Mar 19 - Apr 1, 2007 - CBCPMonitor

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Vol. 11 No. 6

Pope March 19 -Pens April 1, Exhortation 2007 the Eucharist

Bishop Cries Foul on Speedy Passing of PAGCOR Bill A BISHOP has cried foul over the hasty effort to extend the franchise of the Philippine Amusement and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR).

Pagcor’s franchise is set to expire in 2008. The extension of its license however has been included Bishop / P4

on

Holy Father’s Message on the 22nd World Youth Day 2007

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The New Roman Missal and the Easter Vigil

Freedom to Choose the Candidates

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CBCP Monitor Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace March 19 - April 1, 2007

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Vol. 11 No. 6

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CBCP Head Calls for Probe on COMELEC Fire A TOP official of the Catholic hierarchy has called for a serious investigation into the huge blaze that burned the old building of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on March 11.

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ CBCP / P4

Cardinal Backs ‘Green Vote’ Drive for May Polls positions on key environmental issues and produce guide that will help voters make more informed choices in the elections.

“We need an enlightened electorate to vote for ecology-minded public officials for them to lead our democratic institutions and work with our communities in winning the battle against waste dumps and incinerators, climate change, genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and other environmentally-destructive activities,” Rosales added.

In another development, the Greenpeace and Eco-Waste Coalition last week launched their campaign plan to focus on environmental concerns and listen to local and national candidates talk about their platform of government and halt further destruction.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaigns Director Von Hernandez said, “Political realignments, mudslinging and scandals still

Cardinal / P4

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

A RANKING Church official has given his full support to candidates who care for the environment.

In a statement, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, said he is supportive of the efforts of the “Eco-Waste coalition” to inform the general public about candidates who champion the cause of environmental protection.

The 74 year-old prelate, a staunch supporter of church-based and community-based non-government organizations, said it is imperative to inform the voters whom to put into office to protect mother nature and defend her from being “desecrated, contaminated and destroyed by apathy, greed, crass materialism, toxic wastes and chemicals, and the unsustainable use of the earth’s dwindling resources.”

Environmentalists say the “Green Electoral Initiative” aims to assess the ‘greenness’ of aspiring senators based on their

Prelates Laud Women Leaders AT least two Catholic bishops this Women’s Month have offered their vision of how to build a better world: more women must become leaders.

“Indeed, you, women have enormous reasons to celebrate your gains which helped humanity to achieve glorious triumphs in history,” said Bishop Emilio Marquez, head of the CBCP-Office on Women (CBCP-OW) in a message during the Women’s Month celebration at the St. Peter Shrine on Quezon City.

The CBCP-led celebration drew a cast of

various religious and women organizations.

CBCP Office on Women executive secretary Dr. Zenaida Rotea and Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias were among those that perked up the crowd during the event.

CBCP-OW board member Atty. Mia Zafra read Marquez’s message as he lauded women’s great contribution to the Church and for country’s development.

The Church and the world at large always have not been without the feminine figPrelates / P4

© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media

By Melo Acuña

“Bridge for Universal Charity,” was how the live satellite linkup with the Pope Benedict XVI and the catholic students in Asian and Europe was dubbed. Simultaneous with those in 9 other countries, students in the Philippines gathered at the grounds of University of Santo Tomas to pray the Rosary with the Holy Father on video feed and witness the handing of the Apostolic Exhortations Ecclesia in Europa and Ecclesia in Asia to youth representatives

CBCP Rallies Faithful to End Violence Against Women THE government should redouble its efforts to end violence against women, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said.

“There should be a fresh campaign against it in all its forms,” CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo said.

The call came on the occasion of the celebration of the National Women’s Month on March 16.

Lagdameo said the govern-

ment and the people should act together in order to put an end to gender-based violence—”a sad reality that is happening in our country.”

“The CBCP exhorts the government and various sectors of our society to link hands to protect our women from exploitation of all kinds, from violence that reduce them to silence, and from abuse that deprive them of their dignity as persons,” he said.

The prelate also expressed

Church Urged: Put Church Power in Media JARO, Iloilo City—”It is better to have Church power in the media than to have media power in the Church,” said Teresita Z. Hermano, executive director of Communication Foundation for Asia (CFA) before church-based groups, Mass Communications students and mainstream media practitioners at the firstever “Msgr. Jose B. Buenaflor Memorial Media Forum” at the John Paul II Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence, this city recently.

The forum had for its theme: “Media Power in the

Church: Do We Have it?”

She said the Catholic Church today has resources in radio, television, print, film and the internet and has “sufficient involvement in local and national media and as expected, it could accomplish more.”

“The Church is present in the media, in events and activities where news and advocacy are strong,” said Hermano. She further added the Church has vast network “even more important than computers and transmitters.”

Media / P4

concern that many of those who have fallen victims remained “silent and unable to move ahead” because of fear and at times, severe trauma.

The Global Gender Gap Report for 2006 released last month indicated the Philippines as ranking 6th of the top ten in Gender Equality.

However, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), an independent training institute for women said the data is ironic since women issues is bloated

with human rights abuses, and violence against women and children.

“Disturbingly, Women’s Month this year is marked by a statistics of a reign of terror,” CWR Executive Director Mary Joan Guan said.

Last year alone, the group said, 21 women victims of political killings were reported, marking 62 percent increase, compared to 2005, and has the highest rate of women killed Women / P4

No Endorsing of Candidates Says CBCP THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) rejected the calls to name poll bets saying that the move would be pastorally unwise and could be politically counter-productive.

“In the end, we cannot be genuinely sure whether the candidates who have been dictated on the voters will really serve them. Proof of this is the past experience of elections,” CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a statement.

As pastors, bishops should be a sign of truth and unity, teaching vividly and bringing the faithful together around the values of the Gospel.

He stressed direct involvement in partisan elections would destroy the said role. “We cannot endorse

parties or candidates,” he said.

Lagdameo’s statement came after El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde urged prelates to help voters choose the right candidates by naming them.

Velarde suggested it would be better if bishops could endorse 18 worthy senatorial bets so that lay faithful could have a better option of candidates they want to vote.

He said the Church should have active participation not just in setting guidelines but also in guiding their flock on who the worth-voting candidates are.

But the prelates, while respecting what the leaders of El Shaddai and other groups have been doing for No Endorsing / P4

CBCP Monitor

World News

2 The Eucharist is the Font of All Christian Joy, Pope Benedict Says

VATICAN CITY, March 19, 2007—Sunday, on the day when the Church celebrated “Laetare” Sunday, Pope Benedict used his weekly Angelus address to remind the Church that the Eucharist is the font of Christian Joy. “Today the liturgy invites us to cheer up, because Easter, the day of Christ’s victory over sin and death, is drawing nearer,” the Holy Father said at midday, after returning from a Mass he had celebrated at Rome’s Casal del Marmo, Juvenile Prison.

“Where is the spring of Christian joy but in the Eucharist, which Christ left as a spiritual food, while we are pilgrims on this earth?”

“This Eucharistic food,” he continued, “provides for the faithful of all ages a profound joy, which is at one with love and with peace, and which springs forth from one’s communion with God and with one’s brothers,” the Holy Father said before the Marian Prayer.

Sacramentum Caritatis The Holy Father also spoke of his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis, which was presented last Tuesday and which is written on the theme of “the Eucharist as the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church.”

The text, explained Benedict XVI, “is an expression of the faith of the universal Church in the Eucharistic Mystery, which continues the Sec-

ond Vatican Council and the magisterium of my revered predecessors, Paul VI and John Paul II.” Pope Benedict pointed out the connection between the post-synodal exhortation and his first encyclical “Deus caritas est.”

“That’s why I called it ‘Sacramentum caritatis,’” he said, “taking inspiration from a fine definition of the Eucharist

by St Thomas Aquinas, ‘The Sacrament of love.’”

“Yes,” he added, “in the Eucharist, Christ wanted to give us ‘His’ love, which drove Him to offer His life up for us on the Cross.”

“In His Last Supper, as he washed the Apostles’ feet, Jesus left us the Commandment of love,” he said.

But, warned the Pope, “since this is possible only if we stay bonded to Him, as shoots to a vine, He decided to stay Himself amidst us in the Eucharist, so that we could ‘stay in Him’. Therefore, as we feed on His Body and on His Blood with faith, His love enters us and enables us, in turn, to give our life for our neighbors.” This, he added, “is the spring of Christian joy, the joy of love.”

Finally, the Pope recalled that next to Mary, who he called the epitome of the “Eucharistic woman,” God placed Saint Joseph to guard the redeemer. “I particularly invoke this great Saint,” whose Feast the Church celebrates on Monday, he said, “so that by believing, celebrating, and living with faith the Eucharistic Mystery, the people of God may be infused with Christ’s love and may spread its fruits of joy and peace across the whole of mankind.”

(CNA)

Growth of New Media is Good but Their Impact can be Destructive, Says Pope Vatican City, March 9, 2007— The growth in new media, especially electronic media like radio, TV and internet, is happening against the backdrop of their increasing concentration in the hands of a few multinational corporations. For this reason, the Pope has called for special care be given to education to “safeguard the common good, uphold the truth, protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family” because the media’s influence can be “destructive.”

Speaking to the participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the Pontiff’s message was directed at those who control the new means of social communication.

In his address he said that “the various components of the mass media” have been of “great benefit to civilization.” Internet too “has opened up a world of knowl-

edge and learning that previously for many could only be accessed with difficulty, if at all. Such contributions to the common good must be applauded and encouraged.”

However, “it is also readily apparent that much of what is transmitted in various forms to the homes of millions of families around the world is destructive.”

In referring to his message for World Communications Day, dedicated this year to the relationship between media and young people, Benedict XVI said that in such a situation the “responsibility to introduce and educate children and young people into the ways of beauty, truth and goodness is a grave one. It can be supported by media conglomerates only to the extent that they promote fundamental human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements and goals of humanity.” (AsiaNews)

Vatican Instructs German Bishops to Cut Ties With Abortion Counseling Group BERLIN, March 20, 2007 / 09:17 am.- The Vatican has instructed the German bishops to distance themselves from an abortion counseling group, called Donum Vitae, so that they will not be perceived as endorsing abortion, reported LifeNews.com yesterday.

Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued the instruction, which was initially reported in German newspaper Die Tagespos.

German law requires counseling before a woman has an abortion and German clergy considered the program to provide a way to persuade women not to have one.

However, the program also involves the issuing of a certificate “allowing” the abortion if the woman is not persuaded to keep her baby. The Vatican sees this as an endorsement of abortion and a

violation of Church teaching on life issues, reported LifeNews.com.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II asked German clergy to stop issuing certificates, indicating that they had counseled pregnant women considering an abortion.

Die Tagespos reported that the Catholic Church in Germany officially asked parishioners in June 2006 to not work with Donum Vitae, but the Vatican now wants a more active enforcement of that request.

There are about 1,500 counseling clinics in Germany; about 250 are run by Donum Vitae. (CNA)

Islamic Groups Impose Tax on Christian “Subjects”

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 19, 2007—”Non Muslim subjects must pay a contribution to the jihad if they wish to be allowed to live and practice their faith in Iraq”.

These orders are being imposed on the Christians of Mosul and Baghdad by Islamic militias. Besides these

threats of extortion, thousands of non Muslims are also being forced to leave their homes by letters assigning their house to Muslim citizens.

The initiative is part of the general campaign to Islamafy the entire country, which begun with the imposi-

tion of the veil on all women.

The website Ankawa.com was the first to carry news of this latest development; the website has eye witness accounts of Iraqi refugees in Erbil, in the semi autonomous region of Kurdistan.

The fourth anniversary of the US military’s arrival in Baghdad, March 20th 2003, brings with it little improvement in the conditions of the ever decreasing Christian community. Bomb attacks, kidnappings and threats continue to mark the daily existence of those few who so far have not been able to leave.

The latest sign of the increasingly worrying situation is news that the community is now being forced to pay the jizya, a “poll tax” requested from non Muslims according to the Koran, guaranteeing “protection” from the Islamic

umma.

The tax was once extracted by the Ottoman Empire until its collapse in 1918, but now Baghdad and Mosul’s Mosques have ordered it be put in place again, “without revealing it to authorities”.

According to local Christians it really is a contribution to the holy war, which—the jihad maintains—will also protect their community from external aggression. The monies collected are then given over to Mosques, but “without the knowledge of authorities”.

Other accounts tell of letters being left in gardens or the entrance to Christian homes, notifying the families that they must leave their dwellings because they have been assigned to others, whose names and surnames are listed in black and white in the letters. (AsiaNews)

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Woman Battles Against the “Forced” Conversion of her Children to Islam KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 14, 2007—A woman of Indian origin, resident in Malaysia, is battling against the custody of her children being given to her husband, a recent convert to Islam, who has petitioned the Islamic Courts for divorce. According to Sharia Law, enforced in the country for Muslim citizens, in separation cases children are entrusted to the “better half” in other words the Islamic half, in this specific case to the husband; as a result Islam will become their religion.

Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah converted to Islam May last. He petitioned an Islamic tribunal for divorce from his wife, R Subshini. The woman then turned to the Appeals Court in an attempt to have their case heard by a civil tribunal, but her petition was turned down. Thus it will be the first time that a non Muslim appears before an Islamic Court.

Ms Subshini, 28, wants alimony from her husband and

custody of their two children of 3 and 1 years of age. “Both want to dissolve their marriage – explains appeal court Judge Suryadi Halim Omar but the appellant’s [Ms Subshini’s] objection, merely on the grounds that the Shariah Court was set up only for Muslims, made no sense”.

The judge said it was Muhammad Shafi’s right to annul his marriage in the Islamic court instead of the civil court. In fact in Malaysia there are two legislations: Islamic law and constitutional law which often enter into conflict with each other above all in family law cases. Ethnic minorities such as Chinese and Indians, fall under the jurisdiction of the civil courts.

(AsiaNews/Agencies)

Top Knight Calls Mexico City Abortion Proposal “Misguided and Dangerous” MEXICO CITY, March 20, 2007—A bill being debated in Mexico City, which would legalize abortion in the area, is misguided and dangerous said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson.

“In a country that has made great progress in the democratic inclusion of all its citizens, a law such as this will remove legal protection from the most vulnerable members of society,” Anderson said.

If Mexico City’s assembly succeeds in legalizing abortion in that municipality, it will be the first such law in Mexico.

Anderson said that we should recall the words of Pope John Paul II who wrote: “Democracy, [when] contradicting its own principles, effectively moves towards a form of totalitarianism. The State is no longer the ‘common home’ where all can live together on the basis of principles of fundamental equality, but is transformed into a tyrant State, which arrogates to itself the right to dispose of the life of the weakest and

most defenseless members, from the unborn child to the elderly, in the name of a public interest which is really nothing but the interest of one part.”

The Supreme Knight is adding his voice to those of numerous Mexican Catholic leaders. The Mexican Bishops Conference has repeatedly spoken out against what it calls a “program of extermination” being advanced by this and other legislation.

Luis Guevara, who serves as a liaison between the Knights of Columbus in the United States and those in Mexico noted: “The protection of the right to life is the most important right that a government can safeguard, and legalizing abortion in Mexico City sends the message that life is cheap and expendable. Such a law goes against the conscience of the vast majority of Mexicans who value and respect the dignity and value of each life.”

(CNA)

Vatican Web Site Focuses on Lent VATICAN CITY, March 7, 2007—Internet users can live Lent with Benedict XVI this year.

The Vatican Web site is offering a compilation of the Holy Father’s teachings and other tools for celebrating the liturgical season.

The site’s Focus section offers five tabs: Words of the Holy Father, Lenten Stations, Lenten Music, Calendar of Celebrations, and Live.

The first, Words of the Holy Father, is updated with Benedict XVI’s teachings during this liturgical season, beginning with his message for Lent.

The site will include all his addresses during Holy Week ceremonies.

Under the Lenten Stations tab is a list of each stational church, and a brief Italian explanation of each stop.

The Lenten Music section includes hymns from the Pontifical Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel.

The Calendar of Celebrations presided over by Benedict XVI is posted.

The Live section connects directly to the Vatican Television Center, which has the schedule of its live broadcasts for the month of March. (Zenit)

CBCP Monitor

News Feature

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Pope Pens Exhortation on the Eucharist

© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis

Celibacy and marriage T h e document confirms the discipline of priestly celibacy.

“The fact that Christ himself, the eternal priest, lived his mission even to the sacrifice of the cross in the state of virginity constitutes the sure point of reference for understanding the meaning of the tradition of the Latin Church,” the Pope explains. “It is not sufficient to understand priestly celibacy in purely functional terms.

“Celibacy is really a special way of conforming oneself to Christ’s own way of life.”

Benedict XVI asks that priests “have the courage to set before young people the radical decision to follow Christ, showing them how deeply rewarding it is.”

The exhortation ratifies the indissolubility of matrimony: “If the Eucharist expresses the irrevocable nature of God’s love in Christ for his Church, we can then understand why it implies, with regard to the sacrament of matrimony, that indissolubility to which all true love necessarily aspires.

The Holy Father considers the “complex and troubling pastoral problem” of those who have divorced and civilly remarried.

“The Synod of Bishops confirmed the Church’s practice, based on Sacred Scripture, of not admitting the divorced and remarried to the sacraments, since their state and their condition of life objectively contradict the loving union of Christ and the Church signified and made present in the Eucharist,” the Pope writes.

“Yet the divorced and remarried continue to belong to the Church, which accompanies them with special concern and encourages them to live as fully as possible the Christian life through regular participation at Mass, albeit without receiving communion, listening to the word of God, Eucharistic adoration, prayer, participation in the life of the community, honest dialogue with a priest or spiritual director, dedication to the life of charity, works of penance, and commitment to the education of their children,” he adds.

The greater part of the text is dedicated to teaching how to live the Eucharist more intensely and to reflect on its beauty. It offers indications for the homily, for the rite of peace and for the end of the Mass.

VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2007— Benedict XVI released his second major document, an apostolic exhortation that reflects the conclusions of the 2005 synod on the Eucharist.

At a press conference today, Cardinal Angelo Scola and Archbishop Nikola Eterovic presented the document, “Sacramentum Caritatis” (Sacrament of Charity).

The document, dated Feb. 22, reflects the conclusions of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome from Oct. 2 to 23, 2005.

Cardinal Scola, who was the relator general of the synodal assembly, said the title of the apostolic exhortation reaffirms “the Holy Father’s insistence over these two years of his pontificate on the truth of love.”

The cardinal said that this clearly indicates that this is “one of the crucial themes upon which the future of the Church and of humanity, depend.”

The text “is divided into three sections, each one of which considers one of the three dimensions of the Eucharist,” Cardinal Scola explained.

The sections are entitled: “The Eucharist, a Mystery to Be Believed,” “The Eucharist, a Mystery to Be Celebrated,” and “The Eucharist, a Mystery to Be Lived.”

Benedict XVI explains that the Eucharist “makes manifest that ‘greater’ love which led (Christ) to ‘lay down his life for his friends.’”

“In the sacrament of the altar, the Lord meets us, men and women created in God’s image and likeness and becomes our companion along the way,” the Holy Father writes. “In this sacrament, the Lord truly becomes food for us, to satisfy our hunger for truth and freedom.

“Since only the truth can make us free, Christ becomes for us the food of truth.”

