A3 • A7 B1 B8

Unraveling the Benedict XVI to House of Prayer in CINEMA

Mystery of the Proclaim a Year Malolos Elevated Reviews
Shroud of Turin of St. Paul to Diocesan Shrine

CBCP Commission slams www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

Volunteers’
Arroyo for commuting achievements shadowed
Jalosjos by COMELEC scalawags,
PUERTO Princesa Bishop Pedro D. Arigo de- says PPCRV
scribed Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye’s state-
ment that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s FORMER Philippine Ambassador to the Holy
commutation of convicted Romeo Jalosjos sen- See Henrietta T. de Villa said thousands of
tence was to decongest the national peniten- PPCRV volunteers across the country did their
tiary as “surprising” and “too shallow.” Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace job well despite “an abundance of fear and a
Bishop Arigo also serves as chairman of the poverty of resources to safeguard the rights of
CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Prison Pas- each and all voters to vote freely.”
toral Care. June 25 - July 8, 2007 Vol. 11 No. 13 Php 20.00 Volunteers’ / A6
CBCP / A6

Investigate all killings, says bishop

By Melo Acuna
ALL killings must be investigated and perpetra-
tors brought before the bar of justice. This was the
call of Melo Commission Member and Butuan
Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos as he welcomed calls
for an all-out investigation into extra-judicial kill-
ings in various parts of the country.
In an interview with Catholic-run Veritas 846, he
said the investigations “should encompass all kill-
ings, especially those that did not follow the course
of justice, as the ones in Davao and Cebu.”
Asked of Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s call for a
top-level consultation to revisit the meaning of
“command responsibility,” Bishop Pueblos said,
“If the President would just make a statement that
says no to killings anymore and the military would
humbly take orders, I do believe that would end
all kinds of killings…”
He said he has tendered his resignation from the
Melo Commission as early as January based on an
earlier agreement with the Papal Nuncio to the
Philippines. He said he is also busy with the prepa-
rations for the Diocese of Butuan’s Ruby Anniver-
sary next month but his fellow commissioner said
there’s no need to resign as he can still participate
in the commission’s deliberations as his schedule
allows.
Told of the presence of European Union experts
to probe the reported extra-judicial killings, Bishop
Pueblos said “our dependence on the United States
and other countries make it impossible for us to
have our own say because of earlier compromises
(with other countries).”
The 64-year old prelate said “these extra-judicial
killings would have been solved if the military
itself would have their own way of doing things
and not just trying to follow whatever is suggested
from those people who are helping the military
financially.”
Investigate / A7
How beautiful are the hands of our priest and prophet Jaime Cardinal Sin. Together with other bishops, priests and religious, Bishop Socrates Villegas of Balanga, Bataan prays before the tomb of
Jaime L. Cardinal Sin after the mass celebrated to commemorate the second death anniversary of the revered cardinal; at the Manila Cathedral on June 21, 2007 .

Church help needed

in breastfeeding
campaign
DR. Shigeru Omi, World Health Organiza-
tion, director for Western Pacific region said
the Church could play an important role in
getting mothers back to breastfeeding in lieu
of milk substitutes which has gained strong-
hold in Filipino households due to aggres-
sive advertising and promotional campaigns.
In an exclusive interview with the CBCP
Monitor, Dr. Omi said “the Church is still
very influential in many societies and it could
help our advocacy.”
He explained the Church can use all the
opportunities to inform the people that
breastfeeding is “very, very effective in the
health development of children not only bio-
logically but also mentally (because) you de-
velop the bond between mother and child.”
He added “the Church, through its priests
and ministers can inform everyone in their
congregation that breastfeeding is the most
effective intervention to promote the healthy
development of children.”
In a related development, Stephen Atwood,
UNICEF regional Health and Nutrition Ad-
viser for East Asia and the Pacific said he has
noticed very low government investment in
health services.
He said government investment in Public
Health is given as a mere percentage of the
country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
CBCP head: Find the desaparecidos ‘the Bossi way’
CATHOLIC Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel
He added the government should consider the
series of disappearances and abductions as “a seri-
solved cases of disappearances and extra-judicial
killings.
Lagdameo said he appreciates the government’s ous matter.” He lamented the common perception that vic-
efforts to find PIME missionary Giancarlo Bossi who He called on the Arroyo administration to in- tims and their immediate relatives appeals may
was abducted June 10. vestigate and clarify the fate of those who disap- have “fallen on deaf ears.”
However, he appealed to the government to ap- peared under mysterious circumstances. “We join the clamor for the immediate return of
ply the same zeal and dedication in finding other “They should be able to bring the perpetrators the victims of disappearances,” he added.
victims of abduction elsewhere. to justice,” he further added. Militant human rights group Karapatan said there
“The government should also exert efforts find- The CBCP president earlier said they are both were 199 victims of abductions and unexplained
ing those victims of mysterious disappearances,” “shamed and saddened” the Philippines ranked disappearances from January 2001 to May 2007.
Lagdameo said. among countries with significant number of unre- (Roy Lagarde)
Bishop Villegas: “I am missing Cardinal Sin’s hands” Group urges enforcement
BALANGA (Bataan) Bishop Bishop Villegas fondly recalled he negotiated for peace between of law on youth offenders
Socrates B. Villegas said he Cardinal Sin’s visits to jails and political foes in order to insure the
A CHURCH-BASED advocacy group called on the
misses the “strong guiding hands congested government hospitals welfare of the people.”
government to efficiently implement a law that
of our prophet to lead us from and “the hands that guided us CBCP President and Jaro (Iloilo)
seeks to address the plight of youth offenders.
darkness to light.” He added through two peaceful EDSA re- Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo,
The Ateneo de Manila-based John J. Carroll In-
those “tender hands of our shep- volts.” Bishops Guillermo Afable of Digos,
stitute on Church and Social Issues (JJCICSI) said
herd to soothe our worries and A close confidant of the late Arch- and Rolando Tria Tirona of Infanta
despite the signing last year of the Juvenile Justice
console us in our fears.” bishop of Manila, Bishop Villegas concelebrated with Bishop
and Welfare Act (RA 9344), many children are still
This was the gist of Bishop recalled the “countless pastoral let- Villegas.
being detained with adult criminals.
Villegas’ homily in the Memo- ters that condemned evil and Former President Corazon
Among the salient points of RA 9344 is the cre-
rial Mass held last June 21 at soothed the weary hearts of free- Cojuangco Aquino joined Dr.
ation of a welfare council under the Justice
the Manila Cathedral during dom fighters during the dark years Ramon L. Sin, Philippine Ambas-
Department’s administrative supervision, headed
the 2 nd Death Anniversary of of Martial Law.” He said the late sador to the Holy See Leonida Vera
however by an undersecretary of the Department
Jaime L. Cardinal Sin who suc- Archbishop of Manila “pounded and former Ambassador Francisco
of Social Welfare and Development.
cumbed after a lingering illness on his study desk at Villa San Alba during the Memorial Mass.
at age 75. Miguel in anger and frustration as (CBCPNews) Group / A7

Pondo ng Pinoy now P150 M

that’s spent on Health.
He stressed that “from 2000 to 2004 data,
the Philippines is the third lowest in East Asia
and the Pacific region, behind Myanmar and
Indonesia.” And that from the country’s na-
tional budget, “only 1% is allocated to Health
and 11% is allocated to Education.”
Atwood hastened to add “we’re not asking
that you take the money from Education to
give it to Health. We’re asking that the allo-
cation for Social Services be increased so that
Health gets a larger part of the over-all bud-
getary pie.”
Both WHO and UNICEF recommend six
months of exclusive breastfeeding for best
infant growth, development and health.
However, most Filipina mothers
breastfeed for less than 24 days on the aver-
age according to the 2003 National Demo-
graphic and Health Survey which showed a
significant reduction from 1.4 months noted
in the 1998 survey.
It has been reported that 16,000 child mor-
tality per year in the Philippines is largely
Church / A6
AFTER three years, the Archdiocese of Manila’s “Pondo ng Pinoy is
Pondo ng Pinoy has touched the lives of thou- slowly moving on and
sands of out-of-school and poor children, built drawing more and
homes for the poor, provided capital through more friends and mem-
micro-finance in the poorer sections of Metro bers in our communi-
Manila and suburbs. ties.” He added, “and
In 2006 alone, Pondo ng Pinoy fed over 64,000 like God-inspired cre-
malnourished children, built 34 homes for over ation it is not in a hurry,
200 people, sponsored education of 174 poor but for our values, inspira-
deserving youth and children and extended tion and destiny are all
loans to nearly a thousand small-scale entrepre- rooted in eternity.”
neurs. About 7,600 persons received livelihood The Pondo ng Pinoy
assistance and extended health care assistance project is the Archdio-
to 1,700 individuals. cese of Manila’s way of Flanked by Bishop Broderick Pabillo and Msgr Gerardo Santos, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales addresses the
Led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Car- making Good News a media at a press conference on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of Pondo ng Pinoy on June 16, 2007.
dinal Rosales, the fund derived mostly from 25 concrete expression of concern for one’s neighbor, project.
centavo coins from people from all walks of life through catechesis and acts of goodness. He said Pondo ng Pinoy’s vision includes
reached P 150 million. After the first Manila inter-diocesan general pas- reaching out to Filipinos abroad and has gained
During its third anniversary celebration at La toral assembly on June 12, 2006, there are now 14 adherents in the United States, Germany, Italy
Salle Greenhills, Archbishop Rosales said dioceses which has actively participated in the and France. (Roy Lagarde)

A2
Henan Government: Destroy
the Sanctuary of Our Lady of
Carmel in Tianjiajing
CHINA, June 21, 2007—Next July
16 pilgrims and faithful from
Henan will not be allowed to go
on pilgrimage to the sanctuary in
Tianjiajing.
The government from the prov-
ince of Henan has decreed that the
historic sanctuary dedicated to
Our Lady of Mount Carmel will
be blown up with dynamite; a
complete ban on Catholics orga-
nizing their annual pilgrimage; a
complete ban on any religious
gathering or function being cel-
ebrated in the area. A statue of the
Virgin, over one hundred years
old, is destined to be destroyed
along with 14 stations of The Way
of the Cross which punctuate the
entrance to the shrine.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel lies in Tianjiajing
(Linxian district), in the diocese of
Anyang, in the reaches of a moun-
tain which dominates majestic
scenery. It was ordered built by
PIME missionary Msgr. Stefano
Scarsella, then apostolic vicar to
northern Henan, to thank the Vir-
gin for preserving them from the
dangers of the Boxers persecution
in 1900. The shrine was built
in1903-1905.
The elegantly styled neo-ro-
man Church was almost com-
pletely destroyed first by the Japa-
nese in the Second World War,
then by the Red Guard in the 60’s.
Since 1979, the faithful returned
to celebrating their faith with sol-
emn liturgies and pilgrimages,
travelling many kilometres on
foot to the sanctuary ruins and
representation of the Lourdes
Grotto, where still today the origi-
nal Marian statue can be seen.
World News
According to AsiaNews sources,
last May 12, on the feast of Our
Lady of China, the diocese of
Anyang distributed leaflets on the
upcoming annual pilgrimage to
Tianjiajing on July 16 feast of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel.
Usually the pilgrimage gathers
45-50 thousand people. Since then
the Department for Religious Af-
fairs has kept strict surveillance of
all priests, forcing them to hold
“discussions” to convince them not
to go ahead with the pilgrimage.
Last May 11, the secretary gen-
eral of Henan province gave a
personal order to cancel the pil-
grimage and spread the order to
the neighbouring provinces of
Hebei and Shanxi.
To occupy the site and prevent
any form of sit-in, the provincial
government began holding mili-
tary exercises in the area of the
shrine on May 12, mobilizing over
700 soldiers. Still today all roads
leading to the sanctuary are closed.
All cars and pedestrians who pass
by are stopped and searched.
The provincial governor’s de-
cision has shocked the faithful of
the diocese because just this year
they began rebuilding the sanctu-
ary, offering money and hours of
work, repairing the road and the
stations of the Way of the Cross
which lie along it.
In answer, on May 14 the gov-
ernment of Anyang city revoked
the sanctuary’s permit and the
permit for the pilgrimage, defin-
ing them as “illegal religious ac-
tivity” and May 16, he issued a
resolution which denies access to
the land to Anyang Church, req-
uisitioning the sanctuary site.
“It’s unbelievable that they
have done this “, one faithful tells
AsiaNews. “These local commu-
nist leaders don’t even know the
central governments laws govern-
ing religious polices, they only
create useless and dangerous ten-
sion”. “We will never give in
“says another faithful. “We are
not afraid and we will defend our
legitimate rights to the very end”.
In the meantime, since the end
of May a “working group” from
the local government has in-
stalled itself in Tianjiajing. Accord-
ing to some suppositions, the lo-
cal government move requisi-
tioning the lands and abolishing
the pilgrimage is due to the geo-
graphical position of the Church,
on the summit, above a valley
ideal for the building of a hotel or
perhaps country villa of some
Party member.
Faithful from the diocese of
Anyang have launched an appeal
through AsiaNews: “We ask all our
brothers and sisters in the Lord to
pray for us and spread our mes-
sage to all the faithful of the
world”. (AsiaNews)
More Than 500
People Light
‘Candles of Hope’
for Religious
Freedom
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia,
June 21, 2007—More than 500
people from different religious
backgrounds met Wednesday
night for a candlelight vigil to
protest against the continued
detention of M Revathi, a Hindu
woman sentenced to an Islamic
rehabilitation centre. Partici-
pants lighted candles of hope
for religious freedom and the
right to love, carrying banners
that said: ‘Secular is not anti-re-
ligion’ and ‘Stop breaking up
families’.
Revathi’s parents are Indian.
They converted to Islam before
she war born. However, she
claims to be Hindu and married
a Hindu man in March 2004 in a
Hindu wedding ceremony. The
couple now has child.
Soon after, the Malacca Reli-
gious Department (Jaim) told
her to get her faith officially rec-
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
ognized by the Malacca
Syariah (Sharia) Court.
However, her application
was turned down in Janu-
ary and she was sent to
the Akidah Rehabilita-
tion Centre in Ulu Yam,
Selangor, for 100 days as
required by law. Her
sentence was extended by
an additional 80 days be-
cause during that time
she failed to show any
signs of repentance.
The prayer vigil, which
was held at the Dataran
Merdeka, drew Bud-
dhists, Hindus, Sikhs,
Christians and members
of other minority groups.
Officials from the Malay-
sian Consultative Council of
Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu-
ism, Sikhism and Taoism
(MCCBCHST) were also
present.
“We are all here hopeful that
the state may recognize and re-
spect religious freedom as en-
shrined in the constitution,”
said Meera Samanther, presi-
dent of the Women’s Aid Orga-
nization.
In Malaysia two legal systems
exist side by side: Sharia law and
the secular constitution. But the
two are often in conflict. For in-
stance whilst the constitution
guarantees religious freedom,
Islamic law forbids Muslims to
convert to other religions. More
importantly, when the two
clash, it is Sharia law that pre-
vails and is imposed on all par-
ties, including on non-Muslims.
(AsiaNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
Purgatory in Limbo; 17th-Century Inspiration
and More Confusion Regarding the Hereafter
ROME, June 21, 2007—A couple
of months ago I was standing in
the Sistine Chapel when I over-
heard an odd exchange in front
of Michelangelo’s “Last Judg-
ment.” A woman asked her hus-
band which part of the painting
was purgatory, to which her
husband answered that it didn’t
matter because the Church had
abolished purgatory anyway.
(Yes, you really do hear it all in
there!).
Now, looking for purgatory
in an image of the “Last Judg-
ment” is not a sign of great theo-
logical acumen, so I thought
nothing of it, but as the months
wore on, more and more pil-
grims in Rome—often devout
people well-versed in their
faith—were asking whether it
was true that the Church had rid
itself of purgatory.
The question can be solved,
of course, by a quick glance at
the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, which provides au-
thoritative answers for this sort
of thing.
In it we are taught: “All those
who die in God’s grace and
friendship, but still imperfectly
purified, are indeed assured of
News Features
their eternal salvation; but af- dren who die go to heaven’”—a
ter death they undergo purifi- misleading statement that was
cation, so as to achieve the holi- repeated by many other
ness necessary to enter the joy sources.
of Heaven” (No. 1030). It also Unlike purgatory, the exist-
explains that “the Church gives ence of limbo has never been
the name “purgatory to this fi- part of official Catholic doc-
nal purification of the elect” trine. It was, as Benedict XVI
(No. 1031). So, purgatory is up said, a theological construct.
and running just as much as The idea of limbo served as a
ever. way for the faithful to under-
The question remains, where stand the fate of unbaptized
did this confusion come from? souls. Not having been washed
Last October, the International of the guilt of original sin, the
Theological Commission con- argument went, they could not
vened to discuss limbo, and enter heaven, but innocent of
found that the theory of an eter- personal sin, nor did they de-
nal middle ground between serve hell. In the “Divine Com-
heaven and hell—where souls edy,” Dante fashioned an unfor-
could enjoy a “natural happi- gettable impression of limbo.
ness”—was no longer useful for When he enters, the poet ex-
the faithful. claims: “No laments could we
Many newspapers, often at a hear—except for sighs that
loss when covering the Vatican, trembled the timeless air.”
saw an opportunity for a catchy And Virgil—Dante’s mentor
headline: “Pope Abolishes who is also excluded from
Limbo.” Here began the confu- heaven—replies: “They did not
sion. sin; If they have merit, it can’t
The London-based Times suffice without baptism, portal
newspaper didn’t report the ex- to the faith you maintain” (In-
act words of the commission, ferno IV, 20-25). These beauti-
but printed: “A Times source ful words, tinged with sadness
said that the theologians’ find- and regret, remind the faithful
ing basically says ‘that all chil- of the beauty and importance of
A3
baptism, as well as our respon-
sibility as being marked among
the elect. Questioning the exist-
ence of limbo does not cancel
the teaching that salvation or-
dinarily comes to us through the
sacraments.
But in our modern age, give
an inch and the rest will go with
it. A wonderful family of pil-
grims told me that their parish
bulletin in Atlanta had declared
that purgatory no longer ex-
isted. The logical follow-up is
that hell, too, will soon be con-
signed to the dustbin of theol-
ogy.
This series of misunderstand-
ings, however, underscores the
importance of pilgrimage. Here
in Rome, we are still given pen-
ances to pray for the souls in
purgatory. One can visit the Pur-
gatory Museum and a plenary
indulgence for the living or
dead can be obtained at any of
the major basilicas.
Coming to Rome, the home of
the Church, walking in the foot-
steps of hundreds of great saints
that passed through these streets,
one revitalizes one’s faith, and
finds answers to questions and
doubts. (Elizabeth Lev /Zenit)

Vatican Calls Prostitution Vatican Grants Public

a Form of Slavery Status to WUCWO
VATICAN CITY, June 20, 2007—
The Pontifical Council for Mi-
grants and Travelers reiterated
the Church’s condemnation of
sexual exploitation and prostitu-
tion as a form of modern slavery.
On Tuesday, during the presen-
tation of its “Guidelines for the
Pastoral Care of the Road,” the
council drew attention to the sec-
ond part of the document, called
the “Pastoral Care for the Libera-
tion of Women on the Street.”
Cardinal Renato Martino and
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto,
the president and secretary of the
pontifical council, spoke of the
women who “live in the street
and are of the street,” involved
in prostitution and trafficking.
Far from just a women’s issue,
prostitution also “drags men and
children into its network,” under-
lined Archbishop Marchetto,
condemning the “growing de-
mand of sex ‘ consumers.’”
Echoing the concerns of
Benedict XVI, the document says:
“Trafficking in human beings, es-
pecially women, flourishes
where opportunities to improve
their standard of living or even
to survive are limited.”
“It becomes easy for the traf-
ficker to offer his own ‘service’
to the victims, who often do not
even vaguely suspect what awaits
them. In some cases there are
women and girls who are des-
tined to be exploited almost like
slaves in their work, and not in-
frequently in the sex industry,”
explains the document in the
Pontiff’s words.
“Knowing the factors that lead
and attract women to prostitu-
tion, the strategies used by inter-
mediaries and exploiters to sub-
due them to their domination” is
important for an effective pasto-
ral response to this plague, ex-
plained Archbishop Marchetto.
It is also important to know
“the paths of movement from the
countries of origin to those of
destination and the institutional
resources available to deal with
this problem,” he continued.
Pastoral response
The Vatican official praised the
international community and
many nongovernmental organi-
zations for their “increasingly
energetic” efforts to “protect
those who are victims of human
trafficking.”
For its part, noted Archbishop
Marchetto, “the Church has the
pastoral responsibility to defend
and promote the human dignity
of persons who are exploited by
prostitution, and to help them
find their freedom by offering
economic, educational and for-
mational assistance.”
In order to respond to these pas-
toral needs, he added, “the Church
must prophetically condemn the
injustices and violence” perpe-
trated against women of the
street, and fight this phenomenon.
In order to achieve this, con-
cluded Archbishop Marchetto, a
“renewed solidarity in Christian
communities and specific pro-
grams of formation for pastoral
care workers” are needed, as well
as collaborating “with social
communication outlets to ensure
awareness about this serious
problem.” (Zenit)
THE World Union of Catholic
Women’s Organizations
(WUCWO), has recently been
granted public status by the
Vatican in conformity with the
canonical norms in force and ac-
cording to canons 298-320 and
327-329 of the Code of Canon
Law. The Pontifical Council of
the Laity (PCL) confirmed in a
statement the erection of
WUCWO as a public interna-
tional association of the faithful.
PCL President Archbishop
Stanislaw Rylko, PCL secretary
Bishop Josef Clemens, and staff
members, gathered with the
members of the WUCWO lead-
ership in the Aula Magna to cel-
ebrate the historic occasion. Arch-
bishop Rylko noted that
WUCWO is one of the first asso-
ciations to receive this public sta-
tus.
Dr. Maria Rocio Figueroa,
head of the Pontifical Council’s
Women’s Section, read the act of
Consignment to WUCWO Presi-
dent-General, Karen M. Hurley.
Hurley was accompanied by
WUCWO’s Ecclesiastical Assis-
tant, Father GianMaria Polidoro,
OFM; former WUCWO President-
General, Maria Eugenia Diaz de
Pfennich; Secretary-General,
Gillian M. Badcock; and Vice
President of the European Re-
gion, Maria Giovanna Ruggieri.
Acknowledging the public
rank given to WUCWO, Hurley
said, “…This status honors the
tireless efforts of millions of
faithful Catholic women active
in our Union at the parish, dioc-
esan, national and international
levels. We appreciate the deci-
sion of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity and, with the grace of
God, will work diligently to ful-
fill the responsibilities which
accompany this status. We
pledge to you our fidelity to the
Church and our faithful Catho-
lic witness to the world, which
is rooted in spiritual formation,
evangelization and the Social
Doctrine of the Church…”
WUCWO has been active in
the promotion of women and
their role in the Church and so-
ciety. Its various advocacies in-
clude education, poverty allevia-
tion, peace building and eradi-
cation of violence against
women.
Through its accredited orga-
nizations, WUCWO “promotes
the presence, participation and
co-responsibility of the Catho-
lic women in the Church and so-
ciety in order to enable them to
fulfill their mission of evangeli-
zation and to work for human
development.”
In its 2006 General Assembly,
WUCWO pledged to work for
building a culture of peace with
special attention to education
and the alleviation of poverty as
its priority for 2006-2010.
Founded in 1910, WUCWO has
a membership of almost 100 or-
ganizations, active in 66 coun-
tries, representing millions of
Catholic women from all walks
of life.
The Catholic Women’s League
of the Philippines is an accred-
ited member of WUCWO.
(Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Unraveling the Mystery

of the Shroud of Turin
THE Shroud of Turin, a centuries-
old linen cloth showing the im-
age of a crucified man has, for
hundreds of years, been revered
as the burial shroud of Jesus of
Nazareth. It has been kept in a
chapel in the Cathedral of Turin
over 80 items never been shown
before in the Philippines and in
Asia,” said Lloren.
Lloren said visitors will be
given a tour of the historical jour-
ney of the shroud and the vari-
ous theories surrounding its au-
(¼ Ad here
East Pollen theory, Hemoglobin
discovery, Templar theory, the
Risen Christ theory and the Car-
bon Dating story.
A replica of the Shroud of
Turin recreated in 2005 from
Shwortz’ original photos are also

since 1694 where pilgrims get the
chance to see it two or three
times within a century when it is
put up for public exposition.
Last exhibited to the public on
October 22, 2000, the Shroud’s
next official exposition is sched-
uled in 2025. However, Filipinos
thenticity.
She also said the exhibit is en-
visioned to be a “spiritual jour-
ney for every Christian, a soul-
ful pilgrimage in search of a sym-
bol of faith.”
Visitors viewing the exhibits
will be divided into groups of
of the Holy
on display. The replica is repro-
duced in full-size transparencies
and digital prints in both posi-
tive and negative formats.
An adoration chapel has been
put up in the exhibit area to pro-
vide a quiet place for visitors who
may wish to spend some mo-

need not have to wait for 18 years
nor travel thousand of miles to
see it. The Shroud Exhibits Inter-
national, Inc., the local counter-
part of the Shroud Exhibits Inter-
national Limited in USA, has
been granted the license to man-
fifty. They will be shown first a
comprehensive video summary
of what to expect from the jour-
ney they are about to commence.
The visitors are then led along
the Way of the Cross, reliving the
passion of Christ, journeying
Shroud of
ments of prayer and reflection.
“The area allows visitors to
relive their experience, to reflect
on the Shroud and what it means
to their faith, and to carry out the
message of the Shroud in their
activities,” explained Lloren.

