Vol. 18 No. 20 September 29 - October 12, 2014 Php 20.

00
Climate group demand redress
from earth offenders
DAYS after tropi-
cal storm Mario
fooded many parts
of Luzon, members
of the Philippine
Movement for Cli-
mate Justice (PMCJ)
stormed the gates
of the United States
(US) Embassy and
the European Union
(EU) office in Ma-
ni l a, demandi ng
major greenhouse
gas (GHG) emitters
in the First World
payment for their
cr i mes agai ns t
the Earth through
deep, drastic, and
ambitious cuts in
their GHG emis-
sions, and provision
Offenders / A6
A3 C1 B1
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and
the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Contest / A7
The Church was born
to go forth
Pinay duo
nalist in anti
porn contest,
dedicates
work to Pope
TWO young Filipina profession-
als, who had recently made it to
the the top 10 fnals of an inter-
national anti-porn infographics
contest, besting close to 200
others, dedicate their work to
Pope Francis.
Calling themselves online
missionaries, Sky A. Ortigas
and Nirva Delacruz take pride
in their work, Entry No. 4, dedi-
cating it to Pope Francis, who
is scheduled to visit the Philip-
pines on January 15 to 19, 2015.
Since we are also preparing
for the visit of Pope Francis, we
dedicate this entry to him. We
are with him as we continue to
fght for life, Ortigas said.
According to Delacruz, the
entry is also their small effort
to raise awareness about porn
and how it destroys lives.
Its our small act of compas-
sion for the countless families
and lives which porn has been
destroying. As our infographic
says its the silent intruder into
many families, breaking up
marriages, and rendering dys-
functional many relationships,
she explained.
The pair also calls on the pub-
lic to vote for their entry by vis-
itinghttp://www.covenanteyes.
com/2014/09/16/infographic-
contest-top-10-vote-favorite/
and voting for Entry No. 4.
According to Ortigas, her
decision to wage war on porn
stems from a premature expo-
sure to it as a child.
From the magazines I saw at
the malls, to tabloids and even
our cable channel in the province
[Iloilo] shows porn movies late
at night, she shared.
So if I myself saw it, in spite
of the fact that I came from a very
religious family, how much more
other young people out there?
Ortigas added.
According to her, the duos
entry into the contest sponsored
Church bemoans
plight of teachers
Bishop: Palawan doesnt need Bangsamoro
PALAWAN has no need for
the Bangsamoro govern-
ment.
This is what a Catholic
prelate believes amid calls
by certain sectors to place
the Philippines western-
most province directly un-
der the government set to
replace the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mind-
anao (ARMM).
Bishop Pedro Arigo, who
oversees the Apostolic Vi-
cariate of Puerto Princesa,
told Radyo Veritas in a
recent interview that in-
cluding Palawan in the
Bangsamoro entity will
mean generating problems
for the people of the prov-
ince many refer to as the
countrys Last Frontier.
Status quo
Of course, we in the
Church accept plurality.
But I do not see the need for
another government within
Palawan, said he.
He pointed out that a
Bangsamoro-governed Pal-
awan will only foster divi-
sions among its residents.
No. we dont want it
here. Wed rather maintain
the status quo. In the frst
place, Palawan does not
have an issue with peace
and order as does Mind-
anao, said Arigo.
The prelate stressed that
the situation in Mindanao
does not exist in Palawan
given that the latters Chris-
tian and Muslim popula-
tions live together in har-
mony.
We refuse inclusion in
the Bangsamoro if only be-
cause that entity had been
created precisely to solve
the problems in Mindanao.
Confab to
focus on IP issues
THE Episcopal Commis-
sion on Indigenous Peo-
ples (ECIP) of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) is set
to hold a four-day confer-
ence workshop uphold-
ing the rights of Filipino
Indigenous Peoples (IP)
from October 9 (Thursday)
to 12 (IP Sunday) at the
Pamulaan Center for Indig-
enous Peoples Education,
University of Southeastern
Philippines, Mintal Cam-
pus, Davao City.
Themed Indigenous
Peoples Lives: Blessed in
the Midst of Challenges,
the gathering is in soli-
darity with indigenous
communities nationwide,
which experts stress are
an important, if often ne-
glected, segment of the
Philippine population.
In line with the event,
this years 9th Kalindogan,
or National Indigenous
Leaders Congress, hopes to
celebrate with indigenous
communities and religious
missionaries the commit-
ment to faith and spiritual-
ity they share as manifested
through acts of bravery and
heroism.
Meaning gathering
in the Mandaya language,
Cardinal Quevedo backs coco
farmers Davao to Manila walk
COTABATO Archbishop Orlando B.
Cardinal Quevedo gives two thumbs up
to some 71 coconut farmers representing
ten national farmer federations who
started their 71-day long march from
Davao City to Malacaang on Sunday,
September 21, urging President Benigno
S. Aquino III (Pnoy) to prioritize the pas-
sage of the P71-billion Coconut Farmers
Trust Fund.
I fully support the long march for the
coconut levy campaign of the Kilos Mag-
niniyog, added the prelate who expressed
regrets he could not bless the farmers from
the newly-formed alliance KILUS Magnini-
yog personally.
Prelate backs anti-crook
shirt drive
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo
expresses support for coconut farmers 71-day march
from Davao to Manila to urge the passage of the P71-
billion Coconut Farmers Trust Fund. FILE PHOTO
Mohagher Iqbal gives a speech during the historic signing of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro during its formal signing
held March 28, 2014 in Malacaang. OPAPP
IPs celebrate Indigenous Peoples Sunday in 2006. FILE PHOTO
Bangsamoro / A7
Farmers / A6 Confab / A7
A CATHOLIC prelate who
became a household name
for his fearless stance against
government corruption is all-
out in his support of the an-
ti-stealing drive launched
recently by Church-run
Radyo Veritas and Arch-
diocese of Manila (RCAM)s
Public Affairs Ministry, with
a T-shirt proudly displaying
Gods seventh command-
ment Huwag kang mag-
nanakaw (You shall not
steal in Exodus 20:15; Deu-
teronomy 5:19).
Anti-crook / A7
By Jennifer M. Orillaza

The Catholic Bish-
ops Conference
of the Philippines
said it is strange
that teachers who
play major role in
delivering quality
education are made
to suffer economic
diffculties.
Archbishop Socrates Vil-
legas, CBCP President, said
low wages, heavy work-
loads, among others, have
helped to diminish what is
regarded as the noblest of
all professions.
Time and again we
woul d hear stori es of
teachers going abroad for
better pay as caregivers
or domestic helpers. We
have private school teach-
ers migrating to public
schools for higher pay be-
cause some private school
salaries are so low cannot
even afford raise a family,
he said in a message for
World Teachers Day on
October 5.
Yet even the public
school system with a rela-
tively higher salary scale
has its share of challenges
for teachers. There is the
challenge of multi-grade
teaching, especially in
schools located in the hin-
terlands, said Villegas.
He also said teachers face
the diffculty of managing
their time handling two
classes inside the same
classroom, divided only by
a chalkboard.
There are also princi-
pals who even use part of
their salaries just to im-
prove the conditions of the
schools under their care
true stewards in the service
of the providing education
for the nation. We have vol-
unteer catechists who give
religious instruction in the
public schools without any
pay at all, he said.
He noted that teachers
who opt to teach under
precarious conditions in
the numerous deprived
communities is sacrifcial
enough for the profession
to be giving a good deal.
Some schools do not
have the proper amenities,
with buildings that are
ready to collapse in the
next natural disaster. Some
do not have electricity and
therefore are not conducive
to learning, but the teach-
ers continue to persevere
anyway and make do with
the available resources,
Villegas said.

Go extra mile
The bishops appealed
to the government and
policy makers to give a
human face to the plight
of teachers.
They said that if issues
hounding the teachers are
effectively addressed, they
would go a long way to
deliver quality education
to the students.
Villegas lauded the ef-
forts of various parties to
Plight / A6
Pope: Albania proves to world that
diverse religions can live in peace
Chitos mobile. Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, right, with his successor Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, drives a golf
cart which he, in jest, called the Chitos mobile during the inauguration of the St. Francis de Sales Theological Seminarys new building and
the Annex of the St. Joseph Seniorate for elderly and sick priests in Brgy. Marawoy, Lipa City on September 8, 2014. SFSTS
I
l
l
u
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

b
y

B
r
o
t
h
e
r
s

M
a
t
i
a
s
A2 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
World News
Vatican Briefng
UK bishop steps down over being unfaithful to vows
Bishop Kieran Conry of the U.K. dioceses of Arundel and
Brighton has announced his resignation after revealing he
has been unfaithful to his promises as a Catholic priest.
I am sorry for the shame that I have brought on the diocese
and the Church and I ask for your prayers and forgiveness,
he said in a brief statement, which has been read in all the
Churchs of the dioceses over the weekend. In the Sept. 27
announcement, the bishop wrote: going back some years,
I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest.
As a result, however, I have decided to offer my resignation
as bishop with immediate effect and will now take some time
to consider my future. (CNA)
Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI the ultimate grandfather
Retired pontiff Benedict XVI joined some 50,000 pilgrims in
Saint Peters Square on Sunday, Sept. 28 for a meeting between
Pope Francis and elderly people from around the world.
Welcoming his predecessor, the Holy Father described Pope
Benedict as the grandfather of all grandfathers. I have said
many times that it gives me great pleasure that he lives here
in the Vatican, because it is like having a wise grandfather at
home. Thank you! Gathered together in front of Saint Peters
Basilica beneath the sunny September sky, pilgrims heard from
a number of people who gave witness of their own experi-
ences, interspersed with musical interludes which included
performances by Andrea Bocelli. (CNA)
Pope encourages Ghana bishops in Ebola aid,
evangelization efforts
Personal conversion is the key to the work and fruits of the
Church, Pope Francis told bishops visiting Rome from Ghana,
particularly noting the Churchs healthcare apostolate, due
to the Ebola outbreak in several nearby countries. From
the grace of Christ experienced in our own converted hearts
comes the spiritual strength which helps us promote virtue
and holiness in our priests, men and women religious, and
laity, the Pope said in his Sept. 23 address. Out of the spiri-
tual vitality of all the faithful come the Churchs numerous
charitable, medical and education endeavors, and her works
of justice and equality, Pope Francis said. Ghana recently
agreed to become a hub for international Ebola relief efforts
by allowing fights from the country to Liberia, Guinea and
Sierra Leone, which have been heavily affected by the often-
fatal virus. Pope Francis encouraged the bishops to continue
to support the Churchs Ebola aid efforts. (CNA)
Vanity is like an onion, Pope Francis says
In a colorful Sept. 25 homily, Pope Francis highlighted the sin
of vanity, saying that Christians must reject it by peeling away
one layer at a time. He cited the Desert Fathers, the saints of
early Christian Egypt, who saw that vanity is a temptation
against which we must battle our whole life, because it always
comes back to take the truth away from us. Drawing from
their comparison, Pope Francis explained that vanity is like
an onion, with layers that must be removed. You take it, and
begin to peel it the onion and you peel away vanity today,
a little bit tomorrow, and your whole life youre peeling away
vanity in order to overcome it. And at the end you are pleased:
I removed the vanity, I peeled the onion, but the odor remains
with you on your hand, he remarked in his Sept. 25 homily
during morning Mass at his Casa Santa Martha residence at
the Vatican. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to not be vain,
to be true, with the truth of reality and of the Gospel. (CNA)
Vatican says bishops dismissal not the result of sex abuse
The Vatican denied Pope Francis had dismissed a controversial
Paraguayan bishop because of his mishandling of sex abuse
accusations, attributing the decision instead to other failings of
governance and friction with fellow bishops. Meanwhile, the
bishop described his dismissal as a case of ideological perse-
cution because of his opposition to liberation theology. Bishop
Rogelio Livieres Plano, 69, was told to step down as head of
the Diocese of Ciudad del Este effective Sept. 25, a Vatican
statement said, citing unspecifed serious pastoral reasons.
News reports at the time noted the bishops vocal support for
Msgr. Carlos Urrutigoity, whom he appointed a high diocesan
offcial even though the priest had been accused of molesting
seminarians before coming to Ciudad del Este. (CNS)
Vatican warns against misinterpreting international law,
human rights
The Vatican formally criticized a U.N. committees grave
misunderstanding of state sovereignty and reiterated its
concerns over controversial new expressions that threaten
the unborn and religious freedom. By insisting the Holy See
should enforce the compliance of Catholics all over the world
with international treaties signed by the Vatican, the U.N.
Committee on the Rights of the Child offers a controversial
new approach to jurisdiction, which clearly contradicts the
general understanding of this concept of international law.
The Holy See, in accordance with the rules of international
law, is aware that attempting to implement the C.R.C. (Con-
vention on the Rights of the Child) in the territory of other
states could constitute a violation of the principle of nonin-
terference in the internal affairs of states, the Vatican said in
a formal written response to the U.N. committee. The Vatican
published its offcial response to the U.N.s committee on
childrens rights Sept. 26 on its website. (CNS)
Popes advisers start first draft toward document
overhauling Vatican
Pope Francis international Council of Cardinals has begun cre-
ating the frst draft of a new apostolic constitution that would
implement a major reform of the Vatican bureaucracy. The so-
called C9, a papally appointed group of nine cardinal members,
held its sixth meeting Sept 15-17 with Pope Francis at the Vatican
to help advise him on the reform of the Vaticans organization
and church governance. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican
spokesman, told reporters Sept. 17 that the series of discussions
have now begun a more concrete phase with putting ink on
paper in the form of a draft for the introduction to a new con-
stitution. It may be assumed that, with the next two meetings
of the council -- Dec. 9-11, 2014, and Feb. 9-11, 2015 -- the draft
constitution will reach an advanced stage of preparation, making
it possible for the pope to proceed with further consultations,
the priest said in a written statement. (CNS)
Vatican says pope will visit Turkey in November
The Vatican confrmed that Pope Francis is planning to visit
Turkey in the last days of November, but said the length of
his trip and his agenda in the country have yet to be determined.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, made
the announcement to reporters Sept. 12, noting that a formal
invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had
arrived at the Vatican earlier the same day. Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew of Constantinople, considered frst among equals
among Orthodox bishops, had already invited Pope Francis to
visit Istanbul Nov. 30, feast of St. Andrew, patron saint of Con-
stantinople. As things now stand, the trip will be Pope Francis
sixth outside of Italy since his election in March 2013. He will
visit Albania Sept. 21 and address the European Parliament in
Strasbourg, France, Nov. 25. (CNS)
Beatication of Opus Dei head
sparks call for global generosity
ROME, Italy, Sep 26, 2014To
mark the impending beatifca-
tion of Alvaro del Portillo, who
led Opus Dei from 1975 to 1994,
those attending the celebration
are being invited to contribute
to initiatives aimed at bringing
aid and support to the people
of Africa.
Headed by Harambee Africa
International, whose aim is to
promote awareness-raising ac-
tivities throughout Africa, the
goal is to raise funds for four
separate projects, each of which
owes its existence to the impetus
of the soon-to-be Blessed.
Alvaro del Portillo y Diez de
Sollano will be beatifed Sept. 27
in Madrid. He was appointed
head of Opus Dei on the death
of its founder, St. Josemaria Es-
criv. When the group was made
a personal prelature in 1982, he
was made its frst prelate, and he
was consecrated bishop in 1991.
Over the years he spent as
head of Opus Dei, Bishop del
Portillo promoted the start of ac-
tivities of the prelature in 20 new
countries, on every continent.
As prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop
del Portillo also inspired the
start of many social and educa-
tional initiatives, including the
Monkole Hospital in Kinshasa
(Democratic Republic of the
Congo); the Niger Foundation
Hospital in Enugu (Nigeria);
and the Center for Industrial
Technology and Enterprise in
Ceb (Philippines).
In an interview with CNA,
Rossella Miranda, who works
with Harambee Africa Inter-
national, described a 1989 visit
of the bishop to such places as
Ivory Coast and Nigeria as his
great gift, his great legacy.
During these visits, she said,
Bishop del Portillo never of-
fered his own solutions; rather,
he encouraged the people to
grow and to form themselves
and professionally so that they
might serve their own families,
their own societies, and their
own countries.
The initiatives to which those
attending the beatifcation will
be asked to contribute include
a mother and child care wing at
the Niger Hospital and Diagnos-
tic Centre, which will directly
beneft the 200,000 inhabitants
of Ezeagu, a rural area where the
hospital is located.
The faithful are also invited to
contribute to the Social and Cul-
tural Development to eradicate
malnutrition in the Bingerville
area of Ivory Coast.
A third initiative is the strength-
ening of three health clinics in the
outskirts of Kinshasa, offering
aid to the 10 million mostly im-
poverished inhabitants.
Finally, patrons are invited to
support a scholarship program
which would allow African
priests to study in Rome, giving
them the possibility to come to
study and become formed at the
Pontifcal University of the Holy
Cross, close to the Holy Father.
Born of St. Josemaras desire
to begin a center of higher edu-
cation for ecclesiastical studies
at the service of the universal
Church, Bishop del Portillo
brought this desire to fruition in
1984 by establishing the Rome
Academic Center, which would
later be given the title of Pontif-
cal University.
As the Harambee members
await the pilgrims who will at-
tend the beatifcation, Miranda
noted their joy and desire to
also thank those contributing,
through these projects, to the aid
of persons and families who live
in great diffculty.
It is for this reason that I
chose to support these four ini-
tiatives, she said, encouraged
by Don Alvaro in his journey to
Africa, just to support people in
diffculty. (CNA)
Signs for Harmabee Africa International outside the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome, where Alvaro del Portillos relics will be displayed
following his Sept. 27 beatication. ALAN HOLDREN/CNA
Military chaplains: God in the trenches of Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine, Sep 25, 2014Since April,
Ukraines eastern provinces have expe-
rienced continual military confrontation
between its government, and pro-Russian
separatists and Russian forces, and more
than 3,200 have been killed in the confict.
Accompanying the soldiers at the front are
priests--both Catholic and Orthodox--as well
as Protestant chaplains.
Vasyl Derkach, 23, recently returned to
Lviv, in Ukraines west, to recover after his
rotation in Ukraines military in the eastern
confict zone.
Can you imagine, I have slept for seven
days on clean sheets? I did not sleep on
sheets for fve months, Vasyl told CNA in
a recent interview. Have you ever really
thanked God for sleeping in a warm bed?
In my team, no one believed in God. I
asked my friend with whom I always stayed
on the post: Do you believe in God? He told
me, No, I have faith in myself. But when he
was wounded, the frst thing which he said
to me in the hospital, was Vasyl, I prayed!
Can you believe me, I prayed?!
At war there are no atheists. When they
start to shoot, everyone begins to make the
sign of the cross, Vasyl says.
Before joining the military, Vasyl had been
a miner, and then edited a local newspaper
for the miners. He belongs to an evangelical
community called The Embassy of God.
He explained that he attends church at the
community because there I really met the
living God, I realized that God is the true
miracle. My parents are still not believers.
Vasyl did not take part in the Maidan pro-
tests in Kyiv, which led to a change of govern-
ment in the nation, drawing it closer to the
West and straining its relations with Russia.
When did he arrive in Kyiv, he stood in a
pool of blood shortly after the shooting of
many activists.
I joined the military for patriotic reasons:
I was mobilized, and I knew that I had to de-
fend my land. I dont want to go back to that
hell, but I do not regret that I was there. My
church taught me: all who take the sword
will perish by the sword.
Many Ukrainian soldiers, Vasyl said,
turned to drink.
Guys reduced stress with vodka ... I dont
drink at all, thats why the situation was very
diffcult for my psyche. Sometimes I dream
that I am killing somebody, or somebody has
killed me. Even now I cant stay alone de-
pression comes ... there is such an atmosphere,
if you dont drink, you will be crazy. I prayed.
You sit in a trench and pray, and nothing
more can be done.
Ukraines soldiers have been assisted
by chaplains from the numerous Christian
confessions in the country: Ukrainian Greek
Catholics; Roman Catholics; Ukrainian
Orthodox--both Moscow and Kyiv Patri-
archates; and Protestant communities.
There is no one ecumenical center for
military chaplains for Ukraines armed
forces. We dont have any legislation which
allows priests to work in confict zones,
explained Fr. Lubomyr Yavorskiy, of the
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Churchs offce,
which organizes military chaplains.
There is no offcial cooperation with the
Orthodox in the case of military pastoral
care, he said.
For now, everyone is going alone, as
we work in an undeclared war. There have
been instances in which the Greek Catholic
priests asked the Orthodox bishops of the
Moscow Patriarchate to help in the liberation
of prisoners, and it did help. But there has
been no further cooperation.
Fr. Mihailo Ivanyak, CSsR, spent two
weeks as a chaplain in eastern Ukraine. He
described the situation as this: There exists
a kind of wall between us, when at the front
we meet priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox
ChurchMoscow Patriarchate.
A military doctor upbraided me once for
being a Greek Catholic priest. I responded,
While at war, let us both call God our Father,
rather than focusing on the divide between
Catholic and Orthodox.
Since the beginning of the confict in east-
ern Ukraine, there have been 31 Ukrainian
Greek Catholic chaplains serving in the
area as military chaplains. An offcial of
the Roman Catholic Church estimated that
there had been around 20 military chaplains
from his rite.
As part of the Byzantine tradition, married
Ukrainian Greek Catholic men may be or-
dained priests--which creates a double danger
for them when working in the confict zone.
A cleric of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic
Church told CNA under condition of ano-
nymity that the Church has been warned
by the nations military that the prize for
the killing or capture of priest chaplains are
doubled among the pro-Russian rebels.
Fr. Ivanyak added, They (the pro-Russian
forces) are just afraid of the Word. Of priests
in the army smoothing conficts!
In a Sept. 10 appeal, the synod of bishops
of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
wrote that we especially call for responsible
action from those whom the Lord has given
authority, to take the necessary decisions at
the political level in order to restore peace
and security in Europe.
Since April, pro-Russian separatists have
seized control of territory around the cities of
Donetsk and Luhansk, after Russia annexed
Crimea the month prior.
A ceasefre was signed Sept. 5, and there
is now a buffer zone between the two sides.
Russian troops have been operating in
Ukraine, but NATO announced Sept. 24 that
it had observed signifcant withdrawals of
Russian troops from Ukrainian land.
In an effort to appease the rebels, Ukraines
parliament last week passed a bill increasing
autonomy in the eastern portion of the country.
Vasyl refected on the harsh conditions of
being at war.
It is easy to say that you are not afraid to
die, when you sit in church or your kitchen.
But when you are at war, you would like to
live very much. Being at war was the frst
time I started to appreciate the value of life.
I would like to leave here. I protected this
country for fve months, and every day in that
time I could have died, but I dont want to live
here. I regret, because my family, my mom,
my church, are here. I met God here, but I
really dont want to back to that hell. (CNA)
Patriarch calls on Iraqi Christians to remain faithful to
the Gospel in their land
BAGHDAD, Sept. 26, 2014Like
their fathers, Iraqi Christians
today are called to remain
faithful to Christ and to their
land, because it is not just dust,
but is a part of their identity,
language and customs, not to
mention their traditions, history,
memory, and authenticity. Land
is sacred, said Chaldean Patri-
arch Mar Louis Raphael I Sako in
a letter addressed to the Christian
community of Iraq by the.
In the text sent to AsiaNews,
His Beatitude quotes extensively
from the Gospels, in particular,
from John, who stressed that the
Risen Christ lives and works
through the Church in the world,
guiding our steps. The patri-
archs message is one of hope for
the persecuted minority, victim of
abuse, violence and persecution
by the militias of the Islamic State.
On Wednesday night, terror-
ists destroyed one more symbol
of the millennial Christian pres-
ence in the Arab country, blow-
ing up Tikrits Green Church.
After placing explosives inside
the building, jihadists detonated
the charges. They did the same
today to a mosque.
Against a logic of death and
devastation, faith is a journey
into the light, Mar Sako said,
one that can point the way
and bring joy even in the dark-
est moments because peace is
the future and the prospect of
resurrection exists for everyone,
as Saint Paul said.
Faith, no matter how lowly
we are, helps us to be free from
ourselves and from our past,
from our fear and [narrow] judg-
ments, the Chaldean Patriarch
said. It brings us back to Gods
logic, which looks at and prom-
ises the future.
Faith is like love, his Beati-
tude said. It is a deep loyalty
to deep things that goes beyond
problems and difficulties. It
grows and changes, centered
on giving and not on holding
. It is like a lamp that burns
and turns into a light and joy
that brighten our night.
In his letter, Patriarch Sako
does not shy away from what
threatens to undermine the
Christian presence in Iraq or the
fears that exists for the future of
the local Church. Against the
backdrop of mass exodus, he
points out that those who are
sticking it out remain frm and
strong in our vocation.
For the prelate, the mission
of the Christian community-
-whose 2,000-year presence in
the country has been a source
of wealth, culture and plural-
ism--is to bring the Gospel of
joy and hope to all our broth-
ers.
Not mincing his words, he
chastises those lay people and
priests who say that there is no
future for us in Iraq, and calls
on everyone to follow the Holy
Spirit who helps to hear Gods
word and to put it into prac-
tice in every aspect of daily life.
Only through faith, he notes,
can one see the work of the
Holy Spirit and that of Christ
who redeems our lives. As
Saint John repeatedly put it, the
life of believers is not easy
and there are always new chal-
lenges that we must face with
courage and confdence.
Finally, We need the Holy
Spirit to boost our own spirits
and find some consolation,
Mar Sako said, for we are lowly
against the violence and injus-
tice of this world. (AsiaNews)
A3 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
News Features
Pope: Albania proves to world that diverse
religions can live in peace
VATICAN CITY (CNS), Sept.
24, 2014 -- People of different
religious beliefs can and must
live together in peace, Pope
Francis said.
The Muslim majority and
Christian minorities in Albania
cooperate beautifully for the
common good and prove to
the world that it can be done,
he said.
I could see, with great sat-
isfaction, that the peaceful and
fruitful coexistence between
people and communities belong-
ing to different religions is not
only benefcial, but is concretely
possible and practical. They put
it into practice in Albania, he
said.
During his general audience in
St. Peters Square Sept. 24, Pope
Francis reviewed his one-day
trip to Albania Sept. 21.
He told the more than 30,000
people in the square that he
wanted to visit a country where
people of different religious
traditions were peacefully living
and working together, despite
suffering decades of violent
oppression by an atheist and
heartless regime.
I thought it seemed impor-
tant to encourage them on this
path of religious respect and
to urge them to never give up
looking for ways to beneft the
common good, he said.
Catholics make up only about
16 percent of Albanias 3 million
inhabitants; about 65 percent
are Muslim and 20 percent Or-
thodox.
Pope Francis said the differ-
ent communities are engaged
in an authentic dialogue that
avoids relativism or a water-
he went to the Balkan nation was
to express his gratitude and to
honor all those who held on tight
to their faith, despite the risk of
arrest, torture, incarceration and
execution. People of all religious
beliefs were persecuted between
1944 and 1991 as Albanias dicta-
tor-led government waged a war
against religion and became the
frst offcially atheist nation in
the world.
They were dark years dur-
ing which religious liberty was
razed to the ground and hun-
dreds of lives were lost, he said.
Those who refused to re-
nounce their beliefs show how
martyrs are not losers, but the
winners; in their heroic witness
shines the omnipotence of God,
who always consoles his people,
opens new paths and horizons
of hope.
He said remembering such
dramatic events from the past
was critical for the countrys
future and for making sure the
sacrifice of so many men and
women did not happen in vain.
The only way to confront the
future and present diffculties,
he said, is by drawing upon
God for the needed strength,
courage and hope, just like the
martyrs did.
The strength of the church
isnt grounded so much in its or-
ganizational or structural capac-
ity, he said. While such struc-
ture is necessary, the churchs
strength is Christs love, a
strength that bolsters us during
difficult times and inspires
Christians to offer everyone
goodness and forgiveness,
giving witness to Gods mercy.
(Carol Glatz/CNS)
ing down of their own religious
beliefs in order to fnd common
ground. Each community takes
into account each others iden-
tity and what unites them is
the genuine willingness to do
good and serve their neighbor.
The pope said another reason
Pope Francis paid a one-day visit to Albania on September 21, 2014. CNA
In homily, pope compares vain
Christians to soap bubbles, peacocks
VATICAN CITY (CNS), Sept. 25, 2014
--As feeting as soap bubbles, showy
as peacocks and shallow as an over-
primped star, conceited Christians are
building their lives on lies and their faith
on shifting sands, Pope Francis said.
Everyone is vulnerable to vanity, even
Christians, the pope said in a morning
homily Sept. 25.
However, boastfulness is a very
serious spiritual disease for Christians
because it distances them from the truth.
Christians are called to be authentic
with the truth of reality and of the
Gospel, he said in remarks reported
by Vatican Radio.
The popes homily focused on the
days reading from the Book of Ecclesi-
astes, which speaks about the vanity
of vanities! All things are vanity! (Eccl
1:2-11).
Even when living out the faith and
doing good, Christians must avoid the
temptation of showing off, he said
during an early morning Mass in the
chapel of his residence, the Domus
Sanctae Marthae.
The vain say, Hey, look, Im giv-
ing this check for the churchs work,
and they show off the check; then
they scam the church from behind,
he said.
There are others who seem like
peacocks, strutting around bragging:
Im related to that priest, that sister,
that bishop, my family is a Christian
family.
Jesus was especially critical, he said,
of doctors of the law, who were
strolling in the square with luxurious
clothes like princes.
How many Christians live off of
appearances! Their lives are like a soap
bubble. A soap bubble is beautiful! It has
so many colors! But it lasts one second
and then what?
People can even be vain about
death, with their grandiose, ornate
funeral monuments and tombs, he
said. The truth is we return to the
bare earth.The pope said vanity is
based on lies and fantasy, which cause
terrible anxiety.
Its like those people who put on too
much makeup and then theyre afraid
of getting rained on and all the makeup
running down their face.
Only truth gives us peace, he said.
People need to refect on how they
pray, fast, give alms and help those in
need, he said.
It should be done quietly and dis-
creetly. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
Bishop to Napocor: Solve your own problem
Napocor plans to charge an additional 22 centavos per kilowatt hour, which consumers will have to pay for 11 years. OLIVER SAMSON
MANILA, Sept. 20, 2014A
Church leader slams Na-
tional Power Corporation
(Napocor)s proposal to
make the Filipino people
shoulder its fscal responsi-
bilities, saying the company
should solve its own prob-
lem.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick S. Pabillo main-
tains that Napocor must pay
off the P60-billion it owes the
8,000 workers it sacked in
2001 after the Electric Power
Industry Reform Act (EPIRA
Law) was passed without
needlessly dragging the pub-
lic into the issue.
Napocors planned addi-
tional 22 centavos per kilo-
watt hour, which consumers
have to pay for 11 years.
The bishop, who also
chairs the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
Episcopal Commission on
Public Affairs (CBCP-ECPA),
said corporations like Napo-
cor must find solutions to
their problems, and avoid
adding to the burden of or-
dinary citizens.
Napocor should talk
things over with its employ-
ees assuring them of its obli-
gations to them, explained
Pabillo over Church-run
Radyo Veritas, lamenting
how one corporations mis-
management could spell a
whole nations misery.
The prelate minced no
word in calling as unjust
any move to will force Fili-
pinos to pay in the corpora-
tions behalf, given that they
already have enough of the
usual expenses and taxes to
worry about.
According to Pabillo, Na-
pocors planned additional
22 centavos per kilowatt hour,
which consumers have to pay
for 11 years, is too much.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Netizens wage online war vs. Bench show
MANILA, Sept. 24, 2014Porno-
graphic, dehumanizing, cheap
and misogynistic. This is what a
lot of Filipino netizens, most of them
women, are calling local clothing
brand Benchs recent The Naked
Truth fashion show.
Alaina Lenox Becroft stresses,
Fashion isnt porn. You dont know
the real meaning of fashion. Fashion
isnt stripping Fashion isnt im-
morality.
Sexual objects
Several netizens like Anne-Di Vic-
torino Berdin questioned the motive
behind a particular segment where
two female models kissed each other
onstage.
Berdin explained, Female mod-
els were seen making out to titillate
men were a reflection of how mi-
sogynistic our society isWe objectify
women to satisfy the male gaze which
creates an imbalance between the two
gendersIts not about being conser-
vative or prude. Its about calling out
an act which commodify women and
treat them as sexual objects so it wont
be repeated again.
Was it really necessary to undress
your models and have them demon-
strate disordered sexual behavior just to
sell your products? Were you really that
desperate? Im sure you couldve done
better (and much classier) than that,
Anna Cosio said in a Facebook post.
While only a few watched it in
person, photographs taken of the ac-
tual event have been posted on social
media site Facebook, where they have
gone viral.
Like a dog on a leash
A part of the show that offends the
sensibility of many social media us-
ers has actor Coco Martin pulling a
woman along on a leash, crawling on
all fours like a dog.
Johnny Besa believes the show is
about how womens roles have been
trivialized, reduced to mere objects of
amusement by Coco Martin, on behalf
of the Bench clothing company, walk-
ing down the ramp with a woman on
a leash made to do contortionist tricks
like a jukebox monkey.
Cosio, a registered nurse, said the
show stripped the models of their
dignity, saying the show, which was
held on September 20 at the SMX
Convention center, shows that the
companys values do not refect most
Filipinos.
She added, As Filipinos, we respect
our women, and we do not teach our
men to treat women as objects. This
thing that youre doing is actually
promoting the rape culture. This must
serve as a challenge for you, Bench.
If your products were that good, you
will no longer have to use (or misuse)
sex to sell them, she added.
Drea Juan comments, I hope
more and more women realize how
offensive, dehumanizing and mi-
sogynistic your values are as seen in
your most recent show. Next time you
want more media mileage, just say
things as they are, instead of hiding a
pornographic show in the pretense of
a fashion show.
In a statement issued on its offcial
Facebook page Tuesday, September
23, Bench apologizes to the public for
all the offensive elements of the show
The Naked Truth.
It adds, We will take all these
concerns seriously and will serve as a
lesson learned when we plan our next
show. We at Bench shall continue to
uphold the dignity of women and our
commitment will remain so.
I appreciate that they are brave
enough to apologise, shares Jo-an
D. Liwanag. But what is done, its
done. Maybe they should stick to their
usual fashion show they did a couple
of years ago. Sexy but not lustful and
degrading. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Peafrancias Pagoda:
Cradle of Faith
NAGA City, Sept. 25, 2014 Like a
duyan (cradle), while a mother
sings to her child. This is how San
Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo
Virgilio David, who joined the Flu-
vial procession of Ina, Our Lady of
Peafrancia, last Saturday, September
21, described joining the Peafrancia
pagoda for the first time. But more
than just a boat ride, the experience
is symbolic of Bicol Catholics own
faith journey.
Celebrating the holy mass after the
fluvial procession, David called the
annual fluvial procession a return to
the cradle and source of life.
Testing true devotion
He said this is why it is important
to keep the river clean and sacred.
Bishop Ambo, as he is fondly called,
went on to say that the life of faith
is not as romantic as one imagines it
to be.
According to him, it is difficult and
filled with tension.
True devotion is tested by wit-
nessing in everyday life, the prelate
stressed.
True devotion must bring about
changes in ones self, in ones think-
ing, in ones relationships, and ulti-
mately, in ones community, David
added.
Inspired by this years Peafrancia
theme, Laity: Sent forth with Ina to
witness Christs Gospel and strength-
en Communities of Faith, the bishop
talked about how Mary is the prime
example for the laity to follow.
Prayer, secret to obedience
According to David, Marys life of
obedience to the will of God is a fit-
ting representation of embracing the
will of God as ones own.
He also said prayer is the secret to
this life of obedience.
Through prayer, one hears the will
of God. However, without the zeal
to listen to the message of God, one
cannot respond or follow, David ex-
plained.
Being the Chairman of the Episcopal
Commission on Biblical Apostolate,
David exhorted those present to put
the Gospel, the Word of God, at the
center of ones life.
Echoing the words of the prayer
said in receiving the Book of Gos-
pels at an ordination, David re-
called, Receive the Word of God
whose herald you are now. Believe
what you read. Teach what you
bel i eve. And pract i ce what you
preach.
In closing, the prelate recited the
lyrics of a famous Filipino lullaby, Sa
Ugoy ng Duyan, praying to the Vir-
gin Mary: Maria, aming Ina, Birhen
ng Peafrancia, i-ugoy mo kami sa
duyan ng pananampalataya. Awitan
mo kami ng awit ng pag-ibig upang
kamiy di na muling malinlang ng
atas ni Satanas. Ipakita mo sa amin
ang Divino Rostro, ang mukha ng
Diyos sa mukha ng Mahal mong
Anak upang amin siyang mamalas
at masundan bilang kanyang mga
tapat na alagad at patotoo. Amen.
(Natalie Quimlat)
San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David joins the Fluvial Procession of Ina, Our Lady of Peafrancia on
September 20, 2014. David, main celebrant and homilist for the Eucharistic celebration after the procession,
admits to being aboard the Pagoda for the rst time. He likened the experience to being in a duyan while
a mother sings to her child. NATALIE QUIMLAT
A4 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Opinion
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Associate Editor
Roy Q. Lagarde
News Editor
Kris Bayos
Features Editor

