Monitor
CBCP
JUNE 25 - JULY 8, 2018 VOL. 22 NO. 13
UGNAYAN
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT
OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST
Don’t be distracted from
pressing problems - Tagle
Focus on rising prices, jobs, other social issues
By Roy Lagarde
WHILE stressing the
need to defend Catholic
Church against attacks,
Cardinal Luis Antonio
Tagle of Manila called
on the people “not to be
distracted” from other
problems that affect
them.
With the increasing prices of
goods, the rising unemployment,
corruption, and the continued
killings, he said that these are real
issues that need attention and must
be addressed.
“Let us not be distracted from
addressing other pressing concerns
with fervor of faith and love,”
Cardinal Tagle said in a letter
addressed to the clergy on June 27.
He lamented the worsening traffic
in big cities, flooding, exploitation
of women and children, the
vulnerabilities of Filipino workers
abroad, and terrorism as among
the problems besetting the nation.
“We need to come together and
contribute to positive responses
according to each one’s capability.
We cannot address these problems
by just blaming someone,” he said.
The cardinal, who is currently in
Geneva for the UN Conference on
Migrants and Refugees, made the
statement after President Rodrigo
Duterte’s recent tirade against the
Church, its teachings, and even
calling God “stupid”.
Duterte also blasted the creation
story in the Bible and questioned
Distracted / A7
Religious groups aid strikers
across Philippine capital
Benedictine nun Mary John Mananzan speaks before striking workers in the province
of Bulacan north of Manila on June 23. INDAY ESPINA-VARONA/UCAN
CATHOLIC nuns and
Protestant pastors are
leading religious groups who
have fanned out across the
Philippine capital and nearby
provinces to show support
for striking workers.
A series of strikes have
erupted over the last week
in opposition to the so-
called labor-only contracting
scheme, which has been
blame d for the lack of
employment tenure among
many workers.
Labor-only contracting is
the practice of using agents or
manpower agencies to recruit
casual workers on behalf of a
bigger business, so the latter
can circumvent labor rules
and avoid hiring regular
employees, consequently
making it easier to sack
people.
The presence of church
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE
A3: NEWS
Pope: Individual bishops must decide about
Communion in mixed marriages
Catholics join the penitential pilgrimage walk along the streets in Dagupan City to condemn the continued killings in the country and for the sins of
blasphemy against God, June 18, 2018. PHOTO FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN
people in picket lines
appeared to deter clashes
between protesting workers
and police, observers said.
Benedictine nun Mary
John Mananzan told striking
workers that the Catholic
Church has been consistent
in recognizing their “need to
live in dignity.”
The activist nun led a
group of religious women
to a manufacturing plant in
Bulacan province on June
23 to assure striking workers
there of church support.
“Pope Francis is at one
with your struggle to escape
poverty and live in dignity,”
said the nun.
She added that the pontiff
recognizes the “right to job
security, to form unions,
and to strike for better work
conditions.”
Capital / A6
It’s simply inappropriate, CBCP
head says on arming priests
THE head of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP)
reiterated his opposition
to arming priests, saying
that it is eminently fitting
for priests who act ‘in the
person of Christ’ to follow
His example.
Archbishop Romulo Valles,
CBCP President, said that a
priest’s actions and attitude
should conform as closely as
possible to Christ’s, and also
should be such as to witness
to the Gospel of Jesus.
“A priest is a person who is
configured to Christ,” Valles
said. “And therefore, with
this configuration of a priest
to Christ, it is simply not
appropriate, to say the least,
for a priest to carry firearms
Church agency backs refugee bill
THE migrants ministry of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines has
thrown its support behind
a proposed legislation to
protect the rights of refugees
and stateless persons in the
country.
The CBCP’s Episcopal
Commission for the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and
Itinerant People (ECMI) is
hoping to increase public
support for the creation of
A7: DIOCESAN NEWS
Laguna’s gun-toting priests
to surrender firearms
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP President.
to protect himself.”
The Davao archbishop
stressed that the recent
killing of priests are not
enough reason for clergymen
to arm themselves, even in
a body that would prescribe
a fair procedure for status
determination of refugees.
“In certain advocacies that
promotes the rights and the
welfare of vulnerable people,
the Church is always there
because we want to uplift
their living conditions,”
said Scalabrini Fr. Restituto
Ogsimer, ECMI Executive
Secretary.
Authored by Senator Leila
Refugee / A7
CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM
B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS
Message of Pope Francis for the Second
World Day of the Poor, 18 November 2018
‘Pray for
Duterte,’
bishops ask
faithful
A CATHOLIC archbishop refused
to get involved in a war of words
with President Rodrigo Duterte,
calling on the faithful to instead
pray for the country’s top leader.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas
of Lingayen-Dagupan called on
Catholics not to let Duterte’s tirades
against the Church for calling God
“stupid” deter them from praying
for him.
“Pray for him with compassion.
We pray for his healing and for
God’s forgiveness on him,” Villegas
said in a statement addressed the
young people of the archdiocese.
But the former president of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines urged the people
to rebuke Duterte’s “errors” about
Christian faith.
“He is a person in authority and
some of you might get confused
when you hear him. To pray for
him is not enough. We must serve
you the truth as we pray for him,”
Villegas said.
“We are in a spiritual warfare
against error and sin. Shield
yourselves from error and guide
your fellow youth in godliness.
Read more about the faith. Study
the true teaching of the Church,”
he said.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David
of Kalookan said disagreeing
with a particular belief does not
give Duterte the license to insult
the Catholic Church, especially
that many of his supporters are
Catholics.
“Disagreeing is never a license to
insult,” said David, who is also the
CBCP Vice President.
Faithful / A6
strongly condemned these
killings. But still to me, it
does not warrant at all that
priests carry firearms,” he
said.
Valles then challenged the
police authorities to ensure
the security of everyone in
the country.
“We pray for them and
challenge them to do their
very best in this difficult and
demanding task of protecting
all of us, including priests,”
he added.
The Philippine National
Police earlier reported
self-defence. that over 200 priests
“Together with other and ministers from other
reported killings, we are religious denominations have
most disturbed and deeply filed applications for permit
saddened by the death to carry firearms outside
of these priests. We have residence. (CBCPNews)
CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People
(ECMI) Executive Secretary Fr. Restituto Ogsimer (2nd from left) leads a press briefing
in Manila on World Refugee Day, June 22, 2018. RICHARD DE LEON
A2 WORLD NEWS June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