age the exhibits of the Holy
Shroud in the country which will
go on until the first quarter of
2008. The Philippine exhibit will
be the first in Asia and second in
the world. It will start on July 20
at SM City, Pampanga, and then
go on exhibit at SM Mall of Asia
from Sept 8 to Dec. 9; SM Davao
from Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, 2008; and
SM City Cebu from April 4-27,
2008.
Shroud Exhibit International
president, Irene Lloren said the
exhibit items are part of the col-
lection of Mr. Barrie Schwortz, a
photographer; who was officially
commissioned by King Umberto
II of Savoy, the Shroud’s previ-
ous monarch-owner; to docu-
ment the Shroud.
“The exhibit features exclusive
video clips, special artifacts, and
from the trial to Calvary, until
his death and burial.
“Featured in this section of the
exhibit are artifacts, such as the
whip, crown of thorns and nails,
that are commissioned from the
armourer of the movie Lord of
the Rings,” explained Lloren. “A
virtual showcase also awaits visi-
tors, as there will be moving im-
ages of the scourging at the Pil-
lar and the scene at Mt. Calvary
to further the spiritual experi-
ence,” she added.
The exhibit also shows the var-
ied means applied to establish the
Shroud’s authenticity, based on
art and architecture, science and
technology, and the Bible. The
different theories surrounding
the Shroud are also tackled, such
as the Leonardo Da Vinci theory,
the Photograph theory, Middle
Turin)
Organizers expect large crowd
of visitors from various sectors
especially students, the academe,
religious organizations, Church
groups and the general public to
come and view the exhibit.
The exhibit has been endorsed
by the Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP),
the Department of Education and
Commission on Higher Educa-
tion. Proceeds from the exhibit
will benefit the Congregation of
the Sisters of the Holy Face, The
Holy One of the Lord Catholic
Foundation, Inc. and the Diocese
of Paranaque.
Anyone who wants additional
information on the event can con-
tact Shroud Exhibit International,
Inc. at 895-2966 or 610-0870, or
email shroudexhibits@yahoo.com
(Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
 CBCP Monitor
A4 Opinion Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007

EDITORIAL

Basic Ecclesial Communities

THE Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1991 has
encouraged the building of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC)
and its “vigorous” promotion “for the full living of the Christian
vocation in both urban and rural areas.” It was seen as a new
way of being Church.
At that instant the CBCP was mandated to issue “an official
statement on BECs, on their nature and function as recognized
by the Church, making it clear that they are not simply another
organization.”
The mandate included the mobilization of the laity “to participate
in the task of evangelization and look upon BECs as a means
Layout by Denz Dayao

of evangelization.” And, “a formation program for BEC workers

and missionaries, including a common manual (that) shall be
developed and made available to the dioceses through the
CBCP.”
Five years after PCP-II, the Episcopal Commission on Social
Action, Justice and Peace reported that only 30 ecclesiastical
jurisdictions in the country implemented the BEC program. On
the sidelines, the Church saw the flowering of faith communities
such as the Couples for Christ, El Shaddai, Marriage Encounter
groups, Neo Catechumenate and a bevy of transparochial
communities.
In 2001, or ten years after Council, a National Pastoral
Consultation on Church Renewal (NPCCR) was convened. It
affirmed the BEC as a “reflection of a renewed and renewing
Church” and came up with a more updated nine pastoral
priorities for the Church of the Philippines.
This month the BEC National Office will finally be operational.
It is located at the 3rd floor of the CBCP Headquarters in
Intramuros. According to its Executive Secretary, Msgr. Elmer
Abacahin, this office will “serve as the facilitating center
providing information on logistical support for BEC’s, to assist
in animating and strengthening BEC initiatives in different
dioceses, to coordinate national BEC activities, to coordinate
with other CBCP Commissions relative to BEC matters.”

Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD

Graft and Corruption
Unlimited In and Out of Season
GRAFT and corruption in the government and its agencies are
I WOULD like to start with two simple defi-
so endemic and extensive that socio-political integrity in nitions. First, by “Church” I mean here both
governance has seemingly become a moral impossibility to the individual Catholic believer and the in-
achieve during the remaining three-year tenure of the present stitutional entity, which includes the Pope,
national leadership. While it cannot be denied that same curses the cardinals and bishops, the clergy, reli-
upon the people were already existent during the past gious and the big group of lay faithful.
administrations, the present one made them its distinct flagship. Oftentimes, Church means the teaching au-
That is why, shameful and painful though it may be, the country thority or the magisterium, represented by
has been just recently declared as the most corrupt in Asia— the bishops, in our country, the Catholic Bish-
with neither regret nor reservation. ops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
By politics or political governance I mean
Poor infrastructures and deficient social service. Underdeveloped all activities relating to governing, guiding
educational system and consequent illiteracy. Joblessness, or building civil society.
poverty and hunger. Unrest and dissent. These and many other I am using for my reference The Second
serious national maladies find their combined basic causal Plenary Council of the Philippines, which
has spoken about our subject under the title
factor in graft and corruption.
“The Church and the Political Community”
No amount of glorious pronouncement and glowing predictions (nos. 330-359). What did it say? “In the Phil-
by the administration and its allies will make any real difference. ippines today, given the general perception
that politics has become an obstacle to inte-
No so-called positive approach by the national leadership could
gral development, the urgent necessity is for
reverse the negative realities in the country. It made a big mess
the lay faithful to participate more actively,
of the national socio- economic and political situation that no with singular competence and integrity, in
mere cute moves, big smiles and chosen embraces for media political affairs. It is through the laity that
purposes could change the many existing national maladies. the Church is directly involved” (PCP-II 348).
This is what the Holy Father, Pope
How could the country move on when its serious questions on Benedict XVI, says in his first Encyclical,
the truth and integrity about no less than the 2004 national “Deus Caritas Est”: The direct duty to work
elections remain unanswered? This is not to mention something for a just ordering of society is proper to the
about fertilizers or city and national roads, about the most lay faithful. As citizens of the state, they are
expensive boulevard in the world, and a host of other unresolved called to take part in public life in a personal
mysteries in the handling of public funds. capacity. So they cannot relinquish their par-
ticipation ‘in the many different economic,
How could the repeated calls of the administration for national social, legislative, administrative and cul-
unity be considered serious when it is precisely the worst and tural areas, which are intended to promote
standing cause of disunity in the country? The extrajudicial organically and institutionally the common
killings and abductions go on. The nation is considered as one good’” (Deus Caritas Est, 29; John Paul II,
of the most dangerous places for media practitioners. The
Philippines is listed as the 100th least peaceful country in the
world.
How could but the envisioned change of some disfavored heads
of government owned and controlled corporations really reverse
Speaking of Limbo…
the disturbing over-all national situation? This is but a concrete
sample of administrative cosmetology—with the over-all reality
of the administration remaining the same.
THERE is no limbo to speak of. Long before
The national predicament ultimately caused by graft and His Holiness Pope Benedict VI approved is-
corruption is so compound and complex that it rests beyond suance of the findings of the International
remedy by merely dear and endearing verbal resolves by the Theological Commission that the concept of
limbo was never part of official Church Teach-
present administration. ings, I have been telling people that aborted
babies go straight to heaven. In fact, I have
been asking the intercession of aborted ba-
ISSN 1908-2940 bies, just as I pray to St. Joseph or St. Anthony.
The Role of the Church
in Political Governance
Christifideles Laici, 42). Such involvement is
not optional; it flows from the very core of
Christian faith.
Does that mean that bishops and priests
have no role in political activity? “The
Church’s competence in passing moral judg-
ment even in matters political has been tra-
ditionally interpreted as pertaining to the
clergy. Negatively put, the clergy can teach
moral doctrines covering politics but cannot
actively involve themselves in partisan poli-
tics” (PCP-II 340). The principle is simply that
politics, like all human activities, must be
exercised always in the light of faith in the
Gospel. The Council states that “the common
good cannot be sacrificed on the flimsy pre-
text that ‘the Church does not engage in poli-
tics’. Concretely this means both clergy and
laity must be involved in the area of politics
when moral and Gospel values are at stake”
(344). Because, today we understand salva-
tion in a comprehensive way, the Church’s
mission includes also the temporal order.
To change Philippine society, we have to
change Philippine politics; in one sense, it
may mean politicians must change; in an-
other sense, we must change the politicians.
It does not mean change in the form of gov-
ernment, but change in the ones running the
government. To do this we need the concerted
participation and struggle of all Filipinos of
goodwill in political activity. In the language
of faith and morality, it is a participation in
the battle against human sinfulness, lodged
deeply in Philippine politics. It is a struggle
to make God’s grace and ethical principle
victorious in the Philippines. As one theolo-
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
edge, Let go. When the women call or come
to our center, they know that Help is avail-
able. We encourage them to Entrust to us (and
to the Lord) their pains and anxieties. Ac-
knowledging their participation in the death
of an innocent human being is a vital step in
the healing process. They are assisted to real-
ize that abortion is an evil no matter what
good intention the woman or all those in-
gian has said: the politics of guns, goons and
gold must be converted into the politics of
gospel, grace and God.
What about “the separation of Church and
State” enshrined in our Constitution and
commonly invoked. How can we understand
this? The basic purpose of this provision is
that Church and State should enjoy and re-
spect each other’s mutual autonomy. By this
we understand that they should not inter-
fere in each other’s affairs, should not seek
to control each other, or allow themselves to
be simply the instrument of each other. How-
ever, considering what we said earlier, this
separation of Church and State cannot be used
as an argument against the participation and
involvement of the Church in shaping the
politics of our country.
Pope Benedict XVI in “Deus Caritas Est”
states: “The Church wishes to help form con-
sciences in political life and to stimulate
greater insight into the authentic require-
ments of justice as well as greater readiness
to act accordingly, even when this might in-
volve conflict with situations of personal
interest. Building a just social and civil or-
der, wherein each person receives what is
his or her due, is an essential task which ev-
ery generation must take up anew. As a po-
litical task, this cannot be the Church’s im-
mediate responsibility. Yet, since it is a most
important human responsibility, the Church
is duty-bound to offer, through the purifica-
tion of reason and through ethical forma-
tion, her own specific contribution towards
understanding the requirements of justice and
achieving them politically” (no. 28).
Love Life
ing decision. The wound in your heart may
not yet have healed. Certainly what happened
was and remains terribly wrong. But do not
give in to discouragement and do not lose
hope. Try rather to understand what hap-
pened and face it honestly. If you have not
already done so, give yourselves over with
humility and trust to repentance. The Father
of mercy is ready to give you his forgiveness

CBCP Monitor
I came across an explanation by a theolo- volved in the abortion may have. God loves and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconcilia-
gian many years ago that “limbo” actually the sinner but not the sin. Accepting this fact tion.
meant “let us just set it aside as we have no is the only way that they will see the impor- You will come to understand that nothing
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
answer to that one yet…” when people would tance of seeking forgiveness before they can is definitively lost and you will also be able
ask if unbaptized babies go to heaven. finally let go and surrender their life to the to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now
It was with great joy and relief then when I Lord. living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
read the encyclical Evangelium vitae or “Gos- Pro-life Philippines networks with other help and advice of other people, and as a re-
pel of Life” of Pope John Paul II issued last groups offering post-abortion healing: the sult of your own painful experience, you can
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos March 25, 1995 declaring that aborted babies Rachels Support Group and the Hope Alive be among the most eloquent defenders of
Associate Editor Feature Editor are now in heaven. This is in Article 99 where Philippines. Many of the women who have everyone’s right to life. Through your com-
he encourages post aborted women to “ask experienced healing are now counselors them- mitment to life, whether by accepting the birth
Melo M. Acuña Rowena T. Dalanon forgiveness from your child, who is now liv- selves. And they are very effective in convinc- of other children or by welcoming and caring
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor ing in the Lord.” ing troubled pregnant girls to go on with their for those most in need of someone to be close
Dennis B. Dayao Ernani M. Ramos In our pro-life counseling centers where we pregnancy so that they will not undergo the to them, you will become promoters of a new
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager have encountered countless women seeking same trauma they experienced when they had way of looking at human life.” (Evangelium
healing after realizing the tragedy of a poor chosen abortion. Many of the members of vitae #99)
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez choice they made sometime in their life, in- the Rachels Support Group volunteer in the Each one of us is called to reach out to ex-
News Editor Comptroller forming them that their baby is now in heaven Home for Angels, taking care of babies aban- tend God’s love and healing to our sisters and
gives them such great consolation and hope doned and awaiting adoption. brothers. Yes, men who have been involved
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP to go on with life. They have been so over- With Pope John Paul II, let us give these in abortion, also experience trauma and guilt.
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., whelmed with guilt that they have been cling- words of consolation to our women, “I would Feel free to contact us for materials on post-
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. ing on to denial, illogical behavior and es- now like to say a special word to women who abortion healing or abortion-prevention—
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. cape mechanisms, emotional roller-coaster have had an abortion. The Church is aware of video tapes, training manuals, seminar sched-
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net relationships from year to year. the many factors which may have influenced ules and copies of Evangelium vitae. You may
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor Counseling post-aborted women is a pro- your decision, and she does not doubt that in also refer them to us for counseling. Call 911-
cess. HEAL means Help, Entrust, Acknowl- many cases it was a painful and even shatter- 2911 or text Sr. Pilar at 0920-945-5494.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Views and Points
TO claim that PAGCOR does not give pay-
olas in furtherance of its corporate gambling
interests is so hard to believe and accept. For
PAGCOR to claim that it is freely leaving its
survival and operation to but the deliberate
will of congress is too difficult to swallow
and digest, in principle, gambling opera-
tors—be they legal or illegal characters—
may stand for many things except, probably,
integrity and honesty.
If PAGCOR and any gambling corporation
for that matter were but providing its pitiful
clientele with honest to goodness “game of
chance”, how come real loss of money is not
in its vocabulary, much less its eventual ex-
perience. In fact, PAGCOR readily predicts
its ever increasing quarterly “profits” now
to the tune of some six to seven billion.
In fact, PAGCOR has already publicly an-
Continuing Political
Education
THE sights and sounds of the last electoral
process in Daditama, I suppose, was no dif-
ferent from any other place in the entire coun-
try, with a few exceptions where we saw a
radical break from traditional politics of pa-
tronage.
It was a typical Philippine election, with
the same typical politicians, supporters, cam-
paigners, operators, with the typical Filipino
electorate entangled with the wheeling and
dealing of the rich and powerful family dy-
nasties, in partnership with corrupt and inef-
ficient public officials, punctured by the typi-
cal election violence and killings, capped by
the typical delays in the proclamations of
the winners. This was Philippine political
culture at its best.
It was a “mad circus” as the CBCP Pastoral
Exhortation on Philippine Politics of 1997,
describes it. We cannot but agree, therefore,
with the Bishops when they said, “If we are
today—a country with a very great number
of poor and powerless people—one reason
is the way we have allowed politics to be
debased and prostituted to the low level it is
now.” In conclusion they said, “yet politics
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
…and that’s the truth!
I LOVE the month of June—it’s simply stud-
ded with Solemnities that jog my memory,
seize my imagination and never let go until
I’m steeped in mystery.
On Sunday after Sunday (and a Friday) of
Solemnities—of the Most Holy Trinity, of
the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, of
the Most Sacred Heart, of the birth of John
the Baptist, of Saints Peter and Paul—the
readings at Mass and the gospel stories
poured into our ears leave us with no doubt
that Jesus once walked upon this earth and
now binds us to the Father and to Himself
by the power of the Holy Spirit residing
within us. Marvel of marvels! The Word is
so overwhelming that it can imbue even
(what might have become) distractions at
Mass with the power to edify our mundane
thoughts.
I recall one Mass when the gospel was
about the feeding of the multitudes (Luke 9:
11b-17). Allow me to tell a story spiced up
with a bit of arithmetic. The gospel story was
about multiplication—multiplication of the
loaves and the fish so that the Lord could
feed 5,000 people. The story I’m about to tell
The Prince, the Princess,
and the Priest
RED carpets down the aisle for a long entou-
rage. Church bells pealing as Wagner’s Bridal
Chorus plays. Around the church are famil-
iar faces while romance fills the air with the
scents and sights of flowers. Beside the altar
stands the dreamed prince charming, wait-
ing for the hand of his princess in white.
Ask any girl and this is how she would
picture a happy ending of her singlehood
for a lifetime saga of a lovestruck marriage—
the hype of the month of June. Watch any
classic telenovela or Disney story to see how
weddings have been idealized by women
since young. Having three sisters myself, I
know that the wedding day is hoped to be
the biggest boon for a girl. After all, it is
supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime rite. It is
the day a lady gives herself to her man she
has been saving herself for long.
But for more than two million Filipinas,
this is not the case. The National Statistics
Office records 2.2 million (!) cohabitating
couples without the benefit of marriage.
Reasons for “living-in” vary. One is “trial
marriage.” The partners “shack up” first to
see if they could make a good match. The
irony here is that marriage means lifetime
love commitment, so can one really live like
married without the commitment? Marriage
can also be shaky, but it is the very terms of
Opinion
Gambling Incorporated
nounced its glorious plan to build no less than
a veritable gambling park to the tune of some
US $20 billion. While the truth is that the plan
appears to be still in paper, it is also the truth
that it seems to be already engaged in look-
ing for other corporate partners.
Furthermore, time and again there is the
repeated revelation of loan sharks continu-
ously present, able and willing to lend
money to losing gamblers at a commonly
know and accepted interest rate. They are
fondly called “financiers”. They usually
charge the preposterous amount of 20% daily
interest payments. There are reasons to be-
lieve that they are convenient conduit for
money laundering.
It is definitely not a secret that PAGCOR is
directly under the office of Malacaòang with
but staff functions. Among other things, nei-
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
as a whole has been, strangely, largely im-
pervious to the Gospel. Our political culture
denies, to our shame, our proud claim to the
name Christian.”
Whew! These were undeniably very strong
prophetic denunciation of our political cul-
ture. And still very true today 10 years after.
This is us. This is what we do. This is what
we have become. This is the inconvenient
and shameful truth.
Catechesis and political education is num-
ber one in the list of eight pastoral actions to
transform politics in the country as recom-
mended by the CBCP in their pastoral ex-
hortation, precisely to address the political
culture underlying all our past and present
conduct of elections and governance.
From the feedbacks of the different
Daditama members, especially the Forma-
tion cluster and the BEC coordinators, as well
as, the Bishops and Vicars General, political
education was given much attention and ap-
preciation. In fact, all the component groups
recommended, among other things, that po-
litical education be sustained relentlessly and
in more effective and comprehensive ways.
The Marvel of a Host
Divided
you now is about division—division of the
hosts at that particular Mass.
That Mass was said in the conference hall
of an office to celebrate the company’s foun-
dation anniversary. Many employees were
present. You know the usual situation when
the Eucharist is celebrated outside of
churches—you can’t leave left-over conse-
crated hosts lying around as there are no tab-
ernacles.
That day, the priest must have miscalcu-
lated the number of communicants—many
people may have come in halfway during
Mass—so that towards the end of Commun-
ion he was splitting the sacred hosts in order
to make them last. I myself got what must
have been one/sixteenth of a regular host. I
am not exaggerating. Chipped off hosts were
nothing new to me but it was the first time I
received a fraction of a host—and such a
teeny-weeny bit at that! It was so small that
it would have been easier to lick it off my
hand than to pick it up with my fingers.
But gazing down for a split-second on the
Body of Christ in the palm of my hand gave
me a flash of an insight: that whether we got
Nicolo F. Bernardo
trial marriage that prevents the partners from
fully giving themselves lest they lose much
from the wishy-washy “try-out.” Since the
union’s status is provisional or experimen-
tal, what progresses is a conditional love.
Most marriage counselors would advise a
long engagement for a couple to know each
other better, than complicating the relation-
ship the way marriage goes minus the mari-
tal security. Facts and figures support this
advice, not just tradition. If living-in really
helps marriage, then why are there more
divorces anywhere in the world as there are
more living-ins? In cohabitation, it is the
woman who may lose much in the end, dedi-
cating her body to a guy as if she’s his wife,
but without his assurances. She might bear
kids “unwantedly” and off goes the guy. He
can’t give a man’s word. She wants to be single
and “free.” (Philosopher Hannah Arendt
called it “lonely freedom.”)
For some live-in couples though—the co-
habiting but marriageable couple—the situ-
ation is different. Many Filipinos cohabitate
with an understanding that they married
themselves to each other and only need to
“formally” tie the knot. They personally
pledged to God and to each other to keep the
promise of wedlock. We may ask: why don’t
these couples just marry off? The priest is
ther is the national executive office known
for saying the truth and promoting justice.
The fact is that it has given birth to the often
repeated trio of lying, cheating and stealing
as its big liability.
Notwithstanding its many loud and re-
peated shouts of self-praise for its suppos-
edly outstanding contributions to national
progress, PAGCOR in effect stands as an out-
standing representation of socio-moral ret-
rogression. This is precisely why govern-
ment officials—among other individuals—
are supposedly not allowed to frequent casi-
nos. Reason, these gambling places can
readily be the breeding ground of corrup-
tion, the first ASIAN placer of which is the
Philippines.
There must be many “miracles” awaiting
discovery in PAGCOR operations!
DADITAMA
This is indeed the continuing call and the
challenge. Much more creativity is required
and more collaborative work within the
Church structures and without in order to
make a difference in the political culture.
Daditama is very thankful to NASSA for
past political education modules provided
to the dioceses including their latest Alay
Kapwa 2007 handbook which was focused
on the Elections. We are also very grateful
to the very creative and effective voters’ edu-
cation kit “Pinoy Voters’ Academy” (PVA)
shared with us by the PPCRV/SLB. We look
forward to further and long lasting collabo-
ration on political education with these
groups and other similarly interested groups.
Along this line, we acknowledge the noble
and persistent efforts of our own Catholic
Media Network print and broadcast, in in-
forming and educating the electorate.
In the meantime, I suppose, Daditama
ought to be gearing up already for the up-
coming and long postponed Barangay and
SK elections in October 29, 2007.
(For your comments and queries email me
at daditama_now@yahoo.com.ph)
a whole host or a crumb, it was the same
Body of Christ we received.
Embracing that mystery, it was easy for
me to think, too, that Jesus was in the flesh in
everyone who received Him then, whether
the communicant was the company presi-
dent sitting in the front row or an unknown
messenger standing in the back of that hall.
Isn’t that wonderful?
And yet, long after that Mass, it would be-
come even more wonderful when at times a
long Communion queue would evoke in me
the memory of that thought. I would “see”
Jesus in all who would receive Him, whether
they were gray-haired septuagenarians, teen-
agers, athletic types, invalids in wheelchairs,
young children, nuns in crisp habits and even
immodestly clad women—strangers who
were fat, thin, pudgy, limping, well-heeled,
unwashed, everybody! Blind to externals I
would then find it so easy to regard each per-
son with respect, thanking God for the grace
of “seeing” Him in every communicant, and
realizing what a great equalizer the Body of
Christ is. The host divided unites us all in
God’s love. And that’s the truth.
Lifeguard
free to give God’s blessing—in a mass wed-
ding perhaps?
Their reasons are not that simple and
Jacob’s Well, a Couples for Christ ministry
for irregular unions, reaches out to help
these couples prepare for their ideal nuptials.
The ministry was named after Jesus’ encoun-
ter with the Samaritan woman around a well,
who had had seven husbands.
From what I have known, some live-in
couples are hindered by their own family’s,
in-laws’, or culture’s expectations or settle-
ments for a wedding and a marriage. The
guy must sport a car and a house, a higher
learning degree, a high-paying job, etc. be-
fore marrying. The wedding and the recep-
tion must please all the witnesses for better
or for worse that a couple is pressured to
pour their lifesavings for the wedding. If the
couple is rich, the guests are even richer.
Nakakasakal na kasal dahil sa kasalo.
The partners want the marital relationship
but fears the responsibilities, which could
get overwhelming given today’s material
insecurities that increase and multiply, fill
the earth and subdue it. But as John Paul II in
Love and Responsibility said, only one who can
give tough love can demand it. The greater
the love, the greater the responsibility. Here,
Lifeguard / A6
A5
Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
Tidbits
The Woman and Her
Dignity
WITH so many distorted images of a woman as portrayed by
modern society, a muddle, if not confusion, has been created
regarding the true dignity of the woman. It is on this state of
bewilderment that it is good to revisit the Sacred Scriptures to
know the woman from her origin, to see what God says of her.
It is interesting to note that in the first pages of the Sacred
Scriptures the woman, immediately after she was given the
light of day, was placed as the object of the frontal attack by
the devil. It was not man but the woman that the serpent
assaulted. The temptation in paradise that brought man down
to the knees of the devil started with Eve.
It is also worth noting that in the Book of Revelation Chap-
ter 12, the devil appeared as a huge red dragon which had
seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads
crowned with a coronet. Its tail dragged a third of the stars
from the sky and dropped them to the earth. It stopped in
front of the woman who was “adorned with the sun, standing
on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a
crown. She was pregnant, and in labor, crying aloud in the
pangs of childbirth.” The dragon was waiting for the child to
be born so that he could snatch it from the mother and imme-
diately destroy it by eating it up.
The attack against the dignity of women comes in thou-
sand and one guises. But one of the most devilish attacks that
the world today is experiencing is pornography. It is a most
pernicious symptom of the decline in the awareness of hu-
man dignity, a pathetic result of man’s effort of splitting sexu-
ality and love, which he has wittingly or unwittingly acquired
along with his contraceptive mentality. It has become wide-
spread, even reaching pandemic proportion, touching even
the young people barely beyond the age of reason. Because of
its addictive nature, our society seems helpless to ever mus-
ter that needed will or that means to significantly stop the
availability of pornography. Worse still pornography is be-
coming more and more socially acceptable. What was con-
sidered pornographic years ago is now shown on billboards,
rental movie cases, internets, etc.
This trend has made it virtually impossible to avoid at
least some exposure to some pornography. In fact, one Bishop
of the United States has noted that the general public is so
used to its presence that modern society has become numbed
to many of the destructive images, nay, clamoring for more
and more images and more revealing images. The hunger for
this gratification seems insatiable. One such kind of porno
comes out as innocent commercials, using the beautiful bod-
ies of women as come on for the products to be sold in the
market. A hard liquor is advertised in T.V. with ravishingly
beautiful young woman with a hair flawlessly cascading to
her half naked body, clinking the glass of brandy for a toast
to a glass of brandy held by an adult male with a well chis-
eled body and uttered words that are simply suggestive. At-
tacks like that are becoming more and more common to our
media and communications.
Even children are not spared from these pornographic pre-
sentations. The author Tankard Reist has made a sad com-
mentary on what our adult world is doing to our children,
sexualizing them at their tender age. He said that the prob-
lem of the premature sexualizing of girls is one of the most
serious issues confronting us as a society at the present time.
Girls are being turned into sexual objects earlier and earlier.
The messages they receive through popular culture is that
to be attractive, to be accepted by society, you have to dress
and behave in a sexual manner. There are now lingerie cloth-
ing lines for preteen girls, and bras for girls under 10, T-shirts
with sexual slogans, and even a pole dancing kit complete
with a DVD that features “sexy dance tracks” for 6-year-olds.
Is this not the true picture of some of our own mothers who
are dressing up and make-upping their 6 years old girl to
look like a young woman, sexy and beautiful to behold, just
so she could win the beauty contest in the school?
Popular lines of dolls for girls feature sexy clothing. Gos-
sip magazines aimed at a preteen readership also encourage
girls to behave in a sexual manner, with pages devoted to
grooming and relationships—even with older men.
In advertising catalogues, children are dressed up, made-
up and posed in the same way that adults are. This suggests
that children are interested in, and perhaps open to, approaches
for sex.
Yes, the attack against the dignity of women is persistent
and relentless. But, back to the question. Why is the woman
selected as the object of the attacks of the devil, using her to
destroy human dignity as a whole?
There are so many answers to this question, but I believe
that one of the most interesting and plausible response is the
very dignity of the woman itself. She has with her the womb,
the part of her body that gives life to another. It is the sacred
sanctum wherein God Himself educes a new human life—a
life that He calls His own Child. It is the sacred place where
you and I come from.
As Psalm 138 beautifully describes God’s action in
creating the human you and me: “It was you who created my
inmost self, and put me together in my mother’s womb; for
all these mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself. You
know me through and through; from having watched my
bones take shape when I was being formed in secret, knitted
together in the limbo of the womb” (13-15).
This is the womb that Satan hated so much, for from that
womb comes the Son of Man. Mark the story of the Fall of
Man. Man was given hope by the image of a woman who was
bearing a Child and trampling the head of the serpent. Mark
the Woman in the Book of Revelation: She was not alone; She
was with Child. And that Child is set “to rule all nations with
an iron scepter” (12:5). It is from this womb of the woman
that we have come from, eventually making us children of
God.
Yes, the dignity of the woman has to be upheld. Its protec-
tion is the protection of the human race.
CBCPNews
A local news service manned by
Catholic journalists coming from the
perspective of the Catholic church.
Watch out for the launching of
www.cbcpnews.com.

