•A3 Christ’s death and resurrection
gives the world hope,
proclaims Benedict XXVI
Prelate urges youth to
collaborate with clergy
IN order to respond to the future challenges of
the Church, the youth must establish stronger
linkages with the clergy.
Thus said Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cor-
tes during his homily to the 9,000 delegates
of this year’s Youth for Christ International
Leaders’ Conference (YFC-ILC) held in Cebu,
April 3-5.
Saying priests, religious, and lay share one
mission of evangelization, Cortes urged the
YFC leaders and the youth in general to fulfill
their apostolate in unity with their respective
Youth / A6
April 13 - 26, 2009
CBCP head calls for
gentle revolution
Photo courtesy of RCAM
SERVING THE LEAST OF THEM ALL. His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales washes the hand of a handicapped person during the rite of the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday’s
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Manila Cathedral. Twelve disabled Catholics take part in the ceremony that symbolizes God’s unconditional love and humble act of service to his people,
especially the least.
Church gears
bolder fight
vs RH bill
AS the deliberation
of the Reproductive
Health (RH) bill in
Congress nears end,
expect more dirt,
Catholic Church of-
ficials said.
San Fernando
Archbishop Pacia-
no Aniceto claimed
local government
officials will be “ma- Archbishop Paciano Aniceto
nipulated” to add
support to the proposed measure.
“They will try to get in the provincial and mu-
nicipal level. They will influence the governors
and mayors to promote the same bill in the LGUs,”
he said.
Aniceto is the chairman of the Episcopal Com-
mission on Family and Life (ECFL) of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
That’s why, the religious leader said, the church
is getting more proactive in its advocacy against
the bill which seeks to promote artificial family
planning.
He called on his fellow bishops to continue
conducting forums or even rallies purportedly to
keep the public informed about the “dangers” of
the bill.
The archbishop clarified they are not against the
RH bill per se but they want some of its provisions
like making contraceptives widely available to the
public be removed.
“We, the bishops, will also continue engaging
with the lawmakers in a friendly conversation on
the important aspects of the bill (that) should be
incorporated,” Aniceto said.
He also called on the church leaders and “pro-
life” advocates to keep educating the public about
the RH bill even if it would be passed or not.
“The bishops, even if theoretically this bill will
not be approved by Congress, will still continue to
catechize and educate our people in our parishes,”
Aniceto said.
For his part, ECFL executive secretary Fr Melvin
Castro said his office is also intensifying their sig-
nature drive to be able to bring at least a million to
Congress before June this year.
A key crusader of the bill in the lower House,
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, said the proposed mea-
sure could be passed by June. (CBCPNews)
•B1 ‘The Resurrection is
not a Theory, but a
•C1 The CROSS
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
Historical Reality’ and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Vol. 13 No. 8 Php 20.00
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
CALLING the change of heart a gentle
revolution that can transform and get
the country out of its quagmire, the
Catholic Bishops’ leadership urged
every Filipino to work in solidarity
and make the dream of a better nation
a reality in their lives and in others.
“The heart of change is the change of heart for
the common good,” CBCP president and Jaro
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in his Easter
message.
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP) said there is a need
“to celebrate the dream of a better Philippines in
our lives and in the lives of fellow countrymen
around us.”
But that is only possible, he said if one changes
for the better and strive to see that positive change
also happen in the life of other people.
The prelate noted that every year Christians
celebrate Easter and proclaim that Jesus Christ has
Revolution / A6
Prelate laments
people’s apathetic
stance on killings
SADDENED by the apathetic attitude of people in
the face of extra judicial executions happening in
the city, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla said
the people’s apathy may actually be an indictment
on the country’s Criminal Justice system.
“Surely, of course, the local government can
be blamed for tolerating it (the killings). Who is
responsible for keeping the peace and for imple-
menting the law, aren’t the law enforcers? But they
seem to allow it for people to take the law into
their own hands. And if you have people taking
the law into their hands, they are responsible, are
they not?” the prelate asked.
Capalla said he is really sad for the residents’
seeming apathy and lack of concern on the series
of killings happening in Davao City.
“The businessmen, mostly Chinese, for them
never mind how you keep the peace, basta may
Killings / A7
House to pass CARP extension
bill—Speaker Nograles
HOUSE Speaker Prospero
Nograles assured the im-
mediate passage of the bill
extending Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP) by June.
After the dialogue held “At least we heard their
April 2 between lawmakers, assurance that they will pass
Catholic bishops and some the bill for CARP extension
farmers, Nograles said they with reforms,” he said.
are committed to pass the bill Pabillo is the chairman
with appropriate reforms. of the National Secretariat
“We have marching orders for Social Action—Justice
from President Gloria Maca- and Peace of the Catholic
pagal-Arroyo to pass the bill Bishops’ Conference of the
before our session ends on Philippines (CBCP).
June 6 and we will definitely Puerto Princesa Bishop
deliver,” he said. Pedro Arigo, for his part, said
At least three bishops said he is hoping the lawmakers
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
they are satisfied with the would keep their promise.
commitments made by the The bishop said he remains
lower House’s leadership. hopeful something good
Manila Auxiliary Bishop would really come out of it.
Broderick Pabillo, who joined Gumaca Bishop Buenaven-
farmers in a hunger strike in tura Famadico said there’s
December to press lawmak- nothing wrong in being
ers to pass the CARP exten- hopeful because they were
Manila Auxiliary Bishop and NASSA chairman Broderick Pabillo (2nd from left) spoke on behalf of the
sion bill, said the dialogue assured by Nograles that the farmers seeking CARP extension with reforms at a dialogue between farmers and lawmakers held in
was worth it. Congress last April 2.
House / A6
Bishop leads kite-flying event against BNPP
MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD, cerning the BNPP’s operation,” said Moraleda. It also authorized a sinking fund of 4.6-9.3 pe-
led various faith-based and civil groups in pressing For her part, Tess Caseñas of the Women and sos/kilowatt hour produced, plus an additional
Congress to junk the re-commissioning of Bataan Gender Commission of the Association of the 4.6-9.3 pesos/kilowatt hour for costs of radioactive
Nuclear Power Plant through a kite-flying event Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines waste disposal and spent fuel disposal which will
at the Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan City. (WGC-AMRSP) said the activity aimed to force be paid off by the people of Morong.
Joining Bishop Pabillo at the Collective Ascen- the legislators to withdraw their support on the The slogan written on the kites was “CHOOSE
sion of Kites last April 13 were Bishop Efraim HB 4631 or Re-Commissioning Act of 2008. LIFE OVER DEBT!”
Tendero, DD, National Director of the Philippine HB 4631 mandates the re-commissioning and Participants from the faith-based sectors includ-
Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), Fr. Fer- commercial operation of the BNPP. ed the Diocese of Novaliches, Benedictine Sisters of
nando Loreto, parish priest of Morong, Bataan and the Eucharistic King (OSB), Diliman Campus Bible
Fr. Ben Moraleda from the Faith-based Congress Church (DCBC), St. John the Baptist Parish in San
against Immoral Debts (FCAID). Juan, National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual
Moraleda said faith-based groups have the Help in Baclaran, Fr. John Leydon of the Mission-
moral responsibility to contest any attempts to ary Society of St. Columban, Sr. Edeva Jover, OP of
reactivate BNPP considering that the massive Sienna College-Order of Preachers (OP), Sr. Arnold
debts acquired for its construction falls under the Maria Noel, SSPs, of the Mission Congregation of
category of “immoral debts”. the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), Order of
The faith-based sectors wanted to drive home Fiars Minor (OFM) – Frisco Community and St.
the point to legislators through the event. Anthony Shrine represented by Fr. Rolly Abas and
“We hope that through this activity, a strong Bro. Ver Mendoza, OFM.
message will be sent to the legislators that the Loretta Anne Pargas-Rosales and Atty. Cora-
people are closely watching them, and that the zon Fabros from the No to BNPP! (NOtoBNPP!),
faith-based sector is making its intervention con- Illustration by Bladimer Usi BNPP / A7
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

Easter shows that God’s plan will

be fulfilled, Pope proclaims VATICAN CITY, April 13, 2009—Hav-
ing completed the grueling Easter
weekend schedule, Pope Benedict XVI
traveled on Sunday afternoon to Castel
Gandolfo for a brief respite.
The Pope prayed the Regina Caeli,
and said that Easter proves to Christians
that nothing can separate us from the
love of God, not even death.
Before reciting the Regina Caeli,
which replaces the Angelus during the
Easter season, the Pope addressed those
present at Castel Gandolfo and those in
St. Peter’s Square via an audio-video
feed.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” the Holy
Father began, “In these Easter days one
often hears the words of Jesus: ‘I have
risen and am still with you.’ Echoing
this announcement, the Church exul-
tantly proclaims: ‘Yes, we are sure! The
Lord is truly risen, alleluia! His glory
and power are forever.’”
The victory of Easter, the Pope ex-
plained, makes Christ the “invisible
head” of the people of God, who are
“intended to grow over the centuries,
until the fulfillment of the plan of salva-
tion.” “Then, the entirety of humanity
will be built on him, and every existing
reality will be permeated with his total
victory. Then, as St. Paul writes, he will
be ‘the perfect fulfillment of all things,’
and ‘God will be all in all.’”
“Therefore, the Christian community
rejoices because the resurrection of the
Lord assures us that the divine plan of
salvation is fulfilled indeed,” Benedict
XVI said.
Easter is really our hope, the Pope
said, because through our Baptism in
Christ we are raised from the death of
our sins and are able to “walk with-
out stopping to Easter eternal.” And
in this journey, we are not left alone,
he emphasized, we are “supported
by an awareness that the difficulties,
struggles, trials and suffering of human
existence, including death, are now no
longer be able to separate us from him
and his love.”
Jesus told us, “I have risen and am
still with you,” and this is true in the
Eucharist, Pope Benedict reminded his
audience. “In the Sacrament of the Eu-
charist, the risen Lord purifies us from
our sins; spiritually nourishes us and
strongly supports us in the trials of life
and in fighting against sin and evil.”
As he concluded his reflection before
praying the Regina Caeli, the Pope
turned to Mary and asked her to inter-
cede for the faithful, that they are able
to accept in faith the gift of Easter and
become faithful and joyful witnesses of
the risen Lord. (CNA)

Cardinal donates savings to War-afflicted parishes

re-established
start bank for poor
NAPLES, Italy, April 10, 2009—Cardinal
Crescenzio Sepe is responding to the world
economic crisis with more than exhortations;
he is donating a year’s stipend and part of his
personal savings to initiate a diocesan bank our people emerge erties, contributing to the restructuring of the
that will offer micro-credits to the poor. again,” the arch- social fabric at a time in which the economy does
The Naples archbishop explained his plan bishop affirmed. not succeed in offering a way out,” he added.
in a pastoral letter titled “Where Can We It means “to have The cardinal said his diocese is promoting
Buy Bread,” presented in the archdiocese the courage to be- this initiative in continuity with all that the
Wednesday. The pastoral letter takes its title lieve in man and Italian bishops have stated, noting their call
from the question posed to Jesus by the dis- to wager on the “for a crusade of charity and assistance.”
ciples before the miracle of the multiplication possibility of mul- “We agree that we have built our society
of the loaves and fishes. tiplying the loaves on sand and not on rock and, basing our-
© www.catholicnews.com

Cardinal Sepe said the initiative aims to
respond to the needs of “unemployed young
people, and also of all those who have lost
or will lose their jobs.”
“Christ wishes to use our hands today to
break the bread of sharing, of fraternity and
of charity,” he noted, inviting all those who
are able to help finance the initiative.
“[F]ar from being a practice of pure
welfare, the micro-credit will be the way
to make the creativity and ingenuity of
and fishes.” selves solely on economic calculation, have
Cardinal Sepe built the umpteenth tower of Babel.
underlined that “We thought that the globalization of mar-
in these times of kets would bring us further well-being, wealth
crisis, “we have for all, and instead we globalized poverty.
before us a hun- “And now, as evening draws near, we all DONG HOI, Vietnam, April 13, 2009—Two parishes in central
gry throng that, as Cardinal Cresenzio Sepe find ourselves in the same boat and, like the Vietnam that almost disappeared during war years have now
sheep without a shepherd, asks for bread.” disciples, while the Master exhorted them been re-established.
“To offer an opportunity to all those who ask to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, we About 300 Catholics clapped as Bishop Paul Marie Cao Dinh
for bread is the only way that we Christians can say nothing other than: ‘We have no Thuyen of Vinh handed certificates reestablishing Phuc Tin and
have to address unemployment and new pov- bread.’” (Zenit) Trung Quan parishes to Father Pierre Le Thanh Hong on March
23. The ceremony took place at the newly built Phuc Tin chapel

Southern African Catholics donate

near Dong Hoi, capital of Quang Binh province.
The bishop told the congregation that re-establishing the
parishes would rekindle the faith life of local Catholics, who suf-
fered great misery and difficulties from 1954, when communist

258 tons of aid relief for Zimbabwe

PRETORIA, South Africa, April 9, 2009—Responding to a call from
their bishops, Southern African Catholics have gathered 258 tons
of food and medicine to be delivered to Zimbabwe to relieve the
economic crisis there.
The bishops of Southern Africa, including those of Swaziland,
South Africa and Botswana, had called for the observance of Solidar-
ity Sunday for Zimbabwe on Feb. 15 to encourage donations.
According to an announcement by Fr. Chris Townsend, Information
Officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SABC),
individual donors have given over 96 tons of soybeans and fortified chil-
dren’s food. Donors have also contributed to the cost of packaging and
transport, with about $90,000 in cash donations having been raised.
One individual donor gave over $83,000 worth of food.
A refrigerated container of medicine will also be part of the 258-ton
shipment. Money raised in South Africa has been used to buy basic
medical supplies for the Catholic Healthcare networks in Zimbabwe.
Fr. Townsend credited companies such as Future Life and Imana
for “generously” allowing food to be purchased at cost. The Makro
warehouse club chain has also given a discount on food purchased
for Zimbabwe.
“So many individuals and communities, many of them poor
themselves, have responded with incredible generosity,” said Fr.
Vincent Brennan, Secretary General of the SACBC. “I’m amazed
that so many people responded so generously. For many families,
the current economic crisis is hitting hard, but so many gave so
generously, from those who gave large donations …to those who
came to the churches involved and dropped off one tin of food and
some clothes.”
The aid shipment will leave for Zimbabwe in the next week. The
aid will be distributed under the supervision of the Catholic char-
ity Caritas International, with the guidance of a multi-agency food
security need survey.
Caritas International is also running an International Emergency
Appeal for Zimbabwe. (CNA)
forces defeated French colonial troops in northern Vietnam. The
border region became a major battlefield between communist
North Vietnam and U.S.-backed South Vietnam during the
Vietnam War, which started in 1959. Victorious communists
reunited the country in 1975.
Anthony Nguyen Duc Ty, a Phuc Tin parish council member,
said on the sidelines of the celebration: “Today we are extremely
happy to receive local Church leaders here for the first time for
55 years. This is a great grace God gives his lambs.”
Archbishop Etienne Nguyen Nhu The of Hue also attended
the celebration, as did his auxiliary, Bishop Francis Xavier Le
Van Hong, 23 priests, and nuns and seminarians from Hue and
Vinh. The archdiocese had administered parishes in the region
that were transferred to Vinh diocese in 2006.
Ty offered the local Church a 250-square-meter plot of land,
where the present 150-capacity chapel and a parish house were
built in February 2008. Since then, Father Hong has been visit-
ing the chapel every month to provide pastoral care for local
Catholics, who now number 237, according to the lay leader.
Father Hong, 37, later said he plans to buy a bigger plot of
land to build a new church. (UCAN)

Biography of saintly 10 year-old Spanish girl republished Cardinal’s memorial Mass

sparks controversy
MADRID, Spain, April 13, 2009—Edibesa Pub- docility, intelligence and piety. Her First Com-
lishers has reissued the book “Pilina,” which munion was a major milestone in her life, and
recounts the life of Maria del Pilar Cimadevilla she prayed with an attentiveness uncommon for
Lopez-Doriga, a girl from Madrid who become her age. She often visited churches to pray. SEOUL, South Ko-
Cardinal Stephen Kim
a missionary without ever leaving her home At the age of nine she contracted Hodg- Sou-hwan rea, April 13, 2009—
and who could soon be canonized. kin’s disease, an irreversible and painful Seoul archdiocese
The book’s introduction by Archbishop disease that she accepted with serenity. At has refuted rumors
Francisco Perez of Pamplona, director of the hospital where she was cared for by the it followed a Bud-
the Pontifical Missionary Works, recalls that Daughters of Charity, she was asked about dhist memorial tra-
“Pilina was a friend to all because she loved joining the Union of the Missionary Infirm. dition for the late
much and she trusted in Jesus. Pilina offered Pilina welcomed the idea and began offer- Cardinal Stephen
her sufferings for the missions and thus she ing her sufferings for the missions, for the Kim Sou-hwan.
became a missionary patient.” conversion and salvation of souls.
© www.koreatimes.co.kr

According to the author of the biography,
Teresa Resusta, Pilina’s favorite magazine
was “Queen of the Missions,” which re-
counted “cases and stories” from mission
countries. Pilina never let a day go by with-
out praying the Missionary Rosary.
Alfonso Lopez Quintas, vice postulator of
Pilina’s cause of beatification, recommended
the book to be read by “older kids,” adults
who have the “spirit of a child,” and by
anyone “who is open without bias to the
spiritual life.”
“Pilina” was born in Madrid on February
17, 1952. She was the daughter of Colonel
Amaro Cimadevilla and Maria del Rosario
Lopez-Doriga.
From an early age she was known for her
The archdiocese
A few days after turning 10, on March 6, held a memorial
1962, Pilina died in the arms of her mother. Mass for its for-
Pilina’s soul matured through her illness mer archbishop on
and those who knew her were amazed at her April 5, the 49th
heroism in suffering and joy in sacrifice. day counting from
In 2004, the Congregation for the Causes of Feb. 16, the day the cardinal died at the age of 86. This spurred
the Saints recognized her as a Servant of God, rumors that the memorial was in keeping with the practice
and her cause of canonization continues to called 49 jae.
move forward. (CNA) Jae is a term used by Korean Buddhists to mean prayers for

Rebirth of faith seen as sign of hope in China

the dead. In line with their belief in transmigration of souls, they
hold a special prayer service on the 49th day, counting from the
day a person dies, for the deceased to be born again as a good
human being.
ROME, April 9, Internet, as many Web sites that are not in line with the system’s
Father Matthias Hur Yeong-yup, archdiocesan public rela-
2009—The Catholic ideology are filtered.
tions director, told media the archdiocese planned to finish
Church in China has On the day of the April 1 conference, a report published by Free-
commemorations for the late cardinal before Easter, which fell
lived in clandestine dom House, a New York-based human rights group, released data
on April 12.
conditions for the last of a study that found that China’s “Internet environment remains
© blog.nielsen.com

“It is a coincidence the date (for the memorial Mass) fell on

50 years, but a rebirth
of faith in the country
gives reason to hope,
says the director of
AsiaNews.
Father Bernardo Cervellera, a missionary with the Pontifical Institute
for Foreign Missions, said this last week during a conference on the per-
secution of Christians in China, organized by the Lepanto Foundation.
In his presentation, the priest said China “continues to be a Com-
munist country given the strong social control over people’s lives,”
specifically in the area of religion.
He explained that pressure is asserted that affects all the more
private aspects of people’s lives: from the freedom of association
─ subject to the government’s authorization ─ to the freedom to
worship that is also limited, and including the ability to use the
one of the most controlled in the world.” Of 15 countries studied,
the 49th day. Rather, we consider that the date fell on Hansik,
China placed last, tying with Cuba.
when many people visit their ancestors’ tombs,” he said.
Father Cervellera also spoke of the situation of Catholic bishops
On Hansik (cold meal), the 105th day after the winter solstice,
who want to be faithful to the Pope, which he reported to be par-
Koreans offer food at the tombs of their ancestors.
ticularly alarming. The “spiritual” obedience of a Chinese citizen to
Nonetheless, it is not uncommon for local Catholics to offer
a foreign state—such as the Holy See—is regarded as treason to the
Mass for the deceased on the 49th day.
homeland and punished severely, he said.
A parish official, who asked not to be named, confirmed to
The priest pointed out that, over the decades, many bishops have
UCA News: “Many parishioners ask the priest to say Mass on
disappeared and their whereabouts are unknown; what is most
the 49th day for the deceased. Some ask for Mass once a week
probable is that many of them suffered a violent death and that their
for seven weeks, with the last Mass falling on the 49th day.”
bodies were burnt to conceal any trace of the crimes.
As Korea has been a Buddhist country for centuries, many
However, he stated that there seems to be hope on the horizon,
Buddhist ceremonies have now become traditional culture, he
noting that in recent years, in face of the persecution or perhaps
maintains. “Even Christians, including Catholics, cannot easily
because of it, there has been an “impressive religious rebirth” which
avoid popular services in Korean culture.” (UCAN)
has filled the churches more than ever. (Zenit)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
A3

Christ’s death and resurrection

gives the world hope, proclaims
Benedict XVI
VATICAN CITY, April 12, 2009—Thou- answer to the recurring question of the
sands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to- skeptics, that we also find in the book of
day to hear Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Ecclesiastes: “Is there a thing of which it
message and Urbi et Orbi (to the city is said, ‘See, this is new’?” We answer,
and to the world) blessing. During his yes: on Easter morning, everything was
address, the Holy Father reminded the his ‘Passover’, his ‘passage’, that has renewed. “
faithful that Jesus’ death and resurrec- opened a ‘new way’ between heaven The Pope went on to reflect on the evil
tion gives hope to the world. and earth. It is neither a myth nor a in the world and the need for human
The Pope began his reflection by dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it is cooperation in spreading the Gospel
quoting St. Augustine saying, “‘Resur- not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and message. “Even if through Easter, Christ
rectio Domini spes nostra—the Lord’s unrepeatable event: Jesus of Nazareth, has destroyed the root of evil, he still
resurrection is our hope.’ With these son of Mary, who at dusk on Friday was wants the assistance of men and women
words, the great Bishop explained to taken down from the Cross and buried, in every time and place who help him to
the faithful that Jesus rose again so that has victoriously left the tomb.” affirm his victory using his own weap-
we, though destined to die, should not The Holy Father also spoke of the ons: the weapons of justice and truth,
despair, worrying that with death life dark realities that threaten our society: mercy, forgiveness and love.”
is completely finished; Christ is risen “I am referring particularly to materi- “The resurrection of Christ is our
to give us hope.” alism and nihilism, to a vision of the hope!” exclaimed Pope Benedict. “This
Answering the question about what world that is unable to move beyond the Church proclaims today with joy.
follows death, the Pope affirmed “that what is scientifically verifiable, and She announces the hope that is now

death is not the last word, because Life
will be victorious at the end. This certain-
ty of ours is based not on simple human
reasoning, but on a historical fact of faith:
Jesus Christ, crucified and buried, is risen
with his glorified body. Jesus is risen so
that we too, believing in him, may have
eternal life. This proclamation is at the
heart of the Gospel message.”
He also emphasized that “since the
dawn of Easter a new Spring of hope has
filled the world; from that day forward
our resurrection has begun, because
Easter does not simply signal a moment
in history, but the beginning of a new
condition: Jesus is risen not because his
memory remains alive in the hearts of
© new.novinite.com
his disciples, but because he himself
lives in us, and in him we can already
savor the joy of eternal life.”
Christ’s resurrection is not a theory,
but a true “historical reality revealed
by the man Jesus Christ by means of
retreats cheerlessly into a sense of
emptiness which is thought to be the
definitive destiny of human life.”
If Jesus had not risen these realities
and “emptiness” would prevail, he con-
tinued. “If we take away Christ and his
resurrection, there is no escape for man,
and every one of his hopes remains an
illusion. Yet today is the day when the
proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection
vigorously bursts forth, and it is the
firm and invincible because God has
raised Jesus Christ from the dead. She
communicates the hope that she carries
in her heart and wishes to share with all
people in every place, especially where
Christians suffer persecution because
of their faith and their commitment
to justice and peace. She invokes the
hope that can call forth the courage to
do good, even when it costs, especially
when it costs,” he concluded. (CNA)

Pope urges Christians to be ‘new dough’

Offers Pauline reflection on Passover rituals
VATICAN CITY, April 12, 2009—Just as Jews
remove unleavened bread from their households
at Passover to signify a new beginning, Christians
should remove from their hearts the “yeast of old
sin,” says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this in his homily for Easter Mass
at St. Peter’s Basilica, in which he reflected on a pas-
sage of 1 Corinthians: “Christ, our Paschal lamb,
has been sacrificed.” He said the passage “contains,
in an impressive synthesis, a full awareness of the
newness of life in Christ.”
“The central symbol of salvation history—the
Paschal lamb—is here identified with Jesus, who
is called ‘our Paschal lamb,’” the Pontiff explained.
He noted the Jewish practice of sacrificing a lamb
Father. “He was killed at the very hour when it
was customary to sacrifice the lambs in the Temple
of Jerusalem.
“The meaning of his sacrifice he himself had
anticipated during the Last Supper, substituting
himself—under the signs of bread and wine—for
the ritual food of the Hebrew Passover meal. Thus
we can truly say that Jesus brought to fulfillment
the tradition of the ancient Passover, and trans-
formed it into his Passover.”
Room for the new
Basing himself on this interpretation of the Pas-
chal feast, Benedict XVI then continued to reflect
on St. Paul’s interpretation of the “leaven.”
“At the same time, though,” the Pope added, “the
‘unleavened bread’ was a symbol of purification:
removing the old to make space for the new.”
The Holy Father said that St. Paul explains that
the ancient tradition acquires a new meaning
with Christ, “once more derived from the new
‘Exodus,’ which is Jesus’ passage from death to
eternal life.”
“Since Christ, as the true Lamb, sacrificed him-
self for us, we too, his disciples -- thanks to him and
through him -- can and must be the ‘new dough,’
the ‘unleavened bread,’ liberated from every re-
sidual element of the old yeast of sin: no more evil
and wickedness in our heart,” he said.
“Let us open our spirit to Christ, who has died

each year at Passover, “commemorating the libera-
tion from slavery in Egypt.”
“In his passion and death, Jesus reveals himself
as the Lamb of God, ‘sacrificed’ on the Cross, to
take away the sins of the world,” said the Holy
He explained that during Passover the Jewish
custom is to remove every scrap of leavened bread
from the household, which serves as a reminder
of when their forefathers left Egypt, taking with
them only unleavened bread.
© www.gfn.com
and is risen in order to renew us,” Benedict XVI
urged,” in order to remove from our hearts the
poison of sin and death, and to pour in the life-
blood of the Holy Spirit: divine and eternal life.”
(Zenit)