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus
Social Media for Asia, Inc. with editorial and business offces
at 3rd Flr. HHC Building, Victoria cor. Basco Sts., Intramuros,
Manila. Editorial: (632) 404-2182. Business: (632) 404-1612.;
ISSN 1908-2940
Ronalyn R. Regino
Layout Artist
Gloria Fernando
Marketing Supervisor
Ernani M. Ramos
Circulation Manager
Marcelita Dominguez
Comptroller
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
I
l
l
u
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

b
y

B
r
o
t
h
e
r
s

M
a
t
i
a
s
GODS heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that
he himself became poor (2 Cor 8:9). The entire history of our
redemption is marked by the presence of the poor. Salvation came
to us from the yes uttered by a lowly maiden from a small town
on the fringes of a great empire. The Savior was born in a manger,
in the midst of animals, like children of poor families; he was
presented at the Temple along with two turtledoves, the offering
made by those who could not afford a lamb (cf. Lk 2:24; Lev 5:7);
he was raised in a home of ordinary workers and worked with
his own hands to earn his bread. When he began to preach the
Kingdom, crowds of the dispossessed followed him, illustrating
his words: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to preach good news to the poor (Lk 4:18). He
assured those burdened by sorrow and crushed by poverty that
God has a special place for them in his heart: Blessed are you
poor, yours is the kingdom of God (Lk 6:20).
For the Church, the option for the poor is primarily a theological
category rather than a cultural, sociological, political or
philosophical one. God shows the poor his frst mercy. This
divine preference has consequences for the faith life of all
Christians, since we are called to have this mind which was
in Jesus Christ (Phil 2:5). Inspired by this, the Church has made
an option for the poor which is understood as a special form of
primacy in the exercise of Christian charity, to which the whole
tradition of the Church bears witness. This option--as Benedict
XVI has taught--is implicit in our Christian faith in a God who
became poor for us, so as to enrich us with his poverty.
This is why I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. They
have much to teach us. Not only do they share in the sensus fdei,
but in their diffculties they know the suffering Christ. We need to
let ourselves be evangelized by them. The new evangelization is an
invitation to acknowledge the saving power at work in their lives and
to put them at the center of the Churchs pilgrim way. We are called
to fnd Christ in them, to lend our voice to their causes, but also to be
their friends, to listen to them, to speak for them and to embrace the
mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them.
Our commitment does not consist exclusively in activities or
programs of promotion and assistance; what the Holy Spirit
mobilizes is not an unruly activism, but above all an attentiveness
which considers the other in a certain sense as one with ourselves.
This loving attentiveness is the beginning of a true concern for
their person which inspires me effectively to seek their good. This
entails appreciating the poor in their goodness, in their experience
of life, in their culture, and in their ways of living the faith.
True love is always contemplative, and permits us to serve the
other not out of necessity or vanity, but rather because he or she
is beautiful above and beyond mere appearances: The love by
which we fnd the other pleasing leads us to offer him something
freely. The poor person, when loved, is esteemed as of great
value, and this is what makes the authentic option for the poor
differ from any other ideology, from any attempt to exploit the
poor for ones own personal or political interest.
-- Evangelii Gaudium, #197-199, 2013
ON October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines will be issuing a pastoral
exhortation on Climate Change. This follows a line of pastoral
statements of Philippine bishops on the environment, which started
in 1988 with the release of a landmark pastoral letter on ecology
entitled What is happening to our beautiful land.
This comes in the wake of a massive global campaign to reverse
climate change that was recently capped with a Peoples Climate
March in New York City on September 21 and the United
Nations Climate Summit that was held also in New York two
days after. The marchers, who according to New York Times
surged to 311,000 coming from different parts of the world, were
environment advocates and individuals who are frustrated by
international inaction on global warming. They were as diverse as
their messages and advocacies: There Is No Planet B, Forest
Not for Sale and Jobs, Justice, Clean Energy.
A Filipino contingent was seen at the march. Most prominent
was Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of CBCPs National
Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), who was also a resource
speaker at the Religions for the Earth Conference that was held
a day before the march at the Union Theological Seminary in
Manhattan. Philippine President Aquino was in New York, too,
to attend the UNs climate change summit. But during the peoples
march, he was in Boston to retrace his familys exile during Martial
Law; after the summit he was in Columbia University only to
be shouted at by Filipino Americans for corruption and human
rights abuses. It would have been an exercise of relevance had
he (instead of causing traffc at San Franciscos Haight Street due
to his penchant for eating McDonalds hamburgers and doing
other peripheral things) issued a statement that provided his frm
resolve to pursue policy on climate change or environmental
protection--like other leaders did, notably the mayor of New York
and several world leaders.
In the forthcoming CBCP pastoral exhortation on climate change
entitled All Creation...Bless the Lord!, the bishops exhorts
every Filipino to combat the onslaught of global warming and
climate which starts at the personal level. In our parishes, basic
ecclesial communities, Church-based groups, as well as in our
work and civic organizations, we are called to explore ways to
protect our environment as well as to propagate this environmental
awareness. When necessary we should lobby our government for
legislation and advocate causes that will help curb environmental
degradation caused by the excesses of industry.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Candidly Speaking
Candidly Speaking / A5
The special place of the poor
in Gods people
Climate Change
Vocation and Witness
of Lay Women
Living with a holy man
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Living Mission
Year of Laity Reections
And Thats The Truth / A7
War and the silence
of the Cross

