CBCP Monitor Vol. 19 No. 17

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MonitorVOLUME 19NUMBER 17PHP20.00

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE 

August 17 - 30, 2015

CBCPMONITOR.COM [email protected]

CBCP

SUPPLEMENT ISSUE UGNAYAN: THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST

Lack of anti-dynasty law‘regrettable’ – CBCP chiefECHOING call of many Filipinos,the president of the Catholic Bishops’Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)expresses regret that the lawmaking bodyhas failed to pass a law that will end asystem of political dynasties.

Congressional failure“It is regrettable that Congress has,

despite prompting by the Filipinopeople themselves, failed to pass a lawthat gives life to the Constitutional

rejection of political dynasties,” notesCBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan

 Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas in an Aug. 11 statement.

Te prelate observes there is nothingmuch that could be done about a culturethat allows members of the same clan to

CBCP blasts ‘misleading’ reporton marijuana standHE head of the Catholic Bish-ops’ Conference of the Phil-ippines (CBCP) on Mondayblasted a report that had theChurch backing moves to legal-ize marijuana in the country,saying it was “misleading.”

CBCP president and Lin-gayen-Dagupan ArchbishopSocrates B. Villegas clarified overFacebook that in his “PastoralGuidance on the COMPAS-

SIONAE USE OF CAN-NABIS,” the Church’s policy-making body “neither endorsesnor objects” to such proposalsgiven the operative complexi-ties the bill entails to which headmitted CBCP is not qualifiedto speak about.

“Let me make the point clear:IN RESPEC O WHA-EVER MEASURES ARE NOWPENDING BEFORE HELEGISLAURE, CBCP NEI-HER ENDORSES NOROBJECS, realizing that theregulatory schemes and adminis-trative strategies they attempt toestablish are beyond the compe-tence of the CBCP to commenton,” stressed Villegas.

Misleading headlineHe said the misleading head-

line, “CBCP Backs MarijuanaBill,” would have been far morehelpful had it been publishedin full instead of creating the

 wrong impression in the mindsof the public.

Te prelate went on to explainthat the pastoral letter which helamented had been taken out ofcontext in fact presented nothingnew, but only repeated what theCatholic Church teaches.

 According to Vill egas , thisteaching can be summed up asfollows:

 Addiction is wrong, and those who facilitate addiction by plac-ing habituating drugs within

easy reach commit a very serious wrong.

he constant teaching ofChurch is that palliative careusing narcotics is ethically per-missible when there is no otherconvenient and available means

Social media workshops

‘big hit’ at summit 

IN an obvious and consciouschoice to be in step with thetimes, majority of the at-tendees of the recent CBCPEpiscopal Commission onSocial Communication’s 1stNational Media Conventionflocked to the social media

 workshop track, which was

faciliated by Areopagus Com-munications.

he summit, which ranfrom Aug. 11 to 13 at thePope Pius XII Catholic Cen-ter, featured the followingsocial media tracks primarilyfacilitated by the same media

 VaticanRadio official

to speak

at Catholic

Social Media

Summit

 A VAICAN Radio off i-cial will deliver the keynotespeech at the annual CatholicSocial Media Summit version4.0 (CSMS) on Oct. 10 atthe Santa Rosa BuildingHall, Laguna.

It will be the second timefor Sean Patrick Lovett, headof Vatican Radio English sec-tion, to visit the Philippinesand speak about Gospel val-ues using social media.

It comes around a yearafter he held a workshopon media management andsocial media for the bishopsin January 2014.

Lovett is a professor ofCommunications at the Pon-tifical Gregorian University.In 2013, he was the recipientof the prestigious Daniel J.Kane Religious Award from

the University of Dayton’sInstitute for Pastoral Initia-tives.

Organizers said it is opento social media enthusiasts,the youth, clergy, missionar-ies, and communicators.

Te CSMS is a project of YouthPinoy, an alliance ofyoung “online missionaries”

 who bear witne ss to theirCatholic faith through theinternet.

For more information,interested parties may visit

 www.catholic soci alme dia-summit.com. (Luke Godoy/ CBCPNews)

Climate crisis also spiritual –

religious, eco-groupsTV María all set for

live broadcast

V María, the country’s firstCatholic television network, madePhilippine Church media historyon Friday, Aug. 14, as it officially

launched its live broadcast directfrom its headquarters in Pandacan

Milestone“Another milestone has been

reached in our efforts at furtherimproving the V channel:

V María is ready for direct

CLIMAE justice groups fromvarious sectors and faith tradi-tions have recognized that theglobal crisis of climate change isspiritual as it is environmental.