A6
SVD delegate urges
vigilance in mission
THE Society of the Divine Word
(SVD) superior delegate in the
Philippines urged SVD foreign
missionaries and associates to
be “careful” in the country in
the backdrop of recent abduc-
tions and extra-judicial killings.
Fr. Dante Venus, SVD said
there is no need to get fright-
ened being missionaries in the
country, rather go on to spread
the Gospel of Jesus. He was ad-
dressing local and foreign mis-
sionaries at a meeting held at
Christ the King Mission Semi-
nary, June 17.
It is good to be cautious in the
wake of recent abduction of the
Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi,
(57) a Pontifical Institute for For-
eign Missions (PIME) mission-
ary, Fr. Venus said.
About 15 Gunmen abducted
the priest on June 10 while on
Catholics, Muslims denounce
abduction of Italian priest
ZAMBOANGA Archbishop
Romulo G. Valles, condemned
“in no uncertain terms” the kid-
napping of 57-year old Italian
Missionary Giancarlo Bossi of
the Pontifical Institute for For-
eign Missions in Payao town in
Zamboanga Sibugay last June 10,
2007.
In a pastoral statement re-
leased on the Feast of the Im-
maculate Heart of Mary (June
16), Archbishop Valles said the
members of his flock are in “grief
and anxiety, pain and anger” as
they expressed hope and solidar-
ity as soon as the news of Fr.
Bossi’s kidnapping reached
them.
He said the Prelature of Ipil,
which is a suffragan of the Arch-
diocese of Zamboanga; the Par-
ish of Payao and people of other
religious affiliations launched
prayer services and kept vigil for
the missionary’s safety and re-
lease.
Archbishop Valles called on
his flock to continuously pray
for Fr. Bossi’s safety and imme-
diate release and “to reflect on
the message of this crisis.”
Included in his call for prayers
Cruz: Jueteng’s back!
JUETENG, an illegal numbers
game, is back to business in sev-
eral parts of the country and even
in Metro Manila, Lingayen-
Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz
said.
Cruz, leader of the Krusadang
Bayan Laban sa Sugal, said the re-
surgence of jueteng is expected
because of the last election,
which is said to be synonymous
with jueteng season.
“That is true. We are just wait-
ing for specific details. This is
already expected because of the
last elections,” he said in an in-
terview with Church-run Radyo
Veritas.
Cruz said the midterm polls
required huge amounts of
his way to celebrate Sunday
Mass in a remote village in
Zamboanga Sibugay, according
to police.
The priest is yet to be freed.
Fr. Venus also referred to an-
other incident, Fr Francis
Madhu, SVD, (31), Indonesian,
who was shot five times with
an M-16 Armalite rifle. The
priest was on his way to cel-
ebrate mass in Barangay
Mabungot, Kalinga, north of
Philippines, April 1 this year.
According to police, a farmer
from the northern province of
Kalinga, Nestor Wailan, alias
Sukman, shot him. The case is
still under investigation and the
motive of the killing has not yet
been established. The SVD and
their associate missionaries hail
from Korea, Indonesia, China,
India, Ghana, Papua New
are people “working patiently
and untiringly for his (Fr.
Bossi’s) safe release.
He said this occasion would
gather people not only to pray
for Fr. Bossi but to “strengthen
our resolve to promote peace
based on real development.
Archbishop Valles also sought
the intercession of the Blessed
Mother, Nuestra Señora del Pilar
“to protect and accompany Fr.
Bossi in a special way during this
difficult time of his captivity.”
In a related development, a
group of Muslim peace advo-
cates condemned the recent ab-
duction of Italian missionary Fr.
Giancarlo Bossi, describing
those responsible as “evil”.
The Consortium of
Bangsamoro Civil Society
(CBCS) said kidnapping is an act
“inspired by Satan”, thus, highly
condemnable.
Sammy Maulana, acting secre-
tary general of the CBCS’ human
rights desk, said that, like any-
one else, kidnapping is both im-
moral and objectionable as a
matter of principle.
“Actions like that are barbaric,
not tolerable and even condem-
money for campaign spending
which included funds generated
through the endemic illegal
numbers game.
He said the return of jueteng
has to do with candidates in the
last elections who either re-
ceived or extracted financial
backing from illegal gambling
operations.
“It’s definitely payback time,”
he said, after those who won
were proclaimed. Self-confessed
jueteng operator Wilfredo
“Boy” Mayor also validated
Cruz’s statement, despite the
government’s widely publicized
nationwide crackdown.
He said that the jueteng syn-
dicates are alive and well for
Local News
Guinea, Timor, and Vietnam.
Fr. Venus, the country del-
egate of the Superior General of
Rome-based congregation, said
the SVD is planning to open a
language study institute so as to
facilitate the study of foreign and
national languages by mission-
aries who would be assigned to
the Philippines and overseas.
English and Spanish are two
official languages of the congre-
gation as of now. Earlier Ger-
man was the principal lan-
guage. SVD is an international
missionary congregation of
priests and brothers serving in
more than fifty countries all
over the world.
In 2008, SVD will celebrate its
centenary of missionary pres-
ence in the Philippines, where
it has three provinces. (Santosh
Digal)
nable under democratic and civi-
lized societies,” he said.
He stressed that abductions, il-
legal detentions and extra-judi-
cial killings are issues that
should be met with fervent de-
nunciation, regardless of reli-
gion.
The Islamic group, along with
its over 150 network-member
organizations in Mindanao, also
called for Bossi’s immediate re-
lease.
They also called on the gov-
ernment to punish those behind
the kidnapping of the Italian
missionary who they described
as “warm-hearted” priest.
“He is very much loved by the
people because of his character
and simple lifestyle,” said
Maulana.
Weeks after the abduction,
there’s still no clear news on the
fate of the Italian priest. Bossi
was reportedly seized by armed
men in the coastal village of
Bulawan near Zamboanga on
June 10.
He is the third priest to be kid-
napped in the area in the past
nine years. (Melo Acuna /Roy
Lagarde)
their organizations are intact,
tough and operational.
Mayor lamented the return of
jueteng, claiming powerful poli-
ticians are behind it. These poli-
ticians dictate on ranking police
officials who condone the syn-
dicates’ activities, including the
regular distribution of protec-
tion money.
He said that as long as there is
jueteng in the provinces, “it’s ex-
pected that jueteng will also
thrive in Metro Manila.”
Mayor said reports reaching
him revealed that jueteng re-
turned with renewed vim and
vigor in the Ilocos region, Tarlac,
Zambales, Pampanga and
Quezon provinces. (CBCPNews)
GOs win ‘a lesson for the gov’t’
A RANKING official of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) said the
senatorial elections’ outcome
should serve as “wake up call”
for the government.
CBCP vice-president and
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop An-
tonio Ledesma, S.J. said the re-
sults should serve as a lesson for
the government to work on re-
storing its credibility.
“It’s reflective of the senti-
ments of the voting population.
It means that they are not satis-
fied with the programs of the
administration,” he said.
The Commission on Elections
(Comelec) already proclaimed
nine opposition candidates of
the 11 new senators, a result
likely to bring debacle to Presi-
dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
remaining three years in power.
Politicians must change, says CBCP head
CATHOLIC Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) presi-
dent and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo said for one to
change Philippine society, “we
have to change Philippine politics;
in one sense, it may mean politi-
cians must change.”
He hastened to add “in another
sense, we must change the politicians.”
Speaking before Manila-based
ambassadors from Latin American
countries in a round-table discus-
sion, Archbishop Lagdameo said
changing Philippine society does
not mean change in the form of
Prelates OKd revival of Garci probe
IF some Catholic bishops would
have their way, they would allow
the reinvestigation of the “Hello
Garci” wiretap controversy to re-
solve allegations that President
Arroyo cheated her way to presi-
dency.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) vice-presi-
dent and Cagayan de Oro Arch-
bishop Antonio Ledesma said he
sees nothing wrong with the con-
duct of another round of investi-
gations into the politically sensi-
tive issue.
He stressed the move would
even let Mrs. Arroyo prove her
innocence that she didn’t rig the
CBCP / A1
Secretary Bunye said there was
nothing irregular in granting
Jalosjos a commutation of sen-
tence since the same was also ex-
tended to other inmates. He
downplayed talks politics had
something to do with the decision.
Executive Secretary Eduardo
Ermita for his part said Jalosjos
was among ten convicts whose
sentences were reduced by the
chief executive after recommen-
dations from the Board of Pardon
and Parole were approved by Jus-
tice Secretary Raul Gonzales.
Jalosjos was said to be old and sick.
Church / A1
due to inappropriate feeding.
UNICEF said a formula-fed infant
is 14.2 times more likely to die of
diarrhea than a breastfed infant.
World Health Organization
said P430 million is spent yearly
for hospitalization, health con-
sultations and medicines for ill-
Volunteers’ / A1
She added these volunteers
saw to it “all votes were counted
and canvassed accurately and de-
fied guns, goons and gold in ex-
posing cheating and manipula-
tion at the polls.”
Around 130 delegates attended
the post-election national confer-
ence at the Pope Pius XII Catho-
lic center, Manila. A statement
released at the end of the assess-
ment disclosed “achievements
made by the volunteers were
shadowed by the scalawags in the
Commission on Elections
(Comelec) and known ‘operators’
in its ranks.”
De Villa said their mission
would not have been accom-
plished without the support of
their partners which included the
Legal Network for Truthful Elections
(LENTE), Catholic Educational As-
sociation of the Philippines (CEAP),
Lifeguard / A5
marriage and family education,
more than sex education, are
needed through all stages of
youth so the young could grow
“maritally capacitated” (an anti-
dote to rising annulments due to
marital incapacity).
A mass wedding maybe of-
fered to the partners. But as it
goes, many think this could be
mechanical—to be just “one of
the crowd” for a collective regis-
tration like in a Moonie or
lovapalooza spectacle. Many
couples would wish their wed-
ding to be a high moment for
The victory guarantees the
opposition’s dominance in the
24-seat Senate that would surely
pave the way for series of cor-
ruption investigations against
Arroyo and her allies.
Most of the winning opposition
bets are tough critics of Arroyo,
who have demanded her resig-
nation over accusations that she
cheated the 2004 presidential
elections supported by key mili-
tary officers and a controversial
election executive, aside from al-
legations of corruption.
Still hounding
Ledesma said the Arroyo
administration’s integrity and
credibility is left hanging; rea-
son why the voting population
opted for the opposition bets.
“The problems and the issue
government, “but change in the
ones running the government.”
Quoting the document of the
Second Plenary Council of the Phil-
ippines, Lagdameo said that with
“the general perception that poli-
tics has become an obstacle to in-
tegral development, the urgent
necessity is for the lay faithful to
participate more actively.”
“The clergy can teach moral doc-
trines covering politics but cannot
actively involve in partisan poli-
tics, as mentioned in the Second
Plenary Council,” he further said.
Quoting an author, Lagdameo
2004 elections.
He said it would also put clo-
sure to the worst-ever political
scandal to hit the Arroyo adminis-
tration.
“That would be a welcome de-
velopment because the ‘Hello
Garci’ controversy is still some-
thing that left hanging and needs
some closure,” said Ledesma.
Ledesma’s comment was made
in reference to a recent move by
Commission on Elections
(Comelec) Commissioner Rene
Sarmiento to seek a reinvestigation
of the “Hello Garci” scandal to clear
the name of the agency from any
allegation of any wrongdoing.
He has served a total of 13 years
at the Maximum Security com-
pound of the National Bilibid
Prison.
Rodolfo Diamante, Executive
Secretary of the Episcopal Com-
mission on Prison Pastoral Care
said President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo’s decision to commute
former lawmaker Romeo Jalosjos’
sentence demonstrates the bias for
known political allies.
Diamante said there are more
deserving prisoners, sick and
much older than Jalosos that
should be given the same privi-
nesses due to formula feeding.
On top of all these, Filipino
families spend an estimated
amount of P21.5 billion a year for
infant formula which require
clean water and fuel for steriliza-
tion.
According to UNICEF, because
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB
also known as Church Serving the
People), Radio Veritas and the
Catholic Media Network, Social Ac-
tion Centers and several
Mindanao and ARMMM-based
Bangsa Moro civil society and the
Assembly of Darul Ifta.
In a related development, the
National Secretariat of Social Ac-
tion, Justice and Peace and its So-
cial Action Network (SAN), learn-
ing from the recent midterm elec-
tions, hopes to create a local gov-
ernance program in the country’s
75 archdioceses and dioceses and,
continuously follow-up and
monitor platforms of newly-pro-
claimed local officials.
The Social Action Network
conducted its two-day Operation
Quick Count-Operation Evalua-
tion and Planning at their NASSA-
BEC Development Center in
them alone. It is something that
perhaps every guy thinks his
“princess” deserves, spare the
grand ball.
Yet a poor couple today could
not afford the price of a decent,
solo church wedding: about
P10,000, plus the reception ex-
penses. Many cohabitations and
civil weddings arise not due to a
disregard for church marriage,
but for failure to keep up with an
ideal church marriage. Canoni-
cally speaking, it’s the sacrament
that matters not the trappings.
But can’t a church community
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
of the 2004 elections have not
gone away,” he said.
In fact, he said, the recent elec-
tion even showed the need for
“drastic reforms” in Comelec
and the electoral system.
Another impeachment?
The prelate, however, shied
away to give a categorical an-
swer whether the CBCP would
support or not another impeach-
ment move by the political op-
position.
He said the CBCP would have
to discuss the issue first.
Ledesma stressed the CBCP
will continue to stand on moral
issues and public accountability.
But he stressed that the politi-
cal oppositions should continue
their “fiscalizing role” to ensure
good governance. (Roy Lagarde)
said, “the politics of guns, goons
and gold must be converted into
the politics of gospel, grace and
God.” But a concerted participation
and struggle of all Filipinos of
goodwill in political activity
would be required, he said.
On the provision on “the sepa-
ration of Church and State” en-
shrined in the 1987 Constitution,
Lagdameo stressed that “this sepa-
ration of Church and State cannot
be used as an argument against the
participation and involvement of
the Church in shaping the politics
of our country.” (Melo Acuna)
The prelate said the “search for
truth” call of the CBCP last year
should continue because of the pre-
vious issues that left unanswered.
“When I say have some closure
it doesn’t mean politically moti-
vated closure but an end in terms
of truth itself,” he said.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar Cruz, meanwhile, dismissed
a possible adverse impact of the
reinvestigation to the country’s
political stability, saying the truth
should really be pursued.
“The reopening of the investi-
gation would be good to restore
the credibility of the Comelec,” he
said. (Roy Lagarde)
lege. He described President
Arroyo’s decision to favor Jalosjos
was a “big blow” to the country’s
justice system.
The former Zamboanga del
Norte lawmaker, now 66 years
old, was convicted in 1996 for rap-
ing an 11-year old girl and an ad-
ditional 15 years for each of the
six counts of acts of lascivious-
ness.
President Macapagal-Arroyo’s
decision to commute Jalosjos sen-
tence would set him free as soon
as he reaches 70 years old. (Roy
Lagarde)
of limited milk production in the
Philippines, the country relies on
milk imports to provide
breastmilk substitutes. NEDA
said the country spent P20.5 bil-
lion or US $381 million on milk
imports from January to Novem-
ber 2004. (Melo Acuña)
Tagaytay City from June 22.
Both Church-based groups
noted vote-buying activities,
teachers filling-up ballots and
other illegal activities. They also
reported sporadic violent inci-
dents which involved partisan
armed groups, NPA guerillas and
government forces.
The Social Action Network hopes
for workable, responsible and
realistic partnerships with other
poll watchdogs including LENTE,
PPCRV and Volunteers for Clean
Elections for the coming presiden-
tial elections in 2010. NASSA-
SAN will continue to lobby for
the full implementation of the
Election Modernization Act and
pursue a more aggressive Voters
and Political Education pro-
grams, among others. (By
Santosh Digal with reports from
Melo Acuna)
look for better ways to accom-
modate these couples who only
want their wedding to be as spe-
cial, memorable, and eventful as
possible?
So there goes another dream
of many poor Filipinas. A priest
in the altar who could afford to
canonize a lifetime love affair in
the most economical yet excep-
tional way he could. All genera-
tions of their children would
know the tale of this priest, who
like Jesus in the Wedding at Cana
, would do a miracle for a union
made in heaven.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
US Catholic Bishops
Consider Political
Involvement for 2008
WASHINGTON DC, June 22,
2007—The U.S. bishops are cur-
rently considering how promi-
nent their voices will be in the
2008 presidential race.
Of late, there have been some
high profile encounters between
bishops and the different presi-
dential candidates. This has not
been isolated to the United States
either. In Australia, as previously
reported by CNA, Cardinal
George Pell and Archbishop
Barry Hickey of Perth have be-
come engaged in a debate over
cloning and the creation of hu-
man-animal embryos.
Archbishop Charles Chaput
recently granted an interview
to The Associated Press where
he said that the bishops’ in-
volvement depends on which
candidates and issues emerge,
but said he thinks the time for
behind-the-scenes diplomacy
with politicians is over.
“I personally think that any-
body that is pro-choice as a
Catholic is not being faithful to
his Catholic identity, and I
think that people who are
Catholics, when they look at
those issues, should take that
into consideration when they
vote,” the archbishop of Denver
told the AP.
First Woman Appointed as
Head of Caritas
Lesly-Anne Knight
ROME, June 15, 2007—For the
first time, a woman has been ap-
pointed as head of Caritas
Internationalis.
Lesley-Anne Knight, 51, from
Zimbabwe, is the new secretary
general of the Caritas
Internationalis confederation,
elected at the end of a General
Assembly held over the past few
days in the Vatican.
Knight, who worked for 25
years with CAFOD, where she
was International Director, suc-
ceeds Duncan Mac Laren. She
takes operative control of the or-
Group / A1
The law also provides that
children 15 years and below
will be criminally exempt
while youth offenders aged 15
to18 years old can only be
criminally charged if they acted
out the crime with discern-
ment.
It also outlines the immedi-
ate turn over of children in
conflict with the law to social
workers upon apprehension.
The institute however, said at
least eight children are cur-
rently detained—two of them
are aged 15, the rest are 16 to 17
years old now languishing at
the crowded Quezon City jail.
“Since there are no separate
cells for children at the QC Jail,
they are housed in the same
quarters as the adult inmates,”
the group said in a statement.
They expressed concern that
detained children are experi-
encing the horrid conditions of
the facility originally built for
800 prisoners but now has over
3,000 inmates.
“With the congested, violent
In the 2004 presidential race,
the debate emerged about
whether to deny Communion to
politicians who support abor-
tion rights. Archbishop Chaput
helped craft a statement that
year, which left the question of
whether to deny Communion
up to each bishop.
The archbishop said in the in-
terview that he grew in
assertiveness on this point
partly out of frustration from his
personal meetings with politi-
cians, who often would just
“look at you vacantly.” He does
not believe a more assertive
stance violates the laws govern-
ing nonprofit involvement in
politics.
But the archbishop added that
the most effective approach is
educating Catholic voters, who
in turn could influence politi-
cians. He added that he does not
like either political party be-
cause neither encapsulates the
range of Catholic teaching.
Archbishop John Myers of
Newark told the AP that “the
principle involved is to try to
figure out which of the candi-
dates comes closest to the full
gamut of Catholic teaching, in
particular when you talk about
the life issues.” (CNA)
ganization which also elected as
president Honduras Cardinal
Archbishop Oscar Rodriguez
Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa.
The newly elected secretary
general said: “Caritas is a trea-
sure. I look forward with great
honour to the next four years at
Caritas Internationalis. The work
we do here has a lasting impact
on the lives of the poor, and I feel
humbled to be given this respon-
sibility by my brothers and sis-
ters in the Caritas family.”
“Our priorities in the confed-
eration will be humanitarian
emergencies, integral develop-
ment of the local communities
and peace building. Not as di-
verse pieces of work, but as all
part of the same program that
will help the poor transform their
own lives. Caritas will intensify
its internal coordination, the ca-
pacity to create awareness to
achieve its potential and trans-
form the world through faith in
Jesus Christ”. (ICN)
and filthy environment, the
chance of rehabilitating chil-
dren in conflict with the law is
not too convincing,” it said.
The improvement of the situ-
ation of children in prison and
the management of children in
conflict with the law has long
been an advocacy of the JJCICSI
and other child rights support
groups.
However, police authorities
expressed concern over the
growing number of minors be-
ing arrested for petty crimes,
including cell-phone snatch-
ing. Metro Manila police offi-
cials said there’s a very strong
possibility criminal syndicates
have begun to tap minors with
the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Act in force.
They called on public offi-
cials, especially the proclaimed
winners from the recently con-
cluded midterm polls to prove
their worth by supporting the
rights of the children though
they may be in conflict with the
law. (Roy Lagarde)
Features
Benedict XVI
to Proclaim a
Year of St. Paul
VATICAN CITY, June 21,
2007—At vespers on the eve
of the feast of Sts. Peter and
Paul, Benedict XVI will pro-
claim a Year of St. Paul,
marking the 2,000th anni-
versary of the Apostle’s
birth.
The Holy See announced
today that the Pope will
make the pronouncement
next Thursday, June 28, from
the Basilica of St. Paul Out-
side the Walls.
It is estimated that the
then Saul of Tarsus was born
between A.D. 6 and 10
Cardinal Andrea Cordero
Lanza di Montezemolo,
archpriest of the Basilica of
Vatican Draws Up ‘Ten
Commandments’ for Drivers
VATICAN CITY, June 21, 2007—
The Vatican has issued a set of
“Ten Commandments” for driv-
ers.
Cardinal Renato Martino,
from the Pontifical Council for
the Pastoral Care of Migrants
and Itinerant People told a news
conference yesterday that the
Vatican felt it necessary to ad-
dress the pastoral needs of mo-
torists because driving had be-
come such a big part of contem-
porary life.
He noted that the Bible was
full of people on the move, in-
cluding Mary and Joseph, the
parents of Jesus—and that his
office is tasked with dealing
with all “itinerant” people—
from refugees to prostitutes,
truck drivers to the homeless.
“We know that as a conse-
quence of transgressions and
negligence, 1.2 million people
Catholics Free to Worship in
Kuwait, Says Bishop
Bishop Camillo Ballin
Investigate / A1
In another development,
CBCP-Episcopal Commission
on Social Action, Justice and
Peace Chairman and Marbel
(South Cotabato) Bishop
Dinualdo Gutierrez said the
government should let the
Melo Commission do what is
left of its mandate.
He said he met with Euro-
pean Union Ambassador
Alistair Mac Donald over the
weekend and encouraged him
to see to it dialogues between
the victims’ relatives and
government agencies con-
tinue and be an on-going pro-
cess and never a one-shot
deal.
He said the European
Union experts were “invited
to help the (Philippine) gov-
ernment in its efforts to get
to the bottom of extra-judi-
cial killings” in the country.
Bishop Gutierrez expressed
doubts about the Filipino the
mindset of authorities as
“some may have utak pulbura
(with gunpowder mentality)
St. Paul Outside the Walls,
mentioned the possibility of
the dedication during a press
conference Feb. 28.
In that meeting, the cardinal
presented the archaeological
research surrounding what is
traditionally accepted as St.
Paul’s sarcophagus under the
basilica’s main altar.
He encouraged sanctuaries
around the world to participate
in celebrating the year, particu-
larly places linked to St. Paul
in Jerusalem, Turkey and other
regions of the Middle East.
Last fall, Benedict XVI dedi-
cated four Wednesday
catecheses to the figure and
thought of St. Paul. (Zenit)
die each year on the roads,”
Martino said. “That’s a sad real-
ity, and at the same time, a great
challenge for society and the
church.”
The document, “Guidelines
for the Pastoral Care of the
Road,” extols the benefits of
driving—family outings, get-
ting the sick to the hospital, al-
lowing people to see other cul-
tures.
But it laments a host of ills
associated with automobiles:
Drivers use their cars to show
off; driving “provides an easy
opportunity to dominate oth-
ers” by speeding; drivers can
kill themselves and others if
they don’t get their cars regu-
lar tune-ups, if they drink, use
drugs or fall asleep at the
wheel.
It called for drivers to obey
speed limits and to exercise a
VENICE, Italy, June 22,
2007—The Catholic
Church in Kuwait “en-
joys freedom of wor-
ship and suffers no re-
striction whatsoever,”
says Bishop Camillo
Ballin, vicar apostolic
of Kuwait.
The 63-year-old
bishop and Comboni
missionary spoke with
AKI while attending
an international gath-
ering of Catholic cler-
ics and researchers in
Venice. Participants
came from 18 coun-
tries, 11 of them major-
as foreign experts would
teach local counterparts with
advanced technical exper-
tise… religious (people)
should come in and promote
the culture of peace in lieu of
the culture of violence.”
Asked whether successful
prosecution and eventual
conviction would put a stop
to extra-judicial killings,
Bishop Gutierrez said he un-
certain “but hopefully the
number would significantly
decrease as other perpetrators
would now think twice.”
Bishop Pueblos said while
he welcomes newly-pro-
claimed Senator Antonio
Trillanes IV’s move to call re-
tired Major General Jovito
Palparan to the Senate in-
quiry, “all others, including
(Bayan Muna party-list Con-
gressman Satur) Ocampo, al-
leged to have been involved
in extra-judicial killings
should also undergo investi-
gation so this would be
equal.”
host of Christian virtues: char-
ity to fellow drivers, prudence
on the roads, hope of arriving
safely and justice in the event
of crashes.
And it suggested prayer
might come in handy - suggest-
ing drivers make the sign of the
cross before starting off and
pray the Rosary along the way.
The document is intended for
bishops’ conferences around the
world, and as such offers recom-
mendations for pastoral work,
including setting up chapels
along roads and having “peri-
odic celebration of liturgies at
major road hubs, motorway res-
taurants and lorry parks.”
The “Drivers’ Ten Command-
ments,” as listed by the docu-
ment, are:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a
means of communion between
ity Muslim.
Bishop Ballin said the crucifix
can be exposed in churches with-
out a problem, and he is free to
wear his episcopal robe and
cross without anyone looking at
him strangely.
“Although Islamic extremists
have different and adverse posi-
tions, there is no exterior sign to
indicate it,” he said about Ku-
wait.
Kuwait is home to approxi-
mately 150,000 Catholics in a
mainly Muslim population of
more than 2.5 million. The Ku-
waiti Constitution provides for
freedom of religion, but the gov-
ernment is reported to periodi-
200 Million Christians in 60
Countries Subject to Persecution
LONDON, UK, June 19, 2007—
The British Secret Service, MI6,
has published an alarming report
in the magazine Sunday Express
revealing that some 200 million
Christians in 60 countries around
the world are at risk of suffering
persecution.
The report reveals that in the
Sudan, for example, “thousands
of Christians have been massa-
cred and the fundamentalist gov-
ernment has done little to pro-
tect them.” In Iraq, “the situation
is grave: Christians do not have
their own militia to defend them,
and Sunni and Shiite factions ac-
cuse them of collaborating with
the American ‘crusaders’ and
among the hundreds of victims
of kidnappings this year there are
a growing number of Chris-
tians.”
The study also reveals that
during the last year, at least sev-
enty Christians were killed in
A7
people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and
prudence will help you deal
with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your
neighbor in need, especially
victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an
expression of power and domi-
nation, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the
young and not so young not to
drive when they are not in a fit-
ting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of ac-
cident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and
their victims together, at the ap-
propriate time, so that they can
undergo the liberating experi-
ence of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the
more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward
others. (ICN)
cally send inspectors around to
ensure that no religious teach-
ing other than Islam is being
done in both public and private
schools.
Relations with the Kuwaiti
government are good, he said:
“The local government fully
meets our demands and is ex-
tremely generous. It offers us
places of worship and all the nec-
essary help in bureaucratic and
official procedures.”
For example, he said, when
there are major feast days, such
as Christmas and Easter, authori-
ties send security forces to pro-
tect the community attending
Mass. (CNA)
Pakistan. In Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Chris-
tians who belong to the Russian
Orthodox Church are often
looked down upon: in these three
republics of the former Soviet
Union, Muslim preachers, ‘under
the influence of Al Qaeda,’
present Christians as followers
of a religion closely associated
with the despised Western colo-
nialism and they call for their
expulsion,” the report states.
North Korea, China, Ethiopia,
Nigeria and Uganda are other
countries where Christians are
persecuted. North Korea has sent
some 50 thousand Christians to
concentration camps, while in
China some 40 thousand have
suffered the same fate. The report
also notes the increasing difficul-
ties facing Palestinian Christians
due to the progressive
radicalization of the Islamic
masses in the Middle East. (CNA)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007

