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CBCP

VOLUME 19
NUMBER 22

October 26 November 8, 2015

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

CBCPMONITOR.COM

[email protected]

Synod: A listening
and humble Church
By Roy Lagarde

VATICAN CityAfter
weeks of discussion,
the Synod of Bishops
ended with a resounding call for renewal in
the Church, looking especially at the necessity
of the Church to listen
and be humble.

Humble, A6

Gather, A6

WHATS INSIDE
Marriage doesnt take away
your freedom - quite the opposite, Pope says (A3)

Address of His Holiness Pope

Francis at the Conclusion of
the Synod of Bishops (B1)

MERCY AND COMPASSION. Pope Francis leads a Mass to mark the conclusion of the Synod on the Family in Saint Peters Basilica at the Vatican on Oct. 25. In his homily, the Pope
continued his call for a more listening Church and urged pastors to walk alongside the faithful, being bearers of Gods mercy and compassion, especially in times of suffering.
ROY LAGARDE

Tagle: Churchs commitment to

poor goes beyond 2015
MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio G.
Cardinal Tagle invites priests and parishioners of the Archdiocese of Manila
(RCAM) to take part in the festivities on
Nov. 7, Saturday, at the La Concordia
College, Pedro Gil St., Manila, set to
wrap up the ongoing Year of the Poor,
and to continue what has been done so
far for the poor.
This gathering will be an opportunity
to send anew and make a commitment to
living out our being Church of the Poor
under the leadership of the Commission
on Social Services and Development
[CSSD], says the prelate in a recent
circular.
While the celebration of the Year of the
Poor will come to a close, Tagle points out
that the Filipino faithfuls being Church
of the Poor goes beyond 2015.
Wanted: Respect
It is a lifetime mission of the Church

in the Philippines, he stresses.

According to the first Asian president
of Caritas Internationalis, Pope Francis
reminds Christians that poverty is the
flesh of the poor Jesus, in that child who
is hungry, and the one who is sick, in those
unjust society structures.
For Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM, head
of the RCAMs Committee on the Year
of the Poor, the year challenges the view
most people have of the underprivileged,
noting that in most cases, what they need
more than food and shelter is respect.
While food and shelter are important,
the first thing that poor people need is
respect. We know that Jesus has a special
love and concern for the rejected, the
ridiculed, the poorest of the poor. He asks
us to do the same, shared in an earlier
interview.
Meanwhile, Fr. Enrico Martin F. Adoviso, RCAM-CSSD chief, as Church of
the Poor, all Catholics are called to renew

Pope Francis: I have special

admiration for Filipinos

Caritas PH rolls out P13.21-M

relief project

their commitment to Christs mission,

always taking the side of the poor and
the oppressed, especially when and where
there is injustice and a denial of basic human rights.
The farmers that till the land to bring
us food, the fisher folks who navigate the
seas for us and the workers who run the
industries are still materially poor after
decades and generations of work for living. Their dignity as co-creator of the Lord
should be reclaimed, he explains in his
Year of the Poor manifesto.
12.1 million poor
The handicapped, prisoners, indigenous people and even the victims of
calamities are in dire need of our compassion to lift up their hope and spirits.
They are all poor, and they are all sons
and daughters of our Lord. Also, the
world need to re-examine the use of our
Commitment, A6

NASSA/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez during a meeting at the NASSA/Caritas
Philippines - Command Center for Koppu Response. NASSA/CARITAS PHILIPPINES

THE CBCP through its social action

arm, the National Secretariat for Social
Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines
will roll out a P13.21-million relief
project to aid areas hit by Typhoon
Lando (Koppu).

According to NASSA/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin

Gariguez, the aid includes provision of
ready-to-eat food, drinking water, hygiene kits, emergency shelters, and other
Caritas, A7

Asian Synod bishops concerned: Creative class proves theology

can be fun
Youth not getting married

ROY LAGARDE

ALMOST a year after his visit to

the Philippines, Pope Francis continues to cherish his high esteem
for Filipinos.
In a brief and casual meeting
with Filipino bishops attending

HEEDING the appeal of

Archbishop Luis Antonio
G. Cardinal Tagle, parishes,
shrines, and chapels in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Manila (RCAM) devoted their
second collection of donations
in all Masses last Sunday to aid
survivors of Typhoon Lando
(International Name: Koppu).
In a circular released last
October 19, RCAM Chancellor Fr. Reginald R. Malicdem
urged parishes to immediately
remit the donations to the
Treasury and Accounting Department at the Arzobispado
de Manila. Part of the proceeds
will be kept as the RCAMs
disaster fund.
The letter also directed that
the special collection for Prison Awareness Sunday supposed to be held on the same

the ongoing Synod on the family at the Vatican, the Pope again
expressed his admiration for the
Filipino faith.
The Holy Father said I have
Filipinos, A7

ILLUSTRATION BY BROTHERS MATIAS

Apparently, the Synod echoed

Pope Francis vision of a listening Church where everyone can
learn from one another, taking
responsibility for proclaiming
the Gospel.
At the end of the Synod, the
final document or the Relatio of
the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
on the Family called for a more
welcoming Church, especially for
divorced, the Catholics married in
civil rites, and those in difficult
situations.
While the Churchs teaching
remains against allowing them to
receive communion, it endorses
the pontiffs call for a more merciful and less judgmental church.
It shows a church that is loving and caring and once again
embracing the families as part
of herself, and not just as mere
objects, said Archbishop Romulo
Valles of Davao.
Contrary to Western-dominat-

Parishes gather
donations for Lando
victims

Brenda Kim Nayoug of South Korea was one of the lay people chosen to give a personal
testimonial at the Synod of Bishops on the Family. NIRVA DELACRUZ / CBCP NEWS

WHAT does the Church in Asia,

a pulsating center of Catholic
membership growth, worry about?
Young people saying no to marriage and child-bearing.
[The question is] how to inspire
young people to live out their family life, said Synod delegate Shillong

Archbishop Dominic Jala of India in an

exclusive interview with CBCP News.
According to the prelate, mainstream medias focus on issues
affecting the Church in the West
obscures the realities that Asian
Catholics struggle with.
Youth, A7

BUSTING the myth that Theology is a boring discipline, some 60

Catholic men and women found
creative ways to make their study
of it more exciting.
Participants of the monthly
theology crash course held Sunday

at the University of Santo Tomas

in Manila came out with presentations that allowed all to share
with one another what they have
learned so far about the science
of God from theologian Fr. Jose
Theology, A7

A2 WORLD NEWS

Vatican Briefing
Pope Francis expected to visit Italian diocese of Milan
in May
Milans archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Scola, made an informal announcement Tuesday that Pope Francis will visit
the archdiocese May 7, marking the first papal visit there
since 2012.With joy and emotion we announce that Pope
Francis, accepting our invitation, will be among us in Milan
May 7, Cardinal Scola announced in an Oct. 27 statement, posted to the diocese of Milans website.The Popes
visit, he said, is a delicate sign of affection and esteem for
the Ambrosian Church, for the city of Milan and for all of
Lombardy.Cardinal Scola made the initial announcement
of the papal visit during an Oct. 27 meeting with Lebanese
Maronite Patriarch Bchara Boutros Ra. (CNA)
Pope advises Gypsies to cultivate responsibility, openness
Pope Francis met with Romes Romani, or Gypsies, on
Monday, asking them to take a new direction and embolden their efforts towards a life of inclusion, dignity, and
responsibility.Time has come to uproot secular prejudice,
preconceived ideas and the reciprocal diffidence that are
often at the base of discrimination, racism and xenophobia,
Pope Francis stated Oct. 26.The Pope addressed thousands
of Romani in the Vaticans Paul VI Hall, saying the nomadic
ethnic group should turn the page and begin to build
bridges of peaceful co-habitation with other peoples and
cultures. The Holy Father spoke these words on the 50th
anniversary of Blessed Paul VIs meeting with Romani in a
camp near Rome. (CNA)
Protect our common home, worlds bishops ask climate
change conference
Negotiators of a global agreement on climate change must
take effective action to protect creation, leading bishops
from around the world said.This agreement must put the
common good ahead of national interests. It is essential too
that the negotiations result in an enforceable agreement that
protects our common home and all its inhabitants, said
the bishops Oct. 26 appeal.The bishops appeal addressed
negotiators at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change
Conference, which will take place in Paris in Nov. 30 Dec.
11.The bishops said negotiators must secure an agreement
that is fair, legally binding and truly transformational,
Vatican Radio reports. (CNA)
Marriage doesnt take away your freedom quite the
opposite, Pope says
Pope Francis on Wednesday said that contrary to modern
notions, fidelity in marriage does not rob us of personal
freedom but instead is a fundamental attribute of all human
relationships based on love.Freedom and fidelity are not opposed to each other, the Pope said in his latest catechesis on
the family, delivered during his weekly general audience in St.
Peters Square Oct 21.The strength and beauty of love, including in the context of friendship, come from the fact that the
persons involved are connected without loss of freedom, he
said.Without freedom there is no friendship; without freedom,
there is no love; without freedom, there is no marriage. (CNA)
Vatican calls rumors over Pope Francis health false
and irresponsible
The director of the Holy See press office has denied reports
in the Italian press that Pope Francis is suffering from a
brain tumor, and denounced its dissemination as gravely
irresponsible. The statement by Fr. Federico Lombardi,
S.J., came in response to an Oct 21 report by Italian
agency Quotidiano Nazionale alleging that the Pope had
been diagnosed with a small but curable brain tumor.The
dissemination of totally unfounded news regarding the
Holy Fathers health by an Italian press agency is gravely
irresponsible and unworthy of attention, reads the Oct. 21
statement.Fr. Lombardi also pointed out that Pope Francis
busy schedule has continued without issue. (CNA)
Chaplains must assist military traumatized by war,
pope says
As more members of the armed forces endure both physical
and emotional scars from conflicts raging around the world,
Pope Francis called on military chaplains to tend to their
wounds with the healing balm of the sacraments.At this time,
in which we are living a third world war fought in pieces, you
are called to nourish the spiritual and ethical dimensions of
members of the military and their families, which will help
them to face the difficulties and the often lacerating questions
inherent in this unique service to their homeland and to humanity, the pope said Oct. 27.Military chaplains and some
heads of military dioceses including Archbishop Timothy
P. Broglio of the United States were in Rome for a course
on chaplains and international humanitarian law, which was
sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and
the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. (CNS)
Pope urges peace in Iraq; prays Christians no longer be
forced to flee
Pope Francis called on the international community to find
a way to bring peace to Iraq and the Middle East and prayed
that Christians there would no longer be forced to flee
their homes.He also urged the Chaldean Catholic bishops
in the region to work tirelessly as builders of unity in all
the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation
among all those engaged in public life, and contributing to
healing existing divisions while preventing new ones from
arising. The pope met Oct. 26 with bishops who were
in Rome to attend the synod of bishops of the Chaldean
Catholic Church Oct. 24-29. (CNS)
The victory of heaven is won through small efforts, pope says
Like an athlete, Christians must train in sanctity in order
to win the great victory of heaven, Pope Francis said at
early morning Mass.In his homily at Mass Oct. 19 in the
chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the
pope reflected on the first reading from St. Pauls Letter
to the Romans in which he calls on Christians to present
their bodies as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
Although conversion is a duty and one must train like an
athlete who is preparing to compete, the pope said that
sanctification does not come from those efforts.The efforts we make, this daily work of serving the Lord with
our soul, with our heart, with our body, with our whole
life only opens the door to the Holy Spirit, the pope said.
It is he who enters into us and saves us! He is the gift in
Jesus Christ! (CNS)

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

CBCP Monitor

Bishops from around the world

plead for climate change action
VATICAN CITY, October 26,
2015The presidents of the U.S.
and Canadian bishops conferences
joined leaders of the regional bishops conferences of Asia, Africa,
Latin America, Oceania and Europe
in signing an appeal for government leaders to reach a fair, legally
binding and truly transformational
climate agreement at a summit
in Paris.
Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias
of Mumbai, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, signed the appeal Oct. 26
at the beginning of a joint news
conference at the Vatican.
The appeal, Cardinal Gracias
said, was a response to Pope Francis letter on the environment and
an expression of the anxiety of all
the people, all the churches all over
the world regarding how, unless
we are careful and prudent, we are
heading for disaster.
The appeal is addressed to negotiators preparing for the U.N.
Climate Change Conference in
Paris Nov. 30-Dec. 11. The bishops
called for courageous and imaginative political leadership and
for legal frameworks that clearly
establish boundaries and ensure the
protection of the ecosystem.
The bishops also asked governments to recognize the ethical
and moral dimensions of climate
change, to recognize that the climate and the atmosphere are common goods belonging to all, to set a
strong limit on global temperature
increase and to promote new models of development and lifestyles
that are climate compatible.
The appeal calls for decisions
that place people above profits, that

involve the poor in decision making, that protect peoples access to

water and to land, are particularly
mindful of vulnerable communities
and are specific in commitments to
finance mitigation efforts.
Colombian Cardinal Ruben
Salazar Gomez of Bogota, president
of the Latin American bishops
council, spoke of the suffering
Amazon basin and the key role
it plays in the survival of South
America and the world. The Latin
American bishops, he said, want an
end to pollution, to the destruction
of the forests and the disappearance
of biodiversity, but they also want
justice for their people, the majority
of whom do not benefit from the
exploitation of resources taken from
their countries.
Archbishop John Ribat of Port
Moresby, Papua New Guinea,
president of the Federation of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of
Oceania, told reporters, We come
from islands, and our life is very
much at risk.
We belong to those most vulnerable groups impacted by rising sea levels, he said. Many
communitiesparticularly on
Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Carteret
Islandsalready are experiencing
the disappearance of land used for
subsistence farming or seeing their
agricultural land rendered unusable
by the infiltration of salt water.
Climate change, the archbishop
said, already is leading to the phenomenon of climate refugees.
The appeal said that most peoplewhether or not they believe
in Godrecognize the planet as a
shared inheritance, who(se) fruits
are meant to benefit everyone. For

Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, signs a document at an Oct. 26 Vatican news
conference in which leaders of the worlds regional bishops conferences appealed for
action on climate change. From left behind the cardinal are Auxiliary Bishop Jean Kockerols
of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium; Cardinal Ruben Salazar Gomez of Bogota, Colombia;
unidentified priest; Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami; and Archbishop Richard Smith
of Edmonton, Alberta. CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

believers, this becomes a question

of fidelity to the creator, since God
created the world for everyone.
Miami Archbishop Thomas
G. Wenski, chairman of the U.S.
bishops Committee on Domestic
Justice and Human Development,
confirmed that the U.S. bishops
asked that a specific temperature
target not be in the appeal. Others
agreed, he said.
Were pastors and were not
scientists, the archbishop said.
The specific temperature target
for reversing the impact of climate
change is something for scientists
to decide, but the need to act is
a moral issue, and the bishops
are competent to speak to that,
he said.
People in the United States are
starting to understand how important action is, Archbishop Wenski
said. It has been slow because we

live in a little bit of a cocoon sometimes, and if it doesnt affect us

immediately, we dont react.
Archbishop Richard Smith of
Edmonton, Alberta, represented
the Canadian bishops at the presentation. His province, Alberta,
is fossil fuel central, he said, yet
people in Alberta, like in the rest of
Canada, recognize that something
must be done.
Nobody wants the future placed
in jeopardy because of this, and
everyone understands intergenerational responsibility, he said.
Everybody knows that we have
to move away from fossil fuels, he
said, but the big question is how.
There are some great minds out
there working on finding the new
technologies that will provide jobs
and energy without harming the
environment. (Cindy Wooden /
Catholic News Service)

Catholics in Cuba call on government to

remove religious restrictions
HAVANA, Cuba, Oct. 23, 2015Through one
of its media outlets, the Havana archdiocese on
Thursday called on the Cuban government to
definitively remove the restrictions that weigh
down upon all religious institutions, and allow
them to freely carry out their work.
Religious freedom is something more than
freedom of worship, readsthe Oct. 22 editorial
in Palabra Nueva, the Archdiocese of Havanas
magazine.
The editorial discusses the role of the Church
in Cuba, including its mediation in the release
of political prisoners who were jailed in 2003
and Pope Francis involvement in the diplomatic
thaw with the United States.
Palabra Nueva addressed the significance of
the last three Popes having visited Cuba, beginning with St. John Paul II in 1998.
Many people paid attention to his message
and invitation of openness to the world, of
having no fear of opening the mind and heart
to Jesus Christ, the source of truth and hope,
but others did not. Part of the world did listen
to the Popes invitation and began to approach
(the government), but the Cuban leadership
did not reciprocate the gesture. It is common
to conclude that visit was just a parenthesis in
the life of the country, even though in reality it
was much more than that, the editorial stated.
The magazine noted that Benedict XVI came
to demonstrate his support for a process of a
new and long hoped for dialogue between the
Church and the Cuban Government, began in
2010. He also made it clear the desire of the

Church to be part of the process of reforms that

had been initiated.
Pope Francis recent visit leaves a spiritual
wake of widespread acceptance, and the things
the Pope called for have gotten through to a lot
of Cubans Only the spiritually short sighted
did not appreciate his closeness, simplicity and
his desire to communicate with all Cubans.
In the same way, his words were well received
by the young people when he proposed to them
to not stop dreaming if they really want a different world, and to not shrink back and to create
societal friendship.
Palabra Nueva said that after 17 years, the seed
sown by St. John Paul II is beginning to be seen.
In reality the still weak flame of hope has been
rekindled among us, which can be strengthened
by an internal opening up and rapprochement
among Cubans. It would be a mistake to try
to ignore the revealing and painfully sincere
response of those young people to the popes
call to dream, if they let us!
It stated that a coherent step would be to
recognize, once and for all, the place that belongs to the Church in society, not just as an
institution, but in its entire composition, from
the laity to the bishops, the clergy and all those
in consecrated life, since we all have a place and
a mission in society. The desire for engagement
is high but it is not accompanied by laws and
social structures.
The editorial recalled that on July 7, 2013
President Raul Castro said that it was time for
religious institutions to help in face of the grave

deterioration or loss of urban and civic values in

the country.
In reality, the editorial noted, there is little
the churches and other religious manifestations
that exist today in Cuba can do in that regard,
if their ability for action is not facilitated, or if
conditions are not created that would allow them
and guarantee them their ability to act in a permanent and transparent manner, no matter how
great their desire to show their co-responsibility
is or how bad the loss of values by the citizens.
Because religious freedom regards more than
freedom of worship, its not right to try to have
the Church only occupy itself with the things of
God in the church building and keep it isolated
form the social sphere, and accept its social participation only when it suits the politicians. The
perspective should not be what suits the Church
or the politicians but rather what is best, most
beneficial and useful for society and the citizens.
Therefore, recognizing the belief and religious
practice of the majority of Cubans, and the
urgency of the country to reclaim its values...
and when everyones collaboration is needed
in the process of the changes the country is going through in order to avoid falling into the
abyss, a necessary step would be to definitively
lift the restrictions weighing down on religious
institutions and allow them to freely carry out
their work.
Now is the time. If religion is not the opiate
of the people, then in whose interest is it to keep
lit an imaginary pipe or disseminate an artificial
drug? the editorial concluded. (CNA)

Salesians celebrate Myanmar seminarys 25th anniversary

YANGON, Oct. 26, 2015In the
tribal hills of Myanmars far northern Shan State, Catholics celebrated
an important double anniversary
for two Salesian institutions.
Spiritual catechesis and cultural
celebrations commemorated the
silver jubilees of both the Salesian
Parish in the Diocese of Lashio and
the Don Bosco Seminary in the
town of Hsipaw, located almost 50
miles southwest of Lashio. Both
were established in 1990.
We thank the Lord for these
twenty five years. It is a remarkable length of time which could be
taken as the lifespan of a generation, said Fr. Leo Mang, S.D.B,
head of social communications of
the Catholic Bishops Conference
of Myanmar.
Fr. Mang explained that the Salesian missionaries and their friends
have stood strong in faith despite
the difficult moments of trials,
persecutions and the lasting effects
of World War II.
The Don Bosco Seminary in

Hsipaw had truly sown seeds of vocations which are now flourishing
throughout the country wherever
the Salesians are serving the Church
in various regions in the service of
youth, Fr. Mang further added.
The seminary has educated 21
priests, two lay brothers and many
other people.
Cardinal Charles Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon, has a history
in the area. He was the apostolic
administrator of the region, then
named apostolic prefect. He was
then appointed as the first bishop
of the Diocese of Lashio in 1990.
Bishop Philip ZaHawng of
Lashio presided over the thanksgiving Mass with Fr. Charles Saw,
the Salesian provincial in Myanmar.
Over 25 priests, religious, seminarians, novices attended the celebrations, which included the liturgy,
traditional cultural processions,
and prayer dances in the events held
Oct. 16-17.
Bishop Philips homily asked the
parish to be united in faith. He

Bishop Philip ZaHawng of Lashio says Mass at a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the
Salesian seminary and parish in Hsipaw. FR. LEO MANG.

further encouraged the community

to keep the faith alive.
He thanked the Salesians missionaries who had cared for the
Lashio diocese from its inception.
He praised the Salesians as benefactors of the region.
The celebrations also marked the
inauguration and the blessing of a
memorial hall.
The Salesian missionaries arrived
in what was then called Burma in

1939. They have been active in

youth formation, skill development and education in one of Asias
poorest regions, known for its hilly
terrain.
Myanmar is home to about
800,000 Catholics who live in 16
dioceses. In recent years the Catholic Church in Myanmar celebrated
the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country.
(CNA/EWTN News)

CBCP Monitor

NEWS FEATURES A3

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Marriage doesnt take away your freedom Synod: Lay group hopes
for updated pastoral
quite the opposite, Pope says
VATICAN, Oct. 21, 2015Pope Francis on
Wednesday said that contrary to modern notions, fidelity in marriage does not rob us of
personal freedom but instead is a fundamental
attribute of all human relationships based on
love.
Freedom and fidelity are not opposed
to each other, the Pope said in his latest
catechesis on the family, delivered during
his weekly general audience in St. Peters
Square Oct 21.
The strength and beauty of love, including
in the context of friendship, come from the
fact that the persons involved are connected
without loss of freedom, he said.
Without freedom there is no friendship;
without freedom, there is no love; without
freedom, there is no marriage.
Pope Francis observed that the sense of
honor in being faithful appears to be undermined in modern times. He attributed this
to the misunderstood right to seek ones own
satisfaction at all costs and in any relationship,
which is exulted as a non-negotiable principle
of freedom.
Rather, he said, Fidelity to promises is
a true masterpiece of humanity! No loving
relationship no friendship, no form of love,
no happiness in the common good arrives
at the height of our desire and hope without
this miracle of the soul.
The Pope also appealed for prayers for the
bishops participating in the Synod on the
Family, which is in its third and final week in
the Vatican.
May the Lord bless their work, conducted
with faithful creativity, with faith that the
Lord is faithful to his promises, he said.
This years Synod on the Family, which runs
from Oct. 4-25, is the second and larger of two
such gatherings to take place in the course of
a year. Like its 2014 precursor, the focus of
the 2015 Synod of Bishops will be the family,

guide to marriage, family

VATICAN, Oct. 24, 2015 As
the Synod of Bishops nears its end,
one of the worlds largest familyoriented groups is looking forward
to a clearer direction in facing
challenges to modern families.
By that, the Couples for Christ
(CFC) Global Mission means an
updated pastoral programs in
light of new challenges.
Our expectations is an updated
(pastoral) guide for marriage and
family, said Bro. Joe Tale, CFC
chairman. So this synod is very
important and very relevant to us.

Pope Francis blesses a newly married couple during the Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Audience Hall on
August 5, 2015. CNA

this time with the theme: The vocation and

mission of the family in the Church and the
modern world.
In his Oct. 21 address, Pope Francis recalled
how last weeks catechesis on the family centered on the importance of promises parents
make to their children, whereas this weeks
reflection centers on man and womans fidelity
to each other.
The entire family is founded upon a promise,
the Pope said. The fidelity between husband
and wife brings with it the responsibility to
love and educate children, to care for elderly
parents, and to protect and care for the weakest members of the family.
The marital promise broadens to share the
joys and sufferings with all fathers, mothers,
and children, with generous openness toward
human coexistence and the common good.
In contrast, the Pope said, a family that is
closed in on itself, is a contradiction of that
same promise.

Fidelity is a self-fulfilling promise, a faith

which wants to be truly shared, and a hope
which wants to be nurtured together.
Honor and fidelity cannot be bought or
sold, he said.
No other school can teach the school of love
if the family cannot. No law can impose the
beauty and heritage of this treasure of human
dignity, if the personal connection between
love and generation is not written on our flesh.
Pope Francis appealed for fidelity in love
to be seen as honorable in society once again.
This principle of fidelity to the promise of
love and generations is written in Gods creation as a perennial blessing, which is entrusted
to the world.
The Pope reflected on the family in the context of Saint Pauls words on the union between
Christ and his Church.
Love for the human family, in good times
and bad, is a point of honor for the Church!
(Ann Schneible/CNA/EWTN News)

Divorce, migration
The 19th day of the synod resumed on Friday with cardinals,
bishops, and lay leaders from
around the world continuing to
tackle wide range of family-related
challenges in the modern world.
From abortion, divorce, homosexuality, divorce, poverty, migration, among others, he said these
are signs of the times that must be
faced and understood.
So you have to put in current
situation in mind. These are new
things that people are hoping for
guidance on how to deal with
these, said the head of the only
lay organization in Asia recognized
by the Vatican.

He stressed, however, that the

new guide must adhere to Christs
teachings on marriage and family,
and not seek to destroy it.
Not relaxation of dogma
I think thats what the Church
needs because many have left the
Church because of very stringent
(rules) but Im not saying that
there should be relaxation of the
dogma or the doctrine, Tale said.
What Pope Francis is showing
is, regardless of what it is lets extend our hands. Let us show love,
mercy, and compassion. I think
thats a good thing, he added.
Tale said the outcome of the
Synod is very important for the
CFC which is present in more
than 160 countries.
It is very importance, especially
to groups like us, a family renewal
movement. Its very timely, he
said.
In Asia, particularly in the
Philippines, people are facing a
wide array of problems but for
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, one
of the Synod presidents, it is still
poverty that drive apart families.
Pope Francis will conclude the
synod with a Mass at the St. Peters
Basilica on Sunday, Oct. 25. (Roy
Lagarde / CBCPNews)

Be one with Christ prelate

to seminarians

Delegate: Synod document will show Churchs care for families

VATICAN, Oct. 24, 2015
Amid the many innuendos of
controversy, whatever is discussed
and finalized at the Synod will certainly show the Catholic Churchs
great concern for the families, a
Filipino archbishop said.
While he refused to preempt the
final results of the global meeting,
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said
the Synod expresses to families
the Churchs appreciation and
encouragement.
A lot of proposals and evaluations have been made but one
thing is sure No matter what
your situation in life, you are loved
and cared for. People should know
that the Holy Father has great care
for them, he said.
Efforts around the world
If theres anything people can look
forward to the Synod, Palma said it
would be the new pastoral initiatives
to address the many issues facing
families in the modern world.
It makes us aware of the reali-

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, along with other Asian bishops visit the Philippine Embassy in
Vatican City on Friday. ROI LAGARDE

ties of families. It makes us aware

that efforts are being done all
over the world, said the former
president of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines.
According to Daet Bishop
Gilber t Garcera, while the
Synod discussed a wide array
of issues, what is important is
the prelates were able to reflect
and find ways to respond to the
challenges.

