•A3 Japanese Church mobilizing

tsunami response, Pope

•B1 ofTheFamily
Nobility
and
•C1 A Supplement Publication of KC Life and
The Cross

‘deeply saddened’ by disaster Home the Order of the Knights of Columbus

Bishop renews appeal to Christians, Muslims walk

junk BNPP revival
PLANS to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power
Plant must be abandoned fully, a Catholic
bishop appealed after a nuclear emergency was
declared in earthquake-hit Japan.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said
Japan’s situation should serve as an ample
warning to the Philippine government to totally
give up plans to resurrect BNPP.
“What is happening in Japan confirmed
our fear even before up to now that’s why we
oppose plans to revive the nuclear plant in
Junk / A6
for peace in Basilan
CHRISTIANS and Muslims together called
for peace in the violence-ridden province of
Basilan.
An estimated 1,000 representatives from
various sectors including students from various
government and private schools, National and
local government officials, local police (PNP)
and Special Forces of the Philippine Army
participated in a 3-kilometer “Walk for Peace”
on February 24 in Basilan City.
Organized by the Interfaith Council of Lead-
March 14 - 27, 2011 Vol. 15 No. 6 Php 20.00 Peace / A6

Parents have primary role in

children’s education―Pope
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP

PARENTS are the primary

educators of their children in
matters of faith and morals,
Pope Benedict XVI said.
Addressing Filipino bishops on
March 3 during their quinquennial “Ad
Limina” visit, the pope highlighted the
importance of catechesis for families
in the face of negative influences that
threaten to destroy its rights and in-
tegrity.
He told the bishops to reach out to
families and educate parents on their
specific role as mentors of their children
in issues of doctrine and morality.
Citing the many “pastoral challenges
confronting the rest of the country”
today, the pope said a profound un-
derstanding of the Church doctrine on
“faith and morals” is essential “for the
human heart to give its full and proper
response to God.”
The pope lauded the bishops’ efforts
of strengthening catechetical formation
in their respective dioceses even as he
singled out the contributions of “many
religious sisters and lay catechists” in
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

the ministry.
“The deep personal piety of your
people needs to be nourished and sup-
ported by a profound understanding of
Catholic Church representatives hand over to Vice President Jejomar Binay and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz a copy of the pastoral plan of the CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral and appreciation for the teachings of the
Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. The pastoral plan seeks to enhance the Church and government’s partnership in alleviating the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Church in matters of faith and morals,”
Parents / A6

Manila sets ‘grandmother’ of anti-RH bill rallies

METRO Manila’s Catholic bish- power in connivance with law- it clear in its recent pastoral letter Grandstand was chosen to be

ARMM poll
ops are hoping to use their influ- makers, we see the urgent need that the RH bill does not promote the venue to accommodate the
ence to raise awareness about now to stop the attack by the reproduction or maternal health expected huge crowd.
the risk of a birth control proposed RH bill on our valued but the family instead. “I think this is one of the

watchdogs want polls

measure. culture of life,” Rosales said. “We all believe that you (lay occasions to be with the cardi-
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales “This orchestration instigated people) will be one to deliver the nal, joining something like this
and other prelates will be lead- by those against life, local and for- message that our country will because he will officiate the

ing the ‘grandmother’ of all
rallies against the reproductive
health (RH) bill at the Quirino
Grandstand on March 25.
The church leaders have joined
with other anti-RH bill advocacy
groups to press lawmakers to
reject the proposed measure.
“Being the last country stand-
ing against the vicious attacks of
eign, has to be stopped. We shall
all stand united against the assault
on life and its values,” he said.
The rally, the second one to be
held this year in Manila archdio-
cese, will coincide with the Feast
of the Annunciation, also the
Day of the Unborn Children.
The Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines has made
never allow the repressive RH
bill to be passed,” Rosales said.
Several protest rallies against
the bill have already been held
across the country but organiz-
ers said the rally in Manila will
be the “grandmother” of all
demonstrations.
Pro-Life Philippines President
Eric Manalang said Quirino
to push through
Mass after the interfaith rally,”
Manalang said.
In Cebu, pro-life groups will
walk barefoot for three kilome-
ters to dramatize their opposi- POLL watchdogs in the
tion against the RH bill. Autonomous Regions
The “Penitential Walk for Life,” in Muslim Mindanao
will be held from the Cebu Pro- want the elections there
vincial Capitol to Cebu Metro- to push through, the Par-
Grandmother / A7 ish Pastoral Council for
Pastoral Voting (PPCRV)

Earthquakes, tsunamis call for repentance―bishop

said.
PPCRV chairperson
Henrietta de Villa said
majority of their 16 part-
TRAGEDIES are a wakeup call to repen- sacre and other human tragedies all carry the ners opted for the August
tance, a retired Catholic archbishop said in message for the people to repent. 8 polls as scheduled.
the wake of the killer quake and consequent “Do repentance and make amends because “We didn’t make an
tsunami that hit Japan. you do not now know when your life will extensive survey but only
Rather than put God or the victim of these be taken away, when end of the world will among our partners if
disasters on trial, Archbishop Oscar Cruz take place. Human death and world end are they want it postponed or
said people should know life’s fragile nature unstoppable eventualities,” Cruz said. not… so far, the feedback
and the reality of the coming judgment. The former president of the Catholic is they want it to push
“Fires and floods, earthquakes and tsuna- Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines par- through,” she said quot-
mi―and many other catastrophic events―are ticularly cited the need for contrition of those ing a report from PPCRV-
but reminders for people to repent, to be just, greedy individuals and corrupt politicians. ARMM Chairman Fr.
and to live right,” Cruz said. “They would help themselves if they David Procalla.
In the Philippines, he said, the 2006 “lahar ‘repent and believe in the Gospel,’” said De Villa revealed they
phenomenon” in Albay, the “Ondoy” trag- Cruz. also are set to come up
Archbishop Oscar Cruz
edy in 2009 and even the Maguindanao Mas- Earthquakes / A6 with “more extensive
survey” on the ARMM

No to confessions using high-tech

voters’ sentiments on the Henrietta de Villa
matter soon.

gadgets, says prelate

DESPITE the advances in tech-
nology which turned the world
into a global village, certain
practices will have to be made
the usual and traditional way.
And this include the reception
of the sacrament of Reconcilia-
tion, which according to Sorso-
gon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD,
no amount of high-end technol-
ogy can replace the intimacy of
“Maybe on Monday Reforms, the Consortium of
they will report to us the Bangsamoro Civil Society,
results of their survey among Bangsamoro Women Solidar-
the confessional. their constituents,” she said ity Forum Inc., Bangsamoro
He said no less than the Vati- on March 7. Lawyers Network, Bishops-
can has issued a statement that The result, she said, will Ulama Conference, and the
confessions still have to be done then be presented to the Federation of United Mind-
in person. Commission on Elections anawan Bangsamoro Women
“No confessions can be made (Comelec) and, if possible, to Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
through mobile phones with vid- Congress for consideration. De Villa earlier said she
eo call capabilities and electronic Among the partner groups favor the postponement of
mail because absolution is given of the PPCRV are the Citi- the ARMM elections for the
by confessor to the penitent in zens Coalition for Electoral Poll / A6
Gadgets / A6 Illustration by Bladimer Usi

www.cbcponlineradio.com www.cbcphealthcare.org www.cbcpmedia.com

 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Don Bosco relics renew faith in Asia The 130-nation tour continues
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 10,
2011―Continuing a worldwide tour,
the relics of St. John Bosco have stopped
in various Asian locations, bringing
together thousands of Catholics.
The relics began a 130-nation pilgrim-
age on Jan. 31, 2009, to commemorate
the 150th anniversary of the founding
of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
They left the United States and Can-
ada last October, and headed for Asia,
with stops planned in 17 nations.
They are currently in the world’s
most populous nation, Indonesia, be-
fore heading to China on Saturday. In
Jakarta, some 3,000 faithful attended the
evening Mass at the community house
where the relics are on display.
Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hard-
joatmodjo of Jakarta called St. John
Bosco “a blessing for the Catholic
according to UCANews.
When the relics were in Thailand,
some 2,000 people visited them on the
first day.
Vocations
The Salesians of the China Province
(comprising mainland China, Hong
Kong, Macau and Taiwan) are await-
ing their leg of the tour with hopes that
their founder’s relics will inspire more
vocations.
The relics will be in Hong Kong on the
feast of the Annunciation, March 25.
Father Simon Lam Chung-wai, head
of the province, told UCANnews from
Taipei about his hopes for the days of
prayer. He noted that the Salesians ar-
rived in Taiwan five decades ago, but
only three locals joined the community.
He said there is a lack of good models

www.flickr.com
Church.” in Catholic schools and “fewer and
“I believe he was blessed because he fewer priests and nuns serving in our
made God’s love real,” the prelate said, schools.” (Zenit)

Japanese quake’s epicenter located near Marian apparition site

NIIGATA, Japan, March 12,
2011—The epicenter of the earth-
quake that caused a deadly
March 11 tsunami is located
near the site of an apparition
in which Mary warned about a
worldwide disaster that could
afflict humanity.
Japanese church officials have
confirmed that the Diocese of
Sendai, in the north of the coun-
try, was hit hardest by the 8.8
magnitude earthquake—the
worst in Japanese history—and
the resulting 23-foot waves.
Hundreds of people have
already been confirmed dead in
the city of Sendai, located less
than 90 miles away from the ap-
parition site of Our Lady of Akita
in the town of Yuzawa.
The city of Akita, which expe-
In 1973, the Virgin Mary was
said to have predicted a num-
ber of future events—including
natural disasters even more
serious than Friday’s earthquake
and tsunami—during three ap-
pearances to a Japanese religious
sister, Sr. Agnes Sasagawa.
The purported appearances of
the Virgin Mary in Japan were
reviewed by Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger in 1988. During his
time as Prefect of the Congre-
gation for the Doctrine of the
Faith prior to his election as
Pope Benedict XVI, he let stand
the local bishop’s judgment
that the apparitions and the
messages were acceptable for
the faithful.
The messages warned of chaos
within the Church, and disasters
on all humanity,” Mary report-
edly told Sr. Agnes. “If will be
a punishment greater than the
(biblical) flood, such as never
seen before.”
“Fire will fall from the sky
and will wipe out a great part of
humanity, the good as well as the
bad, sparing neither priests nor
faithful,” she said. “The work of
the devil will infiltrate even into
the Church, in such a way that
one will see cardinals oppos-
ing cardinals, bishops against
bishops.”
“Churches and altars will be
sacked. The Church will be full
of those who accept compro-
mises, and the demon will press
many priests and consecrated
souls to leave the service of the
Lord.”
priests.”
Two years after the last mes-
sage, the statue of the Virgin
Mary in the chapel where the
apparitions had occurred began
to emit tears and drops of blood.
The occurrence continued for
more than six years.
Reports from Akita following
Friday’s earthquake indicate that
the city received significantly
less damage than other parts of
northern Japan, despite its prox-
imity to the epicenter. However,
residents did report power out-
ages, burst pipes, and fires.
Bishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of
Niigata, whose territory includes
the Akita apparition site, is also
the president of Caritas Japan,
which will be working to assist
victims of the earthquake and

rienced fire damage and flooding
along with many parts of north-
ern Japan, is a place of veneration
for Catholics.
which could afflict the world.
“If men do not repent and bet-
ter themselves, God the Father
will inflict a terrible punishment
“Each day, recite the prayers
of the Rosary,” she told Sr.
Agnes. “With the Rosary, pray
for the Pope, the bishops and
www.allformary.org
tsunami. The relief organization
is accepting contributions to its
emergency fund at www.caritas.
org. (CNA)

Vatican Briefing US cardinal removes 21 priests from public ministry

Director named for Vatican’s new Finance Authority
The cardinal-president of the Vatican’s Financial Information
Authority has tapped an Italian expert on money laundering to
direct the institution. Cardinal Attilio Nicora chose Francesco De
Pasquale to direct the authority, which the Vatican established
Dec. 30. De Pasquale has more than 20 years experience as a
member of the Italian delegation to the Financial Action Task
Force on Money Laundering. The agency was established Dec.
30 as an autonomous and independent body with the task of
preventing and countering money laundering or the financing
of terrorism. (Zenit)
Pope calls for aid to civilians in Libya; Catholic agencies
step in
As fighting between rebels and government forces in Libya inten-
sified, Pope Benedict XVI called for aid and assistance to civilians
caught in the conflict. “Recent clashes have caused many deaths
and an increasing humanitarian crisis” in Libya, the pope said
after praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s
Square March 6. He expressed his concern over the growing crisis
and said his prayers were with all victims and “those who find
themselves in distress.” (CNS)
Benedict XVI to pray for Latin America in March
Benedict XVI is dedicating the month of March to pray for Latin
America, so that the nations of the continent become more just and
peaceful. The Apostleship of Prayer announced the intentions chosen
by the Pope for this month. His general intention is: “That the nations
of Latin America may walk in fidelity to the Gospel and progress
in justice and peace.” The Pontiff’s apostolic intention for March is:
“That the Holy Spirit may give light and strength to those in many
regions of the world who are persecuted and discriminated against
because of the Gospel.” (Zenit)
Pontiff ‘deeply shaken’ by Japan quake
Benedict XVI is renewing his spiritual closeness to the people of
Japan in the wake of a 9.0 magnitude quake and resulting tsunami
that left more than 1,600 dead and some 10,000 missing. After
praying the midday Angelus together with those gathered in St.
Peter’s Square on March 13, he stated in Italian that “the images
Takes immediate action on sexual abuse allegations
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 10,
2011—Cardinal Justin Rigali placed 21 priests
on administrative leave as an immediate re-
sponse to a grand jury report on allegations of
sexual abuse of minors.
The archbishop of Philadelphia announced
Tuesday that “while on administrative leave,
all of these priests will not publicly exercise
their ministry.”
“These have been difficult weeks since the
release of the Grand Jury Report” on Feb. 10,
he said, “difficult most of all for victims of
sexual abuse, but also for all Catholics and for
everyone in our community.”
The cardinal noted that the report, issued
by the Philadelphia district attorney’s of-
fice, “called into question the way in which
the archdiocese handles allegations of child
sexual abuse and asserted that as many as
37 priests remain in ministry ‘after the arch-
diocese learned of accusations or reports of
their inappropriate behavior or sexual abuse
of minors.’”
“As we strive to move forward today,” he
said, “I wish to express again my sorrow for
the sexual abuse of minors committed by any
members of the Church, especially clergy.”
“I am truly sorry for the harm done to
the victims of sexual abuse, as well as to the
members of our community who suffer as a
result of this great evil and crime,” the prel-
ate stated.
Cardinal Rigali’s decision to place these
priests on leave was made after an initial
examination of the files, though a thorough
investigation must still be made into each
individual case.
The initial review was undertaken with ref-
erence to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the
Child Protective Services Act, the “Essential
Norms” from the Charter for the Protection
of Young People of the United States Confer-
ence of Catholic Bishops, and the Archdio-
cese’s Standards for Ministerial Behavior and
Boundaries.
The archdiocese noted that the cases of
the clergy placed on leave “involve a range
from allegations of sexual abuse of a minor
to boundary issues with minors.”
Of the 37 cases in the report, three clergy
were placed on leave immediately after the
release of the report. Then, 21 others were
removed from public ministry on Tuesday.
The archdiocese noted that five others
would have been subject to administrative
leave, but one was already on leave and two
who are incapacitated have not been in ac-
tive ministry. Two others are members of
religious congregations and no longer serve
in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. However,
the archdiocese notified the superiors of the
congregations as well as the bishops where
the religious are currently living.
The archdiocese reported that the remain-
ing eight priests will not be subject to admin-
istrative leave as “the initial independent
examination of these cases found no further
investigation is warranted.”
The initial review was carried out by Gina
Maisto Smith, a former Philadelphia assistant
district attorney with 15 years of experience in
prosecuting child sexual assault cases.
Smith, who was retained by the archdiocese
in the days after the release of the report,
noted, “Cardinal Rigali asked me to assist
him in responding to the concerns raised in
the Grand Jury Report.”
She affirmed, “I was given the unlimited
freedom to do a thorough review with full
access to all files and documents.”
Cardinal Rigali’s actions were based on the
recommendations of Smith and her team of
experts, who will now investigate the cases
more fully.
The prelate stated: “I want to be clear: These
administrative leaves are interim measures.
They are not in any way final determinations
or judgments.”
“Since 2005, the archdiocese has worked
very hard and we believed that we were on the
right path, making significant progress in the
protection of children and in the investigation
and handling of abuse allegations,” he said.
“In fact,” the cardinal added, “the present
investigation of sexual abuse began as a result
of reports from the archdiocese to the district
attorney’s office.”
“The 2011 Grand Jury Report, however, pre-
sented us with serious concerns that demand
a decisive response,” he stated.
“As archbishop of Philadelphia, it is my
responsibility to respond to this report trans-
parently,” he affirmed.
Cardinal Rigali expressed determination
“to work for a solution that deals effectively
with this issue in the Church” and “to deal
definitively with the concerns noted in the
report.”
“I know that for many people their trust in
the Church has been shaken,” he said. “I pray
that the efforts of the archdiocese to address
these cases of concern and to re-evaluate our
way of handling allegations will help rebuild
that trust in truth and justice.” (Zenit)

Spanish bishops invite young people to

of the tragic earthquake and consequent tsunami in Japan have
deeply shaken us.” “I would like to renew my spiritual near-
ness to the dear people of that country,” he continued, “who
are dealing with the effects of these calamities with dignity and
courage. (Zenit) participate in World Youth Day
MADRID, Spain, March 7, 2011— Christ, but also as protagonists Christ invites them “to follow of all mediocrity and if necessary,
Despite troubles, church is gift of God, pope tells priests
Bishops from Spain recently of the building of the Church and Him in the priesthood, the con- counter cultural in our times.
Even if the church is beset by problems, it is still a gift of God, Pope “How many times he invited
addressed a message to young of her history,” secrated life
Benedict XVI told several hundred pastors of Rome parishes. Too you to be saints! He began the
Catholics, inviting them to par- they said. or in marriage
often, “perhaps because of a fear of triumphalism,” priests and other passionate endeavor of World
ticipate in World Youth Day The bish- to make of
Catholics do not rejoice enough over the gift of being part of the Youth Day with all of you in
2011. The bishops said the youth ops recalled you His wit-
church, the pope said March 10 during his annual Lenten meeting mind,” the bishops said.
celebration will be an authentic the theme of nesses.”
with the Rome pastors. “Certainly, there always are difficult, nega- They encouraged young people
festival of faith and a chance World Youth The Span-
tive aspects” of the church’s life on earth, “but it is a beautiful gift to take advantage of the week-long
to go on an interior pilgrimage Day, “Planted ish bishops
that we can live in the church” and receive the sacraments of God’s event to pray personally and as a
towards Christ. and built up in also referred
love and mercy, the pope said. (CNS) community. World Youth Day will
The bishops told the young Jesus Christ, to the upcom-
people in their message that firm in the ing May 1 be- thus be an authentic festival of faith
Pope encourages study of Latin the Catholic Church has always faith.” They that will highlight the crucial role
atification of
Benedict XVI is encouraging the study of Latin, noting that the looked to the youth “with hope then encour- Christians play in today’s world
John Paul II.
ancient language has much to offer in the study of ancient and and joy because you are the pres- aged young as “builders of peace, promoters
“The Pope of
modern history. The Pope said this on March 13, in Latin, after ent, and above all, the future of people “to for- of justice, and advocates of more
young peo-
praying the midday Angelus together with those gathered in society and of the Church.” tify and build humane world according to God’s
ple” always
St. Peter’s Square. His words were directed to the students and The message was released up your faith, plan,” they continued.
invited the
teachers of the Christelijk Lyceum of Veenendaal, Netherlands. March 2 as the bishops concluded to deepen your The bishops also urged the
youth to give
The Pontiff stated that he was pleased that the students had come their 97th Plenary Assembly. roots in Christ, young people of Spain to wel-
themselves
“to Rome to be strengthened in your endeavor to learn the Latin “We also, as your bishops, trust who loves you come their brothers and sisters
“completely
language.” (Zenit) in you and consider you not only and calls you to friendship with from around the world and to
to the love of God and of man and
as recipients of the Gospel of Him.” The bishop added that to lead a Christian life that is free volunteer for the event. (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
A3

Japanese Church mobilizing Govt should

create more
tsunami response, Pope ‘deeply work locally,
saddened’ by disaster says Cardinal
MANILA, March 13, 2011—A senior
VATICAN City, March 12, 2011—Pope
Benedict XVI expressed his solidar- prelate said government should create
ity with the dead and their families in more local employment opportunities
Japan, as the Japanese Church makes so Filipino workers would not have to
quick plans for relief efforts following a work abroad and leave their families
deadly earthquake and tsunami. behind.
On March 11, an 8.9-magnitude Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardi-
earthquake off the coast of Japan and a nal Rosales said Filipino workers could
lengthy series of aftershocks sent enor- spend more time with their families and
mous waves up to two miles inland in loved ones if they work in the country
some low-lying areas, uprooting houses instead of abroad.
and obliterating entire towns. Speaking to news reporters after
Experts are comparing the power of presiding over a concelebrated Mass for
these tidal waves to those that struck the country’s 10 million or so migrants,
south-east Asia in 2004 and took more the 78-year old prelate said he shed
than 200,000 lives. tears while listening to a prayer led
According to a report from CNN, by a young boy of 12 who sadly said
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics he misses his father, especially when
and Volcanology calculated that the troubles began in Libya.
Japanese earthquake was so strong the The boy, accompanied by his younger
planet shifted on its axis by nearly four brothers said they missed the time they
inches. could have been with their father as they
Initial estimates put the number of continuously pray for his safety while
dead after the disaster at around 1,000. posted abroad.
The final number is expected to rise as Even the children long for their
the water recedes. parents, Rosales said, adding he was

The government is seeking to avert
additional disaster in the city of Fu-
kushima, where they are working to
cool a nuclear reactor damaged by the
waves. Every effort is being made to
contain radioactive material and pre-
vent contamination of the surrounding
area. People within a 13-mile radius are
being evacuated.
Fr. Daisuke Narui, executive direc-
tor of Caritas Japan, told the Vatican’s
Fides news agency on March 12 that the
Church’s focus for the moment is on the
most vulnerable.
“Currently,” he said, “we are called to
give a testimony to unity and closeness
to all human suffering.”
Caritas and the local Church are
collecting information on affected
areas to plan their response efforts, he
said. He was particularly concerned
about the city of Sendai, hit hard by a
wall of sea water, because he had not
yet been in contact with the Caritas
director there.
On a national level, the charitable
association will kickstart a solidarity
campaign in all Japanese churches on
March 13, with Masses being dedicated
to the memory of the victims.
Bishop Marcellinus Daiji Tani of
Saitama, one of the areas struck by the
tsunamis, told Fides that Catholics “will
respond to the tragedy of the earthquake
and tsunami that struck northern Japan,
with prayer and solidarity.”
He said they “must take courage, with
the help of the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop Tani added that the catas-
trophe is a reminder “that life is in the
hands of God, and that life is a gift from
God.”
Holy See secretary of state Cardi-
nal Tarcisio Bertone transmitted the
Pope’s condolences and prayers for the
Japanese people in a March 11 telegram
to the president of Japan’s Catholic
bishops, Archbishop Leo Ikenaga of
Osaka.
“Deeply saddened by the sudden and
tragic effects of the major earthquake
and consequent tsunamis which have
struck Japan’s north-eastern coastal
regions, his holiness Pope Benedict XVI
assures all who have been afflicted of his
closeness at this difficult time.”
“He prays for those who have died,
www.digitaltrends.com
and upon their grieving families and
friends he invokes divine blessings of
strength and consolation,” wrote Car-
dinal Bertone.
“The Holy Father also expresses his
prayerful solidarity with all those pro-
viding rescue, relief and support to the
victims of this disaster.”
For his part, Fr. Narui of Caritas told
Fides that the “painful event” could also
be an opportunity to share the Gospel
values of fraternity, building common
good and recognizing human dignity.
“If, with our work and our witness,”
he concluded, “we can communicate
that, then from this evil will come
good.” (CNA/EWTN News)
moved to tears by the boy’s prayer and
sad expression.
“Remember, he is just one of the many
children who are similarly situated,
whose parents are working elsewhere,
and may share the same prayers,” he
explained.
Rosales said the government should
try its best to provide domestic job
opportunities for them to stay in the
country.
Asked of the problems faced by over-
seas Filipino workers especially in the
Middle East and Northern Africa, he
said he could only sympathize with the
government for the lack of logistics to
finance the immediate repatriation.
He said a good number of Filipinos
even leave the country without the nec-
essary documents thereby complicating
the already problematic situations faced
by the government.
“Talagang kapit sa patalim ang
Pinoy,” the prelate said.

