay on store said the detention of 43 health workers in Rizal
shelves, a Catholic bishop who used to head province was initiated by the military to silence
the church’s health ministry said. the critics of the Arroyo administration.
Such “unnecessary drugs” which include In an article by the Ecumenical News Inter-
some other food supplements must be imme- national (ENI), Rev. Michael Wallace, general
diately recalled, said Bishop Patricio Alo of the secretary of the World Student Christian Fed-
Diocese of Mati. eration, said the arrest were meant to intimidate
“There are drugs being sold in the market those “who struggle for human rights”.
which brings adverse effects on the consumers’ He said the military action was aimed at “the
‘Harmful’ / A7
February 15 - 28, 2010 Vol. 14 No. 4 Php 20.00 May polls / A6

Lent a call to justice,

pope says
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
AS millions of Catholics around
the world enter the rigors of pen-
ance through the 40-day observance
of Lent, the Holy Father called for
a deeper conversion in the spirit of
justice.
Reflecting on the virtue of justice in his Lenten
message, Pope Benedict XVI said “the illusion of
self-sufficiency,” which conveys one’s superiority
over others and leads a person to disregard others’
needs, “is the very origin of injustice.”
According to the pontiff, the deeper meaning of
justice is rooted in love, which Christ personified
by dying on the cross thus showing us that “man
is not a self-sufficient being, but in need of another
to realize himself fully.”

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The Holy Father said this kind of justice leads
us to see ourselves more of “debtors” than “credi-
tors” because God has given us more than what
we deserved.
And this insight, the pope continued, should
lead us “to contribute to creating just societies,
where all receive what is necessary to live accord-
ing to the dignity proper to human person and The Catholic Church ushers in the beginning of the Lenten season with the imposition of ashes on the forehead of the faithful on Ash Wednesday. During the 40 days of Lent, the Catholic
Lent / A6 faithful are encouraged to observe the three penitential practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and seek true conversion of heart and soul.

Church: Condoms don’t stop HIV Hunger striker

AS the government beefs up its campaign against HIV/AIDS, the
Catholic Church reiterated that condoms are not always effective
in preventing the spread of the disease.
Fr. Greg Gaston, who served on Vatican’s Pontifical Council for
the Family, made the in the face of widespread scientific consensus
that condoms are impermeable to HIV/AIDS.
Gaston said the church backs the claims about permeable con-
people to risk.
The priest called on the government to stop promoting “false
security” to the people that condom will solve the problem of the
appointed to
Church’s social
deadly virus.
“...in the same way that the government requires warnings
against smoking, alcohol, and herbal medicines, the BFAD (Bu-
reau of Food and Drugs) must also require government warning

action arm
doms, despite assurances by the Department of Health that they in condom packaging,” Gaston said.
are untrue. In the Philippines where authorities reported rising cases of the
He said condoms give people a false sense of security, which disease in the past few years, the church condemns the promotion
rather facilitates the spread of the disease. of condoms as it also promotes promiscuity.
“Condoms may fail to protect from AIDS. Not out of a religious Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commis- A CATHOLIC priest who has
concern, but medical: it is the right of consumers to know and be sion on Family and Life, cited the case in African countries and marched with peasants and
warned of possible condom failure,” said Gaston. Thailand where HIV has become more prevalent even if they’ve indigenous peoples in street
The priest noted a document by Vatican’s Alfonso Cardinal been promoting the use of condoms. protests is filling an important
Lopez Trujillo which cited medical studies that condoms have tiny Castro said the church position is uncompromising that the best position in the Church’s social
holes in them through which HIV can pass—potentially exposing Condoms / A7 action apostolate.
Early this February, a

PPCRV seeks ‘aggressive’ conduct of voters’ education

priest in charge of Calapan’s
Mangyan Missions has been
appointed to the Episcopal
Commission on Social Action,
A CATHOLIC Church-based poll and volunteers, some Comelec Justice and Peace (ECSA-
watchdog urged the Commission officials led by Commissioner JP) of the Catholic Bishops’
on Elections to be more “aggres- Gregorio Larrazabal were also Conference of the Philip-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

sive” in its voters’ education present, sitting en banc over the pines (CBCP) which is often
program to brief voters on the simulated election exercise. referred to as the National
automated elections system. “I keep telling the volunteers, Secretariat for Social Action
While the PPCRV recognizes we don’t have much money but (NASSA).
the need for faster conduct of the two things we have going for As the new executive sec-
voters’ education, its chair Hen- the PPCRV are our credibility retary, Fr. Edwin Gariguez is
rietta de Villa, said effective steps and our willingness to take on going to work closely with his
should be used by the Comelec in the difficult job of poll-watching.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

chair Bishop Broderick Pabil- Fr. Edu Gariguez

its training program. If our credibility is tarnished by lo, a very dynamic figure in the church’s social action advocacies.
The poll body, she said, must any perception of partisanship, Pabillo is known to be active in many social issues from human
use clear and accurate instruc- we’re done,” De Villa said. rights, environment to the ongoing debate on poll automation.
tions to ensure that voters would Ana de Villa Singson, PPCRV’s He is usually seen in anti-mining protests and squatters in urban
understand how to use the pre- Communications & Media Di- Manila protesting against demolitions and forced evictions.
cinct count optical scan (PCOS) rector, said that their plans for The bishop also served as one of the mediators for protesting
machines. the voters’ education campaign Sumilao farmers who have been urging the government to return
“It’s not that Comelec’s effort is A member of the media casts her ballot using a PCOS machine during a recent include the screening and dis- their land to them.
not enough but I’m wishing that mock election exercise conducted by PPCRV at Pope Pius XII Center. tribution of its new audio-visual Gariguez will succeed Sr. Roseanne Malillin, SPC, who has served
it would be more aggressive in the conduct Members of the media were briefed on the presentations (AVPs), as well as increased for nearly 17 years.
of voters’ education,” De Villa said. automated election system and PCOS ma- visibility in the media. Gariguez, known as “Fr. Edu” to his community, is 47 years old
The PPCRV, for its part, kicked off its share chines from representatives of Smartmatic- The PPCRV is being assisted in its efforts and was ordained priest last April 7, 1993.
in educating voters’ nationwide with a spe- TIM, the company providing the machines to promulgate an intensive voters’ education Originally from Malinao Ilaya in Atimonan, Quezon, he was
cial mock election exercise for the media at for the elections. campaign by Smart Communications and incardinated to the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan.
the Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila. Aside from De Villa and PPCRV officials Globe Telecom, Inc. (CBCPNews)
Hunger strike

AES won’t solve cheating–poll watchdog
DESPITE poll automation, a
“massive cheating” is going to
happen in May and the poll body
is doing nothing against it, a poll
watchdog said.
Professor Bobby Tuazon of the
“The powerful and regular
vote-buying machineries are in
fact embedded into the coun-
try’s political dynasty system so
wherever you look, wherever
you are, you find vote-buying
Last November, Gariguez led some 25 protesters in a 9-day hunger
strike to denounce the issuance of an environmental clearance for
the nickel-extraction project of a Norwegian mining company in the
technology but province due to lack of public consultation.
the political en- Those who staged the hunger strike in front of the Department of
vironment still Natural Resources main office include 16 members of the Mangyan
breeds and nur- tribes, seven Mindoro residents and another priest.
tures the power- Due to intense pressure, the DENR suspended the environmental
ful fraud machin-
Illustration by Bladimer Usi

clearance it issued to the Intex Resources last Nov. 26 pending an

AES (automated election system)
Watch said vote buying “is the
bigger problem of fraud” and the
Commission on Elections does
nothing against it.
Tuazon, a University of the
Philippines-based information
technology professor, said no
concrete measures is being taken
by the Comelec to catch candi-
dates even if they are widely
known to be buying votes.
activities,” he said.
Tuazon believes vote-buying
would be “massive” this time
especially from the habitual
cheaters who are unable to cheat
through the automated elec-
tions.
He said there could also be
fraud with regards to “internal
rigging within the automated
electoral system.”
“Even if you have modern
eries, no technol- independent investigation.
ogy would beat
vote-buying,” Close friend
Tuazon said. Gariguez was also closely associated with an anti-mining activist
AES Watch is who was killed recently in Victoria town, Mindoro Occidental.
an independent Gariguez believe politics and mining were behind the death of
and voluntary networking of CBCP’s National Secretariat Ricardo Ganad, 56.
citizens groups promoting clean for Social Action, Association Ganad was chairman of the Association of Barangay Captains in Vic-
polls and ensuring the May 2010 of Major Religious Superiors in toria and a founding member of Alliance against Mining (ALAMIN).
elections push through—either the Philippines and the Center The priest said the killing brought fear to other anti-mining ad-
automated or manual. for People Empowerment in vocates. He called on government officials to immediately resolve
Among its members is the Governance. (CBCPNews) the murder. (Melo M. Acuña)
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Pope Benedict tells Rome’s

homeless that the Church
‘will not abandon you’
ROME, Italy, Feb. 14, 2010—The Holy Father paid a visit to the homeless shelter at Rome's central
Termini Station on Sunday morning along with a number of Church, local government and business
representatives. He spoke to the gathering of the importance of charity in promoting human dignity
and building an civilization of love.
In his address to mark the occasion, Pope Benedict XVI recognized the many benefactors, workers
and volunteers who employ themselves daily to taking action on the words of Jesus, "I was hungry
and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked
and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me..."
Directing his words to those assisted through these efforts, a number of whom were in attendance,
© www.topnews.in
the Holy Father said, "know that the Church loves you profoundly and won't abandon you, because
it recognizes in every one of your faces the face of Christ" who identified himself particularly with the
poor and indigent.
"The witness of charity... belongs to the mission of the Church together with the announcement of
the truth of the Gospel," noted the Pope, adding that "man doesn't just need to be nurtured materially
or helped to overcome moments of difficulty, but he also needs to know who he is and know the truth
about himself, about his dignity."
And the Church, he explained, is "committed to announcing to all the truth of man, that he is loved
by God, created in his image, redeemed by Christ and called to eternal communion with Him."
Through the actions of those who offer their services, pointed out the Pope, "so many people have
been able to rediscover... dignity, sometimes lost through tragic events, and find again trust in them-
selves and hope in the future."
Speaking then to those who work in the facility, the Holy Father implored them to always be "joyful
witnesses of the infinite love of God" and to "consider these friends of yours one of the most precious
treasures of your life."
Benedict XVI further encouraged not only Catholics, but "all men of good will… to work to build a
future deserving of man, rediscovering in charity the 'propulsive' strength for a true development and
for the realization of a more just and fraternal society" in both individual and social, economic and
political relations.
It is important, he added, to promote the recognition that we compose a single human family. The ideals
of giving and volunteering freely must be rediscovered today "as constitutive elements of daily living
and interpersonal relations" so as to "prevail over the logic of profit and seeking individual interests."
The Caritas shelter, concluded the Holy Father, offers a concrete manifestation of the collaboration
of the Christian community with civil institutions to promote the "common good" and thereby offer
a "true school" in which youth and other volunteers can learn to be "builders of a civilization of love,
capable of taking in others in their uniqueness and differences."

Joining Pope Benedict on the visit were the Cardinal Vicar General of Rome Agostino Vallini, presi-
dent of Caritas Italy, Bishop Giuseppe Merisi, and other representatives of Caritas as well as numerous
local government officials including the mayor of Rome. A delegate from among those helped through
the shelter, Giovanna Cataldo, also gave a short address on the occasion. (CNA)

Vatican secret archives documents going online

VATICAN CITY, Feb. 12, 2010—The Holy See is planning to publish ing the Holocaust in the form He stated that his foundation
on the Internet, free of charge, several documents from the Vatican of Rolf Hochhuth's fictitious "sought to gain permission to
Secret Archives in relation to World War II. 1963 play 'The Deputy.' The digitize this collection, making
The initiatives is partially in response to a petition from Pave result was the worst character it broadly available for study"
the Way Foundation, an organization dedicated to bridging gaps assassination of the twentieth so as to further "our mission
between religions. century." to publicly disclose as many
The foundation proposed making digital files of, and later pub- Based on his foundation's documents as possible to help
licizing, some 5125 descriptions and copies of documents from the research, Krupp stated that in to move this obstacle between
closed section of the Vatican archives, from the period of March 1964, Pope Paul VI asked a team Jews and Catholics into the
1939 to May 1945. of three Jesuit historians, Father light of documented truth."
Gary Krupp, the foundation's president and founder, told ZENIT Pierre Blet, Father Burkhart Black legend Krupp ex-
that "the 'Actes et Documents du Saint Siège relatifs a la Seconde Schneider, and Father Angelo plained that "this effort is sim-
Guerre Mondiale [Acts and Documents of the Holy See relative to Martini, to "conduct intensive ply to show clear evidence
the Second World War],'" which were "previously published and research to identify relevant of Pope Pius XII's efforts to
mostly ignored," will "shortly be available for worldwide scrutiny documents from the war years mitigate suffering during the
© blogs.reuters.com

and study online, free of charge."
He explained that these documents will be available on the Web
site of his foundation as well as that of the Vatican.
This project is part of the mission of the foundation, a non-sectarian
organization that works to remove obstacles between religions, foster
cooperation and to end the misuse of religion for private agendas.
The organization's president, who is from New York but of Jewish
decent, stated, "In the furtherance of our mission we have recognized
the papacy of the war time Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) as a source
of friction impacting over one billion people."
A plot "Controversy abounds on whether he did enough to prevent
the slaughter of Jews at the hands of the Nazis," Krupp affirmed.
He continued: "Our research has revealed that five years after
Pius XII's death, the KGB hatched a plot to discredit their enemy,
the Roman Catholic Church, called 'Seat 12.'
"A dirty trick, which condemned Pope Pius XII for his 'silence' dur-
from the closed section of the
Vatican Secret Archives."
He added: "A few years later
Father Robert Graham joined
the group. The first volume was
published in 1965, the last in 1981."
Krupp explained that in 1999, Cardinal Edward Cassidy, at that
time the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity, called for a special commission of Jewish and Catholic scholars
to come together to study these documents.
"This positive advance unfortunately ended July 21, 2001 in fail-
ure," he added, "partly because the scholars simply did not read the
languages of the collection."
"They issued a list of 47 questions and demanded the opening
of the yet un-catalogued archives" from the 1939-1958 period, the
foundation president said.
war and that the 'black legend,'
which besmirched his name, is
simply not true."
He added that this initiative
is "not meant to be a substitute
for the full access" to the archives, "but will absolutely show the
unique efforts of Pope Pius XII and the dangers he was forced to
operate under a direct threat from the Nazi regime."
"Ironically," he said "the Vatican Secret Archives [from the period
prior] to 1939 were opened over two years ago," and they showed
that "65% of Pacelli's ministry has simply been ignored by the critics
who call for the war years to be opened."
On behalf of the foundation, the president expressed gratitude to
the Pope's Secretary of State and the Libreria Editrice Vaticana "for
their confidence in us by allowing us this unprecedented privilege."
(Zenit)

Canadian prelate stresses Olympic values Lebanon celebrates 1600th

VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Feb. 12, 2010—The president of
the Canadian bishops' confer-
ence is welcoming athletes to
his country for the Winter
Olympics and underlining
the human values of the
games.
Bishop Pierre Morissette
of Saint-Jerome, Quebec, stat-
ed this in a Feb. 4 letter to the
athletes and visitors of the 2010
Olympics, which began today in
Vancouver.
"As people from every race, creed and
culture come to British Columbia for
this celebration of athletic excellence,
we hope that all of us will be reminded
of the values that the games convey,"
he said.
The prelate underlined the official Olym-
pic motto, adopted in 1894: "Citius, altius,
forties" [Faster, higher, stronger].
Friendship
He recalled the words of Bene-
dict XVI before the 2008 Sum-
mer Games, when the Pontiff
expressed the hope that the
Olympics will "offer the
international community an
effective example of coexis-
tence among people of the
most different provenances,
with respect for their common
dignity."
Catholics share this hope, the
prelate added. "To borrow the words
of the Pope, may sports once again be a
pledge of friendship and peace among
peoples!"
He stated the hope that the visitors
will "discover some of the richness of the
Catholic Church in Canada, and that as you
return home you will keep all Canadians in
your hearts and prayers."
The bishop concluded by assuring the
Wednesday Mass at one of the archdiocese's
churches, "and of course, to celebrate Sunday
anniversary of St. Maron's death
Mass with us while you are here." ROME, Italy, Feb. 11,
2010—Cardinal Nas-
Human trafficking rallah Pierre Sfeir,
The Vancouver archbishop also collabo- Patriarch of Antioch
rated with other prelates from British Colum- of the Maronites, cele-
bia and the Yukon to write a pastoral letter brated Mass at the Ca-
addressing the danger of human trafficking, thedral of St. George
especially during the international gathering on Tuesday marking
for the Olympics. the 1600th anniversary
The letter, released Jan. 27, noted that of the death of St. Ma-
"human trafficking is regarded by some as ron, father of the Ma-
the fastest growing form of transnational ronite rite and patron
organized crime." saint of Lebanon.
"When the victims are treated as objects Attending the Mass was the country's President Michel Sulei-
and commodities, such trafficking entails man, a Maronite. Also present were Prime Minister Saad-al-Hariri
a loss of their God-given dignity as human and President of Parliament, Nabih Berri - both Muslims.
persons," it added. In his homily the cardinal prayed, “May St. Maron grant us
The bishops called on the faithful to raise better days than the ones we have lived and may we be able to
awareness on this social ill, and to join with celebrate many feasts filled with goodness and peace!”
"all men and women of good will to elimi- In a letter to mark the Jubilee Year for St. Maron, which began
nate the mentality that treats human beings St. Maron / A6

Lent: peace and reconciliation

"Originally the idea of Dominican Father visitors of welcome "by Catholic parishes as commodities of commercial exploitation
Henri Didon to motivate the students in his and communities before, during and after and as objects for pleasure."
gym class to strive for personal excellence, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games." They also addressed victims of exploita-

to rebuild Sri Lanka

this motto has been inspiring world-class
athletes ever since," he explained.
The bishop expressed the hope that "all
of us—whether Catholics or members of
other faith traditions, as well as all people
of goodwill—apply the same principle to
our own lives, so together we may grow into
world-class human beings."
He acknowledged that "amid the excite-
ment of these athletic activities it can be
easy to get caught up in national pride and
competitiveness."
"While this can be somewhat under-
standable," Bishop Morissette affirmed,
"we should also reflect on the goal of
the Olympic movement: 'to contribute to
building a peaceful and better world by
educating youth through sport practiced
without discrimination of any kind, in
a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair
play.'"
Archbishop Michael Miller of the Van-
couver Archdiocese expressed these similar
sentiments of welcome in a letter he wrote
to the athletes and visitors.
The archbishop invited the partici-
pants to "consider visiting one
of the archdiocese's down-
town hospitality centers
for athletes," including
one site at the cathedral and an-
other across from the BC Place
Stadium.
He pointed out that the Winter
Olympics, which will run through
Feb. 28, will coincide with the
beginning of Lent, as
Christians "begin their
journey on the path to-
wards Easter."
Thus he sent an invitation to the
visitors to attend the Feb. 17 Ash
tion, stating, "The Church walks with you
today in solidarity."
The letter noted that "the representa-
tives of more than a million consecrated
men and women worldwide and the
global confederation of 162 Catholic aid
organizations are formally
committed to your practical
assistance and to advocacy
on your behalf."
The bishops affirmed, "We prom-
ise you pastoral care, and we will
continue to work with all people of
good will to ensure that your human
dignity is always respected."
Along with the letter,
the Vancouver Archdi-
ocese is offering several
resources on its Web site related
to the issue of human trafficking.
(Zenit)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 15, 2010—Catholic bishops and chari-
ties are using Lent as a time to mobilize Christians to heal the
wounds left by 25 years of war. Church leaders chose ‘Rebuilding
lives though peace and reconciliation’ as this year’s theme.
They stress that this time of prayer, fast and penitence has spe-
cial meaning in 2010, as the country tries to recover after years of
interethnic conflict. They say the war might be over but so many
lives lay shattered. The number of refugees, widows, orphans,
wounded and disabled runs in the tens of thousands.
“We want to share with everyone the reconciliation between
God and man, which Jesus Christ delivered in his sacrifice,” said
Msgr. Harold Anthony Perera, head of the Justice and Peace
Commission, in his Lent message. “As we get ready to fast, pray
and share the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
we want to bring reconciliation to our people, who hunger and
thirst for healing and redress.”
At this time of the year, repentance and conversion are called
Sri Lanka / A6
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
A3

Pontiff: Bioethics needs

natural law VATICAN CITY, Feb. 14, 2010─Benedict XVI is affirming
that bioethics, with all of the scientific developments it
takes into account, needs the principles of natural law so
as to uphold human dignity.
The Pope stated this Saturday in an audience with
members of the Pontifical Academy for Life who gathered
in Rome for a general assembly on the topic of bioethics
and natural law.
"The relationship between bioethics and the natural
moral law" appears more "relevant in the present context
because of the continual development in the scientific
sphere," the Pontiff noted.
He affirmed, "The issues that revolve around the theme
of bioethics allow us to confirm how much these underly-
ing questions in the first place pose the 'anthropological
question.'"
The Holy Father stated that "it is necessary to create a
holistic pedagogical project that permits us to confront
these issues in a positive, balanced and constructive vision,
above all in the relationship between faith and reason."
He continued: "The questions of bioethics often place the
reminder of the dignity of the person in the foreground.
"This dignity is a fundamental principle that the faith
© fupaper.wordpress.com
tions that, inevitably, emerge before possible interpretive
conflicts," Benedict XVI stated.
Human dignity
"In such a space a normative recall to the natural moral
law presents itself," he added. "The recognition of human
dignity, in fact, as an inalienable right first finds its basis
in that law not written by human hand but inscribed by
God the Creator in the heart of man."
The Pope pointed out that "joining bioethics and natural
moral law permits the best confirmation of the necessary and
unavoidable reminder of the dignity that human life intrinsi-
cally possesses from its first instant to its natural end."
He underlined the task of ensuring "that human life al-
ways be seen as the inalienable subject of rights and never
as an object subjugated to the will of the strongest."
"History has shown us how dangerous and deleterious
a state can be that proceeds to legislate on questions that
touch the person and society while pretending itself to be
the source and principle of ethics," the Pontiff warned.
He explained, "Without universal principles that permit
a common denominator for the whole of humanity the
danger of a relativistic drift at the legislative level is not

in Jesus Christ crucified and risen has always defended,
above all when it is ignored in regard to the humblest and
most vulnerable persons: God loves every human being
in a unique and profound way."
"Bioethics, like every discipline, needs a reminder able
to guarantee a consistent understanding of ethical ques-
at all something should be underestimated."
"The natural moral law," the Holy Father affirmed,
"strong in its universal character, allows us to avert such a
danger and above all offers to the legislator the guarantee
for an authentic respect of both the person and the entire
created order." (Zenit)

Symposium considers future International

congress to focus
steps for ecumenism on priestly identity
VATICAN CITY, Feb. 15, 2010─A symposium The theologians made a "detailed examination
hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting of the question of reception of joint statements and
Christian Unity brought together theologians agreements, the need for the common witness of
sense but 'communio sanctorum' ─ what we might
call vertical participation in what is 'holy,' in the
'holy things' ─ that is, the Spirit of Christ present
and celibacy
from various churches to consider future steps for Christians at every level, and the changed context in in his Word and in the sacraments administered
ecumenical dialogue. which Christianity must undertake its mission." by ministers […] duly ordained."
A Vatican communiqué reported that the three- They also discussed how ecumenical dialogue The meeting participants "explored how tradi-
day symposium, which started Feb. 8, gathered should take place in the future, and what steps tional disagreements might be reassessed if they
theologians from the Lutheran, Reformed, Angli- should be made toward the goal of "full and vis- are looked at in the context of mission and the
can and Methodist traditions at the invitation of the ible communion." vision of God's kingdom."
council's president, Cardinal Walter Kasper. They spoke about ecumenical dialogue in terms
Participants discussed a book published last Communion of a "new and promising approach," in which it is
October, "Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Cardinal Kasper said to the participants: "What viewed "as an exchange of gifts."
Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue." does communion mean in the theological sense? The theologians also discussed "practical propos-
The book is a compilation of the results of "It does not mean community in the horizontal als to encourage the search for unity, most particu-
forty years of bilateral dialogues between larly the production of a Common Statement
the Roman Catholic Church and the World of what we have achieved ecumenically."
Lutheran Federation, the World Alliance of The council suggested that one possibil-
Reformed Churches, the Anglican Commu- ity for the form of this statement could be
nion and the World Methodist Council. a "common affirmation of baptismal faith,
The council noted that it also "raises im- including a commentary on the Apostles'
portant questions for the future direction and Creed and the Lord's Prayer."
content of ecumenical discussion." The symposium included people who are
© www.flickr.com/photos/byammar

The symposium aimed not only "to take experienced in dialogue, as well as "younger
account of the many elements of agreement theologians new to ecumenism."
produced by forty years of official dialogue, "The many positive suggestions that it pro-
but to consider ways of communicating this duced will be taken forward to the plenary
© nickbaines.wordpress.com

remarkable achievement to the members of of the Pontifical Council in November 2010,"

all the various Christian communities," the
council stated.
It expressed the hope that in this way, the
communities can demonstrate "more fully
in their lives the progress towards unity that
has been made."
the communiqué noted.
It added that the participants "affirmed
that the ability to call together meetings of
this nature is a particular potential of Rome, VATICAN CITY, Feb. 9, 2010─Today the Vati-
indicating the wider service that the Petrine can announced that an international theological
Cardinal Walter Kasper ministry can offer to ecumenism." (Zenit) congress will be held in Rome on the theme

Youth wants a God-fearing president

“Faithfulness in Christ, Faithfulness of Priests.”
The congress is intended to mark the current
Year for Priests and will address issues such as
priestly identity and celibacy.