Caceres Renewal Markings

Communities ORDAINED.
MOST REV. GIL-
BERT ARMEA
CELEBRATED. REV. FR.
WALTER B. TABIOS,
SSJV, of the archdio-

Launches TV Station
THE Caceres Renewal Commu-
nities (CRC) and Lord’s Little
Flock covenanted Community
(LLFCC) launched the Ground
Breaking Ceremony of the pro-
posed CRC TV station at the
Archbishop’s Residence Com-
pound, in Naga City on June 3.
Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi,
O.P., D.D. led the event, joined
by Msgr. Raul S. Pan, CRC Spiri-
tual Director and Fr. Luisito
Occiano, Caceres Director of
Commission on Communica-
tions (CCCOM).
The theme for the event was
dubbed “DIGGING for Deeper
and INTIMATE Relationship
with the LORD.”
Bro. Lorenzo Llorin, CRC-
LLFCC presiding elder, gave a
little backgrounder how their
communities started, the trials
they encountered and why they
ventured on producing TV Mass
in Bicol.
With the proposed CRC TV
station, the group aims to con-
tinue and even intensify their
TV apostolate of bringing the
Holy Mass in Bicol to every
home and hopefully to come up
with other religious TV pro-
grams in the near future.
In his inspirational message
during the ceremony Arch-
bishop Legaspi mentioned the
sorry state of the Catholic me-
dia in the country vis-à-vis the
flourishing TV and radio sta-
tions operated and owned by
other religious denominations
such as Iglesia ni Kristo, Ang
Dating Daan and different Prot-
estants sects. Our Catholic faith
is indeed put into a great chal-
lenge, he said.
The archbishop noted that the
launching of the proposed CRC
TV station is just a humble ad-
dition to the vast Catholic Me-
dia agencies in the Philippines;
a humble attempt to expand the
apostolic efforts of the Caceres
Charismatic group.
The members of the two
Charismatic communities, to-
gether with their sponsors and
other invited guests, attended
the event. (Lina Salazar, FSP)
GARCERA, DD, cese of Cagayan de Oro,
as third bishop of 25th anniversary of sac-
Daet, on June 29, erdotal ordination, June
2007, at the Ba- 2, 2007. Ordained priest
silica Minore of in 1982 at St. Joseph Par-
our Lady of ish, Misamis Oriental, Fr.
Peñafrancia, Tabios is presently do-
Naga City. Born ing his pastoral ministry
on February 2, at the parish of St.
1959 in Magarao, Vincent Ferrer in Vallejo,
Camarines Sur, California, USA. He cel-
Bishop Garcera ebrated his silver jubilee
was ordained mass at Sto. Niño de Oro Parish, in Cogon, Cagayan
priest on May 29, de Oro City.
1983 at Naga
Metropolitan Ca- CELEBRATED. REV.
thedral. He was FR. MEDALLO R.
appointed VALMORES, SSJV, of
Bishop by the the archdiocese of
Holy Father on April 4, 2007. Prior to his appointment Cagayan de Oro, 25 th
as the new Ordinary of Daet, Bishop Garcera was anniversary of sacer-
the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission dotal ordination, June 5,
on Mission and the National Director of the Pontifical 2007. A native of
Missionary Societies (PMS). He was a member of the Misamis Oriental, Fr.
Superior Council of the Pontifical Missionary Societies Valmores took his semi-
and of the PMS Supreme Committee, Congregations nary training at San
for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome. He holds a Jose de Mindanao Semi-
doctorate in Organizational Planning and Development nary in Cagayan de Oro.
from SAIDI. The Canonical Possession of the Diocese He was ordained deacon on December 13, 1981. His
of Daet will take place the following day, June 30, priestly ordination was held at St. Rita’s Parish,
2007 upon Bishop Garcera’s installation at the Most Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on June 5, 1982. He cel-
Holy Trinity, Daet, Camarines Norte. ebrated his jubilee mass at San Nicolas de Tolentino
Parish in Camiguin with 21 priests and 5 deacons
CELEBRATED. REV. FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN concelebrating.
AQUINO of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, 25th anni-
versary of sacerdotal ordination; May 20, 2007. Born CELEBRATED. MONAS-
on February 2, 1957, Fr. Aquino went to the University TERY OF ST. CLARE in

Walang Ibang Hangad : An of Sto. Tomas for his BA and MA Philosophy studies
graduating summa cum laude in 1981. He took his doc-
toral degree in Philosopy from Mannin University, summa
cum laude, and a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence
from Columbia Pacific University at San Rafael (Cali-
Sariaya, Quezon, diocese
of Lucena, 50th foundation
anniversary. On June 19,
1957, a group of 9 pioneer
nuns from the Monastery of
fornia). Fr. Aquino was parochial vicar of the Parish of St. Clare in Quezon City,