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
and thats the truth
POPE Francis, on the 25th anniversary of
Saint John Paul IIs letter on the dignity
of women, Mulieris Dignitatem (1988), em-
phasized the great vocation of woman to
maternity. Calling a woman to maternity,
God entrusted the human being to her in an
altogether special manner.
Pope Francis continued: The fact remains
that it is the woman who conceives, carries
in her womb, and gives birth to children.
And this is not simply a biological matter,
but carries a wealth of implications for the
woman herself, for her way of being, for her
relationships, for the way in which we lend
respect to human life and to life in general.
I would like to underline how the woman
has a particular sensitivity for the things of
God, above all, in helping us to understand
the mercy, tenderness and love that God has
for us. And it pleases me to think that the
Church is not il Chiesa [masculine]; it is la
Chiesa [feminine]. The Church is a woman!
The Church is a mother! And thats beauti-
ful, eh? We have to think deeply about this.
Truly, we all owe a debt of gratitude to all lay
women and mothers.
Persevering Mother of a Saint. I n t he
history of the Church one of the most famous
women is Saint Monica, the mother of Saint
Augustine. Almost all that is known about
Monica is found in the Confessions, Augus-
tines spiritual autobiography.
Monica, born in northern Africa, was given
in marriage to Patricius, a non-Christian; he
had some redeeming qualities, but had a
violent temper and was licentious. Monica
also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-
in-law. Ultimately, Monicas prayers and
example won both of them to Christianity.
Augustine, the oldest of three children,
led an amoral life-style; he even accepted the
Manichean heresy (all fesh is evil). Yet, Monica
continued to pray and suffer on his behalf,
until ultimately he came to Christian faith and
was baptized in 387. Monicas fdelity worked
wonders, bringing others to God. We marvel
at the enduring faith of this lay woman!
A Unique Indigenous Lay Witness. Kat-
eri Tekakwitha is the frst indigenous Ameri-
can Indian saint; she was canonized by Pope
Benedict XVI on Mission Sunday, October 21,
2012. Saint Pedro Calungsod was canonized
in the same ceremony. Kateri (Catherine)
was born to a Mohawk father and a Christian
Algonquin mother. Baptized at twenty years
of age, she died four years later.
Both Kataris parents died during a
smallpox epidemic in 1660; the disease also
greatly disfgured her face. When her uncle
insisted that she marry, Kateri fed to the
Saint Francis Xavier mission station near
Montreal, Canada. She remained dedicated
to prayer, penitential practices, and care for
the sick and aged, even in the midst of her
own terrible sufferings.
Pope Benedict XVI noted at the canoniza-
tion mass: Kateri impresses us by the action
of grace in her life in spite of the absence of
external help and by the courage of her voca-
tion, so unusual in her culture. In her, faith
and culture enrich each other!
Monica, mother of a Doctor of the Church,
and Kateri, the Lily of the Mohawks, in-
tercede for all Christian lay women, pillars
of the Church over the centuries.
I AM referring to Bishop Alvaro del Portillo
(March 11, 1914-March 23, 1994), frst suc-
cessor of St. Josemaria Escriva as head of
Opus Dei. He was beatifed in Madrid on
September 27.
I frst met him in person in 1987 when he
visited the Philippines, though I have known
him ever since I got in touch with Opus Dei
way back in 1970. He was like the shadow
of St. Josemaria because I always saw him
beside the Founder in the pictures.
But more than a physical shadow, he was a
most faithful refection and conductor of the
spirit of Opus Dei that the Founder embod-
ied with his original charism. St. Josemaria
used to call him Saxum, meaning Rock,
because the Founder could always rely on
him for anything.
More or less I could claim that I lived with
him for two years in Rome when I was sent
there for my ecclesiastical studies. I have to
say, more or less, because we actually did
not share the same house, nor did we see
each other everyday. But, yes, we met and
had get-togethers with many others like me
quite often.
I had many occasions of talking with him
personally, and since one of my job assign-
ments was to open the gate of the compound
where we were staying, I frequently had a
chance to open the gate for him, greet him
and have some small talk.
Once, I was asked to accompany him while
he had his haircut. I made sure I collected the
cut hairof course, in secretknowing that
one day it will be a relic. But I lost it since
when his process of beatifcation started, we
were asked to return all items related to him.
But that occasion was memorable to me
because after the haircut, while I escorted
him to his room, he asked me details of my
birthday which I celebrated just a few days
before. I was impressed that he would know
about my birthday, considering there were
hundreds of us, and that he was interested to
know what happened during the celebration.
I had always found him as a very serene
person, exuding pure goodness. I never saw
in his face any sign that he was bothered,
though I knew very well that he had to face
and bear quite a burden of responsibilities
and other concerns. Yes, I was truly edifed
by that, and hoped that I could be like him.
To me, his words, always gentle and
delivered in a soft tone in meditations or in
get-togethers, revealed nothing less than a
deep spirituality that was most faithful to the
Gospel and to the spirit of Opus Dei as em-
bodied by St. Josemaria. I was always moved
to listen very carefully to each word he said.
My impression was that he spoke directly
from his heart, but a heart in constant dia-
logue with God. There was a certain fresh-
ness in his ideas and words. I never had the
feeling of listening to recycled spiritual cli-
chs, prettifed by some rhetorical if spiritual
gloss and hype, or propped up simply by
clever literary devices or witticisms.
I suppose that when one tries hard to be
very spiritual in his outlook and lifestyle,
nourishing his spiritual life with the liv-
ing word of God, with the sacraments and
many other spiritual exercises, he could
distinguish between what is truly spiritual
and what may just look or sound like one,
between what is truly spiritual and what is
merely literary.
The biography of Bishop Alvaro is full of
heroic instances of suffering, extreme fdel-
ity, poverty, generosity, mercy... He forgave
the person who nearly killed him during the
Spanish civil war, the cocked gun pointed
right to his head. He was always preaching
about forgiveness, asking for it as well, as
giving it.
In spite of his deceptively serene and-
IN a recent homily in Edipuglia,
Italy, honoring all victims of
war, Pope Francis said War is
madness. I agree. War is big
business, toothats probably
why there seems to be no way
to stop it. And irony of ironies,
the worlds loudest champion of
peace is also the biggest trader in
arms. You guessed it rightthe
US of A.
Why an irony? Hear what
Dwight Eisenhower said to the
American Society of Newspa-
per Editors on April 16, 1953:
Every gun that is made, every
warship launched, every rocket
fred signifes in the fnal sense,
a theft from those who hunger
and are not fed, those who are
cold and are not clothed. This
world in arms is not spending
money alone. It is spending the
sweat of its laborers, the genius
of its scientists, the hopes of its
children. This is not a way of life
at all in any true sense. Under
the clouds of war, it is human-
ity hanging on a cross of iron.
The current fgures in the arms
trade point to his own country,
the United States, as the Number
One thief of the top fve arms
traders in the world.
The Grimmett Report released
(August 24, 2012) says the world
spends a thousand billion US
dollars annually on arms trade.
The period covering 2004-2011
shows the United States cap-
turing 40% of the total in sales,
followed by Russia taking 17%.
France gets third place with 8%;
fourth is United Kingdom, 5%;
and ffth place is a tie between
Germany and China, getting
4% each.
From 2005-2009, the order in
arms exports was: US, 30%; Rus-
sia, 23%; Germany, 10%; France,
8% and UK, 4%, according to
a report of the independent
Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI). Its
interesting to note, too, that in
the same period, the US top
customers were South Korea,
Israel, and the United Arab
Emirates, while Russias big-
gest clients were China and
India. Germany sold mostly to
other European countries such
as Turkey and Greece; Frances
main clients were United Arab
Emirates, Singapore and Greece;
while the bulk of UKs sales
went to the US. (Oh my Gee,
what a crazy merry go round,
a contemptible circus!) If you
consider who sells to whom
and who buys from whom, and
link your observations to border
conficts and regional wars cur-
rently flling up the news, you
can more or less predict who
will side with whom when these
conficts escalate. Indeed, there
is truth in Pope Francis words
about a third world war that
may have already begunone
fought piecemeal, with crimes,
massacres, destruction.
Pope Francis continued, War
A5 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
What a Day!
Synod of Bishops in
October 2014
Spiritual Selfe
Taking a change:
A letter to the Holy Father
on his forthcoming
Philippine visit
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola
Spaces of Hope
Rev. Eutiquio Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD
By the Roadside
WE missed it by a day.
Every September 3, the Church celebrates
the memorial of Pope St. Gregory the Great,
one of the four Western Fathers alongside St
Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. Ambrose. St.
Gregory is in a class by himself as far as the
fusion of two life horizons are concerned:
that of governor of the city of Rome and that
of bishop of Rome. If I am not mistaken, the
combination is unique.
A day earlier last September 2, in Cebu,
three groups of grassroots level servant-
leaders came together for good governance
and the effective delivery of services. The
launching of UBAS (Ugnayan ng Barangay
at Simbahan) Cebu brought together around
300 individuals, among them 60 policemen,
29 priests, and 53 barangay chairmen, as
mutual companions for the common good.
The three have something in common:
they are public servants who are expected
to be at their post 24/7. Granted this sounds
a bit idealistic and reality dictates that they
have their day-off, in the mind of the public
this is so. When a crime is committed, people
expect the police to be on call any time, any
day. When someone is dying, the priest is
called any time, any day. When disaster oc-
curs, barangay offcials is supposed to come
any time, any day.
The event was held at the Social Hall of
the Cebu Provincial Capitol, an American-
period building, found at the head of Cebus
main road, Jones Avenue (now Osmea
Boulevard). The event had already been
postponed twice due to the shifting sched-
ules of its convenors. There was no stopping
it this time.
The dream of UBAS was frst broached
by the late Sec. Jesse Robredo to the CBCP
in a letter sent to all the bishop during their
January 2011 meeting. The good Secretary
pointed out that since barangays and par-
ishes share common boundaries, why not
have their respective leaders collaborate for
the common good? This invitation came to
fruition on April 7, 2011 at the St. Peters
Parish Shrine for Leaders in Commonwealth
Ave., Novaliches, Quezon City. The DILG
Secretary and the three bishops of Quezon
City attended and signed a MOA.
Pope St. Gregory would surely have ap-
proved.
Interestingly, UBAS Cebu was not some-
thing totally unprecedented. In 2008 a 4Ps
(Pulis, Pari, Presinto, Parokya) initiative had
been tried by then PNP Provincial Offce of
Cebu with a faith-based organization with
the blessing of then Archbishop of Cebu,
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. It was, however, an
idea a bit ahead of its time. The initiative
also came out about the same time the exact
same acronym, albeit with a different mean-
ing, was adopted by a national government
agency.
UBAS is an idea whose time has come.
The spirit of the times, the man who initiated
it, the structural underpinnings of UBAS
(i.e. it is a DILG program), and its sectoral
approach and support have the potential of
creating momentum in the face of the new
normal of disasters and other pressing
needs of the nation.
But for it do so, certain mindsets must be
tackled head on. The speakers dealt with
these mindsets. Governor Hilario G. Davide
III of Cebu began by admitting an initial
concern about UBAS in light of the doctrine
of the separation of Church and State only
to realize that the collaboration is for the
common good amidst diversity of mission.
Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu, while
acknowledging that the UBAS dream began
with late Sec. Robredo, voiced his conviction
that good dreams do not die when people
dream together. Monsignor Antonio Labiao
of Novaliches shared concrete experiences
of UBAS in Metro Manila and its inter-faith
nature. He ended with a concrete proposal:
Know your barangay.
Rep. Leni Robredo pointed out that the
founding of the Naga City Peoples Coun-
cil (NCPC) by her late husband received
the needed boost when some parishes got
involved. NCPC remains a mechanism not
only for monitoring projects in Naga City
but also involving ordinary people in the
messy but beautiful decision-making
process.
The launch already carried the seeds
of the spirit of exchanging places when
Atty. Edmund Abesamis, president of
Liga ng mga Barangay, said that love
is the seed of UBAS which should be
planted in the in each of the more than
42,028 barangays. Undersecretary Austere
Panadero, speaking in behalf of Sec. Mar
Roxas, directed his remarks to the Church
and other inter-faith partners, We do not
want to transform you into watchdogs.
We want you to be our guardian angels
for good governance.
No arguments here.
***
So where to now? Prayer is necessary for
the seeds of UBAS to grow. Prayer must ac-
company the coming together of the three
servant-leaders during the formation of
Barangay Action Teams (BAT).
Initial encounter should not be problem-
oriented but, as Monsignor Labiao puts it,
Kape-kape lang muna. Personal relation-
ships, after all, that gradually becomes more
and more God-centered is the beginning of
any meaningful change.
We also need to identify already existing
relationships that can serve as models for
UBAS. Theres one right here in Mandaue
City at Barangay Subangdako. I am sure
there are others.
A more immediate opportunity is the Sun-
day 12 October Barangay Assembly which
usually starts at 9 a.m. Guess what? Part of
the agenda is UBAS.
Let us not miss this day.
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Duc in Altum
THE III Extraordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bish-
ops will be held from October
5 to 19, 2014. It will discuss the
pastoral challenges of the family
in the context of evangelization.
Everyone, including families,
are enjoined to pray for the
upcoming Synod on the Family;
September 28 was set aside as
a day of special prayer for the
synod. At the Basilica of St. Mary
Major in Rome, the Salus Populi
Romani will be recited each day.
Suggested prayers are the Prayer
for the Holy Family composed
by Pope Francis. The same in-
tention was also included in
the Prayers of the Faithful on
Sunday Masses of September
28 and the recitation of the Holy
Rosary during the synod was
also recommended.
***
The talent and capability of
Filipinos are again tested and
proven when His Holiness Pope
Francis appointed Fr. Gerard
Francisco Timoner III, OP, as one
of the members of the Interna-
tional Theological Commission
for a term of five years from
2014-2019. The Commission is
in charge of examining questions
related to the Catholic Doctrine,
specifically the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith. Fr.
Timoner is the Prior Provincial
of the Dominican Province of the
Philippines, as well as the Vice
Chancellor of the University of
Santo Tomas.
***
Last September 27, 2014 Al-
varo del Portillo was beatifed
in Madrid, Spain. Bishop Por-
tillo succeeded St. Josemaria
Escriva as the head of Opus
Dei. He taught that one way of
sanctifcation is through daily
work in the faithful fulfllment
of daily duties. He encouraged
the growth of apostolic work in
the Philippines, social projects
for professional training of men
and women among the less
privileged sectors of society. The
miracle attributed to him is the
healing of a newborn baby who
suffered massive hemorrhage
that lead to his cardiac arrest.
***
The past two typhoons Luis
and Mario brought heavy food-
ing in Metro Manila, Central
Luzon and Northern Luzon. The
west monsoon or habagat in-
tensifed the rains brought by the
typhoon. The high tide coincided
with the heavy rains plus the fact
that Bustos Dam in Bulacan and
La Mesa Dam in Quezon City
reached its spill over level and
water had to be released. Ipo
Dam also released water, thus,
the fooding.
But what really caused heavy
fooding is, as always, the im-
proper disposal of garbage.
Time and again, the citizens are
reminded to observe proper
waste disposal. We must be the
agents of change if we do not
want to experience more heavy
foods which caused casualties
and damage to our properties.
We cal l the attenti on of
MERALCO to immediately
shut down the power supply
in fooded areas to avoid elec-
trocution. One MERALCO post
along University of Santo Tomas
(UST) had 3 victims: Far East-
ern University medical student
who fortunately survived; the
2nd victim died, a UST medical
student who was on his way
home to be with his mom on her
birthday; and the 3rd victim who
is a hotel employee also died. All
the three happened to pass by on
the very same spot hours from
each other.
***
The Pope standee or life size
image photo of Pope Francis
can be found in some churches,
schools and offce of religious
organizations nationwide. When
taking photos with the Pope
standee, everyone is requested
to be more reverential and
give due respect. Radio man
Ansel Beluso stated that wrap-
ping your arms around the
Popes shoulder, acting like you
are on the same level with him,
grinning, patting his head and
mocking his baldness are acts
of irreverence and disrespect.
***
The Catholic Social Media
Summit version 3.0 The En-
counter at Training and De-
velopment Center in Lingayen,
Pangasinan was a huge success.
This was the frst time that the
summit was held outside Metro
Manila. Several participants
from Metro Manila, Luzon, Vi-
sayas and Mindanao attended
the summit sponsored by Youth
Pinoy, the brainchild youth orga-
nization of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
Commission on Youth and the
CBCP Media Offce.
***
Manila Archbishop Luis An-
tonio Cardinal Tagle, host of
the Papal Visit in January 15-19,
2015, led the Philippine panel in
their 3-days meeting with the
Vatican offcials on the prepa-
ration for the apostolic visit.
Together with Cardinal Chito
were Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara
(Chairman of the Committee
on Information and Media);
Fr. Joselito Jopson (Executive
Secretary and in-charge of tele-
communications and satellite
transmission) and Fr. Genaro
Diwa (Chairman of the Liturgy
Committee).
***
I wish my nephews Roberto
Enrico Imperial, Marc Glenn
Rosales, Paulo Roberto San-
tiago and my sister, Flordeliza
Santiago-Imperial, a very happy
birthday. I pray for your good
health, success and more bless-
ings from our Lord Almighty.
Same birthday greetings go to
Rona Marie Apellanes and our
parish priest in San Ildefonso
de Navotas Fr. Jerome Cruz, also
to Fr. Nestor Fajardo, Fr. Cris
Tibong, Fr. Larry Toledo and Fr.
Ed Guantero. Happy Sacerdotal
Anniversary to Fr. Jun Erlano,
Fr. Rockmore Saniel,OMI, Fr.
Mark Anthony Serna, OMI, and
Fr. Gau Sustento, all from the
Diocese of Kalookan.
Fr. Francis Ongkingko
Whatever
HANNAH, check out how lucky this girl
is? Ronna gritted her teeth with envy as she
read through a blog.
Huh? What girl? Silvia switched off her
tablet and hovered behind her friend.
This girl Grrrr! I wish I could also get
a chance to do something like that!
Silvia looked at the photograph and was
also flled with jealousy.
Humph! Life is so unfair! She said.
What are you two upset about, Claire
arrived and dumped her backpack on Sil-
vias bed.
Dude, youre crumpling the bed sheets,
Silvia snapped back.
Chill, Silvia! Your bed isnt even done or
has it ever been done?
Im just joking! Silvia giggled as she
embraced her best friend.
Wuzzup? Claire asked.
Its THIS girl! Ronna ranted.
Shes sooo lucky and pretty gutty to get
a selfe with Pope Francis! Silvia explained.
Well, thats life, Claire remarked.
So unfair?
Only if were unfair to begin with, Claire
corrected Ronna.
Huh?
As long as we dont become unfair to God
and others in the frst place, then whatever
may not turn out well for us, ought to be a
chance for us to offer it as a sacrifce to God.
Butthe Pope is just so coool and I re-
ally would like to have a selfe with him!
Ronna pined.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.And when you do get one,
probably a one-in-a-million chance, then
what will you do? Claire asked.
Ill keep it forever and post it up for ev-
eryone to be envious about!
[SIGH!] We should take it from my
cousins daughter who has Down. She liter-
ally gets a selfe with the Pope every day!
Claire said.
Ronna and Silvia could not believe what
Claire shared.
Everyday!!!?
Li-tera-lly, Claire repeated.
Does she tweet Pope Francis? Ronna
asked.
I bet because of her illness the Pope
consoles her with his photos, Silvia added.
Nothing like that, girls. What planet are
you from anyway? This girl doesnt even
know how to use the Internet. Claire ex-
plained.
Then how about the selfe?
My cousin once gave her a photograph
of Pope Francis. And Candice, her name is,
somehow became so attached to the photo
that she would bring it with her everywhere.
Thats very sooo cute!!!
Not only that, Claire continued. She
has learned to offer whatever she does for
the Pope, and she calls it a selfe!
Oh my Gaawh, Silvia caught herself.
Im so touched, Ronna became teary-
eyed.
DEAR Holy Father,
I wanted to begin with a formal greeting. But, remembering
how simple and spontaneous you are in many of your public
appearances, I decided against it.
Instead, I would like to begin with something light (please
let me digress from the many serious matters that these days
must weigh heavily on your mind and heart, such as the ongo-
ing persecution of Christians, not only by atheistic secularists
and materialists, but also by religious terrorists etc.). Holy
Father, it is really very good you are coming to the Philip-
pines. Now Id be able to see for myself if you really look like
Jonathan Pryce or Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ. On the other hand,
once you get to reach Palo, Leyte and other calamity areas you
will also see for yourself there is no truth to the rumor that
we ordered super typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda,
from First World countries Climate Change bodies to hasten
your coming.
When Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York,
told the story of how, after your election to the Chair of Peter,
you frst addressed (in jest, of course) the Cardinal-electors
with May God forgive you [for electing me], you must have
been an instant hit to Filipino believers. You were to me. It
felt so refreshing to know that the Holy Father not only has
un-self-conscious humility and simplicity but also a sense
of humor. For this is what we, Filipinos, have aplenty, aside
from poverty and natural as well as man-made (mostly by us
Filipinos ourselves) calamities. Speaking as a Super Typhoon
Yolanda victim, I realize how our Pinoy humor has helped us
laugh through the horrors of devastation and death with the
ever-present reminders of how passing this grotesque world
can be compared to how everlasting Gods love is.
I join many Filipinos who even now thank you for accept-
ing our peoples invitation through our religious and political
leaders to come and visit us. I also join the Catholic faithful in
our diocese, the Diocese of Borongan, in expressing a tinge of
sadness and disappointment that your visit will not include
any of our own calamity-stricken areas, no matter how equally
hard-hit they were. Still, we prefer to understand and expand
our minds and hearts to our other brothers and sisters you
will be spending time and space with. We know you also
visit us in them.
Please allow me to be a bit personal. In the early morning
hours of November 8, 2013 when super typhoon Yolanda
winds, described by one of our priests here as howling like
a beast in the wilderness, seemed to me like a dozen crash-
ing trains whenever they lashed against our parish rectory,
sending debris and water through the window jalousies in my
room, I was half-scared I could die. But, continuing to pray
both loudly and in whispers, I realized I was more scared of
fnding our parish church and our then newly-built shrine for
the Black Nazarene razed to the ground in the aftermath. The
reason why I am writing about this, Holy Father, is that despite
the many distressing things about Yolanda and our countrys
realities, there is also good news that tempers the bad. Not
only did our church and shrine survive Yolanda, so did the
faith of our people and our sense of community. Theres also
good news in prayers being answered and the miracle of Gods
protection being felt as real as a super typhoons devastation.
I hope knowing this would somehow lighten the burden of
your seeing traces of Yolanda and our other calamities in the
country, as well as hearing the voices of their suffering victims.
We know your visit is the face of Holy Mother Churchs
compassion as much as it is yours. I also wish it teaches our
people, especially our leaders who are embroiled in seemingly
perpetual mutually assured recriminations, to try compassion
with one anothers human frailties for once. It is not that we
should take wrongdoings lightly; it is rather that we should
take charity more strongly as the mark of the really matuwid
or righteous.
Millions are waiting for you, Holy Father. Even now I can
see in minds eye a record-breaking number of throngs long-
ing to get a glimpse of you, for our people not only see the
signifcance of your own person in relation to whose Vicar you
are, but also sense his sacred presence in you as we did in St.
John Paul II, the last successor to St. Peter to have walked our
shores. Please help us not to forget so easily the blessings and
responsibilities that come with being called into his company,
especially long after you are gone.
For we are a people known for having short memories.
We easily forget the wrongs committed in our history, except
those of our enemiespersonal, political etc. Worse, we for-
get equally easily the right things as well. We so easily forget
Jesus Christ when we make decisions and act on them in
our families, politics (here in a particularly glaring fashion),
culture (here sadly unacknowledged mostly), entertainment
(Jesus Christwho he?), quest for inclusive economic growth
(pursued more out of international pressure than out of justice)
that even seconds after we leave behind our beautiful church
liturgies there is little trace of our Christian faith in what we
say or do. Please help us, especially our church leaders, fnd
better ways to make our people bridge our worship and our
lives. For that is where the hope of our nation lies, not to say
our local churchs best chance to fulfll our share in the chal-
lenge of the New Evangelization.
Please forgive me, Holy Father, for writing a long letter.
Please forgive me for even entertaining the thought of you
having time to read it.
But I will not apologize for taking this chance, believing like
the woman with a hemorrhage in Mt 9:20-21 that if I could
only touch the tassel of the Vicar of Christs cloak, healing
from the Lord might overfow into our deeply wounded
islands.
With profound love and respect,
Fr. E. B. Belizar, Jr.
laid-back presence, he was ac-
tually a man burning with love
and self-giving. He was very
dynamic in the sense that he
inspired the putting up of many
projects for the spiritual and
social health of many people
in many countries. Opus Dei
spread to many places during
his term.
He was made bishop in Janu-
ary 1991, and on January 28 of
that same year, I was among the
frst batch of those ordained by
him as deacon. Obviously, I was
very happy and very thankful
for this unexpected privilege.
I always cherish the memory
of this very holy man. I now have
a great devotion to him, and I
hope and pray many others will
have it too.
Candidly Speaking / A4
Whatever / A6
A6 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Local News
Im also moved, Claire ad-
mitted. I learned something my-
self from Candice. I realize that
we are so fond of getting selfes
here and there, uploading them
up and everywhere, but thats as
far as we go. Meanwhile, theres
this little girl who manages to
spiritually snap a shot of herself
with the Pope by giving her self
through little things every day.
Im so ashamed of myself,
Ronna confessed as she wiped
her eyes.
So am I, Silvia said.
Hey, Im not saying you
or that girl on the Internet are
doing the wrong thing, Claire
clarifed. Im just saying that
we ought to learn how to go
from being virtually superfcial
towards something spiritually
fruitful and transforming.
That s i t! Ronna ex-
claimed.
What? Claire asked.
From now on, I will also have
a daily spiritual selfe with the
Pope!
Me too! Silvia joined in.
What about a we-fe? Claire
suggested.
Also that! They all laughed
as they gave each other a group
hug.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.And when you
do get one, probably a one-in-a-
million chance, then what will
you do? Claire asked.
Ill keep it forever and post
it up for everyone to be envious
about!
[SIGH!] We should take it
from my cousins daughter who
has Down. She literally gets a
selfe with the Pope every day!
Claire said.
Ronna and Silvia could not
believe what Claire shared.
Everyday!!!?
Li-tera-lly, Claire repeated.
Does she tweet Pope Fran-
cis? Ronna asked.
I bet because of her illness
the Pope consoles her with his
photos, Silvia added.
Nothing like that, girls. What
planet are you from anyway?
This girl doesnt even know
how to use the Internet. Claire
explained.
Then how about the selfe?
My cousin once gave her a
photograph of Pope Francis.
And Candice, her name is, some-
how became so attached to the
photo that she would bring it
with her everywhere.
Thats very sooo cute!!!
Not only that, Claire con-
tinued. She has learned to offer
whatever she does for the Pope,
and she calls it a selfe!
Oh my Gaawh, Silvia
caught herself.
Im so touched, Ronna be-
came teary-eyed.
Im also moved, Claire ad-
mitted. I learned something my-
self from Candice. I realize that
we are so fond of getting selfes
here and there, uploading them
up and everywhere, but thats as
far as we go. Meanwhile, theres
this little girl who manages to
spiritually snap a shot of herself
with the Pope by giving her self
through little things every day.
Im so ashamed of myself,
Ronna confessed as she wiped
her eyes.
So am I, Silvia said.
Hey, Im not saying you
or that girl on the Internet are
doing the wrong thing, Claire
clarifed. Im just saying that
we ought to learn how to go
from being virtually superfcial
towards something spiritually
fruitful and transforming.
That s i t! Ronna ex-
claimed.
What? Claire asked.
From now on, I will also have
a daily spiritual selfe with the
Pope!
Me too! Silvia joined in.
What about a we-fe? Claire
suggested.
Also that! They all laughed
as they gave each other a group
hug.
Whatever / A5
Mary as companion
In the said statement, Que-
vedo called on Gods protection
over the farmers, who started
their journey on the 42nd an-
niversary of the declaration of
Martial Law and prayed for their
strength and good health.
May our Blessed Mother be
their companion on the long
journey. With best wishes in the
Lord, he added.
Kicking off in Davao City, the
farmers, who hope president
Aquino will issue an executive
order certifying the creation of the
Coconut Farmers Trust Fund as
urgent, are expected to reach the
Palace two months later, on No-
vember 26, a day before the closing
ceremony of the International
Year of Family Farming in Manila.
As a public education and
consultation event, the march
aims to garner support in or-
der to speed up the passage of
a proposed Executive Order
and Bill establishing a Coconut
Farmers Trust Fund which will
ensure that the initial P71 billion
recovered coco levy fund will go
to the farmers.
Collected from millions of
coconut farmers through various
decrees by the Marcos dictator-
ship over a ten year period (1972-
82), and invested in San Miguel
Corporation (SMC) and other
crony businesses, the nine
billion-peso Cocolevy Fund
grew to over 150 billion pesos.
Poorest of the poor
In 2012, the Supreme Court
(SC) declared the 71 billion pe-
sos in SMC shares deposited in
the National Treasury and the
United Coconut Planters Bank
(UCPB) as public funds.
Despite the clamor of 3.5 mil-
lion coconut farmers, whom the
National Anti Poverty Com-
mission considers the poorest
among the poor in rural areas,
not a single peso has been used
from the fund.
While SMC Chairman Edu-
ardo Danding Cojuangco Jr.
had already received the P56
billion comprising 20% of SMC
shares awarded to him by SC,
the coconut farmers have yet to
enjoy the benefts of the recov-
ered amount given an absence
of a court-sanctioned Entry of
Judgment.
The march for historic jus-
tice by the 71 coconut farmers
may be the longest march to date
in Philippine history.
Various organizations of co-
conut farmers and their support
groups, including many from the
labor, urban poor, and religious
sectors, as well as the academe
and NGOs, are expected to
join the last leg of the march to
Malacaang.
In 2007, 55 farmers from Sumi-
lao, Bukidnon had earlier made
the long march from Mindanao
to Manila, covering a distance of
roughly 1,750 kilometers.
After talking with then Presi-
dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
the Sumilao farmers were able
to get their land back within six
months. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Farmers / A1
of reparations for their climate debt.
We, climate justice activists and peoples
from the most climate-affected communi-
ties, do not hope and pray for promises and
charity from these developed countries. We
demand payment because they are the ones
mainly responsible for the crisis with all
their green-house-gas pollution since the
industrial revolution. said Gerry Arances,
national coordinator of PMCJ.
Proft-making developed countries
In a statement, PMCJ said its action was
in solidarity with the global actions dubbed
Peoples Climate March during which
world leaders gathered in New York City for
the United Nations Climate Summit called
by the Ban Ki Moon Summit.
The Peoples Climate March, said to be
the largest climate march in history, was
a mobilization of hundreds of thousands of
people in New York City and in other parts
of the globe.
The summit kicked off with a series of
speeches in which heads of states faunted
their plans of action for climate.
What the successful Peoples Climate
March has shown to the world is that we
can do it. System change, not climate
change! We demand climate justice now!
said Arances.
PMCJ shared that almost ninety percent
of the GHG emissions are from the unbri-
dled proft-making activities of developed
countries, led by the US and the EU, in the
span of one hundred years. The US and
EU alone emitted 58% of the total carbon
dioxide concentration in the atmosphere
from 1900 to 1999.
Arances explained, We cannot just let
them get away with it. Multinational cor-
porations have enriched themselves at
the expense of our climate and the worlds
people. The US and EUs excessive GHG
emissions must stop now. The emissions
cuts must be deep and drastic or else we
will not survive the rising temperature.
PMCJ said much-needed and ambitious
emissions cut target should start with the
radical phase-out of dirty and harmful
fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, 80% of
which, scientists point out, should be left
underground in order to avert a 1.5-degree
increase in global temperatures.
Technology transfer
The group also appeals to the US and
EU to pay reparation through fnancing
and technology transfer, which will lead
countries, including the Philippines to a
comprehensive energy transformation.
According to PMCJ, the Philippines can
have a radical shift with around 200,000
MW RE potential and a law on renewable
energy in place.
The US and other developed countries
must provide the necessary climate fnance
for the Philippines and other developing
countries to undergo such a transition. This
recognizes not only their historical respon-
sibility but the commitments to which they
acceded 20 years ago, added Pedrosa.
PMCJ believes climate solutions have to
be rolled out immediately considering the
country regularly suffers from the impact
of climate change, which the group noted
only gets worse.
Freedom from Debt Coalition vice-presi-
dent James Matthew Mirafor stressed funds
need to come in for resilience-building and
for the immediate implementation of ap-
propriate adaptation programs.
As our experience brought by Typhoon
Yolanda [has taught], these climate funds is
a matter of life and death, Mirafor noted.
In Leyte and Samar, a simultaneous cli-
mate walk and program will take place in
fve places: Visayas State University (VSU)
in Baybay City, Leyte; Eastern Visayas
State University (EVSU) in Tacloban City;
Anibong in Tacloban City; McArthur, Leyte;
and in Manicani Island, Guiuan, Eastern
Samar. (CBCPNews)
Offenders / A1
House not home without GodTagle
WITHOUT God, a house cannot be
called a home.
This statement pretty much sums
up the speech Manila Archbishop Lus
Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle gave recently
during the groundbreaking of a Church-
funded housing project that will rise
in Muzon, San Jos del Monte City,
Bulacan, which aims to benefit low-
income employees of the Archdiocese
of Manila (RCAM).
Homeless Filipinos
Aside from nourishment, education,
and safety, what all humans need in
order to live a decent life is a roof above
their heads, he added.
We cannot overemphasize the need
to address this urgent concern for ur-
ban housing, especially in the light of
many who continue to be displaced by
natural and man-made disasters and
calamities. Millions of Filipinos have
no roof above their heads, or a shelter
to protect them from the elements.
Some lived in depraved conditions
not worthy of the dignity of Gods
children, he added.
But this need for shelter, explained
the cardinal, is not exclusively biologi-
cal in nature.
He stressed that a houses function
goes beyond merely ensuring an indi-
viduals physical comfort, to include
that of the family, which, as the basic
unit of society, can give that individual
the love, warmth, and security he needs.
Human dignity
That is why a house is a home in so
far as it is rooted in the inherent dignity,
not just of the individual, but of his fam-
ily, said Tagle.
According to the prelate, the protec-
tion the Church can give takes on dif-
ferent forms, including shelter.
The cardinal emphasized that while
the Church is in no way a housing
agency, she is doing all she can to help
eradicate homelessness.
A housing project like this is a re-
minder to both the government and to
people who have a generous heart that
the problem of homelessness in the
country is a very serious one, Tagle
said.
A single sector cannot address this
issue on its own, and this housing
project is but a humble contribution
compared to the big issue that confronts
it. Only 73 unitsmillions of homeless
Filipinos. These may be like drops in
a bucket. But then, these same drops
make a bucketful, shared Tagle.
Fr. Carlos Reyes, executive direc-
tor of Domus Mariae Foundation,
RCAMs housing arm, pointed out
that San Jos del Montes Domus
Mariae Village II will be developed
into a socialized housing project, with
each unit prized at P450,000, payable
through Pagibig housing loan for a 25-
year amortization period. (Raymond
A. Sebastin with reports from Lloyd
Ranque/PCUP)
Manila Archbishop Lus Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle at the groundbreaking of a Church-funded Domus Domus
Mariae Foundation project that will rise in Muzon, San Jos del Monte City, Bulacan RCAM
Bishop on Aquinos take on media
killings: Simply irresponsible
A CATHOLIC bishop branded
President Benigno Aquino III as
irresponsible for downplaying
the spate of media killings in the
country.
Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro
Arigo tore into President after he
said that many media killings
were not exactly related to the
work of the victims.
That statement is really very
irresponsible. Its like adding a
salt on the top injury, particular-
ly to the family of the victims,
Arigo said over Church-run
Radio Veritas on Monday.
In a forum organized by
Egmont Institute in Brussels,
Belgium last Sept. 16, Aquino
claimed that not all media kill-
ings are work-related.
Arigo claimed its obvious that
Aquino just made alibis over
the failure of his administra-
tion to solve the media killings.
He is producing alibis and
more excuses which are not
right, he added.
The National Union of Jour-
nalists in the Philippines (NUJP)
earlier criticized Aquino for seem-
ingly taking media killings lightly.
Since Aquino came to offce in
2010, at least 25 media workers
have been killed, according to
the Center for Media Freedom
and Responsibility (CMFR).
(CBCPNews)
PHL part of Peoples Climate
March in New York
TENS of thousands of protes-
tors turned out for the Peoples
Climate March on Sunday in
Manhattan, including some Fili-
pinos led by Fr. Edwin Gariguez,
Executive Secretary of the Na-
tional Secretariat for Social Ac-
tion Justice and Peace (NASSA).
Marchers were toting hand-
held banners and paper sun-
fowers, chanting slogans, and
demanding action ahead of the
upcoming the UN climate sum-
mit in New York.
Overwhelming Manhattans
Midtown neighborhood, dem-
onstrators rallied together in
support of Mother Earth two
days ahead of the UN summit,
where nations are expected to
lay the groundwork for a future
carbon emissions plan.Any po-
tential binding agreement is not
expected to be made until the
Climate Change Conference in
Paris late next year.
Organizers had expected
around 100,000 people to at-
tend but announced Sunday
afternoon that more than 310,000
protesters had assembled. The
impressive march, organized
in conjunction with more than
2,800 events in 166 countries,
could not have come at a more
demonstrative momentjust a
week after national climate sci-
entists reported searing tempera-
tures over the summer months.
(SocialActionNews)
Mayor wants majority Christian town out
of Bangsamoro
SPEAKING in behalf of his constituents, a
local offcial from the only predominantly
Christian municipality in Lanao de Sur made
it clear that his people refuse inclusion in the
proposed Bangsamoro entity.
While assuring the public the municipality
will not get in the way of the peace talks over
Mindanao, Wao Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr.
expressed concerns that placing his munici-
pality under the Bangsamoro government
is unjust given that some 83% of its popula-
tion, roughly 30,000 individuals, identify as
Christians.
I hope that whatever the result of the
plebiscite will be on the municipal level
would be respected by the whole province,
he said.
Overwhelming Christian
Balicao explained over Church-run Radyo
Veritas that the result of a plebiscite covering
the Lanao del Sur province should not be
imposed on them.
As a Christian-majority town, the mayor
stressed Wao should be allowed to decide
for itself, not the province.
Our case is different. Out of 39 munici-
palities that make up the province of Lanao
del Sur, Wao is the only one that is over-
whelmingly Christian, shared the mayor.
Balicao emphasized that his people do
not oppose the rights of Muslim brethren
to self-determination and an autonomous
political entity.
In an earlier interview with CBCPNews,
he boasted that although Waos Christians
fully respect the Islamic culture and have
peacefully lived side by side with their
Muslim brothers from time immemorial,
he pointed out that they choose to live and
practice their culture outside an Islamic
autonomous government.
Balicao expects to be given a chance to
represent Wao in a congressional inquiry
where he can voice out his reservation on
the Bangsamoro entity.
Right to be heard
Arent we a democratic country where
everyone has a right to be heard? We hope be
heard. Its the refusal to listen that will even-
tually imperil the peace process, said he.
Aside from Balicao, Puerto Princesa
Bishop Pedro D. Arigo and Zamboanga
Archbishop Romulo T. de la Cruz protested
plans to subject their respective sees under
the Bangsamoro government.
The mayor shared that the Catholic
Church, along with other Christian denomi-
nations and non-government organizations
(NGO), in Wao support the popular call for
exclusion from the Bangsamoro.
Wao is a landlocked town bordered by
Kalilangan, Bukidnon to the north; Kalil-
angan and Pangantucan, Bukidnon to the
east; Banisilan, Cotabato to the south; and
Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur to the west.
According to the 2010 census, Wao has
a population of 40,479, most of whom of
Ilonggo descent.
The town is a recipient of the Galing Pook
Awards in 2010, Seal of Good Housekeeping
in 2012, and has accomplished a number
of projects in recent years. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
improve the plight of teachers
amid the dire circumstances
they face.
But he urged country offcials
to go the extra mile for there
is still much to be done to uplift
the conditions of educators in
the country.
He said this can be achieved
with the help of legislators and
budget personnel continuing
to support the educational
system; priests strengthening
catechetical institutions in
schools; and making parishes
youth-friendly.
The bishops also urged young
Filipinos to love and respect
their teachers, noting that they
have sacrifced much of their
lives to make you responsible
members of society.