Ecological conversionLed by the Association of

Major Religious Superiors(AMRSP) and the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of thePhilippines (CBCP)’s National

Secretariat for Social Action, Justi ce, and Peace (NASSA),delegates of the recent nationalclimate conference in Manilahave come to realize that an “au-thentic ecological conversion”is needed if the planet, “theircommon home,” is to survivethe effects of the degradation

humans have caused.

Still a mystery:Where did‘Yolanda’

funds go?

CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. VillegasCBCPNEWS

Camera rolling: Manila Archbishop Luís Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle gives a message overTV Maria during the official launching of its live broadcast direct from its headquartersin Pandacan, Manila. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIÁN

Anti-dynasty law, A6 Marijuana, A6

Broadcast, A6Social Media, A6

Climate, A7

By Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz

SIX hundred fifty daysafter typhoon Yolanda,the burning questionremains: Where did allthe billions in foreign aidand government-allocat-ed funds go?

 After close to two years, thepublic has seemingly tired ofasking the question and yet sev-eral groups insist on holding the

 Aquino administration account-

able for what they call a lack oftransparency in rehabilitationefforts.

 According to Carit as Philip-pines head Archbishop Rolandoirona, the government’s rebuild-ing work not only moved at asnail’s pace but has failed to ensuretransparency in the disbursementof the multi-billion funds for theproject.

“It’s now up to them to explain,”irona said. “It’s just sad that thehelp from those who are supposedto lead the program is so slow.”

Fr. Edu Gariguez, Caritas execu-tive secretary, called it “shameful”that the government has not re-

built enough to alleviate the plightof the typhoon survivors despitebillions in donations it receivedfrom other countries.

“It’s just painful that with thehuge budget, the survivors are notbenefiting from it in times whenit’s most needed,” he said.

Billions more in loansGariguez revealed the govern-

ment even loaned an additionalPhp 126 billion from interna-tional financial institutions toaugment the rebuilding efforts,bringing the total assistance to

Php 199 billion as of Novemberlast year.

He called on the Aquino admin-istration to specify the allocationfor every program and project tohelp guarantee transparency.

“Many people want to see moreaccountability in government,especially [in] the use of funds,”Gariguez said.

“Our point is that whateveris the problem, the governmentshould find the cause and addressit,” the priest added.

irona also pointed to howpol it ics continue to ham-per the speed of the govern-

Funds, A7

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Tugboats accompanying the historic Sto. Niño de Cebu image traverse the Pasig River in Makati City during the icon’s first-everfluvial procession in Metro Manila on Aug. 16. The procession is part of the 450th anniversary of the “finding” of the image, thecountry’s oldest symbol of Christianity, by Augustinian friars in Cebu in 1565. ROY LAGARDE

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A2 CBCP MonitorAugust 17 - 30, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 17WORLD NEWS

Vatican BriefingKnights celebrate life of founder

125 years after his deathNEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 15, 2015—On Friday, hundreds of faithful gathered inNew Haven, Conn. to celebrate the 125thanniversary of the death of Venerable Fa-ther Michael J. McGivney, founder of theKnights of Columbus.

 Although he live d jus t 38 yea rs, Fr.McGivney left a remarkable legacy– theorder he founded has become the world’slargest Catholic fraternal service organi-zation. Just last year, the Knights raisedmore than $173.5 million for charity andperformed more than 71.5 million hoursof volunteer work.

 Te memorial Mass on Friday was held atSt. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Haven,

 where Fr. McGivney founded the Knightsof Columbus in 1882.

 Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore,the organization’s supreme chaplain, recalledin his homily how Fr. McGivney’s priesthoodmodeled the teaching of recent popes.

“St. John Paul II said that the priest’spersonality must be a bridge to Christ, and

indeed Father McGivney’s unassuming,lighthearted-yet-determined character at-tracted many to the Catholic faith and toSt. Mary’s Church,” said Archbishop Lori.“When Pope Francis tells priests to acquire‘the smell of the sheep’ and ‘to bring theGospel to the margins of society,’ I think ofFather McGivney. He loved the priesthooddeeply.”

 At the end of the Mass, John Walshe, agreat grandnephew of Father McGivney,

 joi ned Arc hbi sho p Lor i and Sup remeKnight Carl Anderson in the incensing ofthe sarcophagus near the entrance of thechurch, where Fr. McGivney’s remains areinterred. Te Archbishop then led thosepresent in prayers for the canonization ofthe priest.