Pope Benedict urges wholehearted

He added having 10 million Filipinos
abroad seems to be unusual for any
country to have that much of talents
abroad.

conversion during Lent

VATICAN City, March 10, 2011—All
are called by God to return to him with
their “whole heart,” said Pope Benedict
XVI at a special celebration for Ash
Wednesday.
The Pope led a procession across
Rome’s Aventine Hill for the first day
of Lent. The celebration of the liturgy
began at the St. Anselm’s Church with
members of the Benedictine order, car-
on the first day of Lent, “we undertake
to convert our hearts to the horizons
of grace,” the Pope said during his
homily.
He spoke of Lent not as a time of
sadness, but instead as “a precious gift
of God and a time of strength and full
of significance in the journey of the
Church.
“It is the road to the Lord’s Passover,”
He said the significant number of
Filipinos abroad only shows how bad
the domestic economy is, lacking the
necessary development plans and the
like.
genuine conversion, a return to “to offer a living witness of faith in a He expressed fears the migrant work-
God through the recognition of his troubled world that needs to return to ers’ contributions to government funds
holiness, power and majesty, he God, a world which needs conversion,” may not be enough to finance speedy
explained. “And this conversion is he said. repatriations similar to what other
possible because God is rich in mercy The Pope closed with an additional financially-capable countries have done
and love.” call to Christians to live this time with where cruise ships and planes have
Converting is not only a “human trust and joy. been chartered immediately. (Melo M.
task,” he explained, calling it “the Lent, he said, “is a powerful time in Acuna)
movement of a contrite heart attracted the liturgical year, and it is a special
and moved by grace to respond to the time that is given to us to look, with

RH Bill
dinals, bishops and priests. he said. merciful love of God who loved us greater commitment, to our conver-
When they reached the singing of the Pope Benedict explained that the first.” sion, to listen more attentively to the
litany of the saints, they began the pro- day’s readings called for full conver- The Christian witness makes believ- Word of God, a time for prayer and

proponents
cession that led them several hundred sion, “not a superficial and transient ers into a “living message,” Pope Bene- penance—of opening our hearts to the
yards down the street to Dominican conversion, but a spiritual journey that dict said, adding that “in many cases we workings of Divine will, for a more
Minor Basilica of Saint Sabina. There, covers in depth the attitudes of con- are the only Gospel that people today generous practice of mortification,
the Pope presided over the rest of the
Mass.
Through the imposition of the ashes
science and presupposes a sincere act
of repentance.”
There is a call for an attitude of
still read.”
Another reason to live Lent to the
fullest is the Christian responsibility
thanks to which we can be more at-
tentive to neighbors in need.” (CNA/
EWTN News)
slammed for being
blind, ignorant
Pope urges priests to preach on uncomfortable topics SAN PABLO City, March 13, 2011—A
ROME, Italy, March 11, 2011—Priests must not preach “This is important,” said the Pope. “The Apostle Laguna medical doctor accused those
“Christianity ‘a la carte’” and should be willing to does not preach Christianity ‘a la carte,’ according to insisting for the passage of the contro-
approach even uncomfortable aspects of the Gospel, his own tastes, he does not preach a Gospel according versial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill
Pope Benedict said in a meeting with priests this to his own preferred theological ideas; he does not take as being blind and ignorant.
week. away from the commitment to announce the entire will Dr. Noel Malamug of Sta. Rosa
In a meeting with priests and religious from the of God, even when uncomfortable, nor the themes he Hospital & Medical Center, speaking
Diocese of Rome on March 10, the Pope led a Scripture may least like personally. before about 2,000 inter-denominational
meditation as the “pastor of the pastors.” “It is our mission to announce all the will of God, crowds during an Interfaith Protest
He based the meditation—called a “lectio divina”— in its totality and ultimate simplicity. But the fact Rally on Friday morning, lamented the
on a chapter from the Acts of the Apostles in which that we must instruct and preach is important—as failure of RH bill proponents to under-
St. Paul leaves the faithful in Ephesus with instruc- St. Paul says—and really proposes the entire will stand that life begins at fertilization or
tions on how to continue preaching the Gospel after of God.” conception.
his departure. In a world where people are curious to know every- “They are blind. They are ignorant. It
Paul’s advice to be humble and vigilant in preaching thing, “so much more should we be curious to know is God who gave us the totality of life.
the faith, to make themselves completely available in the will of God,” said Pope Benedict. He has given us the principle of life,”
service to Christ and the Church, and prayerful as they “What thing could be more interesting, more im- he declared.
www.catholicnewsagency.com

protect their “flocks” are all relevant characteristics of portant, more essential for us than to know what God Malamug said RH Bill promotes the
priests nearly 2,000 years later, said the Pope. wants, to know the will of God, the face of God?” universal access to contraceptive materi-
He implored priests to show “full-time” fidelity to He called on priests and religious to respond to this als and many of those are abortifacient.
their vocation as priests, “being with Christ and being curiosity and awaken it in others, assisting them in To abort a child even from the start
ambassadors of Christ.” “knowing truly all the will of God and knowing then of conception is pre-meditated murder,
The Pope also called on priests today not to shrink how we can and must live, which is the path of our he said.
from proclaiming “the entire plan of God.” lives.” (CNA/EWTN News) “I firmly believe that this fight against
RH Bill is a fight against evil. It is a

Catholic educators: Corruption must be impeached ‘mercilessly’

MANILA, March 10, 2011—Saying
that corruption must be impeached
“mercilessly,” Catholic educators have
joined calls to prosecute Ombudsman
Mercidetas Gutierrez.
In a statement, the Catholic Educa-
tional Association of the Philippines
(CEAP) said an “inept” official has no
place in public service.
It urged the lawmakers to expedite
the impeachment proceedings against
Gutierrez for the current administra-
tion to effectively implement its anti-
corruption campaign.
“We strongly call for a speedy, fair and
decisive conduct of the impeachment
proceedings. Corruption must be im-
peached mercilessly,” the CEAP said.
Gutierrez is accused of betrayal of
public trust for “sleeping” on graft and
corruption charges particularly those
filed against former President Gloria
Arroyo and her allies.
“Paradoxically, the very Office of
the Ombudsman, which was created
to be the ‘watchdog’ of the people, has
unfortunately been transformed into
a major instrument in concealing the
impropriety of corrupt government of-
ficials,” it said.
The CEAP said that in backing the im-
peachment efforts versus Gutierrez, they
believe it only shows that there is “un-
ceasing and escalating clamor for truth
and justice” by the Filipino people.
“The blatant disregard of the Om-
budsman in fulfilling her constitutional
duty to prevent abuse of power in the
government is a direct attack against
the core values of public service. It is a
breach of public trust,” the statement
further read.
On the other hand, the country’s
largest organization of Catholic schools
called on Gutierrez to look only at two
options provided to her morally.
“We urge Ombudsman Gutierrez to
be truthful to herself and the people she
swore to serve by facing the impeach-
ment proceedings without evasion,”
said CEAP.
“(She should also) consider her res-
ignation as a moral choice.”
The CEAP is the largest educational
association in the country with 1,290
member-institutions. (CBCPNews)
fight between Light and Darkness,” he
furthered.
Challenging the interfaith rallyists,
the doctor asked if they want an ad-
vocacy.
“I will provide you [the advocacy]
this morning. Let us fight against Re-
productive Health Bill! Heaven and
earth are our witness,” he said in the
vernacular.
The pro-life physician addressed
students, faculty, laymen/women,
civic groups, professional, priests, nuns,
seminarians gathered at an interfaith
prayer rally held on March 11 at the
Doña Leonila Park near the San Pablo
City Hall at about 8:00 a.m. (Fr. Romulo
Ponte)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

EDITORIAL

In hoc signo vinces

WHILE a small band of Planned Parenthood (aka

Reproductive Health) advocates were rallying in the Batasan,
many pro-life activities and prayer meetings organized by
Catholics all over the archipelago remained largely unnoticed
by mainstream media, for one reason or the other. That was
Tuesday, March 8, 2011—International Women’s Day the
world over.
But the happening at the University of Santo Tomas the day
after was just too big not to notice. Ash Wednesday, March
9—in just one Catholic university, 24,000 students, teachers
and school personnel assembled to form a human cross that
even the pro-RH media networks just had to cover. The
400-year-old UST was Ground Zero, and with a vision that
pierced through the most sinister of clouds, blessed eyes
from Heaven were watching.
The awesome Cross made of over 24,000 persons was meant
to commemorate the beginning of the Lenten Season, but it
was also meant to send a strong message against the passage of
the planned parenthood-styled Reproductive Health Bill.
Foreign paymasters and controllers of Reproductive Health
NGOs do not seem to grasp the sheer size of a sleeping pro-
life giant that is just beginning to awaken. For a while in

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

the Philippines there might not be such a thing as a Catholic
vote, but there is no doubt about the existence of a Catholic
Faith.
The parts of this compelling symbol of life are 99% young—
the future of our homeland, the last country that has not
formally succumbed to the culture of death.
Some have hastily predicted the arrival of a post-Christian
era for the Philippines, but beyond the dark clouds hovering Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
over a nation whose poor have been battered by foreign
intervenors and our own fraudulent countrymen, we Filipinos
Bringing out the Good
swear yearly by the Nazarene and affirm by His cross that we
shall rise up and face the challenges of life with resiliency Tidbits News in Lent
and endurance.
And it is by this sign that the Faithful of the Philippines ASH Wednesday ushers the to them the true meaning of the answers the deepest questions of hearers. Hence, she cannot sim-
shall resist and conquer. Not only shall we survive; we shall Faithful to enter into the Sea- religious practices that have been our lives.” ply turn away her attention from
flourish and we shall thrive! son of Lent for them to wade handed down through the cen- The innermost quest of man it. She has to address it. And then
through the many traditional turies. The purpose is simple: to to know the meaning of life, to there is the spirit of the world
activities and religious practices bring the faithful into a personal search for life of fulfillment and that has crept into the Christian
that prepare them to listen to encounter with Jesus. Needless of happiness, continues. Unfor- consciousness. It comes in varied
the God who speaks, look into to say, this is the main purpose tunately, this pursuit is muddled faces—secularism, consumer-
Renewing Society and the Church the realities of their day-to-day of evangelization. Pope Benedict by the problems that one faces. ism, materialism. The basic
living and the mess that they XVI in his address to the Visayan In the Philippines, extreme pov- message that it proudly preaches
have made of it and, hopefully, bishops in their ‘ad Limina’ visit erty, lack of work opportunities, to society is man can plot his
THE third and fourth tasks of the Christian family are: to come out with a real apprecia- last 18 February 2011 expressed out-migration, widespread lack own destiny. Hence, he can live
participation in the development of society and sharing in tion of their true worth as human the importance of bringing the of food, have served as stum- independently from God and
the life and mission of the Church. beings with the given potential faithful to a personal meeting bling blocks to this pursuit to live a life of self-sufficiency, free
to become sons and daughters of with Christ when he said: “Your happiness. The common saying to choose the path to trod on.
“The very experience of communion and sharing that should the God who made them. Lent great task in evangelization is that comes out from this: “how Science, technology, new inven-
characterize the family’s daily life represents its first and is truly a period of grace, a holy therefore to propose a personal can one preach to people with tions give him this confirmation
fundamental contribution to society” (FC, 43). This authentic season worth going through. relationship with Christ as key empty stomach?” The Church and assurance. Indeed God is not
communion is a “stimulus for the broader community To help the faithful to make to complete fulfillment.” Then knows they are all economic needed—God is dead.
relationships marked by respect, justice, dialogue and love” use of the time of Lent, the he contended, “In so doing each ills which are beyond the ambit Lent is the right moment to
(FC, ibid.). As a consequence, we strongly advocate “family Church offers readings of the Catholic will grasp in his or her of its competence. But they do help our people see themselves
politics,” by which families politically intervene “so that Holy Scripture and constant cat- innermost depths the life-trans- have serious implications to the again, appreciate their dignity
the laws and institutions of the State not only do not offend echesis to bring the good news of forming fact that God exists, that Church as witness of the Gospel as children of God, re-establish
but support and positively defend the rights and duties salvation to the faithful, explain he loves us, and that in Christ he as well as its acceptance by the Tidbits / A5
of the family” (FC, 44). By family politics they assume
responsibility for transforming society and fulfill “the kingly
mission of service in which Christian couples share by virtue Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
of the sacrament of marriage” (FC, 47).
In serving the Church, families share in the Church’s mission.
Such service should “follow a community pattern: the spouses
Small talk, big issue …and that’s the truth
together as a couple, the parents and children as a family (FC,
50). The family expresses and realizes its “participation in
the prophetic, priestly, and kingly mission of Jesus Christ A SMILEY sticker the size of a saucer in the station along E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon meddling!)
and of his Church” through the “love between husband and back of my car proclaims: I AM PRO-LIFE. City, a gasoline boy asked me, “Ma’am, ano Anyone speaking against it will also auto-
wife and between members of the family” (FC, ibid.). The I AM ANTI-RH BILL. ba yang RH bill?” He was appreciating the matically be judged as malicious and can be
witnessing of such love by the family demonstrates that the I don’t allow unnecessary stickers on my sticker, preparing to inflate my tires. I re- thrown into jail, I continued. “Imadyin mo,
family is both a believing and evangelizing community. car—not even religious ones—but this one plied, “Ay naku, mapang-api sa mahihirap pag nagsalita ka ng nasasa loob mo, ikuku-
is an exception. I even applied it myself and yan,” and then proceeded to tell him why long ka, tama ba yon?” (Imagine you could
Today in practically all dioceses in the Philippines there are only much later did I realize I had broken my I think it should not become a law. I said be imprisoned for speaking your mind out—
diocesan and parish programs of Family and Life. These help own no-sticker rule. It was an act-now-think- the bill sees a human being as just another is that right?) The gasoline boy quipped,
parents fulfill their duties and responsibilities toward their later thing but the reason that surfaced later mouth to feed, which is contrary to the Fili- “Patay! Sino na mag-aalalay sa mga anak
families, toward the Church and toward society. We are also was as clear as a newborn baby’s eyes. pinos’ belief that children are the wealth of natin, gobyerno?” (Shucks! Who will guide
gratified to see Catholic movements like the Parish Renewal I wanted it to be a voice for the voiceless— the family. our kids then, the government?)
Experience (PREX), Christian Family Movement, Human the voiceless unborn that the clanging of the It usurps parents’ right to educate and That’s what’s so sad about it, I told him,
Life International, Marriage Encounter groups, Couples for RH bill supporters’ cymbals is programmed look after their own children when it comes the institution that’s supposed to protect
to annihilate. A colleague gave me that stick- to sex, I explained in Tagalog. If that bill is our life seems hell-bent on endangering it.
Christ, Familia, Abay Familia, and many other similar groups
er at the Filipinos United for Life Interfaith passed, I told him, parents can be jailed for “Mukhang desidido gobyerno eh. Hindi
do their part to renew and uplift the quality of our society’s Rally held at the PICC grounds in Manila last trying to stop their daughter from having an pa nga batas yan ipinatutupad na nila nang
political, economic, and moral life. We hope that they will February 13—the only rally I have ever at- abortion. They can’t even object when their patago eh” (The government seems de-
help all couples in an even greater measure to achieve the tended in my whole life. Since I can’t attend grade-school kids are taught how to use a termined; even now they’re clandestinely
tasks of Christian families. pro-life rallies as much as I’d want to, I take condom! “Biruin mo, magulang ka, hindi implementing parts of the bill), I said and re-
to the streets everyday with this sticker as ka na puwedeng magturo ng tama at mali called for him a story told by a friend whose
my megaphone. Instead of marching in the sa anak mo, dahil pakikialam daw yon?!” labandera gave birth at a government facility.
Saving and strengthening the Filipino family, streets for life with a placard, I drive around (It’s no joke that you’re a parent but you’re Because she’s enlisted as an indigent patient,
fighting death with a smile(y). not allowed to tell your child what’s right she was apparently entitled to a maternity
A CBCP Pastoral Statement on the 20th Anniversary of I was happy when one morning, at a filling or wrong, because that would be taken as Truth / A7
Familiaris Consortio, 2001

Fr. Roy Cimagala

Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP
PUBLICATION LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Candidly Speaking
I NORMALLY respect and
appreciate any effort to promote
the dignity of anyone, be he or
she a man, a woman, a father or
mother, a child or student, etc. I
just don´t like that this effort be
Kris Bayos made a cover to push dangerous
Features Editor and wrong ideological causes.
Last March 8 was the
Gloria Fernando celebration of the International
Marketing Supervisor Women´s Day. This celebration
day of the women.
I know that socialism, just
like most ideologies, has a
congenital defect that shortens
its lifespan drastically. That´s
because it cannot cope with
the whole gamut of humanity´s
needs, since it tends to lump
human beings into one social
mass without giving due respect
to personal dignity.
Deorbited from
humanity
noisy their advocates are.
Well, last March 8, it seems
this dangerous ideology reared
its ugly head in Congress when
some of our legislators wanted
to ram the notorious RH Bill for
approval. When it could not be
done simply because of lack of
quorum, appeals were made to
approve it just because it was
International Women´s Day.
It´s a cheap shot that should
be insulting to the whole of
womanhood. It´s like they
are deorbiting themselves
from humanity, because
they are styling themselves
to be independent-minded
Catholics, openly going
against Church teaching. In
short, they have deorbited
themselves from God and from

Associate Editor
had an originally socialist Many of its versions have Is this how our laws are his commandments.
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos tone, but has tempered failed to make the right blend passed in Congress now? Are These gimmicks have already
Managing Editor Circulation Manager through the years to simply between the personal and social they simply approved through been known even in the times
showing love and respect for dimensions of men. shameless political horse- of Christ. There were some
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez women, acknowledging their Besides, they also tend to trading? people who made it their
News Editor Comptroller
achievements and surfacing linger in materialism. They´re It´s really funny when some business to question, doubt
their valid concerns. painfully blind and insensitive women with clearly ideological and suspect everything that
It´s a most welcome to things spiritual, let alone, hang-ups try to make whatever our Lord said and did. They
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- development that has drawn a supernatural. Faith and religion they like as the right of all were so full of their own ideas
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices growing following from people are personas non grata to them. women. In some places, they and self-righteousness that
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. of goodwill. I´m happy to note And so, they will always have have even organized the so- they even failed to notice their
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 called oxymoron, Catholics for
that the government has taken problems, bogged down by own inconsistencies in their
active part in celebrating this grave issues, no matter how RH Bill. Candidly Speaking/ A7
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
Opinion A5
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Getting rid of the Commentary
Views and Points enemy: population Vincenzina Santoro

The age of ageing

IT is not really an improbability
that the incumbent administra-
tion with its known and secret
allies in the present Legisla-
tive Department, will go down
in Philippine history as the
subtle but ardent enemy of the
people—more concretely in
its disdain if not hatred for the
Filipino population. This may
sound too radical and wherefore
could be saddled with but fertile
imagination if not downright
fantasy.
How could the public officials
concerned be against population
when they are in fact counted
among them because their own
parents did not prevent their
conception nor procure their
abortion? Why would the gov-
ernment be the enemy of popu-
lation when a good number of
them are sadly looked upon as
but chattel to offer and deploy
for foreign employment?
It appears that the present
government has adopted the
following posture: There is much
poverty and misery in the coun-
try due to population. There is
hardly any work or employment
in the Philippines on account of
population. There are too much
dissent, so many complaints, too
many criminals, too much drug
trade in the country because of
population.
Conclusion: population is
the cause of the socio-economic
liabilities of the Philippines.
Population is the impediment to
national progress and develop-
ment. Population is a curse to
the country. Population has to
be depleted much if not actually
done away with. Any way and
all means to stop natural popu-
lation up and down in growth
and depletion—merely seen in
terms of mouths to feed, bodies
to clothe, heads to shelter—are
not only in order but also im-
perative.
But then someone repeatedly
and emphatically proclaimed as
an pre-election mantra: “Kung
walang corrupt, walang mahi-
rap!” Translation: Corruption—
not population—is the cause
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
of poverty in the country. But
during this post-election sce-
nario, the song sung seems to
have changed in tune and con-
tent: “Walang mahirap, kung
kakaunti lamang ang tao, higit
sa lahat!”
Meantime, while the fight
against population is on, the
drive against corruption is on
hold—just like the well-adver-
tised “Truth Commission” long
since sent to limbo by the compe-
tent Court in the land. And there
is really no decisive and evident
effort on the part of the Executive
Department to pursue to final-
ity the “Commission” through
many other possible ways and
means at its command.
THE strong statement comes from the Population Division of
the United Nations, the global authority on population data
and policies. In a little-noted document titled World Popu-
lation Ageing 2009 the report also stressed that population
ageing is “pervasive, profound and enduring.” All countries
are experiencing the same phenomenon. The economic
and social consequences are extensive and the process will
continue to unfold rapidly, especially in the more advanced
countries. In 2009 according to UN data, 22 percent of the
population in developed countries was aged 60 or over. That
share is expected to rise to 33 percent in 2050. The elderly
cohort now outnumbers children under 15 and by 2050 there
are likely to be two over 60s for every child.
According to the UN, the number of older persons tripled
in the past 60 years and will triple again by 2050. The “old-
est old”—aged 80 and over—now account for four percent
of global population. They are the most rapidly growing
age group, with women surviving in greater numbers than
men. An interesting anecdote: the American greeting card
company Hallmark reported selling 85,000 birthday cards

Listen to the call

for centenarians in 2007.

Duc in Altum Another recent UN publication dealing with population

THE CBCP Pastoral Letter “Choosing Life,
Rejecting the RH Bill” should never be ig-
nored. Our shepherds have strongly spoken;
the flock should now listen to the call and
move to action. Let us make a moral choice;
stop the culture of death, choose life.
The Pastoral Letter aptly based on the
Constitutional provision, not the Catholic
religious teachings, “The State recognizes the
sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous
social institution. It shall equally protect the
life of the mother and the life of the unborn
from conception (Art. II, Section 12).”
Given the secular background of education
in my alma mater University of the Philip-
pines, its faculty members, students and
alumni came up with Position Paper strongly
rejecting RH Bill. Its main argument: “it is the
State’s duty to order society by promoting the
well-being of its citizens. Thus, it is a disser-
vice to legislate what constitutes harm to its
people.” It pointed out the “studies showing
the harmful effects of contraception to society,
the family, the youth and women’s health.
While it is true that the State cannot stop
people from using contraception, since they
may personally choose to expose themselves
to its risks, it is not the State’s job to facilitate
access to what is harmful.”
RH Bill does not protect the health of hu-
man life. “Contraceptives” have been classi-
fied by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 carcinogens.
Its use has been associated with increased
risk of breast cancer, heart and pulmonary
diseases. They are fatal to human life, either
preventing it or actually destroying it. There
are numerous cases of contraceptive failure,
thus, abortion is resorted to.
In some countries where condom use is
prevalent, HIV or AIDS continue to spread.
According to the UP Position Paper, the
Philippines has the lowest incidence of HIV,
whereas Thailand which is the model in con-
dom promotion has the highest. It mentions
that European epidemiologist Dr. Jokin de
Irala refers to “risk-compensation” as the
reason for higher HIV-AIDS incidences; that
human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, by
far the most common STD and a risk fac-
tor for cervical cancer, is not prevented by
condoms; that HPV spreads through skin-
Brian Caulfield
to-skin contact, unlike AIDS, and condoms
cannot cover all possible infected skin; that
a government-sponsored condom distribu-
tion will only fatten the pockets of condom
manufacturers.
Let us accept the fact that there is actually
no overpopulation in the Philippines but
only the “over-concentration of population
in urban centers”. The UP study avers that
as early as 1966, Nobel Prize winner Simon
Kuznets’ research has shown that there is
no significant empirical association between
population growth rates and economic
growth; that it is the rate at which technol-
ogy grows and the ability of the population
to employ these new technologies efficiently
and widely that permit economic progress;
that a more rapid population growth, if
properly managed, will promote economic
development through a positive impact on
the society’s state of knowledge.
As correctly stated by the CBCP, among
the causes of poverty in the Philippines are
ill-considered economic policies, greed,
corruption, social inequities, lack of access
to education, poor economic and social
services, poor infrastructures. Billions of
pesos are lost yearly to corruption. Our
legislators must address the real causes
of poverty; they should craft more bills to
make accessible higher education to all and
create more jobs instead of using public
funds for contraceptives and sex education.
Taxpayers’ money should instead be used
to establish more hospitals and clinics in
the rural areas, increase health personnel to
provide more access to health services, make
available medicines and medical supplies
to government hospitals and clinics, build
more schools, provide more aid to the poor
for higher education, create job and put up
more and better infrastructures necessary
for development.
The leading causes of death in our country
are respiratory and pulmonary diseases,
heart disease, tuberculosis, hypertension,
diabetes. The government should use pub-
lic funds to decrease, if not eradicate, these
diseases instead of using them for contracep-
tion, sterilization and sex education.
The UP study further stated that: fertility
rates in the Philippines are progressively
decreasing; that our Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
has declined by more than 50% in less than
50 years: from an average rate of 7 in 1960 to
an average rate of 3.1 in 2008; that our TFR
is expected to reach the replacement level
of 2.1 in 2025 without massive government
intervention like the passing of a population
control or RH bill, which will only accelerate
this. The UP research likewise asserted that
in 2004, Joseph Chamie, Director of the UN
Population Division, reported that 60 coun-
tries have TFRs below 2.1 which mean that
they will eventually experience decline and
aging. He declared that the efforts of these
countries to raise fertility rates will not be
enough to bring them back to replacement
levels; that many of these countries are now
asking their people to have more children.
This column maintains that there is ac-
tually no need for RH Bill. We urge our
legislators to strongly reject the RH Bill.
We likewise condemn compulsory sex
education that compels parents to relinquish
their primary role of educating their own
children and punish them if they do the
contrary. Why are our legislators thinking
of getting rid of our best asset, our people?
Is that the best that they can do for their
constituents when there are available and
better alternatives for them to do? Should
this push through, our grandchildren and
their children will be forced to suffer due to
the mistake stubbornly committed by this
government which chose to manipulate a
decrease in our population and suffer its
worst effects as now being experienced by
other countries.
To pass the RH Bill is to violate our con-
stitutional right to equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception, not to mention our constitutional
right to practice our religion and religious
beliefs.
***
This column congratulates Rev. Fr. Adrian
M. Magnait, Chancellor of the Diocese of Ka-
lookan, for the successful book launching of
his “Lenten Spiritual Practices”, with reflec-
tions from the Popes for the 40 days of Lent.
We also greet all the university and college
scholars of the College of Sciences of U.P. in
Diliman, especially Ria Edeliza Imperial, a
B.S. Biology student.
policies queried governments as to their primary popula-
tion concerns. In response, 79 percent of governments in
developed countries considered ageing “a major concern”
followed by HIV/AIDS, low fertility, and “a small or declin-
ing number of persons of working age.” Data by continental
area show an enormous contrast regarding the significance
of population ageing, as indicated below:
It is stunning that all of North America is worried about
population ageing as is most of Europe and Latin America.
Africa, which only has 15 percent of global population, also
has more countries with a high fertility rate and a low level
of life expectancy. Oceania is sparsely populated.
According to UN data, there were 29 countries or territo-
ries that had 20 percent or more of their population aged 60
or over in 2009. Japan headed the list followed by European
countries, although the US Virgin Islands were also in the
group – which could be due to outsiders who chose to retire
there. The top five besides Japan (29.7%) were Italy (26.4%),
Germany (25.7%), Sweden (24.7%), and Bulgaria (24.2%).
In 30th place came Canada (19.5%) while the United States
(17.9%) ranked in 42nd place.
Among the 196 countries covered, there was a stark con-
trast between the countries above and those that had the
lowest share of over 60s in their populations: Qatar (1.9%),
United Arab Emirates (1.9%), Burkina Faso (3.3%), Sierra
Leone (3.5%), and Niger (3.5%). The median age of countries
also showed an extreme variance: Japan’s median age was
44.4 years, almost triple that of Niger at the bottom of the
list with a mere 15 years.
Japan is the undisputed leader in ageing. At 82.3, Japan
has the longest life expectancy—a tribute to good health,
hygiene and local cuisine. With a shrinking population and
hyper-ageing, the Japanese delegate at the 2011UN Com-
mission for Social Development session mentioned in his
statement that: “Japan has recently become a true ‘society of
the aged.’ The proportion of the Japanese population aged
65 and over now exceeds 23 percent.”
The rapidly ageing Japanese population underlies a weak
economic performance over the past two decades. The econ-
omy, which for many years seemed to have done everything
right and was the envy of other nations, began to stall in the
1990s. This was due not only to a questionable combination
of economic and financial policies but also due to a rapidly
ageing population, a low birth rate and a reluctance to ad-
mit migrants from other countries to enhance the domestic
labor force. The resulting economic stagnation, which led
to “the lost decade,” as it has come to be called, seems to
have extended well into the new millennium.
The top three ageing countries—Japan, Italy and Germa-