for the next six years—survey

MANILA, Feb. 10, 2010—With the onset of the
official campaign season, Catholic Filipino youths
are one in saying that they want a God-fearing
President to be elected come May 10.
In a podcast interview during the January 16
launching of YouthPinoy at UST, a number of
Catholic youth leaders expressed their views on
what qualities the next President should have in
order to govern morally and effectively.
According to Paula Cheng of the Filipino-Chi-
nese Catholic Youth (FCCY), if the President or any
person is God-fearing, that person would not do
anything that is against the will of God.
“I believe that the next president should be
God-fearing because everything else follows. He
should be God-fearing because if you fear someone
because that is what our country.”
For her part, Sabrina Santos of the Student
Catholic Action said that as a leader, the successor
of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should have
“credibility, commitment to the people, and a life
that is Christ-centered.”
“He/She should stick to his principles and mo-
rale because, nowadays, lahat nadadaan lang sa
pera eh kay mahirap patakbuhin yung bansa natin.
Pero kung magkakaroon tayo ng president na gina-
gawa kung ano yung tinuro sa kanya ng magulang
niya at kung ano ang tinuro sa kanya ng Panginoon,
eh di uunlad ang Pilipinas,” said Cucueco.
Meanwhile, Bro. Jomar Valdevieso of the UST
Central Seminary said he “expects that the next
president to be honest and true to his promises.”
In summation of the youth’s opinion on what
values and qualities the next President should
have, YouthPinoy recognizes the fact that the
young population are embarking on one of the
greatest qualifications the nation should not take
for granted when they fill up their ballot come
election day—our values.
Despite the fact that anyone who has passed the
qualifications of the Commission on Election may
run their desired position, the youth is reminding
the general voting public that a good leader should
be a good servant—someone who will set aside
their desire for power, riches and fame in the name
of God and country. (Kate Laceda/YouthPinoy)
A communique from the Vatican's Congre-
gation for the Clergy stated that the event will
be held at the Pontifical Lateran University
from March 11 to 12 and that “invitees to the
congress principally include bishops who pre-
side over commissions for the clergy, supreme
moderators of clerical institutes and associa-
tions, formators of the clergy, and priests them-
selves who are primarily responsible for their
own permanent formation.” Pope Benedict XVI
is scheduled to receive congress participants
on March 12.
The congress will be divided into three ses-
sions with two focusing on priestly identity
and its relationship with the modern culture
and one on liturgy and celibacy.
Leaders of the Congregation for the Clergy,
including Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M.
and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza will be in
attendance. Other Vatican-based attendees
include, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect

Integrate Catholic faith with

supreme than you then you would be terrified to
contradict the will of that Supreme Being,” she
said.
Like Cheng, Jo-I Villas from the Youth for Fam-
ily and Life (YFL) also said that the next President
should have strong belief in God.
Other young people, whose schools, parishes
and organizations are involved with the Youth-
Pinoy group, also said they would vote for a
presidential candidate who would not support the
controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
“At least 75 percent of the country is Catholic
and so as a firm believer of the Catholic faith, we
should follow the Church teaching taking into
consideration not to vote candidates that are in
favor of the bill for ‘it destroys one of our intrin-
sic Catholic beliefs that we should not kill,’” said
Cheng in agreement with Carla Cucueco from the
Institucion Teresiana.
Aside from being Christ-centered and imbibing
pro-life lifestyle, other young Catholics said they
wanted an open-minded, principled and credible
president.
Juno Figueroa from the Dominican Network said
the next President should be “open minded to be
able to adapt everything and will focus on change
culture, prelate tells Chinoys
MANILA, Feb. 12, 2010—The fact nature of Chinese culture.
that the Chinese Lunar New Year
falls on Valentine’s Day this year
should all the more remind
Filipino-Chinese Catholics to
integrate their faith and Christ’s
Gospel values to their culture
and tradition.
Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian
reminded the Filipino-Chi-
nese Catholic Commu-
nity that the gift of life
and love should always
be attributed to God
as the ultimate source
of all creation—a basic
Catholic teaching that
he said should not be
compromised given the Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian
“As we celebrate the Chinese
New Year on Valentine’s Day
this year, let’s pray for more
blessings of life and love
and share it generously
to others. Let us pray for
God’s abundant blessing of
good health and prosperity
and joy in life. Without
God we are nothing
so let us think of
him for this year
of the metal tiger,”
Jaucian said.
The prelate,
who is the na-
tional spiritual
director of the
of the Congregation for Catholic Education;
Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
and Cardinal Franc Rode C.M., prefect of the
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Also contributing to the theological congress
Filipino-Chinese Cath- are Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, archbishop of
olic Youth, said there Bologna, Italy, Cardinal Antonio Canizares
is nothing wrong with Llovera, prefect of the Congregation for Divine
observing the Chinese Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments;
Culture but Chinese Archbishop Raymond Burke, prefect of the Su-
Catholics should keep preme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and
a prayerful life and be Archbishop Willem Eijk of Utrecht, primate of
faithful to their Catholic Holland. (CNA)
religion.
“God is present in other religion lics to understand and respect the
and culture so the belief in Feng Chinese’s way of life, adding that
Shui, Astrology, and praying at Bud- their Catholic faith should keep them
dhist temples should be perceived as united amid cultural differences.
instruments that all draws us closer “We should respect each other’s
to God. As such, we discourage too culture. Let us extend respect, under-
much dependence on culture espe- standing and solidarity to our Chinoy
cially up to the point that faith in God brothers and sisters so we can live
is compromised,” he said. harmoniously with each other,” he
Jaucian also urged Filipino Catho- added. (Kris Bayos)
A4
EDITORIAL
A ‘Lenten’ justice
THROUGH his pontifical reign, Pope Benedict XVI has a
cadence of Lenten messages seemingly orchestrated as a
syllabus starting with his first in 2006 when he talked about
development—but development that transcended like the
“gaze” of Christ (Mt 9:36) that penetrated worldly cares towards
eschatological demands.
In the years that followed, he dwelt on the traditional “weapons”
of the Lenten warfare, namely, prayer (2007), almsgiving
(2008) and fasting (2009). In these messages which are heavily
pervaded with his encyclical Deus caritas est, the Holy Father
looks at the 40-day season as a time of “spiritual battle…
armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so
as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed
in the spirit.”
This year he proceeds with “The Justice of God has been
manifested through faith in Jesus Christ.” Veering away for the
classical definition of justice which maybe said to be anyway
fictitious in that it does not really specify what “due” is to be
rendered to each person, the Pontiff opines that the real justice
is actually gratuitous, it is a grace from God who never makes
any accounting of what is due to man. Because, truth to tell, what
is due to man is condemnation due to his immense sinfulness.
The Psalms says it better, “Lord if only you would account for
our sins, who would survive?” (Ps 130:3).
Indeed, the divine justice is a chasm away from human justice
in that one receives contrary to what is his “due”. The Pope
says, “The fact that ‘expiation’ flows from the ‘blood’ of
Christ signifies that it is not man’s sacrifices that free him
from the weight of his faults, but the loving act of God who
opens Himself the ‘curse’ due to man so as to give in return
the ‘blessing’ due to God.”
Simply put, “Lenten” justice is mercy, personified in Christ
who paid an exorbitant price through the justice of the cross.
Which is why, it is useless to be self-righteous because it is a
lie. Those who walk around brandishing their certificate of good
moral character to prove to the world that they are righteous
like the Pharisees, have no right to claim divine justice, God’s
mercy—only the sinners do.
Development, Justice and Peace
BY development we mean the development of every person
and of the whole person, of all people, especially the poor by
reason of the evangelical option for the poor. (Cf. Luke 6:18)
Several UN “Decades of Development” have come and gone,
and still we witness increasing poverty and widening of the
gap between rich and poor.
The causes can be analyzed to death. Often we hear the facile
attribution of our situation of poverty and underdevelopment to
the many natural disasters that we have suffered and continue to
suffer. They do have something to do with our poverty. But we
cannot ignore the part human responsibility plays. (Cf. Amos 1:6)
The unrestrained polluting of air and water resources through
power plants and factories and the abusive exploitation of our
natural resources through, for instance, irresponsible mining and
logging, geothermal plants and dams, etc. continue unabated in
many parts of our country, slowly destroying for the sake of short
term financial gains for the few and powerful elite the very life
system of our environment: We live under a social structure in
which graft and corruption have been deeply imbedded.
Our impoverishment, we see, are due to many factors. But
greed for power and wealth is today, more than ever it seems,
the greatest contributing factor. It has led to the worsened
deprivation of many, to the exodus of men and women in
quest of word abroad, to the gaining of easy money through
criminality and exploitive vice.
More than ever, we are keenly aware that criminality and
development are antithetical, and so are poverty on the one hand,
and justice and peace on the other. There is an intimate linkage
between the one and the other. The enduring solution to criminality
and vice is thus not simply the imposition of quick justice,
sadly lacking as it is, but more basically the genuine equitable
development of every person in civil society. The ultimate solution
to poverty is not simply economic development but even more
basically, justice and peace—justice to address the inequitable
structures of society which beget poverty; peace to provide the
conditions under which we can work out our development. On
justice and peace, then, true human development is based. From
justice and peace, development is begotten.
And it is good to recall here what the Holy Father said at
Malacañang at his first visit to the Philippines in 1981, namely,
that governments cannot sacrifice the human rights of its citizens
in the name of economic development.
This deeper perspective of today’s social and economic issues
compounds our concern about the directions that economic
development is taking in our country and the roles that the
various branches of our government are playing, whether
collaborative or antagonistic vis-à-vis one another. Their roles
must be based firstly and firmly on the good of all and not on
allegiances or alliances for self-interest, and certainly not on
political grandstanding.
A CBCP Pastoral Letter on
Development—the Fruit of Justice and Peace, 1996
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
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Layout Artist and Online Editor Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com-
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ISSN 1908-2940
Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Vulgar. Lewd. Gross.
Views and Points
HAPPY Valentine! Short time! Free condoms! would become eventually HIV AIDS free, then a tall monument
How long could supposedly high public officials in this govern- should be eventually built in their honor.
ment go? How juvenile could such seemingly responsible adults be? Has it already become humanly impossible for people to learn
To what extent would they entice young people to be promiscuous the truth and accept the fact that they may not fool around with
unlimited? How far are they willing to go precisely to promote God, kick around His Commandments, mess up with His teaching
sexually transmitted diseases? about human dignity which is now going down the drain, about
Distributing free condoms in public. Telling a man and woman the sacredness of sex which has now sadly become “dangerous” for
to sexually desire one another without being spouses. Instigat- which people then even need “protection”! It is said that “Crime
ing Filipinos to carnally covet someone not their spouse. Helping does not pay.” Well and good! But much more so “Sin does not pay.”
multinational pharmaceuticals to sell their products contrary to the In fact, it is costly and even deadly at times, here and now—never
dictate of elementary ethics. Making HIV AIDS and other sex related mind the hereafter and beyond.
plague, the order of the day. These are in fact, the unsaid but well Where do broken bodies go? Do they find their way safely home?
advertised message of such pretentiously caring individuals during And how do promoters of promiscuity feel? Do they have peace
the otherwise lovely day! when alone? Finally, what do forwarders of immorality eventually
One unsolicited advice: If those thus over-preoccupied and ever- get? Do they receive warm applauses and eminent plaques of ap-
caring individuals responsible for the ignominy of the day were preciation? There must be still some sanity among Filipinos. There
really convinced that what they nonchalantly or even proudly did, should still remain some rational thinking and reasonable public
would truly combat the spread of sexually transmitted maladies in officials in the country.
the country, then with their dear and endearing collaborators they Time and again, the faded and still fading administration is much
should ardently and avidly do the same 24 hours a day, seven days preoccupied and even spending much to advertise its “legacy”. Well,
a week! And if through their fervent public service, the Philippines here is an eminent one for the record: “FREE CONDOMS”!
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
PAL Foundation
saving lives Love Life
LOVELY is a six-year old girl but she is as and her mom for several months. All these The PAL Foundation was established
tiny as a one year-old baby. Her mother were possible because of the services of in 1992, in the aftermath of the Mt. Pina-
pushes her around in a small wheel chair as Philippine Airlines Foundation. Lovely and tubo disaster.  It received an annual grant
she cannot walk nor sit by herself in a regu- her mom stayed in Welcome House, a crisis of PhP1,000,000 from Philippine Airlines,
lar chair. She was born with no hands and shelter for girls and women run by the Good which it used to give small cash grants for
feet—just stubs at the end of her extremities. Shepherd Sisters until they were able to selected projects such as providing water
Her eyes are just slits and you can hardly see leave for Sydney. The host family of Lovely pumps in one barrio in Quezon Province,
her eyeball, and she cannot open her mouth in Australia kept us updated. Although the for micro-finance, and community develop-
wide enough for a spoon to enter. So she has medical assessment was that Lovely could ment. 
been sipping her food (blended rice and veg- not be operated on till she reached 14 years The PAL Medical Travel and Cargo Grants
etables) ever since she was an infant and that old, when she would stop growing, so as not program benefit charity patients and support
is why she is so tiny and malnourished. To to have her undergo repeat surgeries as she medical mission teams. In the past, there had
top it all, she cannot talk because she cannot was growing, she was given a lot of other been a ceiling of P100,000 on the worth of
open her mouth. Her mother says she was medical attention and advices on how to tickets or cargo the Foundation could give
only two months pregnant when she had se- develop her, feed her so she does not become to a surgical mission team.  But the Board
vere infections. She was given massive doses malnourished, and how to avoid infections. realized that the value of the surgeries for
of antibiotics which could have resulted in Lovely and her mom returned to the Phil- impoverished Filipinos in remote areas
the multiple disabilities of Lovely. ippines (to Welcome House) last January, justified sponsoring entire surgical teams
Lovely was scheduled to leave for Aus- looking healthier and there was certainly a with discounts or free excess baggage for
tralia last December for surgery—beginning glow in her eyes. their equipment and supplies.  The more
with her mouth, and on to the other defective Lovely is not the first child that PAL Foun- complex individual patients are given grants
parts of her body. It has taken almost a year dation has helped to secure such services. to go to Manila or even abroad should they
since arrangements began for her to travel, Menchu Aguino Sarmiento, the Executive be so fortunate as to have been accepted
with so many medical check-ups, searching Director since 1999, has assisted dozens of for free care elsewhere.  In corresponding
for a hospital that will perform the surger- children to have a second chance in life be- with the other charities abroad which were
ies, and a foster family that would host her cause of her persistence and generosity. Life / A6
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Lent is about dying to
Candidly Speaking be born again
WITH Ash Wednesday, we enter a new season of Lent. In spite of whole happy truth about it, without avoiding and without getting
the gloom and austerity usually associated with it, there’s actually entangled with its essentially penitential character.
something new and bright to it. With gift of tongues, with elegance and naturalness, let’s tell ev-
That’s because Lent involves a certain dying to ourselves so we eryone we need to embrace the cross, the Cross of Christ, to be able
can be born again in Christ. to resurrect from our damaged, sinful nature.
That’s the plain truth about Lent. All the sacrifices, mortifications Obviously, for this we have to recount the whole truth about
and penance, the fasting and abstinence, are meant to cure us of our ourselves. I know that there are all sorts of ideologies and isms
old man so we can be a new man in Christ. about what and who we really are. We should not hesitate to offer
Remember St. Paul to the Ephesians: “Put off…the old man…and the Christian view, using the appropriate terms and arguments to
be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And put on the new man, transmit it as integrally as possible.
who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.” Of course, we have to respect everyone’s views. No matter how
(4, 22-24) different and even conflicting these views may be, let’s continue with
We need to proclaim this truth of our faith more widely and vigor- an abiding dialogue in search for the whole truth about ourselves.
ously these days. Even if, thank God, we can still count on a large Toward this end, let’s foster friendship and mutual trust always.
number of Christian faithful who still retain this understanding of Truth should always be pursued in charity. Its search should not be
Lent, we cannot be blind to a growing sector that seems oblivious just a matter of who is right and who is wrong, but more of grow-
to this reality. ing in our love for one another, since it’s love that ultimately makes
To a certain extent, this truth is facing the possibility of an endan- truth come out.
gered species, what with all the secularizing elements around us This is the “game plan” lived by Christ himself even offering his life on
now, the consumerism, the hedonism and greed, etc. the Cross for it. With it we can hope to soften the rough and sharp edges
Our evangelization about Lent has to reach further than the usual of our differences, paving the way for true unity among ourselves.
traditional areas. It now has to enter deep into cyberspace, and has We ought to be one since we are all children and people of God,
to tango and tangle hand-to-hand with current issues in the different and we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of our differences.
fields of human affairs—business, politics, sciences, etc. Lent should put our full attention to the necessity of the Christ’s
We have to find ways to make this truth shine out in all its glory. Cross in our life. It is what re-creates us. It perfects the precarious
For, indeed, Lent is good news, not bad news. We need to show the Speaking / A5
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Pastoral Companion
LAST January 13-17, I joined a Philippine delegation composed of
three Catholic bishops, five Muslim Ulama and professors, three
Protestant bishops and pastor, and several government officials on a
trip to Pakistan. Upon invitation of Pakistan’s President extended to
President Gloria Arroyo, we, representatives of the Bishops-Ulama
Conference (BUC), went to Islamabad to share our experience in
inter-religious dialogue and also to learn from Pakistan’s govern-
ment officials and religious leaders about their efforts in providing
equal rights for religious minorities.
The BUC delegation was headed by its convenors—Archbishop
Fernando Capalla for the Catholics, Dr. Hamid Barra and Judge
Aboali Cali for the Muslims, and Bishop Hilario Gomez, Jr., for the
Protestants. Bishop Edwin de la Peña from the Prelature of St. Mary’s
in Marawi, and myself from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro,
completed the Catholic participation. Official head of the Philippine
delegation was Secretary General Isabel Tobias of the Presidential
Council on Interfaith Initiatives.
On our first day in the nation’s capital, we visited the Minister for
Minorities Affairs, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, himself a Christian. This was
followed by an interfaith meeting with ulama and other Pakistani
religious leaders. Both Philippine and Pakistani spokespersons af-
firmed each group’s adherence to dialogue and respect for diverse
religious traditions.
On the second day, the delegation was received by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Senate. They both ex-
pressed Pakistan’s desire to promote a culture of dialogue within
their country as well as throughout the world. Indeed, together
with the Philippines, Pakistan has taken the initiative to promote a
U.N. forum for inter-religious dialogue. At the same time, Pakistan
has supported the Philippine government’s bid for observer status
in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Philippines’
participation in this world body of predominantly Muslim coun-
tries would have a significant bearing on the ongoing peace talks
in Mindanao.
On the third day, we had a chance to visit the imposing King Faisal
Mosque, one of the largest places of worship in the Muslim world.
Surrounded by its four towers, and rising above one sector of the
planned city of Islamabad, the mosque was a gift of the King of Saudi
Arabia in the 50’s, when Pakistan was creating its own identity as
a nation after its partition from the British Raj. Last year, Pakistan
and the Philippines celebrated 60 years of bilateral ties.
From the mosque, we passed by Said Pur village where Muslims
The Word—from the
Opinion
Journey to an
Islamic State
and Hindus still had their places of worship—an example of inter-
faith co-existence over the years.
We next had a session at the Council of Islamic Ideology, a govern-
ment- affiliated academic center that clarifies the authentic mean-
ing of Islam. The center has published several fatwas pronounced
by ulama and other religious leaders condemning terrorism and
extremism.
Our final stop was made after a quick ride to the twin city of
Rawalpindi where we visited the Catholic Cathedral of the Diocese
of Rawalpindi. Auxiliary Bishop Ruffin Anthony and his assistant
showed us the cathedral which in shape and size reminded me of
the cathedral in Cagayan de Oro. It was also a pleasant surprise to
meet two Daughters of St. Paul, one of them a Filipina missionary,
taking care of the cathedral’s bookstore and helping several Pakistani
Catholic youth entertain our delegation.
Despite the warmth of our reception in all the places we visited, we
could not help notice the tight security surrounding hotels and public
buildings, including the cathedral. Over the past few years, Pakistan
has been undergoing a period of terrorist bombings, and internal
conflicts involving Sunni and Shiite Muslims, majority Muslims
vis-à-vis minority religious groups, and Taliban-inspired militants
versus government forces. At the same time the government’s efforts
to revise or revoke the “blasphemy laws” that have been prejudicial
to religious minority communities are under careful scrutiny.
A breakfast meeting with the Filipino Apostolic Nuncio, Arch-
bishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, gave us three Catholic bishops a deeper
appreciation of how the Pakistani government (as well as our own
government in the Philippines) was reaching out to minority groups
to forge a just and lasting culture of peace.
In the case of Pakistan, with 96% of its population Muslim, public
officials base their efforts in promoting interfaith harmony on the
words of its founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who said in
1947: “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has
nothing to do with the business of the state. We are starting in the
days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one
community and another. We are starting with this fundamental
principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of the state.”
It is in this light that the joint efforts of the Philippines and Pakistan
to promote a dialogue among religious traditions instead of a “clash
of civilizations” will have far-reaching consequences in other parts
of the globe. A world without wars can only begin when religions
are at peace, and the state treats all religions equally.
Jose B. Lugay
A5
Commentary
Monaco to Mongolia:
population density
and prosperity
By Vincenzina Santoro
“STOP the World—I Want to Get Off” was the title of a hit
Broadway play some years ago. Today, getting people off the
planet is what the United Nations population control crowd
would like to do in order to “save” it. After the failed Copen-
hagen climate control confabulation last December, they will be
refocusing their strategy and may target the presumed horrors
of overpopulation in the form of large concentrations of people
in any given place.
The constantly updating “population clock” of the U.S. Census
Bureau showed that the U.S. population was over 308 million
and world population not quite 6.8 billion as I write. To the
population worriers, these numbers are far too many. Popula-
tion nihilists conjure up horrendous stories of hordes of people
living extremely closely together in dire poverty, clamoring for
scarce resources. Fewer people equals less carbon footprints,
they claim.
What about “overcrowding?” China’s coercive one-child policy
to explicitly curb population is well known, but is China that
densely populated? Not at all, when one looks at the relevant
data. While the population of China at 1.3 billion is the highest
of any country in the world, China ranks only 53rd out of 192
countries in terms of population density, as can be observed in
data assembled by the CIA.
This begs the question: Which is the most densely populated
country on earth? It happens to be Monaco—that wonderful
principality bordering France on the Mediterranean. Monaco is
by far the most densely populated country, with a population of
only 32,140 but a population density of 41,971 per square mile.
Singapore is the distant second, followed by Malta.
What is life like in Monaco? Certainly not what the popula-
tion doomsayers would predict. The tiny country has one of the
highest standards of living, quality of life and personal wealth
anywhere on earth. Per capita income is the 20th highest in
the world, according to the World Bank. Monaco’s population
density is 2.5 times that of next ranking Singapore, which is
also among the most prosperous countries, and life in Malta is
equally pleasant.
The least densely populated country is Mongolia, sandwiched
between China and Russia, which has a density of only five
persons per square mile and a total population of 2.8 million.

Pope’s Household
IT was a big event at the Araneta Coliseum.
The date—January 28. Attendance—15,000
delegates from 8 dioceses of Manila queuing
at the huge auditorium since 7 a.m., one hour
and a half before the start of the opening
ceremony—a procession of the Two Hearts
and St. John Mary Vianney. The magnet of
the event—Fr. Raniero Cantalamesa, OF-
MCap, a preacher of the Papal household.
It was a welcome opportunity to hear the
“word” directly from Pope Benedict XVI’s
household. He came to be the main speaker
for no less than 5,542 attending priests for
the Second Clergy Congress representing 87
dioceses all over the Philippines,
Fr. Cantalamessa is known and respected
for his authoritative interpretation of the
teachings of the present Holy Father as
well as the papal encyclicals of Pope John
Paul II. Dwelling on the theme of the “Year
for Priests (2009 –2010)”, “Faithfulness of
Christ, Faithfulness of Priests”, he admon-
ished the Filipino clergy to be true to their
calling and relayed the Pope’s call to holi-
ness for the entire clergy of the Philippines.
This was Fr. Cantalamessa’s 4th trip to the
Philippines so he knows the strengths and
weaknesses of the clergy and the laity of the
most Catholic country in Asia. His coming to
stay from Jan. 25–29 was a welcome oppor-
tunity to give inputs during the Philippine
priests’ retreat which was held at the World
Trade Center in Pasay City. When the priests
converged from the provinces for 5 days in
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
Laiko Lampstand
Manila, parishioners all over the Philippines As he ably expressed these very relevant
missed attending their daily masses, a fitting issues to the diocesan laity in clear and
sacrifice for the anticipated enlightenment on understandable language, the lay delegates
the clergy-laity relationship. requested for copies of Fr. Cantalamesa’s
Knowing the extent of involvement of speeches. This is now being reproduced by
the Filipino laity in the development of the the LAIKO office for dissemination. In brief,
Church in Asia, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa the coverage of Fr. Canalamessa’s two ses-
accommodated the request of Cardinal sions is outlined below:
Gaudencio Rosales to give a talk directly The vocations of the laity: in the Church:
to the laity of Manila. Bishop Gabriel V. 1) Unity and Diversity in the Church; 2)
Reyes was given the task as coordinator to The Exercise of Charisms, 3) Clergy and
prepare and manage the event while he was the Laity, the One People of God. Marriage
still serving as National Director of LAIKO. and family according to the Bible: 1) Part
Through the leadership of the newly in- I. Marriage and Family: the Divine Project
stalled President of Sangguniang Laiko ng and Human Achievement in the Old Testa-
Pilipinas, Bro. Ed Tirona, the program was ment; 2) Part II. Marriage and Family in the
prepared. Fr. Cantalamessa’s delivery of two New Testament: Christ’s Renewal of Mar-
talks specifically for the laity was received riage, Marriage and Family in the Apostolic
by the audience with enlightenment on their Church; Part III. What the Bible Teaches Us
role as evangelizers—a role they have to Today: Objection to the biblical ideal, An
play as baptized Christians. Well planned, ideal that must be rediscovered.
with Elim choir and Jamie Rivera giving In a fitting closing ceremony, the mass of-
the needed intermission, the sharing of ficiated by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales was
prominent speakers reminded the crowd of followed by the Commissioning of the Laity
the laity’s present efforts and challenges for of the Archdiocese of Manila.
social transformation. The speakers were Bo Congratulations are in order for the efforts
Sanchez, the Sumpayco couple of CFC, and of Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes and the logistical
Corteza Macahilig, a government witness support of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas
to the advocacy work on anti-graft and cor- under the direction of Bishop Jesse Mercado,
ruption. Their sharing brought meaning and the present National Director.
relevance to the two major talks of Fr. Canta- This event augurs well for improved cler-
lamessa: ‘THE VOCATION OF THE LAITY gy-laity relationship, the key to the proper
IN THE CHURCH” and “MARRIAGE AND implementation of the badly needed social
FAMILY ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE”. reforms after the May 2010 elections.
A more
A mountainous and cold country, it too has a vast territory,
though much smaller than its two mega-neighbors, and its
partly nomadic people rank among the world’s poorest in per
capita income.
Of the five most populous countries—China, India, USA, Indo-
nesia, and Russia—India, China, and Indonesia rank 18th, 53rd,
and 60th in population density, respectively. India and China
each have a population exceeding one billion, but they are not
nearly as crowded as other places. The USA with a fertility rate
that currently is at the replacement level of 2.1, ranks number
142 on the list, while Russia, the world’s largest country in land
area, with an extremely low fertility rate of 1.4 and a population
already in decline, ranks as low as 177.
Although Africa is often the target of the population monitors,
data do not corroborate their concerns. The United Nations popu-
lation counters let it be known recently that Africa’s population
had just reached the one billion mark. Even so, Africa accounts
for only 15 per cent of global population, compared with 60 per
cent for Asia. Among the 50 least densely populated countries,
19 are African. Of the 50 most densely populated countries only
two are on the African continent: Rwanda and Burundi, and four
are small island nations—São Tomé and Principe (in the Gulf of
Guinea) and Mauritius, the Comoros and the Seychelles (in the
Indian Ocean) which are considered part of Africa.
At a conference in New York on January 22nd, a highly ac-
claimed demographer who formerly headed the Population
Division at the United Nations asked the hypothetical question:
What would happen if all the 6.8 billion people currently on
earth were to move to the United States? His answer was that the
U.S. population density would become the same as that of the
Netherlands! Moreover, New York, the most populous city in the
United States with a population of 8.5 million has a population
density of 26, 403 per square mile—less than that of Monaco.
And a final word about Monaco. Land-wise, all of Monaco
can fit comfortably into the 1.32 square miles of New York City’s
Central Park.
So, when we hear the cry that there are “too many people”
here or there, we should ask, “Too many people for what?” It is
all relative to the culture and the economy of the place. Those
are the things we should be working to change, if necessary, not
the number of people.