All A Cappella Concert
WE’VE all had moments when we just couldn’t
help but sing. The trigger may be a breathtaking
view, a long-awaited victory, a love letter from a
sweetheart, an uncontainable loneliness. What-
ever it is, the experience is just too emotional for
mere words, that words must take on a melody.
Whether the song that comes out is one that al-
ready exists, or a totally new creation, never mind
if there’s no accompaniment. We just have to sing.
It is these moments the Ateneo-based vocal
group Hangad will celebrate this July, in Walang
Ibang Hangad: An All A Cappella Concert.
Walang Ibang Hangad will feature songs from
three of Hangad’s five albums, such as “Magnificat”
and “Paghahandog”; existing arrangements in-
cluding “Man in the Mirror” and “People Get
Ready”; and new and original arrangements of
“Hawak-Kamay”, “Power of Your Love”, “You
Raise Me Up”, and “I Will Sing Forever.”
“Some people say a cappella choral music is bet-
ter than accompanied choral music,” says Paulo
Tirol, the group’s musical director. “I wouldn’t
say one is better than the other… but definitely, a
cappella music has a distinct challenge and excite-
ment, being 100% vocal.
“It’s been a while since we did an a cappella
show, and we miss the challenge and thrill of be-
ing to pull something off without any instru-
ments.”
Hangad began singing a cappella music in 1996,
having acquired scores of inspirational and Christ-
mas music by US groups First Call and A Cappella
Praise. When the group recorded Hangad, its first
St. Peter Thelmo in Aparri, Rector of St. Thomas
Aquinas Major Seminary also in Aparri, Executive Vice-
President of Lyceum of Aparri, Professor of Philoso-
phy and Vice-Dean of Graduate School at UST, Chap-
lain of the Monastery of St. Clare in Iguig, and Parish
founded a monastery in
Sariaya, a historic town in
the heart of Quezon prov-
ince. Here at the foot of the mystical Mt. Banahaw, the
second Poor Clare Philippine foundation was born.
album, in 1996, the album’s lineup included a Priest of St. Rose of Lima in Tuguegarao. He currently From Sariaya, the nuns launched its first foundation in
number of a cappella tracks such as “One Thing I serves as Rector of Ermita de San Jacinto in the diocese of Catarman on October 20, 1991. An-
Tuguegarao and Dean of the Graduate School of Law other foundation was established on March 17, 1998
Ask” and “Pagbabasbas.” The group recorded at San Beda College and Chair of the Department of in Boac, Marinduque. During the past 50 years, 35
Hangad A Cappella in 2002, an all a cappella album Jurisprudence and Legal Philosophy at the Philippine nuns have made their solemn and perpetual profes-
celebrating Jesuit favorites through new a cappella Judicial Academy of the Supreme Court. sion of vows in the Order.
arrangements. To this day, the group’s repertoire
for Masses, concerts, weddings, and Christmas
prominently features a cappella pieces.
Walang Ibang Hangad will be the group’s first all
a cappella concert since the launch of Hangad A
Cappella.
Hangad’s creative director Domi Espejo likens
a cappella music to prayer. “A cappella music is
very bare, very vulnerable, and very pure… it’s
just your voice… much like the way you come
before God. That’s why the concert is titled ‘Walang
Ibang Hangad’—because there’s desire to sing out
to God, and nothing else.”
Hangad is a group of young professionals and
students bound in friendship by their passion for
helping others know God through liturgical and
inspirational music. Over the last 15 years, they
have recorded five albums, produced three music
videos, and staged numerous inspirational con-
certs around and outside the Philippines.
Walang Ibang Hangad: An All A Cappella Concert
will be held at 6 PM on July 8 and 15 (both Sun-
days) at the Francisco Santiago Hall, Equitable PCI
Bank Tower 1 Auditorium, Makati Ave. cor H.V.
Dela Costa Sts., Makati City. Tickets will be avail-
able at the gate for P150 each. For more informa-
Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, Leonida Vera, with Filipino Seminarians during her recent visit to the International
tion e-mail mail@hangad.com (Jesuit Music Min- Ecclesiastical College Sedes Sapientiae in Rome. The college has about 90 priests and seminarians from all over the world.
istry)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13 • June 25 - July 8, 2007
Pastoral Concerns
House of Prayer in Malolos
Elevated to Diocesan Shrine
A HOUSE of Prayer dedicated to Our
Lady Mother of the Eucharist and Grace in
Brgy. San Vicente, Sta. Maria Bulacan was
elevated into a diocesan shrine last June 12,
by His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Oliveros,
DD, together with Bishop Cirilo Almario,
Bishop Ruben Profugo and Bishop Deogra-
cias Iñiguez and Clergy from the different
dioceses.
The event started with a procession
(Translation) of the original image of the
Mother of the Eucharist and Grace from
the Old House of Prayer towards the new
diocesan shrine. There was a shower of pet-
als from a plane while the image was car-
ried in procession. Waiting devotees waved
their handkerchiefs devoutly as the image
carried by officers from the Boy Scout of the
Phillipines-Malolos Chapter and escorted
by security personnel of the DBP Services
passed them by.
Bishop Oliveros stressed the significance
of the event in his homily, noting that the
16th Anniversary of the establishment of
the House of Prayer, and the formal decla-
ration raising its status as a diocesan shrine
coincided with the 109th year celebration of
the country’s independence.
Fr. Jose Rodel Ponce of Sto. Niño de Prada
Parish, Sta. Maria, Bulacan spearheaded
the request to declare the House of Prayer
a diocesan shrine last year. His request was
supported by numerous devotees nation-
wide and from all parts of the world. The
request was approved last December 12,
2006 during the Meeting of the Council of
Priests convened by the Bishop.
The Shrine is an unpretentious but taste-
fully decorated structure, strikingly grand in
its simplicity. Beyond the panoramic glass
window, which serves as the back wall,
stands the statue of the Mother of Eucharist
and Grace, her arms outstretched. On her
right hand hangs the rosary, and on her left
is the brown cloth scapular of Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel.
The gaze of the towering virgin rests
on the grand altar that is centered on the
vol11-n13 B.indd 1
sanctuary. The Shrine Administrator, Bro.
Carmelo Cortez explained that the design
of the sanctuary conveys that the Mother
of Eucharist and Grace invites all Catholics
back to the sacraments of the Holy Eucha-
rist and Reconciliation. He urged people to
pray for our country and for the sanctifica-
tion of priests.
Healing and Conversion
The shrine is a silent witness to the many
stories of healing and conversion that hap-
pened among its devotees who have spent
time there communing with God.
Belen Viola Lopez, 65, a retired guidance
counselor from Hope Christian School was a
cancer survivor who was told by her doctor
that she had only few months to live. But
after going to the shrine and experiencing
inner conversion through the sacrament
of the Eucharist, she believes she has been
on remission from cancer for over a year
now.
Teresita Domigpen, 38, from Meycau-
ayan, was seriously ill and confined at the
Philippine Heart Center. She was told an
infection had spread to her kidneys and was
close to affecting her brains. Doctors had
given her 48 hours to live. After numerous
prayer offerings and continuous devotion
to Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and Grace,
she has survived.
Relics and Images
The Shrine has
also a museum
where relics and
images are show-
cased.
It features the
replica of the Holy
Grail, a Relic of the
table used during
the last supper and
a Relic of the Pas-
sion of Christ. It
also houses Marian
Images such as the
wax image of the Maria Bambina which was
previously a part of the personal collection
of Padre Pio de Pietrelcina.
Also part of the collection, are hand writ-
ten notes from Pope Paul VI and Pope John
Paul II when he was still a cardinal. A col-
lection of skullcaps worn by Pope John Paul
II and his successor Pope Benedict XVI are
also on display. A corner has the memora-
bilia of the late Rufino Cardinal Santos, the
1st Filipino Cardinal, showcasing ceramic
plates bearing his coat of arms, correspon-
dence from the Cardinal’s close friends,
Instrumentum laboris of the Second Vatican
Council and his last will and testaments.
Additional features of the shrine are
reproductions of the Nativity cave, An-
nunciation cave and the Tomb of the Holy
Sepulchre, featuring a replica of the Holy
Shroud of Turin. (Luis Tan, Marvin Dalag
and Carlo Cortez)
ABOVE: Bishop Jose Oliveros, DD,
arranges the rosary on the image of
Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist and
Grace. BELOW CLOCKWISE: Bishop
Oliveros presiding the mass for the shrine’s
elevation. The shrine’s interior. Devotees
pay homage to the image. The image in
procession to the new shrine.
Photos courtesy of Bro. Carmelo Cortez
B1
B2 Updates
The truth of Marriage
B3 Diocese
Archdiocese of Davao
B6 Reflections
Evangelized by Nanay Pina
7
QUESTIONS
Archbishop
Onesimo C.
Gordoncillo, DD
A native of Negros Oriental, Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo
was ordained bishop in 1974. He was installed as archbishop of
Capiz on August 27, 1986. In this issue, CBCP Monitor asks
Archbishop Gordoncillo to share his insights on various issues
affecting his archdiocese: the implementation of social concern
agenda in the archdiocese, involvement in politics, the role and
participation of the laity in the local Church, the program on
family and life, the quality and quantity of vocations entering
the seminary, and his perception of secular media’s treatment of
Church issues in the news.
How is the Social Concern agenda being concretized
in your diocese?
Our Social Action Center, in coordination with our
parish committee on services, facilitates activities and
programs that enflesh social concerns in our area of
jurisdiction. Some are on-going, some are introduced
as needed. We have, for example, our relief and reha-
bilitation program. Availability of volunteer medical
practitioners and needed logistics spur us to go on
medical, dental, or optical missions in the parishes.
We have just initiated partnering with willing medical,
dental and optical practitioners to extend professional
services to indigents, gratis et amore, as recommended
by the Center.
Our Educational Assistance Program in partnership
with ERDA Foundation, Inc., is catering to almost half
of the total parishes in the diocese. For two years now,
our Center has been extending assistance in the form of
school supplies to indigent non-members of our ERDA
group.
Rice retailing in some parishes is already on-going. We
are still facilitating the establishment of other Botika sang
Parokya. As of now we only have one Botika targeting
the needs of the poor. It is in the Parish of Immaculate
Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, in Roxas City.
We have also exerted our efforts to revive interest of
farmers in organic farming.
Would you consider involvement in politics a part of
the social concern agenda of the Church?
Yes. Very much! In many aspects of political life the
Church is always called to participate. As a human
activity, politics has a moral dimension. The Church,
therefore, has the duty to preach morality, to give
guidelines towards just and righteous living. Moreover,
God’s kingdom is to be proclaimed not only to ordinary
citizens of the land but also to men in the political field.
Certainly, the mission of Jesus is not only the salvation
of the Jews but the salvation of all—political authorities
of his time included. So, also in our own time.
For the clergy, however, active partisan politics is not
our line.
How is the role of the laity as defined by PCP II, being
realized in your diocese?
We are very thankful that our laity is very active in
their participation in our pastoral programs. They help
our priests, not only in the formation and implementa-
tion of our BEC pastoral program, but also in the finan-
cial aspect of our archdiocese and parishes. We have
implemented the tithing program with the help of our
laity who are members of the archdiocesan and parish
finance council.
We are happy and encouraged that PCP II has some-
what affirmed what we have started in Capiz since 1986
when I was appointed to the pastoral care of the diocese.
Members of the clergy were the first ones to undertake
the Pastoral Leadership Training (PLT). Pastoral Leaders
Core Groups were trained in every parish of our four
vicariates. And the lay faithful were involved in the
formation and establishment of our basic Ecclesial Com-
munities by zones. These BEC’s in all our 32 parishes are
now being monitored by the Capiz Archdiocesan Pastoral
Secretariat that meets every month.
The present organizational set up of our Parish Pastoral
Councils points to the strengthening of the faith-life of
our lay people in the areas of Worship, Christian Forma-
tion, Service and Thanksgiving.
Thus, we work as one Church to follow and realize
our diocesan thrust.
Empowerment of the laity is the answer and clamor
of the present time. This is being realized in the diocese
though many ways, such as presence and involvement
of the Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers in different
levels—down to the barangays and BEC levels; more lay
evangelizers/formators through catechesis for children,
families and adults; defenders of life, advocates for life
through witnessing-adopting the natural family planning
(NFP) way; growing phenomenon for prayer-charismatic
groups every where; principled participation in politi-
cal arena; promote political education; living Christian
family life through parents’ role modeling in the family,
community and workplaces; leading in non-violence dia-
logue and consultation; serving as resource for financial
generation to meet the needs of the Church.
Up to what degree should lay participation be especially
in terms of decision making in the local Church?
Participation of the laity in terms of decision-making
should be recommendatory, suggestive and consultative.
Consensus decision-making should be promoted. Dis-
cernment must govern any decision-making. Decision-
making should be made collectively, democratically re-
sponsive and acceptable to many. Decisions made should
be open for discussions to arrive at a win-win position.
And then, participation of the laity in decision-making
has to be based on one’s capacity and ability, practicing
prudence and tactfulness. They should always be open to
7 Questions /B4
6/27/2007 8:16:44 PM

B2
The Truth of Marriage
T
HE line of questioning above
reveals not only the typical
confusion between marriage
nullities and annulments,
with the logical conclusion
that the former is just a form of Catholic
divorce, but also the confusion between
the civil and the canonical order. It even
hints at a lack of appreciation of the true
nature of marriage. We have to address
these three aspects separately, in two
installments of this column.
Marriage is a Natural Institution
In the past decade-and-a-half, there
have been repeated attempts to pass a
divorce law in the Philippines, defeated
repeatedly as well, thanks in no mean
measure to the efforts of the Catholic
Church (allied with our Muslim broth-
ers). In Europe and North America, on
the other hand, the legislative agenda
had moved on to greater depths of
depravity with the passage of same-
sex unions (which we should never
call marriage). The fundamental error
in both legislative moves is the failure
to realize that marriage is a natural
institution—its nature, essential prop-
erties and ends form part of human
nature—of which man is not the author
and which therefore no piece of legis-
lation can alter. It is only up to man
to use his reason to understand the
intrinsic reality of marriage and to act
accordingly.
John Paul II explained this point very
well in his annual address to the Roman
Rota on 1.II.2001 when he said: Many
misunderstandings have beset the
very idea of “nature”. The metaphysi-
cal concept (…) has been particularly
neglected. There is a tendency to re-
duce what is specifically human to the
cultural sphere, claiming a completely
autonomous creativity and efficacy for
the person at both the individual and
social levels. From this viewpoint, the
natural is merely a physical, biological
and sociological datum to be techno-
logically manipulated according to
one’s own interests.
This opposition between culture and
nature deprives culture of any objective
foundation, leaving it at the mercy of
will and power. This can be seen very
clearly in the current attempts to present man and woman to fully live the total
de facto unions, including those of ho-
mosexuals, as comparable to marriage,
whose natural character is precisely
denied.
When the
Church teach-
es that mar-
riage is a natu- When the Church teaches that
ral reality, she
is proposing a
marriage is a natural reality, she
truth evinced is proposing a truth evinced by
by reason for
the good of reason for the good of the couple
the couple and
of society, and
and of society, and confirmed by
confirmed by the revelation of Our Lord, who
the revelation
of Our Lord, closely and explicitly relates the
who closely marital union to the “beginning”
and explic-
itly relates the spoken of in the Book of Gen-
marital union
to the “begin-
esis: “male and female he created
ning” (Mt 19: them,” and “the two shall become
4-8) spoken
one flesh.”
of in the Book
of Genesis:
“male and fe-
male he cre-
ated them” (Gen 1: 27), and “the two
shall become one flesh” (Gen 2: 24).
Marriage has Natural Ends and Es-
sential Properties
Canon Law, respecting the natural or-
der, has expressed the ends and proper-
ties of marriage as a natural institution institution—have become inseparable.
in the following terms:
Can. 1055 —§1. The matrimonial
covenant, by which a man and a
woman establish between themselves
a partnership of the whole life, is by
its nature ordered toward the good of
the spouses and the procreation and
education of offspring; this covenant
between baptized persons has been
raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity
of a sacrament.
Can. 1056 —The essential proper-
ties of marriage are unity and indis-
solubility, which in Christian marriage
obtains a special firmness in virtue of
the sacrament.
In short, by nature marriage is a cov-
enant between a man and a woman,
setting up a partnership involving their
whole lives—to the point that they be-
come “two lives in one”—aimed of its
nature towards a double end: the full
personal development of the spouses
vol11-n13 B.indd 2
Updates
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
(First of two parts)
Can a marriage be annulled based on concubinage? What are the possible consequences of
this on the people involved? The couple married young, and on the decision of the elders
really, because the girl was pregnant and reluctant to marry but the boy’s mother wanted
her son to be responsible. They have one child, male, 36 years old and also married. The
man has a second family with three young children. He has another child (but no family)
abroad. All this is known and accepted by the legal wife. If their marriage is annulled,
what happens to his legitimate child? Will he drop his family name? May the man marry
his concubine in his second family, the mother of his three children? Will the presently
sole legitimate child of the man retain his status as legitimate heir if the second family
becomes “legal” through the new marriage? Whether or not the man remarries, how are
the properties to be divided among his children? What will the legitimate (first) wife get
to keep for herself? Our law says the conjugal property belongs to husband and wife: will
the change of spouse affect former agreements?
and the procreation and education of not Church papers but the pro-forma
the children who may result. It is in Marriage Contract from City Hall. In
function of this two-fold end that the effect, what happens is that by mutual
essential properties of marriage follow: agreement between Church and State,
unity (monogamy) and indissolubility the State empowers the solemniz-
(till death of one of the spouses). ing priest to act as its solemnizing
officer—a role played by the Judge
The Marriage of Catholics or another public official in a simply
It is this natural institution of mar- civil marriage—to witness the Mar-
riage, which has been raised by Christ riage Contract involving a Catholic
the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament, spouse(s). Thus, not just any Catholic
making of it therefore a visible sign for priest can officiate a marriage, but one
him to bestow his grace on the baptized who has the license to solemnize mar-
who contract the marriage covenant. riages, duly registered in the proper
This is beautifully expressed by c.1055,
1 in fine.
government office.
Marriage Nullity vs. Annulment of
It is as if, in order to enable fallen Marriage
To conclude this first part of the
life project of the marriage covenant Answer to the mailed Questions above
that God wanted to be part of such a
project, such that through the grace of
we can say that there is a danger of ap-
proaching marriage and family issues
in a simply
expeditious
way—sim-
ply look-
ing for the
proper legal
norms to ap-
ply to the sit-
uation so as
to “legalize”
an otherwise
irregular sit-
uation. The
Holy Father,
Benedict
XVI pointed
this out in
a recent ad-
dress to the
Roman Rota,
the supreme
court of the
© Tim Pannell/Corbis
Catholic
Church:
In fact, the
conviction
the sacrament, in Christian marriage the that the pastoral good of the person in
essential properties of unity and indis- an irregular marital situation requires
solubility obtain a special firmness. a sort of canonical regularization, in-
However, once Christ raised the natu- dependently of the validity or nullity
ral institution of marriage to the dignity of his/her marriage, independently,
of a sacrament for the baptized, the two that is, of the “truth” of his/her per-
aspects—sacramentality and natural sonal status, has also spread in certain
ecclesiastical milieus. The process of
As c.1055, §2 solemnly declares: For the declaration of matrimonial nullity
this reason a matrimonial contract is actually considered as a legal means
cannot validly exist between baptized for achieving this objective, according
persons unless it is also a sacrament by to a logic in which the law becomes
that fact. the formalization of subjective claims
What this means is that for a Catholic (Address to Roman Rota, 17.I.2007).
to be married validly in the eyes of God, Marriage as a natural institution
he or she has to be married sacramen- has its own rules which must be re-
tally (“in Church”). This is expressed spected, and in the case of Catholics
clearly by c.1059: Even if only one party this has been finely positivized and
is baptized, the marriage of Catholics formalized in a body of Matrimonial
is regulated not only by divine law but Law within the Canon Law of the
also by canon law, with due regard for Church. The declaration of marriage
the competence of civil authority con- nullity is simply a court declaration
cerning the merely civil effects of such that a certain marriage in truth never
a marriage. came about because of a defect or
In other words, getting married only impediment. If in truth no such im-
civilly is not enough for a Catholic, even pediment existed and all the requisites
if in practice—in most Catholic coun- for marriage were present at the time
tries, like the Philippines—a Church of the wedding, then the marriage in
wedding carries with it automatically truth exists and if it has been consum-
also a civil wedding: the papers signed mated, then no power on earth can
at the end of the Church ceremony are annul it.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007
Seven Questions on
Distribution of Holy
Communion Under Both Kinds
1. Why did the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council recommend the
distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds?
“The Council’s decision [in 1963] to restore Holy Communion under
both kinds at the bishop’s discretion took expression in the first edition of
the Missale Romanum and enjoys an even more generous application in
the third typical edition of the Missale Romanum: ‘Holy Communion has
a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds. For
in this manner of reception a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet shines
forth. Moreover there is a clearer expression of that will by which the new
and everlasting covenant is ratified in the blood of the Lord and of the re-
lationship of the Eucharistic banquet to the eschatological banquet in the
Father’s kingdom.’” “From the first days of the Church’s celebration of the
Eucharist, Holy Communion consisted of the reception of both species in
fulfillment of the Lord’s command to ‘take and eat . . . take and drink.’ The
distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful under both kinds was thus
the norm or more than a millennium of Catholic liturgical practice.” “The
practice of Holy Communion under both kinds at Mass continued until
the late eleventh century, when the custom of distributing the Eucharist to
the faithful under the form of bread alone began to grow. By the twelfth
century theologians such as Peter Cantor speak of Communion under one
kind as a “custom” of the Church. This practice spread until the Council of
Constance in 1415 decreed that Holy Communion under the form of bread
alone would be distributed to the faithful.”
2. What preparation of the faithful is required before the distribution of
Holy Communion under both kinds?
“For the faithful who take part in the rite or are present at it, pastors
should take care to call to mind as appropriately as possible Catholic teach-
ing according to the Council of Trent on the manner of Communion. Above
all they should instruct the Christian faithful that, according to Catholic
faith, Christ, whole and entire, as well as the true Sacrament are received
under one kind only; that, therefore, as far as the effects are concerned,
those who receive in this manner are not deprived of any grace necessary
for salvation.”
“The practice of Holy Communion under
both kinds at Mass continued until the late
eleventh century, when the custom of distrib-
uting the Eucharist to the faithful under as a
“custom” of the Church. This practice spread
until the Council of Constance in 1415 decreed
that Holy Communion under the form of bread
alone would be distributed to the faithful.”
3. What resources can assist in this preparation?
Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the
Dioceses of the United States of America 6 were approved by the Bishops
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the
Holy See in 2002. Part I of these Norms (Holy Communion: The Body and
Blood of the Lord Jesus) provides a summary of the Church’s teaching on
Holy Communion which can aid in the preparation of ministers and faith-
ful in preparing to receive Holy Communion under Both Kinds. Likewise,
the USCCB pamphlet “Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of
the Eucharist”7 may be helpful in such formation. Both texts are available
online in English and Spanish or from USCCB Publications.
4. When Holy Communion is distributed under both kinds, what happens
to what remains of the Precious Blood?
“When more of the Precious Blood remains than was necessary for Com-
munion, and if not consumed by the bishop or priest celebrant, the deacon
immediately and reverently consumes at the altar all of the Blood of Christ
which remains; he may be assisted, if needs dictate, by other deacons and
priests. When there are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, they
may consume what remains of the Precious Blood from their chalice of
distribution with permission of the diocesan bishop.”
5. Who then purifies the sacred vessels?
As ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the Priest and the Deacon
purify the sacred vessels. The instituted acolyte, by reason of his office,
“helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange the sacred vessels.”10
In the Dioceses of the United States of America, the ministry of instituted
acolyte, which is open only to men, is primarily made up of those preparing
to receive Holy Orders.
6. May an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assist in the pu-
rification of sacred vessels?
In accord with the Holy Father’s recent decision, as reported in Cardinal
Arinze’s letter of October 12, 2006 (Prot. no. 468/05/L), an Extraordinary
Minister of Holy Communion may not assist in the purification of sacred
vessels. This extraordinary ministry was created exclusively for those in-
stances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy
Communion, due to the consummate importance of assuring that the faithful
have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion at Mass, even when it is
distributed under both species.
7. What about those instances where there are many chalices and only
one Priest to purify them?
When there are insufficient Priests, Deacons, or instituted acolytes to
purify the additional chalices during Mass, the purification may take place
immediately after the Mass has concluded. If such purification by ordinary
ministers proves pastorally problematic, consideration should be given to
distribution of Holy Communion by intinction or to the distribution of Holy
Communion under the form of consecrated bread alone. Twelve priests
should also keep in mind potential health risks associated with intinction,
especially in the coming flu season.
(source: The Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops)
6/27/2007 8:17:06 PM
 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007 Diocese B3

The Archdiocese of Davao

By Fr. Jaime Gamboa, DCD

A glimpse of the Past in 1903, and Davao became a district ate Ordinary. On July 11, 1966, Davao the second Vatican Council, the IMPORTANT FACTS:
The history of Davao is brief but in- of the province. However, in 1914, the was elevated into a diocese. When the Archdiocese of Davao moved to
Archbishop 1
teresting. It harks to the past and brings Moro Province was abolished and in diocese was erected into an archdiocese solidify its faith structures—the
its stead, the Department of Mindanao on June 29, 1970, Bishop Thibauld was seminaries, schools, and parish Bishop 1
to mind tribal wars, drum beats and
ritual fires along the river banks which, and Sulu was created. Davao then named archbishop with Bishop Mabu- churches. Pastoral programs for Priests:
according to some sources, gave origin became one of the provinces of this tas as Coadjutor bishop. On December service were identified and given Diocesan 89
to the word “Davao” from daba-daba, Department with Davao municipality 9, 1972, Bishop Mabutas took over as new impetus. Foreign 29
meaning fire. The early inhabitants oc- (now Davao City) as its capital. archbishop of Davao upon retirement The decrees of the Second Ple- Religious 42
cupying the eastern shores of Davao Davao became a chartered city in of Archbishop Thibauld. nary Council of the Philippines Religious Brothers 25
were the Manobos, Tagcaolos, Guiang- 1937. In 1967 the province of Davao (PCP II), already recognized by Religious Sisters:
gas, Bilaans and Aetas. On the western was subdivided into three: Davao The Archdiocese of Davao the Holy See and promulgated
Diocesan Right 45
portion were the Mandayas and Bago- del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao The archdiocese comprises the city to the Filipino people on July 22,
bos. The Samals occupied the Samal Oriental. of Davao and the Island Garden city of 1992, have been a great source Pontifical Right 323
and the Talicud Islands. Later, the Situated in the province of Davao Samal in Davao del Norte. It has under of direction with its “vision of Seminaries:
Maguindanaos from Cotabato, Zam- del Sur, Davao City lies on the eastern its jurisdiction the suffragan Dioceses of ourselves as a Community of Pre-College 1
boanga and Jolo migrated to Davao edge of the province facing the Davao Digos, Tagum, and Mati—three towns Disciples, centering our lives in College 1
and succeeded in driving the Gulf which opens out to the Cele- that are now the capital cities of the Jesus and following Him in His Regional, Major 1
native inhabitants to the bes Sea. Although Davao City three Davao provinces. The titular pa- mission of salvation and Libera- Seminarians:
mountains. is no longer the capital of tron is St. Peter the Apostle, whose feast tion through urgent renewal.” Pre-College 15
In 1528, Davao what used to be the entire is celebrated on June 29. The population The Second Archdiocesan Pas- College 25
was visited by Davao Province, it has of the Archdiocese is 1.2 million, 88 per toral Assembly of Davao (APAD Theology 16
Albaro de Saa- remained a principal cent of which are Catholics. II) was convened on May 9-14, Outside the diocese 1
vedra, while in commercial center for Most Rev. Fernando R. Capalla, D.D, 1994, to implement the decrees Catechists:
1543, Baganga, all the Davao prov- was installed in November 1996 as third of PCP II. The archdiocese had a Full-time 4,200
Manay and the inces and the eastern archbishop of Davao. He is presently second look on its vision-mission, Part-time 4,250
island of Sa- and southeastern sec- aided by his Auxiliary bishop and Vicar reassessed its pastoral situation, Catholic Schools:
rangani were tions of Mindanao. In General, Most Rev. George B. Rimando, and planned out the next five
Kindergarten 9
explored by land area it is among D.D., and Msgr. Julius S. Tonel, P.C., to ten years of the archdiocesan
the biggest cities in Vicar General. The archdiocese as of journey. APAD II articulated its Elementary 9
Villalobos. In
1844, Gover- the world. Since it is the present has 85 diocesan priests and dream for the archdiocese in a High Schools 14
nor Figueroa mostly inhabited by 68 religious priests ministering to the new vision-mission reformulated Colleges 6
and Agustin migrants, Davao City faithful in 32 parishes. There are also during the assembly. Universities 2
Bocallan, a can just as well be called 23 religious brothers and 375 religious “In a situation of a society dis- Parishes 32
brigadier-gen- the “melting pot of the sisters doing their apostolic ministry in tressed by widespread and dehu- Diocesan Centers 15
eral in the Span- Philippines”. the 7 vicariates of the archdiocese. manizing poverty, socio-political Retreat Houses 8
ish army, ob- Catholic educational institutions in injustices, cultural and religious Population 1,692,888
tained from the The Prelature Nullius the archdiocese include 3 seminaries, decadence, the faithful and clergy Catholics 1,241,866
Sultan of Min- Davao became a Catholic 2 universities, 6 colleges, and 14 high of the Archdiocese of Davao en- Area 2,443 sq.kms.
danao the community as early as 1848
ces- through the mission-
ary efforts of the
Augustin-

Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, DD

ABOVE: The San Pedro Cathedral of Davao. BELOW CLOCKWISE: Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando of Davao celebrates Mass for the general assembly of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center. Indigenous
peoples of Davao at a meeting facilitated by the Davao Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenism and Interreligous Dialogue. Archbishop Fernando Capalla with clergy and lay cyclists join a Bike for Peace activity.
An interfaith activity of the Davao Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenism and Interreligous Dialogue. Muslim-Christian Leaders Dialogue and Fellowship in Davao City. Photo courtesy of UCANEWS

sion of the re- Pastoral Pro-

gion in favor
of the Spanish
government.
In 1847, armed
with an author-
ity from Gov.
Claveria, Don
Uyanguren, a
political refugee
and a soldier
of fortune, set
sail for Davao.
Landing at the
mouth of the
Davao river,
the Spaniards
were met by the
Muslims led by Datu Bago. In the ensu-
ing battle, Datu Bago was slain and his
followers retreated to the hinterlands.
Don Uyanguren conquered the region
which now comprised Davao City.
Together with Uyanguren was a Reco-
letos priest, who baptized the natives to
Christianity. He was based at then San
Pedro Chapel in 1848, but moved to
the present San Pedro Cathedral. Two
years later, he organized the neighbor-
ing regions together with a strip of
territory of Caraga (now Surigao) into
a province of Guipozcoa, in honor of
his home in Spain. He became its first
governor.
Nueva Guipozcoa was abolished
in 1858, and two commedencias were
included in the district of Davao which
comprised the southeastern territory of
Mindanao. At the end of the Spanish
rule, Davao was one of the seven dis-
tricts under the political military gov-
ernment of Mindanao. Major Hunter
Ligget led the American forces who
came to Davao in 1900.
The Moro province was organized
ian Recollects, followed by the Jesuits.
In 1937, the Priests of the Foreign Mis-
sion Society of Quebec (PME Fathers)
came to Davao upon the invitation of
the Bishop of Zamboanga. The PME
Fathers looked after the spiritual needs
of the people in the entire province of
Davao.
Davao was established as a prelature
on December 17, 1949 with Bishop
Clovis Thibauld, PME, as its first Prel-
schools.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly
The First Archdiocesan Pastoral As-
sembly of Davao (APAD I) was held
on November 4-6, 1982. Other pastoral
conferences were convened after this
to confirm the realization that God had
indeed been working through the Holy
Spirit in the archdiocese.
Spurred on by the innovations of
vision a community of disciples afire
with the Holy Spirit, mature in faith,
and witnessing truth, love, freedom,
justice and peace.
In the implementation of its mission,
the faithful commit themselves to a
radical conversion, to an integrity of
life, to a participative Church of the
Poor, to a renewed integral evangeli-
zation and to a restoration of Filipino
values.”
grams
The Arch-
diocese has
v a r i o u s
pastoral
programs
through the
offices it has
established
after the Sec-
ond Pastoral
Assembly.
Among them
are the fol-
lowing: The
Coordinating
office of the Pastoral Programs, headed
by Bishop George Rimando, D.D.; the
Archdiocesan Social Action Center—the
Service Arm of the Archdiocese; the
Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenism
and Interreligious Dialogue; the Catho-
lic Campus Ministry; the Basic Ecclesial
Communities; the Davao Archdiocesan
Youth Coordinating Apostolate; the
Archdiocesan Liturgical Center—the
Formation Arm of the Archdiocese;
the John XXIII Catechetical Center—the
Worship Ministry of the Archdiocese;
the Center for Overseas Workers;
CARITAS Davao Incorporated; the In-
digenous People’s Apostolate; the Social
Communications Apostolate through
the weekly newspaper, “Davao Catholic
Herald” and the FM Station DXGN-FM;
the Apostleship of the Sea; the Archdi-
ocesan Council for Lay Associations and
Integrated Movements which includes
the Davao Marian Evangelizers and
the Archdiocesan Council for Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Movement; and
the Ignatian Institute for Religious Edu-
cation Foundation Incorporated.

vol11-n13 B.indd 3 6/27/2007 8:17:08 PM

 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007

The Word of God Comes

Alive in People’s Hearts
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP

THE Word Alive Biblical Institute
(WABI), a summer institute of John
Paul I Biblical Center (JPIBC) in Vigan,
recently concluded its three weeks
summer course for Lay Ministers of the
Word held at the Lay Formation Center
of the diocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
from April 16-May 6, 2007.
The summer institute is a trainer’s
training course in the Biblical-Pastoral
Ministry for those who work in the
biblical apostolate. Sixty participants
from 13 dioceses all over the Philip-
pines completed the three-week lived-
in program.
Started in 1991 by John Paul I Biblical
Center, WABI has become a training
ground for Lay Ministers to deepen
their understanding and appreciation
of the Scriptures so essential in the
biblical-pastoral ministry they are in-
volved in.
Episcopal Commission on Biblical
Apostolate (ECBA) executive secre-
tary, Fr. Oscar Alunday, SVD, said the
summer institute began as a fruit of a
regional discernment concerning the
pastoral-biblical needs of Luzon and
the Cordillera regions.
The idea of a biblical summer insti-
tute sprung out of a four-month biblical
course which Alunday participated in
at Nemi, Rome. The participants then
were challenged to implement in a lo-
cal setting what they have learned and
experienced in the course.
When Alunday took over the direc-
torship of JPIBC in 1991 he integrated
his learning experience at Nemi with
the thrust of JPIBC, which is an ongoing
ABOVE: Students of Word Alive Biblical Institute (WABI ’07), held at the Lay Formation Center, in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City; April 16-May 6, 2007. LEFT:
Students of Level II Class map of Jesus Bibliodrama. RIGHT: WABI Class saying their morning praise.
formation for lay and pastoral leaders
of Northern Philippines.
Although it was originally estab-
lished to cater to the needs of the dio-
ceses in Northern Philippines, WABI
has now broadened its services to other
dioceses outside Northern Luzon. Par-
ticipants come as far as Guam, Davao,
nearby Manila and Bulacan.
Initially taught in Ilocano, the me-
dium of instruction was later changed
into English and Tagalog to oblige other
students coming from various parts of
the country.
“We shifted to English and Tagalog
to accommodate people from other
regions of the Philippines. The course
is open to anyone who wants to work
with the biblical apostolate,” said
Alunday.
Alunday explained that WABI has
a standing agreement with the Divine
Word College of Vigan to accredit the
course as BA in Religious Education.
The course has three levels with begin-
ners starting at Level 1. For three weeks
during summer, students live, study
and experience together the richness
of the word of God. WABI requires its
students to go back to their respective
dioceses to serve their communities
after their summer course. They can
only proceed to the next level until
they graduate if their parish priest and
community recommend them.
“It is part of the requirements of
WABI that the animators should live in
the community and recommended by
the community. They are the servants
of the community,” Alunday explained.
“If he/she deserves it, he/she is in- Although he is no longer a part of
stalled officially by the bishop as [Lay JPIBC, Alunday continues to avail his
Minister] in the parish and part of the services to WABI by providing updates
diocese,” added Alunday. on national and world events concern-
The bible animators are installed in ing biblical apostolate.
a rite within the mass. Once they are The biblical apostolate is a member of
installed, the lay ministers make up the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF)
the core team of the biblical apostolate through the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
of the diocese. ence of the Philippines (CBCP). Alun-
The bible core team is ideally com- day explained that CBCP is the only
posed of five people headed either by a full member of the Catholic Biblical
priest or a nun. Two young people and Federation. Other biblical centers in the
two adults comprise the members. Philippines are associate members, like
Alunday said it is important to Paul VI of Mindanao and JPIBC. CBF
have young people in the team since members meet every 7 years. The Phil-
they can reach out to the youth and ippines is represented by the Chairman
can teach songs to older people in the and Executive secretary of ECBA.
community. Alunday expressed satisfaction on
Photos courtesy of CBCP Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate
the services WABI has rendered to the
dioceses in its 16 years of existence.
Musing on the difficulties they encoun-
tered in the beginning, Alunday cannot
help but voice out his surprise on how
positively WABI is doing now. He re-
called how difficult it was for them to
get professors to teach in the institute.
Now getting professors to teach seems
like a breeze.
“Can you imagine five doctors for
a three-week institute, with their own
field [of expertise]? Liturgy, bible, re-
ligious education…,” Alunday rattled
off.
The institute accepts around 30 to 50
regular students every summer. They
pay their board and lodging for a three-
week stay.
Alunday said living together gives
the participants an experience of com-
munity life and the ability to work as
a team.
WABI aims to form Lay Ministers
of the Word who live by the word as a
family man and can contribute in creat-
ing a new way of being Church through
basic ecclesial communities centered on
the word of God.
Alunday hopes that through WABI
similar institutes in local churches will
be strengthened to provide biblical for-
mation to people hungry on the word
of God. He is confident dioceses will
give priority to forming people for the
biblical-pastoral ministry. He said it is
important that people are fired up by
the word of God, because this is what
will remain in them and eventually
passed on to the next generation of
leaders.
WABI is an experience, Alunday
opined. It is making “the Word alive
in people’s lives and hearts.”

7 Questions / B1

the prompting of the Holy Spirit. human, intellectual, spiritual and

How is the family and life program
in your diocese?
The Commission on Family and
Life in the Archdiocese of Capiz
continues to nurture and empower
people through ministry to families
in 33 parishes/chaplaincies and 4
deaneries. The office provides minis-
try through resources and programs
to support the spiritual needs of indi-
viduals and families. All parishes are
encouraged to appoint one more fam-
ily and life coordinators to facilitate
linkage to the Archdiocesan Family
and Life office for opportunities that
every parish could avail as they work
with families.
The Commission on Family and
Life Office of Capiz offers the fol-
lowing foremost programs: Pre Cana,
Natural Family Planning, Counseling
Referrals and Marriage Validation.
Other Family and Life services are
being facilitated by CFM, CFC and
other Renewal Communities, such as
Marriage Encounter, Self Encounter,
Tipanan, Soup Kitchen, Family Re-
treats OCW support group, Divine
Mercy Monthly Weekend Retreat,
Teen Human Sexuality Seminar,
Pro-Life Advocacies and Symposium
and Drug Addiction Seminars for
the Youth
How is the quality and quantity of
vocations entering the seminary
today?
Many young boys enter the St. Pius
X Seminary as minor seminarians.
Usually, there would be around 80
first year high school seminarians di-
vided into two sections. Each section
has 40 seminarians more or less. Af-
ter four years, the 80 seminarians are
cut into 40+ who will graduate from
high school. Around 35% of these
graduates will proceed to college.
After four years, more than half will
graduate. Of these graduates, around
3 to 5 seminarians will proceed to
theology. Usually, they remain in
theology until they graduate.
The seminary formators in both mi-
nor and major seminaries are trying
their best to mold these seminarians
to become good priests. In college
and theology, they are normally re-
ceptive to seminary formation. They
are being trained to be responsible in
the different areas of formation—the
pastoral—taking to mind the culture
of Capiz as a province and the local
Church of Capiz.
Material and technological prog-
ress in the province, however, have
in some ways altered the lifestyle of
Capiceños. It somehow affected also
the lifestyle and outlook of seminar-
ians. Hence, the need to emphasize
to them their priorities in life, the
values of sacrifice, hard work, de-
termination, and vocation to the
priesthood.
Vocations entering the seminary
today can be influenced by a lot of
factors like family, school or parish.
On the other hand, vocations can be
diminished or destroyed by other fac-
tors like materialism, the need to help
families financially or the pursuit of
other motives.
What is your take on the secular me-
dia’s treatment of Church issues?
Church’s issues, events and per-
sonalities are well exposed by secular
media practitioners. The fact, how-
ever, is many of those engaged in me-
dia industry are not professionally
trained on media ethics to become
responsible media practitioners.
Secular media take for granted that
the majority of the people involved in
social communication in any capacity
are conscientious individuals who
want to do the right thing.
Due to the lack of training and val-
ue formation of media practitioners
they would rather say their job is to
report things as they are. The prob-
lem takes various forms. Instead of
explaining complex matters carefully
and truthfully, news media avoid or
oversimplify them.
Secular media most commonly ig-
nore and marginalize religious ideas
and experience; treating religion
with incomprehension, perhaps even
contempt, as an object of curiosity
that does not merit serious atten-
tion; promoting religious fads at the
expense of traditional faith; treating
legitimate religious groups with hos-
tility weighing religion and religious
experience by secular standards of
what is appropriate, and favoring
religious views that conform to
secular tastes over those that do not;
trying to imprison transcendence
within the confined of rationalism
and skepticism.
Mindanao Organic Farmers
Advocate Sustainable Agriculture
By Rachliez May D. Cruz
THE Social Action Center (SAC)-Justice and Peace of the
Diocese of Butuan celebrated the 3rd Farmers’ Day on May
21-24, bannering the theme “Kabalaan ug Kusog sa Kauma-
han, Kinabuhi sa Kinaiyahan”. Hundreds of organic farming
advocates from the entire Dioceses of Mindanao witnessed
the festivity.
The diocese celebrated the month of May as “Farmers
Month” in observance of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) declaration to celebrate May 15 as
National Farmers Day. The celebration is a venue to discuss
significant issues such as farmers’ rights, a re-awakening
and deepening of the burning issues that definitely stir the
farmers’ consciousness, the farmers’ role in nation building,
technology-transfer, organic trade fair, and solidarity among
networks and partners.
In this year’s event, the SAC-Justice and Peace also hosted
the Inter-Diocesan Sustainable Agriculture Networks (ID-
SANet) in Mind-
anao that fell on
the Butuan Di-
ocesan Farmers’
“If it has not been by the emergence of Sus-
Day Celebration tainable Agriculture Program of the Diocese,
last May 22-24.
The four-day
this event could never be happened. And if it is,
celebration of it would be a different story. Thanks to Bishop
the congress was
packed with nu- Pueblos who believe that farmer is a true scien-
merous activities.
There was a con-
tist, to Bishop Jimenez and all the priests and
celebrated Mass the farmers who supported us all the way,” said
at St. Joseph Ca-
thedral, Butuan Butuan SAC Director Ronello J. Barsatan.
City by the two
Bishops of Butuan, Most. Rev. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, D.D.
and Most. Rev Zacharias C. Jimenez, D.D.
144 IDSANet delegates from 18 Dioceses of Mindanao
represented by priests, Social Action Staff, organic farmer
partners and twenty-one local farmers’ organizations from
the two provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur,
came for the congress.
The venue was at Sustainable Agriculture Resource Center,
Pigadaulan, a 7 km. ride from the city of Butuan. Delegates
were greeted with an impressive giant exhibit of banners
that represent each diocese of Mindanao. Also at display
were flaglets, slogans, and tarpaulins that advocate anti-Ge-
netically Modified Organisms, anti-Mining Act of 1995, and
photo exhibits of farmer partners’ successful stories. Another
remarkable sight was the comprehensive panorama of Diver-
sified and Integrated Organic Farming System (DIOFS) and
other Sustainable Agriculture technologies and innovations
that is the “heart” of the area.
Three hours of continuous entertainment filled up the
cultural night. A group of young boys and girls presented a
play that portrayed the concept and guiding principles of Sus-
tainable Agriculture, where Integrity of Creation, Inorganic
Agriculture, Seven Dimensions of Sustainable Agriculture,
and Traditional Farming, had its own unfolding scene.
Among the guests that night were Hon. Mayor Boy Dako
Plaza and some of his councilors.
Organic Food Tasting Festival, an activity long been prac-
ticed by the Sustainable Agriculture Program of the Social
Action Center, was held during lunchtime where 55 lines/va-
rieties of cooked organic rice harvested from the local farmer
partners were served on a long table. Judges were partner
NGOs, government agencies from the DENR and DA, local
officials, and Bishop Pueblos. Top ten lines were identified
after the judges tasted the 55 different varieties of organic
rice with no viand at the side.
The participants were brought to the different areas of
the pilot parishes of Social Action Center to gain insight on
Natural Farming
Technology Sys-
tem on Hog Rais-
ing. Other areas
showcasing trial
farms, diversified
and integrated
organic farming
system models,
livelihood initia-
tives, organized
local organiza-
tions (women and
organic farmers)
were also visited.
One-hour press
conference was held to advocate Sustainable Agriculture
to the public. Farmers from different dioceses gave testi-
monies.
Resource Speaker Mary Josephine Caguranga gave an in-
put on Biodynamic Farming and Genetic Engineering which
the farmers found interesting. It was followed by open forum
and spirited discussions.
Local radio stations aired live interviews with Program
Coordinator of Sustainable Agriculture Marites Nuñez, and
farmer-partners from Agusan Organic Farmers Federation
(AGOFAFED), a group of organic farmer organizations
from the different pilot areas facilitated by the Social Action
Center (SAC).
“If it has not been by the emergence of Sustainable Agri-
culture Program of the Diocese, this event could never be
happened. And if it is, it would be a different story. Thanks
to Bishop Pueblos who believe that farmer is a true scientist,
to Bishop Jimenez and all the priests and the farmers who
supported us all the way,” said Butuan SAC Director Ronello
J. Barsatan.

vol11-n13 B.indd 4 6/27/2007 8:17:09 PM

 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007 Statements B5

The Social Significance

of the Devotion to the
Pondo ng Pinoy
(Homily delivered by His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, on the occasion of the 3rd Anni-
Sacred Heart versary of Pondo ng Pinoy on June 16, 2007 at the La Salle Greenhills gym, San Juan City.)
THERE is a dictum that says wise men count the littleness of even the act of smiling if a to the needs of others. The key to all these is
IN the distress and crises which our people are experiencing their blessings, the fools, their problems. coin is not available that appeals to people, the love that Jesus Christ taught and lived for
at this time, more than and in addition to turning to gov- In PONDO NG PINOY all that we can re- like you and me. It is so easy to become part us. In a certain sense, PONDO NG PINOY is
ernment and to one another, let us turn to the great icon of member, everything that we count, every bit of the little; it is almost natural to identify a school in life where character and virtue,
social charity, which is the Sacred Heart of Jesus that we are and item received and shared are blessings. with the least. It is so easy to become friend principles and values are intertwined. No
celebrating today. For compassion and acts of mercy we need From the time of its launching on June 12, of the weak. Everybody loves the underdog. classroom lectures, none of the experts’ elu-
not a political or social symbol that is imperfect or even cor- 2004, nay from the moment of conceiving the It is a very good beginning; love the weak. cidation. PONDO NG PINOY’s laboratory
rupted, but a spiritual symbol like Jesus Christ who allowed idea of sharing little pieces of bread, a few Jesus loved the poor. What else do you make is life itself. You have been loved by no less
his Sacred Heart to be pierced out of love for mankind, and centavos, done in love for God and in com- of PONDO NG PINOY, if not “the embrace than God; love has been shared with you by
who gave Himself as Eucharist to be the symbol of the love passion for the poor, people came in groups, of the poor”? those who love you—parents, elders, and the
of the Trinity for us. in threes and twos, as family, as friends, as Fourth. PONDO NG PINOY gives you the family. Awaken to that giftedness. You are
On this occasion, we invite the Parish Priests leading the parishes—they, like you and you among chance not only to give, but to serve others. loved. Do likewise!
people’s devotion to the Sacred Heart in this month of June them, you are the friends and children of This reminds us of the saying of Jesus Christ Lastly, in PONDO NG PINOY you see
to consecrate his people and the leaders of the people to the PONDO NG PINOY. that He came to serve and not to be served. many faces. Friends, acquaintances, class-
Sacred Heart towards an “inventive charity,” a charity that What makes PONDO NG PINOY so ap- (Mark 10:45). When any person serves s/he mates, officemates, bosses, employers and
distributes the bread which God is causing even now to be pealing, so alluring to people? There’s a cer- gets a new purpose in life. Just try giving employees, the rich and the poor, the fami-
multiplied. If we are ready to distribute the bread, God is more tain attractiveness to PONDO NG PINOY. something no matter how small, and im- lies—all believing in the one thing Jesus that
than willing to multiply them. Our selfishness, our desire to God put it there. mediately a new purpose looms in your life. taught—that love is still
simply hoard the treasures of this earth, is one cause why First of all, PONDO NG PINOY simplifies Why did you do it? Why did you give? A new and is always possi-
the bread is not multiplied and why it does not reach the good acts! Gone are the thoughts and days direction bids you to go forward. When you ble in any and every
table of the poor. When the Sacred Heart said to the twelve when one must think of great things to give give, you are (being) called to pursue this circumstance. No
“Give them food yourselves,” he was telling them when or wait for a colossal occasion to donate or path. You are actually being accompanied matter how dark
you are ready to distribute even the little resources that you display a benefaction or donation. Goodness to renew yourself. Magbigay ka sa PONDO is the night and
have—five loaves and two fish—then I will multiply them can equally be shared by the big and the NG PINOY at dahan-dahang magbabago ang dreary the sur-
for the thousands to eat. small, the rich and the poor. It is PONDO pala-isipan mo, ang pagpapahalaga mo. rounding and
Pope Benedict XVI writing in 1981 as Joseph Cardinal NG PINOY that has glori- still made dark-
Ratzinger, challenges us to nothing less: “In the Heart of fied the twenty-five centavo
coin. Was that small coin in
In a certain sense, PONDO NG er by others,
Jesus, the center of Christianity is set before us. It expresses in PONDO
everything, all that is genuinely new and revolutionary in the currency incapable of buy- PINOY is a school in life where char- NG PI-
ing a piece of candy? Truth
new covenant. This Heart calls to our hearts. It invites us to
step forth out of this futile attempt of self-preservation and, to say, a 25-centavo coin
acter and virtue, principles and values NOY