Thank you, teachers
Recognizing the laudable
contribution of educators to the
country, the bishops called on
the Filipino faithful to express
gratitude for the tireless commit-
ment of teachers to educate and
mold young individuals into
becoming responsible members
of society.
We would like to thank all
those who have committed their
lives in the teaching profession.
We thank them for the service
they deliver to our nation by
their excellent teaching, they
said.
Paying tribute to the many
teachers who have committed
their lives to pursuit of their
vocati on, the CBCP urged
Filipinos to uplift the plight
of educators in the country
and regard them as heroes
and true missionaries of the
modern times.
They give without counting
the cost. They develop in them-
selves, and cultivate in their stu-
dents, a keen social awareness
and a profound sense of civic
and political responsibility
committed to the task of form-
ing men and women who will
make the civilization of love a
reality, they added.
Plight / A1
A7 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Diocesan News
by Covenant Eyes, a group that
creates anti-porn software, is an
expression of their desire to see
families growing together in love
and in God.
Delacruz said she hopes to win
and bring honor to the country
and to the countless Catholics
who are striving to live good,
beautiful lives.
While Ortigas expresses conf-
dence in their entry, she stressed
she and Delacruz remain com-
mitted to the fght against porn
whatever the contests outcome.
Although their motivation
in joining the contest is mainly
because it is consistent with their
advocacy, Ortigas admits that
the prize money, should they
win it, will help them spread
the message of chastity, modesty,
and purity.
Apart from their involvement
in YouthPinoy (YP), a lay group
that empowers young Catholic
Filipinos to do social media
evangelization, Ortigas and
Delacruz are active members of
Singles for Christ (CFC), a min-
istry of singles under Couples
for Christ whose vision is to
have families in the Holy Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
Good thing, I belonged to
CFC-Youth for Christ (YFC), and
now, in CFC Singles for Christ
that taught me the value of chas-
tity and purity. So I was guided.
But there are many teens and
youth who are not so blessed,
said Ortigas.
She laments that todays
youth are more likely to get
exposed to porn because of the
internet which makes access to
adult websites easier for them.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Contest / A1
Therefore, theres no need for
Palawan to join it, explained he.
Even if the issue can be settled
by a referendum, the bishop
expresses confidence that an
overwhelming majority of Pala-
wan locals will vote against the
Bangsamoro government.
No exclusion
Meanwhile, the head of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) appealed
to Muslim Filipinos to respect
their Christian countrymen in
spite of the Bangsamoro entity.
In a circular issued Sunday,
September 28, Lingayen-Da-
gupan Archbishop Socrates B.
Villegas said the emergence of
Bangsamoro should not mean
the exclusion of any Filipino
from any part of the country by
reason of religious belief, ethnic-
ity or language.
He added, Our Muslim
brothers and sisters have found
their way through various parts
of the archipelago, settling in
many provinces heretofore al-
most exclusively peopled by
Christians. As far as we know,
they have been welcomed, re-
ceived and respected.
Villegas hopes that Christians
may also receive hospitality in
those parts of the one Republic
that, by legislation, may be
marked out as Bangsamoro.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Bangsamoro / A1
Kalindogan, which expects hun-
dreds of participants from differ-
ent indigenous communities in
the country, seeks to fnd con-
crete ways of solving the issues
and concerns being faced by the
Filipino IPs.
To cap the Year of the Laity,
which reminds all faithful they
are Called to be Saints, Sent forth
as heroes, the occasion aims to
honor the heroic deeds and un-
wavering faith of lay people from
various sectors, who have risen
above lifes many challenges.
Central to the meeting are sto-
ries of Indigenous Peoples on their
experiences in living out a faith
defned by native culture amid the
fght to secure their rights to an-
cestral domain, cultural integrity,
self-determination, governance,
and basic social services, among
others. (CBCPNews)
Confab / A1
I definitely endorse it 100
percent, even if it [is] only to
shame especially public of-
ficials to shame them about
their dishonesty which has
become habitual and enor-
mous. So yes, yes, yes to the
campaign, shared Lingayen-
Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus
Oscar V. Cruz in an interview
over Veritas.
The Catholic radio station
also came out with a new pro-
gram, likewise titled Huwag
kang magnanakaw, aired on
Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., which
aims to expose the culture of
thievery in the country and
root out all forms of it in the
process, involving the least to
the most valuable.
According to Cruz the cam-
paign challenges not only pub-
lic officials, but even ordinary
Filipinos to turn their backs
on a dysfunctional system that
thrives on corruption.
The prelate, who also chaired
the Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP),
hopes the campaign will effec-
tively send its message across,
impacting particularly those
in power who, he said, cannot
keep their fingers off the na-
tions coffers.
A study conducted by Global
Financial Integrity (GFI), a
US-based non-profit, research
and advocacy organization,
reports that the Philippine
government loses as much as
P357-billion due to corruption.
The Church is clear in its
stand against theft, the usur-
pati on of another s goods
against the reasonable will of
the owner.
Paragraph 2401 of the Cat-
echism of the Catholic Church
(CCC) reads, The seventh
commandment forbids unjustly
taking or keeping the goods of
ones neighbor and wronging
him in any way with respect
to his goods. It commands jus-
tice and charity in the care of
earthly goods and the fruits of
mens labor.
It adds, For the sake of
the common good, it requires
respect for the universal desti-
nation of goods and respect for
the right to private property.
Christian life strives to order
this worlds goods to God and
to fraternal charity. (Raymond
A. Sebastin)
Anti-crook / A1
Bohol to revisit 2013 quake
TAGBILARAN City, Bohol
One year after that fateful Oc-
tober morning that changed
Bohol forever, the Diocese of
Tagbilaran intends to commemo-
rate, through artistic presenta-
tions and contests, the tragedy
wrought by the 7.2 magnitude
earthquake that hit Bohol and
nearby Visayan provinces in
2013.
Months after the disaster,
Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Y.
Medroso admitted over Church-
run Radyo Veritas that much has
still to be done in the province in
terms of rebuilding structures,
many of which are centuries-old
heritage churches that had either
been damaged or destroyed by
the quake.
We are still building up re-
building up what we have lost
during this earthquake on Octo-
ber 15 [2013]. In fact we will com-
memorate [its] October 16 an-
niversary to wake up again the
consciousness of our people at
the same time, to exercise from
the bad effects of earthquake.
Were preparing a program, a
drama play, and painting. But
we know we have still a long
long way, but our people are
more positive in their approach
[thats what is] most important,
said Medroso.
The prelate shared the recon-
struction of Bohols heritage
churches has been on hold as it
awaits the needed budget from
the national government.
Medroso, who also chairs the
Catholic Bishops Conference
(CBCP)s Permanent Committee
on the Cultural Heritage of the
Church, added that the Tagbi-
laran diocese has been able to
build 13 alternative churches.
According to him, these struc-
tures can be converted into Cath-
olic schools once rehabilitation of
the old churches is completed.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Dauis, Bohol is just one of the countless churches
destroyed by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 2013. ARNOLD BELTRAN PINGOY
Libmanan diocese to mark silver year,
patroness set for coronation
LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur Libmanan
Bishop Jos Rojas Jr. invites the faithful to
take part in a series of events which will
start as early as September 30, Tuesday, in
celebration of the silver jubilee of the cre-
ation of the See of Libmanan, now Diocese
of Libmanan, in Camarines Sur, which will
include a canonical coronation of Our Lady
of the Pillar.
We enjoin the clergy, the religious, and the
Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Libmanan to
participate in these events as a way of making
them a truly ftting, meaningful, and memo-
rable celebration on the 25th anniversary of
our local Church, says Rojas, encouraging the
faithful to participate in the celebration, which
will culminate in the feast of Nuestra Seora
del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), the dioceses
patroness, on October 12, Sunday.
In a circular dated September 15, Monday,
the prelate shares the festivities will open
with a simple procession of Our Lady of the
Pillar from her sanctuary in San Isidro, Lib-
manan to St. James Cathedral for a three-day
Pagsungko ki Santiago.
The bishop explains this procession aims
to reenact Our Ladys apparitionon a pil-
larto St. James the Greater in Zaragoza,
Spain, assuring the apostle that the people
he was preaching the Good News to would
be converted.
According to ancient tradition, the Blessed
Virgin told St. JamesSantiago or San Diego in
Spanishpresum-
ably through biloca-
tion in which she
was accompanied
by angels, that the
strength of the pre-
Christian Spaniards
faith will be like that
of the pillar she was
standing on.
Church histori-
ans say this is the
only Marian appari-
tion that took place
prior to the Blessed
Virgins Assump-
tion as she was still
living either in Jeru-
salem or in Ephesus
with St. John the Beloved, the apostle to
whose care Jesus entrusted His mother.
At the Cathedral, a triduum of masses will
be celebrated in honor of Our Lady and St.
James, shares Rojas.
On October 3, Friday, 3:00 p.m, Our Lady
of the Pillar is set to be canonically crowned,
It means that the Pope offcially and sym-
bolically crowns the Marian image through
an apostolic letter known as a papal bull.
After the ceremony, the Blessed Virgin will
be led back to her sanctuary in San Isidro
accompanied by St. James in a procession
called Paghatod ki Ina, stopping over
at the Parish Church of Bahay, also in Lib-
manan, to allow her spouse St. Joseph the
Patriarch, revered patron of the diocese, to
join the apostle in conducting Our Lady to
her sanctuary.
The day of the canonical coronation will
also mark the frst of nine novena masses to
be celebrated in the patroness honor.
Also on October 3 at 2:00 p.m., right be-
fore the coronation, the town square will
be renamed Plaza de Santiago in honor of
Libmanan Cathedrals titular patron, as well
as of the saints namesake, Abp. Santiago Ca-
ragnan Sancho, the frst Bicolano archbishop,
a Libmanan native. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
200-year old
church closed
PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte The 200-
year old church of Saint Anne
Parish in Piddig, Ilocos Norte
was closed for public worship af-
ter it was deemed unsafe after
liturgical rite presided over by
Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba
on Sept. 14, Feast of the Triumph
of the Cross.
According to Fr. Ericson Josue,
the Commission Head of the
Church Heritage of the dio-
cese, the foundation of the said
church has been discovered to
be weak to carry the massive
walls, the edifce.
The place of worship is trans-
ferred to a provisional church
within the parish compound.
No more liturgical functions in
this edifice as decreed by the
bishop, he added.
Fr. Joey Ranjo, the Media Rela-
tions offcer of the diocese, said
that the building will be kept
that way and its historical value
remains.
With the closure of the church,
the people are challenged to raise
millions of money to renovate
and repair the church.
The church of Saint Anne was
built in 1810 by the Augustinian
Missionaries. The first parish
priest was Fr. Isidore Cham-
paner.
The building became a refugee
camp during the Philippine-
American War and was razed
during the Japanese occupation.
In 1963, the faade and the interi-
ors underwent restoration.
There is an ongoing campaign
calling for the funding of the
churchs repair. You may contact
the curia of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Laoag at (077) 770-5210
for more details. (Rainier Marquez)
The doors of Saint Anne Parish Church in in Piddig, Ilocos Norte are sealed by Laoag
Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, DD. The 200-year old church was closed to the faithful after
being declared unt for liturgical services. PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF FR. ERICSON JOSUE
Bishop: Deepen your esta experiences
NAGA City--In a timely message
during the feast of the El Divino
Rostro, Caceres Archbishop Ro-
lando Tria Tirona called on the
faithful to deepen their experi-
ences of God, especially during
the special celebration of the
archdiocese.
Deepen your experiences this
fiesta, your relationship with
the Father, through openness,
he said during a holy mass
celebrated on the feast of the El
Divino Rostro on September 12.
As we close a feast and open
another, let us remain awake to
our experiences and be moved
by the loving gaze of mercy and
compassion of the Father through
Jesus, the prelate added.
Held at the Parish and Shrine
of Our Lady of Peafrancia, the
said Eucharistic celebration also
witnessed the installation of Fr.
Rey Rellora, parish priest of the
said Shrine, as spiritual director
of the Divino Rostro Association
(Divostra) and the induction of
its new members.
With a cholera pandemic break-
ing out in Metro Manila in 1882,
the devotion to El Divino Rostro
in Naga City was promoted by
Fr. Pedro de la Torre, then Vicar
General of the Diocese of Nueva
Caceres. Hailing from Osa de la
Vega, a place spared from the
cholera epidemic of 1834 and 1853
through the devotion to the Di-
vino Rostro, thus a devotee him-
self, de la Torre carried with him
a replica of the venerated image.
He then sought the approval
of Bishop Casimiro Herrera to
enshrine the holy picture at the
Cathedral where the people
could venerate it for the whole
duration of the epidemic. On
August 26, 1882, the prelate
advised the lay faithful to seek
the intercession of Our Lady of
Peafrancia, bringing her image
to the Cathedral.
Since then, the two have been
inseparable. Devotions to both
have greatly influenced the
spiritual lives, not only of the
Nagueos, but also of the Bi-
colanos, in general. To this very
day, thousands of pilgrims and
devotees seek both Mother and
Child for aid and support, not
just every September but year
round. (Natalie Hazel Quimlat)
is irrational; its only plan is to bring destruc-
tion: it seeks to grow by destroying. Greed,
intolerance, the lust for powerthese motives
underlie the decision to go to war and they
are too often justifed by an ideology When
man thinks only of himself, of his own inter-
ests and places himself in the centre, when he
permits himself to be captivated by the idols
of dominion and power, when he puts himself
in Gods placet, then all relationships are bro-
ken and everything is ruined; then the door
opens to violence, indifference, and confict.
War dehumanizes man, the Pope said, as
to be human means to care for one another.
But when harmony is broken the brother
who is to be cared for and loved becomes an
adversary to fght, to kill we bring about
the rebirth of Cain in every act of violence
and in every war we continue this his-
tory of confict between brothers We have
perfected our weapons, our conscience has
fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our
ideas to justify ourselves. As if it were nor-
mal, we continue to sow destruction, pain,
death! Violence and war lead only to death,
they speak of death! Violence and war are
the language of death!
Is there a way out? Is it possible (as the
hippies used to chant) to give peace a
chance? True peace, the pope said, is born
of the human heart reconciled with God and
with ones brothers. To get off from this
spiral of sorrow and death the Pope
believes all men and women of goodwill,
regardless of religious affnity or whether
or not they profess any religion, must enter
what he calls the silence of the Cross. My
Christian faith urges me to look to the Cross.
There, we can see Gods reply: violence is
not answered with violence, death is not
answered with the language of death. In the
silence of the Cross, the uproar of weapons
ceases and the language of reconciliation,
forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken.
The silence of the Cross can make the
noise of weapons cease, help one leave
behind the self-interest that hardens the
heart, overcome the indifference that makes
the heart insensitive towards others. War
always marks the failure of peace, it is always
a defeat for humanity, Pope Francis said.
True, nobody ever wins a war. A Pentagon
offcial reportedly explained why the US
military censored graphic footage from the
Gulf War: If we let people see that kind of
thing, there would never again be any war.
Fact: the US became the prime supplier to
the Middle East after the 1991 Persian Gulf
crisis. Do you see a connection?
But now, nearly 25 years and monumental
information technology leaps later, we do
see such war footage. Tortures, beheadings,
mass graves, suicide bombings, child sol-
dierswe dont just read about the cruelty
of war in history books, we see the graphic
images on our TV screens and computers.
What do we do about it? H. G. Wells once
said, If we do not end war, war will end us.
And thats the truth.
And Thats The Truth / A4
Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places
Pope appoints Filipino
priest to theological
commission
THE Holy Father has recently
appointed Fr. Gerard Francisco
P. Timoner, III, O.P. as one of the
new members of the Interna-
tional Theological Commission
for a term of five years, from
2014-2019.
Timoner follows a long line
of Filipinos who have been
members of this commission,
most prominent among them
is Manila Archbishop Luis An-
tonio Cardinal Tagle. The said
commission was established by
the Servant of God Paul VI in
1969 with the aim of examining
questions in matters of doctrine,
particularly for the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Paul VI on 1969 with the aim of
examining questions in matters
of doctrine, particularly for the
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith.
At present, he is the only
Filipino member of the said
commission which was estab-
lished by the Servant of God
Paul VI on 1969 with the aim of
examining questions in matters
of doctrine, particularly for the
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith.
Timoner is also the Prior
Provincial of the Dominican
Province of the Philippines,
as well as the Vice Chancel-
lor of the University of Santo
Tomas.
Pope Francis named thirty
new members of the said com-
mission, all of whom are theolo-
gians from different countries.
(Vanessa M. Puno)
Dominican secular institute
celebrates 5th year
THE Company of Saint Dominic (CSD), a
Catholic secular institute under the Archdio-
cese of Manila (RCAM), celebrated its ffth
year with a holy mass at the Santa Catalina
College chapel Sunday, September 14, coin-
ciding with the Feast of the Exaltation of
the Holy Cross.
According to CSD formator Nestor
Limqueco, Fr.Pablo Fernandez, a Domini-
can priest, founded the secular institute to
enable its members to fnd a new way of
expressing consecrated life living out their
consecration to God in the world through the
profession of evangelical counsels, perfect
obedience, perpetual chastity, voluntary
poverty, and total consecration to the Blessed
Lady in the midst of temporal realities.
With the help of the late Mo.Rosario Vil-
lanueva; Fr. James Ferry,MM, RCAMs Vicar
for Consecrated Life; Fr.Quirico Pedragoza,
then Prior Provincial of the Order of Preach-
ers (OP) in the Philippines; Mo.Teresa Exa-
men, Prioress General OP-Siena; and Manila
Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio B. Cardinal
Rosales, CSD was offcially recognized as a
consecrated secular community in 2009 ac-
cording to the spirituality of St. Dominic de
Guzman under RCAM.
Limqueco said CSD wishes in this way
to be [a] leaven of wisdom and a witness
of grace within the cultural, economic and
political life.
Members of the CSD, he added, are con-
secrated in [the] midst of a noisy, unruly, and
Godless society. We strive to transform the
world form within or concealment without
wearing a habit or living in the communal
life by the power of the Beatitudes.
Although Fernandezs initial plan was
to have an all-male community, CSD now
has eight initiated members, all males, and
nine aspirants, also males, aside from 12
female counterparts who serve as prayer
warriors.
Limqueco shared that 97% of CSD mem-
bers are professionals, while the remaining
3% are full-time students.
Aspirants to the secular institute undergo
two years of discernment, and membership
can take as many as seven years to be con-
sidered fnal and defnitive, he explained.
CSD requires its aspirants and mem-
bers to be leaven in the world through
ext ensi ve and i nt ensi ve f ormat i on,
mont hl y recol l ect i on, and mont hl y
classes in theology.
They are also enjoined to attend daily mass
and confess regularly.
Being in the world, CSD members treat
their regular jobs as their apostolate through
which they seek to sanctify those around
them.
Limqueco, however, clarifed that CSD
differs from a mandated organization and
a Third Order.
This is a way of life having and embrac-
ing vows same with the religious. The only
difference is that ours is not public profes-
sion, but semi-public profession because the
bishop of the diocese knows the community
as conserated lay people, he explained.
As a member of the Dominican family,
CSD draws inspiration from the teachings of
Sts. Dominic de Guzman, Catherine of Siena,
Thomas Aquinas, and other Dominicans.
Our priorities are [the] same with the Or-
der of Preachers: ongoing formation through
study and research, evangelization through
various ways, especially through media,
ecological awareness, prayer apostolates,
and pro-life advocacies, stressed Limqueco.
For inquiries, contact Prof. Nestor Limque-
co, OP at +639273967776. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
Latin Mass celebrated for persecuted Mideast Christians
A TRADITIONAL Latin Mass
was celebrated this Sunday, the
Feast of the Exaltation of the
Holy Cross, in solidarity with
the persecuted Christians of Iraq
and Syria.
Societas Ecclesia Dei Sancti
Joseph Una Voce Philippines
(SEDSI UVP) chairman Gerald
Cenir said the Solemn High Mass
in the Extraordinary Form of the
Roman Rite or more commonly
known as the Traditional Latin
Mass (TLM) was celebrated at
Holy Family Parish Church,
Roxas District, Quezon City as
a spiritual bouquet for the
persecuted Christians of the two
middle East countries.
On September 5, the bish-
ops of the Philippines through
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines president Arch-
bishop Socrates Villegas declared
September 14 a National Day of
Prayer for Peace in Iraq and Syria.
All masses in the Philippines
were offered for the Christians
of Iraq and Syria. A special char-
ity collection for the persecuted
Christians was also conducted.
We answered the call of the
bishops of the Philippines to
hold a day of prayer for our
Christian brothers and sisters
of Iraq and Syria who are being
brutally murdered just because
they are Christians, Cenir said.
Holy Family parish priest and
Sedsi-UVP spiritual director
Fr. Jojo Zerrudo said the Mass
was also held in thanksgiving
to God for the Motu propio of
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI,
Summorum Pontifcum, which
liberalized the celebration of the
Traditional Latin Mass through-
out the Universal Church. It
was on the feast of the Exaltation
of the Holy Cross that Summo-
rum Pontifcum took effect. It
was only ftting that we thank
God for the gift of Summorum
Pontifcum on this day, Fr. Zer-
rudo said.
A relic of the True Cross un-
der the care of Fr. Zerrudo was
exposed and venerated follow-
ing the Mass at the Oratory of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
located inside the parish church.
Prayed during the exposition of
the relic was the petition for peace
for all persecuted Christians.
The intercession of saints who
suffered martyrdom at the hands
of the Saracens and Muslims
was also invoked for the special
intention.
The Sedsi-UVP has also orga-
nized prayer vigils and proces-
sions for the persecuted Chris-
tians of Iraq and Syria. A proces-
sion was held on the feast of St.
James the Apostle, July 25, after
the TLM. Last August 1 and Sep-
tember 5, Sedsi-UVP sponsored
a first Friday TLM, Eucharis-
tic Adoration, Exposition and
Benediction for the persecuted
Iraqi and Syrian Christians. The
parish also set-up a billboard
supporting the persecuted Chris-
tians. (Rommel Lopez)
A Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) was celebrated on September 14, 2014 for the intentions of the persecuted Christians in Syria and Iraq in response to the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines declaration of September 14 as a National Day of Prayer for Peace in Iraq and Syria. The TLM was held at the Holy Family Parish Church, Roxas District, Quezon
City. MAURICE JOSEPH ALMADRONES
Exorcism comics to
promote values
SUPERNATURAL adventure
meets the unchangeable truths of
the Gospel. This is what Patron
Comics hopes to bring to the
public with a soon-to-be released
comic series about a group of
teenagers who help an exorcist
Salesian priest.
The comic book, which will be
offcially launched in Novem-
ber, revolves around a group
of young men who try to save
people suffering from a type of
demonic possession that requires
them to venture into The Portal,
a spiritual realm that refects the
possesseds sins.
I thought about this because
this is an age where all kinds of
rubbish are being watched and
listened to by our youth nowa-
days, from the TV, the radio, and
of course the internetThis is an
attempt to offer an alternative: a
comic that everyone, especially
the young can pick up, Patrons
scriptwriter AJ Perez said in an
interview.
According to him, Patron com-
ics is not just an action movie
on paper, but is also a spiritual
exhortation much-needed by
the times.
When [the young men are]
not saving other peoples souls,
they have to strive hard to save
their ownGoing back to the
characters, they might be trying
to achieve holiness, but it sure
is a superhuman struggle for
them as they contend with their
own personal issues as well,
Perez said, noting how his own
experience of Bosconian spiritu-
ality infuenced the creation and
concept of Patron comics.
He also called on educators,
priests and catechists to endorse
the comic series as supplemen-
tal reading for students, parish
youth and children, as rein-
forcement to their Catholic
education and upbringing.
I chose the theme of exorcism
in order to put back the reality of
good versus evil in our society
today. Nowadays, good and evil
get too muddled up It is my
hope that every Catholic school
will pick up the books and let
their students read it. This is the
new way of making pro-lifers
and devout Catholics out of our
youth, Perez added.
Aside from Perez, the main
team behind Patron comics is
composed of Gilbert Monsanto,
penciller; Raymond Ferrer, inker;
Bryan Arfel Magnaye, colorist;
Jayboy Acosta, editor and assis-
tant project head; and Michael
Anthony Mapa, managing edi-
tor.
For further details and inqui-
ries about pre-orders, contact AJ
Perez at 0922 8276662 or through
email at ajuperez@gmail.com.
(Nirvaana Ella Delacruz)
Free exhibit featured popes relics, Marian statues
VERITAS 846, the Church-run AM radio
station, held a free, month-long exhibit
at the South Pavilion of SM Mall of Asia
(MOA) in Pasay City featuring some 81
sacred relics, Marian artworks, papal
memorabilia, and other objects of religious
interest which aim to deepen the publics
appreciation of the faith.
Dubbed Mary and the Popes Exhibit,
the event which offcially opened on August
30 and ran until September 28, intended
to raise public awareness on the various
devotions to Our Lady and the important
role she played in the lives and ministries
of past and present Bishops of Rome.
We are doing this so that the public
will know how Marian the popes are and
also as a preparation for the upcoming
apostolic visit of Pope Francis, shared
Ray Isabela, the religious coordinator of
Radyo Veritas.
Each item on display came with brief
information on the history of the image, as
well as on past and present popes, many
of whom saints devoted to the Mother of
God, and whose papacies were character-
istically Marian.
We already know how deeply devoted
Pope St. John Paul II to Our Lady of Ftima.
But what about the other popes? asked
Isabela.
According to him, the exhibits main at-
traction included relics and memorabilia of
recently canonized saints Pope John XXIII
and Pope John Paul II, such as medals and
souvenir programs of their canonization;
skullcaps, chasubles, and other religious
vestments; signed documents, books, and
photographs of Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI and Pope Francis.
Isabela remarked that special places
are given to Philippine images of the
Blessed Mother whose veneration have
been officially recognized by a pope
through canonical approval like Cavites
Nuestra Seora de la Soledad de Porta
Vaga, Nagas Peafrancia, and Manilas
La Naval.
Guests also took selfies with a life-size
cardboard cutout of Pope Francis image
set up on site. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Young people get more acquainted with the deep love many of the poples had for
the Blessed Virgin at the Mary and the Popes Exhibit, which features relics of
newly canonized saints Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, such as medals and
souvenir programs of their canonization; skullcaps, chasubles, and other religious
vestments; signed documents, books, and photographs, as well as beloved images
of Our Lady. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIN
The Mary and the Popes Exhibit features relics of newly canonized saints Pope John
XXIII and Pope John Paul II, such as medals and souvenir programs of their canonization;
skullcaps, chasubles, and other religious vestments; signed documents, books, and
photographs of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIN
Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner, III, O.P. RICHARD PAZCOGUIN
B1
Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
DEAR Brothers and Sisters,
Today vast numbers of people
still do not know Jesus Christ.
For this reason, the mission
ad gentes continues to be
most urgent. All the members
of the Church are called to
participate in this mission,
for the Church is missionary
by her very nature: she was
born to go forth. World
Mission Day is a privileged
moment when the faithful of
various continents engage in
prayer and concrete gestures
of solidarity in support of the
young Churches in mission
lands. It is a celebration of
grace and joy. A celebration
of grace, because the Holy
Spirit, sent by the Father, offers
wisdom and strength to those
who are obedient to his action.
A celebration of joy, because
Jesus Christ, the Fathers Son,
sent to evangelize the world,
supports and accompanies our
missionary efforts. This joy of
Jesus and missionary disciples
leads me to propose a biblical
icon, which we find in the
Gospel of Luke (cf. 10:21-23) .
1. The Evangelist tells us
that the Lord sent the seventy-
two disciples two by two into
cities and villages to proclaim
that the Kingdom of God was
near, and to prepare people
to meet Jesus. After carrying
out this mission of preaching,
the disciples returned full of
joy: joy is a dominant theme
of this first and unforgettable
missionary experience. Yet
the divine Master told them:
Do not rejoice because the
demons are subject to you; but
rejoice because your names
are written in heaven. At that
very moment Jesus rejoiced
in the Holy Spirit and said:
I give you praise, Father...
And, turning to the disciples
in private he said, Blessed are
the eyes that see what you see
(Lk 10:20-21, 23).
Luke presents three scenes.
J esus speaks f i rst t o hi s
disciples, then to the Father,
and then again to the disciples.
Jesus wanted to let the disciples
share his joy, different and
greater than anything they had
previously experienced.
2. The disciples were filled
with joy, excited about their
power to set people free from
demons. But Jesus cautioned
them to rejoice not so much for
the power they had received,
but for the love they had
received, because your names
are written in heaven (Lk
10: 20). The disciples were
given an experience of Gods
love, but also the possibility
of sharing that love. And
this experience is a cause
for gratitude and joy in the
heart of Jesus. Luke saw this
jubilation in a perspective of
the trinitarian communion:
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy
Spirit, turning to the Father
and praising him. This moment
of deep joy springs from Jesus
immense filial love for his
Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, who hid these things
from the wise and learned,
and reveal ed them to the
childlike (cf. Lk 10:21). God
has both hidden and revealed,
and in this prayer of praise it
is his revealing which stands
out. What is it that God has
revealed and hidden? The
mysteries of his Kingdom,
the manifestation of divine
lordship in Jesus and the
victory over Satan.
God has hidden this from
those who are all too full of
themselves and who claim
to know everything already.
They are blinded by their
presumptuousness and they
leave no room for God. One
can easily think of some of
Jesus contemporaries whom
he repeatedly admonished, but
the danger is one that always
exists and concerns us too. The
little ones, for their part, are
the humble, the simple, the
poor, the marginalized, those
without voice, those weary
and burdened, whom Jesus
pronounced blessed. We
readily think of Mary, Joseph,
the fishermen of Galilee and
the di sci pl es whom Jesus
called as he went preaching.
3. Yes, Father, for such has
been your gracious will (Lk
10:21). These words of Jesus
must be understood as referring
to his inner exultation. The
word gracious describes the
Fathers saving and benevolent
plan for humanity. It was this
divine graciousness that made
Jesus rejoice, for the Father
willed to love people with
the same love that he has for
his Son. Luke also alludes
to the similar exultation of
Mary: My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit exults in God
my Savior (Lk 1:47). This is
the Good News that leads to
salvation. Mary, bearing in her
womb Jesus, the evangelizer
par excellence, met Elizabeth
and rejoiced in the Holy Spirit
as she sang her Magnificat.
Jesus, seeing the success of
his disciples mission and
their resulting joy, rejoiced in
the Holy Spirit and addressed
his Father in prayer. In both
cases, it is joy for the working
of salvation, for the love with
which the Father loves his
Son comes down to us, and
through the Holy Spirit fills
us and grants us a share in the
trinitarian life.
The Father is the source of
joy. The Son is its manifestation,
and the Holy Spirit its giver.
Immediately after praising
the Father, so the evangelist
Matthew tells us, Jesus says:
Come to me, all you who
labour and are burdened, and
I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am meek and humble
of heart, and you will find rest
for yourselves. For my yoke
is easy and my burden light
Pastoral Concerns
Go forth / B2
The Church was born
to go forth
Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2014
World Mission Day is also an occasion to rekindle
the desire and the moral obligation to take joyful part
in the mission ad gentes. A monetary contribution
on the part of individuals is the sign of a self-offering,
frst to the Lord and then to others;
in this way a material offering can become
a means for the evangelization of
humanity built on love.
C
F
C