Bishops talk chastity ny—among others have enacted or promoted measures to

deal with the issue. Efforts have focused on removing in-
Half a World Away centives to early retirement, allowing older persons to work
longer, increasing the statutory retirement age for both men
and women, encouraging more women to enter the labor
force, and efforts to strengthen pension systems.
THE Canadian bishops have People on Chastity” was re- The letter draws from tradi- recovering the virtue of chastity Pension obligations are becoming more burdensome as the
jumped right to the heart of leased January 27th by the Com- tional Church teaching and the after premature sexual activ- members of the baby boom generation reach retirement age.
our sexualized culture with a mission for Doctrine of the sections on chastity and purity ity. Then the letter ends with a According to the OECD, pensioners in developed countries
pastoral letter on a topic that Canadian Conference of Catholic found in the Catechism of the presentation of a role model, St. can expect to live 20.4 years in retirement. Japan’s public
has rarely been breathed about Bishops (CCCB). It does not Catholic Church. The body is Augustine, who had a longtime pension fund, the largest in the world with assets around
from the pulpit or in the schools: draw much from the popular the “temple of the Holy Spirit.” lover and fathered a child before $1.5 trillion is scrambling in search of higher returns to pre-
chastity for young people. idiom or hip phrases that some Sexuality is “a gift from God his conversion. Also held up for pare for higher outlays – not unlike private pension funds.
How quaint, some may say. chastity speakers use, those who and a fundamental part of what emulation are Blessed Kateri, Meanwhile a shrinking number of workers face higher taxes
Yet there are indications that reference the street language and makes us human.” The virtue of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, to support public pension schemes.
youth today are open to the chas- music of youth. chastity “involves the integra- and St. Gianna Beretta Molla. For Japan, heightened government spending both in re-
tity message, after seeing the ruin Rather, the pastoral letter pres- tion of the powers of love and It will be interesting to see sponse to a long period of economic weakness and to meet
that premarital sex has made of ents human sexuality as an adult life placed in us.” Chastity is how the letter is received by the growing pension obligations have resulted in an expansion
so many lives—an epidemic of topic that young people need to “difficult for everyone: single, young people to whom it is ad- of government debt that, in relation to GDP, is currently
sexually transmitted diseases, be initiated into. The opening married or consecrated.” dressed, since it doesn’t speak nearly twice that of Greece. The key mitigating element is
teen pregnancies, abortion and words set the tone: “Living a life There are few concessions to the language of youth. It seeks that Japanese people have one of the highest savings rates in
mistrust of commitment. Today, of chastity is an ongoing journey youthful exuberance over sexu- to elevate the discussion to a the world and much of those savings are placed in govern-
chastity may just be the kind of which requires both guidance ality. “The body is our doorway level of maturity and presents ment securities. Unlike Greece, the vast majority of Japanese
countercultural message that and encouragement.” The Ca- to salvation, and so how we treat the truth without apology. But government debt is held domestically, including by the
kids are looking for. It can be nadian bishops will provide it matters.” maybe that’s what young people older population who undoubtedly have started drawing
presented as the ultimate way to “some words of direction and There are sections on chastity are looking for—a serious dis- down these savings to maintain well being. Outliving one’s
“die for the one you love,” while support” for the difficult task of for singles, married couples, con- cussion on sex without the sugar savings remains a risk everywhere.
remaining alive. remaining chaste in a culture of secrated religious and priests, coating, that is, very obviously On a social level, the elderly in developed countries are
The “Pastoral Letter to Young temptation. and a very helpful section on meant for their own good. already beginning to experience the same fate as that of un-
wanted unborn children. Euthanasia is the elder equivalent
Tidbits / A4 of abortion. Both processes terminate life. One is a victim
who never lived to be born and the other an individual who
priorities with God as the foundation. To So, the Season of Lent with its catecheses, touches the eyes of the blind in order to lived too long.
do that, the Church introduces Christ the liturgical rites, and other religious prac- open them to the beauty of creation, who Even in Catholic Italy there is interest in legalized eutha-
Redeemer into their lives and help them meet tices, does not just teach the contents of our consoles a weeping mother by raising back nasia (it has the second highest proportion of persons over
Christ in a personal and intimate manner, Christian Faith. It is at the same time an to life her son, a Jesus who blesses children, 60 in the world). In 2006, a famous oncologist, Umberto
that is, not only to know him in their mind, instrument, a tool, to help bring the Good a Jesus who asks for water to drink from a Veronesi, wrote a short book that became a best-seller titled
but also to rediscover Him as the One and News to our people. It too is a medium that Samaritan woman, a Jesus who cares, a Jesus Il Diritto di Morire (“The Right to Die”). (It has not been
True meaning of their life, feel His uncondi- has its own hidden message, that is, God who is alive. translated into English.) In it he argued that a patient who is
tional love. It is then hoped that with the help is not an idea to be taught, a doctrine to be Lent then gives service to this kind of seriously ill and on the verge of death forms a strong bond
of the Holy Spirit they may gain that deep memorized, set of rules to be routinely fol- evangelization, that is, to experience God with his or her doctor that the latter can perceive the will
insight that would transform the perspec- lowed. Rather, God is a person who engages personally and deeply. It hopes that through of the patient, including the futility of advanced therapies
tive of their whole being leading to a radical you and me in a personal conversation and these forty days of religious exercises and and the desire to die with dignity.
change, finally placing Him as the priority a lively dialogue, a God who listens to the heavy catecheses our faithful could encoun- Commentary / A7
of their heart and mind. cries of the poor and the lowly, a Jesus who ter the true personal God of their Faith.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Gov’t urged to defend Go on leave, bishop

religious freedom A CATHOLIC Church official urged the government to fight
urges Ombudsman
OMBUDSMAN Merceditas Gutier-
rez must take a leave of absence once
of her friend and former president
Gloria Arroyo.
for religious freedom of overseas Filipino workers especially the impeachment trial against her Meanwhile, Manila Auxiliary
those in the Middle East. starts, a Catholic bishop said. Bishop Broderick Pabillo earlier said
Scalabrinian priest Fr. Edwin Corros said the government Caloocan Bishop Deogracias it would be good for the country if
should stand up internationally for Christians and other Iniguez said stepping down provi- Gutierrez vacate her post.
religions to obtain a life in freedom. sionally is the prudent thing to do “She should go down… there’s
“Our government leaders must learn to negotiate as well for the for Gutierrez while her case is being no point of staying. She is already a
protection and preservation of the cultural and religious rights of heard in Congress. hindrance to the government’s fight
our OFWs when they sign a memorandum of agreement especially “If you are on trial, especially if against corruption because of her
when they are deployed in countries that really relied on the impor- you are in such a position, there’s performance,” he said.
tant contribution of our people to these countries,” he said. a need for delicadeza, that you at But Pabillo said the embattled
Corros is the executive secretary of the Commission for least offer your leave of absence,” Ombudsman can either resign or
Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People of the Catholic Iniguez said. face the impeachment complaints
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The head of the Committee on filed against her in Congress.
According to him, the great contribution of the OFWs Public Affairs of the Catholic Bish- “There are pros and cons to that.
must be recognized by, in one way, defending their religious ops’ Conference of the Philippines In the impeachment, for instance,
freedom as one of the great human rights. is hoping that the impeachment it’s costly but there is accountability
“We’ve noticed and based on the information we have received, process would be treated fairly. which is also good,” he said.
Europeans, Caucasians are being allowed to celebrate Mass in their “For me, as long as the process Pabillo chairs the National Sec-
embassies but not the Philippine government. That is now the ques- is being followed, it is alright,” he retariat for Social Action – Justice
tion how come they are unable to negotiate this?” he said. said. and Peace of the Catholic Bishops’
“The government should really negotiate for that because The Supreme Court, on March 8, Conference of the Philippines.
after all if the people are happy in expressing their religion, has junked Gutierrez’s motion for The prelate has also welcomed
the more they can happily contribute to the nation building reconsideration in connection with the decision of the House Commit-
of the host countries.” the impeachment complaints she tee on Justice this week in approv-
Corros added that to respect for the cultural and religious is facing. ing the impeachment raps against
rights of OFWs is also an indication of their capacity to prac- In the Lower House, the justice Gutierrez.
tice similar rights that are accorded to them when they move committee approved the complaints In the event that Gutierrez will
and visit to other countries such as the Philippines. for plenary vote after it found prob- have to be replaced, he said the gov-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

Last December, Migrante’s Middle East chapter said 14 able cause to oust Gutierrez from ernment should appoint someone
Filipino nationals have been held in custody by police au- her post. “credible” to fight corruption.
thorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after being The controversial head of the “...Someone not just because he or
caught engaged in a prohibited “religious service”. government’s anti-graft body is she is trusted by the administration
Conducting religious activities other than Islam is pro- under fire for allegedly sleeping on but someone trusted by the people,”
hibited in Saudi Arabia and in most of the Middle-Eastern high-profile cases including that he said. (CBCPNews)
Fr. Edwin Corros
countries. (CBCPNews)

Bishop seeks transparency in Priest hits ‘slow’ evacuation

military spending of OFWs in Libya
A CATHOLIC bishop is seeking an increased “He should implement transparency and Among his priorities, he said, is the com- DESPITE efforts by the govern- Gadaffi administration would
transparency in the Armed Forces of the fight corruption in the AFP and restore its puterization of the procurement system and ment to bring home the overseas arm its civilian population.
Philippines following the appointment of a image,” Iñiguez said over Catholic Church- the plan to make some amendments in the Filipino workers in Libya, a Montellana also said that the
new AFP head. run Radyo Veritas. procurement reform act. Franciscan priest said its action Filipinos had to fend on their
Allegations of corruption and bureau- “With transparency, we can stop irregular Oban was formally installed as AFP chief is ‘too slow.’ own on how they could rescue
cratic inefficiency hounded the AFP recently, transactions,” he said. on Monday amid the Senate probe on some Based on the reports relayed themselves.
prompting Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Oban earlier vowed for “indelible trails” top military officials accused of amassing to them by their priests in Libya, One of the priests in the area
Iñiguez to ask newly installed AFP chief of staff for all AFP transactions by strengthening unexplained wealth through questionable Manila-based Fr. Pete Montel- also reported that the OFWs are
Eduardo Oban Jr. to guarantee transparency. procurement process. transactions. (CBCPNews) lana said the situation there is experiencing food shortage.
getting worse causing fright Montellana said: “Those (Fili-
Parents / A1 among OFWs. pinos) who are staying in the
It also appeared, he said, that desert were forced to leave
the pope stressed. maturity. their priests assigned in isolated “I commend you for the work the Philippine Embassy there the area because of scarcity in
The Philippine Church has The bishops have a paternal areas. you have already done and I en- can’t provide the necessary as- food.”
been very vocal in its opposition duty towards their clergy and The pontiff noted how the courage you, by means of the dia- sistance to the OFWs trapped in “In fact, they said that the
of the controversial reproductive should guide them with sincere Second National Congress for the logue that has been established, the troubled country. OFWs in Tripoli limited their
health bill now being deliberated concern, said the pontiff. Clergy held in Manila during the to continue to promote the path “Based on the information food consumption and eating
in Congress because of its anti life He lauded the continuing for- Year for Priests “became an oc- to true and lasting peace with all we received from our Fran- only one meal a day,” he said.
and anti family provisions. mation programs many dioceses casion for renewal and fraternal of your neighbors, never failing to ciscans (based in Libya) it The priest admitted that
In a recent pastoral statement, have for the young clergy to help support” among the clergy. treat each person, no matter his or appeared that the assistance bringing the Filipinos out of
the bishops slammed the RH them adjust to an independent He encouraged the prelates to her beliefs, as created in the im- rendered by the government Libya has been difficult, espe-
bill, saying it is “a major attack life outside the seminary. benefit from the annual celebra- age of God,” said the pope. was slow. It was really slow,” cially those who are staying in
on authentic human values and “Along these lines, it is also tion of Holy Thursday, “during said Montellana. the desert because they were
Filipino cultural values regarding helpful for them to be assigned which the Church commemo- Seek the ‘lost sheep’ The missionary made the the ones who were left behind
human life.” mentors from among those older rates the priesthood in a special The Holy Father urged the statement over church-run by their employers.
They said parents “have the priests who have proven them- way.” bishops to seek out “the lost Radyo Veritas although the The Order of Friar Minors
primary inalienable right and selves to be faithful servants of “Remind your priests of their sheep” and make sure “that all government claimed it is doing (OFM) had been providing as-
responsibility to nurture [their the Lord,” he said. commitment to celibacy, obedi- the faithful draw life from the significant progress in its repa- sistance to Filipinos in Libya for
children], care for them, and edu- “These men can guide their ence, and an ever greater dedica- great gift given to us in the Sacred triation program. the last 17 years.
cate them that they might grow as younger confrères along the tion to pastoral service,” the pope Mysteries.” “That’s not true. They should Montellana said that the bulk
mature persons according to the path toward a mature and well- told the bishops. He told the prelates not to make if faster. We, in the Fran- of the Filipino population in
will of the Creator.” balanced way of priestly living,” “In living out their promises, “grow weary of doing good” as ciscan community, are urging Libya is living in Tripoli.
Among other issues, the bish- the pope added. these men will become true spiri- “the greatest good that we can of- them to speed up the giving “If I am not mistaken there
ops also condemned the manda- Saying that “priests of all tual fathers with a personal and fer those whom we serve is given of assistance to the OFWs,” he are about 9,000 OFWs in Trip-
tory sex education stipulated in ages” need continuous care in psychological maturity that will to us in the Eucharist.” said. oli. There are also thousands of
the Bill, stressing it is the primary all aspects of their priestly life, grow to mirror the paternity of “It is heartening that many He expressed concern that the Filipinos in Benghazi,” he said.
role of parents to educate their the Holy Father also encouraged God,” he added. Filipinos attend Sunday Mass, situation could get worse if the (CBCPNews)
children in matters of sexuality. that “regular days of recollection, but this does not leave room for
yearly retreats and convocations, Peace dialogue complacency on your part as
as well as programs for continu- Alluding on the ongoing peace shepherds,” the pope said. Junk / A1
Formation of Clergy
Pope Benedict, during the ing education and assistance for dialogue in Mindanao, the Holy The prelates from Mindanao Bataan,” Iñiguez said. ing whether a meltdown has
audience, also urged the Philip- priests who may be facing dif- Father said “dialogue with other and the Ecclesiastical Province According to him, the BNPP occurred at the Fukushima No
pine bishops to put a premium in ficulties”, be promoted. religions remains a high priority, of Lipa were in Rome for their would not benefit the country 1 nuclear power plant after Fri-
the ongoing formation of priests He also urged the bishops especially in the southern areas of five-yearly ad limina visit from and could instead expose the day’s 8.9-magnitude earthquake
and to guide them to spiritual to look after the well-being of your country.” February 21 to March 5. Filipinos to unnecessary dan- and tsunami.
gers. People have already been
Earthquake / A1 He said its consequence, espe- evacuated around a 10-km ra-
cially as proven by the Japanese dius of the plant after the nuke
‘End of the world’ definitely not with them,” Cruz added. died but also their families left behind,” experience, are certainly not plant had explosions and vented
According to Cruz, “as the world has a The archbishop made the statement amid Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said over worth its supposed benefits. smoke to the air.
beginning, it also has an end”. In short, he some talks of prophecies of doom brought by Catholic Church-run Radyo Veritas. “They should intently follow Explosions happened when
said, a doomsday scenario is “certain.” the 8.9-magnitude tremor in Japan. Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez also what is happening in Japan on hydrogen-filled steam, released
“The end of the world is a certitude―with As of March 14, the death toll from the urged the Filipinos to pray and thank God its results if nuclear malfunction to reduce pressure from over-
or without harmful biotechnology ventures, devastating earthquake and tsunami was that the country was spared from the tsunami occurs,” Iñiguez said. heating reactors, reacted with
with or without climate change and other placed at around 2,500 but Japanese officials after Philippine Institute of Volcanology Japan officials are now prob- oxygen. (CBCPNews)
assault at nature,” he said. said that more than 10,000 people are esti- and Seismology (Phivolcs) officials ordered
But as to when would that be, the 76-year mated to have died from the tragedy. evacuations of residents of coastal towns in
old prelate said no one knows except God. 19 provinces following the magnitude-8.9 Peace / A1
“In other words, when exactly the end of ‘Pray for victims’ tremor. ers (IFCL), the march was one of violence has no place in the
the world will happen, is categorically un- Meanwhile, Catholic bishops urged “We are very grateful that we’ve been the concrete actions the group province,” Zanoria said.
known to everybody else,” he said. Filipinos to pray for the victims of the ca- spared… that would have been very tragic has taken to send a message of Sr. Lydia T. Sumampong,
“Hence, if certain individuals, some char- tastrophe. because we have so many coastal areas,” peace in the province, especially SFIC, a nun from the Congrega-
acters say that they know when, the truth is “We should pray not only for those who Iñiguez said. (CBCPNews) to victims of violence. tion of the Franciscans of the Im-
Noting the big number of maculate Conception, assigned
Gadgets / A1 Poll / A1 people who turned out for the in the Prelature of Basilan, said
rally, January Zanoria, Christian the walk for peace was a show
person,” the 66-year old prelate Bastes also took the opportu- allow the practice of one’s faith poll body to have more time to Coordinator of IFCL Basilan, of unity among the people of
told CBCP Online Radio. nity to call on the Catholic faith- can listen and view the CBCP prepare. said the people’s courage to Basilan.
It will be recalled the Vatican, ful to observe the Lenten Season website and join the traditional The PPCRV official said they do so is worth commending in The people in Basilan are
in a statement last month, dis- with the appropriate atmosphere Visita Iglesia which is now on its support proposals for the syn- the light of the kidnapping and united in condemning violence,
closed that an iPhone application of denying one’s self of the usual second year. chronization of the ARMM shooting incidents happening thus we are willing to work
that aids in confession prepara- comforts reminding everyone of He added a perfect recitation polls with the 2013 midterm in the city. for peace and reconciliation
tion is not a substitute for the the need to sacrifice “as the Lord of the Act of Contrition would elections. ”Unlike before, when vari- together as one community,
personal dialogue between the Jesus Christ sacrificed for our provide them God’s forgiveness Recently, the House committees ous leaders called the people she said.
priest and the penitent which is a redemption.” especially in countries where on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms to condemn violence the most Meanwhile, other participants
requirement for the sacrament. He said it would be better for there are no Catholic chaplains to and on Muslim Affairs approved that we can do then was to to the peace rally, including Pas-
Jesuit Federico Lombardi, di- Manila-based Sorsoganons to attend to their spiritual needs. the bill seeking the postponement participate in a candle lighting tor Ronald Paulino and Profes-
rector of the Vatican Press Office stay in Manila rather than spend “As mentioned during Ash of the ARMM polls. activity. Anything more than sor Alzad Sattar, both active
made the statement with the intro- the Holy Week in beaches and Wednesday, everyone is ex- Malacanang, for its part, also that would surely send shiver member of IFCL Basilan, also
duction of a new application for reunions without regard for the pected to repent and turn away expressed support to the pro- down [people’s] spines for fear voiced out their all out support
the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Catholics’ faithful observance of from sin and be reminded that posals with the matter being they might be the next victim. for the peace rally, even as they
that earlier received an imprima- the Paschal triduum. from dust we have come, to discussed in the Legislative Ex- But today the Basileños have hope that healing and reconcili-
tur from Bishop Kevin Rhodes of The prelate said Filipino Cath- dust we will all return,” he said. ecutive Development Advisory already conquered their fears. ation take place in the conflict
Fort Wayne-South Bend. olics in countries that do not (Melo M. Acuna) Council (LEDAC). (CBCPNews) The people have spoken that ridden province. (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
Archbishop Ledesma urges
prayer for OFWs in Libya
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— Echoing
the message of Pope Benedict XVI,
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma on March
13, called for prayers and aid to sustain
overseas Filipino workers still trapped
in Libya and in other countries of con-
flict and also aid to help their families
left in the Philippines.
“Let us all offer our prayers for our
brother and sister Filipinos who are
in Libya and in other countries now
Vatican on March 11, shared with this
reporter the high esteem the Pope have
for the OFWs.
“He knows that a big part of
our population is working over-
seas. OFWs are also carriers of the
Gospel and in their own way, they
are also the new evangelizers,” he
said.
The Jesuit archbishop said that while
in the Vatican together with other Fili-
A7
Caring for Filipino Migrants and their
Families.”
Catholic Churches across the country
offered prayers for the safety of OFWs
in the Middle East and North Africa
who are all facing uncertainties because
of the conflict there.
The celebration also highlights the
OFWs contribution to the country
and to world in general and also their
heroism.

© Bong D. Fabe / CBCP Media

in conflict that they may find shelters
of refuge and safety. Let us also offer
aid to their families here who like them
are suffering because of the war in the
countries their loved ones are working
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma in,” he said.
Ledesma, who arrived from the
pino bishops, the Pope shared that he is
very concerned with what is happening
in North Africa.
The Philippine Church celebrated
on March 13 the 25th National Migrant
Sunday with the theme “25 Years and
Beyond… Pastoral Commitment of
“The Holy Father is looking at what
is happening now in North Africa from
the point of view of how Christians in
a minority situation can still help our
brother and sisters in other cultural
communities in those areas,” Ledesma
said. (Bong D. Fabe)

Mati Catholic media promote Briefing

honesty, punctuality
MATI, Davao Oriental—The Diocese of
Mati’s Catholic radio and TV stations are
advocating “time consciousness and hon-
esty” among the public, stressing the value
of punctuality and honesty as elements of
success in daily life.
Local radio stations DXHM-AM – Ra-
dyo Totoo and DXDV-Spirit FM, as well
as local channel TCTV (Trinity Cable TV)
featured in its programs on the first week
of March 2011 values-oriented advocacy
message calling for people to practice proj-
ect WATCH.
WATCH is an acronym for “We Advocate
Time Consciousness and Honesty”. The
message urges public to practice honesty
and make it a way of life.
The Catholic media’s advocacy mes-
sage “Be honest, even if others are not.
Be honest, even if nobody is watching. Be
honest, though it cost a lot. Let us also be
punctual so that we can start the day right.
Practice Project WATCH” is in support of
the program of the Department of Educa-
tion (DepEd) Davao Oriental division to
enhance the importance of the value of
punctuality and honesty.
The radio and TV outlets worked closely
with the Rabat-Rocamora Mati Central Spe-
cial Education School, better known simply
as SPED, was declared “Best Implemen-
tor” on the Division level. The school has
recently submitted its entry and attached
documentations to qualify for the Regional
and National levels as Best W.A.T.C.H.
implementor.
SPED Elementary principal II Lilibeth
Canusa, interviewed on radio and TV
last week, presented and explained the
advocacy’s background, importance,
mission-vision, and legal bases, i.e. DepEd
Memoranda in 2008-2009 and Presiden-
tial Proclamation no. 1782 dated May 23,
2009.
Although launched on January 11, 2008
at the Ramon Magsaysay High School in
Cubao, Quezon City, W.A.T.C.H. gained
impetus through the media in Davao Ori-
ental early this year, upon the prodding
of SPED.
According to Canusa, the W.A.T.C.H.
value is printed on tarpaulins in every
classroom, and the W.A.T.C.H. prayer is
recited daily, while exemplary students,
parents, and teachers are recognized every
week during flag ceremony. Billboards
containing the W.A.T.C.H. mission-vision
are visibly placed in strategic areas.
Mr. Ernesto Cavanes, Division Project
W.A.T.C.H. coordinator, also stressed the
primary role of the family, particularly
parents, who must be the first W.A.T.C.H.
formators.
Canusa confirmed that the SPED Parents-
Teachers-Association (PTA) strongly advo-
cate such and are truly w-a-t-c-h-ful.
Canusa also acknowledged the active
cooperative efforts of the teachers, parents,
and W.A.T.C.H. team, including the Board
of Directors, for the success achieved, and
encouraged the general public to live out
the W.A.T.C.H. value.
The W.A.T.C.H. Prayer goes like this:
“Lord give us the courage to do and practice
the value of punctuality and honesty and
also be able to promote it to our loved ones
to give dignity and honor; also Lord help us
to bind ourselves together to do the Project
WATCH for the benefit of the young and
our society; and finally, help us to be an
agent of change so we can do wonders for
our country and leave them a lasting legacy.
We ask these through your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen. (Sr. Marietta H. Alo, OND)
Indonesia joins peace monitoring team in Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— The Indonesian gov’t will be the
7th member of an international peace monitor in Mindanao
that is tasked to oversee the peace process between the Phil-
ippine government and the MILF. The IMT, which monitors
the ceasefire, civilian protection component, rehabilitation
and development, and socio-economic agreements between
the government and MILF, is presently composed of peace
monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Norway and
European Union. (Bong D. Fabe)
Lumads ask independent panel for IPs in peace talks
MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon— Four indigenous peoples’
group in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur have urged the cre-
ation of an independent panel to represent the lumads in
the ongoing peace negotiations between the government
and MILF. “One thing that should be considered by both the
GRP and MILF panels in their negotiations is the fact that
some areas that are claimed to be part of the Bangsamoro
homeland are lands belonging to the ancestral domains of
indigenous peoples and as such we are as much a stakeholder
to the peace talks as our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters,”
said Bae Liza Nanapnay Saway, a Talaandig community
leader. (Bong D. Fabe)
Coal-fired power plant to make Davao most
competitive city in Mindanao
DAVAO City— The 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant
proposed in Davao City will make the “Silicon Gulf City”
the most competitive city in Mindanao, or even the whole

Prelate calls for penance, conversion country, said the president and chief executive officer of the
project proponent Aboitiz Power Corporation (APC). “It

among faithful as Lent begins

DAVAO City— Davao Arch-
bishop Fernando Capalla urged
the Catholic faithful to actively
participate in the Church’s ob-
servance of the Lenten season
which officially began on March
9, Ash Wednesday, calling for
penance and conversion.
On Ash Wednesday, priests
and lay ministers marked the
faithful’s foreheads with burned
ashes from palms blessed during
last year’s Palm Sunday.
On March 6, the prelate noted
in his homily the lack of un-
derstanding for most Catho-
lics of the meaning behind the
imposition of ashes on Ash
Wednesday.
He lamented the fact that
many Catholics simply allow
ashes to be placed on their
foreheads without knowing the
surely will be the largest investment ever made in Davao
City or this region of Mindanao. The benefits of this clean
coal power project can make Davao the most competitive city
in Mindanao—perhaps even the Philippines,” said Erramon
Aboitiz in a statement. (Bong D. Fabe)
value of sacrifice and repentance
associated with the act.
Capalla said that in the Old Fisherfolks declare ‘No Fish Day’
Testament the act of putting ash- QUEZON City— Militant fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas
es on one’s head while clothed ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas declared March
with white sack signifies one’s 31st as “No Fish Day,” to protest against price hike on pe-
repentance from sin. But now, troleum products and pressure Malacañang to act on the
the Church has done away with issue. Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said that
the wearing of the white cloth, they have already issued a memo to their charter members
he explained. from Luzon, the Visayas and in Mindanao, not to go out
He further called on everyone and fish on that day, in order to push Pres. Benigno Aquino
to repent and avail of the sacra- III to act on the alleged “too much profiteering” by the Big
ment of reconciliation and lead Three—Petron, Caltex and Shell—amidst the looming oil
better lives. crisis brought by the growing tension in the Middle East
The prelate said the Lenten and North Africa, where the world’s biggest oil reservoirs
Season reminds everyone of are found. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Jesus Christ’s undying love and
sacrifice to save one and all from Solon files bill for labor safety
eternal damnation. QUEZON City— Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Pala-
“He teaches and challenges tino filed a bill, which bans self-assessment on companies,
us to be better Christians and be saying that it endangers laborers more. HB 4332 seeks the
with Him in His Kingdom,” he strict reinforcement of labor health and safety standards
Archbishop Fernando Capalla
said. (Karen Balangue Peralta) in workplaces and strengthening the Labor Department’s
visitorial powers in order to prevent more fatalities at