USCCB HQ receives hundreds of calls Vatican Briefing

about fostering detained kids
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Maybe it Most fundamental human right is hope, pope says
was the request by the Pentagon for The theory that well-being will automatically flow down to
20,000 mattresses as military bases everyone from the riches of the few is “a lie,” Pope Francis said.
become, at least partly, shelters for The beatitudes show the way, he said, because they show that
detained border crossers. holiness doesn’t concern just the soul, “but also the feet -- for
Maybe it was the federal going toward our brothers and sisters, and the hands -- for sharing
government report that 2,352 with them.” May the beatitudes “teach us and our world to not
children had been separated from be wary of or leave at the mercy of the ocean waves those who
2,206 parents at the U.S.-Mexico leave their land, hungry for bread and justice; may they lead us
border between May 5 and June 9. to not live in excess, devoting ourselves to the advancement of
Maybe it was the now-famous everyone, kneeling with compassion before the weakest,” he said
audio recording of children crying June 15. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
after being separated from their
parents. Scientists, believers should admit how little they know, pope
Or maybe it was the pictures of says
kids in cages. Scientists and people of faith always must admit they don’t
Whatever the reason, hundreds know everything, and they must never be afraid to explore and
of American adults have called the discover more, Pope Francis told astronomy students and experts.
Washington headquarters of the “As people who love what we do, we can find in our love for this
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops universe a foretaste of that divine love which, in contemplating
seeking to provide foster care for the his creation, declared that it was good,” he said June 14. The pope
separated children. spoke to dozens of young astronomy students who were taking
At first report June 20, 300 calls part in a monthlong summer school sponsored by the Vatican
had come in. And the calls keep Observatory. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
coming. “We’re triaging the calls,”
said Katie Kuennen, associate Using women, trampling on their dignity is a sin, pope says
director for children’s services for Exploiting women or treating them like objects is a sin against
the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee God, Pope Francis said. “There is a rage against women, terrible
Services office. rage,” the pope said in his homily June 15 during morning Mass
“We’re getting flooded,” Kuennen at Domus Sanctae Marthae. It will do people good—especially
added. “It’s not just Catholic those who enjoy freedom—to reflect on how many women have
Charities, but MRS-wide.” become “slaves of this throwaway mentality,” he said. (Carol
The one hitch: Most of those Glatz/CNS)
who have called are not licensed or People protest the separation of families in San Diego June 23. Katie Kuennen, associate director for
certified to be foster parents. That’s children’s services for the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services office, says hundreds of American
U.S. officials return stolen Columbus letter back to Vatican
a process that varies from state to adults have called the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops seeking to
provide foster care for the separated children. CNS PHOTO/DAVID MAUNG Library
state, according to Kuennen. While
With the help of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
most states can train and certify Kuennen told Catholic News Service torn from their folks, plus whatever a 15th-century copy of a letter Christopher Columbus sent to his
parents for foster care in two or June 22. ORR is the acronym additional children were separated royal patrons describing the riches of the New World has been
three months, some states can take for the federal Office of Refugee from their parents after June 9. returned to its rightful owner—the Vatican. The rare eight-page
a lot longer. Resettlement. Moreover, a policy enacted document, estimated to be worth $1.2 million, had been secretly
Further, while many Catholic “The programs aren’t new, the in 1997 sets a 20-day limit for replaced with a forgery, while the true document eventually
Charities USA affiliate agencies are process of bringing foster families on detained children to be detained ended up in the hands of a U.S. collector from Atlanta. The late
set up to match foster families with board isn’t new,” she said. “What’s new alongside their parents. A Trump Robert Parsons had purchased the piece for $875,000 in the
children, not all are. MRS, Kuennen is the public awareness of the program administration request to exceed United States in 2004 “in good faith,” unaware it had been stolen.
said, also partners with Bethany and the seeing of these images on that limit is before a federal judge (Carol Glatz/CNS)
Christian Services in some areas of television to get engaged and to open in California.
the country. Agencies wishing to add their homes to these families.” “For years there has not been
Migration is about people, not numbers, pope says
foster care to their portfolio of services Even though President Donald sufficient capacity in the ORR
Migrants seeking a better life in other countries must not be
can typically gain state licensing in a Trump signed an executive order residential network for foster care
viewed with suspicion but rather defended and protected, no
month or two, she added. June 20 that essentially reversed that placement,” Kuennen told CNS.
matter their status, Pope Francis said. International cooperation
So what happens when the calls part of the administration’s “zero “Historically they (children) have
is needed “at every stage of migration,” especially for countries
come in? “We’re able to direct them tolerance” policy that separated kids been going into shelter settings.”
where higher influx of migrants “often exceeds the resources of
to the nearest ORR foster care from their parents, it was silent on (Mark Pattison/Catholic News
many states,” the pope said June 14 in a message to participants
program that we have available,” the fate of those 2,352 kids already Service)
of the Holy See-Mexico Conference on International Migration at
the Casina Pio IV, a villa located in the Vatican Gardens. “I would
‘Humanae vitae’ is true, and essential to human like to point out that the issue of migration is not simply one of
numbers, but of people, each with his or her own history, culture,
development, conference speakers say feelings and aspirations. These people, our brothers and sisters,
need ongoing protection, independently of what migrant status
ROME, Italy— Though encyclical upheld traditional many bishops and priests wholly failed to find any they may have,” he said in the message read by Archbishop Paul R.
Humanae vitaehas faced Catholic teaching forbidding and other Christians to persuasive argument Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister. (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)
frequent dissent in the artificial contraception, it suppose, or tell themselves, against the conclusion
50 years since it was was met with widespread mistakenly, that the pope that any such ‘opening’ Listen to those in need, pope says in World Day of Poor message
published, that dissent dissent. could have made some would also be an opening How is it that God in heaven can hear the cries of the poor, but
does not detract from its In his lecture, Finnis ‘opening’ or ‘ loosening’ of to homosexual sex acts, so many people watching or standing nearby either cannot or just
truth, a law professor said noted that “Paul VI the ‘rule’ or ‘ban’ against solitary self-gratification, do not care, Pope Francis asked. People must make “a serious
at a recent conference on omitted to state openly in contraception.” consensual adultery, examination of conscience to understand whether we are really
the encyclical. the encyclical something This happened, Finnis premarital intercourse.” capable of listening to the poor,” the pope said in a message for the
John Finnis, professor which he took for granted, continued, because these He added that “that World Day of the Poor. The recently established commemoration
emeritus of law and something that he assumed bishops “supposed, majority had likewise and the period of reflection and action preceding it are meant to
legal philosophy, at the all Christians willingly or without careful thought” failed to show that their give Christians a chance to follow Christ’s example and concretely
University of Oxford, reluctantly accepted, as that the pope “could principle of ‘totality’ share a moment of love, hope and respect together with those in
spoke during a June 14 – they had accepted from have [approved the use could be adopted without need in one’s community, the pope said in the message dated June
17 conference at the Paul the Church’s beginning... of contraception] while abandoning the whole 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of the poor. The
VI Institute in Brescia, that everyone at all leaving intact the rest of Christian teaching Vatican released the message to the public June 14. The World
promoted by the Italian times has the arduous the teaching about sex that about acts intrinsically Day of the Poor -- to be marked each year on the 33rd Sunday
Confederation of Centers responsibility not to seek you find throughout the immoral whatever the of ordinary time -- will be celebrated Nov. 18 this year and will
for the Natural Regulation sexual satisfaction in a New Testament.” circumstances.” focus on a verse from Psalm 34, “This poor one cried out and the
of Fertility. non-marital way.” The philosopher Finnis’ comments Lord heard.” (Carol Glatz/CNS)
Blessed Paul VI This proposition was stressed that the same referred to a campaign
promulgated the encyclical “believed even if not fully bishops “paid no that filled the media before Council of Cardinals finalizes draft of new document on
July 25, 1968, despite practiced,” noted Finnis. attention to the fact that and after the promulgation Roman Curia
pressure to approve the use Paul VI’s omission had the advisory commission of the encyclical, whose Pope Francis will review a finalized draft of the apostolic
of artificial contraception by “a wholly unintended who, by majority, urged effects, he said, are constitution that would govern the Roman Curia, the Vatican
Catholics, in at least limited effect,” Finnis said. him in 1966 to make this enduring still today. spokesman said. The document, provisionally titled “Praedicate
circumstances. When the “It made it easier for ‘opening’ had tried but (CNA/EWTN News) Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”), was reviewed by the
international Council of Cardinals, and the draft will be “given
Australian priests ‘willing to go to jail’ rather than break confessional seal to the Holy Father for the considerations he deems opportune,
useful and necessary,” said Greg Burke, director of the Vatican
CANBERRA, Australia— As in Canberra passed a law which to him,” due to the “delicacy and press office, June 13. The title is still subject to change, and the
Australian states and territories requires religious organizations greatness of this ministry and the pope may choose to share it with others to receive feedback,
pass and consider laws requiring to adhere to the requirements of respect due to persons.” Burke said. An early draft of the document was reviewed by Pope
priests to break the seal of confession the Reporting Conduct Scheme, The Code of Canon Law states that Francis and the council during their last meeting, April 23-25.
to report cases of child sex abuse, which requires religious groups to “The sacramental seal is inviolable; The draft document emphasizes four points: the Roman Curia
Catholic priests are saying they report any allegations, offences or therefore it is absolutely forbidden is at the service of the pope and the local churches throughout
would go to jail rather than violate convictions of child abuse within for a confessor to betray in any way the world; the work of the Curia must have a pastoral character;
the seal. 30 days. This legislation extends a penitent in words or in any manner the new section in the Vatican Secretariat of State would oversee
“The state will be requiring us as to the seal of confession, making it and for any reason.” A priest who the training, assigning and ministry of Vatican nuncios and
Catholic priests to commit as what illegal for priests to fail to report the intentionally violates the seal incurs diplomats around the world; and the proclamation of the Gospel
we regard as the most serious crime confession of a child sex abuse crime. an automatic excommunication. and a missionary spirit must characterize the activity of the Curia.
and I’m not willing to do that,” said South Australia has adopted a Whelan noted additional concerns (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)
Fr. Michael Whelan, a parish priest similar law, which will take effect with the law, saying the only way to
at St. Patrick’s Church in Sydney, Oct. 1, and New South Wales is ensure the law was being followed Pope launches appeal that World Cup in Russia helps
according to local news. considering the measure. would be to “try and entrap priests.” promote peace
Fr. Whelan added that he, along Fr. Whelan believes the rest of Instead, Whelan believes other As 32 nations get ready to vie for the World Cup in Russia,
with other priests, would be “willing the nation will follow the royal precautions against child sex abuse Pope Francis greeted players, organizers and soccer fans who
to go to jail” rather than break the commission’s recommendation. should be taken, such as encouraging will be following “this event that overcomes all borders.” “May
seal of confession. When asked if the “I expect every jurisdiction in the perpetrator to confess to the this important sports event become an occasion for encounter,
Church was above the law, Whelan Australia now will follow that police. dialogue and fraternity between different cultures and religions,
said “absolutely not” and remarked recommendation and I expect the Clergy are not the only critics of promoting solidarity and peace between nations,” said the
he would only be protecting religious church throughout will simply not the new legislation. Andrew Wall, Argentine pope, who is an avid soccer fan. He made his remarks
freedom. observe it?” Whelan said. a member of the Australian Capital in an appeal at the end of his general audience in St. Peter’s
“…when the state tries to intervene The Catechism of the Catholic Territory Legislative Assembly, said Square June 13. The 2018 FIFA World Cup was being held in
on our religious freedom, undermine Church teaches that “every priest forcing priests to break the seal of Russia from June 14 to July 15. It is the first time the quadrennial
the essence of what it means to be a who hears confessions is bound confession oversteps an individual’s tournament, which began in 1930, was held in Eastern Europe.
Catholic, we will resist,” he said. under severe penalties to keep “freedom of association, freedom of (Carol Glatz/CNS)
On June 7, the Australian Capital absolute secrecy regarding the sins expression and freedom of religious
Territory Legislative Assembly that his penitents have confessed rights.” (CNA/EWTN News)
CBCP Monitor June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 A3

Pope: Individual bishops must decide about

Communion in mixed marriages
ABOARD THE PAPAL
FLIGHT FROM GENEVA—
The question of allowing
Protestants married
to Catholics to receive
Communion at Mass
in special cases has to be
decided by each individual
bishop and cannot be decided
by a bishops’ conference,
Pope Francis told reporters
after a one-day ecumenical
journey to Geneva.
During an inflight news
conference June 21, the pope
was asked about his recent
decision requesting the
Catholic bishops’ conference
of Germany not publish
nationwide guidelines for
allowing Communion for
such couples.
He said the guidelines
went beyond what is
foreseen by the Code of
Canon law “and there is the
problem.” The code does
not provide for nationwide
policies, he said, but
“provides for the bishop
of the diocese (to make a
decision on each case), not
the bishops’ conference.”
“This was the difficulty of
the debate. Not the content,”
he said.
Cardinal-designate
Luis Ladaria, prefect of
the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith, had
written the bishops that “the
Holy Father has reached the
conclusion that the document
has not matured enough to be
published.”
Pope Francis expanded on
that by saying it will have
to be studied more. He said
he believed what could be
done is an “illustrative”
type of document “so that
each diocesan bishop could
oversee what the Code of
Canon Law permits. There
was no stepping on the
brakes,” he said.
The bishops’ conference
can study the issue and
offer guidelines that help
each bishop handle each
individual case, he said.
When asked about
countries’ recent reluctance
to take in refugees, the pope
underlined the basics every
nation should provide,
“welcoming, accompaniment,
(help with) settling in,
integrate.”
He added that each
government must act with
“prudence” and understand
how many people it can
educate and integrate and
help.
In response to another
question, the pope said
human rights are in a
serious state of crisis today,
having become relative or
unimportant in the eyes of
Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Geneva to
Rome June 21, 2018. PAUL HARING/CNS
some parts of the world.
Today there is a “crisis
of hope, a crisis of human
rights, a crisis of mediation, a
crisis of peace,” he said.
Pope Francis said he and
leaders of the World Council
of Churches discussed this
crisis during a private lunch,
and one Protestant pastor
commented that “perhaps the
first human right is the right
to have hope.”
The lack of belief in and
enthusiasm for basic human
rights is a serious concern,
he said, and “we have to look
for the causes for how we
got here—that human rights
today are relative, even the
right to peace is relative. It
is a crisis of human rights.”
Conflicts in the world
should not be resolved the
way Cain tried, with violence,
he said, referring to the
biblical story of Cain and
Abel. “Resolve them with
negotiations, with dialogue,
with mediation.”
Recounting remarks he had
heard, he said: “If a Third
World War is waged, we
know what weapons will be
used. But if there were to be
a fourth, it will be waged with
sticks, because humanity
will have been destroyed.”
(Carol Glatz/CNS)