Validity of renewal Gathering the proposals that emerged from the synod on the Eucharist, where the Pope introduced free interventions, the text asserts: “The synod fathers acknowledged and reaffirmed the beneficial influence on the Church’s life of the liturgical renewal which began with the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.

“The Synod of Bishops was able to evaluate the reception of the renewal in the years following the Council.

“There were many expressions of appreciation. The difficulties and even the occasional abuses which were noted, it was affirmed, cannot overshadow the benefits and the validity of the liturgical renewal, whose riches are yet to be fully explored.”

The first part of the document, a mystery to be believed, is made up of seven sections, including an analysis of the Eucharist’s relationship to each of the sacraments.

Eucharistic adoration “The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself,” the Pope says to encourage Eucharistic adoration.

“Wherever possible, it would be appropriate, especially in densely populated areas, to set aside specific churches or oratories for perpetual adoration,” he adds. “I also recommend that, in their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the Eucharist.” (Zenit)

THE Diocese of Malaybalay held its 37th Diocesan General Assembly on February 26-28 at the Diocesan Formation Center, Impalambong, Malaybalay City with 425 participants coming from 42 parishes.

The assembly had the theme “Gagmay’ng Simbahanong Katilingban: Sumbanan sa Politikanhong Kabag-ohan” (The Basic Ecclesial Community: Source of Political Transformation) in view of the coming elections.

The meeting kicked off with a recollection, guided by the Bishop of Iligan, Most Rev. Elenito R. Galido, D.D. The first day was capped with the Holy Mass presided by Bishop Galido, assisted by one of the two newly ordained priests of the diocese, Fr. Joe-ann Lamasan. The rest of the clergy, including Most Rev. Honesto Ch. Pacana, S.J., D.D. bishop of Malaybalay, concelebrated.

The assembly tackled the issue of lay leaders running for political offices. Previously, the diocese held the stance of asking lay leaders wanting to run for public office to take a leave of absence from active Church service.

Diocesan Vicar General, Fr. Biven Belderol, gave the input for the discussion. Fr. Belderol cited that Barangay officials who are active Church workers are generally more able to serve their public function with integrity. He said allowing these people to resign or take a leave of absence during campaign and election period is tantamount to withdrawal of support.

Fr. Belderol also outlined the

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Malaybalay Holds 37th Diocesan General Assembly

growing evils during elections and the different political responses of people according to temperament or political belief.

He suggested an Institutional Church stance based on “critical collaboration” which can be gleaned from the Gospels and the Church’s teachings on Social Doctrines.

The message is clear. Something has to be done by the Church to curtail the growing evil and fraud.

The delegates were grouped

into their deaneries (Diocesan subregions) for discussion, the result of which was presented in the afternoon. The assembly came out with a hini-usang baruganan (common stand), which was presented the following day. The position paper was drafted by a core group with a representative coming from each deanery.

Bishop Pacana, SJ celebrated the Holy Mass on the last day and gave the synthesis of the assembly.

(Fr. Jojo Tianero)

Cardinal Rigali’s Lenten Reflections a Hit on YouTube Internet Site

flect during the holy season of Lent.

I ask you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to pray that I may go the extra mile during this season and really help bring a bit more light to people who are still in darkness.”

“What a beautiful meditation on the importance of truly listening to God in our times of prayer, lest they become episodes of fruitless, oneway babble. Thank you, Cardinal Rigali!”

“I think this is s-o-o-o cool.”

“Cardinal Rigali, thanks for doing this. I set up a YouTube account just to be able to post a response.”

“Keep ‘em coming, Cardinal Rigali. ... proud to be Catholic.”

“This is super. It makes me feel good to know that our church is reaching out to God’s children through modern technology.”

“Excellent idea to make use of ‘YouTube’ to console, comfort and encourage Christians and others to see the whole point of living a Christian life.”

“I, too, thank God for this to be on YouTube. May the Lord bless all who see Cardinal Rigali’s messages and the cardinal as well, but also those who run YouTube for letting this be on the site!”

“With increased attacks on human life, the pope is urging us all to speak up for the truth. We all need dedicated people like Justin Cardinal Rigali to deepen our faith.”

“Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Justin Cardinal Rigali went to the spiritual desert, where the people are.

‘This man eats and drinks with sinners’ — such was said of our Lord Jesus. Praise God that the Word has reached the tube! The love of God, the peace of Christ, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all.”

The communications office has received e-mails from Italy, Spain and Australia, among other points around the globe, from people commending the cardinal’s debut on YouTube.

The cardinal’s Lenten reflections are also available in streaming video on the archdiocesan Web site at www.archdiocese-phl.org through the “Living Lent” area. (Christie L. Chicoine, CNS)

PHILADELPHIA, USA, March 12, 2007—Who’s that you’re seeing on YouTube?

Yes, it is really Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia.

The cardinal is providing video reflections for each Sunday of Lent, as well as for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter on the free, videosharing Web site, which allows users to upload, view and share video clips.

Once on the site, www.youtube.com, visitors can easily find the reflections by typing “Cardinal Rigali” into the search area.

“YouTube is a place where people communicate a multiplicity of things, and certainly, from the viewpoint of the Church, we have a desire to communicate Christ,” Cardinal Rigali said recently. “We have the message in the Gospel—the uplifting message of Jesus, a wonderful message of hope ... of love ... of faith.”

The cardinal said he hopes his contribution will be of help to people who are reflecting on God and Christ,

and on the meaning of life and love.

Through the years, the Church has shown tremendous commitment to social communications, the cardinal said. “Communicating the uplifting message of Christ is just a blessing,” he added.

Clearly, Cardinal Rigali is a hit on the video site, where contributions may be rated, and the number of times they have been viewed are also made public.

According to the archdiocesan Office for Communications, on Ash Wednesday, the day the cardinal’s first Lenten reflections were posted, his video was one of the top-linked videos in the category “People and Blogs.”

By the afternoon of March 12, the cardinal’s first posting had received almost 17,000 views.

Here is a sampling of the responses to the cardinal’s reflections posted on YouTube: “Cardinal Rigali—you are the man. Thanks for keeping it real.”

“Another amazing message! ...

The messages are helping me to re-

News

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Students Pray with Pope for Better World HUNDREDS of catholic students in Manila have joined counterparts in Asia and Europe on March 10 to pray with Pope Benedict XVI as “a bridge for universal charity.”

Through a satellite linkup, students gathered at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and came face to face with the Holy Father.

Vatican’s Diocese’s Pastoral Office for Universities organized the twoway telecast thru the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

The Pope led the praying of the rosary in the Paul VI auditorium also for the 5th European Day for Universities.

He joined the students in praying, then, offered his greetings, in seven different languages, to participants in the event in Rome and in other locations around the world.

The event was also transmitted to gatherings in Prague, Czech Repub-

lic; Calcutta, India; Hong Kong, China; Bologna and Turin, Italy; Krakow, Poland; Manchester, England; Coimbra, Portugal; Tirana, Albania; and Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Although great distances may separate them, the Pope observed, young faithful are “linked by their interior quest and the witness they bear.”

Emphasizing the role of intellectual charity in the formation of the youth, he said: “The mystery of the Cross is not removed from the theme of intellectual charity, on the contrary, it illuminates it. Christian wisdom is the wisdom of the Cross.”

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), who led the Mass before the praying of the rosary urged the faithful to unite and be instruments of God’s love.

He described the occasion with

the Pope, as God’s loving gift to the youth, “because through the prayer, we show our union with others and share our love.”

The Pope, apostolic nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni said, also urged the students to take the cross with all their enthusiasm to the next year’s World Youth Day (WYD) in Australia.

“We did it in prayer and we hope to do it again in Australia with all the enthusiasm of the universitarian,” said Filoni.

At the end of the rosary, the Pope also gave student representatives the Apostolic Exhortations Ecclesia in Europa and Ecclesia in Asia.

“The universitarian must know these documents, for them to know the program for the future of the Catholic Church,” the nuncio added.

(CBCP News)

The issues and questions were raised and formulated in collaboration with a number of environmental groups, focused on key issues, but not limited to water, solid waste, toxic waste trade and the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), genetically-modified organisms, sustainable agriculture, logging, mining, climate change, and air pollution.

The candidates are also required to disclose their track record in environmental concerns and their immediate plans and programs on our environment.

Eco-Waste Executive Director Rey Panaligan said it is to the candidates’ credit and media mileage to expound on their respective legislative agenda, with due emphasis on environmental protection.

“These are legitimate election issues that will have direct impact on community health and environment. As senatorial candidates woo us for our votes, it is their responsibility to tell the people their positions and planned actions on these issues,” said Panaligan.

“We need leaders of great clarity and vision who will help reverse environmental ruin, move us quickly from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and help empower Filipinos to secure a safe and decent future,” he said.

According to Hernandez, the choices the electorate will make in May will help decide whether the country is headed for a green—or gray—future. (with reports from Roy Lagarde)

they will be elected they will serve the people and not themselves.”

“This is what the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) is trying to do,” he said.

As Church’s watchdog, PPCRV helps form the moral conscience of the voters towards responsible voting, as well as of the institutions involved in the electoral process towards clean and honest polls.

Lagdameo said the laity could discern well “if only their judgment will not be violated or adulterated by guns, goons and gold”.

“We can trust the wisdom of the people if only the process of elec-

tion according to the rule will be respected and not manipulated by selfinterest,” he said. “If the wisdom of the people were allowed freely to function, they will get the leaders they want or they get the leaders they deserve.”

The CBCP official then reiterated his call for vigilance and cooperation among the faithful to scrutinize the candidates and their platform of government.

By doing it, he said: “voters may even come to an agreement among themselves whom to vote but each one must personally come to his or her decision.” (Roy Lagarde)

and pastoral work, “we are far ahead in terms of content.”

She added the perennial lack of funds could be well addressed by church-based organizations if they so desire to support the media apostolate.

A panel of reactors composed of Rev. Frs. Raymond Ferraris of the Society of St. Paul and Domingo Rafael Alimaje, Dean of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary and Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent Nestor Burgos said the Church should introduce timely messages and spiels to get wider audience, consider communications as building blocks in community building and for the Church to inform the media of its timely activities for dissemination.

Hermano emphasized on the socalled Christian Principles of Communication which creates communities

that participates, liberates, supports and develops cultures.

She concluded that “Christian Communication is indeed prophetic thus, when all these principles are put into practice, Christian communicators would find Church power in Media.”

Msgr. Jomarie Delagado, St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary rector said the forum is a manifestation of everyone’s desire to move forward and pursue total human development.

The forum was held in honor of the late Msgr. Jose B. Buenaflor, an exponent of the Archdiocese of Iloilo’s tri-media apostolate through Katesismo sa Kahangian about ten years ago. His brother Ramon, now in his 80s, together with priests and laymen, continues to utilize radio, print and television programs in catechism.

(Elsa S. Subong)

to protect them against “slavery”.

He said many women must be lauded for courage and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the good of the Church and country.

“As a man I can honestly say that I’ve been fortunate to have smart, savvy and strong women helping me (in his pastoral work),” he said. “Thanks to you all for what you’ve done for the Church and in our society.”

The bishops also urge more laywomen to participate in fighting social ills.

“In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of mystery, to the establishment of economic and political structures ever more worthy of humanity,” said Marquez. (CBCP News)

Cardinal / from p1 outweigh the discourse of the coming polls, undermining the current environmental issues.”

“For a nation that is regularly confronted with serious environmental threats, and increasing number of environment-related calamities, it is unthinkable that this issue has not even merited prominence in the current debates,” Hernandez added.

“With the Green Electoral Initiative, we are challenging senatorial aspirants to disclose how the welfare of the environment figures, or doesn’t figure, in their political plans,” he further said.

An important part of the groups’ program thrusts, questionnaires have been sent to senatorial candidates to find out their views about the country’s environmental problems.

No Endorsing / from p1 years, still maintain the freedom of the Catholic faithful to choose their candidates.

“We expect them to discern, discuss and personally decide whom to vote. To dictate on them whom to vote is as bad as buying their votes,” said Lagdameo.

The CBCP head downplayed Velarde’s claim that church leaders are showing a lack of interest on election issues.

The CBCP, he said, does not want the candidates to be indebted to the bishops.

“Instead we want the candidates to make a genuine covenant that if

Media / from p1 These networks, she said are the people who are active church members, and the media owners, reporters, editors and producers who can be called on when needed.

Further, the Church has formed valuable networks such as the Catholic Media Network (CMN) which links 48 Catholic radio stations in 35 provinces nationwide. For TV, it has its own national television network, known as TV Maria, while for print, Church involvement is active with publications and some bookstores run

by Paulines Media, Claretian Publications, Society of St. Paul and Catholic Book Trade among others, under the auspices of the network called, the Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. Hermano stressed the Church knows what it does best and its extensive experience in values education

Prelates / from p1 ure and the sensibility to compliment and accompany them in their journey, said Marquez.

“The Church and the world continue to exist and survive because of the irreplaceable, non-substitutable, and invaluable presence of women who compliment men in all their human realities,” he said.

Tobias, meanwhile, called on the faithful to care for women’s rights and

CBCP Monitor Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Nuncio Installs New UST Seminary Rector FATHER Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP has been officially installed Rector of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Central Seminary on March 19.

The installation rites were presided by His Excellency Archbishop Fernando Filoni, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines at the UST Santissimo Rosario Church.

Fr. Timoner succeeded Fr. Ernesto Arceo who served from January 2005 to October 26, 2006.

It will be recalled Fr. Timoner was appointed Rector late last year.

The newly installed rector is an alumnus of the UST Central Seminary. He took his Philosophy and Theological studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Quezon City and studied at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties in Manila and at the Catholic University of Nijimegen in the Netherlands

The history of the central seminary may be traced back to the establishment of the university in 1611.

The Catholic institution is the country’s oldest interdiocesan seminary run by the Dominican fathers. A good number of the Catholic Hierarchy are graduates of UST Central Seminary.

At the installation rites, Archbishop Filoni tasked Fr. Timoner to attend to the needs of his seminarians and called on God to watch and guide him more as he assumed his new ecclesiastical post.

In another development, former CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Hernando Coronel was appointed by Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales as chaplain of the Manila-based Philippine Women’s University.

(CBCPNews)

CBCP / from p1 Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said a deep investigation should be done to determine what had caused the fire that early Sunday.

“It must be thoroughly investigated so that the truth will come out,” said Lagdameo.

An investigation is underway to verify what sparked a massive fire that hit the two-story building that housed the offices of some Comelec top officials, the education and information division, the records division, statistics office, administration services department, and the Commission on Audit.

The Comelec claimed the blaze destroyed documents that wouldn’t affect the May 14 elections.

Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos told Lagdameo that the materials and documents needed including the list of voters are kept elsewhere.

Lagdameo and Abalos were able to meet on March 11 during the Parish Pastoral Council for Respon-

sible Voting (PPCRV) national conference for its poll watchers.

Authorities said they cannot rule out sabotage as the cause of the fire. The Marines who were manning the Comelec offices were nowhere to be seen when the firefighters arrived.

Fire officials said all the guards assigned to secure the Comelec building will be summoned for questioning.

Critics of the Arroyo administration, meanwhile, fear the fire would pave the way for massive cheating in May. Lagdameo, however, called on the people not to do a “guessing game” as to who are responsible of the incident.

“We have this point in time when we are left in a kind of guessing game as to what actually happened during the fire. Let’s not accuse anyone with the investigation going on,” he said.

“Let us hope that the investigation will bring out the truth of the matter,” he added. (CBCPNews)

Bishop / from p1 on the agenda of the lower house’s special session.

There are protests as to the consideration of the Pagcor’s franchise in the congress’ session with some lawmakers arguing that there are more pressing matters that should be deliberated than the Pagcor issue.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz questioned the “undue haste” of passing the Pagcor bill that would extend the corporation’s operation by another 25 years.

“Pagcor now is salivating not only in looking forward to a generous lease of gambling life for no less than a quarter of a century. It has also generously worked for more corporate gambling possibilities under its dubious nationwide umbrella,” he said.

At present, Pagcor has no less than 16 casinos and another 10 slot machine arcades, “all luring gamblers and nurturing gambling addicts; no matter the socio-moral costs it is not even

enough that it rakes in some five billion every quarter from its gullible patrons.”

“Directly under the office of the president and operated by five Malacañang appointed directors, if the bill extending the operational life of Pagcor is further approved

by House of Representatives, the infamous government corporation is henceforth even authorized to enter into joint-ventures with private corporations,” he said.

“The bill also legitimizes the devious e-gambling that in reality respects neither age nor status of gamblers,” he said.

“The eventual winner is the national leadership. The ultimate losers are the pitiful gamblers, the social imperative of sweat and toil, the elementary mandate of sound value system,” said Cruz.

He added: “This is the perfect picture of an exploiter and exploited. What the administration cannot get by direct and indirect taxes, it grabs by enticing citizens to gamble.” (Roy Lagarde)

Women / from p1 within one year under the Arroyo administration.

“We have a woman president in power. It is condemnable that a government, led by a woman, who is supposed to protect its citizens, is now taking the lead in the commission of violence against them,” said Guan.

Lagdameo urged the faithful to pray for the women to get the respect

and love they deserve and for a total stop to exploitation and violence.

“Let us pray that those victimized by violence may find the courage to forgive and get on with their lives. Let us also pray for the enlightenment and conversion of those who inflict violence against women,” Lagdameo concluded.

(CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor

Feature

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35), you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made. Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age.

Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the 22nd World Youth Day, 2007 “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

MY dear young friends, On the occasion of the 22 nd World Youth Day that will be celebrated in the dioceses on Palm Sunday, I would like to propose for your meditation the words of Jesus: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

Is it possible to love?

Everybody feels the longing to love and to be loved. Yet, how difficult it is to love, and how many mistakes and failures have to be reckoned with in love! There are those who even come to doubt that love is possible. But if emotional delusions or lack of affection can cause us to think that love is utopian, an impossible dream, should we then become resigned? No! Love is possible, and the purpose of my message is to help reawaken in each one of you—you who are the future and hope of humanity—trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong; a love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows them to feel free in respect for one another. Let us now go on a journey together in three stages, as we embark on a “discovery” of love.

God, the source of love The first stage concerns the source of true love. There is only one source, and that is God. Saint John makes this clear when he declares that “God is love” (1 Jn 4: 8,16). He was not simply saying that God loves us, but that the very being of God is love. Here we find ourselves before the most dazzling revelation of the source of love, the mystery of the Trinity: in God, one and triune, there is an everlasting exchange of love between the persons of the Father and the Son, and this love is not an energy or a sentiment, but it is a person; it is the Holy Spirit.

The Cross of Christ fully reveals the love of God How is God-Love revealed to us? We have now reached the second stage of our journey. Even though the signs of divine love are already clearly present in creation, the full revelation of the intimate mystery of God came to us through the Incarnation when God himself became man. In Christ, true God and true Man, we have come to know love in all its magnitude. In fact, as I wrote in the Encyclical Deus caritas est, “the real novelty of the New Testament lies not so much in new ideas

as in the figure of Christ himself, who gives flesh and blood to those concepts—an unprecedented realism” (n. 12). The manifestation of divine love is total and perfect in the Cross where, we are told by Saint Paul, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Rm 5:8). Therefore, each one of us can truly say: “Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” (cf Eph 5:2). Redeemed by his blood, no human life is useless or of little value, because each of us is loved personally by Him with a passionate and faithful love, a love without limits.