300-year old Paoay Church to get facelift

workplaces, just like what happened in Eton Residences in
Makati. It was on January 23, when 10 workers were killed
in a freak accident, involving a gondola (a scaffolding-like
lift), at Lucio Tan-owned Eton Condominium in Makati.
ILOCOS NORTE―The pro- ated, and to be enjoyed,” the unique products, along a Grandmother / A1 (Noel Sales Barcelona)
vincial government of Ilocos PIA-1 quoted Marcos as saying stretch of the road lining the
Norte announced a plan to in an article March 9. Paoay Church will also rise to politan Cathedral on March 19.
restore an ancient church, She said known architect Fe- generate more tourist activi- Several other dioceses in
Candidly Speaking / A4
considered one of the region’s lino Palafox was tapped to de- ties. Visayas are also set to show their
major attractions. sign a tourism plan that would Construction of Paoay forces in rallies to manifest their reasoning. separation. They in effect want
The renovation of the St. consolidate Paoay’s existing Church was started by the indignation against the RH bill. They could not believe that to bar God and the Church to
Augustine Church or Paoay infrastructures surrounding Augustinian friars in 1694. Led On March 11, pro-life ad- a carpenter who preached get involved in some human
Church, also include the towns Paoay Church like the plaza, by Fr. Antonio Estavillo, it was vocates held a protest rally in in undeniably lofty terms, affairs.
of San Nicolas and Currimao the ruins of the Catholic con- completed in 1894 and was re- Tagbilaran City, Bohol and in who performed miracles, And to give more spike to
and the cities of Laoag and vent and the frontage of a dedicated in the same year. Maasin City, Southern Leyte the who did not resist his arrest, their position, they would be
Batac for tourism purposes. state-run university. During the revolution in following day. condemnation and death on the quick to expose the scandals
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee “Tourism is the largest in- 1898, its coral stone bell tower Jaro Archbishop Angel Lag- cross, and then resurrected, was of the Church—meaning,
Marcos said the project aims dustry in the world, bigger was used by the Katipuneros dameo said they will also hold the son of God, the expected the scandals involving some
that the province becomes than oil,” Palafox had said as an observation post. a mass action in Iloilo City on Messiah who was supposed churchmen. They have
the country’s “northern gate- when he agreed to come up Paoay Church is part of the March 17. to complete and perfect our conveniently forgotten that
way.” with a tourism design for Ilo- UNESCO World Heritage List. In Mindanao, meanwhile, anti- creation. even if Judas was one of the
“We have a lot of potential cos Norte. It is currently a property of the RH bill groups are also prepar- Instead, they stuck to their original apostles, the apostles
tourist attraction to be devel- A commercial arcade, which Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte. ing a huge rally in Butuan City own theories and opinions, were made, warts and all, the
oped, enriched and appreci- would feature the town’s (CBCPNews) on March 22. (CBCPNews) even when they themselves pillars of the Church.
knew very well they failed to They seem not to have any
live up to them. Remember our room for anything of faith and
Truth / A4 Commentary / A5
Lord calling them hypocrites, the spiritual and supernatural
benefit of some 3,000 pesos, but she was told Unfortunately for the eminent doctor, October 1 as the “International Day of whited-sepulchers, blind realities. Their idea of morality
she could avail of it only if she would agree the “desire to die with dignity” does not Older Persons” and the European Union guides, hirelings, etc. seems to be simply dictated by
to undergo tubal ligation. “Kung hindi siya mean waiting for God to call the patient is promoting 2012 as the “European Year The issue of the RH Bill what is practical, immediately
magpapatali, hindi niya makukuha ang pera. to Himself. Dr. Veronesi is a non-believer of Active Ageing.” However, in September has degenerated into an ugly useful and beneficial.
O, ganon ba ang paggalang sa karapatan ng who praises Belgium and the Netherlands, each year Japan celebrates “Respect for ideological war. Of course, They prefer to follow what
tao? Hindi ba pangbabastos yung iniipit nila two of the European countries that have the Aged Day.” The commemoration is a there are some of the advocates their polls and surveys would
yung mahirap?” openly permitted euthanasia. In Italy, he sign of esteem for and deference to elders who are there more for the tell them, rather than the
We ended at that. How much could one may be highly regarded as a cancer spe- and it so happens that Japan is destined to fund of it. But it´s basically an God-given doctrines that are
say, after all, in the time it takes to inflate cialist, but the deliberate taking of life is a have many more seniors to be feted well ideological dogfight now. authoritatively taught and
four little car tires? But the incident made bit much for most Italians, imbued with a out into the future. Some of their proponents developed by the Church.
me grateful because one gasoline boy noticed sense of respect for the elderly and love for have gone to the extent of We need to be more aware
my message, and asked about it. I hope I sat- life itself. Germany and Japan, mindful of (Vincenzina Santoro is an international claiming that the Church has no of this dangerous drift in our
isfied his curiosity; I pray he heard more than their role in World War II, are also unlikely economist. She represents the American Family business meddling in this state government and social affairs,
what I said. Small talk on a big issue, totally to embrace the euthanasia lobby. Association of New York at the United Nations. affair, again because of their and more adept to handle it. We
unplanned, absolutely unexpected. Truly, On a more positive note, the United This is printed here under special publishing own gratuitous and wrong just cannot allow some clever
God never sleeps. And that’s the truth. Nations several years ago designated arrangements with MercatorNet) understanding of Church-state ideologues to pull a fast one.
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

UST aims for world’s largest human cross

AS many as 24,000 Thomasians
formed a cross, aimed at setting a
“This is to say to the world that
we Thomasians are for life. If one
Guinness World Records for making considers the RH bil as something
the world’s largest human cross. as anti-life then a message is being
Students and teachers in black and sent...,” he said.
white T-shirts made the human cross The students, Cabading said, were
at the University of Sto. Tomas grand- made aware that what they are going
stand in Manila on Ash Wednesday. to do is not only for a world record
“At the beginning we tried the but also to manifest their Catholic
biggest human rosary right? So the position.
students requested that we also Although there is no official record
do something for Guinness. So we yet of the number of participants,
thought for Ash Wednesday we could it seems the UST may have already
do the attempt for the biggest human made the world record, judging by
cross and this is the reason for that,” the huge crowd.
Fr. Winston Cabading, vice-rector of “Once the Sycip, Gorres and Velayo
UST’s Office on Religious Affairs, (SGV) & Co. releases the certification
said. they’ll send it to Guinness and it will
“But at the same time we thought be Guinness who’ll make the deci-
of the cross as a perfect symbol for sion. Hopefully that would not take
Ash Wednesday the beginning of long,” he said.
Lent. The symbol of the cross is not The previous record was by 935
simply the cross but a Dominican participants at the Oslo Opera House
cross so that it will symbolize better in Norway in May 2010.

© Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews

the Dominican and Catholic identity Last December, the UST also tried
of Santo Tomas,” he said. to set a world record by mounting the
The UST official also said that since world’s largest “living rosary” but
the cross “is the tree for life,” they later decided to temporarily dropped
also want to convey a message to the its quest due to lack of time to process
world that they are against the repro- and get the approval of the Guinness
ductive health (RH) bill. World Records. (CBCPNews)

Veritas pushes ‘No Meat

Friday’ campaign
THERE is a movement afoot aimed at chang-
ing the way Filipinos eat one day a week at
least this season of Lent.
The “No Meat Friday” campaign is pushed
by Manila archdiocese’s Radyo Veritas
which seeks to tackle the problems of cho-
lesterol and heart disease.
On Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, and
the subsequent Fridays up to the Holy Week,
Catholics are urged to practice fasting and
abstinence, most notably giving up meat.
For many people, however, strictly adher-
ing to the rule still remains a challenge.
Fr. Anton Pascual, Veritas 846 station
manager, urged the faithful to follow the
“penitential abstinence” in “prayerful re-
membrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.”
Pascual gives emphasis on the health,
economic, social and environmental benefits
of the “No Meat Friday” campaign which
was launched on March 11 through a mass
at Veritas Chapel in Quezon City.
He cited the recommendation of the
World Cancer Research Fund limiting the
consumption of red meat because of its
convincing link with colorectal and bowel
cancer, breast cancer in women, heart dis-
ease and obesity.
The UN environment Program Inter-
national Panel for Sustainable Resource
Management also said that the world must
reduce meat consumption to prevent Cli-
mate Change
But more to sacrifice, he said, is a “sacred
value” which “reminds us that as Christians
we must preserve a saving and necessary
difference from the spirit of the world.”
“Our deliberate, personal abstinence from
meat will be an outward sign of inward spiri-
tual values that we cherish,” Pascual said.
The church official said to protect creation
we must change our lifestyle with simplic-
ity, moderation, discipline and spirit of
sacrifice.
“We should likewise take this opportunity
to do works of charity and exercises of piety
from whatever resources we are able to attain
from our penitential abstinence from meat,”
Pascual added.
“This enables our act of sacrifice to find
holism which disposes us to love God above
all creatures, and to love ourselves and our
neighbors for the sake of God,” he said.
(CBCPNews)
Markings
CELEBRATING. Most Rev.
Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D.,
archbishop of Capiz, is cel-
ebrating his 50th sacerdotal
anniversary as a priest on
March 17-18, 2001. Born in
Jimalalud, Negros Oriental on
February 16, 1935, Gordoncillo
took his seminary formation
from Sacred Heart Seminary
in Bacolod City in 1949-54 and
Central Seminary, UST, Manila,
in 1954-61. He was ordained to
the priesthood in Dumaguete
Cathedral on March 18, 1961.
He was assigned as professor
at St. Joseph Seminary, Dum-
aguete City in 1961-64 and as
assistant parish priest at the
Dumaguete Cathedral Parish
in the same year. In 1964-65
he attended and took up MA

Schools cited for promoting youth

in Guidance and Counseling
at the Mankato State University in Minnesota, USA. He returned to St.
Joseph Seminary in Dumaguete City and served as Rector in 1966-
1970. He was also assigned as parish priest at Dauin, Negros Oriental
in 1969-1970; appointed Papal Chamberlain on July 26, 1971; Chancel-

rights through radio program

SIX Manila universities and
some of their students were cited
by Radio Veritas for their con-
tribution in developing a radio
program for the “promotion of
youth rights.”
Veritas 846 Campus Hour,
produced alternately
by six universities in
the National Capital Re-
gion and jointly spon-
sored by Radio Veri-
tas and the Embassy
of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, provided
a venue to students of
Mass Communications
to hone their skills and
contribute in the discus-
sion of vital issues that
affect society, especially
the youth.
Awarded were Ama
University for Best Pro-
motional Campaign;
Philippine Women’s
University for Best Pro-
gram Theme Song; Pa-
mantasan ng Lungsod
ng Maynila for Best
Production Team; Far
Eastern University for
Best Program Episode
(“Ang Epekto ng Social Net-
working Sites sa mga Kabataan
at sa Relasyon nila sa Kanilang
Pamilya”, aired on Sept. 11,
2010); Philippine Women’s Uni-
versity for Best Program Seg-
ment (“Paskong Pinoy”, Drama
Series); Pamantasan ng Lungsod
ng Maynila for Best Program
Format; Universidad de Manila
for Audience Choice Award; Ms.
Margaret H. Don (UDM) for Best
Female Anchor; Mr. Marc An-
drew M. Maranan (PUP) for Best
Male Anchor; and Pamantasan
ng Lungsod ng Maynila for Best
Campus Hour School.
The event was held last Febru-
ary 24 at the Benitez Hall of the
Philippine Women’s University
(PWU) in Manila.
Fr. Anton Pascual, president
of Radio Veritas, and Ms. Ruth
Emerink, Deputy Head of Mis-
sion of the Embassy of the King-
dom of the Netherlands, en-
livened the occasion with their
inspirational messages.
Bro. Clifford Sorita, project
director of Campus Hour, in a
statement said “placing the free-
dom of expression as one of the
most fundamental human right
in the forefront of this project’s
undertaking means providing
the students (under this project)
the necessary radio broadcast
facilities as a medium of articu-
lating their views and opinions
in the promotion of their
rights as students and as
young citizens.”
He lauded the joint as-
sistance of Radio Veritas
and Netherlands Embas-
sy in providing students
a “laboratory for learn-
ing to hone their skills
and potentials as future
Mass Communication
Practitioners done side-
by-side in the Promotion
of Youth Rights.”
“The sustainability
of such a project can be
further achieved by
making sure that this
institutional partnership
of promoting Truth and
Human Rights in vari-
ous universities is main-
tained,” he furthered.
The program’s first sea-
son was aired every Satur-
day from August 2010 to
January 2011 at 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Participating schools concep-
tualized and managed the pro-
duction of a month’s program
covering at least four episodes.
(CBCPNews)
lor of Dumaguete Diocese in1971; parish priest of Dumaguete Parish
Cathedral in 1972; and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Dumaguete on
March 14, 1974. On July l0, 1976 Gordoncillo was appointed Bishop
of Tagbilaran, Bohol and was installed as the 3rd Bishop of Tagbilaran
on October 11, 1976. On June 18, 1986 he was appointed Archbishop
of Capiz and was installed as its 2nd archbishop on August 27, 1986.
While in Bohol he became co-founder of the Bohol Diocesan Multi-
Purpose Cooperative. On September 28, 2008 he was invited by Rev.
Fr. Erno B. Diaz, who hails from Maayon, Capiz, as principal celebrant
of the solemn feast day mass of San Lorenzo Ruiz at the St. Patrick’s
Cathedral in New York City. Diaz is the director of the Chapel of San
Lorenzo Ruiz in New York City and coordinator of the Archdiocese of
New York. The 76 year old prelate has been archbishop of Capiz for
the past 25 years.
ORDAINED. Reverends Jan Alota and John Lino Calampiano were
ordained to the Order of Priesthood on March 7 at San Vicente Fer-
rer Parish in Binan City. On March 14, another deacon was ordained
priest in his hometown parish of St. James the Apostle Parish in
Paete. San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona led the ordination rites. The three
newly-ordained were graduates from the SVD Theological Seminary in
Tagaytay City. Upon ordination, the three news priests would raise the
number of the San Pablo Clergy and religious to about 200.
CELEBRATED. Golden jubilee of the religious profession of Sr. M.
Angela Escoto, Sr. M. Scholastica Malate, Sr. M. Lucia Rosales and
Sr. M. Josephine Sumobay, March 5, 2011, among the Pious Disciples
of the Divine Master (PDDM). Most Rev. Francisco de Leon, Auxiliary
Bishop of Antipolo, presided the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration
held at the Divine Master Convent, Antipolo City.
CELEBRATED. Parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Va-
lenzuela, Bulacan, 50th anniversary of foundation, March 7, 2011. Malo-
los Bishop Jose Oliveros presided the pontifical Mass and blessing of
the newly renovated interior of the Shrine. Established in 1961, the par-
ish had Msgr.
Espiritu Izon as
its first parish
priest. In 1976,
the Church was
declared a na-
tional shrine
of Our Lady
of Fatima by
the Catholic
Bishops Con-
ference of the
Philippines.
Msgr. Bart San-
tos, current rec-
tor and parish
priest, initiated the renovation of the Church’s interior in preparation for
the golden jubilee celebration. On January, Msgr. Santos launched a
13th Day Devotion to Fatima. On the 13th day of the month, at 9 p.m.,
the faithful pray one mystery of the Rosary in procession around the
Shrine, followed by a novena prayer and blessing of devotees inside

Convention held for children

the Church.

Church marks 25th

with special needs
IN an effort to assist the teachers and
parents on how to attend to the needs
of special children particularly in their
education, the Episcopal Commission
on Health Care held a special education
convention, on February 19 from 8:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Paco Catholic
School in Manila.
The convention aimed to make known
to the public the needs of the special chil-
dren and how to address them.
Around 130 participants, mainly teach-
ers from Manila and some provinces,
parents, caregivers, and members of
different private organizations listened
to speakers’ lectures on understanding
the rights of persons with disabilities and
their education.
The speakers underscored how the teach-
ers must stand up for better education for the
special children.
Mr. Rizalio R. Sanchez talked about the
history of the special education and the
number of persons with disabilities in the
country. His talk revealed the government’s
slow response to educational needs of special
children.
Ms. Marie Therese A. P. Bustos and Prof.
Susan Janette G. Ealdama analyzed the real
situation of the person with disabilities
and explained their problems can be ad-
dressed.
Mrs. Arsenia C. Lara discussed inclu-
sive education as well as the role of the
special education teachers.
Prof. Darlene D. Echavia talked about
the right attitude of the teacher in teach-
ing person with disabilities.
Enthusiastic for the new learning expe-
rience, the participants were able to con-
ceive ideas and plan for action through
group discussions based on the input of
speakers, and their own knowledge and
experiences.
The organizers provided snacks
and lunch as well as free babysitting
to the attendees. (Vanessa Puno/
CBCPNews)
National Migrants
Sunday
AS thousands of Overseas Fili- theme “25 Years and Beyond… Pas-
pino Workers in the Middle East toral Commitment of Caring for Fili-
and Northern Africa face un- pino Migrants and their Families”.
certainties, the Catholic Church Manila Archbishop Gauden-
national celebration highlighted cio B. Cardinal Rosales said Mass
their contributions and the need for nearly 5,000 family members
for collective prayer for their and relatives of Filipino migrant
safety and well-being. workers at the Cuneta Astro-
The celebration of National Mi- dome in Pasay City.
grants Sunday on March 13 un- Vice President Jejomar C. Bi-
derscored the heroism of millions nay and Labor Secretary Rosa-
of overseas Filipino workers and linda Baldoz led the Philippine
the families they left behind. government contingent to this
This year’s observance has the year’s celebration. (CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
The Nobility of Family
and Home
(A First Saturday Catechesis of His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of
Manila for the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly, MAGPAS, on March 5, 2011,
Paco Catholic School)
THE late Winston Churchill once said
that “there is no doubt that it is around
the family and home that all the greatest
virtues, the most dominating virtues of
human society are created, strength-
ened, and maintained.” People who
succeeded in their profession, business
or any undertaking can always look
back at the way they had been reared,
encouraged and accompanied by their
parents. Parents may not be rich; they
may not be highly educated, but a
good mother, in her simple ways, and
a responsible father can shape the life
and character of a son or daughter in
such ways that later in life they become
endearing examples to others and are
able to guide and motivate many young
people as well.
Parents Who Influenced Their Young
Child
Giuseppe Sarto was born to a very
simple family, not exactly very, very
poor, although he went to school bare-
footed, and he put on his shoes when
already he was near the school. His
father was a simple village official, not
the equivalent of a Barangay Captain,
probably the equal of a Kagawad ng
Sanggunian Barangay; the mother
was “onlyu” a simple housewife who
cooked for the family, washed the
laundry, and cleaned the house for her
brood. It was the Mama who influenced
little Giuseppe very much. From her
stories, her reminders and prayers,
this little Giuseppe Sarto received the
great motivation to be a good son and
a hardworking student. Maybe it was
also the mother who prayed for the
vocation of her son. Giuseppe entered
the seminary and ultimately became a
priest, and lived and served to be a very
good priest. He was promoted Bishop,
Cardinal, and eventually, Giuseppe
Sarto became Pope Pius X … and he
went beyond the Papacy. He was canon-
ized Saint Pius X, the patron of special
devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist.
Much of his progress in studies and
his priestly vocation, Father Giuseppe
Sarto, attributed to his mother.
Admiring her son’s Episcopal ring,
Pastoral Concerns
Mama Sarto once remarked to Giuseppe
that without this ring, pointing to her
original wedding ring, “there will not be
that Episcopal ring on your finger,” she
remarked to the young Bishop Sarto.
Many times the fidelity and refine-
ment of man or woman would be traced
to the mother, while the courage and
industry are linked to the father. Without
doubt the fused devotion and faith of
Papa and Mama will one day determine
the children’s fear and love of God and
marked compassion for the poor and the
weak. The early influence of parents on
their children will tell on the future of
their matured life, even and especially
when, the daughter or the son becomes
a parent himself/herself.
This is how important the role of man
and woman, as husband and wife, has
become in the gift of the procreation of
life, that the covenant they enter into
requires that they mutually offer to each
other an “intimate communion of life
and love,” and this covenant has been
endowed with its own special laws by
the Creator. “By its very nature, marriage
is ordered to the good of the couple, as
well as to the generation and education
of the children.” (CCC 1660).
Unity, indissolubility and openness
to life are essential elements of every
Christian marriage. Such was the mind
of the Creator that He made humans,
male and female. Then the Lord Jesus
said, “have you not read that the Creator
from the beginning made them male and
female and that he said, “this is why a
man leaves his father and mother and
becomes attached to his wife, and the
to become one flesh. They are no longer
two, therefore, but one flesh. So then
what God ahs united, human beings
must not divide.” (Mt 19:4-6). They are
united as one, because fidelity is one
of the binding qualities of Christian
marriage, with one person faithful to
a partner, man faithful to his woman
as wife, and wife faithful to her man as
husband. The question of fidelity will
always find its roots in unity. In a unified
and faithful union of man and women, it
is a must to consider their union as the
natural nest (or early home) of life.
Everything in Life Is Sacred
Every life is sacred and its early recep-
tacle or cradle needs to be considered
sacred, just like the Sacred Consecrated
Host, the Body of Jesus Christ is kept
in a clean and consecrated ciborium.
The first task towards life, when one
is alerted to its presence, is to protect,
preserve, nourish and defend it. And
the first place where to do these is in
the family and the home. It is not right
to consider the woman as the only one
tasked by the Creator to care for the life
of the yet unborn, simply because it is
in her womb that the feeble life seeks
its sanctuary. The woman welcomes
this little life in her womb that within
the next nine months she can call her
own—son or daughter. All-embracing
motherhood is the great privilege that
can belong only to a woman. It is a
great gift from God that a woman will
especially partner with God (with the
help of her husband) to share life with
a divinely chosen person who one day
will show great wonders, possibilities
hope, grace, and the ever-astonishing
mystery of love. Without the loving
care of parents, the tragic opposite can
happen.
The Gift of Motherhood Is Only for
Woman
Woman, because she has partnered
with man in a most intimate and self-
less trust and love, earns, above all, the
confidence, not only of her husband,
but especially the loving trust of and
partnership with God, because she has
lovingly consented to be a mother. This
gift of motherhood as given to woman
was beautifully described by an author.
“It is in fully being a wife that a woman
fully becomes a mother.” There is no
motherhood without marriage, without
the gift of self and the reception of the
other … It is a wonderful blessing that
is bestowed upon the woman to carry
a child in her womb, to participate so
intimately in Creation by giving her
own flesh and blood. Her entire being
is designed according to her vocation
of motherhood.
To deny it by attacking her biological
rhythm, by wanting to do away with
anything that would be a handicap to
the female condition, so that she might
be equal to man seriously harms the
woman as deeply as her most subcon-
scious part. It renders her sterile. But
the woman was made to be a mother,
in her body and in her soul. She can
only attain fulfillment if she is faithful
to her vocation. If she is not granted the
happiness of finding a husband, she can
receive even greater happiness through
meeting the Lord and becoming the
spouse of God. Thus she will not give
birth physically but spiritually. It is
awful to remain single all of one’s life,
to become an “old maid.”
Every woman is called to be a daugh-
ter, a wife and a mother: daughter of
God, bride of Christ, mother of mankind,
mother of humanity, through a mother-
hood that goes beyond that of the flesh
and constitutes depth of her being.” (Jo
Croissant, Woman’s Unique Vocation,
The Priesthood of the Heart, pp. 91-92).
This is the reason why a woman lives
a more sublime calling than man. Like
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in her mother-
hood, a mother shapes the future of the
earth by ensuring the character of the
person she receives as her child.
Man Is Co-responsible for Life
Both woman and man, wife and
husband, are co-responsible for the life
that they have both brought to birth. It
is true as we have seen, that the mother
is closest to the child, after having car-
ried that “little life within her” for nine
months, nevertheless, the husband,
the Papa, shares the responsibility to
care for and sustain that life and relate
with their child, not just as in a state
of co-ownership, but the father enters
a relationship with as a child (son or
daughter) to its father, or as beloved
to its lover. The Papa cannot only be a
simple provider. The feeding task can be
provided by an institution or a machine.
He cannot just be a defender-protector
of his family and children; an agency
can very well function as its security.
But the father of a family, husband to
her woman (wife), father to his children
B1
© Pinky Barrientos, FSP / CBCPMedia
is the head of the family. He wields
the authority in the family. He makes
definite and concrete corrections on
every occasion that the young needs to
be reminded about.
These are perhaps the reasons why so
many of the young people today behave
as if there is no direction at all in life, act
as if there is no authority at all, and live
as if there is no tomorrow that will judge
every act and conduct. The papa is the
person who can usher, with knowledge,
experience and prudence, both son and
daughter into the cruel and deceiving
ways of today’s world. He can very well
introduce the child into the struggles of
adult life (Enchiridion on the Family,
No.3284). This is another responsible
task of the father.
As a consequence of this perspective
on the family, it is within the responsibil-
ity and influence of Papa and Mama that
the children first get their first lessons
not only on truths but also on values.
The “rub on” effect of formation and
instruction is picked up by the child from
his parents at home. If this interaction
between the elders and the youth does
not take place now or has been aban-
doned because of too much exposure
to the video and computers, then it will
be sad to admit that mama and papa’s
has badly corroded them.
Care for Life Starts at Home
The first care for life begins at home.
It shows not only in the way the con-
versation goes among the members of
the family. It is proven by the respect
and the reverence given to life and the
dignity that goes with that life. The
elders and those with authority not
only enjoy the respect of the youth, they
equally respond by carrying mutual
deferential response to any one who
gives them that care. It is in the family
that life at its feeblest moments gets
the attention and the extremely sensi-
tive care appropriate to the weakest.
Fittingly, the first defense of life must
be in the family, especially when all
kinds of threats are thrown against
a newly formed life in the womb or
Nobility / B7
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Denial of Holy Communion to

Civilly Remarried Catholics
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso,
J.C.D.
I am an assistant parish priest, forced to
confront difficult situations on my own at
times, due to the frequent absence of the
parish priest for family reasons. Recently
I was again placed on the spot because of
the presence of a well-known personality
at Sunday Mass, who was with his partner
who most people know as his wife, but who
I—together with quite a number of people
in the parish—know he is only civilly mar-
ried to, since he has an existing canonical
marriage with another woman who is still
very much alive and also quite present in the
public eye. The problem is this person and his
partner came to receive Holy Communion.
Since I was placed on the spot and to avoid
creating a scene, I just gave them the Holy
Eucharist. Did I act correctly?
Declaration of the Pontifical Council
for Legislative Texts
On Communion for Divorced and
Remarried Persons
This question had been exhaustively
answered by a Declaration of the Pontifi-
cal Council for Legislative Texts dated
24.VI.2000. For brevity, we can reproduce
the pertinent numbers of that document
in the following paragraphs.
The Code of Canon Law establishes
that “Those upon whom the penalty of
excommunication or interdict has been
imposed or declared, and others who
obstinately persist in manifest grave
sin, are not to be admitted to Holy
Communion” (c.915). In recent years
some authors have sustained, using a
variety of arguments, that this canon
would not be applicable to faithful
who are divorced and remarried. It is
acknowledged that paragraph 84 of the
Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris consor-
tio, issued in 1981, had reiterated that
prohibition in unequivocal terms and
that it has been expressly reaffirmed
many times, especially in n.1650 of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church,
Church. The scriptural text on which
the ecclesial tradition has always relied
is that of St. Paul: “This means that
whoever eats the bread or drinks the
cup of the Lord unworthily sins against
the body and blood of the Lord. A man
should examine himself first only then
should he eat of the bread and drink of
the cup. He who eats and drinks without
recognizing the body eats and drinks a
judgment on himself.”
This text concerns in the first place
the individual faithful and their moral
conscience, a reality that is expressed
as well by the Code in c.916. But the
unworthiness that comes from being in
a state of sin also poses a serious juridi-
divorced and remarried, the scandal,
understood as an action that prompts
others towards wrongdoing, affects at
the same time both the sacrament of
the Eucharist and the indissolubility
of marriage. That scandal exists even if
such behavior, unfortunately, no longer
arouses surprise: in fact it is precisely
with respect to the deformation of the
conscience that it becomes more neces-
sary for Pastors to act, with as much
patience as firmness, as a protection
to the sanctity of the Sacraments and a
defense of Christian morality, and for
the correct formation of the faithful.
2. Any interpretation of c.915 that
would set itself against the canon’s
situation of sin that endures in time
and which the will of the individual
member of the faithful does not bring to
an end, no other requirements (attitude
of defiance, prior warning, etc.) being
necessary to establish the fundamental
gravity of the situation in the Church.
c) the manifest character of the situ-
ation of grave habitual sin. Not to be
considered to be within the situation
of serious habitual sin are those faithful
who are divorced and remarried, who
would not be able, for serious motives
—such as, for example, the upbringing
of the children— “to satisfy the obliga-
tion of separation, assuming the task of
living in full continence, that is, abstain-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
ecclesial sense of the norm, in such a
way that they would be able to under-
stand it or at least respect it. In those
situations, however, in which these
precautionary measures have not had
their effect or in which they were not
possible, the minister of Communion
must refuse to distribute it to those
who are publicly unworthy. They are
to do this with extreme charity, and are
to look for the opportune moment to
explain the reasons that required the
refusal. They must, however, do this
with firmness, conscious of the value
that such signs of strength have for the
good of the Church and of souls.
The discernment of cases in which
the faithful who find themselves in
the described condition are to be ex-
cluded from Eucharistic Communion
is the responsibility of the Priest who
is responsible for the community. They
are to give precise instructions to the
deacon or to any extraordinary minister
regarding the mode of acting in concrete
situations.
4. Bearing in mind the nature of the
above-cited norm (cfr. n.1), no eccle-
siastical authority may dispense the
minister of Holy Communion from
this obligation in any case, nor may he
emanate directives that contradict it.
Applying the Norms to the Specific
Case
A distinction will have to be made on
whether or not the persons concerned,
who are civilly married but not ca-
nonically married, are in fact living in
habitual sin. As the Declaration itself
pointed out (ref. n.2-c), it could happen
that the couple concerned may find it
difficult to separate (e.g., because they
are raising up children), but are in fact
not living as husband and wife and are
therefore not sinning against chastity.
However, since the fact of their
observing chastity is a private matter
known only to them, and the fact that
they are not married canonically is a
matter known to many in the commu-
nity, the canonical norm is that they

published in 1992, and in the Letter

written in 1994 by the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, Annus interna-
tionalis Familiae. That notwithstanding,
the aforementioned authors offer vari-
ous interpretations of the above-cited
canon that exclude from its application
the situation of those who are divorced
and remarried.
Given this alleged contrast between
the discipline of the 1983 Code and
the constant teachings of the Church
in this area, this Pontifical Council,
in agreement with the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith and with
the Congregation for Divine Worship
and the Discipline of the Sacraments
declares the following:
1. The prohibition found in the cited
canon, by its nature, is derived from
divine law and transcends the domain
of positive ecclesiastical laws: the latter
cannot introduce legislative changes
which would oppose the doctrine of the
cal problem in the Church: indeed the
canon of the Code of Canons of the East-
ern Churches that is parallel to c.915 CIC
of the Latin Church makes reference to
the term “unworthy”: “Those who are
publicly unworthy are forbidden from
receiving the Divine Eucharist” (c.712).
In effect, the reception of the Body of
Christ when one is publicly unworthy
constitutes an objective harm to the
ecclesial communion: it is a behavior
that affects the rights of the Church and
of all the faithful to live in accord with
the exigencies of that communion. In
the concrete case of the admission to
Holy Communion of faithful who are
substantial content, as declared unin-
terruptedly by the Magisterium and by
the discipline of the Church throughout
the centuries, is clearly misleading. The
phrase “and others who obstinately
persist in manifest grave sin” is clear
and must be understood in a manner
that does not distort its sense so as to
render the norm inapplicable.
The three required conditions are:
a) grave sin, understood objectively,
being that the minister of Communion
would not be able to judge from subjec-
tive immutability;
b) obstinate persistence, which
means the existence of an objective
must be refused Holy Communion in
that community.
Nevertheless, the Declaration also
carefully notes that this must be done
with utmost charity, avoiding a public
refusal as much as possible. In this
particular case, what could be done is
for the priest to explain the matter to
ing from the acts proper to spouses” the couple and request them to attend
(Familiaris consortio, n.84), and who on Mass somewhere else where they are
the basis of that intention have received less known, such that their reception of
the sacrament of Penance. Given that Holy Communion could virtually pass
the fact that these faithful are not living unnoticed, thus making the possibility
more uxorio (i.e., unchastely) is per se of scandal as remote as possible.
occult, while their condition as persons Finally, since our poor assistant
who are divorced and remarried is per parish priest was placed on the spot,
se manifest, they will be able to receive and since he could not have been in a
Eucharistic Communion only remoto position to judge the subjective condi-
scandalo (i.e., avoiding scandal). tions of the couple concerned right
3. Naturally, pastoral prudence there and then, he did well in giving
would strongly suggest the avoidance them Holy Communion. However, he
of instances of public denial of Holy is duty-bound to follow up and talk
Communion. Pastors must strive to with the couple as mentioned in the
explain to the concerned faithful the true previous paragraph.