by joining in the task of love, by handing ourselves to him may not even be enough are intertwined. No classroom lec-
and with him, to discover the fullness of love which alone is to pay for the wrapping of
eternity and which alone sustains the world. the candy. Children do not tures, none of the experts’ elucidation.
When will the bread of economic development so popu-
larly professed reach the table of the millions of poor in the
even play with it; they kick
the coin under the table,
PONDO NG PINOY’s laboratory is
Philippines? chair or pavement. Today life itself. You have been loved by no
and because of PONDO NG
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, DD PINOY the young and the less than God; love has been shared
Archbishop of Jaro old collect the same useless with you by those who love you—
CBCP President coin, put them in plastic
June 15, 2007 bottle containers and like the parents, elders, and the family.
piece of bread and crumbs
gathered in the Gospel they
Awaken to that giftedness.
form the core of the present You are loved. Do likewise!
Trust God at All Time, day miracle of feeding the
malnourished and building
homes for the poor, giving water, and form
My People! (Ps.62:9)
PONDO NG PINOY helps change one’s we say love is still possible. And the beauty
a sum loaned to the poor for a small busi- attitude and purifies individual values; for of it all and with the guarantee of Jesus,
ness start-up. how can one explain repeated little acts and democratized charity and love. Today be-
Second. The movement, PONDO NG yet the same is done with regularity and fore God and with our communities as wit-
PINOY, has reminded us (if not taught us) above all with joy? Through those daily nesses—not only the rich or the better able
MY dear People of God in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga: that the little bit of a 25-centavo coin can and repeated acts something changes in the are capable of helping. Even the poor, the
Grief and anxiety, pain and anger, hope and solidarity— be tagged with the love of Jesus Christ. So attitude or mental outlook of the PONDO little children can live—not just give—a life
these are some of the experiences of our people today. These powerful/commanding is that piece of coin NG PINOY practitioner. He becomes more of charity and love. In a democracy of love
experiences are once again brought to the fore in the wake of that it can be given in the name of the love generous, not only in giving or lending little there are many acts of kindness, but only
the abduction of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi of the Pontifical Institute of Jesus. PONDO NG PINOY has taught us, help. Above all this big or little practitioner one way of life, style of life and hierarchy of
for Foreign Missions (PIME) last June 10, 2007. young and old, that when you “whisper a slowly becomes big hearted; he is more ready values—Love, PAGMAMAHAL SA DIYOS
The Archdiocese of Zamboanga, in no uncertain terms, prayer” as you drop the coin into the bottle to understand, to be kinder in his thoughts AT SA KAPWA. All our acts in life, in the
condemns his kidnapping. or any container, the coin, small as it is, be- and in his heart. Ang kasama sa PONDO NG community begin, end and are summarized
In the entire Prelature of Ipil and in the Parish of Payao, comes a prayer, yet still in the bottle it speaks PINOY ay madaling makaunawa. in love.
people from the different religious affiliations have launched to those who see. It appeals to others “come At kapag hawak-hawak na niya ang beinte- Iisa ang mukha ng bawat PONDO NG PI-
prayer services for Fr. Bossi; in constant prayer around the and join me.” But above all, the prayer is to singko at may ibinulong siya kay Kristo. Ang NOY practitioner—mukha ng nagmamahal.
clock, they kept vigil for his safety and release. This is truly Jesus, “Dearest Lord, this is only a small, sarili na niya ang simula ng milagro. Madali In PONDO NG PINOY we all look alike—
moving and inspiring. In these prayerful gatherings, we could nearly useless coin, but begin the miracle siyang maaawa! Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang we are all, please God, trying to be, appear
see the spirit of the Risen Lord alive in the hearts of people now—touch the hunger, the thirst and the Pag-ibig ng Panginoon ang siyang magiging CHRIST-LIKE.
amidst sorrow and pain. needs of others, especially the poor, with Pag-asa ng Pilpino! This too is the reason why the story of one
In solidarity with the Prelature of Ipil, the PIME missionar- this coin.” Ang PONDO NG PINOY ay isang pandayan is the story of everyone. Again we will this
ies, Fr. Bossi’s personal family and the people Fr. Bossi has Third. Any Filipino can easily iden- ng mabuting tao na dahan-dahan, sa tulong ng time, hear the true story of Jayjay Estrada.
served over the years, I ask the faithful of the Archdiocese tify with the littleness of the movement mga maliliit na pagsasanay sa kaliitan at kabuti- This time from his own mother and teacher.
to pray for his safety and immediate release and to reflect of PONDO NG PINOY. This is the easiest hang ipinangaral at ipinakita ni Kristo ay gaga- They will tell you who Jayjay was, how old,
on the message of this crisis. We also pray for those who movement to join. One does not even have wain na ikaw at ako, TAYO ay magiging mga how young and yet how faithful to PONDO
are working patiently and untiringly for his safe release. I to give his or her name. No ID’s needed, no taong tunay na kalarawan ng Maykapal, mabub- NG PINOY until his last.
commend those who have participated in organized prayer endorsement required. No checking, you uting Pilipino, Mamamayan at Kristiyano. But that is the beauty of PONDO NG PI-
assemblies in the last few days. check yourself. No reminding, you remind PONDO NG PINOY is a workshop, a NOY, everyone’s good story and good points
I call upon our people to join parish-based prayer assem- yourself. When you love, and PONDO NG workplace where through the means of little are also your story. It has to be our same story
blies. I urge you all to form communities of prayer in schools, PINOY is a movement, a crusade of love acts of kindness symbolized by the littlest and life…because every good act, every 25-
offices, places of work, families and groups. Let this be an for God and compassion for those who are good act (“like a mustard seed”), any person, centavos is the love JESUS retold again and
occasion for us to come together to pray for Fr. Bossi. Let needy, every little chance to say “I love you” young or old, of whatever status, creed and this time in your life.
this be also an occasion for us to strengthen our resolve to becomes “I do this because I love you.” It is persuasion is tutored to be alert and sensitive Praise the Lord for PONDO NG PINOY!
promote peace based on real development.
May our Blessed Mother, Nuestra Señora del Pilar, protect
and accompany Fr. Bossi in a special way during this difficult
time of his captivity.
Divine Word Missionaries (SVD)
Sincerely yours in the Lord, Asia Pacific Biblical Apostolate Coordinators’ Meeting
+ ROMULO G. VALLES, DD
Archbishop of Zamboanga
June 16, 2007
Divine Word Retreat House, Baguio City - May 20-23, 2007
Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
WE, the twenty enthusiastic Apostolate. Even though there the spirit of Prophetic Dialogue guidelines, policies) into the over-
Biblical Apostolate (BA) coor- is a constant effort to inculturate through: all direction of the province;
dinators, representing the dif- the Word of God in our liturgies • Integrating the Word of • Improving communication
ferent provinces/regions in the and activities, we know that we God in all our ministries, try- among ourselves, especially on
The CBCPWorld Network SVD Asia Pacific (ASPAC) zone,
gathered in Baguio City and San
can still do more. We should
also improve our communica-
ing to attune ourselves with the
dynamics of finding a balance
zonal events and celebrations
(BA, centennial of St. Joseph
Fernando City, Northern Philip- tion among coordinators and between life and text; and St. Arnold, United Catho-
A network of Dioceses, Parishes, Catholic pines, from May 20-26, 2007. The our participation in important • Looking for new and cre- lic Chinese Biblical Apostolate
Schools and religious groups. Today, over theme that guided us throughout milestone celebrations in the ative ways of reading, sharing – UCCBA).
the meeting was “Living Prophetic Church that have to do with the and living the word of God in In conclusion, doing Biblical
a hundred of them nationwide. Pursuing Dialogue: His Life is our Life.” The Biblical Apostolate. daily life; Apostolate should start with our-
one mission, linked under one nationwide
www.cbcpworld.com | training@cbcpworld.net | +632 4041612, 4042182

satellite system. Connected together with
the same passion for the Gospel.
Our Broadband Connectivity is delivered
to our network members through a VSAT
system on a C-band or through a wireless IP
system on a microwave platform, originating
from our network operations center in Clark
Special Economic Zone in Angeles City.
Our Content Department aims at saturating
the cyberspace with wholesome contents
that are faith-related, educational and so-
cial-advocacy oriented. Its services are: web
designing, web maintenance, web hosting,
content sourcing and editing, and video
production.
Our Traning Department conducts the fol-
lowing trainings: EdTech, IT Awareness, We-
bArt, Systems Administrations Training.
gathering followed two main ob-
jectives, namely, to evaluate the
implementation of the Madang
2004 resolutions and to reflect
on the implications of the XVI
General Chapter statement and
resolutions on Biblical Aposto-
late in our Zone.
As we looked into our zonal
situation, we are encouraged to
find confreres who are commit-
ted in animating one another in
reading the Bible and Living the
Word. Earnest efforts have been
made to integrate the four SVD
characteristic dimensions into
our missionary life as well as in
our formation programs. Worthy
of noting is the contribution of
confreres to both the local and
universal Church through the
Biblical Apostolate and through
their cooperation in the Catholic
Biblical Federation (CBF).
The rich religious pluralistic
heritage and environment of our
people and their thirst for the
Word of God has given birth to a
considerable number of lay part-
ners committed in the Biblical
Reflecting upon this situa-
tion, we find a meaningful and
challenging dynamics for our
Biblical Apostolate between
LIFE and TEXT. The move-
ment from LIFE to TEXT starts
when we encounter the people.
They become our partners with
concrete names and faces. Their
present context, their aspira-
tions and questions will help us
to read these realities in the light
of God’s Word (cf. Lk. 7:24-30).
The movement from TEXT to
LIFE consists in returning to the
sources. In the light of the XVI
General Chapter we are called
to be animators among our
confreres for them to become
Word-centered communities.
The TEXT (Bible, Constitutions
and other SVD Documents) is a
permanent reminder of the cen-
trality of God’s Word in our life
and mission (cf. IDW 6, 29).
Journeying with St. Arnold
and St. Joseph in the next trien-
nium, we, the ASPAC Biblical
Coordinators, commit ourselves
to witnessing to the Word in
• Allowing ourselves to be
evangelized by our dialogue
partners as we evangelize them
through ongoing biblical-pasto-
ral formation;
• Strengthening the continuity
of the Biblical Apostolate Pro-
grams and the integration of the
Biblical Apostolate (directives,
PARTICIPANTS
1. Fr. Guido Tisera
2. Fr. William Burt
3. Fr. Paskalis Bako
4. Fr. Oscar Alunday
5. Fr. Jerome Adriatico
6. Fr. Dominador Flores
7. Fr. Lukas Jua
8. Fr. Josef Masan Toron
9. Fr. Joseph Xavier
10. Fr. Jose Joseph Kollemkunnel
11. Fr. Eugene Ziebura
12. Fr. Odilon Yoo Yong Duck
13. Fr. Jaimelito Gealan
14. Fr. Renato Malbog
15. Fr. Marcelo Cattaneo
16. Fr. Osvaldo Metz
17. Fr. Paul Zhou Qian
18. Fr. Valentine Gryk
19. Fr. Dominador Ramos
20. Fr. Manolito Barona
21. Fr. Nicandro Vergara
22. Mr. Joel Bugtong
23. Mr. Jenaro Christopher Molina
selves as St. Joseph Freinademetz
said, “How happy it should make
us to be allowed to help in some
small way in sowing the good
seed, the Divine Gardener de-
mands that we undergo a kind of
test, that we first cultivate a small
plot, our own heart” (As Wine
Poured Out, p. 41).
- SVD BA Coordinator (Rome, Generalate)
- ASPAC Zonal Coordinator (Australia)
- ASPAC BA Zonal Coordinator (Taiwan, China)
- ECBA-CBCP Executive Secretary (Philippines)
- PHN Provincial Superior (Philippines North)
- AUS BA Director (Australia)
- IDE BA Director (Indonesia Ende)
- IDR BA Director (Indonesia Ruteng)
- INC BA Director (India Central)
- INM BA Director (India Mumbai)
- JPN BA Director – proxy (Japan)
- KOR BA Director (Korea)
- PHN BA Director (Philippines North)
- PHC BA Director (Philippines Central)
- PHC BA Director (Philippines South)
- SIN BA Director (Hongkong, China)
- SIN BA Director (China)
- PNG BA Director (Papua New Guinea)
- JPIBC Director (Northern Philippines/Cordillera)
- BA Director (Philippines North, Abra)
- BA Director (Philippines North, Cagayan)
- JPIBC staff (Philippines North, Vigan)
- DWBA staff (Philippines Central, Manila)

vol11-n13 B.indd 5 6/27/2007 8:17:10 PM

 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007

Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, DD

Evangelized by Nanay Pina

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12,17-20)
July 8, 2007
WHEN the Lord appointed seventy-
two other disciples and sent them
in pairs to every town and place he
intended to visit, he told them: “The
harvest is abundant but the laborers are
few so ask the harvest master to send
laborers for his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) Of
the 6.6 billion people all over the world,
1.1 billion are Catholics. It is quite
obvious that looking at these figures,
there is no question about the scarcity
of priests, religious and lay faithful
serving the Church and actively doing
the work of evangelization. We can call
this the phenomenon of “fewness” in
serving the Church. But fewness, in
the ultimate analysis, makes us realize
the sad fact that with the big population
of Catholics, especially in our country,
there are only a few who have seen the
real light of Christ. A great number of
the harvest has become complacent,
indifferent, and uninvolved in being
authentically Catholic. The challenge is
to reveal Jesus Christ to the community
of believers who have been touched
by his love and presence. But we can
only do this if we heed this advice of
Paul VI: “The Church is an evangelizer,
but she begins by being evangelized
herself… she has a constant need of be-
ing evangelized, if she wishes to retain
freshness, vigor and strength in order his providence and plans as we serve Nanay Pina never thought she would is a frequent guest speaker in important
to proclaim the Gospel.” (Evangelii Him. become a catechist, since she only fin- events held at her barangay. In these
Nuntiandi, n. 15, Cf. Acts and Decrees Josepina Valdes, one of the catechists ished Grade One. For her, God’s ways gatherings, she gives a testimony of
of PCP-II, p. 59) Thus, before we can of our diocese, evangelized me in my are surprising and mysterious. She her life and shares how she has also
truly evangelize others effectively, we service to the Church. Nanay Pina as shared that she had a lump in her stom- become a Godmother to a number of
must first be evangelized. she is lovingly called holds catechism ach which was miraculously healed. children of the First Communicants she
Evangelization becomes even more classes in one of the public elementary After this happened, she made a vow to once prepared. On special occasions,
difficult when we take to heart the schools of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Rain or the Lord that she will serve the Church she is fondly remembered by many as
many demands of proclaiming the shine, she will be seen limping with her by being a catechist. To prepare herself a significant person who made God
Gospel. Jesus said straightforwardly: deformed right foot as she goes to the for the task, she attended a training known to them and who made them
“Behold, I am sending you like lambs classroom to give catechism classes to seminar for catechists. But the process love God.
among the wolves. Carry no money elementary students. Since she became was not an easy task. She struggled Although, Nanay Pina is already
71 years old, she is still one of the cat-
Like Nanay Pina, we must be encouraged to serve the Lord in the best way we echists who joined the newly offered
formal catechetical course organized
can. Let no obstacle hinder our task to serve God and his people. After all, the Lord by our diocese. She listens attentively
Jesus tells us: “Behold I have given you power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scor- to the facilitators of the course and par-
ticipates actively in the discussion. She
pions, and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.” (Luke would often say that even if she offers
10:19) In the words of John Paul II: “Be not afraid!” her whole life serving the Lord, it will
never be enough for the marvels God
bag, no sack no sandals and greet no a catechist in 1989, she has been prepar- in building up her self-esteem due to has done in her.
one along the way….” (Luke 10:3ff) ing children for First Communion and her lack of education. But she always Like Nanay Pina, we must be en-
Even though we may be so eager to Confirmation. Each time she comes to remembered that most of the disciples couraged to serve the Lord in the best
serve the Church, we must be prepared class she prays: “Panginoon, hindi ako called and chosen by Jesus had a simi- way we can. Let no obstacle hinder our
to endure the many tests and trials magsasalita kung hindi ka magsasalita lar experience. Whenever she recalled task to serve God and his people. After
of service. There will be people very para sa akin”. (Lord, I will not speak what the first disciples underwent, she all, the Lord Jesus tells us: “Behold I
difficult to evangelize. We must be unless you speak for me.) True enough, would not give up her desire to serve have given you power to ‘tread upon
prepared for rejection. As we do God’s she attests that God puts into her mouth God, whatever the circumstance, what- serpents’ and scorpions, and upon the
work, we must also be detached from every word she speaks in her Catechism ever the cost. full force of the enemy and nothing will
our own sources of security, even our class. The children enjoy listening to her Nanay Pina never married; but the harm you.” (Luke 10:19) In the words
expectations. God calls us to trust in many stories about Jesus. community has become her family. She of John Paul II: “Be not afraid!”

Fr. Roy Cimagala Atty. Jo Imbong

Market-driven Morality Where is Up?

THIS came to my mind when a
group of friends, all laymen and
professionals working in differ-
ent fields, talked about develop-
ments in the economy here and
abroad.
They were amazed at the rate
China is developing and at how it
is fabricating imitation products
whose quality varies according
to price, material used, expected
lifespan of the item, etc.
The Chinese, they said, can
also produce high-quality cop-
ies that can last. But, of course,
they will be more expensive than
the usual ones that last only for
a month or two. Still, they are
much cheaper than the original,
and can be a real good buy.
I remember that some years
ago, in preparation for my ordi-
nation in Rome, I went to buy a
new pair of shoes. When I saw
a pair that I liked, I asked the
saleslady if that pair would last
long. She immediately retorted,
“But why do you like it to last
long?”
I took a double take before I
could process what she just said.
It went frontally against how I
was brought up. I tried my best
not to look third-worldly. I was
not sure whether I succeeded.
Anyway, I just bought the pair
because it was within budget—
beggars cannot be choosers. But
the retort of the clerk lingered
long in my mind. As it turned
out, the shoes were good only
for a few uses.
Bo Sanchez
Only Love Heals
YESTERDAY, I read about this
woman who bought a parrot
from a pet store. But she went
back the next day complain-
ing to the sales lady, “It hasn’t
spoken a single word!” So the
sales clerk advised, “Why don’t
you buy a mirror? Some parrots
need to see themselves to get
them talking.” Excitedly, the
woman bought a mirror and
went home.
The next day, she came back
and said, “It ain’t talking yet!”
The sales clerk suggested a lad-
der this time. “Moving up and
down the ladder may stimulate
the parrot to speak.” So she
purchased a tiny ladder for the
parrot.
But the next day, she came
barging back into the store de-
claring, “Nothing has worked!
It hasn’t made a sound.” The
sales clerk was equally frus-
trated and said, “How about a
nice see-saw? That sometimes
helps them get more verbally
active.” So off the woman went
with her seesaw.
Finally, the next morning, the
woman returns forlorn. “It’s
Now, I can understand why
there is need for products to
move fast in the market. I have
to apologize to my parents and
elders, because I think there’s
also a reason why products
should not be made to last very
long.
Business needs to go at a fast
clip, so money circulation can
get faster, employment can also
go up, especially giving room
to our creative minds who
Market-driven behavior undermines one’s
conscience, giving the impression nothing is
permanent and absolute, everything changes
and is relative, and leading people to
materialism, consumerism, etc., all against
the Christian virtue of poverty and
detachment.
never run out of new ideas and
styles. All these are good for the
economy.
Besides, there are people, like
the yuppies, who like to change
styles very often and who can
afford. In other words, there
is demand or market for it, es-
pecially considering the grow-
ing population and improving
economy.
And there’s the expected
over-all effect that such dy-
namism will lend vitality and
modernity to our society. That’s
the upside.
dead,” she groaned.
“Oh, no!” The sales lady
inquired, “Did it even say one
word before it died?”
“Well, yes,” the woman
sighed, “before it dropped
dead, it said, ‘Doesn’t that pet
store sell any food?’”
I’ve been part of Catholic
communities most of my life,
and one of the humbling real-
We can have the best preachers, the best
evangelists, the best teachers—but if our
leaders are not first of all lovers, community
life will not last.
izations I have is that as mem-
bers, we can get very enamored
and impressed with the mirrors,
the ladders, and see-saws of
community life. We’re green
with envy when we hear that
other “bigger” communities
have “more” to offer—more
teachings, more ministries,
more programs. So we get very
busy to be like them, creating
sophisticated teaching pro-
grams, detailed organization
The downside is that this mar-
ket-driven behavior undermines
one’s conscience, giving the
impression nothing is perma-
nent and absolute, everything
changes and is relative, and
leading people to materialism,
consumerism, etc., all against
the Christian virtue of poverty
and detachment.
It takes away our soul’s moor-
ings. It can harm the spiritual
character and supernatural tone
of our thoughts, words and
deeds. Our attitudes can suffer
serious damage, as they lose
their linkage with God and his
law.
All these can come about
because in a market-driven
economy, the tendency is only
for external, purely social and
economic values to be consid-
ered.
The finer values are often
omitted. The work of one’s
conscience is skipped, while the
impulses of the hormones and
emotions, and the play of the
charts, with complex outreach
ministries. And yet at the end
of the day, do we starve our-
selves dry?
We can get so preoccupied
with other stuff, we don’t have
time to love people.
Because we can have the best
preachers, the best evangelists,
the best teachers—but if our
leaders are not first of all lovers,
community life will not last.
(The forms, activities, and struc-
tures may remain, but if you
look inside, it’s hallow. People
are dying because they’re not
receiving love—or giving it to
each other.)
That’s pathetic.
The more I live in community,
the more I believe that it’s es-
sentially about “loving friends.”
That’s as corny, as simple, as
glorious as I can define it. Bot-
blind market forces are given
full rein.
This is something which we
should try to avoid always. In
grappling with our material
needs, we should never ignore
the important role played by our
conscience.
Our conscience is that judg-
ment we make to determine
whether a choice we
are making is good or bad
because it truly brings us to God
or away from him, or because
it truly enriches us as a person,
a good citizen, a child of God,
or not.
The judgment made by our
conscience goes beyond the
practicality or convenience of
a matter considered. It goes
beyond purely human and tem-
poral criteria. Rather, it brings
us to our ultimate supernatural
end.
I am afraid that many people,
especially the young ones in
developed but very worldly
countries, are neglecting this.
They appear to be at the mercy
of purely human and temporal
criteria.
The usual result is that they
end up being selfish, self-con-
tained and indifferent as well
as vulnerable to other vices and
weaknesses like lust, frivolity,
disordered ambition.
We have to think of an effec-
tive strategy to remove them
from this very anomalous pre-
dicament.
tom line, community is about
loving each other in ordinary,
non-dramatic, unspectacular
ways.
A phone call when someone
is sick.
A simple meal together with
lots of laughter.
A small note for a discour-
aged companion.
A prayer intention.
A warm hug for an older
member of community.
A small cash gift when a
friend is out of job.
An offer to baby-sit for a tired
mother.
(In the end, these are the
simple things that will make
us saints!)
As a leader, I know I can’t
personally love every single
member of my community—for
they number in the thousands.
But if I can try to love—and be
a real friend—to those closest to
me, then perhaps that love will
be passed on.
Because only love heals.
Only love nourishes.
Only love makes commu-
nity.
PUT another way, do you know where down is? The answer
to that should be easy—if you know whereof you stand. For if
you are firmly grounded, you will also know where up is.
But not to an orchid, a cloned orchid agitated, interminably
stimulated, and goaded to grow into a 14-bloomer in each
stem. By the manner it was nurtured in its watery medium, it
never had a sense of where is up. Or down. Or which way is
sideways. It’s a good thing that it is only a flowering plant.
Imagine a person like you and me—perpetually agitated,
always in constant motion, with tiny audio clips hooked to
the vestibule of the ears, a thumb deftly tapping electronic
words into a marvelous hand-held toy, with the corner of the
eye enticed by towering neon signs of artificial icons smiling
with a packaged grin—we are perfect specimens of perpetual
stimulation. No wonder, there is no time to think and live.
We have cut ourselves off from the rhythm of everyday life
and have sprouted a multitude of roots in all directions—the
wrong directions—and pointing to nowhere. We have for-
gotten who we are and what we are willed to be. We can
no longer distinguish up from down, and vice versa. If God
were to drop by today for a surprise visit, He would be in
for a big surprise. The perfect creature he made in His image
and likeness has become unrecognizable. A caricature. How
did it come to this?
By the same method of manipulating an orchid’s embryo
to grow into a 14-blossom-perfect stem. Each time. Without
variation. Let me tell you how this is done.
They call it Biotechnology. In the Singapore Science Park,
one-cell orchid “embryos” are nestled in little square beds of
nurturing liquid. These beds are agitated every second in a
roundabout motion propelled by a mechanized/motorized
contraption attached to the row of containers. According to
the Lab technologist, the idea is to confuse the young orchids
as to which way is up or down or sideways. Why? So that not
knowing any better, the young seedlings will respond to the
interminable proddings by sprouting countless roots in all
But unlike the orchid, we are not flow-
ers. We are each a composite of body
and soul, unrepeatable, mysterious in
each one’s uniqueness. For God loves
variety. Otherwise, He could have cre-
ated everyone along just one common
bland formula, one boring template.
directions. That accounts for the 14-blossom-perfect orchid
stem that will soon emerge. The following week, that clone
will welcome you from a delicate vase on a glossy coffee table
as you open the door to your 5-star hotel suite.
But unlike the orchid, we are not flowers. We are each
a composite of body and soul, unrepeatable, mysterious in
each one’s uniqueness. For God loves variety. Otherwise, He
could have created everyone along just one common bland
formula, one boring template.
Orchids should be like persons. Left to their natural ele-
ments, there will normally be a variety of blooms in an Or-
chidarium—10, 12, or just 6 blossoms in one stem. Left to the
vagaries of its natural planting medium, an interesting mix of
stems should emerge, with the less endowed ones flowering
at their own sweet time, and emerging just as exquisite as
their 14-stemmed cousins. Some stems will be austere. Others
will be extravagant in their wild flights of delicate, floating
little white mini turtledoves on a phalaenopsis stem. How the
stems must have soaked up from its central roots the luscious
nitrogen that awakens them into wild white explosions! That
is what roots are for, in the first place. And the plant knows
where the roots should go—down. Not hither-thither.
The orchid’s story invites you and me to consider the
question: “On what are you grounded?” That is, if you are
grounded at all. “Which way is up for you? Which way is
down?”
Perhaps you have been herded into a corral where the
perimeters are askew and you do not even realize it? Have
you lost your true character? Have you let yourself be molded
into a lifestyle and attitude alien to your original nature? Will
the Divine Artist recognize in you His mark?
Maybe not. For He might only see a morph of a man, cut
off from the transcendent sources of his true nourishment.
“When the Son of Man comes...” beware.
He might find the human race dying, “like a great uprooted
tree, with its roots in the air.”