Obama’s candidates for Vatican Prelate recalls

ambassador failing ‘simple standard’ Sunday experience
unforgettable Easter
ROME, Italy, April 9, 2009—The Obama adminis-
tration has seen three possible candidates it floated
for the position of U.S. ambassador to the Holy See
sunk due to their views on abortion. Additionally, a
source at the Vatican confirmed to CNA that Profes-
sor Douglas Kmiec will not become the ambassador
due to his stance on life issues.
With the President traveling to Rome in July,
when he hopes to meet Pope Benedict XVI, not
filling the position would be a major gaffe.
The news that the Vatican has balked at Obama’s
first three nominees was first reported by the Italian
journalist Massimo Franco. According to Franco,
a columnist for the Italian newspaper Corriere
della Sera, papal advisers told Mr. Obama’s aides
privately that all three nominees failed to meet the President Barack Obama
Vatican’s most basic qualification on the abortion
issue.
“The informal dismissal of the first names whispered in the Obama inner
circle is a signal,” Mr. Franco told the Washington Times’ Embassy Row in
email.
The well-connected Mr. Franco also explained that the rejection of the
Obama candidates “would suggest that, at least so far, none of the potential
Democratic diplomats were considered fit to ‘improve relations’ with the
Holy See.”
Neither the Vatican Embassy in Washington nor the White House would
comment Monday on the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador, according
to the Washington Times.
Mr. Franco, whose new book, “Parallel Empires:
The Vatican and the U.S.,” explores U.S.-Vatican
relations over the past 200 years, said Mr. Obama’s
predicament underscores a deeper problem the
Vatican has with the Democratic Party and its anti-
life positions on abortion.
He also noted that the lack of a U.S. ambassador
“could become embarrassing” for the White House,
if the position remains vacant when Obama goes to
Italy for the G8 meeting this July. The White House
is trying to arrange a time before or after the summit
for Mr. Obama to meet the Pope.
CNA contacted a Vatican official from the Office
of the Secretary of State who said that he could not
elaborate on the names that have been proposed so
far by the Obama administration, but confirmed
that the name of Professor Douglas Kmiec “never
showed up.”
The official told CNA that “there have only been informal exchanges of
opinions, not direct, official proposals,” from the Obama administration.
“Obviously, the exchange has not been fruitful in finding a mutually
satisfying candidate, otherwise, at this point, there would have been an an-
nouncement, and there isn’t one.”
Asked if pro-abortion Catholic Caroline Kennedy was on the short-list
proposed by the administration, the official said he had “no comment.”
“Obviously she would not match the profile,” he said.
An April 2 article in Panorama, an Italian news magazine, journalist
Obama / A6
DAVAO CITY, April 13, 2009—It was already 17
years ago but Archbishop Fernando Capalla still
cannot forget what happened on April 19, 1992,
around 3:45 early dawn of Easter Sunday.
That fateful day, the ‘encuentro’ in Iligan City
was bombed and Capalla, was then the bishop. The
bombing left many Churchgoers wounded while
killing several children acting as angels during
the ‘encuentro.’
Capalla, in his weekly column, “The Shepherd’s
Corner” in Davao Catholic Herald, recounted how
the incident took place. “The throng was thicker
on the space between St. Michael’s Cathedral and
St. Michael’s College,” he started.
“On this spot stood the high platform where
little angels dressed in white were ready to open
the veil covering the face of the image of the
Mother of Sorrows surrounded by many women.
Right in front of her was the image of the Risen
Lord borne by husky men and surrounded by an
all-male crowd,” continued Capalla.
“There was a sepulchral silence as the entire
assembly was waiting for me to arrive on the
spot between the two images and in front of the
children,” he narrated, adding:
“As the priests, sisters, and people were cran-
ing their necks as if wondering and inquiring
if the Bishop was on the way, a grenade fell on

HR official asks Church’s lead in condemning human rights violations

MANILA, April 8, 2009─The world’s leading hu-
man rights organization is looking at the Catholic
Church to consistently make its moral voice heard
against the series of human rights violations hap-
pening in the country.
Human Rights Watch Director Kenneth Roth in
a press briefing yesterday morning said they need
the Church’s moral authority to stress that “these
(targeted killings) are wrong and a different solu-
tion has to be found.”
Roth’s group is in the country to investigate the
killings perpetrated by the so-called death squads
in Davao.
The official said he hopes the “Church when
they speak for the poor should also speak for the
victims of these despots.”
“The Catholic Church rightfully prides itself on
speaking out for the poor and disenfranchised and
that should be,” Roth added.
He said victims of targeted killings are those who
belong to the most disadvantaged segments of society,
the street children and the “nobodies” of society.
Roth also called on the Philippine government to
immediately dismantle the so-called Davao Death
Squad and investigate the involvement of officials
in targeted killings.
The official said he looks forward to the Philip-
pine government’s true leadership to put a stop to
the activities of the dreaded Davao Death Squads
by condemning the practice, dedicating resources
to investigate and prosecuting those involved.
He lauded the country’s Commission on Hu-
man Rights for doing well even as he criticized the
Department of Justice, the Ombudsman and the
Philippine National Police for doing “nothing.”
He said the government has the duty to go after
and seek out evidence and provide security guar-
antees for witnesses.
Roth said they did their research in Davao and
talked to the victims’ relatives, some insiders and
others who knew of the Davao Death Squad’s
operations in two weeks.
“If we at the Human Rights Watch did it in two weeks,
they can do much better,” Roth said. (Melo Acuna)
Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth shows
a copy of their report on the “Davao death squad” during a
press briefing last March 31.
the spot where I supposed to stand. The
explosion broke the silence and solemnity of the
hallowed space, killing 15 children and wounding
several others. Pandemonium and panic ensued
as the wounded screamed in pain and the others
scrambled away from the bloody scene.”
Capalla, exhausted from the past days activities
of Holy Week overslept and was awakened by the
successive phone ringings. On the phone was the
then Vicar General Msgr. Leo Labiste that informed
him of the incident.
Shocked of the news, the bishop hurriedly
dressed up and rushed to the Cathedral. As he
arrived, the scenes from the site confirmed him
of the tragedy.
Now, after 17 years after that fateful day, he said,
“it was so terrible and shocking that I shudder a bit
every time I remember that Easter Sunday.”
However Capalla said that despite the violence
that happened, the people still have one good
reason to hope for goodness to come.
“We must believe that death which is caused
by sin and violence has been conquered by Jesus
Christ who suffered, died and rose again to life,”
he concluded. (Mark S. Ventura)
A4
EDITORIAL
Easter not a fairy tale
AT first blush, one wonders why the Pontiff at his Easter
Message delivered before he imparted his blessing “urbi et
orbi”, argued that Easter is not based on a myth, a theory or a
fairy tale, but rather on the very real historical event of Christ’s
death and resurrection.
The resurrection “is not a theory, but a historical reality…it
is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it
is not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and unrepeatable event:
Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, who at dusk on Friday was
taken down from the cross and buried, has victoriously left
the tomb,” he posited.
But, come to think of it, this has come very opportune at this point
in history when religion, or more precisely, Christianity, has
been mostly relegated to the cultic and not the praxis—which,
ironically, finds a phenomenon of an increasing religiosity,
albeit more popular than mature, in an increasingly secular
generation.
Says the Holy Father: “Even if through Easter, Christ has
destroyed the root of evil, he still wants the assistance of men
and women in every time and place who help him affirm his
victory using his own weapon: the weapons of justice and
truth, mercy, forgiveness and love.”
And that is the punch, because ritualism does not necessarily
translate into the love of neighbor. Easter being historical must
be transcendental too so that it goes out beyond the confines
of one’s personal need of religion. It must be something
provocative of God’s love that, in the first place, has carried
out Christ’s victory over death, the selfish dominion of evil.
Obviously carrying the baggage of his recent visit to Africa,
Pope Benedict XVI focused his Easter message with: “My
thoughts move outward from the Holy Land to neighboring
countries, to the Middle East, to the world world…At a time
of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new
forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence
and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands
in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever-
present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future,
it is urgent to rediscover the grounds for hope.”
Keeping Easter merely to satisfy the anthropological need to
worship may indeed be mythical. It is the kind of Easter that
is devoid of the Easter fruit of loving one another.
A Christian Easter, however, proclaims a newness of life
that is umbilically entwined with lives of others. It provokes
a brotherhood that is sealed by consanguinity—not by the
blood that runs in the family, caste or race, but by the very
blood of Christ risen from death. This is the kind of Easter
that spontaneously acquires an existential basis to shout:
Alleluia!
Debt Crisis is a Moral Issue
WE have seen the afflictions caused by Nature. But there are
also sufferings that originate from human acts and decisions.
While more subtle and hidden in their effects, still, their full
impact on human lives could be more extensive and enduring.
For the debt crisis is the paramount example of a man-made
disaster.
An enormous debt was created at least in part by wrong
calculations, wrong investments, wrong decisions of individuals
and organizations and most likely by their wrong moral values
as well.
We recognize sincere efforts by the Government to lighten our
debt burden but we must nevertheless ask:
1. Is it moral for citizens, especially the poor, who did not
participate in these decisions, to pay for their consequences
through less jobs, less schools, less hospitals and less
shelter?
2. It has been estimated that through most of this decade, our
people will be paying an average of $3.2 billion annually to our
foreign creditors. Most of these payments are applied to interest
obligations without greatly reducing the principal. We then
ask: Is it moral to place our country in a kind of prolonged
serfdom, seeing that these massive annual payments only
serve to further weaken our ability to repay our debts?
There is every reason to conclude that the dehumanizing
economic situation we find ourselves in, is not the cause but
the symptom of a moral disease afflicting both debtor and
creditor nations. In this context, the Church has an obligation
from Christ to proclaim the truth about God and man which
forms the foundation of her teachings about human dignity,
freedom, social justice and human solidarity.
--CBCP Statement on the Foreign Debt Problem, 1990
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
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The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com-
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P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
ISSN 1908-2940
Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Francisco F. Claver, SJ
Will there be a
Afterthoughts Resurrection?
THAT question was put to me the first Easter season after martial but again and again. Just as there will be other entombments, other
law was imposed—the darkest moment of a dark period in our life deaths, that we will go through as a people.
as a nation when it looked like there was no way out of the utter Whence this confidence? It is from what the PCP II—the Second
hopelessness that was the New Society. It was no less than Ninoy Plenary Council of the Philippines—says about us Filipinos being
Aquino himself who asked the question. And it is one that comes a basically decent people as I quoted in my last column. Sooner or
back now and again to haunt us like a perduring nightmare as we later, we will wake up, as we did in 1986, and start doing something
lurch as a nation from crisis to crisis brought about by the bad politics in earnest about our evil situation. It need not be another EDSA—
that has been our lot these past few years. the overthrowing, peaceful as the manner might be, of a bankrupt
The day Ninoy asked me the question was the first and only time political order. There are many forms that our waking up will take.
I met him in the flesh. I can’t remember now how I phrased my But for now, the hope is it will be in the upcoming elections next year
answer exactly, only that I confidently told him there would be a as the agitation builds up against the kind of politics that continues
resurrection. And I meant not only the kind that Christ promised to to keep us in thrall.
all who believe in him but the rising too of the nation from the death But there is something else besides that decency that I know will
of democracy we were all suffering from then. He seemed rather carry us through. We do have another solid characteristic as a people
skeptical at my answer, and I remember telling myself I would be that I’m confident will help bring about that hoped for resurrection:
too if I had undergone the traumatic experience he had had in the our native resilience—our ability to bounce back after misfortunes
jails of the New Society. and death-dealing disasters. Earthly, natural disasters like tsunamis
He and Senator Pepe Diokno were among the very first ones taken
in and dumped in prison the day martial law came into effect on
and earthquakes and super-typhoons. Man-made disasters too, like
oppressive kleptocracies, such as we had a generation ago, such
September 22, 1972. as we have even now in the rampant corruption that scars our life
The Dioknos had asked me if I could go over to the prison camp today, all sorts of evil life-conditions. These are no match for that
the senator and Ninoy were being held in and say Mass for the resiliency I speak of.
family. I did, and Ninoy was allowed to join us. Both prison- I like to think it comes—like the decency that the PCP II speaks
ers were under heavy guard, and their watchers—I wondered of—from our Christian faith. And this is what gives us hope.
why they had to be as ostentatiously armed as they were that Because as a Christian people, we are a people of the resurrection.
morning when all they had before them were totally harmless A people of hope. A people that strongly believes no matter what
civilians—they watched us assiduously and heard everything kind of death throes we may be undergoing even now, there will be
that was said during and after the Mass, including the question a rising from the dead. It’s the same kind of hope that the Pope in his
and the answer about the resurrection. We talked freely knowing Easter message says the world today desperately needs in the face
they were all ears. of the enormous problems confronting nations everywhere.
It took 13 years for the resurrection of the nation to take place “Will there be a resurrection?” As I said, I can’t remember at this
at EDSA, and only then because Ninoy had to be killed first. That remove in time precisely how I phrased my answer to Ninoy’s rather
morning we didn’t know our rising was going to be contingent on skeptical question. But the gist of it I know was exactly as I’ve just
his dying. written. And if I can say so with confidence, it is from faith in the Son of
It’s now 23 years since that resurrection and conditions in the na- Man who did rise from the dead and promised that we, as individuals
tion today force us to feel as though we were immured once again and as communities, would do the same, repeating, replicating, the
in a dark tomb. So Ninoy’s question comes back to haunt us like a mystery of Easter morning in our lives. In big and small ways.
bad dream: “Will there be a resurrection?” The joy of Easter, its power, its renewed life, continue to be ours
As in 1973, I can confidently say yes, there will be one. Not once, as a people.
Jose B. Lugay
A clear and coming
danger Laiko Lampstand
THIS Catholic nation celebrates Holy Week to bail out banks and selected industries. run as a congresswoman. The Cha-cha move
recalling the passion of Christ in a tradition Financial support is provided for people in Congress has a slim chance of passing and
unique to the Filipino, different from all other who lost their jobs and more funds are pro- so to be immune from future lawsuits, she
Catholics in the world. As the world has grammed for infrastructure projects, for has to run for Congress in 2010. The Opposi-
become global, what used to be the old gen- greening the environment and for providing tion who had been raring to impeach her in
eration’s singsong chanting of the pasyon by adequate health services and education. The previous years will no longer prosper even if
the beatas, the new generation of rappers has Philippines is following the same direction to they file the same cases against her once she
adapted the pasyon in a rendition ala Francis prevent economic disaster. is elected as a Congresswoman. Of course,
Magalona—shocking to old-timers like me. A President Arroyo, a well-studied econo- there is no way of asserting the truth to this
rejoinder of Msgr. Quitorio to newsmen who mist, and a proponent of globalization, true plan attributed to the President.
may also have been shocked of the change, to her calling, also made her own stimulus If one observes the different sorties she
contextualized the propriety of this change. package to address the economic crisis. She does with her office staff, it is not unlike a
He explained, “There is nothing wrong with claimed however, that the Philippines’ poli- campaign sortie. Micro-management is the
this modern adaptation of the pasyon so long cies implemented before the crisis, specifi- term used by the Opposition referring to the
as its real purpose is for the community to cally the imposition of EVAT on consumer President’s inspection tour of infrastructure
meditate and reflect on the passion of Christ.” goods had prevented the immediate del- projects all over the Philippines—to inspect
A few years ago, the crucifixion of about eterious effect of the world economic crisis the progress of her SONA projects. When
seven penitents in Pampanga elicited awe in our country. A major portion of these she is dissatisfied with the progress of the
from observers of the gruesome spectacle accumulated funds, together with Official work like the roads and bridges of Eastern
of being nailed to the cross, Now, there is a Development Assistance funds may now be Visayas and Mindanao, she calls the DPWH
proliferation of penitents who volunteered to spent to support the completion of irrigation engineers to task and order them to work 24
undergo the same crucifixion—41 of them in and water systems, roads and highways, hours around the clock and to provide a “bas-
three different barangays in Pampanga! This bridges, ports and harbors, airports, etc.—the tonero” for the contractors’ men to assure that
indicates that more people are experiencing projects stated in her 2006 State of the Nation the completion schedule is met. To support
extreme difficulties and now depend on mi- Address (SONA). finishing within the completion target date,
raculous help from the Almighty, especially With the passing of the budget last Decem- she further suggested that they could avail
the jobless poor who are victims of the world ber, Congress allocated P100 billion stimulus of the help of the Armed Forces of the Philip-
economic crisis. Like our religious practices, package. President Arroyo immediately pines Engineering Corps. This clear message
there is a sea-change in the economies of na- appropriated the release of P60 billion for was contained in a memorandum to all agen-
tions all over the world. the first 6 months of 2009 for infrastructure cies under the Executive Department—that
The G-20 Summit represented by 20 na- projects alone. The rest is for education and all infrastructure projects have to be com-
tions of the First World recently approved a health and cash relief for the poor. If this pleted by the end of 2009. It sounded like
grant of trillions of dollars to the International were not the year before election, the moves a military command since no excuse will be
Monetary Fund (IMF) to help developing na- of the President will definitely be considered entertained. Could there be a more effective
tions fund projects that will address jobless- apolitical. campaign than to show the completion of her
ness, poverty, lack of food and inadequate However, the local press observed that infrastructure projects promised during her
health services. Individually each first world her frequent visits to her home province and SONA in 2006? Even if it is successful, there
country allocates funds or stimulus packages neighboring towns with a retinue of execu- is a fly in the ointment. The order to rush
for their own people to prevent catastrophic tives to deal with the needs of local politi- completion of infrastructure projects, will
outcomes resulting from the economic crisis. cians smacks of a political campaign. She is justify shortcuts to the system of good gov-
Trillions of dollars are provided by the state perceived to be preparing the groundwork to Laiko / A6
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Views and Points
IT is not a secret that our dear country has been long besieged by
numerous and serious socio-moral errancies—primarily caused by
a good number of our corrupt and corrupting politicians from the
national to the local levels. The pitiful and shameful profound and
the pervasive results of such pronounced and compounded moral
maladies are the poverty and hunger of people, the division and
exasperation of the Filipinos—with some suicides committed here
and there.
Add hereto the extensive operations of drug lords, casinos and
jueteng lords, the activities of well organized criminal syndicates
robbing banks, kidnapping individuals, doing extrajudicial killings
and summary executions. And this is not even making mention
of the proliferation of prostitution, the violation of women and
children, and the killings of infants. In fact, nothing here is even
said about the trampling of human dignity and the crushing of
human rights.
Thus it is that the country is full of bitter discontent on the part
of many sectors of society. That is why there are deep, armed and
wherefore deadly conflicts among the people not only in Mindanao
Opinion
‘I have Risen, I am with
you once more’
but also in Luzon and the Visayas. There are even those thousands
of Filipinos leaving the country every day of the year—to the extent
of exposing lives and leaving their dear families behind.
With all these social maledictions and moral damnations facing us
from the instance we wake up in the morning to the time we go to
sleep at night, it is both assuring and inspiring to think, to remember
and to live the absolute and standing truth that no less than the Lord
Jesus Christ Himself clearly and emphatically said: “I have Risen, I
am with You again.” No! Alone we are not! Christ is with us! Who
can then afford to be against us? Who?
The mighty and the influential? The crooks and the corrupt? The
goons and the bandits?
All that is needed to get rid of these malevolent and infectious
characters is eventually some soil, a little tombstone plus plenty of
bad words from their victims. Since time immemorial, all of them—
yes, all of them without exception—end this way!
As truth prevails, Christ reigns. Whereas Christ is with us, alone
we are not. Therefore, there is much reason for us to still say: “Happy
Easter!”
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
A5
Fr. Russel Bantiles
Cogito
Another resurrection
story
WHAT’S in the Tagalog mass that Filipinos in Tarragona would
move heaven and earth to have it at least twice a month here?
For an outsider, this may be an uninteresting question. But to
more or less 300 Filipino OFW’s in this part of Spain, it is a
question that’s worth reflecting. Or at least, to me, as I spent
this Holy Week with them.
It all started as a wishful thinking a few months ago. They
all knew that in Barcelona, the Filipino parish called Immaculate
Conception and San Lorenzo Ruiz is so alive and growing, and is
home to more than 15,000 Catholic Filipinos there. “How we
wish we could also have masses in Tagalog here in Tarragona”,
one middle-aged mother exclaimed, at one time when she met
the parish priest, Fr. Bernie Alejo.
Last December 2008, on the occasion of Fr. Banny Pardillo’s
short Christmas stay in Immaculate Conception and San Lorenzo
Ruiz Parish, the Filipino Catholics in Tarragona (a one-hour

Moving on for Life
“DON’T stay too long on the mountain.
Break camp and advance.” This is just but
one of a number of quotable lines courtesy
of renowned writer-social anthropologist Dr.
Melba Padilla Maggay, guest speaker for the
14th Pro-Life National Convention with the
theme “Moving On For Life” held at the Ba-
hay Ugnayan of the Good Shepherd Convent
in Quezon City.
Her talk mainly concentrated on organi-
zational morale boosting to keep each group
on track and the importance of “moving on”
during transition periods. According to her,
one of the preliminary steps an organization
needs to do to move on is to “accept change.”
She quoted freely from Scripture to empha-
size her points such as the need for us to ac-
cept the challenge of new wine skins, or going
in and taking possession of the land, referring
to Joshua conquering Jericho. “If we do not
move on, the alternative is mission drift, or
going round and round the wilderness, or
from becoming machines to petrifying into
monuments,” she said.
Dr. Maggay cited the example of Jesus
Christ’s rise from adversities. According to
her, “moving on is becoming like Christ in
his death. In transition periods, there may be
pain in dying and dormancy in entombness
but like Christ the joy of arising awaits as we
learn from our mistakes and make an effort
to reinvent ourselves.”
With her ardent aspiration for the organiza-
tions to discern what lies ahead of them dur-
ing times of transition, Dr. Maggay concluded
her talk with a line uttered by American
author Frederick Buechner saying that “the
place God calls you to is the place where
your deep gladness and the world’s deep
hunger meet.”
Dr. Maggay is a sought-after international
speaker and consultant on culture and social
development issues. She is currently presi-
dent of the Institute for Studies in Asian
Church and Culture, a research and training
organization engaged in development, mis-
siology and cross-cultural studies.
Her presentation during the Pro-life Con-
vention was a fitting introduction to the suc-
ceeding activity that morning – the election
of a new set of Pro-life Board of Trustees.
Elected once more as President of the Board
is Sec. Lito Atienza, a staunch pro-lifer ever
since he was Mayor of the City of Manila. In
fact, it was when he was President of Pro-
life Philippines that he issued an Executive
Order for all Manila Health Centers and
Hospitals to set up Natural Family Plan-
ning Programs and stopped the budget for
contraceptives and sterilizations.
Elected as Chairperson of the Board is
Antonio Kosca, former Chaircouple of
Christian Family Movement, Family Life
coordinator of the Diocese of Pasig and
President of Meralco Foundation. Elected
also are: Ed Sorreta as Vice President, Finda
Lacanlalay as Treasurer and Xavier Padilla,
Secretary. Looking forward to stronger ad-
vocacy especially in Congress are two new
Board Members, Rep. Carissa Coscolluela
and Rep. Irwin Tieng, both of Buhay partyl-
ist. Likewise, Janet “Babes” Malaya said she
cannot wait to get to work for pro-life, hav-
ing been the only Quezon City Councilor
Love Life
who voted against the Reproductive Health
Ordinance that the Cubao Diocese fought so
hard against. Other Board members include
Eric Manalang, President of Kapatiran Party,
Fatima “Baby” Nebrida-Ballesty of NBN
Ch4, Mel Robles and Michael Velarde of El
Shaddai, Esther Magleo (Daughters of Mary
Immaculate and FINEX), Manny Amador
and myself .
The Pro-life Convention was preceded
by the national Conference on Responsible
Parenthood and natural Family Planning.
Over 300 participants from many dioceses,
parishes, schools and organizations attend-
ed. Significant was the participation of the
doctors and staff from the Manila and Davao
health Departments, sharing to us how they
have set up the natural Family Planning
Program in their local government and
encouraging mutual cooperation between
the parishes and the government units. The
delegates from the parishes were updated
on modules on NFP and how to integrate
it effectively into the Pre-Cana seminars.
The teachers eagerly asked for the modules
on Teen Sexuality and Fertility Education.
While those involved in BEC and grassroots
communities were encouraged to start RP-
NFP programs soon so that our people will
not resort to contraceptives and ligation.
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto was the main
celebrant of the Closing mass that day, lead-
ing the Pro-life Oath of Commitment of the
delegates.
For more information and counseling
services, call pro-life office at 911-9911 or
contact Sr. Pilar at 0920-945-5494.
travel by train from Barcelona) had its first mass in Tagalog at
the church of San Juan Bautista, whose parish priest, Fr. Jordi
Figueras, a catalán (native of Catalunya, another province of
Spain), generously and gladly lent them.
Since then, the Filipino priests who are studying in Navarra
would take turns twice a month to come, celebrate mass and
hear confessions in Tarragona. During the Holy Week, I was
requested to preside the celebrations like the Palm Sunday, the
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, (a concelebration with the Spanish
parish community), the Veneration of the Cross and the Easter
Sunday. The idea is very much welcome on the part of Arch-
bishop Jaime Pujol (who has been my professor in Navarra
before becoming the archbishop of Tarragona). At least, the
pastoral needs of Filipino Catholics in Tarragona could now
be well taken care of.
***
Perhaps through a nostalgic desire to hear masses in our
maternal tongue, God has drawn these OFW’s together to
form a Christian community. Through a simple longing to sing
Luwalhati sa Dios, or Ama Namin while holding hands together
and with eyes piously closed, God has called these Filipino
Catholics to be witnesses of authentic Christian life and to give
testimony—in this corner of the world—of a unique Filipino
Christian spirit.
Once again, God has called all of us, Filipinos—wherever we
are and whatever our circumstances may be—to be true mis-
sionaries, even in the simply way of living our faith. We don’t
need to do great things to become missionaries. Even ordinary
things done with extra-ordinary love can become great in the
eyes of God.
I remember how the lectors and other mass servers fumbled
and committed lots of blunders (errors that could easily raise
the brows of meticulous parish priests in the Philippines) dur-
ing our liturgical celebrations, but I don’t mind them so much.
I could see the purity of their intentions and the nobility of their
desire to please God. Not a few Spanish priests and lay faithful
had observed what my eyes saw. Truly, from the mouth of the
humble and the simple-hearted, God could find His praises.
***

Jesus once said: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will

Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD ‘Running the race…fixing our draw people to myself.” I believe, my experience with the
Filipino Catholics in Tarragona is a concrete fulfillment of His
eyes on Jesus’: Reflections on promise.