The Church must accompany all people of God whoever

they are. We are sinners but the
Church must be there to guide,
to help, and tell them that God
will never ever abandon us. That
is the point, he said alluding to
the matter of Communion for
divorced and remarried persons.
Communion for the divorced?
Palma and Garcera are among

the six Filipinos out of the 270

prelates and 18 couples from
around the world who participated in the Synod on the family
at the Vatican.
Ending on Sunday, the Synod
which started last Oct. 4 have
opened up important discussions including the possibility of
divorced and remarried Catholics
to receive Holy Communion
who are currently barred from
doing so.
What is important is that
although they cannot receive
Communion, they are still part of
the people of God, Garcera said.
No matter what condition you
are in, the Church must still take
care of you because, basically, God
will never abandon us no matter
what, he added.
Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias
said at a press briefing on Thursday that the document will not
have all the answers, but it will
have a direction. (Roy Lagarde /
CBCPNews)

End of event kicks off more online evangelization CSMSv4.0 program head
MANILA, Oct. 18, 2015The
event proper may be over, but the
program head of the recently concluded 4th Catholic Social Media
Summit (CSMSv4.) believes the
end is just the start of a new day
for all those who plugged in for
Christ, urging them to take on the
task of winning the online world
for God.
Of course, to the attendees,
this is just the beginningthe real
challenge awaits in your personal
social media accounts! noted
Chrixy Paguirigan, who confessed
to still having what she termed
post-CSMS depression exactly
a week after the event.
Connecting others to Christ
She called on delegates to let
the overwhelming revelations
they learned from CSMSv4.0 push

them forward in their mission of

connecting Jesus to the world.
May everyone continue to
plug into Christ, the Ultimate
Power Source, she exclaimed.
Admitting she is still walking
on cloud nine, Paguirigan went
on to thank the many people who
donated time and effort to make
this years gathering of online missionaries possible.
To every person whose presence and being contributed to the
success of the event, thank you so
so much! Especially to the volunteers, sponsors and partners,
she said.
Giving ones best
While she knew there were
glitches here and there, Paguirigan
boasted everyone in CSMSv4.0
gave his all just to come out with

a program delegates would not

regret attending.
As for perfection, all I can say
is nothing and no one is perfect.
Of course, there were lapses. But
one thing is for sure: We gave our
best! she explained
According to her, she misses
the endless updates she received
and the meetings they had ahead
of the event.
See you in cyberspace, and
together lets fill the Online Sphere
with Christs Presence! she added, she told CSMSv4.0 volunteers and delegates.
Plugged-in
Organized by YouthPinoy (YP),
in tandem with Areopagus Communications and the Diocese of
San Pablo, CSMS is an annual
gathering of current and aspiring

online evangelists from different

schools, youth organizations, and
arch/dioceses of the Philippines,
who want to win more souls for
Christ through the intelligent and
responsible use of social media.
CSMSv4.0, its fourth and latest
successful installment, was held
at the Sta. Rosa City Hall Auditorium, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
from Oct. 10 to 11, 2015 and was
attended by some 300 delegates
from the various arch/dioceses of
the country.
It adopted the theme Pluggedin which was inspired by Pope
Francis homily at the Manila
Cathedral about networks of
solidarity and St. Pauls message
in Romans 15:16 that all may
be one voice in glorifying God.
(Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP
News)

The seminarians of ICMAS-GST and RST recently gathered at NSPDM for Communio.
the annual inter-seminary meet of the two schools of Theology. The event included a
team-building session where seminarians got to cement year-long friendships and
camaraderie. KEVIN MENDOZA/IAN DOLLENTAS

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Oct. 18,

2015Be one with Christ in his
mission.
This is what Malolos Bishop
Jose F. Oliveros, DD told diocesan
seminarians of the Immaculate
Conception Major SeminaryGraduate School of Theology
(ICMAS-GST) and the religious
brothers of Recoleto School of
Theology during the celebration
of the Holy Mass at the National
Shrine and Parish of the Divine
Mercy (NSPDM) in Marilao,
Bulacan on Oct. 10.
The seminarians of ICMASGST and RST gathered at NSPDM for Communio. the annual
inter-seminary meet of the two
schools of Theology.
Referring to the event that gathered 107 diocesan and religious
seminarians and priests, Oliveros
explained that communio is to
be one with Jesus.
Not for grades
We must be in union with
Jesus our Lord, he said.
As theology seminarians, it
is not enough that your studies
remain only in your intellect. It
[studying theology] should lead
you to be one at heart with Jesus
and one with Him in your life,
Oliveros added.

He also asked the seminarians

to have the right intention as they
study theology. He said, Study
not only to learn and not only for
grades because if you lack love for
Jesus and fall short in living out
the faith, there is no communio.
You only satisfy your curiosity.
Your studies should bend your
knees, Oliveros stressed.
St. John Leonardi
He set St. John Leonardi as an
example for the seminarians, saying: I give you St. John Leonardi
as an example of someone who
devoted himself to the mission of
Jesus. St. John Leonardi lived in
unity with Jesus, not only in love
for Him, but in communion with
His mission of propagating the
faith, he explained.
You should also dedicate yourself to the mission of Christ, said
Oliveros.
Lastly, Oliveros pointed out
that in every celebration of the
Holy Eucharist everyone becomes
united with Jesus. We experience communion with Jesus in
the Eucharist, Jesus is present in
every Eucharistic celebration. As
we gathered in the name of Jesus,
we are united with Him, he said.
(Arvin Ray C. Jimenez / CBCP
News)

Marriage is a calling, priest reminds faithful

TACLOBAN City, Oct. 16, 2015
To dispel the images of Cupids bows
and hearts aflutter, a priest reminds
the faithful that marriage is a vocation
more than anything else.
We think marriage is just between husband and wife, we forget
that it is primarily a calling and
God is always part of marriage life,
said Fr. Wilson Chu, co-parish
priest of the Sto. Nio Parish,
adding, We become vulnerable
without the presence of God in our
relationship.
Fr. Wilson Chu SThD, a formator in the Archdiocese of Palo urges
couples to remain the source of happiness and inspiration to their
spouses. EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS

What marriage is
The oeconomus of the Archdiocese

of Palo explained there is a need to

restore the dignity and essence of
marriage, highlighting the three characteristics of marriage: its sanctity; it
demands genuine lovel it is a vocation.
Like Chu, young seminary priest
Fr. Martin Cobi, emphasized that
marriage is permanent, exclusive, and
open to life.
Alluding to Jesus words in the
Holy Scriptures, What God has put
together, let no one separate, Cobi
believed this makes marriage a permanent union between man and woman.
This union between man and woman is an attribute of marriages being
open to life or pro-creation, which is

also why the Church opposes same sex

marriage, abortion, and contraception.
It is exclusive because the married
couple should not look for another
(partner) and should not fall in love
with another, Cobi stressed.
No marriage from the start
Marriage is a gift from God thus
has to be treasured, protected, and
never be allowed to be taken away from
you, Chu explained.
He added: Love becomes genuine
when in spite of all the pains and
sacrifices, the couple continues to love
more, and always find fulfillment, happiness and inspiration in each other.

Cobi described marriage as a relationship that is not all happiness but

has challenges too, which the couple
should faithfully work out together
for their good and the children as well.
He clarified that though the Catholic Church allows married people to
remarry only after their marriage has
been declared by the Matrimonial
Tribunal as void ab initio or meaning
the marriage did not exist from the
very beginning.
In case of Legal Separation, which
results in the couples separation from
bed and board, remarriage is not allowed. (Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros
/ CBCP News)

A4 OPINION

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

TRUE to what Pope Francis said at the opening of the Synod

on the Family thatit is not a parliament where participants negotiate or lobby but a place of prayer where bishops speak with
courage and open themselves to God who always surprises us,
the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops,
indeed, turned out to be sodespite Western medias portrayal
of it being a den of conservatives so afraid of change on one
hand while on the other a pack of progressives out to overhaul
hackneyed Church teachings.
For the first time, CBCP News sent two professional Catholic
journalists to do reportage on the Synod. They were fielded in
response to the observation of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle who,
in a press conference upon his return from the Extraordinary
Synod on the Family in October last year, bewailed the absence
of Asian media that may possibly see the ecclesial event from
an Asian perspectiveand not from Westerners that totally
dominated the global reportage of that Synod. Perhaps bereft
of the bias of the Western-dominated media, these two Filipino
Catholic journalists saw in the Synod a listening and humble
Church motivated by a profound Christian concern for the
family. They also saw in the Synod new pastoral initiatives to
address the many issues facing families in the modern world,
along the path of accompaniment and discernment.
The Synod Fathers approved by 177 votes out of 265, a twothirds majority, the final Relatio of the Synod that is made up of
94 paragraphs that was voted on piece by piece. This final document included many of the amendments to the Instrumentum
Laboris presented by the Synod Fathers, making it, therefore,
a collegial voice of the Assembly. It reaffirmed the doctrine of
the indissolubility of sacramental marriage which was seen not
as a yoke but rather a gift from God and a truth based on the
relationship of Christ with the Church. It also presented the
beauty of the family as a domestic Church based on marriage
between a man and a woman.
In his address at the closing of the Synod, Pope Francis said:
The Synod was not about settling all the issues having to do
with the family, but rather attempting to see them in the light of
the Gospel and the Churchs traditionIt was not about finding exhaustive solutions for all the difficulties and uncertainties
which challenge and threaten the family, but rather about seeing
these difficulties and uncertainties in the light of the Faith, carefully studying them and confronting them fearlessly, without
burying our heads in the sandIt was about urging everyone to
appreciate the importance of the institution of the family and
of marriage between a man and a woman, based on unity and
indissolubility, and valuing it as the fundamental basis of society
and human lifeIt was about listening to and making heard
the voices of the families and the Churchs pastors, who came
to Rome bearing on their shoulders the burdens and the hopes,
the riches and the challenges of families throughout the world.
Or, in the words of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, it
was about a Church that is loving and caring and once again
embracing the families as part of herself, and not just as mere
objects.

The principle of the common good

AN integral ecology is inseparable from the notion of the common good, a central and unifying principle of social ethics.
The common good is the sum of those conditions of social
life which allow social groups and their individual members
relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment.
Underlying the principle of the common good is respect for
the human person as such, endowed with basic and inalienable
rights ordered to his or her integral development. It has also
to do with the overall welfare of society and the development
of a variety of intermediate groups, applying the principle of
subsidiarity. Outstanding among those groups is the family,
as the basic cell of society. Finally, the common good calls for
social peace, the stability and security provided by a certain
order which cannot be achieved without particular concern
for distributive justice; whenever this is violated, violence
always ensues. Society as a whole, and the state in particular,
are obliged to defend and promote the common good.
In the present condition of global society, where injustices
abound and growing numbers of people are deprived of basic
human rights and considered expendable, the principle of the
common good immediately becomes, logically and inevitably,
a summons to solidarity and a preferential option for the poorest of our brothers and sisters. This option entails recognizing
the implications of the universal destination of the worlds
goods, but, as I mentioned in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium,[123] it demands before all else an appreciation
of the immense dignity of the poor in the light of our deepest
convictions as believers. We need only look around us to see
that, today, this option is in fact an ethical imperative essential
for effectively attaining the common good.
Laudato Si, #156-158

Monitor
CBCP

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Fruitful Synod

Views and Points

Catholic Divorce

Oscar V. Cruz, D.D.

MISREPRESENTATION has accompanied

the Church from her very foundation by Christ
through PeterThe Rockmore than two
thousand years ago. The teachings she promoted and the pronouncements She made, the
laws and observances She establishedall these
have undergone contrary moves at different
times from different sources. But the Church
still stands in all the continents of the world,
has sons and daughters from people of different
races and colors. And standexists, teaches,
actsShe remains with her Founder until time
there is none. So it is that the civilized world
counts time in terms of Before Christ and
After Christthe Founder of the Church.
On the occasion of the pastoral visit of Pope
Francis to the U.S.which was preceded by
his normative enactment towards a more focused and wherefore abbreviated proceedings
specifically in conjunction with the Marriage
Nullity Process in the Churchhe was rather
candid in saying that such simplification and

abbreviation in no way means that there is now

such a thing as a Catholic Divorce. Instead,
the said more simple and short proceedings are
but meant to affirm that once the truth of the
nullity of a marriage held before the Church
is in fact established, there is no reason to still
prolong the trial. Although the Holy Father
did not say it, the over-all intention of the
procedural abbreviation is in accord with the
maxim that Justice delayed is justice denied.
In other words, why prolong the agony of the
Parties concerned when their de facto marriage
is already proven as de iure null and void from
its very start.
By the way, it might be good to point out
that a Catholic Divorce is a big contradiction in terms as far as the Church herself if
concerned: As the Catholic Church is not the
author of divorce, neither is divorce acceptable
to the Catholic Church. This is in line with the
truth that there are no such thing as Catholic Adultery, Catholic Bigamy, Catholic

Our political circus

Conclusion

It seems ridiculous but we, Filipinos, apparently have accepted

political dynasties as a fact, a
necessary evil, in governance. Otherwise why would people in a city,
a province, or a region be content
with electing into many public
offices members of just a few warring families? For example, a city
councilor runs to succeed his/
her father whose term as mayor
is ending and who is running for
congressman. When he finishes his
term as congressman he wants to
go back to being his citys mayor
while his child is promoted from
mayor to congressman to senator
or a post a cousin is vacating,
such as a governors. The one rule
among these dynasties seems to
be: Make sure our family stays in
power and that our enemies dont
get a chance.
Whats sad is, few would question the status quo. Pinoys tend
to observe politics as though

Polygamy and other openly contradictory

thoughts.
The singularity and amiability of Pope
Francis are readily perceived and felt in his
over-all spirit of Mercy and Compassion for
the poor and the suffering, for wrongdoers
and sinners, for those who placed themselves
outside the spiritual embrace of the Church.
There is also something quite singular about
him: He loves children in the same way that
children love him. The Pope embracing children and children embracing the Popesuch
is dear and endearing sight. So there was this
two-year old blond-haired child who tried to
get away from the hold of her father in her
eagerness to embrace the Pope. And she succeeded. What a sight!
So it is that inclusionnot exclusionis his
vision for refugees. He said that giving them
an embrace is definitely the better option than
that of building walls to keep them far. That
is mercy! That is compassion!

And Thats The Truth

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

were watching a cockfight or a

basketball game. Betting or not,
were thrilled to see how the
contest goes. And politics Pinoy
style so engrosses us that it makes
our world shrink. The media to a
large extent sets the boundaries to
our daily exposure to politics, so
that our horizon seldom extends
beyond our backyard.
A dreadful lot is happening
in our country and around the
world today but through popular
patronage of mediocre (radio, TV)
programs we encourage media to
neglect its primary role to inform
and educate our people. For instance, only those who have access
to cable TV can see extensive coverage and authoritative analyses of,
say, Russias bombing of US allies
in Syria, the misery that civilians
experience in fleeing their countries to seek refuge in Europe, or
the multi-billion pound deals the
United Kingdom and China have

Candidly Speaking

sealed to build a nuclear plant in

the UK. The situation in the West
Philippine Sea now seems to be
simmering to a boil with Chinas
shrill protest over the sailing of a
US Navys guided missile destroyer
too close to the land formations
claimed by Chinathe matter
should be every Filipinos concern
but this is hardly mentioned in the
local channels news. Is it because
we are too shallow to care, or are
we too obsessed by our backyard
politics that we cannot foresee
how the refugee situation may
affect Philippine economy in five
years, or see the link between
geopolitics and our votes in the
next election?
In our myopia we are blind to
the way the addiction to power
moves world events. It would be
really tragic if we were also to remain blind to the truth that world
power is not worth investing human energy in. History has been

harping on the glaring fact that

worldly progress, achievement,
or success alone does not free
humanity from injustice and all
other evils it spawns. Earthquakes,
hurricanes, typhoons, and flash
floods have recently spokenin
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mexico,
the US, in our countryand
in reducing to rubble, debris,
and mud everything man-made
in their paths they are pleading for sobriety. But like the
voices of people who say invest in
peace, not division their pleas are
drowned by the sound of gunfire.
Man turns against his neighbor
because he has turned his back to
God; for humanity to attain peace,
man must return to God. Who
among the candidates seeking our
votes next year are willing to build
their platform on this premise and
spend their billions to make this
happen? Your guess is as good as
mine. And thats the truth.

The poor as the new elite

Fr. Roy Cimagala

THE poor is actually all of us, since all of us

are in need of God. Thats how poverty should
be understood in its strictest sense. Thats why
Christ put as the first beatitude those who are
poor in spirit because they are the ones who
acknowledge their poverty with regard to God
and are longing to be with God.
If we understand the poor in this way, it
can happen that the poorest of the poor can
in fact be the richest man in the world, in
terms of material wealth, because that man
may be farthest from God and may not be
doing anything to solve his predicament. It can
happen that the poorest of the poor is not in
the peripheries and fringes of our society, but
is right in the middle of societys mainstream.
Now that we are in the Year of the Poor, we
need to be clear about this point, before we
fall into the subtle trick of the devil who can
mislead us in our attitude toward the poor.
Lets remember that the weed can actually
look like the real plant, and the devil can present himself as an angel of light. We have to

be most discerning. We should not be nave,

especially nowadays when many confusing and
albeit attractive ideologies about the poor are
bombarded on us.
Its true that we have to give a kind of preferential option to those who are materially
poor, precisely because their needs may be
immediate. We cannot deny that there will
always be some kind of social inequality that
causes this kind of poverty. Thus, Christ told
us: You always have the poor with you, but
you will not always have me. (Mt 26, 11)
Such inequality should trigger the dynamics
and initiative of concern and help. St. John in
his first letter tells us: If anyone has the worlds
goods and sees his brother in need yet closes his
heart against him, how does Gods love abide
in him? (3,17)
We also cannot deny that there are instances
when we find ourselves at a loss as to how to
help the poor in immediate material needs.
Many times, we can only cry and suffer in
silence, praying hard and thinking deeply as

to how to restructure things that give rise to

this kind of social poverty. Lets be ready for
these occasions and exert effort not to fall into
despair. Theres always hope in the mysterious
ways of God.
But this particular concern for the poor in
immediate material need, however, should not
distract us from the ultimate concern for the
poor in the strictest and universal sense. We
should not forget that the ultimate concern is
how to resolve the spiritual and moral poverty
of the people, i.e., how to combat temptations
and sin.
This is where the real battle is. It is how to
convince the rich young man in the Gospel
(cfr Mt 1916-30), who actually represents all
of us, to go sell everything that he has and
follow Christ. It is how to undo what Christ
said: It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God.
We can only do this if we have the right
poverty of spirit as described in the beatitudes.

CBCP Monitor

OPINION A5

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Along the Way

Communion for Sinners?

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD

THE most hotly debated issue at the justconcluded Synod of Bishops is whether to
allow those who are divorced and remarried to
receive Holy Communion. In the Philippines
where divorce is not permitted by law, this may
be a non-issue. Yet there are those who have
separated from their spouses and are now cohabitating with their new partners. So in way,
the issue may also concern them.
There are many bishops who want to hold
on to the canonical restriction which prohibits
communion to the divorced and remarried.
The reason given is that they are living in
sinthey are committing adulteryand cannot receive communion. It would be a scandal
to allow them to do so and completely wrong.
Besides being sacrilegious, it would give a
message to all that divorce and adultery is now
tolerated. Many priests, religious and lay faithful hold on to this canonical restriction which
they consider as dogma and would be upset if
this is changed.
On the other hand, there are those who want
to change the law and allow those whose marriages have failed and who have remarried to
receive the body of Christ in Holy Eucharist.
They believe that God is merciful and the
Church should show this mercy to the divorced
and remarried. This is appropriate especially
during this Holy Year in which mercy is the
theme. Allowing them to receive communion
is an expression of mercy. Even if they are
unworthy they remain recipients of the mercy
of God and the Church.
This debate has nothing to do with changing
any doctrine or dogma. Divorce is still prohibited by the Church and adultery remains a
sin. It is about whether a canonical restriction
should be lifted or not. I hold that this debate
cannot be resolved by framing it in terms of

Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ

being faithful to the law versus showing mercy.

Rather, we have to review the theology of the
Eucharist and discover the meaning of receiving Holy Communion. What does it mean
to receive Holy Communion and what does
prohibition from receiving it signify?
From the perspective of the ecclesiology of
communion, the Eucharist is the Christian
communitys celebration of communion between the community and the Lord who is
present, especially in the consecrated bread
and wine. It is also the celebration of the communion among the members of the Church
which is the body of Christ. The communion
celebrated and deepened in the Eucharist has
a vertical and horizontal dimension. The Eucharist is therefore a celebration of the unity,
friendship and sharing between the community
of believers and the Risen Lord and among the
believers themselves. The person who receives
the body of Christ in Holy Communion
celebrates and affirms his/her communion
with Christ and with the Churchthe body
of Christ. At the same time the person draws
spiritual nourishment from Christ through the
Churcha grace which is gratuitous.
The question then is, does sin totally cut off
the persons communion with Christ and His
body the Church? Does sin prevent sinners
from celebrating communion with Christ and
with the Church? Does sin excommunicate
the sinner and make the sinner unworthy of
receiving the body of Christ?
If the answer is yes, then only a few can go to
communionthe sinless few, for the ordinary
Christian is a sinnerin varying degrees. Even
the pope, in an interview, defines himself as a
sinner. Eucharistic communion is, therefore,
the prize for the perfect or righteous ones. If the
answer is: it depends on what sin, then which

Sede Vacante No More!

sin? What about thieves, murderers, the corrupt politicians, or those that destroy the environmentcan they receive holy communion?
Should they be barred from communion? Or is
it only those who have committed adultery
those who are divorced and remarriedare
the only ones considered living in sin and
not allowed to go to communion?
The final question is: is it true that the
divorced and remarried have totally ruptured
their communion with Christ and the Church?
Have they been excommunicated or excluded
from the Church and separated from Christ
that they do not deserve to receive Holy
Communion? If yes, then it signifies that they
have been excluded from Gods grace and condemned to live the rest of their life separated
from God in all eternity. It means that they are
excluded from receiving spiritual nourishment
from Christ and the Church. They should not
even go to Mass at all for going to the Eucharist
without partaking of the body of Christ is like
going to a banquet without partaking of the
food from the table.
The Pharisees and religious leaders of his
time were scandalized by Jesus who ate with
sinners. They called him a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of sinners. In the banquet
of the Lordthe symbol of Gods kingdom
Jesus welcomes even those who have been
condemned as sinners and considered by the
Pharisees as excluded from the Kingdom and
from Gods saving grace and mercy.
In approaching this issue, one should avoid
the mentality of the self-righteous Pharisees
who were obsessed with the strict and rigid
observance of smallest precepts of the law and
forgot to observe the greater lawof love,
mercy and compassion. Jesus had harsh words
for them. Woe to you.

Duc In Altum

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

WE, the people of God in the Diocese of Kalookan, thank the Lord for the gift of a bishop
in the person of Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio
Siongco David, the Auxiliary Bishop of San
Fernando. We are ever grateful to the Holy
Father, Pope Francis, for giving a new bishop
for our Diocese.
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ambo, as
he is endearingly called by many, as the second
Bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan since its
establishment on June 28, 2003. The Diocese
has been without a bishop, sede vacante, since
January 25, 2013 when Most Rev. Deogracias
Iiguez resigned due to health reasons. For 2
years and 9 months without a regular bishop,
the Diocese had been ably administered by
Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. Francisco M. De Leon who was appointed by Pope
Benedict XVI as its Apostolic Administrator.
Bishop Ambo was born on March 2, 1959 in
Betis, Guagua, Pampanga to spouses Pedro Sahagun David of Betis and Bienvenida Sanchez
Siongco of Macabebe and is the 10th among
the 13 children of the Davids. He studied in
Betis Elementary School in Guagua; High
School at Mother of Good Counsel Seminary
in San Fernando and AB Pre-Divinity at Ateneo de Manila. He studied Theology at San
Jose Seminary in Loyola Heights, Quezon
City, M.A. in Theology at Loyola School of
Theology; Licentiate in Sacred Theology and
Doctorate in Sacred Theology at Catholic
University of Louvain in Belgium.
He was ordained a priest on March 12, 1983
at the age of 24. Pope Benedict XVI appointed
him Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando on May
27, 2006 at age 47. He was ordained Bishop
on July 10, 2006. Pope Francis appointed him
Bishop of Kalookan on October 14, 2015 at
age 56. His Episcopal Ordination is tentatively
scheduled on January 2, 2016.
Bishop Ambo was the Parish Priest of Holy
Rosary Parish in Angeles City, Pampanga when

he was appointed to the Diocese of Kalookan.

He is a known Bible scholar and is the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) Outgoing Chair of Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate, a position he
held for 6 years. He is the Incoming Chair of
Permanent Committee on Cultural Heritage
of the Church.
The coat of arms of Bishop Ambo speaks of
his ministry, Kenosis, which is translated as
self-emptying of ones own will and becoming
entirely receptive to Gods divine will.
Our prayer, as written by Bishop Francis in
Tagalog: ... O, loving Father, you chose him
to be our Good Shepherd, to guide and lead
us to the path of holiness and fullness of life.
Help him accomplish the task You assigned to
him, with strong faith and pure love. While we
are preparing for his installation, enkindle in
our hearts the sense of thanksgiving, solidarity and love as a community. All of these we
ask of you through Your Son Jesus Christ, in
union with the Holy Spirit through the help
and prayer of Blessed Mary, our Mother, now
and forever . Amen.
To the second Bishop of the Diocese of
Kalookan, our Shepherd, we welcome you
Bishop Ambo to your new home. We assure
you of our full cooperation, support, and love
that you will never have the time to miss the
flock that you will leave behind.
To our Apostolic Administrator, our Shepherd, thank you very much Bishop Francis for
what you have done for the Diocese of Kalookan, we need not mention them, our Lord
Almighty already sees and knows them all. We
are grateful for your understanding, patience,
and hard work. We, the Curia and Chancery
staff, will surely and truly miss your fatherly
love and care, your sweet laughter and broad
smile, your wit, and jokes. We know you will
also miss us. We wish and pray for your good
health and success in all your endeavors. God

Collection Box

Fr. Jerome Secillano, MPA

IN the Code of Canon Law, the

Synod of Bishops is supposed to
promote the close relationship
between the Roman Pontiff and
the Bishops (cf. Canon 342) but
what we have learned so far about
the ongoing Synod in Rome is a
split between those allied with
the Popes vision of an inclusive
Church and those who vehemently uphold the Churchs centuriesold doctrines and traditions.
This years Synod reveals a plot
resembling one of Dan Browns
novels with accusations of conspiracy and manipulation of the
process aimed at advancing reforms supposedly to make the
Church more effective in dealing
with family issues at the cost
of adversely affecting Churchs
doctrines.
Asked about the veracity of

these reports, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington said,

Unfortunately, we all came to
this Synod with a hermeneutic
of suspicion already floating out
there. There are people inside the
Synod who talk about this. The
media didnt create these stories.
Even if the Pope already assured
the participants of the importance
of subsidiarity, which in secular
language means decentralization,
and openness in their discussions
and deliberations, the very obvious division among participants,
especially among clergymen, still
exists. Telling the Synod fathers
that such a gathering is not just
about giving communion to the
divorced and remarried also did
not help. This controversial issue
continues to dominate the discussions and together with the so-

Pitik-Bulag

bless and thanks po!

***
The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko)
held its 19th Biennial Convention at Summit Circle Hotel at Fuente Osmea Circle in
Cebu City with the theme The Eucharist,
the Family and the Parish in the Jubilee Year
of Mercy. Outgoing National President Dr.
Amelita Dayrit-Go presented the Presidents
Report and the Laiko Statutes for approval by
the members. Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani gave
the keynote address while the other resource
persons were Fr. Ely Suico The Parish in the
Jubilee Year of Mercy; Former Chief Justice
Hilario Davide The Eucharist in the Family;
Msgr. Roger Fuentes The Laitys Role and Life
in the New Evangelization; and Fr. Amado
Picardal The Basic Ecclesial Communities.
The Eucharistic celebrants were Most Rev. Jesse
Mercado, Outgoing Chairman of the Episcopal
Commission on the Laity, National Spiritual
Director of Laiko and Bishop of Paraaque
and Most Rev. Dennis Villarojo, Auxiliary
Bishop of Cebu.
***
Typhoon Lando, with international name
Koppu, wreaked havoc in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cordillera Region, and other
parts of Northern Luzon. There were landslides
and heavy flooding in those areas. Flood from
the mountains rushed down to the residential
areas which caused the local government to
implement forced evacuation of the residents.
Low lying areas in the neighboring provinces of
Bulacan and Pampanga served as a catch basin
for the flood. We urge the readers to respond
to the call of the Church, Radio Veritas, and
Caritas for donations of foods and basic needs
of the victims of Typhoon Lando.
***
We greet Fr. Salvador Curutchet, IVE and
Fr. Ildefonso de Guzman, Jr. of the Diocese of
Kalookan a very Happy Birthday.