Criteria for preparing the altar

(Father Edward McNa-
mara, professor of liturgy
at the Regina Apostolorum
university, answers the
following query:)
Q: In our archdiocese
there is no uniformity
in the way the altar is
prepared or laid out for
liturgical celebrations.
In some cases, the altar
is dressed as a confer-
ence table; in others,
the stone is never seen
the whole year round,
with the exception of
Holy Thursday when it
is stripped. My question
is: How should the altar
for liturgical celebration
be arranged?—V.A.F.,
Bamenda, Cameroon
A: Total uniformity is
probably not possible—
and maybe not even
desirable. In the first
place, the missal itself
offers several legitimate
options, and second, the
most appropriate layout
depends on such factors
as the size of the altar and
sanctuary area as well as
the possibilities of each
parish. I will attempt to
illustrate the various pos-
sibilities so that at least a
common denominator
can be established.
The altar should be
of the Roman Missal, It is also a possible to dles may be placed for Mass, No. 306 of
No. 304). It should at use an antependium, or near or upon the altar the GIRM gives the
the very least cover the frontal. This cloth usu- (GIRM, No. 307). Seven overarching principle:
entire top of the altar ally comes to the ground may be used if the dioc- “Only what is required
table and preferably in front of the altar. It is esan bishop celebrates for the celebration of the
hang down on either usually a good-quality Mass. The candles may Mass may be placed on
side. It may also have fabric and often em- be arranged in several the mensa of the altar:
a hanging fringe on broidered with liturgi- ways, but they should namely, from the begin-
the front and/or back cal symbols. It may be not obscure the view of ning of the celebration
of the altar, but this is white or the color of the the ritual action on the until the proclamation
not obligatory. It may liturgical season. Its use altar. In some places the of the Gospel, the Book
be plain or adorned, in would not normally be custom has developed of the Gospels; then
accordance with local recommendable if the of using two candles for from the Presentation
tradition. If other cloths altar is itself a significant weekday Masses, four of the Gifts until the
are used, then the white work of art that is best for feasts, and six for purification of the ves-
altar cloth is always the left exposed. Sundays, solemnities sels, the chalice with
uppermost one. The crucifix should be and exposition of the the paten, a ciborium if
This cloth is obliga- placed upon the altar or Blessed Sacrament. necessary, and, finally,
tory for Mass and may near it (see GIRM, No. With respect to flow- the corporal, the pu-
be removed after the 308). The cross should ers, GIRM, No. 305, says: rificator, the pall, and
celebration. However, be large enough to be “Moderation should be the Missal. In addition,
it is probably best to visible to the faithful. In observed in the decora- microphones that may
reserve the symbol of general, there should be tion of the altar. Dur- be needed to amplify the
the stripped altar for only one crucifix in the ing Advent the floral priest’s voice should be
Holy Thursday and altar area. Benedict XVI decoration of the altar arranged discreetly.”
Good Friday, and for has promoted the prac- should be marked by a Therefore, it is not
this reason it is best tice of placing the cross moderation suited to the good liturgical practice
to leave the altar cloth at the center of the altar character of this season, to leave the corporal,
habitually upon the between the priest and without expressing pre- missal, microphone,
altar. Outside of Mass the people, but the pres- maturely the full joy of etc., habitually upon
it is good to cover the ent norms do not require the Nativity of the Lord. the altar.
altar cloth with another this position. It is also During Lent it is forbid- We have not been
simple cloth or cover so possible to suspend the den for the altar to be able to offer our reader
as to keep it clean at all crucifix above the altar decorated with flowers. a uniform criterion for
times. If desired and or on the wall behind it. Laetare Sunday (Fourth the arrangement of the
useful, another cloth If the processional cross Sunday of Lent), Solem- altar, but then this lack
may also be placed un- is large enough, it may nities, and Feasts are of total uniformity is
derneath the altar cloth. double as an altar cross. exceptions. Floral deco- something contem-
These undercloths may Should there be a fixed rations should always be plated by the Church
be of a different color cross in the sanctuary, done with moderation herself. We hope that
and of a heavier textile the processional cross and placed around the what we have offered
than the altar cloth. This is placed out of view altar rather than on its will at least offer some
www.flickr.com

covered by at least one helps avoid creases and after the entrance pro- mensa.” guidance in removing
white altar cloth (see gives greater stability to cession. Regarding other obviously erroneous
the General Instruction the altar cloth. Two, four or six can- elements necessary practices.
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
B3

Interview with Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski

Papal Legate to the UST Quadricentennial Celebrations
By Teresa Tunay, OCDS
CONSIDERING the circumstances, an
exclusive interview with Zenon Cardinal
Grocholewski, Papal Legate to UST’s
Quadricentennial celebrations would be
next to impossible. As Prefect of the Sa-
cred Congregation for Catholic Education
(SCCE), he was sent by Pope Benedict XVI
to be His Holiness’ official extraordinary
envoy at the liturgical celebrations mark-
ing the University’s 400th foundation
anniversary.
The Cardinal would be in the country
for only a few days, a visit too short to
accommodate any but the most essential
activities, but as Providence would have
it, Fr. Isidro Abano, O.P., Executive Direc-
tor of the Office of the Quadricentennial
Activities and Highlights, succeeded in
setting up a one-on-one meeting between
the Papal Legate and this writer, “but
only for 30 minutes.” The interview took
place at the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft
Ave., and was witnessed by Monsignor
if there is no objectivism? It suggests
that anyone can do anything one wants.
Relativism causes deviations in education.
It is not only bad in regard to education,
but also for the seriousness of study. In
relativism one denies the reality of truth
that is tangible.”
Relativism and the different milieu
young people are growing up in today
definitely give rise to new challenges to
Catholic educators. Amidst technological
advances, developments in communica-
tion, and a growing secularist influence
around the world, we can bravely meet
those challenges, the greatest of which,
according to the Cardinal, is “to effect
an integral education of the total person.
We are very much aware that the success
of technology and science can be used for
either good or bad.
In reality, the great success of science
and technology has been used abundantly
for what is bad, for terrible wars, for more
subtle ways of injustice, for oppression of
the human person, which is always per-
fidious,” he says, and emphatically adds,
false. Without collaboration there couldn’t
be good education. It is bad when some-
thing is spoken in the school and another
thing is asserted in the home.”
It has been observed that many teenag-
ers and young adults in Catholic schools,
particularly in wealthy nations, tend to
want independence from parental control
or institutional authority, and to veer away
from the religion they are born to. On this
apparently irreversible trend, Cardinal
Grocholewski has this to say: “While it
is true that a part of the youth distances
itself from the Church, on the other hand
we observe that the youth today are more
attracted to a more demanding and seri-
ous education, sensitive to ideas, and they
are not attracted to purely relativistic and
secularistic education. Thus in various
nations, we observe among the youth true
conversions to the Catholic Church; in this
perspective may be mentioned also the
increase in priestly vocation. There are
fewer vocations in those nations in which
they do not present clear ideals.”
Speaking of vocations, we ask the Car-
legitimacy of pedophilia. To speak only
of the pedophilia of the clergy and not
involve the whole more serious problem
is an injustice. Third, I think that only the
Church has done something concrete to
prevent these abuses.”
Cardinal Grocholewski assures that
changes in the formation of seminarians
are being introduced by the Congregation
in order to minimize or prevent the occur-
rence of similar situations in the future.
“We have made practically all things pos-
sible in order that this would not happen
again and to reinforce the formation of the
priest in this direction. Our Congrega-
tion has recently issued two documents.
One concerns the non-admission to the
priesthood of persons with homosexual
tendencies—note, tendencies—that is,
even if they have not practised homo-
sexuality. Another document tries to use
psychology and psychiatric science in the
formation of priests. They are already in
use, since recent times.” Here he refers
to the Guidelines for the Use of Psychol-
ogy in the Admission of Candidates for
ordained as a priest at age 24 informs us
that “in Europe today, the young priests
are considered better than older priests.
Why? Because they are more idealistic.
They are already tired of this absurd
secularism. The more secularized priests
do not attract people anymore.” Rather
than launch a rhetorical elucidation of the
possible reasons behind the phenomenon,
Cardinal Grocholewski breaks into a smile
and says, “I would like to recount my
experience in Marseilles. The church was
about to be destroyed because there were
no more faithful—only 10-15 would come
on Sundays. Then there came a new priest,
young, and now the church is extra full.
And the faithful come from other places,
far places, to attend the mass celebrated
by this young priest. I have spoken to
these people, asking why they come to
this church, and all responded, ‘the priest
preaches understandably.’ This priest, be-
fore entering the priesthood, used to sing
in a cabaret in Paris! He converted. Very
interesting. He has also composed many
songs which are liturgically correct, that

Papal Legate Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski during an interview with the writer at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Gabor Pinter, Secretary of the Apostolic
Nunciature, and two Rome-based Filipino
priests who were serving then as the visit-
ing Prefect’s escorts and translators.
During the interview the Polish-born
Cardinal proved to be genial and coop-
erative, speaking in Italian and taking
care to allow enough time for accurate
translation. Our conversation focused on
Catholic education and seminaries, Car-
dinal’s Grocholewski’s principal concerns
as SCCE Prefect.
Within the last 20 years, His Eminence
agrees, worldwide structural changes,
socio-economic development, the appli-
cation of new information technologies,
conflicting elements in the evolution of
culture, and shifting moral paradigms, to
name a few, have posed threats to effective
Catholic education. “The biggest threat
has been relativism,” the SCCE Prefect
points out, “the current Pope has spoken
much about this. Relativism impedes
right education. If there are no objective
truths, if we do not know what is right
or what is bad, what would we teach
the children? What would be the model
“It is not enough to transmit to the youth
knowledge and ability, it is necessary to
educate the human person who knows
and wants and wills to use skills for the
good. In this perspective an education
towards values is of great importance; and
therefore the spiritual aspect is important,
and that there are objective truths and
these must be respected.”
Nowadays, however, people seem to
need the Christian faith less and less as a
source of enlightenment towards interpret-
ing human existence. What must be done in
order to make Catholic education more at-
tractive to parents and young people alike?
The Cardinal smiles and replies, “First of all,
we have to do everything so that parents
and Catholic educators and schools must
collaborate. Parents must understand that
they are the principal educators, both the
State and Church have only a subsidiary
role. That is to say they have to aid the
parents to play their role.”
The SCCE Prefect laments that “today
it is a great problem that very often the
parents work, and leave the education of
the children to the school. This is certainly
dinal what programs the Congregation
has for seminaries, in view of the effects of
increasing media exposure of sex-related
scandals involving the clergy, such as
what is currently reported about Ireland.
He replies, “There are three things to say:
first thing, evidently these abuses must be
condemned without any condition. This
is evil and cannot be justified. And this
the Church has said very clearly. Another
problem is a certain injustice on the part of
the media who have spoken about these
abuses as if they were the only thing the
clerics are doing. Percentage wise, the
abuses among the clergy is lower, much
lower compared to occurrences among
other professions. For example in the US
in (year) 2000 the statistics indicate that
10 percent of the youth were abused,
and majority of the abuses happened
in the family. Practically 80 percent of
sexual abuses happened in the family,
especially in broken families, or those with
stepmothers or step fathers. In Holland
there is a political party that wanted to
introduce pedophilia as legal. In the 70s
there were persons who defended the
the Priesthood and Instruction Concern-
ing the Criteria for the Discernment of
Vocations with regard to Persons with
Homosexual Tendencies in view of their
Admission to the Seminary and to Holy
Orders. Both documents may be found
in http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/con-
gregations/ccatheduc/.
The Cardinal relaxes to recall his days
as a seminarian when their “problems”
were different from the ones present-day
seminarians are facing. “I think the funda-
mental problem is a change of lifestyle,” he
begins. “Television, internet, things which
distract the person, very often make prayer
life more difficult. During our time it was
a lot easier to introduce oneself to a prayer
life; not having such distractions we could
focus more on study. Another problem
is since science has been developed a lot,
very often many particular questions in the
instruction can be useful and interesting but
they can also damage the basic theological
formation, which is very important. Dur-
ing my time, it was very easy to have a
theological formation.”
The Cardinal from Poland who was
are not banal—really true prayers.”
Much as we wanted to be regaled with
more accounts of the Cardinal’s seminary
days, we were mindful of the 30-minute
limit set on the meeting. We glanced at
our watch and discovered it had been 45
minutes! Recalling that His Eminence,
who also speaks fluent Latin, had deliv-
ered his homily in flawless English the
night before, at the Thanksgiving Mass,
we commented that he could have told us
more stories without the help of interpret-
ers. He smiled and modestly said, “No, I
only learn English from books.”
We prepared to go, and remembered
we had to pose for the obligatory photos
that would establish our connection be-
yond doubt, so we begged Msgr. Pinter
for 30 seconds more. To our surprise, the
Cardinal not only graciously granted
my request—he even had a thoughtful
suggestion for us to sit down again and
re-enact our interview for the shoot! It was
a warmer, more human Church dignitary
in a black frock that extended to me a Papal
blessing on my way out. It made me hope
to see—and listen to him—again.

Much demand for Pope Benedict XVI’s

Theology and Spirituality
By Catalino G. Arevalo, It seems that universally,
SJ Pope Benedict’s thought is in-
creasingly creating interest and
even excitement. (Check all the
OF late, there has been con- “blogs” on him in the internet!)
siderable demand for greater Fr. Edward Oakes, S.J., of St.
knowledge of Pope Benedict Mary of the Lake University,
XVI’s theology and spirituality. Chicago, a von Balthasar spe-
[Note: JR: Joseph Ratzinger]. I cialist, says that Ratzinger, now
have been asked to give a num- increasingly widely-studied, is
ber of talks on this topic. After emerging as “arguably the very
finishing my part in a (recently best (barring none!, he says) of
completed) three-credit course the post-Vatican II theologians
at Don Bosco (DBCS) Center in the Catholic Church.” The
(held in Makati), I spoke on well-known Princeton aca-
“Redemptoris Mater, 20 Years demic (head of its Humanities
Later, As Seen by Benedict XVI” Council for some 20 years now),
for the Mariological Society of Anthony Grafton (an American
the Philippines (PAMPMS), at Mediaeval and Renaissance his-
the Capuchin center in Lipa, torian, Jewish), wrote recently
www.pilotcatholicnews.com

Batangas. I presented some in the New York Review of

of the Pope’s recent “more
popular” publications at the
Claretian book “big sale of Ig-
natius Press/ Benedict books”
(where the just-imported stock
went surprisingly fast).
San Carlos Seminary has
asked for two sessions: an in-
troduction to JR’s ecclesiology
for the theological students and
on March 5, a recollection day
for all the major seminarians on
Benedict’s “Holy Week spiritual-
ity”. The Malolos diocesan clergy
ongoing formation program asked
for a morning on Benedict’s “New
Evangelization” initiative. (The
Pope has created an entirely new
Holy See dicastery for this under
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who has
to develop its theological grounding
and then the action-program based
on it., mainly for western “formerly
Catholic” countries.)
On Ash Wednesday, March 9,
Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle
and Fr. Arevalo presented Pope
Benedict’s “Jesus of Nazareth,
Book Two: on Holy Week” at the
Loyola School of Theology’s Theo-
Books that Pope Benedict is
the most scholarly, the deep-
est and most cultured mind in
the Catholic Church’s papacy
since Pope Innocent III. (13th
century). Sandro Magister,
logical Hour. Lastly, TV Maria is well-known “Vaticanologist,”
running a TV broadcast series on believes Pope Benedict’s mas-
the Holy Father’s “Paschal Mys- terly homilies will endure for
tery theology/spirituality” during ages in the Church, on a par
the weeks of Lent and asked Fr. with those of St. Leo the Great
Arevalo to handle it. (of the 5th century).
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

By Bong Fabe
A GROUP of Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP) beneficiaries are urging
the intervention of the Depart-
ment of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
to ease the tension in the disputed
111-hectare estate after the forc-
ible and “illegal” enforcement
of a DAR Adjudication Board
(DARAB) order to demolish
structures in the land resulted to
three agrarian reform beneficia-
ries (ARBs) going missing.
The Palalan CARP Farm-
ers Multi-purpose Cooperative
(PCFMPC), headed by Andrew
Donggay and Fernando “Datu
Dalangpanan” Bermoy, said
DAR’s intervention will ease the
tension in the estate located just
at the back of the Lumbia Airport.
already reported the incident to
the Carmen Police Station here.
Root cause of tension
The tension started when dif-
ferent factions of the PCFMPC
wanted to sell the estate because
of the high valuation of the land.
The estate is located in sitio Pala-
lan, Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan
de Oro City where just at the back
of the Lumbia Airport where
agriculture, settlement and com-
mercial lands are located.
What motivated these factions
to sell the land was their fear of
losing the case filed by the Philip-
pine Veterans Bank (PVB) before
the Regional Trial Court and
DARAB in Misamis Oriental in
1995 to cancel the Certificate of
Land Ownership Award (CLOA),
which the DAR granted to the
agrarian ARBs on September 8,
Narido Jr. (Domo-Narido faction)
later on sold the estate to Joseph
Tilap of Mt. Carmel Engineering
Services for P250 million (at a
price of P250 per square meter)
in the name of the PCFMPC.
This sale, however, has yet to be
consummated.
The Donggay-Bermoy faction
said Domo “misrepresented”
the PCFMPC in selling the estate
to Tilap.
Because of this, Domo was
stripped of her chairmanship of
PCFMPC in January 2010. She
was subsequently expelled from
the cooperative during the gen-
eral assembly on March 27, 2010.
Donggay was elected chairperson
to replace Domo.
The Cooperative Development
Authority in Northern Mindanao
(CDA-10) acknowledged Dong-
gay as the duly elected chair of
they introduced in the subject
area at their own expense, oth-
erwise, a writ of demolition will
be issued.”
The Donggay-Bermoy faction
filed a motion for reconsideration
on the same day the ruling was
handed down.
Illegal demolition
But last February 15, the Domo-
Narido faction, with some armed
men, forcibly entered the estate,
demolished the structures of the
Donggay-Bermoy faction there
and drove the occupants away
on the strength of the DARAB
order.
But the DARAB ruling of Janu-
ary 17 did not include a writ of
demolition.
Narido, however, said the
DARAB order became self-execu-
tory after the lapse of the regla-
nothing to do with the three miss-
ing ARBs.
TRO
Last Wednesday (March 2),
the RTC Branch 17 issued a
temporary restraining order in
favor of the Donggay-Bermoy
faction against the Domo-Narido
faction as well as the Sajol-Dela
Rosa faction.
Judge Florencia Sealana-Abbu
said that the harassment suffered
by the members of the Donggay-
Bermoy faction at the hands of the
armed men of the Domo-Narido
faction is material invasion of the
rights of the complainants.
“The continuing acts of the
respondent (defendant) Domo in
intimidating or committing acts of
harassment against the members
of the cooperative is material inva-
sion of their rights while the case
Peace,” an organic agriculture
model farm that generates an esti-
mated income of P15,000 a month
from the produce of a 2,500 square
meter lot within the farm.
He told reporters then that their
farm proved that even small farm-
ers like them can help institute
peace by being very productive.
“If farmers are productive and
have food on their table, there will
be peace,” he explained.
During that time, PCFMPC’s
purely organic “Farm for Peace”
grew 36 kinds of vegetables and
50 different herbs. They also
have a Robusta coffee nursery
that supply planting materials
for Nestle’s coffee farms, and a
40-hectare mango orchard and
some cashew trees.
Bermoy’s group, produced
their own organic fertilizer, had
proven then that PCFMPC’s

Special Report: DAR intervention urged

to ease tension in disputed CARP land
Bermoy, a Higaonon, is leader of
the Lumbia Tribal Association, a
member of the PCFMPC.
The three farmer-ARBs, sons
of 50-year-old Sansin Manatad,
were reported missing on Febru-
ary 19 up to the present after the
Lino Sajol and lawyer Elmer dela
Rosa (Sajol-Dela Rosa) faction
of the PCFMPC, together with
armed men, forcibly entered
the estate and demolished the
structures there and manhandled
some of the members of the
Donggay-Bermoy faction of the
PCFMPC.
Manatad said he thought his
sons Risan, 27; Juniper, 25; and
Marjun, 23, only went to take ref-
uge at their mother’s in Barangay
Gango, Libona, Bukidnon but
found out later that they never
went there.
The three decided to leave the
estate for fear of their lives be-
cause of the presence of the armed
men, despite his objections, said
Manatad. Manatad had
1992. The PVB was the original
owner of the estate.
Members of this faction led by
Sajol waived their rights to lawyer
Dela Rosa for some monetary
consideration. The Sajol-Dela
Rosa faction then sold the estate
to Diana Biron, wife of Iloilo Rep.
Ferjenel Biron, for P30 million on
August 7, 2009.
Thirteen years later or in 2008,
RTC Branch 41 in Cagayan de
Oro dismissed the PVB case. The
DARAB in Misamis Oriental also
dismissed the PVB case to cancel
the CLOA.
Then PCFMPC chairperson
Beverly Domo’s faction in the
PCFMPC was not in favor of the
move of some ARBs to waive their
rights, so she filed a case before the
RTC Branch 24 in Cagayan de Oro
for an injunction on the waiving
of rights in favor of the Sajol-Dela
Rosa group over the estate.
While the case is still pending
before RTC 24, Domo’s group to-
gether with their lawyer Florencio
the PCFMPC.
Although they already were
granted a CLOA over the estate,
the ARBs who are members of
the PCFMPC have no individual
titles to the land as the estate has
not yet been subdivided among
them. However, there is already
a parcellary plan assigning lots
to the 67 original ARBs.
Donggay, while not an original
ARB, obtained rights to the estate
after several other ARBs sold their
rights to him.
Learning of this, Domo filed
a case before DARAB-MisOr to
annul this sale of their rights to
Donggay, while the Donggay-
Bermoy faction also filed a case of
annulment of the sale of the estate
by the Sajol-Dela Rosa faction to
Biron before RTC Branch 17.
Last January 17, DARAB-
MisOr ruled in favor of the
Domo-Narido faction. Adjudi-
cator Charlito Sabuga-a ordered
the Donggay-Bermoy faction to
“demolish whatever structure
mentary period for the filing of the
Motion for Reconsideration.
“Even in their haste to get
lucrative deals over the land,
the Narido-Domo group should
observe the rule of law and
respect that the DARAB order
is not self-executory and that
status quo should be observed
while our meritorious motion for
reconsideration is being tackled,”
said lawyer Ilya Kristin Ravanera,
legal counsel of the Donggay-
Bermoy group.
“It is clear that in order to ex-
ecute the decision of the Darab, a
writ of demolition has to be issued
first,” she added.
But the Donggay-Bermoy
group expressed fear over the
ongoing conflict over the land
following the forcible entry of
the Domo-Narido group and its
armed men. Thus, they called on
the DAR to intervene and ease the
tension now prevailing there.
Leaders of the Domo-Narido
faction, however, said they have
of annulment of sale is pending
before this Court,” Abbu said in
her two-page decision promul-
gated on March 1.
“Wherefore, a Temporary Re-
straining Order is hereby issued
commanding and/or enjoining
respondent Beverly Domo or any
person acting for and in her behalf
to cease and desist from perform-
ing any act that will tantamount
to harassment against members
of the cooperative with the end in
view of compelling them to sell
their property or to be driven out
from the CARP-awarded piece of
land,” she added.
The TRO stemmed from the
urgent motion of the Donggay-
Bermoy faction for the court to
restrain Domo, Dela Rosa and
Biron from intimidating and
harassing the PCFMPC members
who opposed to the sale.
Development?
Last November, Bermoy show-
cased the PCFMPC’s “Farm for
© Vanjo Andig / PCFMPC
“Farm for Peace” is very finan-
cially viable.
But lately, Bermoy, an expert
agricultural technician, said that
the conflict over the PCFMPC’s
111-hectate estate caused by some
members of the cooperative who
formed their own factions will put
all their hard work to make the
farm self-sustaining and finan-
cially viable to waste.
The Higaonon ARB leader was
referring to the Domo-Narido fac-
tion as well as to the Sajol-Dela
Rosa faction who sold the estate
for development purposes.
Lawyer Narido explained
that his faction decided to sell
the estate so that investors will
develop the land because as an
agricultural land, it has not seen
any development since it was
awarded to the PCFMPC.
But the Donggay-Bermoy fac-
tion accused the Domo-Narido
faction of “greed” as the main
motive in the sale of the land by
the Domo-Narido faction.