Father McGivney passed away Aug. 14,

1890, two days after his 38th birthday, inthe rectory of St. Tomas parish in Tom-aston, Conn., where he served as pastor forsix years. He was also pastor at the time ofImmaculate Conception parish in nearbyerryville. Previously, he was assistant par-

The statue of Father McGivney is carried in procession at the conclusion of Mass at St. Mary’s in New Haven. PHOTOCOURTESY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 

Card Parolin signs historic agreement with East TimorDILI, Aug. 14, 2015--heVatican Secretary of State Pi-etro Cardinal Parolin signed thismorning an historic agreementbetween the Holy See and theDemocratic Republic of Eastimor. Te Concordat establish-es the legal framework governingthe activities of the Church inthe Southeast Asian nation. Anad hoc group had been workingon the deal since 2006.

Leading up to this visit PrimeMinister Rui Maria de Araújonoted “Te Catholic Church,over 500 years, has provided agreat spiritual, human and ma-terial support to the imoresePeople, and also contributed de-cisively to the liberation processof imor-Leste.”

Te preamble of the Constitu-tion of imor-Leste recognisesthat “In its cultural and humaneperspective, the Catholic Church

in East imor has always been ableto take on the suffering of all thePeople with dignity, placing itselfon their side in the defence of theirmost fundamental rights.”

In fact, during the strugglefor independence, the Churchencouraged the people of imorLeste to resist and legitimised the

international goal of the Resistance.Te Vatican Secretary of State

arrived in Dili Wednesday eve-ning, after visiting Indonesia.

 Yesterday at 5.30 pm, he wentto see the statue of John Paul IIerected in asi olu.* At 6:30pm, he travelled to the majorseminary of Fatumeta in Dili,

 where he celebrated Mass.“I cannot express the depth

of the joy that is my heart tobe with you this evening, tocelebrate Mass for the first timein this beloved country, imor-Leste,” said the prelate

Speaking directly to the semi-narians present, he said that“Discipleship is not merely aprivate relation” with God. “Onthe contrary, the deeper our rela-tion with Christ is, the more weare compelled to go forth, to bemissionaries, to bring what wehave received, namely God’s love

and mercy, to others especially tothose who live on the peripheryof society, those who are margin-alized, those who are forgotten.”

Te cardinal is scheduled tocelebrate Mass at asi olu to-morrow, feast day of the Assump-tion of Mary. he service willcommemorate the landing on theisland of Portuguese missionaries

 who started East imor’s evange-lisation 500 years ago.

Speaking about the Church,Prime Minister de Araújo, saidthat, given the commitment itcontinues to “show in the area

of development in the nation,especially in education,” the“Catholic Church remains afundamental reference for thepopulation”.

Originally, East imor gainedits independence from Portugalon 28 November 1975; however,after civil war broke out, the

United Nations allowed Indone-sia to occupy territory. Tis wasfollowed by 25 years of violenceand war against Indonesian rule.

During that period, the Vaticanrefused to place the local Churchunder the jurisdiction of the In-donesian Bishops’ Conference.Catholics are 96 per cent out of apopulation of 1.2 million.

Finally, the tiny country, which occupies the eastern halfof the island of imor, becameindependent in 2002 as theDemocratic Republic of imorLeste. (AsiaNews)

ish priest for seven years at St. Mary’s, wherehe gathered a handful of parish men in thechurch’s basement to found the Knights ofColumbus.

Tese first Knights saw in Fr. McGivneyan example worth following, ArchbishopLori said.

“Tese men would not have committed tothe principle of charity had they not seen inFather McGivney a man of tireless pastoralcharity, who reflected God’s love throughacts of personal generosity and compassion.Tese men would not have committed to theprinciple of unity had they not seen how Fa-ther McGivney brought together the people

of St. Mary’s parish and how he served as asource of unity in the wider community ofNew Haven. Nor would they have commit-ted to the principle of fraternity had theynot witnessed how Father McGivney wasnot only the father but also the brother to his

parishioners and indeed to anyone in need.” Archb ishop Lori added that not only

does Fr. McGivney continue to guide andinfluence the nearly 1.9 million Knights

 worldwide, he is a very personal source ofgrace in his own life.

Te archbishop said he considers Fr. Mc-Givney to be “my parish priest, the parishpriest of my soul. Every morning I pray tohim and I pray that he be canonized, as Iknow you do. Every day I load his plate withall kinds of intentions.”

Te cause of sainthood for Father Mc-Givney was opened in 1997, and he wasdeclared a Venerable Servant of God by Pope

Benedict XVI in March 2008 in recognitionof his life of heroic virtue. One Vatican-approved miracle through his intercession isneeded for beatification, and another miracleis needed for canonization. (CNA)

 A street party for Don Bosco – 15,000 turn up to celebrate saint in Lima 

LIMA, Peru, Aug. 13, 2015—More than15,000 members of the Salesian Familyturned out August 9 on the streets of Lima,Peru, as part of the celebration of Bicenten-nial of the Birth of Don Bosco.