By the Roadside Heb 12:1-2 (Part I)

“WHAT a cloud of innumerable witnesses surround us! So let us
be rid of every encumbrance and especially of sin, to persevere in
running the race marked out before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the founder of our faith and who will bring it to completion. For the
sake of the joy reserved for him, he endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and then sat at the right hand of God” [From the Christian
Community Bible] (Heb 12:1-2).
The first thing that is rather surprising about the Letter to the He-
brews is that it is not really a letter. Most scholars would say today
that it is actually a written and extended homily. Unlike the letters
of St. Paul and other NT letters, Hebrews makes no preliminary
greeting and no mention of any particular addressee(s), be it spe-
cific persons or churches. Besides, it appears that the last part, Heb
13:22-25, was just added by another author to give the document
the semblance of a letter. If I were to write my Sunday homily and
towards the end added these words: “Before I park my pen, I just
would like to extend to Rosita, Jose and all the kids my best regards.
God bless you all. Please take good care because I care. Sincerely
yours, Fr. Euly”, I would have done something that would not be too
unlike the Letter to the Hebrews. Another surprising thing about this
document is that, contrary to a long-held belief, it was not written
by St. Paul since its style and form are markedly different from his
other letters that we are familiar with. The third surprising thing is
that its addressees were not necessarily simply the Hebrews but all
Christians, especially those on the verge of apostasy, although there
is basis to believe that originally it may have had in mind Christians
of Jewish ancestry.
What is not surprising about this document is its popularity, es-
pecially among Christians who are trying to re-discover, and more
deeply, who Jesus Christ is, who they are and what the journey or
pilgrimage of faith in life to the heavenly Jerusalem is all about.
Let me reflect on several themes from the text that, to my mind,
open to us what Hebrews teaches us on who we are, namely, as
disciples of Jesus Christ.
1. “Cloud of Innumerable Witnesses”: Discipleship as a Team
Effort
Hebrews speaks of OT heroes of faith in chapter 12. It makes men-
tion of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and
many others, presenting them as models of how to believe. Rather
than simply focusing on the exemplary character of their lives of
faith, it is also clear that this cloud of innumerable witnesses is
bonded by faith in the reality we call God’s People and, precisely
because of faith, links them with those witnesses of faith who are
followers of Jesus Christ. Faith makes a community out of believers.
In other words, these witnesses and heroes of faith are, in relation to
us, fellow members of the People of God, both in the OT and now
the NT. We do not stand on different grounds. We belong to the
same family God calls his own. This sense of family and community
among believers applies even to the seemingly exclusive unit in the
Church called ‘presbyters’. For us priests in the Philippines this is
especially made significant by the teaching of the Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines, namely: “The priests of the New Testa-
ment are by their vocation to ordination set apart in some way in the
midst of the People of God…(PO 3). Priests and their ministry cannot,
therefore, be understood apart from this community setting. The
As Jesus is lifted up on the cross, He draws these Filipinos
to Himself to form a community of His disciples. It is not mere
coincidence that this community is formed during the Holy
Week when Christ Himself, while hanging on the cross, is “lifted
ordained priest does not stand outside the Christian community. up from the earth”. Neither should it cause us great surprise
He remains in the community. He is ordained for the community” that this community takes its shape under the Cross of Christ.
(PCP II, 510). Community living is expressed in communal or team It is formed in and through that cross. It should be configured
ministry. It is not only individuals but also communities or teams under the same cross.
that live as Christian disciples serving other Christian disciples, the Before our own eyes, the Passion and Death of Christ produces
royal priests, as ministerial priests. Team ministries among priests again and again abundant fruits. “Unless a grain of wheat falls
are not only ideal; they are an expression of discipleship. into the ground and dies, it would not bear much fruit…” Once
2. “Ridding Ourselves of Every Encumbrance and Sin”: Discipleship again, we see how Christ continues to work hard for our salva-
as Continuing Conversion tion, even after His resurrection. He never tires of drawing us,
The first thing that Jesus does in his public ministry is to proclaim: attracting us to Himself. And His most effective and efficient
means is His own Cross.
“This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand. Repent
From the perspective of Christ’s Cross, the story of the Filipino
and believe in the Good News” (Mk 1:15). Metanoia, the Greek for
Catholic community in Tarragona has just begun. I think, it is a
repentance, is a military word that means a one-hundred eighty de- story that is worth meditating. For in the eyes of faith unfolds
grees about-face from a life of rebellion to a life of obedience towards another resurrection story!
God. As an ROTC cadet I remember marching ahead of my battalion
during a routine drill. We were on a grassy field and were not alone.
Carabaos were all over the place, some wallowing in quagmire. We
were marching directly into one, my eyes and emotions wide open
with fearful anticipation. As I was about to put one step onto a mud
hole, our commanding officer barked a command: “Ready, halt. One.
Two. About face!” Sin is like a mud hole into which we make wrong
decisions to step and then regret later what we did. That opens us
to conversion. Hebrews, I think, sounds a similar reminder when it
urges us disciples to rid ourselves of “every encumbrance” that is
what sin is essentially, for sin hinders us, in the language of Hebrews,
from “moving forward to our heavenly goal”.
In a word, we are to make an about face constantly from our
wounded nature’s inclination towards rebellion and sin. Unless we
make an about-face from sin discipleship would be a continuing non-
reality, a sham. There are two movements in conversion: first, the
U-TURN from sin; and the second, facing up to Jesus the Master. PCP
II teaches us: “The spiritual life of the priest, like that of all Christians,
begins with an encounter with Christ, with faith and conversion. This
is the beginning of all spirituality and leads to union with God in
grace, a state of being in love with God” (PCP II, 533). Continuing
conversion is a continuing challenge to us priests because we are
its mouthpiece. But as far as conversion is concerned, I’m reminded
of the late President Ronald Reagan who said to the USSR when it
claimed it was for disarmament: “We want deeds, not words.”
3. “Persevering in the Race”: Discipleship as Commitment
A friend told me of their former parish priest who must have been
a hundred years old. He was celebrating his seventy-fifth ordination
anniversary. As he thanked God and all the people who had helped
him in one way or another, he also made a heartfelt appeal. “Please,”
he said, “pray for my perseverance!” My friend and the listeners were
smiling and he told me he mused, “You’re seventy-five years a priest
and you’re asking us to pray for your perseverance? At one hundred
years of age, what do you need perseverance for?” The truth is we
need the grace of perseverance till the day we die. Or the old priest
could be compared to the swimmer who crossed the body of water
between Tacloban City and Basey, Samar. He was about five meters
to the Basey shore when he felt the undercurrents getting stronger. So
he did what he thought was right. He swam right back to Tacloban.
The point is, he was almost at his goal. But he didn’t persevere. He
Roadside / A6
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

Youth group warns solons against

‘resurrecting’ Cha-Cha
A NEWLY-formed party-list group, Kabataang Pinoy warned Palace al-
lies against resurrecting the already dead Charter Change (Cha-cha).
Alvin Peters, Kabataang Pinoy’s spokesperson told CBCP News,
the motive for Cha-Cha is still the same: One, to let the foreign capi-
talists exploit our resources and monopolize key industries; and two,
to extend Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term, thus immunizing
her from cases should be filed against her because of their alleged
plunder of public funds.
“This year’s Easter Sunday celebration conveys a new message
to the youth and the people. Cha-cha should remain dead, and the
only way it would stay that way is if Speaker Nograles and other
disciples of charter change make the ultimate sacrifice and withdraw
HRW reports alleged
involvement of police, gov’t
officials in killings
their resolutions in the House,” said Peters.
Peters assailed presidential son Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo
for being Malacanang’s ‘spokesperson, apologist and champion for
cha-cha’ in the House.
“He should just shush and keep his thoughts to himself, he is not
a good example to the youth,” says Peters.
Furthermore, Kabataang Pinoy will lobby and dialogue with
congressmen and lawmakers within the week to convince them that
“charter change is not the change the youth wants and needs but
rather, to create a more nationalistic laws and changes in the policies
in the economy and polity that will serve the Filipino people better.
(Noel Sales Barcelona)

Automated election isn’t fraud-free—computer experts

WITH barely a year to go for the national and Bahague added.
local elections, the Computer Professionals’ The CPU suggests to the government to
Union (CPU) warns about the massive fraud, make the source code of software used by
even if the computerization program of the the AES be open and released to the public HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth
elections will push through. for review.
THE international human rights organization investigating
Mr. Rick Bahague, the national coordina- Source codes are instructions understood by
extra judicial killings in Mindanao has noted in its report the
tor of the CPU said in a statement sent to machines to do certain functions or tasks.
alleged involvement of police and government officials in tar-
CBCP News, if not done properly, auto- “However, with the current timeline of
© www.edericeder.com

geted killings.
mated large scale cheating can happen with COMELEC, this will not happen. If source
Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a 103-page report detailed the
the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) codes are released, no time for review is al-
alleged involvement of the police and local government officials
plan for automated elections. lotted,” said Bahague.
in targeted killings of alleged drug dealers and petty criminals,
The current automated election system Meanwhile, the CPU and other concerned
street children and others.
is vulnerable to insider manipulation, soft- ICT groups are organizing a National ICT
HRW Director Kenneth Roth said Barangay officials, police
ware engineering problems, and remote or national canvassing levels,” he said. Conference on Automated Elections System
officers and sometimes even city government officials have
network attacks, he said. “Whether intentional or incidental, a on 22 April 2009 in UP Diliman. It primarily
frequently warned people who subsequently became victims of
Bahague explained, with insider access software problem in the AES system can aims to gather experiences and best practices
these killings that their names were on a “list” of people to be
to the AES, vote manipulation can become affect the machines to be used in the elec- in technologies relevant to AES. CPU hopes
killed unless they stopped engaging in criminal activities.
more sophisticated. tions. Software bugs are commonplace and to set a baseline that will serve as a monitor-
“In other cases, the victims were killed immediately after their
“Dagdag-bawas or tampering can be made they sometimes affect the same hardware ing mechanism of the people on AES provid-
release from police custody or prison,” Roth said.
to appear mathematically consistent. In the with the same configurations differently,” ers and the COMELEC. (CBCPNews)
The report titled “You Can Die Any Time: Death Squad
manual elections, adding or subtracting to
House / A1 Killings in Mindanao,” describes the “lack of any effort by the
the results at the canvassing stage produces
authorities to investigate the killings and bring those responsible
inconsistent totals when compared to the needed measures will be passed by June.
to justice.”
number of registered voters and actual votes The meeting held at the Speaker’s Conference Room that lasted for nearly two hours was
Roth said they investigated 28 cases of apparently targeted
cast. With the AES, this can now be made candid yet cordial.
killings, conducted more than 50 interviews with the victims’
to appear consistent if direct manipulation It was also agreed upon during the meeting that the bill would cover all agricultural
families, lawyers, witnesses, journalists, human rights advo-
to the data is made or by programming the lands, and that the compulsory acquisition mode, which was removed in a joint resolution
cates, and government officials in Davao, General Santos and
system to reconcile the numbers. Insiders can approved last December extending CARP until June, would be reinstated.
Digos Cities.
overwrite the consolidated data with results For his part, lawyer Christian Monsod said “I think we’re moving forward.” He described
He said the number of victims of targeted killings in Davao
favorable to certain candidates. In the manual the dialogue as a “productive session.”
steadily increased in the past decade.
elections, the coordinated manipulation of Former Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Victor Gerardo Bulatao also said he is very
“From two reported cases in 1998, the number rose to 98 in
municipal/provincial canvass is limited by optimistic the bill would be passed in time before the session ends on June 6 this year.
2003, and 124 in 2008 and in 2009, 33 targeted killings were
geographical factors. In the AES, tampering in Akbayan Rep. Rizza Hontiveros-Baraquel said the meeting brought hope to all stake-
reported in January alone,” he added.
the synchronized provincial canvass can now holders because it has reduced doubts and pessimism from the Church leaders, farmers
He detailed the pattern to the killings with the assailants in
be done by just manipulating the consolida- and agrarian reform advocates.
twos or threes on a motorcycle without a license plate, wearing
tion servers at the municipal, provincial and “We are just hoping that they will keep their word,” she said. (Melo M. Acuna)
baseball caps and buttoned shirts or jackets, apparently to con-
Revolution / A1 ceal their weapons and they shoot or stab their victim without
warning, often in broad daylight with little regard for those
triumphed over suffering and death. whoever promises a life without the said continuing gift of self is witnessing the crime. (CBCPNews)
But he also said there seems to be a failure between life and praxis fooling people.
for many, as some remain entombed in their sinful practices and “To aspire for development without sacrifice, to enjoy progress
failed to help others live better. without discipline or to seek redemption from evil without dying Roadside / A5
Lagdameo stressed that everyone needs to play a constructive role to sin, is akin to looking for Jesus where He could never be found,” lost the grace of commitment. That would be a tragic thing to say
in building a better nation since nobody can do it alone. Rosales said. of any Christian disciple whoever he/she is.
“We can only build a better nation if all of us will do all we can There are two important moments of commitment for a Christian
all the time…” he said. National transformation disciple: one, an unswerving loyalty to Jesus Christ as the Supreme
For Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, following in a personal Value and Treasure of life itself; and, two, a decision to bring to the
Solidarity way the pattern of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection may future our choice for Jesus Christ and the values of the kingdom.
He pointed out that it is impossible to move the country ahead if guide Christians towards moral transformation. One of my professors in College English literature was named “Ivy”.
g sector shifts in different directions. He said, however, that “self-control attained through voluntary She had a suitor who sent her a card which I happened to read when
“No one group can build a better country in contraposition with self sacrifice” can change in attitude and relationship towards God it fell from her table. The card spelled her name: “I-V(alue)-Y(ou)”.
other groups, neither the executive alone, nor congressmen alone, and other people be only possible.
I think I learned from him one aspect of discipleship which is also
nor senators alone, nor Supreme Court alone, nor any group of civil It is also through sacrifice, the former CBCP President said, that
true to loving. It is to hold Jesus the Master as our foremost treasure
society alone, nor church people alone. They need to affirm and can make the long and much-desired national transformation at-
confirm the potential of one another,” added the prelate. tainable and achievable. and value above all others. If I truly see Jesus Christ this way in my
In working together for the common good and celebrating the “What only remain needed are leaders with authentic Easter life as a Christian and as a priest, commitment would be my natural
positive things people have done for others and for the good of the experience who will inspire and bring about collectively a national response. Secondly, commitment reminds me of a permanent deacon
country, the message of Easter is being realized, he said. mobilization and coordination of these transformed individual I’ve met years ago, who married to someone who contracted cancer.
“We can do this by commemorating the good that others have towards a common cause and welfare,” Capalla said. When she was extremely ill, it was he who would bathe her, carrying
done in support of truth versus lies; by consecrating our present her in his arms almost daily and caring for her. When friends asked
in the works of justice and peace; and by celebrating the small Hope him how he got the strength to do what he was doing, he said: “Well,
acts of victory in the campaign to build a better nation,” said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz also said that Easter I’m only being true to my word when I married her!” That deacon
Lagdameo. is equivalent to hope. taught me how commitment made bringing the choices or decisions I
Thus, he said, while life in the country is hard and “even becom- made in the past (Baptismal, ordination, marriage vows, for instance)
Sacrifice ing worse” because of the global financial crisis “but we should not into both my present and future circumstances as well.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, for his part, lose hope.”
said that daily self-sacrifice in imitation of Christ was the key to the “Why not? Christ rose from the dead and Christ himself said that: Obama / A3
Christian life. ‘Behold I have risen. I am with you,’” Cruz said. (with reports from Carlo Rossella predicted that Kennedy would be considered for
Sacrifice and renunciation belong to the just life, he said and Roy Lagarde) the Vatican position. Rosella explained that after Sen. John Kerry
was passed over in favor of Sen. Hillary Clinton for the position of
Laiko / A4 Secretary of State, he asked two favors of President Obama, one of
ernance, including provisions of each construction project. of budgetary appropriations. so as not to depend on Local Gov- which was to name his former brother-in-law David Thorne as the
the procurement law designed to Another huge budget of P11.3 COMELEC personnel who hold ernment support for COMELEC ambassador to Italy.
prevent corruption. billion for the automated elec- office in the different regions of office spaces and casual workers Kerry’s second request was that Kennedy, herself aspiring to
As we all know by now, in- tion for 2010 is something to the country, for lack of funds, in the different regions; Clinton’s vacated Senate seat in New York, be appointed the ad-
frastructure projects, especially watch. COMELEC lawyers say depend on the Local Govern- - Immediate Appointment of ministration’s Vatican ambassador.
the multimillion-peso projects that since COMELEC is a consti- ment Units to support their local personnel to COMELEC’s vacant While some observers of the Vatican-Obama diplomatic debate
are under suspicion of being the tutional body, it can do its own operation. Casuals are assigned positions and have said that the Holy See is being too demanding, the Secretary
source of funds for the election bidding process. Haven’t they to the local COMELEC office by - Provide budget for personnel of State official contacted by CNA dismissed the notion.
campaign. Rigging of bids is al- learned of the Supreme Court’s the Mayor or local official. The training. “The Holy See has always set a very simple standard: the person
ready a common occurrence and declaring null and void the lack of budget support for this There is real danger that the should not be in opposition to fundamental teachings of the Church
although there are civil society 2007 purchase of election count- COMELEC activity is due to the lack of trained personnel who that belong to our common shared humanity. He or she may not
observers in the Bids and Awards ing machines? There is much bureaucratic red tape – either the are needed to operate the 80,000 believe in Catholic dogma if he or she is not a Catholic, but we could
Committees of government insti- argument about the selection budget was disapproved by Con- machines for the automated elec- not accept someone who is in favor of abortion, or (human) cloning
tutions, there is always a way of the right automation equip- gress or if approved, it was not tion may become in the end, the or same-sex unions equated to marriage,” the official said.
to go about the system when ment for encoding, counting and released by the Department of immediate cause of failure of the “That is a fairly simple principle that governments like, say,
it comes to sourcing funds for transmission of electoral returns Budget and Management which 2010 elections. Spain and Cuba, or Mr. Clinton’s administration, have been able to
political campaign. The World to the municipal/provincial/ require the prior approval of the Every potential candidate is understand without a problem.”
Bank case of bid-rigging of the national levels. The resolve is Office of the President. now campaigning even before The official said that the debate around the chances of Prof. Kmiec
First National Road Improve- that it should be dagdag-bawas- Mr. Ramon Casiple, well the official campaign period to become Vatican Ambassador “is closed.” “He nailed the last nail
ment Project recently exposed by proof. In spite of the sincerity, known Political Analyst, during which starts this November. in the coffin with his latest “disappointing position on embryonic
media is a case in point. credibility and moral integrity of the April 1 forum of Ateneo’s With the approval of the P11.3 stem cell research.” (CNA)
The rush for completion of COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo, G-Watch presentation of “Baby billion budget for complete auto-
infrastructure projects in 2009 he is governing a group that Steps to Good Governance in mation of the 2010 elections, the Youth / A1
is an invitation to short-cut pro- utterly lacks the basic support COMELEC” gave this observa- people are lulled to complacen- parishes.
curement procedures. Multi-bil- system for good governance. tion and recommendation: cy. They believe that all will be “Priests and lay people who exert a genuine effort in establishing
lion peso infrastructure projects A recent study of Ateneo’s G- COMELEC has spent all its well and the democratic election strong linkages of communion and participation will surely succeed
will have to start immediately Watch on the budgetary system time in the task of preparing for process will be a success. The ba- by the grace of God.
without undergoing review by of COMELEC disclosed a big gap the automation of the 2010 elec- sic system for good governance “They may not succeed in making their relationship perfect, but
the Procurement Transparency in good governance – there is no tions. It must now give time and in COMELEC is a problem not they will succeed in becoming a true community of sinners who are
Group (PTG) whose task is to COMELEC Operating Manual for attention to tackle its deficiency seen by all voters. It is as clear striving to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is,” he said.
detect procurement anomalies Budgetary Management–a docu- in governance. These are: as day that the lack of GOOD Cortes added the younger generation’s youthfulness will counteract
including the rigging of bids ment of written standards and - COMELEC has no Opera- GOVERNANCE in COMELEC the cynicism that often affects the old.
and overpricing. The system of procedures for implementation tions Manual—Act on this im- will not give assurance that the “Your eternal youthfulness, with the inspiration of the Santo Niño,
governance for infrastructure of budget appropriation, release mediately; national elections will be clean! is against the cynicism that affects adults and tempts them to give
project implementation will be a and usage. A standard is used - Initiate complete manage- Whoever gets elected President up all hope,” he said.
system for political expediency to detect deviations which will ment and operational audit of the will have a danger of not being As such, the prelate invited the youth to remain young at heart “by
and not for good governance to tell one what is right or wrong COMELEC organization; recognized by the people as the being a child and acknowledging our childhood before the Father.”
attain the quality standards for in the management and control - COMELEC budget is needed winner! (Kris Bayos)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
A7
News Briefs
Prison concert hailed as life-changing event
Cardinal Vidal challenges
his clergy: Repent!
DAVAO CITY—A musical concert staged by prison inmates
here on April 4 drew enthusiastic acclaim from Davao Arch-
bishop Fernando Capalla who said it was first time in history
and a life-changing event. He lauded the concert saying, “We
made history not only here in Davao but all throughout the
Philippines.” “The performers (inmates) succeeded in show-
ing to the people their skills and talents. All the more, I will Vidal to his priests during the Chrism Mass own good and for the good of the people,”
say that there is hope for reform. There is hope for change,” he on March 31 at the Cebu Metropolitan Ca- said the prelate.
said. (Mark Ventura) thedral. “Come now, my Brother Priests, let us be
“As priests who renew our vows today, “hot” or “cold” for the right reasons. “Hot”
Holy Week in Davao generally peaceful let us acknowledge our sins. First of all, let for justice, but “cold” to partisan politics.
DAVAO CITY—With the security tightened and the help of us admit our lack of prayer. Have we been “Hot” in giving service through faith-guided
the people, the Easter Triduum celebration in the Archdiocese faithful in our daily prayers, in spending leadership, but “cold” to the possibility of
time before the Blessed Sacrament?” the wielding power. Let us be “hot” in serving
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
of Davao was generally peaceful and successful, police said.
Earlier, DRPO director Chief Supt. Pedro Tanago ordered cardinal said in his homily. God and His people, but “cold” to self-
police authorities to tighten the security on all public transport Touching on obedience and fidelity to du- interest and self-serving schemes.”
terminals and other places in the city that might be a possible ties and responsibilities, he asked his priests The nave of the cathedral was almost filled
target for terror attacks. (Mark Ventura) if they “really loved the people of God en- by priests numbering over 300, making this
trusted to them with all their hearts?” year’s Chrism Mass one of the most well at-
‘God never abandons; he helps even if seems so far’ As the ones responsible in taking care of tended by the clergymen in recent years.
DAVAO CITY—A priest who has experienced arrest, torture the Church’s material goods, he challenged Nuns, seminarians and lay people were
and imprisonment during the Martial law years shared that God CEBU CITY—In time for the Renewal of his clergy further by asking them if they have also on hand, bringing along with them
never abandons his people in times of suffering. Redemptorist Priestly Vows within the liturgy, Cebu they been “faithful stewards of the goods of flasks of oil which were blessed by the car-
Fr. Amado Picardal said “it is natural that people who suffer so Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged the Church entrusted to them.” dinal towards the end of the mass.
much often feel forsaken and abandoned.” (Mark Ventura) his priests, in the wake of the forthcom- He expressed confidence, however, that The celebration was started with the bless-
ing opening of 75th Anniversary of Cebu his priests continue to strive to be faithful ing and unveiling of the new rededos or
Archbishop lauds clergy, religious, lay as modern-day archdiocese on April 28, “to take the lead in doing their priestly duties. retablos of the altar of the Cebu Cathedral
in renewing the local Church by asking for “I am not afraid that my priests have installed a few days before as centerpiece of
prophets
forgiveness.” grown cold in their ministry. I know they the refurbishing works done on the church
DAVAO CITY— Archbishop Fernando Capalla has lauded the
courage exerted by some members of the clergy, religious and “Repent and renew your lives!” are not. I know that some of you are very for the coming Diamond Jubilee of the arch-
lay people who were not afraid to exercise their prophetic mis- This was the strong message of Cardinal zealous. Sometimes, too zealous for your diocese. (Fr. Marnell Mejia)

Prelate urges flock to approach sacraments

sion especially in Davao City. Capalla, during the Chrism Mass
last Thursday, reminded the clergy that they were ordained
in the three-fold ministry of priest, prophet and pastor. “Our
(clergy) ministry therefore includes the sacramental/liturgical

with humility
ministry, the prophetic ministry and the pastoral ministry,” he OZAMIZ CITY—Archbishop seem, said the archbishop.
said. (Mark Ventura) Jesus Dosado urged his flock to He added that it means pu-
approach the sacraments with rifying one another by bearing
Legazpi clergy attends retreat a humble and chaste heart, say- table with him, with God himself, our dirty feet so that we might be with one another and by being
LEGAZPI CITY—About 50 priests from the Diocese of Legazpi ing that the message of Holy he added. admitted to take our place at his tolerant of others; by giving one
attended the Holy Monday Retreat at the Chancery here, to Thursday invites all the faithful At his homily during the Mass table, the prelate said. another the sanctifying power
spiritually equip them in their ministry. “While we work hard to live in humble and loving of the Lord’s Supper at the Im- Explaining the rite of the wash- of the Word of God and intro-
to provide for the spiritual needs of our parishioners this Lent service of one another. maculate Conception Cathedral ing of the feet, the prelate said ducing one another into the
and Holy Week, let us not also forget that we, too, need nourish- “Today, the Lord invites Parish April 9, the prelate said “washing one another’s feet” Sacrament of divine love.
ment for our spirit and ministry” said Apostolic Vicar Bishop us to imitate his humility, to God’s unconditional love for man means doing good work for others, “The Lord purifies us, and
Lucilo B. Quiambao. (Elmer Bandol) entrust ourselves to it, to let led him to cast aside the raiment especially for the suffering and for for this reason we dare to ap-
ourselves be “infected” by it,” of his divine glory and put on the those other people may not con- proach his table. Let us pray
Prelate urges priests to live holy, obedient life the prelate said. garb of a slave. sider to be worth much the time. to him to give to all of us the
OZAMIZ CITY— Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM has called He invites us—however lost He came down to the extreme Washing one another’s feet grace of being able to one day
on his priests to live a life of holiness and obedience even as we may feel—to return home, lowliness of our fall. He kneels means above all tirelessly forgiving be guests for ever at the eternal
he urged the faithful to pray for them. In his homily for the to let his purifying goodness before us and carries out for us one another, beginning together nuptial banquet,” Dosado said.
Chrism Mass and renewal of priestly vows at the Immaculate uplift us and enable us to sit at the service of a slave: he washes anew, however pointless it may (Wendell Talibong)
Conception Cathedral Parish this city, Dosado said the Church,
in conferring the sacrament of Holy Orders, ontologically con-
stitutes the priest as an “alter Christus,” and establishes him as
a minister of the word, the prophetic action and pastoral love
of Christ. (Wendell Talibong)
BUC launches Konsult Mindanaw of peace as a by-product of the community
consultation it will also awaken personal
sacrifice and institutional commitment for
DAVAO CITY—The Bishops-Ulama Con- practitioners, and children. the sake of peace in Mindanao.
Prelate urges Catholics to live with sincere heart ference (BUC), on March 3, has launched its Alejo dismissed the reports that the com- “In Konsult Mindanaw, what we need
MATI CITY— One thing to ponder on Holy Week is the value of commissioned project Konsult Mindanaw munity consultation process of Konsult from the people is their passionate com-
living life with a sincere and truthful heart. Mati Bishop Patricio for a sincere response to the people’s desire Mindanaw will replace the formal peace mitment for peace. We will generate idea
Alo said that if one has a sincere heart then conversion is not for broader participation in the Mindanao talks between the Government Republic of from them that will somehow help in the
difficult to achieve and is always obedient to the will of God. peace process. the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic peace talk and will also help in bringing
He added that amid the cracks and complexities of this earthly Jesuit Priest Fr. Albert Alejo, project di- Liberation Front (MILF). peace come true in Mindanao,” said Alejo,
life, the people are still called by God to live a life with sincere rector of Konsult Mindanaw said that the “We are not the designated team for the also an anthropologist who is committed to
and truthful hearts. (Mark Ventura) thrust of the project is to involve all people formal peace talks. What we will do is to peace-making and anti-graft and corrupt
in the consultation process for peace in consult various groups in Mindanao and advocacy.
Washing of the feet implies commandment of love Mindanao. ask for their ideas and suggestions. Their The dialogues are expected to be held
SAN CARLOS CITY—The washing of the feet of the apostles by “The consultation process should involve suggestions might help to hasten the peace between April and June this year but the
Jesus during the Last Supper implies a commandment of love, a everyone, not only those experts for peace. process,” said Alejo. entire project will last until December. (Mark
priest said during the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper here. Konsult Mindanaw will see to it that the He added that with the common visions S. Ventura)
Fr. Hernan Caronongan, parish priest of the Holy Family Parish different sectors of Muslims, Christians, and
this city, said that the Lord’s washing the feet of his apostles Lumads will have a voice in the peace pro- BNPP / A1
during the Last Supper signifies Jesus’s love and service to His cess. It is important for Konsult Mindanaw to Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM), and Ana Maria Nemenzo from the Freedom from
people. (Kate Laceda) know what the people think,” Alejo said. Debt Coalition (FDC) are some of the representatives from the civil groups.
Konsult Mindanaw in its series of con- Photo exhibits, group discussions, and film showing were also included in the event.
sultation and dialogue will include the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) was constructed in 1976 under the Marcos adminis-
Killings / A1 youth, women, urban poor, professionals, tration. It was completed in 1984 at a cost of $2.3 billion, but it was shelved before it became
(as long as [there is]) peace, business goes on. But not at the expense business practitioners, rural poor, peasants, operational.
of the Law and the people,” he added. academe, ulama (for Muslims), Madra- The succeeding administration of Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the plant after
He said he cannot understand why they (businessmen) would sah (for Muslims), traditional leaders (for citing 4,000 defects in its design and construction.
rather have a ‘Wild, Wild West and a Dirty Harry just to keep the Muslims and lumad), religious leaders, the On January 2008, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an international
city peaceful.’ ” non-government organizations (NGOs) and organization that aims to promote the nonviolent use of nuclear energy, headed by Akira
The victims of the so-called Davao Death Squads (DDS) are or- the internally displaced persons (IDPs) or Omoto inspected the BNPP for rehabilitation prospects.
dinary people, according to Capalla. “bakwet.” The Department of Energy through the National Power Corporation signed a memo-
“They are not professionals. Some of them have been killed out- There will also be special group discus- randum of agreement with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to conduct a
side the Catholic Church in Sta. Ana. Most of them were ordinary sion among artists, armed groups, media feasibility study on the possible revival of the BNPP last December 2008. (Kate Laceda)
people,” he added.
Reiterating earlier media reports, Capalla said most of the victims
were suspected to have been involved in the illegal drug trade or CBCP Communications Development Foundation, Inc. (CBCP Media Office)
just drug users.
The prelate said he had not seen any victim of the dreaded DDS, Schedules of Training Seminars for 2009
but his priests have said Masses in parish churches and funeral
parlors for the victims. 1. Information Technology Awareness May 4-15 (tentative)
(This seminar is an introduction to information technology. Participants are Participants: Laguna cluster/ Manila cluster
Fear for their safety hold back possible witnesses to testify, said taught the basic knowledge and skills in computer, internet and multimedia. Venue: Laguna/Intramuros
Capalla, although his priests have been approached by people will- This is best for school administrators, nuns, priests and bishops.)
ing to be a witness. Watch for the schedule dates of the following:
According to the prelate, a former member of the so-called Davao April 23-24 (Thursday – Friday) - 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Death Squad has fled the group and now wishes to testify. Maximum of 15 participants 5. Educational Technology (Ed Tech)
Registration fee: P500.00 (inclusive of lunch and snacks) (This training module is intended for teachers of Catholic schools. It
“There are witnesses willing to testify as long as the church would Venue: CBCPWorld Training Room, 3rd Flr., 470 Gen. Luna St. Intra- teaches how to integrate computer/internet applications into the academic
guarantee their safety,” Capalla said. muros, Manila subject/curriculum.)
The prelate lauded PCHR chairperson Leila De Lima’s decision to
conduct hearings in Davao saying it’s “a very welcome sign,” even 2. Web design – Beginners’ course July, August, September (or depending on the availability of clients)
though it took them sometime to act on people’s complaints. (Learn how to conceptualize, design and maintain websites. This module Venue: On site
is tailored for catechists, pastoral workers and youth groups interested
in harnessing websites as a new avenue for catechesis and evangeliza- 6. Multimedia for Catechists
‘Oratio imperata’ tion.)
(An introductory course to the amazing world of multimedia which includes
Earlier, the archbishop issued an oratio imperata (obligatory
May 25-29 (Monday – Friday) - 1:00-5:00 p.m. videography, video editing and online sharing. This is best for catechists
prayer) urging the Davao faithful to pray it on bended knees after and pastoral workers.)
Holy Communion during Mass. Minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 participants
Registration fee: P800 (inclusive of snacks)
The prayer partly reads: “these wounds are the hatred and dislike Venue: CBCPWorld Training Room, 3rd Flr., 470 Gen. Luna St. Intra- October 2009 (tentative)
of drug addicts and drug pushers, the senseless disregard of due muros, Manila
process of law, the violent killing of mere suspects, the crass taking 7. System Administration (SysAd) (for CBCPWorld clients only)
(Note: This seminar-workshop is scheduled from May until August. (A highly technical training course for Systems and Network Administra-
of the law into one’s hands, the lustful greed in the hooded killers on
June-August seminar dates will be made available later.) tors, this program is offered especially to those administering local area
motor bikes, the baseless claim that there are no witnesses, the inhu- networks of Catholic schools. The training features bandwidth and server
man disrespect for life of the unborn from womb to tomb, and the 3. Web design 2 management on a Linux platform.)
unjust socio-political system that tolerates all these to happen.” (Participants should have basic knowledge of MSQL and PHP)
“The other DADITAMA bishops already have copies of this prayer October and November 2009
and they told me many people are seeing the effects of the prayer in September 21-25 (Monday-Friday) Venue: On site
their areas like Mati,” Capalla said. 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 participants 8. PC Assembly/Hardware/Software Troubleshooting
He disclosed that an Augustinian missionary informed him that Registration fee: P800 (inclusive of snacks) (Intended for computer technicians, this training module teaches basic
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal has already ordered his Venue: CBCPWorld Training Room, 3rd Flr., 470 Gen. Luna St. Intra- skills in network management which includes hardware configurations,
priests to read the obligatory prayer in the province where killings muros, Manila IP addressing and network structuring.)
also take place.
4. System Administration (SysAd) (for CBCPWorld clients only) 9. Newswriting
“As a Churchman, I believe this is the response, we go to the Au- (A highly technical training course for Systems and Network Administra- (This seminar-workshop features writing news stories from a distinctively
thor of Life because the killers, the drug lords, pushers are not our tors, this program is offered especially to those administering local area catholic perspective which CBCPNews calls “Catholic Journalism.” This
enemies, our enemy is the system,” he added. networks of Catholic schools. The training features bandwidth and server is especially intended for those involved in print media or those contem-
Capalla sounded optimistic peace would once again reign in management on a Linux platform.) plating on putting up one.)
Davao.
April 27-29 (Monday-Wednesday)
“As a Christian, I hope and hope is a theological virtue and every- Participants: Tarlac Cluster
one should see the goodness of every person,” he explained. Venue: Tarlac
“In our Bishop-Ulama Conference, we all believe in the goodness
of every person. Here as in the BUC, every Mindanaoan should be Most of these training programs are conducted for free, especially to institutions that are members of the CBCPWorld Network. Trainings are held
either at the CBCPWorld Training Center in Intramuros, Manila or at local dioceses. Interested party may contact CBCP Media Office at tel/
guided by the moral values of their respective religions,” Capalla fax 5274139 / CBCPWorld at tels. 404-2182; 404-1612.
added. (CBCPNews)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECHC

Church marks Catholic Care for

Mentally challenged children with their teachers and parents at a fun-filled celebration of the Catholic Care for the Mentally Challenged Day last April 4.

the Mentally Challenged Day

WITH thousands suffering mental problems across the country,
the Catholic Church has recently marked the Catholic Care for the
Mentally Challenged Day.
Held on April 4 at the Paco Catholic Church, the event called for
the disabled persons’ full equality and integration into social life
and development.
The Episcopal Commission on Health Care (ECHC) of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said the event was aimed to
create awareness on the issue.
Fr Luke Moortgat, ECHC executive secretary, said the activity
was also intended to promote an understanding with the rights of
people who are mentally ill.
“It was a fun-day for the teachers, caregivers, parents, to those
people who care for them,” he said.
Moortgat also added that various issues on mentally challenged
people were tackled in a series of talks during the whole-day activity.
Different organizations with an advocacy for mentally challenged
people participated in the gathering.
The church official said they are working hard to make sure that
they support mentally-challenged people and the disabled.
The ECHC is at the forefront of the church’s campaign for help
for the disabled. They have been calling on the public not to forget
the needs of the handicapped.
There are about four million disabled people in the country. Sadly,
he said, they are not properly cared for and many people don’t even

Canon lawyers to focus on

know how to attend to them.
“Let us care for the people who will never know what day of
the week it is and much more the name of the benefactors,” said
Moortgat. (Kate Laceda)

pastoral care for OFWs Markings

EMPOWERING overseas Filipino workers
to be agents of evangelization is the topic of
discussion for the upcoming 17th National
Convention of the Canon Law Society of the
Philippines (CLSP) in Vigan City.
Aptly themed “The Filipino Migrant
Worker: A Canonico-Pastoral Challenge
to the Philippine Church,” the convention
will be hosted by the Diocese of Vigan at
the Vigan Culture & Trade Center from
April 20 to 23.
According to organizers, while OFWs
keep the economy of the country afloat, they
likewise “bring a sprout of faith, hope and
charity” to their host countries.
“It has been observed that many Churches
in Europe rejoice at the presence of OFWs
because of the religious vitality that they
bring with them. They have a faith that in
Europe is not as strong, not as warm, and it
is certain that the cultural spirit of the OFWs
helps in the ecclesiastical celebrations,” the
CLSP said in a statement.
As such, the CLSP believes that the
country’s modern heroes should be given
adequate pastoral care so as to help them CELEBRATED. Archbishop Jesus
fully realize their potential for evangeli- Tuquib, emeritus of the Archdiocese of
zation. Cagayan de Oro, 50th sacerdotal an-
“It is in the light of this need that the niversary, March 14, 2009. Archbishop
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ concelebrated
CLSP shall focus on the canonical aspects of the thanksgiving Mass at the Metro-
the pastoral care of the Filipino migrants,” politan Cathedral with seven clerics who
it added. also celebrated their 7th sacerdotal an-
Speakers in the three-day confab are Dr. niversary. Archbishop-emeritus Tuquib
Maruja Asis, Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing, J.C.D, was ordained priest on March 14, 1959.
He was born on June 27, 1930 at Clarin
Fr. Jaime Achacoso, J.C.D., and Fr.Elias Bohol. He served as bishop of Pagadian
Ayuban, J.C.D. (Kris Bayos) for eleven years. He was the archbishop
of Cagayan de Oro for 18 years before

CFA to hold its Zambo youth

Archbishop Ledesma took the helm on March 16, 2006.

CELEBRATED. Veritas846
Radyo Totoo, 40th anniver-

19th Catechetical gears up for

sary of foundation, April 12,
2009, at the Cuneta Astro-
dome, Pasay City. Dubbed as
“the voice of Catholic Asia,” Radio Veritas’ first studios and headquarters

Congress
along Fairview, Quezon City were inaugurated on April 11, 1969. The

post-Easter camp
THE Communications Foundation for Asia (CFA) will hold
its 19th Catechetical Congress at the CFA head office in Sta.
Mesa, Manila.
Evelyn Alinea, head of the Catechetical Resource Center, said
that the congress for catechetical workers will focus on liturgy
and catechesis teaching.
Resource speakers include Sr. Paz Bandalan, FMA, will talk
about catechesis while Joseph Xavier from the Archdiocesan
Catechetical Ministry will discuss on the liturgy.
Media and Faith will be topic of the Fr. Stephen Cuyos’ talk.
He’s the Supervisor of the Electronics and Media Department
of CFA.
Participants of the gathering, mostly parish workers, parish
coordinators and Christian Living teachers, are expected to be
coming from various dioceses across the country.
With the theme “Active Learning in Catechesis and Liturgy,”
the convention will be held on April 19-24 and May 10-15 at
the CFA. (Kate Laceda)
inaugural rites led by Papal representative Antonio Cardinal Samore
and Rufino Cardinal Santos, was also graced by the presence of other
distinguished Church guests, Cardinal Cooray of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka),
Cardinal Rosales of Cebu, then-Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Camire
Rocco, Archbishop Ippolito Rotoli of South Korea, Archbishop Benedict Ma.
AT least 1,000 youth delegates from the different parishes in Zam- Gregorius of Trivandrum, India, Archbishop Lino Gonzaga of Zamboanga,
boanga City are expected to gather at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and Bishop Francis Hsu of Hong Kong. Radio Veritas envisions itself as
“a faith-centered Catholic radio industry leader committed to evangeliza-
Parish for their three-day summer youth camp this week. tion.” Veritas seeks to build a community of radio listeners that is Listening,
Slated on April 16 to 18, the Zamboanga City Archdiocesan Sum- Learning and Loving, through its various programs aimed at evangelizing
mer Youth Camp 2009 is themed “Celebra Jovenes de Zamboanga the totality of the human person.
junto con Cristo con su grande amor y esperanza” (Urging the youth
AWARDED. Fr. Robert Hogan S.J., an
of Zamboanga to walk with Christ with great love and hope, for in Irish-American missionary to the Philip-
Him we will never be confounded). pines for over fifty years; recipient of
As a post-Easter youth camp, it will commemorate the passion, Archbishop Thibault Award, March 21;
death and resurrection of Christ, according to organizers. for his commendable works in organiz-
ing the Daily Bread feeding program.
With the leadership of their parish priest Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Can- Daily Bread feeding program started as
dido and his youth coordinator Aaron Mendoza, the Our Lady of a product of Hogan’s experience and
Peñafrancia Parish will be the host of this year’s youth camp. acquaintance with students of Ateneo
The main activities features inputs and catechesis, group sharing, de Davao University (AdDU) who did not
have enough money or allowance for their
prayer night, sports fest, solidarity night and the “visita parroquia,”
meals. Hogan took this opportunity to
which focuses on the life, mission and faith of the youth in serving help more people in hunger and made this
their respective parishes. cause personal as he took upon himself
The activities of the camp will be held at the Silsilah Harmony the initiative to beg to provide daily food to students and others he had
Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City. (Angelica Gozum) known to have no food. AdDU then adopted the program and gave funding
for students needing lunch and agreed to provide funding for lunch for 100
students each year. Hogan devoted his time to the program following his

Phil. Misereor holds 3rd national assembly

THE Philippine Misereor Partnership
(PMPI), a non-government organization
working in tandem with a German Funding
Agency held its 3rd National Assembly last
March 9-12 in Cebu City.
Themed “Affirm the Past, Celebrate the
Present, Engage the Future,” the assembly
had gathered together various organizations
that help the poor.
Three farmers, representing Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao gave the opening
addresses while Mr. Thomas Ankowiak of
Misereor delivered the inspirational mes-
sage.
PMPI is the local counterpart of Misereor,
formally known as The German Catholic
Bishops Organization for Development
Cooperation.
Misereor, which is based in Aachen Ger-
many assists in funding various projects
aimed at helping the poor live decent lives.
The funding agency, with the help of
local partners, identifies critical issues that
require collaborative action like poverty al-
leviation, democratic governance and peace
retirement from teaching in 2007 and spent most of the time looking for
funding for the Daily Bread feeding program. In 2008, for health reasons,
Hogan was assigned to retreat work at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon
City. He has subsequently been moved to the Fr. Jesus Lucas Infirmary
at Loyola House of Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University campus. In
close to sixty years of religious life, of which almost fifty have been spent
as a Jesuit missionary in the Philippines, Hogan has been a teacher and
religious formator, priest and spiritual director, friend and counselor, fund-
raiser, beggar and provider for those in need.
ORDAINED.
Caster K. Gonsa-
dan, Apostolic Vi-
cariate of Bontoc
Lagawe; Angelo
Paul M. Fernando,

Northern Luzon youth to gather for summer bible camp

building. Diocese of Caba-
Misereor, through PMPI, has been sup- natuan; Ronald M.
porting various projects in the country over Roberto, Diocese
YOUNG people of Northern Luzon can look forward to a fruitful summer break im- of Cubao; John
the years. Rany P. Geral-
mersed in interaction with fellow youth while reflecting on the Scriptures.
The groups-beneficiaries of Misereor fund- dino, Archdiocese
John Paul I Biblical Center for Northern Luzon is hosting a Summer Bible Youth Camp
ing include 94 church-based organizations, of Manila; Russel
on April 13-19 at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Peñarrubia, Abra. G. Ocampo, Archdiocese of Manila; Fernando L. Sabado Jr., LRMS,
144 non-government organizations, and nine
The event is open to all young faithful in Northern Luzon. Archdiocese of Manila; and Michael B. Villaflor, Archdiocese of Manila; to
people’s organizations. the Sacred Order of Deacons, by His Excellency Bernardino C. Cortez,
Organizers said the gathering aims to strengthen the basic formation of the youth on
The assembly gave participants the chance Auxiliary Bishop of Manila. The seven candidates were ordained at the
liturgy, sacred scriptures, human relationships, leadership skills and catechesis.
to share ideas, exhibits and products. Like- San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel, Makati City on March 21, 2009.
The one-week event will also underscore the youth’s mission as agents of renewed
wise, it provided them significant lessons
evangelization and social transformation. ORDAINED. Reverend Fathers Romeo L. Jumao-as, SMQA; Reymundo
that can enhance their work with the poor.
The summer camp is expected to give the youth the chance to meet and create rap- C. Quito, SMQA; and Mario A. Diaz, SMQA; to the Sacred Order of
Among the participants in the gathering priesthood, March 25, 2009. The ordination rite was held at Immaculate
port among the student-catechists, biblical animators, youth leaders and liturgical
was Mindanao-based Silsilah Dialogue Conception Parish, presided by Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak of the Military
members. Ordinariate of the Philippines.
Movement represented by Silsilah president
This year’s theme of the Summer Bible Youth Camp is “Young Missionaries… Share
Aminda Saño, and Project coordinator Elsie
the Word.” (Kate Laceda) DIED. Sr. Ma. Lucia A. Quintia, RVM, 84, March 19, 2009.
Go. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009 Pastoral Concerns B1

‘The Resurrection is not

a Theory, but a
Historical Reality’

www.custosfidei.blogspot.com
Easter Message of Pope Benedict XVI before The Holy Father
he imparted his blessing “urbi et orbi” reflects on
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and thought to be the definitive destiny of human help him to affirm his victory using his own
throughout the world, life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen, weapons: the weapons of justice and truth,
symbolism of
Easter Vigil
From the depths of my heart, I wish all the “emptiness” would be set to prevail. If mercy, forgiveness and love. This is the
of you a blessed Easter. To quote Saint we take away Christ and his resurrection, message which, during my recent Apostolic
Augustine, “Resurrectio Domini, spes there is no escape for man, and every one of Visit to Cameroon and Angola, I wanted
nostra—the resurrection of the Lord is our his hopes remains an illusion. Yet today is to convey to the entire African continent,
hope” (Sermon 261:1). With these words, the the day when the proclamation of the Lord’s where I was welcomed with such great
VATICAN CITY, April 12, 2009—While many think the Church
great Bishop explained to the faithful that resurrection vigorously bursts forth, and it enthusiasm and readiness to listen. Africa
is dying, or ought to be dead already, it continues on, held up
Jesus rose again so that we, though destined is the answer to the recurring question of suffers disproportionately from the cruel
by the hands of Christ, says Benedict XVI.
to die, should not despair, worrying that the sceptics, that we also find in the book and unending conflicts, often forgotten,
The Pontiff said this as he reflected during his homily
with death life is completely finished; Christ of Ecclesiastes: “Is there a thing of which that are causing so much bloodshed and
Saturday at the Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on the three
is risen to give us hope (cf. ibid.). it is said, ‘See, this is new’?” (Ec 1:10). We destruction in several of her nations, and
main symbols used at the Easter Vigil: light, water, and the new
Indeed, one of the questions that most answer, yes: on Easter morning, everything from the growing number of her sons and
song—the Alleluia. During the Mass he baptized five adults:
preoccupies men and women is this: what was renewed. “Mors et vita, duello conflixere daughters who fall prey to hunger, poverty
three Italians men, a woman from China and a woman from
is there after death? To this mystery today’s mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus – and disease. I shall repeat the same message
the United States
solemnity allows us to respond that death Death and life have come face to face in a emphatically in the Holy Land, to which
“First of all,” he said, “there is light”: “Where there is light,
does not have the last word, because Life tremendous duel: the Lord of life was dead, I shall have the joy of travelling in a few
life is born, chaos can be transformed into cosmos.”
will be victorious at the end. This certainty but now he lives triumphant.” This is what weeks from now. Reconciliation—difficult,
“The resurrection of Jesus is an eruption of light,” he
of ours is based not on simple human is new! A newness that changes the lives but indispensable—is a precondition for
explained. “Death is conquered, the tomb is thrown open. The
reasoning, but on a historical fact of faith: of those who accept it, as in the case of the a future of overall security and peaceful
Risen One himself is Light, the Light of the world. With the
Jesus Christ, crucified and buried, is risen saints. This, for example, is what happened coexistence, and it can only be achieved
resurrection, the Lord’s day enters the nights of history.
with his glorified body. Jesus is risen so that to Saint Paul. through renewed, persevering and sincere
“Beginning with the resurrection, God’s light spreads
we too, believing in him, may have eternal Many times, in the context of the Pauline efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
throughout the world and throughout history. Day dawns. This
life. This proclamation is at the heart of the year, we have had occasion to meditate conflict. My thoughts move outwards from
Light alone—Jesus Christ—is the true light, something more
Gospel message. on the experience of the great Apostle. the Holy Land to neighbouring countries,
than the physical phenomenon of light. He is pure Light: God
As Saint Paul vigorously declares: “If Saul of Tarsus, the relentless persecutor of to the Middle East, to the whole world. At
himself, who causes a new creation to be born in the midst of
Christ has not been raised, our preaching is Christians, encountered the risen Christ on a time of world food shortage, of financial
the old, transforming chaos into cosmos.”
in vain and your faith is in vain.” He goes on the road to Damascus, and was “conquered” turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of
“At the Easter Vigil,” the Pontiff said, “the Church represents
to say: “If for this life only we have hoped in by him. The rest we know. In Paul there disturbing climate change, of violence and
the mystery of the light of Christ in the sign of the Paschal candle,
Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” occurred what he would later write about deprivation which force many to leave their
whose flame is both light and heat. The symbolism of light is
(1 Cor 15:14,19). Ever homelands in search of
connected with that of fire: radiance and heat, radiance and the
since the dawn of Easter “Even if through Easter, Christ has destroyed the a less precarious form
transforming energy contained in the fire -- truth and love go
a new Spring of hope root of evil, he still wants the assistance of men of existence, of the
together. The Paschal candle burns, and is thereby consumed:
has filled the world; ever-present threat of
from that day forward and women in every time and place who help him terrorism, of growing
The cross and the resurrection are inseparable.”
our resurrection has to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the fears over the future, it
Life and death
begun, because Easter weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness is urgent to rediscover
Benedict XVI said that the second symbol, water, has “two
does not simply signal
a moment in history, but and love. This is the message which, during my grounds for hope. Let
no one draw back from
opposed meanings”: “On the one hand there is the sea, which
appears as a force antagonistic to life on earth, continually
the beginning of a new recent Apostolic Visit to Cameroon and Angola, I this peaceful battle that
threatening it; yet God has placed a limit upon it. Hence the
condition: Jesus is risen wanted to convey to the entire African continent, has been launched by
book of Revelation says that in God’s new world, the sea will
not because his memory Christ’s Resurrection.
remains alive in the where I was welcomed with such great For as I said earlier,
be no more.
“It is the element of death. And so it becomes the symbolic
hearts of his disciples, enthusiasm and readiness to listen.” Christ is looking for
representation of Jesus’ death on the Cross: Christ descended
but because he himself men and women who
into the sea, into the waters of death, as Israel did into the Red
lives in us, and in him we can already savour to the Christians of Corinth: “If anyone is will help him to affirm his victory using his
Sea. Having risen from death, he gives us life.
the joy of eternal life. in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has own weapons: the weapons of justice and
“This means that baptism is not only a cleansing, but a new
The resurrection, then, is not a theory, passed away, behold, the new has come” truth, mercy, forgiveness and love.
birth: with Christ we, as it were, descend into the sea of death,
but a historical reality revealed by the man (2 Cor 5:17). Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra! The
so as to rise up again as new creatures.”
Jesus Christ by means of his “Passover”, his Let us look at this great evangelizer, who resurrection of Christ is our hope! This
He said the other “way in which we encounter water is in
“passage”, that has opened a “new way” with bold enthusiasm and apostolic zeal the Church proclaims today with joy. She
the form of the fresh spring that gives life, or the great river
between heaven and earth (cf. Heb 10:20). brought the Gospel to many different peoples announces the hope that is now firm and
from which life comes forth.”
It is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a in the world of that time. Let his teaching and invincible because God has raised Jesus
“Without water there is no life,” the Pontiff affirmed. “It is
vision or a utopia, it is not a fairy tale, but it example inspire us to go in search of the Lord Christ from the dead. She communicates
striking how much importance is attached to wells in sacred
is a singular and unrepeatable event: Jesus Jesus. Let them encourage us to trust him, the hope that she carries in her heart and
Scripture. They are places from which life rises forth. Beside
of Nazareth, son of Mary, who at dusk on because that sense of emptiness, which tends wishes to share with all people in every
Jacob’s well, Christ spoke to the Samaritan woman of the new
Friday was taken down from the Cross and to intoxicate humanity, has been overcome place, especially where Christians suffer
well, the water of true life.”
buried, has victoriously left the tomb. In fact, by the light and the hope that emanate from persecution because of their faith and their
Benedict XVI then reflected on the third symbol, “the singing
at dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, the resurrection. The words of the Psalm commitment to justice and peace. She invokes
of the new song—the alleluia.”
Peter and John found the tomb empty. have truly been fulfilled: “Darkness is not the hope that can call forth the courage to do
“When a person experiences great joy, he cannot keep it to
Mary Magdalene and the other women darkness for you, and the night is as clear good, even when it costs, especially when
himself,” he explained. “He has to express it, to pass it on. But
encountered the risen Jesus. On the way to as the day” (Ps 139 [138]:12). It is no longer it costs.
what happens when a person is touched by the light of the
Emmaus the two disciples recognized him emptiness that envelops all things, but the Today the Church sings “the day that
resurrection, and thus comes into contact with Life itself, with
at the breaking of the bread. The Risen One loving presence of God. The very reign of the Lord has made”, and she summons
Truth and Love? He cannot merely speak about it. Speech is
appeared to the Apostles that evening in death has been set free, because the Word people to joy. Today the Church calls in
no longer adequate. He has to sing.”
the Upper Room and then to many other of life has even reached the “underworld”, prayer upon Mary, Star of Hope, asking
“At the Easter Vigil, year after year, we Christians intone this
disciples in Galilee. carried by the breath of the Spirit (v. 8). her to guide humanity towards the safe
song after the third reading, we sing it as our song, because
The proclamation of the Lord’s Resurrection If it is true that death no longer has power haven of salvation which is the heart of
we too, through God’s power, have been drawn forth from the
lightens up the dark regions of the world in over man and over the world, there still Christ, the paschal Victim, the Lamb who
water and liberated for true life,” he said.
which we live. I am referring particularly remain very many, in fact too many signs has “redeemed the world”, the Innocent
to materialism and nihilism, to a vision of of its former dominion. Even if through one who has “reconciled us sinners with
A new song
the world that is unable to move beyond Easter, Christ has destroyed the root of the Father”. To him, our victorious King, to
Recalling the story from the Bible when Moses sang a song
what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats evil, he still wants the assistance of men him who is crucified and risen, we sing out
Vigil / B5
cheerlessly into a sense of emptiness which is and women in every time and place who with joy our Alleluia!
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