A closer look at the

AlDub phenomenon
SA tamang panahon may forever.
The Aldub Phenomenon is like wild fire that has quickly spread
all over our archipelago, instantly capturing nationwide attention
and unprecedentedly winning the hearts of Filipinos from all
walks of life.
But whats the secret of the instant mega success of Aldub Kalye
Serye that even those who are well educated and sophisticated are
attracted to it? Nobody can deny that Eat Bulaga has unknowingly
unearthed one of our deepest longing as a nationthe DESIRE TO
BE INSPIRED, as manifested through the never ending KILIGS
generated by our lovely couple Alden and Yaya Dub, coupled with
those daily HUGOTS of inspirations that stir our dormant and
forgotten Filipino valuesespecially the value of waiting, sacrifice,
selflessness, purity of intentions, respect of elders, love of family,
love of God, perseverance, and other unique Filipino traits that
bear our unique identity as a Filipino people.
We are always amused and entertained by the three colorful, fashionable, and wacky sistersLola Nidora, Lola Tidora, and Lola Tinidora.
They are so spontaneous, oozing with life and true to themselves. But
what struck us the most is their forever love and support for each
otherarticulating our great desire to love our family through thick
and thin.
Millions are glued to their televisions and You-tube everyday, looking forward to see what Lola Nidora will do next to test the love of the
couple. We are amused by our ever loving Lola Nidora who supports
the budding love between Alden and Yaya Dub, yet guides and teaches
the SUPER IN LOVE couple to manage their feelings and purify their
desiresby patiently waiting for the right time.
The theme of WAITING PATIENTLY re-echoes repeatedly in the
show, reminding the couple and us the value of delayed gratification,
sacrifice, and trust. Nasa tamang panahon ang lahat ng bagay. Waiting
is a sign of true love and patience. Anyone can say I love you, but not
everyone can wait and prove its true. (Aldub).
Sa TAMANG PANAHON. Lola Nidora once said, Hindi sapat
ang yaman para ibigin ang isang tao. Ang pag-ibig ay nararamdaman,
hindi binibili, ipinaglalaban, iniingatan at ipinagkakaloob sa tamang
panahon. She also said, Huwag magmadali. Ang lahat ng bagay ay
nasa tamang panahon. Lola Nidora is indeed a prophet shouting at
us to pause ... dont rush ... discern ... there is such a thing as perfect
time ... in Gods time.
In our present time where waiting is no longer a recognized and
treasured virtue, we found ourselves easily tempted to take the easy
road, and avoid pain, sacrifice, and self-denial. We no longer see the
wisdom of purifying our hearts desire. We forget that most of the
time, our impatience, our wild passion, and our inability to patiently
wait for the right time, bring unnecessary tears, hurts and failures in
our life. We forgot that WAITING purifies our hearts and deepens our
commitment to FOREVER.
Indeed, it validates one of my pitik-bulag quotes: Maghintay nang
mahusay. Hayaan nating pandayin ng panahon ang ating buhay, upang
makamit natin ang isang masaya at mabuting buhay.
How can we forget those trying moments where Alden did his best
to prove his selfless love to Yaya Dub, by humbly submitting himself to
the tests and scrutiny of Lola Nidora? How can we ignore Yaya Dubs
simplicity, faithfulness obedience to Lola Nidora?
Maine Mendozas unique talent to dubsmash songs and movie lines
are just add-ons to her attractive personality. What struck us most was
Maines simplicity, humility, and her love for her family. She reminds
us of the Filipina woman we wish to see and emulate.
The Kalye-Serye brings laughter, joy, tears, and lots of kilig to our
mundane, boring afternoon. It allows us to reflect and recall our true
identity as Filipinos in a different and subtle way. The simple plot of
the AlDub love story pokes our hearts and minds, and reminds us of
who we areas a simple people, family-oriented and faithful to our love
ones. We are attracted to this AlDub phenomena for it daily mirrors
back to us of who we are.
The Juan Luna fever that caught our nation a few months ago has
a semblance of the AlDub feverthat is, A CALL TO RETURN to
our forgotten values and heritage using a different lens. So far, theres
nothing offensive in the Kalye Serye story. Like a gentle breeze that
brings fresh air to our hot afternoon, Aldub brings zest and consolation
to our tired spirits.
We look forward for more kilig and hugot in the love story of
Alden and Yaya Dub. We also look forward to discovering how
the mystery of the life of the three Lolas will unfold before us,
and how they will face together the secret past that haunts them.
There is indeed unity and strength in love. And when one learns
how to love, no personal trial or family crisis will overcome us.
AlDub gives us hope and glimpse that theres such a thing as
FOREVER.
The AlDub fever is not all about Alden and Yaya Dub. It is all about
us. We need small doses of daily KILIG and HUGOT to awaken our
sleeping spirits, inspire us, and bring fire to our weary hearts. So that
we could SMILE PA MORE and LOVE PA MORE.
No matter how long it takes, true love is always worth the wait.
- AlDub

Understanding the Issues in the

Synod of Bishops on the Family
called gay or homosexual unions,
they are proving to be the real
causes of division between what
the media portrays as the liberals
and traditionalists.
John Allen, Jr., a renowned
Vatican reporter, reported a very
interesting remark from the
Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek
Catholic Church (UGCC) who
said, Those are important questions, no doubt, but theres a much
bigger picture of issues facing the
family today. The Bishop went
on to mention some, namely:
migrants, refugees, and war.
It is still not clear whether the
Synod has already identified new
methods or strategies to support
families in conflict zones except
to say that the Holy Father already
called for the opening of international borders to accommodate

those affected by war and terrorism even before the Synod began.
While the existence of myriad
of family problems, like incest,
violence, sexual abuse, poverty,
and those mentioned by the
good Bishop of UGCC, cannot
be denied, they have not been
given much attention in the media
and have not been thoroughly
discussed and debated. Why?
My theory is that, these issues
can very well be addressed by
pastoral or practical interventions
without these pastoral approaches
necessarily causing undue harm to
Churchs doctrines. In contrast, if
the Church allows communion
for the divorced and remarried, it
directly infringes on the long-held
doctrinal teaching that those in
the state of sin should not receive
Holy Communion.

Commenting on this proposal,

Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary,
the General Relator of the Synod
said, The prohibition for divorced and remarried Catholics
to receive communion is not an
arbitrary ban. The reason they
cannot receive the Eucharist is not
because of the failure of their first
marriage, but because of cohabitation in their second relationship.
While giving communion to
the divorced and remarried in
the name of mercy and compassion is very charitable indeed, the
doctrinal repercussions of doing
such are enormous that critics
said it undermines the indissolubility of marriage (Mt. 19:6)
and it amounts to an attack on
the sanctity of the Eucharist since
receiving Holy Communion in sin
is sacrilegious.

It is hard to say that those advocating change do not necessarily

understand the points put forward
by the doctrinally inclined Synod
fathers. In the first place, these socalled liberals are made up of bishops and cardinals also on account
of their orthodoxy and fidelity to
the truth. Perhaps it is true that
the change they are advocating is
only in approach, methodology,
and emphasis and not on some
doctrinal substances. The problem is these proposed pastoral
approaches under the principle of
mercy and compassion put in peril
the very doctrines that the Church
is supposed to uphold and protect.
Archbishop Charles Chaput of
Philadelphia movingly expressed
this dilemma and seemed to
provide the direction the Church

Collection Box, A7

A6 LOCAL NEWS

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Why violence against

women is a Synod issue

(L to R) Tonga Bishop Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi and Bombay Archbishop Oswald
Cardinal Gracias during a press briefing on the Synod on the Family at the Holy See
Press Office, Vatican City, Rome, Oct. 22, 2015 ROY LAGARDE

EMBELLISHING a known saying, it can be said that women

hold up half of the family.
This insight is something the
Church hierarchy is acknowledging, especially during this years
Synod on the Family where several
women were able to give personal
testimonies on issues like violence
against women, polygamy, among
others which invariably affect the
family.
In a press briefing on the Synod
on Wednesday, Tonga Bishop
Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi
said: As I say for our side of the
world, [violence against women]
is becoming an issue and its
good to see women now they are
speaking out. Lots of NGOs are
very strongly bringing this up,
especially the violence, so the
Church of course has always been
clear and is always for the dignity
of men and women.
Gender sensitization
According to the prelate, who
is the youngest member of the
College of Cardinals, there is
progress in terms of addressing
the pressing issue of degradation
of women and the Church has to
do its part, alongside other groups
like NGOs.
Because as I say, we are in a
global world..So its good to see
[that] there are steps coming
forwardThe Church has go together because [this issue] affects
the family as I said before. The
changes in the very structure and
family values has its genesis [in different factors] including violence
against women so the Church has

to address [it], Mafi added.

In the same press briefing, Bombay Archbishop Oswald Cardinal
Gracias revealed how his archdiocese has adopted as official policy
a document on womens rights and
gender sensitization drawn up by
Catholic women leaders in India.
Now the questionwas of
giving equal rights to women and
recognizing their responsibilities
and their role in society and in
the Church. What was specialI
would think that many conferences must have studied this
perhaps was [we asked] the women
themselves to make the first draft
which we took from, explained
Gracias, head of the Conference
of Catholic Bishops of India.
Sons and daughters of God
Meanwhile Los Angeles Jos
Horacio Gomez stressed the importance of
respect for women obviously
with equal rights and equal responsibilities and obligations in
following the teachings of the
Catholic Church.
I think it is important that to
talk about it (the issue of violence
against women) and to address those
specific problems coming from the
fact that God created all of us equal
and that we are all children of God,
sons and daughters of God.
The Synod of Bishops on the
Family, which gathered 270 prelates and 18 couples from around
the world to discuss the present
state of the family, is set to conclude on Oct. 25 with a Mass at
St. Peters Square. (Nirvaana Ella
Delacruz / CBCP News)

Commitment, A1

natural resources, for more often,

the destruction of Gods gift make
the poor poorer, the priest adds.
Moortgat said it is important to
focus on those at the bottom of
society who make up the lowest 25
percent of the population.
The Belgian priest pointed out
that although a family of five who
make do with Php 350 or less per
day (Php 70 each person per day)
may be considered poor, in general, those who suffer most from
poverty are people with disabilities
(PWD), particularly the mentally
challenged, among others.
He added that making opportunities for education, employment,
and small-scale business available
can do much in terms of raising
the living standards of the poor.
Based on a recent Social Weath-

er Stations (SWS) survey, as many

as 12.1 million Filipinos identify
themselves as poor.
Themed Bumangon at Manindigan (Rise and Stand up), Year
of the Poor is a year-round event
in line with the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP)s declaration of 2015,
urging the Filipino faithful to do
their part in helping the poor,
especially in pushing for the true
alleviation, reduction, and eradication of poverty in the country.
The occasion, which comes
third in the nine-year era of New
Evangelization, prepares Filipinos
ahead of the 500th anniversary
of the coming of the Catholic
Faith in the Philippines in 2021.
(Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP
News)

Gather, A1

date be moved instead to Sunday,

November 8.
Similarly, the Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar also
conducted what it considers its
own urgent collection of donations for Lando victims.
The Bishop [Crispin B. Varquez] requests that we make a
Second Collection in our Masses
this Sunday, 25 Oct. 2015 for
the victims/survivors of Typhoon
Lando. Please remit the said
collection to the Office of the
Financial Administrator as soon as
possible, said Borongan Chancellor Neil Gavan Tenefrancia in a
letter dated October 22.
Eastern Samar, particularly its
municipalities of Guiuan and
Basey, was among the provinces
that received the brunt of Super
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) back
in November 2013. Catholics
in the typhoon-prone province
celebrated the 55th founding
anniversary of their diocese last
October 22.
Earlier, members of Caritas
Internationalis in Europe and the
United States pledged support

amounting to P8.9 million to

the Philippine Churchs ongoing
relief operations for survivors of
Typhoon Lando.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, through its social action
arm, the National Secretariat for
Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas
Philippines, will roll out a P13.21million relief project to aid communities affected by the typhoon.
At least 41 individuals perished
due to Typhoon Lando, a Category 5 typhoon that made landfall last October 18. According to
state agencies, a total of 268,877
families or 1,242,239 persons,
were affected by the storm in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A (Calabarzon),
5, National Capital Region and
CAR while 25,182 families or
113,584 persons remains in 106
evacuation centers.
Considered as the worst typhoon that hit the country this
year, Lando caused damage to
agriculture worth at least P6.43
billion, and to infrastructure,
P902 million. (Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

CBCP Monitor

Yolanda survivors help Lando victims

KNOWING all too well their present plight
of the victims of Typhoon Lando (Koppu),
survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) from
Palo, Leyte are at the forefront of the Churchs
ongoing relief operations.
Indigenous communities in Barangay Cozo
in Casiguran, Aurora started repairing their
damaged homes after Typhoon Koppu ravaged Central and Northern Luzon. (Photo by:
NASSA/Caritas Philippines Rapid Assessment
Team)
According to Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive
secretary of the National Secretariat for Social
Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, the
spirit of Alay Kapwa is truly alive during these
trying times.

We really appreciate how dioceses previously affected by Typhoon Yolanda immediately flew here to immediately respond to
the needs of the people in Northern Luzon,
he said.
Gariguez said the staff of the Archdiocese of
Palos Relief and Rehabilitation Unit (Caritas
Palo) volunteered to take part in the rapid
needs assessment in provinces worst-hit by
Lando like Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan.
The priest added that this is not the first case
of Yolanda survivors helping those affected by
similar natural disasters.
In 2014, Gariguez recalled they were also
among the first to send relief aid to nearby
Samar during the onslaught of Typhoon Ruby.

NASSA/Caritas Philippines earlier launched

an emergency appeal to the Caritas Internationalis confederation to provide Php 13.21-million worth of relief aid to 25,000 people in 15
provinces affected by Lando: Aurora,Quezon,
Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Qurino, Nueva Ecija,
Kalinga, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales,
Rizal, Cavite, Batanes, La Union, and Abra.
Moreover, the Churchs social action arm set
up a Lando Monitoring Center on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) compound in Intramuros, Manila.
With its 165 member-countries, Caritas
Internationalis is currently headed by Manila
Archbishop Lus Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
(Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

CSMSv4.0 delegates inspired by Rosary app story

PARTICIPANTS of the recently
concluded 4th Catholic Social
Media Summit (CSMSv.4.0) were
inspired even more to take on the
challenge of the New Evangelization after hearing the story behind
My/Phones Rosary app.
David Lim, president of Solid
Group Inc., the creator of MyPhone, told more than 300 online missionaries of God (OMGs)
at the Sta. Rosa City Hall Auditorium, Laguna on Oct. 11 that the
Rosary app was born out of his
dream of having a phone that has
a Filipino heart.
Phone with Pinoy heart
Calling a phone a Filipino
phone means nothing, unless
you put a Filipino heart into the
phone, he said.
According to Lim, who considered himself a dreamer, MyPhone
began when a personal phone he
brought in from his fathers factory
in China broke down.
From Day 1, I said this is going
to be a Filipino phone. But nothing inside it was Filipino except
my heart wanting to give this
phone to marginalized Filipinos,
he added.
Lim shared how the idea for a
Rosary app came to him during a
mobile conference he attended in
China with at least 6,000 other
store owners.

Rosary inside
In a three-square meter store, he
remembered seeing a man reading
the Bible who sold an MP3 with
the Rosary inside.
Lim wasted no time in asking
his technical guy to put Rosary
prayers into MyPhone. And the
rest is Rosary app history.
But as soon as he finished the
Rosary app, he sensed the need to
also include prayers for exams as
well as for healing.
Despite the success of the mobile application, Lim pointed out
the company would not be where
it is now without the hard work
they have put in, and the many
struggles they have been through
to make a name in the mobile
industry.
Writing ones story
That single day when I saw
my parents very hurt because
of the blood, sweat, and tears
when they were building the
brand, I told myself I would
never build another foreign
brand, he said.
Lim went on to challenge
CSMSv4.0 delegates to write their
own stories, and to find their place
in the sun.
You will write your own
stories. All the stories you hear
will never be yours. You will
have to write own stories. You

David Lim, president of Solid Group Inc., the creator of MyPhone. DOMINIC BARRIOS

have to find your uniqueness,

he stressed.
Moreover, he expressed joy
that his family found God in the
Philippines and that his heart is
a hundred percent Filipino.
Lim ended with advice his
mother used to tell him as a child:
David, listen to the peoples
complaints. When they complain,
then theres [an] opportunity to
serve.
Plugged-in
Organized by this year by
YouthPinoy (YP), Areopagus
Communications, and in partnership with the Diocese of San
Pablo, the CSMS is an annual

gathering of current and aspiring

online evangelists from different
schools, youth organizations,
and arch/dioceses of the Philippines, who want to win more
souls for Christ through the
intelligent and responsible use
of social media.
CSMSv.4.0, its fourth and latest
successful installment, adopted the
theme Plugged-in, drawing inspiration from Pope Francis homily at
the Manila Cathedral on networks
of solidarity as well as St. Pauls
message in Romans 15:16 that
all may be one voice in glorifying
God. (Trizia Marie Castrillo
with reports from Raymond A.
Sebastin / CBCP News)

Southern Tagalog priests combine prayer, sports

HUNDREDS of priests from dioceses, vicariates, prelatures belonging to Southern Luzon
Tagalog Region (SOLTARE) have converged
here from Oct. 19 to 22 for several days of
sports competitions and sessions on spirituality.
Hosted by the Diocese of Imus led by Bishop
Reynaldo G. Evangelista, DD, the four-day 9th
SOLTARE CUP bore the theme: PARI FOREVERLARO PA MORE#eh di WOW.
As the theme suggests the entire four-day
event was a blend of spirituality, solidarity,
and action. The daily games at the Tahanan ng
Mabuting Pastol Seminary compound always
started and ended with communal prayers,
liturgy, celebration of the Eucharist and bonding over meals courtesy of generous donors.
Priests got talent too
Led by their respective bishops the clergy
of priests, deacons, and religious belonging

to eight dioceses, vicariates and prelatures

of SOLTARE arrived at the venue on Oct.
19 to compete among themselves in friendly
basketball, volleyball, badminton, lawn tennis,
swimming, table tennis, bowling, chess, darts
matches, including the crowd-pleaser Priests
Got Talent Night.
On Tuesday night, shortly after dinner the
Priests Got Talent Night was held and saw
priests, deacons, and a bishop unleashing hidden talents of music, dances, comic timing
and the like.
The clergy of Lucena (Quezon) bested other
competitors during the night of talents with
their renditions of American singing sensations Beyonc, Miley Cyrus, Superman, and
the like.
The clergy of Boac, Marinduque with no less
than their prelate Bishop Marcelino Antonio
M. Maralit, Jr. leading the group with their

musical performance using bamboo sticks

garnered second place.
Championship games
Third prize went to a former Singing Bee
talent of ABS-CBN, one of San Pablos singing
priests, Fr. Albert San Jose.
Bishops Emilio Z. Marquez of Lucena Diocese, Victor C. Ocampo of Gumaca, Maralit,
Jr. of Boac, Marinduque, and Evangelista of
Imus were present at the event.
As of press time, priests players representing
their respective dioceses, prelatures, vicariates
are still vying to win the championship games/
The games were held at various venues
including the Divine Word Seminary; Society
of St. Paul Seminary (Silang); Tagaytay Highlands; Samahan ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary
all in Cavite and several more. (Fr. Romy O.
Ponte / CBCP News)

Humble , A1

ed media reports, the archbishop

said the church has not softened
its stand on the issue but rather
encouraged approaches that are
genuinely more pastoral.
The call is for us to take the
approach towards these couples
with mercy and compassion. That
is the call of the Holy Father in
the language that we use, Valles
said.
The vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines, Valles said this is
surely where the voice of the
local churches is vital, listening,
articulating, and giving voice to
the voiceless and isolated.
He said they should be integrated into the life of the church
and not made to feel that they
have been excommunicated.
As pastors, we would really tell
them that they have a place in the
church. We would listen to them
and that there are ways that they
can still be connected with the
community and with the Lord,
he said.
Change of mentality, openness
According to Bishop Gilbert
Garcera of Daet, one thing very
important is the attitude of bishops, priests, and pastoral workers
toward Catholics in difficult
situations.
He said these include using less
harsh language for gays and lesbians as well as cohabiting couples,

divorced, and the remarried.

The way we deal with them is
at times saddening, said Garcera,
chairman of the CBCP Episcopal
Commission on Family and Life.
I think this is one challenge
for us, particularly the church in
the Philippines, that we have to
be open, to ask forgiveness for
the many times [we] have been
judging people, he said.
Valles said a listening shepherd is more needed and by doing away with rubbing salt further
into the wound.
For Garcera, real conversion
must first start with bishops themselves, a call that Pope Francis has
already emphasized in his first
encyclical apostolic exhortation,
Evangelii Gaudium.
Just to say hi and hello to
people instead of being so serious
all time will make a difference.
You should be a welcoming face
and presence. I think the Holy
Father has been giving us this
example, he said.
Great concern for families
Amid the many innuendos of
controversy, what were discussed
and finalized at the Synod certainly showed the Churchs great
concern for the families, said
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu.
While they did not grab so
much attention in the secular
media, the pastoral care for the elderly and people with disabilities,

openness to life, and the plight of

migrants and refugees were also
tackled at the Synod.
A lot of proposals and evaluations have been made but one
thing is sure No matter what
your situation in life, you are
loved and cared for. People should
know that the Holy Father has
great care for them, he said.
If theres anything people
should look forward to in the
Synod, Palma said it would be the
new pastoral initiatives to address
the many issues facing families in
the modern world.
It makes us aware of the realities of families. It makes us aware
that efforts are being done all
over the world, said the former
president of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines.
Sense of collegiality
The Synod final report released
to the media on Oct. 24 showed
a sense of collegiality among the
global bishops.
In fact, only two of the 94 paragraphs showed a disparity in the
voting, both of them surrounding the topic of pastoral care for
divorced and remarried persons.
Despite the calls by some for
the Church to change its doctrine,
the document upheld the Church
teaching and practice on the issue.
Its therefore the responsibility of pastors to accompany the
persons concerned on a path of

discernment according to the

teaching of the Church and the
guidelines of the bishop, paragraph 85 reads.
While there was an overall support for the Churchs teaching and
current pastoral practices to remain in place, the document also
stressed that divorced and remarried couples are baptized persons
who must be more integrated
into the Christian community,
while avoiding every occasion
of scandal.
The logic of integration is
the key to their pastoral accompaniment, paragraph 84 said,
explaining that their involvement
in the Church can be expressed
in different ecclesial services.
Synod spirit
Valles said the three-week assembly was full of intense but solemn discussion on the challenges
the families are facing today.
With some married couples
and other faith leaders present who shared their views and
experiences, the Synod enabled
participants to learn from each
other about marriage and family.
He also said that while there
were debates in drafting the final
document, it was done in a very
respectful way, adding that there
were also lots of touching and
inspiring stories. (With reports
from Nirvaana Ella Delacruz
and Catholic News Agency)

CBCP Monitor

Bishops reminder: No
Eucharist without Mary
TACLOBAN City - This was
the emphatic thought that Naval
Biliran Bishop Filomeno Bactol
shared in his homily yesterday
afternoon on the feast day celebration of Our Lady of Fatima in Sto.
Nio Church in this city.
Had Mary not allowed her
body to be used for Jesus (to be
born) there is no basis for (Christ)
to say, This is my body, Bactol
stressed pertaining to the Holy
Eucharist where the Holy Host
is consecrated into the Body of
Christ.
Mary leads to Jesus
According to him, this more
vividly explains the link between
the devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary and Jesus, calling the prayers
and devotion to Mary Cristocentric.
We cannot separate Mary
from Jesus and Jesus from Mary,
he stressed, saying further, All
prayers for Mary end up to Jesus.
The prelate elaborated that the
celebration of the feast day of
Our Lady of Fatima brings people
closer to Jesus just like praying the
Holy Rosary.
It also provides saving power
to Christs believers in times of
difficulties.
Battles won by the rosary
Bactol recounted the stories of
victory attributed to the peoples
devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly in praying the Holy Rosary.

He cited, for instance, the Battle

of Lepanto on Oct. 7, 1571 and
the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.
Bactol narrated how the peoples
fervent prayer of the Holy Rosary
likewise led to the victory of the
Filipinos during World War II in
the naval battle, known in history
as Battle of Biliran and Battle of
Leyte Gulf.
It could also be recalled that the
first people power revolution was a
peaceful and bloodless restoration
of democracy due to the peoples
collective prayer of the Holy Rosary in EDSA in 1986 instead of
violent retaliation.
Divorce, abortion, euthanasia
Bactol said though the battle
against evil is not over, especially
these days that more people are
losing their sense of sin.
There are many people who no
longer acknowledge their sinful
acts which are morally and legally
wrong, he added.
According to him, the battle
these days is in the growing culture
of corruption, drugs, and death
or divorce, euthanasia, abortion,
total depopulation, and same sex
marriage.
Turning back to God and to
Jesus and constant praying of
the Holy Rosary, he stressed, will
help the faithful find hope and
peace and win the war against
these evils in this modern world.
(Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros /
CBCP News)

Theology, A1

Antonio E. Aureada, O.P. regent of

the UST Graduate School.
Through short skits, reports,
and monologues, among others,
participants were able to translate
the otherwise abstract and esoteric
theological concepts like the informative (dianoetic), transformative,
and performative (dynamic) aspects of Dabhar Yahweh (Word
of God) in a language everyone
can understand.
Using drama, one group acted
out the significance of conversion, and how a woman who has
heeded the Good News of Jesus
can effectively transform herself
and the people around her into
better Christians.
Another team gave new meaning to the act of drinking to point
out that faith in God is like water
that that has the power to quench
thirst.
Majority of the attendees hailed
from the different dioceses of
Metro Manila and nearby provinces who have active roles in their
parishes, and who would love to
share with fellow parishioners
the knowledge they get from the

course.
Estelita C. Laurel, 78, a catechist from Mary Mirror of Justice
Parish, Comembo, Makati City,
said she believes learning theology
will help her improve her identity
as a Catholic.
For 22-year old catechetical instruction teacher Gabriel M. Plegaria, from Binangonan Catholic
College Elementary Department,
Rizal, the crash course will enable him to deepen not only his
knowledge of doctrines, but more
importantly deepen his faith.
Mellanie A. Barsolaso, 34, a
grade school teacher from Holy
Family Academy, Angeles City,
Pampanga, joined the course as
a way to confirm that what she
imparts to her pupils is correct and
in line with what the Magisterium
teaches.
The next session of the theology
crash course is on Nov. 22. For
further information, interested
parties may contact (+63) 9273967-776, (+63)939-462-6733,
and/or (+63)906-410-0010.
(Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP
News)

Filipinos, A1

special admiration for the Filipinos, Cebu Archbishop Jose

Palma quoted the pontiff as saying. Basically, he is taking us as
people of great faith.
Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera said
the Pope also recalled with great happiness the Lolo Kiko Filipinos nickname that Filipinos fondly gave him.
He was really laughing and was

so happy about it, Garcera said.

According to Palma, it created a
good impression on the Pope how
elderly are held in high regard in
the Philippines.
Its a sign that I am appreciated. I am loved in the Philippines,
Pope Francis said, according to
the Cebu prelate. (Roy Lagarde /
CBCPNews)

Caritas, A1

non-food items like blankets,

sleeping mats and mosquito
nets to at least 5,000 families
or approximately 25,000 individuals affected by the recent
typhoon.
We are aiming to help the
most vulnerable people such as
the elderly, disabled, single parents and those who are ill from
the worst-hit and hard-to-reach
areas. We are very thankful to
our Caritas networks around
the globe for its immediate
response to our appeal, Gariguez said.
Initial reports from the diocesan social action centers reveal
that 15 provincesAurora, Quezon, Cagayan,Nueva Vizcaya,
Qurino, Nueva Ecija, Kalinga,
Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales,
Rizal, Cavite, Batanes, La Union
and Abraare the worst-hit areas
during the onslaught of Typhoon
Lando. At the grassroots, the 16
dioceses in Central and Southern
Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos and Calabarzon are
coming to the aid of the typhoon
victims.
We are still waiting for more

DIOCESAN NEWS A7

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

data from our assessment teams

on the ground. These areas may
still change depending on the
needs of the affected dioceses,
Gariguez added.
Pledges and support to the
victims of Typhoon Lando from
other Caritas organizations
worldwide are being extended to
NASSA/Caritas Philippines. So
far, CORDAID (Caritas Netherlands) has pledged 40,000 EUR
to the Typhon Koppu emergency
response activity.
Gariguez said regular updates
about the program are being provided through SMS, electronic
mails and the social media sites
of NASSA/Caritas Philippines.
The Typhoon Koppu Monitoring
Center has already been activated
through the following emergency
hotlines: (02) 527-4163 and
0927-610-9977.
The Global Caritas Internationalis with its 165 member
countries worldwide is currently
being headed by its first Asian
President, Manila Archbishop
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
(Myraine Joly Carluen-Policarpio / CBCP News)

More fun striving to be holy

than being spooky

A past alternative Halloween celebration organized by the Holy Name of Jesus Parish

AREVALO, Iloilo CityAs commercial establishments set up

Halloween decorations, a parish
in Iloilo would like to show the
world that its more fun striving
to be holy than trying to be scary
to mark the holiday.
Instead of the usual festival of
ghouls, goons, and ghosts, the
Holy Name of Jesus Parish in the
Arevalo district of Iloilo City will
hold a Procession of Saints as an
alternative Halloween celebration
on Oct. 31.
Arevalo parish priest Msgr.
Amadeo Escaan explained that

the genuine meaning of Halloween is the festival of all holy men

and women celebrated on the eve
of the Solemnity of All Saints.
Escaan lamented that the
modern celebration of Halloween,
held usually in exclusive villages
and shopping malls, has degenerated into an overly-commercialized event.
Solemn and fun-filled celebration
For the alternative Halloween
in Arevalo, parish event-organizers
prepared a solemn and fun-filled
celebration for children and their

HOLY NAME OF JESUS PARISH

parents on Oct. 31.

The faithful will assemble at
the parish grounds at 2:15 p.m.
for the Holy Mass. After which
the presentation and procession
of saints will follow in which 50
children hailing from the 10 barangays of the parish each representing a particular saint- will
walk along the streets of Arevalo.
Aside from the Parade of
Saints, there will be group
games, drum and bugle presentation, candy treats, and the
community singing of the 2015
Papal Visit theme song We are

all Gods children.