Speaking to CNA, Father Santo Dal Ben,the provincial for the Salesians in Peru, saidthat this event “can be read as a sign of thesensibility there is today towards the family,especially in a society that sometimes ‘shakesup’ the family. Tere’s a lot of different waysof thinking, but not the attention due thefamily, and it’s obvious that this brings withit consequences that are not positive.”

“Te idea behind this march wasn’t tocome out against anything or anybody,instead it was to reaffirm a value that weconsider very important…We feel we are in

profound communion with the thinking ofthe pope in this regard,” he added.

Don Bosco is an Italian saint born inthe 1800s who spent his life educating andhelping improve the lives of disadvantagedchildren in the city of urin. Te Salesiansuperior recalled how Don Bosco respondedto the anxieties of these young people whohad lost their family ties when they wereabandoned or because they had to leavehome in search of work.

“Back then to provide an education theyhad to recreate the family environment andthat’s what Don Bosco did. So there in theoratory at urin, Italy, Don Bosco developedthis family experience; in some way recreat-ing the family bonds of relationship andfatherhood that are experienced in everyfamily,” the Salesian priest pointed out.

Te event, entitled “A Walk with DonBosco as a Family,” attracted various mem-

bers of the Salesian Family--young people,parents, children, grandparents and religious,singing and cheering, carrying signs aboutDon Bosco and the value of the family.

Tey all walked down several blocks onBrasil Avenue, from the Magdalena districtto the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians,in the Breña district, where Fr. Santo DalBen reminded the participants of the three

 words that Pope Francis always recommendsto families: please, thank you, and I’m sorry.

Finally, the Salesian provincial in Peruencouraged everyone to participate in thevarious activities that will take place in everySalesian home in the world for the bicenten-

nial of Don Bosco’s birth. He also invitedthe faithful to get to know better the saint.

“Tere are people who go through this world leaving their mark and they leave theirmark in society where it can be felt the mostand that’s education. Don Bosco was one ofthem…I think knowing Don Bosco is en-riching because he’s not the private propertyof the Salesian Congregation or the SalesianFamily, he’s a gift from God to the Churchand a gift from God to humanity.”

“When we experience these gifts and learnto love them, they are enriching for everyone,both for those who have experienced theSalesian charism from childhood as well asthose who are experiencing it now…I inviteyou to draw close to the person of Don Bosco

and you will be always be enriched by it,” Fr.Santo Dal Ben concluded. (CNA)

Achieving peace means overcoming indifference — popeTe Vatican announced that the theme for 2016’s World Day ofPeace will focus on a topic Pope Francis has spoken out againstrelentlessly since the beginning of his pontificate: indifference.“Indifference in regard to the scourges of our time is one of thefundamental causes of the lack of peace,” an Aug. 11 statementfrom the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace read. Te

statement coincided with the announcement of “OvercomeIndifference and win Peace” as the theme for the next WorldDay of Peace, to be celebrated Jan. 1, 2016. (CNA)

Pope pushes for nuclear disarmament on atomic bomb annivOn Aug. 9, Pope Francis said the “horrific” atomic bombingsof Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the icon of man’s destructivemisuse of scientific progress, and called for an end to allnuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction. Te “tre-mendous” atomic bombing of the two Japanese cities, whichtook place Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, 1945, “still arouses horror andrepulsion,” the Pope said in his Aug. 9 Sunday Angelus ad-dress. He told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square that theevent “has become the symbol of man’s enormous destructivepower when he makes a wrong use of scientific and technicalprogress.” Tese bombings ought to serve as a permanent

 warning to humanity in order “to repudiate her forever from war and to banish nuclear arms and every weapon of massdestruction,” he said. (CNA)

Pope: Divorce and remarriage contradict the sacrament, but Churchalways reaches outEchoing his predecessors on the need to care for divorced andremarried persons, Pope Francis said Christians should helpthese persons integrate into the community rather than treat-ing them as though they are excommunicated. “Te Church

 well knows that such a situation contradicts the ChristianSacrament,” the Pope said in his Aug. 5 General Audience atSt. Peter’s Square. Nonetheless, he added, the Church shouldalways approach such situations with a “mother’s heart; a heart

 which, animated by the Holy Spirit, seeks always the goodand the salvation of the person.” “It is important that theyexperience the Church as a mother attentive to all, alwaysdisposed to listen in encounters.” (CNA)