Dictatorships begin with taking over Chilean bishops establish

media to spread lies, pope says ‘Listening Service’ to
VATICAN— All dictatorships begin
the same way: media outlets are
the day’s first reading in which
Jezebel succeeds in her a plot to
behind their back, telling lies or
spreading scandalous news, the
accompany abuse victims
put in the hands of “unscrupulous” help her husband, King Ahab, take pope said.
people who spread lies and weaken possession of their neighbor’s land; Talking about scandals is
democracy, Pope Francis said. the neighbor, Naboth, refused to enormously seductive, he said, and
Typical standards, norms and sell what had belonged to his family “one is seduced by scandals. Good
laws in regard to communications for generations. Jezebel arranged news isn’t a seductress.”
are first eliminated, the pope said in for two men to accuse Naboth of “The seduction of scandal in
his homily June 18 during morning cursing God and the king, for which communication backs one into a
Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae. Naboth was stoned to death. corner,” in that it destroys people
Then an entire media or Pope Francis said what happened like Naboth or St. Stephen, who
communication outlet is handed over to Naboth is similar to what was stoned to death by people who
“to a firm, a business that slanders, happened to Jesus, St. Stephen and didn’t want to hear the truth.
tells lies, weakens democracy, and all martyrs who were condemned as There have been “so many people,
then the judges come to judge a result of lies and falsehoods. so many countries destroyed by
these weakened institutions, these Today, many people, “many evil and calumnious dictatorships,”
destroyed, condemned people and heads of state or government,” he said, including the ones
a dictatorship makes progress this forge the same scenario: start with that persecuted the Jews with
way,” he said. a lie and “after you destroy both “calumnious communication” so
“All dictatorships, all of them, a person and a situation with that they ended up in Auschwitz.
began like this, by adulterating falsehood,” there is a judgment and “Oh, it was a horror, but it’s a
communication, by putting a conviction, he said. horror that happens today—in
communications in the hands Many countries, today, he added, small communities, to people, in
of people without scruples, of “they use this method: destroy free many countries. The first step is to
governments without scruples,” he communication.” seize communications, and later
added. But individuals, too, are also destroy, judgment and death,” he
The pope’s homily focused on tempted to destroy others by talking said. (Carol Glatz/CNS) SANTIAGO, Chile— The Chilean the bishop.
bishops’ conference announced The process began in 2011 when
Artist creates Christ image with guns, bullets Tuesday the members of a
“Listening Service” set up to
the first accusations were received.
Isler had left the Temuco diocese
TACLOBAN City— An welcome and guide victims of in 2003, “and was performing
artist in the central sexual abuse. various pastoral works in the
Philippines has The list was published June 19 Prelature of Illapel.”
created an image of an after Archbishop Scicluna of Malta The diocese explained that “at
“Environmental Jesus and Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu, Pope the express request of the victims
Christ” from confiscated Francis’ envoys for the Pastoral who at the time asked for complete
guns, bullets, and debris Mission to Osorno confirmed the confidentiality, the case had not
left behind by Super creation of this service in order to been made public.”
Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. facilitate the process for victims. “From what we have learned
The six-meter tall The members of the Listening over the years, we realized that
image of the crucified Service belong to the National respect and protection for the
Christ weighs 1.5-tons Council for the Prevention of Abuse victims in no case exempts us from
and stands on top of a hill and Accompaniment of the Victims the moral duty of informing the
inside the police regional of the Chilean bishops’ conference community of these grave crimes,”
headquarters in the town and will have as their mission “to the statement says.
of Palo, in Leyte province. welcome and guide” those people The second case involves Juan
Lucky Salayog, the who could not meet with the papal Carlos Mercado Elgueta who in
31-year-old artist, said envoys. 2013 submitted his resignation
his work shows the Appointed by Archbishop from the priestly ministry following
“destruction caused Scicluna, the members are Pilar a preliminary investigation for the
by mankind to Mother Ramírez, the current coordinator sexual abuse of minors.
The ‘environmental Jesus Christ’ made of confiscated guns, bullets, and debris left behind by Super Typhoon Haiyan
Nature.” in 2013 stand inside the police headquarters in the central Philippine town of Palo. ROEL AMAZONA/UCAN of the council; Josefina Martínez; The third priest sanctioned is
The artwork, Sister Marcela Sáenz; Fr. Larry José Vicente Bastías Ñanco, who
commissioned by said the priest. “to uphold humanity the number of people Yévenes; and Fr. David Albornoz. is facing a canonical trial for the
the region’s police S a l a y o g s a i d h i s a n d f i g h t m a n - m a d e who died during Typhoon “The members of the National sexual abuse of minors and who is
director, aims to show “environmental Jesus destruction.” Vinta in December 2017. Council who will perform this “temporarily suspended from the
how environmental Christ” sculpture The body of the image Incorporated in the service will offer a point of contact public exercise of the ministry.”
devastation brought about i s i n s p i r e d b y t h e is composed of 365 pistols sculpture are sawmill victims can trust so they can feel The diocese’s statement
by people is being stopped v u l n e r a b i l i t y o f t h e confiscated by the police blades and machetes supported in the process of the reiterated the “firm disposition”
by law enforcers. Eastern Visayas region to while rifle magazines used in the illegal cutting search for the truth with charity of Bishop Héctor Eduardo Vargas
“The underlying natural calamities. and a piece of wood of trees by loggers. A and justice,” the statement said. Bastidas “to take up the challenges
message of the firearms is a “ T h e c a t a s t r o p h e s from a destroyed police chemical container and Two local Churches in Chile also Pope Francis has called for, by
call for a stop to violence,” have taken a toll on the headquarters formed the engine parts represent announced this week investigations ensuring the Church has healthy
said Salayog, adding that lives of people,” he said, cross. harmful gases emitted into priests accused of sexual and safe environments people can
everyone should work for adding that there are ways “Four environmental into the air. abuse. trust, for boys, girls and youths.”
the promotion of peace. to lessen the impact of concerns” that need to be Barbed wire was also The Diocese of Temuco made And the Vicariate Apostolic of
Father Virgilio Canete calamities. addressed—water issues, used to symbolize the known in a June 18 statement the Aysén stated June 18 that it had
of Palo Archdiocese, The sculpture, which air issues, waste pollution, division of people, while cases of three diocesan priests begun a canonical investigation
however, has questioned is made from “scrap and and land pollution—are a chain represents the accused of the sexual abuse of into Fr. Porfirio Díaz Reyes,
the artwork’s message. debris from destruction,” represented by four horns. strength that can arise minors. accused of the sexual abuse of a
“Is this an attempt symbolizes the ability of T h e c o u n t r y ’ s t o p from a united community. Pablo Walter Isler Venegas was minor.
to justify or divert the people “to rise up after “ e n v i r o n m e n t a l “This is a project that sanctioned October 20, 2015 for The accusation was made to
issue [of drug-related devastation,” said the problems”—pollution, I really like,” said police the sexual abuse of minors and the Council for Care and Hope of
killings]?” said the priest. artist. g l o b a l w a r m i n g , regional director Gilberto was prohibited from the public the vicariate June 17 and refers
Human rights groups E v e r y p a r t o f t h e overpopulation, depletion Cruz. exercise of the priestly ministry and to incidents that took place in the
allege that about 12,000 artwork has a story to of natural resources, “I noticed that most pastoral work with adolescents and parish in Puerto Aysén in 2002.
suspected drug users and tell, he said. and problems in waste people are not aware that young people. As a precautionary measure,
dealers have been killed T h e r e g i o n ’ s s i x disposal—are represented we should take care of our He was also “definitively the priest “is suspended from
in a police-led anti-illegal provinces are represented by five vehicle mufflers. environment,” said the prohibited” from residing in the public exercise of the priestly
drugs campaign that by six rifles, while two The 164 bullet holes police chief, adding the that diocese or from visiting the ministry while the investigation
started in 2016. chainsaws supposedly that form the words INRI artwork is his gift to the parishes of Lautaro, Imperial, lasts,” a statement from the Aysén
Explanations [and] represent the “doubled on top of the cross are region. (Ronald Reyes/ and Traiguén without the prior vicariate apostolic stated. (CNA/
clarifications are in order,” commitment” of the police supposed to represent UCANews) and express authorization of EWTN News)
A4 OPINION June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Stick to the real issues

CARDINAL Tagle is right. We should not be distracted
from the real issues and the prevailing problems that are
deeply hurting people especially the masses. Among the
most painful issues that he said must be addressed are the
soaring prices of basic commodities, rising unemployment,
worsening corruption and, of course, the ubiquitous
killings.
Beyond rhyme or reason, killing or declaring war with
some groups and individuals—and now that includes God—
seems to be the only arsenal that the Duterte administration
has in solving the county’s problems. It is ironic how the
President has vowed to serve and defend the poor but
murdering them in the process, even with the flimsiest
reason as not having to put on one’s shirt.
In a recent statement, Cardinal Tagle lamented the
worsening traffic in big cities, flooding, exploitation of
women and children, the vulnerabilities of Filipino workers
abroad and terrorism besetting the nation. “Let us not be
distracted from addressing other pressing concerns with
fervor of faith and love,” said the Manila Archbishop.
It is still within the purview of reason and tactics to

ILLUSTRATION BY BLADIMER USI

attack even God if only to divert people from loathing on
the unfulfilled promises. What is not is shooting an arrow
to the heavens like Nimrod did when he positioned on top
of the Tower of Babel in order to hit God. The people of
the Tower of Babel ended up in confusion.
In the face of Duterte’s tirades against God, the Church
and the poor, prayer is the best panacea. “Pray for him
with compassion. We pray for his healing and for God’s
forgiveness on him,” says Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Villegas. Yes, it is prayer indeed.
Anti-tambay drive, Panaghoy
Freedom and responsibility a drive against the poor Bp. Broderick Pabillo

THESE are inseparable twins, like the two sides of a coin.