www.usccb.org
At the service of the Holy See (Part I): Adding names in
The Synod of Bishops Eucharistic Prayers
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following query:)
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. collaboration. aspects and its hierarchical position in the
2) Wide latitude of possibilities. Aside ecclesiastical organization.
from the synod of Bishops, which is In fact, during the deliberations on Q: The first three Eucharistic Prayers each include an
mentioned specifically, the canon does not text of c.343—which we shall deal with opportunity to mention particular names of either the faithful
Thank you for your explanation of the Petrineconcretize the way this collaboration is to below—it had been suggested that the
Office and the exercise of Papal Primacy. I have or the deceased, namely at the Memento’s (“Remember, Lord
be made, giving the Pope a wide latitude of synod be considered as an organ of ...”). When should the priest exercise these opportunities? Is it
sometimes wondered how the Popes—normally government of the universal Church, to
possibilities as far as calling to his assistance
seen as relatively fragile and elderly men—could permissible for one to omit the names in the Roman Canon?
other persons and other institutes according which the Commission responded that it Also, the Eucharistic Prayers wonderfully recall the lives of the
run the vast Catholic Church which now counts to the needs of the times. is rather a peculiar council of the sacred
about a billion souls worldwide. Even if Christ saints in heaven. Occasionally, a priest would add the name of
3) Vicariate power of jurisdiction. The Bishops, a stable council of bishops, which the saint whose feast day we might be celebrating and/or the
really wanted to build his Church on the rock canon states that all these persons and did not enjoy any legislative or decision-
that was Peter, surely even Peter was helped names of the saints who founded the religious order which the
institutes carry out the task committed making power, not even vicarious.1 Thus, priest belongs to (if he is religious). While this seems fitting, is
not only by the other Apostles but also—in to them by the Pope in his name and by the canonical legislator appears to have
time—by other presbyters whom he or the other this proper (especially when Eucharistic Prayer III explicitly
his authority (...) according to the norms wanted to diffuse the institutional aspects gives the option of adding the name of “the saint of the day
Apostles called to the ministry. Likewise, I defined by law. Thus we are dealing with of the Synod, preferring to emphasize
would imagine that the Pope is somehow helped or the patron saint” while no other Eucharistic Prayer gives
vicariate power of jurisdiction (in the strictits functional dynamics rather than its this option)?—J.G., Lewisville, Texas
in his ministry over the Catholic Church by sense). structural form.
the bishops (successors of the Apostles) and 2) It is not a representative body
other ministers. Can you shed some light on The Synod of Bishops A: As a general principle the names of the deceased, along
of the College of Bishops — Another with the specific formulas involved, are remembered in the
the matter? Although the “synodal principle” is an noteworthy omission—with respect to Eucharistic Prayers only when there is a specific reason for
ancient one in the Church—a reflection of earlier documents—is that of the adverbial doing so. This is, above all, the funeral Mass or a significant
I PRESUME you are referring to the the reality of communion as a fundamental clause taking the part of the whole
exercise by the Holy Father of the Supreme principle—it has been applied analogously Catholic Episcopate, which underscored anniversary of death.
Authority in the Catholic Church, and not in different settings. The present Synod of the representative character of the Synod On other occasions, if the Mass is being offered up for the
just his ministry over the Diocese of Rome Bishops is considered as one of the most with respect to the College of Bishops. The soul of a deceased person, the name is best mentioned at the
of which he is the bishop (hence the term important innovations to the canonical Pontifical Commission for the Revision of beginning of Mass or during the prayer of the faithful. Specific
Roman Pontiff). This matter is specifically order from Vatican Council II, instituted the CIC explained this omission by pointing names of the deceased should not be habitually mentioned
dealt with in Book II (The People of God), by Paul VI in the M.P. Sollicitudo comnium out the equivocal nature of the expression, during the Eucharistic Prayer.
Part II (The Hierarchical Constitution Ecclesiarum (24.VI.1969). Its nature has given that one cannot attribute to the A similar criterion applies for the living. With the exception
of the Church), Section I (The Supreme only been clarified of late, after an initial Synod such a representative character—in of the pope and bishop, living people are mentioned only on
Authority of the Church) of the Code of period of doctrinal controversy, or what strict juridical sense—with respect to the rare occasions. For example, on the occasion of a baptism the
Canon Law. godparents are mentioned at the Memento (“Remember Lord
some author would call a terminological Episcopal College.2 …”) while adult neophytes are mentioned at the moment of
impasse. 3) It is a special consultative body in the Hanc Igitur (“Father, accept this offering …”). Neophytes
Assistance in Exercising the Papal aid of the Primacy — At the positive
Primacy are usually recalled collectively at this moment during the
a. Canonical Nature of the Synod of level, we can affirm that perhaps the Easter octave.
Can.334 — In exercising his office the Bishops best way to understand the nature of
Roman Pontiff is assisted by the bishops Newlyweds are also named in a special Hanc Igitur and there
Can.342—The synod of bishops is that the synod is to consider it as a special are similar formulas for other occasions such as confirmation
who aid him in various ways consultative body which the
and among these is the synod of and ordination, although not all have the possibility of
bishops; moreover the cardinals
How could the Popes—normally Pope convenes—at his discretion
and for specific questions—in
mentioning particular names. These formulas are usually
assist him as do other persons seen as relatively fragile and elderly order to help him in the exercise found in the ritual for each sacrament rather than the order
of Mass.
and other institutes according to men—run the vast Catholic Church of his power of primacy over the Some bishops’ conferences have also composed similar
the needs of the times; all these
persons and institutes, in his
which now counts about a billion universal Church. This idea is
articulated in cc.343-344. In this
interventions for the other Eucharistic Prayers.
name and by his authority, carry souls worldwide? Even if Christ really regard, we need to steer off two Regarding mentioning the saints, each Eucharistic Prayer has
its own characteristics and these must be respected. Before Pope
out the task committed to them wanted to build his Church on the extreme positions, and make two John XXIII added St. Joseph, the Roman Canon traditionally
for the good of all the churches,
according to the norms defined
rock that was Peter, surely even Peter clarifications: a) It is not just any consultative
listed 24 saints (12 apostles and 12 martyrs) in two separate
by law. was helped not only by the other body — Rather, the authority
groups. This list may now be shortened to seven by omitting
the saints following St. Andrew in the first group and after St.
Even if c.334 does not Apostles but also—in time—by other of the synodal conclusions are Barnabas in the second.
mention any specific forms of
collaboration, aside from the
presbyters whom he or the other of the highest level—among
consultative bodies—not so
The full list is:
synod of bishops, the succeeding Apostles called to the ministry. much by the formal force of the
First: Peter and Paul, Andrew, (James, John, Thomas, James,
Chapters of the aforementioned Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude [apostles],
pronouncement, but by reason Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, [5 Popes] Cyprian
Section I (Supreme Church Authority) deal group of bishops who have been chosen of the representative and sacramental
with specific institutions: [bishop of Carthage], Lawrence [deacon], Chrysogonus, John
from different regions of the world and who qualities of the members of the synod. and Paul, Cosmas and Damian [5 laymen]).
1) The Synod of Bishops — dealt with in meet at stated times to foster a closer unity No less than John Paul II himself had
Chapter II (cc.342-348). Second: John the Baptist, Stephen [deacon protomartyr],
between the Roman Pontiff and the bishops, affirmed that the unanimous opinion of the Matthias, Barnabas [apostles], (Ignatius [bishop of Antioch],
2) The Cardinals of the Holy Roman to assist the Roman Pontiff with their Bishops gathered in a Synod constitutes a
Church — dealt with in Chapter III (cc.349- counsels in safeguarding and increasing pondus Ecclesiae peculiaris generis, quod Alexander [Pope], Marcellinus [priest, Peter [exorcist],
359). Felicity, Perpetua [2 married laywomen of Carthage], Agatha,
faith and morals and in preserving and alicuius voti consultivi rationem simpliciter Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia [4 virgins], Anastasia [laywoman of
3) The Roman Curia — dealt with in strengthening ecclesiastical discipline, formalem excedit.3
Chapter IV (cc.360-361). Sirmium]).
and to consider questions concerning the b) But neither is it a deliberative body — These lists thus represent the whole Church united in offering
4) The Legates of the Roman Pontiff — Church’s activity in the world. and should not be confused with the only
dealt with in Chapter V (cc.362-367). the most holy sacrifice of the altar insofar as Christians from all
Certain quarters have pointed out that episcopal collegial organ with deliberative strands have been deemed worthy of martyrdom, the ultimate
In this issue of CBCP Monitor, we shall the CIC had avoided the debate on the power, which is the Ecumenical Council.4
deal with the Synod of Bishops, and then canonical nature of the Synod of Bishops by Paul VI had clarified this point, affirming sacrifice for Christ. In this way the use of the full list, at least
tackle the other forms of assistance to the not providing a legal definition of the synod that the Synod can in no way be considered occasionally, can be very useful, among other messages, in
Pope in the succeeding issues. illustrating the universal call to holiness.
that might have resolved the question, like an Ecumenical Council, since it lacks the Of the other prayers, only Eucharistic Prayer III and the
and instead limited itself to a description. composition, the authority and the finality Eucharistic prayers for various needs have the possibility of
Before going deeper into the specific Nevertheless, to my mind the chapter on of such a Council. More recently, John Paul
institutions that help the Roman Pontiff, The Synod of Bishops (cc.342-348) does give II had reaffirmed this point.5 adding the name of the patron saint of the church or the saint
it is important to make some clarifications us enough elements—while conspicuously of the day. In this case it is probably a legitimate custom for a
c) Although hypothetically it can become religious priest to mention the name of his founder, especially
regarding the nature of this assistance. omitting certain others—to come up with a deliberative body — with a power
1) Personal exercise of Papal Primacy. a good notion of this institution. if celebrating in a church administered by his community.
delegated by the Roman Pontiff for specific It is not legitimate, however, for any priest to add the names
During the redaction of the canon, it was 1) It is a coetus episcoporum — i.e., cases, in which case he has to ratify its
made clear that the canon was dealing with an assembly or group of bishops. The decisions. Some authors have pointed out of saints if this possibility is not foreseen in the prayer itself.
the personal—not collegial—exercise of the terminological choice is important, because that this hypothesis has not been verified This means that a priest using the Roman Canon may invoke
supreme power. Thus, here we are dealing it shows the prevalence of the personal in fact up to the present, and I agree that the list of seven saints or all 24 but may not add any other
with collaborators of the Pope in his own and functional aspect rather than the even from the point of view of canonical names not included in this list. Likewise, he may not insert any
government of the universal Church. In organic-institutional. This point becomes technique, it would be quite clumsy. saint’s names in Eucharistic Prayers II or IV, or the Eucharistic
any case, this can be included in the wider more obvious when we consider that in Prayers for reconciliation.
sense of collegiality (not the strict sense of the M.P. Apostolica Sollicitudo, the Synod b. Types of Synods In short, if he desires to mention a patron saint, then he must
the College of Bishops as such) and only in had been defined as a central ecclesiastical choose the third anaphora, or, if the occasion warrants it, one
In the practical level, the CIC provides of the prayers for various needs.
this sense can it be referred to as a collegial institution—highlighting its structural Synod / B5

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
By Fr. Marvin A. Maceda
THE Diocese of Naval,
under the patronage of the
Our Lady of the Most Holy
Rosary, is the youngest
diocese among the five
dioceses in the ecclesiastical
province of Palo (in Eastern
Visayas). The diocese
straddles on two provinces:
the island province of
Biliran with ten parishes
under two vicariates and
the province of Leyte in
its northwestern part with
five parishes forming a
lone vicariate. Naval,
the seat of the diocese,
is also the capital town
of the island province of
Biliran. The people of
the diocese are mainly
into fishing and farming.
T wo distinct cu l t u r e s
and dialects characterize
the diocese: Bisayan and
Waray. The diocese serves
an estimated population
of 258,375 in 15 parishes.
Eighty-nine percent of
these are Catholics.
Challenges
The Diocese of Naval was canonically
erected in March 8, 1989 by the late
Pope John Paul II through his canonical
decree of erection Singulari Qui Dei
Consilio. Its territorial jurisdiction
(which covered almost the whole of the
then 3rd district of Leyte) was taken
from the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the mother Archdiocese of Palo. With
its erection came also the installation
of its first and current bishop, the Most
Rev. Filomeno G. Bactol, D.D.
Vocations were one of the concerns
of the bishop when the diocese
started. There were only twelve
priests then to take care of the
spiritual and pastoral needs of
the people of twelve parishes.
Even from among the twelve
were some volunteer priests
“loaned” by the Archdiocese
of Palo to compensate for the
lack of priests. To date, there
are already 30 priests serving
the diocese, a third of whom are
native of the diocese.
Another concern of
the bishop was
the Christian
education and
(OSC) who were enticed into coming
to the diocese out of the assurance of
the bishop that the only wealth the
diocese can offer them was the poverty
of Naval. The Poor Clare Monastery
of the Mother of the Eucharistic Lord
has today been considered the heart of
the diocese because of the hope it has
kindled in the hearts of many people
as a refuge of prayer and sanctity.
Other women religious congregations
that came upon the invitation of the
bishop were the Daughters of Santa
Teresa (DST) who took charge of the
catechetical program, the Sisters For
Christian Charity (SFCC) who focused
on BECs and their on-going formation,
the Sisters of the Angels (SA) who were
into pre-elementary education, and the
Sisters of St. John the Baptist (SJBB)
and the Sisters of Mary Adorers of the
Holy Eucharist (SMAHE) who were
also into Pre-elementary education
and formation of our young.
Franciscan Presence
Of importance to the diocese is the
Diocese
of Naval, find the context of our own
search for renewal…So that after
having established where we stand at
the moment in regard to our witnessing
and living out of the Gospel, we hope to
be able to charter a common course, a
common vision and mission that would
guide and direct us in the coming future
as we face the challenges of the faith
in the next millennium.”
The First Diocesan Synod of Naval
was celebrated last August 24-27, 1999
with 230 official delegates composed of
27 priests, 4 religious sisters and 199
lay and pastoral leaders. The result
of the synod was a unanimous clamor
for renewal through the decrees that
were passed and approved. This would
lead the diocese four years later (2013)
into crystallizing said call for renewal
through the implementation of the
Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).
This resulted in the formulation of
the vision-mission-goal statement of
the diocese that further made clear
and definite the form, substance and
direction of the renewal process.
B3
the resource-building initiative (RBI) clergy but has become their inspiration
of the diocese. instead to work closely together for the
realization of their dream of building
Goal a pastoral center. The center took
To establish and develop fully five years to build which depended
nourished Basic Ecclesiastical largely on the generosity of people
Communities made up of renewed and institutions both local and abroad.
neighborhood families journeying First floor of the center houses the
towards the realization of God’s chancery, the various administrative
Kingdom. and pastoral offices, and a conference
hall. The second floor accommodates
Pastoral Priorities a smaller conference room, the clergy
From among the eight mission dormitory, a guest room and a chapel
statement commitments, the diocese while the third floor offers an additional
had chosen the first three as its pastoral function hall.
priorities. First is to build and form
fully human and fully developed Basic Ecclesial Communities
communities (BECs). To be fully In the 1970s and 1980s, Fr. Simplicio
human and fully developed, an integral Sunpayco, SJ, had done mission
approach to evangelization has to be work in the diocese, which led to the
taken. Thus, these communities had to formation of Gagmay’ng Kristohanong
be immersed in, and nurtured by, the Katilingban (GKK).
Word of God, the sacraments and the With the foundation of the GKK, it
Church’s teachings (second priority) was not difficult for the present clergy
while at the same time addressing to re-initiate the works of renewal in the
the issue of poverty and other social parishes through the BECs. The diocese
ills that affect our poor communities has responded to the call of the times
for renewal and re-evangelization
through the BECs. A BEC is composed
of 50-60 neighborhood families with a
complete set of officers and commission
chairmen (servants). A BEC is further
subdivided into Small Caring Groups
(SCGs) of 6-8 families each headed
by the selda alagad. These BEC cells
meet every week at the appointed
day and time for their weekly prayer
reflection and study of the Word of God
and together come for the communal
Kasaulugan sa Pulong/Holy Eucharist
every Sunday. These cells form the
heart of the BECs. They are the core
living organisms that, animated by
the Word of God, enliven the Church
from its very grassroots and where
transformation of self, relationships
and societal structures start.
The bishop, clergy and the pastoral
workers found this work of renewal
inspiring and reinvigorating. This
was collectively enunciated when the
diocese, on the occasion of the 25th
Episcopal Jubilee Celebration of the
bishop on October 15, 2006, featured
the BECs as offering to God and
pronounced her thanksgiving to the
Almighty for the blessings of 459 BECs
and 2,487 Small Caring Groups (SCGs)
that have mushroomed all over the
diocese since it was begun four years
ago. It was a joy indeed to behold the
Church coming to life!
Social Services
But God’s work has just begun.
LEFT: The Cathedral Parish of Our
Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
LOWER LEFT: Most Rev. Filomeno
G. Bactol, D.D.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bishop ……………………………………… 1
Diocesan Priests:
Filipino ……………………………………. 28
Foreign ……………………………………. 1
Religious ……………………………………. 4
Seminarians
Minor ………………………………………. 4
Major ………………………………………. 4
Theology …………………………………… 2
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates …………………………………... 3
Parishes:
Entrusted to Diocesan clergy …………… 11
Entrusted to Religious clergy …………… 2
Population ……………………………. 258,375

Diocese of Naval
Catholics ……………………………… 228,754
Area ……………………...……. 1,170.8 sq.km.

formation of the youth. A year after he
was installed, the bishop founded the
first Catholic high school of the diocese,
the Cathedral School of La Naval (CSN)
in 1990. He enlisted the help of the
Religious Sisters of Mercy (RSM) in
running the school. Starting with just
58 pioneering first year high school
students at a dilapidated one story
building at the back of the Cathedral
Church, the school today has found a
home in a much bigger space in front
of the Cathedral and now caters to the
education and Christian formation of
more than four hundred students. To
accommodate the growing need, the
school has come to open also its doors
to a complete elementary education
and formation.
Religious Sisters
Yet the need for more laborers
was greatest. With practically only
the Congregation of the Franciscan
Sisters Pro Infante et Familia (FSPIF)
serving the diocese at its beginning
(they were into family and medical
apostolate), the bishop invited other
religious congregations to labor in the
diocese and to work among the poor
and the marginalized. First to come
in 1990 were the Religious Sisters of
Mercy (RSM) who administered, and
still administers, the Cathedral School
of La Naval (CSN). The RSM were
followed the following year by the Poor
Clare Nuns of the Order of St. Clare
presence of the Franciscan Friars (OFM)
who were instrumental in shaping the
pastoral contour of the island of Biliran.
In 1957, the pastoral care of the island
was handed over by the Diocese of
Palo to the Franciscan Fathers of
the Province of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Their pastoral zeal and indubitable
missionary spirit awakened in the
people love for the Church. Thus, while
the parishes in mainland northwestern
Leyte thrived under the pastoral care
of the secular clergy, the island of
Biliran on the other hand, experienced
pastoral care under the Franciscans.
Franciscan presence (now under the
Autonomous Custody of St. Anthony
of Padua, South Philippines) continues
up to now with two parishes under
their care from among the fifteen
parishes of the diocese.
Diocesan Synod
Because of the demands of the times
for renewal and re-evangelization, and
in preparation for the celebration of
the 10th Anniversary of the Erection
of the diocese, the bishop decided
to convoke a diocesan synod. In his
decree of convocation, the bishop
wrote: “It is in this great era of renewal
brought about by the Second Vatican
Council (1965), the Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines (1991), and
the celebration of the Great Jubilee of
our Redemption in the Year 2000 that
we, the local Church of the diocese
Vision
A people of God made up of
fully human and fully developed
communities, nourished by the Word
of God and the Sacraments, actively
participating in Christ’s three-fold
mission as priest, prophet and king,
journeying together with Mary in the
“life-death” situation towards the
realization of His kingdom.
Mission
We, the people of God of the Diocese
of Naval, with the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit and the maternal intercession
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commit
ourselves: 1) to build and form
fully human and fully developed
communities; 2) to nourish our
Christian life with the Word of God and
Church’s teachings in order to celebrate
the Sacraments more meaningfully; 3)
to work for integral liberation, giving
preferential option for the poor; 4) to
work for the preservation of mother
earth and to live in harmony with the
rest of God’s creation; 5) to strengthen
BECs by reaching out to all sectors
of the community, supporting and
sustaining all pastoral endeavors; 6)
to foster harmonious and animating
relationships among clergy, religious
and laity, and to provide growth
opportunities for the clergy; 7) to
journey together in the challenges of
the pilgrimage of life; 8) to strengthen
(third priority). The clergy, while
acknowledging the leadership they
play in the renewal process, are
themselves part of the process. They
exercise fully and most meaningfully
their priesthood in the context of the
journey of faith of the people—and
never apart from this journey—
oftentimes giving voice to their muted
cries for justice and equality.
Diocesan Pastoral Center
With a defined pastoral direction and
to accommodate the growing pastoral
needs of the diocese, it was prime time
to construct a Diocesan Pastoral Center.
This has become the immediate concern
of the bishop and priests since the need
to coordinate the pastoral work of
the diocese in a permanent place was
already felt with the development of
BECs and the innumerable concerns
that came with it. The small bishop’s
house, which in the meantime had
served as pastoral center and chancery,
could not anymore accommodate the
growing pastoral demands as well as
the demand for better service due the
people. Equally important was the need
for a place that could house the priests
during clergy meetings. The rooms of
priests in the parish convent of Naval
and the small parish conference area
had become too cramped for their
monthly gatherings.
The poverty of the diocese did not
dampen the spirit of the bishop and the
To support the growing need of the
BECs for education, self-sufficiency
and poverty alleviation, the diocese
endeavored to strengthen its
WESTECFLY (Worship, Education,
Social Services, Temporalities, Ecology,
Clergy, Family and Life, Youth)
commissions. To date, the Commission
on Social Services through the Social
Action Center of the diocese has come
up with the necessary programs that
would address these concerns. One
was the establishment of the BEC-
SAC Botika sa Parokya in the parish
of Naval which sell medicines cheaper
than those found in commercial drug
stores. This program has two satellite
drug stores in two other parishes. The
SAC also ventured into micro-financing
using the Grameen Banking system to
support BEC members who are into
small businesses. Other SAC programs
concurrently implemented are the
sustainable agriculture and integrated
vegetable farming, supplemental
feeding of undernourished children,
scholarships for poor yet deserving
students, hog and goat dispersal,
and the advocacy for peace and good
governance.
The other commissions have also
implemented their programs for
the strengthening of the Christian
communities. Most notable and
visible are the Lay Ministry, Music
and Liturgy under Worship, the
Naval / B5
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

‘Values, Procreation, and Freedom’

Keeping my face off Archbishop Paciano Aniceto
of Facebook has my focuses on the real essence
girls all a Twitter
Social networking sites may not offer children of Natural Family Planning
the type of “socialisation” the experts call for
By Augustus Caesar Guarin
By Erin Manning
THE issues arising from population growth or regulation of birth have become not only
“MOM, can we check our email?” controversial but contentious as well. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, head of the CBCP-
I get that question quite a bit these days. With three daughters, one an Episcopal Commission on Family and Life Apostolate (ECFL), admitted that it took some
actual teen, and the other two hovering on the brink of their teenage years,
I probably should have seen this coming.
two to three years of convincing by no less than Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio
If there’s one thing that’s true about most girls—and most women—it’s Ledesma, SJ , before he finally accepted the invitation to share his thoughts about the
that we like to talk. My oldest was expressing herself in short sentences Natural Family Planning (NFP) to the CFLA of Cagayan de Oro archdiocese.
of two or three words by the time her baby sister was born, even though
my oldest was only thirteen months old herself at the time; there was just
“The NFP is quite new and thus spectrum: food, clothing, shelter, and the hysterical reaction of a woman.”
so much to say, and so many new and interesting ways to say it. By the
the reluctance among some Catholic education. Children should grow up The comment probably zeroed in on
time their youngest sister had joined us and had become verbal herself,
bishops,” explained Archbishop mature –buo ang pagkatao.” the proper relationship between the
my husband would marvel at our daughters’ capacity to maintain “chatter
Aniceto. The reason for this reluctance: The Archbishop, quoting a line from two sexes as being “equal” but “not
mode” for all of their waking hours, and sometimes, for the two who shared
“The church wants to be sure about the New Testament said: “Man does not the same.” Hence, he was against the
a room, well into the night.
the scientific, ethical, and moral live by bread alone but by every word evil nature of changing the concept of
It’s not surprising that many trend forecasters see women easily outpacing
considerations of the NFP… always that comes from God.” He underscored marriage into a union between man and
men in their use of social networking sites. On some sites, women already
considering if it is in accordance with the value of human life, of the family, man or woman and woman.
outnumber men; and while men tend to be the early adopters of all new
the word of God.” made in the image and likeness of God He added that “Kahit ang U.N.
technology, it’s the women who seem drawn in overwhelming numbers
Citing significant biblical passages Himself. gustong sirain ang konsepto ng pamilya
to those sites that promise new and better ways to chat, converse, interact,
pertaining to the family, Archbishop But the value of life according to the sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama ng
gab and gossip.
Aniceto initially stressed that “the family Archbishop, seemed to have taken a babae sa babae o lalaki sa lalaki,
As more and more moms embrace the promise of easy conversation
being a small church is important to different turn for the worst: “The tragedy para magkaroon ng bagong rites.
these sites offer, though, there’s a chance that we’ll forget who’s watching
our Lord.” Quoting a passage from St. of our times is that for a mayor, a big Pero papaano magkakaanak ang
over our shoulder, and what our adoption of these technologies might
Paul, he reminded his listeners about the population is favorable because of IRA. pagsasamang iyon?” All these he said
mean for our kids.
love and respect that should be present The value system is placed within the may lead us to an event similar to Sodom
My girls share an email account. It’s tied to one of mine, and they “check”
between the husband and the wife, context of the capitalist system, within and Gomorrah, “pero huwag na nating
it when I bring up my mail. I’m right there, so if spam appears, I delete it
parents and children. He also honored the context of money, which is wrong. hintayin na mangyari iyon.”
before they can see it. We moved away from a web-based mail site because
the Blessed Mother Mary as “the greatest For what does it profit a man if he gains The Archbishop reiterated that NFP
the site showed ads of dubious quality to the side of the emails; even though
mother– woman.” the whole world, but loses his soul?” must be clearly based on values such
I still supervised their use of the site, I got tired of the advertisements and
The Archbishop also emphasized The Archbishop edified his listeners as respect for Once again, he exhorted
the need to close them down before my girls could read an email or send
the need of integrating values into the by saying: “In the eyes of God, the little his CFLA listeners with a passage
one back to a friend or a family member.
NFP: “Before we even go for NFP, it baby is more valuable than all the wealth from Colossians 3:19-21 which says:
is important that there be a values/ in the world!” He also congratulated all “Husbands, love your wives and do
Christian formation. The focus should those responsible “for protecting the not get angry with them. Children, obey
be on the love of our Lord first, and family and life.” your parents in everything, because that
then NFP.” Pointing out the importance of values pleases the Lord. Parents, do not be too
According to the Archbishop, some among the youth, the Archbishop said: demanding of your children, lest they
sectors in our society use contraceptives “Single couples should have self discipline become discouraged.”
in order to control the population. and remain chaste. Engaging in premarital Archbishop Paciano Aniceto during
“But what is wrong with population?” sex will only bring about feelings of doubt his first public appearance in the Parish
the Archbishop asked. “People are human between partners when they get married. of the Immaculate Conception in Bulua,
resources, assets. If the government wants In sex, married couples participate in the Cagayan de Oro, humbly confessed to
a strong republic, then the church’s creative activity of God.” his audience: “I am not a professional
answer is a strong family.” In perhaps his most profound insight speaker. I only speak from the heart.”
He mentioned the OFWs who became yet on Natural Family Planning, the In his handling of highly volatile and
very much in-demand in Europe because Archbishop reasoned clearly and sensitive topics such as population
the Europeans had a hard time coping distinctly: “Animals reproduce. But growth or regulation of birth, gender, sex
with a zero population growth that humans procreate with freedom.” , and the like, the Archbishop, speaking
adversely affected their much needed Shedding some light on the issue from the heart, best exemplified how
manpower resources. of gender, he explained how the truth, bitter at times, can be conveyed
TheArchbishopalsoclarifiedthenotion present culture is attempting to change with such gentleness and lightness of
of birth regulation saying: “Responsible the concept of man and woman. disposition, which the audience warmly
parenthood is not population control. “Scientifically, the chromosomes of man appreciated in return with attentive
It is a commitment to live fully one’s and woman are fixed.” In behavioral diligence, spontaneous hand claps and
They’re not allowed to hand out their email address randomly, either.
vocation as parents. They should take terms the Archbishop explained that, chuckles. In this regard, Archbishop
Aside from family members only one set of friends has it. But even with these
care of their children, before, during “even in stressful situations, a man Aniceto is not just an exemplary speaker.
restrictions, they find the whole concept of sending email to be a fascinating
and after birth. It involves the whole responds more calmly as opposed to He is a true evangelist.
one; they’re always asking if they can compose a note to an aunt, a cousin
or two, or one of their friends, and nothing is more exciting to them than