vol11-n13 B.indd 6 6/27/2007 8:17:11 PM

 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007 Social Concern B7
Caritas Manila Launches
Health Handbook for the Poor
By Choy Gagalac

CARITAS Manila has launched
a primary healthcare manual
for the poor last June 8, at
the San Nicolas de Tolentino
Chapel at the Gawad Kalinga
Compound in BASECO Port
Area, Manila. Auxiliary Bish-
op in charge of Social Services,
Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo,
led the launching and blessing
of the said book.
“Gabay at Lunas sa mga Ka-
raniwang Karamdaman,” the
health handbook contains in-
formation on common ailments
and diseases from symptoms,
causes, cures, preventions, to
patient care and preventive
measures. The book hopes to
provide primary health care
tips to urban poor families
around Metro Manila.
Written in communica-
tive style Filipino, each page
of “Gabay at Lunas sa mga
Karaniwang Karamdaman,”
features illustrations to facili-
tate better comprehension of
the various topics covering
each ailment being discussed
in the book.
According to Rev. Fr. Anton
C.T. Pascual, executive direc-
tor of Caritas Manila, provid-
ing the urban poor families
with necessary information
about health concerns and
common ailments is a way to
empower them and not make
them totally dependent on
dole-out medical missions and
programs from government
and concerned agencies.
“Urban poor families are just
like regular families. They also
don’t want to be a burden to
anyone and also does not want
to be lining up and begging
for assistance whenever they
feel something wrong. Most
of these people are decent peo-
ple too. And if we empower
them, teach them, give them a
chance, it would go a long way
in truly helping them manage
their health,” explained Fr.
Pascual. “In fact, a number of
Caritas Manila’s volunteers
come from the ranks of the
poor, they just have the advan-
tage of being exposed to the
various health programs and
information of Caritas Manila,
that is why they cope better,”
he added.
Caritas Manila was able to
produce 50,000 copies of the
said book. The book will
be distributed to urban poor
families through the parishes
in Metro Manila particularly in
the Archdiocese of Manila, and
the Dioceses of Cubao, Caloo-
can, Nova-
liches, Pasig and
Parañaque. Caritas
will disseminate
the handbooks to
pre-identified ur-
ban poor families
using the urban-
poor mapping
system started
this year by the
Social Services
and Develop-
ment Ministry
of the Arch-
diocese.
The manu-
script for the
health hand-
book was de-
rived from
health bro-
chures of
the prima-
ry health
care pro-
gram of
A l a y
Kapwa
Pang-
kulusugan or
AKAP, a non-government or-
ganization that has been lead- U n i -
ing the campaign for primary versity of the Phil-
healthcare and empowerment ippines College of Arts and
of communities headed by Literature served as language
former Department of Social consultant. Dr. Cecilia Tomas, ABOVE: The Caritas-released
Welfare and Development Dean of the College of Medi- module on health care. UPPER
Secretary and Philippine Na- cine of the University of the
tional Red Cross Governor, Philippines and some of her
LEFT: Hon. Rosario Uriarte,
Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera. colleagues served as science PCSO General Manager,
With the help of doctors led by consultants. Dr. Elena F. Bor- Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD,
Dr. Elisa T. Bantug-Baroque romeo of UNAIDS, Dr. Jean Auxiliary bishop of Manila, and
and Dr. Madeleine R. Valera, Marc Olive and Dr. Nerissa N. Rev. Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual,
the manuscript was revised, Dominguez of World Health Executive Director of Caritas
updated and transformed Organization also provided Manila, during the launching
to handbook format and the valuable assistance.
communication style was im- The primary health care
of the handbook. LOWER
proved to cater to urban poor manual is part of the Health LEFT: Bishop Pabillo signs the
families. and Nutrition Program of handbooks at the request of the
Dr. Jimmuel Naval of the Caritas Manila for 2007. beneficiaries.

The Social Concern Agenda Green Flag School Program

of AKKAPKA An Effort to Global Warming By Lou Valencia Arsenio

By Dr. Tess V. Romero
SINCE July 1986, the organization
AKKAPKA-CANV (Aksyon para sa
Kapayapaan at Katarungan-Center for
Active Non-Violence), founded by the
late Fr. Jose “Derps” C. Blanco, S.J., has
been promoting the Gospel values of
respecting the dignity, rights and qual-
ity of life of the human person, peace,
justice and integrity of creation through
the pursuit of active non-violence.
AKKAPKA-CANV carries out its FIT
(Formation-Information-Transforma-
tion) Programs through the pursuit
of seminar-workshops which deal on
the values, theories, principles and
methodologies of non-violence. Those
who have undergone the seminar-
workshops are organized into Base
Groups or communities of faith which
meet weekly to reflect and share on the
Gospel readings and act on issues that
affect the lives and quality of life of the
members of the Base Groups; they also
reflect on advocacy of issues and con-
cerns that affect not only the local life
of communities but also the national
and international milieu.
In the last national and local elec-
tions, a good number of our members
volunteered in their respective par-
ishes to be engaged as Parish Pasto-
ral Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV)—assisting voters to look for
their names in the voters’ list and poll
watching to ensure a credible and hon-
est elections.
In Alabat Island of Quezon Province,
our base groups are spread out in the
three municipalities of Alabat, Perez
and Quezon. They are active, along
with the different organizations affili-
ated with the SAGIP (Save) Lamon Bay,
in making sure that illegal fishing in the
said Bay does not proliferate. They are
also on the watch for illegal numbers
games like jueteng, “fruit games” and
“E-Z 2” which prey on the poor man’s
little earnings.
To help out in their livelihood con-
cerns, we have trained—with the as-
sistance of resource persons—some
members to become therapists in
order to provide health support and
services to those who cannot afford
the medical fees of doctors, as well
as to look for alternative sources of
healing, for example, through the use
of herbal medicine. A Therapy Center
has been established in Alabat for this
purpose. And with the assistance of
the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD),
our womenfolk in the areas have been
granted a license to manufacture and
produce virgin coconut oil for local
consumption as food supplement and
as massage oils.
In Manila, our group in Tondo, as
well as those in Alabat Island, are also
engaged in the feeding program of un-
dernourished children. While the base
groups in the prelature of Infanta reach
out to the out-of-school youth of far-
flung barangays in order to draw them
away from gambling and the use of il-
legal drugs by engaging them in useful
activities such as tree-planting and get-
ting them involved in the worthwhile
activities of the local SKs (Samahan ng
mga Kabataan sa Barangay).
On the international level, we have
been engaged, along with the various
international organizations, in a sig-
nature campaign to put a halt to the
American occupation of Iraq, for the G8
meeting in July to put in their agenda
the global warming of our planet, and
for Israel and Palestine to pursue the
Middle East Peace Talks.
THE Ecology Desk of the Archdiocese of Manila held a two-
day seminar dubbed Environmentally Safe School last June
7-8, 2007 at Lay Formation Center Auditorium, San Carlos
Pastoral Complex, Makati. Fifty participants composed of
teachers, students and school administrators attended the
workshop representing 18 schools: Colegio de San Agustin,
Saint Scholastica’s College, Colegio de San Letran, Lourdes
School of Mandaluyong, Holy Family School, San Andres,
Manila; San Juan Nepomuceno School of Malibay, Pasay,
St. Michael Parochial School of Jala-jala, Rizal, St. Francis
School of Sta. Ana, Manila Cathedral School, Tayuman; Sta.
Isabel College, Manila; Saint Anthony School, Singalong,
Manila; Immaculate Conception Academy, Manila; Our
Lady of Fatima School, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Malate Catholic
School and Kalayaan National High School of Pasay City
(the only non-Catholic School).
The training seminar consisted of the following topics:
Genetically modified organism and its impact to health
and environment, Organizing Green Flag School Program,
and Workshops on Curriculum Integration of the Ecology
issues.
Sr. Maria Aida Velasquez, OSB, the coordinator of Lingkod
Tao Kalikasan introduced the topics to be discussed for the
day. She gave special emphasis on the roles of schools in the
formation of students into good stewards of God’s creation
and sustainable development.
Sr. Maria Vida Cordero, SFIC, coordinator of Justice for
Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), was main speaker for
the first day of the seminar. She talked about the Science of
Ecology and its relevance to human daily life, showing how
the said issues could be integrated in the different school
curriculum.
Sr. Ma. Vida also discussed the Science of Genetic En-
gineering, specifically focusing on the issues surrounding
genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Meanwhile, Agnes Lintao of SEARICE (Southeast Asia
Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment) gave
the current GMO issues in the country. She also mentioned
the different GMO products in the market and in the labo-
ratory. The Lingkod Tao Kalikasan distributed materials
on GMO.
The second day was discussion and workshop on Green
Flag School Program. The green flag school program was
started in the United States by the Child Proofing our
Communities Campaign in coordination with the Center
for Health Environment and Justice. Officially launched
on September 16-19, 2003 at schools all around the United
States, the program aimed to form Green Flag teams among
students and to improve environmental health, while learn-
ing how to work as a team, make presentations, and engage
in community change projects.
The green flag school is a U.S. national environmental
awards program that creates safer and healthier school
environments through investigation, education, innovation
and action. Students work to pass environmentally healthy
policies in four different issue areas to create listing positive
changes to the environmental health of their school. There
are four issue areas to the Green Flag Program. Each issue
area has three levels. Level 1, the “forming a team” stage,
has to be completed once, while levels 2 and 3 must be
completed for all four issue areas. The issue areas are: 1)
Reduce, Reuse Recycle; 2) Non-Toxic Products; 3) Indoor
Air Quality; 4) Integrated Pest management.
Through networking with the Center for Health Environ-
ment and Justice, the workshop organizers were able to
introduce the program to the 18 schools that participated
in the seminar-workshop. Inputs on what is a green flag
school program and how it can be attained was given. At
the beginning of the session, a per school Green Flag Envi-
ronment Survey was held among participants to see where
their school is at present in the Green Flag School Program
level. It was also an opportunity for them to see what need
to be improved and what environment program they need
to prioritize in their school setting.
The major output of the seminar-workshop was the
drafted Green Flag Program Plan of each school participant.
A green flag school program monitoring team will be created
soon from among the seminar-workshop participants.
Fr. John Leydon, MSSC, parish priest of Our Lady of Rem-
edies, Malate concluded the 2-day seminar with a Eucharistic
celebration. He also touched in his homily the issue on global
warming noting that climate change is an ecological crisis
we are currently facing. He recognized the efforts of the
Archdiocese of Manila Ecology Desk to educate schools on
their important role in the slowing down of global warming
and its impact to environment.

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vol11-n13 B.indd 7 6/27/2007 8:17:13 PM

 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 11 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2007

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

Abhorrent Poor
Disturbing Below average
Acceptable Average
Wholesome Above average
Exemplary Excellent

Title: FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF heads together and hatch up a plan to

THE SILVER SURFER
Running Time: 195 min.
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba,
Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis,
Julian McMahon, Kerry Washing-
ton, Andre Braugher, Lawrence
Fishburne
Director: Tim Story
Producer: Avi Arad
Screenwriter: Don Payne
Music: John Ottman
Editor: Peter S. Elliot
Genre: Fantasy/Action
Cinematography: Larry Blanford
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Technical Assessment: ● ● ● ½
Moral Assessment: ½ the extent of balking over ill-timed
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
STRANGE things are happening in
different parts of the globe: a coast-
line somewhere in Japan freezes, a
snowstorm bewilders tourists in the
Egyptian Sahara, Los Angeles experi-
ences total power failure, etc. In the
Fantastic Four’s observatory, a comet
like alien presence is photographed
zooming over Earth. Through all this
furor caused by the strange events,
Dr. Reed Richards a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic
(Ioan Gruffudd) and Susan Storm
a.k.a. Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba)
try to get married. In the middle of
the ceremony, the “comet” zooms dan-
gerously close, forcing Johnny Storm
a.k.a. The Torch (Chris Evans) to chase
the “comet.” The torch discovers that
the “comet” is a silver-coated human
figure riding a silver coated surfboard.
All three, joined by Ben Grimm a.k.a.
The Thing (Michael Chiklis), put their
stop the Silver Surfer and his master,
the planet-eating Galactus, from de-
stroying Earth.
Entertainment comes easy as Fan-
tastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
is a light-hearted blend of CGI and
reality, of fantastic characters and
flesh and blood people. It’s a good
story told without frills—that is the
main strength of this movie. Digital
enhancement advances the story well
by serving as support mechanism to
the character development of each
role. Thus, while the characters work
on their all-too-human issues—to
calls—they as superheroes nonetheless
must set aside even personal concerns
to rescue those in distress. Care is
also taken not to overdo things—a
something fantastic tales using CGI
can’t resist.
Superhero stories are of course
always about good and evil, but here
there’s a plus: not only is evil thwarted
in the end by the superheroes’ feats—
evil’s final defeat is facilitated by an
evil character’s conversion. That can’t
be said of all superhero fi lms. The
main message in Fantastic… is softly
inserted in the dialogue between Su-
san Storm and the captured Silver
Surfer: man has a choice. The Silver
Surfer is sleek, graceful, cold, and,
possessing almost endless power, can
destroy anything at will. But here it
is somebody else’s will at work, as the
Silver Surfer is but a servant. Mature
and God-loving viewers will resonate
with him who discovers the power of
decision in the end.

Title: ZODIAC is coded, and Graysmith, the
Running Time: 163 min. paper’s political cartoonist
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark who loves solving puzzles,
Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, cracks the code. In his letter
Robert Downey Jr., Brian Zodiac threatens to kill more
Cox, John Carroll Lynch people. This gets the whole
Director: David Fincher
paper and the police het up, as
Producers: Cean Chaffin, Brad Zodiac carries out his threat.
Fischer, Mike Medavoy He stalks and then fatally stabs
Screenwriters: James Vander- another couple sharing a quiet
bilt, Robert Graysmith moment outdoors in a lakeside
Music: David Shire valley. Zodiac by now has
Editor: Angus Wall become a media sensation, but
Cinematography: Harris Sav- he skillfully manages to evade
ideS arrest. He exhibits a pervert
Distributor: Warner Bros.
enjoyment of the media hype
Location: USA
and writes again to say he will
Technical Assessment: ½ shoot schoolchildren coming
Moral Assessment: ½ out of the bus. Graysmith then
CINEMA Rating: For mature hounds the Chronicle’s crime
viewers 18 and above reporter Paul Avery (Robert
Downey Jr.) who in turn chases
A COUPLE out on a date is after SFPD’s homicide inspector
murdered in their car. The Dave Toschi ( Mark Ruffalo ),
obsession of Robert Graysmith and his partner, William Arm-
(Jake Gyllenhaal) begins when strong (Anthony Edwards).
the first of many coded let- Their obsession with the case
ters from the killer who calls keeps them together as the in-
himself “Zodiac” arrives at vestigation stretches into years:
the offices of the San Fran- Graysmith pins his suspicions
cisco Chronicle. The letter on Arthur Leigh Allen (John
Carroll Lynch), but Zodiac
remains elusive and no arrest
is made.
Directed by David Fincher,
Zodiac is an adaptation of Rob-
ert Graysmith’s book “Zodiac”
which is based on his experi-
ence trying to solve the identity
of the Zodiac Killer who ter-
rorized the San Francisco Bay
area in 1968. Fincher manifests
masterful directing in blending
subtlety and hysteria in depict-
ing a real-life story. A scream
is perfectly timed, a stabbing
scene is brutal yet almost blood-
less. Thus the film emerges
as a semi-documentary that’s
gripping every moment of the
way. Excellent editing, camera
movements, directing and act-
ing combine to make this movie
perhaps one of the best thrillers
to come this year. Gyllenhaal
not only acts but virtually be-
comes his character Graysmith
with his superb acting. Ruffalo
is convincing as the battered
Toschi; so is Downey as the
addictive Avery. Lynch as the
lone suspect Allen exudes just
the right amount of malevo-
lence to give you the chills.
Serial killer movies can be so
engrossing that a truth could
get glossed over by the cloak-
and-dagger excitement they
present. The truth that serial
killers are psychopaths—they
are sick, they have blood lust
and they kill because they’re
“out of their minds”. What do
you get watching these movies
besides the excitement of the
game? They take your mind
off your problems because
they engage you in a puzzle.
But there’s more, really, once
you take the puzzle to a deeper
level—and that is, pondering
why people turn into psycho-
paths. In their minds, human
life takes but a bullet to end,
and they can walk away guilt-
free. That issue alone could
leave a moviegoer to reflecting
a host of other issues relating
to man’s weakness and wound-
edness. Movies like Zodiac
should open the public eye if
they must merit the attention
we give them.

Title: BLACKOUT gungupahan sa kanyang apartment. bilang isang thriller. Sa kabuuan,

ANSWER TO THE LAST ISSUE:
I HOPE TO HAVE COMMUNION WITH THE PEOPLE, THAT IS THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING. POPE JOHN PAUL II
WORDS WHICH DO NOT GIVE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INCREASE
THE DARKNESS. MOTHER TERESA
QUOTES IN QUIZ
B O O K L E T S A V A I L A B L E AT
BOOKSALE STORES IN SM,
ROBINSONS AND SELECTED MALLS
IN MANILA. FOR MAIL ORDER TEXT
0919 2803036.
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes;
Lead Cast: Robin Padilla, Iza Calzado,
John Michael Reyes;
Director: Ato Bautista
Producer: Tony Gloria
Story and Screenplay: Shugu Praico
Editor: Richard Barnett
Cinematography: Lyle Sacris
Production Design: Bloody Table
Music: Holland Buella
Location: Quezon City
Genre: Thriller
Distributor: Unico Entertainment
Technical Assessment: 1/2
Moral Assessment: 1/2
Cinema Rating: V-14
PINIPILIT ni Gil (Robin Padilla) mag-
ing ulirang ama kay Niño (JM Reyes) sa
gitna ng kanyang pakikipagtunggali sa
pait ng pag-iwan sa kanya ng kanyang
kabiyak at labis na pagkalulong sa alak
na nagiging sanhi ng makailang ulit
niyang pagkawala ng ulirat. Matatau-
han na lamang siya ng isang gabi ay
duguan ang kanyang sasakyan at isang
bangkay ng bata ang nasa ilalim nito.
Pipilitin niyang ikubli ang aksidenteng
inaakala niyang kanyang kagagawan.
Kasabayan nito ay mawawala ang anak
ni Belen (Iza Calzado), isa sa mga nan-
Habang unti-unting binabagabag ng
konsensya at naghihinagpis sa patuloy
na pagtanggi ng kanyang asawang
makipagbalikan, mapaghihiwalay
niya kung ano ang tunay na nangyari
mula sa tagni-tagning pananaw niya sa
katotohanan at paglalaro ng kanyang
imahinasyon.
May potensyal sana ang konsepto ng
kwento at swabe naman ang paggamit
ng mga aspetong teknikal upang isalay-
say ito. Maganda ang istilo ng paggamit
ng mabilis at tila putol-putol na editing
upang ihalintulad ito sa pananaw ng
isang alcoholic na nawawalan na ng
panghawak sa realidad. Isang kapuri-
puring aspeto ay ang disenyong pam-
produksyon na tunay na nahuli ang
tema at pakiramdam ng pelikula. Kaya
nga lang, isang malaking kakulangan
upang lubusang tawaging magaling
ang pagkakagawa ng pelikula ay ang
mismo daloy ng kwento. Hindi ka-
pani-paniwala ang pagkakatuklas sa
katotohan at ang mga eksena sa pagitan
ng conflict at resolution ng kwento.
Kahit ba ito ay isinasalaysay sa pan-
anaw ng isang taong hindi tuwid ang
pananaw sa mga pangyayari. Marami
ring eksenang babad at tila ba pinipiga.
Tuloy nagiging kabagot-bagot ito
maayos ang pelikula, lalo’t isa alang-
alang na ito ay isang indie film, subalit
may kulang pa masabing magaling ang
pagkakagawa.
Ang anumang pang aabuso sa isang
bagay ay laging nakasasama sa tao.
Bukod sa paninirang ginagawa nito sa
kalusugan, ang mas nakasasakit ay ang
mga nasisira nitong buhay – mga taong
minamahal, mga taong nasa paligid at
mismong ang sarili. Sa pelikula, ipi-
nakita kung paanong ang pagkalulong
sa alak ay nagging ugat ng sali-salibat
ng suliranin at pagguho ng buhay pam-
ilya ni Gil, na kahit sa kaibuturan ng
kanyang pagkatao ay nais niyang mag-
ing mabuting ama at asawa. Hindi biro
ang salantang dulot ng pagkalulong sa
bisyo – na magkaminsan ay hindi na
napaghihilok o naisasayos durog na
ang mismong pagkatao. Kadalasan,
ginagamit ang alak upang ibsan ang
sakit na dulot ng buhay ngunit sa
katotohanan, mas doble ang hirap o
suliraning kakaharapin pag nagising
sa panandaliang pagkalimot o pag-
kawala sa realidad. Bagamat walang
kalaswaan o karahasang ipinakita ang
pelikula, hinihikyat na gabayan ng mga
nakatatanda ang mga kabataang nais
manuod ng pelikula.

vol11-n13 B.indd 8 6/27/2007 8:17:17 PM