One cannot be without the other. To be truly free, one has
to be responsible. And to be truly responsible, one has to ANOTHER directive against the poor: Now that Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo Jose Luis Gascon rightly remarked
be free. the anti-tambay drive. It is really against has been killed due to this drive, the that the current police operations lack
And the more freedom one enjoys, the more responsibility the poor. The poor are the ones who are excuses and the blame game has begun. “appropriate and clear guidelines.” This
he should also exercise. And the new forms of freedom, always in the streets “loitering”. Have Even Duterte tries to extricate himself by is open to great harm to the citizens.
especially brought about now by our new technologies, we asked why? It is because they have claiming that he never ordered the police This is another drive that is not only
should also be matched by new forms of responsibility. We nowhere else to go. Their homes? Many to arrest tambays. But what do we make anti-poor but is open to grave abuse
have to be more sensitive to this issue. But we have to know have very small houses that is not even out of what he said at the oath-taking of power, and again, to impunity on
what is involved in this unbreakable relationship between fit for human habitation. There is no ceremony of newly promoted police, the authorities! Now no one takes
freedom and responsibility. This is now a very challenging ventilation and even light inside. The coast guard and jail officers on June 13 in responsibility.
task, since many people today are having all sorts of ideas heat must be terrible in there. And not a Malacañang? He is put on record saying, The country is faced with so many big
about what freedom is. And regarding responsibility, hardly few have no houses at all. With this drive “My directive is, if you’re just standing by problems: like the rising cost of living,
any attention is given to it, especially among the young. they can round up all the street people! (in the streets), tell them, ‘Go home. If you the high inflation, the weakening of
Very often, what we see is a kind of freedom that is simply It is a glaring generalization that don’t go home, I’ll bring you to the office the peso, the security threat of China.
at the mercy of one’s likes and dislikes, or one’s moods tambays cause criminality. Some of in Pasig.’” He even added: “I’ll take care of Instead of facing these problems why has
and physical, emotional and psychological condition, or them do, but many are just innocently it. Tie their hands together and I’ll throw Duterte to micromanage the tambays.
the social, political or cultural trends around, or merely whiling away the time. If the government them in (the river).” Are they really problematic? There
man-made ideologies. We have to reiterate to everyone, is serious in addressing loitering, they After nearly 7,300 people have been is even no serious study that would
in season and out of season, the true nature and purpose should give the poor decent housing rounded up in the anti-tambay sweep by correlate them to rising criminality. A
of freedom and why it goes always with responsibility. We and most of all, provide them jobs. the police in just a week since June 13, hunch is that Duterte in just looking for
cannot deny that there are now many forms of what may If people are gainfully working, they the PNP now is saying that they do not another scapegoat for his increasingly
be deemed as fake freedom and pseudo-responsibility. would not be loitering in the streets! In arrest people. Why was Tisoy brought to clear failure in governance. Naghahanap
First, we need to understand that our freedom is not just our city planning, there are no parks or the Quezon City Police District Station na naman ng masisisi at ang mga
something that we generate ourselves. We have not created open places where people can stay and 4? Why was he put in the overcrowded tambay ang napagtutuonan ng pansin.
freedom. It is given to us by our Creator who is definitely enjoy the sunlight. Instead of doing lock-up cell? Is this not arrest? One life has Hello PNP! Please pay attention to
other than ourselves. And it is subject to a law that is also their work—proper housing, proper been lost, and maybe others more because the more than 23,000 cases of homicide
given to it by our Creator. We city planning, sufficient jobs for the of this ill-thought of drive. It is a knee-jerk that is “under investigation” in your
are never its lawgiver. people – this government is blaming and response to an impulsive pronouncement War on Drugs. Solve these for this is
With that in mind, we can readily understand why it is punishing the people, and most of the of a non-thinking Head of State. clearly your job, instead of going after
said in the gospel that “man does not live by bread alone, time, the poor, for their failures. Commission on Human Rights Chair the tambays!
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Christ echoed the same idea when he said: “If you remain
in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will
know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8,31) And That’s The Truth
Building, building,
In short, God is the source of our freedom and the sense
of responsibility that corresponds to that freedom. Not
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS building
only is he the source. He is also its pattern, as personified
in Christ and put into effect in the Holy Spirit. He is also
its purpose.
Freedom is not just about the ability to do what we want WHILE we are all kept agog Daily Inquirer in February Maritime Transparency reefs Burgos, Calderon,
to do. Rather it is the power to do what we ought to do, over sensational headlines this year are alarming, to Initiative (AMTI), 2017 Mabini, and McKennan
as inscribed in the will of God. It is this character of its about continued killing of say the least, and if they fail proved to be a bumper year for revealed the presence of
“ought-ness” that gives rise to the sense of responsibility “nanlaban” suspects, “anti- to make you seethe with China’s base building in the helipads, observation and
that should always accompany the exercise of true freedom. tambay” arrests, corruption righteous anger, chances heavily disputed South China communication towers,
If we understand this, we will obviously realize in high places, Dengvaxia are you’re one of those Sea. The three-kilometer radomes, and wind turbines.
how important it is to know God’s will and ways, as damage and denials, the ashamed to sing our national runways for the three biggest In the waters, the ubiquitous
expressed and shown in the gospel, and the many other contentious TRAIN law and anthem at movie houses. The reefs—Kagitingan, Zamora, cargo ships (transporting
instrumentalities in the Church that are meant to explain the rising cost of everything, authenticated photos, taken and Panganiban (which construction materials), coast
and transmit the living word of God. May we then realize politicians’ bickerings, from and altitude of 1.5 km., the UN-backed Permanent guard patrolers, and military
and take to heart the duty to read and meditate on the celebrity squabbles, and clearly show such islands Court of Arbitration in The ships were photographed so
gospel and on the word of God, wherever it is found! We trending presidential antics now studded with naval bases Hague has ruled as belonging clearly their ID numbers were
have to encourage everyone, especially those close to us, (just a fortnight ago, it was and military installations, to the Philippines)—were legible.
to develop the habit of gospel-reading and of continually a scandalous kiss in Korea, but sadly the expose could apparently ready for use “With its construction
studying the doctrine of our faith, steadily incarnating the now it’s his “stupid God” boast of only 41, 213 shares. as of November 15, 2017, unrestrained,” the report
truths of our faith in our lives. line), China is still stealthily Mocha Uson’s 5.3 million complemented by hangars, said, “China will soon
Of special and urgent interest today are the new forms of building, building, building blog followers could have radars and high-frequency have military bastions on
freedom that we are afforded by the new technologies, and fortresses on reefs in our done something to make a antennas, lighthouses, Kagitingan Reef, known
how these new forms should be matched by new ways with territory. In, our, territory! difference—if they only truly missile shelters, and internationally as Fiery Cross
which our responsibility should be exercised. Otherwise, Photographs released cared. multi-story buildings. Reef; Calderon (Cuarteron),
we cannot avoid from getting into the very deceiving ways exclusively by the Philippine According to the Asia Photos of the smaller And That’s the Truth / A6
of fake freedom and pseudo-responsibility.
Love should inspire Candidly Speaking

Monitor
CBCP our death Fr. Roy Cimagala

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE WE need to examine how our attitude not only our spiritual life but also our redemption by Christ.
is towards death which is unavoidable bodily life. That is how we should look at death
Pedro Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
in our life here on earth. It’s, of course, But death as a consequence of sin in any way or form it can come to us.
a worthwhile exercise because many of has been redeemed by Christ already. We can even have some kind of healthy
Nirva’ana Delacruz Ron Ramos us today have a wrong understanding of Remember what St. Paul said about and welcoming attitude toward it. Some
Associate Editor Design Artist death that would lead us to unnecessary this: “Where, O death, is your victory? saints who already knew the character
fears. Also, the many riveting concerns Where, O death is your sting?” (1 Cor and purpose of death would even call
Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite we have at the moment often prevent us 15,55) With the passion, death and it “my sister death.”
News Editor Circulation Manager
from doing this important and crucial resurrection of Christ, the curse of The secret is to have the mind and
Christine Paguirigan Marcelita Dominguez exercise. death has been removed. attitude of Christ toward death. He
Managing Editor Comptroller Death should be understood, first And so we should not be afraid of looked at it as a supreme act of love.
of all, as a consequence of sin. In the death anymore. As long as we have the “Greater love has no one than this,” he
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus beginning when our first parents were same attitude that Christ had toward said, “to lay down one’s life for one’s
Communications, Inc. with editorial and business offices at
Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 still in the state of original justice, death, we will consider death as a friends.” (Jn 15,13)
F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404 - death was an unknown. They were liberation, a transition to our eternal Death should, therefore, not just be
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com, Business: (632) 404 - 1612. ISSN 1908-2940. not supposed to die. Their and our life of bliss with God in heaven, a a consequence of illness or old age or
immortality was supposed to cover happy conclusion of our creation and Candidly Speaking / A5
CBCP Monitor June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 OPINION A5

Truth in an age Whatever

By the Roadside
Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD
of disinformation Fr. Francis Ongkingco

FAKE news is not only out.

It has not only grown in
notoriety. It is not only
virtually on the lips of
everybody. It has become
a weapon. For one, it is
used to discredit political or
social enemies. For another,
it is resorted to when
trying to sell a candidate
as through he/she were a
product that have positives
enhanced and negatives
suppressed, glossed over
or denied outright just so
he/she could get elected
or hired. At best, truth is
glimpsed at; at worst, we see
only its back, if at all.
One trouble ordinary
citizens encounter is the
diversification of truth. In
scholastic philosophy we
are told that truth consists
in the conformity between
the mind and outside reality.
The problem is that there
are as many minds as there
are people. That simply
means outside reality can be
conceived of in many a mental
Protecting our priests
frame by anyone, particularly
by a leader. On his part, to
choose any point of view
carries with it the unwritten
obligation to responsibly
explore objectively, study
and present it in a balanced
way and pray fervently for the
grace to arrive at the whole
spectrum of possible aspects
of truth our reality offers. The
closest thing to expressing
them altogether means the
country is on the verge of
rediscovering itself in a fuller,
more complete way.
But then alternative facts
stand in the way of finding
truth. To advance one’s
interests, a person could
compromise with untruth.
Alternative facts are offered
by people in power in order
to hide a deficiency, a failure
or a negative impression.
For instance, to cushion the
bad impression of thousands
of killings, a leader could
stress the freedom from
fear people experience on
the streets or when walking
at night due to a policy he
espouses, to the extent that
the next generation is being
saved from from benign
annihilation.
The Church understands
truth in a totally distinct
fashion. For her truth is
what God reveals in and
through Jesus Christ, “the
Way, the Truth and the Life”
(Jn 14:6). This revelation
is itself historical and
realistic, for the Son of God
entered history and joined
our sense of reality. Hence,
it does not contradict our
ordinary or philosophical
understanding of truth.
In Jesus Christ we see the
whole reality of God and
that of the human being; for
he himself is both God and
man. In him we are made
to discover the full extent
of our humanity and God’s
divine mystery. Moreover,
we the Church, so says
St. John Paul II, are the
guardian and proclaimer
of this Truth. Our access
to every means available
in our local and national
context as well as along
international levels can
only serve the ministry of
the Church involving the
truth.
In an age of disinformation,
the Church must exert every
possible effort, use every
available means to proclaim
this truth of Jesus Christ,
whether or not people are
willing to listen. For while
in the Philippines liberation
of individuals and of the
nation are a goal, most of
the time people are talking
of social, political and
economic liberation. They
ignore their deeper need. If
Jesus Christ reveals God to
us and us to ourselves, then
his word is crucial to our
media use.
“If you will abide in my
word, you will truly be my
disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the
truth will set you free” (Jn
8:32).
Parental management
AN elegantly dressed man entered the funeral home.
The room suddenly became quiet and someone’s whisper
could be audibly heard, “This is the favourite son!” I
smiled, trying to imagine what the other siblings were
known for or called by their relatives and friends.
Having familiar names for children or one’s siblings is
not uncommon. These are inherited by the children as
their parents strive to form and educate them. Some are
comically imposed to highlight a funny or unforgettable
moment. Others become a stigma that recalls a particular
defect, for being clumsy, forgetful or a cry-baby.
But there is another reality that familiar name tags
reveal: deep family rifts such as sibling rivalries. Thus,
we hear of the ‘prodigal son/daughter’, the ‘unwanted
or forsaken’, the unnamed one’ and more. Negative
tags may have first been drawn impulsively by a parent
or another sibling after some argument. With time, as
sibling differences become more defined the labels are
meant to stick permanently on the person.
It is only natural that there be differences among
children. What is unnatural and therefore fomenting
of rivalries among children is how parents mismanage
their children when they cut corners to forge virtue and
foster family integration in the children.
Rivalries can be avoided early on, if parents have a
more positive approach towards children’s limitations or
faults. For our interests of avoiding a negative parenting
outlook, let us identify four reactions that we may have
towards children’s differences or defects.
They all start with the letter C. These can sow negative