 The Pope’s new doctor is an expert in liver disease, surgical medicine

Te Vatican announced Aug. 9 that Pope Francis has selectedProfessor Fabrizio Soccorsi – an expert in liver diseases andsurgical medicine – as his new personal doctor, who will ac-company Francis on his upcoming trip to the United Statesand Cuba. Te Pope’s choice comes after he decided at theend of May not to renew the term of his former doctor –Patrizio Polisca – as papal doctor and head of the Vatican’shealthcare services, leaving his position open as of Aug. 1.Soccorsi, 73, is the Emeritus Chief of Hepatology at the SanCamillo Hospital in Rome and is an adviser of Health andHygiene for the Governorate of Vatican City. He is also anexpert on the Medical Committee for the Congregation ofthe Causes of Saints. (CNA)

Pope Francis establishes World Day of Prayer for CreationPope Francis has instituted a new day of prayer and celebra-tion for the Church entitled the “World Day of Prayer forthe Care of Creation,” to be celebrated on September 1 eachyear. Te day of prayer is in keeping with the theme of theHoly Father’s newest environmental encyclical “Laudato Si.”It is also seen as a sign of unity with the Orthodox Church,

 which established September 1 as a day to celebrate creationin 1989. “Te celebration of this Day, on the same date asthe Orthodox Church, will be a valuable opportunity tobear witness to our growing communion with our Orthodoxbrothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said. He expressed hopethat the day could highlight the need for all Christians to

 work together toward common goals. (CNA)

 Vatican accepting applications from potential ‘missionaries of mercy’Pope Francis is looking for a few good “missionaries of mercy,”priests who are known for their preaching and their dedicationto hearing confessions and granting absolution. If they havetheir bishop’s or superior’s support, priests interested in beingone of the special communicators of God’s mercy are invitedto apply online. Te Pontifical Council for Promoting NewEvangelization, the office Pope Francis charged with coordi-

nating the Holy Year of Mercy, which begins Dec. 8, posted alist of desired qualities and the application form on the Year ofMercy website: http://www.im.va/content/gdm/en/partecipa/missionari.html. Te missionaries will be commissioned for-mally by the pope and sent out Feb. 10, Ash Wednesday. (CNS)

Pope urges expansion of priests’ on-call emergency serviceTe Year of Mercy is a perfect time to increase the number ofpriests who take turns being on call all night for emergency spiri-tual care of the sick and dying, Pope Francis wrote. Te pope, as

 Jesuit Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio, belonged to a special service, which is supported by the Federation of Priestly EmergencyServices, an organization of laypeople in Argentina and Ecua-dor who drive and accompany priests on their nighttime calls.In a letter July 27 to the federation’s president, Manuel MartinSjoberg, Pope Francis wrote, “Te coming extraordinary Jubileeof Mercy is a good occasion for intensifying the collaborationbetween pastors and laypeople in the mission of supporting with

affection and tenderly assisting the sick and dying.” Te popealso quoted from his document announcing the Year of Mercy, which begins Dec. 8, calling people to reach out and supportthose who are suffering “so they can feel the warmth of our pres-ence, our friendship and our fraternity.” (CNS)

 Vatican UN representative reports high interest in papal visitRequests for copies of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical

and the demand for tickets to see him at the United Nationsindicate enthusiasm and expectations for Pope Francis’ visitare running high, said the Vatican representative. ArchbishopBernardito Auza, head of the Holy See’s permanent observermission at the United Nations, told Vatican Radio: “Tere isso much interest. Everybody wants to see the pope, even froma distance. Te dream of so many is to have a selfie with thepope.” Pope Francis is scheduled to address the U.N. General

 Assembly Sept. 25. Te UN delegations of developing countriesin particular, he said, “see the pope as a kind of flag bearer, some-body who expresses their aspirations and positions.” (CNS)

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Pope: Celebrations, including Mass,are essential for family lifeVAICAN City, Aug. 12,2015--Families need moments

of rest and celebration, timefor standing back and recogniz-ing the gifts of God and how

 well they have developed, PopeFrancis said.

Celebrations are times “toenjoy that which cannot beproduced or consumed, thatcannot be bought or sold,” thepope said Aug. 12 at his weeklygeneral audience.

Continuing his series of talksabout the family in anticipationof the September celebration ofthe World Meeting of Familiesin Philadelphia and the worldSynod of Bishops on the familyin October, Pope Francis said he

 would be looking at “the rhythm

of family life,” focusing first oncelebrations, then on work andon prayer.

“Celebrations are God’s in-vention,” he said, pointing tothe description in the Book ofGenesis of how, after creating the

 world, God took a day of rest andcontemplated all he had created.