By the Roadside meaningful Lent (Vincenzina Santoro is an international economist in New

I USED to know a priest who weighed more than two hundred
pounds. We were seated at table when the conversation turned to
the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” It was his turn to
give his answer and he looked at us gravely as though the issue was
a matter of life and death. Then he said: “Physical exercise.”
I always have this suspicion that Lent is, for most of us Catholics, a
break from our excesses during Christmas, New Year, Sto. Niño and
other festivities that go before or come after it, principally motivated
(or shall I say ‘dampened’) by the cultivated consciousness of the
Lord’s suffering and death on the cross we would be meditating on
and which, being more or less inspired by tons of guilt-feelings over
our immoderations, leads us to embracing “acts of penance”, namely,
the Stations of the Cross, fasting and abstinence, somber prayerful-
ness, charity (if that’s not too distracting of us going through the
preceding motions). Of course, there’s basically nothing abnormal
about that. It should pain us though that despite all the catechesis
we have received and continue to give on the essential link of Lent
to the renewal of our baptismal promises, we still think of Lent as a
time of ‘giving up’ instead of a ‘taking up’.
It’s not that I disagree with the ‘giving up’ part. It’s just that I think
we often forget the ‘taking up’ component that completes it.
We give up some food or drink (by fasting and abstinence) in order
to take up our responsibility to the hungry and the disadvantaged
among us. There’s a great ascetical value to our saying no to our ap-
petites but that value becomes eternal when it becomes an avenue to
love and charity. In this sense fasting and abstinence is not confined
to food and beverage but, in fact, can include anything we can con-
vert into something that expresses love for God and neighbor. When
I refrain from cursing during traffic jams or from hurling invectives
at politicians I intensely disagree with or from abusing my author-
ity as a priest by imposing especially on the poor high fees for my
‘services’ (a word that, in effect, becomes a ‘misnomer’), I am also
doing fasting and abstinence as much as when I refrain from food
or meat. The point is that when I deny something I really would
like for myself, it’s clearly an admirable act. But when I do that so
I would be able to give something good as an expression of charity
to another person who needs it probably more than I (such as food,
clothing, respect for one’s dignity, support etc.), a merely admirable
act becomes a Christian act.
In the Philippines (particularly in the rural poor where this author
ministers) meat is mostly food identified with the rich or middle
class, the poor being only able to indulge it in certain times and cir-
cumstances, such as during fiestas or major celebrations. I remember
a priest explaining how fasting can mean eating only once in a day
to a barangay community when a gaunt-looking man remarked,
“In that case I’ve been fasting all my life, Padre…” If our fasting
does not help raise our hungry and disadvantaged to the level their
dignity deserves, then our fasting could become an empty show. In
a word, we give up food and drink in order ultimately to take up
our responsibility to struggle for real justice as a way to real peace
in our archipelago.
There are other things I suggest we give up during Lent as much
as afterwards.
We must give up merely relying on human sources of strength in
order to connect to our real Source. This is the whole point to the time
we must spend in prayer and silence during and beyond Lent. Jesus,
the gospels tell us, spent whole “nights” in prayer, being connected
with the Father. At most, we spend fifteen to thirty minutes of the
same. And we complain whenever there are efforts to prolong the
time of prayer and silence in the church or in our gatherings. Isn’t
it vulgar that we can spend hours and hours in meetings, delibera-
tions and conversations among ourselves, in discussing programs
and policies, in dissecting the news and politicians’ idiosyncrasies, in
watching television and a limitless variety of film, and yet have very
little time with the One who Matters Most who also makes things
really matter—namely, the God of our salvation? If the problems of
the country and the Church in the country are so grave—and there’s
no disputing that, whatever sides we take in the political or social
arena—then why are we not spending as much time getting in touch
with the one who has the greatest power to help us?
We must give up cynicism and indifference in order to take up our
responsibility to raise our country from the pit of hopelessness. The
cynicism and indifference in the masses of Filipinos could be palpable
in the general lack of approval we give to our leaders and our lack on
faith in our democratic institutions, however deserved. But it doesn’t
take genius to realize how after giving in to cynicism and indifference
we are still where we are as a nation. Real penance means that we cast
away these two incentives to inaction and non-involvement.
York City. She represents the American Family Association of
New York at the United Nations. This article is printed under
a special arrangement with Mercatornet)
We must give up listening mainly to politicians, economists and
technocrats in order to take up our responsibility to listen to the real
voices of the poor. If you listen to the politicians (the incumbent ones
especially) in my province you would think we are on the brink of
prosperity. The truth is, we are somewhat in between being on the
brink of pity or popular rage because of the crass and unacceptable
gap between what we hear (political propaganda) and what we
see (perpetually bad roads, unemployment, unproductive lands,
unexplained loss of public revenues, unexplained wealth of people
in power etc.). The effort to listen to the real voices of the poor has
been a struggle even for us in the Church. But we must begin and,
where we have begun, we must not close our ears even when the
truth is not pleasant to hear. The reason is simple. Only with our
poor, in their massive number, can we expect to truly to co-discern
where the Spirit is really leading us in our feeble efforts to finally
arrive at a place called “Freedom of the Children of God”.
Speaking / A4
condition of our first creation, when we only knew how to enjoy
the good but would not know what to do when we get into the
ways of evil.
The Cross brings us to Christ. “If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt 16, 24)
This is actually a formula we should always engrave in our hearts.
The Cross teaches us the true and complete ways of love. We often
have our own ideas of love that are usually sweet and sugary, but
actually incomplete, even twisted and detached from its true source
and pattern.
The Cross extends the dimensions of our life, going beyond our
natural limits so it can merge with God’s own life. We are meant for
this. We have been designed for this.
That we have the senses, that we have intelligence and will, that
we have been given grace—all these are meant to enable us to enter
into communion with God and with everyone else. They are not for
us to enjoy by ourselves.
It’s the Cross that makes all these feasible. And Lent is there is to
remind us of it, and to rehearse and prepare us for it.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Namfrel warns Comelec: ‘We’ll

be watching you’ Anti-mining barangay chief
in Mindoro shot dead
A POLL watchdog vowed to keep an eye The Comelec said that Namfrel found- A STAUNCH anti-mining barangay official in Oriental Mind-
on the conduct of the country’s first ever ing chairman Jose Conception is a known oro was shot dead in his house by still unknown assailants on
automated elections in May to prevent staunch critic of deposed President Es- February 10.
massive fraud. trada, who will again be running in the Ricardo Ganat, 56, president of Association of Barangay Cap-
With the elections barely three months May elections. tains (ABC) in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro was at the terrace of
away, the National Movement for Free It noted that Conception was among the his house, buying fish from ambulant vendors when he was shot
Elections (Namfrel) said the capabilities most vocal personalities who called for by two men, according to reports.
of the new system have not been fully Estrada’s ouster in 2000. Ganad sustained wounds in different parts of the body and
established. Namfrel had links with another former was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital.
“People are understandably nervous president, the late Corazon Aquino, whose The motive for the killing is still unknown as the police and
that many things could go wrong or that son is also running for President, the poll the National Bureau of Investigation is pursuing their investi-
it would simply facilitate wholesale cheat- body said. gation. Authorities are also working on the identification of the
ing,” Namfrel said in a statement. And Namfrel chairman Jose Cuisia was two murder suspects.
The statement came a week after the reported to have rubbed elbows with Fr. Edu Gariguez of Mangyan Mission and spokesperson
Commission on Elections (Comelec) re- Aquino during a protest rally in Makati of ALAMIN, an anti-mining group in Mindoro, said Ganad’s
jected Namfrel’s petition to be accredited City against the Arroyo administration. family suspects that politics could be one of the reasons for his
as a citizen’s arm, citing the group’s par- murder.
tiality to certain political sectors. ‘Insult’ “ABC Ganad is an ally and supporter of Mayor Alfredo Ortega,
Namfrel's co-petitioner is the National The Comelec’s accusation, however, left Jr., the incumbent Mayor of Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, who
Secretariat for Social Action of Justice and a bad taste in the mouth of Namfrel. is a staunch oppositor to the Mindoro Nickel Project of Intex
Peace (Nassa) of the Catholic Bishops' “To deny Namfrel accreditation be- Resources,” said Gariguez.
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). cause two of its officials are allegedly Gariguez, who went to the wake of the slain official said
“Come 2010 elections, the Namfrel volunteers will reunite, and ‘partisan’ is to insult the integrity and patriotism of its 5,000 Ganad’s murder created a ‘tense’ situation in the locality.
together with CBCP-Nassa and other electoral watchdogs, mobilize volunteers—the youth, professionals, businessmen, religious, “I talked to three Municipal counselors of the said Municipal-
our countrymen to vigilance once more,” the statement read. peasants, urban poor, labor—who come together during elec- ity and they confided that they are not discounting the angle
“You cannot kill the Namfrel spirit,” it added. tions, set aside their personal preferences and unite in one goal: that the killing might have been related to the mining issue,”
the conduct of free and fair elections,” it said. Gariguez explained.
Partisan The commission also said it cannot anymore accredit Namfrel “Although Ganad was elected on his anti-mining stand, he
The poll body said that the poll watchdog failed to qualify because because it had given its nod to the Parish Pastoral Council for Re- was reported to have been approached several times by the pro-
of the impartiality clause. sponsible Voting (PPCRV) as its citizens’ arm. (Roy Lagarde) mining group to join their side in exchange for certain favors,”
he further said.

‘A truly pro-family candidate is non-corrupt’

A REAL pro-life and pro-family candidate would
also be non-corrupt, an official of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
clarified recently.
Fr. Melvin Castro denied reports quoting him
of telling the public that one can vote for any
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
front of the church’s campaign against RH bill.
According to him, the church never sees any
conflict between family and life values and the
other moral issues.
“Instead, consistency with family and life
principles would mean good governance, leaders
During the election for the post of ABC presidency, about two
years ago, Ganad run versus a declared pro-mining contender.
ALAMIN Victoria (anti-mining group) supported Ganad in his
bid and actually lobbied for his election to the post.
The cold-blood murder of Ganad has left those oppos-
ing the mining project of Intex feeling scared, according to
Gariguez.
“They think that the precision by which the killing was ex-
ecuted was a trademark of hired killer out to frighten the groups

anti-reproductive health bill candidate even if that
politician is corrupt.
“While we maintain and affirm the highest
importance of the sanctity of life and the family,
it is not to neglect other issues affecting Philippine
society,” he said.
Castro is the executive secretary of the CBCP’s
Fr. Melvin Castro Commission on Family and Life which is at the fore-
whose vision is for the good of family and hence,
non-corrupt leaders,” said Castro.
The CBCP earlier has issued “election guide-
lines” discouraging the Catholic flock from voting
anyone who supports artificial family planning.
The bishops said voters who would elect pro-RH
bill candidates would become willing accomplices
to “evil”. (CBCPNews)
and personalities like Ganad who are against the mining opera-
tion, he said. (CBCPNews)
May polls / A1
opposition forces engaged in campaigning for the presidential elec-
tion of May 2010” which they tagged as a political threat “to those
currently in power”.
Excerpts of the interview were posted on the website (www.eni.
ch) of the Geneva, Switzerland-based ENI.

Prelates air best choices for presidency in May polls The church leaders also sought the release of the 43 health workers
arrested in Morong, Rizal last Feb. 6 for allegedly being members of
the communist insurgents.
AS the political campaign season shifts to to stop graft and corrupt practices at all levels Philippines. They have condemned the arrest and said they are worried about
high gear, Catholic bishops have under- and branches of government. “How would these presidential aspirants reports of torture being inflicted on those held by the military.
scored the need for good governance and rid “I would like to know what these presi- pursue the peace process?” he asked. He The call for the release of those detained was made last Thursday
the country of graft and corruption. dential aspirants plan to do with past graft said the next president should sincerely in a letter sent to President Gloria Arroyo.
In a random survey among Catholic bish- and corrupt practices committed by previous address poverty, illegal drugs, lack of social Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches (WCC) general
ops over the weekend, most of the bishops government executives,” Iniguez said. services and corruption. secretary, said they are concerned on the arrest of Dr. Alex Montes,
said they would like to know the candidates’ Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo Catarman Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, plus
specific programs against graft and corrup- would like to know the presidential aspirants’ expressed concern on peace-building, envi- the 42 others.
tion in government along with measures to specific programs to guarantee transparency ronmental protection and human develop- “I am distressed by the reported news that the detainees have been
mitigate poverty in both rural and urban and accountability in government. ment. The prelate said he is interested to subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment amounting to torture
areas. Sorsogon Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD know the presidential candidates’ views on and that they have been deprived of their basic human rights while
“I will ask them how they will stop cor- said presidential aspirants should unveil military presence in the countryside, and the in custody,” said Tveit.
ruption in government,” former CBCP presi- their strategies to rid the country of graft and unfinished and slow infrastructure projects Tveit said that Montes is a committed church worker and a
dent and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo corruption “from top to bottom.” in Eastern Visayas. long-time staff of the UCCP, a member of the WCC, a grouping
said. He further said that he would also ask Bastes said if and when the country’s next Batanes Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio wants that represents more than 560 million Christians in 349 churches
presidential aspirants “not to become part president successfully puts a stop to graft and to know what the country’s next presi- worldwide.
of corrupt practices and commit one’s self corruption, he or she would rise to become dent would do if anti-life and anti-family In his letter to Arroyo, Tveit noted that he is familiar with
to honesty and accountability should he or the country’s greatest chief executive. measures get enacted by both Houses of the UCCP and its leadership, and that Montes had been instru-
she wins the presidency.” Coming from the less developed portion Congress. mental in developing community-based health programs in the
For his part, CBCP Vice President and Palo of Quezon Province, Gumaca Bishop Bue- Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose C. Sorra Philippines.
Archbishop Jose Palma said presidential naventura M. Famadico wants to know the wants to hear programs geared towards “It is therefore more than unfortunate that Dr. Alex Montes and his
aspirants should make clear their strategies presidential aspirants’ programs to reduce human development from the presidential co-workers were arrested and detained while they were involved in
to end graft and corrupt practices and al- poverty and improve the poor people’s lot. aspirants. legitimate activities of humanitarian services as part of their Christian
leviate poverty. Still from the country’s poorest province Sounding optimistic, Lipa Archbishop witness,” Tveit wrote.
Both Kalookan Bishop Deogracias S. of Maguindanao, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Ramon C. Arguelles said he hopes the next The United Church of Canada also joined its Philippine partners
Iñiguez, Jr. and Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Jose Colin M. Bagaforo would like to be president would be good, honest and truly in urging Arroyo to release the health workers, whom the military
Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr. agreed with Arch- appraised of the candidates’ views on the loves the people and institute changes for alleged to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
bishop Palma’s views, emphasizing the need rebellion and Muslim militancy in southern the better. (Melo M. Acuña) “We join our partners and many international groups in calling
on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately order the
Lent / A1 release of the 43 health care workers who are now in illegal deten-
where justice is enlivened by love.” “Your donation, no matter how small, will go a long way as it tion,” Omega Bula, who heads the Justice, Global and Ecumenical
It is natural for man to share freely, the pope further said, but only costs a mere ten pesos a day or P1,200 to feed a hungry child Relations Unit of the United Church of Canada.
egotistic tendencies sometimes lead him to commit acts of injustice, once a day, five days a week, for six months. You can save the life Last week, a joint team of police and members of the Army’s 16th
by thinking more of himself and less of others. of a Filipino child with P1,200,” he said. Infantry Battalion arrested 17 men and 26 women believed to be
In the last 5 years, the pernicious problem of hunger and malnutri- conducting an explosive training at the house of a certain Dr. Melecia
Prayer, fasting, almsgiving tion has worsened in the Philippines, the archbishop said. Velmonte in the village of Maybangcal, Morong.
Following the Holy Father, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardi- Initial results of 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted in The health workers, 26 females and 17 males, are detained in Camp
nal Rosales, in a pastoral letter for Ash Wednesday, urged the faithful 2008 show that three out of ten Filipino children are hungry and Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal until now.
to think more of those who have less in life while observing their malnourished. But the NCCP claimed those nabbed were community health
Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. They are underweight and stunted in their growth, the cardinal workers and doctors attending a health skill training organized by
“Good deed and almsgiving consist of self-sacrifice to serve and cited the report as saying. Worse, he added, the acute or severe cases the Council for Health Development (CHD) at Velmonte’s residence.
benefit others… By doing good, you can ease the emotional and of malnutrition are increasing. (CBCPNews)
physical pain of people in need,” the cardinal said. Rosales said the country now has more than 8 million Filipino
One such good deed is to respond to a call to feed the hungry children who are underweight and under height. Life / A4
children in our community, he added. While those who fast can give to any charity they see fit, partici- giving free care to Filipino children, Menchu developed a network,
With its program, “Fast… Feed,” the Archdiocese of Manila fights pants are encouraged to consider “Fast…Feed”, a program that will so that the PAL Foundation has been facilitating the referral and
poverty by asking people to fast and pray, while donating what they match all donations and use them to benefit the needy. acceptance of patients to Mending Kids International and certain
would have spent on food to create change in society and in the lives “The promise of Hapag-asa is to have fullness of life through Rotary International Gift of Life programs. She helps these foreign
of people through charities. feeding the body and feeding the spirit,” he said. charities evaluate whether a child should go there with a parent or
Rosales said the advocacy gives people an opportunity to make “Thus it not only gives out food for the hungry but also teaches whether the child can just get care here. 
a difference. children and their parents values that would lead them to a better But most of the PAL Medical Travel Grantees (especially the adults)
life,” Rosales added. go to Manila hospitals. It is hard to get Filipino families in Manila
Combating hunger and malnutrition The Church encourages its faithful to fast during the days of Lent. interested in hosting these indigents. Fortunately though, Welcome
Fast… Feed is actually a program being promoted by “Hapag- The Church prescribes obligatory fasting and abstinence on Ash House in Paco and the Queen of Peace Transient Patient Home in
asa,” a church-led initiative to combat hunger and malnutrition Wednesday and Fridays of Lent. Quezon City shelter the patients though they must still pay for
among children. The “Fast…Feed” program is being implemented through the their food and other needs.  The number of charity patients of all
Rosales appealed to the people “to support HAPAG-ASA in its efforts parishes which are designated to receive the donations from those ages varies in any given year. They are proud to say that they have
to care for hungry and malnourished children of our parishes.” participating in the program. (With reports from Roy Lagarde) assisted several conjoint twins (Siamese twins) undergo surgery in
the US for separation.
Sri Lanka / A2 St. Maron / A2 The PAL Foundation has also been giving free cargo for relief
for, the bishop said, “the more so now that live like men and women full of dignity.” on February 9 and will end on March 2, 2011, goods. Donations run into millions during relief efforts for Ty-
the war is over. For decades, our nation Caritas Sri Lanka director Fr. George Siga- Cardinal Sfeir explained that the purpose of phoons Reming, Frank and Ondoy, as they transported literally
endured a time of tragedy, violence and money also issued a statement. In it, he called the year is to pray, think, repent and to reflect tons of relief goods both within the Philippines and coming from
suffering. Now the sun has broken through on Christians to work on rebuilding the lives on history and learn lessons from it. abroad. Even during normal times, they give free transport for
the clouds and its light is giving our people of those who lived through 25 years of war. He then noted that the Jubilee Year will be DSWD goods and even for the Office of Civil Defense when the
hope in a lasting peace.” “A great task lies ahead,” he said. We must “one of special graces for individuals and the Air Force C-130 is unavailable. The PAL Foundation is registered
In his message, Msgr. Perera referred to “see the humanity of those in front us, and community,” as well as “a year of joy.” with the DSWD as a disaster response and crisis intervention
internally displaced people (IDP) who are establish a society that is free of partiality, According to SIR news agency, the patri- welfare organization.
still cause for tensions. injustice, violence and discrimination.” arch has instituted an organizing committee We, Good Shepherd Sisters assigned to Welcome House pray daily
“So many IDPs are still homeless, abused For this purpose, Caritas Sri Lanka had a for the celebrations of the 1600th anniversary that Lovely and her mom will be able to travel soon so that she can
and traumatised by the war and political poster and a booklet printed to be freely dis- of the death of St. Maron, to be led by Bishop receive the much-needed surgeries and have the chance to sing and
conflict . . . . It is high time we offered them tributed at its centres and in local parishes. Paul-Emile Saade of Batrun of the Maronites. dance and play like other children her age.
justice, compassion and love so that they can (AsiaNews) (CNA) God bless PAL Foundation for the hope they give to our people.
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
A7

Briefing
Tsinoy group offers bounty for hold-uppers’ arrest
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The local chapter of the Filipino-
Villagers barricade
Philex Mining’s entry
Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry has offered to
give P500,000 reward to any person who can provide informa-
tion that will lead to the arrest of the hold-uppers who shot dead
a Chinese businessman last Feb. 6. The businessmen believed
the only way for police to quickly solve the case and avoid
arresting fall guys is by offering reward money to the person
who can help in solving the case. (Bong D. Fabe)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Lakes, rivers and springs also
Priests must be in love with Christ, says Bishop Common, peaceful folks of the surround it.
LAOAG CITY—“We need priest who are in love with Christ,” sleepy village of Anislagan in The Anislagan environment
says Laoag Bishop Sergio Utleg as he celebrated the Eucharist the municipality of Placer in does not only provide attrac-
at the feast of Saint William the Hermit, the patron of Laoag, Surigao del Norte have once tive scenic spots to commu-
at Saint William Cathedral recently. “Priests must be in loved again formed a barricade on nities and tourists alike, but
with Christ. With our theme, ‘The priesthood is the love of the Feb. 16 to prevent the entry of primarily it gives sufficient
Heart of Jesus,’ we want to reiterate to the people the role that the country’s largest mining food and livelihood for the
our priests in our society,” he said. (Mark Vertido) company to their village. communities in order to sur-
"What we are fighting here vive for the coming years.
Women gather to reflect on issues facing Mindanao is not only for our rich agricul- Anislagan provides potable

DAVAO CITY—Mindanao women leaders converged here
recently to tackle issues and how their sector could help solve
the various challenges that their region is facing. Mindanao
Commission on Women chair and executive officer Irene San-
tiago said that their gathering aimed at lending their voices
and energies to bring about positive outcome for the political,
economic and social issues that confront the region and the
nation. (Mark Ventura)
9 new cases of HIV-AIDS in NorMin
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Department of Health in
Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) disclosed that there are 9 new
positive cases of the dreaded HIV-AIDS in Region 10. Of these
9 persons who registered positive with HIV-AIDS, 6 are from
this city, said DOH-10 spokesman Emiliano Galban Jr. (Bong
D. Fabe)
Clergy reflects role in transformation of politics
DAVAO CITY—In response to the call of Archbishop of Davao
Fernando R. Capalla on evangelizing the electorate, the clergy
of Davao staged a 2-day forum aimed at urging priests to reflect
on their role in the transformation of politics. Archdiocesan
Social Action Center chaired by Director, Fr. Rico Enriquez
facilitated the forum held, Jan.18-19, here. He said that the
forum was organized to have a levelling-off among the clergy
of their understanding of their role in forming the conscience
of the faithful in relation to the exercise of their right to vote.
(Mark S. Ventura)
CBCP spearheads assembly of restorative justice
tural and watershed village but
also for the sake of our children
and our children’s' children,”
said barangay councilor Mer-
lyn Gamus, a mother of two.
Gamus is a member of the Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force
(ABAKATAF), a multi-sectoral group that successfully prevented
the entry of Anglo American Plc and Manila Mining Corporation
(MMC) in 2001.
This time, ABAKATAF, which count as members all the residents
of Anislagan, formed human barricade to prevent the entry of Philex
Mining/Silangan Mindanao Mining Company (Philex/SMMC) to
their village.
Philex Mining started its actual mining operation in the adjacent village
of Timamana, Tubod, Surigao del Norte in the first quarter of 2009.
Philex’s exploration activities in Tubod, also known as the "Bayugo
Project," started as early as 1999.
Strong opposition from the Tubod people prospered for awhile.
Opposition, however, soon wavered when the mining company
started their community relations projects like livelihood, drainage
improvement and sports activities.
In the adjacent village of Anislagan, villagers, led ABAKATAF, have
sustained their opposition to mining for almost ten years now.
Ten years ago, ABAKATAF members literally blocked with their
bodies the mining workers of the second largest mining company
in the world, Anglo American, from conducting exploration activity
in their barangay.
Anislagan is an area very rich in natural resources. It has been
identified by the government as priority area in mining because of
its rich mineral resources. It has first–class nickel and gold minerals.
© NASSA / CBCP
water to the entire town of
Placer. It also provides irriga-
tion to rice fields in the village
and to adjacent villages.
Philex is trying to win the
hearts and minds of the village folks by establishing a Livelihood
Training Center is a one hectare land it had bought.
"We don't need a livelihood training center inside our village from a
mining company. What for? We have an existing self–sustaining and
community livelihood here. The mining company already affected our
irrigation, our rivers, and even to our water supply from their Bayugo
Project and now they are proposing a livelihood center,” Gamus said.
During the December 11, 2009 session of the Barangay Council,
village chairman Manuel Tejada informed Philex assistant manager
for environment Eufronio A Ortiz Jr. about the barangay’s standing
resolutions “against mining and any other activities related thereto”
because of its being a critical watershed area.
Despite this information, Philex still tried to enter the barangay
last January 9, 2010 presumably to inaugurate the Livelihood Train-
ing Center.
But its attempt was foiled when the residents, including women, chil-
dren and the elderly, blocked its entry by establishing the roadblock.
Not accepting defeat, Philex will once again try to gain entry
tomorrow (Tuesday) despite the locale's strong opposition.
And the villagers are not alone in their fight. The Municipal Council
of Placer recently issued a resolution supporting the local measures of
Anislagan prohibiting any mining project within the barangay.
"The Barangay Council already passed a resolution as early as
2002 not to allow any mining activities in our village. They should
respect it,” said Gamus. (Bong D. Fabe)