Queen of All Saints
Escaan added that Oct. 31,
being the last day of the month of
the Holy Rosary, will also be the
celebration of Holy Mary as the
Queen of All Saints.
For this, the Parade of Saints
will also be a Marian Procession
with the prayer of the Holy Rosary
and the representations of the
apparitions of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, as a fitting way to honor all
the saints and their Queen. (Fr.
Mickey Cardenas / CBCP News)

Communio gathers Bulacans diocesan,

religious seminarians
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan Diocesan and religious seminarians and priest-formators from
the Immaculate Conception Major SeminaryGraduate School of Theology (ICMAS-GST)
in Guiguinto, Bulacan and Recoleto School
of Theology (RST), in Tandang Sora, Quezon
City gathered at ICMAS-GST for the annual
inter-seminary meet called Communio with
the theme, ANAWIM: Dahil sa harap ng
Diyos lahat tayo ay dukha from Oct. 9 to 10.
The seminarians participated in a panel discussion about the theme at the ICMAS-GST
chapel. Four laymen from different sectors were
invited to speak to the seminarians about the
situation of the poor in their respective areas
of apostolate.
Attendees also took part in a small group
sharing after a period of reflection during the
event. The guide question was, What could
you do in order to be an effective minister of
the Church of the Poor?
Scores of young seminarians also spent the
day in creative team-building activities and
friendly games at the ICMAS varsity court,
notably basketball and volleyball. For the notso sporty types, a zumba session took place at
the seminary gymnasium.
To cap off first day, participants took part in
a Liturgy called Confessio Pecati, after Evening
Prayers.

The seminarians of ICMAS-GST and RST recently gathered at NSPDM for Communio, the annual inter-seminary meet
of the two schools of Theology for team-building, pastoral input, and creative performances. KEVIN MENDOZA/IAN DOLLENTAS

ICMAS-GST and RST celebrated the 14th

Communio this year. Communio is the
Latin word communion. Since 2002, ICMASGST and RST seminarians have been meeting
once a year for sharing of thoughts on current

Church events, communal prayer, friendship

games, and socialization. This activity aims to
foster camaraderie among diocesan seminarians
of ICMAS-GST and religious brothers studying
at RST. (Arvin Ray C. Jimenez / CBCP News)

three things because of their social pressures

and economic problems. There are so many
young people who are suffering due to unemployment, they unfortunately postpone their
marriage, and forget that marriage is a calling
given by God.
The younger generation like me are suffering [very much] because they have a long time
to study. In Korea its obsessive eduation. Its
been hard for the young generation and also
for my parents generation, too, she explained
in an exclusive interview with CBCP News.

wards young people would be a huge step for

the Catholic Church.
Showing the attitude, I guess it is important. They (young people) want somebody
to help but nobody is concerned about the
[younger] generation. The young generation
needs to be welcomed and encouraged but no
one takes care of them. And I think that attitude showing the welcoming attitude for them,
thats quite enough for them, added Nayoug.
In her final words to the Synod delegates
she said, Dear Fathers, married life is a long
journey. There might be lots of possibilities
to get lost or to be wounded on their journey
of life, therefore the Church should open up
and truly accompany us at the various stages
of our married life, so that we do not give up
but instead find for ourselves the beauty of the
Christian family. (Nirvaana Ella Delacruz
/ CBCP News)

Youth, A1

Why young people arent marrying

These issues that have been so much highlighted in the West, they have become not
exactly non-issues but certainly they are not the
ones that really engage our mind and attention
rather its a question of how to help the many
young people because our population in Asia
is largely composed of the youth, he added,
noting how in his country, 30 to 35% of the
population are young people.
This reality was given a face when Brenda
Kim Nayoug of South Korea was able to address the bishops at the Synod and talk about
what in her country is called the Sampo
generation, an increasing number of young
people who choose to forego courtship, marriage, and childbirth.
In a Radio Vatican report, she is quoted
as saying in her Synod presentation: Many
of the young generation have given up these

Attitude change
According to Nayoug, the cost of education
in Korea is rising and the work force is highly
competitive leaving many young people jobless
and unable to afford education for themselves
or for their future children.
She notes how an attitude of concern to-

Collection Box, A5

should take when he said, We

need to be a welcoming Church
that offers refuge to anyone honestly seeking God. But we need to
remain a Church committed to
the Word of God, faithful to the
wisdom of the Christian tradition,
and preaching the truth of Jesus
Christ. In short, an inclusive
church is indeed a necessity but it
should not be one that is doctrinally corrosive.

The Synod fathers, while

heavily involved in debates
and discussions as to what the
Church should do in face of
mounting challenges against the
family, are tasked merely to set
forth recommendations and not
to settle matters or to draw up
decrees. It rests with the Roman
Pontiff to ratify the decisions of
the Synod (cf. Can. 343). These
clerics can debate all they want,

but clearly the buck stops with

the Pope.
With the controversies it has
generated, the results of this
gathering of bishops will be highly
anticipated. What the Pope will do
after all has been said and done in
the Synod floor is worth waiting
for. The expectation is so high
that no less than the divorced and
remarried Catholics and those taking up their cause are hoping for

a more inclusive Church. At the

other side of the fence are those
waiting for the Pope to reinforce
his role as defender of faith and
morals and enforcer of ecclesiastical discipline.
Early in his papacy, Pope Francis
said, If the church is alive, it must
always surprise. Will we be in for
a big surprise? It remains to be
seen but maybe it is best that we
be prepared too.

A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Tagle to speak at
poverty confab

CBCP Monitor

Marian seminar dedicated

to priests memory
The Missionaries of Mary (M.O.M.)
dedicated the Marian Encounter Seminar
held on Oct. 25, 2015 at the Tan Yan
Kee Student Center, University of Sto.
Tomas in memory of its spiritual director,
Fr. Aloysius S. Alino. Fr. Aloy, as he was
fondly called, who passed away on Aug.
30, 2015.
He had been the spiritual director of
M.O.M. for the past 20 years.
The topics of the seminar revolved
around the theme, Mary, a Model of
Faith, Hope, and Charity. The seminar
coincided with the Catholic faithfuls
celebration of October as the month of
Our Lady of the Rosary.
The resource persons were Fr. Francis
Gustilo, S.D.B.; Fr. Antonio Aureada.

O.P., Regent, U.S.T. Graduate School;

and Fr. John Barro, Director for Spiritual
Directions, Holy Apostles Seminy.
Fr. Choy Ramos, S.S.S. of the Blessed
Sacrament Fathers Congregation presided
over the Eucharistic celebration.
According to press release issued by
M.O.M, the group is a lay Marian community with the objective of helping in
the Churchs thrust for evangelization by
organizing seminars, outreach projects,
retreats, and recollections. These are
aimed at promoting a Marian spirituality
that will lead people towards a deeper and
closer relationship with Christ.
The seminar was conducted in partnership with Radio Veritas (846 AM)
(CBCP News)

Catholic Answers speaker in

PH to discuss guy issues

Manila Archbishop Lus Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle. FILE PHOTO

MANILA Archbishop Lus Antonio G.

Cardinal Tagle will lead the speakers in a
forthcoming forum aimed at coming up
with a unified solution to poverty by looking at the problem from different angles.
The prelate has been jointly invited
by the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) and the University of
the Assumption (UA) to discuss how the
Catholic Church in the Philippines and
as a whole views this reality most Filipinos
know firsthand.
Called by the secular media as the
Asian Francis, Tagle currently heads the
Catholic Churchs charity arm, Caritas
Internationalis.
The Catholic confederation consists of

160 member-organizations from around

the world committed to serving the
poor, the vulnerable, and the excluded
regardless of race and creed in order to
build a world founded on justice and
fraternal love.
Dubbed Kanawan, Kapampangan for
a state of well-being, the conference on
integral development and social responsibility is set to gather in one venue the
movers and shakers from the academe,
business, government, and civic groups.
According to Fernando E. Santos,
UAs director for external affairs, other
speakers expected include Camarines Sur
3rd District Rep. Mara Leonor Lenny
Robredo and Gawad Kalinga founder

Antonio P. Meloto.
The widow of the DILG Sec. Jesse
Robredo is slated to talk on poverty from
the perspective of a public servant.
Meanwhile, Meloto will share his insights on poverty as a social entrepreneur.
Organized by the Archdiocese of San
Fernando (ASF), through SACOP, in
tandem with UA, Asias first archdiocesan university, Kanawan is scheduled
on Nov.12 at EPHATHA Development
Center, San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Besides serving as the archdioceses
culminating activity for the Year of the
Poor, the event will mark the silver jubilee
of SACOP. (Raymond A. Sebastin /
CBCP News)

Free concert to benefit hearing-impaired held

The Hangad Music Ministry. HANGAD MUSIC MINISTRYS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Hangad Music Ministry

celebrated its 24 years in the
industry in a free concert on
Oct. 25 that will benefit people with hearing difficulties.
Dubbed Wonderfully
Made, the night of music
was held at the St. Stanislaus
Kostka Chapel, Ateneo de
Manila High School, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City.
Since 1991, Hangad has
performed in inspirational
concerts, served in various
liturgical services, launched
a string of classics, and conducted workshops for choirs

in and around Manila.

The group consists of
friends, young professionals,
and students, whose love for
music equals their passion
to evangelize others through
songs.
They began as Ateneo High
School batchmates who only
wanted to sing for Masses and
retreats.
A quarter of a century and
eight albums later, Hangad
never tires of crediting the
mighty power of God for
its success.
Meanwhile, Hangads ben-

eficiary this year, the Catholic

Ministry to Deaf People, Inc.,
(CMDP), has been helping the
deaf community by providing
scholarships, religious education, and interventions during
crisis situations.
CMDP was formally
formed in 1990 by Sr. Rita
Marie Pickhinkie as a nonprofit, non-government organization to serve deaf people
in the country.
It envisions a society where
the deaf have access to education, employment, and spiritual formation, and where they

live in a safe and inclusive

environment.
CMDP also dreams of a
world where the potential of
the deaf to live a full life and
to help in the growth of the
country is amply recognized,
encouraged, and lovingly harnessed.
To date, the organization
covers Metro Manila, and its
board is chaired by no less
than Cubao Bishop Honesto
F. Ongtioco with Fr. Joel
Tabora, S.J. as his vice-chair.
(Raymond A. Sebastin /
CBCP News)

MALES of all ages, especially high school

and college students, are invited to an
upcoming talk with no less than renowned
apologist from Catholic Answers Matt
Fradd, where they can ask him about specifically guy issues and how to address
them with the Lords help.
We from Filipinos for Life believe that
young people everywhere need to realize
the truth about their dignity in Christ and
their eternal destiny as adopted children
of God. We also believe that this can only
be possible by Gods grace and by teaching it in a way that will appeal to them,
notes Anthony James Perez, president of
pro-life, pro-family group Filipinos for
Life , in a letter posted on the groups
official website.
Dubbed For Boys Only: The Man
Talk, the forum is set on Nov. 6, Friday,
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at St. Marys College Auditorium, 37 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City.
In the talk, Matt Fradd, whom Perez
describes as a highly sought-after speaker
and apologist of Catholic Answers (catholic.com), will answer all the questions
teenage boys have about themselves,

Jesus Encounter seminar for yuppies ongoing

WANT to meet new friends
and gain confidence while
learning more about the
faith? Then come to the CFC
Singles for Christ (SFC)
West C sectors Mega Christian Life Program (CLP)
every Saturday at the FEUNRMF Medical Center
Chapel, West Fairview Park
Subdivision, Quezon City.
We will teach them how
to be confident of themselves
because they are the true
children of God and that
God will never leave them
in times of depression and
loneliness.
We will introduce them
to new friends with Jesus
Christ as the center of their
relationships, said Sonny
Rodriguez, a SFC Coordina-

tor serving at the said CLP.

Jesus Encounters
The CLP is a 12-week program featuring various talks
on the basics of the Christian
faith presented in a refreshing
manner, often with creatives,
videos and personal sharing
from SFC members.
According to Rodriguez,
the CLP will open up a
whole new world to young
professionals who may be
neglecting their faith life
because of career and other
concerns.
Our theme is Encounters
with Jesus Christ. We hope
that our speakers may be able
to re-introduce them to Jesus
Christ in this fast paced world.
We will teach them to pray in a

manner that they have not done

before, he added.
Reflective of many young
peoples concern, the CLP
will also prime them for their
vocation in life, he said.
Permanent partners in life
..(W)e pray that they
may be able to find their
permanent partners in life
as member of Couples for
Christ in the future, said
Rodriguez.
Speakers include Bro.
Val Jaring, a medical doctor; FEU Chaplain Fr. Falki
Flacasantos will give talk 2,
Who is Jesus Christ?; Bro.
Mandy Constantino, a Sector Governance team member of Couples for Christ
for talk 3, What it means

to be a Christian; Bro. Boying Fajardo, also a CFC

elder will deliver talk no.
4, Repentance and Faith;
Bro. Sonny Rodriguez, an
architect and environmental
planner for Receiving the
Power of the Holy Spirit;
Bro. Mel Serrano, for Life in
the Holy Spirit, is the owner
of Holy Angles Academy
and Belarmino Academy in
Quezon City and is also a
CFC elder and missionary
to Myanmar as well as Bro.
Nelson Robles, CFC West C
sector head
The final talk will be on
Dec. 5, 2015. Those interested to join may contact
Jhonsen Sales at +63 923
560 6252. (Nirvaana Ella
Delacruz / CBCP News)

chastity, true manhood, and love.

With Matts vibrant love for the faith
coupled with his humor, eloquence, and
warm personality, he is able to speak to
the hearts of his audience about how true
manhood is expressed in chastity and in
becoming who God meant them to be,
he explains.
According to Perez, Fradd is also expected to tackle issues like the damage
caused by pornography and how real men
can stay away from it, bringing back
chivalry, and swimming against the tide
of popular but erroneous opinion.
For more information on the speaker,
interested partiesmay visit: http://mattfradd.com/about/
Tickets to the event are now available
and are priced at Php 300 each.
Interested parties may use the following
bank account for payment: BDO, C/A
2478003549, Filipinos for Life Family
and God Inc.
For inquiries, reservations, and purchases, contact Filipinos for Life at (+63)
922-827-6662 or Email at [email protected]. (Raymond A. Sebastin
/ CBCP News)

Markings
Appointed. Pope Francis has
appointed San Fernando Auxiliary
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as
the new bishop of the Diocese of
Kalookan. The appointment was
officially announced on Oct. 14
at 12:00 noon, Vatican time, 6:00
p.m., Manila time. To date, David
is serving as vice chairman of the
CBCP Permanent Committee on
Cultural Heritage.
Died. San Carlos Auxiliary Bishop
Emeritus Salvador Trane Modesto
passed away on Oct. 11 at the
Perpetual Succor Hospital in Cebu
City.He was 85. San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza presided
over Modestos funeral Mass on
Oct. 19, 10:00 a.m. at the San
Carlos Borromeo Cathedral.

CBCP Monitor

PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Address of His Holiness Pope

Francis at the Conclusion of the
Synod of Bishops

Roy Lagarde

Synod Hall, 24 October 2015

Pope Francis prays with the assembled cardinals and bishops on the 19th day of the Synod on the Family at the Vatican, Oct. 23, 2015.

Dear Beatitudes, Eminences and

Excellencies,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I would like first of all to thank the
Lord, who has guided our synodal process in these years by his Holy Spirit,
whose support is never lacking to the
Church.
My heartfelt thanks go to Cardinal
Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General
of the Synod, Bishop Fabio Fabene, its

and uncertainties which challenge and

threaten the family, but rather about
seeing these difficulties and uncertainties in the light of the Faith, carefully
studying them and confronting them
fearlessly, without burying our heads
in the sand.
It was about urging everyone to
appreciate the importance of the institution of the family and of marriage
between a man and a woman, based on
unity and indissolubility, and valuing it
as the fundamental basis of society and

simply of the righteous and the holy,

but rather of those who are righteous
and holy precisely when they feel themselves poor sinners.
It was about trying to open up broader horizons, rising above conspiracy
theories and blinkered viewpoints, so as
to defend and spread the freedom of the
children of God, and to transmit the
beauty of Christian Newness, at times
encrusted in a language which is archaic
or simply incomprehensible.
In the course of this Synod, the

Without ever falling into the danger of relativism or

of demonizing others, we sought to embrace, fully and
courageously, the goodness and mercy of God who
transcends our every human reckoning and desires only
that all be saved.
Under-Secretary, and, together with
them, the Relator, Cardinal Peter Erd,
and the Special Secretary, Archbishop
Bruno Forte, the Delegate Presidents,
the writers, the consultors, the translators and the singers, and all those who
have worked tirelessly and with total
dedication to the Church: My deepest
thanks! I would also like to thank the
Commission which made the report;
some of them were up all night!
I thank all of you, dear Synod Fathers,
Fraternal Delegates, Auditors and Assessors, parish priests and families, for
your active and fruitful participation.
And I thank all those unnamed men
and women who contributed generously to the labors of this Synod by
quietly working behind the scenes.
Be assured of my prayers, that the
Lord will reward all of you with his
abundant gifts of grace!
As I followed the labours of the
Synod, I asked myself: What will it
mean for the Church to conclude this
Synod devoted to the family?
Certainly, the Synod was not about
settling all the issues having to do with
the family, but rather attempting to see
them in the light of the Gospel and the
Churchs tradition and two-thousandyear history, bringing the joy of hope
without falling into a facile repetition of
what is obvious or has already been said.
Surely it was not about finding exhaustive solutions for all the difficulties

human life.
It was about listening to and making
heard the voices of the families and the
Churchs pastors, who came to Rome
bearing on their shoulders the burdens
and the hopes, the riches and the challenges of families throughout the world.
It was about showing the vitality
of the Catholic Church, which is not
afraid to stir dulled consciences or to
soil her hands with lively and frank
discussions about the family.
It was about trying to view and interpret realities, todays realities, through
Gods eyes, so as to kindle the flame
of faith and enlighten peoples hearts
in times marked by discouragement,
social, economic and moral crisis, and
growing pessimism.
It was about bearing witness to everyone that, for the Church, the Gospel
continues to be a vital source of eternal
newness, against all those who would
indoctrinate it in dead stones to be
hurled at others.
It was also about laying closed hearts,
which bare the closed hearts which frequently hide even behind the Churchs
teachings or good intentions, in order
to sit in the chair of Moses and judge,
sometimes with superiority and superficiality, difficult cases and wounded
families.
It was about making clear that the
Church is a Church of the poor in spirit
and of sinners seeking forgiveness, not

different opinions which were freely

expressedand at times, unfortunately, not in entirely well-meaning
wayscertainly led to a rich and lively
dialogue; they offered a vivid image of
a Church which does not simply rubberstamp, but draws from the sources
of her faith living waters to refresh
parched hearts.[1]
Andapart from dogmatic questions clearly defined by the Churchs
Magisteriumwe have also seen that

applied.[2] The 1985 Synod, which

celebrated the twentieth anniversary of
the conclusion of the Second Vatican
Council, spoke ofinculturationas the
intimate transformation of authentic
cultural values through their integration in Christianity, and the taking root
of Christianity in the various human
cultures.[3] Inculturation does not
weaken true values, but demonstrates
their true strength and authenticity,
since they adapt without changing;
indeed they quietly and gradually transform the different cultures.[4]
We have seen, also by the richness of
our diversity, that the same challenge is
ever before us: that of proclaiming the
Gospel to the men and women of today, and defending the family from all
ideological and individualistic assaults.
And without ever falling into the
danger of relativism or of demonizingothers, we sought to embrace, fully
and courageously, the goodness and
mercy of God who transcends our every
human reckoning and desires only that
all be saved (cf.1 Tm2:4). In this way
we wished to experience this Synod in
the context of the Extraordinary Year
of Mercy which the Church is called
to celebrated.
54). It does have to do with
overcoming the recurring temptations
of the elder brother (cf.Lk15:25-32)
and the jealous labourers (cf.Mt20:116). Indeed, it means upholding all
the more the laws and commandments

and women to salvation in the Lord

(cf.Jn12:44-50).
Blessed Paul VI expressed this eloquently: We can imagine, then, that
each of our sins, our attempts to turn
our back on God, kindles in him a
more intense flame of love, a desire
to bring us back to himself and to his
saving plan God, in Christ, shows
himself to be infinitely good God is
good. Not only in himself; God islet
us say it with tearsgood for us. He
loves us, he seeks us out, he thinks of
us, he knows us, he touches our hearts
us and he waits for us. He will beso
to saydelighted on the day when we
return and say: Lord, in your goodness, forgive me. Thus our repentance
becomes Gods joy.[5]
Saint John Paul II also stated that:
the Church lives an authentic life when
she professes and proclaims mercy
and when she brings people close to the
sources of the Saviours mercy, of which
she is the trustee and dispenser.[6]
Benedict XVI, too, said: Mercy is indeed the central nucleus of the Gospel
message; it is the very name of God
May all that the Church says and does
manifest the mercy God feels for mankind. When the Church has to recall an
unrecognized truth, or a betrayed good,
she always does so impelled by merciful
love, so that men may have life and have
it abundantly (cf.Jn10:10).[7]
In light of all this, and thanks to this
time of grace which the Church has

The Synod experience also made us better realize that the

true defenders of doctrine are not those who uphold its
letter, but its spirit; not ideas but people; not formulae but
the gratuitousness of Gods love and forgiveness.
what seems normal for a bishop on
one continent, is considered strange
and almost scandalousalmost!for
a bishop from another; what is considered a violation of a right in one
society is an evident and inviolable rule
in another; what for some is freedom of
conscience is for others simply confusion. Cultures are in fact quite diverse,
and every general principleas I said,
dogmatic questions clearly defined
by the Churchs magisteriumevery
general principle needs to be inculturated, if it is to be respected and

which were made for man and not vice

versa (cf.Mk2:27).
In this sense, the necessary human
repentance, works and efforts take on a
deeper meaning, not as the price of that
salvation freely won for us by Christ on
the cross, but as a response to the One
who loved us first and saved us at the
cost of his innocent blood, while we
were still sinners (cf.Rom5:6).
The Churchs first duty is not to hand
down condemnations or anathemas,
but to proclaim Gods mercy, to call
to conversion, and to lead all men

experienced in discussing the family,

we feel mutually enriched. Many of us
have felt the working of the Holy Spirit
who is the real protagonist and guide
of the Synod. For all of us, the word
family does have the same sound as
it did before the Synod, so much so
that the word itself already contains
the richness of the familys vocation
and the significance of the labours of
the Synod.[8]
In effect, for the Church to concludethe Synod meansto returnto our
Synod, B7

B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

CBCP Monitor

CNA

Streamlining the processes for the

declaration of marriage nullity:
Understanding the Motu Proprio Mitis
Iudex Dominus Iesus (Part II)

Vatican City - October 14, 2015. A newly married couple waiting for a blessing from Pope Francis in St. Peters Square during the Wednesday general audience on October 14, 2015.

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.

AS we saw in Part I of this article, a
careful consideration of the text of the
new motu proprio, especially of the
supposedly new canons to replace an
entire Chapter of the Code of Canon
Law, shows that the Roman Pontiff is
anything but radically innovative of the
Canonical Order. In fact, except for one
very clear innovationdoing away with
the hitherto automatic elevation of a
positive sentence for nullity of a marriage
to an appellate courtthe supposedly
new canons are for the most part simply
a regrouping of already existing canons,
so as to maintain the total number of
canons comprising the aforementioned
Chapter of the Codedealing with Cases
to Declare the Nullity of Marriage), and
not upset the overall scheme of the Code
of Canon Law.
In this Part II, we shall consider the
criteria that were followed in reforming
the canons regarding the process for the
declaration of marriage nullity in the
Code of Canon Law.
Fundamental Criteria governing the
Reform

As the motu proprio itself stated, there

are some fundamental criteria which have
governed the work of reform:
I. A single executory sentence in favor
of nullity. It seemed appropriate, in the
first place, that there is no longer required
a double conforming decision declaring the
nullity of the marriage to enable the parties to be able to contract a new canonical
marriage. Instead, moral certainty, reached
by the first judge under the norm of law, is
considered sufficient.
The key concept here is moral certainty
of the invalidity of the marriage. This
is equivalent to the concept of beyond
reasonable doubt, which is the critical
point in the civil courts. It is at the service of reaching this moral certainty that
the entire judicial process is structured,
especially the constitution of the judicial
contradictoriumi.e., the constitution
of opposing parties, each one making
allegations and presenting evidence to
prove such allegations, with the opposing party contesting such evidence, with
the end of arriving full proof of the truth
beyond reasonable doubt.
Until the effectivity of Mitis iudex
this coming 8.XII.2015, a sentence of

nullity had to be automatically elevated

by the Defender of the Bond to an appellate tribunal, such that only in the
case of a confirmatory sentence would
such decision of nullity be executory.
In the contrary, the matter would have
to be elevated to the Roman Rota for
final resolution. This not only made the
process longer but also more expensive: in
the Philippine National Capital Region,
most 1st Instance (diocesan) Tribunals
normally charge between P30,000 to
60,000 (although much lower charges are
negotiable for pastoral reasons) and the
National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal (at the CBCP headquarters) follows
the same criterion. Furthermore, the 1st
Instance Process normally takes at least
1-2 years, while the Appellate Tribunal
takes another 3-6 months on the average.
Mitis iudex effectively shortens the
entire process to what it should take
the diocesan tribunal to reach moral
certaintyi.e., not more than 12 months
according to c.1453and mandates that
it should cost nothing. This is the main
and only real innovation of the motu
proprio.
II. A single judge under the respon-

sibility of the bishop. The constitution

of a single judge, who nevertheless is to be
a cleric, is in the first instance committed
to the responsibility of the bishop, who in
the pastoral exercise of his judicial power
is to take care that no laxism whatever is
indulged.
This norm is already laid down in the
present CIC, c.1425, 4: If it happens that
a collegiate tribunal cannot be established
for a trial of first instance, the conference of
bishops can permit the bishop to entrust cases
to a single clerical judge as long as the impossibility of establishing a college perdures; he
is to be a cleric and is to employ an assessor
and an auditor where possible.

ters completely delegated to the offices of his

curia. This is especially true in the briefer
process which will be established to resolve
the most evident cases of nullity.
This not a novelty, but rather a reminder of an already existing principle
and norm, enshrined in the CIC, c.1419,
1. The diocesan bishop is the judge of the
first instance in each diocese and for all cases
not expressly excepted by law; he can exercise
his judicial power personally or through
others in accord with the following canons.
What is a novelty is the introduction of
a new procedure for the exercise of this
judicial power by the bishop, as outlined
in the following number.

III. The bishop himself is judge. In

order that the teaching of the Second
Vatican Council may finally be put into
practice in an area of great importance,
it was decided to make it clear that the
bishop himself, in his church of which he
is constituted shepherd and head, is by that
reason himself a judge among the Christian
faithful entrusted to him. It is greatly hoped
that in large as well as in small dioceses the
bishop becomes a sign of the conversion of
ecclesiastical structures and does not leave
the judicial function in matrimonial mat-

IV. The Briefer process (processus

brevior). Indeed, aside from expediting
the ordinary process for the declaration
of nullity, a form of briefer process is
designated in addition to the current
documentary procedure to be applied
in cases in which the alleged nullity of the
marriage is supported by particularly clear
arguments. It has not entirely escaped us
that a briefer process can endanger the
principle of the indissolubility of marriage.
For precisely this reason we have chosen
Nullity, B7

Wearing the Rosary as a Necklace

Q: I have seen people wear
the rosary as a necklace and,
in fact, I had a fifth-grader
ask me during CCD if that
was a sin. I told her that I
didnt believe it was a sin per
se, but that as it is a wonderful prayer and most favored
by the Blessed Mother, that I
thought it disrespectful, not
very reverent (regardless if
the rosary is blessed or not).
The student promptly asked
about my decade rosary
bracelet, What about wearing it like a bracelet? Its a
good question, in light of the
cross and rosary look-alikes
that seem to be ubiquitous
these days in fashion jewelry.
What do we tell young girls?
-- J.M., Leavenworth, Kansas
A: The closest resemblance
to a norm on this topic is
found in Canon 1171 of
the Code of Canon Law.
To wit: Sacred objects,

set aside for divine worship

by dedication or blessing, are
to be treated with reverence.
They are not to be made over
to secular or inappropriate use,
even though they may belong
to private persons.
It is probable that this law does
not fully apply to our case, since

secular or inappropriate manner.