DATELINE: Los Angeles, California:
In a span of 7 months, three priests
were violently gunned down, dead
on the spot. Rev. Fr. Tito Paez, a
human rights advocate, was shot
by the riding in tandem after he
facilitated the release of a detained
political prisoner. Rev. Fr. Mark
Anthony Ventura, an advocate for
environmental protection, and Rev.
Fr. Richmond Nilo, a protector of rape
victims and defender of the faith, were
gunned down while inside the chapel,
still wearing their religious vestments,
and after presiding in the Mass and
about to preside in another Mass.
It is very ironic that the brutal
killing of these priests happened
during the Year of the Clergy and
Consecrated Persons, the theme
in the 6th of the 9 years Novena of
the Philippine Catholic Church in
commemoration of the 500th year of
Christianity in the Philippines in 2021.
The slaughter of the 3 priests, yes I
consider it as slaughter, because they
were killed shamelessly in front of
many people. Worst, Fr. Richmond
was brutally killed inside a Chapel,
a place for religious worship. Under
the Revised Penal Code, a crime
committed inside a place of worship
is an aggravating circumstance, that
is, the penalty is increased a degree
higher.
Whoever hired the killers of these 3
priests might be thinking that the best
way to destroy a religion is to attack
a priest, to kill a priest. According to
St. John Marie Vianney, the patron
saint of the priests: “The priest is
not a priest for himself; he does not
give himself absolution; he does not
administer the Sacraments to himself.
He is not for himself, he is for you.
After God, the priest is everything.
Leave a parish twenty years without
priests; they will worship beasts. If
the missionary Father and I were
to go away, you would say, “What
can we do in this church? there is no
Mass; Our Lord is no longer there:
we may as well pray at home.” When
people wish to destroy religion, they
begin by attacking the priest, because
Duc in Altum
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
where there is no longer any priest
there is no sacrifice, and where there
is no longer any sacrifice there is no
religion.”
In his talk before the seminarians,
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio
“Ambo” David was asked: “Can you
please give a word of advice to
seminarians who are losing heart
and are feeling discouraged from
pursuing their vocation because
of the recent victims of killings,
who are priests?” Bishop Ambo
answered: If the death of Fr. Paez,
Fr. Ventura and Fr. Richmond “causes
you discouragement instead of
inspiration, then I advise you to
forget about the priesthood and just
leave the seminary as soon as you can.
The priesthood is not for cowards; it
is not for the fainthearted. Jesus
would probably say to you if you
complain about times of persecution
or adversity, “I beg your pardon, I
never promised you a rose garden.”
The Bishop further stated: “Fr.
Paez, Fr. Ventura and Fr. Nilo were
not “victims”. Victims are those who
have no choice about their fate; it was
merely imposed on them. No, these
priests made a choice; they opted to be
“martyrs”, meaning witnesses, from
the start. They chose this path, the
road less traveled by. They responded
freely to the invitation to choose the
path of Jesus, knowing full well that
it could cost their lives. This is what
“martyrdom” is about. It is not about
dying for a cause; it is about living
out that cause, no matter if it could
mean suffering and death. From
the moment they chose the path of
Christ, they already chose the path of
suffering and death. So how can you
call them “victims”?
Little did the killers know that
killing a priest strengthens the faith
in God of the faithful. The more
reason that we pray to our Lord
Almighty to fortify our priests, to
reinforce the faithful to stand firm
in their faith. To our clergy, we
support you and we always pray for
your safety, God’s protection and
guidance. We, your flock, needs you.
***
Congratulations to the Diocese of
Kalookan on its 15th Anniversary. On
June 28, 2003, St. John Paul II issued
the Papal Bull disjoining from the
Archdiocese of Manila the Kalookan
City-South and the Municipalities of
Malabon and Navotas (now cities),
establishing the new Diocese of
Kalookan. The Papal Bull established
the Parish Church of San Roque
in Kalookan and elevated it to a
Cathedral Church.
On August 22, 2003, Bishop
Deogracias S. Iňiguez, Jr., D.D.
was installed as the First Bishop of
Kalookan. When Bishop Iňiguez retired
in 2013, Pope Benedict appointed
Bishop Francis de Leon of Antipolo
as the Apostolic Administrator of
the Diocese. On October 14, 2015,
Pope Francis appointed Bishop
Pablo Virgilio David as the Bishop of
Kalookan.
After 15 years of existence, the
Diocese of Kalookan has created
a parish out of the quasi parish of
Birhen ng Lujan. Two quasi parish
were created in Navotas – Sta. Clara of
Assisi in Dagat-Dagatan and Sto. Niňo
de Passion in Daanghari. As means of
bringing the Church to the peripheries
of society and provide the needs of
the faithful, eight mission stations
were established – Tangos, Delos
Remedios and Pitong Gatang Mission
Stations in Navotas; Letre, Catmon
and Tinajeros Mission Stations in
Malabon; Salmon and Our Lady of
the Sacred Heart Mission Stations
in Caloocan. More quasi parish and
mission stations will be opened in the
next 5 years. Spiritual Renewal Center
is now being constructed in Malabon.
Task Force Salubong, a rehabilitation
program for drug dependents, had
already 4 batches of graduates who
were removed from the PNP drug list.
The Heart’s Home which takes care of
street children. There is also program
for the health and hospitalization
insurance the clergy, retirement plan
and continuing formation, recollection
and retreat of the clergy.
sentiments in either the one bearing positive traits and
the also other manifesting defects.
Comparing. A natural tendency of seeing the differences
in people and things. There is nothing wrong with this,
but rivalry can be sown in a seed of the better other than
you among siblings.
One way to avoid comparing would be through
modelling. This involves pointing out the virtue or ideal
in another sibling, but without conveying that the other
is better or more preferred than the one who at fault.
Complaining. A negative reaction to another person’s
faults or errors that is aired with a tone of exasperation.
These complaints begin internally and are verbalized.
Once another’s defect is ‘advertised’ then it opens the
ground for other siblings to ‘label’ the person who has
erred.
What arises internally has to be also addressed
internally. In the first place, being aware that we too
are capable of the same mistakes. Second, to pray for
the person and the fortitude to properly address what
has been overlooked.
If we, however, do utter a complain. It would be also to
our advantage and an example of humility, to take back
what we have said and apologize for lacking the serenity
and composure to handle trying situations.
Criticizing. Criticism is like a complaint, but with an
intention to ‘attack’ the person at fault. This is already
the stage where the person is ‘labelled’ for the lack of
virtue or an ideal. It is also when a negative trait can
easily be tagged on his person.
We have to sincerely struggle to avoid criticizing at all
costs. Not only does this label the individual, but also
occasions gossiping and foments family disunity. This is
best avoided when parents confer with one another about
the unique issues of each of their children. Together they
can assess each case more objectively.
In the absence of one parent or another, and in cases
that are not very delicate, the eldest son can be consulted
about how a younger sibling may be helped or guided.
Condemning. Is a dead end street for parenting. It is
giving up on the possibility of change or conversion in
one’s offspring. When a condemnation has been said
or expressed in the presence of the others, it is almost
difficult to remove the stigma they have fabricated for
a son or daughter.
The only way to rework a condemnation is to pray, be
patient and ask for forgiveness from God and offended
party. There are no perfect parents nor children. Thus,
together they may work on the ‘project family’.
Only by seeing that have each a role and contribution
for the family, can they overlooked petty arguments,
concerns and differences for a higher good which is
their family.
Candidly Speaking / A4
some accident. It has to be we live or die, we belong to
inspired by love—love for the Lord.” (Rom 14,8)
God and love for others. It In other words, our dying
has to be freely done and is our way of identifying
offered in the tenor of Christ’s ourselves more and more
words: “No one takes my life with Christ, as articulated
from me. I give my life of and explained by St. Paul in

Spaces of Hope An open letter my own free will. I have the

authority to give my life, and
the following verses:
“For we who live are

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola to President Duterte I have the authority to take

DEAR President Duterte,
I am writing to you as an
individual Filipino and as a
priest and not representing
any group. You have crossed
a line when you called God
“stupid”. The line is neither
red nor yellow but black and
white. The belief inspired
by the Genesis story is way
beyond your pay grade
as it is beyond mine. It is
something best left to our
grateful living memory of
men in the early Church of
sober minds who, fired by
God’s love and reflecting
on Scripture and lived
experiences, put two and
two together and discovered
the unfathomable beauty of
God’s mercy in the face of
human brokenness called
original sin.
When you belittle God, you
belittle yourself, you belittle
Christians, and you belittle
believers. To what end? Do
you need to intimidate and
humiliate to convey your
message? To what end? Why
waste your political capital
by trying to be a theologian?
As you have said so
yourself, you were once
subjected to humiliation
in the confessional. I feel
deeply ashamed of our
individual and collective
moral failures as priests.
Please forgive us. But do you
think the feeling of being
humiliated will go away by
humiliating others? It will
only amplify it. Forgiveness
releases the pain, the anger,
and the stress. Try it.
God has chosen you to
help build our nation. Do
not complicate matters even
more. Stay focused. God bless
you. My prayers for you and
for all our elected leaders.
With all due respect
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola
my life back again. This is
what my Father ordered me
to do.” (Jn 10,18)
And so, we just have to
make sure that whenever
we consider death, it should
always be in the context of
love, of obedience to God’s
will, of the redemption of
mankind. We should not
get stuck on the medical
or emotional aspects, etc.,
although they too should be
given due consideration.
Let us try to always follow
what St. Paul said in this
regard: “If we live, we live for
the Lord. And if we die, we
die for the Lord. So, whether
constantly being delivered
over to death for Jesus’ sake,
so that the life of Jesus also
may be manifested in our
mortal flesh.” (2 Cor 4,11)
“I have been crucified with
Christ, and it is no longer
I who live, but Christ lives
in me. And the life which I
now live in the flesh I live
by faith in the Son of God.”
(Gal 2,20)
“For to me, to live is Christ
and to die is gain.” (Phil 1,21)
“If we died with Christ, we
will also live with Christ.” (2
Tim 2,11)
We need to have a
theological understanding
and attitude toward death.
A6 LOCAL NEWS June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Cardinal Tagle: ‘Welcome Int’l academics: ‘Family is