Cebu holds annual vocation jamboree, reflecting on Jesus Truth

receiving an electronic note, complete with cute “stationery” backgrounds
and sprinkled liberally with happy emoticons, in reply.
I know that part of the reason for the excitement is that they see me
use the computer to write, to blog, to send email, to communicate. We set
examples for our children by our actions, whether we mean to or not—but
that’s something to bear in mind, when we consider whether or not a new
Internet tool or technology is going to be useful, or a mere distraction.
Thus far, I’ve chosen not to use social networking sites. I don’t really
have any need for them, and spend enough time online anyway without
needing to share short bursts of information with random people about
what I might be doing at any given moment. But even though I’ve chosen
not to use social networking websites myself, my girls are still aware of
them; they’ve heard them talked about, and know what they’re for. And
they’re inclined to view these sites as alluring, enticing, and “cool,” even
with no experience of them whatsoever. That sense of allure would probably
increase if I used social networking sites, and would escalate my girls’ desire
to open accounts themselves: after all, if Mom can use these sites, surely
there’s no harm or danger in them, right?
But social networking sites are a lot more “open” than a small circle
of email correspondents can ever be. Even if a parent is very strict about
whom their child can “friend,” for instance, you can’t control the “friend’s”
content—nor can you stop your children from seeing, in many cases, what
their “friends’ friends” are posting. If your child “friends” a close real-life
playmate or classmate whom you trust, but that friend has a “friend” who
is allowed to “friend” anyone who asks (and since when is “friend” a verb,
anyway?), then your child ends up being able to see and read posts and
“tweets” you never imagined they could, with content that might range
from the vulgar to the alarming.
And the watchful vigilance parents try to achieve in regard to their
children’s Internet use quickly evaporates at the speed of posts and “tweets”
that may disappear long before Mom ever sees them. If someone becomes
abusive, annoying, or even threatening it may take a while before parents
ever know there’s a problem.
Sometimes the problems are serious, too. Here in Texas this month a
fourteen-year-old girl used a pair of scissors to stab another girl at school,
over mean comments left on a MySpace page over spring break. Adults can Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal with the clergy at the annual Vocation
get annoyed or angry enough with each other online—but adults tend to Jamboree held February 28-March 1 at the University of San Jose Recoletos.
have a sense of proportion which teens and children lack. It may cause hurt,
irritation, or even indifference when an adult finds out a Facebook or Twitter
contact wants to be removed from his or her circle of friends or followers; it By Ian Barsagas Directresses of Vocations Cebu Chapter bonfire, and a living rosary brought
can be devastating beyond reason─literally─for a child or teenager to have headed by Fr. Alex B. Poblador, RCJ. delightful and heart-warming experience
this happen, especially if the “friend” is trying to be mean. Bishop Mylo Vergara of San Jose, to all.
As a parent, and especially as a mom of young girls, I worry about many OVER nine thousand youth flocked at Nueva Ecija, gave the input on the topic, Organizers hoped the experience will
of the dangers our culture poses to our children’s innocence, self-esteem, the University of San Jose Recoletos last sharing his own experiences that were help develop among the participants a
and well-being. There are so many voices calling to them from the culture, February 28 to March 1, 2009 to attend relevant to the youth today. personal closeness with our Lord Jesus
presenting them with words and images that are hyper-sexualised, that the annual vocation Jamboree of the Everyone was given an opportunity Christ. The overnight vocation jamboree
reinforce standards and stereotypes that can shatter a girl’s image of herself, Archdiocese of Cebu. to share their unique experiences about culminated with a dawn Mass on March
that fill their minds with consumer values and prey upon their real, normal The theme of the gathering was their personal vocation and spiritual 1 led by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal
needs in that insidious way we call “marketing.” With all of those voices “Jesus the truth.” Various religious journey. It was a revealing moment for Vidal.
already surrounding them, I think the last thing they need are more voices congregations came and participated everyone because some participants are The youth were so happy for the
reinforcing all of these things and exploiting their desire to communicate in the event. Each congregation had a currently experiencing very difficult untiring support and love Cardinal
in a way that is “cool” and new─but potentially damaging. tent put up where they exhibited their moments in their lives; like, brokenness, Vidal has shown to the youth of the
The last thing they need is more chatter. And right now, setting a good example vocation materials. They also made abandonment, not being accepted, losing Archdiocese.
for them means avoiding these sites, and all this chatter, myself, too. themselves available to young people by one’s faith etc. The scarcity of vocations remains a big
answering their questions on religious A musical drama titled The Seducer challenge and concern among religious
(Erin Manning is a writer from Fort Worth, Texas. This article is printed with vocation. Behind was presented by the Rogationist working in the vocation ministry. They
permission by MercatorNet) The overnight annual event was seminarians. acknowledged the effect of globalization
spearheaded by the Directors and Other activities like singing, dancing, in the life of the youth today.
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
B5
Easter Messages
Change of Heart, A Gentle Revolution
EVERY year on Easter, we proclaim that Jesus
A Statement of Concern
Christ has triumphed over suffering and death. The diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation Inc.
(DIMASAFI) considers it a duty and responsibility to
Alleluia! Every year we so proclaim, as if, or is vigorously oppose the “open pit” mining of Central Gold
it because, nothing has happened with us in Asia (CGA) in the town of Aroroy as a sign of our faith and
the past. understanding that we are stewards of God’s creation, and
are accountable to Him who has created everything in our
world to be good.
Is it because we fail to rise from nor church people alone. They The town of Aroroy has been exploited for its mineral ore
our “tombs” and help others to need to affirm and confirm the since the American occupation, yet what the mining industry
“easter” in their life? We need potential of one another. has left are very poor communities surrounding the mined
to do something to celebrate the Together we can proclaim that area and a bitter experience of unpaid taxes and unsettled
dream of a better Philippines in Easter is being realized. We can workers’ compensation fees after the last mining company,
our lives and in the lives of fellow do this by commemorating the the Atlas Consolidated Mining Development Corporation
countrymen around us. good that others have done in (ACMDC), abandoned the mining activity.
To celebrate that dream of a support of truth versus lies; by The present mining company, the Central Gold Asia, at the
better Philippines is to make consecrating our present in the beginning of its activity has painted a rosy picture before the
changes for the better in our works of justice and peace; and eight impacted communities with promises of employment
own lives, and to see or help that by celebrating the small acts of and social development. After years of exploration, it began
change also happen in others. victory in the campaign to build to show its ugly face:
Consider what change that might a better nation.
be all about. And so it can be said that Jesus * an open pit mining with wide tracks of land being scraped
We can only build a better Christ did not rise from the dead while mountains and hills are being flattened, leaving the
nation if all of us will do all we alone, but that our country is on communities agape at the unexpected sight;
can all the time. We alone can the path of a gentle revolution * farmers being displaced with meagre monetary
build a better nation, but no one that leads to Easter. The heart of compensation and relocated in nearby cattle grazing land
can build it alone. change is the change of heart for with no possibility of farming activities;
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

THE Resurrection
of Jesus Christ
from the dead, as
He had promised,
accomplished the
triumph of good over
evil, His victory over sin
and life overcoming of
death. But the process
which brought about
that ultimate and
perfect victory over
all evil is called the
Paschal Mystery, the
perfection of which is in
the passion, death and
resurrection of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
The Paschal Mystery is a process by which evil is overcome, sin is
forgiven, freedom overpowers enslavement, and new life replaces
old sinful ways. And since the cross and blood mediated all such
crossings or passing over to the better side of what is difficult, death
or its near equivalent (called sacrifice) in daily life is the necessary
partner of salvation, liberation or development.
To aspire for development without sacrifice, to enjoy progress
without discipline or to seek redemption from evil without dying to
sin, is akin to looking for Jesus where He could never be found.
Jesus is not among the dead. His world is not among the proud,
the dishonest and the hardened sinners.
He is risen. And every Christian is called to be a witness to His
Resurrection. May the Lord be praised. God bless all!
+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
12 April 2009
Vigil / B1 Synod / B2
No one group can build a the common good.
better country in contraposition
with other groups, neither the +Archbishop Angel N.
executive alone, nor congressmen Lagdameo, DD
alone, nor senators alone, nor Jaro Archbishop & CBCP
supreme court alone, nor any President
group of civil society alone, April 4, 2009
EASTER is the greatest
and the most important
feast in the Christian
tradition. Greatest,
because it recalls Christ’s
passover or mysterious
passage from death to
life – the greatest of
miracles. Important,
because it was, is, and
will always be a moment
of joyful hope.
Catholics and Protestants are
joyful because by following in
a personal way the pattern of
Christ’s suffering, death, and
resurrection, they experience
change in attitude and relationship
towards self, God, and fellow
humans. Self-control attained
through voluntary self-sacrifice makes this positive change possible.
Hence, the festive feeling of hope.
This hope is visible on the happy faces of those who actively take
part in the Sunrise Service of the Protestant churches. It is clearly
visible in the enthusiastic and huge crowd at the early dawn Sugat
or Salubong of our Catholic parishes. This festive and sober mood
generates hope because change, in its social, economic, political
and cultural aspects, has become personally possible. So national
transformation is also possible because personally it is attainable
and achievable. What only remain needed are leaders with authentic
Easter experience who will inspire and bring about collectively
a national mobilization and coordination of these trans- formed
individuals towards a common cause and welfare.
A joyful and hopeful Easter to all!
+Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, DD
Archdiocese of Davao
April 8, 2009
Naval / B3
* the small scale miners with thousands of dependents being
driven out of their place of work resulting in their scampering
everywhere to dig for their survival;
* rivers being closed with embankment for the construction
of the tailings pond, and some rivers rerouted, with the
The DIMASAFI wishes to
adhere to the Catholic Social
Doctrine that proclaims the
“need to respect the integrity
and cycles of nature because
natural resources are limited
and some are not renewable”
and that the “responsibility for
the environment, the common
heritage of mankind, extends not
only to the present needs but also
to those of the future.
consequent drying up of rice fields and fish ponds and water
source of a nearby community;
* age-old trees being bulldozed with plants and crops to
the disappointment of farmers who have tilled the land for
many years;
* the source of drinking water that serves the nearby
community being cut off;
* the port of Barrera, a long-time source of livelihood of
the people residing along the coastlines, now being made
the catch basin of the mine toxic wastes in case of overflow
and the possible contamination of the 21,000 hectares of 68
fishponds in 9 barangays.
Representing the voice of the local Church that seeks to
defend the groaning mother earth, the DIMASAFI wishes
to adhere to the Catholic Social Doctrine that proclaims the
“need to respect the integrity and cycles of nature because
natural resources are limited and some are not renewable”
and that the “responsibility for the environment, the common
heritage of mankind, extends not only to the present needs
but also to those of the future.
Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation, Inc.
(DIMASAFI)
And the Social Action Parish Desk, Aroroy, Masbate
March 14, 2009

after Israel’s liberation from Egypt,
the Pope said the “image describes the
situation of the disciples of Jesus Christ
in every age, the situation of the Church
in the history of this world.”
“Humanly speaking, it is self-
contradictory,” he explained. “On the
one hand, the community is located at
the Exodus, in the midst of the Red Sea,
in a sea which is paradoxically ice and
fire at the same time.
“And must not the Church, so to speak,
always walk on the sea, through the
fire and the cold? Humanly speaking,
she ought to sink. But while she is still
walking in the midst of this Red Sea, she
sings—she intones the song of praise
of the just: the song of Moses and of
the Lamb, in which the Old and New
Covenants blend into harmony.
“While, strictly speaking, she ought
to be sinking, the Church sings the
song of thanksgiving of the saved. She
is standing on history’s waters of death
and yet she has already risen. Singing,
she grasps at the Lord’s hand, which
holds her above the waters.
“And she knows that she is thereby
raised outside the force of gravity of
death and evil -- a force from which
otherwise there would be no way of
escape -- raised and drawn into the new
gravitational force of God, of truth and
of love.”
“At present she is still between the
two gravitational fields,” Benedict XVI
reflected. “But once Christ is risen, the
gravitational pull of love is stronger than
that of hatred; the force of gravity of life
is stronger than that of death. Perhaps
this is actually the situation of the Church
in every age?”
“It always seems as if she ought to be
sinking, and yet she is always already
saved,” he said. “St. Paul illustrated
this situation with the words: ‘We are
as dying, and behold we live.’ The
Lord’s saving hand holds us up, and
thus we can already sing the song of
the saved, the new song of the risen
ones: Alleluia!”
for three types of synods, based on
purpose and membership. These are
regulated in cc.345-346.
1) General Session — A synod of
bishops can meet in a general session,
which deals with matters which directly
concern the good of the entire Church;
such a session is either ordinary or
extraordinary (c.345, in principio).
These are convoked with a periodicity
of three years.
a) Ordinary General Session — The
membership of a synod of bishops
gathered in ordinary general session
consists of the following: for the most
part, bishops elected to represent their
individual groups by the conference of
bishops in accord with the special law
of the synod; other bishops designated
in virtue of this law itself; other bishops
directly named by the Roman Pontiff.
To this membership are added some
members of clerical religious institutes
elected in accord with the norm of the
same special law (c.346, §1).
The topics are selected in advance
by the Pope and discussed by the
conferences of bishops prior to the
meeting of the Synod.
b) Extraordinary General Session
— A synod of bishops is gathered in
extraordinary general session to deal
with matters which require a speedy
solution; its membership consists of
the following: most of them them are
bishops designated by the special law of
the synod in virtue of the office which
they hold; others are bishops directly
named by the Roman Pontiff. To this
membership are added some members
of clerical religious institutes elected in
accord with the same law (c.346, §2).
In the absence of a clear criterion in the
CIC regarding the difference between
the two forms of the general session
of the Synod, the special law, to which
c.346 remits itself, situates the distinctive
criterion in the note of urgency in the
matters to be tackled in extraordinary
session.6 Nevertheless, the fact remains
that ultimately it is up to the Roman
Pontiff to evaluate the note of urgency
in the matter to be tackled.
2) Special Session — The membership
of a synod of bishops gathered in special
session consists of those who have been
especially selected from the regions of
which the synod has been convoked, in
accord with the norm of the special law
which governs such synod (c.349, §3).
Special sessions are designed for
issues affecting one or more particular
regions. The members are elected by
their respective episcopal conferences—
from one to four members according to
the size of the conference (one delegate
for every 25 members of the episcopal
conference or fractions thereof).
3) Particular Assembly — This is a
fourth type, neither foreseen in the Code
nor in the special law on synods, created
by John Paul II and convoked twice in
1980: with the Bishops of the Netherlands
and the Ukraine respectively. It is very
similar to the special session, but is
differentiated from it in two points:
a) Membership — since it includes all
the members of the episcopal conference,
while the special session only includes a
number of delegates from the same.
b) Para-deliberative Power — manifested
in the particular assembly, at least in the two
occasions when it has been convoked.
In any case, this only shows the great
flexibility of the synodal institution,
while at the same time exalting the
collegial methodology in the exercise
of episcopal power in the context of a
lived collegiality.
1
Cf. Communicationes, 14 (1982), 180.
2
Cf. Communicationes, 14 (1981), 93.
3
John Paul II, Discurso (20.IV.1983), in Insegna-
menti di Giovanni Paolo II, 1 (1983), 1101.
4
Paul VI, Allocuzione (30.IX.1967), in AAS, 59
(1967), 560.
5
John Paul II, Discurso (30.IV.1983), in AAS, 75
(1983), 650.
6
Cf. Ordo Synodi Episcoporum celebrandae
promulgatur a Summo Pontifice approbatus,
8.XII.1966, in AAS, 59 (1967) 91-103.
Catechetical program under Education
and the concern for the environment
under Ecology. Equally active and
visible also are the programs for
family and life and the programs for
the youth. These commissions provide
the service programs needed for the
strengthening, education and growth
of the BECs.
Self-sufficiency
One of the aims of the BECs is for
the small communities to become self-
sufficient. Aside from the programs
which the commission on social
services has initiated for the people, the
BEC meanwhile has implemented the
Balik-Halad at Pasasalamat Program
(a system of tithing) to drum up in
the people the value and importance
of being self-sufficient.
To date, the parish of Naval was
able to purchase a second hand L300
car and a number of other things for
pastoral use through the modest tithes
of BEC members.
Through this, the BECs are able to
realize of what they can do locally and
the possibility of doing it together as
a community, and not be completely
immobilized by the dole-out system.
Another project of the BEC along this
line was the construction of a BEC
development center that has served as a
training center for livelihood programs
and projects of the BECs such as
sewing and dressmaking, homemade
cooking and the production of herbal
medicines.
Sustainability
Another challenge the BECs face is
sustainability. Three factors are seen
as indispensable for the sustainability
of these communities: one, the need
for a sustained structure of formation
for leaders and members of the BECs;
the second, the need for a regular
and continuing education that would
deepen their commitment to live
the “new way of being Church; and
the third, the need to expand and
to strengthen the socio-economic
program of the BECs to adequately
meet the needs of the members.
Politics and Environment
The people are slowly coming to
terms with the reality that faith is
not separate from the concerns of the
world, and that the world is the locus on
which we exercise our faith. The issue
of politics and environment come to
the fore. The past elections had become
an experience fraught with lessons on
the political rights of the people and
the evil effects of graft and corruption,
political dynasties, and the hubris of
poverty, and how these issues can be
contrary to the Gospel values. A new
way of being Church means a new way
also of understanding our faith by way
of discovering its richness when faced
with these issues, and this has not
been without cost both on the part of
the people and the clergy themselves.
Inured to their lot and resigned to their
fate, many people were incredulous
at first to find that the Church could
speak out against corruption and could
also speak their own cries for justice
and truth. On the part of the clergy,
many were maligned and maliciously
besmirched by the powers-would-be
because of these bold proclamations
in favor of the poor. Yet, the call of
the Holy Spirit for renewal must be
heard; the call to discernment must be
heeded; the call to proclamation and
action must continue.
It is this level of awareness that
almost always drives the people to
action. When mining became a social
issue last year in the diocese, the people
and the clergy easily bonded together
to stop its operation. The vigilance
exhibited by the people can only come
from a sense of commitment to a faith
that gives meaning and light to their
everyday struggle. For indeed, the
church has become one with them and,
in the evolution of renewal, has become
them: the Church of the Poor.
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

The peace of Christ

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo

WHENEVER we celebrate the Eucharist, we

observe the rite of peace before receiving the body
and blood of the Lord. How this is done varies
from country to country. In the Philippines, one Second Sunday of Easter; John 20:19-31; April 19, 2009
bows to the person next to him, while saying the
greeting of peace: “Peace be with you.” Of course,
this does not prevent others from expressing the
wish by shaking hands. Many would even take
this as an occasion to give secular greetings. But
the question is whether we ourselves to know the
significance of what we are doing. Do we really
mean it, as liturgy itself wishes to teach us, and if
so, what do we do about it? This has to be asked
because this is not meant to be an empty gesture.
On the contrary, it is meant to signify the peace
that Jesus brought to us.
But what is this peace that Jesus of the cross (Col 1:20). For this
gave us (John 20:19-31)? There reason, the gift of peace is more
is no doubt that Jesus’ “Peace than a greeting. As a gift of the

be to you” (John 20:21a) is not to
be taken as a simply greeting of
peace. It is to be noted that peace
has been promised in the passion
narrative: “Peace is my farewell to
you, my peace is my gift to you. I
do not give it to you as the world
gives peace” (John 14:27). In
today’s gospel on the resurrection
narrative, Jesus fulfilled that
promise. He gave his peace as a
gift for the whole duration that
he was no longer with them in
flesh. For Jesus, peace is not the
absence of war or division, as
is commonly understood. This
peace is the gift of the risen One
who promised to be with them in
the person of the Holy Spirit. This
coheres with the thought of Paul
who says that peace is established
through the sacrifice of God’s Son
(see Rom 5:1), through the blood
risen One—and this is how the
liturgy probably understands it
─it refers to the right relationship
(among community members and
between God and his people) that
comes from the presence of the
risen Lord.
The right relationship among
community members is depicted
in the 1st Reading. With the
presence of the risen One, the early
Christians formed a unity of mind
and heart. Their relationship was
marked with harmony and love,
evidenced in the sharing of goods:
“The community of believers were
of one heart and one mind. None
of them ever claimed anything
as his own; rather, everything
was held in common…. nor was
anyone needy among them” (Acts
4:32-34). In the 2nd Reading, the
relationship between God and his
people is described in terms of
faith and love. Since the Christian
community forms a family of God,
the children love their father, and
that love for their father is shown in
their love for one another. “We can
be sure that we love God’s children
when we love God and do what he
has commanded.” (1 John 5:2). But
the family members are, first of all,
believers that Jesus is the Christ (1
John 5:1). Their faith moves them
to love God and express it in their
love for the brothers. When such
relationship obtains, the peace of
the risen One is there. Peace, thus,
is envisaged as the work of faith
and love. It cannot happen apart
from the community which the
risen One himself initiated.
That is the meaning of peace.
Therefore, when before receiving
communion, we greet each
other with the sign of peace,
we ought to have this in mind.
But this kind of peace is not
to be confined to the assembly
gathered for the liturgy. In the
context of our readings today,
the kiss of peace is not simply a
gesture to prepare us to receive
the body and blood of Christ
worthily. It must spill over to the
world outside the worshipping
assembly—in the market, in the
school, at the office, in the streets,
etc. For after imparting his peace
to the disciples, he instructed
his disciples: “As the Father has
sent me, so I send you” (John
20:21). The peace which Jesus
gave to his disciples and which
we celebrate in the liturgy must
be brought to the world. Peace-
making is therefore part of the
www.markmallett.com
mission of the community of
believers. Obviously, it will not
take the form of a peace process
in which might is right, or in
which wealth dictates the terms
of peace─ which is the way of
the world (cf John 14:27), but it
has to take a concrete form. We
have to overcome the world (cf 1
John 5:4). In our world today, it
may not be expressed apart from
forgiveness of the third-world
debt, disarmament, equality in
trade and development, and
justice.

The vindication of God’s Servant Bo Sanchez

Third Sunday of Easter; Luke 24:35-48; April 26, 2009

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo
FROM hindsight, it became clear how the
death of Ninoy Aquino galvanized the
Filipinos into a formidable opposition
plan of salvation. and his action that threatened the Temple (John
What happened to Jesus must be seen in 11:45-53). Of course, these accusations would
the context of God’s plan to save us. Divorced
not make sense in a Roman Court, and so the
from the resurrection event, his fate, as most
Jewish authorities had to present him as a
Jews would have perceived it, resulted from his
messianic pretender, a political insurgent who
claims and activities which raised the question
claimed to be a king of the Jews. And when he

You have wealth

to the Marcos dictatorship; it served as a
rallying point for the hitherto disparate
or disorganized opponents of
of the origin of his authority. Examples of such
was put to death, the Jewish authorities thought
claims and activities were his interpretation of
that it was the end of him.
the law contrary to traditional interpretationBut he rose from the dead. Hence, the

under your nose

the regime to unify them into a resurrection vindicated the person
mammoth opposition that finally
Condemned as a false prophet, a and mission of Jesus. Condemned
dislodged the Marcoses. But as rebellion son, a beguiler, a messianic as a false prophet, a rebellion son,
a beguiler, a messianic pretender,
the events of the 1980s were still pretender, Jesus was confirmed God’s Jesus was confirmed God’s faithful
unfolding, his death was seen
differently. Among others, it was
faithful son who obeyed the Father’s son who obeyed the Father’s will. Adultery happens when you start looking for what you
From hindsight, his fate came to don’t have.
considered as a signal that the will. From hindsight, his fate came to be understood as similar to the “Bo, this girl in my office is a real looker,” many a husband
era of traditional politics which be understood as similar to the fate of fate of all God’s messengers. In will say. “But it’s not her Wynona Rider features that get to me.
revolved around the charisma of
politicians was about to end. Or,
all God’s messengers. their faithfulness to the mission
given them, they encountered
I’m head over heels for her because she’s also understanding,
intelligent, tender—so many things that my wife is not.”
he was viewed as simply one more victim of (Matt 5:21-48), his assumption of divine opposition, even violent, from ungodly men, Sure.
the repressive martial law regime. His death, prerogative (Mark 2:1-11), his teaching (Mark secular powers, or people of stony heart who Guys, trust me on this. Somewhere along the way, you’ll
however, acquired a new meaning when seen 1:22.27) and his preaching (Mark 1:15). In terms did not want to listen. “Though you refused find a woman who will be more charming. More alluring.
from the perspective of the events after his of Old Testament criteria as read by the Jews, he to listen or pay heed, the Lord has sent you More thoughtful. A better cook. Greater sex appeal. A more
assassination and from the impact it made was a false prophet (Deut 18:20-22), a rebellious without fail all his servants the prophets with efficient housekeeper. Richer. And you will find a woman
in Philippine history. Today, most tend to son (Deut 21:18-21), and a beguiler who led this message: Turn back, each of you, from who will need you and pursue you and go loka over you
regard him as martyr of Filipino freedom. people astray (Deut 17:1-13). Eventually, the your evil way and from your evil deeds; then
more than your wife ever did.
This observation gives us an inkling of the religious leaders saw him as a threat to the you shall remain in the land which the Lord Because no wife is perfect.
meaning of Jesus’ fate, and its place in God’s nation, because of what he taught to the people Vindication / B7
Because a wife will only have 90% of what you’re looking
for.
So adultery takes place when a husband looks for the
Fr. Roy Cimagala missing 10%.
Let’s say your wife is melancholic by nature. You may
find yourself drawn to the pretty clerk who has a cheery

Easter, new life, liturgy laugh no matter what she says: “I broke my arm yesterday,
Hahahaha…” Or because your wife is a homebody in slippers
and pajamas, smelling of garlic and fish oil, you may fall for
a freshly smelling young sales representative that visits your
office in a sharp black blazer, high heels, and a red pencil-cut