Life becomes truly human when people take the time todo the same, the pope said. “Acelebration is above all a lovingand grateful gaze at work done

 well,” whether it’s a weddingcelebration of a relationship thathas matured or birthdays andgraduations when people “look

at their children or grandchil-dren who are growing and think,‘How beautiful.’”

he best parties are alwaysthose that gather families togeth-er, Pope Francis said. “Familylife, seen with the eyes of faith,shows itself to be worth more

than the effort it requires. It is amasterpiece of simplicity and isbeautiful precisely because it isnot artificial, not fake.”

 While not ignoring one’s obli-gations at work, he said, it also isimportant to allow celebrationsof birthdays, marriages, new

births, welcomes or farewells “toinfiltrate” the workplace. “Teyare moments of familiarity thatthrow a cog in the productionline. It does us good.”

Days of rest, especially Sundaycelebrations of Mass and time

 with the family, are important

reminders that every humanbeing is made in the image andlikeness of God and is not a“slave to work.”

Unfortunately, he said, evenin the modern world there are

 women and children who havebeen reduced to slave-like condi-

tions. “Tis is against God andagainst the dignity of the human

person!”In other cases, the pope said,people have made themselvesslaves to work, thinking the pointof life is to earn a lot of money.Even when they celebrate, hesaid, they allow consumerism “toswallow” the party by thinkingthe more money they spend, thebetter the celebration will be.

“But is that why we work?” heasked. “Greed for consuming,

 which leads to waste, is a horriblevirus that, among other things,leaves us more tired than we werebefore. It poisons real work andconsumes our lives.”

“Celebrations are a preciousgift God has given the human

family. Let’s not ruin them,”he said.Te most important celebra-

tion for a family, the pope said,is Sunday Mass, which bringspeople “the grace of Jesus Christ,his presence, his love, his sacri-fice, his making us a community,his being with us.”

 When people bring their livesto Jesus in the Eucharist, the realmeaning of life is revealed, PopeFrancis said. “Work, family, ourdaily joys and efforts, even suf-fering and death -- all are trans-figured by the grace of Christ.”(Cindy Wooden/ Catholic NewsService)

Ideals worth sacrificing for: Pope to challengeU.S. Congress, U.N.VAICAN City, Aug. 13, 2015--Along

 with having a winning smile and a warmembrace, Pope Francis is known forchallenging people.

He does it regularly at morning Mass-- particularly calling out hypocrisy andgossip -- and does not spare even hisclosest aides in the Roman Curia, soit is unlikely his speeches to the U.S.Congress and the U.N. General Assem-bly will let his audiences leave withouta suggested examination of conscience.

His speeches to Congress and to the

United Nations in late September willbe less pastoral than his homilies, obvi-ously, and more about policy. Tey willbe crafted carefully with the assistance ofthe Vatican Secretariat of State.

Te themes will reflect the prioritiesof Pope Francis, not as an individual,but as head of the universal CatholicChurch. With the exception of a fewclassic, colorful Pope Francis analogies --an infusion of Pope Francis’ personality-- the speeches are expected to be similarin style and tone to those his predeces-sors delivered at the United Nations.

Like his predecessors, Pope Francis will praise the founding ideals of boththe United States and the United Na-tions; the challenges will come when heurges the leaders of both to live up tothose ideals and to do so consistently.

 At the center of both speeches will be acall to work for the common good -- not

 just the interests of their campaign sup-porters or even of all their constituents-- with a vision that recognizes, as the poperepeatedly says, that there is only one hu-man family and that people have a sharedresponsibility for others and the world.

 A global problem, one he addressedlast November at the European Par-liament and Council of Europe, isan approach to human rights that isdisconnected from responsibilities andfrom an individual’s connection to the

 wider community.“Unless the rights of each individual

are harmoniously ordered to the greatergood,” he said, “those rights will end upbeing considered limitless and conse-

quently will become a source of conflictsand violence.”

Te pope recognizes how tough apolitician’s job is. In his apostolic exhor-tation “Te Joy of the Gospel,” he wrotethat “politics, though often denigrated,remains a lofty vocation and one of thehighest forms of charity, inasmuch as itseeks the common good.”

In the exhortation, Pope Francisstrongly defended the right of believersto bring their faith to bear on the social,economic and political issues of the day.

“No one can demand that religionshould be relegated to the inner sanc-tum of personal life, without influenceon societal and national life, withoutconcern for the soundness of civil in-stitutions, without a right to offer an

opinion on events affecting society,” he wrote. “Who would claim to lock up

in a church and silence the message ofSt. Francis of Assisi or Blessed eresa ofCalcutta?”

 Authentic faith, the pope wrote, “al- ways involves a deep desire to changethe world, to transmit values, to leavethis earth somehow better than wefound it.”