The Cross—for the world a folly, for many believers a scandal—is in fact the “wisdom of God” for those who allow themselves to be touched right to the innermost depths of their being, “for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor 1:25). Moreover, the Crucifix, which after the Resurrection would carry forever the marks of his passion, exposes the “distortions” and lies about God that underlie violence, vengeance and exclusion.

Christ is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself the sins of the world and eradicates hatred from the heart of humankind. This is the true “revolution” that He brings about: love.

Loving our neighbor as Christ loves us Now we have arrived at the third stage of our reflection. Christ cried out from the Cross: “I am thirsty” (Jn 19:28). This shows us his burning thirst to love and to be loved by each one of us. It is only by coming to perceive the depth and intensity of such a mystery that we can realize the need and urgency to love him as He has loved us. This also entails the commitment to even give our lives, if necessary, for our brothers and sisters sustained by love for Him. God had already said in the Old Testament: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18), but the innovation introduced by Christ is the fact that to love as he loves us means loving everyone without distinction, even our enemies, “to the end” (cf Jn 13:1).

Witnesses to the love of Christ I would like to linger for a moment on three areas of daily life where you, my dear young friends, are particularly called to demonstrate the love of God. The first area is the Church, our spiritual family, made up of all the disciples of Christ. Mindful of his words: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if

Preparing for the future The second area, where you are called to express your love and grow in it, is your preparation for the future that awaits you. If you are engaged to be married, God has a project of love for your future as a couple and as a family. Therefore, it is essential that you discover it with the help of the Church, free from the common prejudice that says that Christianity with its commandments and prohibitions places obstacles to the joy of love and impedes you from fully enjoying the happiness that a man and woman seek in their reciprocal love. The love of a man and woman is at the origin of the human family and the couple formed by a man and a woman has its foundation in God’s original plan (cf Gen 2:18-25). Learning to love each other as a couple is a wonderful journey, yet it requires a demanding “apprenticeship”. The period of engagement, very necessary in order to form a couple, is a time of expectation and preparation that needs to be lived in purity of gesture and words. It allows you to mature in love, in concern and in attention for each other; it helps you to practice self-control and to develop your respect for each other. These are the characteristics of true love that does not place emphasis on seeking its own satisfaction or its own welfare. In your prayer together, ask the Lord to watch over and increase your love and to purify it of all selfishness. Do not hesitate to respond generously to the Lord’s call, for Christian matrimony is truly and wholly a vocation in the Church.

Likewise, dear young men and women, be ready to say “yes” if God should call you to follow the path of ministerial priesthood or the consecrated life. Your example will be one of encouragement for many of your peers who are seeking true happiness.

Growing in love each day The third area of commitment that comes with love is that of daily life with its multiple relationships. I am particularly referring to family, studies, work and free time. Dear young friends, cultivate your talents, not only to obtain a social position, but also to help others to “grow”.

Develop your capacities, not only in order to become more “competitive” and “productive”, but to be “witnesses of charity”. In addition to your professional training, also make an effort to acquire religious knowledge that will help you to carry out your mission in a responsible way.

In particular, I invite you to carefully study the social doctrine of the Church so that its principles may inspire and guide your action in the world. May the Holy Spirit make you creative in charity, persevering in your commitments, and brave in your initiatives, so that you will be able to offer your contribution to the building up of the “civilization of love”.

The horizon of love is truly boundless: it is the whole world!

“Dare to love” by following the example of the saints My dear young friends, I want to invite you to “dare to love”. Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beauMessage / P14

5 7 QUESTIONS for

Bishop Jesse E. Mercado, DD Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, DD was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manila in February 25, 1997. He was named the first bishop of the diocese of Parañaque in December 7, 2002 when the Ecclesiastical district of PLM (Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa) was established as a new diocese.

Recently, he shared with CBCP Monitor his views on various issues, most significantly how the social concern agenda is being implemented in his diocese, participation in politics, the family life program in the diocese, the quality and quantity of vocations entering the seminary, the influx of guest priests and the media’s treatment of Church issues in the news.

How is the social concerns agenda of the Church being observed in your diocese?

The Diocese has a continuing agenda for social concerns.

In fact, this concern is articulated in the newly formulated Vision and Mission, Core Values and Pastoral Priorities statement of the Diocese.

What is equally interesting is the process by which the Diocese arrived at this social concern.

For 2 years the Diocese used consultation processes where the various sectors of the Diocese (clergy/laity/religious) reached out to the poor developing communities to listen to their perceived problems and crucial issues.

Likewise, in the new organizational chart of the diocese, the social concern permeates the three (3) Departments of the Diocesan structure to guarantee full implementation. It is integrated into the Evangelization Department (the direction-setting arm of the diocese), the Pastoral Department where a Commission for the participation of the developing communities is set up and the Administrative Department that provides logistical support to the implementation of its program.

tion of Christian family life. The family life program is in the process of being organized along the diocesan pastoral thrust.

Would you say that the changing set-up of families nowadays, has an influence on the quality and number of vocations entering the priesthood and religious state?

The phenomenon of the absentee-parenting could contribute to the decline of vocations.

But it seems that what influences the youth’s vocation today comes more strongly from contact with priests, involvement in their parishes, membership in religious organizations and faith communities.

How would you appraise the quality of vocations entering the seminary today?

7 QUESTIONS

Would you consider participation in politics a part of the social concerns agenda of the Church?

The Church has a responsibility to evangelize all aspects and strata of human life and this includes the political life of the nation. The clergy has a prophetic role to play in so far as helping the citizenry acquire an enlightened, deliberate choice of leaders, in view of Christian principles.

But it belongs to the laity to directly evangelize the philosophy and teachings of the Church and the faith dimension of our political development as a nation.

Let’s move on the program of family life apostolate in your diocese, how is it being observed in your area?

Specific family life programs (especially Pre-marriage Instructions) do exist. But the Commission on Family Life on the Diocesan Level is still being organized as part of the mandate of the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. It is the body that will develop the programs, organize the family-life workers, train them in the promo-

Many vocations come from a pastorallymotivated desire to serve the Church.

There is a need to look more seriously into the personality make-up and social skills, the mental maturity and aptitude of those desiring to enter the seminary.

You have many guest priests serving in your diocese.

What could be the reasons for the influx of guest priests to your area?

The reasons for the influx of the guest priest in the diocese are varied. The law of supply and demand necessitates the presence of guest priests in the priest-strapped Diocese of Parañaque. Second, the general phenomenon of midlife transition where the priests from the provinces who are in need of sabbatical break and personal renewal tend to gravitate to the city of Metro Manila where they can take a breather.

What is your assessment of the mainstream media’s treatment of Church issues in the news?

Mainstream media’s treatment of the Church issues is too issue-oriented, conditioned by news-worthiness and coming mainly from a hierarchical Church (CBCP and individual bishops).

There is a need to focus on basic orientations, long term concerns and perceptions drawn from the other sectors of the Church, especially the laity.

CBCP Monitor

Opinion

6

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Editorial

Poor Philippines There seems to be no end to the sad plight of this country under not only the worse but still worsening governance. Never before in its history has this country been subjected to shame and disgrace before the international community.

It is seemingly not enough that this country’s leaders have championed graft and corruption in government. It is neither enough that people are hungry when in the country and practically slaves when working abroad for lack of local employment.And this, without even counting the spectacle of millions of children that are out of school or the statistics that some 8 out of 10 sick poor people are dying for lack of medicine.

May the Holy Week observance transcend the pageantry of rituals and bear fruit in a more concrete Christian concern for suffering brothers and sisters.

But all these seem to be condonable if only because, perhaps, of its magnitude and therefore numbing and incomprehensible effect. What’s deplorable is the continuing rise of murders euphemistically called extrajudicial killings.

Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD

In and Out of Season

The United Nations Special Rapportuer already called the attention of the administration in no uncertain words that the extrajudicial killings in the country are too many for comfort. Yet right after he left, the killings simply went on without remorse, without reserve.

(This is lifted from the homily of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at the Youth Gathering at UST, Manila on March 10, 2007 when the Holy Father prayed the rosary with the Youth via satellite linkup)

MY dear young people: we are gathered tonight to offer the Eucharist in the spirit of Lent and to pray with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who will pray the Most Holy Rosary with us via satellite.

The Holy Father himself has offered us the biblical theme that guides our Lenten Reflection. Together with our Blessed Mother Mary and the Apostle John on Calvary, close to Jesus forsaken and crucified, the Holy Father offers the biblical theme from John 19/ 37: “They shall look on him whom they have crucified.”

In this season of prayer and penance, let us direct our gaze on Jesus Christ, Crucified, whom the sins of mankind, from Adam to our time, have crucified, but whose passion and death have restored to us new life and the forgiveness of our sins.

There on the cross, Jesus revealed fully for us the love of God. The Holy Father in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est dwelt on the two fundamental forms of God’s love: love as agape and love as eros.

The European Union also expressed its serious concern regarding the same killings which do not respect either time or place. What is certain is that blood is spilled all over the land, at any time, with no warning, much less any due cause.

The US Congress likewise signified its disgust and disdain for exactly the same killings in the Philippines. It noted with both curiosity and repugnance how come the administration proves inutile in stopping them.

One can only wonder what is next. It is worth thinking if the present government has the capacity and the will to protect the lives of the citizens or would it rather play God deciding who live and who die. The question is worth asking why is it that the UN, the European Union and the US Congress are the ones concerned with the preservation of the Filipino lives while the administration sees nothing wrong with this ignominious waste of life.

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P r o ta g o n i s t

Agape is self-giving love, looking exclusively for the good of the person loved. The love which we experience from God is undoubtedly agape. He has given to us everything that we are and everything that we have. We cannot give to God anything that he does not possess or that did not come from him.

Everything is a divine gift to us.

But God’s love is also eros. Loveeros is possessive-love, needing-love; it is the love of someone who wants to possess what he/she needs; it is the love of someone who wants to be united with the person loved. Pope Benedict XVI said “God’s love is also eros ”. And he recalls the image used by the prophet Hosea: God’s divine passion for man, God’s love for us is like the love of a husband for his wife who has become unfaithful; or the love of a wife towards her adulterous husband. How timely and appropriate is the image used by the prophet Hosea even for our time.

Even in the midst of our infidelity and sinfulness, as happened in the case of Adam and the people of Israel, God never wavered in his love for us. In the New Testament the mystery of the cross, the image of Christ crucified reveals to us God’s powerful and merciful love in all its fullness. In order to win back our love, in order to redeem us from the ef-

A Call to a Personal Commitment to the Lord

ISSN 1908-2940

DURING the Holy Week, we give more time to spiritual introspection and reminisce what we have done or what we have left undone—the sins we committed, the laziness to give time to what the Lord wants us to do for our neighbors.

In a Self-Encounter retreat held by the Christian Family Movement last March 1996, we were asked to deliberate on how through life, we experienced the deepening relationship with God. The exercise was to lead us to answer the call to commitment of our lives to the Lord as a lay person. We had to recall the early stage of our lives when the call to commitment started. Here is my story: When I first received my first Holy Communion I was more engrossed with the pomp and ceremony of the event

A Challenge to Become God’s Agape and Eros fects and punishments of our sins, God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the new proof, the immortal image of God’s Agape and Eros, God’s desire to give and God’s desire to possess. The Holy Father asks, “Is there more ‘mad eros’ than that which led the Son of God to make himself one with us even to the point of suffering as His own consequences of our offenses?”

“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced”. Let us look at Christ whom we have pierced in the cross! He is the unsurpassed expression of God’s love. The sacrifice of our heroes for the fatherland, the martyrdom of the saints, the pain and the hurts that we suffer for one another or for our beloved country, are but a pale glimmer of that love shown in the Cross. Agape and Eros: self-giving love, and love that seeks to possess, far from being opposed, enlighten and compliment each other.

In this Lenten season, we are challenged to become a force, to become ourselves manifestations of God’s agape and eros, as Jesus Christ is and the saints were. In his Lenten Message, Pope Benedict XVI says: “The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome His love and allow ourselves to be drawn to him. AcceptIn and Out / P8

Jose B. Lugay

Laik o Lampstand Laiko

rather than its journey to my Christian spirituality. Gradually as I attended catechism classes I began to understand the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Although morning and evening prayers sustained my young mind to be always in touch with the Lord, it was in the manifestation of true love, love that could only emanate from a Divine source that I understood the love of God for us. This was my grandfather’s devotion to the Lord and to his wife and family.

As a young lad in grade school I personally witnessed this—the devotion of my grandfather to his wife—a manifestation of love beyond death. A daily mass-goer and communicant, grandfather never failed to visit my grandmother’s grave every morning. He usually picks flowers roses or jasmine

blooms from her garden to take them to her tomb. He did this for 15 years before he stopped. That was when the American GI’s in Guiuan, Samar after liberation vandalized grandmother’s grave which had a removable lid for grandfather to place flowers on her breast. His devotion beyond death was the best teaching of love he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

God’s love for me was a surprising discovery that was made clear to me by an SVD German priest, my religion teacher in first year High School—Fr. Ernest Hoerdemann. Feared by the students because of his booming voice, he was respected for his excellence as a teacher in catechism. One session, he gave a brilliant explanation of the Eucharist to our young minds: 1) That Laiko / P8

CBCP Monitor

Opinion

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS

Love Life PRO-LIFE groups are now busy identifying pro-life oriented political candidates, especially for Senate and Congress. In the last Congress, our pro-life congressmen were truly courageous in stopping the passage of anti-life/anti-family bills. Such bills will surely be filed again in the coming Congress so it is important that we elect into position those people we can count on to protect our pro-life principles.

Here are guidelines for our voters.

Ten Commandments for Pro-life and Family Voters 1. Promote and defend Life at all times, from conception up to natural death.

You shall not have false values that degrade the dignity of life and the welfare of the family, the basic unit of society.

2. You shall not compromise your prolife and pro-family principles in your dialogue with and in selecting candidates. You shall not bow down to immoral, corrupt and inept candidates and vote them to office. Our life, our family and our country are

too precious to be entrusted to such people.

3. You shall not take your vote in vain.

You shall not sell it for a price or for money. You shall not vote without scrutinizing the candidate’s track record both in public and private life.

4. You shall not vote for candidates that are in favor of legalizing absolute divorce and are themselves not faithful to their own marriage and family.

5. You shall not vote for candidates that are for legalization of euthanasia or mercy killing and are not caring for the older persons and the sick.

6. You shall not vote for candidates that are for legalization of abortion and any form of abortifacients. You shall not vote for candidates that advocate for reproductive rights and support contraceptive use and sterilization as a means for population control.

7. You shall not vote for candidates that promote sex education that is focused on contraceptive use and emphasize “safe sex’ rather than

2007 Government Debt: Pesos 3.82 Trillion A MILLION pesos while sizable is still imaginable, still countable to relatively many people. A billion pesos become already difficult to count and even highly improbable to have for the big majority of Filipinos. But a trillion pesos—this is definitely an amount that baffles the mind of almost all Filipinos.

For the present administration however, trillions of pesos are peanuts.

And this is especially true when Malacañang indulges in incurring debts from all possible local and international sources.

There is one thing both interesting and disgusting in this matter of national debts. This: The government incurs the debt at will while the people make the payments per force. No big deal if the foreseen national debt this year has a mind-boggling total estimate of pesos 3.82. So what if the debt becomes much more in the years ahead.

Issues and Concerns

moral values and developing virtues.

8. You shall not vote for candidates that advocate same-sex unions and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the guise of anti-discrimination.

9. You shall not vote candidates that sell our country’s future to foreign and elite interest, concerned with their vested interest to the destruction of our environment and natural resources, and disregard the plight of the poor.

10. You shall not vote for candidates that are corrupt, steal from the government, that are insensitive to our people’s demand and opinion; that are undemocratic, unjust and unpatriotic in their governance and programs. True development is the upliftment of the lives of the least of our brethren and the enjoyment of justice, freedom and peace.

Please feel free to reproduce and distribute this to as many people as possible.

For more information, call our prolife office at 911-2922 or email us at life@prolife.org.ph.

Oscar V. Cruz, DD

V ie ws and P oints iews Points

In fact, to incur more and bigger debts has become a matter of course for the present administration.

The principle and the practice remain the same: the government owes and the people pay. The government is wallowing in money while the people are suffering from hunger and want.

No Filipino is spared from paying taxes from birth to death. It is not enough that those who are able pay direct taxes. It was not enough that even the poorest paid value added tax for all consumer goods they need. They are now even required to pay the infamous e-vat for exactly the same items they consume.

Rice and corn, clothes and shoes, milk, cotton and diapers—not to mention gasoline, fuel, and all other consumers items—are infallibly taxed and a good number of poor people do not even know that the water they drink

Melo M. Acuña

IT has been said tension exists between the government and its people when the country’s leaders no longer represent the people’s interests and for their failure to realize their dreams on a levelled playing field where opportunities lie for everyone qualified to work.

Two weeks ago, I chanced upon a youth seminar at the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) which Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and Auxiliary Bishop Roberto C. Mallari hosted to get high school and college students into action for the coming midterm elections. One of the animators said all is not lost for there’s much hope for a country as ours. He went on to recite the lyrics of “The Impossible Dream.” The only problem is we’ve got an oversupply of “promising” politicians and leaders, insensitive to the real problems of the common man.

During my younger days in high school, I was part of the Citizens National Electoral Assembly which

Commandments for Pro-Life Voters

and the medicine they need, are all taxed by the government, direct and indirect taxes are all meant not only to pay for BIG government expenses but to pay as well for also big government debts.

The truly disturbing fact is that the present administration has been long since making money by deliberately and resolutely marketing abroad people themselves. It is not a secret that the country is kept financially afloat by the taxed remittances of OFW’s, a good number of whom are working like veritable slaves.

So on goes the ominous and odious reality in this country. The present administration goes on borrowing money while the citizens continue paying with their hard earned pesos. And where does all the money go? This is another thorny issue, another sad story, another sorrowful mystery.

Impossible Dreams, Anyone?

called on everyone to keep the polls honest, orderly, peaceful and credible. The candidates then had the same set of promises and programs of government which, more often than not, never got realized.

Of course, without sounding nostalgic, I recall covering for Veritas 846 the series of rallies during the later part of 2000 and the early days of January 2001 when almost everyone had something to say about graft and corrupt practices and illegal gambling. In fact, I witnessed the formation of the so-called coalition between the Right and the Left along Ayala Avenue.

However, the issues then seemed to have remained. What we had was a simple change in faces of people who held power. After the 2004 polls, the same issues remained. In fact, there are two major problems today: the rich worrying of their wealth and the poor worrying of their poverty.

Today’s candidates for the Senate

may not be too outstanding, except for a few who have experience in lawmaking.

With the party-list aside, take a long, hard look at the principles put forth by both the Administration and the Opposition. In fact, some believe they are one and the same.

What we need are servant-leaders and never dealers masquerading as leaders. I came across the Declaration of Principles of Ang Kapatiran, also known as “ The Alliance for the Common Good” which fielded three candidates for the Senate, namely Dr. Martin Bautista, Atty. Zosimo Jesus “Jess” Paredes II and Atty. Adrian “Dado” Sison. Should they be able to bring forth their message across, they would definitely land seats at the Senate and may bring a difference.