CHR calls for stop of aerial spraying

advocates
QUEZON CITY—Aiming to reflect on the human rights of
prisoners, the CBCP’s Commission on Prison Pastoral Care
(ECPPC) together with the Coalition Against Death Penalty
has organized a general assembly for the restorative justice
advocates. The gathering was held on Feb. 17 at the Social De- DAVAO CITY—The Commission on Human De Lima.
velopment Complex of Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Rights (CHR) has issued a statement strongly The commission has also
Heights, Quezon City. (Kate Laceda) supporting the Rio Principle on precaution- called on President Gloria
ary measures and highly urged the national Macapagal Arroyo to issue
Religious groups participate in vocation promotion
government to shelve the practice of aerial an executive order mandating
spraying among banana companies. the shelving of the practice of
seminar
In a 6-page Human Rights Advisory, the aerial spraying of pesticides
PASIG CITY— Different religious congregations and groups
commission said that there is a need for the im- in the country and “urgently
attended a seminar on vocations promotion organized by the
mediate ban of aerial spraying until a thorough ordering a time-bound multi-
CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Vocation and the Directors
and evidence-based study will show the pos- disciplinary, comprehensive,
of Vocations in the Philippines. The seminar which ended Feb.
sible hazards of aerial spraying of pesticides and independent and integrated
12, at the St. Paul College in Pasig carried the theme, “Human

Sexuality in the Vocation Journey.” Fr. Jason Laguerta, DVP-
ECV executive secretary, said the seminar focused on the hu-
man, Christian and vocational dimensions of Human Sexuality
in relation to vocation promotion and vocation journey. (Kate
Laceda)
Hike in child abuse cases ‘alarming’
ANTIPOLO CITY—Senatorial contender Liza Maza has sound-
ed the alarm over the increasing number of abused children in
the country. “This is alarming. The rising cases of child abuse
only manifest government neglect on the rights and welfare of
children. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of
recommendations on how it should be practiced
or banned to protect the environment and the
right to health and well being of the people.
CHR Chairperson Leila M. De Lima said
that human rights and environmental protec-
tion are closely connected and many human
rights cannot be realized if the environment
is not protected.
“Economic and social progress must
depend critically on the preservation of the
natural resource base with effective measures
to prevent environmental degradation,” said
study on the matter by a com-
petent team of experts.”
De Lima said that the commission believes
that an evidenced-based study is neces-
sary for the State to come up with effective
sustainable solutions regarding the human
rights and environment issues related to
aerial spraying of pesticides.
The commission also recommends a more
sustainable solution in lieu of aerial spraying
of pesticides. “There is wisdom in looking
at the possibility of applying pesticide solu-
© nassa.org.ph
tions through land-based means without
going through aerial spraying. The CHR is
aware of the costs this will entail; neverthe-
less, it maintains that cost-efficiency should
not sacrifice respect for human rights.”
“A human rights-based legislation is one of
the key elements in ensuring that proper safe-
guards and standards are set in place for the
protection and promotion of human rights,”
the advisory said. (Mark S. Ventura)

Church holds bloodletting activity

the Child, our government should be in the forefront in ensur-
ing that our children are protected from all forms of abuse,”
said Maza, a three-term representative of Gabriela Women’s
Party. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
MANILA— It was a “bloody” called on church workers to blood. To donate blood is to save municating the love of God
Philippine situation not hopeless, says prelate day in Manila, but there were no invite their friends and rela- life,” the archdiocese said in a especially to the needy. Donat-
MANILA—The Philippine situation is not hopeless. Marbel casualties at all. tives to join the activity which statement. ing blood is one concrete and
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said that the apparent socio-political Priests of the Archdiocese was held at the Arzobispado in Pope Benedict XVI takes up noble example,” according to
and even moral decadence in the country are not any cause of Manila led their employees Intramuros, Manila. the importance of carrying out the statement.
for despair since there is “light emerging from shadows”. The and parish workers in donating “The demand for blood is high charitable activities in his first The blood donations are be
people are gradually getting into a realization of their social blood for the church’s “Alay ng for thousands of our brothers encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God kept in a facility run by the
responsibility for the country especially in the forthcoming Puso – Bloodletting” activity last and sisters need blood transfu- is Love), it read. local chapter of the Philip-
elections, the prelate noted. (Melo M. Acuña) Feb. 12. sions each year. However, few “In various ways we are called pine National Red Cross. (Roy
The archdiocese has earlier of the many eligible people give to respond to this call of com- Lagarde)
Condoms / A1
way to prevent the spread of HIV is abstinence and not condom
use.
He said the primary way to combat AIDS is through behavioral
Church official urges discernment among voters
change and monogamous partnerships between men and women. DAVAO CITY—The Director of the Social ful scrutiny on the integrity of candidates like the personal uprightness of the candi-
The DOH and the Department of Labor and Employment are cur- Action Center (SAC) of the Archdiocese of and their platforms of government. dates, their competence and their aspirations
rently intensifying its campaign to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Davao is encouraging the electorate to take In the recent meeting of the Diocesan as well as their plans for the country and the
Last Feb. 13, the two agencies led the distribution of condoms for an active participation in discernment pro- Evangelizing the Electorate Committee, he Filipino people.
Valentine’s Day at a populated area in Manila. cess especially in choosing their candidates clarified that the Catholic Church is not en- One of the main thrusts of the Evangelizing
This government initiative has earned strong criticism not only for the upcoming elections. dorsing any political candidate both national the Electorate Committee in the archdiocese is
from the church but even from civil society prompting Malacañang Fr. Rico Enriquez, ASAC director said that and local but it is encouraging the faithful to to intensify the circles of discernment among
to issue a disclaimer. (CBCPNews) part of the discernment is praying and care- discern in order to come up with an enlight- the members of the Gagmayng Kristohanong
ened vote. Katilingban (GKK) and the young people.
May They Be One Bible Campaign He also encour-
ages the faithful to
In the circles of discernment, the elector-
ates are given ample time to gather together
For the Birhen ng Lourdes Parish in Salmis, Candaba, Pampanga, the Word of God is the Foundation of every marriage. Thus, parish priest Fr. Jojo Franco requires
every couple undergoing a Pre-Cana Seminar (a formation required by the Catholic Church before marriage) to have their own Bible. The requirement, however, is a tall
make use of the Pas- and discern, and to prayerfully make their
order for the couples, many of whom are financially hard up and would have to miss meals in order to pay for a copy. The dilemma was resolved when Fr. Jojo joined the toral Statement is- own individual choice of candidates.
May They Be One (MTBO) Bible campaign. With the help of Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate Coordinator Fr. Jesus Layug, Fr. Jojo initially ordered 50 copies of MTBO sued by Archbishop Meanwhile in the latest pastoral statement
Bibles, making these available to the poor couples at the price of P50. Donations from Wedding Sponsors were used to pay for the remaining P100 subsidy per Bible. Fernando Capalla as of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Plans are underway to secure more MTBO Bibles, not only for the couples, but also for the rest of the parishioners. A Birhen ng Lourdes Parish layman is now taking a guiding force in se- Philippines (CBCP), the bishops said, “Fili-
Seminary courses to prepare him in forming and training a core group that will eventually lead their own respective Bible Study groups. Take the teachings that you lecting candidates. pino electorates should not be deceived by
heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2)
Enriquez said that surveys and there is a compelling need to
No. of Bibles Distributed from Jan 2010 - February 10, 2010: 14,856 copies there are various fac- look into the candidates’ integrity and plat-
1. Tagalog — 7,800 copies Kararag ti MTBO (Ilocano MTBO Prayer) tors to be considered form of government. (Mark S. Ventura)
2. English — 1,119 copies
3. Bicol — 520 copies M – aaramid koma nga ayatenmi ti Saom, O Apo. ‘Harmful’ / A1
4. Cebuano — 520 copies T – ignayennakami a dumngeg ken agbiag a kas mayannurot iti Saom. health while some have no thera- those who are seeking top govern-
5. Hiligaynon — 220 copies B – endisyonam Apo, dagiti mangiwaragawag iti Saom. peutic effects at all,” he said. ment posts in the coming election,
6. Ilocano — 2667 copies O – ngapem dagiti pusomi tapno nabuslon koma iti itutulong mi tapno
7. Pangasinan — 2010 copies “There are even unnecessary should have more “sincerity and
ad-adupay dagiti makaawat ti naisurat a Saom. surgeries being conducted by some concern” towards health issues.
TOTAL — 14,856 copies
medical practitioners,” he added. Asked if he has heard of com-
Parishes/Communities served: 63 Alo used to be the chairman of prehensive health programs
Communities w/ Highest No. of Distributions: Lingayen-Dagupan, Cubao, Laoag, Ilagan & Antipolo the Commission on Health Care from any of the presidential
Total No. of Bibles Distributed from Jan 2009 – February 10, 2010: 118,787 cps. of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer- aspirants, Alo said he has not
Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2010: 500,000 cps.
Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles in 2010: P50M ence of the Philippines (CBCP). heard any.
The church leader made the “It’s either they don’t have
Support the May They Be One Bible Campaign and help bring God’s Word to more Filipino homes. Your contribution of at least P150/month will enable poor families statement on February 11 as the programs on people’s health or
to have their own Bibles. For more Campaign info-visit, email or call ECBA – Fr. Oscar Alunday, 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Mla. Telefax no. 5279386; ecba_cbcp@ Catholic Church marked the they don’t know anything about
yahoo.com; www.ecba-cbcp.com; PBS-Mrs. Perry Cartera/Mrs. Juliet Rivera at 890 UN Ave., Ermita Mla.; perry@bible.org.ph;juliet@bible.org.ph; www.bible.org..ph Tel. World Day of the Sick. it,” he lightheartedly said. (Melo
nos. 5215785/5267777 loc. 600, Fax No. 5215803; 09178590019 /09156727492 /09182802775 He said authorities, especially M. Acuña)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Collegio Filippino to hold

conferences on priesthood

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

THE Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome is holding six conferences on the priesthood from February
until June as part of its activities for the Year for Priests.
Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Year for Priests from 19 June 2009 until 11 June 2010, Solemnity
of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The conferences serve as a response to the call of the Holy Father to make this Year for Priests an
occasion for a deepening commitment of all priests “to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful
and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world.”
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Diocese of Lingayen-Dagupan will give the first conference on
“The Priest and his Vows of Obedience” on February 11.
The second conference on “The Priest and the Holy Eucharist” will be given by Monsignor Ruperto
Santos, Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino on March 3.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila will give the third conference on “The Priest
and the Word of God” in the last week of April.
The fourth conference on “The Priest and his vow of poverty” will be given by His Eminence Gau-
dencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila on May 01.
Monsignor Wilfredo Andrey, Spiritual Director of Pontificio Collegio Filippino will give the fifth
conference on “The Priest and the Blessed Mother Mary” on May 19.
The last conference on “The Priest and his Vow of Celibacy” will be given by Bishop Luis Antonio
Tagle of the Diocese of Imus on June 9.
Members of the Association of Filipino Priests, Religious and Seminarians in Rome are expected to at-
tend the conferences. This association is also planning other relevant activities for the Year for Priests.
Aside from the aforementioned conferences, the Pontificio Collegio Filippino is organizing a priests’
pilgrimage to Ars and La Salette in France on May 6-9, 2010.
The annual Collegio Filippino Fiesta on May 2 will also highlight the Year for Priests knowing that
many of the Filipino migrant communities in Italy are under the pastoral care of priests from the Col-
legio Filippino.
It was Pope John XXIII who instituted the Pontificio Collegio Filippino on 29 June 1961 with the
Apostolic Letter "Sancta Maria Ecclesia".
Since then, the Pontificio Collegio Filippino has accommodated hundreds of Filipino diocesan priests
who pursued higher studies at various ecclesiastical educational centers in Rome.
Collegio Filippino which is under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,
will celebrate its 50th foundation anniversary in 2011. (Fr. Jose V.C. Quilongquilong, S.J.)

Clergy congress signals new renewal, says Cardinal

MANILA Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales said the
recently-concluded Second National Congress of the Clergy signaled
the beginning of national renewal.
In his homily at a concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass held at Arzo-
bispado de Manila chapel, Cardinal Rosales said priests have admitted
that they felt the personal im-
pact of the five-day congress.
“If you were inside (World
Trade Center) during the eve-
ning of Reconciliation, a very
good number (of priests) shed
tears and by that measure
alone what God wanted as
beginning of renewal for the
priests in the Philippines has
already began,” he said.
Rosales took the occasion to
extend his sincere apprecia-
tion to the organizing commit-
tee led by former Ambassador
to the Holy See Henrietta T.
De Villa and the volunteers
involved in making the Sec-
ond National Congress of the
Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales Clergy a success.
Markings
“This occasion is an act of thanksgiving to the Lord for the five-day
congress which gathered 5,542 priests from all over the country,”
Rosales said.
“Until five minutes before I left my office, I still opened letters
from bishops and priests expressing their thanks for the successful
retreat,’ the Manila prelate said.
He added that he has been receiving phone calls and messages of
thanks not only from the clergy but also from laymen.
The prelate said people are still talking with awe on the great LAUNCHED. Centennial anniver-
number of priests who gathered for the occasion. “I told them it sary celebration of St. Bridget Col-
was the work of God.” lege in Batangas City, February 3-5,
“The speakers led by Franciscan Capuchin Raniero Cantalamesa, 2010; the first school opened by the
Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, the homilies delivered, prayers and Good Shepherd Sisters (RGS) upon
their arrival in the country in January
the liturgy were well prepared along with the hidden and unseen 1913. Themed “Cherishing our Leg-
work made the Congress a success,” the 75-year old prelate said. acy,” the launching on February 3
He acknowledged the support given by every volunteer, priests, began with a Eucharistic celebration
religious and laity significantly contributed to the success of the led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
historic gathering. Cardinal Rosales, Lipa Archbishop
Ramon Arguelles, Bridgetines and Eudist priests. The three-day celebra-
Rosales said he was asked by journalists about the possibility of tion was marked with activities that include remembering and honoring
staging the country’s Third National Congress. He said the congress the founding saints, a photo exhibit, Food and Trade fair, and games on
would take place if there would be enough funds “because feeding the first day. Activities on the second day include a field demonstration of
over 5,000 men a day is definitely not a joke.” the arrival of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines, the coming of
But he admitted that he feels the next clergy congress maybe hap- missionaries, film showing, RGS Mini-trade fair, circus show at the field,
and photo shots. Another field demonstration was held on the third day,
pening sooner. “When the grace of God passes, there is no time,” depicting the growth of the Good Shepherd congregation in the Philippines,
the Cardinal said. (Melo M. Acuña) particularly the founding of communities in Batangas, Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. A musical concert was also held in the evening. The RGS nuns

Prolife highlights the theme ‘Buhay Mo, Mahal Ko’

THE Pro-Life Philippines Foundation will re-
flect on the theme “Buhay Mo, Mahal Ko,” as
it celebrates the month of life this February.
According to the organizers, the theme
expresses the general response and spirit of
the foundation on the issues that discussed
love and life.
They noted that “love and life” also sums
up their commitment in advocacies that pro-
mote respect and care for human life from
conception to natural death.
The month-long celebration of Pro-Life,
which opened with a gathering on February
7, was hosted by the Archdiocesan Shrine of
the Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati City
under its rector Fr. Edwin Mercado.
It was attended by “fore-
front pro-lifers” such as
former Manila Mayor
Lito Atienza and Sr.
Mary Pilar Verzosa,
RGS, Pro-Life Philip-
pines Founder, among
others.
On February 18, a
healing mass will be cel-
ebrated at the National
Shrine of the Our Lady of
the Holy Rosary also known
as the Sto. Domingo Church in
Quezon City. It will be presided
by Fr. Efren Borromeo, SOLT and Fr.
George Moreno, OP.
Culminating the month-long celebra-
tion is a Eucharistic celebration
at the Shrine of Our Lady
of Peace and Good Voy-
age in Antipolo on Feb-
ruary 28 with Bishop
Gabriel Reyes as the
main celebrant.
The foundation urged
all the Family & Life Apos-
tolate groups in parishes na-
tionwide to organize Pro-life
©w
activities and thereby promote
ww.
proli
fe.o
a culture that celebrates family
rg.p
h values. (Kate Laceda)
opened St. Bridget Academy in Batangas City in January 1913. Now St.
Bridget College, the school was established three months after the nuns
arrived in the country on October 4, 1912. Both Cardinal Rosales and
Archbishop Arguelles were alumni of the grade school department of St.
Bridget College. The RGS nuns are commemorating the 2012 centennial
celebration of the Philippine foundation with a three-year preparation which
was ‘soft-launched’ with a special Mass last October 3, 2009. Founded by
St. Mary Euphrasia, the Good Shepherd Sisters whose ministry include
accompaniment of women and children “who have been wounded by life’s
circumstances and live on the edge of society” have around 4,000 members
with communities in 70 countries around the world.
CELEBRATED. Sr. Maria Consuelo B. Alvino, RVM,
Sr. Maria Mansueta I. Dolalas, RVM, Sr. Maria
Rafaela Q. Singzon, RVM, Sr. Maria Alice S.
Tan, RVM, and Sr. Maria Aida S. Zablan, RVM,
golden jubilee of religious profession; Sr. Maria
Eloisa E. Araneta, RVM, Sr. Maria Julia P.
Cabrera, RVM, Sr. Maria Nemia G. Lucine,
RVM, Sr. Maria Lourdes T. Maragañas, RVM,
Sr. Maria Evangelina M. Negrosa, RVM, Sr.
Maria Filomena M. Pelina, RVM, Sr. Maria Helen
S. Rojas, RVM and Sr. Maria Delia C. Rubio, RVM,
silver jubilee of religious profession; Sr. Maria Nancy V. Abarrientos, RVM,
Sr. Maria Cristine B. Amontos, RVM, Sr. Maria Christina A. Corre, RVM, Sr.

Bible directors, coordinators gather for national bible workshop
DIOCESAN Bible Directors and
Lay Coordinators from the differ-
ent parts of the Philippines came
together for the 18th National Bib-
lical Workshop that was hosted
by the Biblical Pastoral Ministry-
National Capital Region.
The workshop was held on
February 9-13, 2010 at the Club
Balai Isabel, Talisay in Batangas.
Among the participants were
representatives of the Summer In-
stitute of Linguistics (SIL) and the
Philippine Bible Society (PBS).
“We expect about 300 from all
over the Philippines. Representa-
tives will be all the diocesan bible
directors, lay coordinators and
bishop members and we have
representatives from SIL or the
Summer Institute of Linguistics
and PBS, our co-network in the ec-
umenical endeavor,” said Fr. Oscar
Alunday, Executive Secretary of
the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission
on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA).
Alunday also said the work-
shop aimed to strengthen the
biblico-pastoral ministry in the
country, among others.
“The meeting is done every two
years. The last meeting was in
Cagayan de Oro. We evaluate the
biblical ministry in the different
dioceses throughout the country.
We have evaluations and planning
together on how to strengthen the
Maria Priscilla F. De Leon, RVM, Sr. Maria Luz J. Espinas, RVM, and Sr.
Maria Ritches B. Requina, RVM, first profession of vows. The thanksgiv-
ing Mass was celebrated at the congregation’s chapel at N. Domingo St.,
Quezon City on February 2, 2010.
CELEBRATED. Sr. Agnes Theresa of
Mary, OCD, 60th anniversary of solemn
religious profession; February 11, at the
Carmelite Monastery, Laoag City. Sister
Agnes, whose baptismal name was Zeno-
bia P. Capistrano, 81, originally hailed from
Obando, Bulacan. She took her religious
profession on February 11, 1950, when the
Carmelite presence in Laoag was still new.
Fr. Alan Reiger, OCD, led the Eucharistic

CBCP holds confab on blindness
THE need to inform the public on the current situ-
ation of blind people and how to address the dis-
ability was the primary objective of the Episcopal
Commission on Health Care (ECHC) confab held
February 13 at the Paco Catholic School in Manila.
The congress themed “Look Carefully, Act
Mercifully” discussed the current situation of the
visually impaired people in our country.
It also looked into the programs and plans re-
sponsible individuals and organizations should
undertake for the persons with disabilities.
Fr. Luke, Moortgat, Executive Secretary of
ECHC, said the congress was convened to show
our concern to the physically-challenged people.
“We are once again touching every one’s heart
to help and care for our brothers and sisters with
visual impairments. Let us show our great con-
cern for their needs, love and care,” he said.
Resource speakers shared their reflections and
experiences on the needs of the persons with
blindness and low visions.
Among those who came to the congress were
the visually-impaired along with their families.
Teachers, volunteers and organizations that care
for these persons and those assisting the visually-
impaired people also participated in the gathering.
ECHC is the pastoral arm of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines that is
tasked to organize programs for the physically
challenged. (CBCPNews)
biblical pastoral ministry in the
country,” he said.
This year’s theme was “May They
Be One: The Word of God is the Life
and Mission of the Church.”
A Bible enthronement at the
St. Peter’s Regional Center in
Batangas opened the activity
then a lecture from Ambassador
Henrietta De Villa, Chairperson
of the Parish Pastoral Council
for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
followed.
De Villa discussed the connec-
tion between the PPCRV and the
Biblical Pastoral Ministry.
San Fernando Auxiliary Bish-
op Pablo Virgilio S. David and
celebration joined by some of the Laoag
clergy and attended by Sister Agnes’ family,
relatives and friends. Reiger pointed out the
life of Sr. Agnes as a life driven by the love of God which resulted in her
perseverance for 60 years of prayer and contemplation inside Carmel. He
also related the birth of Sr. Agnes on October 15, 1929, on the feast of St.
Teresa of Avila, was an instrumental moment in her life to take religious
vocation in Carmel. He then reminded that solitude is not going away from
the world to find stillness but instead solitude is something that we seek
in God. At the end of the celebration, Sr. Agnes thanked all the people
who journeyed with her.
new Chairman of ECBA was Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD,
the main celebrant during the who spoke on the topic “Voice
Eucharistic Celebration. of the Word”, Sorsogon Bishop
He also delivered his keynote Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, who dis-
address on the theme and was cussed on “Face of the Word” and
the speaker on the talk titled, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broder-
“House of the Word.” ick Pabillo tackled “Roads of the
Other speakers include Imus Word.” (CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
‘The Justice of God Has
Been Manifested Through
Faith in Jesus Christ’
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Each year, on the occasion of
Lent, the Church invites us to a
sincere review of our life in light
of the teachings of the Gospel.
This year, I would like to offer
you some reflections on the great
theme of justice, beginning from
the Pauline affirmation: “The
justice of God has been manifested
through faith in Jesus Christ” (cf.
Rm 3, 21-22).
Justice: “dare cuique suum”
First of all, I want to consider
the meaning of the term “justice,”
which in common usage implies
“to render to every man his
due,” according to the famous
expression of Ulpian, a Roman
jurist of the third century. In
reality, however, this classical
definition does not specify what
“due” is to be rendered to each
person. What man needs most
cannot be guaranteed to him by
law. In order to live life to the
full, something more intimate
is necessary that can be granted
only as a gift: we could say that
man lives by that love which
only God can communicate since
He created the human person in
His image and likeness. Material
goods are certainly useful and
required—indeed Jesus Himself
was concerned to heal the sick,
feed the crowds that followed
Him and surely condemns the
indifference that even today forces
hundreds of millions into death
through lack of food, water and
medicine—yet “distributive”
justice does not render to the
human being the totality of his
“due.” Just as man needs bread,
so does man have even more need
of God. Saint Augustine notes: if
“justice is that virtue which gives
every one his due ... where, then,
is the justice of man, when he
deserts the true God?” (De civitate
Dei, XIX, 21).
Pastoral Concerns
Message of Pope Benedict XVI for Lent 2010
What is the Cause of Injustice?
The Evangelist Mark reports
the following words of Jesus,
which are inserted within the
debate at that time regarding
what is pure and impure: “There
is nothing outside a man which
by going into him can defile him;
but the things which come out
of a man are what defile him …
What comes out of a man is what
defiles a man. For from within,
out of the heart of man, come evil
thoughts” (Mk 7, 14-15, 20-21).
Beyond the immediate question
concerning food, we can detect
in the reaction of the Pharisees
a permanent temptation within
man: to situate the origin of evil in
an exterior cause. Many modern
ideologies deep down have this
presupposition: since injustice
comes “from outside,” in order
for justice to reign, it is sufficient
to remove the exterior causes that
prevent it being achieved. This
way of thinking—Jesus warns—is
ingenuous and shortsighted.
Injustice, the fruit of evil, does
not have exclusively external
roots; its origin lies in the human
heart, where the seeds are found
of a mysterious cooperation with
evil. With bitterness the Psalmist
recognises this: “Behold, I was
brought forth in iniquity, and
in sin did my mother conceive
me” (Ps 51,7). Indeed, man
is weakened by an intense
influence, which wounds his
capacity to enter into communion
with the other.
By nature, he is open to sharing
freely, but he finds in his being a
strange force of gravity that makes
him turn in and affirm himself
above and against others: this is
egoism, the result of original sin.
Adam and Eve, seduced by Satan’s
lie, snatching the mysterious fruit
against the divine command,
replaced the logic of trusting in
Love with that of suspicion and
competition; the logic of receiving
and trustfully expecting from the
Other with anxiously seizing and
doing on one’s own (cf. Gn 3, 1-6),
experiencing, as a consequence, a
sense of disquiet and uncertainty.
How can man free himself from
this selfish influence and open
himself to love?
Justice and Sedaqah
At the heart of the wisdom of
Israel, we find a profound link
between faith in God who “lifts
the needy from the ash heap” (Ps
113,7) and justice towards one’s
neighbor. The Hebrew word
itself that indicates the virtue of
justice, sedaqah, expresses this
well. Sedaqah, in fact, signifies
on the one hand full acceptance
of the will of the God of Israel;
on the other hand, equity in
relation to one’s neighbour (cf.
Ex 20, 12-17), especially the poor,
the stranger, the orphan and the
widow (cf. Dt 10, 18-19). But the
two meanings are linked because
giving to the poor for the Israelite
is none other than restoring what
is owed to God, who had pity
on the misery of His people. It
was not by chance that the gift to
Moses of the tablets of the Law on
Mount Sinai took place after the
crossing of the Red Sea. Listening
to the Law presupposes faith in
God who first “heard the cry” of
His people and “came down to
deliver them out of hand of the
Egyptians” (cf. Ex 3,8). God is
attentive to the cry of the poor and
in return asks to be listened to: He
asks for justice towards the poor
(cf. Sir 4,4-5, 8-9), the stranger (cf.
Ex 22,20), the slave (cf. Dt 15, 12-
18). In order to enter into justice,
it is thus necessary to leave that
illusion of self-sufficiency, the
profound state of closure, which
is the very origin of injustice. In
other words, what is needed is an
even deeper “exodus” than that
accomplished by God with Moses,
a liberation of the heart, which the
Law on its own is powerless to
realize. Does man have any hope
of justice then?
Christ, the Justice of God
The Christian Good News
responds positively to man’s
thirst for justice, as Saint Paul
affirms in the Letter to the
Romans: “But now the justice of
God has been manifested apart
from law … the justice of God
through faith in Jesus Christ for
all who believe. For there is no
distinction; since all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God,
they are justified by His grace as
a gift, through the redemption
which is in Christ Jesus, whom
God put forward as an expiation
by his blood, to be received by
faith” (3, 21-25).
What then is the justice of
Christ? Above all, it is the justice
that comes from grace, where it
is not man who makes amends,
heals himself and others. The fact
that “expiation” flows from the
“blood” of Christ signifies that it
is not man’s sacrifices that free him
from the weight of his faults, but
the loving act of God who opens
Himself in the extreme, even to
the point of bearing in Himself the
“curse” due to man so as to give in
return the “blessing” due to God
(cf. Gal 3, 13-14). But this raises an
immediate objection: what kind of
justice is this where the just man
dies for the guilty and the guilty
receives in return the blessing due
to the just one? Would this not
mean that each one receives the
contrary of his “due”? In reality,
here we discover divine justice,
which is so profoundly different
from its human counterpart.
God has paid for us the price of
the exchange in His Son, a price
that is truly exorbitant. Before
the justice of the Cross, man may
B1
rebel for this reveals how man
is not a self-sufficient being, but
in need of another in order to
realize himself fully. Conversion
to Christ, believing in the Gospel,
ultimately means this: to exit the
illusion of self-sufficiency in order
to discover and accept one’s own
need—the need of others and God,
the need of His forgiveness and
His friendship. So we understand
how faith is altogether different
from a natural, good-feeling,
obvious fact: humility is required
to accept that I need another to
free me from “what is mine,” to
give me gratuitously “what is
His.” This happens especially in
the sacraments of Reconciliation
and the Eucharist. Thanks to
Christ’s action, we may enter
into the “greatest” justice, which
is that of love (cf. Rm 13, 8-10),
the justice that recognizes itself
in every case more a debtor than
a creditor, because it has received
more than could ever have been
expected.
Strengthened by this very
experience, the Christian is moved
to contribute to creating just
societies, where all receive what
is necessary to live according to
the dignity proper to the human
person and where justice is
enlivened by love.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Lent culminates in the Paschal
Triduum, in which this year,
too, we shall celebrate divine
justice—the fullness of charity,
gift, salvation. May this penitential
season be for every Christian a
time of authentic conversion and
intense knowledge of the mystery
of Christ, who came to fulfill every
justice. With these sentiments, I
cordially impart to all of you my
Apostolic Blessing.
From the Vatican, 30 October
2009
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Colors of
Cassocks and
Revisiting the question
Altar Cloths of so-called Lay
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following query:)