For Pope Francis, making the worlda better place is not a catchy line froma pop song. It is about rolling up one’ssleeves and feeding the hungry, wel-coming the immigrant, rescuing thevictims of human trafficking, reducingthe carbon emissions that contribute toglobal warming and ensuring jobs foryoung adults.

Making the world a better place, heoften says, means putting the needsof real people above the desire formaximum profits. A healthy economyand lively businesses are essential, butthey must grow along with the entirepopulation.

In his encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” thepope recognized the dilemma facing poli-ticians who know that short-term sacri-fices -- and re-election risks -- are neededfor long-term gains in safeguarding theenvironment. “But if they are coura-geous, they will attest to their God-givendignity and leave behind a testimony of

selfless responsibility,” he wrote.Courage also is needed to overcome

 what the pope has described as “theglobalization of indifference,” “theeconomy of exclusion” and the “throw-away culture,” which are the main forceshe sees at play behind hunger, poverty,abortion, discrimination, immigration,

 war, environmental devastation and ahost of other global problems.

 While every person of good will should join the fight, Pope Franc is sees theUnited Nations as a global institution

 whose very purpose is to pay attention toand assist those most in need, most underthreat and most often excluded from thebenefits of economic development.

His visit coincides with a scheduledvote on the sustainable development

goals, a list of 17 major commitmentsthat the world’s nations and U.N. agen-

cies will be asked to pursue until 2030,beginning with concrete steps to endextreme poverty everywhere.

 Archbishop Silvano omasi, the Vati-can representative to U.N. agencies inGeneva, noted that the Catholic Churchshares and concretely works around theglobe to end poverty and inequality andpromote solidarity, but it cannot sup-port the inclusion in the developmentgoals of “reproductive health” when itmeans access to abortion.

Te text of the goals seems to pres-ent abortion as “a right that should beguaranteed to all,” he told the ItalianCatholic newspaper Avvenire Aug. 11.“It’s as if by eliminating people there

 would be fewer problems.”Pope Francis may repeat what he told

members of the European Parliamentabout promoting -- even unconsciously-- the human rights only of those whoare useful producers and consumers.“As is so tragically apparent,” he said,“whenever a human life no longerproves useful for that machine, it isdiscarded with few qualms, as in thecase of the sick, of the terminally ill, theelderly who are abandoned and uncaredfor, and children who are killed in the

 womb.”Even on the question of climate

change and preparations for the U.N.Climate Change Conference in Paris atthe end of the year, the pope’s challengeto the United Nations will come backto his conviction that too many peopleand nations have made money their godand self-interest their only criterion for

 judgment.“International negotiations (on cli-

mate change) cannot make significantprogress due to positions taken bycountries which place their nationalinterests above the global commongood,” the pope wrote in his envi-ronmental encyclical. “We believerscannot fail to ask God for a positiveoutcome to the present discussions, sothat future generations will not haveto suffer the effects of our ill-advised

delays.”  (Cindy Wooden/CatholicNews Service)

Pope Francis baptizes childrenof an old friend at the Vatican

VAICAN, August 13, 2015--In a whirlwind trip, Lucas Schaerer and hisfamily – friends of Pope Francis from histime in Buenos Aires – traveled to theVatican, where the Pope baptized theirdaughters, Simona and Charo.

“he ceremony was beautiful andsimple…Francis celebrated Mass andthen we went to a sitting room, where

 we spoke for a long time,” Argentinian journalist Mercedes Ninci, a close friendof the couple, recalled in commentsposted to the Vatican blog Il Sismografo

 Aug. 12.Ninci, who works for Radio Mitre’s

“El Diario de Mariana,” is the godmoth-er to newborn Simona, and was presentin the chapel of the Vatican’s SaintMartha guesthouse for the baptisms.

 According to the journalist, Lucas andhis wife Ana have known the Pope forsome time, and are both active mem-bers in “he Alameda” Foundation.Dedicated to fighting against humanand drug trafficking, the organization

is well-known in Latin America, andhas always had Francis’ strong support.

In an interview with Ciudad.compublished Aug. 10, Ninci recalled howLucas and Ana sent the Pope a sono-gram image of their baby when theyfound out they were pregnant. Oncethe Pope received it, she said, he offeredto baptize the baby when she was born.

 When the time came, everythinghappened “suddenly,” she said, andrecounted that just a few days beforethey left “Lucas called me asking if I

 wanted to be the godmother of the baby,Simona, and told me (the baptism) wasin the Vatican.”

Everything happened quickly and“with almost no money,” Ninci said, ex-plaining that since they didn’t have time

to find a place to stay when they got toRome, Pope Francis arranged for them

to stay in a convent that hosts pilgrims. After arriving to the Eternal City Aug.