K
e
n
y
a
D
o
m
in
ic

B
a
r
r
io
s
D
o
m
in
ic

B
a
r
r
io
s
B2 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Updates
Doctrinal Declarations of Episcopal Conferences
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
I am very grateful for the Pastoral
Letters issued by the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines with certain
regularity, touching on the varied issues
affecting Philippine society. Almost
always, they deal with matters of morals or
disciplinee.g., guidelines for the faithful
in exercising their right to vote, the ethical
dimensions of the Reproductive Right
Bill, etc. However, I almost never read of
pronouncements of a doctrinal nature. At
times, I am at a loss on certain matters
of Catholic doctrinee.g., whether or not
the doctrine of Humanae Vitae against
contraception is infallible, or whether
I should take as truth the teachings of
the theology professors in a Catholic
universityand I would then wish the
CBCP were more forthright in declaring
certain things as Catholic doctrine. Is
there any reason why the Bishops are so
sparing in such pronouncements?
The Teaching Office of the Episcopal
Conference
The above question was clarified
in a Letter, dated 13.V.1999 sent by
the Congregation for Bishops
although prepared in collaboration
with the Secretariat of State, the
Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches and the Pontifical
Council for the Interpretation of
Legislative Textsto the Presidents
of the Episcopal Conferences. That
Letter, in turn, was issued after
several consultation from Episcopal
Conferences regarding the Motu
Proprio, Apostolos suos (AS)On the
Theological and Juridical Nature of
Episcopal Conferenceswhich was
issued by John Paul II on 21.V.1998.
In the aforementioned Letter, the
Holy See laid down quite stringent
provisions for the exercise of the
teaching office by the Episcopal
Conferences. Following are extensive
quotations, which are sufficiently
clear and concise, as to need only
very brief commentaries (the numbers
correspond to the original articulation
of the Letter, for ease of reference).
These indicationsas the document
statespertain especially to the object
of doctrinal declarations, which have
authentic magisterial character and
to the procedure for their approval.
1. Doctrinal declarations may be
submitted to a vote of the Bishops, gathered
at Conference, when it is retained that it
is necessary to deal with new questions
and (to act) so that the message of Christ
enlightens and guides peoples conscience
in resolving new problems arising from
changes in society (AS, n.22). If duly
approved such declarations constitute
authentic Magisterium.
In the exercise of their conjoint
ministry, the Bishops should be aware
that the doctrine of the Church forms part
of the patrimony of the entire People of
God and is the bond of its communion.
Thus, they must take special care
t o f ol l ow t he magi st eri um of t he
universal Church and to communicate
it opportunely to the people entrusted
to them (AS, n.21).
In the light of the Motu Proprio Ad
tuendam fidem (18.V.1998, nn.23),
therefore, doctrinal declarations or parts
of them may not be submitted to a vote of
the Conference if they reproduce teaching
contained in the Word of God, whether
written or handed down in Tradition,
which the Church, either by a solemn
judgment or by ordinary universal
Magisterium, sets forth to be believed
as divinely revealed. Likewise, neither
teaching concerning faith or morals
definitively proposed by the Church
nor teaching enunciated by the Roman
Pontiff or the College of Bishops when
they exercise their authentic Magisterium,
even if they do not intend to proclaim
such teachings by a definitive act, may
be voted on. Such teachings or parts of
them may be quoted in any document of
the Episcopal Conference or Commissions
without, however, voting on them.
From the foregoing it is clear that
the mind of the Holy See is that
doctrinal declarations of the Episcopal
Conferences for the most part consist
in quoting or reiterating existing
Church doctrinei.e., without need
for voting new formulations. This
would explain the rarity of doctrinal
pronouncements of the CBCP. This
tendency is further bolstered by
another provision for a reduction of
documents emanating from Episcopal
Commissions:
A reduct i on i n t he number of
documents emanating from the Episcopal
Commissions is desirable so as to avoid
an excessive proliferation of documents
and those difficulties, experienced in
many places, in ascertaining the degree
of authority with which such documents
are invested.
Care in the Preparation of Doctrinal
Declarations
The Letter then proceeded to
provide for the care in which doctrinal
declarations should be prepared in
the Episcopal Conferencenot only
in their redaction, but also in the
requirement for unanimity in the
Episcopal Conference for a given
doctrine to be considered authentic
magisteriu, or the necessary recognitio
from the Holy See in the absence of
such unanimity.
2. By their very nature, doctrinal
decl arat i ons i ssued by Epi scopal
Conferences differ from the general
decrees of the same Conferences. In view
of this, from a redactional viewpoint, it
is important that a specific article of the
Statutes of Conferences be devoted to
doctrinal declarations. General decrees
should be addressed in a separate article
of the Statutes since the procedure for
their approval (cf. CIC, c.455, 2) differs
from that to be employed for the approval
of doctrinal declarations.
3. With regard to the approval of
doctrinal declarations, in accordance
with AS, n.22, the following formula is
proposed for insertion into the Statutes
of each Episcopal Conference:
In order to constitute authentic
magisterium and be published in the name
of the Conference, doctrinal declarations
must be approved in the Plenary Assembly
by unanimous vote of the Bishop members,
or by a majority of at least two thirds of
the Bishops holding a deliberative vote. In
the latter case, the recognitio of the Holy
See must precede promulgation.
4. Within their respective territories
the Congregation for Bishops and the
Congregation for the Evangelization
of Peoples are competent to concede
the recognitio of the Holy See for
doctrinal declarations produced by
an Episcopal Conference. The texts
of authentic declarations are to be
sent to the aforementioned dicasteries
which will provide for the concession
of the recognitio, having consulted the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith and the Pontifical Council for the
Interpretation of Legislative Texts. In
the case of Episcopal Conferences whose
statutes number Orientalrite Bishops
among their members with a deliberative
vote, the dicastery competent for the
concession of the recognitio will also hear
the opinion of the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches.
Conclusion
To sum up, even if the primary task
of the Bishops is to teach, this is a task
that pertains to the individual Bishop
and toward his proper flock. The CBCP
really has very little leeway to come
up with doctrinal declarations of its
ownother than reiterate already
existing Church doctrine.
(Father Edward McNamara,
professor of liturgy and dean
of theology at the Regina
Apost ol orum uni versi t y,
answers the following query:)
Q: Why is it that different
edi ti ons of the Li turgy
of the Hours in English
have different texts for the
readings? Specifically, the
four-volume set of the Liturgy
of the Hours has shorter
readings than the single-
volume Christian Prayer
edition. This has caused some
confusion among my friends
as to which is the normative
version. -- C.M., South Bend,
Indiana
A: There are probably several
reasons.
Fi rst of al l , vari ous
countri es use di fferent
translations for the texts of
the Divine Offce. Sometimes
this is because of copyright
issues and sometimes simply
the preference of one version
over another. I believe that
there are plans to develop a
common text of the Liturgy
of the Hours just as English
speakers have achieved a
common missal. However, it
would appear that they are
still in process and might take
a long time.
Other languages spoken
by various countries have
similar differences, such as
between the Liturgy of the
Hours in Spain and in most
Latin American countries.
Even in single-language
countries such differences
can occur because of changes
Varying Editions of the Liturgy of the Hours
to one area of liturgy not fully
incorporated into the other
rites. For example, in Italy,
the bishops conference has
introduced a new offcial Bible
and with it a new lectionary for
all Masses using this new Bible.
However, although use of the
new versions is permissible,
most printed editions of the
Divine Offce continue to use
the earlier versions of psalms
and readings.
The reasons why it might
take longer to adapt the Liturgy
of the Hours are many. First,
the complexity of the Divine
Offce means that a new version
will take time. Also, since the
Liturgy of the Hours is often
prayed and sung in common, the
chants already prepared for the
older version of the psalms will
occasionally have to be adjusted
and new books for instrumental
accompaniment prepared.
Economic questions probably
come into play. It must be
considered that a new offcial
version of the Divine Offce
would render the older versions
obsolete from its offcial date of
adoption, and no new editions
of these would be printed.
While it is probable that priests,
deacons and laypeople could
continue to use their current
versions for private recitation,
communal recitation would
necessarily require the use of
the new version. As in other
countries, many parishes in
Italy pray part of the Divine
Offce in common before daily
Mass, and there is a wide range
of inexpensive editions of the
daily office to facilitate this
practice. Religious communities
especially would probably need
to acquire the full four-volume
set. It is one thing for a parish or
religious community to buy a set
of new lectionaries, another to
buy multiple new copies of the
Divine Offce all at once.
In spite of these practical
diffculties, it is probable that
the Liturgy of the Hours will
eventually be adjusted to the
new texts. The Italian bishops
conference is notably generous
in allowing the use of its offcial
texts for free distribution and
use by electronic means. This
generosity will probably aid the
eventual standardization of any
new offcial version.
Regardi ng t he Engl i sh-
speaking world, we could frst
say that the offcial version of
the Liturgy of the Hours is the
multiple-volume set. The three-
volume set is the offcial version
used in Great Britain, Ireland,
Australia, New Zealand and
several other countries in Asia,
Africa and the West Indies. The
four-volume set is the offcial
version in the United States
and Canada and probably some
other countries as well. Recently
some African countries have
published their own version of
the Liturgy of the Hours, which
some consider the best version
currently available.
The single volume of Christian
Prayer is a reduced version of
the U.S. edition of the Divine
Offce. I believe that there are
currently two publishers
with one-volume versions
of the offce on the market.
These edi ti ons cater to
individual lay faithful and
small groups who wish to
pray a part of the offce, above
all, lauds and vespers. One
of these editions contains
a condensed version of the
Offce of Readings for those
who may wish to sample this
particular offce.
Not having a copy of the
book available, I can only
guess that the reason why
some readings might be
longer than the four-volume
set is that a text spread over
two days in the offcial text
is condensed into a single
reading in the single volume.
Since the publishers probably
intended the sample of
the Offce of Readings for
private prayer rather than
communal recitation, they
did not worry about strict
conformity with the offcial
version. These single-volume
editions are very worthwhile
in helping to introduce a
wider range of Catholics to
the Churchs offcial prayer in
a comparatively economical
fashion.
Many have discovered the
personal spiritual benefts
that derive from this treasure
of sprinkling the day with
moments of prayer and
praise in union with the
entire Church. Since this is
the Churchs offcial prayer it
is also an exercise of the royal
priesthood of the faithful and
genuine active participation
in the Churchs liturgy.
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
The CBCP really has very little leeway to come up
with doctrinal declarations of its own -- other than reiterate
already existing Church doctrine.
Since the Liturgy of the Hours is often
prayed and sung in common, the chants
already prepared for the older version of
the psalms will occasionally have to be
adjusted and new books for instrumental
accompaniment prepared.
(Mt 11:28-30). The joy of the Gospel
fills the hearts and lives of all who
encounter Jesus. Those who accept
his offer of salvation are set free
from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness
and loneliness. With Christ joy is
constantly born anew (Evangelii
Gaudium, 1).
The Virgin Mary had a unique
experience of this encounter with
Jesus, and thus became causa nostrae
laetitiae. The disciples, for their part,
received the call to follow Jesus and
to be sent by him to preach the Gospel
(cf. Mk 3:14), and so they were filled
with joy. Why shouldnt we too enter
this flood of joy?
4. The great danger in todays
wor l d, per vaded as i t i s by
consumeri sm, i s the desol ati on
and anguish born of a complacent
yet covetous heart, the feverish
pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and
a blunted conscience (Evangelii
Gaudi um, 2). Humani t y great l y
needs to lay hold of the salvation
brought by Christ. His disciples are
those who allow themselves to be
seized ever more by the love of Jesus
and marked by the fire of passion
for the Kingdom of God and the
proclamation of the joy of the Gospel.
All the Lords disciples are called to
nurture the joy of evangelization.
The Bishops, as those primarily
responsible for this proclamation,
have the task of promoting the
unity of the local Church in her
missionary commitment. They are
called to acknowledge that the joy
of communicating Jesus Christ is
expressed in a concern to proclaim
him in the most distant places, as
well as in a constant outreach to the
peripheries of their own territory,
where great numbers of the poor are
waiting for this message.
Many parts of the worl d are
experiencing a dearth of vocations
Go Forth / B1
Go forth / B7
B3 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
disasters, climate change also
wreck extensive damage to
agriculture, with repeated crop
failures. In effect, it threatens
food security of the poor
communities.
The i mpacts of cl i mate
change to the poor are also
experienced by other countries
in Asia. The Catholic Church
is alarmed of climate change
as an unprecedented threat
to humanity. The Federation
of Asian Bishops Conference
(FABC) clearly decries how
climate is hurting the developing
countries in Asia: But tragically,
ours is a continent of massive
poverty, where few enj oy
great progress and prosperity
while the many suffer in abject
deprivation. And it is the poor
and the needy who suffer
most from the consequences
of climate change. We are
experiencing dramatic changes
of season, extreme changes
of weather, more frequently
recurring and stronger typhoons,
destructive fooding, drying up
of whole areas, decrease in food
production and spread of climate
change related diseases.
For the Church, climate
change is an urgent issue that
is clearly related to our Christian
responsibility to care for the
earth and to care for the poor
and vulnerable in our midst. The
social teaching of the Church is
replete with pastoral exhortations
invoking for environmental
stewardship, social and inter-
generational justice, the use of
earths resources for common
good, authentic development,
and service for the poor and the
vulnerable. All those principles
are at stake of being violated
when we do not avert or address
the causes of climate change.
As early as 1988, the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) had already
articulated need the urgency for
our faith to take on the ecological
challenge: At this point in
the history of our country it is
crucial that people motivated by
religious faith develop a deep
appreciation for the fragility of
our islands life system and take
steps to defend the earth. It is a
matter of life and death.
Clearly, climate change is
a moral issue that we in the
Church cannot remain passive
bystanders. It is for this reason
that the Bishops Conference in
Asia categorically admits: As
Church we are challenged by this
grave situation, since climate
change is an ethical, moral and
religious issue.
Thus, the issue of climate
change is not only about
reducing carbon emission,
expansion of carbon markets
or transitioning to low carbon
economies. Over and above the
campaign to provide technical
or political solutions, we need to
recover the wider ethical context
underlying the climate change
discourse.
And this is precisely the reason
for this conference.
I AM Edwin Gariguez, and I come
from the Philippines. In terms of
climate change vulnerability,
my country ranks as the 7th
most vulnerable to climatic
extreme weather events in the
world (2014 Global Climate Risk
Index). The recent catastrophic
super typhoon Haiyan that
devastated the central region of
our country attests to this level
of vulnerability.
On record, Haiyan is the
strongest tropical cyclone to
make landfall. The damage from
Haiyan is catastrophic, resulting
to an estimated 8,000 casualties,
affecting 16 million people in 10
provinces, while over 1.1 million
homes were damaged, about half
of them completely destroyed.
The livelihoods of an estimated
5.6 million poor people were
damaged. And the total cost
of destruction is estimated at
around 700M Euros.
Our offce, Caritas Philippines,
is presently doing emergency
rehabilitation work in typhoon-
ravaged areas in the central
Philippines. The misery of
the people should not hide
behind mere statistics. Climate
change induced disasters spell
indescribable miseries to our
people--the sorrow of a surviving
father who lost all members of
his family, the harrowing ordeal
of watching your children go
hungry for several days, the
perennial feeling of insecurity
for losing everything that you
have, the paralyzing fear of
hopelessness and despair. When
we talk of climate change, we
need to see real faces of suffering
of people and feel the urgency
of addressing the crisis.
Extreme weather event is
occurring more frequently in
my country. The Philippines,
being an archipelago, is prone
to climate induced disasters
brought about by sea level rise,
storm surges, prolonged drought,
fash foods, notwithstanding
diseases and infestations caused
by dramatic changes in climatic
temperatures.
Clearly, climate change and
its ensuing extreme weather
impact is hurting the most
vulnerable countries, like the
Philippines. In terms of social
groups, small farmers, fishers,
indigenous peoples, women
and children are identified as
the most vulnerable sectors
affected by climate change as
it threatens both their lives and
livelihood.
Aside from onslaught of
Features
Climate change, its impact and challenge for the Church
C
B
C
P

N
a
s
s
a
C
B
C
P

N
a
s
s
a
A
n
g
e
lo
A
h
u
m
a
d
a
JUSTICIA from the modern paradox:
(Address delivered by Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) and
Caritas Philippines, at the Plenary Session of the Religions for the Earth Conference at Union Theological Seminary
in New York City on September 20, 2014, a day before the Peoples Climate March in Manhattan where he, too,
was a participant together with some Filipinos)
Fr. Edwin Gariguez was among the Filipinos who joined the Peoples Climate March held in Man-
hattan, New York on September 21, 2014 which gathered hundreds of thousands of environment
advocates all over the world; with a strong message of alarm for world leaders set to gather this
week at the United Nations for a summit meeting on climate change. Fr. Gariguez, the executive
secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action of the CBCP, was a panel speaker at the Re-
ligions for the Earth Conference at the Union Theological Seminary held the day before the March.
Clearly, climate change is a moral issue that we in the Church
cannot remain passive bystanders. It is for this reason that the
Bishops Conference in Asia categorically admits: As Church
we are challenged by this grave situation, since climate change is
an ethical, moral and religious issue.
The science and culture social media emphasizes should not limit and
overshadow its potential as a tool for dialogue.
Refections from encounters of true and real justice
An advocacy workshop of the Catholic Social Media Summit version 3.0
By Atty. Rodel Taton
IN the search of, and refecting on the
true and real meaning of justice, it opens
us to the efforts exerted to compose the
experience, a real encounter, a lifelong
endeavor for all of us called to live in
the way a virtuous life should be lived.
While admittedly, there are differences in
the real from the ideal, justice in its true
sense is more pronounced if practiced
every day, and transformed into real
life actions. Such however, is not easy,
and in this time and age where social
media thrive, where values are shaped,
minds molded and even homes are
defned, the real and ideal can hardly
be distinguished.
The background is dark and the word
justice comes as a light for some, and to
the many others, it remains a penumbra,
a mere fgment of the imagination, or
some may have even lost contact with
the world without knowing what it
is about. Many choose to leave their
feelings unexpressed, or maybe they are
simply incapable of feeling, of airing out
their struggle, and the cycle of injustice
continues, negativity and bad vibes
prevail. These realities, no matter how
sad, are facts to be faced. This is even
made more pronounced in the social
media today.
Social media, in many different ways
spread several forms of injustice; some
would even interject that they have even
made karma goes digital just to get even
and attain their so-called justice.
Justicia en mundo, a 1971 Synod of
Bishops statement on justice in the
world rightly emphasizes the call of
the times, the modern paradox, not
only the Catholic Church, but the larger
world today is confronted with, exists.
True, there are many factors that make
Justicia / B7
B4 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Features
S
k
y

O
r
t
ig
a
s
C
F
C

K
e
n
y
a
C
N
A
D
o
m
in
ic

B
a
r
r
io
s
G
r
a
b
b
e
d

f
r
o
m

L
e
a
h

C
u
s
t
o
d
io
s

F
a
c
e
b
o
o
k
C
F
C

G
h
a
n
a
Road less travelled
Gods Love
Transcends All
By John Anthony Abad
THE Cross Culture mission trip to Grenada was a very
humbling experience. Yes, we were fortunate to have
mattresses and air conditioning, but the fact that going to
another country and experiencing a totally different culture
was what stood out for me. I learned that I take so many
things for granted because God has blessed me with so
much. During the pastoral hike especially, I experienced
something I never have before. I thought to myself, Why
are we so fortunate? And as I kept walking, I noticed the
kids had barely any nice clothes to wear, and the houses
were literally in the middle of the forest with bugs and
rodents everywhere. However, the people were so loving
and outgoing, and their culture was so lively. I felt like I
was one of the people living in Grenada.
On the spiritual aspect of the mission, I realized that
service while on mission is very tiring. I have never felt as
tired before. But through the will and strength of God, the
team was able to still push through. We had some sleepless
nights, and if not, two to four hours of sleep each night.
Despite my complaining, I look at the Grenadian youth,
and I see what they go through. No matter where we are,
we experience the same thing differently. It was hard to
make sense of it, but it was so clear to me that each day I
was there, I reflected on the cultural differences we had.
But that did not and should not have mattered. To cross
cultures is like mixing the ingredients to make a cake. In
the end, when it is finished, it will be perfect because we
are all Gods children no matter where we are from or who
we are. So whoever is discerning about going on mission,
no matter how tired you get, no matter how awkward you
feel, it will be all worth it because you will experience a
taste of what the disciples themselves had gone through,
what Jesus went through. And trust me; it will change your
life. It changed mine.
The Spirit has guided me in tremendous ways. I felt no
different at the conference in Portland than in Grenada.
Gods love is all the same no matter how different the two
conferences may have been. To trust, serve, and love Him
more is what I have taken home with me from this mission
trip, as well as, to proclaim the glory and Gospel of God
by showing humility and kindness to others.
And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout
the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end
will come (Matthew 24:14).
Featured missionary experiences for the mission month of October:
It will be all worth it because you
will experience a taste of what
the disciples themselves had gone
through, what Jesus went through.
And trust me; it will change your
life. It changed mine.
Adjusting and relating to people became a struggle.
I was unfocused on both my parents
who were still admitted in the hospital;
I was not there to comfort them.
By Sherwin Dave Judicpa
OUR life is a story of a journey. We are
travelers on a road that has a beginning and
more importantly, a destination. A month
ago, I was like a stranger starting out on a
journey, making a leap of faith by becoming
a fulltime pastoral worker. It took years of
prayer and discernment to reach this point
of saying yes to take this training, and now,
here I am fnding myself taking the frst step
to a road less travelled,
the road of a missionary.
The hardest step is
not the first, but the
next one. The start of the
training was indeed very
uncertain. I didnt know
what would happen and
I was very afraid that I
would commit mistakes.
I became so conscious of
my actions and the things I would say, thinking
these might be a reason for me to stop my
training. Adjusting and relating to people
became a struggle. I was unfocused on both my
parents who were still admitted in the hospital;
I was not there to comfort them. But indeed
it is the grace of the Lord that allowed me to
go back to the very reason why I did take the
frst step, and that is because I am called by
the Lord. I was affrmed and I realized during
our Summer House Training (SHOUT) that I
am really called by God to go into the deep.
My response of saying yes was accompanied
by the same yes of the people whom I love.
The Lord allowed me to see the bigger picture
of His great plan for my life. It reminded me
that I must take steps to adjust my piece until
I fnd my place in the world to make my life
contribute to this plan. I cant exactly tell how
I will get there, but God said, just wing it and
enjoy the adventure.
It is true that life is not just about the
destination, but it is also the journey that
brings us happiness. The next days of my stay
allowed me to see the beauty of having this
training. Fears, doubts, and hesitations were
gone and replaced by openness to possibilities
of Gods transformation. It allowed me to
have such an intimate relationship with God
that I recognized Him even in the small details
of my life. I remembered the times when I
was in our province, I had this diffculty of
sustaining my prayer time. I came to a point
that I needed to push myself to pray or even
not to do it. Praise God for this journey that
it allowed me to see the importance of our
relationship with God through prayer. The
training was never easy. You are challenged
to really go out of your comfort zone, stretch
ourself to the limits, and fnd the Lord in
the worst situations like traffc, the noise of
Manila, changing weather and even to the
reality of having no money. All of these things
brought me to hold on tight to my prayer
and relationship with the Lord, helping me
survive each day. Kapit lang sa Diyos.
As the journey progresses, life during the
training becomes more exciting. Together
with my co-trainees, little by little, the Lord
reveals Himself to me and allowed me to
see my uniqueness. We recognized our
weaknesses and developed our strengths. We
started to be inspired by each others stories
and found out things that we can do that we
thought we couldnt. Learning became fun
because of the presence of one another. They
taught me how to play guitar and slowly, I
was learning and enjoying it already. I was
also reminded of the things that I loved doing
before that I had since forgotten. I used to
be a journalist and a dancer when I was in
high school, but eventually, I stopped doing
them in college. But through our workshops
and activities, I was blessed to experience
these things again and to start loving doing
it again. Being accountable and signifcant to
each other became our weapon to surpass the
challenge of each day. At frst, I was hesitant to
mingle with them, but this was changed when
everyday, I experienced
the love and care of my
brothers and sisters. We
teach each other how
to dress well, someone
will contribute when
one of us has no money,
and even fx your hair
for you to look good.
Being signifcant is not
just being the best, but
bringing out the best in each other. It means
helping one another, so that no one will be
left behind, fnishing the journey together.
Every day in the training seems to be a new
beginning. Every day is an overwhelming
experience of Christ and learning through
life. I was indeed humbled in the everyday
experiences with the Lord. I thought I knew
everything already during my stay in our
province, but I was wrong. The Lord reveals a
lot of things to me each day. I am overwhelmed
and so full that I want to share it all. I came to
a point that I wanted to go home, not because
I didnt want to continue the training, but
because I was excited to share everything I
had learned. I have a lot of plans already. But
it doesnt end there, I still have a long way to
go to learn even more. I know that there is
more that the Lord has in store for me. I am
still a work in progress, and everyday is an
opportunity to improve. And I am excited
about how the Lord will do it for me. Greater
things are yet to come and greater things are
still to be done. The journey continues.
Couples for Christ lay missionary Adrian Enaje gives a talk to children and relatives of workers at the Kenya Prisons.
The local kids of Nairobi, Kenya help Filipino missionary
Princess Mayella Salcedo - Tolentino with registration for
a ministry event.
B5 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
scope of academic freedom recognized
by the Constitution. For it is to be noted
that the reference is to the institutions
of higher learning as the recipients
of this boon. It would follow then
that the school or college itself is
possessed of such a right. It decides
for itself its aims and objectives and
how best to attain them. It is free from
outside coercion or interference save
possibly when the overriding public
welfare calls for some restraint. It has
a wide sphere of autonomy certainly
extending to the choice of students.
This constitutional provision is not to
be construed in a niggardly manner or
in a grudging fashion. That would be to
frustrate its purpose, nullify its intent.
Former President Vicente G. Sinco of
the University of the Philippines, in his
Philippine Political Law, is similarly of the
view that it definitely grants the right of
academic freedom
to the university
as an institution
as di sti ngui shed
from the academic
f r e e d o m o f
a u n i v e r s i t y
p r o f e s s o r .
(emphasis ours)
B e s i d e s ,
t h e r e f o r e , t h e
requi rement s of
f ree exerci s e,
t h e r e a r e
considerations of
academic freedom
i n r e s p e c t t o
t he f reedom of
s emi nar i es and
houses of formation
to determine their
objectives and to
select their students
on the basis of such
a determi nati on.
These f reedoms,
we res pect f ul l y
point out, are of
consti tuti onal provenance and can
therefore not be negated or qualified by
statute.
Neither should this legislative proposal-
-or any other proposal--be used to muffle
the Church as it instructs its members on
its understanding of human personhood
and the finality of sexual activity. The
Catholic Church may have problems
with certain acts--and our Constitution
guarantees the Church the right to instruct
the faithful in these matters of morals--but
it can and should never reject anyone as
unworthy of the Churchs love, ministry
and care because of orientation or gender
identity. In this, it is fully at one with this
Committees proposed measure.
Having thus expressed our understanding
of the provisions of the consolidated draft
bill in the light of constitutional law
jurisprudence, we hasten to add that the
Statements
O
P
A
P
P
Peace be with you! Assalamu Alaikum!
WHEN Jesus, the Lord, breathed his
Spirit and his peace on the apostles, he
did so as the fulflment and summation
of all that he had been sent to be and to
do for the world! Peace is therefore Gods
gift. We must cooperate with God, for
we can and often do stand in the way of
peace. But we must pray for it and never,
for a moment, think that we can, by our
cleverness, calculation and strategic craft
win it for ourselves!
Hopes for Peace
The Executive Branch has submitted
to the Legislature a bill that, if passed,
will become the organic law of
the political entity already called
Bangsamoro. Many in Mindanao
and the government itselfpin their
hopes on this latest attempt at what is
hoped will be a defnitive solution to
the beautiful land of Mindanao that has,
unfortunately, seen so much violence
and has had so much of Filipino blood
Muslim and Christian alikespilled
on its soil! The CBCP stands with the
government and with all earnestly seek
and strive after peace. It commends the
efforts not only of the present peace panel
that, together with representatives of
Muslim Mindanao, has hammered out
the accord that presaged the introduction
of the bill, but also those of earlier peace
panels under prior administrations. The
dream of peace in Mindanao has been a
common national aspiration for a very
long time now.
Dialogue and Debate with Charity
The CBCP now urges the Legislature
to do its part: To study the measure
assiduously, to debate it vigorously
and to place the interests of the nation
and the vision of lasting, principled
peace before every petty consideration.
Let those who have reservations to the
proposal, or even those who oppose
it, speak their minds freely, coherently
and without reserve, and let those who
advocate it argue as strenuously in
its defense, for only in the context of
intelligentbut charitablediscourse
can we hope for a reasonable outcome
and resolution. The lessons we have
learned from the painful conficts that
now rend apart the troubled nations of
the Middle East should leave no doubt
that, to be enduring and acceptable,
any settlement, any organic act,
any piece of constitutive legislation
must be as inclusive as possible. We
particularly insist on the participation
in the exchange and debate of the
members of the indigenous cultural
communities and the indigenous
peoples in Mindanao. It would violate
the tenets of social justice to ignore
them under the pretext of going by the
desires of the majority!
Inclusive and Embracing
The effort the government has taken
to arrive at an agreement acceptable to
all Filipinos underscores the premium
that must be placed on the political
and territorial integrity of the entire
country. Historyguided by The Lord
of Historyhas fashioned our nation as
one. Let us keep it onein that variety
of ethnicities, cultures, languages and
peoples that makes it one of the most
alluring pieces of Divine workmanship
in the world.
The emergence of Bangsamoro
should not mean the exclusion of any
Filipino from any part of the country
by reason of religious belief, ethnicity
or language. Our Muslim brothers and
sisters have found their way through
various parts of the archipelago, settling
in many provinces heretofore almost
exclusively peopled by Christians. As far
as we know, they have been welcomed,
received and respected. It is our hope that
Submission to the Congressional
Committee on
Women and Gender Equality
By Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino
YOUR Honors:
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP
President, thanks you for the invitation
extended to the Conference to be a Resource
Presenter at the 5
th
Mother Committee
Meeting of the Committee on Women
and Gender Equality and to comment
on the Draft Consolidated Substitute Bill
Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis
of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
(SOGI) Providing Penalties Therefor and
for Other Purposes.
The l eadershi p of t he CBCP has
studied the draft legislation. Every
initiative towards a more inclusive
society that is respectful of the rights of
others, that recognizes the dignity of all
and that protects sectors traditionally
di scri mi nated agai nst from further
ma r g i na l i z a t i o n
e n j o y s t h e
commendat i on of
the Conference.
We h a s t e n ,
however, to point
o ut t ha t whi l e
the proposed law
aims at penalizing
discriminatory and
derogatory practices
against others on
the basis of sexual
or i e nt a t i on a nd
gender i dent i t y,
more fundamental
ought to be a resolute
effort on the part
of all to dismantle
c o n c e p t u a l
frameworks as well
as institutionalized
practices by which
some are considered
l e s s d e s e r v i n g
o f r e s pe c t , t he
repositories of lower
degrees of rights! A
virtue is essentially a good habit, and
what the Conference would be happy to
see developed is the national good habit
of rendering unto each person, what each
is due as one created in the image and
likeness of God!
In respect to draft Section 4 of the
proposed Legislation, the Conference
respectfully points out the definition
of an ecclesiastical affair that lies
beyond the purview of State action, by
virtue of the constitutionally enshrined
separation of Church and State and the
twin clauses of free exercise and non-
establishment. The Supreme Court, in
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
v. Bradford United Church of Christ, G.R.
171905 (June 20, 2012), maintained the
following definition:
An ecclesiastical affair is one that
concerns doctrine, creed or form of
worship of the church, or the adoption and
enforcement within a religious association
of needful laws and regulations for the
government of the membership, and
the power of excl udi ng from such
associations those deemed unworthy of
membership. Based on this definition,
an ecclesiastical affair involves the
relationship between the church and
its members and relate to matters of
f ai t h, rel i gi ous doct ri nes, worshi p
and governance of the congregation.
To be concrete, examples of this so-
called ecclesiastical affairs to which the
State cannot meddle are proceedings
for excommunication, ordinations of
religious ministers, administration of
sacraments and other activities attached
with religious significance.
It is then the position of the Conference
that the fi tness of a candi date for
ordination to any of the grades of the
Sacrament of Order in the Catholic Church
is a matter internal to the Catholic Church
and is beyond the reach of the draft
legislation presently under deliberation.
Under the same protective pale will
fall decisions of seminaries and houses
of formation on who may or may not
be admitted or retained for formation
towards the priesthood or the religious
life. It is our submission that Estrada v.
Escritor, A.M. No. P-02-1651 (August 4,
2003) amply protects such ecclesiastically
internal decisions from State scrutiny,
review or reversal because of its adoption
of the strict standard of compelling state
interest.
It is salutary, we believe, to return to
the pronouncement of the Supreme Court
in Garcia v. Loyola School of Theology, G.R.
40779 (November 28, 1975) where the
Court had occasion to teach:
That is only one aspect though. Such
a view does not comprehend fully the
CBCP Statement on the Bangsamoro Proposed Law
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
Church People
Determined to
Abolish Pork
A Pr e s s St at e me nt
THE members of the Church Peoples Alliance Against
Pork Barrel led a massive Stand Up, Sign Up activity
to abol i sh al l pork barrel at the Pl aza Mi randa today,
September 26, 2014. Thi s si gnature campai gn ai ms
not only to secure the necessary number of signatures
for the abol i ti on of l ump-sum di screti onary funds i n
government budgeti ng through the Consti tuti onal
process of a Peopl e s Ini ti ati ve, but more i mportantl y
strengthens the peopl e s soverei gn wi l l to push for
a si gni fi cant change i n governance. The bi l l enti tl ed
People s Initiative Against Pork seeks to abol i sh
t he presi dent i al and congressi onal pork barrel ;
prohi bi t l ump-sum, di screti onary appropri ati ons;
and penal i ze vi ol ators.
From Department of Budget and Management(DBM)
documents, the 2015 proposed budget reveal s that
presi dent i al and congressi onal por k bar rel f ar
outwei ghs proposed budgets for educati on, heal th
or housi ng. Worse, Presi dent Aqui no has not onl y
turned a deaf ear to the peopl e s cl amor to abol i sh
pork, but he has made a mockery of our democracy,
a s he c ont i nue s t o
c o nt r a di c t j udi c i a l
deci si ons agai nst the
constitutionality of the
Pri ori ty Devel opment
Assi stance Fund and
t h e Di s b u r s e me n t
Acceleration Program.
O u r s o c i e t y s
gove r na nc e s ys t e m
p r o m o t e s t h e
unequal di st ri but i on
of God s res ources .
Pe r p e t u a t i o n o f a
por k bar r e l s ys t e m
o r a n y s i m i l a r
pr act i ce of a l ump-
s um, di s c r e t i ona r y
f u n d s t a k e n f r o m
the nati onal treasury
c ont i nues t o c r eat e
even more degradi ng
and difficult situations
for our peopl e. We
have had enough of publ i c servants whose actual
servi ce i s to themsel ves and whose acts are steeped
i n wrongdoi ng. The thi every must end.
Ul ti matel y, the peopl e are central to sustai ni ng the
fi ght to abol i sh pork barrel . We cannot entrust our
demand to abol i sh pork to the hands of our el ected
offi ci al s, as they wi l l conti nue to protect thei r own
i nterests. We cannot rel y on a Presi dent whose
bi as cl earl y wei ghs to the si de of hi s kamag-anak,
kabari l an and kakampi .
The aspi rati on of the Fi l i pi no to free themsel ves
from thi s system that i s denyi ng them access to basi c
and soci al servi ces makes the Peopl e s Ini ti ati ve
to Abol i sh Pork possi bl e. Efforts to educate the
Philippine citizenry and collect signatures are energy
i ntensi ve, but our ardent prayer remai ns that the
unyi el di ng spi ri t and strength of the peopl e wi l l see
that the Peopl e s Ini ti ati ve to Abol i sh Pork becomes
l aw.
Church People s Alliance to Abolish Pork
September 26, 2014
Christians too may receive hospitality
in those parts of the one Republic that,
by legislation, may be marked out as
Bangsamoro.
Let every Filipino turn to the same
God, the one Father of us all with the
fervent prayer: Make me an instrument
of your peace!
September 28, 2014, San Lorenzo Ruiz
Feast
+ SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
Our Muslim brothers and sisters have found
their way through various parts of the
archipelago, settling in many provinces heretofore
almost exclusively peopled by Christians.
As far as we know, they have been welcomed,
received and respected.
We have had
enough of public
servants whose
actual service is to
themselves and
whose acts
are steeped in
wrongdoing.
The thievery
must end.
Gender/ B7
B6 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ref lections
Bishop Pat Alo
Bo Sanchez
ENCOUNTERS
SOULFOOD
R
o
s
e
n
z
w
e
ig
D
o
s
s
o