Q1: Is it now proper for altar servers and adult servers to

wear a cassock color-coordinated with the vestments of the
priest and deacon? I arrived at a church today to find the
Ministers (Part II)
adult server/lector attired not in a white alb, but in a green By Fr. Jaime Blanco Acha- participation in this context. In or functions. a desirable field of activity for
cassock (to match the priest’s and deacon’s vestments), a coso, J.C.D. fact, he belabored the distinction Elsewhere the Instruction says the laity.
white surplice, and a green cape over them. (I shuddered, between participation in in fact: “the officia temporarily 3. Responsibility for abuses.
wondering if the parish had just bought lots of this color- Christ’s priesthood by virtue entrustedtothem...areexclusively The practical provisions of the
coordinated stuff.) It looked like an Episcopalian church. Is of baptism and confirmation, the result of a deputation by the Instruction are not limited to
this now the “in” fashion? Where is it authorized for servers
Every so often, I have and the eventual exercise of Church” (art. 1, §2). Deputation listing possible or actual abuses,
to wear anything other than a white alb and cincture?—K.S., been asked by lay faithful some tasks entrusted to them by the Church is a shorthand but they always seek to indicate
Bartlesville, Oklahoma about the proliferation of by the priests: expression for deputation by the the theological coordinates
“The laity’s every ecclesial Church’s lawful Pastors. This underlying the respective field
Q2: The altar cloths are always in white. Are we allowed to extraordinary ministers action or function—including complete formulation, used in of activity and thereby to draw
use any other colored clothes on the altar for celebrating Mass of Holy Communion and those for which the Pastors other passages of the Instruction, the necessary consequences. The
and other liturgical celebrations?—R.G., Kohima, India even more of so-called lay ask them to stand in, where avoids an identification of problems mentioned are caused,
possible—is rooted ontologically the Pastors with the Church first of all, by the fact that they are
A: As these questions are related to decorative elements, I ministers. Their presence are in their common participation herself. And §3 of the same found in a border area. Abuses
will respond to both of them together. quite noticeable, especially in Christ’s priesthood and not article correctly indicates that occur when exceptional solutions
No. 119.c and No. 339 of the General Introduction of the in an ontological participation the temporary deputation for become alternatives, changing
Roman Missal (GIRM) succinctly summarizes the current
during Sunday Mass when (either temporary or partial) in liturgical purposes mentioned an extraordinary competence
norms. No. 119.c states: “In the sacristy, the sacred vestments in many places there is the ordained ministry proper to in c.230, §2 does not confer any into an ordinary one, or, on the
(cf. below, nos. 337-341) for the priest, the deacon, and other a veritable procession of Pastors. Therefore, it is clear that special or permanent title on other, when the limits provided
ministers are to be prepared according to the various forms if the Pastors entrust them, in an the non ordained faithful. The for collaboration are unlawfully
of celebration: … c. For the other ministers: albs or other them preceding the priest extraordinary way, with some following sentence states that it extended and a competence is
lawfully approved attire. All who wear an alb should use a celebrant at the start of the tasks ordinarily and properly is unlawful for the non ordained assumed that has not been given.
cincture and an amice unless, due to the form of the alb, they Eucharistic celebration. connected with the pastoral faithful to assume titles such as A case in point would be the
are not needed.” ministry but not requiring the pastor, chaplain, coordinator or way the so-called extraordinary
Recently, these norms were slightly broadened by an What really is the role of proper character of Orders, lay moderator. As is obvious, what minister for the administration
updated version of June 1994 guidelines issued by the U.S. the lay ministers? people should know that these applies to temporary deputation of Holy Communion—the
bishops’ conference: “The suggested guidelines may be used tasks are existentially rooted applies with all the more reason laypersons duly deputized for
as a basis for developing diocesan guidelines. Number 6: IN November 1997, the Holy See in their baptismal ministry and to permanent deputation for this—goes beyond exercising
‘Acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may published a document, entitled nowhere else! It must always be liturgical or pastoral tasks (cf. the faculty in extraordinary
wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate Instruction On Certain Questions remembered that the exercise CIC, c.230, §1, 517, §2,). occasions to become in practice
or dignified clothing. (General Instruction of the Roman Regarding the Collaboration of of such tasks does not make 2. Lay collaboration is the ordinary minister for such
Missal, no. 339) All servers should wear the same liturgical the Non ordained Faithful in pastors of the lay faithful: in fact, supplementary—i.e., only in a liturgical task, day after day,
vesture.’”
Although the alb and cincture may be used everywhere,
both the universal and national norms intentionally leave the
door open for local customs. These vary from place to place,
and each bishop may issue norms for his own diocese.

In most places, adult servers use the alb or a similar vestment

that is usually white or off-white in color. Some places use
a cassock and surplice. There is more variety for younger
servers. For example, in Italy most young altar servers use a
black or a red cassock with a surplice, although some places
also use the “Tarcissian.” This is a kind of off-white alb with
two red stripes running from the shoulder to the floor, thus
evoking the ancient Roman tunic.
In some parts of Poland and the Baltic countries, both adults
and children can sometimes be seen serving Mass wearing
only a surplice over their ordinary clothes.
I have never seen the green cassock or any effort to coordinate
the server’s vesture with the liturgical season. Either this is an
established custom in the area or some new initiative. I doubt
very much it is a new liturgical fashion. It would be necessary
to consult with the diocesan liturgy office regarding established
norms before broaching the question with the pastor.
Regarding the second question, I would say that the
following norm from the American translation of the GIRM
No. 304, although specifically geared toward the United States,
is equally applicable to many other countries. The use of a
colored seasonal antependium, or frontal, is a long-standing
custom in the Latin rite and may be used to enhance the
awareness of the liturgical season.
“Out of reverence for the celebration of the memorial of
the Lord and for the banquet in which the Body and Blood
of the Lord are offered on an altar where this memorial is
celebrated, there should be at least one white cloth, its shape,
© Pinky Barrientos / CBCP Media

size, and decoration in keeping with the altar’s design. When,

in the dioceses of the United States of America, other cloths
are used in addition to the altar cloth, then those cloths may
be of other colors possessing Christian honorific or festive
significance according to longstanding local usage, provided
that the uppermost cloth covering the mensa (i.e., the altar
cloth itself) is always white in color.”

the Sacred Ministry of Priests.
The document reaffirmed the
teaching of the Second Vatican
Council (especially Lumen
gentium, n.33 and Apostolicam
actuositatem, n.24). Its main
purpose was to acknowledge
and promote what is specific to
the vocations of the lay faithful
and of ordained ministers, with
the goal of encouraging real
communion in the Church. In
the previous issue of CBCP
Monitor, we had looked into the
formal aspects of the document;
now let us go to the more salient
norms.
Observations on Content:
collaboration vs. participation
of the non-ordained faithful in
the priestly ministry.
In the substantive level,
the most important word—a
veritable hermeneutic key of
the document—is a term that
appears in the title itself of the
document. In effect, the title
speaks of the collaboration of
the non-ordained faithful in the
priestly ministry.
It can be noted that in
the preliminary discussion,
the term initially used was
participation. Thus, the title of
the symposium in April 1994,
which launched the serious
preparation of this document,
was The Participation of the
Lay Faithful in the Priestly
Ministry. It must be pointed out,
however, that the Holy Father
himself, in his address to that
symposium, never used the term
a person is not a minister simply
by performing a task, but through
sacramental ordination.”
The terminological shift is
important. In effect, participation
(partem capere = “to take part”)
in the ministerial tasks could
not strictly speaking take place
without the subject ontologically
taking part—for that matter—in
the ministerial priesthood itself.
This could only happen with
priestly ordination. From this
we see the aptness of the term
collaboration (co-laborare =
“to work with”) when applied
to the non-ordained faithful’s
cooperation with the ministerial
work of priests. With this in mind,
we can point out the following
doctrinal conclusions:
1. Lay collaboration in
priestly ministry is not a
right. The document contains
several assertions that call
for hermeneutic clarification.
Thus, the part concerned
with Theological Principles
(n.4) says with respect to the
tasks and functions which are
considered along the lines of
collaboration with the sacred
ministry that the non ordained
faithful do not enjoy a right
to such tasks and functions.
Obviously, there is no wish
here to deny that these faithful
can legitimately exercise the
tasks and functions mentioned.
The document wants to state,
however, that the non ordained
faithful do not have the right to
demand that they be assigned
to the above mentioned tasks
cases of necessity. By their
ecclesiological nature all of these
particular functions belong to the
realm of the ordained ministry, in
which a lay person, however, can
collaborate in cases of necessity, if
he has been lawfully deputed to
do so. But it must be noted here:
in case of necessity!
For example, it could never
be the Church’s objective
to replace the Eucharistic
celebration by promoting
Sunday celebrations without a
priest. Nevertheless, wherever
there are no other possibilities,
the Church is grateful to that
lay person who, being well
disposed and following the
instructions of the Bishop
who appointed him, conducts
a Liturgy of the Word for and
with the faithful who have no
other opportunity to celebrate
the Lord’s Day. It is clear that
the lay person here is truly a
supplementary aid. This does
not degrade the lay person; on
the contrary, his willingness
to accept this task does him
honor. However, for the good
of the faithful—and that is what
always counts—he too will be
glad when a priest is available
to celebrate the Eucharist.
The Instruction enables us to
indicate many other analogous
situations. However it would
be a mistake to conclude that it
reduces the role of the laity in the
Church to a mere stopgap. The
Instruction will seem restrictive
only to those who consider
these supplementary tasks as
Sunday after Sunday.
In this regard, it should be
pointed out that the laity usually
cannot be considered responsible
for true and proper abuses. They
in fact fulfill—normally with
good intentions—that role
which has been introduced in
their particular Church and has
been entrusted to them. On the
other hand, it should be noted
that the norms established by
the Bishops’ Conferences or by
individual Bishops generally do
not contradict the ordinances
of universal law, but their
clarity at times is not enough to
prevent the spread of an abusive
practice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that
the activity of the lay faithful is
in no way placed sub iudice by
the Instruction; on the contrary,
it is precisely from the laity’s
commitment and dedication
that the Church expects a great
deal both now and for the future.
However we have to insist that
commitment and dedication must
develop harmoniously within
the framework of the Church’s
hierarchical constitution that is, in
the spirit of true communio, which
requires the acknowledgement
and appreciation of reciprocity, to
avoid at all costs an egalitarianism
that erodes identity.
1
John Paul II, address to the Symposium
on The Participation of the Lay Faithful
in the Priestly Ministry (22.IV.1994), in
L’Osservatore Romano, 11.V.1994.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
Taize Pilgrimage of trust
A call to a fullness of life… to transform the world
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
THE big crowd of young people who came
for the Pilgrimage of Trust held at the Don
Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City was
a revealing testament of the desire of today’s
young people to satisfy that innate human
longing for the Divine and the need to reach
out to others.
Around 3,000
pilgrims
from all over
the world
converged at
the Don Bosco
stadium from
February 3-7 for
the 5th Asian
pilgrimage of
trust on earth.
Young adults aged
16-35 representing
the five continents
participated in the
pilgrimage with
the desire to quench
their “thirst for life in
fullness.”
Bro. Alois Lổser,
prior of Taize
community, in one
of the meditations he
gave to the pilgrims during the
five-day pilgrimage, mentioned that in
his meeting with the youth from various
countries he noted that among young
people today there is that spiritual longing
to live a meaningful life.
“In every human heart there is a longing,
the longing to be loved and to love. At the
same time, we all experience that this longing
is only rarely satisfied, and never for all time.
Far from discouraging us, this can allow us
to discover over and over again a personal
communion with God,” he said.
The pilgrimage centered on the theme
“a thirst for lie in fullness… a call to
transform the world” challenged the
youth to make a difference in today’s society
marked by inequality even as he said that
societal change can only be possible if it starts
from one’s heart.
“We all feel that there needs to be major
changes in our world. The structures
of our societies and
patterns of thought from
the past are proving
to be inadequate and
insufficient to create
greater justice on earth, to
reduce poverty, to ensure
that persons and peoples
can live together in peace,”
the Taize prior said.
“But we also discover
that necessary change,
particularly an overhaul
of the world economic
and financial system, is not
possible without a change in
the human heart,” he added.
Witnesses of peace and
reconciliation
Brother Roger Schutz, founder
of the Taize community began the Pilgrimage
of Trust on earth 30 years ago to encourage
young people to become witnesses of peace
and reconciliation in their local communities
and churches.
Since then, the Taize brothers have gone to
different countries and cities to hold prayer
meetings with young people of diverse
backgrounds to let them experience the
universality of the Church.
“It’s a pilgrimage of reconciliation,” Bro.
Alois said. “We try to bring people together
from different backgrounds to listen to each
other and to share.”
Attracted by the witness of unity and
life of prayer, young people from all over
the world come to Taize, and stay with
the community for few months.
“In Taize, we welcome young people
from all over the world every day. And each
year, there are also young people from the
Philippines coming and staying with us [for]
two or three months,” he said.
There the young pilgrims immersed
themselves in the community’s way of life,
joining the community prayer, observing
silence on proper times, sharing with co-
pilgrims their faith and working with the
brothers at the workshop halls.
5th Asian meeting
The recent meeting in Manila was the
Features
fifth of its kind in Asia and the second in
the country following the first pilgrimage
of trust held also in Manila in 1991. The first
and second Asian meetings were held in
Chennai (Madras) India in 1985 and 1988,
followed by Manila in 1991 and Kolkata,
India in 2006.
At the heart
of the youth
pilgrimage of trust are
prayers and sharing where young people
in a spirit of solidarity learn to overcome
barriers and differences to learn from each
other.
During the Manila meeting, the pilgrimage
started daily with a morning prayer which
the pilgrims did in the parish Churches
together with the parish community. In
the afternoon, the pilgrims trooped to Don
Bosco for the afternoon activities that include
prayer, group sharing and meditation by
Bro. Alois. Each day ended with an evening
prayer where host families and the public
were invited to participate.
Sharing… to transform the world
Bro. Alois told young pilgrims that
simplicity of life opens oneself to sharing
and solidarity with others even as he
emphasized to the youth to share “what we
have to contribute to the transformation of
the world.”
“We see here in Manila so many people
who undertake initiatives in sharing and
are committed alongside the poor, who act
with integrity and for the good of all,” said
Bro. Alois.
He said this is an inspiring anecdote
he hopes to share with the young people
who come to Taize to lead them further
into a life of sharing and solidarity with
others.
“By living in simplicity, we will better
discover how to share what we have and
in that way we can participate, even
very humbly, in an effort to change the
world,” he said.
Listening to one another’s
experiences and struggles to become
a witness of peace and reconciliation in
their respective communities, each pilgrim
realized how much they have to learn from
each other.
Those who
experience
a life of
conflict can
understand
the desire of
a young girl
from war-torn
Mindanao
who longed for
peace to reign in
her region.
“In 2008, we
saw conflict very
close to home.
Many homes
were burned and
people killed. So we
thirst for peace; we
have decided to be
peacemakers in our
school and in our community. It
takes a lot of courage, and sometimes
we despair, but we hold on to
hope.”
Many of the international
pilgrims have come earlier and
stayed for sometime in other
parts of the country for an
immersion experience. A pilgrim
from Sweden also shared her
experience of being welcomed
openly by a family and allowing
her to join them in harvesting
their crops.
The pilgrimage goes on
The five-day pilgrimage
ended with a Eucharistic celebration
led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales.
The pilgrims went home to their respective
countries and communities with their
faith nourished and
deepened
by what
they have
experienced
during the
meeting.
But they
also realized
that pilgrimage
does not end
there since
life with all
the various
challenges is
a continuous
journey in faith.
“Here, in such
a different place, it
is very easy to see
God, in the little
gestures of everyday
life; it is very easy to
experience the joy of
sharing. What we now need is to bring
this back into our daily lives at home,” a
pilgrim from Portugal said.
Back to their own communities, in
the face of life’s daily struggles they are
called to become witnesses of peace and
unity, to become bridges that encourage
understanding and dialogue.
B3
ALL PHOTOS © Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
Taize pilgrimage calls
for a change of heart
MEETING the challenges in the word, from social to political,
requires an individual change of heart, a religious leader said.
Brother Alois Löser, head of the Taize ecumenical group,
said major problems in the world demand more than just
economic and technological proposals.
Bro. Alois had looked at the world’s problems from the
point of view of the work that the Church, as the family of
God, has to do.
Such challenges, according to him, require an ethical behavior
which respects the principles of universal solidarity, social
justice and responsibility.
“We all feel that there needs to be major changes in our world.
The structures of our societies and patterns of thought from the
past are providing to be inadequate and insufficient to create
greater justice on earth, to reduce poverty, to ensure that persons
and peoples can live together in peace,” Bro. Alois said.
“But we (must) also discover that necessary change, particularly
an overhaul of the world economic and financial system, is not
possible without a change in the human heart,” he said.
Bro. Alois made the statement during the “Taize Pilgrimage
of Trust” currently being held at the Don Bosco Technical
Institute in Makati City.
Pilgrims
Around 3,000 young pilgrims—Christians and Muslims—
from Asian countries as well as from Europe, Australia,
New Zealand and even from North America attended the
gathering.
Bro. Alois stressed that in today’s world, people “thirst for
life in (its) fullness.”
In every human heart there is longing, the longing to be loved
and to love, he said. At the same time, he added, people experience
that said longing is only rarely satisfied, and never for all time.
“From discouraging us, this can allow us to discover over
and over again a personal communion with God,” he said.
“And then our heart changes. And not only our heart, but
also our way of looking and our behavior.”
“We become more capable of discerning what is good and
what is bad; without being naive we become better able to
dialogue, to reach out to others, to make our life a pilgrimage
of trust,” said Bro. Alois, adding that “And in this way we will
contribute as believers to help determine the face of the new
world that is emerging.”
The pilgrimage at the Don Bosco ended on Feb. 7 with a Eucharistic
celebration led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
and several other bishops and priests. (Roy Lagarde)
Pilgrimage closes with
renewed commitment to
global evangelization
SOME 3, 000 youth pilgrims from various countries renewed
their commitment to taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth
after five days of intensive meetings in Makati City.
The Taize Pilgrimage of Trust drew to a close on February
7 with a concelebrated Mass presided by Manila Archbishop
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales at the Don Bosco Technical
Institute.
The gathering was participated by thousands of young
people from 50 countries.
The pilgrimage was aimed at deepening the faith and
commitment of the young people to the Church and in the
society.
Workshops have been conducted to fulfill the objectives and
goals of the international gathering.
Bro. Andreas of the Taize Community said “some of the
workshops go on the directions on how to nourish our thirst
for life in fullness.”
Other workshops, he added, also included matters on how
to deepen one’s relationship with God; how to discover the
call of God and ways on how to reach the young Christians
and Muslims in Mindanao.
Imus Bishop Luis Tagle also delivered a talk on the social
teachings of the Church during the event which was held from
Wednesday to Sunday.
Bro. Joseph Xu, a delegate coming from China, said the
pilgrimage made him realize God’s call for the youth to be
an instrument to the people in China.
“I realize that maybe God has called me to this event to be an
instrument to the people in China. I should follow the works
of the Taize Brothers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sr. Syrel Casquejo of the Handmaids of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus also expressed his experiences and reflections
during the gathering.
“It’s a different feeling. I was touched by the talks and
reflections. Among them was the call for change of heart
because that phrase reminds me on my desire to indeed change
my heart,” she said.
The theme of this year’s Taize pilgrimage was “A thirst for life
in fullness… a call to transform the world.” (Kate Laceda)
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

The Predicament of the Philippine Media

(First of a Series)
By Bishop Jose C. Sorra, D.D.

IF you were to evaluate

objectively our Philippine
Media since a decade or two
ago up till now, how would
you rate it? You might say,
to do justice to an objective
evaluation might be next to
do the impossible. It might
be asking too much, perhaps,
of the media practitioners
themselves to do it, subjecting
themselves to self-criticism or
censure.
At any rate, some courageous fair-
minded opinion-writers of the print
media have tried it and honestly called
“spade a spade.” Indeed, they were more
credible to read, coming as it did, from
the horse’s mouth.
A veteran journalist, Robert M.
Shaplen, of the New Yorker came over
to our country where he spent one year
to immerse himself in its political and
cultural situation as well as observed
how the media interacted or responded

to the then current issues.
When asked whether the Philippine
Media were responsible and professional,
this professional and detached observer
had this to say: “Unfortunately they were
not.” This was also reported by PDI
Columnist Belinda Olivares-Cunanan.
And this same columnist corroborated,
that Shaplen’s assertion was accurate
and was supported—namely: by the
unproven rumors, sensational headlines
and slanted coverage of events that
comprise much of today’s print medium
(PDI, February, 1990).
What then were the factors which led
to the then media predicament? First,
she said, the young age of the reporters
then, which was partially responsible for
the unprofessionalism of the press. This
means they were Martial Law kids, who
never had the opportunity to observe
sufficiently a responsible, free and
democratic press since the dictatorial
regime had an absolute control and
censorship of the media.
On the other hand, this tragic situation
was further worsened when then elderly
professional and ethically responsible
journalists before the Marcos era had
not returned to resume their positions
as reporters—thus, the young media
practitioners had not been able to learn
from the veteran professional and
responsible media practitioners.
Meanwhile, they had become more
susceptible (wittingly or unwittingly)
to the advances of certain people of the
powers-that-be, powerful politicians,
the filthy rich of the business sector,
et al with vested interests—to use the
neophyte media people promote their
personal goals.
Second, there had been a surge of
a growing number of major English
dailies that then existed in Metro Manila
alone, which consequently had been
detrimental to a responsible media. For
instance, way back in the early 1990’s,
there were already 12 to 14 broadsheets
competing for approximately 700,000
readers. Thus, the papers tended to often
stray far beyond the bounds of ethical
journalism in an effort to attract more
readers and thus increase circulation.
Accordingly, even unverified or
unproven rumors often hit the headlines
and the prominent news-coverage. After
15 years since then, has the Philippine
media become more professional and
responsible? Apparently, even after a
decade-and-a-half thereafter, still the
same malpractice has been carried on
among these competing dailies.
Writing in his Postscript column in
The Philippine Star (October 30, 2005),
columnist Federico Pascual, Jr. said: “We
in the Media are part of the Nation’s
problem.” One reason is the failure of
media to give readers and viewers a fair
and balanced picture of what is going
on in the country.
Very briefly, he offered the thesis that
much of the confusion that threatens to
bring down this nation can be traced to
some extent to lack of professionalism,
sometimes to corruption, in media
sectors. In brief, he simply confirmed
what had been going on in the then
past 15 years, as reported earlier by
his colleague female-columnist of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“We have to plead guilty,” Pascual
continued, “to having helped create
the problems of discord and negativism
threatening to bring down this country.
The irony is that we are now criticizing
and offering solutions to the very
problems we helped develop. One
wonders how credible we can be when
we carry the germs of the very disease
we try to cure.”
Since then up till the present,
professional and responsible journalists
agree, that the unsuspecting readership
is exposed to false, or half-truth,
incomplete information, or, worse,
to outright distortions. Meanwhile,
as this goes on without letup and
misinformation uncorrected, the readers’
mind is systematically poisoned.
This corroborates Hitler’s
propagandists’ classic propaganda that
a lie repeated frequently enough begins
to gain the ring of truth.
Mr. Pascual and other professional
colleagues of the media often cite
the classic example of the many
communication problems of the current
Arroyo administration. To illustrate,
they said that when enough supposedly
“responsible and ethically fair” members
of the media keep repeating the “Hello,
Garci”—an allusion to Ms. Arroyo’s
cheating her way to victory in the
2004 presidential elections—the public
is likely to believe and accept this
information (or misinformation) being
drummed into their minds without
much challenge.
Meanwhile, the big sector in media
remains silent; they don’t even bother
to point out that the alleged cheating
by Madam President Arroyo still has
to be proved in the proper forum. And
yet even without such a hearing or
due process, some biased oppositionist
media (print and broadcast) forthrightly
pick it up and repeat it over and over
© CBCP Media
again as a mantra to be absorbed by the
public. And no questions asked either, as
to what precincts the cheating took place,
by whom, by how many votes, and how
these votes affected the total count.
Unfortunately, the legitimate electoral
protest has been a closed case with
the demise of FPJ. Thus, GMA was
proclaimed winner and duly elected
after an official canvass by Congress,
and she took her oath and has been
up to now effectively or ineffectively
governing.
Now, who is to blame? The
Administration? The Opposition? Or,
the Media? Columnist Pascual and some
media-colleagues blame more the media.
They explain that, for whatever reason,
the Media do not explain enough the
supposed process but simply succumb to
oppositionist tendencies and tries to infect
the readers or audiences with the same
germs festering in their biased minds.
Up to now, this confused atmosphere,
where nobody concedes and a biased
sector of the media does not bother to
explain what the process is or should
be—breeds and will continue to breed
creeping chaos, concluded the media-
practitioners’ assessment. (To be
continued)