Whatever votes they get would only prove the political maturity or the lack of it in our country today.

We never run out of idealists, people who dream “The Impossible Dream.”

7 Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD

By the R oadside Roadside

Is Our Jesus Dead?

MY niece Babette (her nickname) was about two years old when she witnessed the Good Friday ‘Santo Entierro’ procession in our hometown (Borongan, Eastern Samar).

She surveyed warily the enormous but mostly silent crowd marching around town, accompanying Jesus lying still and motionless on a carro, and in her tiny voice said in plaintive, lisping Waray to her parents: “Tatay, Nanay, kay-ano damo tawo? Hadlok ak’…Ila Jesus patay, ila Jesus patay! [Tatay, Nanay, why are there so many people? I’m scared…Their Jesus is dead, their Jesus is dead]!”

Of course, my niece was simply describing what she was seeing.

But even today I ask whether or not my niece was actually making a rather profound commentary on the way my home parish and, by and large, my country practice the Christian faith. Holy Week is such a huge hit among us but especially Good Friday. Since my childhood I’ve never seen any church activity more attended than the procession of the dead Jesus dramatically encased in a glass-covered structure and joined in by such a massive number of people one can neither see nor tell where the procession’s tail-end is. I assume this is also true in many parts of the archipelago (an assumption I verify with others’ and my own experiences in other places). We need to ask: Are we ‘Santo Entierro’ Christians? Hasn’t this have consequences on our faith practice?

We are admittedly the country with the most numerous Christian (especially Catholic) population in Asia.

Yet, the latest PERC (the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy) survey says we are also perceived to be ‘the most corrupt country in Asia’. We must allow the likes of Babette to say to us: Isn’t this because our Jesus is dead? Isn’t our Jesus dead because we hardly see him alive in our political, economic and socio-cultural realities? Our Jesus, others may say more with their eyes than with their lips, seems dead and proofs of it abound: a selfish elite basking in the benefits of economic prosperity that doesn’t trickle down to the poor hungry masses; a perennially-tainted electoral system; a damaged educational system where cheating leakages are only symptomatic of a culture given to moral compromises; a socially unjust system that’s incessantly analyzed and legislated against but never resolved; elite Catholic schools or parishes that produce Catholics who know little and practice even less their socalled ‘Christian faith’; Catholic politicians who are prodigal with the people’s money but are stingy with their presence or service; a largely Catholic electorate who short-cuts its way to money and a sense of prosperity by selling its vote or support to the highest political bidder and in the end getting the leaders and the current situation it laments of, in the first place. There are more proofs the reader can add. But the point is that, in all these realities, can anyone detect Jesus alive in us Filipino Catholics of today?

My niece Babette has a point. We get the Paschal Mystery wrong when we become mere ‘Santo Entierro’ Christians, when we think Holy Week ends with Good Friday. The result of this incomplete view of Jesus is the ‘scary’ pass we are in. It is about time we let out the whole truth: Jesus suffered, yes. Jesus died, yes. BUT JESUS IS ALSO RISEN FROM THE DEAD! We need to shift our focus from the Santo Entierro to the empty tomb, from Good Friday to EASTER! We need to show Jesus is alive in us and in the country and the world we live in, with all its flaws and fortes, in its systems and mores.

I’m struck as I go through the very first Christian gospel of Mark. In three succeeding chapters, namely chapters 8:31, 9: 31; and 10:33-34, at which Jesus remarkably foresees the terrors of his own sufferings and death, he never fails to add: “and three days after HE WILL RISE”. In a word, even from the lips of the Savior we are told that his saving work didn’t end with his suffering or death but with his resurrection and ‘exaltation’. It is because of the glory of Easter that even the horror of his death is swept away in his description of it in the gospel of John as a time of his own ‘glorification’. “And Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:23-24). Jesus is never meant to die, with death as his defining moment. His defining moment is not in his grain falling to the ground and dying, but in his death bearing its fruit which is the RESURRECTION. But the death of Jesus also casts some light on why Jesus doesn’t seem alive in Philippine society today. For that death is something we are called not simply to parade about in our Santo Entierro processions; it is a death we must share. Thus we must state here a painful truth: The reason Jesus is scarcely seen alive in Philippine soRoadside / P8

8 POPE Benedict XVI, in the homily he gave at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, just a month after his election, said: “The pope isn’t an absolute sovereign, whose thoughts and desires are law. On the contrary, the ministry of the pope is the guarantor of the obedience toward Christ and His Word”.

The image of a pope as minister of the Word of our Savior, and not as an authoritarian teacher of the Word, is a constant in the entire history of the Church. It does not matter if the Pope was St. Peter or Alexander VI or Benedict XVI: by a special grace of God, whoever is the Vicar of Christ on earth, he is conscious of being a person entrusted with Divine Revelation—a reality which he has to proclaim, defend and transform into Life, in himself and in the whole Church.

The weight that any pope feels on his shoulders is shared by any bishop in his own diocese. “Feed my sheep”—Our Redeemer’s instruction to St. Peter—resounds in the heart of every bishop. He is given supernatural powers to feed his flock with the Word by means of his non-transferable duty to govern, to teach, and sanctify.

While it is true that this duty is non-transferable, a bishop is at the same time assured of the help of the whole Church, concretely that of the members of the episcopal conference to which he belongs. It is in this context where the CBCP Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith carries out its functions. The commission on doctrine of any episcopal conference does not supplant the bishops’ responsibility to guide their own flock towards a faithful adherence to Christ’s teachings; it exists in order to facilitate the bishops’ ministry in this matter.

In the same way that the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith assists the Pope in safeguarding and in explaining Divine Revelation (the “deposit of the Faith”), so does the doctrinal commission serve the bishops of an episcopal conference. News reports about the said Congregation (of which the present Pope was the Prefect for over two decades) usually describe it as a “watchdog of doctrinal orthodoxy”. Perhaps that label causes uneasiness in some minds, for whom “orthodoxy” connotes a way of thinking that is unwilling to embrace change and progress.

Etymologically, “orthodoxy” means “correct opinion” or “correct thinking”. (The word sounds like

CBCP Commissions

Episcopal Commission on Doctrine of the Faith (ECDF)

By Fr. Luis P. Supan “orthodontics”—the science and art of correcting dental problems.) As such, orthodoxy does not only mean “accepting established facts and practices”; it becomes a necessity— if one is sincerely pursuing the truth about God, man and the world.

Reaching the truth is not an easy goal to achieve. Any student of the history of philosophy and theology can reach that conclusion very quickly. If man is constantly deterred from using his intellect correctly due to its inherent limitations, coupled by the subjective impediments of prejudice, passion and the capital sins (especially pride), it stands to reason that he needs an “intellectual lighthouse” to guide him safely to port. This is the role of the Magisterium, the teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the Pope and the bishops in communion with him.

To be orthodox, therefore, is to be assured of reaching the truth.

Inversely, it can be said that any erroneous statement in matters of Christian faith and morals is really a failure in “correct thinking”. This made St. Thomas Aquinas, describe error as a monstrous product of the intellect (analogous to a physicallydeformed newborn). Given man’s real limitations in solving correctly even just the riddles of nature, how much more difficult would it be for him to unravel the mysteries of Revelation

In and Out / from p6 ing his love, however, is not enough. We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others. Christ ‘draws me to himself’ in order to unite himself to me, so that I learn to love the brothers with his own love.”

Let us stand up to the challenge of God’s agape and God’s eros. The image is no less than that of Jesus Crucified, “Him whom they have pierced.” Agape—love of giving to the beloved. Eros—love of being united with the beloved, through mutual understanding, mutual forgiveness, mutual self-giving.

Let us stand up to the challenge of agape and eros, and make it an impulse or motivation to develop the “civilization of love” into a culture of collaboration, solidarity and communion. Show this in your respective families, making them schools of love. Show this in your respective classrooms, making your classrooms homes of collaboration, and communion.

Show this in your respective work, and profession, making them channels of God’s love through you.

Let us stand up to the challenge of agape and eros by accept-

without a guide whose credibility rests, in the last analysis, on God himself, Truth itself?

Benedict XVI, in the homily of the Mass just before the conclave that elected him, said: “Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as fundamentalism… Whereas relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and ‘swept along by every wind of teaching’ looks like the only attitude acceptable to today’s standards”. Contemporary culture scoffs at any claim of possessing the truth, in particular religious truth. This is the logical outcome of philosophical skepticism—the conviction that man’s intellect is incapable of reaching the truth, so man should be content with accepting various opinions. Thus, man cannot talk of “absolute truth” especially in religious or moral questions. Moral relativism is the spirit behind the social tragedies of modern man. What’s more, the Pope said in the same homily: “We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires”.

The Pope must still have fresh in his mind the unfriendly reactions that greeted the Declaration Dominus Iesus (August 2000), coming from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and approved by

the late John Paul II. The subtitle sounded offensive to some politically correct ears: “On the unicity and universality of the salvific mission of Jesus Christ”. The Declaration merely put together the perennial tenets of Christology—that Jesus Christ is God made man, the promised savior of mankind; that He had entrusted to the Church the mission of continuing the proclamation of the Good News. According to the principles of relativism, Jesus Christ cannot claim to be the only savior of mankind (i.e., “He may be Christ, but he is not the only one”), much less could the Church claim that it is only in Him and through Him that salvation is to reach all men. It was sad because many of the cold and, at worst, angry reactions to that Declaration came from Catholic theologians.

An important but frequently ignored-document in this regard is the Instruction “On the ecclesial vocation of the theologian” of the same Congregation, published in May 1990. After acknowledging the necessary contributions of theologians to the understanding and communication of Revelation, the Instruction comments on freedom of research as applied in theology: “In theology this freedom of inquiry is the hallmark of a rational discipline whose object is given by Revelation, handed on and interpreted in the Church under the

CBCP Monitor Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

authority of the Magisterium, and received by faith. These givens have the force of principles. To eliminate them would mean to cease doing theology” (no. 12) (italics added).

A theologian’s work, therefore, finds its highest fulfillment in its ecclesial service. “To be sure, theology and the Magisterium are of diverse natures and missions and cannot be confused. Nonetheless, they fulfill two vital roles in the Church which must interpenetrate and enrich each other for the service of the People of God (…) As for theologians, by virtue of their own proper charisms, they have the responsibility of participating in the building up of Christ’s Body in unity and truth.

Their contribution is needed more than ever, for evangelization on a world scale requires the efforts of the whole People of God” (ibid., no. 40).

In his autobiography, the future Benedict XVI recalls an incident that involved one of his favorite professors in the theological faculty of the University of Munich, Gottlieb Söhngen. That professor held the opinion that the Blessed Virgin was not assumed to heaven, body and soul. A Lutheran friend of Söhngen’s asked him during a debate: “But what will you do if the dogma is nevertheless defined? Won’t you have to turn your back on the Catholic Church?” Söhngen thought for a moment and then answered in words that continued to resonate in Ratzinger’s mind for the rest of his life. “If the dogma comes”, said Söhngen, “then I will remember that the Church is wiser than I and that I must trust her more than my own erudition”. (Quoted from Stephen Mansfield, Pope Benedict XVI (His Life and Mission), Tarcher-Penguin, New York, 2005, pp. 58-59).

OFFICERS Chairman Bp. Luis Antonio G. Tagle Vice Chairman Bp. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD Members Bp. Jose F. Advincula Bp. Teodoro C. Bacani Abp. Onesimo C. Gordoncillo Bp. Edwin A. de la Pena, MSP Bp. Jose F. Oliveros Executive Secretary Fr. Luis P. Supan Office Samar Study Center 159 Mother Ignacia St., South Triangle, 1103 Quezon City Mobile No. Fax

: 09276370283 : 929-3541

Laiko / from p6 ing the call to participate in changing the situation of our economy, politics, and society. Let us help transform the crisis of disempowerment, distrust and disillusionment into coordinated and collaborative action that will bring about Bagong Pag-asa, Bagong Kilusan para sa Bagong Buhay. Let us open our doors to new possibilities for our country by participating to make the forthcoming election a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful (C.H.A.M.P.) election.

Let us stand up to the challenge of rebuilding our democratic institutions by discovering not what we can only criticize but by discovering and actually doing our positive share in renewing our society.

Yon pong sinabi natin last December na “Watch and Pray” ipakita po uli natin sa pamamagitan ng pakikilahok, halimbawa sa mobimiento ng PPCRV sa inyong respective parishes and Dioceses ngayong darating na election. Makipagugnayan po kayo sa inyong parokya upang malaman kung paano kayo makikipag-ugnayan sa trabahong ito para sa ating bayan.

our Lord God loved us so much that He gave his only Son who died for us on the cross to save us from our sins; 2) That this sacrifice is repeated every time the Eucharistic Mass is celebrated and that the host, after the priest’s consecration becomes the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

My young mind deduced that if man can show deep love to a mortal being, like my grandfather’s love to his wife, how much more feasible it is for God with all His powers to show His love for us in the manner

He wants it! From that time on, I developed a prayer life together with my wife. Attending mass frequently during my youth, the Gospel readings left in my soul some seemingly imperceptible messages from the Lord.

In today’s corporate world they describe it as a frame of mind, a paradigm. However I believe it is the Lord’s call for me—A CALL TO COMMITMENT TO HIM. These are the messages permanently imprinted in my soul: 1. Life is short. you pass this way

but once. Do the best you can.

2. The best prayer I want to hear from you is doing the best you can with the gifts I gave you.

3. If you want to thank Me, serve your fellowmen, specially those who have less in life.

4. Remember you started from nothing and I placed you where you are now. Continue showing Me your love through sacrifice.

Now at the age of 78, I am still striving to live by the call to commitment to the Lord.

believe that we shall also live with him” (Rom 6:8).

If Babette were to ask me today, ‘Is our Jesus dead?’ I would say: The question should be, ‘Until when do we refuse to die with Jesus so that we may reap the fruits of his resurrection?’ The grain, after all, must fall to the ground and die; only then can and will it bear “much fruit”.

The ‘much fruit’ is an allusion not only to the transformation wrought in Jesus’ body by his own resurrection but also in the transformation Jesus will work in us and through us

by the same power. “He will transform our lowly body and pattern it after his glorified body by the same power that enables him to subject everything unto himself” (Rom 20:21).

The Christian insight seems clear enough: If we die with Jesus, he will live in us. Jesus ALIVE in us will enable us, by the power of his resurrection, to transform even our lowly and decaying society after the pattern of his Risen Body! Let this be our prayer and our collective call to action.

Roadside / from p7 ciety is that we Filipino Christians have still to truly die with him by especially dying to the sins of selfishness, greed for power and money, indifference to unjust and oppressive ways and lifestyles, and the pride that blinds us to the basic equality among us and induces us to mistreat fellow Filipinos or other human beings as notches below us in dignity for reasons of our social, economic and political disparities.

We need to assimilate the truth St. Paul preaches to the Romans: “If then we have died with Christ, then we

CBCP Monitor

Diocese

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

IN the beginning, there was no Philippines, but there was Butuan!

Butuan is an ancient kingdom in Mindanao, whose name was the oldest ever mentioned in the annals of history. It is more ancient than the name given to it (Filipinas) by the Spaniards in 1543. The name Butuan was inscribed in China (Sung History 1000 A.D) in Sanskrit, Butuan paleograph and ivory seal circa 13 &14; in Portuguese (1512) and Spanish (1521).

In the past, the natives of Butuan called Butuanons [(Butuanese by the Chinese traders, (National Geographic, July 1986)] used the balanghai as their means of transportation in navigating the riverine highways. In the year C. 1000 A.D., Butuan was already trading with Xiamen and its neighbors in Asia (National Geographic, July 1986). The name “Butuan” is used up to the present by the City and of the Diocese. Butuanon is the native language used by the ancients and is still used at present.

This kingdom and its people were led by two Butuanon kings who were brothers, Rajah Siagu and Rajah Colambu. They were the kings who hospitably met the Spaniards aboard Armada de Malucco who first circumnavigated the world in 1521.

Their chaplain offered a Thanksgiving Mass on Easter Sunday in the island of Masawa of Butuan, where their Captain General planted a Cross on these islands, which they claimed for the Crown of Spain (“ Primo Viaggio Intorno Al Mondo”, The Phil. Islands, vol. 33, pp.123, 133.)

Europeans in the Islands After a few years, several expeditions reached the Butuan shores, Francisco de Castro in 1538, Rui Lopez de Villalobos in 1543; Rui Lopez de Legaspi in 1565. The formal evangelization of Mindanao started in 1596 by the Jesuits. Fr. Valerio de Ledesma and Fr. Manuel Martinez blessed the first Catholic Church and Christian community in Mindanao on September 8, 1957 in Butuan. This community in Butuan was also the first group of people who heard a homily on our holy Faith. It should be remembered that before Christianity was spread in the Philippines, the natives already had their own culture and set of beliefs.

They were not yet introduced to any structured religion like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Catholicism. Islam in Sulu (1380) and Christianity in Butuan, (1521) first came to the Philippine Islands through Mindanao.

The Advent of the Missionaries The Jesuits did not stay long and were sent back to their missions in the Visayas. They were replaced by diocesan priests from India and Portugal until eight Augustinian Recollect friars arrived in Mindanao in 1622. They established their first mission station in Tandag, Butuan, Jabonga and Cagayan de Oro. Fray Jacinto de San Fulfencio, OAR was

installed in Butuan. They dedicated the first Church and convent erected in Banza in 1625 to St. Joseph. In 1753, the church and the convent, including those in other areas in Caraga were burned by Muslim pirates.

More than 250 years of toil for Christianity marked the mission of the Recollects in Butuan. Fray Pedro de la Virgen de Los Martires, OAR was the last Recollect Parish Priest of Butuan. Butuan at this time was relocated in Baug (now Magallanes), but this was transferred to its present site in Agao under the recommendation of the succeeding priest, Fr. Raymundo Pamies, SJ. He built and dedicated the second stone church of Butuan on 19 March 1884. From the St. Joseph Parish of Butuan, Jesuit missionaries started their work of evangelization for the “lumads” of Upper Agusan. These were made through the efforts of Fr. Juan Casellas, Fr. Domingo Bové, Fr. Raymundo Pamies and Fr. Saturnino Urios (Catalogus Provinciae Hispanae Societatis Iesu Ineunte anno 1859, p. 29).

Return of the Missionaries When the Jesuits returned to the Butuan Mission in 1901, they found out that there was a proliferation of Protestantism and the rise of the Philippine Independent Church led by Gregorio Aglipay. In these circumstances, a rift was felt when the Americans brought in their religion, their culture and their way of government, their public school system and the use of the English language as the medium of instruction and communication. The Filipinistas occupied Roman Catholic Churches, the convents, school, cemeteries and other properties owned by the Roman Catholic Church in parishes under Spanish priests.

The local revolution heated under the leadership of Andres Atega & Gumercindo Flores. During the revolution a unique historical event happened—the raising of four flags in Butuan within a span of one month—the Spanish flag, the white flag of surrender, the Vatican flag and the new Philippine flag. Fr. Saturnino Urios became the parish priest when the missionaries came back to Butuan. He became the judge and interpreter between the natives and the Americans, and the disagreements between the “lumads” and the Christians. Fr. Urios reopened the parochial school of Butuan in 1901.