key to fighting poverty’
everyone despite differences’
CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle of
Manila has appealed to Catholics
to welcome everyone regardless of
nationality and differences of one
another.
At a Mass to open the “Share the
Journey Campaign-Global Action
Week” at the Binondo Church
on June 17, he emphasized that
accepting a “stranger” is letting
Jesus enter their lives. Hosted by the University of Asia and the Pacific, the 2018 annual symposium of the International Academy
“As we welcome the stranger, we for the Study of the Jurisprudence of the Family focused on the theme “Family and Poverty.” It gathered
welcome Jesus who said, ‘When I 10 foreign delegates from 6 countries, June 20, 2018. NIRVA DELACRUZ
was a stranger you welcome me’,”
said Tagle, who is also the president POLICY-MAKERS and economists “Family and Poverty.”
of Caritas Internationalis, the global need not look further than the
network of Catholic charitable home. As it turns out, the key to Population control in PH
agencies. addressing poverty is the family. Meanwhile, in his keynote
“But as we welcome the strangers, This was one of the main address “Solid Family Life and
let us also welcome each other conclusions of the 2018 Annual Sustainable Education: A Major
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle speaks during Mass to open the Share the Journey Campaign Global Action Symposium of the International Factor for Poverty Reduction”,
because, after all, even if we are not Week at the Binondo Church in Manila, June 17, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIL PAUL GUANLAO/RCAM
foreigners, each one is unique, we Academy for the Study of the Bernardo Villegas, PhD debunked
need to welcome one another, [have there are 10 million Filipinos out protect their lives [and] their rights, Jurisprudence of the Family the conventional wisdom that a big
a] personal encounter and promote of the 65 million forced migrants and help integrate them into the (IASJF), which was hosted this population equals poverty.
human dignity,” he said. around the world “who often sail in community,” he added. year by the University of Asia and “…There is every evidence
Share the Journey is an initiative dangerous circumstances” without Cardinal Tagle said people were the Pacific, which also marks half that the Philippines was right
of Caritas Internationalis. It is even knowing if “there are people forced to migrate due to several a century. in combatting all the efforts to
meant to promote dialogue who will welcome them.” unfavorable reasons. “We have learned that family introduce population control. You
and understanding between “Every day we hear reports, we “We have the right to migrate, to is the key to the fighting against will always find [in studies] the
communities and migrants and see images and we Filipinos we live where we want to live but many poverty and to foster and promote Philippines is fortunate to have a
refugees. know there are, they say around people in the world are forced to prosperity,” said Stefano Troiano, growing and young population,”
Reinforcing the campaign, 10 million Filipinos who have also migrate, they go to countries, to current IASJF president during said Villegas, who obtained his
Caritas is promoting a global week migrated to other lands,” Tagle said. other places because of poverty, his closing remarks on June 21, economics doctorate degree from
of action with activities to help “There are 65 million forced because of violence, because of Thursday. Harvard University and is one of
people really “get in touch” and take migrant and Pope Francis and hunger, because of lack of work, the drafters of the 1987 Philippine
action as Pope Francis appealed, Caritas is inviting all of us, go because of conflicts, because of Family-poverty link Constitution.
when he launched the initiative in encounter a stranger, meet a environmental distraction,” he Troiano, a full professor of private “(M)althusian theory has been
September 2017. stranger person to person, welcome said. (Joselle Dela Cruz / law at the Università degli studi in proven false time and time again,”
The cardinal pointed out that [them], promote human dignity, CBCPNews) Verona, Italy, also stressed that he stressed.
the family is vital to attaining true Villegas called on the government
“intergenerational justice.” to invest, instead on quality
Capital / A1
According to its website, education to pave the way for
The 80-year-old nun The company, however, pointing a gun on a organized a “solidarity the IASJF is “an independent inclusive growth.
has been fighting for refused to grant the striker’s head went viral, mission” participated in academic society which seeks to “…More than spending on
workers’ rights since 1975 workers’ demand despite sparking boycott calls by Protestant churches. promote thoughtful consideration contraceptives, spend on the quality
when she and other nuns pronouncements by against the company’s “We stand with all and discussion of the foundations of public eductation,” he said.
joined the picket lines of a Philippine President products. struggling workers,” of the family, including marriage, This year’s IASJF annual
liquor company in Manila Rodrigo Duterte that he Over the weekend a said Darlene Marquez- parenting, and extended family symposium gathered delegates from
in the middle of martial would stop the practice of dozen Benedictine sisters Caramanzana, a council relations.” the U.S., Chile, Spain, Slovenia, and
law. casual labor contracting. joined about 500 doctors, representative, adding This year, the group’s annual Brazil, among others. (Nirva’ana
She recalled that she A police dispersal teachers, legislators, that the organization “is symposium focused on the theme Ella Delacruz / CBCPNews)
was appalled by the operation outside the artists, and youth leaders committed to support
violence that erupted NutriAsia plant on June in a caravan that brought workers with prayers and
then and outraged when 14 landed at least seven food, medicine, and other actions.”
policemen hit workers workers in the hospital. supplies to the strikers. According to the Labor
while sparing her and the Police also arrested 24 Catholic seminarians Department, 1.33 million
other religious workers. others, although only four and priests have also of 4.47 million Filipino
Workers at NutriAsia, labor leaders still remain reinforced other picket workers employed in at
a P16.8 billion food in jail. lines in another part of least 8,000 companies in
conglomerate, went Video clips showing the capital. the country do not have
on strike early in June baton-wielding policemen On June 24, the National regular employment
to demand regular flailing at workers and Council of Churches status. (Inday Espina-
employment. a private security guard in the Philippines also Varona/UCANews)

Faithful / A1

“How can he be the president for
all Filipinos when he does not respect
the Catholic faithful? Majority of his
supporters are Catholics, aren’t they?
We hope he will respect Catholics
even if he does not agree with the
Catholic faith,” he said.
“Catholics respect his role and
And That’s the Truth / A4
mandate as the President. We
can only hope that he shows the
same respect to Catholics even
if he disagrees with the Catholic
doctrine,” said David.
According to Villegas, the
President’s “scarred past” may be
one of the reasons why he has been
showing hatred and angst.
“He must have received so much
rejection and hurts in the past
that he blurts out so much hatred
and angst now. If he had been Archbishop Antonio Ledesma visits the Duyog Marawi’s Ramadhan Bazzar featuring Meranaw
loved much, he would be giving delicacies and souvenir items to raise funds for the Marawi internally displaced persons (IDPs)
so much of that love too,” he said. at LimKet Kai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City on June 15, 2018. DUYOG MARAWI
(CBCPNews)

Burgos (Gaven), Mabini (Johnson
South), Panganiban (Mischief),
Zamora (Subi) and McKennan
(Hughes) reefs from which to
project its power throughout the
region.” To see for yourself, go to:
http://www.inquirer.net/specials/
exclusive-china-militarization-
south-china-sea#ixzz5Jb2LLm5S
From the days when our biggest
territory-related problem was
shooing away Chinese fishing
vessels from Panatag shoal and
jailing the poachers for loading
their dynamite equipped boats with
marine turtles, corals, and giant
clams, China has certainly come a
long way. In 1974 the Philippine
government built an airstrip on
Pag-asa, the biggest island of
the Kalayaan group; the airstrip
was the first ever constructed in
the Spratly archipelago, and it
was big enough for use by C-130
transport planes. Pag-asa then
also boasted of a fully-armed army
and marine detachment, but as
the winds of politics blew hither
and thither, securing Pag-asa
was pushed down the priority list
of succeeding administrations.
Meanwhile, the Chinese fishermen
continued to brave the Philippine
coast guard’s patrol boats and to
doggedly harvest goodies from our
rich marine resources. And now,
looking at the photos of China’s
military installations in the region—
wouldn’t you even suspect that
those Chinese fishermen were
actually spies?
I wouldn’t wonder. Years
back, we at the FOCAP (Foreign
Correspondents’ Association of the
Philippines) were almost sure that
the correspondents from Xinhua
News Agency, a nice, well-mannered
husband-and-wife tandem, were
spies in disguise. It wouldn’t be
impossible, we were told, that
their hotel room was bugged, and
that they were also under oath to
spy on each other! That’s Chinese
espionage for you—but, given
China’s determination to become
the number one imperial world
power, its espionage methods have
grown so sophisticated through the
years that its cyber espionage has
been considered a threat to national
security by their enemies.
But lest we fear that we are the
only one being bullied by China’s
powers-that-be, let us look at the
bigger picture in the hope to see
the real root behind China’s land-
grabbing binge. Local authorities
bully even their own farmers.
Here’s just one instance of farmers
tearfully protesting land seizures
and being beaten with metal pipes
by their own countrymen, filmed by
Al Jazeera: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=rBO8UL-INXA
China has also been eating up the
Himalayan borderland it shares
with India—“bite by kilometer-
size bite.” As reported in The
Wall Street Journal in September
2014, there have been 1,171 Chinese
transgressions from January 2012
to June 2014 along the 2,500
mile long border. One of India’s
foremost strategic thinkers, Brahma
Chellaney, likens China’s land-
grabbing strategy in India to its
tactics in the South China Sea. In
India, China first sends civilians like
herders, farmers, and grazers to settle
the land. (In the Philippines, these
“civilians” would be the fishermen.)
Once the civilians are in place, says
the report, the People’s Liberation
Army comes in to provide protection,
allowing them to establish a more
permanent presence in the area.
When a foothold is gained, Chellaney
says China begins “cutting off
access to an adversary’s previously
controlled territory and gradually
surrounding it with multiple civilian
and security layers.” While no
single action may be construed as
an alarming aggression, over time,
the territorial grab expands. Sounds
familiar, right?
Just last April, the Pentagon
expressed concern for the US over
China’s reported massive land
grabbing in Maldives, which is
in India’s backyard. “We have
seen concerning developments
in Maldives as far as the Chinese
influence is concerned,” said Joe
Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for South and Southeast
Asia, in a report in the Hindustan
Times, corroborating the allegation
made by a former foreign minister
of Maldives, Ahmed Naseem,
that China was meddling in the
island nation’s internal affairs
and appeared to be keen on
building a base which one day may
house warships and submarines.
Maldives’ former president
Mohamed Nasheed last February
also revealed in an interview with
the Times of India that the Chinese
who have taken control of 17 islands
in the Maldives, are “talking about
investing $ 40 million in each of
the islands but we don’t really know
what is the purpose for that.”
And who could forget how China
in 1950 invaded Tibet for its natural
resources, seized the Potala Palace
for its treasures, and drove the
Dalai Lama out of their sacred
land and into exile to militarize the
strategically important border with
India? The Dalai Lama—speaking of
the atrocities the Chinese invaders
inflicted upon his people then—
told me in 1981, when we met in
Bali, Indonesia, “No other people
on earth could be more charming
than the Chinese, just as none could
match them in their brutality.”
The whys and wherefores of that
land-grab could fill volumes, and it
could show us that China will stop
at nothing to expand its territories—
plans for which at present include
the Moon and Mars.
Remarkable strides in China’s
space program seem to show that
the Chinese Communist Party is
bent on making its mark on the
space race. In 2013, president Xi
Jinping promised his people that
China will send a taikonaut to the
moon by the 2030s, but now they are
speaking of sending colonies to the
moon and targeting to beat the US
and Russia to it. Those planets are
no man’s territories as far as China
is concerned—thus, the first one
who gets there gets to own it, and
to make maps to subsequently prove
their ownership. Chna announced
last April that it would send late
this year a lunar probe that would
conduct biological experiments
unprecedented in space history,
such as planting potatoes and
cultivating silkworm. Huh? From
military installations on reclaimed
islands in the South China Sea to
planting potatoes in the moon—
what’s China up to?
A 73-year old Party official,
aerospace engineer and head of the
Chinese lunar exploration program,
Ye Peijan, sums it up when asked (at
the CCP’s annual plenary sessions
in Beijing last year) why China is
going to the moon: “The universe
is an ocean, the moon is the Diaoyu
Islands, Mars is Huangyan Island. If
we don’t go there now even though
we’re capable of doing so, then we
will be blamed by our descendants.
If others go there, then they will take
over, and you won’t be able to go
even if you want to. This is reason
enough.”
Does that sound Confucian or
confusing? The Diaoyu Islands Ye
Peijan speaks of refers to Senkaku
in Japan, and Huangyan Island is
Panatag Shoal. Why Ye should cite
such names when the topic is lunar
occupation mirrors the CCP’s stand
that China goes into space not as a
matter of national pride or scientific
achievement, but simply as a more
ambitious version of wresting
control of new land from other
nations before anybody else does it.
CBCP Monitor June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 DIOCESAN NEWS A7