In fact, many religious congregations wear the rosary as part of
their habit, usually hanging from
a belt. There are also several historical cases of laypeople wearing
the rosary for devotional purposes. For example, in his book
The Secret of the Rosary, St.

indifferent or irrelevant actions

in the life of a Christian.
If the reason for wearing a
rosary is as a statement of faith,
as a reminder to pray it, or some
similar reason to the glory of
God, then there is nothing
to object to. It would not be
respectful to wear it merely as

as a necklace, and not precisely

in order to do all to the glory
of God. It would also appear
that in some parts of the United
States and elsewhere, wearing
rosary beads around the neck has
become a gang-related badge of
identification.
Hence, while a Catholic may

It would also appear that in some parts of the United States and
elsewhere, wearing rosary beads around the neck has become a
gang-related badge of identification.
it refers primarily to sacred objects for liturgical worship such
as chalices and vestments rather
than to rosaries. At the same
time, the intimation to treat
sacred objects with reverence and
respect can logically be extended
to rosaries, crosses, medals and
similar items.
Also, wearing a sacred object
is not the same as using it in a

Louis de Montfort illustrates the

positive results of this practice in
an episode from the life of King
Alfonso VI of Galicia and Leon.
I think that the key to answering this question can be found
in St. Paul: So whether you eat
or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of
God (1 Corinthians 10:31). In
other words, there should be no

jewelry.
This latter point is something
to bear in mind in the case of
wearing a rosary around the
neck. In the first place, while
not unknown, it is not common
Catholic practice.
Second, in relatively recent
times, certain controversial public figures have popularized the
fashion of wearing the rosary

wear a rosary around the neck

for a good purpose, he or she
should consider if the practice
will be positively understood in
the cultural context in which the
person moves. If any misunderstanding is likely, then it would
be better to avoid the practice.
At the same time, as Catholics
we should presume the good
intentions of the person wearing

a rosary unless other external

elements clearly indicate
otherwise.
Similar reasoning is observed in dealing with rosary bracelets and rings, although in this case there is
far less danger of confusion
as to meaning. They are never
mere jewelry but are worn as
a sign of faith.
According to some sources,
small single-decade rosaries
or chaplets were developed
in times of persecution, as
they were easily hidden and
could be used without attracting undesired attention.
They also became popular
among Catholic soldiers on
the frontline especially during World War I.
Far more important than
the visible wearing of a rosary
is actually using the rosary,
including publicly, for prayer.
Then it is truly done to the
glory of God.

CBCP Monitor

FEATURES B3

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis at the

Ceremony Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the
Institution of the Synod of Bishops
Paul VI Audience Hall
17 October 2015

***
What the Lord is asking of us
is already in some sense present
in the very word synod. Journeying togetherlaity, pastors,
the Bishop of Romeis an easy
concept to put into words, but not
so easy to put into practice.
After stating that the people
of God is comprised of all the
baptized who are called to be a
spiritual house and a holy priesthood,(6) the Second Vatican
Council went on to say that
the whole body of the faithful,
who have an anointing which
comes from the holy one (cf. 1
Jn 2:20,27), cannot err in matters of belief. This characteristic
is shown in the supernatural
sense of the faith (sensus fidei)
of the whole people of God,
when from the bishops to the
last of the faithful it manifests
a universal consensus in matters
of faith and morals.(7) These are
the famous words infalliblein
credendo.
In the Apostolic Exhortation

Evangelii Gaudium, I emphasized that the people of God is

holy thanks to this anointing,
which makes it infallible in credendo,(8) and added that all the
baptized, whatever their position
in the Church or their level of
instruction in the faith, are agents
of evangelization, and it would be
insufficient to envisage a plan of
evangelization to be carried out
by professionals while the rest
of the faithful would simply be
passive recipients.(9) The sensus
fidei prevents a rigid separation
between an Ecclesia docens and
an Ecclesia discens, since the
flock likewise has an instinctive
ability to discern the new ways
that the Lord is revealing to the
Church.(10)
Such was the conviction underlying my desire that the people
of God should be consulted in
the preparation of the two phases
of the Synod on the family, as is
ordinarily done with each Lineamenta. Certainly, a consultation of this sort would never be
sufficient to perceive the sensus
fidei. But how could we speak
about the family without engaging families themselves, listening
to their joys and their hopes, their
sorrows and their anguish?(11)

opinion. On the eve of last years

Synod I stated: For the Synod
Fathers we ask the Holy Spirit
first of all for the gift of listening:
to listen to God, so that with him
we may hear the cry of his people;
to listen to his people until we are
in harmony with the will to which
God calls us.(14) The Synod process culminates in listening to the
Bishop of Rome, who is called to
speak as pastor and teacher of all
Christians,(15) not on the basis
of his personal convictions but as
the supreme witness to the fides
totius Ecclesiae, the guarantor of
the obedience and the conformity
of the Church to the will of God,
to the Gospel of Christ, and to
the Tradition of the Church.(16)
The fact that the Synod always
acts cum Petro et sub Petroindeed, not only cum Petro, but
also sub Petrois not a limitation of freedom, but a guarantee
of unity. For the Pope is, by will
of the Lord, the perpetual and
visible source and foundation
of the unity both of the bishops
and of the whole company of the
faithful.(17) Closely related to
this is the concept of hierarchica
communio as employed by the
Second Vatican Council: the
Bishops are linked to the Bishop

the original meaning of the word,

they are the least of all. It is in
serving the people of God that
each bishop becomes, for that
portion of the flock entrusted to
him,vicarius Christi,(20) the vicar
of that Jesus who at the Last Supper bent down to wash the feet
of the Apostles (cf. Jn 13:1-15).
And in a similar perspective, the
Successor of Peter is nothing else if
not the servus servorum Dei.(21)
Let us never forget this! For the
disciples of Jesus, yesterday, today
and always, the only authority is
the authority of service, the only
power is the power of the cross.
As the Master tells us: You know
that the rulers of the Gentiles lord
it over them, and their great men
exercise authority over them. It
shall not be so among you; but
whoever would be great among
you must be your servant, and
whoever would be first among
you must be your slave (Mt
20:25-27). It shall not be so
among you: in this expression we
touch the heart of the mystery of
the Church, and we receive the
enlightenment necessary to understand our hierarchical service.

Through the answers given to

the two questionnaires sent to
the particular Churches, we had
the opportunity at least to hear
some of those families speak to
issues which closely affect them
and about which they have much
to say.
A synodal Church is a Church
which listens, which realizes that
listening is more than simply
hearing.(12) It is a mutual listening in which everyone has
something to learn. The faithful
people, the college of bishops, the
Bishop of Rome: all listening to
each other, and all listening to the
Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth
(Jn 14:17), in order to know
what he says to the Churches
(Rev2:7).
The Synod of Bishops is the
point of convergence of this listening process conducted at every
level of the Churchs life. The
Synod process begins by listening to the people of God, which
shares also in Christs prophetic
office,(13) according to a principle dear to the Church of the first
millennium: Quod omnes tangit
ab omnibus tractari debet. The
Synod process then continues by
listening to the pastors. Through
the Synod Fathers, the bishops act
as authentic guardians, interpreters and witnesses of the faith of
the whole Church, which they
need to discern carefully from
the changing currents of public

of Rome by the bond of episcopal

communion (cum Petro) while,
at the same time, hierarchically
subject to him as head of the college (sub Petro).(18)

In a synodal Church, the Synod

of Bishops is only the most evident manifestation of a dynamism
of communion which inspires all
ecclesial decisions.
The first level of the exercise of
synodality is had in the particular
Churches. After mentioning the
noble institution of the Diocesan
Synod, in which priests and laity are called to cooperate with
the bishop for the good of the
whole ecclesial community,(22)
the Code of Canon Law devotes
ample space to what are usually
called organs of communion in
the local Church: the presbyteral
council, the college of consultors, chapters of canons and the
pastoral council.(23) Only to the
extent that these organizations
keep connected to the base and
start from people and their daily
problems, can a synodal Church
begin to take shape: these means,
even when they prove wearisome,
must be valued as an opportunity
for listening and sharing.
The second level is that of
Ecclesiastical Provinces and Ecclesiastical Regions, Particular
Councils and, in a special way,
Conferences of Bishops.(24) We
need to reflect on how better
to bring about, through these
bodies, intermediary instances of
collegiality, perhaps by integrating and updating certain aspects
of the ancient ecclesiastical organization. The hope expressed

***

by the Council that such bodies

would help increase the spirit of
episcopal collegiality has not yet
been fully realized. We are still
on the way, part-way there. In a
synodal Church, as I have said,
it is not advisable for the Pope
to take the place of local Bishops
in the discernment of every issue
which arises in their territory. In
this sense, I am conscious of the
need to promote a sound decentralization.(25)
The last level is that of the universal Church. Here the Synod of
Bishops, representing the Catholic
episcopate, becomes an expression
of episcopal collegiality within an
entirely synodal Church.(26) Two
different phrases: episcopal collegiality and an entirely synodal
Church. This level manifests the
collegialitas affectiva, which can
also become in certain circumstances effective, joining the
Bishops among themselves and
with the Pope in solicitude for the
People God.(27)
***
The commitment to build
a synodal Churcha mission
to which we are all called, each
with the role entrusted him by

Roy Lagarde

YOUR Beatitudes, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

As the Ordinary General Assembly is in full session, this
commemoration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the institution of
the Synod of Bishops is, for all
of us, a cause for joy, praise and
thanksgiving to the Lord. From
the time of the Second Vatican
Council until the present Assembly, we have experienced ever
more intensely the necessity and
beauty of journeying together.
On this happy occasion I offer cordial greetings to Cardinal
Lorenzo Baldisseri, the Secretary
General, the Undersecretary,
Archbishop Fabio Fabene, the
Officials, the Consultors and the
other collaborators in the General
Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, those who are behind the
scenes and work late each evening.
I also greet and thank the Synod
Fathers and the other participants
in the current Assembly, as well as
all those present.
At this time we also wish to remember those who, in the course
of the last fifty years, have offered
their services to the Synod, beginning with the successive General
Secretaries: Cardinal Wadysaw
Rubin, Cardinal Jozef Tomko,
Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte and
Archbishop Nikola Eterovi. I also
take this opportunity to express
my heartfelt gratitude to those
both living and deceasedwho
contributed so generously and
competently to the Synods work.
From the beginning of my
ministry as Bishop of Rome, I
sought to enhance the Synod,
which is one of the most precious
legacies of the Second Vatican
Council.(1) For Blessed Paul
VI, the Synod of Bishops was
meant to reproduce the image
of the Ecumenical Council and
reflect its spirit and method.(2)
Pope Paul foresaw that the organization of the Synod could be
improved upon with the passing
of time.(3) Twenty years later,
Saint John Paul II echoed that
thought when he stated that this
instrument might be further improved. Perhaps collegial pastoral
responsibility could be more fully
expressed in the Synod.(4) In
2006, Benedict XVI approved
several changes to the Ordo Synodi Episcoporum, especially in
light of the provisions of the Code
of Canon Law and theCode of
Canons of the Eastern Churches,
which had been promulgated in
the meantime.(5)
We must continue along this
path. The world in which we live,
and which we are called to love
and serve, even with its contradictions, demands that the Church
strengthen cooperation in all areas
of her mission. It is precisely this
path of synodality which God
expects of the Church of the third
millennium.

***
Synodality, as a constitutive
element of the Church, offers us
the most appropriate interpretive
framework for understanding
the hierarchical ministry itself.
If we understand, as Saint John
Chrysostom says, that Church
and Synod are synonymous,(19)
inasmuch as the Church is nothing other than the journeying
together of Gods flock along
the paths of history towards the
encounter with Christ the Lord,
then we understand too that,
within the Church, no one can
be raised up higher than others.
On the contrary, in the Church,
it is necessary that each person
lower himself or herself, so as
to serve our brothers and sisters
along the way.
Jesus founded the Church by
setting at her head the Apostolic
College, in which the Apostle Peter is the rock (cf. Mt 16:18), the
one who must confirm his brethren in the faith (cf. Lk 22:32). But
in this Church, as in an inverted
pyramid, the top is located beneath the base. Consequently,
those who exercise authority are
called ministers, because, in

the Lordhas significant ecumenical implications. For this

reason, speaking recently to a
delegation from the Patriarchate
of Constantinople, I reaffirmed
my conviction that a careful examination of how, in the Churchs
life, the principle of synodality
and the service of the one who
presides are articulated, will make
a significant contribution to the
progress of relations between our
Churches.(28)
I am persuaded that in a synodal Church, greater light can
be shed on the exercise of the
Petrine primacy. The Pope is not,
by himself, above the Church; but
within it as one of the baptized,
and within the College of Bishops
as a Bishop among Bishops, called
at the same timeas Successor
of Peterto lead the Church of
Rome which presides in charity
over all the Churches.(29)
While reaffirming the urgent
need to think about a conversion
of the papacy,(30) I willingly
repeat the words of my predecessor Pope John Paul II: As Bishop
of Rome I am fully aware [...]
that Christ ardently desires the
full and visible communion of
all those Communities in which,
by virtue of Gods faithfulness,
his Spirit dwells. I am convinced
that I have a particular responsibility in this regard, above all in
acknowledging the ecumenical
aspirations of the majority of the

Christian Communities and in

heeding the request made of me
to find a way of exercising the
primacy which, while in no way
renouncing what is essential to its
mission, is nonetheless open to a
new situation.(31)
Our gaze also extends to humanity as a whole. A synodal
Church is like a standard lifted up
among the nations (cf. Is 11:12)
in a world whichwhile calling
for participation, solidarity and
transparency in public administrationoften consigns the fate of
entire peoples to the grasp of small
but powerful groups. As a Church
which journeys together with
men and women, sharing the
travails of history, let us cherish
the dream that a rediscovery of
the inviolable dignity of peoples
and of the function of authority as service will also be able to
help civil society to be built up
in justice and fraternity, and thus
bring about a more beautiful and
humane world for coming generations.(32) Thank you.
Footnotes:
1) Cf. FRANCIS, Letter to the General
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops,
Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, on the
elevation of the Undersecretary, Mgr
Fabio Fabene. to the episcopal dignity,
1 April 2014.
2) Cf. BLESSED PAUL VI, Address
for the Opening of the first Ordinary
General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, 30 September 1967.
3) BLESSED PAUL VI, Motu proprio
Apostolica Sollicitudo (15 September
1965), Proemium.
4) SAINT JOHN PAUL II, Address for
the Conclusion of VI Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, 29
October 1983.
5) Cf. AAS 98 (2006), 755-779.
6) SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium (21 November 1964) 10.
7) Ibid., 12.
8) FRANCIS, Apostolic Exhortation
Evangelii Gaudium (24 November
2013), 119.
9) Ibid., 120.
10) Cf. FRANCIS, Address to the
Leadership of the Episcopal Conferences of Latin America during the
General Coordination Meeting, Rio
de Janeiro, 28 July 2013, 5,4; ID.,
Address on the occasion of a meeting
with Clergy, Consecrated Persons and
members of Pastoral Councils, Assisi,
4 October 2013.
11) Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (7 December
1965), 1.
12) Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Gaudium, 171.
13) SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution
Lumen Gentium, 12.
14) FRANCIS, Address at the Prayer
Vigil for the Synod on the Family, 4
October 2014.
15) FIRST VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution
Pastor Aeternus (18 July 1870), ch. IV:
Denz. 3074. Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici,
can. 749, 1.
16) FRANCIS, Address to the Third
Extraordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops, 18 October 2014.
17) SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 23. cf. FIRST
VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL,
Dogmatic Constitution Pastor Aeternus, Prologue: Denz. 3051.
18) Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution
Lumen Gentium, 22; Decree Christus
Dominus (28 October 1965), 4.
19) SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,
Explicatio in Ps. 149: PG 55, 493.
20) Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 27.
21) Cf. FRANCIS, Address to the Third
Extraordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops, 18 October 2014.
22) Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici, cann.
460-468.
23) Cf. ibid., cann. 495-514.
24) Cf. ibid., cann. 431-459.
25) FRANCIS, Apostolic Exhortation
Evangelii Gaudium, 16. cf. ibid., 32.
26) Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree Christus
Dominus, 5; Codex Iuris Canonici,
cann. 342-348.
27) Cf. SAINT JOHN PAUL II, PostSynodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Gregis (16 October 2003), 8.
28) FRANCIS, Address to the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople, 27 June 2015.
29) Cf. SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, Epistula ad Romanos, Proemium: PG 5, 686.
30) FRANCIS, Apostolic Exhortation
Evangelii Gaudium, 32.
31) SAINT JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical
Letter Ut Unum Sint (25 May 1995), 95.
32) Cf. FRANCIS, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 186-192;
Encyclical Letter Laudato Si (24 May
2015), 156-162.

B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

CBCP Monitor

A yes nod to the Synod

THE Synod of Bishops on the Family had hardly concluded last Sunday,
and both conservative and liberal
camps raced to express their dissatisfaction over its balanced outcome.
But this rejection from both camps
is probably a good sign. It literally
captures the Chu rch being a sign of
contradictionthat is a good thing.
Vatican II was also rejected by liberals and conservatives. Conservatives
rejected it outright. The liberals rejection of Vatican II came in the form of
abusing and perverting it.
But that Vatican II was a gift to the
Church and came at just the moment
it was needed in history is a no-brainer.
It has been affirmed as such by popes
who are saints or saintly, beginning
with Saint John XXIII all the way to
Pope Francis himself. We lay people
only need to remember that it was
through Vatican II that the universal
call to holiness took real traction.
So the controversy surrounding the
results of the Synod on the Family is
not new, not surprising, and should not
be cause for concern. The important
thing is that the Synod, as Vatican II,
has confirmed the perennial teachings
of the Church, this time on marriage
and family. Moreover, through this
Synod, the Church has shown to the
world, yet more deeply, a truth she has
always taught and practiced from the
beginning: the primacy of mercy.
Mercy, as Pope Francis suggests in
the document that established the Year
of Mercy, begins with the opening of
our heart. And indeed, this Synod
has fearlessly manifested this openness
of the Churchs heart that began with
Vatican II. In the words of Vatican
Radio, more than breaking new theological grounds, the Synod showcased
the Churchs new, more inclusive
way of working, which began with
the questionnaires sent out to families
around the world and concluded with
the intense small group discussions
inside the Synod Hall.
Lest that last sentence give the jitters
to some faithful, heres the antidote:
the word inclusive was understood
in a very Catholic way by the Synod
Fathers. The upshot is that the phrases
with the most unanimity in the final
document on the Synod focused on the
Synod Fathers union with the Pope,
on reaffirming the family as school of
humanity and foundation of society,

Roy Lagarde

By Robert Z. Cortes

the importance of grandparents in the

family, and the necessity of sacraments
in marriage. In others words, inclusivity begins with being rooted within
the very Church Magisterium articulated by Pope Francis in the months
leading up to the Synod.
Yet even the most contested phrases
(84 86), which centers on the divorced and the remarried are hardly a
source of concern. Indeed, they only
highlight even further that the Church
really is a Mother of Mercy; and this,
despite and perhaps, precisely by, being
faithful to her own teachings.
These paragraphs emphasize that the
divorced and the remarried are baptized, they are brothers and sisters
and thus, must be more integrated
into the Christian communities in the
diverse ways possible, avoiding every
occasion of scandal. As well, its
therefore the responsibility of pastors

to accompany the persons concerned

on a path of discernment according
to the teaching of the Church and the
guidelines of the bishop.
But its not as if the paragraphs are
just handing out Kleenex for drying
tears. Instead, they hold up the divorced and the remarried to a serious
degree of responsibility by asking them
to make an examination of conscience
on how they behaved toward their
children when the marriage entered
into crisis; what the situation is
for the abandoned partner; what
example this offers to the youth who
must prepare for marriage. This is
tough love, a characteristic of all good
parents.
One sentence, in my opinion, shone
above all: For the Christian community, taking care of these people
is not a weakness in its own faith and
its witness as to the indissolubility of

marriage; indeed, the Church expresses

its own charity through this care.This
is caritas in veritate (charity in truth)
in all its splendor.
If one asked how the final document
achieved this level of charity, the answer would be within the Synod itself.
A venerable professor of my university,
who was present in the Synod proceedings as a consultor, told me that he was
particularly impressed at the charity
that he saw among the bishops. One
anecdote he narrated illustrates this. A
Brazilian bishop made a proposal that
did not get sufficient votes. When an
Argentinian bishops better proposal
was then accepted, he said to the former, If you want I can integrate your
idea with mine.
Equally moving, as well, he said,
was the reminder (later incorporated)
from bishops who had suffered much
under communist rule to speak of the

mystery of the Cross as the basis and

source of all Christian life in families
for through it difficulties and sufferings in family life are transformed
into acts of love. He even added that
a Jesuit provost who was in the Philippines for some years spoke to him of
the joy we have in our country, a joy
rooted in the family.
So for all the reported inside stories
of machinations and strife, we now
know there are also untold stories of
joy and hope. Perhaps, then, amidst the
suggestions that the Synod of Bishops
only left the Church in confusion,
there is reason to believe, instead, that
it happened was quite a good thing.
(Robert Z. Cortes is a PhD student in
Social Institutional Communication at
the Pontifical University of Santa Croce,
Rome. He has an M.A. in Ed. Leadership
from Columbia University, N.Y.)

An Inapod
By Bishop Jose C. Sorra
THE publisher of the AN
INAPOD (One Called),
the official publication of the
Legazpi Diocesan Sub-Commission on Vocations, requested
me to share in a nutshell my
personal priestly vocation
story.Who or what made you
decide to be a priest? was the
suggested banner-question
for the article to address. And
offhand my simple answer is:
I wish I had a foreknowledge
of the answer, but I honestly
hadnt.
I was early on in my teens
during the 2 nd World War,
hardly knowing where my
right or left hand was, so to
speak. But from out of the
blue, an elderly grim-looking
woman hurriedly coming
out of the church blurted
out, Hey, boy, look here, you
should be a priest!I shared
this crazy call later with my
boyhood chums who laughingly retorted, She must be the
mentally-disturbed woman who
daily begs alms and seeks shelter
around the parish church?
I suspected, too, she was.
At any rate, overtime I could
sense her crazy-sounding
words seemingly seeping into
my consciousness and apparently hounding me even in
my early teenage years until
one day I found myself with
two of my boyhood peers in
the seminary. But HOW and
WHY in the first place did
I get in there was even then
more a mystery to me!
Anyway, one of our seminary subjects was religion.
And the Holy Bible was one required book to read and own.
Our Spanish priest-teacher in
religion brought up in class a
story-passage from the Book of
Jeremiah which reads:
The word of God came to
me, thus: Before you were born

I dedicated you, a prophet to the

nations I appointed you. Ah,
Lord God! I said; I am too
young. But the Lord answered
me: Say not, I am too young.
To whomever I send you, you
shall go; whatever I command
you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you
to deliver you, says the Lord.
The Lord then extended his
hand and touched my mouth,
saying: See, I place my words
in your mouth! This day I set
you over the nations and over
the kingdoms. To root up and
to tear down, to destroy and
to demolish, to build and to
plant.(Jeremiah 1:4-10).
In light of the Lord Gods
Word to Jeremiah, and if I may
ask, how in the world could
yet an unborn human fetus
know or decide on the answer
to such a question as: Who or
what made you decide to be a
priest/prophet and why?
For it is only in faith are we
able to know and understand
the true answer to the Who,
What, and Whyquestions
to your becoming a Priest.
Mature Faith, indeed, in the
Word of God Who alone calls
and chooses from all-Eternity
whom He wants to anoint in
time to be His Priest, Prophet,
and king-Servantfor His
People.
Thus all the One Called
could do is prayerfully and
humbly just respondlike
MaryFIAT, Lord be it
done to me according to your
word. And some Scripture
scholars opined that Mary
was then only about 14 or 15
years old when the Lord God
chose and called her the most
blessed among women to be the
Mother of God. And Mary
was even deeply troubled by such
words of the Angel and wondered what his greeting meant.
So not even Mary would be
able to answer such question,
as Who or What made her de-

cide to be the Mother of God.

And to the publishers other
question, like: What would
be your advice to seminarians
or message to young men and
women who may have some inclination to the priestly or religious lifemy simple response
would be a Vocation literary
piece I once wrote and coach
our Gregorian Minor Seminary
contestant, competing in an
inter-high school oratorical
contest. As part of their English speech-training, we challenged them to compete with
one another in an in-house
public-speaking, and the best
speaker to represent the seminary in the yearly oratorical
contests among sectarian and

If you promise you can

keep a secret, right now Ill
give you one. Believe it or not,
but every time I go out in my
white cassock for a walk or
on an errand, I noticed that
the girls look at me and some
even giggle; the boys apparently just stare at me, while
the young men seem to frown
or sneer at me. But the elderly
folk apparently admire and
revere me, while the children
literally mob me more perhaps for candies or estampitas!
I dont know if they were just
flattering me or massaging my
vanity, but the fact is, I felt,
I was just the most watched
young man.
The girls exclaimed: Say-

The girls exclaimed:

Sayang, he is too handsome!
Why did he everwant to be a
priest? The men say: If he is
not a sissy a fool or brokenhearted, he would not have
thought of becoming a priest.
non-sectarian schools. Herewith was the oratorical piece,
delivered by the winning seminary contestant:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
look at me.Take me for a
seminarian or a young priest, it
doesnt really matter, but many
a young pretty, charming girl
has time and again asked me
this question: Joey, but why
did you become a priest? And
to this, I could only answer
with a shy smile and perhaps
even also a deep blush, I could
sense, in my face..
The Honorable Members
of the Board of Judges, distinguished Guests, Ladies and
Gentlemen:

ang, he is too handsome!

Why did he ever want to be a
priest? The men say: If he is
not a sissy a fool or a broken
hearted, he would not have
thought of becoming a priest.
On the other hand, the old
folk say: Oh, yes, he wishes to
become a priest because he is really pious and prayerful, besides
his uncle is a priest, his Mamo!
Well, everyone seems to
know why I want to become
a priest. Maybe their reasons
are right or maybe they are
wronglike the men who say
that perhaps I was a brokenhearted lover. But the truth is,
I was not and Im not. In fact,
modesty aside, I opted to enter

the seminary much earlier than

I should if only not to break
even more hearts!
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Take a second good look at
me right now. As you see,
I am neither short nor tall,
my complexion neither black
nor whitebut perhaps I am
handsome, too, says my grandmother.
Perhaps, I could have been
another Fernando Poe or Joseph Erap Estrada, or even
just another Dolphy or Panchito. But, if that is too presumptuous of me, then perhaps I
could just be a plain actorto
play a plain actors role.
After all, I believe, Im actually playing a role nowthat
of a simple priest who, believe
it or not, is called to be a follower of Christ, or chosen to
be an Alter Christus, another
Christ. For, indeed, a priest
is the hands, the mouth and
the ears of Christ. People see
Christ through the priest. Christ
teaches through the priest. Christ
absolves sins through the priest.
And Christ gives himself daily
to peopleas food in the Eucharist through the hands of
a priest.
Probably, I could have been
an architect or an engineer.
After all, shapes and figures are
my first love. But, I opted
instead to be a spiritual engineer who could build for you
a bridge that would link time
and Eternity a bridge that
would span the yawning abyss
between this City of Man and
the City of God, between this
cursed valley of tears and the
heavenly bliss above a bridge
that would lead you home to
such exceedingly beautiful,
out-of-this world Mansion
called Heaven.
Honestly, I could have
been a successful wealthy
businessman, a top economist,
a shrewd stockbroker or an expert banker who could rake in

millions of dollars and pesos

for my family. But, indeed, I
shied away from all these opportunities simply because, I
felt, He was calling me, as He
did the tax-collector Matthew,
to be what I am nowChrists
spiritual banker of treasures
where neither rust nor moth
consumes, nor thieves break
through.
Similarly, I could have been
a physician, a heart-surgeon
but I chose to be a divine physician for the simple reason
that where the medical power
of a heart-surgeon ends, there
the power of a divine physician
only begins.
Certainly, it is indeed good
and noble of a young man to
be a dedicated doctor to spend
his life healing the physical
ailments and aches of the sick
arresting ailing humanitys
undue haste towards the grave.
Honestly, however, Ladies and
Gentlemen, as Priest I could
do even more for you and your
family. For I could certainly
prescribe for you a spiritual
aspirin that would soothe the
qualms of your conscience, as
well as a sacramental sedative
that could calm down and
control the raging passion and
concupiscence of the flesh.
Honestly, Ladies and Gentlemen, I did choose to become
a priest because, I felt, I have
simply been lured by this often-misunderstood mysterious
thingcalled Divine Love. It
was really this Love that apparently touched me upon the awful sight of so many city-street
children from broken homes
roaming the streets and risking against the speeding traffic
for a measly penny, as well as
the many beaten and battered
women, and sexually-abused
innocent boys and girls, still
licking their traumatic wounds
for life. And it is perhaps this
Love that prodded me to leave
An Inapod, B7

CBCP Monitor

STATEMENTS B5

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

To Become Encounters with Christ

A Message of the ECY Chairman, especially to youth ministers, in view of upcoming youth
ministry-related activities and events
Immediately after the NYD, until the they all interconnected?
cares for you, and who wishes that these
Of course, 2016 is our very own Year opportunities are truly maximized for
18th of November, we will convene the
youth ministers coordinating and rep- of the Eucharist and the Family, part of the grace that they can give all of us, I
resenting the different Regional Youth our nine-year pilgrimage to the Jubilee speak to you, youth ministers, to my
Coordinating Councils (RYCCs) for of 2021, which we began in 2013 with fellow youth ministers: Let us prepare
the NYCC, or National Youth Coor- the Year of Faith, then 2014, the Year well for these events. Let us study them
dinating Council. We end 2015 with of the Laity, and 2015, the Year of the in the context of our own programs and
the local celebration of the National Poor. Various initiatives are being set up initiatives in our own local churches,
Youth Day (2015) in our own par- by the Commission on Family and Life whether those of our youth commisishes and communities, set every year which I enjoin all of us to take part in. sions or those organized by and with
Next year too, the youth of the world other church ministries.
on December 16, and preceded by
the Youth Ministry
Awareness Week
every December 09
to 15.
We especially
hope that the delegates to the Tuguegarao celebration will continue
to be afire with the
experience, and be
motivated to organize their own
local NYD celebrations in the same
spirit, proclaiming
the same blessed
message.
The first month
of Januar y will
find the universal
Church converging
in Cebu City for
the 51st International Eucharistic
Congress, on January 24 to 31, to be
preceded by the
Theological Symposium on January
20 to 22. A special Bangued Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian, Episcopal Commission on Youth chairman
feature of this congress is the IEC will have an appointment with Pope
Let us do our best that our local
Youth Day: a 3-day program designed Francis for the 31st World Youth Day, in churches are represented in these eccleespecially for young people on January Poland, in the homeland of St. John Paul sial activities. Sa dami ng mga gawain,
27 to 29. The Archdiocese of Cebu, II who started the World Youth Day! With sa bigat at halaga ng ating misyon, let us
through its Commission on Youth, has the Holy Father, we will ponder on mercy, help one another to keep our gaze fixed
already extended its invitation to you, within the meaningful context of the Ju- on Christ. Let each moment of these
through your Bishops and diocesan bilee of Mercy, and within our context of engagements become encounters with
youth coordinators (ministry offices)! the Year of the Eucharist and the Family. Christas we fill up registration forms
And those are only until middle of and send them on time, as we travel
This event is especially significant because Christ, youth, and hopearent next year! That is why as a Bishop who with our young people, as we undertake

Franciscans Statement of Solidarity

with the Indigenous Peoples
AFTER the celebration of
Indigenous Peoples Sunday
(Oct. 11) and our annual
retreat (Oct. 19-23), we,
members of the Franciscan
Custody of St. Anthony of
Pa d u a , t h a t m i n i s t e r s i n
the Visayas and Mindanao
through our schools, parishes and other institutions,
recognize our ministr y to

We d e n o u n c e i n t h e
strongest terms the killings and violence in their
communities, and we join
them and other concerned
agencies in the demand for
a thorough investigation of
the incidents, with appropriate action being taken to
prevent such incidents from
happening again;

to share in the progress

a n d b e n e f i t s i n t h e a re a s
of health care, education
programs and the rest, to
give them the opportunities to update themselves
and live with some financial
autonomy and true human
dignity;

the indigenous peoples also

as part of our Vision-Mission. In view of recent
incidents in Mindanao that
involved them, we want to
be in solidarity with them
through this public statement.