In 1935, the mission of Jesuits in Butuan ended. They were replaced by the Sacred Heart Missionaries (MSC) from the Netherlands. Fr. Juan Ruijter, MSC became the parish priest in Butuan while Fr. Martin Fransen, MSC was assigned in Cabadbaran.

After 15 years, on August 2, 1950, Butuan became a city though R.A. 253. The enactment of another law, R.A 4979 on June 17, 1967, split Agusan into Agusan Sur and Agusan Norte.

IMPORTANT FACTS Bishops …………………………. 2 Diocesan Priests ……………….. 78 Religious Priests ……………….. 29 Religious Sisters ……………..... 69 Seminarians: Pre-College …………..…........ 48 College …………….........……. 70 Seminarians from other dioceses studying in the diocese: Pre-college ………........………. 1 College …………........……….. 16 Augustinians Discalced ………… 35 Seminarians of the diocese studying in other diocese: Theology ………….......……… 13 Diocesan Divisions: Districts …………......………... 8 Parishes with Resident Pastors: Diocesan Clergy …….....……. 34 Religious Clergy ……......……. 14

Educational Centers: Colleges: Diocesan ………....………… 3 Enrollment …….....…. 4,913 Religious ………….....……… 1 Enrollment ….....……… 282 High Schools: Diocesan ………....………. 14 Enrollment ……...…. 7,359 Religious …………....……… 3 Enrollment ……....…… 277 Elementary: Diocesan ………...………... 2 Enrollment ….....……… 859 Kindergarten: Parochial …………...……... 2 Enrollment ……....……. 451 Institutions: Seminar/Retreat House …..…... 1 Population ………...…. 1,268,713 Area …….…. 11,276.85 sq. kms.

9

St. Joseph Cathedral, Butuan City

The Diocese of Butuan

by Fr. Joesilo C. Amalla Birth of Diocesan Clergy Through the motivation of the missionaries and the formation given by the Belgian Fathers (CICM), the call for priestly vocation was addressed. The diocesan clergy became the shepherds of our parishes at present. The Missionary Sisters of Mary, founded by Bishop Charles van den Ouwelant, MSC and Fr. Herman van der Sman, (MSC) in 1958 answered the catechetical needs of the time. This local congregation of sisters later grew in number and served Agusan provinces, and is now spread in many parts of the world.

The founding of the St. Peter Seminary in Ampayon, Butuan City in 1959 made an impact in the local need for priests. It should be remembered that the implementation of the documents of the Vatican Council II (1962-1967) made a dent in the preservation of Catholic Culture and the massive decrease of vocation to consecrated life of priests and religious. This phenomenon did not only happen in Butuan, in Mindanao; but affected the entire Church.

“Dioecesis Butuanensis” in Mindanao The credit for the establishment of the Butuan Diocese goes to Msgr.

Carlos van den Ouwelant, MSC. It was during his episcopacy that he recommended the creation of a diocese for Agusan. Butuan was created a bishopric on March 20, 1967 through the Apostolic Constitution “Eodem officio” issued by Pope Paul VI. The procurator of the Collegio Filipino in Rome, Fr. Carmelo D. F. Morelos, a Bicolano; was appointed as its first bishop on April 4, 1967.

The see of Butuan (Dioecesis Butuanensis) (cf. Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. IX p. 531) was taken from the bishopric of Surigao. It was a part of Cagayan de Oro which was elevated into a diocese in 1933.

First Parishes of Agusan and their Growth A few years after the second world war in 1948, the whole of Agusan had only eight parishes: San Jose in Butuan, La Asuscion in Jabonga: San Jose in Bunawan, San Estanislao Kostka in Talacugon, San Ignacio de Loyola in La Esperanza, La Candelaria in Cabadbaran, Santiago in Buena Vista and San Miguel Arcanghel in Nasipit. Ten religious priests (MSC), 3 Sisters (RVM), and 3 Catholic schools served the almost 70 thousand Catholics in a population of 92,575.

A year after the diocese of Butuan was created; there were already four diocesan clergy and 14 religious priests. Additional seven parishes were erected; Sta. Cruz in Ampayon; Sta. Rosario in Magallanes, Immaculate Heart of

Mary in Kitcharao; Virgen del Carmen in Carmen; Christ the King in Tungao; Sacred Heart in San Francisco and Bayugan. Thirteen Catholic schools were established. There were 15 Sisters serving the people of the two Agusan provinces. The whole population of the diocese that year was 312,211 with Catholics numbering 270,180.

Development of the Ministries and Apostolates While the priests and the sisters worked in the parishes and Catholic schools, the lay people also served the Church under the motivation and inspiration of Vatican II. Many signed up for membership in various religious organizations, among them; Apostolado de la Oracion, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabela, Catholic Womens’ League, Curcillos de Cristianidad, Young Christian Workers, Catholic Youth Organization, Catholic Faith Defenders, the Catechists, and other organizations that helped the priests in their ministry. There was also a positive growth in enrolment in Catholic schools and those who entered the seminary.

In 1976 the management of Urios College was entrusted to civilian hands. The administration of Saint Peter Seminary was turned over by the CICM Fathers to the diocesan priests. It was also converted into a college seminary to enable the seminarians to pursue theological studies after their spiritual and philosophical formation.

Religious and Political Developments Bishop Morelos became the 13th president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1991-1995. He was appointed as archbishop of Zamboanga on Dec. 8, 1994 by Pope John Paul II. During the vacancy (sede vacante) of the diocese, the Caraga Region was born through R.A. 7901, on Feb. 23, 1995. It is comprised of the two Agusan provinces, the two Surigao provinces, Butuan City and Surigao City. Butuan was made the regional capital. On Nov. 24 of that same year, Bishop Juan de Dios M. Pueblos was appointed second bishop of Butuan. He was installed on January 17, 1996 by Archbishop Gian Vincenzo Moreni, the Apostolic Nuncio, at St. Joseph Cathedral. In 2003, the diocese had three bishops in residence: Bishop-Emeritus Carlos van den Ouwelant, MSC, who died on August 22, 2003; Bp. Juan de Dios Pueblos as the local Ordinary and Bp. Zacarias Jimenez, appointed as auxiliary bishop on June 11, 2003.

On Aug. 4, 2006, Urios College, one of the oldest Catholic schools in Mindanao; was formally granted university status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It was

His Excellency Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos, D.D., Bishop of Butuan renamed to Fr. Saturnino Urios University (FSUU). This is now the center of Catholic religious education in Caraga Region and one of the “toptwenty schools” in the Philippines.

Ecclesia Semper Reformanda The Vatican Council II (19121965) changed the thrust of the Church and brought change in the life of faith and the belief of the faithful. Pope John XXIII (1958-1963) started the changes which were pursued by Pope Paul VI (1963-1978).

The two pontiffs realized the need for the change in the “aggiornamento” of the liturgy and the “approfondimento” of theology.

Under their papacies, clergy and religious men and women have begun asking the meaning of their consecration vis-à-vis the new structures and models of the Church and their relevance in the modern times.

In their desire to strengthen the local Churches, the Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) was conceived. This was first staged in Davao in 1971; while the 8th MSPC was held in Butuan on October 2327, 1989. The spirit, principle and policies and other measures agreed upon in their meeting were bought to their respective dioceses. The end result of this was the creation of the GKK at the parish level.

These three important gatherings, Vatican II, PCP II and MSPC (IXII); helped in setting up of the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly (DPA) of Butuan in 1998, where a retrospective analysis was made to find out where the Church stands to its “being Church” and its “being Church of the Poor”, and its being a community of the faithful in the present times. The DPA drew up some guidelines to smoothen the management and the life of the diocese.

The challenge of the Church to the Faithful From being a mission-accepting country in the past, we are now a mission-sending country. After helpButuan / P10

CBCP Monitor

Liturgy

10

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

THE rubrics for Holy Saturday found in the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia address several matters which will be helpful to those involved in the preparation of the celebration of the Easter Vigil.

Introduction to the Easter Vigil The rubrics of the Missale Romanum remind us that this “mother of all vigils” is the “greatest and most noble of all solemnities and it is to be unique in every single Church” (Missale Romanum, “Rubrics for the Easter Vigil” (EV), no.2).

On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ’s passage from death to life. Therefore, the Easter Vigil does not correspond to the usual Saturday evening Mass and its character is unique in the cycle of the liturgical year.

The Vigil, by its very nature, “ought to take place at night” (EV, no. 3). It is not begun before nightfall and should end before daybreak on Easter Sunday. The celebration of the Easter Vigil takes the place of the Office of Readings (EV, no. 5).

The role of the deacon assisting the priest is highlighted in the new Missale, although it is noted that in his absence his duties may be exercised by the priest celebrant himself or by a concelebrant (EV, no.6).

The Elements and Parts of the Easter Vigil The Service of Light In a suitable place outside the Church, a “blazing fire” (rogus ardens) is to be prepared so that the people may gather around it and experience the flames dispelling the darkness and lighting up the night.

Thus do the beauty of the fire, its warmth and its light, draw the liturgical assembly together. The rubrics, however, acknowledge that when this cannot be done adaptations may be made. The Missale also states that cross and candles are not to be carried in this procession (EV, no. 8).

Having reached the fire, the celebrant and faithful sign themselves with the sign of the cross while the priest says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (EV, no. 9). After this new beginning, he greets the people and then gives the instruction (EV, no.

9). As the celebrant blesses the fire he says the prayer “with hands outstretched” (EV, no. 10).

The Paschal Candle is brought forward. This candle should be made of wax, never be artificial, be renewed each year, be only one in number, and be of sufficiently large size that it may convey the truth that Christ is the light of the world. This description is developed in no. 94 of Built of Living Stones which reminds us that the Paschal Candle is the symbol of the “light of Christ, rising in glory,” scattering the “darkness of our hearts and minds.” “Above all, the Paschal Candle should be a genuine candle, the pre-eminent symbol of the light of Christ. Choice of size, design, and color should be made in relationship to the sanctuary in which it will be placed…” (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts [1988], no 82).

The candle is then prepared in rites which are no longer optional.

The celebrant cuts a cross into the candle with a stylus. Then he makes the Greek letter Alpha above the cross, the letter Omega below it, and the four numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross, say-

The New Missale Romanum and the Easter Vigil ing the words indicated. After these rites, the priest lights the candle from the new fire and says: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

(EV, no.14) The organization of the procession is more clearly described in the new Missale Romanum. One of the ministers takes burning coals from the fire and places them in a censer (thurible) and the priest, in the usual way, places incense into it. The deacon, or in his absence another appropriate minister accepts the Easter candle from the celebrant and a procession is formed. The order of procession is the thurifer with smoking thurible, preceding the minister holding the candle, followed by the ministers and the priest and the people. All hold unlit candles (EV, no.15). Just as the children of Israel were guided at night by the pillar of fire, so Christians follow the risen Christ.

The places at which the proclamation, Light of Christ, are sung now differ from what was in the previous Missale.

The new places are: at the door of the Church (after which the priest lights his candle), in the middle of the Church (after which all light their candles), and before the altar, facing the people. The Missale instructs the deacon to place the candle in a large candle stand prepared either next to the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary (EV, no. 17). The lights of the Church are then lit with the exception of the altar candles which are lit just before the intonation of the Gloria (EV, nos. 17 and 31).

Before the Easter Proclamation, the priest gives his candle to one of the ministers and blesses incense as at the Gospel during Mass. Having asked for and received the blessing, the deacon announces the Easter proclamation from the ambo or at a lectern. This poetic text captures the whole Easter mystery placed within the context of the economy of salvation. In the absence of a deacon the priest himself or another concelebrating priest may announce the Easter proclamation. If, however, a lay cantor announces the proclamation, the words, My dearest friends, up to the end of the invitation are omitted, along with the greeting, The Lord be with you (nos. 1819). The reference to the Conference of Bishops adapting the text by inserting acclamations is no longer mentioned.

Liturgy of the Word One of the unique aspects of the Easter Vigil is the recounting of the outstanding deeds of the history of salvation. These deeds are related in seven readings from the Old Tes-

tament chosen from the law and the prophets and two readings from the New Testament, namely from the apostles and from the gospel. Thus, the Lord “beginning with Moses and all the prophets” ( Lk 24.27, 44-45) meets us once again on our journey and, opening up our minds and hearts, prepares us to share in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup. The faithful are encouraged to meditate on these readings by the singing of a responsorial psalm, followed by a silent pause, and then by the celebrant’s prayer.

The Missale adds a sentence about the nine readings proposed, saying that “all of these must be read whenever it can be done, so that the character of a Vigil which takes place over some duration of time can be observed” (EV, no. 20).

The new Missale recognizes that “nevertheless, where grave pastoral circumstances demand it, the number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced (EV, no 21). At least three readings from the Old Testament should be read always including Exodus 14 (EV, no.

21). The reference found previously in the Missale to the possibility of having only two Old Testament readings in extreme necessity is omitted.

The Missale is very specific about the priest singing the Alleluia before the Gospel: “After the Epistle has been read, all rise, and the priest solemnly intones the Alleluia three times, raising his voice a step each time. All repeat the Alleluia each time. If necessary, the psalmist intones the Alleluia. Mention is then made of the psalmist or cantor singing Psalm 117 and the people responding, “Alleluia” (EV, no. 34).

This psalm is often recited by the apostles in their Easter preaching (Acts 4.11-12; Mt 21.42; Mk 12.10; Lk 20.17).

The Missale directs explicitly that the homily, even if it is brief, is not to be omitted (EV, no.36). This requires that the homilist carefully prepare and craft the homily so that it captures the tremendous mysteries being celebrated on this most holy of nights.

Liturgy of Baptism The Missale has reorganized the rubrics for this entire section of the Vigil (nos. 37-58). Nevertheless, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults should always be consulted in conjunction with the rubrics mentioned here in the Missale. This is especially true when Baptisms are taking place by means of immersion.

Christ’s Passover and ours are given full expression when baptismal water is blessed in the font and when the Christian initiation of adults, or, at least the baptism of in-

fants, takes place at the Easter Vigil.

Even if there are no candidates for baptism, the blessing of baptismal water should take place in parish churches. At the very least, baptism should be commemorated by the blessing of water intended for sprinkling upon the people.

The rubrics describe two instances of Baptism at the Vigil. If there is a procession to the baptistery or the font, the catechumens are called forward and presented by their godparents. If there are children, they are carried by their parents and godparents to the front of the assembly.

Those who are to be baptized, along with their godparents, are led first by a minister with the Easter candle; the other ministers, deacons and priest follow after them. This procession is accompanied by the singing of the Litany of the Saints. The priest then gives the introductory statement.

If the Baptisms take place in the sanctuary, the priest makes the introductory statement and this is followed by the singing of the Litany of the Saints.

When there are no Baptisms and the font is not to be blessed, the litany is omitted and the blessing of water takes place at once (EV, nos.

39-41).

The Missale reminds the celebrant that during the blessing of the water his hands are outstretched (EV, no.44).

Numbers 48 to 53 of the rubrics for the Easter Vigil of the Missale Romanum describe the initiation process. As was mentioned before, it is important to closely consult the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults on this matter. Number 48 of the rubrics for the Easter Vigil mentions that after the renunciation and profession of faith “if the anointing with the Oil of Catechumens did not take place beforehand, as part of the immediate

preparatory rites, it takes place at this moment.” Of course no. 33 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults points out: “The National Conference of Catholic Bishops approves the omission of the anointing with the oil of catechumens both in the celebration of baptism and in the optional preparation rites for Holy Saturday. Thus, anointing with the oil of catechumens is reserved for use in the period of the catechumenate and in the period of purification and enlightenment, and is not to be included in the purification rites on Holy Saturday or in the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil or at another time.”

Number 49 of the rubrics for the Easter Vigil notes that when there are many to be baptized, the priest may ask for the renewal of baptismal promises of all present immediately after the profession of faith made by those to be baptized, along with the godparents and parents.

The celebration of Confirmation is to take place in the sanctuary as indicated in the Pontifical or the Roman Ritual.

Liturgy of the Eucharist Care should be taken that, particularly in regard to this night’s celebration of the Eucharist, the liturgy is not done in haste and that all the rites and words should be given their full force.

The Missale has incorporated into itself rubrics found in nos. 241243 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. These allow for a commemoration of the baptized and their godparents to be made in the Eucharistic Prayer. Proper formulas are found in the Roman Missal for each of the Eucharistic prayers (EV, no.63).

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults indicates that these formulas are found in the section for ritual Masses, “Christian Initiation: Baptism.”

The Missale reminds the priest that before he says, This is the Lamb of God, he may make a brief remark to the neophytes about their first Communion and “about the preciousness of so great a mystery, which is the climax of initiation and the center of the Christian life” (EV, no. 64). In no. 65 the rubrics for the Easter Vigil indicate the desirability for the neophytes as well as all the faithful, if the diocesan Bishop consents, to receive Communion under both kinds.

The Missale provides a solemn blessing to conclude the liturgy (EV, no.69). It is used in place and can presently be found in the Sacramentary at no. 6, “Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday”. It is also possible to use the formula of the final blessing in the Order of Baptism for Children, according to circumstances.

The very last rubric reminds us that “the Easter candle is lighted in all of the more solemn liturgical celebrations in the Season of Easter” (EV, no. 70).(Committee on the Liturgy, USCCB)

Butuan / from p9 ing us, we are now in a position to help. Our priests and sisters, even the lay faithful who went on mission to other countries are proof to this.

Pope John Paul II said “…I cannot fail to urge the Church in Asia to send forth missionaries, even though she herself needs laborers in the vineyard…” (Ecclesia in Asia, par. 49, 1999). Pope Benedict XVI also said this in his Message for World Mission Sunday of 2006: “…In this lies the secret of the apostolic fruitfulness in missionary work which crosses frontiers and cultures, reaches all peoples and spreads to the utmost ends of the world.”

At present, the diocese has 120 seminarians in philosophy and theol-

ogy, 103 priests (78 of them diocesan), missionaries to different countries, thousands of members to various Catholic organizations, officers and members of the GKK’s and laity working to the best of their abilities towards achieving the common good, to obtain peace and happiness, and for our salvation (ab intra) and salvation of others (ab extra).

Inspired by our colorful history and grace of our Jubilee, we pray that our Church will have a successful celebration of the 40th anniversary. We look forward to the fruitful celebration of her mission, her vision and her goals as a Church in Mindanao in the Third Millennium of our salvation in Christ.

CBCP Monitor

Social Concern

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Mumho of Masbate

By Bong Marcaida MUMHO (literally means crumbs), the Masbateño version of the Pondo ng Pinoy movement of the Archdiocese of Manila has continued to gain grounds after it was officially launched in a simple ceremony during the Eucharistic celebration to commemorate the 38th founding anniversary of the diocese last Sept. 26, 2006.

At its official launching, Bishop Joel Baylon introduced MUMHO to the diocese as the program formed to give expression to an organized form of love. It makes sense how things that have little significance to some of

us could be very important to others.

The bishop stressed that this is something we give out of sacrifice. “It must be something that we really feel. Give and sacrifice until it hurts.”

Emphasizing the importance of helping the less fortunate, the bishop shared a story of a beggar having been asked what his saddest experience was. Was it when he begged and not given? To which the beggar answered, “No, it was when I was treated like I didn’t exist.”