Laguna’s gun-toting priests to surrender firearms

FILIPINO priests who
reportedly possess and carry
firearms in a diocese south
of Manila will surrender
their weapons to the police,
according to their prelate.
Bishop Buenaventura
Famadico of San Pablo said
he is seeking the help of the
Philippine National Police on
how to dispose of guns owned
by some clergymen.
The bishop clarified reports
in a Manila daily that priests
in San Pablo Diocese armed
themselves following the
killing of three priests in
recent months.
“It’s not true they armed
themselves because of [the
killings]. They already had
[guns] way before,” said
Bishop Famadico who also
heads the Commission
on Clergy of the bishops’
conference.
However, he said that the
clergy in his diocese have
since implemented a policy
about owning or carrying
firearms.
“We came up with a
common policy. Each will
not own a gun,” said the
bishop. “Personally, I do not
approve of priests owning a
gun for whatever purposes,”
he added.
The Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines
has issued a statement
rejecting the idea of arming
priests to protect themselves.
“We are men of God, men
of the church and it is part of
our ministry to face dangers,
to face death if one may say
it that way,” read a statement
from the bishops’ conference.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David
of Kalookan has criticized
priests who carry guns for
protection.
“They might want to
consider leaving the
priesthood and joining
the police or the military
instead,” said the prelate.
Archbishop Rolando
Tirona of Nueva Caceres
said the government should
address the alarming number
of killings across the country
to prevent people from
arming themselves.
Human rights groups have
estimated that about 23,000
suspected drug users and
dealers have been killed in
the past two years under the
government’s “war on drugs”
“That’s how serious the
situation has become,” said
the bishop. “What triggers
this situation? Is there a
breakdown of law and order?”
Opposition senators have
also criticized the reported
move to arm members of the
clergy.
“We cannot imagine
shepherds of the faithful
packing heat ready to shoot
from the hip at human
beings,” said Senator Leila
de Lima, adding that it is
“against any religious
vocation.”
She said transforming
“men of peace” into potential
killers is “an abomination
that can rear its head only
under a government that
promotes violence more than
anything else.”
“Instead of arming priests,
we should start disarming
[President Rodrigo] Duterte
of his arsenal of violence
and hatred that has enabled
him to inflict so much pain
and hurt among the Filipino
people,” said De Lima.
Another opposition
legislator, Senator Risa
Hontiveros, said priests
arming themselves is a
sign of “desperation and
hopelessness.”
“When the government
cannot guarantee the
public’s safety and security,
and worse, is seen by many
citizens as involved in many
of the killings, the people will
take it upon themselves to
defend their lives,” said the
senator.
Hontiveros has been
pressing the Senate to
conduct an investigation
into the recent killings of
Catholic priests Richmond
Villaflor Nilo, Mark Ventura,
and Marcelito Paez. (Joe
Torres/UCANews)

Samar bishops to gov’t: ‘Break Archdiocese warns of ‘false pastor’ in Leyte

chain of impunity’

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration in Palo, Leyte. ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO

PALO, Leyte— Catholic officials “Let it be known that Fr. Algerico

BORONGAN City— The Catholic
bishops of Samar Island called
for the breaking of the “culture of
impunity” in relation to the ongoing
killings in the country.
In a statement, Bishops Isabelo
Abarquez of Calbayog, Crispin
Varquez of Borongan and Emmanuel
Trance urged the government to
take effective measures to bring
perpetrators of killings to justice.
They also called on the authorities
to address impunity through
impartial investigations and judicial
processes.
“We are concerned [by] the
alarming system of justice in our
country wherein perpetrators
of similar crimes are not held
accountable,” they said.
The bishops made the appeal
after the regular assembly of the
Samar Island Partnership for Peace
and Development (SIPPAD) held
in Catarman, Northern Samar on
June 14.
SIPPAD is a partnership of the
Church, government, academe,
and civil society in the provinces
of Samar, Northern Samar, and
Eastern Samar.
The bishops are also standing up
against the attacks and killings of
clergymen in recent months.
They said the series of killings
and the increasing impunity of
perpetrators in our country can
never be justified.
“Hence, to kill a priest or a
Filipino or anyone for whatever
reason or intention is very much
un-Christian, un-Filipino, and
extremely irrational,” the prelates
added.
“We earnestly call also on our
people to pray for peace and
healing of our nation, for the
victims of the senseless killings in
our country, and for the safety of
all clergy and the religious,” they
said. (CBCPNews)
said a phony priest has been
making the rounds in the Palo
archdiocese, celebrating Mass and
other Sacraments.
Archbishop John Du of Palo
clarified that a certain Fr. Algerico
Cabilogan is pretending to be
someone he is not — a Catholic
priest.
The archdiocese claimed that
Cabilogan is not Roman Catholic,
and instead belongs to the Aglipayan
Church.
Cabilogan has since severed
himself from the Aglipayans,
though, according to the
archbishop.
Cebu lay group launches ‘Salamat Padre’ program
Cabilogan Jr. is not a Catholic priest
and is prohibited from exercising
any kind of ministry among the
faithful of the Archdiocese of Palo,”
stressed Du in a circular.
Reports reaching the Palo
chancery revealed that Cabilogan
has been administering the
sacraments to Catholics
“Asserting his ‘priestly
personality’, he went as far as
celebrating sacraments among the
Catholic faithful,” Du said.
The archbishop urged the faithful
to refrain from entertaining and
participating in activities with the
said “false pastor”. (CBCPNews)

Archdiocese opens own probe of priest tagged as

‘person of interest’ in slay case
NAGA City— The Catholic
Church in Camarines
Sur is holding its own
investigation after one
of its priests has been
identified a “person of
interest” in the killing of a
28-year-old woman.
The Archdiocese of
Caceres said they are
“deeply troubled” by the
allegations and they want Leaders of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on the Laity hold a press conference during the launching
to get down to the bottom of the “Salamat Padre” program in Cebu City, May 19, 2018. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
of the issue.
“The archdiocese, TO celebrate and give more program is not just to honor and
at the moment, is significance to the Year of the Clergy inspire the priests, but also to
conducting its own and Consecrated Persons, the Cebu emphasize the importance of the
investigation and will Archdiocesan Commission on the role of the priests in the life of the
take appropriate action Laity launched the “Salamat Padre” lay faithful.
in accordance with the program in Cebu City on May 19. She said the program is also
Code of Canon Law,” said In a Circular letter dated August timely for the lay people to
archdiocesan chancellor 29, 2018, Cebu Archbishop Jose express their support to the
Fr. Darius Romualdo. As the investigation into the killing of Jeraldyn Rapinan continues, the Archdiocese of Caceres said it has been Palma declared August 5, 2018, clergymen in the light of the
cooperating with law enforcement. PHOTO FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES Memorial of St. John Mary Vianney, recent killings of priests and
“At this time that we are
searching for the truth, “The archdiocese roadside along Maharlika Romualdo assured the as a Day of Thanksgiving for the attacks on the church.
we ask for prayers and supports and will fully Highway at Del Pilar, San family of the victim of Priests in the Archdiocese of Cebu. Formerly known as Council of the
prudence,” he said. cooperate with the Fernando in Camarines their prayers and support Simultaneously, on that day, lay Laity, the Archdiocesan Commission
As probe into the thorough investigation Sur on June 15. in their search for justice. people from different parishes will on the Laity was erected on July
killing of Jeraldyn of the case by the proper The victim reportedly “We sympathize with celebrate the Salamat Padre Day 17, 2017 as an umbrella of the lay
Rapinan continues, the authority,” Romualdo sustained several stab the family and we are one with various activities to honor faithful where lay organizations
archdiocese said it has said. wounds and her hands with them in the search their priests. engaged in the work of the church
been cooperating with law Rapinan’s lifeless body and feet were tied with for truth and justice,” he According to Fe Barino, the Chair can unite, collaborate and work
enforcement. was dumped in a grassy nylon cord. said. (Melo Acuna) of Commission on the Laity, the together. (CBCPNews)
Distracted / A1
Refugee / A1
the characters in the Last Supper “Maybe a renewed apologetics is
de Lima, the bill was launched world who are forcibly displaced “I believe the Philippines do and called them “idiots”. needed for those who are sincerely
with a Mass at the CBCP Chapel in worldwide and among them are not have enough resources to be But Tagle urged the faithful to searching for the truth,” he added.
Manila before filing it in the Senate nearly 22.5 million refugees. a country of resettlement but it harbor no grudge and to remain Manila Auxiliary Bishop
on World Refugee Day, June 20. UNHCR also disclosed that should not delay a comprehensive firm in their faith. Broderick Pabillo earlier said that
In filing Senate Bill No. 1854, she there are 10 million stateless approach to the few who are seeking “Be at peace. Be calm. Don’t let Duterte’s criticisms against the
noted that despite the country’s people who have been denied a security and a new future,” he said. things disturb your inner peace. Church were tactics mean to divert
history of hosting refugees, the nationality and access to basic Echoing the message of Pope Let us read the situation with eyes public attention away from critical
Philippines still lacks laws that rights including education, Francis, the missionary said that of faith,” he said. issues involving the administration.
sets the criteria and fixes the healthcare, employment and caring for refugees does not end in As a constructive step, “The criticisms of Duterte against
procedure in determining the freedom of movement. accepting and providing settlement he encouraged the church’s the Church are diversionary
status of refugees and stateless In his homily, Scalabrini for them. philosophers, scientists, tactics to cover the failures of his
persons. Migration Center Director Fr. “Promotion and integration are theologians, Bible scholars, administration,” he said.
As of June 2017, the United Graziano Battistella said that there necessary so that one does not have catechists and social workers to Malacañang on June 26
Nations High Commissioner for are about 400 refugees in the to feel a refugee for life,” Battistella revisit these concerns “and present announced that Duterte has formed
Refugee (UNHCR) placed around Philippines, and around 200 still said. (Noemi Ann Perez and responses appropriate to our a committee to hold a dialogue with
65.6 million people around the have pending refugee status. Richard de Leon/CBCPNews) contemporary sensibilities”. faith leaders.
A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13 CBCP Monitor