We a l s o s u p p o r t t h e
move of human rights
groups to investigate the
validity concerning the
militarization of their communities, as well as their
actions in defense of their
ancestral lands, and their
support and promotion of
the environment in their
areas;

we respect and call for the

pro t e c t io n o f t he e x pre s sions of their indigenous
traditions and belief system,
being with them as brothers, as we prepare for the
time when the Spirit will
reveal their readiness to
receive the Good News of
Jesus.

We acknowledge with
respect and love their presence and culture as integral
to and an enrichment of
our national identity and
culture as Filipinos;

We uphold their rights

for self-determination as
citizens of this country

In the spirit of dialogue

and respect for people and
all creation inspired by our
Fa t h e r St . Fr a n c i s o f A s -

ings, let them all be rooted in Christ, inspired by His Spirit, reaching fullness in
Christ. I bless you all, with your parents
and families, and your communities,
from my heart. May God bless you all.
+LEOPOLDO C. JAUCIAN
Bishop of Bangued
Chair, Episcopal Commission on Youth
October 13, 2015

A press release:

sisi, and in oneness with

the direction given to the
Church today by Pope Francis, we pray for peace in
our country and the Lords
blessing on our ministry to
our indigenous peoples, as
we sign this document this
23rd day of October, 2015,
in St. Francis Friary, Punta
Princesa, Cebu City.

Roy Lagarde

Finally, last but not least,

planning sessions and meetings, as we

communicate with one another clearly
and charitably, as we raise funds, etc.,
and especially as we come together in
prayerusing the Word of God, the
Eucharist, in our personal and community prayers.
Pray for us. Pray with us. Let us
always be connected to and in Christ.
Let everything we do in youth ministry,
whether small meetings or big gather-

CBCP News

PEACE in our Lord Jesus Christ!

We all look forward to the 5th Centenary of the Christian faith in our
country which we will celebrate in the
year 2021. In these years leading to it,
Mother Church offers us various activities and efforts which, whether directly
or indirectly, are building us up into this
milestone in our life as Filipino Catholics, as missionary disciples of Christ.
I would like to speak especially to
those responsible for youth ministry in
the dioceses, as well as youth ministers
and leaders in youth groups, in parishes,
in schools and other settings. There
are many activities this year until next
year in this regard, and I would like to
address you in the hope of giving us all
a certain focus, a shared passion and
direction amidst all these engagements.
On November 5-7, our country hosts
the first International YouCat Congress
in Tagaytay City with the theme, Echoing Gods Promise of Mercy. It is a fitting prelude to the Holy Year of Mercy
which our dear Pope Francis declared
to start this December 08.
November 11-14 will find Church
leaders and BEC workers coming together for the 3rd CBCP-BEC National
Assembly, which also marks 50 Years
of Vatican II Renewal focusing on the
BEC as a Community of Missionary
Disciples and Church of the Poor.
We, your Bishops, declared this assembly to be one of the culminating
activities of the Year of the Poor. Among
those invited from each diocese are at
least five youth representatives.
On the same dates, we shall gather in
the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, from
November 11 to 15, for the National
Youth Day (2015) with our theme,
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God. After our national celebration in 2011, we come together again
this 2015; the ECY and the Archdiocese
of Tuguegarao are preparing a warm
welcome for you, an experience of the
Beatitudes which hopes to mirror our
being blessed as Filipinos with the faith
we have received almost 500 years ago.

BRO. FELIX C. JUNGCO,

JR., OFM
Custos, with 55 signatures
of friars in the school, parish
and health-care ministries
i n S a m a r, B i l i ra n , C e b u ,
Basilan, Balo-i, Kidapawan,
Zamboanga del Sur, Leyte:
the solemn professed, the
s t u d e n t f r i a r s i n S AT M I ,
and the novices in Ormoc.
St. Francis of Assisi Friary, 2
Capricorn St., Punta Princesa, 6000 Cebu City.

Rural Missionaries
oppose dislocation of
Lumad caused by
expansion of corporate
plantations
THE Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) expressed
its opposition of dislocation of the Lumad people in their
communities caused by land grabbing and expansion of
corporate plantations in Mindanao which was causal to the
holding of the nationwide caravan Manilakbayan 2015.
The group co-convened the Network Resisting Expansion
of Agricultural Plantations in Mindanao (REAP Mindanao
Network) on its launching at the College of Education of
University of the Philippines, Diliman. The network aimed
to create awareness and take actions against the monopoly
control of agro-corporations over hundreds of thousands of
hectares of land in Mindanao.
We join the resistance against expansion of plantations
in Mindanao that displaces our Lumad brothers and sisters,
to protect the dignity of their lives and culture, as well as
the environment, we urge the church sectors, the Catholic
community, to do the same, Sr. Francis Aover, RSM, RMP
national coordinator said during the activity.
RMP said that Mindanao hosts the largest plantations of
rubber, banana and pineapple in the country such as of the
giant fruit companies Del Monte, Sumifru, Dole and their
subsidiaries. Their plantations have displaced and continue to encroach ancestral lands of Lumad communities in
Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Compostela Valley
and Davao provinces. At present, about 1 million hectares
of land are being converted into oil palm estates located
in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabao, Caraga and Northern
Mindanao region.
The religious group also held the Aquino administration
accountable for this act for corporate greed as control over
the lands is usually through government-led initiatives such as
the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, agri-business
venture arrangements (AVAs) and other non-land transfer
schemes that violates the rights of the indigenous people to
ancestral land and culture, as well as the farmers rights to
genuine land reform.
As we have been tasked by God to protect our brothers
and sisters and His bio-diversed creations, we are duty-bound
to oppose this plunderous act that instigates the poverty and
hunger of hundreds of thousands of Lumad, including helpless children, Aover said.
RMP also urged parishioners near UP Diliman campus
to visit the Manilakbayan 2015 camp-out beside Commonwealth avenue and to donate food, mattresses and their
other needs. The Lumad from Mindanao would be at the
university until November 1.
Reference:
Sr. Francis Anover, rsm
National Coordinator
October 28, 2015

B6 REFLECTIONS

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

CBCP Monitor

We salute all our heroes and heroines

Solemnity of All Saints, Matthew 5:1-12a (B)
November 1, 2015

Bishop Pat Alo

ENCOUNTERS

Peaceful
cemeteries

Paolo de Matteis

LIFE is meant to liberate a person from deceiving attempts to

demean his/her human dignity in order to ensure protection
of ones human rights. Sometimes agitators do not seem to
realize where or what they are agitating for. They say they
fight for the rights of man yet in sequel to their acts come
those riots where more and more victims are piled up. Think
that the first right of man islife.
Will the acts of violence leading to bloodshed justify the
cause for lifes defense? Such bloodletting in the name of
justice is pure deception, revenge, and victimizing. The
sad thing about this is when protagonists are false prophets using the name of the Church, yet mouthing violence,
anger, and hate in their hearts. Just look at the victims.
Is that justified?
The Spirit says: Let not your anger reach sundown so as
not to give the devil a chance to set a trap for you (Eph.
4:26). May true peace reign in our hearts so that ones life
may follow in the footsteps of the Sacrificial Lamb, whose
Blood was shed to restore Divine Justice and a reconciling
spirit of dialogue for life in the whole of creation.

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

Bo Sanchez

What kind
of Gratitude
do you have?

FROM looking at my own life, and in the lives of the people

I help, I realized there are three degrees of gratitude:
Selective Gratitude
This is when youre thankful for Big Ticket items only.
You win the Lotto.
You get a new car.
You finally pass the board exam after 9 tries.
Your daughter finally gets married at 52.
Your visa is approved after 16 denials.
Your adulterous and drunk husband finally changes. Or
dies. (Whichever comes first.)
Everyone starts with Selective Gratitude.
But sadly, this feeling of gratitude is rare. Because Big Ticket
items are rare too.
And usually, it disappears rather quickly.
Selective Gratitude is great.
But if you want to be really happy, you need to graduate to
a deeper form of gratitude
Simple Gratitude
In Simple Gratitude, youre thankful even for the small
things in life. For the roof
over your head, for the
leftover food on your table,
for the semi-neurotic family
around you. Stuff you take
for granted.
Remember this famous
quote? I once was sad for I
had no shoes, until I met a
man who had no feet.
One day, my friend complained about his decreasing hair. I told him to think
positive: his hair wasnt
decreasing, it was his forehead that was increasing.
He didnt believe me and
became more depressed.
So I texted him this
slightly-edited version of
the line above: I once was
sad for I had no hair until
I met a man who had no
head.
I think that sobered him
up. If you were to choose between baldness and beheading,
what would you choose?
Today, he shines his head and calls himself Bruce Willis.
But do you know that theres something even more powerful
than Simple Gratitude?

Theres a big
difference
between
knowing
you need to
be grateful,
and actually
having every
cell of your
body singing,
Thank You!

Sacred Gratitude
In Sacred Gratitude, youre thankful for life itself.
Youre thankful that youre alive.
Youre thankful that you exist.
Youre thankful that you breathe!
Youre thankful for the adventure of daily life, with all its
ups and downs, highs and lows, and twists and turns.
This kind of gratitude doesnt depend on situations anymore.
And theres a big difference between knowing you need to
be grateful, and actually having every cell of your body singing, Thank You!
This is Sacred Gratitude.
Its one of the sweetest things in the world.
Nothing can touch you. Youre at peace.
When you have Simple Gratitudeand especially Sacred
Gratitudeyou receive so many blessings.
Why?
Because when you become grateful, you also become a
Blessing Magnet.

perpetual losers in their struggle against evil.

This type of admirable ordinary Christians live in our communities, our neighborhood, our houses . . . . Heaven is full
of them. You and I are expected to be like
them, for all of us are called to live as children of light.

The Church has also an immense number

of ordinary believersthe common
Christians whose lives are characterized by
a simple, strong faith and a practical love
for God and neighbor.
sight of the future of happiness which God has
in store for those who live according to His law.
Their life is by all standards ordinary but
by no means mediocre. They may occasionally be weak, but are never resigned to be
weaklings. They readily grant that they
dont have the stuff of the great achievers (the
canonized saints), but never accept to be the

Todays feast in honor of the Unknown

Saints is both a reminder and an encouragement. It is a reminder to honor these
unsung heroes of Gods family on earth.
But, most of all, it is an encouragement
to join their ranks and march with them
toward the homeland of heaven under the
banner of the Beatitudes.

What makes small people great

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 12:38-44 (B)

November 8, 2015
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
THE poor widow thought
that nobody would notice
her as she dropped her simple
offering into the large basin
of the temple treasury. She
did not feel ashamed, of
course, for she was offering
her contribution only for the
Lord--and the Lord knew that
she was giving even more than
she could afford.
There is an extraordinary
resemblance between the gen-

between the anonymous widow featured in todays Gospel

passage and the shameless
greed of the scribes who devour the savings of widows
and recite long prayers for
appearance sake (Mk 12:40).
Todays First Reading and the
Gospel episode contain a challenge for all of us: the challenge
to imitate the generosity, faith,
and love of the two poor widows. Such a demand confronts
us whenever we are tempted
to be over concerned about
our future material needs.

attained.
This means that even the
poorest can become rich in
Gods sight by offering their
m o d e s t g i f t s w i t h a p u re
intention. The Lord rejects

Such a loving attention

given by God to what is small
and humanly insignificant
applies not only to material
offerings, but also and especially to non-material ones:

nothing of what is offered Him

out of love. Such is the basic
conviction that grounds the
Pondo ng Pinoy Movement.
Indeed, it can be said that the
Lord values more the crumbs of
the poor than the baskets filled
with big loaves presented by the
wealthy.

to the simple acts of respect,

condescension, solidarity,
forgiveness, patience, love...
with which we can embroider
our days and enrich our lives.
Nothing is lost of what is offered to God. Its fruit remains
in us, multiplied a thousand
times.

This means that even the poorest

can become rich in Gods sight
by offering their modest gifts
with a pure intention. The Lord
rejects nothing of what is offered
Him out of love.
erosity and simplicity of this
widow praised by Jesus (see Mk
12:43f ) and that of the widow
of Zarephath (presumably a
pagan), who shared with the
prophet Elijah the little she
had left for her own and her
sons sustenance. (See 1 Kgs
17:15.)
Their offering was more than
an act of generosity. It was also
an act of faith, of total reliance
on Gods providence, for they
had offered all that they had
to live on. (See Mk 12:44.)
And they had offered it with
an immense love the silent,
discrete love of the simple
people whose only treasure
and sure hope is God.
There is a striking contrast

If we have such a frame of

mind, it is very difficult for
us to share our resources
with the poor and to give for
the needs of the Church. We
have to overcome this danger
by trusting fully in Gods
providence.
The First Reading and the
Gospel contain also a message of
hopea hope rooted, first of
all, in the certitude that God
notices and appreciates even
the small acts of generosity
which people often ignore or
despise. He will leave nothing
unrewarded of what is offered
with a sincere heart. Unlike
most of us, God looks at the
intention, rather than the
amount given or the result

Raymond Sebastian

SOULFOOD

EVERY nation has its own heroes and

heroinesoutstanding citizens who have
accomplished memorable deeds and remain an inspiration for all generations. A
nation needs these exceptions. But a nation needs also ordinary citizenspeople
who lead a normal life, exercise their profession with honesty and perseverance, pay
their taxes and are law-abiding. It is also
of this common stuff that great nations
are made.
The Church has her heroes and heroines,
too real giants by all standards, who show
what heights a human being can reach in the
practice of the virtues codified in the Gospel
and exemplified in Jesus Christ. The Church
probes the genuineness of their worth
and the exceptional degree of their virtues
through a thorough inquiry called the
process of canonization. Those who pass
this test are canonized, i.e., are included
in the list of the Saints. The Church needs
them as much as a nation needs heroes and
heroines.

But the Church has also an immense

number of ordinary believersthe common Christians whose lives are characterized by a simple, strong faith and a practical
love for God and neighbor . . . people who
fulfill their dutiesday in, day outwith
dedication and generosity, without ever losing

CBCP Monitor

SOCIAL CONCERNS B7

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Aeta Farmers and Preda Fair Trade Certified Organic

FOR the first time in Philippine
history, mango fruits grown and
harvested by the indigenous
people of Zambales and Bataan
have been internationally certified as organic and recognized
as a top export product that can
help hundreds of indigenous
Aeta families. They alone have
reached the highest standards of
organic certification this September 2015.
The Aeta indigenous mango
farmers associations organized by
the Preda Fair Trade Project led
by team leader and agriculturists Donard Angeles and Roger
Hermogino and community organizer Shawn Dave Brooks have
passed the grueling three-year,
rigorous, intensive preparation
as organic farmers.
Although poor and living in
remote mountains as subsistence
farmers in areas with little educational opportunities, where most
villages are without electricity or
roads, they have shown remarkable intelligence, organization
ability, wisdom and ingenuity.
They have reached this prestigious organic standard for their
chemical-free organic mango
production. They made it by the
cooperation of several organizations working for the betterment
of the indigenous people and the
environment.
Their mangos have been finally
certified organic by ACT-EU, the
prestigious organic certification
organization that has perhaps
the most rigorous standards and
inspection criteria in the world.
ACT-EU is a highly regarded
training and certification organization of experts in organic
criteria and standards accredited
by the EU. Products claiming to
be organic cannot be sold under
the much-desired organic label
in any EU country without such
a certification as that issued by
ACT-EU.
The Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT) agency
is reputed to be one of the most
strict and yet most creditable and
prestigious organic certification
agencies. It works in the Philippines with the assistance of the
Organic Certification Center of
the Philippines (OCCP). The
progress over three years was

guided by Vitoon Panyakul,

manager of ACT, and chief
inspector Ong Kung Wai.
Following this certification
by ACT-EU, the most wellknown and highly respected
German organic certification
agency Naturland has also issued
its certification for the Aeta-Preda
organic mangos.

and pollutes the land and rivers

and the resulting food products
can be harmful to people.
From Germany, the effort
was guided and supported by
Manfred Fuerst, head of the
Naturland Certification of nonOECD countries and Naturland
General Manager Steffen Reese.
He came himself to the Philip-

German Catholic development

agency Misereor as part of its
commitment to assist indigenous
people and sustainable agriculture and protect the environment
and combat climate change.
The organic certification
opens the doors to a huge market
in Europe especially in Germany
where organic certification is

for processing the mangos to the

organic standards of ACT.
The organic mango puree is
shipped to Dritte Welt Partners
(DWP) of Ravensburg, the German trading partner of Preda Fair
Trade headed by Thomas Hoyer.
Mr. Hoyer came to visit the Aeta
farmers and the Preda organic
project and made a film about it

Naturland has the highest

standards for organic certification
arising for the commitment and
belief of its founding members

pines to visit the Aeta Ffrmers

and the Preda Fair Trade organic
mango project. .
This achievement of the Aeta

required on most highquality

food products. The Aeta-Preda
mangos are expertly processed
by Profood International in Cebu

in April this year.

The puree is used in a wide
variety of DWP food products
in Germany and distributed by

Preda

By Fr. Shay Cullen

Although poor and living in remote mountains as subsistence

farmers in areas with little educational opportunities, where
most villages are without electricity or roads, they have shown
remarkable intelligence, organization ability, wisdom and ingenuity.
that the environment must be
protected from the harm of
chemical farming that damages

farmers and the Preda Fair Trade

is highly significant. It has been
a long process assisted by the

into mango puree. Profood is in

partnership with Preda Fair Trade
and meets all the organic criteria

DWP throughout the chain of

World Shops across Germany,
Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Synod, B1

Preda Fair Trade also donates

to the Preda Foundation to support projects that release and
provide shelter and education
for jailed street children and
children rescued by Preda social workers from brothels and
abusers.
Last September 15, Mr. Christoph Straesser a leading member
the German parliament and
commissioner for human rights
and German Ambassador to the
Philippines, Mr. Thomas Ossowski, met with Preda Executive
Director Francis B. Bermido Jr.
to visit a government child detention center in Manila.
They drove to Zambales and
discussed the situation of human
rights in the Philippines and the
impact of Fair Trade. They visited the Preda childrens homes
for child victims of human
rights violations. The German
Ambassadors Cup, a famous
golfing tournament, was held
this October for the support of
the Preda childrens homes. The
event raised a large donation that
goes to help many more children
in need. Fair Trade earnings
also help the farmers and the
children.
The hope of the farmers is
being realized by the growing
demand by discerning customers
for organic products in Europe.
The Aeta-Preda certified organic
mango puree is already finding
its way to the German and Austrian World Shops in a variety
of products from chocolate to
yogurt.
The great challenge now for
the Aeta farmers and PREDA
Fair Trade is to expand membership of the association, to train
the new members to meet the
criteria and standards for organic
production and to maintain it.
They will also be highly motivated by the high price paid
by Preda Fair Trade, which is
200 percent higher than the local market farm gate price and
by other Preda development
projects in the remote villages
of the Aeta people, the original
inhabitants of the Philippines.
All this has been achieved by
their amazing ability and dedication to plant thousands of trees
to preserve and improve their
ancestral lands and domains and
to provide a happier life for their
children.

An Inapod, B4

true journeying together in bringing

to every part of the world, to every
diocese, to every community and every
situation, the light of the Gospel, the
embrace of the Church and the support
of Gods mercy!
Thank you!

Footnotes:
[1]Cf. Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis
to the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical
Catholic University of Argentina on the
Centenary of its Faculty of Theology, 3
March 2015.
[2]Cf. Pontifical Biblical Commission,Fede
e cultura alla luce della Bibbia. Atti della
Sessione plenaria 1979 della Pontificia
Commissione Biblica, LDC, Leumann,
1981; SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL,Gaudium et Spes, 44.
[3]Final Relatio(7 December
1985),LOsservatore Romano, 10 December
1985, 7.
[4]In virtue of her pastoral mission, the
Church must remain ever attentive to
historical changes and to the development
of new ways of thinking. Not, of course,
to submit to them, but rather to surmount
obstacles standing in the way of accepting
her counsels and directives (Interview

with Cardinal Georges Cottier, inLa Civilt

Cattolica3963-3964, 8 August 2015, p. 272).
[5]Homily, 23 June 1968:InsegnamentiVI
(1968), 1177-1178.
[6]Dives in Misericordia, 13. He also said:
In the paschal mystery God appears to
us as he is: a tender-hearted Father, who
does not give up in the face of his childrens
ingratitude and is always ready to forgive
(JOHN PAUL II,Regina Coeli, 23 April
1995:InsegnamentiXVIII, 1 [1995], 1035).
So too he described resistance to mercy:
The present-day mentality, more perhaps
than that of people in the past, seems
opposed to a God of mercy, and in fact tends
to exclude from life and to remove from the
human heart the very idea of mercy. The word
and the concept of mercy seem to cause
uneasiness (Dives in Misericordia[30
November 1980] 2).
[7]Regina Coeli, 30 March
2008:InsegnamentiIV, 1 (2008), 489490. Speaking of the power of mercy, he
stated: it is mercy that sets a limit to evil.
In it is expressed Gods special nature his
holiness, the power of truth and of love
(Homilyon Divine Mercy Sunday, 15 April
2007:InsegnamentiIII, 1 [2007], 667).
[8]An acrostic look at the word family
[Italian:famiglia] can help us summarize the
Churchs mission as the task of:Forming new
generations to experience love seriously, not
as an individualistic search for a pleasure
then to be discarded, and to believe once
again in true, fruitful and lasting love as the

sole way of emerging from ourselves and

being open to others, leaving loneliness
behind, living according to Gods will,
finding fulfilment, realizing that marriage is
an experience which reveals Gods love,
defending the sacredness of life, every life,
defending the unity and indissolubility of the
conjugal bond as a sign of Gods grace and of
the human persons ability to love seriously
(Homilyfor the Opening Mass of the Synod,
4 October 2015:LOsservatore Romano,
5-6 October 2015, p. 7) and, furthermore,
enhancing marriage preparation as a
means of providing a deeper understanding
of the Christian meaning of the sacrament
of Matrimony;Approaching others, since
a Church closed in on herself is a dead
Church, while a Church which does leave
her own precincts behind in order to seek,
embrace and lead others to Christ is a
Church which betrays her very mission
and calling;Manifesting and bringing Gods
mercy to families in need; to the abandoned,
to the neglected elderly, to children pained
by the separation of their parents, to poor
families struggling to survive, to sinners
knocking on our doors and those who
are far away, to the differently able, to
all those hurting in soul and body, and to
couples torn by grief, sickness, death or
persecution;Illuminating consciences often
assailed by harmful and subtle dynamics
which even attempt to replace God the
Creator, dynamics which must be unmasked

and resisted in full respect for the dignity of

each person;Gaining and humbly rebuilding
trust in the Church, which has been gravely
weakened as a result of the conduct and
sins of her children sadly, the counterwitness of scandals committed in the
Church by some clerics have damaged her
credibility and obscured the brightness of
her saving message;Labouring intensely to
sustain and encourage those many strong
and faithful families which, in the midst of
their daily struggles, continue to give a great
witness of fidelity to the Churchs teachings
and the Lords commandments;Inventing
renewed programmes of pastoral care
for the family based on the Gospel and
respectful of cultural differences, pastoral
care which is capable of communicating
the Good News in an attractive and
positive manner and helping banish from
young hearts the fear of making definitive
commitments, pastoral care which is
particularly attentive to children, who are the
real victims of broken families, pastoral care
which is innovative and provides a suitable
preparation for the sacrament of Matrimony,
rather than so many programmes which
seem more of a formality than training
for a lifelong commitment;Aiming to love
unconditionally all families, particularly
those experiencing difficulties, since no
family should feel alone or excluded from
the Churchs loving embrace, and the real
scandal is a fear of love and of showing that

father, mother, brothers and sisters,

and homeif only to share the lovebroken pieces of my heart with these
countless pitiable hapless souls.
And, indeed, it was this same
Love for these suffering victims of
inhumanity that gave me the courage
and the heart: to console the un-consolable, the compassion to heal the
wounded-and-wounding victims of
the cycle of sin, the charity to forgive
even the humanly unforgivable, and
even also the generosity to minister
and share the divine Sacramental Gifts
of His loveinclusively to all who
may have or may not have anything
to give in return.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Now
that you know the reason or reasons
why I opted to become a priest, will
you still call me: a fool, a sissy, and
a broken-hearted lover? Besides, will
you still scream to me: SAYANG?
(Most Rev. Jose C. Sorra, D.D.,
is Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of
Legazpi)

Nullity, B2

that in such a procedure, the judge

is to be the bishop himself who, due
to his pastoral office, is with Peter
the greatest guarantor of Catholic
unity in faith and in discipline.
This is the second novelty of the
motu proprio: a briefer process
for the declaration of marriage
nullity. Three clarifications need
to be mentioned regarding this
so-called briefer process:
1) It is different from what is
known as the documentary process
already provided for by c.1686:
A marriage can be declared invalid
on the basis of a document which
proves with certainty the existence
of a diriment impediment, a defect
of lawful form or the lack of a valid
proxy mandate; the document must
not be open to any contradiction or
exception. It must be equally certain
that no dispensation has been given.
When a petition in accordance with
c.1677 has been received alleging
such invalidity, the judicial Vicar,

or a judge designated by him, can

omit the formalities of the ordinary
procedure and, having summoned
the parties, and with the intervention of the defender of the bond,
declare the nullity of the marriage
by a judgement.
2) In contrast to the aforementioned documentary process,
which requires the presence of a
document proving with certainty
the existence of a diriment impediment, a defect of lawful form or a
lack of a valid proxy mandate, the
briefer process only requires that
the alleged nullity of the marriage
is supported by particularly clear
arguments. To avoid arbitrariness
in the determination of such clarity, this briefer process can only
be used by the bishop himself, as
the surest guarantee that Catholic
faith and discipline regarding the
indissolubility of marriage is upheld. In this sense, it is not a real
noveltysince the Bishop has al-

ways been the ultimate judge in his

diocesebut rather just a novel
concrete application of an already
existing principle and norm.