Bishop Baylon called on everyone to give back to our less fortunate brothers and

THE San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical and Dental Charity Clinic (SLRMDCC) is truly a work of the Holy Spirit. With its noble purpose to restore the health of the sick anawim (the beloved poor of Yahweh), it is certainly in line with the mission of Jesus (cf. Lk 4:16-21) which, interestingly, includes the proclamation of the Jubilee Year—a perfect biblical paradigm of SLRMDCC because it was founded by Bishop Edmundo M. Abaya, DD in 1986 when the Diocese of Laoag celebrated its Silver Jubilee.

Starting modestly under Dr. Leoploldo Calimlim, the first medical practitioner who was later joined by other volunteer doctors, dentists and nurses, the clinic has grown into the institution of love that it is today. Indeed, the warmth, care, concern and compassion which spring from the life-giving spirit of the Church, and channeled through SLEMDCC healers, speak well of their faithfulness to the clinic’s ‘mission of love and service to the poor.’

And what else can we say! After the celebration of “The Year of Social Concern”, we rejoice all the more because SLRMDCC is very much alive at 20. Applied to the clinic in this opportune moment, how fitting then are the words of Pope Benedict XVI scribbled in Deus Caritas Est ‘…the Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacrament of the Word.’

The 20th foundation anniversary of SLRMDCC was celebrated last year on September 25. It was highlighted with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by its founder, Most Rev. Edmundo M Abuya, DD, and some Laoag Clergy headed by Rev. Msgr. Policarpo M. Albano.

In recognition of their voluntary service to the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Medical Dental and Charity Clinic, Plaques of Appre-

sisters their dignity, their names.

“Let us build character and start at home. Let us give back to each other his/her dignity. Let us build a community and, let us include the poor,” the bishop said.

MUMHO is a program aiming to give back to the poor their names and their dignity by helping them sustain their needs for food, shelter, education, good health and most importantly, the spiritual needs through catechism.

MUMHO is sharing with our brothers what we have in excess, instead of throwing them off.

Barely five months after its launching, 24 out of the 28 parishes in the diocese have manifested support for the success of the program. The remaining four parishes namely, Parish of the Holy Spirit in Pasig, Claveria, Parish of the Holy Trinity in Liong, Cataingan, Parish of St. Isidore in Claveria, Masbate and Parish of St. Paschal Baylon in San Pascual, Masbate are set to launch MUMHO within the next two months.

One of the highlights of the MUMHO activities in 2006 was “Adlaw Para sa Mumho” which was a gathering of delegates coming from the different parishes in order to have a deeper understanding of the objectives of the program as well as to formulate MUMHO work plans for the parishes.

Today, the total collection already deposited in the bank is sixty seven thousand nine hundred thirty one pesos (Php 67,931.00), which is only a fraction of those still within the various social action posts in the parishes where MUMHO has already taken off as a diocesan program.

In order to create a greater awareness about the program, sectoral launching has been adopted as a strategy targeting almost all the sectors within the diocese such as agriculture/ fishery, business, education, government, urban poor and a lot more.

MUMHO will have its grand launching on April 23, 2007 which is the last day of the Rodeo Masbateño Festival 2007. The event will be highlighted by a MUMHO Run for a Cause, launching of MUMHO’s official logo and jingle as well as a MUMHO Congress and the sending off of MUMHO volunteer catechists.

20 Year of Service to the Poorest of the Poor in Laoag

By Francisco C. Bitagon ciation were awarded to the volunteers after the mass. The recipients of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Service Award were doctors: Purisima Labio, Gregorio Labio, Melba Camarillo and Rebecca Cabanos who served as volunteers for 20 straight years. Other awards were given to individuals who rendered exemplary volunteer service to the clinic.

SLRMDCC started as an outpatient clinic. Through the years its services expanded because of growing needs. Today the clinic offers the following services: 1) consultations and free distribution of medicines every Tuesdays and Fridays; 2) minor surgery every second Wednesday of the month; 3) outreach

medical-dental mission to parishes during fiestas; 4) quarterly medical-dental mission to the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail, Laoag and Batac Jails; 5) gift-giving to all patients during December; 6) Balik Kalusugan Program—medicines are continually provided for patients with heart disease and asthma; 7) Medical Assistance Program for poor patients who need hospitalization; 8) SLRMDCC acts as a referring agency for patients who need major surgery. This is done after the clinic has administered initial treatment.

At present there are 2,877 poor families from Laoag City and Ilocos Norte that are registered as beneficiaries of the clinic.

11

Catanduanes Rising from the Typhoon:

DVSAFI’s Rehab Initiatives

By Rev. Fr. Laudemer Jose A. Gapaz SUPER typhoon Reming (DURIAN) was a lot stronger than Typhoon Loleng, the last major typhoon that hit Catanduanes in 1998.

Reming wrought damages to crops and properties due to very strong winds and heavy rains.

The strength of the typhoon was measured from 290 kph up to 320 km per hour. Although the storm was the strongest so far to hit the province, loss of life was minimal since it occurred at daytime when people were able to flee to safe shelters given their timetested experience to withstand strong typhoons.

Number of confirmed death is 16. Nevertheless, one life lost is far too many to their relatives and friends.

Of the affected private residential houses, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) reported that 23,648 were partiallydamaged houses and 15,920 were totally damaged. There are still families living in temporary makeshift shelters because of the difficulty of rebuilding their houses.

When rains come, they just have to make do with whatever they have to shelter them and their meager resources. There is a need for tarpaulins, at the very least, as temporary shelters for those who do not have the financial ability to rebuild their homes.

Coconut, rice, fruit trees and abaca plantation were severely damaged. Damage to crops was extensive and is deemed to have reach 48 million pesos, which is believed to be a very conservative estimate. We have to consider also the livestock and fishery sectors.

In view of the magnitude of the problems faced by the marginalized families in the typhoon ravaged province, the Diocese of Virac Social Action Foundation, Inc. (DVSAFI) identified initiatives where it can contribute to the rehabilitation and development of the province.

With the extensive

and massive damages brought by the typhoon to residential houses, shelter assistance is an immediate need. The DVSAFI is to grant concrete shelters to those not being served by the government and other agencies. This will be called SHELTER REHAB PROJECT. This type of project was already implemented by the diocese during the rehabilitation of the province after the onslaught of Typhoons Loleng and Dindo. Our rehab project was a success. The shelter we provided to our beneficiaries withstood the onslaught of the very strong winds brought by the super typhoon. Not one of the concrete shelters we provided were damaged and thus served as safe refuge to several families. We were able to build 136 units scattered in the province.

This time we are targeting to assist 70 families build their shelter. Target areas are Barangay Sipi in Bato, Nagbarorong in Baras, San Miguel, Barangays Luminangas, Tibgao and Marilima in Virac, Asgad in San Andres and Palumbanes in Caramoran. Estimated cost of one concrete 4x4 concrete shelter: P 72,000.00.

This project is funded by generous dioceses, parishes, institutions and other well-meaning organizations and persons here and abroad.

The DVSAFI through the assistance of NASSA and CRS is implementing an Agricultural Livelihood Recovery Project.

This project is anchored on the twin objectives: a) 325 farmers and fishers have restored their pre-disaster agricultural and fishing activities in more profitable and sustainable manner; b) Households, especially the women, are engaged in profitable and sustainable non-farm livelihood activities.

The Project Components are: Agricultural and Fisheries Rehabilitation and Development; Marketing support; Formation and Development of Community-based Organization/Basic Faith; Off Farm Livelihood Support.

CBCP Monitor

Statements

12

Our Stand Towards Political Progress Diocese of Malaybalay 37th Diocesan General Assembly February 26-28, 2007 Diocesan Formation Center Impalambong, Malaybalay City WE, the 423 delegates of the 37th Diocesan Pastoral Assembly agree that the lay leaders of the Diocese may run for political positions since the Government and the Church serve the same people.

With our assent, we hope that they will be the instruments towards the gradual transformation of our political situation as they stand on Christian integrity and justice.

They shall be allowed to continue in active service, since from the Church they obtain the needed strength and courage for genuine service through the various formation programs they receive.

To properly guide our people of this new stance, the following regulations are hereby set: I. For the would-be Candidates A. BEFORE ELECTIONS, the Church leader who wishes to be elected should: Exemplify integrity and the qualities of a servant leader; Have been actively serving the Church for at least two to three years; Be an active BEC member; Be ready to stand for Justice; Be morally upright, have enough know-how, sincere; Be Pro-God, Pro-Ecology, and ProPoor; Be ready to take part in forming the new heaven and the new earth.

B. DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION PERIOD, the Church leader who wish to be elected should: Deliver a clear platform and program, rather than mudslinging against other candidates; Not buy votes; Not use the pulpit (Mass or KP) to campaign. But this can be discussed during BEC’s or meetings; Follow and respect the guidelines set by the Comelec and the stand of the Diocese.

C. AFTER ELECTIONS, those not elected should: Accept his defeat with great humility; Not grumble nor blame others; Support the platform and programs of the elected candidate; Continue serving the Church. Those elected should: Remain modest; Continue serving the Church and attend the formation programs given; Realize the campaign platform and programs he uttered; Stand for Christian integrity and justice.

II. Policy for the Voters A. BEFORE ELECTIONS: Be aware of the positive and negative traits of the candidates by attending political rallies, voter’s education, candidates’ forum, and other political activities; Respect the decision of others in choosing who to vote for after you have expressed your experience regarding a politician; Examine the moral ascendancy, qualification or suitability and other qualities personal to the candidates. If the candidates have moral issues, choose the “lesser evil”; Understand the issues, the platforms and the programs of the candidates asking for your vote.

B. DURING ELECTIONS: Pray before casting your vote, write down a list of the candidates you will vote for as a result of your prayer; Do not sell your vote because this is like selling your human dignity; Do not vote for candidates with the 5 G’s (Gold, Guns, Goons, Girls, & Gin); Do not vote

for candidates with a record of corruption and cheating; Do not vote just because of debt-of-gratitude, popularity, ‘pakikisama’ or padrino; Do not vote for candidates who live immoral lives, and those living in contempt against God; Vote for the good of the barangay, municipality, province, and country.

C. AFTER ELECTIONS: Support those elected even if this is not your candidate; Do not ask for personal favors from winners who are Church workers.

Help follow up the realization of platforms and programs promised by the candidate.

III. Policy for Church leaders whose help will be solicited by candidates It is the right of every church leader/worker to support a candidate. Thus he will be allowed to do such provided he follows the guidelines set below.

A. BEFORE GIVING SUPPORT: The Church leader must examine closely this politician asking for support if indeed he is worthy to be supported and campaigned for.

B. DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND ELECTIONS: Use only the track record and the qualities of his candidate; No mudslinging against other candidates.

Encourage his candidate to make his own platform and program; Attend continuing formation given by the Church towards political maturity; Not to use means contrary to the vision of the Church like vote-buying, threats, cheating, and others.

C. AFTER ELECTIONS: Support those elected even if this is not his candidate; Do not ask for personal favors from winners whom he supported; Help follow up the platform and programs of the candidate he supported.

IV. Policy regarding money distributed during the elections THE GOAL AND OBJECTIVE: The goal and objective of receiving money is to deter or discourage the “would-be-votebuyer”; not to enrich oneself; Those who can ‘abstain’ from receiving are highly encouraged to do so. (Thanks be to God!). Live it, do it, because it is a sin to declare not to receive, but will actually receive in secret; Clarify the motive of the giver. Clarify also your position. It is up to him to go ahead and give after he has heard your position; State who you will vote for. Doing this will confuse the candidate whether to give or not because he will not be sure of the vote. But if he proceeds to cheerfully give without expecting anything in return, take it; We do not and will not ask. If we are given, vote for the person you like since you already made known your stance; If a church leadercandidate will distribute money from “above”, if belonging to a party, clarify the motive for giving. If this is freely given, take it but stand on whoever you like to vote for; Three days before elections, do not sell your vote. Receive, but vote for whoever you want.

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

A Pastoral Letter on the Preparations for the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Erection of the Diocese of Butuan TO the Clergy and Religious, the Lay Faithful, and all men and women of good will of the Diocese of Butuan, my cordial greetings of peace and love: Praised be God, the Lord of history, who through the years have nurtured and nourished us with His blessings of peace, love and joy. To Him be glory forever.

Last September 8, 1997, just five years after we celebrated the 25th year of the erection of the diocese, we were blessed with a blissful milestone in the history of our local Church. We joyfully celebrated then the 400th year of the founding of the first chapel (BEC) in the whole island of Mindanao which was dedicated under the patronage of the most Blessed Virgin Mary. Once again, we will prepare for another significant passage of our diocese as a pilgrim Church journeying towards the heavenly homeland.

On July 10, 2007, our diocese will have reached its 40-year milestone.

This is indeed an occasion to give praise and thanks to God for what we are now, and for the journey we have traveled so far, as a Church in this part of the world. The Ruby (40 years) Anniversary of the diocese will look forward to the 50th year of our history as a diocese. Thus, this is an opportune time to prepare for where we hope to go, as expressed in our Diocesan Vision-Mission-Goal statement, and as a response to the challenge of the late Pope John Paul II “to put into the deep” for a catch (Conclusion, Novo Millennio Ineunte).

We will celebrate the Ruby Anniversary with a one year preparation which will be marked not only by a heightened spiritual awareness, but also by an intensive concern for the other vital aspects of Christian and civil life, of the peoples in the diocese. The Steering Committee for the preparations of the Jubilee aptly chose to take a four-pronged theme: Pagbag-o…

Pakigsuod…

Pagmaya… Padayon.

Pursuing the spirit of the celebration of the Great Jubilee Year 2000 which was indeed a year of reconciliation and renewal at the verti-

cal and horizontal dimensions of relationships, with God and with one another, the focus of the preparations of the Ruby Anniversary and onwards to the Golden Jubilee will be the renewal in all levels of the diocese as a pilgrim Church.

Given this backgrounder, our preparations for the Ruby Anniversary that look forward to our Golden Jubilee should therefore be a time: • to look back (Pagbag-o) with gratitude to God for the blessings and learnings the diocese has gained, and even the mistakes and failures we have experienced in the past forty years. Thus, we will review and examine the Diocesan VisionMission-Goal statement and the past Diocesan Pastoral Assemblies in order to make it more in-keeping with the challenges and opportunities of this new millennium. We will also take a closer look at our present customs and practices as a local Church to see if we are still in line with our mission of becoming a Church of the Poor as envisioned by the Diocesan VisionMission-Goal statement; • to have a closer relationship (Pakigsuod) among the clergy, the religious and the lay faithful. In keeping with the spirit of the biblical Jubilee, the clergy and the religious will bring to the people, especially the poor and oppressed, matters that concern not only their spiritual welfare but most importantly matters that will help alleviate the hardships and sufferings; • to hold joyful celebrations (Pagmaya) that will heighten and deepen the spiritual and liturgical concerns, moral and social awareness, environmental and ecological consciousness of all; • to move forward (Padayon) with a renewed and fresh outlook and attitude in the manifestation and practice of the Christian faith, with a more vibrant hope for a better future of the local Church of Butuan and with a stronger and greater love of God. This new millennium is definitely a time for growth towards the maturity of our faith and our mission as baptized Christians. There is a tremendous potential for evangelization

and witnessing in our diocese. We only need to revitalize and exploit the missionary spirit within us. Indeed, we are challenged by Pope John Paul II, of happy memory, to go further, beyond the mundane and the routines, into the ‘deep.’

As your shepherd in the diocese, I urge and enjoin everyone to heed this call of our times. Amidst the difficulties we are facing, we are called to take active part in the renewal and consolidation of all aspects of our life as Christians and as citizens of a country beset by seemingly insurmountable odds. Let us all strive to make this preparation for the celebration of the Ruby Anniversary and the Golden Jubilee of our diocese a grace-filled occasion that will bring us all to a total liberation and transformation towards the establishment of ‘a new heaven and a new earth.’

On the 9th of July 2006, exactly one year from the actual 40th year of the erection of the Diocese of Butuan, I formally and officially launch the beginning of our preparations for the celebration of the Ruby Anniversary that will usher us to the more significant milestone of the history of the local Church of Butuan as a diocese— the Golden Jubilee.

Let us invoke the powerful intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary who for more than four hundred years have been the LIGHT (kasilak) guiding us in our journey towards God. Let us ask St. Joseph, patron of the diocese and patron of the universal Church, for protection and guidance.

Lastly, as your pastor in the diocese, I impart my apostolic blessings on everyone to have courage and wisdom in order that we may all face the challenge of renewing and liberating ourselves as People of God on the way to the Promised Land.

Given this 3rd day July 2006, the feast of the Apostle Thomas at the Bishop’s Home, Ampayon, Butuan City.

In Mary’s FIAT, Most Rev. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, D.D. Bishop of Butuan

International Women’s Day:

“Women Celebrating Gains, Facing Challenges” 16 March 2007 “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27) THIS passage from Sacred Scriptures gives us a clear understanding that men and women are equal and complimentary. “Womanhood and manhood are complementary not only from the physical and psychological points of view, but also from the ontological. It is only through the duality of the “masculine” and the “feminine” that the “human” “finds full realization” (Letter to Women, 7, Pope John Paul II, June 29, 1995).

Your theme for this year’s International Women’s Day: “Women Celebrating Gains, Facing Challenges,” is another great opportunity for the Church to recognize and thank you for your irreplaceable, non-substitutable, and invaluable contribution to the realization of the struggle for human perfection and for the total human development in the pilgrimage of faith. Indeed, you, women have enormous reasons to celebrate your gains which helped humanity to achieve glorious triumphs in history. This is not a proud exaltation of womanhood, but a just recognition of the truth. How can we forget the line of women personages in the economy of salvation, the likes of Sarah, Ruth, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Elizabeth, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Martha, St. Monica, St. Joan of Arc, St Catherine of Sienna, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta? They and all the other great women in history contributed in their own humble ways for the unfolding and realization of the lov-

ing plan of God in time. Fact is, in every period of history—whether it is acknowledged or not—the Church and the world at large always have not without the feminine figure and sensibility to compliment and accompany them in their journey. This is equally true in our time. The Church and the world continue to exist and survive because of the irreplaceable, non-substitutable, and invaluable presence of women who compliment men in all their human realities.

Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. This experience makes you become God’s own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child’s first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life.

Thank you, women who are wives! You irrevocably join your future to that of your husbands, in a relationship of mutual giving, at the service of love and life.

Thank you, women who are daughters and women who are sisters! Into the heart of the family, and then of all society, you bring the richness of your sensitivity, your intuitiveness, your generosity and fidelity.

Thank you, women who work! You are present and active in every area of life—social, economic, cultural, artistic and political. In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of “mystery,” to the establishment of economic and International / P13

CBCP Monitor

Statements

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Statement of Solidarity Religious of the Good Shepherd Women – Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Visayas- Mindanao Network Kaming mga lumad sa San Luis, Agusan del Sur nagpuyo sa kahadlok, kabalaka, kadislokar ug krisis sa panginabuhian, magpatabang sa pagsumpo sa dili makatarunganon nga pagpanglapas sa tawhanong katungod sama sa pagpanghulga sa seguridad; pagpahawa sa katilingban ug programa sa RGS-TFM. THIS is the cry of the people heard during the Solidarity and Pastoral Mission conducted by the CARAGA Church People’s Alliance last March 9-10, 2007 at Balit and Tabon-Tabon, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Encountering them, listening to their stories, being with them in their experiences, the participants of the Solidarity Mission witnessed that the lumad living in the sitios of Minlinao, Tabon-Tabon, Nakadayas, Kimambukagyang, and Balit are: Living in fear The lumad of San Luis live in fear amidst the threats and harassments they constantly receive from Mario Napongahan and his group who are military and CAFGU personnel of the 23rd IB assigned at Mahagsay and Km 24 detachment.