Thrice a victim of labor migration

By Fr. Edwin Corros, CS due to the very low demand ofconsequence of such decision,
their company’s product. Withhe decided to sign the document
this new working situation, because he did not have the
JOVEN de la Cruz (not his real and his salary cut into almost
chance to seek help from the
name) was a former overseas half of his initial monthly Manila Economic and Cultural
Filipino worker (OFW) who wage, Joven had to face the Office (MECO) in Taipei, the
hailed from Antipolo, Rizal. consequence of not being ablePhilippines de facto embassy.
He sought the assistance of to pay his debts arising from the
A month after his arrival in the
the Episcopal Commission placement fee he had borrowedcountry, Joven started receiving
on Migrants and Itinerant in the Philippines. Added to statement of account for the
People (ECMI) complaining of such burden, they were also money he had borrowed from
harassment from the lending made to pay for their food and
the lending company to pay his
agency that paid his placement accommodation for the days placement fee for Taiwan. He
fee to get a job in Taiwan as that they had not worked for.called up the lending company
a factory worker. He was Such unexpected turn of events
explaining the situation why he
repatriated when the factory came as a big blow to Joven was not able to pay his debt.
where he was Unfortunately,
e m p l o y e d The ignorance of the migrants’ labor after explaining
was forced to policy on the part of any prospective his incapacity to
temporarily migrant worker leaves him or her pay, he received
slow down its
operations due to
highly vulnerable to exploitation and ad estronger manding
letter

the lesser demand abuse. How to avoid or overcome that he pay his
of IT products in them is to be familiar with Republic debts including
United States and Act 8042 better known as the Migrant a c c u m u l a t e d
Europe brought Workers and Overseas Filipino Act interests and
about by the surcharges or else
global economic of 1995. Knowing this particular law he will be brought
recession. He prepares migrant workers to protect to court. It was
came to ECMI themselves from the possible abuse t h i s t h r e a t o f
because of fear of their labor agents and brokers. If being jailed that
that he will be b roug ht Joven
put to jail for they are not able to personally defend to seek ECMI’s
not paying his themselves, they should know at least h e l p t h r o u g h
debts. that there are agencies that would the Antipolo
When he help them fight for their rights. D i o c e s a n
arrived in Taiwan Commission for
in March 2008, De la Cruz did and others like him. All they Migrants.
not find anything unusual about could do was to wait for their The case of Joven is a usual
his employment until after condition to improve. example how some overseas
three months. His employer Few weeks later, the company Filipino workers are cheated and
announced that the factory offered the migrant workers the abused by certain exploitative
will operate only thrice a week. possibility of being repatriated recruiters who take advantages
This meant that Joven and other with a free airline ticket. of migrant workers’ vulne-
foreign migrant workers would Realizing that he had just rability. Joven’s deploy-ment
only work three days weekly, been working without saving was facilitated by paying a
hence, will also receive a salary anyway, plus the fact that placement fee through a lending
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

that was equivalent to the three- his salary was not enough company that was most likely
day job. The rest of the week to to pay his debts, Joven had owned or linked to the same
which they were not working immediately accepted the offer. job placement company. He
will be without any pay. The Before leaving Taiwan he was was even illegally charged of
company’s management had made to sign a document that 120,000 pesos (overcharged)
explained that it could not he had resigned from work. as placement fee, a violation
afford to pay all the workers Although he was not sure of the Thrice / B7

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
Pastoral Letter
Ash Wednesday 2010
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning
of the most important period in the
Church calendar. The forty-day Lenten
season that starts today prepares us for
Easter. Prayer, almsgiving and fasting are
three penitential practices that Christians
are called upon to do to better celebrate
Easter. They help us draw attention to
God’s Word that encourages us to seek
true conversion of heart and soul. Fasting
disciplines our bodies, helping us seek the
Lord with greater intensity, while putting
us in solidarity with those who suffer.
Works of Charity enlarge our hearts
as we commit ourselves to the good of
others. Prayer means speaking with God
in spiritual communion.
Good deeds and almsgiving consist of
self-sacrifice to serve and benefit others.
Christ and His Apostles spent their lives
serving others. Christ instructed His
followers to do good deeds for spiritual
rewards, not for human recognition. By
doing good, you can ease the emotional
and physical pain of people in need. You
also encourage compassion and charity
in your daily life and strengthen your
Christian soul. One such good deed is
to respond to a call to feed the hungry
children in our community.
Statements
stunted in their growth. Worse, the
acute or severe cases of malnutrition
are increasing. We now have more
than 8 million Filipino children who
are underweight and under height.
According to the WHO, malnutrition
prevalence rate of 5% is considered of
public health significance. The rate in
the Philippines is about 30%.
Hunger and malnutrition are very
pressing concerns for our society. As
Pope Benedict XVI said to world leaders
gathered for the UN Food summit in Rome
on November 16, 2009, “Hunger is the
most cruel and concrete sign of poverty.”
He said that the fundamental right of every
human person is first and foremost the
right to sufficient, healthy and nutritious
food supportive of the essential right to
life itself. He also called on churches to
defeat hunger in a planned, responsible
and regulated manner to support the
sector-wide effort to eradicate it as a
manifestation of solidarity.
HAPAG-ASA is a Christ-centered
nutrition program and values formation
that helps malnourished children through
nutritionist-approved feeding, as well as
their families through skills training and
livelihood opportunities for their parents.
The promise of HAPAG-ASA is to have
B5
life. Through collaborating dioceses
and organizations, it has fed more than
500,000 Filipino children nationwide in
the past four (4) years. This year, it is
targeting another 120,000 children, of
which more than 30,000 will be fed in the
parishes of the Pondo ng Pinoy member
dioceses where you belong.
We appeal to you to support HAPAG-
ASA in its efforts to care for hungry and
malnourished children of our parishes.
We encourage you to give to the HAPAG-
ASA what had been set aside from your
fasting. Your donation, no matter how
small, will go a long way as it only costs
a mere ten pesos a day or P1,200 to feed
a hungry child once a day, five days
a week, for six months. You can save
the life of a Filipino child with P1,200.
Please ask your parish office for donation
envelopes or ways you can be of help
to the program. You can also help your
parish start a HAPAG-ASA program for
the malnourished children in your parish
if it has not yet done so.
Our Lord said: “I was hungry and you
gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave
me drink. Whatever you did to the least
of my brethren, you did it to me.” We
wish everyone a meaningful spiritual
journey this time of Lent, “casting aside

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

In the last 5 years, the pernicious
problem of hunger and malnutrition
persists in the Philippines. Initial results of
7th National Nutrition Survey conducted
in 2008 show that three out of ten Filipino
children are hungry and malnourished!
They are underweight and under height,
fullness of life through feeding the body
and feeding the spirit.
HAPAG-ASA is a sustainable
program that not only gives out food
for the hungry, but at the same time
teaches children and their parents,
values that would lead them to a better
all that distracts the spirit and growing
in whatever nourishes the soul, moving
it to love of God and neighbor.”
+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL
ROSALES, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila

‘God, in Fact, Wishes to Heal the Whole Man’

Homily of Pope Benedict XVI during the 18th World Day of the Sick and the 25th
anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Council for Health Care
Lord Cardinals,
Venerated Brothers in the
Episcopate,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Gospels, in the
synthetic descriptions of
the brief but intense public
life of Jesus, attest that he
proclaimed the Word and
healed the sick, sign par
excellence of the closeness
of the Kingdom of God. For
example, Matthew writes:
“And he went about all
Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues and preaching
the gospel of the kingdom
and healing every disease
and every infirmity among
the people” (Matthew 4:23;
cf 9:35). The Church, which
has been entrusted with
the task of prolonging the
mission of Christ in space
and time, cannot neglect
these two essential works:
evangelization and care of
the sick in body and spirit.
God, in fact, wishes to heal
the whole man, and in the
Gospel the healing of the
body is a sign of a more
profound healing, which
is the remission of sins (cf
Mark 2:1-12).
Hence, it is not surprising
that Mary, Mother and
model of the Church, is
invoked and venerated
as “salus infirmorum,”
“health of the sick.” As
first and perfect disciple
of her Son, she has always
shown, accompanying the
gratitude to Cardinal Fiorenzo
Angelini, first president of the
dicastery and ever impassioned
leader in this realm of ecclesial
activity; as also to Cardinal
Javier Lozano Barragán, who
until a few months ago gave
continuity and growth to
this service. With heartfelt
cordiality I address to the
present president, Archbishop
Zygmunt Zimowski, who has
assumed this significant and
important legacy, my greetings,
which I extend to all the officials
and staff who in this quarter
of a century have collaborated
laudably in this office of the
Holy See. In addition, I wish
to greet the associations and
organizations that take care
of the organization of the
Day of the Sick, in particular
UNITALSI and the Opera
Romana Pellegrinaggi.
The most affectionate welcome
goes naturally to you, dear sick
people. Thank you for coming
and above all for your prayer,
enriched with the offer of your
toil and sufferings. And my
greeting goes also to the sick and
volunteers joining us today from
Lourdes, Fatima, Czestochowa
and from other Marian shrines,
and to all those following us on
radio and television, especially
from clinics or from their
homes. May the Lord God, who
constantly watches over his
children, give everyone relief
and consolation.
Today’s Liturgy of the Word
presents two main themes: the
first is of a Marian character,
the tested faith of generations
of men and women who have
placed their hope in God and
have committed themselves
personally, like Mary, to being
of help to brothers in need. In
the Magnificat we hear the voice
of so many men and women
saints of charity, I am thinking
joy, fruit of love. history. Across the centuries,
The maternity of the Church is the Church shows the signs of
a reflection of the solicitous love the love of God, who continues
of God, of which the prophet to do great things in humble
Isaiah speaks: “As one whom and simple people. Suffering
his mother comforts, / so I that is accepted and offered a
will comfort you; / you shall sharing that is sincere and free,
be comforted in Jerusalem” are these not, perhaps, miracles
(Isaiah 66:13). A maternity that of love? The courage to face
evils unarmed—as Judith—
with the sole strength of faith
and of hope in the Lord, is this
not a miracle that the grace of
God arouses continually in so
many persons who spend time
and energy helping those who
suffer? For all this we live a joy
that does not forget suffering,
on the contrary, it includes it.
In this way the sick and all the
suffering are in the Church not
only recipients of attention and
care, but first and above all,
protagonists of the pilgrimage
of faith and hope, witnesses
of the prodigies of love, of the
paschal joy that flowers from
the cross and the resurrection
of Christ.
In the passage of the Letter
of James, just proclaimed, the
Apostle invites awaiting with
constancy the already close
coming of the Lord and, in this
context, addresses a particular
exhortation to the sick. This
context is very interesting,
because it reflects the action
of Jesus, who curing the sick
showed the closeness of the
Kingdom of God. Sickness
is seen in the perspective
of the end times, with the
realism of hope that is typically
Christian. “Is any one among
© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM
the foundation and practice
of the sacrament of the
anointing of the sick, is
extracted at the same time a
vision of the role of the sick
in the Church: An active role
as it “provokes,” so to speak,
prayer made with faith. “Is
any among you sick? Let
him call for the elders of
the church.” In this Year for
Priests, I wish to stress the
bond between the sick and
priests, a sort of alliance, of
evangelical “complicity.”
Both have a task: The sick
person must “call” the
presbyters, and they must
respond, to bring upon the
experience of sickness the
presence and action of the
Risen One and of his Spirit.
And here we can see all the
importance of the pastoral
care of the sick, the value of
which is truly incalculable,
because of the immense good
it does in the first place to the
sick person and to the priest
himself, but also to relatives,
to frie nds, to the community
and, through hidden and
unknown ways, to the whole
Church and to the world.
In fact, when the Word of
God speaks of healing, of
salvation, of the health of
the sick, it understands these
concepts in an integral sense,
never separating soul and
body: A sick person cured
by Christ’s prayer, through
the Church, is a joy on earth
and in heaven, a first fruit of
eternal life.

journey of the Church,
special solicitude for the
suffering. Testimony of this
is given by the thousands
of people who go to Marian
shrines to invoke the Mother
of Christ, and find strength
and relief. The Gospel
narrative of the Visitation
(cf. Luke 1:39-56) shows us
how the Virgin, after the
evangelical announcement,
did not keep to herself
the gift received, but left
immediately to go to help
her elderly cousin Elizabeth,
who for six months had been
carrying John in her womb.
In the support given by
Mary to this relative who
was, at an advanced age,
living a delicate situation
such as pregnancy, we see
prefigured the whole action
of the Church in support of
life in need of care.
The Pontifical Council
for Health Care Ministry,
instituted 25 years ago by
the Venerable John Paul II,
is undoubtedly a privileged
expression of this solicitude.
My thought goes with
and it unites the Gospel and the
first reading, taken from the last
chapter of the Book of Isaiah,
as well as the Responsorial
Psalm, taken from Judith’s
canticle of praise. The other
theme, which we find in the
passage of the Letter of James,
is of the prayer of the Church
for the sick and, in particular,
of the sacrament reserved for
them. In the memorial of the
apparitions of Lourdes, a place
chosen by Mary to manifest
her maternal solicitude for the
sick, the liturgy appropriately
makes the Magnificat resonate,
the canticle of the Virgin who
exalts the wonders of God in
the history of salvation: the
humble and the indigent, as all
those who fear God, experience
his mercy, [he] who reverses
earthly fortunes and thus
demonstrates the holiness of
the Creator and Redeemer. The
Magnificat is not the canticle of
those on whom fortune smiles,
who always “prosper”; rather
it is the thanksgiving of those
who know the tragedies of life,
but trust the redeeming work of
God. It is a song that expresses
you suffering? Let him pray.
Is any cheerful? Let him sing
praise” (James 5:13). We seem
to hear similar words in St.
Paul, when he invites to live
everything in relation to the
radical news of Christ, his
“The true measure of humanity is death and resurrection (cf. 1
essentially determined in relationship Corinthians 7:29-31). “Is any
to suffering and to the sufferer” among you sick? Let him call for
the elders of the church, and let
(No. 38). By instituting a dicastery them pray over him, anointing
dedicated to health care ministry, him with oil in the name of the
the Church also wished to make her Lord; and the prayer of faith
own contribution to promote a world will save the sick man, and the
Lord will raise him up; and if
capable of receiving and looking
he has committed sins, he will
after the sick as persons. In fact, she be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).
has wished to help them to live the Evident here is the prolongation
experience of sickness in a human of Christ in his Church; he
is always the one who acts
way, without denying it, but giving it a
through the presbyters; it is
meaning.” his same Spirit that operates
through the sacramental sign
in particular of those who speaks without words, which of the oil; it is to him that
consumed their lives among arouses consolation in hearts, a faith is directed, expressed in
the sick and suffering, such as joy that paradoxically coexists prayer; and, as happened with
Camillus of Lellis and John of with pain, with suffering. Like the persons cured by Jesus, one
God, Damien de Veuster and Mary, the Church bears within can say to each sick person:
Benito Menni. Whoever spends herself the tragedies of man, Your faith, supported by the
a long time near persons who and the consolation of God, faith of brothers and sisters,
suffer, knows anguish and she keeps them together, in has saved you.
tears, but also the miracle of the course of her pilgrimage in From this text, which contains
Dear friends, as I wrote
in the encyclical “Spe
Salvi,” “The true measure
of humanity is essentially
determined in relationship to
suffering and to the sufferer”
(No. 38). By instituting a
dicastery dedicated to health
care ministry, the Church
also wished to make her own
contribution to promote a
world capable of receiving
and looking after the sick
as persons. In fact, she has
wished to help them to live
the experience of sickness
in a human way, without
denying it, but giving it a
meaning.
I would like to end these
reflections with a thought
of the Venerable Pope John
Paul II, to which he gave
witness with his own life. In
the apostolic letter “Salvifici
Doloris,” he wrote: “At one
and the same time Christ has
taught man to do good by his
suffering and to do good to
those who suffer.”
May the Virgin Mary help
us to live this mission fully.
Amen!
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

The passage Jesus had to fulfill

Second Sunday of Lent (Lk 9:28-36); February 28, 2010
By Msgr. Lope C. Robre- the Jewish sense of an expected
dillo, SThD Messiah, the anointed one, sent
by God in the Davidic, kingly or
political tradition. He would be
TODAY’S Go sp el fo c us e s a political figure identified with
on Luke’s narrative on the the “Messiah of Israel” (1QS
transfiguration of Jesus. Readers 9:11) in the Qumran community.
of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, In effect, having seen how Jesus
Mark and Luke) will easily recall healed and performed miracles,
that the transfiguration story Peter thought that Jesus was
tells of an event that took place really God’s anointed to restore
near the end of Jesus’ public the kingdom of Israel to its
ministry in which his external former glory.
appearance changed. In the It is for this reason that Jesus
presence of Peter, James and John tried to explain to them the
atop a mountain, Jesus’ clothing meaning of his messiahship by
became dazzlingly white, and means of the prediction of his
with him appeared Moses and passion: “The Son of Man,” he
Elijah who spoke with him. Peter said, “must first endure many
was so overwhelmed by what sufferings, be rejected by the
took place that he suggested elders, the high priests and the
that three tents be made: one for scribes, and be put to death,
them, assuming they understood
it. After all, even after Jesus’
death, the disciples, according to
Luke, thought that Jesus would
free Israel from the Romans
and restore its political and
economic glory (Luke 24:21).
The story of transfiguration,
therefore, functions as a
corrective of Peter’s faith
in Jesus’ messiahship and
confirms what Jesus said in the
prediction of his passion. The
presence of Moses and Elijah,
who would have fulfilled the
requirement for witnessing in
Luke’s theology (cf Simeon and
Anna in the Infancy Narrative
of Luke), serves to indicate
that the Law (Moses) and the
Prophets (Elijah) testify to the
identity of Jesus as the suffering
Messiah. Understandably
enough, Luke—and no other
synoptic evangelist—says that
the two heavenly figures “spoke
of his passage, which he was
to accomplish in Jerusalem”
(Luke 9:31). In the Greek Bible,
the term translated in English
as “passage” is exodos, which
could also mean departure,
the Exodus. Since the use of
the word no doubt echoes the
Exodus of Israel from Egypt
to the land of milk and honey,
what Jesus would accomplish
in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31) was a
new redeeming action for his
The passage / B7

Jesus, one for Moses and another
for Elijah. Then after a cloud
overshadowed them, a voice
was heard identifying Jesus as
his Son, who must be listened to.
Then Jesus and his three disciples
went down the mountain to be
with the people. Noting that the
event offered the disciples an
experience of the true identity
of Jesus, many preachers follow
a line of interpretation that
stresses the need to follow up
our “experience of the divine”
with the practical aspect of
spirituality, which is service to
the people we meet every day.
They say that we cannot just
contemplate on the divine; for
that would be empty if divorced
from action on behalf of the
poor.
Bo Sanchez
While such line of preaching
has something to commend it, yet
it fails to take into account that
each evangelist has a different
way of understanding the event.
If we look at the version of
Luke, we find that he has some
theological insights that are not
shared by other evangelists, and
one of them relates to the content
of the conversation between
Jesus, Moses and Elijah: “They
appeared in glory, and spoke of
his passage which he was about
www.acatholiclife.blogspot.com/
and then be raised up on the Bishop Pat Alo
third day” (Luke 9:22). And to
make sure that his disciples, who
frequently misunderstood him
and his teaching, fully realized
ENCOUNTERS
the implication of his words for
those who wished to follow him,
he continued his instruction on
Open and
to fulfill in Jerusalem” (Luke
9:21). To understand what
Luke means by this, it may be
discipleship: “Whoever wishes
to be my follower must deny
his very self, take up his cross
fearless
recalled that earlier on, Jesus
asked his disciples who did
crowds say he was. It appears
each day and follow in my
steps” (Luke 9:24). We do not
know how, according to Luke,
speech
that they had come to uncover the disciples reacted to Jesus’ WE know that expression quoted from the Bible by the
the reality of what he was teaching, for Luke records none great Pope John Paul II: “Duc in Altum”, which translates
through the public confession of it, unlike in Mark where we in the complete citation, as follows: “When he had finished
of Peter who addressed him as find Peter remonstrating with speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay
the “Messiah of God.” But when the Lord (Mark 8:33). But one your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked
Peter used this title to describe could make the educated guess hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I
him, there is scarcely any doubt that his declaration would have will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they
that he understood this title in proved a disappointment to netted such a huge number of fishes that their nets began
to tear, so they signaled to their companions in the other
boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled
the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this

SOULFOOD he fell at the knees of Jesus, saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a

sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were completely
overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James
and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But

Open up your life to love

HAVE you ever wondered if fish
drank water?
I know what you’re thinking.
Only a crazy guy like me thinks
of such lunacy.
Well, think of a tiny fish right
smack in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean.
Now tell me. Wouldn’t it be
funniest thing in the world if
baby fish says to mother fish,
“Mommy, I’m thirsty.”
I mean, helloooooo….
Can you imagine what his
mother will say?
“Geepers, kid! Have you
been dunked in wasabe? Has
Jaws III chewed off your head?
Has a giant squid sucked out
your brain? Have you stepped
down the evolution ladder
and developed only a brain
stem? How in the *@&*$%!!@#!
could you be thirsty?” (Note:
I apologize for the obscene
language. The mother is not
spiritually renewed and is far
from the saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ.)
“Well…I forgot how to do it.
I’m only one day old, you know.
And I am really thirsty,” the little
squirt says, her fin pointing to
her mouth.
“Ow alright,” the mother spits,
“if you want to drink water, all
you have to do is open up.”
“Open up?”
“Yes, dummy. You don’t have
to go to the fridge and pour
yourself a glass of liquid. You
don’t have to go to a store and
Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid, from now on it is men
you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they
left everything and followed him” (Lk. 5:4-11)..
Jesus only came to teach us truth and love, both by word and
example. His life shows us that true love is humble, patient
buy a can of Coke. And you don’t of Coke… and forgiving (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4). He extends his love even toward
have to wait for rain drops to No, praying isn’t you doing his enemies. Why I imply here that our mission be open and
fall down the sky and open your something. I believe that praying fearless speech is because I mean by truth—the whole truth
mouth while belting out, “I’m is essentially allowing something and nothing but the truth. You know what a lie consists
singing in the rain…” All you to happen to you. in—a lie is a half truth or a part of the truth. It would not be
have to do is open up! Open your Because right this minute, you evangelization if we hide part of the truth. “Everything that is
mouth and open your throat, are surrounded by the ocean of now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden
and the whole Pacific Ocean will God’s Presence. will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered
come rushing into you.” He’s all over you, enveloping in hidden places will be proclaimed in the housetops…. Do
“Oh…” you, immersing you, drenching not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do
So the baby fish opens up, and you with His love. no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he
does a summersault as it is hit You need Him? Open up. has killed, has the power to cast into hell” (Lk. 12:2-6).
by a torpedo of water shooting You need His power? Open A previous nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Gian
through her system. up. Vincenzo Moreni had left me a souvenir medal with some
Yes, all we have to do is open You need His blessing? Open significant inscription in Latin—Robur Pacis Veritas. The
up! up. medal showed the picture of Jesus and St. Peter kneeling
Some people have a hard time You need anything right now? before him. The Latin saying (translated—truth is the strength
praying. Open up. of peace) intends to say that truth is the very foundation of
They think it’s a matter of going He’ll be coming, running, peace. Evangelization therefore or education in the Christian
to the fridge for a glass of water rushing towards you with His truth is what can bring peace to our world because it is
or going to the store to buy a can love. entirely based on truth and love. “The truth shall set you
free” (Jn. 8:32).