V. The appeal to the Metropolitan See. It is appropriate that
the appeal to the Metropolitan be
restored, especially as the office of
head of the ecclesiastical province,
which has been stable for centuries,
is a distinctive sign of collegiality in
the church.
This is the counterpointthe
check and balanceto the first
principle enunciated above. The
fact that the sentence of nullity
by the tribunal of first instance
is executory does not preclude
the possibility of an appeal to
the contrary, especially taking
into consideration a more fundamental principle enunciated in
c.1643: Cases concerning the status
of persons never become an adjudged
matter, not excepting cases which

concern the separation of spouses.

Therefore, a sentence of marriage nullity in the first instance
can be appealed to the Metrolove concretely.
politan
See. The novelty lies in
that such an appeal will have to
be made at the instance of any of
the parties or the defender of the
bond, with the latter not being
bound by Law to do so.
VI. The proper task of episcopal
conferences. These conferences,
which above all should be driven by
apostolic zeal to reach the dispersed
faithful, should feel strongly the duty
of participating in the above mentioned conversion while absolutely
respecting the right of the bishops to
organize judicial power in their own
particular churches. () The episcopal conferences, working together
with the judges and safeguarding
the just and fair remuneration of
the workers in the tribunals, shall
insofar as possible take care to as-

sure that cases are free of charge,

and the church, showing herself to
be a generous mother to the faithful
in a matter so closely linked to the
salvation of souls, might manifest the
freely-given love of Christ by whom
we all have been saved.
This is possibly the third novelty (if it can be called that at all)
introduced by the motu proprio:
the episcopal conference has
the obligation to make cases of
marriage nullity as far as possible
free of charge. This was a general
principle in the existing legislation, but the present motu proprio
effectively enforces it.
VII. An appeal to the Apostolic
See. It is necessary, in any case, to
retain the appeal to the ordinary
Tribunal of the Apostolic See,
that is, the Roman Rota, respecting a most ancient right, so as to
strengthen the bond between the
See of Peter and the particular

churches, in any case taking care,

in the discipline of such appeal
to limit any abuse of the right, so
as not to jeopardize the salvation
of souls. The law proper to the
Roman Rota, however, is to be
adapted as soon as possible to the
rules of the reformed process, as
necessary.
This is nothing new, but is just a
reminder of an existing norm and
a logical extension of principle
V, in the matter of the hierarchy
of instances and the principle of
c.1643 stated above.
VIII. In favor of the Eastern
Churches. Lastly, in view of the
particular ecclesial order and discipline of the Eastern Churches, we
have decided to issue separately,
at this same time, the norms to
reform the discipline of matrimonial processes in the Code of
Canons of the Eastern Churches.
(To be concluded)

B8 ENTERTAINMENT

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Moral Assessment

CBCP Monitor

Buhay San Miguel

Brothers Matias

Lolo Kiko

Bladimer Usi

Abhorrent

Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome

Exemplary
Technical Assessment

Poor
Below average

Average

Above average
E
xcellent

MAGBUBUKAS ang pelikula

sa araw ng kapanganakan ni Felix
Manalo, Mayo 10, 1886, sa isang
pamilyang saradong Katoliko.
Ipapakita nito ang mga mahahalagang yugto sa buhay ni Peles
(Dennis Trillo) mula sa pagkabata
hanggang sa pagtatatag ng Iglesia
ni Kristo at kanyang kamatayan
noong 1963, at magwawakas ito
sa paghirang sa kanyang anak na
si Erano bilang bagong pinuno ng
itinatag niyang simbahan.
May balitang ang Felix Manalo
ay kalahati lamang sa haba ng
orihinal na pelikulaanim na
oras. Marahil ay ninais ng mga
producers ng pelikula na itampok
nito ang talambuhay ni Manalo at
ipapanood sa mga kasapi ng Iglesia sa kanyang kabuuan, ngunit
iniklian ito para sa publiko pagkat
ang karaniwang moviegoer ay
walang tiyagang upuan ang mga
pelikulang hahaba pa ng dalawang
oras. Dito nagmumula ang mga
kakulangan ng pelikula.
Tiyak na nosebleed ang editor
sa pagbubuo ng Felix Manalo.
Ang resulta? Major surgery, ika
nga. Kung ang Felix Manalo ay
isang tao, inoperahan ito: iniklian
ang bituka, tinapyasan ang baga,
binawasan ang utak, tinaniman
ng pacemaker, at inalisan ng
apdo. Bagamat natuhog nito ang
mga makahulugang bahagi ng
kanyang buhay, hindi nito sinisid
ang lalim ng pagkatao ni Manalo;
sa halip, naging isang paglalahad
ito ng simbahang INK, kung
paano ito umusbong, naitatag, lumago, at lumalago. Kung gayon,
maaaring hindi ito tangkilikin
ng mga manonood na gustong
maaliw sa sinehan; kung ikaw
ngay nagbabayad para malibang,
bakit panonoorin mo pa ang Felix
Manalo? Kung siryoso ka naman
at gusto mong higit pang alamin
ang tungkol sa INK, may Google
naman para sa higit na malayang
pananaliksik.
Hindi kataka-takang naging
150-milyong piso ang budget ng
Felix Manalo: bukod sa maraming tanyag ng artista at 7,000
ekstrang ginamit dito, kitang-kita
na pinaggugulan din ng salapi at
panahon ang kanyang production
sets, costumes, atbp., kaya lamang,
halatang bago ang mga ito
mukhang hindi pa natitirahan
ang mga bahay kubo, wala pang
libag ang mga kawayang bakod,
kasasabit pa lamang ng mga kurtina, malutong pa ang uniporme
ng mga sundalo, etsetera, etsetera,
etsetera. Hindi maitatanggi na
ang nagdala ng talambuhay na
ito ay si Trillo, na marubdob na
ginampanan ang papel ng yumaong Manalo, katulad ng kapanipaniwala niyang pagganap bilang
isang bakla sa teleseryeng My
Husbands Lover.
Sa mabilisan at nakakalitong
paglukso ng kuwento sa pagitan
ng mga eksena sa buhay ni Manalo, maraming bagay sa kanyang
pagkatao at sa mga pangyayari ang

napawalang halaga. Kapalit nito

ay ang mga detalyadong tagpong
nagpapakita ng pagrerehistro ng
INK, ang pagtanggap ng gobyerno
rito bilang isang lehitimong relihiyon, ang pagpapakita ng mga
napakaraming retrato ng kanilang
mga sambahan at kasapi mula
noon hanggang ngayon pati na sa
ibang bansa. Ipinagtataka tuloy
ng karaniwang manonood: Ano
bang talaga ang pakay ng pelikulaipakilala si Manalo o ang
kanyang iglesya? Tila nanunudyo
naman ang pagkakataon nang ilabas ang pakita o trailer ng Felix
Manalo habang umaalingasaw pa
ang krisis ng INK gawa ng pagkakatiwalag sa iglesya ng mismong
ina at kapatid ng ikatlong pinuno
nito, si Eduardo Manaloisang
pangyayaring nag-iwan ng lamat
sa mata ng madla na dating nagakalang matibay ang pagkakaisa
ng INK. Ang iskandalong ito
ang naging sanhi ng protesta ng
libo-libong kasapi ng INK laban
kay Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
sa EDSA, na ikinayamot naman
ng mga motoristang naipit nang
ilang araw sa trapik na idinulot
nito. Hindi masisisi ang mga
manonood kung pagtatakhan nila

Buhay Parokya

Look for the images of Pope Francis, Saint

John Paul II, and All Saints.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

FELIX MANALO
DIRECTOR: Joel Lamangan
LEAD CAST: Dennis Trillo, Bela
Padilla
STORY and SCREENPLAY:
Bienvenido Santiago
GENRE: Biography
DISTRIBUTOR: Viva Films
(2015)
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs. 55
mins.
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:
MTRCB rating: GP
CINEMA rating: V14

ang timing ng Felix Manalo.

Ngunit ano man ang inyong
isipin, hindi naghahanap ng
away ang Felix Manalo. Iniwasan
nitong lumabas na nanghahamon
sa ibang relihiyon habang isinasalarawan nito ang paghahanap
sa katotohanan ng isang disenteng
taong ang palayaw ay Peles.
Ano ang aral na maiuuwi ng
mga manonood ng Felix Manalo?
Hind saklaw ng CINEMA ang
sumangayon o sumalungat sa
turo ng anumang relihiyong itinatampok sa anumang pelikula,
ngunit bilang pangkalahatang
aral, mawiwika ng CINEMA na
kung sa paghahanap ninyo ng
katotohanan ay nanaisin ninyong
pag-aralan ang turo at Banal na
Kasulatan ng isang relihiyon, huwag ninyo itong gawing mag-isa
at makontento sa sarili ninyong
pang-unawa. Ang nagmamahal sa
katotohanan ay hindi nag-aatubiling magpakumbaba at humingi ng
liwanag mula sa tamang authority,
sa mga bihasa na kinikilalang may
kaalaman, kapangyarihan, karanasan, karapatan, at tungkuling
magpaliwanag nito.

MATALIK na magkakaibigan sila Georgia (Kris Aquino), Stella (Iza Calzado),

Chloe (Claudine Barretto), at Charley
(Cheena Crab). Lahat silay mga tinatawag na kabit bagamat hindi ganoon
ang turing nila sa sarili nila pagkat may
sinasabi naman sila, matalino, at pawang
matagumpay sa kani-kaniyang karera.
Hihilingin ng partner ni Georgia na
si Rob (Freddie Webb) na pagbigyan
ang kaibigan nitong si Frank (Zoren
Legaspi) na turuan at sanaying maging
pino ang batang-batang kabit niya na si
Ina (Kim Chiu). Hindi sasang-ayon si
Stella, isang abugada, sa mungkahing
iyon, ngunit itutuloy pa rin ni Georgia
ang pagiging mentor kay Ina. Sa
pagsulong ng kani-kaniyang mga buhay
lulutang nang isa-isa ang mga alituntunin
na dapat ay matutuhan ni Ina bilang
isang kept woman, mga tumpak na
pag-iisip at pagkilos na dapat diumanoy
maituro sa dalaga upang siyay lumigaya,
magpaligaya sa kanyang lalaki, at maging
malayo sa iskandalo. Ituturing na ng
apat na bunsong kapatid si Ina, subalit
sasalungatin ang mga turo ni Georgia
ng mapusok na si Chloe na walang pakundangang iginigiit ang kanyang mga
kagustuhan sa lalaki niya.

Makakatayong mag-isa ang pelikulang Etiquette for Mistresses kahit hindi

ihambing sa orihinal na nobela ni Jullie
Yap-Daza na pinaghanguan nito. Sa
kalakhang bahagi ng pelikula, makatotohanan ang pagsasalarawan nito ng mga
hirap-at-sarap ng pagiging isang Number
2 ng mga lalaking nakaaangat sa buhay.
Nagampanan nang mahusay at may
damdamin ng mga pangunahing artista
ang kani-kaniyang mga papel, gawa na
rin marahil ito ng magaling na pagdidirihe
ni Chito Roo. Sa mga tanging dialogue
ay mababakas ang kagustuhang maghatid
ng aral ng pelikula sa mga kababaihan,
kabit man o hindi. May mga bahaging
biglang nakakabingi ang tunog, at hindi
rin gasinong pulido ang editing ng ilang
parte. Nagsimulang solid at matatag
ang pelikula ngunit sa bandang huliy
nagkalat ito, nagsanga-sanga ang kuwento, hanggang sa katapusang hinog
sa kalburo, ika nga.
Ang tinatawag na etiquette sa pelikula
ay kabutihang asal para lamang sa mga
nakikiapid na nasa mataas na antas ng
lipunan, at ang pakay ng mga babaeng ito
ay ang iwasan ang iskandalo upang magtagal ang relasyon sa lalaking may asawa.
Parang sinsasabi nitong Okey lang mag-

ETIQUETTE FOR
MISTRESSES
DIRECTOR: Chito Roo
LEAD CAST: Kris Aquino, Claudine
Barretto, Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado
GENRE: Romance/Drama
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Neil Daza
RUNNING TIME: 120 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V18
MTRCB rating: R13

ing kabit basta alam mong hindi ikaw ang

asawa, at kumilos ka nang naaayon. Sa
tunay na buhay, maaaring walang matatawag na etiquette for mistresses para
sa mga taong walang reputasyong iniingatan, mga uring nangangaliwa nang
hantaran, at mga relasyong nagwawakas
sa lagim tulad ng mga nababasa sa mga
tabloidsngunit mataas man o mababa
ang lugar nila sa lipunan, pareho lamang
silang nakapiit sa bawal na pag-iibigan.
Hindi kinukunsinti ng Etiquette for
Mistresses ang pakikiapid, bagkus tinatangka pa nitong ipaalalamatapos
nitong silawin ang manunood sa mga
karangyaang tinatamasa ng mga kabit

na ito ay isang kamalian na dapat iwasan.

Marahil sa tindi ng kagustuhan nitong
iparating ang positibong mensaheng iyon,
kasama na rin ang pagnananais na kilitiin
pa-more ang movie fans, sumobra naman
ito. Higit sanang kapani-paniwala kung
tinuldukan na lang ang kuwento sa matapat at marubdob na desisyon ng mga kabit
na talikuran ang baluktot na daan. Pero
hindi ganon ang nangyarihinabaan
pa, pinalabukan pa ng mga pangyayaring
minadali at hindi ipinaliwanag, naglaho
tuloy ang init ng mensahe, parang lumamig at nanigas na hot pan de sal.
Bakit hinihimay ng CINEMA ang
mga bagay na ito? Tungkulin nitong
magbigay gabay sa balana upang maging mapanuri at mapag-isip ang tao sa
panonood ng sine. Ang pagbabagong
buhay ba ay ganoon lamang kasimple at
kadali, parang switch ng ilaw, isang kalabit
lang ay magliliwanag na? Paano na ang
mga nasugatang damdamin, mga nawasak
na pag-aasawahan, mga nagkalamat na
tiwala? Ano kaya ang aral na maiuuwi ng
mga manunood na buong-tahimik na
sumaksi sa sampalan nila Kris at Claudine, pero nagtilian nang walang mayaw
nang biglang pumasok sa eksena si Piolo
Pascual? Kumita ng 15-milyong piso ang

Etiquette for Mistresses sa unang araw ng

labas nito. Ilan sa mga nanood sa unang
araw ang naliwanagan ng pelikula tungkol
sa pag-ibig?
Tungkol sa tema nito, mayroon pang
nais bigyang-liwanag ang CINEMA
itoy may kinalaman sa winika at binigyang-diin ng isang babae tungkol sa
relasyon nila Stella at Ambet: ito diumano
ang love. Love? Talaga? Hindi po
minamaliit ng CINEMA ang love na
namagitan sa isang abogadang iniwan
ang pananagutan sa korte upang arugain
ang isang lalaking nilisan ang kanyang
pamilya at piniling pumanaw sa piling ng
kabit. Ang sa kanilay isang uri ng pagiibigan, oo, ngunit pag-iibigang mapanira,
naghahatid ng dalamhati at poot sa mga
kinauukulan. Ito ba ang ninanais ng
Panginoon para sa atin? Ang pakikiapid,
ang pagnanasa o pagsiping sa hindi mo
asawaano man ang itawag dito, wisikan
man ito ng pabango at itubog sa ginto
ay pakikiapid pa rin, isang paglabag sa
kalooban ng Panginoon. May higit pang
dakilang pag-ibig ang inilaan ng Lumikha
para sa tao, isang pag-ibig na isinasa-alangalang ang Diyos, walang bahid ng pagkamakasarili, nag-uugat sa katotohanan at
nagbubunga ng kabutihan.

The Cross

A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

CBCP Monitor. Vol. 19. No. 22

October 26 - November 8, 2015

KCFAPI, KCPFI, and K of C

conduct relief operations
Charity. Unity, Fraternity and
Patriotism. As KC members
imbued the four principles
of the order. The Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI) together with
the KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. (KCPFI), and the
Knights of Columbus (K of
C) went to areas affected by
typhoon Lando last October
26 to carry out relief operations.
Affected residents from
provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija were
the target beneficiaries of
more than 600 relief bags distributed by KCFAPI, KCPFI,
and K of C.
The said relief operations
were led by KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio Isidro Boy
Yap, KCFAPI Executive Vice
President Ma. Theresa G.
Curia, KC Foundations Executive Director Roberto T. Cruz,
KCFAPI Executive Secretary
Annie M. Nicolas together
with Area Manager Efren M.
Casupanan, District Deputy
Carlito G. Fernando, and some
Grand Knights.
They first braved the still
flooded areas in Bulacan
where the beneficiaries who
werent able to come were
represented by their District

Deputies. DD Leandro SF
Flores and State Church
Director, George Linda, received the relief goods at St.
James Parish in Paombong,
Hagonoy, Bulacan. Afterwhich, they went to the San
Isidro Labrador Council
6105 in Pulilan where DD
Lauro L. Evangelista, Grand
Knight Arturo C. Reyes, and
Past GK Ronnie Tayao assisted in the distribution of
the goods. And to complete
the outreach in Bulacan, the
officers visited St. John the
Baptist Parish in Calumpit
where its Vice Mayor, DD
Dr. Zacharias Candelaria,
accepted the relief goods to
be given out to the target
beneficiaries.
The KCFAPI, KCPFI, and
K of C officers then went
to certain devastated areas
in Pampanga. DD Noel S.
Lacanilao was the one who
received the aid which will
be allocated to its four barangays namely: Pansilao, Pasig,
Lanang, and Mandasig. Then
last October 28, they set off
to Nueva Ecija and handed
out the relief goods with
the assistance of Area Manager Manuel L. Naldoza to
the distraught brothers and
sisters of San Antonio and
Gabaldon. (KC News)

Climate Change Awareness Spearheaded by

K of C in Honor of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ
The K of C North and South Jurisdictions
conducted a series of activities in honor
of Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J. Instead of
the regular annual tree planting activity,
the two jurisdictions were advised by the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) to change their event
due to the El Nio being experienced
today. Because of the said phenomenon,
the Jurisdictions annual tree planting
activity was deferred.
Instead, the North Luzon Jurisdiction
came up with a climate change symposium, while the South Luzon Jurisdiction
conducted a coastal clean-up project.
Climate Change Symposium
Headed by State Deputy Justice Jose C.
Reyes, Jr., the climate change symposium
of North Luzon was conducted last October 2 at the Fr. Willmann building in
Intramuros, Manila in coordination with
the Archdiocese of Manila and Global
Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM).
Climate, C3

Baliling, Katrina

A symposium on climate change was conducted last October 2.

New KCFAPI Board of Trustee: New KCFAPI Board of Trustee:

SK Reynaldo Trinidad
SK Anthony Nazario
Born on August 03, 1955 in
Manuguit, Tondo, Manila,
Cabalen SK Reynaldo C.
Trinidad the youngest of
Capampangan parents from
Arayat, Pampanga is the
Mindanao State Deputy
f o r C o l u m b i a n Ye a r
2015 to 2017. He was
appointed in the following
positions in KCFAPI and its
wholly-owned or majorityowned Corporations and
Foundations: Trustee of
KCFAPI, Trustee of the
Knights of Columbus
Fr. George J. Willmann
Charities, Inc. and KC
Philippines Foundation,
Inc., and Director of Keys
Realty & Development
Corporation.
Bro. Trinidads multiawarded leadership in
the Knights of Columbus
began in 1992 when he was
exemplified and became

KC Foundation Scholars are New CPAs

a member of San Pedro

Council No. 6532 in Davao
City. He entered the Order
when he was still connected
with Legaspi Oil Company,
where he worked for 18 years
as a Mechanical Engineer.
He is now with Sto. Nio
A m i g o Poy C o u n c i l o f
Ma-a, Davao City. His
untiring enthusiasm and
dedication to God and the
Trinidad, C3

Bro. Anthony Nazario started

his service to the Knights of
Columbus in 1992 as a College Knight of U.P. in the
Visayas College Council No.
10095. He carried on his
fraternal services and became
Grand Knight, State College
Councils Chairperson, and
State Youth Director (20052006), State Program Director (2006-2007), District
Deputy (2009-2011), and
Visayas State Secretary (20112015). As a State Council
Officer, he was appointed the
Chairman-Secretariat of the
Visayas State Convention in
2013 and 2014. He was the
Editor-in-Chief of the official Knights of Columbus
District publication, The
Messenger for CY 2006-2007.
He was appointed as the First
Chairman of the Knights of
Columbus Christian Formation Program of the Visayas

Jurisdiction. Bro. Nazario is

also one of the members of
the Board of Trustees of the
Visayas Columbian Foundation, Inc. As a leader, he was
one of the key officers responsible for the achievement of
the first Pinnacle Award of
the Visayas Jurisdiction during the CY 2013-2014. One
of the Outstanding District
Deputies of the Visayas JurisNazario, C3

Elnar, Jayvee

Three (3) foundation scholars recently

passed the Certified Public Accountant
Licensure Examination given recently
by the Board of Accountancy in the
cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de
Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi and
Lucena last October 2015. They are
Ms. Katrina B. Baliling (12550 Bahayan
6 Luinab, Iligan City), Mr. Michael E
Justol (Council 14986 St. Isidore Quasi
Parish, Cawayan Inabanga, Bohol), and
Mr. Jayvee S. Elnar (Council 3938 Dumaguete Cathedral).
Ms. Katrina Baliling, who was featured
in this section on the July 2015 issue,
graduated as Magna Cum Laude at the
Mindanao State University Iligan Institute
of Technology with a Bachelors degree
in Accountancy. She was born on April
21, 1994 at Iligan City. Ms. Katrina is a
loving daughter of Sis. Cerenia B. Baliling
and Bro. Wilfredo L. Baliling. She also
received a Special Achievement Award
as 1st runner up in the Philippine Final
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) 2014 Global Business
Challenge which was awarded during the
graduation rites.

Justol, Michael

The second new CPA of the foundation is Mr. Michael Justol. Michael, an
alumnus of Mater Dei College at Tubigon,
Bohol, graduated this year brimming with
confidence in passing the next stage of
being an accounting graduate, the CPA
Licensure Examination. Mr. Ismael and
Mrs. Legoria Justol are the proud parents
of Mr. Michael. His passion in solving
mathematical equations was very apparent
in his scholastic performance.
Last but definitely not the least is Mr.
Jayvee S. Elnar who graduated last April
2015 from the Siliman University at Dumaguete City with a Bachelors Degree in
Accountancy. He is the son of Bro. Jaime
and Sis. Elvira Elnar. He was a consistent
honor student in his elementary and high
school days. He was a beneficiary of the
Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. from 2010 to 2014.
As of date, the KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. has successfully provided
assistance to a total of 440 students from
all over the country.
Congratulations to our new batch of
KCPFI CPA SCHOLARS! (Christopher
Camila)

The Luzon Area Conference of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, International (DMII) was
successfully held at Dagupan, Pangasinan. KCFAPI EVP, MA. THERESA G. CURIA with Sis. Fely
Gallardo and the other 11 officers and members of the Diocese of Malolos, Region IV emerged
as the champion in the Folk Dance Competition. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD celebrated
the mass together with Rev. Fr. Jerome Cruz, DMIs International Chaplain. THEME: DMII:
EVANGELIZING WITH MERCY AND COMPASSION IN THE YEAR OF THE POOR

C2

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

Arsenio Isidro G. Yap

Chairmans Message

Ma. Theresa G. Curia

Curia Settings

A Heavenly Give and Take of Prayers

When my cousin Raul Reyes was shot dead
in July 23, 1964, the grief that struck my
aunt Mary was so indescribable. She cried
a lot day in and day out. She howled. She
wailed. She cannot be consoled in her
mournful cry. The loss of a dear son was
so unbearable, so unacceptable to her.
Anyone in her place would probably feel
the same. After all, a parent should be buried by their children
and not the other way around.
Raul was barely twenty two when he died, a graduating student
of the College of Medicine at the University of Santo Thomas. He
was the eldest among us cousins. We look up to him as a leader
and as an inspiration. I was only nine then when it happened.
I could barely understand the meaning of grief, the feeling of
losing our leader and inspiration. The loss sunk to us months
later when we felt leaderless and without inspiration. We had
nobody to look up to.
His death marked the beginning of a very intimate celebration
of All Saints Day for the Generoso Family. Every year then, for
at least twenty years, we would go to the North Cemetery where
he lies and spend at least twenty four hours starting on the eve
of All Saints Day. We as children would go around looking for
whats there to see in a cemetery. There are Mausoleums that are
so large and look so expensive. Some even have a second floor.
One even looked like a ship complete with lights making the area
around it festive, complete with blaring music.
Our place is very near that of Fernando Poe, Sr., father of FPJ
where a lot of movie actors spend their time with the Poe Family. The North Cemetery also boasted of mausoleums of former
Presidents and other illustrious families known to society.
Remembering our dead and praying for them is a basic offering that we could do for our love ones who had gone before us.
But in such a festive atmosphere, our sacrifices, our prayers are
drowned by all-day loud music, all-day drinking spree and in
some instances, a ramble would erupt. The cemetery has become
a carnival and is quite a dangerous place for children and for those
who like to pray for their love ones to reminisce what they were
like when they were still alive.
November First is just around the corner. Throngs of families
would once again trek to the cemetery, to pray and remember their
dead. Some would even have a party, have picnics and even have
their meals catered, buffet style, eat-all-you-can, all day long and
even all night long with unlimited drinks. But let us not forget,
our primary intention of visiting our dead to pray for their
souls and recall what they were like when they were still alive.
Or better still, why not continue the good things they had done
before. I think its the best way to remember them and continue
the legacy they had left behind.
As I have said in the past, praying for the dead, not necessarily
our dead is very beneficial to us the living. For as often as we pray
for them, they in turn also pray for us as often. Its like a give and
take situation, the more we give, the more we will get. The more
prayers we offer for our dead the more prayers they would say
for us. Its also like helping someone in need but when our time
of need comes, we have something to draw on.
Keep praying for our dead and the poor souls in purgatory and
in return our rewards would be heavenly.

Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr.

Presidents Message
Visiting the Living and Praying for
the Dead
As Luzon North Deputy of the
Knights of Columbus, I have been visiting the different districts in my area
of responsibility for various reasons:
installation of Council officers, GK-FS
orientations, first degree exemplifications, District convention, awarding
ceremonies, Founding anniversaries,
and other special occasions. Oftentimes, I give them updates of what is happening in other places
here and abroad, which would inspire them to work hard for the
Knights of Columbus in their respective districts.
In my most recent trip, we braved the province of Nueva Viscaya even though typhoon signal 3 was already raised there. We
received a go signal from our K of C officers and so we went
for we did not want to disappoint our brother Knights who will
be coming from far places to attend the tri-District Convention
in Bayombong, which is its capital.
True to their commitment, our brother Knights were there.
I delivered my inspirational message highlighting three important matters: love for the gift of life, love for our families, and
evangelization of new and old members. Using the ultrasound
on pregnant women to see for themselves the fetus inside their
wombs, those contemplating an abortion shall decide to keep
their babies. This K of C project saves lives of unwanted babies.
In securing the future of family members through life insurance
with KCFAPI, each Knight can best express their love for their
family members. I encouraged all of them to avail of this beneficial program. Finally, I urged our brother Knights to fulfill their
moral obligation to invite every eligible Catholic gentleman to
the Knights of Columbus. I also reminded them to evangelize
our old members to ensure that they continue to be worthy
models of the K of C cardinal principles namely: charity, unity,
fraternity and patriotism.
Our love for our members does not end in death. Rather, it
extends to their families in life and death, when financial support
is most helpful to those who are left behind. More importantly,
spiritual support to the deceased Knights families is also given in
the form of mass offerings, as well as individual and group prayers
for the dead. During the annual Supreme Council convention,
a memorial mass is offered for our K of C brothers who have
gone ahead of us.
This coming All Souls Day in particular, we pray for our departed brothers. There are many souls in purgatory who have
nobody to pray for them. We are so blessed to be K of C members
because we have our worldwide brotherhood continuously praying for our deceased brothers in the Philippines. In like manner,
we are given the opportunity to also pray for the souls of K of C
members in other countries. Truly, the Knights of Columbus is
universal in love for one another.