In 2004, military personnel led by Pvt. Mariano Tunogan under the command of Col. Johnny Macanas intensively recruited the lumad and lured them with false promises to join the CAFGU. Various means were used to convince the lumad to be CAFGU members. They promised the people PhP5,000.00 and a sack of rice per month if they will be CAFGU members.

Free housing facilities and free education for the children were also promised. Those who refused to and opted to stay in their communities were threatened, intimidated and harassed.

From 2005 onwards, threats intensified. Lumad communities live in fear and insecurities. The situation in San Luis Municipality worsened. Killings and attempted killings happened almost every month even right in the commercial center of Dona Flavia.

These cases were related to the harassment of the lumad communities and the program of the Religious of the Good Shepherd-Tribal Filipino Ministry (RGS-TFM) and their staff.

RGS-TFM has been working with the lumad communities in the Municipalities of San Luis and La Paz since 1981. Vocal and active in the defense of the rights and ancestral

domain of the lumad, it is also a target of military harassments and threats.

One of its key personnel, Mateo Morales was even shot dead on January 24, 2006.

Forcible Evacuation, lies and deception In a meeting last December 31, 2006 in Mahagsay, Mario Napongahan, a CAFGU leader issued an ultimatum to the residents of Tabon-Tabon and Nakadayas that they are given only up to March or until the end of the school year 20062007 to leave their community and to transfer to the detachment in Mahagsay. Not wanting to leave their peaceful community and their farms where they are dependent for subsistence, they were further intimidated with the declaration that Napongahan has the authority from the Provincial Governor Adolph Edward Plaza that if the people refuse, their community will be bombed.

Same threats are received by the other lumad communities. Community leaders who speak out against these abuses and harassments (like in Balit, Nakadayas and Kimambukagyang) are themselves threatened. Their livelihoods have been affected since they could no longer go freely to their farms and their movements limited within the villages. Communities where there are Urios Extension schools administered by the RGSTFM are targets of intimidation and harassment.

Last December 20, 2006, residents of Minlinao evacuated and were displaced due to fear brought about by the intimidation of the CAFGU unit in Km. 24. Leaving behind their homes and farms, they are now dependent upon others to help them with their daily needs. Until now, they have not gone back to their community and the Urios Minlinao Extension School was forced to close temporarily.

Fraudulent Claim Who is Mario Napongahan that

he can sow fear at the hearts of the lumad? Why does he harass his own people? Mario Napongahan, a CAFGU commander, has an application for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covering an area of not less than 9,000 hectares. This includes areas that do not even belong to him or to his family. Lumad communities affected by his claim are not in favor of the application. They filed protests against the said application. In return, they are being harassed and threatened by Napongahan and his group. The arms issued by the government are being used to harassed, threatened and even kill innocent people.

Land is Life!

The RGS W-JPIC joins the lumad in asserting their rights to life and to their ancestral domain. We strongly denounce the abusive acts of Napongahan and his group. We clearly understand that the intimidations and threats are not because of any inter-tribal conflict but because of greed and selfish interest. The lives of the lumad are interwoven with land.

For the lumad, land is life. To take away their land is tantamount to killing. To take away their land is an act of murder. Because for the lumad, life is not possible if there is no land.

We therefore demand that: 1. The families of Minlinao will be given protection and be allowed to go back safely to their ancestral domain without any conditions.

2. The intimidation, harassments and threats to lumad communities and to the RGS-TFM be stopped.

3. Justice be given to Mateo Morales and to all the victims of killings and attempted killings.

4. Mario Napongahan and his group and all abusive elements of the Military and CAFGU be investigated and disarmed.

5. Recruitment of CAFGU and arming of civilians be stopped.

6. Mining, tree plantation and logging concessions will not be allowed entry to the lumad ancestral domain.

Respect the indigenous right to self-determination!

Defend the indigenous right to their ancestral domain!

Uphold human rights! Stop military operations in lumad communities!

Reference: Sr. Maria Alicia S. Andres, RGS Religious of the Good Shepherd Women-Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Visayas Mindanao Network

International / from p12 political structures ever more worthy of humanity.

Thank you, consecrated women! Following the example of the greatest of women, the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, you open yourselves with obedience and fidelity to the gift of God’s love. You help the Church and all mankind to experience a “spousal” relationship to God, one which magnificently expresses the fellowship which God wishes to establish with his creatures.

Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! “Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.” (Letter to Women, 2).

Thank you dear sisters, for these gains you offer, and the gift of selves, to the Church and the world; true enough, the human society owes much to you—to these “genius of women” (cf. Letter to Women, 9).

While thanking you, I must also exhort you with the voice of the Magisterium of the Church, and this stand for you as challenges. Before the threats of the prevailing culture of death of our time which has its roots in “the mentality which carries the concept of subjectivity to an extreme” (Evangelium Vitae, 19) and in a “notion of freedom which exalts the individual in an absolute way” (EV, 19)—let me remind you of your sublime vocation, that God entrusts the human being to you women in a special way (cf. Mulieris Dignitatem, 30). To you dear women, the appeal of the Church takes a special urgency and intensity, “in the name of God; respect, protect, love, and serve life, very human life” (EV,5)—from the moment of conception to natural death.

As you continue living out your special vocation as

the ones having been specially entrusted the future of human beings with your motherhood or your virginity for the sake of the Kingdom, feel the closeness, support, and the love of the Church who knows well the challenges of your vocation for she herself is a mother and a virgin. Be assured that the Church acknowledges and “invite all others to once again acknowledge the indispensable contribution of women to the building up of the Church and the development of society” (Christifideles Laici, 49).

At this juncture, I would like to make fresh to you the words of Pope John Paul II the Great, “The eyes of faith behold a wonderful scene: that of a countless number of lay people, both women and men, busy at work in their daily life and activity oftentimes far from view and quite un acclaimed by the world, unknown to the world’s great personages but nonetheless looked upon in love by the Father, untiring laborers who work in the Lord’s vineyard. Confident and steadfast through the power of God’s grace, these are the humble yet great builders of the Kingdom of God in history” (Christifideles Laici, 17).

Again, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude and sincere congratulations to all of you, my sisters and cojourneyers in the pilgrimage of faith. May Mother Mary constantly protect, guide, and intercede for you all, as you continue taking her as your perfect model in living out the vocation and holiness of womanhood—gaining more fruits to be celebrated at the banquet of the Church.

God bless! +MOST REV. EMILIO Z. MARQUEZ, DD Chairman, CBCP - Office on Women Bishop of Lucena

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Press Statement

Freedom to Choose the Candidates THE Bishops in the CBCP, while respecting what the leaders of El Shaddai and other groups have been doing for years, still maintain the freedom of Catholic members to choose their candidates.

We expect them to discern, discuss and personally decide whom to vote. To dictate on them whom to vote is as bad as buying their votes.

In the end, we cannot be genuinely sure whether the candidates who have been dictated on the voters will really serve them. All the more if the voters are taken with a “buy and sell attitude.” Proof of this is the past experience of elections.

The CBCP does not want the candidates to be indebted to the bishops; instead we want the candidates to make a genuine covenant with the electorate: that if elected, they will serve the people and not themselves. This is what the PPCRV is trying to do.

We can trust “the wisdom of the people,” if only their judgment will not be violated or adulterated by “guns, goons and gold,” if only the process of election according to the rule will be respected and not manipulated by self-interest. If the wisdom of the people were allowed freely to function, they will get the leaders

they want or they get the leaders they deserve.

As we said in our pastoral letter, we exhort our people not only to pray but also to be vigilant. Let the different associations and groups come together to study and examine the candidates and their platform of government. They may even come to an agreement among themselves whom to vote; but each one must personally come to his/her decision. They will not vote according to personality or winnability but in view of the candidates’ agenda of government.

On the one hand, there is no Catholic vote in the Philippines, because all Catholics are free to vote any candidate of any political party. On the other hand, because Catholics are almost everywhere, many of the candidates who win, win by catholic votes; but this is no reason to brag about, because the candidates win or lose by his own virtue or lack of it, and the electors vote according to their respective persuasion and conviction. +ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO Archbishop of Jaro CBCP President March 13, 2007

Statement

A Month of Prayer and Peace for the Filipino Family in Celebration of National Women’s Month AS the country celebrates National Women’s Month this March 2007, we are reminded to pray for all women who have been, and are, victims of all kinds of abuse and violence within the family and outside their homes.

The world had just celebrated the International Day for Women last March 8, calling our attention to the plight of women all over the world. Here in our own country, we celebrate National Women’s Day on March 16; it is a day to remember our Filipino women, especially those who nurtured us since we were born—our very own mothers.

We are aware that many of our women have become victims of violence, especially in their own homes. It is a sad reality that is happening in our country. The home is supposed to be a sanctuary where peace and love reign, but many of our homes now are becoming a venue where women are battered and abused.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines exhorts the various sectors of our society to link hands to protect our women from exploitation of all kinds, from violence that reduce them to silence, and from abuse that deprive them of their dignity as persons.

Many of those who have fallen victims remained silent and unable to move ahead because of fear and hurts, while just as many are slowly finding the courage to go on living their lives. We call on our brothers and sisters both in government and the private sector to lend help and services to our women in crises.

May we indeed make this month dedicated to women a month of prayer. As we pray for our Filipino women, we also pray that peace may reign in the Filipino family. Let us pray that our women get the respect and love they deserve. Let us pray that exploitation and violence against women stop. Let us pray that those victimized by violence may find the courage to forgive and get on with their lives.

Let us also pray for the enlightenment and conversion of those who inflict violence on women.

Let us also recommend our Filipino women to the protection and intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, the model and icon of womanhood.

ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO Archbishop of Jaro President, CBCP March 11, 2007

CBCP Monitor

Reflections

14

Killing Enemies of the State

By Fr. Rufino Pepoye Cabatingan TODAY killing of people has become a daily occurrence. And we seldom hear condemnation from the citizenry, as if nothing is wrong. One can easily get killed and the perpetrators seem to feel no remorse. How I wish the souls of the victims of the so-called extrajudicial killings return to earth and endlessly annoy those “ugly beasts” until they repent for their crime of murder.

It is agonizing to think that alleged the perpetrators are the ones who are supposed to uphold the law—a case of the law enforcers becoming law-breakers. Most of the victims are critics of the government.

This may be the reason why non-government organizations are accusing the Administration to be behind these killings.

It is regrettable that most of our religious leaders are silent about these crimes.

Is it because they do not want to offend their beloved Gloria? If so, then this is the same attitude they have shown in May 2004 Presidential Elections where “they see no evil and hear no evil.”

But what is more disturbing is the allegation that some law-enforcers reportedly believe that it is alright to kill as long as the victims are considered enemies of the state.

This may be the reason why extra-judicial killings continue to remain unabated.

As believers of God, we have to stop this despicable practice. There is no justification to this crime. A law enforcer has no right to kill. Killing a person at all times is a sin.

To Go More than a Mile

By Bp. Jose R. Manguiran BY being a Christian, one has pledged to carry on Christ’s love.

To love as Jesus does is to do extra, to go “more than a mile” (Mt. 5:41), to go beyond our ordinary human transactions. To love those whom you know as friends is not “extra.” To give to those who have given you in return in not “more.” To work because you are paid a salary is not “beyond.” To give in order to be given in return is the form of honor, praise, promotion is not “extra.”

All these—friendship, salary, honor, praise, promotion are ordinary

human ground of transaction; everybody, even pagans related himself within this familiar ground.

Christ challenged us to go across the familiar ground and explore the unfamiliar, unknown: To love those who are not lovable is “extra.”

To give to those who cannot give in return is “more.”

To serve those who cannot serve in return is “beyond.”

To forgive even your enemy is “extra.”

To explore the unfamiliar ground with Christ’s love is going more than a mile.

Only the extra-miler deserves the name “Christian.”

Bo Sanchez

Believe in Yourself the Way God Believes in You

YESTERDAY, I met her again after a long, long time.

Aida.

A mother of six children, loving wife, and pure Ilocana.

A leader of a small prayer group.

Perhaps twenty or thirty people.

I visited her again, and was struck at how so many things have not changed.

I went to the living room where I used to sit as a thirteen-year-old boy. The plastic leatherette chair felt small now. But the old brown piano was still there—and at once, I could hear the old charismatic songs of years gone by.

“This is the day” and “Oh what a mighty God we serve” and “Come Holy Spirit I need You”. Funny how everything started to come back.

I remember how I had a big crush on Aida’s eldest daughter. She played the piano so gloriously; I wanted to do the same. Well yesterday, I met her there—already a doctor, married, and with a wonderful baby.

Everything was coming back.

The walls. The picture frames. The windows with oldfashioned curtains.

The past started coming alive.

“You shall preach next Friday, Bo” It was as though I could hear Aida’s voice.

A motherly voice that was gentle yet strong.

More than any other, these were the “sacred” words that changed the direction of my life. The thirteenyear-old boy looked up and nodded “Okay,” I said meekly to her.

I didn’t know what else to say. But at the back of my mind, I wondered, “Why me?”

I was the youngest in the group.

So the following week, I preached my first talk.

It was a disaster.

But Aida’s belief in me was unflinching. She smiled all through my talk. And right after the “disaster”, she told me to give another “disaster” the following Friday.

That was more than two decades ago.

Today, I’m a preacher.

And I love my job. I have reached millions of people with God’s Word, all over the world.

Why? Because of one woman who believed in me.

One woman who to this day leads a small group of twenty people.

As I say this, I already imagine Aida shaking her head. She will tell me with a smile, “Well, how could I not believe in you? God believed in you, Bo.” As I look back, I sometimes have tears in my eyes—thinking what would I be now without an Aida in my life.

May you find one in your journey. (We need a handful of them around us.)

People who believe in you so much, they’ll be willing to accept the early disasters that will flow out of our budding greatness.

I’ve got another idea.

Be an Aida for someone else.

There is always one person out there that you know who will bless so many others—if only someone will believe in them, the way God believes in them.

Will you?

God believes you can.

Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Changes in Religious Life

By John Paul B. Alvarado THE fact of change is one of the undeniable reality that all of us have experienced, are experiencing, and will experience. This philosophical dictum shows that all of us are changing, evolving and transforming. Whether we like it or not we will always be confronted by change.

But it doesn’t mean that we are helpless in front of the changes that we are experiencing. We have the power to choose whether we’ll accept, reject and ignore the changes in our lives.

This matter brought me to reflect on how do the changes in my life affect me and how do I take them within.

My reflection on the changes in my life was more enlightened when we have the session on Human Development and Sexuality. It was there that I have vividly understood the way I should deal with the changes in my life in a healthy manner. Sr. Leticia Garcia, DC, our speaker, gave the natural process of how nature works and changes. She said that everything in nature experiences birth, loss and gain. Though loss is part of the process, what matters most is the gain that one achieves after one’s loss. It is in this natural process that I grasped that nature itself is teaching me how to view and take changes that are complicated, difficult and intricate which in the end will make me gain.

Before I was really irritated to the changes that I experience for they present unusual and unconventional situations in me that I am not at ease. Though I understand that change will always take place, I am not aware that I am exasperated because my comfort zone is being shaken.

Previous to my entrance to

the novitiate, I have somehow processed this problem with the help of my formators and my brothers in the community which minimized my feeling of being annoyed when I encounter changes that are uprooting me in my comfort zone.

But I know that I have not totally healed myself in this matter. But despite this, God is really great for He uses events, circumstances and situations in life in order to help me process myself and heal me from my wounds and issues in life that hinder me to move on. And in my reflection, God used the session on human development and sexuality for me to clarify my confusions to understand and take them in a helpful way. And it is true, for it became clear that I will undoubtedly change, evolve and transform. But what I need to choose is that whether I will have a bitter change or I will change for the better and eventually for the best.

This was even clarified to me existentially when our speaker told us that as we change our consciousness also changes to attain maturity and act more responsibly.

This is the part where my being was really struck. It is where I asked myself if I have really evolved progressively, maturely and responsibly. It made me reminisce my past and made me unearth that I have become a better person.

Relating this point in my aspiration to become a Camillian religious and the goal to follow and serve Christ in religious life, Sr. Letty expounded that as a religious grows maturely and changes positively he/she should all the more be responsible and serious in continuously responding to

God’s call. She further explicated that the quality of living the vows changes in every evolution of consciousness that one’s “yes” at present is more intense and trustful to God compared to the previous “yes” that a religious professed. Again, this point led me to reflect and discern whether I am mature enough to take the vows which will not protect me but which I will protect. And this is where my prayer now is focused whether I am ready to profess and live the vows maturely, responsibly and joyfully.

Lastly, what I admired most in the session is that Sr. Letty has exemplified her explanations in the existential and basic level. That is why she related the living of the vows in our very nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God who is love. She elucidated that we have forgotten who we are, our very nature, and our personhood that calls us all to love. Our very nature calls us to love our Creator who is Love and who created us out of love.

Relating it with the religious life, the vows which a religious professes are used as instruments to love more.

This point made it clear to me that the profession of vows and ordination are not the end but the means to achieve the end and that is—to love.

I have come to appreciate and attune my attitude towards change in a healthy manner that I should choose freely and willingly to change for the better and for the best because the higher I go and the more I know the bigger responsibility to love is given to me.

Teresa put the teachings of the Lord into practice: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). The message of this humble witness of divine love has spread around the whole world.

Elizabeth, to render “in haste” the love of Christ into generous service towards our brothers and sisters.

(John Paul Alvarado, OSC, is a novice of the Order of St. Camillus)

Message/ from p5 tiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever through love (cf Rev 5:13). Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity, by making fruitful the relations between men and women, between rich and poor, between cultures and civilizations. This is shown to us in the lives of the saints. They are true friends of God who channel and reflect this very first love. Try to know them better, entrust yourselves to their intercession, and strive to live as they did. I shall just mention Mother Teresa. In order to respond instantly to the cry of Jesus, “I thirst”, a cry that had touched her deeply, she began to take in the people who were dying on the streets of Calcutta in India. From that time onward, the only desire of her life was to quench the thirst of love felt by Jesus, not with words, but with concrete action by recognizing his disfigured countenance thirsting for love in the faces of the poorest of the poor. Blessed

The secret of love Each one of us, my dear friends, has been given the possibility of reaching this same level of love, but only by having recourse to the indispensable support of divine Grace.

Only the Lord’s help will allow us to keep away from resignation when faced with the enormity of the task to be undertaken. It instills in us the courage to accomplish that which is humanly inconceivable. Above all, the Eucharist is the great school of love. When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf Eph 3:17-18). By sharing the Eucharistic Bread with our brothers and sisters of the Church community, we feel compelled, like Our Lady with

Towards the encounter in Sydney On this subject, the recommendation of the apostle John is illuminating: “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth” (1 Jn 3: 18-19). Dear young people, it is in this spirit that I invite you to experience the next World Youth Day together with your bishops in your respective dioceses. This will be an important stage on the way to the meeting in Sydney where the theme will be: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). May Mary, the Mother of Christ and of the Church, help you to let that cry ring out everywhere, the cry that has changed the world: “God is love!” I am together with you all in prayer and extend to you my heartfelt blessing.