Bishop Aseo formally Archbishop calls to bring

‘Laudato Si’ to life
takes over Tagum diocese

Archbishop Rolando Tirona, Caritas Philippines national director, delivers his homily
during Mass to mark the third anniversary of Laudato Si at St. Scholastica’s College
in Manila, June 18, 2018. TATIANA ANYONYEVA CRUZ

POPE Francis’ encyclical Organized by the Global

Catholic prelates greet Bishop Medil Aseo after his episcopal ordination and installation as the head of the Diocese of Tagum at the Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum City,
June 20, 2018. PHOTO FROM THE DIOCESE OF TAGUM
IT BEGAN with a procession.
About 27 bishops and more
than 100 priests solemnly
walked into Christ the King
Cathedral in Tagum City.
In all, around 2,000 came
to witness the episcopal
ordination and installation
of Bishop Medil Aseo on
June 20.
“This is the day that
the Lord has made,” said
Archbishop Romulo Valles
of Davao and President of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines, who served
as the principal consecrator.
After receiving his episcopal
ring, miter and pastoral staff,
Aseo was officially ordained
and installed as the fourth
bishop of the Tagum diocese,
the birthplace of the Basic
Ecclesial Communities
(BECs) in the Philippines.
The new bishop admitted
that he is “unworthy” of
such high office and is not
without apprehensions at the
enormity of the challenges
that he will be facing.
This means, according to
Valles in his homily, that the
faithful must be with Aseo
“all the more closely as he
embarks on a new mission”.
“As you can see, our new
bishop’s mission, any bishop’s
mission, is not easy,” Valles
said. “Bishop Medil must be
teacher, shepherd and high
priest in the place of Christ.”
In his message, Papal
nuncio Archbishop Gabriele
Caccia urged the faithful “to
be better disciples of Jesus”.
“I invite all of you to offer
this desire to be better — better
men, better women, better
workers, better disciples as
a gift to the new bishop. And
it will be sustained by prayer
and by our own example,”
Caccia said.
A priest for 39 years,
Aseo has served the diocese
in various capacities as
pastor, seminary formator,
and marriage and family
counsellor.
His last assignment
was off-shore, doing
pastoral work in the
diocese of Greensburg, in
Pennsylvania, USA, where
he received his appointment
from Pope Francis as bishop
of Tagum on April 7.
Aseo replaced retired
Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz
who served the diocese for 32
years. (CBCPNews)
on the environment was Catholic Climate Movement-
not written to be put on a Pilipinas, the symposium
bookshelf, but to held be in was aimed to raise people’s
one’s hand, to be read, and awareness on the current
then to take action, a church environmental concerns in
official said. the world.
Three years after the “There is a need to redirect
release of the encyclical, our life because the greatest
Caritas Philippines national sin we do is the exploitation
director Archbishop Rolando of the world,” said Tirona.
Tirona said it’s about time According to him, pollution
for action in the spirit of of the environment started
Laudato Si. because the “people’s hearts
The archbishop on Monday are also polluted”.
presided over a Mass before He said that Laudato
the start of a symposium to Si acts as a reminder to
mark the third anniversary of redirect the people’s lives
Laudato Si at St. Scholastica’s back to God by protecting
College in Manila. the environment.
“Laudato Si doesn’t The event ended with
deserve to be simply on the signing of the pledge
our bookshelves. Laudato of commitment for
Si should always be in the environmental responsibility.
deepest of our person, of our (Tatiana Antonyeva
being,” Tirona said in his and Noemi Ann Perez/
homily. CBCPNews)
Rights groups launch book on killings

CBCP agency remains vigilant against death penalty
OPPONENTS of the proposal to reinstate
capital punishment in the country
remains steadfast and are keeping a
close eye on the Senate.
Marking the 12th anniversary of
the abolition of the death penalty
with a Mass in Manila on Monday,
staunch “right to life” advocates said
there is no room for complacency as
the ball remains in the hands of the
Senate.
Mr. Rodolfo Diamante, executive
secretary of the bishops’ Commission on
Prison Pastoral Care, argued that “any
deprivation of the right to life will not
gain justice for all”.
“Rendering the death penalty as a
means to obtain justice simply does the
opposite as recent history has proven,”
Diamante said.
“The death penalty has not deterred
criminality and has even spurred more
injustice by killing the innocent, those
wrongly accused, those without proper
CBCP’s Commission on Mutual Relations marks 50th anniversary
A CATHOLIC Church
body tasked to attend to
concerns between bishops
and religious congregations
commemorated its 50th
anniversary in Manila on
June 27.
The occasion was
highlighted with a Mass
presided by Archbishop
Antonio Ledesma, chairman
of the Episcopal Commission
on Mutual Relations, at the
CBCP chapel.
In his homily, the Jesuit
archbishop of Cagayan
de Oro emphasized the
importance of being the
“Church in mission” and
the people as “stewards of
resources”.
“The Church is not only
what sometimes is called the
maintenance Church, it is
always a Church in mission
and it is for us to share our
resources,” Ledesma said.
He also mentioned the four
core values and principles
that missionaries should
have regardless of their
Mr. Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Prison
defence and those who have been offender, and the society we live in,” Pastoral Care, presents a handbook against death penalty after a Mass commemorating
deprived of the opportunity to reform he said. the 12th anniversary of the abolition of the capital punishment in the country, June
25, 2018. RICHARD DE LEON
and restore the injury they caused to On June 20, the prison ministry,
others. This is because ours is a system together with the Free Legal Assistance A NETWORK of human rights supposedly happened during
of justice replete with human errors,” Group, the Commission on Human groups has launched a book “legitimate police operations”
he said. Rights, and other members of the Anti- on “issues that negatively from July 2016 to May 21
In his homily, Fr. Robert Reyes of Death Penalty Task Force, launched a impact the right to life” in the this year.
the Coalition Against Death Penalty handbook opposing capital punishment Philippines. Rudy Diamante, executive
(CADP) said that the revival of capital and drug war. The network gathered secretary of the Episcopal
punishment will not make a difference Titled “Tending Life,” the handbook experts from the academe, Commission on Prison
because extrajudicial killings are features studies and articles backing the the religious sector, lawyers, Pastoral Care of the Catholic
already prevalent under the Duterte failure of death penalty to address rising and rights advocates to come Bishops’ Conference,
administration. number of crimes and perpetration of up with papers that examine welcomed the launching of
“People are getting used to the absence illegal drugs. human rights conditions in the book, describing it as a
of due process, there are killings left and President Rodrigo Duterte has the country. contribution to efforts “to
right,” he lamented. repeatedly said he wanted death penalty Lawyer Maria Socorro affirm our option for life.”
Diamante reiterated the church’s reintroduced for a wide range of heinous Diokno, secretary-general “We hope that those who
appeal to lawmakers to use “restorative crimes, particularly drugs, rape and of the Free Legal Assistance receive and read the book
justice” as an alternative way to deter murder. Group, said the book titled will be enlightened on why
criminality. The House of Representatives had “Tending Life” aims to become we have to uphold life and
“While our justice system seeks to already approved the death penalty bill a “useful reference” to inform why the killings should stop,”
punish the wrongdoer, it should move in March 2017 but a similar measure the public on the “ramifications Diamante told ucanews.com.
beyond punishment and seek healing has remained pending at the Senate. of the right to life.” The publishers said they
of all stakeholders, the victim, the (Richard de Leon/CBCPNews) Included in the book is a will distribute the book to
paper written by Jesuit priest government officials, church
Manuel Francisco on the
Catholic Church’s position
leaders, universities and civic
organizations to promote
we are only caretakers of on the death penalty and the a “shift of paradigm from a
the resources that we have,” challenge “to find a balance culture of death to a culture
Ledesma said. between justice and mercy.” of life.”
“The third value was Father Francisco said public Diamante noted that the
the value of sharing, awareness on the importance human rights situation in
and the fourth value was of protecting democratic the Philippines has reached
sustainability and we should institutions and processes is a “negative rating” due to
be able to sustain throughout necessary and “due process” government policies “that
the years the ministry, the has to be protected. systematically abuse basic
parish assignments, [and] the The priest said the huge rights.”
parish apostolate,” he added. number of murders in the “We aim to develop a
The archbishop also said the last few years and a “culture deeper understanding of
difference in congregations of violence and impunity” the preservation of the
and their different charisms have “extinguished the lives right to life even as we seek
were part of the “beauty of thousands of families ... accountability for those who
of the Church” that helps because of loopholes in our commit crimes,” said lawyer
achieve the building of the judicial system.” Leo Battad.
local churches. “Many of us endorse He said the book
The ECMR was established quick solutions that underscores the point that the
in 1968 to coordinate and circumvent legal processes right to life “must be carefully
unite the purposes and and undermine the rights tended so that it may regain
programs of the bishops and of individuals,” said Father its proper standing and value
the religious superiors in the Francisco. in society.”
Philippines. The Philippine National Police The book includes a
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Mutual Among its many functions has already recorded a total of statement by United Nations
Relations, is surrounded by CBCP employees after a Mass to mark the ECMR’s 50th 27,262 deaths since the launch special rapporteur Agnes
anniversary, June 27, 2018. RICHARD DE LEON is also to attend to the visa
requirements of foreign in 2016 of the government’s war Callamard who proposed the
congregations. representing the hierarchical missionaries before the against drugs. inclusion of human rights
“The first value is being in gifts or the charismatic gifts Bureau of Immigration. A total of 22,983 cases in any anti-illegal drug
solidarity. We are all one in of the Church. The second (Joselle Dela Cruz/ were classified as “deaths policy. (Mark Saludes/
the body of Christ, whether value was stewardship, that CBCPNews) under inquiry” while 4,279 UCANews)