May They Be One Children won into reading the Bible Members of the MTBO Ad-
visory Committee: Bishop

A
couple in the Diocese of Baguio has at least two things they are grateful Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Am-
for: first, they are recipients of three MTBO Bibles under a partnersh bassador Henrietta T. de Villa,
program between May They Be One (MTBO) and the Catholic Family

Bible Campaign
Fr. Oscar A. Alunday, Mr. Rod
Bible Encounter; secondly, they can use these Bibles to prepare themselves Cornejo, Mr. Rene E. Cristobal
and their children for the Northern Luzon Regional Catholic Family Bible Sr., Dr. Philip C. Flores, Dante
Encounter, a pre-qualifying round to the 2011 National Catholic Family Bible M. Lanorio, Fr. Antonio B. Na-
Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home Encounter held every other year. However, Angelo Sebio Sr. and his wife varrete, Fr. Art B. Orense and
Bernadeth had a major hurdle to overcome—their teammates, Claudine Mr. Albert S. Tanlimco.
Joy, Karen Cecile, and Beah Sarena—who happen to be their own chil-
dren, did not want to join the event. Though the family had earlier bagged
the first prize in the diocesan-based Catholic Family Bible Encounter, the
Sebio kids were simply not interested in reading the Bible. Undaunted, the May They Be One Bible
couple took time to persuade the girls until finally they won them over into campaign is a nationwide pro-
accepting the regional Bible Encounter challenge. gram which aims to distribute 5
The reading and study sessions roused in the Sebio kids greater interest in million Bibles in 7 years. Learn
the Word. The Bible reading also served to provide bonding time between more about how you can be
the children and their working parents. The whole family’s eagerness for part of the Campaign. Call us
study time grew. They had fun learning facts, stories, characters, life-chang- at PBS 526-7777, ECBA 527-
ing truths and discovering more of the power of God. They also sensed 9386 or visit www.bible.org.ph
a growing love and concern for each other. The Regional Encounter was and www.ecba-cbcp.com. Do-
held and concluded in October 2010 but the discipline and love for Bible nations can be deposited in the
reading and meditation which was instilled in the Sebio family, did not end following bank accounts: PBS-
there but have continued on. MTBO Account#393-0649-34
(BPI Sta. Mesa Branch) Fax
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign – 80 out of 86 Dioceses deposit slip to 521-5803 or
Bibles Distributed (Jan 1, 2011 – Mar 11, 2011): 38,257 cps ECBA-CBCP Account #0251-
Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog (12,193cps.), Cebuano (8,493 cps.) English 021376 (BPI-Tayuman Branch)
(6,589 cps.),
Ilocano (4,243cps.), Hiligaynon (3,341cps.), Bicol (995 cps), Pangasinan (3cps.), Pampango Fax deposit slip to 527-9386.
Angelo Sebio Sr. (standing 2nd from right) with wife Bernadeth (seated left) and (877cps.), Samarenyo (1,513 cps.) For credit card payments – go
children Claudine Joy (seated right), Karen Cecile and Beah Sarena (standing Parishes/Communities served: 59 to PBS website (www.bible.
1st & 2nd from left) during the recent Northern Luzon Regional Catholic Total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009- Mar 11, 2011): 346,045 cps org.ph).
Family Bible Encounter Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2011: 400,000 cps.
Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles in 2011: P60M
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
Address of Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of
Mindanao and Ecclesiastical Province of Lipa on the
Occasion of their visit “Ad Limina Apostolorum”
February 21 to March 5, 2011
MY dear Brother Bishops,
It is with joy that I welcome you as
you make your visit ad Limina Apos-
tolorum. I extend my cordial greetings
through you to the priests, religious,
and faithful of your various dioceses.
Our meeting today affords me the op-
portunity to thank you collectively for
the pastoral work you carry out with
love for Christ and for his people. As
Saint Paul says, “Let us not grow weary
of doing good; if we do not relax our
efforts, in due time we shall reap our
harvest” (Gal 6:9). With these words,
the Apostle encourages his readers to
do good to all, but especially to those of
the household of the faith. He presents
us with a double imperative, one which
is most appropriate to your ministry
as bishops in the central and southern
islands of the Philippine archipelago.
You must labor in doing good among
Christians and non-Christians alike.
Regarding “those of the household of
the faith” who require your apostolic
care, the Church in your respective
regions naturally shares many of the
pastoral challenges confronting the rest
of the country. Among them, one of the
most important is the task of ongoing
catechetical formation. The deep per-
sonal piety of your people needs to be
nourished and supported by a profound
understanding of and appreciation for
the teachings of the Church in mat-
ters of faith and morals. Indeed, these
elements are required in order for the
human heart to give its full and proper
response to God. As you continue to
strengthen catechesis in your dioceses,
do not fail to include in it an outreach to
families, with particular care for parents
in their role as the first educators of
their children in the faith. This work is
already evident in your support of the
family in the face of influences which
would diminish or destroy its rights and
integrity. I appreciate that providing
www.media.masslive.com
face any challenge alone, being assisted
first and foremost by your clergy. Along
with you, they have devoted their lives
to the service of God and his people, and
require in their turn your fatherly care.
As you are aware, you and your fellow
bishops have a particular duty to know
your priests well and to guide them with
sincere concern, while priests are always
to be prepared to fulfill humbly and
faithfully the tasks entrusted to them.
In such a spirit of mutual cooperation
for the sake of the Kingdom of God,
surely “in due time we shall reap our
harvest” of faith.
Many of your dioceses already have in
place programs of continuing formation
for young priests, assisting them in their
transition from the structured schedule
of the seminary to the more independent
setting of parish life. Along these lines,
it is also helpful for them to be assigned
mentors from among those older priests
who have proven themselves to be faith-
ful servants of the Lord. These men can
guide their younger confrères along the
path toward a mature and well-balanced
way of priestly living.
Moreover, priests of all ages require
ongoing care. Regular days of recollec-
tion, yearly retreats and convocations,
as well as programs for continuing
education and assistance for priests
who may be facing difficulties, are to
be promoted. I am confident that you
will also find ways to support those
priests whose assignments leave them
isolated. It is gratifying to note how
the Second National Congress for the
Clergy, held during the Year for Priests,
was just such an occasion for renewal
and fraternal support. In order to build
upon this momentum, I encourage you
to profit from the yearly celebration
of Holy Thursday, during which the
Church commemorates the priesthood
in a special way. In accordance with
their solemn promises at ordination,
B5
that will grow to mirror the paternity
of God.
With respect to Saint Paul’s command
to do good to those not of the household
of the faith, dialogue with other religions
remains a high priority, especially in
the southern areas of your country.
While the Church proclaims without
fail that Christ is the way, the truth,
and the life (cf. Jn 14:6), nevertheless
she respects all that is true and good
in other religions, and she seeks, with
prudence and charity, to enter into an
honest and amicable dialogue with the
followers of those religions whenever
possible (cf. Nostra Aetate, 2). In doing
so, the Church works toward mutual
understanding and the advancement
of the common good of humanity. I
commend you for the work you have
already done and I encourage you, by
means of the dialogue that has been
established, to continue to promote the
path to true and lasting peace with all
of your neighbors, never failing to treat
each person, no matter his or her beliefs,
as created in the image of God.
Finally, as we strive not to “grow
weary of doing good,” we are reminded
that the greatest good that we can offer
those whom we serve is given to us in
the Eucharist. In the Holy Mass, the
faithful receive the grace needed to be
transformed in Jesus Christ. It is hearten-
ing that many Filipinos attend Sunday
Mass, but this does not leave room for
complacency on your part as shepherds.
It is your task, and that of your priests,
never to grow weary in pursuing the lost
sheep, making sure that all the faithful
draw life from the great gift given to us
in the Sacred Mysteries.
Dear Brother Bishops, I thank the
Lord for these days of your visit to the
City of Peter and Paul, during which
God has strengthened our bonds of
communion. Through the intercession
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may the

this kind of catechetical formation is no
small task, and I take the opportunity
to salute the many religious sisters and
lay catechists who assist you in this
important work.
Indeed, as diocesan bishops you never
remind your priests of their commit-
ment to celibacy, obedience, and an ever
greater dedication to pastoral service.
In living out their promises, these men
will become true spiritual fathers with
a personal and psychological maturity
good Lord bring your work to comple-
tion. I assure you of a remembrance in
my prayers and willingly impart to you
and to the faithful entrusted to your
care my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge
of grace and peace.

‘…That You may Have Life to the Full’ (John 10:10b)

A Pastoral Letter of the Most Rev. Rodolfo F. Beltran, D.D., Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe for Lent 2011
Foreword
As we enter this holy season
of Lent, I enjoin the Catholic
faithful of this Apostolic Vicari-
ate of Bontoc-Lagawe to make a
special reflection on the value of
life — a life which the gospel of
John had clearly distinguished
when it differentiated the good
shepherd from the thief. “The
thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full”
(John 10:10).
The central theme of Lent
is this self-giving redemption
which the Lord has gained for
us on the cross. He who suffered
and died brought life to all.
Every conscientious Christian,
therefore, who professes to fol-
low Christ, must embrace this
life-giving stance.
The CBCP has spoken
The stand of the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philip-
pines on the controversial RH Bill
in Congress is anchored on two
fundamental principles. I highly
encourage everyone to read the
CBCP’s Pastoral Letter. These
principles enumerated there
must be borne by every God-
fearing human being, Catholic
or non-Catholic, Christian or
non-Christian. These are:
(1) Human life is the most sacred
physical gift with which God, the
author of life, endows a human being.
Placing artificial obstacles to prevent
human life from being formed and be-
ing born most certainly contradicts
this fundamental truth of human
life. In the light of the widespread
influence of the post-modern spirit in
our world, we consider this position
as nothing less than prophetic. As
religious leaders we must proclaim
this truth fearlessly in season and
out of season.
(2) It is parents, cooperating
with God, who bring children into
the world. It is also they who have
the primary inalienable right and
responsibility to nurture them, care
for them, and educate them that
they might grow as mature persons
according to the will of the Creator.
(CHOOSING LIFE, REJECT-
ING THE RH BILL, A Pastoral
Letter of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines,
30 January 2011)
We have always been clear
since the beginning that the RH
Bill is a moral issue. It is about
our basic human sensibilities.
It is about our fundamental
Filipino values. There is no way
that the RH Bill can be made
into law without hurting human
sensibilities and disrespecting
Filipino values.
As plain as that, thus, RH
Bill MUST NOT BE PUT INTO
LAW. It has been clear from all
the many debates done, rallies
shown, and disagreements con-
tested that there will be groups,
no matter how minor, whose
moral sensibilities will be hurt
by legislating the way we should
act and feel. There are Filipino
cultural values, like decency and
responsible parenting, that will
be disrespected by making this
a law for all. And I, your Vicar
Apostolic, stand by what the
CBCP stands for: it would be mor-
ally corrupt to disregard the moral
implications of the RH bill.
The crossroad is where we
decide
The cross of Jesus Christ is
not only a salvific symbol for us
believers. It is also crucial (from
its Latin root “crux”), in the
sense that it is an imperative.
Where this God’s gift of life is
compromised, we ought to make
a choice and decide: Are we for
life or not?
The cross, therefore, by its
shape reminds us of the crossroad
where anyone who comes makes
a choice of which path to take.
But the same cross on which the
Lord is found tortured and dead
provides us an answer. Sacrifice
is the way to this fulness of life.
Only the person who knows
how to take pains to himself in
order to give life to others does
understand Christ’s redemption.
And it is the only way to the
salvation of mankind. A doctor
to his patient, a teacher to his
students, parents to their chil-
dren, priests to their flock, and
yes, government leaders to all
people, especially those who are
marginalized. Everyone needs to
ask that redemptive question of
love: Have I given enough? Have
I suffered enough for another?
The opposite is the work of the
thief: Greed, that knows only the
self and Corruption, that only
serves personal convenience and
pleasure.
Together with our rejection
of the RH Bill, therefore, is our
rejection of greed and corruption.
Remove graft and corruption
in our government and we will
solve the problem of poverty.
Let those who have stolen from
government return their loots
and every Filipino will live in
comfort.
The people, too, have spoken
Now, that everything has been
said, our eyes are set on Congress.
The people have spoken. It is time
to watch whether the Congress-
men and Congresswomen we
have voted into office are truly
Representatives of the People.
Are they truly shepherds? Or
are they thieves masked in dis-
guise in order to save themselves
politically?
I wait with enthusiasm how
our own congressmen will decide
and vote on this matter. This is
indeed a time of revelation, a time
of knowing what skin they wear.
I enjoin every Filipino to watch all
the proceedings in the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
This issue will reveal who they
are whom we have entrusted
with our suffrage.
Elections, too, are crucial
Every election, we cry to vote
for people who are trustworthy,
people who are maka-kalikasan,
maka-tao, maka-Diyos, and maka-
buhay. At the least, what this
issue, little by little, reveals to us
is our power as a people to vote
and put a trustworthy person into
office. Now, it is being clarified
to us how important elections
are. Elections are not only during
campaigns. The essence of this
political exercise lies on how our
elected officials perform when
they are already in office. Does
our Congressmen choose life
and, thus, worthy of being called
Statement of
maka-tao and maka-buhay?
But such question is true to all
elected officials: President, Gov-
ernors, Mayors, Board Members,
Support to the
Catholic Bishops’
Councilors, and even so, Baran-
gay Chairpersons. The choices
they make in their office and
the things they do and involve
in inevitably dictate their own
fate in the next elections. We
can only say: we will watch their
Conference of the
every move and remember what
they do. No politician in these
present times can remain silent
on what he/she stands for. He/
Philippines by
the Clergy of the
She should decide, let the people
know of it, stand by it, and, suffer
the consequences of his choice.
After all, genuine people are
made of sterner stuff; good politi-
cians as well should be. Apostolic Vicariate
of Bontoc-Lagawe
The Call of the Catholic
Church
In the end, I reiterate the stand
of the Catholic Bishops in the
Philippines. I reiterate the stand
of every right-thinking Chris- WE, the clergy of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe,
tian. I reiterate my own stand: reiterate our support to the stand of the Catholic Bishops’
to reject the RH agenda and to Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the Reproduc-
choose life. tive Health (RH) Bill or the Responsible Parenthood (RP)
The Lord has spoken, thus, in Bill. (Cf. CHOOSING LIFE, REJECTING THE RH BILL, A
the Gospel of John. It has helped Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
us clarify who the thieves are Philippines, 30 January 2011)
and who the good shepherds After everything has been said and debated on, we believe
are. And his clarification should that it is time for every conscientious Filipino to make a stand
lead us to the right choice: His on this issue. We invoke the statement of our beloved Bishop
own choice. The example of our Rodolfo F. Beltran, D.D. on the rationality of the choice of life.
Lord Jesus, the true Good Shep- (Cf. “…That You may Have Life to the Full” (John 10:10b),
herd, on the cross is the central A Pastoral Letter of the Most Rev. Rodolfo F. Beltran, D.D.,
message of this season of Lent: Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe, Lent 2011)
a choice of life in full for all. We Acting on the same statement of the Bishop of Bontoc-
can only be partakers of Him by Lagawe, we make our promise to be vigilant on the decisions
making the first step of choosing and acts of our elected officials whom we have voted into
life above all. office to serve us and protect our rights and will.
May the Good Lord see us in a Lastly, we urge everyone, especially all our faithful in
most special way in this season the parishes of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe to
of Lent. consider most seriously the choices of officials we make dur-
God bless us all! ing elections and see to it that they, in turn, be responsible
to their duties of serving the people’s will. We restate the
+ RODOLFO F. BELTRAN, stand we have always made in every election that our choice
D.D. of officials should be maka-buhay, maka-tao, maka-Diyos and
Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc- maka-kalikasan. This must be seen in the choices our govern-
Lagawe ment officials make.
February 1, 2011
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Going to meet Jesus at the well

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A (Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42) March 27, 2011
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
SHE really was quite intelligent, this
Samaritan Woman that Jesus met at the
well. She engaged Jesus in discussion
about Jews and Samaritans. She asked
him, “Why do you bother talking to
me? Jews don’t speak to Samaritans.”
She even engaged the Lord in a bit of
a theological argument, “We worship
on the Mountain, you worship in
Jerusalem, so who’s right?”
She was also a hard worker, not
a lazy woman. She was at that well
probably to get the water she needed
to clean her home, or perhaps prepare
the afternoon meal. Her life was
difficult, but probably no more than
any other woman of her time and
place. But her life was different. She
had gone through five husbands and
now was living with a man she had
not married. No one respected her.
She didn’t respect herself. She had
given up on herself and just gone with
whatever the immediate situation
presented. Another husband, another
man. Another child. Who’s the father
of this one? Of that one? She had
learned to live with the emptiness
that comes from accepting sin in
her life.
She was thirsty. It may have been
her sheep that needed the water,
maybe she needed to draw water
for the afternoon meal, but she
herself was quite thirsty. She was
dry. Internally, spiritually, she was
thirsty. She had led a sinful life but
had refused to acknowledge her sins
and seek forgiveness. Perhaps, like
many of us, she felt that the past
would go away if she just didn’t
think about it. But that didn’t quench
her thirst. She went about her daily
routine, doing her best to ignore the
emptiness within herself. But it was
still there. There was that thirst, that
dryness.
A thirsty Jesus goes to the same
well. He sees the woman and
www.2.bp.blogspot.com
actions, and allow the compassion
of the Lord into our lives. Then we
have that joy that pours out from us to
everyone around us. And then others
seek out and find Christ.
We will probably be thirsty again.
With the distractions of our lives,
it is easy for us to lose sight of the
fundamental reason for our existence,
to know love and serve God. With
the pressures of our society, the
responsibility to provide for the
family financially, the mission to raise
our children, the fight against sickness
and suffering in our lives, it is easy to
lose sight of why we are doing what
we do. As a result we feel thirsty,
dry within. With the pressures of the
anti-Catholic, anti-theistic, immoral
aspects of our society, it is relatively
easy for us to give in to arguments
that justify improper or immoral
behavior. It is easy for us to return
to dryness.
We will thirst again. And in one
way, this is good, very good. It is
part of the human condition to thirst
for God. St. Augustine wrote, “Our
hearts are made for you, O God, and
can not rest until they rest in you.”
We will always thirst for a greater
presence of God. We seek his presence
throughout our lives, particularly in
the love of others, in the love of our
families, in the love of those reaching
out to us for help. Many of you seek
God in the love of your marriages, and
your children or, for the children, in
their parents’ love. We will all always
thirst for a greater presence of God
in our reading the Word of God and
our sharing in the Eucharist.
We need to take this thirst with us
wherever we go. We need to bring
the longing for Jesus with us so
others can experience the joy the very
longing for His Presence forms in our
lives. Remember, the townsfolk only
experienced Jesus because they first
experienced the joy of His Presence
in the woman who had just returned
from the well of God’s Love and

thirsts even more. He also is dry, Compassion. We cannot be afraid to

but he is not empty. He thirsts for
the people who need him, even
if they don’t acknowledge him.
One of his last words from the
Cross would be, “I thirst”. He was
not talking about water. He was
Bo Sanchez speaking about the overpowering
desire within him to bring God’s
let all know that Jesus is the joy of
our lives.
Sometimes people ask me, “How
do I bring Jesus to the school, to
the workplace, to my family, to the
neighborhood?” If we focus on His
Presence in our lives, if we recognize
the Mercy and Compassion we have

SOULFOOD love to the world.

At the well, Jesus simply tells the
woman that she will remain dry
unless she confronts her past and
changes her life. These are the words
received, others will experience Him
within us.
There is a famous Latin expression,
“Nemo dat quo non habat.” It means
“you cannot give what you do not

Let the weak say I am strong
THE Bible says, “Let the weak say I am
strong.” (Joel 3:10)
The Bible doesn’t say “Let the weak
say why he’s weak, and how he’s weak,
and where he’s weak, and talk about his
weaknesses everyday…” The Bible says,
“Let the weak say ‘I am strong’”!
I had a whole-day entrepreneurship
workshop yesterday. It was fantastic.
But I felt exhausted. When I picked up
my wife last night, she said, “Bo, you
look so tired.” I really was.
When I woke up this morning at 4
a.m., I still felt the exhaustion in my
body. I could hardly wake up.
But I’ve learned this a long time ago:
Unsuccessful people use their words
to describe their situation; Successful
people use your words to direct their
situation.
I could have said, “I’m tired; I’m
drained; I’m exhausted…”
Instead, I said, “I’m strong. I’m
healthy. I’m equipped. I’m anointed. I’m
blessed beyond measure. The strength of
the Lord is flowing into my body.”
In a few minutes, I felt so good!
Don’t talk about how you are; Talk
about how you want to be. Don’t talk
about where you are; talk about where
you want to go!
Don’t just talk about your problems;
Talk about your purpose. Because prob-
lems weigh you down. But purpose lifts
you up. And I’ve learned that if you
pursue your purpose, many of your
problems get solved along the way.
So don’t dwell on your difficulties.
Dwell on your dreams!
If you don’t have money, don’t con-
fess, “I’m poor. I have no money. Oh woe
is me…” If you don’t have money, say
“I’m temporarily broke; If you’re poor,
don’t say, “I’m poor”. If you’re poor, say,
“I’m getting ready to be rich!”
she needed to hear. She submits to
the Love of God. From that moment
on she is absolved, transformed. Her
thirst is quenched.
She goes into the town. Her joy
is on her face. The townspeople
experience her peace and want this for
themselves. So they go out to the well
to meet Jesus. They go to investigate.
They experience God.
This wonderful drama, the first
of three we will hear the next few
weeks, is really a drama about our
lives. We thirst for God. Sometimes
we drink Him in. Often we ignore
Him. Sometimes we downright reject
Him. But He doesn’t give up on us.
Perhaps we finally give in and let
Him transform our lives. We confront
our sins, take responsibility for our
have.” You cannot bring God to others
if you do not have Him yourself. The
opposite of this expression is also true.
It is powerful and life transforming.
“We cannot help but give Him who
we have.” If we have the Lord, then
we cannot keep Him from others. Our
very being will not allow us to keep
the joy within us secret.
We join the Samaritan Woman this
Sunday in proclaiming the joy within
us. We continually experience His
Love, His Mercy and His Compassion.
Now, world, go out to the well, and
meet the Source of our Joy. Let His
mercy and compassion into your lives,
world. Allow Him to transform you
from putting up with life to living
in the Joy of the Lord. Go out to the
well, world, and meet Jesus.

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WHATEVER
Bishop Pat Alo

“SO how did it go?” Sheena asked her
friend who had just come out of the con-
fessional.
“Oh, it was great!” Gretchen smiled with
relief. “Want to have some coffee before we
go back to work?”
“My treat, since you paid the last time,”
Sheena winked at her friend.
As Sheena sipped her coffee she was sud-
denly distracted by the loud sound of paper
being crumpled violently. “SHU-RUMPH!
THRA-MUSH! SHA-RUSH! KU-WUISH!”
“Wow! You haven’t even taken your coffee
and you’re so high and spirited already,”
she teased Gretchen.
“Oh, this was my list of sins I read dur-
ing confession,” she replied as she threw
the crumpled paper into a nearby bin. “I
just wish I could really feel more sorry for
my sins.”
“Girl, by the mere fact that you have
knelt down in the confessional, said your
sins to the best of your ability and memory,
and are disposed to carry out the penance
and amend for your sins, then you can be
certain that these sufficiently manifest your
sorrow.”
“Yes, I now understand, but you know
what it’s like to feel a bit lost and insensitive,”
Gretchen began taking her coffee.
“This also means that we have to learn
how to make our conscience more delicate
and refined when it comes to loving God
‘Crumpling our sins’
and avoiding anything that could separate
us from His love.”
“It will be one long uphill climb from
where I am. But as you once advised me: to
find time for daily prayer, the Rosary also
daily if I could, and daily Mass too.”
“Right, but little by little and what is
more important is being constant,” Sheena
encouraged her.
“Yes, being constant…,” the woman
repeated. “Oh, but it’s just SO hard,
Sheena.”
“I understand, but we all have to begin
somewhere. At least try your best to go to
confession monthly and afterwards you
could somewhat recap the previous month’s
‘performance’, and set some clear and con-
crete goals for the next one.”
“Yes, I’ll do just that.”
“Oh, girl, there is one thing that I believe
shows your sorrow,” Sheena grinned
“Really? What’s that?”
“It’s the way you crumpled your list of
sins and threw it away. It seemed like you
were telling our Lord in a graphic way how
you wished you could do away with sin just
like you crumpled that piece of paper.”
“Thanks for the thought. I will remember
to always find new ways to crumple my
sins.”
***
In a season such as Lent, strongly char-
acterized by the theme of penance and
conversion, we have another opportunity to
crumple our sins like this woman. Of course
this is only a vivid way of describing how
we want to rid ourselves of our attachment
to sin and its consequences. While we live,
however, entirely disposing ourselves of
sin is not possible. We realize that during
our lifetime, we will have to patiently begin
and begin again.
Beginning and beginning again in our
interior struggle isn’t a mere routine
that one casually goes through. Every
beginning, whether in something small
or big, means relying more in our Lord’s
grace and growing in humility and love.
This is what it truly means to begin and
begin.
This positive and fruitful outlook in the
spiritual life doesn’t only apply to our falls.
They may also mean trying to improve in
our daily prayer to God, our devotions, and
participation in the sacraments. This implies
deepening our convictions of sorrow, love,
and humility. It also includes formulating
resolutions focused on growing in one or
two particular virtues each day.
Perhaps, through years of crumpling
our ego, lust, avarice, laziness, etc., we will
gradually be able to present ourselves folded
neatly before God each day. Then, He will
unfold us, and write upon that clean slate
of our life His love for us in Heaven.
ENCOUNTERS
True
concern for
our people
WHEN the RH Bill seeks to open the doors to abortifacient
contraceptives and abortion on demand under the guise of
women’s reproductive health, is that a sign of true care and
concern for women’s health? What about the other aspects
of trauma involved, or the side effects, not to mention the
moral consequences involved? Such a [RH] Bill therefore is
questionable as regards its sincere concern for our people’s
good, here or in the hereafter.
Consider too the offers being made by interested agencies in
the pharmaceutical or medicinal field that may somehow be
involved in the issue of reproductive sexuality. Then comes
in therefore the corrupting factor of money which is being
flaunted shamefully without any qualms of conscience, as if
God were blind to these hidden agenda. Is that true concern
for womanhood? We desire a bright future for a population
that is young, alive, peaceful, productive, and hopeful.
That Bill therefore hides its face because, under the guise
of population control; in reality it schemes to terminate life
by allowing abortifacients, and abortion is in actuality an
integral part of the culture of death that will not favor the
Philippine growth and population but lead to its decimation
and extinction. Imagine those great populations of the world
that may be fast disappearing and self-destructing, because
of disregard for God’s original decree: “Be fruitful, multiply,
fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). We will miss the
children’s cries and laughter, when it’s the coughing elderly
folk that we may generally get to hear.
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
B7

Solons, Church groups push for the

scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 and
the enactment of a new mining law