D
o
s
s
i
WHERE are you in the photo, son?
I was just fve years old. I
showed Dad my kindergarten
class photoa free-for-all scene
where kids were elbowing each
other for more photo exposure.
Where was I? At the back of
the pack, peeking over someones
shoulder. You could only see one-
fourth of my face.
Oh yes, I was small. I was thin.
And I was also terribly shy.
Sheepishly, I pointed myself in
the photo.
Dad blurted out, Bo, why dont
you be like this boy here in front?
Ouch. I felt his words slice
through my little heart.
He was referring to this mestizo
kid who was big and boisterous,
his arms waving wildly, his face
seemingly three inches from the
camera.
That day, I remember feeling
very sad.
I told myself, Yes Bo, theres
really something wrong with you.
Gods generosity and mans
ingratitude
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 21:33-43 (A) Teachers Day,
October 5, 2014
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 22:1-14
(A); Indigenous Peoples Sunday,
October 12, 2014
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are the Lords vineyard. All of us
are stewards for whom God has done so
much: people to whom He has entrusted
a lot and from whom He expects
abundant fruits. He has trusted us so
much. He has forgiven us so many times.
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
TODAYS theme is a dramatic
contrast between Gods caring
love and trust, and mans
disappointing performance
(First Reading), or even betrayal
(Gospel). It applies to Israel, Gods
frst choice vineyard, and its
leaders, the unfaithful tenants.
But it applies also--as a warning-
-to the Church (the new choice
vineyard), and to all of us.
The Chosen People had
been blessed by God in so
many ways, so many times,
in preference to others, more
deserving ones. Yet, as many
times they had failed to show
gratitude for such preferential
treatment. They had failed to
give their greatest Benefactor
and Protector the response He
deserved. The people of Israel
missed their greatest chance
ever: the chance to welcome
and honor their Lord and Savior
in the Messiah, who had been
sent by the Father in fulfillment
of His promises. That tragic
blindness of their hearts drew
tears from the merciful eyes of
Jesus. (See Lk 19:41.)
Todays theme is a reminder
and a warning addressed to
the whole Church of today. It
is a reminder of the immense
loving care God has had for
her over the centuries, from
the beginning up to our days.
Such a unique preferential
t reat ment demands an
adequate response--a response
that has often been wanting.
It is, likewise, a warning not
to repeat the disappointing
performance of Israel and its
leaders.
It is also a reminder and
a warning addressed to us
Challenged to
respond to Gods
generosity
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
GOD has a plan--a plan of happiness for all. He wants to gather into one
single family, under His fatherly love, all those He has created in His image.
Such a universal gathering in happiness is often symbolized by a banquet. It
will be the completion of His Kingdom in which death will be no more
and the tears of the present suffering will be wiped away forever. (See Is
25:8 and Rv 21:4.)
That fnal grand celebration is preceded by a period of preparation--the
period of the Kingdom-in-the-making, the period of the Church. All are
invited to be part of it as guests in a banquet tendered by God in honor of
His Son. (See todays Gospel passage.)
We admire the generous King of the parable: he sends his messengers
to solicit the selected guests to come--a personalized invitation, repeated
twice with gentle insistence...
But it seems that the privileged guests could not care less. Their behavior
shocks and saddens us. Some reciprocate the Kings kindness with contempt,
others with aggressiveness. And we feel no pity for them when we learn of
the harsh punishment inficted on them by the King.
This parable symbolizes the response of the Chosen People to
Gods invitation to welcome and honor the Messiah... It symbolizes
also the response of all mankind. God is always generous and kind.
Men are often ungrateful and arrogant, unmindful of the numberless
blessings they have received from the Lord, and of what really
matters in life.
The parable of todays Gospel forces us to ask and answer some questions:
How have we responded, so far, to the Lords invitation to honor His
Son?
Are we like the invited guests who had other priorities? (See Mt 22:5.)
Or are we among those who are physically inside the banquet hall
(the Church), but behave in a way that is a real insult to the divine Host
and a scandal for our co-guests? (See Mt 22:11.)
Membership in the Kingdom is always an undeserved gift. What is
expected of us now is that we show our appreciation for it by living up to
the dignity that Gods love has bestowed upon us.
Grumbling people
THIS attitude does not really bring progressive results.
Instead of doing something, just talk and talk and
talk in complaining tunes. They say every time the
sheep bleats it loses a mouthful. The other sheep
are helping themselves eating the food. So instead
of all that useless noise, lets do what we can to solve
difficult situations.
If you read the story of the Israelite people in the Bible,
you will see how they came to different places and situations
before they reached the Promised Land, the present place of
Jerusalem. This was one phenomenon of their experiences
that the more they complained and grumbled in their
forty years journey through the desert towards the land
of promise, the more the Lord punished them (Ex. 18:1-3;
Ps. 75:1).
In our country it might be a good advice to do away
with much politicking as if a nation were mostly to deal on
politics, which is so much a waste of time instead of dealing
with positive values and progress, the fruit of patient work
and humble unity and cooperation. Perhaps this could then
be a better Country, disciplined, peaceful and respectful of
legitimately constituted authority.
Your past does not define your future
(Parents, if you get anything
from this story, I hope its this:
Never compare your child with
anyone else. Not with other kids,
not with his brothers and sisters,
not even with yourself when
YOU were a kid)
In Grade 2, my grades were
plummeting. I remember getting
73% in Math. So my mother
got a tutor to teach me twice a
week. Because of this, my grades
improved: I got 75%. Not because
I fnally learned Math but because
the tutor Mom hired was my own
Math teacher in school.
When I was in Grade 4, I
discovered I was also bad at
sports. My classmates held the
basketball and few with it. I
held the basketball and fell from
its weight.
In every game, my classmates
laughed at me. Even my teachers
ridiculed me. At the start of every
game, my classmates would ask me,
Join the other team! Please Bo!
No one wanted me. Because
of this, I kept to myself most of
the time.
After grade school, I took the
entrance exam for the Ateneo
high school.
I flunked the test. I was
devastated. My parents had to
scrounge for another school for
me at the last minute.
I remember Ariel, a good friend
of mine. He was the frst honor
in class. He also was the schools
basketball and baseball star. One
day, I thought about him and
wondered, Lord, why did you
give all the talents to others and
none to me?
I felt incredibly sad that day.
Fast forward many years
later.
One day, I had to email
four countries: Australia, US,
Singapore, and India. All of
them wanted me to speak at their
conventions on the exact same
weekend.
Yes, that same guy who funked
tests. That same guy who got
the lowest grades. That same
guy who was unwanted by
everyoneis now desired by
the nations.
Ten years after funking that
entrance exam in Ateneo, I never
imagined that I would one day
be having lunch with the Dean
of the College and hear him say,
Bo, how can we convince you to
teach Theology in the Ateneo?
I told him Id love to teach,
but my hands were full: Leading
global organizations, writing
best-selling books, preaching
around the world, publishing the
widest read Catholic literature in
the country
My message? Your past does
not defne your future.
Dont let anyone tell you what
you cant do.
Go out there in the world and
fulfll your dreams.
Be all that God wants you to be!
Christianity / B7
as a Christian nation, as a
community and individuals
especially blessed by the Lord.
All of us, in fact, both as a
community of believers, and
each of us as individuals,
have been the object of Gods
generous love and trust. We
are the Lords vineyard. All of
us are stewards for whom God
has done so much: people to
whom He has entrusted a lot
and from whom He expects
abundant fruits. He has trusted
us so much. He has forgiven us
so many times...
And yet, where are we now?
How have we responded to
Gods generous and gratuitous
love, His trust, His forgiveness
for us as a nation, a community
and as individuals? Everything
has a limit. Even Gods patience.
The two parables in todays First
and Third Readings remind us
about this truth and invite us to
act accordingly.
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
THIS is not a good Sunday for you if
you are on a diet. The first reading
talks about the banquet of the Lord,
where there will be juicy, rich food.
Heaven wi l l be pastry wi thout
cholesterol.
The Gospel talks about the wedding
banquet that a king prepares for his
son, only to have the invited refuse to
come and even mistreat his servants.
The King then invites strangers to the
meal, who have a whopping great
time. Then, in what really is a second
parable added on, the king spots a
man without the proper wedding
garment. He gets really upset and
throws the man out where there will
be a weeping a gnashing of teeth.
Perhaps you might wonder, as I
know I have, Why is the Host so
upset over this mans clothes? After
all, this is a traveler or a vagrant,
how can he be expected to have a fine
wedding garment? That would be
missing the point for the sake of the
detail, something we always have to
be careful of regarding scripture. This
parable is not about wearing clothes.
It is about wearing Jesus Christ. Put
on the Lord Jesus Christ, St. Paul
tells the Romans, and the Galatians,
and the Colossians, and the Ephesians
and us. The man who came without
the proper clothes is the Christian
in name only, who refuses to put
on Jesus Christ throughout his life.
This is the person who accepts the
invitation of the Lord, but refuses
to exercise his or her responsibility
in the Christian community. We are
invited to share the intimacy of the
Banquet of Heaven. We are invited
into Gods presence. God does not
ask a lot from us to be with him.
But he does expect us to wear our
Christianity. The way we respond
to his love must be evident to the
world. People should know that we
are Christians by the way we live
our lives.
Sometimes we priests joke that
our lives would be much easier if it
werent for the people. Truthfully,
it is serving the Lord through the
peopl e and bei ng a wi t ness t o
their Christianity that makes our
priesthood wonderful. One of the
most edifying aspects of being a
priest is my continual exposure to the
active Christianity so many embrace.
People will call me to tell me about
sick or hurting parishioners. Ill go
to the homes of the elderly and find
others there cheerfully caring for
Wearing our Christianity
B7 Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
P
r
e
d
a

F
o
u
n
d
a
t
io
n
Christianity / B6
Justicia / B3
Gender / B5
Go Forth / B2
Name _________________________________________________
(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
Mailing Address _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________
Mode of Payment
Check/PMO enclosed Cash Payment
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.)
_____________________________
Signature
PLEASE SEND TO:
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 Telefax (632) 404-1612
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com
SUBSCRIPTION RATES

The CBCP Monitor is published
fortnightly by the CBCP Media
Offce, with editorial and busi-
ness offces at 470 Gen. Luna
St., Intramuros, Manila. PO Box
3601, 1076 MCPO
Domestic
1 Year Php 500.00
2 Years Php 900.00
Foreign: Asia
1 Year US$ 55.00
All Other US$ 80.00
CBCPMonitor
By Fr. Shay Cullen