The Cross

Saints - Heroes - Models

We honor our saints because they did heroic
things for the faith. But as Mother Church
proposes that we acknowledge their fidelity
to the Lord, she also invites us to look at
them as models in living the faith.
It is indeed good to recognize how some
men and women have been radical followers
of Jesus. Their achievements serve as their
way of praising God for the grace they have
received from the Spirit of Jesus. When we
honor the saints, we ultimately honor the
Giver of gifts that they received, which enabled them to do Gods Will. Honoring the
saints, we really honor the Source of the call,
the mission and the giftedness.
So why are they our heroes and models?
We regard them as heroes and models because
they have done great things to follow the
Lord, and because of them we have paragons
and patterns of life that we can follow or imitate. This is important to assure the Church
of continuity. We shall be the ones who will
carry on the tradition of discipleship and
proclaimers in turn of the Good News.
What did they do to be followers of Jesus,
to be his friends and intimate companions?
These men and women arrived at moments
of total self-giving and self-surrender to the
Lord in their lifetime. They offered their
talents, treasures and time for the needs of
their fellow men and women. They have surrendered their lives to God in obedience to
His Will and fidelity to His Plan for them.
These were the men and women who lived
their lives responsibly but who were not
obsessed with their personal plans. They
handed over to God full control over their
lives, their future and their destiny.
Such a life could not but lead them to a life
of intimacy with the same Lord. They were
bonded to Him in prayer. They talked to
Him without speaking, but mostly listening.
Perhaps this is what Teresa of Avila means
when she said, Prayer is not so much talking

but of loving, being with, being present to

the Energy that runs the world.
If we dig into the lives of saints, all of them
followed a life of asceticism. They lived a
disciplined life of prayer and sacrifice before
they could surrender their lives and attain
intimacy with Him. Asceticism is a program
of life directed toward making God the Center of ones life. It consists of giving up what
is pleasurable, giving up capricious wants
and living simply and in strict compliance
with a life of self-denials and self-offering.
They have worked out a schedule and habit
of prayer, of discipline, of simple lifestyle
that centers their lives on the Lord. They
must have realized and acknowledged their
sinfulness and addictions and have turned
their lives away from them and all sources
of temptations.
They have come to be naked before the
Lord. Nothing to hide from him, no hidden
agenda in what they did and to the people.
They were true to themselves, honest and
transparent to others, loyal to relationships,
dedicated and committed to their fields of
work.
And for us, how do we start in this journey
of imitating the saints? Perhaps we can also
attempt to adapt a disciplined program of
life of prayer, meditation, study, spiritual
reading, retreats, recollections, seminars of
formation. There is no such thing as cheap
grace. We receive the Call but we respond
with all our might. There is no magic or
instant sanctity.
We can imitate them also in their healthy,
wholesome ecology centered lifestyle. A
healthy lifestyle does not only consist of
good food and wholesome recreations. It is
also a life free of addictions, compulsions,
obsessions. Compulsive buying, hoarding,
and consuming harm our psyche and our
environment. Wastefulness without sharing
is as sinful as any evil act.

We also need good friends to socialize with

and enjoy Gods gifts and nature with. We
must associate with groups who are committed to common projects and advocacy that
work for the common good. Community
is essential to discovering and experiencing
the Lord.
When do we reap the rewards of living a
saintly life? Do we need to get to heaven,
before we can truly say it is good to follow
the saints? This is not the experience of
many who struggle to follow the Lord. Most
of them find peace and fulfilment in their
lives when they do those godly acts. Most of
them find meaning in their lives when they
associate with good people and serve the
needy. Many find enlightenment in study
and prayer and union with Creation.
But it is also true that some who are fully
dedicated to the Lord sometimes pass the
dark night of the soul. Although they are
faithful, when the Lord finds them capable
of bearing the pain, He suspends the good
feelings that accompany intimacy with
Him. When depression and darkness sets
in despite the God-centered life, this is
like being enveloped by a certain cloud of
unknowing and unseeing. But these do not
take away the gift of believing and trusting
that the storm will pass away in due time, at
the right time. In His time. And so we ask
ourselves, is this how God treats his friends?
Teresa of Avila again says, That is why God
has few friends.
We like to be Gods friends; we pray that
we can always choose to live like the saints.
[The author, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, is the
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating
Officer of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Phils., Inc. (KCFAPI) and
the incumbent Diocesan Regent of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate International, Diocese
of Malolos.]

Michael P. Cabra

My Brothers Keeper

Will you be a Saint or just another Soul?

All Saints Day is a solemn holy day of the
Catholic Church celebrated annually on
November 1. The day is dedicated to the
saints of the Church, that is, all those who
have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls Day, which is observed
on November 2, and is dedicated to those
who have died and not yet reached heaven.
Most of us Filipinos, both Christians and
Muslims, usually spend these days praying
for our dearly departed, be it in cemeteries,
churches or even in the comfort of our own
homes. Oftentimes, it also becomes our
family reunion since we only see some of
our family members during these occasions.
Somehow, remembering the dead encouraged our living family members to unite
and be together at least during this season.
When you die, will your death bring unity
or separation among the living members of
your family? Statistics shows that a number
of Filipino families with deceased breadwinner tend to separate or part ways. It is
because the remaining members of the family can no longer afford to provide the basic

necessities of life such as food and shelter.

This usually happens if the sole breadwinner has no life insurance policy. Hence, a
life insurance policy or a benefit certificate
doesnt only provide financial support for the
beneficiaries but it also serves as a bonding
element for the living family members to
stay happy together.
With that said, we have what we call a
protection plan. It shields the beneficiaries
from loss of income due to the death of the
bread winner. As for this case, we highly
recommend KC Family Protect 10 as the
best solution. The contribution period
is only 10 years and the breadwinner is
protected for a lifetime. For example, a
40-year old brother knight availed a KC
Family Protect 10 with PhP1Million insurance protection. From age 40 to age 100 his
life is worth one million pesos which also
means 60 years of worry-free life. The living
benefits are provided by the accumulation
of the cash values and dividends which can
be availed in case of financial emergencies
during the protection years starting on the

third benefit certificate year. The first year

contribution is only PhP62,830 but his
insurance protection is already at PhP1Million. It is like saving PhP172 a day for 10
years in exchange for a PhP1Million. The
insureds total contribution for 10 years is
only PhP628,830 but his beneficiaries will
receive PhP1Million anytime during the 60
years of protection period. For a detailed
presentation of this remarkable product,
please contact the fraternal counselors in
your respective councils.
Therefore, its either you are a Saint or
just another Soul. A Saint because insurance claims can let the family experience a
good life together and you will always be
remembered as a very responsible head of the
family. A Soul because, like the wind you
just passed by, and with a small probability
that your family may continue the kind of
life you provided. You will be merely a soul
leaving no legacy that your family could
have enriched their lives with. So, when you
join our Creator, will you be a saint or just
another soul?

Roberto T. Cruz

Touching Base with the Foundations

Searching for Legacies

As the month of November
dawns, we again prepare to troop
to the memorial parks, church
crypts and cemeteries to pay
our respect and remember our
beloved dead. Over the years,
this routine has become more
and more difficult when we consider the time-consuming traffic,
unpredictable travel time, heat,
pushing and shoving, pollution
and so many other discomforts
which have worsened and which
we now have to bear just to visit
our departed loved ones, specifically on November 1 and 2.
The pragmatic person may say
that we just spend so many unproductive and idle hours in the
cemetery which becomes more
interesting with impromptu
reunions and socializing sprinkled with intermittent prayer
sessions. For the more serious
however, this is the special time
to remember and pray for our

loved ones and reminisce our

cherished memories with them.
Still for a few others, looking at the different tombstones
allows them to reflect on the
unavoidable cycle of life and
death. As each generation fades
away, the next one realizes that it
is their turn to be positioned in
the pre-departure area. As the
saying goes, we are all headed
in that direction anyway. Its just
a matter of when our exact time
of passage will be.
For this writer, when I look
at the tombstones of my loved
ones, I cant help but think of
my own future tombstone. What
will others be saying about me?
Have I created an impact on
them, if any at all? I therefore
also consider the month of November as a month for reflection
to evaluate if I have made my
mark in people. If the honest
answer is NONE, then I still

have an unknown span of time

to do something that I can dare
to label as my personal legacy
first to my family and hopefully,
also to society, to our country or
even to the world!
Let us not forget that our
two Foundations, KCPFI and
KCFGJWCI, thru their respective scholarship grants, are able
to impart their own legacies as
they continue to offer a rare
chance for a better life to all our
Foundation Scholars. Through
their scholarships, it is our hope
that the education they receive
will create a ripple effect which
will reach far and wide to benefit their respective families,
communities and/or parishes or
dioceses.
From another perspective,
November can likewise be called
a Transition Month because after
all the nostalgic memories of our
beloved dead and our prayers

for them, we then move on and

shift to an eager anticipation of
the entry of a joyous and merry
Christmas season. We start the
month with the sombre commemoration of All Souls Day
and All Saints Day on November 1 and 2. But then we close
this same month with the first
week of Advent ushering the joyous season of Christmas and the
birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ
who freed us from our bondage
to original sin.
Lastly, this month of November, let us not only remember
to pray for our beloved dead,
but more importantly, we must
also take time for a personal assessment and prepare ourselves
on how we can best create our
own impact and leave behind
our own humble legacy to all
those around us when we are
finally called to board our flight
to eternity.

The Cross

C3

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

A Statement of Solidarity with the

Persecuted Christians of Iraq and Syria
We, officers and members of the
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines (KC) and the Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
manifest our deep concern and
solidarity with our Christian
brothers and sisters in Syria and
Iraq who are being persecuted
because of their faith.
We cannot agree more with
the conclusion of Pope Francis,

who, in his address on September

17, 2015 to the participants of the
meeting organized by the Pontifical
Council Cor Unum on the IraqiSyrian humanitarian crisis said: I
cannot fail to mention the serious
harm to the Christian communities in Syria and Iraq, where many
brothers and sisters are oppressed
because of their faith, driven from
their land, kept in prison or even
killed. For centuries, the Christian

Muslim communities have lived

together in these lands on the basis
of mutual respect. Today the very
legitimacy of the presence of Christians and other religious minorities
is denied in the name of a violent
fundamentalism claiming to be
based on religion.
We, therefore, heed and take to
heart the call of dear Holy Father:
Catholics must strengthen the
intra-ecclesial collaboration and

the bonds of communion, which

unite them with other Christian
communities, seeking also cooperation with internal humanitarian institutions and with all men
of good will. I encourage you,
therefore, to continue on the
path of cooperation and sharing,
and working together and in synergy. Please: do not abandon the
victims of this crisis, even if the
worlds attention were to lessen.

We will follow the initiative

of our Supreme Knight, Carl
Anderson, who, in declaring a
Season of Truth has dedicated
the whole Order of the Knights
of Columbus to raising awareness
of their plight, and the plight of
other religious minorities in the
region. As exhorted by our
Supreme Knight, we commit assistance to our persecuted brethren
in any way we can, especially in

praying for their perseverance in

faith and hope, the improvement
of their living conditions, and the
restoration of peace in their land.
We fervently ask the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe
and of our Founder, Fr. Michael
J. McGivney, who devoted his
entire priestly ministry to the aid
of migrants and the suffering.
September 15, 2015, Memorial
of our Lady of Sorrows.

ARSENIO ISIDRO G. YAP

KCFAPI Chairman and
Immediate Past Luzon Deputy

ALONSO L. TAN
Supreme Director

JOSE C. REYES, JR.

KCFAPI President and
Luzon North Deputy

RAMONCITO A. OCAMPO
KCFAPI Corp. Sec. and
Luzon South Deputy

ANTHONY P. NAZARIO
Visayas Deputy

REYNALDO C. TRINIDAD
Mindanao Deputy

Climate, C1

The Gentle Warrior

By James B. Reuter, SJ
Part II of Chapter Two of The Gentle Warrior series
CHAPTER TWO
--------.--------The Ateneo de Manila

It was much the same when he taught Political Science. The Filipinos had declared
Independence at Malolos in Bulacan, in
1898. They had really defeated the Spanish conquerors. But at the moment of
their victory, the Americans invaded the
Philippines, and took over the revolution
from Spain. The revolution continued
against the Americans. And the Filipinos
lost more men against the Americans than
they had lost against Spain.
The articles, published by the Americans, always insisted that it was a legal

transfer of sovereignty from Spain to

the United States of America. George,
thinking of the American Revolution
against England in 1776, wondered if the
occupation of these islands was really justified. America was bringing many good
things to the Philippines principally
education, and the American democratic
school system. But George looked with
great compassion on that Declaration of
Independence, written in Malolos an
independence that never came. Still, when
he taught Political Science, he taught
it carefully, trying not to rock the boat.
George was a quiet, careful conservative.
He never did anything on impulse.
He enjoyed his job as Moderator of the
monthly magazine. Here he learned what
the boys really thought. Here he learned
how deeply they felt about many things.
And it was a joy to encourage the young
writer, to praise him for a composition
that was really good. When a boy wrote
about the beauty of a farm, the rice
rippling in the wind, the excitement of
harvest time, the sweetness of living on a
farm George discovered that this boy
came from a farm. When a boy wrote an

agonizing story of a child dying of polio,

George discovered that the boy was writing about his own little brother.George
knew that his regency in the Ateneo was
a two way street. He was trying to teach,
but he was also learning. The fact is, when
he went to an older Jesuit, who had long
years of experience in teaching, asking for
advice, the old Jesuit said: These boys are
bright! They are restless. They all have ants
in their pants. But they have wonderful
ideas! Get in there, and learn as much as
you can from them! That is what George
tried to do. He tried to learn, from the
students.One day he found a high school
boy sitting on the stairs, in the morning,
before the bell rang for class, feverishly
doing his homework. George watched
him for a moment, and then said: Listen,
son. That is homework. You are supposed
to do that at home! The boy was too
busy writing even to look up. With his
eyes still on the paper that he was writing,
he pointed with his thumb at a battered,
soiled sign on the wall above his head.
The sign read: The Ateneo is your home.
Keep it clean!
(To be continued on the next issue.)

Speakers were former DENR officer

and current State Ecology Chairman
of the North Luzon State Jurisdiction,
Carlos I A. Gubat, who tackled the effects
of climate changes and Lourdes Arsenio,
coordinator of the Manila Archdiocese
Ministry on Ecology.
Arsenio encouraged the participants to
support their climate change signature
campaign (hard copy and/or online).
Coastal Clean-Up Project
Brother Knights in South Luzon led
by State Deputy Ramoncito A. Ocampo
promoted a coastal clean-up project along
Manila bay.
The said project dubbed Linis Kalikasan 2015, transpired in cooperation
with the DENR National Capital
Region (NCR) through the Manila Bay
Coordinating Office and was held last
October 24 at the Las Pias-Paraaque
Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area
(situated at the southern portion of
Manila Bay).
KC Luzon to join Global Climate
March
The North and South Jurisdictions of
the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines will support the Global Climate
March to be held on November 29.
Millions of people from 2000 cities
around the globe are expected to join

this event organized by the GCCM in

cooperation with the Archdiocese of
Manila.
Catholics have historically been silent
on this issue, but as the losses from climate disruptions mount, we can stay silent no longer. We must send the message
We Care as Catholics. We care about
the poorest and the most vulnerable
who are disproportionately affected by
climate change. We care about the future
of our children and grandchildren. We
care about our common home, Manila
Auxillary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo,
DD cited on his letter to the Knights of
Columbus.
All members of the Knights of Columbus were encouraged by Bp. Pabillo to
help galvanize Catholics in their respective areas to support this historic Global
Climate March.
On November 29, from 7am to
11:30am, we will hold the Global Climate Justice Solidarity Prayer March
with those in Paris. It will start at 7am
in Luneta and arrive at the UST parade
grounds for the concelebrated Eucharistic
celebration, an interfaith and multi organizations solidarity message to be held
until 12nn, Bp. Pabillo stated.
The event is in support of Pope Francis
brave call to action: I beg you in the
name of God, defend Gods creation.
(Yen Ocampo)

Join the Father Michael

J. McGivney Guild!

Trinidad, C1

Order made him District

M a s t e r, St a t e Pr o g r a m
Director, State New Council
Development Chairman,
Regional Deputy, District
Deputy, District Deputy
Round Table Chairman,
Faithful Navigator, Faithful
Navigators Round Table
Chairman, Faithful
Captain, Faithful Admiral,
District Warden, Regional
Membership Director, Grand
K n i g h t , D e p u t y Gr a n d
Knight, Council Church
Director, and the Ceremonial
Chancellor and Historian
in the 1st and 4th degree
exemplification respectively.
He was able to establish an
impressive nineteen (19)
Ne w A s s e m b l i e s d u r i n g
his 3-year term as District
Master of District 12
(Eastern Mindanao), and six
(6) New Councils during his
term as District Deputy D08.
As such and having delivered
all the requirements needed
for a District Deputy, he was
gratefully recognized and was
awarded as one of the Most
Outstanding District Deputy
of Mindanao Jurisdiction
for the Columbian Year
2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 b y KC FA PI
with an equivalent award to
attend the 126th Supreme
Convention in Quebec City,
Canada, and the 127th

Supreme Convention in
Phoenix, Arizona, USA,
for successfully hosting the
10th Mindanao Convention
in 2008. Having several
achievements under his
b e l t , S K Tr i n i d a d w a s
gifted with several awards
and recognitions from the
Council, Assembly, District,
State and from the Supreme
Council.
Aside from his activities in
the Knights of Columbus,
Bro. Trinidad is also serving
his Parish, the St. Francis
of Assisi Parish, being the
Chairman of the Service
Ministr y and the Parish
Social Action Ministry, and
a Lay Minister.
Bro. Trinidad is a Licensed
Professional Mechanical
Engineer. He graduated from
the University of Mindanao
with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Mechanical
Engineering. His family is
the proprietor of business
establishments in Davao
City, and is the President/
General Manager of GS
MANRES Construction,
Inc.
His exceptional leadership
skills manifest in other
p ro f e s s i o n a l , c i v i c , a n d
fraternal organizations. Bro.
Trinidad was elected Vice
President for Mindanao in

the National Level of the

Metalworking Industries
Association of the
Philippines (MIAP) for two
(2) consecutive terms, Davao
City President of Pi Omicron
International Alumni
Association, Inc., Davao
City Chapter, President
of the Philippine Society
of Mechanical Engineers
(PSME) and past National
Vice President for Mindanao
in 2 consecutive years, and an
accredited Court Annexed
Mediator of the Philippine
Mediation Center under
the Supreme Court of the
Philippines assigned at the
Hall of Justice of Davao City
from 2005 to present.
He is married to Sis.
Rodelma M. Trinidad who
is also active in serving their
local church at Ma-a, Davao
City. She is Past Financial
Secretary and presently the
Vice Regent of the Daughters
of Mary Immaculate (DMI)
of St. Francis of Assisi Circle.
They are blessed with six (6)
children, five of whom are
now professionals including a
lawyer in the Public Attorneys
Office, a licensed mechanical
engineer, a licensed architect,
an HRM, and a computer
secretariat. The youngest
is still in college taking up
pharmacy.

Ten Point Agenda Of Mindanao Jurisdiction For Columbian Year 2015 -2017
1. Membership Growth
Intensify recruitment of new
members.
2. Membership Retention
And Reactivation Minimize
suspension of councils and
members.
3. New Council
Development Reach out
to far-flung areas.
4. Council Programs And
Activities Buoy up KC
services.
5. Required Forms Timely
and accurate preparation and
submission.
6. Jurisdiction Leadership
Enhance, expand &
professionalize.
7. Councils SCA / MDA
Obligation - Improve
financial capability, apply
council incentives.
8. Relationship Of
Councils And Assemblies
Reorientation of members,
remove barriers, strengthen
rapport.
9. Bring All Third
D e g r e e To T h e Fo u r t h
Degree Conduct regular
exemplications.
10. KCFAPI
Encourage all members
t o a v a i l o f o u r o r d e r s
insurance benefits.

THE Knights of Columbus established the Father McGivney Guild

to promote the cause for canonization of our founder, Venerable Michael J. McGivney (1852-1890). The goal of the Guild is to spread
the good word about his holiness of life, to encourage devotion to
his memory, and to seek his intercession before the throne of God.
The Guild serves as a clearinghouse for information about Father
McGivney, his life and works, and any favors attributed to his intercession. Father McGivney is a unique model today for both Catholic
laymen and priests because of his attention to the social ills and injustices of his day and his collaboration with the people of his parish.
He was zealous for the life of union with God through prayer and the
sacraments, and would have been right at home in todays world. He
was then and would be today an eager apostle for the Gospel of life,
and active in building a civilization of love.
Membership in the Guild is open to anyone who wishes to share in
this mission of making known the life and work of Father McGivney and
of encouraging devotion to his memory. To join, fill out the attached application and mail it to the address given. There is no charge to enroll,
and you need not be a member of the Knights of Columbus.
The Guild is anxious to receive reports of favors received through
Father McGivneys intercession. It is not only miracles that are required to move the cause forward, but witnesses to the power of the
servant of Gods prayers before the throne of God.
As a member of the Guild you will receive a newsletter and periodic updates on the progress of his cause for canonization. We ask
your prayerful support that Gods will be done and that the Holy
Spirit guide us at each step along the way. Welcome to the Guild!

To start your free membership and receive the Guild newsletter, please complete the form below and return to: Father McGivney Office - Philippines, Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc. Center, Gen. Luna cor. Sta.
Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila 1004, Philippines
Name: ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Complete Mailing Address: ___________________________
_____________________________________________________

Nazario, C1

diction for CY 2009-2011, and a Star

Council Awardee when he was a Grand
Knight during CY 2006-2007.
Bro. Nazario spearheaded the relief
operations of the Visayas Jurisdiction managing the disbursement of
$130,000 relief assistance of the Supreme Council including local donations of P300,000.00 to the victims of
Typhoon Yolanda thru the distribution
of food packages, fishing boats, fishing
accessories, and corn seedlings in various places in the Visayas. He is instru-

mental in meeting and surpassing the new

council development goal of the Visayas
by achieving 250% for CY 2014-2015
and the round table goal by 200% for the
same period. He is also instrumental in the
first ever history of the Visayas Jurisdiction
to attain the membership goal as early as
January for the CY 2014-2015 achieving
101.12%.
Presently, he works as the Senior Assistant Manager of the Equicom Savings Bank
(Iloilo Branch). He was appointed by the
Supreme Knights as the Visayas Deputy

for CY 2015-2017, a Trustee of Knights

of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) and KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. / KC Fr. George J.
Willmann Charities, Inc., and a Director of
Keys Realty & Development Corp.
Bro. Nazario graduated with a degree
in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
at the University of the PhilippinesVisayas and a degree in Bachelor of Laws
at the University of Iloilo. He is married
to Portia J. Nazario with a daughter
named Czarina Therese.

City/Province: _______________ Country: _______________

Zip/Postal Code: ______ K of C Membership No.): _______
Mass for Guild Members
Names to be remembered for specific intentions at
the regular Mass of Guild members
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4.______________________________________________

C4

October 26 - November 8, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 22

The Cross

Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels and

Crematorium Celebrates 33rd Anniversary

The Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels and

Crematorium, a wholly-owned company
of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) celebrated their 33rd anniversary
on October 9. Among the KCFAPI officers who graced the event were Justice
Jose C. Reyes, Jr., President, Ma. Therese
G. Curia, Executive Vice President, and
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, Chairman. (Photo:
Jerome De Guzman)

Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels and

Crematorium (HTMCC) stayed to its
vision of being the premier provider of
memorial services befitting the dignity
of the departed for more than 33 years.
Personalized services with compassion is
what Holy Trinity came to be known for
in the industry. And now on its 33rd year,
it promises to continue the commitment
of providing dignified and genuine services to its clientele.
The celebration
of its 33rd anniversary was held on
the 9th of October
which is a day earlier than the original
founding date of
October 10. It started with a thanksgiving mass officiated
by Rev. Father Steve
Villanueva with Eucharistic songs rendered by the nuns
of Daughters of St.

New KCFC Vice Chairman:

SK Rene V. Sarmiento
Sir Knight Rene V. Sarmiento was
admitted to the First Degree in
1986. He was District Deputy of
M-44 (CY 2000-2001, CY 20012002). As District Deputy, he
undertook numerous projects that
included the holding of Clergy
Night to honor Chaplains and
Parish Priests and organizing
Lift High the Cross of Christ
Awards to give tribute to outstanding brother knights of Councils
constituting the District. For CY
2001-2002, he was awarded as
the Most Outstanding District
Deputy.
SK Rene is Past Grand Knight
(CY 1996-1997, CY 1997-1998)
of Diego Silang Council No.
7656 at the Our Lady of Fatima
Parish, Quezon City. During
his stint as Grand Knight, Diego
Silang Council 7656 received the
Columbian Award (1997), Star
Council Award (1998) and State
Service Program Award (1998).
He was Co-Editor-in-Chief of
the CHIVALRY (official newsletter of the Luzon Jurisdiction)
for CY 2001-2002. He is past
Assistant to the Luzon Deputy
and past Corporate Secretary and
Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of
the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI),
CY 2001-2003. He was Faithful Navigator of Fourth Degree,
Padre Gomez Assembly, Quezon
City for CY 2002-2003 and CY
2003-2004.
He also has served some time
in the government as Vice Chairman of the GRP Panel Talks with
the CPP/NPA/NDF in 1996,

as Commissioner of the 1986

Constitutional Commission, as
Consultant of the Presidential
Human Rights Committee, as
Deputy/Undersecretary Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in
2005, and in 2006 was appointed
as Commissioner to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
SK Sarmiento finished Political
Science at San Beda College and
graduated also with a degree in
Bachelor of Laws at the University
of the Philippines. He is presently the Managing Partner of
Sarmiento, Sarmiento, Ruga and
Caringal Law Firm. He is married
to La Rainne Abad and they have
three daughters namely Gabriela,
Jeremiah, and Golda.
Presently SK Rene is the State
Advocate for the Knights of Columbus - Luzon North, and
the Vice Chairman of Kompass
Credit & Financing Corporation
(KCFC), the credit and financing
arm of KCFAPI.

Francis. It was held at Fr. Michael McGivney Suite of Holy Trinity Memorial
Chapels Building along Dr. A Santos Avenue, Sucat Road, Paranaque City.

Bro. Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, HTMCC/

Keys Realty and Development Corporation (KRDC) President, talked about the

series of ups and downs endured by the

company in the early stage of its existence,
and that due to the patience, hard work,
and perseverance of those entrusted with
the business it was able to sustain a gradual
but steady growth. He talked about the
plan of creating a good impression to all
those who would visit the company by
continuously improving the chapels and
facilities, most particularly the comfort
rooms. He also mentioned about the
future plan of expanding Holy Trinity
Memorial Chapels to some key cities of
Metro Manila and the provinces where
there are KC members to provide fraternal
benefits to the brothers in other areas.
This road map to better services would
also mean an increase in the funding of
the different charities and concerns of the
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines.
Bro. Jose C. Reyes, Jr, North Luzon
Deputy, KCFAPI President and KRDC
Board member also delivered messages of
hope and inspiration to everyone present.
Distinguished guests were the members
of the Board of Directors and Execu-

tives of KCFAPI, KC members and the

affiliated plan companies officers and
staff. The celebration concluded with the
serving of a simple lunch.

KCFAPI Holds Election Forum

with SK Rene Sarmiento
In preparation for the Election
2016 in the country, the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
conducted an election forum for
its employees dubbed KCFAPI
and Elections 2016: Answers To
Your Questions on October 19
at the KCFAPI Social Hall, Intramuros, Manila.
Retired COMELEC Commissioner, Rene V. Sarmiento,
explained the importance of election in the Philippines and how to
be a wise voter. He also discussed
the process of voters registration.
Some of the topics he tackled
were the Philippines history, suffrage, and composition of the commission on election among others.
Sarmiento acknowledged KC-

Attendees of the Election forum conducted by SK Rene Sarmiento (seated in the middle)

FAPI for bringing up election

awareness to its employees and

Key officers of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the

Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) held their board orientation last October 15.
Updates were given by the Vice Presidents on their respective groups.
(Photo by Jerome De Guzman)

urged the Association to bring

back the Education on Election

within its members. (KCFAPI

News)

KCFAPI FBG Vice President Gari San Sebastian (leftmost) and FBG
Manager Michael P. Cabra (rightmost) together with the October
FST participants. The Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG) of the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
held a two-day Fraternal Service Training program last October 20-21
at the Fr. Willmann Building in Intramuros, Manila. The participants
were from Tarlac, Laguna, Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Quezon and
Nueva Ecija. For more information on the training program, please
contact the KCFAPI-FBG department at telephone number (02) 5272243. (Photo by Kris Jay Rolex Yngco)

KCFAPI Complies with ASEAN Corporate Governance Principles

The Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
uploaded its Corporate Governance
Scorecard in its website.
The ASEAN Corporate Governance Initiative is a project of the
ASEAN Capital Markets Forum that

promotes a common governance

framework on all listed companies
across the ASEAN region, including
insurance companies and mutual
benefit associations.
Corporate governance principles
provide guidance on how companies

should operate. Adoption of international corporate governance practices

can be a competitive tool to attract
foreign investments.
The ACMF and the Asian Development Bank jointly developed the
ASEAN Corporate Governance Score-

card as an assessment, diagnostic or

benchmark tool against international
best practices.
For listed companies, the Initiative aims to harmonize the rules and
regulations and eventually integrate
the regions capital markets.

The ASEAN Corporate Governance

Scorecard aims to encourage the adoption of best practices in corporate
governance.
To view the report card, visit KCFAPI website at www.kofc.org.ph and
click the ACG Report icon.