Photo courtesy of Alyansa Tigil Mina

By NASSA Staff
“FOR more than a decade and a half,
contrary to the promises of develop-
ment and prosperity that comes with
the enactment of the Mining Act of 1995,
the Filipino people have only witnessed
and become victims of the havoc that
the foreign-dominated mining industry
has brought to our country. Human
rights violations amongst indigenous
peoples and communities, mining-
related extrajudicial killings, division
amongst communities, environmental
destructions, cases of bribery amongst
government institutions, non-payment
of taxes, and undermining of local
governance have all been main-stay
features under the 16th year history of
the mining law.”
This is what Judy Pasimio, Executive
Director of Legal Rights and Natural Re-
sources Center (LRC-KsK/FOE-Phils.),
and one of the convenors of the Min-
erals Management Bill Now Network
(MMB Now! Network) asserted on the
16th anniversary of the Mining Act of
1995 (Republic Act 7942) as mining-
affected communities, Catholic Church,
Congressional representatives, peoples
organizations, environmental and hu-
man rights groups call for the scrapping
of the highly contested mining law and
push for the immediate enactment of a
new mining law.
Meanwhile, religious leaders reiter-
ated their call to repeal the current
mining law. Bishop Broderick Pabillo,
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of
Manila said that they have consistently
called for such action in the past. “The
CBCP has issued pastoral statements
in 1998 and 2006, calling for the repeal
of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
As pastors, we have witnessed how
the faithful has struggled to defend the
integrity of creation. Our experiences of
environmental tragedies belie claims
and assurances of responsible mining”,
Pabillo said.
On a related development, Bp.
Deogracias Iniguez, Chair of the Pub-
lic Affairs Committee of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) and Bishop of the Diocese of
Caloocan, recalled that the CBCP had
observed that “mining areas remain
among the poorest areas in the coun-
try such as the mining communities
in CARAGA, Bicol and Cordillera
Regions”. Bp. Iniguez also cited the
lament of many Bishops that the indig-
enous peoples face serious challenges
when confronted with mining as “the
cultural fabric of indigenous peoples
is also being destroyed by the entry of
mining corporations”. if we ever need to extract our mineral
Within the Halls of Congress, mining-
affected communities and advocates
have found their allies as HB206 and
HB3763, both pushing for a new min-
ing law, were filed in July 1, 2010 and
December 1, 2010 respectively. The
authors of the bills are Rep. Erin Tanada
III for HB 206 or the Alternative Mining
Bill (AMB) and Rep. Kaka Bag-ao and
Rep. Walden Bello of Akbayan Partyl-
ist, Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao,
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Rep. Maximo
Rodriguez, Rep. Carlos Padilla and Rep.
Roilo Golez for HB 3763 or the Minerals
Management Bill (MMB). Additional
Congress representatives have since
joined the cause.
Rep. Erin Tañada III of the 4th District
of Quezon Province, on his part as-
serts that “That is why, along with the
mining-affected communities, peoples’
organizations, the Catholic Church,
NGOs and experts, we have filed the
Alternative Mining Bill as a response
in regulating the exploration, develop-
ment and utilization of our minerals
resources. This bill, if passed into law,
will correct all the mistakes and nega-
tive effects that the Philippine Mining
Act of 1995 has brought to our country
and the AMB puts communities, human
rights, conservation of our mineral and
natural resources, and genuine national
development at the center.”
Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Akbayan Par-
tylist adds “The MMB envisions that
resources it should be for the benefit
of the Filipino people and not for the
interest of foreign and domestic mining
corporations. Under the current mining
law, mineral extraction is done at the
expense of our communities and the
environment. The MMB will ensure
that any mineral extraction done in the
country, it should be geared towards
genuine national industrialization and
modernization of our agriculture.”
Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao asserts
that “The experiences of most of our
indigenous brothers and sisters also
points to frustration with the current
mining law. Under the Mining Act of
1995 the rights of indigenous peoples
on their ancestral domains, territories
and resources, free, prior and informed
consent (FPIC) requirements for indig-
enous communities, to name a few,
have been undermined by irresponsible
mining, some corrupt government of-
ficials, and most mining companies.
The MMB ensures that the right of our
indigenous brothers and sisters are re-
spected and protected, specifically that
of their right to their lands, territories
and resources and that equitable share
from any mineral extraction within their
ancestral domains is assured.”
Jaybee Garganera, National Coordina-
tor of Alyansa Tigil Mina, stressed that
the current Philippine Mining Act of
1995 is inadequate in addressing serious
challenges that face the country, includ-
ing climate change, disaster risk reduc-
tion and globalization. “Our studies
show that mining has contributed very
little to economic growth because of the
too liberal incentives given by the current
mining law.” He also added that given
new laws that have been passed recently,
“there really is an urgent need to pass a
new mining law that will comply with
climate change, disaster-risk reduction
and the globalizing economy.” He also
challenged the mining companies that
“if they are really serious about respon-
sible mining, then they should support
these two pending bills, as these capture
comprehensively the genuine practice
of mining responsibly.” He concluded
that passing a new mining law will
benefit not only the communities and
the country as a whole, but the mining
industry as well.
The movement to protect and de-
fend communities, mineral resources,
biodiversity and fragile ecologies from
irresponsible mining is gaining grounds
and has recently found new allies in
known conservationist like the ABS-
CBN Foundation/Bantay Kalikasan,
where Ms. Gina Lopez, a scion of the
Lopez family, is leading a 10-million
signature campaign to stop mining in
Palawan.
“Sixteen years are enough! We have
seen enough of the negative social ef-
fects and environmental devastation
that the Mining Act of 1995 has brought.
We call on all the leaders of our country,
especially our House Representatives,
Senators and President Nonoy Aquino,
to join the cause. Let us save our country
from the ravages that the mining law
has brought upon us. Let us enact an
alternative Minerals Management Bill
now!” Pasimio said.

Nobility / B1

about to be formed in the womb rich man’s table. For us the

of the mother. And it must not
only be the woman who cares,
it must also concern the man
who shares in the responsibil-
ity, because mutual openness
to love and absolute surrender
to the possibility of life (as the
greatest gift) is always carried
by the spouses.
The second care that is learned
at home is in the use of food. The
respect for food nearly always
becomes “reverence” simply
because food is linked to life
in order to support it. Some of
the gravest mistakes children
are confronted with at home,
lesson is clear on the values
of this enriching catechesis on
the resources that pass through
our home, our dining table, our
school bag, our purse, and our
littlest “barya”—and the teach-
ing begins in the family.
The third care for giving the
young the power to be respon-
sible in their life of respect,
concern and love begins also in
the family. In a family where no
teaching is given by the parents,
nothing will be learned at home.
Alas, the wrong learning can be
earned outside the home, from
friends, and sometimes doubt-

CBCPMonitor Name ________________________________­________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
and sometimes with special
“little punishing teachings” is
the irreverence given to food.
ful acquaintances. Where no
initiative for good works and
friendliness to others outside the
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sasayang” ….”Sobra ang takaw be among a few select groups.
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fortnightly by the CBCP Media Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: __________________ again, parents lecture this to the influencing good examples (loud
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B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

A ballerina with the New
York Ballet Company, Nina
Sayers (Natalie Portman) gets
her dream role as Queen Swan
when the impresario Thomas Le-
roy (Vincent Cassel) thinks Beth
(Wynona Rider) has become too
old for the role. As Swan Lake’s
lead dancer, however, NIna has
to inhabit two roles—the good
White Swan and the evil Black
Swan. The problem is while Nina
has her technique honed to per-
fection, she lacks the passion to
fill the Black Swan part. At 28 she
is still treated by her mother Erica
(Barbara Hershey) as though she
were 20 years younger, sleeping
in a bedroom all pink and fluffy
and populated by teddy bears
and other stuffed toys. Not for
a moment dissuaded by Nina’s
frigidity, Leroy spurs her on with
calculated seduction, teasing her
and then tormenting her by fly-
ing in the passionate Lily (Mila
Kunis) from California to dance
the Black Swan part. Partly to
fulfill her ideal of perfection and
partly to spite her overprotective
mother—a retired dancer living
her life through her daughter’s
career—Nina is inevitably lured
to explore her dark side.
Every single actor in Black
Swan have all their feathers
neatly in place: smooth, credible
performance, good line delivery,
great rapport all the way. Cas-
sel is as charming as a devil can
be. Hershey fits the aging stage
mama role to a T. And Portman
gives a performance worth a
standing ovation. She’s really
good at such roles—as in The
Other Boleyn Girl—playing
flawed characters who are
definitely assured of a place in
Dante’s Inferno. Director Darren
Aronofsky carries you away with
his sense of aesthetics; you get
so busy gawking at his mesmer-
izing art that you lose track and
don’t question anything till the
end when you somehow suspect
you’ve been had.
The story is seen from the point
of view of an artist—Nina—who
instead of losing herself in her art
loses her sanity. Thus the thin
line between reality and fan-
tasy is blurred, and it’s you who
lose yourself in Tchaikovsky’s
music (albeit chopped up and
overlayed with electronic muck
reminiscent of Terminator). And
when Nina does what she does at
the end of the dance, you wake
up and say, “Hey, wait a minute!
How can you be so sure this act
is not another nightmare or hal-
lucination or one of those fears
and fantasies that rattle her in
her sleep and lull her to stupor
when she’s awake?”
Who the hell cares? The point
is, for CINEMA, aesthetics isn’t
everything—neither is tech-
nique. Black Swan is both eye
candy and tricky brainteaser,
TITLE: Black Swan
CAST: Natalie Portman,
Mila Kunis, Winona
Ryder, Sebastian Stan,
Vincent Cassel, Janet
Montgomery, Barbara
Hershey,Christopher
Gartin, Toby Hemingway,
Kristina Anapau
DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky
WRITER: Andres Heinz, Mark
Heyman, John McLaugh-
lin
GENRE: Drama, Suspense/
Thriller
RUNNING TIME: 110 min.
Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 1.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
18 and above.
sure, but where’s the meat? Its
only saving grace in terms of
ethical content is the devotion
Nina has for her craft, her drive
towards perfection. But then
again, the devotion crosses the
boundary to neurosis, and the
drive leads to the perfection of
self-destruction. Black Swan is
not about ballet—in fact it’s un-
flattering to the ballet industry;
it’s more about an obsession
dipped in the glitter of high art
but which remains lowly none-
theless because the film chooses
to overpower the heroine by her
semi-conscious acquiescence to
evil. Ask yourself: In the mis-
guided pursuit of perfection is
it worth sacrificing your soul for
your art?

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya Look for the images of Pope

Pius XI, Sto. Niño and the
Holy Bible. (Illustration by
Bladimer Usi)

TITLE: I am Number Four

CAST: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer,
Dianna Agron, Callan McAuliffe, Kevin Durand
DIRECTOR: D.J. Caruso
WRITERS: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Marti Noxon
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller
RUNNING TIME: 104 min.
Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers aged 14 and up.

John (Alex Pettyfer) is Number Four, an alien disguising

himself on earth as “John Smith” to elude annihilation by the
Mogadorians. Looking like a handsome ordinary American
teenager he easily blends in with the rest of the high school
crowd. Everybody takes his being a jet ski whiz as a simple
athletic gift until one day, at the beach, when out from his leg
emanates a strange light as he writhes in pain. It’s the third scar
branded into his leg, and it means his Mogadorian pursuers
have succeeded in killing Number Three. He has a protector
posing as his father in the person of fellow Mogadorian Henri
(Timothy Olyphant) who thinks it is time to move out to a
safer hiding place, but John would not leave his girlfriend
Sarah (Dianna Agron) behind. Meanwhile the Mogadorians
are closing in and a confrontation becomes inevitable, reveal-
ing the presence on earth of a couple of John’s allies, one of
whom is the Number Six (Teresa Palmer).
I am Number Four looked promising in the trailer but the
real thing seems like a patchwork quilt whose most colorful
elements are facsimiles of box office hits. A love between an
earthling and Someone Who’s Not From Here? Doesn’t Twilight
have that? Battles fought in the air? Plenty of that in Harry Pot-
ter! A cute puppy morphing into a monster? Well, don’t flashy
cars go clank-clackety-clank to become giant metal murderers
in … was it Transformers and/or Hulk? A sexy chick kicking
ass with nary a drop of sweat? Remember Michelle Pfeiffer,
Zhang Zi Yi, Michelle Liu, La Jolie and others who’ve done
superwoman stuff? And what about ugly, menacing aliens?
Ho-hum. But that’s not the most disappointing. The patch up
job would have been tolerable if there had been a good plot to
sew it up decently. But as it is, it seems like I Am Number Four
has been produced to sell—only that, to sell, targeting 12-15
year olds who get high on escapist fantasy-cum-forbidden-
love formula movies.
Because there’s no coherent story really testing the moral
strength of the protagonists, all the violence and destruction
seems mere debris floating in the air, defying gravity and
direction, thereby remaining weightless and worthless as
indicators of sound judgment. The lack of a story explains
the lack of meaningful dialogue advancing the story. The
Olyphant character almost provides a semblance of depth
to his nearly-human thinking but it gets buried beneath the
raucous computer-generated action. This patchwork movie
leaves many holes uncovered, is fraying at the edges, and in
its overload of borrowed colors loses its identity.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
‘Truly Asia’ delights for
top-selling agents
EIGHTEEN FBG Sales force
discovered that selling KC-
FAPI insurance products
can pay off in more ways
than one after getting an all
expenses paid trip to Ma-
laysia.
The sales force earned the jaunt to
the “Truly Asia” in the coming sum-
mer after finishing top of the pile in
production.
FBG Sales Force had to achieve set
targets under various categories, with
the leading performers winning the
opportunity to sample the delights of
Kuala Lumpur for a three days and
two nights’ trip.
This is not the first time that the
KCFAPI has conceived such a reward
for top sales performers and said it
would certainly continue.
KCFAPI said the aim of the sales
program was to increase market
coverage and sharpen the focus of
fraternal counselors.
The awarding of the top sales force
was the highlight of the 34th Fr.
George J. Willmann Annual Service
Awards held at the Boracay Garden
Resort, Boracay Island in Malay, Ak-
lan on March 4 to 6, 2011.
The top awardees with the trip
abroad include the Fraternal Counsel-
or (FC) of the Year, Area Manager of
the Year and the Fr. Willmann Knights
of the Round Table (WKRT).
Last year’s FC of the year was Bro.
Lorenzo Dufale, Sr. of North Western
Luzon Thunders who achieved the
highest first year contribution income
and insured 50 creditable new paid
lives in the entire 2010.
Southern Luzon Lakers’ Bro. Con-
rado Dator, Jr., meanwhile, was
awarded the Area Manager of the
Year for the fourth time. Second in
rank was Bro. Efren Casupanan of
Central Luzon Believers.
The three Runners-up FCs of the
Year were Teofilo Samson of SL,
Reynaldo Segismundo of NWL and
Danilo Tullao of NEL.
Truly Asia / C3
KCFAPI-EVP, Ma. Theresa G. Curia:
Squires Circle of Christ the
‘Natatanging Babae sa Larangan King Parish holds Taize prayer
ng Kaalaman at Kaunlaran’
KCFAPI EVP, Ma. Theresa G. Curia (2nd from left) with her husband,
PGK Harry R. Curia, flanked by (from left) Baliwag First Lady, Sonia
Estrella, DMII – Rosarian Circle Past Regent, Lina Maniego and
Baliwag Mayor, Romy Estrella.
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Supreme Council confers
Circle of Honors award
to Philippine Deputies
LEFT: Luzon Deputy and Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan with wife Thesse, together with Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and wife, Dorian.
RIGHT: In photo are: (standing from left, lower row) Luzon Deputy and Supreme Director Alonso L Tan with wife Thesse, together with the
Director for Philippine Affairs Eduardo G. Laczi and wife, Fatima; (upper row) Mindanao Membership Director Jose D. Bacalanmo and wife
Rolanda, Mindanao Deputy, Sofronio R. Cruz; (uppermost row) Visayas Deputy Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr. with wife Fe at the St. Kitts Marriott
Hotel during the gathering of the Supreme Knight’s Circle of Honor for the CY 2009-2010.
The Supreme Council conferred Incentive Trip to St. Kitts, British
the Supreme Knight’s Circle of West Indies for surpassing the mem-
Honors award to Knights of Co- bership quota for membership drive
lumbus Philippine State Deputies and new council development for
of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Columbian Year 2009-2010.
last February 10, 2011 at St. Kitts This is the first time that the
Marriott Resort in British West Knights of Columbus Philippines
Indies. have achieved the Circle of Honor
Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. award for three consecutive Colum-
Tan and his lady Teresita, Visayas bian years. The first two awards
State Deputy Dionisio R. Esteban, were received by the three deputies
Jr. and his lady Fe and, Mindanao in Cancun, Mexico and Puerto Val-
State Deputy Sofronio R. Cruz en- lerta, Mexico respectively.
joyed a week-long Circle of Honor The award also recognizes the ef-
In celebration of the International Women’s Month, the
Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan, recently awarded their
outstanding women including KCFAPI Executive Vice
President, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, as “Natatanging Babae
sa Larangan ng Pangkaalaman at Kaunlaran”.
In her introduction of the awardee, Past Regent Lina
Maniego described Sis. Ma. Theresa G. Curia as an accom-
plished woman having achieved various designations as
C.P.A., FLMI, FICD, CBE, ACS. She graduated high school
valedictorian at St. Augustine College Baliuag, Bulacan
and Magna Cum Laude at the Polytechnic University
of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa Manila with a Degree of
Bachelor in Accountancy. Her dedication and being an
efficient leader brought victory in all the undertakings of
the Association. Sis. Maniego likewise compared her to
a soldier, saying “sa bawat laban handa ang pag-iisip at
sandata na ang panalo ay makakamtam”.
Sis. Tes Curia spearheaded various projects during her
incumbency as Regent of Daughters of Mary Immaculate
International Rosarian Circle. Its success benefitted not only
the Association but also the Church and the community.
Ang Gawad ng Karangalan sa Natatanging Babae sa
Ibat-ibang Larangan were also given to Eight (8) other
women : Edukasyon – Maura M. Castro, Mangangalakal
– Necifora Dulay, Mapagkalinga – Dra. Rose Evangelista,
Pangkabuhayan – Amelia Santos, Gawaing Panlalaki
Curia / C3
KCFAPI Chairman, Hon. Hilario G. Davide, Jr. and
KCFAPI President, Luzon Deputy and Supreme
Director, Alonso L. Tan, flanked by the FBG Sales
fort of the membership directors
namely, Joseph Teodoro of Luzon,
Lino Aguilar of Visayas and Jose
Bacalanmo of Mindanao. How-
ever, only Bacalanmo and his wife
were present during the trip.
After the Circle of honors reg-
istration, the week-long affair
started with an evening Sunday
Eucharistic celebration. On the
second day, an interactive mem-
bership meeting was conducted
in the morning and was followed
Deputies / C3
Participants from the Christ the King Parish doing Taize prayer.
THE Columbian Squires of Christ the
King Parish Circle 4537 in Filinvest,
Quezon City holds a Taize Prayer every
Tuesday at 8:00 in the evening.
Parishioners, parish choir mem-
bers, Knights of Columbus members,
Columbian Squires, altar servers,
and members of the parish youth
ministry gather at the rectory to pray
the Taize prayer which according to
them is calming, relieves stress, and
most importantly fosters solitude
C1
Force during the 34th Fr. George J. Willmann
Annual Service Awards held in Boracay.
Walk for
Life slated
for March
THE Knights of Columbus Luzon
jurisdiction will hold its annual Pro-
Life activity dubbed as Walk for Life
on Saturday, March 26, 2011 with the
theme “We Value Life.”
Five thousand members of the
Knights of Columbus from Metro Ma-
nila and nearby provinces with their
families and friends are expected to
unite in order to reiterate their stance
against the Reproductive Health Bill
and to promote life.
The Order of the Knights of Co-
lumbus is a staunch defender of life
and the “Walk for Life,” is one of
the actions taken to promote life in a
national scale.
In Manila the Walk for Life will
start with a Eucharistic celebration
at 6:00 a.m. to be held at San Agus-
Walk / C3
K of C Philippines
launches
program of
spiritual adoption
of the unborn
In an effort to respond to the chal-
lenge of church leaders for lay people
to get involved in societal and moral
issues particularly on the Reproductive
Health bill, the Order of the Knights of
Columbus Philippines is promoting the
spiritual adoption of an unborn child.
As a pro-life and pro-family catholic
organization, ‘the Knights of Columbus
has been in the forefront of the global
movement for life.’
In observance of this year’s Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) Year of the Youth, the KC has
involved the youth to further this cause
for life by propagating the prayer for the
unborn composed and recited by Pope
Benedict XVI during the Prayer Vigil
Unborn / C3
and a contemplative mood.
The Taize prayer includes the reci-
tation of the psalms, gospel reading,
repeated songs during candle lighting,
silence, intercessions, the Lord’s prayer
and concluding prayer.
This initiative which began on Feb-
ruary 1, 2011 is a project of Bryan Brix
Par and Mark Vincent Honrubia for
the Squires of the Body of Christ which
is the highest level in the Squires Ad-
vancement Program. (KC News)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C2 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

Alonso L. Tan
Hon. Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
President’s Message
Chairman’s Message
The fourth of March 2011 is now
another golden page in the his-
tory of KCFAPI. On the evening
of that day in the beautiful island

KCFAPI as the instrument in providing the needed protection

of Boracay, The KCFAPI held the
34th Fr. George J Willmann, S.J.
Annual Family Service Awards to
honor the year 2010 best eight Area
Managers and sixty-seven Fraternal
Counselors led, respectively, by the
for the members of the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Area Manager of the year and the
Fraternal Counselor of the Year.
The conferment is a recognition of the awardees’ fidelity to
(Speech delivered by KCFAPI President SK Alonso L. Tan on the occasion of KCFAPI’s 34th Fr.
the cardinal principles of the Knights of Columbus, especially
that of charity, and commitment to the noble goals and ob-
George J. Willmann, S.J., Annual Family Service Awards)
jectives of KCFAPI, as inspired by its founder, Fr. George J. THIS is another memorable faith in the Catholic Church. ty, Bro. Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr. being the best!
Willmann, S.J. night, another milestone, an- Education has become a solid and our Mindanao Deputy, Bro. Ahead of the rest, I have ex-
The work of the awardees is a labor of love. It is my hope other event in the next chapter foundation for a better future Sofronio R. Cruz are both sitting tended my heartfelt gladness
that the awards they receive will continue to inspire them of our Association’s life, as we and so, our collegiate scholar- in our Association’s Board. as I congratulated the 2010 FC
to work harder to encourage other brother knights and the give due recognition to the ship grants through our other of the Year: Bro. Lorenzo D.
members of their families to avail and take full advantage of finest! Foundation − KC Philippines The year that was Dufale, Sr., and the AM of the
the fraternal benefit plans of KCFAPI, the only catholic mutual This is our Association, where Foundation, Inc. has been pro- 2010 was another banner year Year: Bro. Conrado S. Dator, Jr.
benefit insurance system in the Philippines. May they also we place our unselfish loyalty! viding hope for families who for the Association. Our total who were able to hit the high-
inspire other fraternal counselors to be counted as laborers in KCFAPI has protected families are financially incapable of sup- resources grew by double digit est in all the criteria set for the
the vineyards of love in the three jurisdictions of the Knights for generations! From a fledgling porting their children to college. 10% or more than P300 Million contest.
of Columbus in the Philippines. grain, KCFAPI has now grown The construction of 22 shelters to reach P3.4 Billion. Bottom “Gear 5” as the 2010 Theme
This year’s theme for the KCFAPI campaign is FOCUS:Aim into a rock, a big and solid rock! for our less fortunate brothers line figure for the year has means Get Everyone Achieve
High! In itself it is a preparation for the greater event next year- It has proven track record and in Tungkong Mangga, San Jose surpassed target by more than Records! As we unfold the year
the 35th anniversary of the death of its founder, Fr. George has now become more than ever Del Monte, Bulacan provided 50% to approximate P90 Mil- and look forward to beating
J. Willmann, SJ. Let us make that event a celebration of life; ready to open its arms and tell dignity and uplifted lives of lion in Excess of Revenues over records, we FOCUS & AIM
for truly by his death many lives in the KC family have been our Brother Knights: “Here I families. Expenses. This positive variance HIGHER IN 2011!
changed for the better. Let us now focus on his beatification am, your Shield of Unique Pro- accrue primarily on experienced Once again, congratulations
so that in our journey as members of the Knights of Columbus tection. Avail of this privilege KCFAPI and the Order appreciation in value of our to our 67 Fraternal Counselors
we and our families will share the light of his lamp and feast and be a part of a wonderful My being the Luzon Deputy investments. and 8 Area Managers for mak-
on the wealth of God’s graces. experience!” and Supreme Director is con- In terms of First Year Contri- ing it to the top!
For years now, the programs tributing towards “synchro- bution Income (FYCI), a major
and activities of our Associa- nized actions and Economies-of- component of our present and Acknowledgments
tion were more than felt than Scale”. Active involvement and future bottom-lines and our Let me take this chance to give
Jaime M. Talag, M.D. ever. Since its establishment participation in the activities of basis of why we are celebrating appreciation where it is due.
four years ago, the CBCP Seed your respective Jurisdictions tonight, we were able to surpass For the year that has passed,

Health and Life

of Hope Fund of P10 Million
pesos has consistently provided
funds for the Church’s priority
projects. The scholarship sup-
must be another desire of a Fra-
ternal Counsellor. Recruitment
is an indispensable program for
increasing participation in the
the P100 Million mark and this
is already the third year in a
row: P102 Million in 2008, P124
Million in 2009 and P107 Million
in 2010.
thank you to my Board headed
by Chairman Hilario G. Davide,
Jr., KCFAPI Employees and offi-
cers headed by Sis. Ma. Theresa

Sources of
port to seminarians and priests
through our Foundation—Fr.
George J. Willmann Charities,
Inc., provided us the opportu-
activities of the Council, Church G. Curia, Board and Officers of
and the Community. Since we We witnessed the awardees our Affiliates which generate
have common objectives, count parade with their family, wife desired diversified earnings on
on the assistance and support or husband as we handed to KCFAPI’s portfolio, Keys Chair-

Calcium
nity to contribute to evangeliza- of your Territorial Deputies and them the trophies signifying man Teodoro O. Arcenas, Jr.,
tion, devotion and increasing the Officers. Our Visayas Depu- the much desired distinction of President / C3

AS you get older, you’re constantly reminded to get enough
calcium to keep your bones strong, prevent osteoporosis and
reduce the risk of fractures. The official recommendation for
calcium intake is 1,000 mg a day for adults, ages 19 to 50, and
1,200 mg for those above 50. Those amounts include calcium
from food and supplements. Milk and other dairy products
are the best sources of calcium but majority do not get enough
calcium from food alone.
Most calcium supplements are made with either calcium
carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate needs
stomach acid to be absorbed, so if it is the source of cal-
cium in your supplement, it’s best to take it just after a
meal while Calcium citrate isn’t as dependent on stomach
acid, so it can be taken any time.
Dr. Tyrone Reyes, a physical medicine and rehabilita-
tion specialist, mentioned that the advantage of calcium
carbonate over calcium citrate is that it contains twice
as much calcium. The labels on the bottles sometimes
make it seem like both kinds of tablets provide the same
amount of calcium, usually 500 mg. to 600 mg. But that’s
the amount of calcium per ‘serving’ and if you read the
label, you’ll see that the serving size for calcium citrate
supplements is usually two tablets, but for the calcium
carbonate supplements, it’s just one.
It’s a waste to double the serving size. The body can
only absorb a 500 mg or 600 mg dose at one time, so if
you take more than that, absorption becomes inefficient.
You’ll get about the same amount of calcium by taking
1,000 mg. as you would if you stuck with the 500 mg or
600 mg. Of course, you may divide the dose and take it
twice a day.
It is important to emphasize that those who are taking
anti-osteoporotic medications should still take calcium
supplements because the effectiveness of those drugs
depends on ample calcium intake.
Dator does it again as
Area Manager of the Year
Bro. Conrado Dator, Jr. of Southern Luzon ber of the Order, he involves himself not only
Lakers won the Area Manager of the year with matters regarding fraternal benefits but
2010 award. This is his fourth time to bag also with the concerns of the Councils in his
the honors. area during his visit to the Councils.
The award was conferred to Dator during During such visits he gives talks promot-
the 34th Fr. Willmann Annual Family Service ing the insurance and benefits provided by
Awards held this March 4 to 6, 2011 at the the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-
Boracay Garden Resort, Boracay Island in tion of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) and
Malay, Aklan. attending Council activities such as charter
Dator received the same award as Area presentations.
Manager of the Year during the Fr. Willmann “I am my brothers’ keeper for the future
Annual Family Service Awards in the years of our members and for our immediate
2002, 2007 and 2009 acknowledging his com- family members and our Association,” he
mitment to serve the members of the Order said.
of the Knights of Columbus by working for He is indebted to several persons for their
their fraternal benefits. support, namely, his wife, KCFAPI President
He was appointed as Area Manager last and Luzon Deputy Alonso Tan, fraternal
January 2000. As a neophyte, he had already counselor awardees of this year, spouses of
outdone in performance most of his fel- fraternal counselors of his area, all his fra-
low area managers, receiving his award as ternal counselors, Board of Trustees, officers
Runner-up Area Manager of the Year last and employees of KCFAPI.
2000. He also received the runner-up award “To Sir Alonso Tan, thank you for your
last 2008. support and promo talk every time we
At present, he is an active member of the have a charter presentation and other KC
Knights of Columbus as the State Youth activities in my area, and also thank you
Director of Luzon jurisdiction. to my fellow Luzon State officers and my
Being an area manager and a former dis- buddy, Bro. Boni Martinez,” Dator said.
Dator
trict deputy of S51 as well as an active mem- (KCFAPI News)