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WHATEVER
WITH each passing day, moral relativism
continues to intensely plague the world
and our society. It puts into greater
doubt objective and perennial truths
about man and his purpose here on
earth. This ideology against the truth,
however, is lesser and lesser found
in exclusively boring unproductive
intellectual debates.
Among the many effective channels
chosen by the wave of moral relativism
is the audio-visual highway which
allows its ideas to be delivered not only
swiftly, but also visually—digitally to
be precise—through more attractive
mediums the bulk of which are seen
and experienced in the broad field of
entertainment media and the Internet.
Teenagers are the ones greatly
exposed and to a great extent depend on
these virtual communication channels.
They become easy prey to erroneous
concepts at a stage in their life when
they are still discerning clear reference
points—through role models and
values—required to forge deeper
convictions essential in shaping a more
stable and mature personal identity.
With these foundational values upset
and confused, the youth sadly lose their
identity bearings.
Among the challenging issues acutely
misrepresented for the youth is the case
of homosexuality. This is especially true
in our country where homosexuality
has not only been greatly tolerated but
glamorized. The movie industry, T.V.
entertainment shows and comedies
have done a devastating job to iconize
the homosexual instead of upholding
traditions and values that promote
the dignity of both the young and the
Teens and the terms of homosexuality
elderly.
It is therefore important for the young—
and also for those who have the task
of guiding them– to understand what
homosexuality is, how it is perceived by
the Church and what attitude one ought
to have when personally confronted with
it or when seen in other people.
Before answering these points, it is
necessary to first define some terms. We
will not exhaust all the terms related to
homosexuality. It would be sufficient to
define the most essential ones related
to man’s sexual identity to unveil the
misconceptions conveyed by media
regarding homosexuality.
a. Human sexuality – this is an
objective reality that is not confined
only to one’s genital or reproductive
expressions. It encompasses the totality
of the person because it is anchored in
the psychological foundations of the
affective life’s development, in relations
others and a sense of desire. It has two
important features: affection for the
other and procreation.
b. Homosexuality – represents a more
or less exclusive sexual attraction towards
a person of the same sex. It corresponds
to a sexual tendency that arises during
the early stages of the person’s affective
development. Its development stems not
from a genetic configuration, as this has
not been proven up to now, but from an
unresolved psychological conflict during
the person’s early sexual stages.
c. Psychological bi-sexuality – this is
the point in the person’s life when he
becomes aware of sexual differences.
This means that he is capable of relating
with both sexes interiorly, not in the
sense of the commonly mistaken notion
of being simultaneously man and “sexual tendency” determining of his other hand, is only one of the many
woman, but the ability to relate with the “sexual identity”. instinctive tendencies (e.g. voyeurism,
opposite sex and to be consistent with exhibitionism, etc.) of one’s sexuality.
his own sexual identity in his emotional Having defined the terms above, we Now the part cannot be determining of
life and not only his social life. Failure at can now state the following points: the whole.
this stage leads to many psychological a. Homosexuality is not sinful as Therefore, it would be unreasonable and
problems in one’s sexual maturity. an “unresolved psychological conflict would lead to detrimental consequences
d. Sexual identity – this is the objective during the person’s early sexual if one were to base one’s identity on only
fact of being man or woman. This is stages”. What is immoral is not to one tendency. This is also the reason why
the natural outcome that arises once sincerely resolve this conflict, to give homosexuality can never be considered
a person has been able to integrally in to one’s tendencies and to engage as an alternative gender option. Sexual
traverse the stage of psychological in homosexual acts. These acts are identity is not a personal or subjective choice
bi-sexuality towards a mature sexual intrinsically disordered and contrary made by the person but something nature
identity. to God’s design for the complementary imbeds in the individual.
e. Sexual tendency – this is only a sexual act between a man and a woman e. Persons with homosexual tendencies
partial aspect of one’s sexuality, and is in marriage (Cf. Catechism of the deserve to be respected. The Catechism of
not and never can be the basis of one’s Catholic Church, #2357) the Catholic Church teaches: “They must
sexual identity. This fact alone opens b. Homosexuality isn’t rooted in a be accepted with respect, compassion,
the door for an effective hope in the person’s genes. If this were so, then the and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust
rehabilitation of one’s homosexuality. case of twins where one is homosexual discrimination in their regard should
f. Sexual experience – this is the would imply that his twin would also be avoided. These persons are called to
election of a homosexual reference which be homosexual. But studies have never fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they
corresponds to a need of being related achieved a 100% considering that the are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice
with the person of the same sex in order genes of twins are identical. of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they
to “internalize one’s sexual identity” and c. Homosexuality can be properly may encounter from their condition.”
move towards heterosexuality. guided and revitalized. Since it is (no. 2358)
g. Sexual orientation – one’s sexual not something genetically defined, f. Finally, homosexual persons are
exposure that is acquired as a result of homosexuality as a “psychological –like everyone– called to live chastity.
historical (socio-cultural) processes and malady” can be rehabilitated. Ever Again the Catechism says: “By the
is not something imposed with one’s since 1973, the gay movement achieved virtues of self-mastery that teach them
birth. As opposed to sexual experience, the lamentable milestone of obliging inner freedom, at times by the support of
it tends to eroticize relationships with the American Society of Psychiatrist disinterested friendship, by prayer and
the same sex. to erase homosexuality from the list of sacramental grace, they can and should
h. Gender – originally, the terms “sex” mental illnesses. Sadly, a malady isn’t gradually and resolutely approach
(that is, sexual identity) and “gender” cured or redefined by simply removing Christian perfection.” (no. 2359)
were interchangeable. Those espousing it from a list.
anti-life ideas, however, do not equate d. Homosexual tendency cannot (*Sources: Most of the definitions in
the two and say that “sex” is assigned determine one’s sexual identity. One’s this article were taken from Fr. Tony
at birth, but that “gender” is how a sexual identity can only be that of being Anatrella’s study titled, Homosexuality
person perceives himself or herself. a man or a woman. Sexual identity and Homophobia, and in his speech during
This nuance does nothing more than to is something objectively defined at the World Youth Day in Cologne, April
sow more confusion by making one’s birth. Homosexual tendency, on the 2003.)
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
B7

The advocacy of preserving

the Ayala Watershed
FOR two years now Rigid Aggregates Mining Corporation
(RAMC) has been making its level best to get the City of
Zamboanga to grant its application to conduct exploration
and operation activities within the Ayala watershed area. The
permit has not yet been given, thanks in no small part to the
efforts of several groups to block the grant of this permit.
Although Silsilah Dialogue Movement was the original
oppositor/petitioner against conducting mining exploration
in the area, it has since been joined by other groups, notably
the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), the Industrial
Group of Zamboanga, Inc. (IGZI) and a farmers’ cooperative.
The ZCWD already utilizes deep wells to supply the residents
of Ayala with piped water; several IGZI members operate
canning factories in Ayala in which thousands are employed;
the farmers’ cooperative depends on a continuous supply of
clean water for their farming activities. The operations of these
three sectors will be greatly threatened if the water coming
from the watershed will be compromised by the operation of
a mining company.
In spite of the efforts of the petitioners against the grant of
the permit to RAMC, the government of the City of Zamboanga
has not changed its stand of “no opposition” to the RAMC
application. Thus the groups also referred to as Advocates for
the Preservation of the Ayala Watershed, have undertaken a
new tack in their campaign.
The groups have prepared two information sources on the
issue—one a sourcebook which can be used by groups and
institutions to instruct their own people, and a pamphlet
which can be more for individual use. Both carry the title

www.bt.com
“The Imminent Destruction of the Ayala Watershed” and
provide facts and significant, relevant information on the

Giving life for the land

By Louise Dumas
CHRISTMAS was sad
for the Pinagawa family.
In the early morning of
December 24, Alberto
“Tatay Berting,” a lay
minister of Anakan
Parish, Gingoog City was
on his way to celebrate
Christmas with his family
in Barangay Kalipay.
He had been up in
Minalwang, Claveria,
guarding their ancestral
lands from the operations
of the Southwood Timber
Corporation.
But he never made it home.
He was ambushed and shot
to death by still unidentified
gunmen. Twenty bullet
shells were found in the area,
Tatay Berting’s face barely
recognizable.
“We believe that his attackers
toyed with him,” said Daghayan
Pinagawa, one of their church
lay leaders. “He died protecting
our environment. For him, the
trees and the forests are very
important which is why he
really would not allow logging
companies to enter our lands. He
guarded these almost every day
even as other datus and company
personnel continuously tried
to persuade him to give up his
stand.”
On December 28, the Gingoog
parishioners organized a prayer
rally and called for justice
for Tatay Berting. This was
synonymous with their support
for their colleagues who were
lobbying inside Gingoog City’s
Sangguniang Panalalawigan,
asking for the recall of the council’s
resolution which favored STC’s
IFMA application in barangays
Eureka and Minalwang. The
council had earlier called for
a special session to discuss
this particular concern after a
signature campaign, petitioning
for the cancellation of the IFMA,
spearheaded by the Ecology
Desk of the Cagayan de Oro
Archdiocese registered around
25,000 signatories.
“We are not asking them to
stop all kinds of logging,” said Dr.
Marites Echavez, a member of the
Sta. Rita Post Disaster Task Force.
“We are not including the cutting
of planted trees because we
know that this is the livelihood
of some of the residents here.
We are only asking for three
things from the council. First,
they recall the resolution which
favors the IFMA. Second, they
conduct an ocular inspection of
the area to see if the company
has been following the rules in
their agreement, and third, for
a proper investigation of the
killing of Manong Berting.”
On that day, the council voted
8-2 in favor of passing a resolution
which recalls resolution 2007-351
that endorsed the STC’s IFMA
application, 2008-195 which
prohibited logging in Gingoog
City and the Municipality of
Magsaysay, and resolution 2008-
281 which amended the previous
resolution and allowed the cutting
of trees planted and growing in
private lands including those
under an IFMA.
This resolution, however, was
not immediately implemented
as early in the year STC filed
a petition for reconsideration.
They argued that they were not
given enough time to counter the
complaints filed against them.
A back-up action, however,
was in plan and the signature
campaign was filed by the
Legal Rights Center-CdO at the
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources’ national
office. On January 18, the DENR
released their decision to send an
independent team of experts to
probe into the case.
The developments have
been seen as victories for
the parishioners who have
been fighting against logging.
However, they recognize that
the struggle is far from over as
justice for Tatay Berting’s death
has yet to be served. In the special
mass held at the Anakan Parish
in honor of Tatay Berting, he
was praised as a true Christian
who followed Christ’s example
of self-sacrifice.
In a message, Archbishop
Antonio J. Ledesma reminded
the parishioners that Tatay
Berting had been guarding the
trees because he was concerned
for those living at the low-lying
areas. It was not for himself
whose residence was comfortably
located on top of a mountain, far
from the threats of floods and
landslides.
Archbishop Ledesma also
reiterated the pope’s message
during the World Day of
Peace, stressing on the church’s
ecological awareness and the
relationship that exists between
the Creator, human beings and
the created order.
“The pope had emphasized
that the environment must be
seen as God’s gift to all people
and the use of it entails a shared
responsibility for all humanity,”
he said.
issue. Objective and accurate information goes a long way in
getting people to look at a situation as it should be looked at.
This was the hope and the rationale that led to the publication
of the two materials.
The information materials were launched at the Silsilah
Center in downtown Zamboanga City on January 29. In
attendance were the petitioners, concerned residents of the
impact barangays, other concerned individuals supportive of
the cause, and members of the media.
Atty. Laisa Alamia, one of the two legal counsels of the
oppositors, referred to several Philippine laws that if applied as
intended by the respective legislation, will clearly resolve the
matter in favor of the position taken by the petitioners. Among
these are the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the NIPAS
Law; the Climate Change Law. There is also a memorandum
circular between the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) defining the responsibility of both
government offices to take care of the environment including
the watershed.
Atty. Alamia stressed strongly that “We are not opposing
the mining company; we are for the protection of the Ayala
Watershed. …[we] question the implementation of the mining
act.”
“I don’t want to dwell on the reasons why the [pertinent
government offices] are acting in a highly irregular manner.
It is just unexpected for them to act this way when all the
evidence shows that they should have acted the right way,”
Atty. Alamia said.
Attendees participated actively at the open forum during the
launching showing surprise why many among the concerned
government offices would not represent their position on the
issue, nor represent their interest.
Among other important issues tackled during the discussion
include continuing the effort of bringing to the attention of the
city’s decision makers their grievances on the threat to their
source of potable water. They also shared ideas as to how to
pursue the issue within the legal and democratic framework,
not the least of which is through the ballot in view of the coming
election at both the national and local levels in May 2010.
The groups’ advocacy of preserving the Ayala Watershed
is not directed only to the immediate good of the current
population but for the benefit of the coming generations.
(Silsilah Dialogue Movement)

Thrice / B4

to the allowable placement fee set
by Philippine Overseas Employment
Agency (POEA). Luckily, Joven had
declared an affidavit that such huge
amount was being demanded from him
to be paid in a monthly amortization
payment deductible from his salary
every fifteen days while working in
a Taiwanese factory. When his case
was brought to the attention of the
POEA, he was not anymore forced to
pay the remaining balance of his debt.
He could have brought his placement
agency to court for having cheated
him, but he did not bother to do so.
All he wanted to happen then was to
be liberated from the harassment of
the lending company.
Earlier, Joven could have sought
assistance from the Labor Attaché
of MECO in Taipei before signing
a document attesting that he has
voluntarily resigned from his work.
But then he was not probably aware
of his rights nor was familiar where
to seek help. Clearly, his case was
a termination from work due to the
incapacity of the company to pay
them. But making him sign a voluntary
resignation document was a clear
ploy of the company to clear itself of
any liability in case workers would
complain in the future. Taiwanese
companies are not allowed to hire
foreign workers once proven that
they had been involved in illegally
terminating their migrant workers.
There are several lessons to be
learned from the case of Joven. The
ignorance of the migrants’ labor
policy on the part of any prospective
migrant worker leaves him or her
highly vulnerable to exploitation and
abuse. How to avoid or overcome
them is to be familiar with Republic
Act 8042 better known as the Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipino Act
of 1995. Knowing this particular law
prepares migrant workers to protect
themselves from the possible abuse
of their labor agents and brokers. If
they are not able to personally defend
themselves, they should know at least
that there are agencies that would
help them fight for their rights. A
worker who knows the law but
unfortunately, is willing to surrender
its implementation is doomed to be
violated. Moreover, one maybe familiar
with the law but is afraid to fight for its
implementation will definitely run the
risk of encountering the same abuses
that Joven had suffered from. It is
therefore important that people who
are afraid to fight for their rights for
fear of losing their jobs, should know
there are institutions that are willing
to help them. In most countries in
Asia and Europe, the chaplains for
the Filipino migrant communities are
normally made to understand to assist
migrant workers in their social and
labor problems. All the OFWs need
to do is to approach the priests that
work in their communities.
In the case of repatriated OFWs, they
could go directly to POEA or OWWA
to seek assistance. ECMI also continues
to assist any OFW who would
encounter problem in their overseas
work. For address and telephone
number of migrant chaplains overseas,
OFWs could call ECMI at 527-4135
to 42 or they could also email ECMI
at ecmicbcp07@yahoo.com. ECMI
would like to caution OFWs however
that it does not have a direct link
with countries in the Middle East
except Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon.
Hence, assistance to OFWs working
in the Middle East is too difficult to
pursue.
Labor migration has been the easiest
solution that many Filipinos have
come to think of in order to solve
their economic problems. The global
economic recession must have taught
our people that overseas work may
not necessarily be the perfect answer
as in the case of Joven who had left his
work in Manila and moved to Taiwan
as an OFW. Now back to the country
after being repatriated due to global
economic crisis, Joven has learned to
value more his current local job.

The passage / B6

people. That is to say, just as the the disciples had a glimpse of

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Messiah. For Luke, he is also the
Signature
Messiah of glory. Which is why
unlike other synoptic writers,
Luke says that the disciples
had a glimpse of the glory of
PLEASE SEND TO: Jesus (Luke 9:32). Of course,
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines the term “glory” in Luke is to be
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 connected to the risen status of
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com Jesus, his being the Son of God.
His identity as Son of God that
was made explicit by the voice
from the clouds, declaring him
as God’s Son, his Chosen One
(Luke 9:35).
Luke’s understanding of
the transfiguration should be
obvious. If the disciples saw
Jesus in his glory as God’s Son,
it is to affirm that Jesus, far
from being a Messiah in the
political tradition of his day,
is one who enters into glory
through suffering, death and
resurrection in the holy city (see
Luke 24:26). (In that sense, Luke
shares John’s view that death
and glorification is a single
event, though, as Schweizer
notes, Luke stresses the death
aspect of the event, while John
emphasizes the glorification.)
The disciples of Jesus, who
must listen to him and him
alone, are to share and follow
the same passage—death and
glorification.
 B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Title: Dear John
Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda
Seyfried, Richard Jenkins,
Henry Thomas
Running Time: 105 min.
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Producers: Marty Bowen, Wyck
Godfrey, Ryan Kavanaugh
Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Music: Deborah Lurie
Editor: Kristina Boden
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Cinematography: Terry Stacey
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Location: USA
Technical Assessment:  ½
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
John (Channing Tatum), a soldier
of the U.S. Army Special Forces is
having a two week leave to be with
Mr. Tyree (Richard Jenkins), his
father who collects rare coins with
a passion bordering on abnormality.
Also on a spring break is Savannah
Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), a young
college student whose physical
beauty matches her idealism. One
fateful day on a South Carolina
beach, John happens to be around
when Savannah accidentally drops
her purse by the pier and John
skillfully retrieves it from the deep
water. In the two glorious weeks that
follow, the two new acquaintances
fall madly in love, enjoy their short
time together, even get to know each
other’s family and neighbors. After
the two week togetherness the two
lovers vow to keep their love alive
during John’s one year tour of duty
by frequently writing each other. But
9/11 happens and John, the good
soldier answers the call of duty and
enlists again for deployment abroad.
This time the separation is much
longer. Until when can the two lovers
endure the lengthy separativeness?
Will the love letters suffice to keep
the flame of love burning?
One familiar with Nicholas
Spark’s novels or films based on
these novels will most probably be
conditioned to expect a bitter sweet
ending to our current Dear John,
another adaptation to the screen
of the popular novelist’s work. And
true enough, just like the favorite
romances, his The Notebook and
Message in a Bottle, the film Dear
John has that twist almost at the
end that makes the ending “not too
happy nor too sad” and therefore
bearing some similitude to life. A
romance is hardly expected to be
“realistic” in the sense that it can-
not be grim and dead serious but
the viewer may appreciate some
semblance to life as in the logical
development of this story and of
its characters. Love, indeed, can
be mentioned as among the “col-
lateral damage” in a war. Then, love
may not be extinguished but it can
undergo a change. Very good pho-
tography has captured the beautiful
sunshiny ambience surrounding
happy young love as well as the
grime, hardship and danger in the
war scenes as depicted or sepia
shades interspersed between the
reading of the love letters. The lead
characters are well cast. Pensive
Channing Tatum with his beautifully
chiseled body and Amanda Seyfried
with her Rapunzel-like golden hair
and expressive eyes are right for
the roles which they do adequately
well. There is not much depth to
the characterization but we note
Savannah’s compassionate nature
as shown in her attitude towards
the special child and John’s mildly
autistic father. We also note the
patriotic streak in John which impels
him to answer his country’s call, a
sacrifice that costs him dearly. Such
character traits have a bearing on
the outcome of the story. Director
Lasse Hallstrom handles the story
with a tender light touch so that the
film acquires a quiet, somewhat
lyrical, equality.
Dear John has many things going
for it. It is technically good, for one. It
has also some positive values. The
lead character Savannah comes
from a well to do family. But she
is unlike other young rich girls her
age, on vacation from college. True,
she has time far fun but she also
gives some attention to those less
fortunate, like her autistic neighbor
whom she teaches to ride a horse
and with whom she spends time. She
is idealistic and dreams of building
a camp for needy children after
graduation. She envisions a life not
only of pleasure but also of giving.
She probably understands John’s
father better than John himself so
that she mentions that he may be
an undiagnosed mild case but needs
understanding, nevertheless. John
did not at first really understand his
father with whom he could hardly
communicate but he does spend
some time with him. Autism is poi-
gnantly portrayed and the involved
families have generously accepted
the consequences of the “disability”.
Another positive value portrayed is
John’s readiness to respond to his
country’s needs. However, in spite
of the film’s technical excellence and
other good points noted, the picture
is rated below average because it is
blighted by some negative values.
Pre-marital sex can never be con-
doned. Aside from the sensuality,
there is also some violence. Only
mature viewers 14 years old and
above should allowed to see this
movie.

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi Compliments from:

Buhay Parokya SM Megamall * The Podium

Look for the images of John Paul II, Mama Mary, and a dove. (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
As everyone in Los Angeles antici- Title: Valentine’s Day
pates Valentine’s Day, flower shop Cast: Jessica Alba, Kathy
owner Reed (Ashton Kutcher) Bates, Jessica Biel, Brad-
prepares for the busiest day of ley Cooper, Eric Dane,
the year. But before he does that, Patrick Dempsey, Hector
he proposes marriage to live-in Elizondo, Jamie Foxx,
girlfriend Morley (Jessica Alba). Jennifer Garner, Topher
While his best friend Julia (Jen- Grace, Anne Hathaway,
nifer Garner), is madly in-love Carter Jenkins, Ashton
with his doctor boyfriend (Patrick Kutcher, Queen Latifah,
Dempsey) whose leaving for a Taylor Lautner, Taylor
scheduled surgery in another city. Swift
Julia does not suspect that his Director: Garry Marshall
boyfriend might be hiding some- Producers: Mike Karz, Wayne
thing from her. Her best friend Allan Rice, Josie Rosen
Kara (Jessica Biel), meanwhile, Screenwriter: Katherine
insists that she attends her “I hate Fugate
Valentine’s Day” party that same Music: John Debney
night. Theirs and other lives of Editor: Bruce Green
various characters dealing with Genre: Comedy/ Romance
different issues of romance, falling Cinematography: Charles
in and out of love, break-up and Minsky
making-up, intertwines further in Distributor: New Line Cinema
one of the most celebrated and Location: Los Angeles, Cali-
overrated, usually commercial- fornia
ized, occasions in the world. Running Time: 125 min.
Valentine’s Day treatment tends Technical Assessment: 
to be lighter as compared to other
Moral Assessment: ½
films of the same genre. The con-
CINEMA Rating: For mature
voluted plots and subplots never
viewers 18 and above
really rise beyond expectations.
The entire thread of the story just remained at a comfortable level
without added depth and substance. Most scenes are nothing more
than romantic clichés that the audience may have already seen in a
movie or two. The material comes out as very limiting to the suppos-
edly powerhouse cast. But then, Valentine’s Day still passes off as a
date movie with some of its romantic twists and relatable subplots.
The film also provides some good laughs and uplifting moments with
its showcase of various kinds of love. The strength of the film really
lies on its stellar casts whom audiences anticipate to see on the big
screen only that their appearances seem to be very brief, leaving
their fans wanting for more.
What really is the relevance of Valentine’s Day? This is one
important question posed by the movie. Has this day really lost its
relevance and is nothing more than a product of commercialism?
Valentine’s Day has tried answering these questions by present-
ing various lives of people longing for love, looking for love and
holding on to love. They all believe that love exists and it’s the only
thing on the planet that keeps everyone sane. Some may have lost
their faith in love but they eventually find it in the most unexpected
moment. The really disturbing aspect of the movie however is the
somewhat distorted concepts of love that appears to center on sex.
Most characters in the story, most of the time, relate love with sex
as if the two are interchangeable terms. The kid’s concept of love
remains to be the purest along with that of the mother’s love. Love
between friends of the opposite sex seems to be impossible to remain
platonic because it eventually leads to mutual attraction. But then,
marrying one’s best friend is almost always a good idea for friendship
is a good foundation of love. Communication, honesty, forgiveness,
tolerance and acceptance are some of the virtues associated with
love and is really shown effectively in the movie. The entire concept
of the film however, with some adult themes, nudity and presentation
of homosexual and extra-marital affairs, although made in context,
make the movie appropriate for mature audience only.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
C1

The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

8th Knights of Columbus

National Convention Set
By Bro. Junjie Cruz
COME April 16-18, 2010, all roads will lead to the Queen City of the South—
Cebu, for the 8th Knights of Columbus National Convention.
Brother knights and ladies from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are expected to gather for this trien-
nial meeting to renew fraternal ties, exchange views on how to better implement service programs.
They will be tasked to make collective statements and decisions that seek to strengthen our Catholic
faith in general and ideals of the Order in particular. The theme of the convention is: “Volunteerism:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”
The grandiose Waterfront Cebu City Hotel conveniently located at the heart of Cebu City, a few
minutes drive from Cebu’s shopping centers and a stone’s throw away from the Visayas’ renowned IT
Industrial Park, will be the main venue of the three-day convention.
At the very affordable registration fee of Php1,800.00 (if you register before March 1, 2010) Php2,000.00
if you register on March 2, 2010 or thereafter, the convention attendees will not only get to attend the
convention at Waterfront Hotel but also get to have a tour of our white sand beaches, Cebuano Heritage
Sites and more importantly, the signature Cebuano hospitality. Plus, who knows, you might bring home
with you the Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) grand prize from the convention’s raffle.

Barrio Fiesta at CICC promises to be

an ‘experience of a lifetime’
WHO has not heard of the Cebu International Convention Center
(CICC)?
CICC is Cebu’s newest landmark situated at the North Reclama-
tion Area in Mandaue City. Cebu played host to Heads of State
and dignitaries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) when they came to the Philippines for their annual
confabulation. Delegates to the 8th Knights of Columbus National
Convention will have the chance to be in the very same place where
world leaders once gathered.
April 7, 2010, a Saturday, will be a red letter day. A Barrio Fiesta
dinner reception will cap the second day of the convention. Delegates
will get to taste native delicacies not only from Cebu (including
lechon) but also from neighboring provinces and regions in the
Visayas. While eating dinner at the CICC open grounds under the
bright moonlight, the CICC’s imposing façade will be the night’s
unforgettable backdrop.
So, on the convention’s second night, change your usual bar-
ong to a comfortable printed t-shirt and enjoy this one-of-a-kind
Sabado night, truly an “experience of a lifetime” for every con-
vention delegate.
P.S. Don’t forget to bring your camera. (Bro. Junjie Cruz)

Board of Jurors holds initial meeting for TOKCA A showcase of

THE Board of Jurors recently held their initial meeting
for the upcoming awarding ceremony of The Out-
standing Knights of Columbus Award (TOKCA).
This was held last February 5, 2010 at the Makati
Sports Club in Salcedo Village, Makati City.
The Board of Jurors is headed by Msgr. Pedro
C. Quitorio III. Along with Quitorio are Patrocinio
R. Bacay, Chairman of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc, (KC-
FAPI), Antonio B. Borromeo, KCFAPI President;
Alonso L. Tan, Luzon State Deputy, Dionisio R. Es-
teban, Jr., Visayas State Deputy, Sofronio R. Cruz,
Mindanao State Deputy; Ambassador Henrietta De
Villa, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council for
Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and Professor Felipe
B. Alfonso, Executive Director of the Ramon V. del
Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Responsibility.
The jurors will choose winners from each pro-
fession such as government service; accountancy
and business; engineering, science and technology;
academe; medical and health care services; law and
judiciary; sports and entertainment; journalism and
media; agriculture; youth and community develop-
ment; arts and literature; and entrepreneurship.
According to Joseph P. Teodoro, Vice-President
of the Fraternal Benefits Group, the winners of the
diverse fields will be announced in March.
“They will receive their plaques of recognition
during the 8th Knights of Columbus National Con-
vention on April 16, 2010 in Cebu City,” he said.
TOKCA, a search for members of the KC Order
who have excelled in their chosen professions, was
launched in July 2, 2009. (Joseph Teodoro)
Color Corps Sword
and Drill Skills
THE thirteen districts of the Knights of Co-
lumbus Fourth Degree, Ferdinand Magellan
Province (Philippines) will have the chance to
demonstrate their skills in the execution of the
sword and squad drill on April 16, 2010, during
the first day of the 8th National Convention.
Considered as “The Visible Arm of the Order,”
ten Sir Knights from every district (1 commander
and 9 members) who must be registered conven-
tion delegates will submit themselves to a battery
of tests on the proper execution and movements
of the Color Corps as prescribed in the KC Fourth
Degree Sword and Drill Manual.
On hand to judge the Sword and Drill Com-
petition will be SK Pedro M. Rodriguez, Vice

Insurance Commission approves revised KC Dollar Plan
THE Insurance Commission has
approved KCFAPI’s application
to offer the sale of the revised KC
Dollar Supreme Plan. The go signal
was contained in the letter signed
by the Honorable Insurance Com-
missioner Eduardo T. Malinis.
The revised plan was christened
the KC DOLLAR HERITAGE.
KCFAPI Fraternal Benefits Group
(FBG) Vice President, Joseph P.
Teodoro, announced the good
news to the group of fraternal
benefits associates, area managers
and team leaders who attended
the Life Insurance Agency Man-
agement Seminar at the KCFAPI
Home Office.
This development was well re-
ceived by the sales leaders since it
will boost performance in 2010. The
KC Dollar Plan was responsible for
the 25% excess of actual first year
contribution income over target
in 2009.
The Fraternal Benefits Group has
lined up a number of activities to
drum up increased participation of
Brother Knights and family mem-
bers (wives, children & parents)
to KC Dollar Heritage. (Joseph
Teodoro)
KCFAPI ISO 9001-2008 Compliant
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
was issued its certification from Cer-
tification International Philippines,
Inc. (CI) last February 8, 2010 as the
Association’s quality management
system has been assessed as conform-
ing to ISO 9001:2008 for the scope of
design, development and provision
of mutual benefits.
Formerly ISO 9001:2000 certified,
KCFAPI passed the reassessment audit
held January 25, 2010 and was found
compliant to international standards.
This is a testament of the As-
sociation’s dedication to provide
quality service to BC Holders and
their families and its commitment to
continuously improve management
system. (Ira Tee)
Supreme Master as Chairman with SK Alonso
Tan, Luzon Deputy; SK Dionisio Esteban, Jr.,
Visayas Deputy; SK Sofronio Cruz, Mindanao
Deputy and SK Allan Ouano, Host Visayas
Secretary, as members.
Criteria for judging will be as follows: Proper
Execution – 40%, Proper Uniform – 35%, Voice &
Clarity of the Command – 15%, Poise/Bearing of
the Commander – 10% for a total of 100%.
Php30,000.00 cash prize awaits the cham-
pion. The 1st and 2nd runners-up will also
bring home Php20,000.00 and Php10,000.00,
respectively. The rest of the competing groups
will not be empty-handed as each group will
also receive Php3,000.00 as consolation prize.
SK Loreto V. Pablo – Master of the Fourth
Degree, District VIII, is the Color Corps Com-
petition Chairman. (Bro. Junjie Cruz)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C2 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Chairman’s
Message
Patrocinio R. Bacay
THE fourteenth of February has always held a special each one of us to think of loved ones, how about bring-
place in the hearts of many. On this day, feelings of love ing to mind the ones who cannot claim to have loved
are not difficult to come by. Instead our mind, which is ones neither can they claim having even just a single
after all the seat of this emotion, invigorates them. People someone who loves them. My dear brother knights,
find themselves wanting to manifest external signs of af- people needing some love, needing some encourage-
fection, romantic or otherwise, the primary beneficiaries ment, needing a little attention or just a little show of
of the magic of this special day will have to be those whom concern are very familiar to us. Since this special day
we hold dearest and closest to our hearts, special people makes thoughts of kindness, easily flow through our
who have touched our lives or who count most to us. hearts, how about choosing it to be a day for starting
For many, the meaning of Valentine is a concept of our “payback” time? We can all begin small or big in
joy and happy memories—for some, it has an entirely whatever quantity we wish to be measured.
different meaning when love and good memories are Happy Valentine to our loved ones and to all those
hard to come by. Since Valentine automatically lead who need to be loved.
President’s
Message
Antonio B. Borromeo
THE month of hearts is again within our midst
and always the connotation of Valentine’s is
sweethearts sharing a special moment together
with flowers and chocolates and the like. But this is not the only meaning of this special
day or special month. It can also be the occasion to share your time to a loved one, maybe
a mother, a friend or even a nobody—someone you just met for the day and whom you
would like to do some act of kindness. The feeling we get from sharing our time knows
no boundaries. The blessings we receive by sharing our talent has no limits, too, and so
with the pleasure of knowing that whatever help we can give to our fellowmen, the Lord
looks at us with equal kindness and gentleness. It is because only goodness can come from
goodness and the positive energy we emit to others will also be their source of energy to
share to others. So in this special occasion may we always find it in our hearts to share, to
give and not to count the cost since our Heavenly Father is always there knowing what
we need and always providing for that need.
Happy Valentine to all. May you enjoy the time with your family or loved ones.