EASTER time is, of course,
glorious time. It means Christ
has risen, he has conquered
sin and death. It means we are
saved, rescued from our state
of condemnation because of sin.
That is, if we are willing to die
with Him so we also will rise
with him.
With Christ’s resurrection, we
are now reconciled with God, our
Father and Creator. We now just
don’t live a human, natural life,
much less, a damned, hopeless
one.
Ours is life with Christ who in
the Holy Spirit abides in us. It’s
a supernatural life, nourished in
faith, hope and charity. It cannot
just be a product of genetics, of
physical laws, nor of economics,
politics and sociology.
Though spent in time, with
Christ that life already acquires
an eternal dimension, which
makes it always new, since
in eternity, nothing gets old,
nothing gets swallowed into
the past. In its pure eternal
form, it will be always in the
present, and the future becomes
irrelevant.
Easter reminds us that this is
the life that is being offered to
us. A result of grace, this new
life in Christ also requires of
us an abiding effort. It’s never
just an automatic, spontaneous
growth.
Given our nature and bar any
disabling handicap, it has to be
developed as knowingly and as
willingly as possible. It cannot be
purely a matter of inertia. It has
to be directed and intentionally
developed.
We actually pine for this new
life that never ends. Even if we
are not aware of it, or worse,
we profess to be against it, we
cannot deny that deep inside us
is a longing for eternity.
History, traditions and popular
practices even in the present
We need to understand that our
resurrection in Christ, our victory
and redemption can only be achieved
through the Cross of Christ. No Cross,
no Christ, and thus, no resurrection,
no redemption.
attest to this truth. This is what
the Catechism teaches: “In many
ways, throughout history down
to the present day, men have
given expression to their quest
for God in their religious beliefs
and behavior…” (CCC 28)
Thus, we have those marvelous
manifestations of popular piety
especially during Christmas,
Lent, Easter, and some special
feasts, like those of Santo Niño,
Our Lady, St. Joseph, All Souls,
etc.
A lot of catechesis is needed
to make these truths of our
Christian faith shine and truly
guide our life. Of course, a lot
more than catechesis is needed.
We have to develop virtues,
we have to wage war against
the enemies of Christ and our
soul, etc.
Among the truths that we need
to highlight is the significance of
Easter and its relation to liturgy.
We need to understand that
Easter represents the goal of our
life here on earth. It gives us a
complete vision of our life. It is
what gathers and summarizes all
the elements of our life.
In short, it is what gets our act
together. We cannot go halfway
only. We have to go all the way,
much like what our Lord did as
described in St. John’s gospel—
“Jesus knowing that his hour
was come that he should pass
out of this world to the Father,
having loved his own who were
in the world, he loved them unto
the end.” (13, 1)
This “going all the way” is
his passion and death on the
Cross, the offering of his life.
We need to understand that
our resurrection in Christ, our
victory and redemption can only
be achieved through the Cross
of Christ. No Cross, no Christ,
and thus, no resurrection, no
redemption.
This dying and rising of Christ
is made available to us in this life
up to the end of time through the
liturgy, where Christ “continues
the work of our redemption in,
with and through his Church,”
meaning, us.
We need to realize and
understand more deeply what
our participation in the liturgy of
the Church, especially the Holy
Mass, means and involves. It
means we are doing things with
Christ, and not just by ourselves
with our good intentions and
inventions.
It means we have to follow
Christ, everything that he was
and did, and continues to be and
do. And in this, there can be no
end. This is possible only in the
liturgy.
Thus, Christian life is
necessarily liturgical life. It
cannot just be a life according to
one’s designs.
We have to help one another
in developing this conviction
of our faith in the liturgy. I am
sure that once we realize the true
significance of the liturgy, hardly
anything that we do would be an
exaggeration.
No wife is perfect. A wife will
only have 90% of what you’re
looking for. So adultery takes
place when a husband looks for
the missing 10%.
skirt. Or because your wife is the quiet-type (a rare find), your
heart may skip a beat when you meet an old college flame
who has the makings of a talk show host like Oprah.
But wait! That’s only 10% of what you don’t have.
Don’t throw away the 90% that you already have!
That’s not all. Add to your wife’s 90% is the 1000% that
represents all the years that you’ve been with each other.
The storms you’ve weathered together, the unforgettable
moments of sadness and joy you had as a couple. The many
adjustments you’ve made to love the other and the wealth
of memories that you’ve accumulated as lovers.
Adultery happens when you start looking for what you
don’t have. But faithfulness happens when you start thanking
God for what you already have.
But I’m not just talking about marriage.
I’m talking about life!
About your jobs. About your friends. About your children.
About your prayer groups. About your lifestyles.
Are you like the economy airline passenger that perennially
peeks through the door of the first class cabin, obsessed with
what he’s missing? “They’ve got more leg-room! Oh my,
their food is served in porcelain! Wow, their seats recline at
an 80o angle and they’ve got personal videos!” I guarantee
you’ll be miserable for the entire trip!
Don’t live your life like that.
Forget about what the world says is first class. (Do you
know that there are many first class passengers who are
miserable in first class—because they’re not riding in a
private Lear Jet?)
My main message: If you start thanking God for what you
have right now, wherever you are is first class!
You have wealth under your nose. Thank Him.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
Child ‘rebel’ caught in crossfire
still seeks for justice
By Noel Barcelona
IT has been two years
since Grecil Buya’s
death. She seems to
have been forgotten,
after she barely hit the
headlines of the major
dailies in Metro Manila
and in the provinces on
the day of her death.
Grecil was nine years old
when she was felled by bullets,
on March 31, 2007 while trying
to escape the heated crossfire
between the military and the
communist New People’s
Army (NPA) in the New
Bataan, Compostela Valley in
Mindanao.
Her death seemed to be
justified, for the child described
as “a frail child, an eager
student, a responsible sister
to her younger siblings, and a
loving daughter to her hard-
working peasant parents,”
was an alleged member of the
NPA. She was even found with
an M16 rifle, the investigating
officers said.
However, the Regional
Program Director of Children’s
Rehabilitation Center – Southern
Mindanao Regional Office
(CRC-SMRO), Ms. Girley dela
Cerna, still refutes this claim.
“Two years had already
passed but still, justice is elusive
for the child-victim and her
family. The family was already
uprooted from their home place
because of continuous military
harassments and coercion to
drop the case against them.
Their economic activities
were paralyzed as well as the
children’s rights for recreation,
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Social Concerns
development and protection.
The family could not even visit
the cemetery where Grecil was
buried because until this time,
the military is threatening the
entire family including the
children for arrest,” dela Cerna
said in a statement.
De la Cerna said while the
three remaining siblings had
strived to overcome their deep
traumatic experiences (countless
nightmares, bedwetting, crying
in their sleep), still recovery
is elusive for they frequently
see military men in uniform
tracking down their family’s
residence.
“Until now, the family is not
even protected and their lives
are posed in great danger,”
she said.
De la Cerna blames the
Operational Plan Bantay Laya
(OPLAN Bantay Laya) of the
Macapagal-Arroyo regime for
the continuous threats to the
lives of children, with parents
or kin tagged as members of the
Communist Party.
“Grecil’s case could happen
to any vulnerable children who
can be legitimate targets of
attack by State security forces
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who are militarizing civilian
communities and implementing
low intensity operations (LIO)
under the framework of
OPLAN Bantay Laya. Gross
violations on children’s rights
continue to escalate while the
Macapagal-Arroyo government
is desperate in its drive to
crush the insurgency through
massive military operations.
Through OPLAN Bantay Laya,
children are not spared from
http://www.arkibongbayan.org
killing, maiming, torture, illegal
arrests and detentions, and
misrepresenting them as rebel
“child soldiers” which are
concrete violations of children’s
human rights,” dela Cerna
explained.
In Manila, Ma. Esmeralda
Macaspac, CRC executive
director said the Philippine
government uses the broad
definition of ‘child soldiers’ in
the Paris Principles to evade
p r os e cu t i on f or v i ol a t i n g
children’s rights.
“Worse, communities and
people’s organizations branded
as guerilla fronts by a paranoid
regime become vulnerable to
attacks and children are bound
to be branded as ‘children
Farmers press for
enactment of CARPER as
Congress’ session resumes
ON the first day of the resumption of
the session of Congress on April 13,
the farmers of Sumilao, Banasi, and
Calatagan did not waste any time
in pushing for the enactment of the
CARP Extension with Reforms bill.
In the morning the farmers walked
from CARITAS in Manila to the Senate
Building in Pasay.
There, they stood together in front
of the Senate gate and called on the
Senators to make good their promise
of fast-tracking the enactment of
Senate Bill 2666 into law, subject to
certain amendments.
Upon arrival at the Senate, members
of the farmers’ support groups met
with them and expressed continuous
support for their campaign. Students
from De La Salle University and staff
of the DLSU Center for Social Concern
and Action expressed before the media
people present how they have been
witnesses to the farmers’ struggle and
why the enactment of CARPER would
redound to the benefit of not only the
farmers but of all Filipinos.
Some of the farmers delivered
messages to the members of Congress
as they all bared their bodies with
the message “PASS CARPER NOW”
(Given Name)
B7
Minda agri confab
to assess impact on
people’s health
associated with armed groups’
by virtue of being residents of THE two-day Agribusiness Plantation conference scheduled
these communities or children of on April 15 -16 at the Mindanao Training Resource Center
members of such organizations,” (MTRC)-Davao Medical School in Bajada, Davao City will assess
Macaspac disclosed. the impact of agribusiness plantations on people’s health and
She related that at the environment by looking at results of recent studies.
height of military offensives Lia Jasmin Esquillo, executive director of the Interface
in Mindanao, a military officer Development Interventions, Inc., (IDIS) said in a communiqué
claimed that the four children that one of the highlights of the conference is a discussion on
who were killed in the Sept. 8, the recent Department of Health study on aerial spraying of
2008 bombing incident in Datu pesticides and its impact on health and environment headed
Piang, Maguindanao were ‘child by its principal investigator Dr. Allan Dionisio.
soldiers.’
Col. Marlou Salazar of the The IDIS said that while the
601st Brigade and Maj. Gen. national policy targets to
Hernanie Perez of Philippine
Air Force 3rd Air Division
develop two million hectares
claimed that the six persons, into agribusiness lands to
including four children aged cause increased employment
two to ten years old who were
killed after an OV-10 aircraft of
opportunities especially for
the Philippine Air Force bombed impoverished farmers, its effect
civilians evacuating from their on food self-sufficiency, agrarian
community, were all rebels. reform and rural livelihoods have
“On February 10, 2006,
eleven backpackers, including been disturbing.
two minors, were accused by “For decades now, Mindanao witnessed the establishment
the police as members of the of large-scale corporate plantations devoted to banana,
NPA responsible for the raid pineapple, oil palm, mango, among others. There has been a
on a military detachment in massive expansion of large-scale monocrop farms all over the
Mankayan town, Benguet. island to meet the demand for international markets,” read
Ten months later, the Benguet the communiqué
Regional Trial Court dismissed “The national policy targets to develop two million hectares
the homicide and arson cases into agribusiness lands. Half of it or one million hectares are
against the youth backpackers targeted for Mindanao. While this kind of agricultural system
for lack of evidence,” Macaspac may have brought increased employment opportunities
said. especially for impoverished farmers, its effect on food self-
Last March 31, Grecil’s sufficiency, agrarian reform and rural livelihoods have been
second death anniversary disturbing,” it added.
was commemorated through IDIS, the event’s organizer pointed out that the conference
Interfaith Prayer and Candle- also aims to look at local government and civil society efforts
lighting at the Centennial Park, in providing alternatives and addressing the health and
Davao City. environment impact or plantations.
Child rights advocates and “Part of the activity is to develop an action agenda to
other humanitarian groups, stop or mitigate the adverse health and environmental
including some representatives effects of corporate plantation agricultural practices,” it was
of the Church, were present, de mentioned.
la Cerna said. “The activity also wants to strengthen the network of
Those present on that event Mindanao and province-wide advocates of agro-ecological
hoped that justice will be served, farming systems and practices that would push for local and
not only to Grecil but to the other national policies, mechanisms and budgets in support of such
child-victims of atrocities in the policies,” it added. (Mark S. Ventura w/ PR)
country.
painted on them. The farmers learned (Its enactment) will go through the
that Senate Bill 2666, CARP Extension process.” Regarding CARPER, Rep.
with Reforms Bill, has been put as Remulla said, “We have to debate
priority agenda at the Senate this on it because there are other bills
week. Unfortunately, its counterpart pending…filed by BAYAN MUNA
bill, House Bill 4077 has not been and ANAKPAWIS, and that filed by
included among the House’s priority Rep. Villafuerte.”
agenda for this week. Rep. Hontiveros reminded Rep.
From the Senate the farmers Remulla, the Presiding Officer, Rep.
then proceeded to the House of Datumanong, and all the legislators
Representatives in Quezon City in present that, “The CARPER bill has
the afternoon. already finished second reading
The farmers waited outside the while the GARB bill is still at the
session hall for the arrival of the Committee.” She added, “The House
members of the House and gave is not just expected to enact the
them leaflets with their messages CARPER law.
to the legislators, saying they will In fact, the House leadership has
continue to be vigilant in pushing committed to the bishops that we will
for the enactment of CARP Extension enact (the law) before adjournment
with reforms. The farmers attended in June.”
the session as guests of Rep. Risa After the session, the farmers again
Hontiveros. waited for the legislators outside
Rep. Hontiveros posed an inquiry the session hall to thank those who
at the start of the session. She asked have been champions of CARPER
about the status of the charter change and to convince those who have yet
bill. She said that this bill should not be to become supporters of the social
prioritized over other more important justice bill.
bills such as the CARP Extension with They were able to talk to
Reforms Bill. Rep. Datumanong said, Representatives Hontiveros, Ronaldo
“There is a bill filed … but this will Zamora, and Edcel Lagman, among
not be prioritized over other bills. others. (Balaod Mindanaw)
Vindication / B6
gave you and your fathers, from of old and forever”(Jer 25:4-5). One
such messenger was Jeremiah whom the Lord called to prophesy
against Israel in the hope that they would turn back from their evil
(Middle Name) ways (Jer 36:2-3). For this King Jehoiakim many times attempted to
kill him. According to tradition, he was in the end murdered in Egypt
by his fellow countrymen.
Jesus was therefore God’s faithful servant, and his resurrection was
a vindication of his faithfulness, and proves that the human judgment
on him—a blasphemer, a wayward son, a heretic and false prophet
and a messianic pretender—was wrong. The Jews were wrong in
their interpretation of the Scriptures. “You put to death the Author of
life. But God raised him from the dead” (Acts 3:15, 1st Reading). The
resurrection was God’s declaration that Jesus was the Messiah. Therefore,
they misread what was written concerning God’s servant. That is why,
in today’s Gospel (Luke 24:36-48), Jesus reminded his disciples: “Recall
those words I spoke to you when I was still with you: everything written
about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms had to be
fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). Of course, one cannot find a specific reference to
the suffering Messiah in each of these groups of writings. But then, to
look for it is to miss the point of Luke. For according to the evangelist,
the whole of Hebrew Scriptures—Law, Prophets, Writings—found
fulfillment in Christ. Hence, it had to be reread in the light of the
resurrection. It is not so much about understanding Jesus from the
point of view of the Old Testament as about understanding it in the
light of what happened to Jesus. Read in the light of what happened
after his death, Jesus, in other words, was not what human judgment
thought of him, but the Messiah to which the Scriptures testified. He
was approved and vindicated by God.
 B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an 18
year-old orphan from the slums
of Mumbai who works as a tea
maker in a call center, is about
to experience the biggest day of
his life. With the entire country
watching, he is just one question
away from winning a total of
20-million rupees on the Indian
version of “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire?” But when the show
breaks for a night, the show’s
producer and host Prem Kumar
(Anil Kapoor) calls a police to
arrest Jamal on suspicion of
cheating; how could a slumdog
know so much?
To prove his innocence, Jamal
tells the story of his life in the
slum where he and his brother,
Salim (Madhur Mittal) grew up,
of their adventures together on
the streets, of vicious encounters
with local gangs, and of Latika
(Freida Pinto), the girl he loved
and lost, and found again. Each
chapter of his story reveals the
key to the answer to almost each
of the game show’s questions.
Convinced with his story,
the police inspector and show’s
producer allow Jamal to return
to the game show for the final
20-million rupees question. Will
he be able to become the biggest
winner of the game show? But
little did the audience know they
are up for a bigger surprise on
Jamal’s real reason for joining
the game show.
Slumdog Millionaire is a
hybrid of Hollywood and
Bollywood filmmaking. The
stylistic, fast-paced direction
and fresh approach to a worn-
out rags-to-riches story receives
the nod of critics and of the
Oscars’ jury, winning the most
coveted Best Picture. India’s slum
area is captured in picturesque
detail juxtaposing the rising
technological skyscrapers
depicting both poverty and
progress and the price its
citizens have to pay to cope
with changes.
The film takes the audience into
another part of the world rarely
seen in mainstream Hollywood
films without being culturally
myopic and politically incorrect.
It is able to depict realities of
Eastern, Third World poverty
through a Western lens. Although
the film specifies an ethnicity,
the heart and soul of the story
remains to be universal- eternal
love, familial concerns, poverty,
money and power. All these
make the Slumdog Millionaire a
real winner not just with critics
but with the regular audience
as well.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
For sure everyone does. But
apparently, the films protagonist
depicts a character whose real
wealth does not depend on
money. Jamal never desired to
become a millionaire for money’s
sake although fate brought him
there. What is really compelling
and commendable in the movie
is Jamal’s pureness of heart and
undaunted values amidst the
slums, despite his dark past.
It only goes to show that more
than the events itself, a man’s
reaction to such events in his or
her life, whether good or bad,
determines his or her character.
Jamal has all the reasons to
blame his country, his family, his
neighborhood and his fate for all
his miseries but he never did. In
spite of all the hardships he went
through in life, he never pitied
himself and he never allowed
miseries to defeat him.
Most of all, despite of poverty,
he never really desired millions
of money, rather, he desired
in his heart to find his one and
only love. Such love remains
to be his purpose and ultimate
desire. Slumdog Millionaire tells
the audience that amidst the
darkness, there is awaits a light
and people should never stop
dreaming.
Everyone has a right to dream
big and hope springs eternal even
in slums. And the real wealth
of everyone is not money but
significant relationships where
one is able to share love.
In this time and age where
everyone is busy looking for
fame and fortune, here is a movie
that tells the audience time and
again, that real fortune lies in the
heart that loves truly and trusts
deeply.
Some scenes of violence,
physical and suggestive sexual
abuse may not be suitable for
the very young audience so
CINEMA sees the movie fit for
audiences 13 and below with
parental guidance.
Title: Slumdog Millionaire
Cast: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal,
Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor,
MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi
Irrfan Khan
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Ro-
mance
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy
Location: India
Running Time: 120 mins.
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
13 and below with parental
guidance

Buhay Parokya
Look for the three items:
Masasangkot sa Title: Pasang Krus Images of the Easter Eggs,
isang sigalot sa lupain Cast: Rosanna Roces, Ketchup the Holy bible and the Holy
sa Isabela at mapapatay Eusebio, Joross Gamboa, Jao Rosary.(Illustration by Bladimer
ang asawa ni Hermina Mapa, Empress Shuck, BJ
Usi)
(Rosanna Roces). Bago pa Morales, Christian Burke
Director: Neal “Buboy” Tan
man isunod si Hermina
Screenwriter: Neal “Buboy” Tan
at ang kanilang apat na Editor: Rocky Ko
anak ay tatakas na ang Genre: Drama
mga ito. Susubukan ni Distributor: JPE Inc.
Hermina na humingi Location: Isabela and Manila
ng tulong sa mga pulis Running Time: 100 min.
ngunit ang mga ito’y Technical Assessment:  ½
pawang kasabwat din Moral Assessment:  ½
ng mga pumatay sa CINEMA Rating: For viewers age
kanyang asawa. Dahil 13 and below with parental
wala nang mapuntahan, guidance
magtatatakbo na lamang
siya karay ang mga anak. Sa pagmamadali’y mahihiwalay ang
kanyang panganay. Mapapadpad si Hermina, kasama ang
tatlo na lamang na anak, sa isang masukal na lugar sa Maynila
at mapapahiwalay din ang tanging anak na babae. Sapagkat
nagdadalang-tao, isisilang ni Hermina ang isang sanggol na
lalaki sa kalye hanggang sa may magmagandang-loob na
tumulong sa kanila at bigyan ng matutuluyan. Hindi na nahanap
pa ni Hermina ang dalawa pa niyang anak. Pilit niyang itinawid
at mapalaking mag-isa ang tatlong anak na lalaki. Makalipas
ang halos 15 taon, ang mga anak niya’y kanyang naging pasang
krus. Ang isa ay nakulong dahil napatay nito ang asawa. Ang
isa nama’y naging snatcher at kidnapper, at ang bunso niya’y
nagtulak ng droga. Kaakibat ng marami pang dalahin sa buhay,
kahirapan at kawalang-katarungan, paano nga ba papasanin
ng isang ina ang napakabigat niyang krus?
Isang tunay na melodrama at tearjerker ang pelikula. Sa
layunin nitong antigin at kurutin ang puso ng mga manonood
ay matagumpay ito. Matagal na panahon na ring walang tunay
na melodramang pelikula ang naipapalabas. Ang Pasang Krus
ay walang pagkukunwari sa aspetong ito. Nahaluan lamang ng
kaunting makabagong paraan ng paglalahad ng kuwento, ngunit
kung susumahin ay tipikal na dramang Pilipino ang pelikula na
nagsubok muling isalamin ang tunay na mukha ng kahirapan at
kabulukan ng lipunan. Mahusay si Roces bilang isang ina na puno
ng pasakit sa buhay. Dama ang kanyang sinseridad sa bawat eksena.
Maging ang mga nagisaganap bilang mga anak niya’y mahuhusay
din. Maaring may sablay sa ilang tauhan, ngunit maari naman itong
palagpasin. May mga tanong at ilang butas din sa kuwento ngunit
maari na rin itong patawarin hangga’t hindi naman nakakasira
sa kabuuan. Mahusay ang musikang ginamit na talaga namang
nakatulong sa pagpapaigting ng angkop na damdamin.
Hindi kasalanan ang maging mahirap. Kadalasa’y
nagbubulag-bulagan ang karamihan sa nagususmigaw na
katotohanang marami sa ating lipunan ang biktima ng masamang
kapalaran at kawalan ng oportunidad. Ang mga mahihirap na
madalas na ginagamit ng mga pulitiko sa eleksiyon ay sila rin
nilang binabale-wala. Ang buhay ni Hermina ay isa lamang
sa maraming kuwento ng kahirapan. Nagsubok naman si
Hermina na palakihin ng maayos ang mga anak at hindi nito
kinukunsinti ang mga mali nilang gawa, ngunit sadyang mas
malakas ang pwersa ng barkada at lansangan kaysa sa kanya
kung kaya’t ang mga ito’y naligaw pa rin ng landas. Ito ay talaga
namang nangyayari. Ang naging sandata lamang ni Hermina
ay pagmamahal, pananampalataya at pagdarasal. Sa simula’y
parang mali na patuloy niyang suportahan ang mga anak na
naligaw ng landas ngunit sadyang walang ina na magnanais ng
masama para sa kanyang anak. Patuloy namang nagsusubok ang
mga tulad niya na magkaroon ng maayos na buhay at maituwid
ang landas ng mga anak, yun nga lang, sadyang malupit ang
lipunan sa gaya niyang walang edukasyon at walang lakas. Sa
tulad ni Hermina na ignorante sa maraming bagay, kahanga-
hanga pa rin na nanatili siyang matatag at dalisay. Sa dami nga
naman ng dagok sa buhay at sa bigat ng pasang krus, at kawalan
ng makakapitan, talaga namang sa Diyos mo na lamang iaalay
ang lahat. Sa bandang huli’y sinasabi ng pelikula na may pag-
asa kahit pa ang lahat ay nagsasabing wala na. Na mayroong
Diyos na dumirinig sa ating panalangin at ang pagpapakasakit
at pagtitiis ay may kapalit na biyaya.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 85
March132 -- 26,
April 15, 2009
2009
C1

A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI

and the Order of the Knights of
Columbus

KCFAPI employees flaunted their bespoke banner and shirts with the tagline “Pray the Rosary, End Abortion, Defend Life” during the Walk for Life rally held last March 21.

KCFAPI, KC Pro-Life!
By April Basilio
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc., (KC-
FAPI) joined hands with the KC-Luzon
Jurisdiction in promoting human life in
a rally hailed as ‘Walk for Life’, with the
theme ‘We Value Life.’
The rally marked March 21, 2009 as
one of the most triumphant days in Pro-
Life advocacy of KCFAPI.
Simultaneously held across the Phil-
KCFAPI stands out in sync with ‘Walk for Life’ Rally
ippines, Manila was one major site
which stood out as KCFAPI represented
its strong stance against the violation
of life.
KCFAPI employees swarmed the
frontline of the San Agustin Church in
time with the concelebrated mass led by
Most. Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco.
The march commenced right after the
Mass, with KCFAPI employees flaunt-
ing their bespoke banner and shirts
with the tagline “Pray the Rosary, End
Abortion, Defend Life!”
Roaring yells filled the air in unison
with the phrase, “KCFAPI, KC Pro
Life,” during the rally. The heat of the
sun did not impede the marchers with
their sober aim of marching from Intra-
muros to Bonifacio Shrine.
Participants gathered to their as-
signed areas upon reaching the Boni-
facio Shrine. Bro. Gari San Sebastian,
manager of KCFAPI Fraternal Benefits
Services acted as the program’s host.
Several pro-life campaigners de-
livered their speeches. Manila Mayor
Hon. Mayor Alfredo S. Lim seized the
moment to express his advocacy against
abortion.
“Life is too precious that we have to
exert all efforts to protect and defend
life,” Mayor Lim said.
He believed that nothing could thwart
the will to fight against House Bill 5043,
otherwise known as the Reproductive
Health Bill.
A concluding song titled “Habang
May Buhay” (popularized by Wency
Cornejo) was performed by two KC-
FAPI employees, namely Ms. Marichu
Dela Cruz and Ms. Ma. Kristianne
Guevara, while the whole crowd sang
in harmony.
The rally ended with balloons flown
into the air with everybody celebrating
the triumph of KCFAPI’s Pro-Life Ac-
tivity. KCFAPI made its mark with the
success of the event.

2009 Spiritual Activities at KCFAPI On the evening of
March 27, employees
were directed to the cha-
pel right after dinner for
the Penitential Service at
around 8 p.m. The rite
began with an entrance
song and greeting from
the Presider. Similar to a
Eucharistic Celebration,
the first part of the activ-
ity involved reading of
the Liturgy of the Word,
Responsorial Psalm and
the Gospel followed by a
The activity helped the employees to deepen
their relationship with God and provided an op-
portunity for them to imbibe once again the true
meaning of the Lenten season.
Way of the Cross
One of the most popular religious devotions
of Catholics which KCFAPI annually organizes
with the help of the Spiritual Committee members
is the Way of the Cross. As a tradition, KCFAPI
employees commemorates Christ’s passion via the
Way of the Cross, which is usually held inside the
building premises of the KCFAPI Head Office in
Intramuros, Manila.
For this year, the way of the cross was held last
April 7, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and
was participated in by KCFAPI employees and its
subsidiaries, and the sales force.
Pabasa
The Pabasa or Pasyon is a way of narrating the
passion of Christ, His life and suffering through
the singing of the verses in five-line stanzas.
Annually held in KCFAPI, reading the Pabasa
is on a voluntary basis, employees take turn in
reading the verses. This year’s “Pabasa” started
from 6:00 p.m. of April 7 and ended at 8:00 a.m. the
following day. (Ma. Kristianne D. Guevara)

For Brother Knights by

short homily/reflection.
There were also inter-
cessory prayers and the
most important part of

Brother Knights
the penitential service,
the individual confes-
KCFAPI employees during their annual retreat held in Tagaytay last March 27-28.
sion and absolution or
the Sacrament of Recon-
Annual Retreat ciliation. During confessions of employees, the EIGHT hundred seventy-three brother knights and family members (wife, children and parents)
FIRST in the list of KCFAPI employees’ year-long chapel was filled with music as some designated applied for individual insurance coverage during the month of March 2009. This number is the
spiritual activities is the Annual Retreat. KCFAPI choir members sang church songs with highest for the period of January to March 2009.
True to the meaning of the word “retreat”, em- the Spiritual Committee’s Chairman, Atty. Rizal This is a welcome development amidst the environment of global financial crisis and the di-
ployees were able to temporarily escape or run V. Katalbas, Jr. as guitarist. The activity con- minishing consumer confidence on pre-need plans. This rosy sales scenario is attributable to a
away from their tiring routines in life and got the cluded with a prayer of thanksgiving at around combination of factors: 1) The continued trust and confidence of KC members to KCFAPI as the
chance to spend some quality time with God. 10 p.m. safest and most profitable place to entrust hard earned money; 2) The insurance plans offered
The chosen venue for this year’s retreat was Msgr. Joselito Asis gave a two-part lecture on by KCFAPI which meets the needs of members coming from varied status and professions; 3)
the very serene Carmelite Missionaries Center of the following day which tackled the preparation The improved performance of our sales people (AMs and FCs) especially those who make use of
Spirituality in Tagaytay City, which provided the for the Lenten Season (Fasting, Abstinence and modern technology in their sales presentation; 4) The forthcoming Fraternal Benefits Convention
retreatants a cool, peaceful atmosphere that has Almsgiving) and Becoming a Good Steward (Rest, sponsored by KCFAPI for the top sales performers. This event is part of the continuing training
been very conducive for meditation, study and Reflect, Renew). Employees did not only learn program of KCFAPI for Fraternal Counselors. Attached to the occasion are an incentive scheme
prayers throughout the duration of the retreat from the input but were also able to share their and the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of FCs belonging to other sales areas.
which ran from March 27-28, 2009. personal experiences that confirmed God’s abun- This feat earned in March will be a great deal of help in KCFAPI’s quest for a better sales in
Msgr. Joselito Asis and Msgr. Pedro C. Quito- dant love for all mankind. The retreat concluded 2009 compared with last year’s record breaking P102 Million first year insurance contribution
rio III from the CBCP acted as retreat master and with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the income. (Joseph Teodoro)
facilitator respectively. afternoon.