RECENTLY I was talking to a group
of forty young boys who had been
taken out of flthy jails and sub-human
conditions in the so-called youth
detention centers of Metro Manila. I
told them, You are the children of God
and the most important in Gods family.
Thats why you are here, you are free
and have rights and dignity.
They st ared wi de- eyed wi t h
incredulous looks of awe and baffement.
Jason, ten years old, jumped up, spread
out his arms and began to spin around
in a playful demonstration of being
free. Everyone laughed and enjoyed
the moment.
The boys between 9 and 16 are
living happily in a beautiful home
in the countryside and fnding and
experiencing their basic rights and joys
that we, who have never suffered an
injustice or been in confict with the law
or lost our freedom, take for granted and
so hardly ever cherish and celebrate. You
may never value it until it is taken away.
A large majority of the boys at the
Preda Foundations New Dawn Home
for Boys in confict with the law are
not convicted and not on trial. They
are sent to get treatment and therapy
and help for troubled lives. They are
free to run wherever they want in the
grounds. There are no guards, steel bars,
The most important in the Kingdom
wire cages and brutal treatment which
they experienced in the jails and youth
detention and so-called reformatory
centers where they were locked up
like animals without light, exercise,
education or entertainment, affrmation
or legal process.
It is the first time for them to
experience such rights and respect and
for them it is an amazing wonder. The
Preda staff and I tell them the truth about
themselvesYou are good, you have
rights and dignity, you have had a hard
life and made mistakes under the bad
infuence of adults, but you can choose
now to live another positive way.
They listen with wide-eyed wonder
and can scarcely believe this good news
since they have hardly ever experienced
being loved, wanted, valued, supported,
fed and cherished. Instead they have
been rejected all their lives and told they
are a burden and a pest to their families
and society and deserve punishment
and imprisonment. They might as well
have been on death row.
Now at Preda this bad experience and
negative conditioning is being turned
on its head. Now they are toldYou
are free here at the Preda New Dawn
Home for Boys to stay or leave. Know
that you are of importance, value and
are good in yourselves. Do not believe
or think of yourselves as bad, criminal
or useless young people. You are Gods
children and the most important in
Gods family, Jesus said so.
Hearing and knowing this good
news, each one, free of fear, reprimand
and punishment, can develop self-
awareness, self-consciousness and
begins to grow as a person. It is a vital
part of being fully human and something
they hardly ever experienced. They feel
respected and valued and can have
dreams to reach positive goals. They
are assured that they will be helped
to achieve a better, happier life for
themselves and their future families
when they grow up. What attitudes they
have today will be how they will treat
others in the future. They must learn
and grow for the better.
It takes time for all this to sink in, so
conditioned are these 9 to 16 year-old
boys. We have to undo the harm and
negativity that has been heaped on them
from childhood by parents, relatives
and local authorities. They have been
branded by parents and society as
worthless thieves, drug dependents and
social outcasts. But they are not.
Normally, good children that are
misunderstood and unloved and
branded as bad will likely become
what they are called. Adults and
parents must be careful never to
physically, verbally or emotionally
abuse children. They will rebel and find
ways to retaliate. They feel injustice
like everyone else.
At times, I challenge parents of
troubled unruly and drug-taking
children how is it that they were born
innocent but have become like this? I
ask them, Why do your children take
pain killers? Who is causing the pain?
How have you treated and spoken to
them as they grew up?
Inevitably the parents will respond
defensively. Its not us, he (she) never
listens to us, has no discipline, never
obeys, steals, takes drugs, seldom goes
to school, is a computer games addict,
does not come home and prefers to be
with the street gangs.
Some parents admit that they
voluntarily turned their child over to
the detention center. To teach him/
her a lesson, they say. Punishment
is no cure for troubled and hurt
children. It hurts and alienates them
all the more.
To parents like that I usually respond,
How is it then that your son is here at
Preda for two months and has never run
away, does not steal, not take drugs, is
never violent, is helpful, does his duties,
attends classes daily and respects the
staff and other boys? Perhaps there
is a problem in your home? With you
he is a wild rebel. Here he is a normal
respectful boy. Who needs to change,
you or him? And so the parents have
to refect on their family life and ask if
there is a lack of loving parenting.
What inspires and motivates the youth
is to know that their parents are willing
to cooperate and attend parenting
seminars and to accept and admit that
they too have mistakes and are willing
to reconcile with their child. The hope of
family reconciliation and peace-making
and acceptance back into the family is
what motivates the boy to continue in
the Preda home. The loss of love and
friendship with parents and family is
the greatest hurt and loss. Peacemaking
and acceptance is the greatest gift.
(shaycullen@preda.org)
How is it then that your son is here at Preda
for two months and has never run away, does not
steal, not take drugs, is never violent, is helpful,
does his duties, attends classes daily and respects
the staff and other boys? Perhaps there is a
problem in your home? With you he is a wild
rebel. Here he is a normal respectful boy. Who
needs to change, you or him?
them. Parishioners are always
mentioning to Fr. Justin, Fr.
Kevin, or me that someone
needs our help. People are
al ways aski ng us i f there
are any particular families
they can sponsor not only at
Thanksgiving and Christmas,
but also throughout the year.
We have several families in our
parish that have adopted a child
about to be institutionalized.
And anytime there has been
any sort of crisis in one of our
families, people have always
come forward to offer to take
care of the children, cook for
the family, etc. I also know
that there is a wide range of
people in this parish that I
merely have to say we need
a special favor and they will
gladly help out.
As Chri st i ans we have
to recogni ze that none of
this should be exceptional.
We can t j ust say we are
Christians. We have to live
our Christianity. Living our
Christianity may not always
be public, but, and this sounds
like a contradiction but isnt,
l i vi ng our Chri sti ani ty i s
always evident, even when
not public. For example, a
senior citizen may be very
generous to someone and no
one, not even the recipient of
the generosity, knows who
is providing for the person.
However, that senior citizens
life, his or her concern, his or
her conversation, is not self-
centered but shows a concern
for others.
All of us want to be happy.
Jesus came to bring happiness
to the world. We can be happy
if we follow the Lord. He gave
us the ideal and example by
giving himself for us. We are
all our happiest when we are
able to give to others. If we
want to be happy, we have to
follow the Lord. If we want
to whoop it up at the wedding
banquet of the King, we need
to wear our wedding garment.
Today we pray f or t he
determination, perseverance
and courage to be an active in
our Christianity.
or unmake peace and justice
in this world when the forces
for achieving human dignity
seem strong, but so do forces
of division continue to thrive in
various forms.
The many who are suffering
injustice are suffering in silence;
some would even hide under
pseudonyms and use social
media to express disgust, anger,
fear. It is dark; tainted. Many
opted to close the lines of
communications, not only from
the global village, but even in the
homes where they were allegedly
lied to.
There is a clarion call; that we
should speak for the voiceless;
for those who are weak; for those
who cannot stand up for their
rights and welfare. We can be the
reaching, helping hand to those
struggling; we can forge bridges
towards freedom and respect for
the dignity and worth of others,
in our simple own ways.
Social media is just too perfect
to provide dialogue, participation
and promotion of justice of all.
As we respond to the many
injustices, we need to live our
days the way we were designed
to be in this world, that we need
to listen to the word of God to
properly respond. As such, we
can continue to walk the path
of a true Christian life, armed
with faith which sparks love and
service to neighbors.
St. Thomas Aquinas defned
justice as a habit whereby a
man renders each one his due
by a constant and perpetual
will. He followed this up by
saying that justice is a virtue,
and as such, it is a habit that
accounts for righteous action.
It is consequently a disposition
of the will. As a cardinal virtue,
justice is the virtue concerned
with the rights and duties within
relationships and societies.
Being a virtue and a habit, each
one has to act: knowingly, by
choice, and for a due end and with
constancy. Likewise, because
justice is primarily a matter of
will, it will never be attained
simply by knowing what is just,
but by acting justly.
How then is to act justly?
The proper act of justice is
nothing else than to render to
each one his due. In what we
do, or in whatever transaction
we fnd ourselves in, we have to
be reminded of justice. Justice
guides us in giving both God and
neighbor what is their due and in
working for the common good.
The context of social media
highlights the many injustices
that have been done and those
that can still be done. In just a split
of a second, many individuals can
be silenced and get involved in
the cycle of revenge, of confict,
and the same will breed, will go
on and on until forever, unless
we put to stop the same. The
science and culture social media
emphasizes should not limit and
overshadow its potential as a tool
for dialogue. The use of non-
violent communication can be
practiced and promoted online.
Words of kindness and concern
can be sowed and allowed to
grow. The offer to listen and talk
should be lived and encouraged.
The virtue and habit of acting
justly should be liked, and not
only that, it is imperative that
the same shall be shared. Sharing
is not just clicking a button, but
passing on virtues beyond the
confnes of the social media. Our
homes should be the best venue
to start charity as said, and there
must be an effort to nurture justice
in the family.
It is not easy. The diffculty
rather should be the basis and the
encouragement to move forward
and highlight the virtues the
world needs. Social media is so
popular in this generation, but it
should not put to naught virtues,
which for generations have been
viewed as ideal, we can make it
virtual, this time; real time.
Justice takes into account the
needs of others as much as our
own needs. Justice is about more
than simple fairness; it asks us to
bring Gods compassionate and
merciful love to those who are
most in need. Our contribution
to justice is day- to-day life,
committed to proclaiming the
Gospel, living the life with love
and hope. Justice should begin to
take root in the hearts of people,
in our hearts. It must begin now.
As the workshop was made
in the light of St. Martin de
Porres example, the patron Saint
of the poor, social justice and
people of mixed races and racial
harmony, his words are worth
sharing, to wit: Compassion,
my dear brothers, is preferable
to cleanliness. Refect that with
a little soap I can easily clean
my bed covers, but even with
a torrent of tears I would never
wash from my soul the stain
that my harshness toward the
unfortunate would create.
(Atty. Rodel Taton is a Doctor
of Civil Law and manages his own
law frm. He gave the advocacy
workshop on justice at the Catholic
Social Media Summit version 3.0
this year.)
CBCP will not be grudging
in its support of all measures
that have as their end the
acceptance of all on the basis
of mutual respect. Inspired by
the example and the teaching
of Pope Francis, the Catholic
Church in the Philippines will
endeavor to be less judgmental,
more understanding and more
accepting of persons, their
preferences and differences
without compromising on the
moral precepts that, it continues
to believe, are not of its making
but are part of that wondrous
gift called Revelation.
(This foregoing is a statement
submitted to the Congressional
Committee on Women and Gender
Equality at the Hearing held on
September 11, 2014 to which the
CBCP was invited as resource
speaker. This was submitted
by Fr. Ranhi l i o Cal l angan
Aquino upon delegation by the
CBCP President as Counsel for
Advocacies.)
to the priesthood and the
consecrated life. Often this
i s due t o t he absence of
contagious apostolic fervor
in communities which lack
enthusiasm and thus fail to
attract. The joy of the Gospel
is born of the encounter with
Christ and from sharing with
the poor. For this reason I
encourage parish communities,
associations and groups to
live an intense fraternal life,
grounded in love for Jesus and
concern for the needs of the
most disadvantaged. Wherever
there is joy, enthusiasm and
a desire to bring Christ to
others, genui ne vocati ons
arise. Among these vocations,
we should not overlook lay
vocations to mission. There
has been a growing awareness
of the identity and mission of
the lay faithful in the Church,
as well as a recognition that
they are called to take an
increasingly important role
in the spread of the Gospel.
Consequently they need to be
given a suitable training for the
sake of an effective apostolic
activity.
5. God loves a cheerful
gi ver (2 Cor 9: 7). Worl d
Mission Day is also an occasion
to rekindle the desire and the
moral obligation to take joyful
part in the mission ad gentes.
A monetary contribution on
the part of individuals is the
sign of a self-offering, first to
the Lord and then to others;
in this way a material offering
can become a means for the
evangelization of humanity
built on love.
Dear brothers and sisters,
on this World Mission Day my
thoughts turn to all the local
Churches. Let us not be robbed
of the joy of evangelization! I
invite you to immerse yourself
in the joy of the Gospel and
nurture a love that can light
up your vocation and your
mission. I urge each of you to
recall, as if you were making
an interior pilgrimage, that
first love with which the
Lord Jesus Christ warmed
your heart, not for the sake
of nostalgia but in order to
persevere in joy. The Lords
disciples persevere in joy when
they sense his presence, do his
will and share with others their
faith, hope and evangelical
charity.
Let us pray through the
i nt ercessi on of Mary, t he
model of humble and joyful
evangelization, that the Church
may become a wel comi ng
home, a mother for all peoples
and the source of rebirth for
our world.
From the Vatican, 8 June 2014,
the Solemnity of Pentecost
FRANCIS
B8
Vol. 18 No. 20
September 29 - October 12, 2014
B8
CBCP Monitor
Entertainment Entertainment
DIRECTION: Jonathan Liebesman
CAST: Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson, Jeremy Howard, Pete Plo-
szek, Noel Fisher, Will Arnett, Danny Woodburn, William
Fichtner, Johnny Knoxville
SCREENPLAY: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Evan Daugh-
erty. Based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Peter Laird
EDITING: Joel Negron, Glen Scantlebury
PRODUCER: Michael Bay, etc.
MUSIC: Brian Tyler
GENRE: Sci-Fi Action Comedy
DISTRIBUTOR: Paramount Pictures
LOCATION: New York
RUNNING TIME: 101 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V13
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
Moral Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
MAAAKSIDENTE ang isang
bus ng Little Magnolia School
at masasawi ang karamihan sa
mga sakay nitong bata, kabilang
na sina Maria Pardo, Leonora
Vera at Teresa De Castro. Labis
na mamimighati ang kani-
kanilang mga magulang at
ang tanging makalulunas ay
ang mga manyikang ibibigay
ni Dr. Manolo (Villanueva)
bilang isang naiibang paraan
ng paghilom ng damdamin. Sa
simula ay parang makatutulong
ang mga manyika kina Faith
Pardo (Calzado), Stella De
Castro (Sta. Maria) at Titser Julio
(Marudo) pero nang lumaon
sunod-sunod ang mga karumal-
dumal na pagkamatay ng mga
taong malalapit sa kanilang
tatlo.
Sa totoo lamang, may talino
sana ang buod ng kwento,
lalo na ang misteryo sa likod
ng mala-demonyitang mga
manyika. Makatotohanan ang
kirot na pinagdaanan ng mga
magulang na nabigyang buhay
sa madamdaming pagganap nina
Calzado, Sta. Maria at Marudo.
Kaya na sanang hindi ito gawing
kakatakutan pero pinili ng
direktor ang tiyak na pagbenta
nito sa takilya kaya binudburan
ng mga eksena ng patayan ang
pelikula. Nakakatawa nga na
kung kailan nagsisimula na ang
kakatakutan ay bumagal ang
daloy ng kwento at madalas ay
nagiging katawa-tawa pa. Bilang
horror, nakaipit pa rin ito sa
APRIL ONeil (Meg Ryan)
wants to be taken seriously as a
journalist at New Yorks Channel
5. But this cannot happen as long
as she is assigned to bit segments
of exercise and trampoline jumps.
So she chases a lead about the
notorious Foot Clan led by
Shredder (Masamune) as they
are about to unload something
at the docks. However, April
catches a shadowy fgure who
takes out the foot soldiers one
by one and convinces her of the
existence of a vigilante who will
protect the city against the Foot
Clan. April tries to sell her story to
her editor Bernadette (Goldberg)
but without hard proof, she ends
up as the news teams joke of a
reporter. April, encounters the
vigilante once again as the Foot
Clan holds hostage the train
commuters, but this time she
realizes that the vigilantes are
four mutated turtle humanoids
trained in ninja techniques. She
brings this story to Bernadette
and eventually gets fred. April
then goes to Sacks, her fathers
former laboratory partner who
helped developed a mutagen
aimed to heal people. Apparently,
the laboratory caught fre and
the lab turtles and mouse used
for experimentation were saved
by a young April which later
transformed into mutated
creatures. Unaware that Sacks
is behind the Foot Clan, April
unintentionally leads them to
the turtles lair. Three turtles
Leo, Donnie and Michaelare
captured so Sacks can extract
the mutagens in their genes.
April, together with Raphael, free
the captured turtles and attack
Shredder before they are able to
release the toxin to the city.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(TMNT) is one of those beloved
franchises with a solid fanbase
from the 90s. Perhaps producer
Michael Bay thought this was
enough reason to resurrect
the series without updating
i ts el ements. Producti on-
wise TMNT delivers what is
expected on a silver platter.
The action sequences are fun
and dynamic but offers nothing
new. The computer generated
effects are well crafted but
little effort has been placed in
trying to differentiate the turtles
characters from one another. The
panggugulat kaysa sa kilabot.
Lahat naman nang ginamit
na istilo ay napanuod mo na
nang paulit-ulit sa ibang mga
pelikula. Pinilit na lagyan ng
sophisticated special effects ang
ilang eksena pero hindi naman ito
naging matagumpay dahil mas
matatandaan mo ang kaburaraan
tulad ng pagkakahalata sa
batang ipinapalit sa manyika.
Napakarami ring butas ang
naratibo dahil hindi buo ang
mga motibo o taliwas sa karakter
ang mga desisyong pinili.
Pero ang hindi namain maisip
ay kung bakit ibinigay kay
Villanueva ang pagganap sa
mahalagang tauhan gayun wala
naman siyang ni kapirasong
kakayahan sa pag-arte. Medyo
mapanlinlang tuloy ang pelikula
dahil komedya naman pala
ito sa huli at hindi tunay na
DIRECTION: Wenn Deramas
STARRING: Iza Calzado, Jodie
Sta. Maria, Zanjoe Maru-
do, Cris Villanueva
SCREENPLAY: Wenn Dera-
mas, Keiko Aquino
EDITING: Marya Ignacio
PRODUCER: Malou Santos,
Chara Santos-Concio
MUSIC: Idonnah Villarico
LOCATION: Metro Manila
GENRE: Horror
DISTRIBUTOR: Star Cinema
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V14
MTRCB Rating: PG13
kakatakutan.
Walang lihim ang pwedeng
itago habang buhay at lahat ng
pagkakamali ay pagbabayaran
at pagbabayaran din balang
araw. Pangit nga lamang ang
ginawang paraan ng pelikula
sa paniningil sa pagkakamali
ng tatlong magulangbagamat
maaring makipagtalo na tanging
si Julio lamang talaga ang may
pagkakasalapero malinaw
ang mensahe na hindi maaring
ibaon sa limot o pagtakpan
habang buhay ang pagkakasala.
Sa kabi l ang dako, ang
paghihiganti ay hindi katumbas
ng katarungan dahil ang una
ay nakatuon sa prinsipiyo ng
mata kapalit ng mata kaysa
sa pagtutuwid sa pagkakamalli.
Walang kapayapaan ang taong
hindi marunong magpatawad
kahit na mapaghigantihan
pa niya ang mga nanakit sa
kanya. Walang kapanatagan ang
taong hindi marunong humingi
ng tawad kahit pa mahusay
niyang napagtatakpan ang
kanyang kasalanan. Katulad
ng nabanggit, may potensyal
sana ang Maria Leonora Teresa
kung binawasan ang komersyo
at pagpupumilit na maging
horror (at kung tinanggal
si Villanueva). Hindi angkop
ang pelikula sa mga batang
manunuodhi ndi l amang
dahil sa marahas na patayan
kundi dahil sa mababaw nitong
konsepto ng pagbuo ng tauhan
at naratibo.
MARIA LEONORA TERESA
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
humans are cardboard fat and
dry. Michael Bay being Michael
Bay has his signature noise and
explosions every possible time.
Is the movie worth your while?
Maybe, if you belong to the 90s
Gen Y or have nothing better
to do.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
can be seen as the perennial
quest of good versus bad and
good triumphing in the end. The
question is if this was placed to
make the movie palatable and
mask the narrative shortcoming
and obsession with explosion.
Trying to force a moral to the
story, one can point how people
are willing to seek and fght
for the truth. And how the
young should be made aware
of their responsibility to society
especially if they are good and
able to do so. While motivations
of the characters for seeking
and fghting truth are arguable,
TMNT to an extent offers a
glimpse of heroism, selfessness
and the commitment to be our
brothers protector. Of course,
it takes effort to decipher these
messages amidst the standard
explosions required by the
producer.
Buhay San Miguel Brothers Matias
TNK has been helping street children get off the
streets since 1998. You can help too. Our dream is
to to have regular donations that we can count on,
such as a pledge from one family to provide ten
tubes of toothpaste per month, or one sack of rice
each month. No donation is too small but it helps
greatly to get them regularly.
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
THE GREAT WALLED CITY RUN. Kick off event of KCFAPIs 56th Anniversary Celebration held last September 7, 2014 in Intramuros, Manila.
CBCP Monitor. Vol. 18. No. 20 | September 29 - October 12, 2014
A WEEKLONG celebration marked
the 56th anniversary celebration of the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-
tion of the Philippines, Inc (KCFAPI)
from September 7 to 14 in Intramuros,
Manila.
Hundreds of runners participated in
the Great Walled City Run last Sep-
tember 7 followed by a Marian Exhibit
in relation to the Feast of the Nativity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8
along with the opening of the week-long
KCFAPI Bazaar, where Caritas Manila
participated as one of the exhibitors.
Then on September 9, a Eucharistic
celebration was held at the San Agustin
Church, Intramuros, Manila in com-
memoration of the 37th Death Anniver-
sary of Father George J. Willmann, SJ.
The mass was presided by no less than
San Fernando, La Union Bishop Rodolfo
F. Beltran, DD.
Brother Knights from all over the coun-
try led by State Deputies Arsenio Isidro
Yap (Luzon), Rodrigo Sorongon (Visayas)
and Balbino Fauni (Mindanao) partici-
pated in the Holy Eucharistic Celebration.
During the mass, Unit 26 of the Catholic
Youth Organization in the Philippines
served as choir singing the 'Beacon of
Love' - a song dedicated to Fr. Willmann
as their fnal song. The mass was followed
by a wreath laying ceremony in front of
the statue of Fr. George J. Willmann,SJ at
the KCFAPI Center.
On the same day, a fulflled program
marked the celebration of the KCFAPIs
56th Anniversary where KCFAPI Ser-
vice Awardees were recognized and
a production number led by KCFAPI
President and Luzon Deputy Arsenio
Isidro G. Yap highlighted the event.
The Fraternal Benefts Group or sim-
ply FBG celebrated its special day in
line with the 56th Founding Anniver-
sary of the KCFAPI last September 10
held at the KCFAPI Social Hall.
Selected and qualifed Area Managers
together with their fraternal counselors
gathered together and joined the activi-
ties prepared by the FBG staff, which
included an auction for a cause, seminar,
prizes and more.
Meanwhile, a free prostate ultra-
sound, random blood sugar and foot
screening for diabetes was held at the
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Building last
September 11 in coordination with KC
Luzon Jurisdiction and KCFAPI Medical
Consultant, Dr. Jaime M. Talag.
Also during the week, a Blood Let-
ting Project was conducted by KCFAPI
in coordination with the Philippine Red
Cross, together with the Catholic Youth
Organization (CYO) last September 12 at
the Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Building in
Intramuros, Manila.
terprises; CYO Members among others.
Another activity held during the day
was called the Haircut for a Cause, pro-
ceeds were donated to produce wigs for
cancer patients.
Moreover, scholars of the Knights of
Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Notable blood donors were: Naval
Reservists headed by Lt. Commander
Francisco P. Madduma, Civil Military
Operations Offcer of Naval Reserve
Command of the Philippine Navy;
member of the Philippine Coast Guard;
employees from Alysons Chemical En-
(KCPFI), one of the foundations estab-
lished by the Knights of Columbus in the
Philippines led by Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJ gathered for their Inaugural Alumni
Homecoming last September 13 at the
KCFAPI Social Hall in Intramuros, Ma-
nila. The assembly of scholars also seeks
the election of offcials among the alumni.
To cap the weeklong celebration, a
feeding program for the children of
Barangay 658 in Intramuros, Manila
was conducted at the Fr. George J.
WIllmann, SJ Building on September
14 where a Eucharistic Celebration led
by Fr. Jerome Cruz plus a simple fellow-
ship breakfast with the KCFAPI offcials,
Board of Trustees and staff together with
their families where likewise held.
All these activities were intended to
celebrate KCFAPIs humble beginnings.
Sensitive to the needs and restricted
resources of the economically under-
privileged members of KC-Philippines,
Fr. Willmann moved to implement the
Order's mutual beneft objectives by
spearheading the organization of a local
KC insurance system.
The Knights of Columbus Supreme
Council approved the establishment
of Philippine Fraternal Insurance
through then Territorial Deputy Rev.
Fr. George J. Willmann and granted
permission to use the name "Knights
of Columbus".
On August 1, 1958, the Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Association of
the Philippines, Inc. was incorporated
and registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Then, on
September 9, 1958, KCFAPI was duly
licensed by the Insurance Commission
to operate as an insurance system for
the exclusive protection of the members
of the Knights of Columbus and their
immediate family members. Its initial
capital of P32,000.00 represented the
total contributions of sixty-four Filipino
Knights and Councils who donated
P500.00 each. (KC News)
KCFAPIs 56th Anniversary reecting
its moral and social responsibility
Daughters of Mary
Immaculate honor
Fr. Willmann, 1st
National Chaplain
THE Daughters of Mary Immaculate
International (DMII) of the Diocese
of Malolos, Bulacan recognized
and honored their first National
Chaplain, Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJ during their regional assembly in
Malolos, Bulacan last September 27.
Vicariate of the Immaculate Con-
ception Regent and KCFAPI Execu-
tive Vice President, Ma. Theresa G.
Curia acknowledged their first
National Chaplain, Fr. George J. Will-
mann, SJ, who was also known as the
Father of the Knights of Columbus
in the Philippines.
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ was rel-
evant and continue to be relevant. He
established the Daughters of Isabella
in 1951, in which later reorganized
as Daughters of Mary Immaculate
in 1977, Curia cited.
She added that the group is cur-
rently pushing for the Cause of Fr.
Willmann and asked for the sup-
port of DMII members and other
organizations he established in
the country such as Catholic Youth
Organization in the Philippines;
Columbian Squires in the Philip-
pines; Knights of Columbus Frater-
nal Association of the Philippines,
Inc (KCFAPI); Knights of Columbus
Philippines Foundation, Inc; and
KC Fr. George J. Willmann Chari-
ties, Inc. to raise him to the honors
of the altar.
The very frst requirement for the
Cause is the fama sanctitatis or the
fame of sanctity. Once people are
aware of Fr. Willmann and his saintly
deeds, hopefully they will develop
a devotion to him and possibly thru
prayers, experience a miracle or two
that are prerequisites for the Cause to
raise him to the honors of the altar,
Curia added.
She encouraged the attendees to
visit the Fr. Willmann Museum in
Intramuros, Manila and spend some
time to like his Facebook page, Father
George J. Willmann, SJ and follow his
Twitter account, @FrWillmann for
more updates on his Cause.
The regional assembly carried
the theme Proclaim Jesus Words,
Emulate Marys Virtues, Make DMII
a Way of Life held at the Hiyas Con-
vention Center, Malolos Pavilion,
Malolos, Bulacan.
The Vicariate hosted the event,
which was inspired by the theme of
the concluded DMI National Con-
vention held in Bohol early this year.
Ms. Curia also expressed gratitude
for the opportunity she has to serve
others through the Daughters of
Mary Immaculate.
DMI International Chaplain Fr.
Jerome Cruz and Region Chaplain
Msgr. Albert Suatengco graced the
event along with Sis. Mila Villanue-
va, DMI International Regent. (YO)
Hundreds of Daughters of Mary Immaculate members attended the regional assembly last
September 27 in Malolos, Bulacan.
The Cross
C2 Vol. 18 No. 20 | September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Alonso Tan
Chairmans Message
Presidents Message
Roberto T. Cruz
Ma. Theresa G. Curia
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap
CURIA Settings
The Rosary
Touching Base with the Foundations
What Can I Personally Do For The Cause?
Michael P. Cabra
My Brothers Keeper
Best Anniversary Gift
Touching Base / C3
COLUMBUS DAY
DURING the month of October,
one celebration which comes
to mind as being relevant to
the Knights of Columbus is
Columbus Day. Worldwide,
the Knights of Columbus com-
memorate the anniversary of
the arrival in America during
the year 1492 of the Italian navi-
gator, colonizer and explorer
Christopher Columbus, in whose honor our Order has
been named. Later given the title of Admiral of the Ocean
Sea, Columbus was responsible for starting the general
awareness of Europe about the Western Hemisphere and
American continents.
For the Knights of Columbus, various councils around
the globe celebrate Columbus Day every second Monday of
October by organizing and implementing their respective
community projects - from free medical/ dental clinics,
sportsfest activities for the youth, inspirational talks on cur-
rent and relevant issues to the establishment of historical
markers/ monuments that clearly state the Orders stand
on timely issues such as: abortion, corruption and other
social/ moral concerns. Some councils conduct other activi-
ties such as the holding of special Masses, participating in
parades led by their Fourth Degree Color Corps or even
by simply scheduling a membership recruitment blitz. In
all of these, we witness the involvement, the drive and
concern of brother Knights around the globe towards the
betterment of their society and environment.
For us Knights of Columbus in the Philippines, we
cant help but compare the above list of activities to what
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ did for our countrymen during
his four decades of dedicated service to the Order and to
the Filipinos from 1938 to 1977. In fact, it would be a clear
understatement if I simply said that Fr. Willmann similarly
did all of these activities. He was the primary and most im-
portant mover for the steady growth and expansion of the K
of C in the Philippines. He was the Christopher Columbus
of the Order in its journey in the country. Though he did not
start the Order here, Fr. Willmann guided and navigated
the thrusts taken and achieved by the local Knights once
he was exemplified as a Knight in 1938. Highly qualified,
well educated, firmly motivated yet very compassionate
and understanding, Fr. Willmann fully utilized his talents
to make sure the K of C in the Philippines would become
a well-established and effective organization that made
an impact not only on its member Knights but to the poor
and underprivileged Filipinos as well.
Just like Christopher Columbus and Fr. George J. Will-
mann, SJ, we, as individuals, also have our own mission
- to navigate and steer our own lives, our families and
our communities along the right path in fulfillment of our
Lords teachings thru our support for the Catholic Church.
As true knights of Columbus, we are asked to be honest
to ourselves and be consistent in our mission not only
as seen on the outside by other people when we deal with
them, but more importantly, being true Catholics inside
ourselves, faithful to the teachings and values of the Church
and Gods Word.
Let us therefore enjoy a deeper appreciation of this
month of October. As brother Knights, let us share our
commemoration of Columbus Day by wholeheartedly
participating in our Councils chosen project/s for this
month in consonance with a global expression of brotherly
concern by the Knights of Columbus. As Catholics, let us
empower our own families as well as ourselves by praying
more often to God. VIVAT JESUS!
[Let me deviate from the theme for this
months issue. It was just last Saturday,
September 27, 2014 that we had the Regional
Assembly of the Daughters of Mary Immacu-
late International at Hiyas Convention Center.
Everything was so providential: the assembly
went very well and the members were ori-
ented on the life and works of Fr. George J.
Willmann. Fr. Jerome Cruz, the International
Chaplain of DMII shared his awareness of Fr.
George. The VP for Fraternal Benefts Group
of KCFAPI talked on the works of Fr. George.
The choir, all in Fr. Georges shirt sang the
Beacon of Love with the interpretative dance
of the KCFAPI employees. The venue was
fanked by the picture of Fr. George. I think
the entire Bulacan now knows Fr. George. Let
me now talk about the Rosary since October
is the month of the Holy Rosary and we ad-
dress our Mother Mary through praying of
the Holy Rosary]
THE word rosary means a garland, a bou-
quet of roses. Its reason for being is to be a
gift. We put together a bunch of roses as a gift
to someone we love, we admire, we treasure
as special, someone we are grateful to.
Thus we give to the Mother of Jesus a
bundle of praises, a string of acknowledge-
ment of who she is to us, a repetition of our
love and trust that she will lead us to the
Greatest Intercessor to the Father.
A rosary is a bundle of roses which we of-
fer from our hearts as a ftting honor to the
Mother of Jesus and our own Mother too.
We pay homage to her who is our refuge in
times of need and trouble.
As we pray or chant our Hail Marys, we
express our confdence that she accompanies
us in our earthly journey. She whispers back
in our ears and our hearts that she is just a
prayer away.
But whats the point of praying so many
Hail Marys? Is one not enough? Why impor-
tune heaven and earth? Does she not hear
our prayers?
Sometimes I suspect that prayers are not
for God, but for us who pray. God always
hears our prayers. We do not even need to
articulate them. He reads our hearts. But it is
also true that God wants us to connect with
him always in prayer.
So why do we pray? When we pray we ac-
knowledge our need for the help of God. We
say that we cannot live without God, and we
express our trust that He listens to our pleas.
When we look up or kneel down, we admit
that it is our responsibility to be aware of our
needs and those of others and are ready to do
something about them. We are responsible
for ourselves and our neighbours. The more
we pray and repeat our prayers, the more we
recognize that He can do something for us.
Alam kong may magagawa ang Diyos. Kung
ako ay susunod, sa Kanyay maglilingkod,
alam kong may magagawa ang Diyos .... so
goes the lyrics of a song we sing in church.
Besides, repetition of prayers is a ritual
that we share with other religions. Muslims
and Buddhists also have beads as they recite
their prayers. Hindus have their mantra
which they repeat again and again. We,
Catholics have our 53 Hail Marys, 6 Our
Fathers and 6 Glory bes and 5 O my Jesus
when we pray the rosary.
Repeating the Hail Marys provides a calm-
ing sound to our troubled spirits. It is like the
gentle continuous touch of a Mother when the
son or daughter is afraid, anxious or in pain.
When we continually call on Mary, sometimes
we do not pay attention anymore to what we
say. We enter into a mood and mode of being
present to the one to whom we cry for help. As
we say the same prayer again and again, we
become convinced that what we are praying
for will happen to us. Blessed are you among
women,,,, pray for us sinners.... And that
conviction calms our troubled spirits. That
faith in the presence of the Mother of Jesus by
our side in times of confusion or pain is like a
balm to the tired and weary soul.
Our prayers unite us to God and to the
Mother of Jesus. Then our trust grows and
we become at peace. An important thing hap-
pens also as we pray with the people we love
for a common cause. Praying together unites
us to each other. This is why Fr. Peyton said:
The family that prays together stays together.
It is a real and deep bonding moment when
we pray together. When our voices blend as
one in prayer, our hearts and spirits become
united in a common faith, a common hope
and a common refuge. We start by being a
cacophony of disjointed sounds and voices
and we eventually become an orchestra play-
ing a beautiful harmony.
We may not be aware but this also hap-
pens as our voices harmonize in prayer. As
much as we become convinced that God will
never leave us, we also grow in commitment
with the people we pray for. Similarly, our
prayers become a garland that binds us who
pray together as one. We realize that the
people we pray with belong to us and we to
them. In times of need we are also the same
persons who will be by each others sides.
The teachers of prayer and spirituality tell
us that the more we think of the events in the
lives of Jesus and Mary, the more we learn
how to be like them. As often as we remember
what they did to us, we do not only grow in
gratitude, we also grow in the conviction that