From the Vatican, 27 January 2007 BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

CBCP Monitor Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

CINEMA Reviews

Title: MONAY Lead Cast: Manuel Urbano Jr, Leo Martinez, Richie Adamos, Rex Cortez, Tirzo Cruz III, Ricky Davao Director: Manuel Urbano Jr. Screenwriter: Manuel Urbano, Jr. Genre: Comedy Distributor: Onabru Productions Location: New Zealand Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Title: PATHFINDER Lead Cast : Russel Means, Jay Tavare, Nicole Muñoz, Michelle Thrush, Ralf Moeller Director: Marcus Nispel Producers : Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer Screenwriter : Laeta Kalogridis Music: Jonathan Elias Editors: Jay Friedkin, Glen Scantlebury Genre: Action/Drama Cinematography: Daniel Pearl Distributor: 20th Century Fox Film Corporation Location: USA Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

NAGSIMULA ang M.O.N.A.Y. sa isang disyerto sa Mongolia , kung saan sakay ng isang kabayo ang katutubong si Mr. Shooli (Jun Urbano). Magloloko ang kabayo kung kaya’tmnamahinga muna si Mr. Shooli sa isang tolda. Dito niya matatanggap ang balitang nasa bingit na ng kamatayan ang kanyang tatay-tatayan na si Mr. Garci , na siyang nag-alaga at nagpalaki kay Mr. Shooli nang siya’y maulila sa Pilipinas.

Magnanasa si Mr. Shooli na bumalik sa Pilipinas, isang bansang napalapit na sa kanyang puso, at maaabutan pa niyang buhay si Mr. Garci . Papasakabilang buhay si Mr. Garci, at sa puntong ito magsisimula ang iba’t ibang karanasan ni Mr. Shooli kasama ng kanyang kaibigan at dating kamag-aral na si Congressman Manhik-Manaog (Leo Martinez), mga karanasang magbibigay-kahulugan naman sa talumpati ni Mr. Shooli sa dulo ng pelikula.

Ang “Monay” ay isang acronym na nangangahulugang “ Misteyks Opda Neysion Adres Yata .” Isang comedy-satire ang M.O.N.A.Y, at nagniningning ito sa dami ng mga sikat na artistang nasangkot sa pagbubuo ng pelikula. Isa itong katuparan ng tatlong-taong pangarap ng artistang si Jun Urbano, na siya ring manunulat at direktor ng M.O.N.A.Y. Nakaka-entertain ang kuwento nito, at bagama’t matilamsik ito sa “paggigisa” sa mga baluktot na gawain sa ating bansa, maluwag tanggapin ang katotohanang kanyang sinasalamin at isinusulong sapagkat ito’y binabalot sa katatawanan.

Nang anyayahan ang CINEMA sa isang private screening ng M.O.N.A.Y, naisip nami’y “Bumalik na naman ba ang bomba?” sapagka’t ang pamagat nito’y nagpapaalala sa ilang mga pelikula noong nakaraan na pinamagatang Talong, Patikim ng Pinya, Tuhog, at kung ano ano pang pamagat na sa kultura ng Pilipino ay may dobleng kahulugan. Nang malaman namin ang kahulugan ng “MONAY” bilang isang acronym, naisip naming ito’y ginawang paraan lamang upang mapansin ang pelikula, at

marahil ay may pulitikang sangkap ito. Mayroon nga, ngunit diumano’y “Walang kinikilingan,” ani Urbano, “ Ito’y para sa tao, para sa Pilipino.” Maraming katiwalian sa ating lipunan ang pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng M.O.N.A.Y., lalo na’t mga maling gawi ng mga pulitiko at mga naglilingkod sa pamahalaan, at pati na rin mga taliwas na values ng mga Pilipino (tulad ng pagpapabaya sa pamilya ng mga OFW habang naghahanap ng pera sa ibang bansa), mga bagay na talos natin ay tunay namang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran ngayon. Bagama’t tapat sa katotohanan ang M.O.N.A.Y, hindi rin masasabing lubos itong malaya mula sa partisan politics, sapagkat may mga elemento itong “patama”, tulad halimbawa ng paggamit ng pangalang “Garci”--di kaya sinadya ito para magpaalala ng kung ano?---bakit Garci at hindi Cruz, Santos o Reyes? Ang pamagat mismo na M.O.N.A.Y. ay nagpapa-alala rin sa “State of the Nation Address” o S.O.N.A. na taon-tao’y inihahayag ng isang pangulo ng bansa. Sadya ring ipapalabas ang M.O.N.A.Y. sa mga sinehan ngayong Marso, panahon ng kampanya, bago mag-eleksyon sa Mayo.

Maganda ang intensiyon ng M.O.N.A.Y.sa pagbatikos sa ating mga katawatawang gawi ng mga pulitiko, ngunit pili rin ang binabatikos nito: halimbawa, hindi kabilang sa mga pinagtatawanan nito ang pagkakandidato ng mga walang karanasan sa pulitika o walang alam sa batas, tulad ng ilang mga artista o media people. Ano man ang dahilan, maaari na nating ipikit angating mga mata sa mga pagkukulang ng M.O.N.A.Y., sapagkat sa kabubuuan ng pelikula ay nababakas ang katapatan ng mga gumawa nito.

Ibukas na lamang natin ang ating mga isipan sa ubod ng talumpati ni Mr. Shooli bago magtapos ang pelikula, kung saan niya nawikang “Ang rebolusyon ay wala sa EDSA, wala sa Makati, kungdi nasa puso ng bawa’t tao.” Ito ay umaayon sa turo ng Simbahang Katoliko na ang pagbagago ng lipunan ay nagmumula sa pagbabago ng kalooban ng bawat nilalang.

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THE action-adventure movie Pathfinder unfolds in pre-Columbus America when Viking “dragon ships” mysteriously came out of the mist to invade Native American villages for slaves. A lone survivor in an invasion, a white-skinned blond 10-yearold boy, emerges from the bloodied shipwreck, suspicious and shaking with fright but with self-preservation instinct intact. He is found by a native American Indian woman, a member of the local Wampanoag tribe, who brings him home and pleads with the village elders to keep him as a real member of the community. The council of elders fears that the “different” human being who has strayed into their village would be tailed by evil wherever he goes but the Pathfinder (Russell Means), the community’s powerful shaman, perceives the young boy’s destiny among the native’s and prevails upon the community to adopt the boy. He is thus welcomed, named “Ghost” because of his white skin, and raised as one of them. Fifteen years later, Ghost (Karl Urban), still fired by anger and revenge, is a skilled hunter and warrior, ready to wage a one-man war against the Vikings in order to protect the people who have nursed and nurtured

IT’S the early 60s in Detroit where civil rights are still just a whisper in the streets. Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx) is a car salesman raring to make

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15 Moral Assessment

Abhorrent Disturbing Acceptable Wholesome Exemplary Technical Assessment

Poor Below average Average Above average Excellent

him to adulthood.

While a great deal of research went into the making of Pathfinder, it is a story set in a time that is beyond historical reach, a fact that allowed the movie’s production team (director Marcus Nispel, cinematographer Daniel C. Pearl,, costume designer Renée April, production designer Greg Blair) unlimited creative freedom in piecing together a mythical culture from the shards of fact, fiction and legend. The sets, costumes, cinematography, and other technical details are a marriage of reality and imagination, deliberately departing from stereotypes---of Vikings wearing horned helmets and American Indians living in teepees, for example---while remaining faithful to and respectful of history and culture. Commendable, too, is Pathfinder’s minimal use of CGI, compelling the actors to do their own stunts under harrowing conditions--if the script calls for “eighty people falling off a snow-covered cliff,” the movie refuses to cheat you with digitalized images but gives you exactly 80 people falling off a snow-covered cliff.

Pathfinder is not simply about the triumph of good over evil; it is more about the triumph of wisdom Title: DREAMGIRLS Running Time: 131 mins Lead Cast: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose, Danny Glover Director: Bill Condon Producer: Laurence Mark Screenwriter: Bill Condon Music: Henry Krieger Editors: Virginia Katz Genre: Musical /Drama Cinematography: Tobias Schliessler Distributor: Paramount Pictures Location: Detroit-USA, 1960-70s Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

his mark as a music producer. All he needs is the right product. Enter the Dreamettes -- Deena (Beyonce Knowles), Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and Effie (Jennifer Hudson), the childhood friends and singing trio, who come in for an audition looking very ordinary but overflowing with talent. They are just what Curtis needs. He signs them up, as backup singers, despite lead singer Effie’s protests, for a gig with Jimmy Early, (Eddie Murphy), Detroit’s rising star.

From then on, their careers skyrocket until Curtis launches the girls as a solo act, christening them as The Dreams. Only one small glitch in the equation – sultry Deena is to take center stage as lead vocalist while the more talented yet overweight and plain-looking Effie becomes back-up.

Everyone’s dreams slowly takes place but at a steep price that may be too heavy for their hearts to bear.

The movie shines with its ex-

CINEMA Rating Guide

VA - For viewers of all ages V13 - For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance V14 - For viewers 14 and above V18 - For mature viewers 18 and above NP - Not for public viewing

over ignorance. The hero, Ghost, suffers from being somewhere in between being Viking and being Indian, but realizes that to prove his loyalty and his worth to both himself and his foster people he has to confront the demons of his past which actually make up the greater demon within him. He is consumed by rage and revenge for what he sees to be his enemy---the savages who deprived him of his family as a boy and who have returned to rob him again of his new people---but through the guidance of the Pathfinder, the shaman who shows others the way, Ghost learns that only by masterfully controlling his emotions can he succeed in dealing with the enemy’s brute force. travagant musical performances and production numbers, soulful songs and talented performances from the cast -- both as actors and singers.

There is a fairly smooth transformation of the presentation from a stage play into a movie. Although there is some awkwardness on how the screen adaptation requires the characters to suddenly burst into a song in the middle of a conversation, argument or reflection, like an afterthought instead of a nicely interwoven number, spoiling or trivializing what would have contributed to good character-development. Dream Girls is an engrossing story and an entertaining show with a great packaging of energetic songs and haunting ballads presented with crisp camerawork and tight editing.

“Ego” -- that three -letter words often gets in the way of relationships and growth -- wrecking careers and breaking hearts. The movie illustrates what happens when a person is too full of himself to look at and care about how his actions and decisions affect the people around. To preserve one’s self is a natural instinct and success is everyone’s innate desire. But human beings need to transcend the instinct and desire and become noble and productive.

To be noble means to let go of one ’s self and look more at what others need, while to be productive is to respond to the others’ needs by giving up one’s self. Only then does success become meaningful and admirable. Young audiences will enjoy the film but some sensitive issues such as extramarital affair, substance abuse and betrayals need explanation and guidance from parents.

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People, Facts & Places

16

Cardinal Vidal Marks 51 Years of Priesthood

CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has marked his 51st anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on March 17.

Born on February 6, 1931, he was ordained a priest in 1956 by the late Lucena Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, whose life is being studied by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints of the Vatican, in view of a petition to raise him to the honors of the altar.

The 75-year-old prelate first served as a parish priest in his hometown in Mogpog, Marinduque.

After being appointed as bishop in 1971, he was later appointed as archbishop of Lipa City in Batangas.

In 1981, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Cebu. He was formally installed as archbishop of Cebu City on September 18, 1982.

It was in 1985 when the late Pope

John Paul II appointed Vidal the fourth Filipino Cardinal. He also became the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1986 to 1987 and served as chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on the Clergy (ECC) in 1989.

Since 2000, Vidal has been serving as the president of the Pontificio Colegio Filipino (PCF), a home in Rome of Filipino diocesan priests who have been sent by their bishops to pursue higher ecclesiastical studies.

Among the many awards that he received are: The Outstanding FilipinoAward from the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1998, and the Rizal Peace Award in 2002, and the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion in 2002.

In 2005, the cardinal participated in the papal conclave which selected Pope Benedict XVI as the successor of Pope John Paul II. Vidal tendered his resignation as archbishop of Cebu last year upon reaching retirement age but the Pope who urged him to continue his pastoral work declined it.

(CBCPNews)

Lipa’s KSFS Turns 63 MORE than two hundred promoters and benefactors gathered at the Study Hall of St. Francis de Sales (SFS) Minor Seminary, Lipa City last March 10 to celebrate the sixty-third Anniversary of the Kapisanan ni San Francisco de Sales (KSFS).

Rev. Fr. Aloysius H. Buensalida, Parochial Vicar at San Sebastian Parish, Lipa City, facilitated the benefactors’ Lenten Recollection, focusing on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. Seminarians from the pre-college, college and theology departments of St. Francis de Sales Seminary personally expressed their gratitude through songs during the afternoon program. Parlor games and raffle draws were also prepared for the guests.

Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, DD, STL, Archbishop of Lipa, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Incumbent KSFS director, Rev. Rochester Charles “Toter” Resuello, SFS High School Principal, Rev. Fr. Oscar Andal and SFS Prefect of Discipline Rev. Fr. Jose Dennis Tenorio concelebrated with the Archbishop.

The KSFS was established by the late Most Rev. Leoncio Lat, DD on March 14, 1944. True to the organization’s motto, Pietas et Caritas, the members pray and work for the increase of vocations and, in their own little way, extend financial help to poor but deserving seminarians of the Archdiocese of Lipa.

Those who are recruited as promot-

ers and benefactors willingly give themselves to such a noble cause.

The former directors of the KSFS were Rev. Fr. Cirilo Almario (now Bishop-Emeritus of Malolos, Bulacan), Rev. Msgr. Alberto Boongaling (now Parochial Administrator of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Taal, Batangas), late Rev. Fr. Oscar del Rio, Rev. Fr. Joselin Gonda (now director of Lipa Archdiocesan Commission on Migrants and Mission), Rev. Fr. Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr. (now Vice Rector of SFS Theological Seminary, Lipa), Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Evangelista (now Bishop of Boac, Marinduque), Rev. Fr. Raul Francisco Martinez (now Parish Priest of St. Clare Parish, Sto. Tomas, Batangas) and Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Rosales, (now director of SFS Institute of Formation).

KSFS has been blessed with one hundred nine promoters and thousands of benefactors who selflessly support thirty five seminarian-beneficiaries, excluding seminarians and priests studying abroad. (Emma D. Bauan)

His Eminence Gaudencio B. Rosales retraced his steps to the priesthood in his homily on the occasion of his 49th presbyteral anniversary. The signal event was celebrated on March 20 at the Arzobispado de Manila in the presence of his two auxiliary bishops and the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila who were in session for the regular monthly presbyterium.

CBCP Monitor Vol. 11 No. 6 March 19 - April 1, 2007

Markings CELEBRATED. Diocese of Butuan, 40th anniversary of foundation on March 20, 2007; Pope Paul VI created the ecclesiastical territory of Butuan on March 20, 1967. Fr. Carmelo D. F. Morelos was appointed as first bishop of Butuan on April 4, 1967, and was installed on July 10 of the same year. Most Rev. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos was appointed as second prelate of Butuan when Bishop Carmelo D.F. Morelos was appointed archbishop of Zamboanga by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 8, 1994.

Bishop Pueblos was installed on January 17, 1996 by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Gian Vincenzo Moreni; at St. Joseph Cathedral. On June 11, 2003, Bp. Zacarias Jimenez was appointed as auxiliary bishop.

LAUNCHED. Congregation of the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm) in the Philippines; Golden jubilee celebration on March 16, 2007, in Escalante, Negros Occidental. The Dutch Carmelite Friars who arrived in Negros Occidental in 1958 started the Carmelite presence in the Philippines. Almost fifty years since then, the Carmelites continue to serve the people through pastoral care, school ministry, lay formation and BCC building, media education, retreat work and social action. The friars’ communities in the Philippines are found in Quezon City, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Sur, and Cebu City. The Carmelites trace their roots to Mount Carmel in Palestine, where hermits lived a life of prayer and solitude.

CELEBRATED. Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession of RVM Sisters; March 17, 2007; S. Ma. Socorro Alvarez, S. Ma. Febenigna Acebedo, S. Ma. Consuelo Ananca, S. Ma. Vicenta Cañeda, S. Ma. Dolores Lim, S. Ma. Maura Lopez, S. Ma. Angelita Macaraig, S. Ma. Ignacia Magdalena, S. Ma. Adela Moreto, S. Ma. Flora Nini, S. Ma. Dominga Palanca, S. Ma. Joaquina Pascua, S. Ma. Cecilia Perez, S. Ma. Margarita Quevedo, S. Ma.Amda Retig, S. Ma. Susana Urbina; at the Our Lady of theAssumption Chapel, Q.C., with the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Fernando Filoni presiding.

CELEBRATED. Golden Jubilee of the following Daughters of St. Paul (FSP); March 18, 2007: S r. Ma. Leus Abuda, Sr. Ma. C a n d i d a Sahagun, presently assigned in the archdiocese of Manila; Sr. Ma. Bernarda Branzuela, assigned in the diocese of Tacloban; and Sr. Ma. Antonietta Echavez, assigned in the archdiocese of Davao. Fr. Ruben Areño, SSP, provincial of the Society of St. Paul; presided the thanksgiving mass at the Queen of Apostles Sanctuary at the Daughters of St. Paul’s compound in Pasay City. A lighted candle which is consumed as it sheds light beautifully conveyed the theme of the celebration. The symbolism represented the Sisters’ 50 years of life spent in joyful service of the Gospel.

Died: In March 2007; Rev. Fr. Leopoldo Solleza, Archdiocese of Jaro; Rev. Fr. Alberto Vito, Archdiocese of Capiz; Rev. Fr. Salvador Cecilio, Diocese of Borongan; and Sr. Maria C. Basas, DC.

Jaucian Ordained New Bishop for Abra IN a ceremony that lasted more than two hours, the former Provincial Superior of the Philippine Central Province of the Society of the Divine Word, Leopoldo Jaucian, was elevated to the order of bishops.

The ceremony took place at the Shrine of the Divine Word in the Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City on March 26, 2007.

Jaucian will assume the pastoral care of the Diocese of Bangued in Abra province that was left vacant when the former Bangued Bishop Artemio Rillera was transferred to the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union.

Around 25 bishops from differ-

ent dioceses of the country attended the solemn Episcopal ordination including papal nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

The new bishop came from a poor but exemplary family that traces its ancestry from Ilocos Norte.

He was a working student himself, and was ordained at the church where he served as a sacristan in the ‘70s.

“Many years ago I was the one cleaning the sacristy… from a ‘sacristan’ to a bishop,” said Jaucian.

“The great love of God is my only treasure than I can only share with you,” he added.

The apostolic nuncio, meanwhile, expressed his “fraternal solidarity” and support to the country’s bishops.

He told Jaucian: “Do not forget what the Lord Jesus has done for you today… you are called to sustain the faith of your clergy and your flocks,” said Filoni.

“You (bishops) are collaborators in the name of the Lord. Please make your collaboration a sign of devotion and charity,” he said.

Archbishop Ernesto Salgado of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia will officially install Jaucian as bishop of Abra on March 31 at the Cathedral of Bangued. (CBCPNews)