FOLLOWING the Department

of Health’s program to promote
oral health, the Knights of Co-
lumbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFA-
PI) held its first quarter health
awareness lecture on the value
of practicing good oral hygiene
last March 18.
The guest speaker for the oc-
casion was Dr. Marie Catherine
Estrollado-Berbunschi.
Dr. Berbunschi began her
lecture by reminding the audi-
ence that observing good oral
hygiene, the process for keeping
the mouth clean and healthy, is
necessary to prevent diseases
such as dental caries (cavity),
periodontal diseases, bad breath
and other dental problems.
She then discussed common
dental diseases caused by poor
oral hygiene namely:
Apthous ulcers “Canker sore”
(more commonly know as “sin-
gaw”), a shallow and painful,
open sore that forms in the
KCFAPI holds seminar on Oral Hygiene
mouth which makes eating and
talking uncomfortable. Canker
sores usually heal in about 7-10
days.
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative
Gingivitis (more commonly
known as “Trench Mouth”). It
is manifested by severe pains
caused by bacterial infection
of the gums. Trench Mouth is
usually caused by poor oral
hygiene and improper nutrition.
If left untreated the disease can
lead to necrosis (dead portions
of the skin) of the gum tissues
and may spread to other areas
of the body.
“Oral thrush” (Oral Candidi-
asis) which is usually limited to
the mucous membrane of the
mouth and tongue caused by
Candida Albicans. This yeast-
like fungal organism can be
found normally in many peo-
ple’s mouth, but when they grow
out of control, it will result to pulled away, exposing the roots tens the damage to our gums
mouth infection. of the teeth. and teeth and contributes to a
Receding gums, (gingival re- Brushing our teeth is an ev- mouth condition such as reced-
cession or gum recession) is the eryday activity that we take for ing gums. Other causes and risk
condition when the gum tissue granted. Most of us are unaware factors of gum recession include
surrounding the teeth is lost or that improper brushing has- aging (usually ranging from 40
years and above), gum diseases
and mouth trauma.
Dr. Berbunschi also discussed
about tooth decay or formation
of dental cavities or caries, which
is one of the most common forms
of human disease in the mouth.
Tooth decay is usually caused
by the loss of minerals from the
tooth enamel due to the action
of acids produced by dental
plaque.
Towards the end of the lec-
ture, Dr. Berbunschi gave the
employees practical tips on good
oral hygiene. She taught them
the proper strokes in brushing
KCFAPI employees with guest speaker Dr. Marie Catherine Estrollado-Berbunschi during one’s teeth, the duration and
the Oral Health Seminar held at Social Hall-KCFAPI Building last March 18. frequency in brushing (2 to 3
minutes at least twice a day or
after every meal), the use of the
right kind of toothbrush (with
soft bristles), using the right kind
of toothpaste (fluoride tooth-
paste), and the advantages and
frequency of using dental floss
(at least once a day).
She also advised the employ-
ees to be conscious of their diet
and to limit taking snacks be-
tween meals. Avoid sugar since
it contributes to the buildup of
acids in the mouth and weakens
the surface of the teeth. A visit
to the dentist at least every six
months and have a professional
dental cleaning regularly would
also be very helpful.
The session was another mo-
ment of enlightenment for the
employees on health care, as
many misnomers about dental
care were clarified and corrected
by Dr. Berbunschi. So remember,
a good oral hygiene makes you
bring out that confident smile.
(Dr. Jaime M. Talag)
 C2 The Cross CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

Chairman’s President’s Message

Message
Patrocinio R. Bacay
TO Christian believers, Lent is a
time to focus on how we can re-
ally connect to God’s presence in
our life. It is also a time for some
quiet reflection on how we fared
in the past year. Of the 365 days
handed generously to us, were
there ever days for others? Have
we ever moved out just a bit away
from our comfort zone? This
brings us to the very core of the
Lenten season—the love of Christ
for us. We can never parallel this.
What is best expected of us perhaps is just sharing whatever and
whenever we can. There is this reminder that states: the extra food
on your table and the extra shirt in your closet belong to someone
else. Remembering we have wronged anyone, we seek him and
make peace. At the end of this season, when we can feel the love of
God more than our misguided guilt feeling, we will have the best
Easter of all.
Happy Easter to all!
Antonio B. Borromeo
Easter Message
“Hallelujah....hallelujah....Jesus Christ has risen! Hallelujah”
AT the onset, may I, on behalf of the members of the Board of
Trustees, the management and staff of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI), extend
to one and all joyous Easter greetings!
Every year of our Christian lives, we commemorate and cel-
ebrate this greatest of all holidays of our Faith. For without the
triumphant Resurrection, our Faith is in vain and His Divine
Mercy would not have been exemplified! Most importantly, the
death of God’s only begotten Son, the only acceptable price for
man’s redemption and our sole justification in God’s eyes, would
have been for nought.
Victory over death – our own Resurrection in the future – is
each Christian’s God-given reward for faithfulness and righteous-
ness. Death is the punishment meted out to Adam and Eve and
all mankind for man’s original sin.
We in KCFAPI believe that each Knights of Columbus member,
together with his family, is assured of eternal salvation because of
our Faith, of our obedience to his Word, and of His Divine Mercy.
In our own way, we, in KCFAPI, make sure that the death of
each insured Brother Knight, or a family member, is made less
painful and more bearable because of the assurance of financial
security provided those who are left behind.
We also support the Order of the Knights of Columbus life-
long mission of inviting and encouraging all Roman Catholic
gentlemen and their families to join the Order and to avail for
themselves the primary benefit of membership – participation in
its unique and exclusive family income protection and savings
programs – provided by KCFAPI in the Philippines.
As the largest and most stable fraternal Mutual Benefits As-
sociation in the country today, we enjoin every Filipino Catholic
gentleman to seek membership in the largest lay Catholic family
organization in the world – the Order of the Knights of Columbus
– who believes that death should not be the end of the family, but
should be seen as the portal through which each passes through
to everlasting life, the greatest gift of God’s Love, that was only
made possible by Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.
“Hallelujah....hallelujah....Jesus Christ has risen! Hallelujah”
Vivat Jesus!

Carmelita S. Ruiz The KCFAPI Iloilo Service Office

A Woman with a Knight’s Perspective
By Aries Flores
BREAKING the barrier of male domination in the
Association, a female Manager has been hired in the
person of Ms. Carmelita S. Ruiz. Ms. Ruiz joined the
Association in June 2007 as Underwriting Manager
and was tasked to supervise
the department with its two
areas: the Individual Life In-
surance section and the Group
Insurance section, or more
commonly known as “CMBP”.
She is also an active partici-
pant of the Association’s vari-
ous committees and the Inde-
pendent Quality Management
System (QMS) Auditor of the
Association, one of the critical
reasons for the Association’s
accreditation as an ISO Certi-
fied Company. Highly moti-
vated, competitive, analytical
and creative, she is currently
spearheading major projects
geared towards the develop-
ment and implementation of
Automated Underwriting and
Workflow of the department,
one of which is the “Express
Lane” project, which aims
speedy processing of Benefit Certificates.
“Bong”, as she is fondly called, is a graduate of
Philippine School of Business Administration with
a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration,
and eventually passed the Certified Public Accoun-
tant examinations two years after. She brings with
her six years of experience as Financial Auditor and
17 years of life insurance underwriting experience,
which she acquired from a commercial life insur-
ance company, where she last worked as Line Man-
ager of the Ordinary Life Underwriting Section for
their Underwriting depart-
ment. Her work involved
Underwriting Imaging and
Workflow Administration
and Risk Appraisal of Life
Insurance Applications. She
also holds various designa-
tions and affiliations, few of
them are mentioned below:
• Member, Philippine In-
stitute of Certified Public
Accountants (PICPA)
• Fellow, Life Management
Institute Society (FLMI)
• Fellow, Home Office Life
Underwriters Association of
the Philippines
• Associate, Academy of
Life Underwriting (ALU)
• Associate, Customer
Service (ACS)
• Associate, Reinsurance
Administration (ARA)
With her achievements
we all can say that she maybe a woman in a
man’s world, but her will and desire to prove
herself has indeed become a turning point for
the Association’s vision for greatness and pro-
fessionalism.
By April G. Vasquez
IN its mission to provide quality fraternal service
to KC members and their families, the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philip-
pines, Incorporated established its local office in
Western Visayas, particularly in the City of Love,
Iloilo City.
Thus, in June of 1998, the Iloilo Service Office
was born. Strategically situated in the peaceful but
progressive town of Jaro, the KCFAPI Iloilo Service
Office occupies a space in the second floor of the
Carolina Building at 106 M. Jalandoni Street, Brgy.
Seminario. The Service Office is well-situated just
across the compounds of the historic and revered
Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral which houses the
famous statue of the “Our Lady of Candles.” From
the streets of M. Jalandoni and the surrounding
lanes are the prevailing antiquated houses of
prominent clans of the municipality of Jaro. A few
blocks to the southeast of the vicinity is the century
old edifice of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary,
and from which the name Barangay “Seminario”
(Spanish for Seminary) was derived.
On the 26th of May 2000, which coincided with
the three-day Knights of Columbus Tri-State
Convention in Iloilo City, the blessing of the
Iloilo Service Office took place. His Excellency,
Archbishop of Jaro Angel N. Lagdameo officiated
the said blessing. Present during the affair were
the KCFAPI Board Members and officers, staff; K
of C State Officers, friends and invited guests. A
simple yet heartwarming celebration was held at
the third level of the Carolina Building right after
the blessing of the Iloilo Service Office.
More than a decade has passed since the founda-
tion of Iloilo Service Office, and it is still continu-
ously striving to uphold the Association’s mission
and vision which pioneered from the four walls of
its Home Office in Intramuros, Manila. From its
humble beginnings, this quaint, 57-square-meter
office now serves the BC holders of the entire
Panay Island (Iloilo, Capiz, Antique and Aklan),
Negros Occidental and Guimaras Island.
As KCFAPI commemorated its 50 years of fra-
ternal service in 2008, the Iloilo Service Office, for
a decade, is also proud to have gone a long way
in reaching out to KC members and families of
Western Visayas.
Long Live KCFAPI Iloilo Service Office!

KC Fraternal signs a new treaty with PhilNaRe

WITH the mandate to provide the
highest level of service to Knights of
Columbus’ brother knights and their
families, KC Fraternal has renewed its
partnership with the largest reinsurer of
the country by signing a new treaty.
A consolidated reinsurance treaty
was signed by KC Fraternal’s President
Mr. Antonio B. Borromeo and National
Reinsurance Corp. of the Philippines’
(PhilNaRe) President and CEO Mr.
Roberto B. Crisol on March 18.
The signing was held at the KC
Fraternal Board Room, KCFAPI Bldg.
Gen. Luna corner Sta. Potenciana Sts.
Intramuros, Manila and was witnessed
by PhilNaRe’s officers Ms. Editha B.
Geronimo, Mr. Augusto S. Cipriano, and
Mr. Raymundo T. Bautista, Jr. with KC
Fraternal’s Executive Vice President Ms.
Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Asst. Vice Presi-
dent for Actuarial & Customer Relations
Mr. Joselito E. Mañalac, and Consulting
Actuary, Mr. Panfilo P. De La Paz.
With the KC Fraternal – PhilNaRe
partnership, our brother knights and
their families are assured of quality and
efficient service.
PhilNaRe is a product of the merger
with Universal Malayan Reinsurance
Corporation (UMRE) with the former
as the surviving entity. The merger
was undertaken to bring a stronger and
more competitive reinsurance entity
making them the only reinsurer in the
Philippines.
KC Fraternal has previously main-
tained two separate and distinct reinsur-
ance treaties with the two reinsurance
companies. (Celine B. Tabin)
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009
C3

Following the Moral Compass

Amid an economy characterized by greed, the Knights remain committed to the common good.
By Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson
RECENTLY, the Knights of Columbus commis- will not be restored until executives and companies tors, Warren Buffet recently described insurance
sioned a poll on public attitudes regarding the choose to be guided by a moral compass in their as “a business of long-term promises, sometimes
business ethics of corporate America. The poll, business decisions. I am convinced that only a extending for fifty years or more. This past year has
conducted by the Marist College Institute for strong commitment to ethical business practices retaught clients a crucial principle: A promise is no
Public Opinion, found that most Americans—and on the part of executives and the companies they better than the person or institution making it.”
two-thirds of executives—give corporate America lead can restore this confidence. I could not agree more. We have kept our prom-
failing grades for honesty and ethics. They also rate Interestingly, three-fourths of Americans and more ise to the families of our brother Knights for 127
the country’s business leadership as poor during than nine in 10 executives think that a business can be years. This is a tradition that every member of
this time of economic crisis. both successful and ethical. Likewise, three-fourths the Supreme Council is dedicated to preserving.
Among the U.S. public, 76 percent believe that of Americans and 86 percent of executives believe Today, that promise continues to be backed not
corporate America’s moral compass is pointed in people should have the same ethical standards in only by the financial strength of an AAA-rated
the wrong direction. Likewise, a majority of Ameri- business as in their personal lives. However, more corporation, but also by an unsurpassed commit-
cans, including two-thirds of executives, gave the than half of executives, and almost three-fourths of ment to our moral compass.
financial and investment industries a grade of “D” Americans, think that most people miss the mark. In Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI wrote,
or “F” in ethical matters. To the news media, perhaps one of the survey’s “The Church is God’s family in the world. In this
Asked what they believe to be the primary most surprising findings is a consensus that reli- family no one ought to go without the necessities
factors that drive the business decisions of execu- gion provides a good ethical standard for doing of life” (25). The pope then analyzed this principle
tives, more than 90 percent of Americans – and business. Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe from the standpoint of both justice and charity.
executives themselves – said that personal career that religious beliefs should significantly influence We are proud that the Order’s leadership is
advancement and personal financial gain rank executives’ business decisions, and executives are living out our commitment to charity—the first
equally high with corporate advantage. even more likely to agree. principle of the Knights.
Meanwhile, only 31 percent of Americans and These are all factors that may surprise some in We should be equally ready to emphasize our
32 percent of executives believe that the “public the general public, but not the Knights of Colum- commitment to justice in terms of our dedication
good” is a strong factor in corporate decisions. bus. As every brother Knight knows, the Order has to financial responsibility in our corporate af-
When we released the poll results, I said that the an unwavering commitment to following a moral fairs and our leadership as a business enterprise
present financial crisis was caused in no small part compass that always points in the same direction, committed to success, ethics and concern for the
by greed. The public’s confidence in our financial “in season and out of season.” public good.
system,as well as in much of corporate America, In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway inves- Vivat Jesus!

Let’s Chill in April!

By Gari San Sebastian
2009 Family Day and
FOLLOWING the success of our Fraternal Benefits Conven-
tion last year, FBG will conduct a follow-through Sales Hype
tagged as D.R.I.V.E. 110 (Deliver Results through Innovative
and Vigorous Effort) in order to hit our 110 Million Target in
First Year Contribution Income (FYCI) this year!
Mini Olympics
THE Knights of Columbus and to honor the legacy of Fr. awarded to the best muse, best or J. Lakas Jr: 0917-8711407.
Instead of holding three separate events for Luzon (North – Luzon Jurisdiction will be George J. Willmann, S.J., the in uniform and the biggest and Please register early. Rules
and Metro Manila and South) which is more taxing and time holding the 5TH FAMILY father of Knights of Columbus farthest delegation. governing the games and
consuming, we are bringing all FCs from Luzon to join the DAY & MINI OLYMPICS in the Philippines. Kindly signify your intention other information regarding
event in Manila and will later transfer to Los Baños for their 2009 on May 1 (Friday) from 6 There are 14 events lined up to participate by contacting the the event will be sent to those
team building. a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Philippine for all the councils to participate KC Luzon Jurisdiction office councils who indicated their
FBG is encouraging all attendees to bring any delicacy from Sports Commission (PSC UL- in. Family members and Colum- through office numbers: tel. (02) participation.
their respective home town during their get together during TRA Complex) in Pasig City. bian Squires may join the KC 527-2245; or fax (02) 527-2248. Thank you and we ex-
the team-building session. There will also be fun-filled learn- This athletic activity aims to members in vying for the honors You may also contact the follow- pect you and your family
ing activities and exercises. foster close ties among KC in all of the 14 events. Additional ing persons: B. Martinez: 0906- to be there! (Bonifacio B.
We will repeat these sessions in Visayas and Mindanao on members and their families cash prizes and trophies will be 5521158; E. Eroles: 0917-8340004; Martinez)
May. Watch out for the next issue of The Cross.

Fraternal Benefits Group

Calendar of Activities
April 24 - 25 – Fraternal Benefits Convention
for Luzon FCs
An estimate of over a hundred Fraternal Coun-
selors from different areas in Luzon will gather in
this year’s FB Convention in Monte Vista Confer-
ence Center, Los Baños, Laguna.

April 27 - 30 – Asian trip for KCFAPI Salesforce

Honor Roll
The FC of the Year in 2008 with the Runners-
up and Fr. Willmann Knights of the Round
Table (WKRT) and the Area Manager of the Year,
Runner-Up and AMs who achieved 125% or more
of their last year’s target will join a four-day and
three-nights’ tour in Macau and Hong Kong. (Bro.
Gari San Sebastian)

Announcement:
New Payment Facility
Now you
can pay your
insurance con-
tribution with
utmost conve-
nience through
BPI’s bill pay-
ment facility.

If you are a
BPI Express
Teller accoun-
tholder, just en-
roll your refer-
ence number in
BPI’s bill payment facility. Then you can start
paying your insurance contribution through
the bank’s electronic channels.

You can enroll in three ways:

1. Call Express Phone 89-100 or 1-800-
188-89100 TOLL FREE, dial “0” for Other
Products and Services, then another “0” for
Other Concerns.
2. Log on to www.bpiexpressonline.com
(for existing Express Online users only)
3. Visit your branch of account

Once enrolled, payments can be made

through any of the following:*
· ATM
· Telephone, just dial 89-100
· Cellphone, just go to Globe Services>My
Favorites>BPI Mobile
· Internet, just log on to www.bpiexpres-
sonline.com

*Payments via telephone, cellphone and

internet are available to accountholders who
are enrolled users of these channels.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 13 No. 8
April 13 - 26, 2009

‘Walk for Life’ as ‘We Value Life’

By SK Arsenio Isidro G. Yap
MARCH 21, 2009 is a historic day for
the Knights of Columbus in the Philip-
pines, for it was the day the Knights of
Columbus in Luzon, the Visayas and
Mindanao corroborated with one anoth-
er and together voiced out their stand on
Abortion. Simultaneously, they held the
first ever “Walk for Life” rallies in sup-
port of the orderwide Pro-Life stand of
the Knights of Columbus in cognizance
of the stand of the Catholic Church. It
was a “Walk” to oppose the passage of
Reproductive Health Bill 5043, viewed
to be a prelude to abortion bills, same
sex marriages and the like.
Even before the “Walk for Life” ma-
terialized, the three Jurisdictions were
one in saying that the occasion will not
be a onetime event but will be an annual
event on March 25 or on the Saturday
before it. March 25 was chosen as it falls
on the Feast of the Annunciation which
is also known as the International Day
of the Unborn. Symbolically, it reminds
KC Luzon officers with Hon. Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim leading the Walk for Life participants to the Boni-
facio Shrine.
us of a full term pregnancy and the real-
ity and dignity of life from conception.
Initially, the walk was to be con-
ducted in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu
and Metro Davao as main staging areas.
The Visayas conducted it also in two
other areas while Luzon conducted it in
about a dozen more areas thus making
the event a truly nationwide event. For
the very first time and at such magni-
tude a singular event of the Knights
of Columbus in the Philippines was
staged so successfully that its officers
and members were able to display what
“Unity in Action” really meant.
The Knights in Luzon even adopted
the theme “We Value Life” as they claim
that life should be protected in all its
stages from conception up to its final
moments. They are one in saying that
no one, not even the mighty laws of
the land could ever dictate the size of a
family and when to end a life nobody
wants.
Initial reports in Luzon stated that it
was staged in Baguio with about 1,600 in
attendance in two venues; 200 in Bayo-
mbong, Nueva Vizcaya; 160 in Benito
Soliven, Isabela; 350 in Metropolitan
Cathedral, Tuguegarao City; 3,000 in
Dagupan, Tabuk, Kalinga; 800 in San
Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral and
Nueva Ecija University of Science &
Technology; 4,000 in Liceo de San Pablo
in San Pablo City; 250 in Our Lady of
All Nations Parish in Daet, Camarines
Norte; and 2,000 in Plaza Quezon in
Naga City.
The Metro Manila “Walk for Life”
was participated in by more than 5,000
brother knights and their families from
the seven Dioceses of Metro Manila
namely Manila, Antipolo, Cubao,
Kalookan, Novaliches, Parañaque
and Pasig and from three Dioceses of
nearby provinces namely Imus, Cavite;
Malolos, Bulacan; and San Fernando,
Pampanga; as well as representatives The theme “We Value Life” is the rallying slogan during the KC Luzon Jurisdiction’s Walk for Life. This signifies
from KCFAPI, the Columbian Squires their thrust to protect life from conception to its final moments.
and Manila Boy Scouts. The first speaker was Mayor Lim who to dedicate its worthy causes to prevent
The Metro Manila Walk started with encouraged the Knights in their aspira- the untimely termination of life of the
a concelebrated 7 a.m. mass at the San tion to protect life from conception and unborn. To cap the event, hundreds of
Augustine Church, Intramuros led by to continue their fight to thwart RH balloons were released carrying a giant
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao Bill 5043. Next was Dr. Ligaya Acosta poster of the Knights of Columbus with
with Msgr. Pedro Quitorio and Msgr. of Human Life International-Asia who the theme, “We Value Life”.
Joselito Asis of CBCP, Rev. Fr. Asis stressed the dangers of contraceptive The Luzon Jurisdiction of the Knights
Bajao, Rev. Fr. William Araña, and Rev. pills and devices. Msgr. Quitorio and of Columbus announced that the “Walk
Fr. Salvador Jose. Bishop Ongtioco reiterated the stand of for Life” will not only be an annual
The “Walk” started shortly thereafter the church on the matter and why we event to dramatize its stand on abortion
headed by our Luzon Deputy Alonso should ever be vigilant to protect the life but it shall be the Number One priority
L. Tan and wife, Thesse with Bishop of the unborn. Ma. Kristianne Guevara that would be instilled in the hearts and
Honesto Ongtioco, Mayor Alfredo Lim and Marichu dela Cruz of KCFAPI sung minds of every knight. The theme “We
of Manila, State Secretary Arsenio Isidro a beautiful rendition of “Habang May- Value Life” will be a rallying slogan as
Yap, State Treasurer Joven Joaquin and buhay”, which the Luzon Jurisdiction we will protect life from conception to
State Warden Pascual Carbero. It ended adopted as the theme song for the event. its final moments. The song “Habang
at the Bonifacio Shrine beside Manila The song was chosen based on its lyrics, Maybuhay” will be a reminder to every
City Hall where a short program was which conveys the desire of the Jurisdic- knight of its lifetime duty to protect the
conducted. tion to protect life from the womb and unborn.

Visayan Knights ‘Walk for Life’

By Bro. Junjie Navales Cruz
THE Visayas Jurisdiction spearheaded the WALK
FOR LIFE prayer-rally simultaneously in the cities
of Cebu, Iloilo and Tacloban on March 21.
Adopting the theme “Barug Filipino! Panalipdi
Ang Katungod Sa Kinabuhi Ug Pamilya” (Pro-Life
Activism, Every Filipino’s Concern), more than
two thousand knights, members of the academe,
parish-based organizations and other civic groups
marched and prayed in support of the Church’s
Pro-Life Advocacy against the threats brought
about by House Bill 5043, otherwise known as the
“Reproductive Health (RH) Bill”.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal of-
ficially endorsed and urged the Catholic faithful
to support the activity. Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop An-
gel Lagdameo, President of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) conveyed
appreciation for this noble work of the Knights of
Columbus in the Visayas “especially at this point
in time when the so-called ‘enemies of life’ seem
to be gathering forces”. Archbishop Jose Palma of
the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte, also expressed his
full support for the activity.
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in his mes-
sage sent through the Visayas Jurisdiction Office
urged brother knights “to pray that the Philippines
will remain a place of faith and family values”.
Brother knights and other Pro-Life advocates,
braving the afternoon sun, brought with them
placards and streamers as they marched through
the city streets of Cebu, Iloilo and Tacloban. Dur-
ing the concelebrated Pontifical Mass in Cebu,
Bishop Emilio Bataclan, Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu,
reminded the faithful to always pursue activities

Knights of Columbus members and motorcycles escorting the Walk for Life march.

that protect the sanctity of life and the family.
After the mass, Visayas Deputy, Bro. Dionisio R.
Esteban, Jr., formally welcomed the WALK FOR
LIFE participants as he reiterated the commitment
of the Knights of Columbus Visayas Jurisdiction
to the Pro-Life stand of the Church and the vari-
ous resolutions passed during the 126th Supreme
Council Convention in Quebec, Canada, geared
toward “BUILDING A CULTURE OF LIFE”.
The resource speakers, namely: Cebu City Coun-
cilor Edgardo C. Labella, a brother knight and a
lawyer, assailed the morality and constitutionality
of the Reproductive Health Bill while Dr. Rene
Josef C. Bullecer, Country Director of Human Life
International (HLI) acknowledged the efforts of pro-
life congressmen, especially Deputy House Speaker
Raul Del Mar, even as he cautioned the WALK FOR
LIFE participants to be vigilant and actively pursue
San Lorenzo Ruiz Council of Jaro, Iloilo City joining the Walk for Life advocacy. opposition to the Reproductive Health Bill.
In the Tacloban leg of the activity organized by
Eastern Visayas Regional Deputy, Bro. Dalmacio
Grafil, Guest speakers have been invited namely:
Dr. Susan Ida and Rev. Fr. Oscar Lorenzo. Dr. Ida, a
renowned physician in the city, lectured about the
“Culture of Life” while Rev. Fr. Lorenzo stressed
that pro-life advocacy “is not a Catholic issue but
a Human Rights issue.”
The WALK FOR LIFE and the pro-life advo-
cacy of the Knights of Columbus was featured in
various local community newspapers, radio and
television news.
There was also a Pledge of Commitment To Life
and ceremonial burning of a copy of HB 5043 led
by Dr. Bullecer.
The prayer-march-rally’s finale was a choral
singing by selected pre-schoolers who sang “Yes-
terday’s Dream” wholeheartedly as their humble
contribution to the Pro-Life advocacy.

By SK Hernando Jordan
Mindanao ‘Walk for Life’
HUNDREDS of Brother Knights from
different assemblies and councils and
truckloads of students from 10 univer-
sities, colleges and schools assembled
in front of Holy Cross of Davao Col-
lege (HCDC) along Sta. Ana Avenue
on March 21 for an experience of a
lifetime.
The Mindanao ‘Walk for Life’ began
at 1:30 p.m., led by two motorcycle
escorts, followed by the 4th Degree
Knights in their Colorful Regalia, and
the 4th degree members in their white
barong tagalog in baldric. Marching be-
hind were the various council members
who came from as far as Davao Oriental,
Tagum City, Panabo City, Digos City
and Davao City.
Students followed by members of
various Church organizations marched
behind.
Members of the Family and Life
Apostolate (FLA) led the praying of the Fourth degree members in their white barong tagalog in baldric. Fourth degree Knights marching in their colorful regalia.
holy rosary while riding a vehicle with the long march which ended at the San Cruz said the opening remarks during Archbishop of Davao and Sir Knight onor de Borja – Palabyab, M.D. FPOGS,
sound system owned by District 18. Pedro Cathedral where a holy mass was the short program that immediately Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight. Obstetrician and Gynecologist of San
About three to four hundred mem- celebrated at 3 p.m. The main celebrant followed after the Mass. FLA secretary, Sis Lilia B. Aventurado Pedro Hospital, Davao City.
bers of the Legion of Mary decided was Davao Auxiliary Bishop George B. He also read the messages of support introduced the guest speakers for the Both speakers had openly expressed
not to participate in the walk but went Rimando, DD, with Rev. Fr. Orlando from Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, event: Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia, DCD. their advocacy for life and recognized
directly to the San Pedro Cathedral. Angelia, DCD, as Co-Celebrant. Archbishop of Jaro and CBCP President, Director of Family and Life Apostolate the moral repugnance that many have
A mobile patrol car of the PNP tailed Mindanao Deputy Bro. Sofronio R. Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, DD., of the Archdiocese of Davao and Ele- for the Reproductive Health Bill.