we are also called to live as they did.
Why not go directly to Jesus? Why pass
through Mary? Of course we pray directly
to Jesus. Before we pray, we put ourselves in
the holy presence of God. But we operate on
what we know best. And this we know: that
Mothers have a direct access to the hearts of
their sons. And like the newly weds at Cana,
who asked Mary for help, we are led by Mary
to do whatever Jesus tells us.
If we offer praises and prayers to Mary,
we become like her: a listener, obedient in
faith, surrendered in love, a faithful disciple,
a gentle Mother, one with a peaceful and joy-
ful heart, always singing: Ang puso koy
nagpupuri sa Panginoon.
Why the mysteries of the Rosary? That will
be a different topic.
[The author, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, is the Execu-
tive Vice President of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Phils., Inc. (KC-
FAPI), the incumbent Chairperson on Pro-life
and Vicarial Regent of the Daughters of Mary
Immaculate International, Diocese of Malolos.]
ANNIVERSARY is a day that
commemorates or celebrates a
past event that occurred on the
same date of the year as the ini-
tial event. The frst event is the
initial occurrence or, if planned,
the inaugural of the event. One
year later would be the frst an-
niversary of that event. The word
was frst used for Catholic feasts
to commemorate saints.
Last September 9, 2014, KC-
FAPI commemorated its 56th
anniversary while Holy Trinity
Memorial Chapels will be cel-
ebrating its 32nd anniversary
this coming October 10, 2014. On
October 13, 2014, Monday, many
countries in the New World and
elsewhere will celebrate the
anniversary of Christopher Co-
lumbus' arrival in the Americas,
which happened on October 12,
1492, an offcial holiday.
What is common with these
three anniversaries? Well, Fr.
Michael J. McGivney, founder
of the Knights of Columbus,
chose that name in part because
he saw Christopher Columbus
as a ftting symbol of Catholic
immigrants' right to citizenship:
one of their own, a fellow Catho-
lic, had discovered America.
KCFAPI, on the other hand,
became the fraternal arm to give
protection to the Knights of Co-
lumbus organization here in the
Philippines. While, Holy Trinity
Memorial Chapels became one
of the subsidiaries of KCFAPI as
it extends its mortuary services
to Knights of Columbus mem-
bers and family members who
have gone to their rest.
Similar to these anniversary cel-
ebrations, each of us has his/her
own frsts to celebrate. First kiss,
frst cell phone, frst boyfriend/
girlfriend, first car, first house,
etc... But do you ever remember
your frst life insurance policy? I
believe for most members of the
Knights of Columbus they would
remember their frst degree exem-
plification but very few would
remember their frst beneft certif-
cate with KCFAPI. Either they do
not have one because no fraternal
counselor had convinced them yet
or they already forgot to pay their
succeeding contributions... and so
it lapsed.
A true Knight of Columbus is
mindful of his own life protection.
In fact, it is the number one objec-
tive of the Order of the Knights of
Columbus. As written in section
2 of the Charter Constitution of
the Order, it stated: To render
pecuniary aid to its members, their
families and benefciaries of mem-
bers and their families. It is also
the reason why one of Fr. Michael
McGivneys initial aspirations is to
To set up an elementary system
of insurance so that the widows
and children of members in the
group will not fnd themselves
in dire fnancial straits. To be a
Brother Knight is to be protected
and to be protected is to have a
KCFAPI coverage.
The best way to celebrate ones
special day, like birthday for
instance, is to give oneself the
gift of protection, the gift of fra-
ternal protection. For Knights of
Columbus members and family
members here in the Philippines,
it is the gift of KCFAPI Beneft
Certifcate to oneself.
NOWADAYS, many of us are aware about
the Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ.
Because of the combined efforts of the Na-
tional Executive Committee for the Cause of
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, the Knights of
Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann Charities,
Inc. (KCFGJWCI) and the Knights of Colum-
bus Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI), particularly these past few
months, a lot of materials have been printed
and are being distributed particularly in Fr.
Willmanns home base here in Manila all to
propagate the fama sanctitatis of Fr. George.
The long and tedious process for the
Cause started in 1997 during the K of C
nationwide celebration of the centennial
of Fr. Willmanns birth which included the
publication of the book The Gentle War-
rior, a biography of Fr. Willmann authored
by Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ and the initial
launch of the Fr. Willmann Fellows. During
these past few years, plans and efforts have
become more organized and deliberate thru
the partnership of the NEC, KCFGJWCI and
KCFAPI. However, the Cause needs MORE.
The Cause needs each one and everyone
of us!!!
Today we issue an appeal to our readers
to honestly look into himself/ herself and
ask the question: What can I personally
do to help the Cause? Hoping to serve as
a Wake-up Call and a Challenge for all of
us who have been or will be touched by
Fr. Willmann, we encourage our readers to
get committed to propagating the Cause
and do whatever we can in whatever way
applies to us.
The NEC, KCFGJWCI, K of C and KCFAPI
have set up the structured plans to pursue
the Cause. The Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ
Memorial Building, which houses the Fr.
Willmann Museum and the Fr. Willmann
Chapel, was constructed last year and
now invites the public to visit and tour the
Museum so that all may learn more about
Fr. George Willmann. Various printed ma-
terials about Fr. Willmann and the Cause
are already available such as: prayer cards,
posters, stickers, bookmarkers, T-shirts, fans
and these are being distributed not only to
K of C Councils but even to selected Parish
Churches, schools, youth organizations, non
- K of C companies, pedicabs, sari-sari stores,
etc. A Promotions Coordinator regularly
coordinates activities to join conventions,
meetings and assemblies of different entities
(K of C, DMI, CYO, YouthPinoy to name a
few) to promote Fr. Willmann and his Cause.
HOWEVER, the Cause still needs each one
of us. We should not simply rely on the NEC,
the Foundation and KCFAPI to work for the
Cause. What is needed here is a BAYANI-
HAN approach where everyone voluntarily
contributes his/ her own share no matter
how small or simple. We need your INI-
TIATIVE and COMMITMENT to help the
Cause in whatever way you can whether
this be in: becoming a Willmann Fellow,
seriously studying Fr. Willmanns life
and works and talking to others about the
good deeds of Fr. Willmann, distributing
printed materials, utilizing the Fr. Willmann
website or facebook (FB) account to reach
your friends and acquaintances in the so-
cial media networks, encouraging family,
neighbors and friends to visit and tour the
Fr. Willmann Museum or simply reciting the
Prayer for the Cause regularly, etc.
For those who may be more directly
involved, we can serve at a higher level!
For our K of C brother knights, the Cause
needs more testimonies about Fr. Willmann
during those times when he moved around
the country chartering KC Councils and
increasing membership nationwide. If your
council still has members who had per-
sonal experiences with Fr. Willmann which
highlight his dedicated service and good
deeds, you can get in touch with this writer
at the Foundation so we can document and
validate your Councils contribution to the
Cause. If you are aware of anyone who
experienced a miracle thru the intercession
of Fr. Willmann, please report this to us as
this is what is most needed for the Cause.
For our brother Knights entrusted with
positions of leadership such as Council
offcers, Grand Knights, District Deputies
IN my opinion only, nothing more nothing
less.
As we celebrate Columbus Month, we
should try to fnd out more about the man
and look closely into the circumstance of
his exploits.
When Christopher Columbus tried to
convince King Ferdinand and Queen Isa-
bella of Spain to finance his trip to find
a new route to Asia, it was not known to
him that there is another way other than
the Old Silk Route which was then being harassed or controlled
by the Moors. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella practically
had no choice but to gamble on the dream of Christopher
Columbus.
The good thing about this gamble is already history. Columbus
did fnd a way via the Atlantic Ocean. Not only did he fnd a way
but also had established or proven that the world is round. Again
this information is already in the history books.
What is not or probably have been downplayed or ignored is the
fact that he instituted the chaplaincy on board a vessel. He wanted
that all those who would join him in this adventure would be pro-
vided not only nourishment for their body but nourishment for
their souls as well.
After his successful return from his frst voyage and wild stories
about what lies across the vast ocean, exited the king and queen and
thus agreed again to fnance his future voyages.
It also exited Ferdinand Magellan to travel and try to find a
way of his own. And like Christopher Columbus also brought
on board his ship a priest to cater to the spiritual needs of his
men. Unfortunately he met his fate in the Philippines and was
killed by Lapu-Lapu.
The question is why we are not Knights of Magellan since it was
Magellan who introduced us to Christianity. Why Knights of Co-
lumbus, who had never set foot in the Philippines?
The possible answers in my mind are; it was Christopher Colum-
bus who frst ventured into the unknown seas and brought his faith
with him in his journey. It was Christopher Columbus who I believe
institutionalized the chaplaincy.
Ferdinand Magellan was a merchant captain sailing the ports
of Europe and I personally believe that he would not have ven-
tured out into the open seas had Christopher Columbus not
done so. History books however had upgraded his stature as a
Portuguese Explorer.
Without Christopher Columbus, there could be no exploits of Fer-
dinand Magellan. Without Christopher Columbus, the chaplaincy
might not have been established. Without the vision of Christopher
Columbus the Americas could not have been discovered.
Although he neither had set foot nor has been near the Philip-
pines, it was Christopher Columbus who had actually introduced
Christianity not only in the Americas but in the Philippines as well.
Hence we are and should be Knights of Columbus.
As I have said in my frst line, In my opinion only, nothing more
nothing less.
The Cross C3 September 29 - October 12, 2014 | Vol. 18 No. 20
CBCP Monitor
Heaven, Here and Now
By receiving Gods love and sharing it with others, we can make
the light of heaven visible on earth
By Supreme Chaplain
Archbishop William E. Lori
The Gentle Warrior
By James B. Reuter, SJ
Part XII of Chapter One of The Gentle Warrior series
CHAPTER ONE
--------------------
Training
Parish Priest
(Tis is the sixth part of excerpts that will appear in Te Cross Supplement from the book
Parish Priest by Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster)
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
Saint Andrews on the Hudson
The offcial name of the Jesuit Novitiate in
Poughkeepsie was St. Andrew-on-Hudson.
It was a beautiful religious house, in north-
ern New York State, overlooking the great,
majestic Hudson River. Boats plowed up and
down that river, and the shell crews of many
colleges. West Point, the Military Academy of
the United States, was close by. The Novitiate
was old, and frmly established. It had dignity,
and peace, and beauty.
The difference between a boy who enters a
religious order like the Franciscans, the Au-
gustinians, the Dominicans, the Jesuits and
a boy who enters a secular seminary is this:
the boy who enters the religious order lives a
community, for the rest of his life. This means
that he lives in the barracks. He does not pay
for his education, or for board and lodging,
or for clothing, or for anything. The religious
order takes care of him, from the day he enters
the novitiate, including his hospital expenses,
and if necessary the expenses of his funeral.
The body of the religious belongs to the Order,
from the moment he enters through the door
of the Novitiate. If he dies, the body does
not go back to the family. It is buried in the
cemetery of the religious order.
If the enters a secular seminary, he is conse-
crating his life to God, just as completely as the
religious. He is studying for the priesthood,
which is exactly the same, for the secular priest,
and for the religious. But the boy in the secular
seminary pays for his own board and lodging,
and for his education. When he is ordained, he
is incardinated in a diocese. He promises obe-
dience to a defnite Bishop, in a defnite area.
And he receives a salary. He can own things.
He can invest. He can retire, when he is old.
Both the secular priest and the religious are
bound to celibacy they cannot marry. The
secular priest is bound to celibacy by his priest-
hood. The religious is bound to celibacy both
by his priesthood, and by a perpetual vow of
chastity. The religious takes three vows: pov-
erty, chastity, and obedience.
George Willmann chose to be a religious, in
the Society of Jesus. He entered on August 14,
1915; took his perpetual vows on August 15,
through 1919, at Saint Andrews on the Hudson.
It was one of the largest religious houses in
the world. It sheltered one hundred Novices;
one hundred Juniors, in the frst two years of
college; and about thirty Tertians, in their last
year of spiritual formation, after ordination.
There was a staff of about twenty Jesuit priests
and Brothers. Two hundred and ffty men.
There wasnt a woman in the whole compound.
The Novitiate and the Juniorate had a rule of
silence. The Jesuits spoke only at defnite times,
and in defnite places. For the religious, this
comes very naturally, and is a help to prayer,
to work, and to studies. But for outsider it is
sometimes frightening. A Norwegian writer
went to a Trappist Monastery in the snow
covered mountains of Switzerland. He was
greeted at the door by a monk who signalled,
with his hands, but did not speak. When he
arrived, it was near supper time. He was
brought in the great dining hall, where all the
monks were standing, hooded, and absolutely
silent. They said grace in Latin, in small waves
of sound. Then they sat down, and began to
eat, in silence. The writer was so terrifed that
at the end of the meal he ran out of the house,
and through the snow, until he dropped from
exhaustion. The next morning he went home.
Saint Andrews on the Hudson was just as
silent as the Trappist Monastery. But to the
young Novices and Juniors, This was normal.
The long black line moving down the corridor
to the chapel, to the dining hall.
The religious kneeling in silence in the
chapel, waiting. The litanies in common,
the sound coming in little Latin waves. The
Novices at meditation, each one praying in his
room. The Juniors studying, each in his own
little cubicle. Washing the dishes, in silence.
Cleaning the corridors, in silence. Waiting for
confession, in the corridors, in silence.
(To be continued on the next issue)
and even our State Deputies and Offcers,
you are in the best position to gather the
collective efforts of the units under your
respective areas or jurisdictions. During the
latest State Conventions, all three jurisdic-
tions passed resolutions specifying ways on
how individual Councils can intentionally
promote the Cause. However more deliber-
ate and continuous efforts in all three State
jurisdictions will greatly enhance the Cause.
Specifcally, the NEC designated a Working
Committee on the Cause in each of the State
Jurisdictions headed by their respective State
Secretaries to serve as the NECs implement-
ing arm particularly for the dissemination
and implementation of approved directions,
guidelines and actual activities for the fur-
therance of the Cause as well as evaluation
of the effectiveness of efforts done towards
completion of the requirements of the Cause.
For our KC Foundations scholars and
alumni, both Collegiate and especially our
Religious scholars/ alumni, it is now your
turn to reciprocate and give back to the man
who made your educational grants possible.
But frst, you must all know him well before
you can promote him to others. During the
recent 1st KCPFI Grand Alumni Homecom-
ing held last September 13, it was so heart-
warming and gratifying to hear our two
distinguished alumni speakers acknowledge
and give due recognition to Fr. Willmann
and his impact on their highly successful
and respected careers.
Let us not be content with seeing others
push for the Cause for Fr. Willmann. Would
it be a lot more effective if all of us will give
our personal commitment and initiative
to help the Cause? Resources to support
the Cause are limited and the Cause needs
people who are committed to tap their
personal feld of expertise whether this be
in their work experience, social media, the
academe, political connections, family circle
or friends, etc.
Allow me now to pose this challenge to
our beloved readers. First, please think of
ways on how you can personally help the
Cause for Fr. Willmann by using your own
expertise. Of course, it is a prerequisite that
you must know him well so you yourself
will be convinced that you want to push the
Cause. Then the challenge is to Introduce Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ EACH WEEK to
at least ONE PERSON who still does not
know him. This effort will not cost you a
single centavo to do but if we collectively put
together the individual efforts of our readers,
it will create a ripple effect that hopefully
will magnify into a gigantic wave of support
for the Cause for Fr. Willmann an American
Jesuit who devoted his life for us Filipinos,
especially the poor and the underprivileged.
Will you accept the challenge? God bless!
Touching Base / C2
PERHAPS youve noticed how
the liturgy often refers to the
life of heaven. We pray that we
will not only be prepared to
go to heaven, but that we will
also start living the kingdom of
heaven here on earth.
You might wonder how the
life of heaven is possible amid
our daily routines and prob-
lems. But before we start singing
Peggy Lees old tune Is That All
There Is? lets try to understand
what our Christian tradition is
saying. Then lets go one step
further and ask how we as
Knights of Columbus might un-
derstand this truth of our faith.
PERFECT LOVE
The Church teaches us that
heaven is eternal life with God.
It is participating in the life and
love of the Holy Trinity with all
the saints in a state of supreme
happiness. Heaven is sharing
with our whole being in Gods
love the only love that satisfes
the longing of our heart.
Obviously, we arent there yet.
start sharing in the joy of
heaven. In fact, heaven is
where the saints are com-
pletely united in Gods
life and love. There are
no divisions or disputes.
Unity, in turn, leads
to fraternity. In heaven,
all are united as broth-
ers and sisters because,
through Christ and in the
Holy Spirit, they rejoice
together in the presence
of God the Father. There,
the Lords words are per-
fectly fulflled: For you
have only one Father
who is God and you are
all brothers and sisters
(cf. Mt 23:8-9). In our
care and concern for our
fellow Knights and their families
our readiness to reach out to
them in times of trouble, illness,
loneliness or fnancial hardship,
and our desire to support one
another in living and bearing wit-
ness to the faith we are bearing
witness to heaven here on earth.
Finally, Id like to offer a word
about patriotism. Many of our
brother Knights and their family
members have sacrifced for love
of their homeland. Yet, even as
we love our native land on earth,
our true native land in heaven
calls to us. Every desire, every
feeling of discontent, is a tug at
the heart from heaven, which is
not an idyllic country but rather
the life of God himself.
So when we hear the liturgy
talk about living the life of heav-
en even now, lets never dismiss
such talk as pie in the sky. No,
lets get down to the business of
living the heavenly life today.
Many people are alienated from
God and even deny that he ex-
ists. The world is torn by wars
and all kinds of human suffering.
We ourselves may at times give
in to estrangement, division and
self-centeredness. To the extent
that we do so, we are not living
the life of heaven.
We might wonder, then, why
an all-loving and all-powerful
God doesnt just give us a pass.
After all, life can be pretty irk-
some. Instead, Jesus taught us,
Be perfect, just as your heav-
enly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48).
In other words, Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful
(Lk 6:36).
Heaven is a place of perfect
love. When we love others,
especially the poor and needy,
then we begin to experience
something of the wonder and
awe of heaven. When we keep
the Ten Commandments in the
spirit of the Beatitudes, we start
living the life of heaven on earth.
As we say in the Lords Prayer,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven.
So what does this mean for the
Knights of Columbus? Let me
suggest that the four principles
of our beloved Order are four
keys to living the life of heaven. I
am convinced that our venerable
founder, Father Michael J. Mc-
Givney, gave us these principles
because as a follower of Christ and
as a devoted priest, he was already
living the life of heaven amid his
strenuous pastoral labors. Follow-
ing his lead, lets see how these
principles help us to experience
heaven right here and now.
HEAVENLY PRINCIPLES
We begin, as always, with
charity. St. John the Evangelist
sums up the very heart of Scrip-
ture when he says, God is love
(1 Jn 4:8, 16). The three Persons of
the Holy Trinity love each other
with a love that is pure, passion-
ate and beautiful.
Whats more, we are created
for love. St. John Paul II often
said that our lives dont make
sense without love. When we
open our hearts to Gods grace,
which is revealed in Christs
gift of self on the Cross and so
readily available to us in the
sacraments, and allow ourselves
to be drawn into Gods life and
love, we experience great joy. It
isnt just the feeting happiness
we feel when things are going
well; it is the joy of the Holy
Spirit that endures.
Gods love poured into our
hearts is the source of charity.
We love because he frst loved
us (1 Jn 4:19). The more we
welcome Gods love, the more
we will be moved to reach out
to those around us in love and
service. Love is more than a
short-lived emotion; love seeks
to share with others the gift of
divine love that God has shared
with us.
No wonder Father McGivney
made charity the frst principle
of Order. When brother Knights
provide coats for inner-city chil-
dren, support Special Olympics
or simply help fellow parishioners
in need, they are in small ways
manifesting heaven on earth.
Charity, of course, gives rise
to unity: a oneness in profess-
ing and living our faith, and in
our dedication to the Orders
principles. It means that when
we, the family of the Knights of
Columbus, engage in works of
charity, we fnd ourselves united
in friendship and in mission.
Indeed, when we build unity in
our Order and in our Church, we
NOT that the state of Connecticut
had anything against Catholics in
the early 1800sbut they werent
allowed to purchase land. If the issue
was pressed, then special dispensa-
tion might be granted, but only
through an act of the legislature. All
the while, Catholics were expected to
join with most of the rest of the popu-
lace in paying a tax for the support
of the Congregational Church, the
states offcial religion at the time.1
Episcopals, Baptists, and Quakers
were all exempted, but not Catholics.
It was no wonder that Connecti-
cut, with almost 300,000 residents,
counted its Catholic population in
the dozens. Yet none of that stopped
Michael and Bridget Downes from
moving there.
Their previous homeland was far
worse for Catholics, and little better
for Protestants. Ireland in the early
nineteenth century was a land of
enforced poverty, where few farm-
ers owned their own acreage and
the landlords, most of them living
in England or on the European
continent, choked out all hope of
improvement by charging unreason-
ably high rents. The Times of Lon-
don, a conservative newspaper that
traditionally spared little sympathy
for the Irish, sent a correspondent
to County Donegal and received
a description of a typical rural
landscape: From one end of [the
landlords] estate here to the other
nothing is to be found but poverty,
misery, wretched cultivation and
infnite subdivision of land. There
are no gentry, no middle class, all
are poor, wretchedly poor. Every
shilling the tenants can raise from
their half-cultivated land is paid in
rent, whilst the people subsist for the
most part on potatoes and water.
(To be continued on the next issue)
The Cross
C4 Vol. 18 No. 20 | September 29 - October 12, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A Message of Gratitude
THE following is the home-
coming address of Ms. Gloria
Jumamil-Mercado before the
inaugural homecoming gather-
ing of KCPFI scholars:
Members of the Knights of
Columbus Philippines Founda-
tion Board of Trustees headed by
its Chair Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr.,
President Alonso L. Tan, Chief
Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr., Mr.
Arsenio Isidro Yap, Ambassador
Alladin Villacorte, Mr. Ruperto
Somera, EVP Ma. Theresa Curia,
and my phone pal Mr. Bob Cruz
my fellow KC scholars, staff and
other guests, a pleasant evening.
As Senior Vice President and
Dean of the Development Acad-
emy of the Philippines, despite
an assessment of being a cogni-
tive introvert, the rigors of the
job made me conquer my stage
fright and make impromptu
speeches. But, today there is
so much ambivalence in my
heart that I needed to write
out my thoughts. Addressing
a league of extraordinary men
and women my fellow Knights
of Columbus scholars - and
finally meeting the honorable
men and women who made our
dreams come to pass through the
Knights of Columbus scholar-
ship is truly a profound honor.
More than us present here
today, I stand proud in front
of you in memory of two great
men. The frst is Father George
J. Willmann, SJ who nurtured
the Knights of Columbus of
the Philippines to where it is
now and whom I got to know
through another favorite Jesuit
the late Fr. Guido Arguelles. In
the frst ever retreat I attended,
his message was living our lives
in gratitude and if in a day our
only prayer is thank you it
is enough. But the more soul
enriching part is asking us to
reflect and later on share two
blessings I am most grateful in
my life. The sharing was varied,
mostly mundane and on my part
I said my loving family and
the Knights of Columbus for my
scholarship. And he said, so
you know Fr. George Willmann,
and I stared at him shaking my
head and he goes, mamaya mag
rosary ka in his memory kasi sya
ang Tatay ng KC sa Pilipinas. So
through him, I learned about his
love for the Filipinos especially
the youth, his sports and his pas-
sion to make a difference until
his death in 1977.
The second is my personal
hero and truly my knight in
shining armor, a model of per-
severance and spirituality, my
father the late Guillermo Ju-
mamil, Sr. He was a family black
sheep, dropped out of school,
married early and started a
family in Samar as a mechanic
in an agricultural school which
is now the University of Eastern
Philippines. He rose from the
ranks and was active in commu-
nity service as a member of the
Knights of Columbus. In 1986
with President Cory Aquino, he
was appointed OIC Mayor and
won the elections for three terms
until 1998. When he passed away
in 2001, he was given the Knights
of Columbus fnal rites. It was
for me the most ftting send off
for a life well-lived and as I lis-
tened to some stories shared by
his fellow Knights, I realized that
his lifes highway was essen-
tially that of a knight and it was
then that I appreciated why he
insisted that I take the Knights of
Columbus scholarship and study
at the University of San Carlos
even if I also passed the State
Scholarship where I could study
at the University of the Philip-
pines. So in his gravestone are
the words a Father, A Knight
and a Public Servant. To both of
them, its a soul deep gratitude.
My message will essentially
be two parts: where I started
and briefy share my journey to
wholeness; and the second part,
would be some thoughts on
how we could work together to
translate our sense of gratitude
to Knights of Columbus and do
our share in making a difference
in the lives of the socially disad-
vantaged Filipinos.
I grew up amidst the poverty
and confict of Northern Samar.
Comfort is home, family and
the privilege of growing up in
an academic community. Our
parents taught us early on that
education is the game changer
in the social divide and since
we were in a public education
setting we all have to strive to
get a scholarship and go to the
big city to study for better edu-
cation. So amidst lack, as a little
girl in Samar, I dared to dream
big and dared to make it come
true. The Knights of Columbus
scholarship is the big door that
I frst went into and the rest are
series of doors that led me to
where I am now. As I traverse
through those different doors I
was focused and faithful to my
dreams.
I literally lived within the
means of my scholarship be-
cause another brother was at
San Beda Law School. In my
third year, an exchange scholar-
ship to Canada (RP-CWYE) was
opened and they chose from the
top in the Deans List of the 6
Colleges in the University of
San Carlos (USC) and eventu-
ally 3 of us were vetted from
the other schools in the Visayas.
I was asked by USC manage-
ment to seek the approval of
the KC Board to join the RP-
Canada World Youth Exchange
for School Year 76-77 since USC
rule does not allow double schol-
arship. KC allowed me to take
another step in the block and
walked into a bigger door as an
RP-Canada Exchange scholar.
When I came back to resume my
senior year in BA Economics, I
was once again recommended
to the Medium and Small Scale
Industries Coordinated Action
Program (MASICAP) scholar-
ship by the Ministry of Industry
under then Minister Vicente T.
Paterno. I was chosen as
one of the 4 from the USC.
The program is unique, as you
are pulled out from the class-
room during our senior year and
send to the remotest areas of the
country to promote small and
medium enterprises. How you
perform in the feld is the basis
of your grades. The program is
also Minister Paternos dream
of developing a new breed of
future technocrats of the coun-
try who had their first job in
an environment of countryside
development, integrity (no gifts
policy by Fr. George Peron) and
the missionary zeal to serve. On
a personal note, I wanted to be in
the MASICAP program because
after an informal classroom and
carefree life in Canada, I was
having reintegration problems
with the formal systems of USC
and the pressure to graduate
with the highest honor.
I personally came to this head-
quarters to seek another approv-
al, that though I will not use the
scholarship funds I would like
to continue to be categorized as
a KC scholar which was a condi-
tion for my father to allow me to
take the MASICAP scholarship.
The KC management agreed
and there was an amendment
to my scholarship contract. As I
promised, I delivered a straight
1 to my father and to KC while
in the feld that year. I graduated
in 1979 with one of the highest
honors and as a proud Knight
of Columbus Scholar.
So even if the blocks got higher
and the doors are not only bigger
but more beautiful: UP School of
Economics for my MA Econ as
Philippine Center for Economic
Fellow; National Defense Col-
lege of the Philippines, the high-
est policy and strategy school of
the country for my Masters in
National Security Administra-
tion; Kennedy School of Gov-
ernment, Harvard University as
Hunt Fund Fellow for Women
in Security; Oxford University
Round Table for Higher Educa-
tion; National Sun Yat Sen Uni-
versity for my PhD in Mainland
China Studies as International
Fellow; and of late, the Asia
Pacifc Center for Security Stud-
ies for a Security Cooperation
and many more, in all of these,
modesty aside, I always end up
(out of habit) on top of the class
with the honor of speaking in
behalf of the class on graduation.
And every time I stand in front
of my peers, I never lose sight of
my beginnings, the frst step that
is a KC scholarship and I also
seek deep within me the little
girl from Samar who continues
to be faithful to her dreams. And
it keeps me grounded to my re-
alities. As a parent, although in
better material circumstances, I
only gave them enough so they
can build their own dreams and
work hard towards the direc-
tions of those dreams.
I lived in different parts of the
world as I essayed the different
roles in my life. The most is 7
years in the Republic of China as
a Commercial Offcer of Manila
Economic and Cultural Offce.
After my youngest child gradu-
ated from College, I decided
that it is time to settle home
and be happy. My experience
early on in my career and life
has grounded me to home my
heart as a compass is always
pointed to home where my heart
is, and home is the Philippines.
My life is not perfect, I did have
my shares of detours and falling
down personally and profession-
ally, but I have a resilient spirit
to stay in the directions of the
stars I held dear in my heart.
Again, for the young Alumni - I
say dare to dream, be faithful to
your dreams and dare to make
those dreams come true. You
were privileged to be given the
initial currency through the KC
scholarship, fll up your baskets
and when you have enough,
share and make a difference.
Moving on, my state of being is
coming full circle to my humble
beginnings. It is payback time.
We set up a scholarship fund at
the University of Eastern Philip-
pines in honor of our father, my
way of paying back to my KC
scholarship. I became Chairman
of the Board and President of the
NDCPAAI in 2007-2010. I also
became active in my reservist
role as Commander of the Naval
Forces Reserve Eastern Visayas,
that is why I became active in
the relief and reconstruction
of Bohol after the earthquake
and the Yolanda affected areas.
I accepted the responsibility
of spearheading the revival of
Canada World Youth and MA-
SICAP again and, I accepted the
SVP for Development Education
and Dean of GSPDM despite my
high paying consultancy work
because I needed to sober my
soul and work in an institution
which is the fulcrum of develop-
ment initiatives of our country.
It is in this spirit that I am in
my second part of my message.
I am extending my arms in soli-
darity to my fellow alumni and
to the management of Knights
of Columbus as an organization
to work together and do more to
perpetuate the legacy of Fr. Will-
mann. Whatever it is, it should
be one where we can all have
a shared purpose and together
make a difference. I am honored
to be counted and I hope most of
you will.
All told, let me once again,
in behalf of all the Knights of
Columbus scholars, express
our deepest gratitude and we
are now back home to KC to
be at your service. We live in
a country where governance is
very complex. We are a bunch
of people with so much grey
matters between our ears. The
more compelling challenge for
us is to balance our brains/tal-
ents with the heart because de-
velopment needs compassion.
The brain is the most uncaring
part of our body, so if you are
in a position of infuence now
or in the future, give your best
brain, but before it is translated
to policy or programs, or before
you affx your signature, let it
pass through your heart, and
you can never go wrong. For
my fellow proud KC alumni,
allow me to leave you with my
favorite quote from the book
the Little Prince of Antoine de
St Exupery and I quote It is
only through the heart that one
sees rightly for what is essential
is invisible to the eyes.
Thank you.
Gloria Jumamil-Mercado,
PhD, MNSA
Senior Vice President and Dean
Graduate School of Public and
Development Management
Development Academy of the
Philippines
Gloria Jumamil-Mercado, PhD, MNSA (3rd from right), together with other scholars and ofcers of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. (KCPFI) headed by
KC Foundations Chairman Jose C. Reyes, Jr. (4th from left) during the rst KCPFI Grand Alumni Homecoming last September 13.
Parish based promotions on the
Cause of Fr. Willmann
THE National Executive Com-
mittee (NEC) for the Cause of
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ started
conducting an awareness cam-
paign to different parishes across
Metro Manila in coordination
with different organizations.
Four Parishes were scheduled
for the frst week of September,
Our Lady of Fatima Parish in
Constellation Drive, Don Carlos
Village, Pasay City headed by Fr.
Michael D. Kalaw last September
3; Our Lady of the Most Blessed
Sacrament Parish in Kalayaan
Village Pasay City led by Fr. Do-
mingo Asuncion last September
4; Santa Clara de Montefalco
Parish in P. Burgos St., Pasay City
led by Parish Priest Fr. Nicardo P.
Blanquisco last September 5; and
Santo Nio Parish located in L.
Chacon St., Tondo, Manila headed
by Fr. Jacinto Rey M. Padua last
September 7. This is in preparation
for the Feast of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
During the awareness cam-
paign, the NEC acknowledged the
following volunteers for helping in
the promotions on the cause of Fr.
Willmann: Gemma Gepayo, Shane
Marie Navelgas, Duanne Astrera,
Carl Kimberly Adan, Kat Beral, Jon
Bayona, Sto. Nio de Tondo Parish
Grand Knight Toto Nuque, and
Jeric Carmona San Antonio.
We are glad to be part of your
activities/events. Invite us to visit
your respective parishes/orga-
nizations to promote the heroic
virtues of Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJ. For inquiries please call, (02)
984-8368.
Marian Conference - Total
Consecration to Mary Immaculate
THE saintly life of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ was introduced during the pre-celebration
of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary initiated by the Legion of Mary
Praesidium Immaculate Heart of Mary in San Bartolome de Novaliches Parish, San
Pedro 7 Chapel in Quezon City last September 6, 2014. The Marian Conference and
the act of consecration to the Mary Immaculate was led by Fr. Elijah Pantorilla, OFM.
Promotion of the Cause of Fr. Willmann at
San Mateo Council 6259
Executive Director of KC Foundations, Bro. Roberto T. Cruz (seated 3rd from right)
together with Brother Knights from Council 6259 during the 45th Installation of
Ofcers and Induction of Service Program Personnel of San Mateo Council 6259 of
the Shrine-Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal last September
14, 2014. During the event, Bro. Cruz talked about the heroic virtues of Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ as part of the awareness campaign for his cause.
The National Executive Committee for the Cause of Fr. Willmann headed by former
Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. would like to express its gratitude for the invitation
extended by A-12 District Deputy Bro. Charlie Maghanoy and the newly installed
ofcers led by Grand Knight Bonifacio Velasco.