Thousands expected to join Laguna rally vs. RH Bill

Organizers of the province-wide rally
in protest of the Reproductive Health
Bill pending in Congress are predicting
several thousands of delegates would
show up during the Walk for Life 2011
slated on the 4th week of March in this
city.
Sir Knight Ricardo B. Supena, Knights
of Columbus (KC) District S-59 Deputy
and host-in-charge of the province-wide
activity said, aside from Lagunenses,
some KC chapters in nearby Batangas
and Quezon provinces have also signi-
fied their intentions to join the collective
undertaking which coincides with the
KC- sponsored nationwide walk in sup-
port of life also scheduled March 26.
The KC districts in Laguna will spear-
head the Walk for Life 2011 in the dio-
cese in coordination with the Diocesan
Family Life Ministry and the various
ministries of the Diocese.
Supena said Parañaque Congressman
Roilo Golez is joining delegates of the
Walk for Life event by addressing the
crowd during the program and talk on
the controversial issue related to the
pros and cons of the RH Bill.
Multi-awarded movie actor John
Arcilla will also join the prayer rally
by rendering entertainment numbers
during the event dubbed as Walk for
Life 2011 that will take place March 26
at the San Pablo Cathedral grounds and
around the major roads in this city.
The program prepared by the KC
says that Registration and Assembly
time would take place at 6:00 a.m. at
the Liceo de San Pablo Gymnasium. A
concelebrated Holy Mass to be presided
by His Excellency Most Rev. Leo M.
Drona will follow at 7:00 a.m.
Fr. Jerry R. Oblepias, Director of the
Family and Life Commission, will de-
liver his opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. to
be followed by entertainment numbers
from Mr. John Arcilla.
The closing remarks will be delivered
by the Vicar General and Rector of the
San Pablo Cathedral,Msgr. Melchor
Barcenas. Then the Walk for Life march
will start from the Cathedral grounds
and will proceed to the main thor-
oughfares of the city and back into the
Cathedral.
Meanwhile, Oblepias said, in prepa-
ration for the March 26 province-wide
event, various parishes and vicariates
of the diocese led by their respective
parish priests and vicars have planned
their mini-Walks for Life as a prelude
to the bigger event.
The Vicariate of the Holy Family in
San Pedro town composed of seven
parishes for instance had their mini-
Walk for Life and Holy Mass last March
5 (Saturday). Similarly, the parishes
of Del Remedio and San Gabriel the
Archangel in San Pablo City have also
conducted their mini-prayer rally event
on the same day.
Similar activities in various parishes
and vicariates are also expected to take
place leading to the bigger event in
March. (Fr. Romulo Ponte)

KCFAPI Board of Trustees attend Lenten Retreat in Batangas

THE Annual Lenten Retreat of
the KCFAPI BOT was held last
February 25-26 at Club Punta
Fuego Nasugbu, Batangas. The
two day activity included the
holding of a regular board meet-
ing, a re-orientation of their
duties and responsibilities as
board members, a corporate re-
orientation of each department
and a renewal of faith.
On the corporate re-orientation,
Finance Group head Magdalene
Flores presented a review of ma-
jor financial and accounting terms
found in the financial statements.
Fraternal Benefits Group head Jo-
seph Teodoro mentioned the role
of FBG in providing protection
to brother knights and their im-
mediate families. He enumerated
an array of insurance plans that
suit the needs of the member: for
protection, education, retirement,
savings, investment, or special
needs. Ronulfo Infante, head
of Information and BC Holders’
Services Group highlighted the
minimal fraternal benefit claims
requirements compared to com-
mercial companies and the speed
in processing claims. Angelito
Bala, head of Actuarial and Busi-
ness Development, discussed
the different forms of insurance:
social assistance, social insur-
ance and personal insurance, the
different plans under personal
insurance and the product devel-
opment cycle.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III
capped the gathering by nar-
rating the life and works of Fr.
George Willmann, especially his
concern for the youth, prisoners,
and farmers. The two-day activ- Photo taken during the BOT retreat at Club Punta Fuego Nasugbu Batangas. Standing from left: Annie M. Nicolas, Atty. Ramon
Rodrigo, Atty. Guillermo Hernandez, Angelito A. Bala, Hospicio Suralta, Atty. Emiliano Deleverio, EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia,
ity ended with a thanksgiving Atty. Rizal Katalbas, Jr., Mary Magdalene Flores, seated from left: Dionisio Esteban, Pres. Alonso L. Tan, Hon. Hilario G. Davide,
mass. (Angelito A. Bala) Jr., Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III and Sofronio Cruz.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011
C3

Pope John Paul II’s life and heroic virtue stand

as an extraordinary witness to the world
By Supeme Knight Carl A.
Anderson
I AM sure we all felt a great sense of joy
upon learning that Pope Benedict XVI
will beatify Pope John Paul II this year
on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday.
There is no doubt that John Paul II
will enter into the history books as one
of the greatest popes who ever lived.
His papacy was marked by a legacy of
tremendous accomplishments, from his
theological contributions to his work
that helped end Communism and bring
freedom and unity to Europe to his
travels and tremendous ability to con-
nect with people of all ages anywhere in
the world. Historians will surely record
him as a giant who changed the destiny
of entire continents—and did so peace-
fully.But his beatification is about John
Paul II the man and his life of personal
holiness. It is about the fact that, though
he witnessed some of the worst carnage
and oppression of the 20th century, he
never lost hope. He preached the Gospel
of Peace and called us all to a vocation
to love.
Though he was the victim of an as-
sassination attempt, he never lost faith.
He forgave the man who shot him. He
found constant strength in his relation-
ship with God and his concern for his
neighbors—no matter how marginal-
ized they might be.
The beatification of Pope John Paul
II means that Catholics, and indeed
all people, have a model for the heroic
virtue that each of us should strive
to embody. He demonstrated a love
of neighbor and defense of human
dignity, a willingness to break down
barriers and to dialogue with people
of other faiths, and the sincerity to ask
for forgiveness for himself and the
Church.
This was a man who taught us how
to live and who, in the twilight of his
years, taught us how to die. He was
during his life, and remains now, a man
for all people, a man for all seasons and
an example to us all.
In his last message to the Supreme
Council on the occasion of the 122nd
Supreme Convention in 2004, Pope John
Paul II reminded us of his conviction
expressed in Ecclesia in America that
the lay faithful “are largely responsible
for the future of the Church.” He called
on us “to continue to work as a leaven
within society for the promotion of so-
cial justice, the protection of human life
and all forms of loving service to those
in need.” These are words that Knights
of Columbus everywhere, now more
than ever, must continue to take to heart
as a sure guide.
On the 50th anniversary of his priestly
ordination, John Paul II wrote the book
Gift and Mystery, which he described as
a personal testimony offered in a special
way to the priests of the world. In it, he
addressed these words to priests, which
are also an extraordinary description of
his own life:
“While the Second Vatican Council
speaks of the universal call to holiness,
in the case of the priest we must speak
of a special call to holiness. Christ needs
holy priests! Today’s world demands
holy priests! Only a holy priest can
become, in an increasingly secular-
ized world, a resounding witness to
Christ and his Gospel. And only thus
can a priest become a guide for men
and women and a teacher of holiness.
People, especially the young, are look-
ing for such guides. A priest can be a
guide and teacher only to the extent that
he becomes an authentic witness!”
Surely Pope John Paul II was all of
this and more. May the Knights of Co-
lumbus, through his intercession, follow
his example more closely so that “in an
increasingly secularized world” we, too,
may become “a resounding witness to
Christ and his Gospel.”
Vivat Jesus!

Joseph P. Teodoro

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights

Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.

From the Legal Standpoint

Focus Annual Review
The Fraternal Benefits Group
will focus on annual review
of benefits certificates as it
declared the months of March
and April 2011 as “Annual
Review Months” The exercise
is in consonance with KC-
FAPI’s avowed mission of
providing optimum fraternal
service to benefit certificate
holders.
Under the program, each
Angelito A. Bala
fraternal counselor will be re-
quired to visit at least ten (10)
holders of benefit certificates
which are 5 or more years
in force. The visitations will
be reported in writing at the
prescribed form of FBG.
Selected fraternal counsel-
ors will be reporting orally
the result of at least one of
their visitations during the
forthcoming Presidential
Visitations. Fraternal coun-
selors who will not be able
to attend the Presidential
visitations will take their
time in their area meetings
in May 2011.
Focuses of the review are
some details in the informa-
tion in the benefit certificate
they gave in their applica-
tions. The adequacy of the
amount of insurance coverage
will also be a subject matter
of the review. There is also a
possibility that the BC hold-
ers and their family holders
may enroll to the new plans
which were not yet offered by
KCFAPI 5 years ago.
The program aims to make
about 2,000 reviews nation-
wide with a 10% repeat
sales during the two-month
period.
Perfection of
Contract
ENTERING into a contract of insurance is no different from
other contracts. In both cases the contracting parties must
give their consent. Consent, in the context of insurance, may
be manifested in the offer (also referred to as “proposal”) and
in the acceptance of the terms and conditions of the policy.
Moreover, in absence of an offer or acceptance there is no
perfection of the contract.
The process begins with an offer wherein the applicant fills
out the application form. Note that even if the applicant pays
the initial contribution there is no perfection of the contract

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is it often better to reinstate an
existing benefit certificate rather than
begin a new one?
A. When a benefit certificate (BC) lapses,
the insured member has the opportunity
to reinstate (revive or renew) it based
on certain requirements. The Insurance
Code allows the owner a limit of three
years from the date of contribution de-
fault to reinstate the BC. The common
reinstatement requirements are:
a) BC was not surrendered for cash
b) Evidence of insurability, i.e., good
health
c) Payment of all contributions in
default
d) Repayment of previous loan
The first requirement states that the
owner must not have withdrawn the cash
surrender value of the BC. The insured
must show evidence of insurability or
declaration of good health, which among
other things, means that the insured must
not be engaged in any hazardous ac-
tivities, occupation or hobbies. KCFAPI
requires the payment of all defaulted
contributions with compound interest.
BC loans, if any, must be repaid by the
owner with interest.
More often than not, the require -
ments for reinstatement are the same
for procuring a new BC. There is also a
higher cash outlay for reinstatement as
there is a need to cover contributions in
default. So why should one apply for a
reinstatement?
By reinstating a lapsed BC, the owner
avoids paying the large initial expenses
of a new BC for the second time. Once a
BC is reinstated, the cash value of the BC
is immediately restored. The subsequent
contribution should be lower on the re-
vived BC because of lower insurance age,
recall that the BC was taken at an earlier
date. An additional charge may be lev-
ied on the BC or there may be a change
in the terms and conditions of the new
contract because of advancement in age,
deterioration of health, inherent risks in
occupation, with the original BC having
more favorable terms.
Q. Why will life insurers not pay for
suicides that occur within the first two
years of the benefit certificate but pay for
suicide deaths after two years?
A. A suicide clause is an absolute
necessity to control moral hazard. To
remove or eliminate this clause from
the benefit certificate provision would
unless there is an agreement that insurer will cover the ap-
plicant’s payment of the initial premium/ contribution and
receipt of the application form.
Neither is an insurance contract perfected if there is no ac-
ceptance. The acceptance must be unconditional. If the insured
submits his application but does not pay the premium, the
application is deemed an invitation to the insurer to make
an offer. On the part of the insurer the contract is deemed
completed upon approval of the application and premium
payment and the applicant is notified of the approval.
A completed contract connotes that there is nothing left to
be to invite a financially desperate man
be fulfilled, no other conditions that need compliance before
to insure his life and kill himself. This
it could take effect. Thus, in a situation where the premium
event is detrimental to the cause of the
has been previously paid but the application is subject to ap-
remaining BC holders. They should be
proval, the contract becomes complete upon approval of the
protected against such contingencies.
application (Ocampo vs GSIS, 78 Phil 216 [1947]).
The universal practice is to include
In a case decided by the court, the applicant had already
a suicide clause and stipulate either a
paid his initial premium but his application was subject to ap-
return of contributions paid or of the
proval and the insurer issued a provisional policy. Before his
reserve on the BC if the insured commits
application was approved the insured died the beneficiaries
suicide within two years from the date
filed a claim relying on the provisional policy issued but was
the BC was issued. After the two year
denied by the insurer. The court ruled in favor of the insurer
period, the insurer will pay for suicide
on the premise that the contract was not completed hence there
deaths.
was no meeting of the minds between both parties. (De Lim
A possible explanation for the two year
vs. Sun Life Assurance Co., G.R. No. 15774).
period is that after this restrictive period
In the case of KCFAPI, the application form under the
suicide is presumably caused by mental
“Declaration and Agreement” portion contains a provision
illness. Because the BC will pay for death
which states:
caused by other illnesses, it must also pay
“a. That my insurance membership with KC Fraternal, or
deaths caused by mental illness. (Dor-
my insurance under the benefit certificate now applied for,
man, Introduction to Risk Management
or both, shall not be effective nor become valid unless and
and Insurance)
until this application has been approved and the first contri-
Insurers often have a difficult time
bution payment on the benefit has been made, and provided
analyzing, evaluating and establishing
further that there has not been any change in my health and
that the insured’s death was caused by
insurability since the date of this application or the medical
suicide. Insurers claiming that death
examination if possible.”
was due to suicide have the burden of
The above-mentioned provision implies that there should be
proving this assertion. This is unlike
a concurrence of the approval of the application and payment
claiming for accidental death benefits,
of the initial contribution before the contract may be deemed as
where the beneficiaries have the legal
completed and binding between KCFAPI and the insured.
burden of proving death of the insured
was, in fact, accidental.

Truly Asia / C1 Walk / C1 Deputies / C1 Unborn / C1 Curia / C1 President / C2

The said three runners-up
including the FC of the Year
have attained at least two
million first year contribution
income and have insured a
minimum of 48 creditable new
paid lives.
The FC of the Year and
Runners-up will avail of the
trip to Malaysia with their
spouses.
The members of WKRT are
Jose Larry Mendoza (EM),
Maria Teresa De La Mota
(WVB), Jeffrey Rey Guillermo
(CLC), Diego Marquez (CLB),
Angel Rivada (NWL), An-
gelito Lat (SL), Veronica Ca-
supanan (CLB), Lauro Evange-
lista (CLB), Bonifacio Morales
(CLB), Eduardo Cruz (CLB)
and Luis Ferrer (CLB). (Roy
Lagarde)
tin Church in Intramuros,
Manila.
The participants to be led by
Luzon Deputy and Supreme
Di r e c t o r , A l o n s o T a n w i l l
march from Gen. Luna St. in
Intramuros, Manila to Rajah
Sulayman Park in Malate,
Manila.
Subsequently, a program
will be held where resource
persons will talk about the
contentious issues of the Re-
productive Health Bill and
related topics on family and
life.
As in previous years, the
Walk for Life will also be held
simultaneously in somedio-
ceses of the Philippines cov-
ered by the KC jurisdictions of
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
(KC News)
by a welcome reception at the
said resort in the evening.
The awards reception was
held during the fifth day, on
the 10th of February, wherein
awardees were recognized for
their outstanding achieve-
ment.
“My wife and I enjoyed
staying at St. Kitts Marriott
Resort. We were able to relax
and enjoy the companionship
of other awardees and of Su-
preme Knight Carl Anderson
and his wife Dorian,” Tan
said.
According to Tan, through
close monitoring and supervi-
sion and giving of incentives
to District Deputies and Grand
Knights, the KC Philippines
has achieved this prestigious
award. (Vanessa Puno)
for the Unborn on November
27, 2010.
The Knights of Columbus has
resolutely stood against the evils
of abortion and has pursued this
by promoting concrete programs
that in effect counter the contem-
porary culture of death.
The launching of this prayer
in stampitas with the picture of
Our Lady of Guadalupe as the
patroness of the unborn was held
during the Knights of Colum-
bus Luzon jurisdiction Squires
Forum on “Family and Life” on
February 19, 2011 at the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Associa-
tion of the Philippines Inc. Social
Hall in Intramuros, Manila.
The stampitas will be distribut-
ed in Squire Circles and, through
them, in parishes throughout the
country. (KC News)
– Ofelia Mangulabnan, Pang-
simbahan – Mirasol Bhe-et Be-
navidez, Pangkalusugan – Dra.
Carolina Endriga, Natatanging
Ina – Marcela Samson. The
awardees are all notable and
accomplished women in their
respective fields. Our EVP, Ma.
Theresa G. Curia, has this to say:
“Hindi ko inasahan ang Gawad na
Ito, tinanggap ko ng may malaking
pasasalamat sa ating Panginoon, sa
aking pamilya at sa lahat ng mga
kaibigan at kapatid sa Daughters
of Mary Immaculate at sa Knights
of Columbus. Naniniwala ako na
ang lahat ay nangyayari ayon sa
Kanyang Kagustuhan. Salamat sa
Panginoon!”
To our Executive Vice Presi-
dent: We salute you and we
are proud of you! (Annie M.
Nicolas)
Keys President Henry A. Reyes,
Mace Chairman Patricio J. Vera
and Mace President Antonio T.
Yulo, Leaders of our Founda-
tions: Chairman Joey Reyes and
Treasurer Ruperto P. Somera.
May you equally be blessed!
Our Prayer
Let us all pray that our God
Almighty continue to provide
us the inspiration and guid-
ance in the attainment of our
Vision. With the loving care
of our Founder, Fr. George J.
Willmann, S. J., let us serve our
Brother Knights unceasingly
and with an unwavering jest
to offer this opportunity to our
Bro. Knight and his family, to
be one with us in service and
in action.
VIVAT JESUS!
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 15 No. 6
March 14 - 27, 2011

KC Sta. Teresita Council 12308 Luzon Squires

holds Pro-Life motorcade holds Forum on
THE Knights of Columbus
Sta. Teresita Council 12308,
Cubao headed by Grand Knight
Danilo del Rosario, held a Pro-
Life motorcade on February
6, 2011.
Led by Fr. Rally Gonzaga OFM
Cap, the motorcade was partici-
pated in by brother knights and
members of different organiza-
tions in the parish
Participants during the mo-
torcade which lasted for 2 hours
wore t-shirts bearing the words
“Unity Walk for Life,” which
was the adapted theme of the
Knights of Columbus Council
12308.
In furtherance of this crusade
for life, the Columbian Squires
of Sta. Teresita del Niño Parish,
Diocese of Cubao Circle 4548
have launched the promotion
of the spiritual adoption of an
unborn child right after the
motorcade.
For over 30 years now the Or-
der of the Knights of Columbus
has been in the forefront of the
global movement for life. As a
pro-life and pro-family catholic
organization, it has stood up and
spoken out against the evils of
abortion. (Ramon Sanchez)
RH Bill
THE Knights of Columbus
Luzon jurisdiction conducted
a Sq u ir es for u m on ‘F a m-
ily and Life’ particularly on
Reproductive Health bill
last February 19, 2011 at
the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the
Philippines Inc. Social Hall
in Intramuros, Manila.
The Squires Forum featured
resource persons who talked
about issues surrounding the
RH Bill which was expected
to equip the members of the
Squires in drafting a catecheti-
cal module on family and
life.
According to Sir Knight
Jose Cuaresma, the Luzon
State Squires head, the squires
throughout Luzon will be giv-
ing formation seminars to their
fellow squires using the said
catechetical module.
Fifty Knights of Columbus
youth ministers who call them-
selves Counselors attended the
Praying: Squire member Jamille R. dela Pasion led the prayer in front of the monument of the Unborn Child of Council 12308 at
the Sta. Teresita Parish churchyard. Squires Forum, where they un-
derwent a workshop facilitated
by the KC training committee
that is tasked to formulate the
module.
Authoritative Church docu-
ments about the RH bill such as
the consolidated RH bill and the
latest pastoral letter of the CBCP
titled “Choosing Life, Rejecting
the RH Bill” are some of the ma-
terials used in the formulation of
the module.
During this forum the Squires
also launched the propagation of
the prayer for the spiritual adop-
tion of an unborn child through
the distribution of stampitas to
the attendees.
Cuaresma said that this first
Squires Forum is also a launch of
succeeding fora that will be held
quarterly to tackle on important
issues confronting the society
and the Church.
As in the last two years, a
bigger Squire delegation will
join the annual Walk for Life
organized by the Knights of
Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction
in Manila on March 26, 2011.
(KC News)

Luzon FCs attend

Fraternal Service
Training
Fraternal counselors of Lu-
zon attended a fraternal service
training conducted by the Frater-
nal Benefits Group (FBG) of the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines,
Inc (KCFAPI) last February 23
to 24 at the KCFAPI social hall
in Intramuros, Manila.
The training was attended by
15 newly appointed fraternal
counselors from Central Luzon,
Northeastern Luzon, Southwest-
ern Luzon, Northern Luzon,
Bicol and Mindoro.
The participants were intro-
duced to the Order of the Knights
of Columbus and oriented with
KCFAPI’s history, plans, prod-
ucts and program.
The discussion also focused
on the selling process, sales op-
portunities, and strategies.
Inspirational messages were
delivered by KCFAPI President
Alonso Tan and KCFAPI Execu-
tive Vice-President, Ma. Theresa
G. Curia.
Gari San Sebastian, Fraternal
Benefits Services Manager and
Joseph P. Teodoro, Fraternal
Benefits Group (FBG) Vice-
FST BATCH 2011 - 02 “THE CONQUERORS” Participants of the Fraternal Service Training FST Batch 2011 – 02 held in Cebu Service Office on February 18 – 19, 2011. The batch
President were the speakers was composed of 14 participants who came from different areas: Central Visayas Aces (CVA); Central Visayas Boomers (CVB); Central Visayas Divers (CVD); Central Visayas
of the said training, facilitated Goalers (CVG) and Easter Visayas Fighters. Participants agreed to name their batch “The Conquerors”. FBA Sis. Allen C. Bohol conducted the training with inputs from the
by Jemwel Santillan. (KCFAPI Team Leaders and Area Manager. Visayas Secretary, Atty. Allan Nicolas C. Ouano (seated third from left) delivered an inspirational message during the FST.
News)

Mace Soliciting Associates

Ladies’ fun time at Boracay
For the first time, a ladies’ fun time
was held during the annual family
service awards event. The affair
was made more memorable from
the opening remarks of Sis. Thesse
Tan to the key note lecture of Sis.
Gigi Davide. The topic she tackled
was “Wife as Partner in Transcend-
ing Challenges Towards the Suc-
cess of a Brother Knight/Fraternal
Counselor “. Before she started
her talk, she requested everyone to
rise and offer a one-minute silent
prayer for the repose of the soul
of Sis. Teresita Talavera-Santos,
wife of the former Supreme Direc-
tor Mardonio R. Santos. She then
proceeded to her main topic. She
acknowledged that the husband-
awardees succeeded because of
the inspiration of the wife, her
patience, sacrifice, understanding
and prayers for safety, security
and success. She mentioned that
she has spent her glorious days as
a volunteer. She said that the Philip-
pines is both a volunteer-sending
and volunteer-receiving country for
technical cooperation and assistance.
Compassion and love are the engines
of volunteerism. By the daily act of
love, volunteers give hope and life to
others. In conclusion, she congratu-
lated the ladies for the prestigious
awards their husbands received.
After that awe inspiring speech,
she sang for all the ladies. She then
requested all to come on stage to join
her in a dance. She taught the ladies
line dancing steps which everyone en-
joyed. But the crowd would not let Mrs.
Davide off the hook that easily. They
requested that she render another song.
She gamely sang her most famous song
“Matud Nila”, a very popular romantic
Visayan song. After that, a tremendous
round of applause was heard from the
audience.
Ms. Curia and Ms. Flores co-hosted
the two hour event and suggested that
attend sales conference
Luzon Soliciting Associates of Mace was the launching of the sales drive for
the ladies present get to know the
Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary 2011 which extends from Dec. 2010 to
other ladies and encourage everyone
of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Nov. 2011, offering incentives to soliciting
to be in attendance for next year’s
Association of the Philippines, Inc associates who have displayed creditable
annual family awards. That is, of
(KCFAPI) attended a sales conference at accomplishment in soliciting business,
course, only possible if the Fraternal
the social hall of Fr. George J. Willmann promoting and marketing its products.
Counselors, their husbands, exert
S.J. Center in Intramuros, Manila last Rosario W. Cuyegkeng, President of
the same effort or better effort to
February 16, 2011. Philippine British Assurance Company,
reach the criteria to be an annual
The sales conference was intended Inc. zeroed in on sales tips and on the
awardee. They also requested that
to motivate the twenty-eight soliciting company’s performance.
next time each lady will have to bring
associates to have an optimal sales per- Officers of Philippine British Assur-
an exchange gift, most probably an
formance and to reorient them on some ance Company, Inc. focused on product
item unique to where she came from,
non-life insurance products. reorientation on livestock insurance,
which can be given to another lady
Antonio T. Yulo, President of Mace accident insurance, health insurance
as a memorable token.
Insurance Agency, Inc. delivered the and motor car insurance.
The fun time ended with everyone
opening and welcome remarks. He The insurance agency provides non-
bringing home a yellow Boracay bag
underlined the additional increase in life insurance, its products and services
as KCFAPI’s give away.
commission on fire and compulsory to members of Knights of Columbus
While the women were having a
third party liability insurance. and their immediate families who com-
fun time, on the other side, the men,
Basil Occeño, Manager of Mace said prise 90% of their policy holders basi-
too, had their Boracay Challenge.
that the agency represents the com- cally “providing fraternal protection”
They had a Pinoy Henyo type of
mercial non-life insurance companies and to few non-members of Knights of
game where the group of State Depu-
such as the Philippine British Assurance Columbus.
ties won but all were given yellow
Company that conducted the said sales The insurance agency has 150 ac-
Boracay bags as prizes in the name
conference and supported the incentive tive soliciting associates from Luzon,
of camaraderie.
program of the KC subsidiary. Visayas and Mindanao. (Vanessa
The highlight of the sales conference Puno)

11th Luzon
State
Convention
T
he Luzon Jurisdiction, headed by
the Luzon Deputy and Supreme
Director, Alonso L. Tan has re-
cently released a circular addressed to
all District Deputies and Grand Knights
regarding the schedule of this year’s
State Convention.
Based on the circular, the 11th Luzon
State Convention with a theme “I AM
MY BROTHERS’ KEEPER” is scheduled
on April 30, 2011 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m. Venue will be at the Le Pavillion,
Metrobank Avenue, Metropolitan Park,
Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.