Voters’ education forum slated in Bataan KC Foundation

A VOTER’S education forum was held in Samal,
Bataan last January 17, 2010 which was organized
by the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc (KCFAPI).
The forum has been organized to be able to
provide information on poll automation and
the proper usage of the new automated voting
system.
Michael de Castro, Gerard Joseph Francisco and
Ira Tee were the volunteer educators coming from
KCFAPI who facilitated the seminar.
Participants to the seminar were members of Fr.
Agustin Consunji Council 4233 and the Daughters
of Mary Immaculate St. Catherine of Siera Circle.
The theme of the forum was “Neighbors Helping
Neighbors Understand Poll Automation.”
Following the social teachings of the Church,
the Knights of the Columbus in the Philippines
is active in political advocacy through its mem-
bers spread in thousands of councils throughout
the country.
Its founder, Fr. Michael McGivney, was already
active in political advocacy and much ahead of the
formalization of the social doctrines of the church
during his time. (Kate Laceda)
scholar passes Nursing
Licensure Examination
MISTER Jean Mikhail S. Laurel, a scholar of KC
Philippines Foundation, Inc. has recently passed
the Nursing Licensure Examination conducted
last November 2009 by the Board of Nursing in
key cities nationwide.
Mr. Laurel completed his Bachelor in Nursing
at Davao Doctors’ College last April 2009. He is
the son of Bro. Jonathan and Sis. Gemma Laurel of
Sacred Heart Council 10203, Obrero, Davao City.
Mr. Laurel was a beneficiary of the Foundation
from school year 2005 to 2009.
Fr. Agustin Consunji Council 4233, Daughters of Mary Immaculate St. Catherine of Siera Circle and Volunteer Educators For him, “the KC Scholarship Program is not
from Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) – Michael de Castro and Gerard Joseph simply a program, but a manifestation of God’s
Francisco during the Voter’s Education seminar held in Samal, Bataan last January 17. service to us, His creatures.”
Through the Foundation’s financial assistance,

Columbian Squires to launch recognition award
THE Knights of Columbus-Columbi-
an Squires will be launching a recog-
nition award program for Columbian
Squire members who are graduating
as Top Five in Class for School Year
2009-2010 in the primary and second-
ary levels.
Dubbed as the “Recognition for
Squires Academic Excellence Pro-
gram,” this is an award which will
be given to deserving Columbian
Squires of the KC Luzon Jurisdiction
and aims to recognize the efforts of
the active members who give impor-
tance to their “academic education as
one step towards developing leader-
ship ability.”
Jose Cuaresma, Columbian Squires
Chairman, said that this program
intends to inspire and motivate its
members to exert more efforts aca-
demically, and exemplify leadership
in their respective schools.
This program is also one way of re-
cruiting new members for the group.
Cuaresma disclosed that “awardees
must be currently listed Columbian
Squires members, who have at least
reached the Shield Bearer level of
the Squires Advancement Program
and shall be in the Top Five of the
graduating class 2009-2010.”
Certificates and medals will be
awarded to the graduates who will
qualify for the program.
The Luzon Deputy Academic
Excellence Gold medallions and
certificates will be given to those
graduating valedictorians while
Luzon Deputy Academic Excellence
Silver medals and certificates are for
members graduating salutatorians.
Mr. Laurel’s dream of having a quality education
was realized. Now he is just steps away to a bright
future. (Denise Solina)
Meanwhile, the first, second and
third honorable mention will be
granted the bronze medals and cer-
tificates.
Basic food tips for Valentine
The awards will be given by the YES, here comes the love month once again! The
Luzon Jurisdiction headed by Lu- month of giving flowers, cards, chocolates, etc.
zon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan, Valentine’s Day for KCFAPI employees,
through the District Deputy of the is not exclusive for lovers. For them, it is an
graduates. opportunity to spend quality time with their
They will then be assisted by the family. A time to go out with the kids, eat
Squires Area Chairman and Grand together, bond with each other.
Knight or Faithful Navigator, during It is also during this time that people should
the Schools’ Graduation/ Recogni- consider how to keep their hearts healthy and
tion Days. (Kate Laceda) strong. And one way to ensure this is to watch
the food they eat. Hence the questions raised

Thousands attend Squires leadership training

are what to eat and what foods to avoid?
Here are some tips that go beyond the basics:

Eat less meat or go meatless

THOUSANDS of young di-
rectors and counselors have
participated in the recent
youth leadership training
that was organized by the
Columbian Squires, a youth
organization of the Knights
of Columbus.
The training was held at
the Bishop W. Brasseur Hall
St. Vincent Gymnasium in
Baguio City last January
30, 2010.
Among those who par-
ticipated were the squire
circles from the Cordil-
lera Administrative Region
(CAR) and Region I or the
Ilocos Region.
This training is a response
to the call of strengthening
the Columbian Squires Circle
and promoting an increase in
the number of Circles in the
Luzon Jurisdiction.
According to Jose Cuares-
ma, State Columbian Squires
Chairman, the leadership
seminar intended to train
young leaders to have a
working knowledge on
Squires Program with spe-
cial emphasis on the Squires
Advancement Program.
Cuaresma said the training
also aimed to motivate these
young leaders to increase en-
thusiasm in advancing youth
awareness and participation
in the affairs of the Order and
of the Church.
The seminar will also be
replicated at the Anahaw
Island View Resort in Cala-
pan City, Mindoro Oriental
on February 27, 2010 where
young leaders from Cala-
pan, Mindoro, and Batan-
gas will participate. (Kate
Laceda)
The American Cancer Society recommends
that people limit consumption of processed and
red meat. People who eat more red meat have
a higher risk of colon, stomach, pancreatic and
even breast and prostate cancer. Premenopausal
breast cancer has also been linked to processed
meats. You don’t have to become a vegetarian;
the idea is to put more emphasis on plant foods.
Go for fish, poultry or beans instead of red meat.
Try veggie sausage or veggie burgers.

Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus Don’t drink your calories

The calories you drink are more likely to show
Fraternal Association of up on your bathroom scale than the calories you
Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc., the Philippines Inc., is an chew. Beverages have a weak effect on satiety
cues. Any beverage with calories makes a de-
established and progressive posit in your fat cells. One should stick to water
an established mutual benefits association is currently looking for: mutual benefits association or other calorie-free beverages. Diet soft drinks
operating for 51 years, has may help if you’re hooked on soda pop.
Auditor been highly committed to Snack Smart
provide mutual aid and as-
Underwriting Supervisor
The average Filipino eats three meals and
sistance to its members and two meriendas a day. What’s changed since the
last century is that we are certainly eating more
their immediate families.
Underwriting Assistant in ounces, in calories, and in calories per ounce
(calorie density). Lower calorie density will
KC Fraternal firmly be- lower the incidence of obesity. In other words,
Accounting Staff lieves that the continued trade the chips, candies, cookies, and other junk
foods for apples, carrots, red pepper slices and
progress and success of the
BRO Staff – Loans, Maturities & Excess Payments association depends to a
other fresh (not dried) fruits and veggies. Fruits
and vegetables are key players in lowering calo-
great extent on its human rie density. And if you can afford the calories,
BRO Staff – Customer Care capital. think nuts. Nut eaters have a lower risk of heart
diseases, in part because the polyunsaturated
fats in nuts help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
If you are dedicated, service-oriented, and have the promising potential KC Fraternal also believes Whenever you can, try to get extra fruits and veg-
that through training and etables into your day, tuck them into casseroles,
to join us in our continuous drive to provide mutual aid, assistance and a host of other benefits if
sandwiches and pizza and keep them on hand
to turn to when you get the munchies.
excellent service to our members. Kindly send your comprehensive coupled with hard work, will
help employees and the as- Sip Soup, Not Salt
resume’ thru fax number 527-2244 or hand-carry resume’ with a 2x2 Salt raises blood pressure, which boosts the
sociation, attain their goals risk of heart attacks and strokes. Nevertheless,
photo and transcript of records to: and objectives. the food industry keeps dumping salt into our
food, especially restaurant foods. Soup is one of
In our continuous drive to the worst offenders because it crams so much
sodium- roughly 1,000 mg per serving. It is
provide excellent service to advisable to make your own soup, so, you can
our members, we are cur- use much less salt and more vegetables than in
rently on the look-out for canned soup or those served in restaurants.
individuals with promising Finish With Fruits
potentials. He must be dedi- For many people, dessert is the time to
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

cated, service oriented, and
KC Family... Our Concern
willing to undergo training.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL
ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. Our compensation and em-
ployee benefits are compa-
Gen. Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., rable, if not better than most
Intramuros, Manila companies of our same size
and nature of business.
You may also call 527 – 2223 local 202 for queries and look for Ms. Kristianne.
splurge. Many proudly finish off their grilled
salmon, broccoli, and salad with chocolate
cheesecake, tiramisu, or a leche flan. One must
look for fruit on the menu at restaurants. At
home, make elegant but simple fruit dessert.
That’s not to say you can never have another
slice of cheesecake or tiramisu or fudge brown-
ie sundae. Just save it for (really) rare occasions
when you can afford an extra 1,000 calories!
Happy Valentine and for our Chinese friends
Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Jaime M. Talag, M.D.)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010
C3

A Strong Shield
INSPIRED by Catholic values, we consider immoral. Thus, we will
Knights of Columbus Insurance not invest a brother Knight’s money
continues to protect the financial in companies that engage in things
future of families such as abortion or pornography,
AS our global economy continued things that go against the funda-
to limp along in 2009, and as the mental moral values of our Catholic
life insurance industry saw lower faith.
sales and experienced significant By Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson What holds true for us at home
investment losses resulting from the should also hold true for our busi-
prolonged recession, the Knights of Columbus avoided the worst effects while ness decisions, and at the Knights of Columbus, it does. This hasn’t hurt busi-
recording record sales. ness, either.
The reason is simple: We continue to build upon more than a century of com- Our rules bar us from investing in companies and industries with immoral
mitment to putting faith and families first. products, research or services, yet year after year—and again in 2009—we have
Speaking with people unfamiliar with the Knights of Columbus, I am some- made money without compromising our principles.
times asked, “Why insurance?” The short answer is that our insurance busi- We have been successful for our members in other ways, too. During a year
ness follows the same philosophy as our Catholic charitable outreach: “Love in which 140 banks failed, annuity sales at the Knights of Columbus were up
of neighbor.” 60 percent, or $180 million—a new record. In 2009, the Order’s overall assets
When Father Michael J. McGivney came to New Haven as a young priest, his grew by nearly 10 percent. Many insurance companies are cutting dividend
parishioners worked in dangerous factories. If a father died or was seriously rates in 2010; the Knights of Columbus is not.
injured, his family would suffer—often terribly. Father McGivney wanted to People sometimes ask why we maintain such a large surplus. In times like
protect these Catholic families, and he put his principles to work in founding these, they have stopped asking.
the Knights. The Knights ended 2009 with nearly $75 billion of insurance in force. Once
True to his vision, the Knights of Columbus has continued its high ethical again we earned the top ratings for financial strength from A.M. Best and
standards because we view our brother Knights as family. As a result, our fine Standard and Poor’s, as well as certification from the Insurance Marketplace
team of insurance, financial and investment professionals cares for the money Standards Association for our commitment to ethical business practices.
of our members as if it were their own. While many in the insurance industry struggled, we saw a flight to the kind
When it comes to shielding his family from financial uncertainty, every family of quality that comes from our philosophy: a mission to protect the financial
man looks for safety, prudence, protection, quality and sustainable growth of security of Catholic men and their families based on Venerable Michael Mc-
investments. Such thinking isn’t just “smart.” It is the right and moral course Givney’s vision 128 years ago.
of action. People can see the difference. In 2009, we had our best year ever with more
Many companies were lured by the promise of quick profits that put their than $7 billion in sales.
clients’ finances in jeopardy. With a business model based on Catholic principles, As we begin 2010, my pledge to every brother Knight and his family is this:
however, we weathered the storm of the past year, and it was another financially We will stay the course that has proven so successful in the current financial
strong year for the Knights of Columbus. crisis. We will continue to build upon the ethical and financial strength of the
Consider this: Despite the turbulent economy, we ended the year in the black Knights of Columbus, and that strength will continue to be a strong shield to
with investment returns in line with market indices. And we did it by invest- protect the financial future of our families.
ing ethically. We believe it is morally wrong to pay another man to do what Vivat Jesus!

Luzon Jurisdiction gears KC scholarship

for 2010 Walk for Life
OFFICERS of the Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction conducted
a meeting in preparation for the forthcoming 2010 Walk for Life.
The meeting was held last February 5, 2010 at the Fr. George
Willmann Center in Intramuros, Manila.
The discussion was facilitated by Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, the Luzon
State Secretary and joined by Bonifacio B. Martinez, State Program
Director.
Among those who attended the meeting were some of the State
Committee Chairmen and District Deputies from the Archdiocese
of Manila and from nearby dioceses.
qualifying tests held
This will be the second Walk for Life of the Luzon Jurisdiction.
The first was held in March last year attended by the members of
the Order and other church organizations.
The Walk for Life is a continuing activity of the Luzon Jurisdiction
in order to promote its pro-life and pro-family advocacy.
Last year, the resounding statement of the Walk was the strong
opposition of the Knights of Columbus to the proposed Reproductive
Health Bill otherwise known as House Bill No. 5043.
This year the Walk for Life will be held on March 20, 2010 in
Manila. (KC News)

Add’l 5 housing units for KC Village underway THE Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. recently
administered the scholarship qualifying examination to 4th year
high school students from all over the Philippines.
THE KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. sponsored Bernardo Medina of Brgy. Tungkong Mangga, Bro. Tabuan, Cluster 7 Head, Bro. The examination was conducted at the K of C Headquarters in
anew five housing units for the Knights of Co- Mark Tagalag, North A ANCOP Head, Bro. Bobot Jojo Calderon CFC Community Intramuros, Manila and at KC Fraternal Service Offices in Caba-
lumbus GK Village at Bagong Organizer and the community natuan, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Zamboanga City.
Pangarap GK Site Tungkong residing in the area. A Special Testing center was also set-up in Baguio City to accom-
Mangga, San Jose del Monte, The construction of the modate applicants from the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Bulacan in partnership with Knights of Columbus Village The scholarship is open to graduating high school students
Couples for Christ ANCOP started in 2008 with the initial with at least 85% general weighted average and whose father
TEKTON Foundation, Inc. 10 houses and late last year is a Knights of Columbus member in good standing. Examina-
Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III another 7 units and a provi- tion results will be released on the last week of March. (Denise
recently blessed the lot where sional chapel were completed C. Solina)
these five houses will be con- through the "Bayanihan" sor-
structed in honor of Supreme ties of the employees of KC Fraternal Group Gawad Kalinga was erected in front of the area
Knight Carl A. Anderson. of Companies, Brother Knights from Manila within the Bagong Pangarap GK site.
Ground-breaking ceremony & Bulacan Councils and the Gawad Kalinga The beneficiary-families came from a squatters’
was led by Justice Jose C. Reyes, community. area in Pangarap Village, Caloocan City.
Jr. and Bro. Alonso L. Tan, Funds for the project were provided by the Profiling and validation of profiles of these
KC Foundation Chairman and KC Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. informal settlers were done to help in the
President respectively. Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. (5th from left), Bro. Alonso L. Tan, Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio (KCFAPI), the insurance arm of the Order of the screening and selection of the would-be ben-
Witnessing the rite were Bro. III, Bro. Ruperto P. Somera, together with Brgy. Captain Bernardo Medina (leftmost)
and Bro. Jojo Calderon and the residents of GK Village during the ground-breaking
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. eficiaries and this was handled by Gawad
Ruperto P. Somera, KC Founda- of additional 5 houses at the Knights of Columbus GK Village in Tungkong Mangga, A marker commemorating the first-ever partner- Kalinga-CFC Metro Manila North Sector "A".
tion Treasurer, Brgy. Captain San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. ship between the KC Philippines Foundation and (Denise C. Solina)

ACRG
Assistant
Vice-President
passes to
eternal reward

JOSELITO E. Mañalac, FLMI, died

last January 29, 2010 at his residence
in Malolos, Bulacan at 3 a.m.
Mañalac, who has been employed
with the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philip-
pines, Inc. (KCFAPI) for thirteen
(13) years, was the Assistant Vice
President of the Actuarial and Cus-
tomer Relations Group.
He died due to heart ailment,
leaving behind his wife, Lawaan
Mañalac and three children namely,
Paolo Marco, Pia Margarita and
Patrick Marlon.
Sir J.E.M. as he is fondly called
by KCFAPI employees was laid to
rest last February 3 at the Eternal
Gardens.
As one family, KCFAPI prays
for the eternal repose of his soul.
(KCFAPI News)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 14 No. 4
February 15 - 28, 2010

Columbian Squires join

YouthPinoy launch
THE Columbian Squires of the Knights of Columbus took part in the recent launch-
ing of the YouthPinoy website, a portal for the Filipino Catholic Youth.
The event happened last January 16, 2010 at the Plaza Mayor of the University of
Santo Tomas in España, Manila.
The Columbian Squires, headed by District Deputy Ramon Sanchez were in-charge
of the Security Committee during the launch.
Along with him were members and officers of the Columbian Squires namely;
Julius Ceasar Espejo, Roel De Guzman, Joseph Vicente, Mark Anthony R. Lodrigito,
Eduardo B. Jason, Rodolfo Y. Manumbas, Jose S. Pangan Jr., Fernan O. Dealca, Paulo
P. Gatdula, Jimwell S. Sales, John Paul V. dela Cruz and Jason P. Gonzales.
Rey Reyes, a Red Cross volunteer and a member of the Luzon Squires, also par-
ticipated. He was in-charge of the First Aid committee during the launch.
Meanwhile, Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan also came to witness the launching.
He also had a small talk with the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop
Edward Joseph Adams.
Adams was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration during the launch
that was concelebrated by CBCP Youth Commission Chair, Bishop Joel Baylon and
Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) Chair on Lay Apostolate Bishop
Rolando Tirona along with 12 priests, 10 of them Dominicans.
YouthPinoy is an alliance of young Filipinos who bear witness to their Catholic
faith through creative means of expression published in the World Wide Web.
The stand of the group is best described by their battle cry "Winning the World
through the Word." (KC News)

KCFAPI holds voters’ FBG holds service

training in Palawan
education forum
THE Knights of ed the functions Gari M. San Sebastian, Manager of the Fraternal
THE Fraternal Benefits Group conducted a fra-
ternal service training at the St. Joseph Parish in
Brooke's Point, Palawan last January 28-29.
The main objective of the service training is to
orient the newly appointed fraternal counselors
Columbus Frater- of the Precinct Benefits Services Department; Ronnie Infante, on the recent developments and products of the
nal Association of Count Optical Senior IT Manager of the Management Informa- Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
the Philippines, Scanner (PCOS) tion Systems (MIS); Grand Knight Jess Laxamana; Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI).
Inc. (KCFAPI) machine. Bro. Ramon Rodrigo, District Deputy of Council Among the topics discussed were the products
has spearheaded The forum was 3675 and KCFAPI Board of Trustee also graced of KCFAPI such as the Gold Series Plan, a peso-
a voters’ educa- hosted and pri- the event. denominated single-pay ten-year endowment
tion forum last marily participat- There were also some groups and congregations plan, Fraternal Accidental Death Benefits (FADB);
February 3, 2010 ed in by Council who participated in the forum namely, Parish Pas- Special Plan for Elderly Knights (SPEK) and Coun-
at the Mt. Carmel 3695 members. toral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV); cil Mortuary Benefit Plan (CMBP)
Shrine in New Dignitar- Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC); Mt. Carmel The role of the KCFAPI as a mutual benefit associa-
Manila, Quezon ies who came Brothers and Fathers; Carmelite nuns; Daughters tion was also tackled during the said service training.
City. were Fr. Arnold of Mary Leuca; Pompeii Sisters; Pastorelle Sisters Officials from the Knights of Columbus Frater-
The seminar Boemhe, OCD; and the Sisters of the Divine Savior. nal Association of the Philippines, Inc (KCFAPI)
was facilitated Knights of Co- According to San Sebastian, many technical such as Joseph P. Teodoro, Vice-President of the
by Commission lumbus Frater- questions were raised during the forum. Fraternal Benefits Group and Gari San Sebastian,
on Elections nal Association Along with Sarmiento, Comelec NCR Director Manager of the Fraternal Benefits Services, at-
(COMELEC) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento. of the Philippines, Inc (KCFAPI) President Antonio Michael Dioneda, Ryan Rene Jornada, Gerard Ce- tended the activity.
Sarmiento talked about the topic “Celebrating B. Borromeo and FBG Vice President Joseph P. ballos, Tony Villason and Aya Suyat also attended Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan also graced
Change and Faith map 2010.” He also demonstrat- Teodoro. the forum. (KCFAPI News) the event. (KCFAPI News)

KCFAPI holds Life Insurance Agency Management Seminar

THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines
Inc. (KCFAPI) held a life insurance agency management seminar
in cooperation with the Insurance Institute of the Philippines, Inc.
(IIAP). The seminar ran from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, 2010. This is in line
with the GEAR (Get Everyone Achieve Records) 5 program of the
Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG) for the year 2010.
Twenty four (24) participants consisting of the five (5) fraternal
benefit associates, four (4) team leaders and fifteen (15) area managers
who have not taken the live-in course when it was offered 12 years
ago attended the seminar.
The course which included recruitment, training and supervision
of fraternal counselors were taken up during the 4-day exercise.
The main speaker was Orlando “Orly” Javier, a professional
trainor, free-lance writer, sales management consultant and an
erstwhile head of sales of a multinational life insurance company.
He is a faculty member of the Insurance Institute of Asia and the
Pacific and the Ateneo Institute for Pastoral Development. Javier is
a member of the Life Underwriters Association of the Philippines,
of which he was a past President.
Bro. Antonio B. Borromeo and Sis. Ma. Theresa G. Curia, KCFAPI
President and Executive Vice President, respectively, were the com-
mencement speakers on its last day, Feb. 12, 2010. (KCFAPI News)

KC Mindanao to spearhead another March for Life
THE Knights of Columbus Mindanao
Jurisdiction particularly in Davao City
will spearhead, for the second year, a
“March for Life” on March 20, 2010.
As the lead organization, the ‘March’
is in cooperation with the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP), Parish Pastoral Councils, Reli-
gious Organizations, Lay leaders, Uni-
versities, Colleges and High Schools,
Pro-life Advocates, Phil. National
Police (PNP), Phil. National Red Cross
(PNRC), Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster
ng Pilipinas (KBP), Members of the Cler-
gy, Seminarians, Columbian Squires,
and the Knights of Columbus.
On Feb. 5 meeting of the Execom,
Dr. Mike T. Manalaysay, President of
ACLAIM categorically gave his assurance
of support. ACLAIM, or the Archdiocesan
Council of Lay Apostolate and Integrated
Movement, is the umbrella organization
of all the Catholic Organizations in the
Archdiocese of Davao. This was revealed
by SK Hernando Jordan, State Secretary
of the Mindanao Jurisdiction.
Last year’s celebration saw more
than three thousand participants who
marched from Sta. Ana Ave. (fronting
Holy Cross of Davao College) to San
Pedro Cathedral for the celebration of
the Holy Eucharist followed by talks
on Pro-life.
The massive campaign for more par-
ticipation is being coordinated by the
K of C District Deputy Round Table
every Friday until its completion, said
SK Jordan. He is confident that 60% of the
5,000 equivalent to three thousand (3,000)
strong KC members in Davao City will
participate in the event. (KC News)

Fr. Jose Cecilio J. Magadia, S.J. (Father Provincial, Society of Jesus), a member of
KCFAPI’s founder members committee with KCFAPI officers and employees during his The blessing of Cartagena Condominium led by Fr. Steve Villanueva and attended by Keys
visit to KCFAPI home office last February 10, 2010. Realty Officers, KCFAPI Officers and other unit owners was held last January 31, 2010.

The Central Luzon Conquerors (CLC) conducted its first area meeting last Jan. 16, 2010
at the Village Inn Hotel and Restaurant in Cabanatuan City. This was attended by 55 Ms. Ivy Tee, the guest trainer teaching the participants how to make chocolate candies (a
fraternal counselors from Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and Pangasinan. Area Manager Manuel timely treat this Valentine season) during the SICAP training seminar held last February Certagena Condominuim located in 2602 Bagong Diwa
Naldoza is seen in photo giving some pointers to the group. 1 at the KC Youth Livelihood Center in Intramuros, Manila. St. Brgy. Poblacion , Makati City.