5, the couple returned to Buenos Aireson the 10th.

In addition to baptizing the newbornSimona, Francis also baptized Ana’solder daughter, Charo, who is 9.

 Also a member of “Te Alameda”foundation, Ninci said that she had metthe Pope while he was still in Buenos

 Aires, but that they never developed aclose friendship.

Now, after being present for the Massand speaking with the Pope after, “it

 was amazing to meet a simple and pro-foundly human shepherd,” she said inthe comments posted to Il Sismografo.

One thing that Ninci said immedi-ately caught her attention was that whenthe Pope walked in to greet them he

 was alone, appearing without the usualentourage that normally comes withpeople in a position like his.

In her responses to Ciudad.com, the journalist said she was excited to be with

someone “so simple and dedicated tothe people, so detached from power.”

She recalled how the Pope spoke a lotabout his own family and childhood,specifically his mother, father and foursiblings.

Francis also said a lot of things that“made me think,” Ninci explained, suchas “to win war you must not to start it.”

“I, the warrior that I am, live battlingfor things I shouldn’t,” she said. “Nowthat I’ve come back I haven’t fought

 with anyone, at least not yet.”However, Ninci said the most impor-

tant and exciting thing the Pope told her was when he said, “Te fact that you area poor journalist speaks well of you.”

On seeing the Pope so down to earthand detached from his office, “spiritually

and attitudinally it did me well,” shesaid. (Elise Harris/CNA/EWTN News)

 Vatican City - April 4, 2015. Pope Francis baptizes a catechumen at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter’sBasilica on April 4, 2015. CNA

 Vatican City - June 24, 2015. The Morfin Rodriguez family in St. Peter’s Square waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience on June 24, 2015.CNA

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A4 CBCP MonitorAugust 17 - 30, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 17

EDITORIAL

 AUHENIC development includes efforts to bring about anintegral improvement in the quality of human life, and this entailsconsidering the setting in which people live their lives. Tese set-tings influence the way we think, feel and act. In our rooms, ourhomes, our workplaces and neighborhoods, we use our environ-ment as a way of expressing our identity. We make every effortto adapt to our environment, but when it is disorderly, chaoticor saturated with noise and ugliness, such overstimulation makesit difficult to find ourselves integrated and happy.

 An admirable creativity and generosity is shown by persons andgroups who respond to environmental limitations by alleviating theadverse effects of their surroundings and learning to orient their livesamid disorder and uncertainty. For example, in some places, wherethe façades of buildings are derelict, people show great care for the

interior of their homes, or find contentment in the kindness andfriendliness of others. A wholesome social life can light up a seeminglyundesirable environment. At times a commendable human ecologyis practiced by the poor despite numerous hardships. Te feeling ofasphyxiation brought on by densely populated residential areas iscountered if close and warm relationships develop, if communitiesare created, if the limitations of the environment are compensatedfor in the interior of each person who feels held within a network ofsolidarity and belonging. In this way, any place can turn from beinga hell on earth into the setting for a dignified life.

Te extreme poverty experienced in areas lacking harmony,open spaces or potential for integration, can lead to incidentsof brutality and to exploitation by criminal organizations. Inthe unstable neighborhoods of mega-cities, the daily experi-ence of overcrowding and social anonymity can create a senseof uprootedness which spawns antisocial behavior and violence.Nonetheless, I wish to insist that love always proves more power-ful. Many people in these conditions are able to weave bonds of

belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into anexperience of community in which the walls of the ego are torndown and the barriers of selfishness overcome. Tis experienceof a communitarian salvation often generates creative ideas forthe improvement of a building or a neighborhood.

Given the interrelationship between living space and humanbehavior, those who design buildings, neighborhoods, publicspaces and cities, ought to draw on the various disciplines whichhelp us to understand people’s thought processes, symbolic lan-guage and ways of acting. It is not enough to seek the beauty ofdesign. More precious still is the service we offer to another kindof beauty: people’s quality of life, their adaptation to the environ-ment, encounter and mutual assistance. Here too, we see howimportant it is that urban planning always take into considerationthe views of those who will live in these areas.

-- Laudato Si ’, 147-150

 AS any copywriter knows, headlines are crafted to grab attentionand, ultimately, sell. Tey are more important than the copy inthe sense that they provoke the reader to either continue to readthe news story or simply ignore it. In the morning, all dailiesvie for attention and readership. In some cases, some reputablenewspapers even go down to the level of the tabloid if only to win in the battle of readership.

In the morning of Aug. 17, the Philippine Daily Inquirerbrandished this headline: “CBCP Backs Marijuana Bill”. Tat was smart and sensational. It got good readership and attention.It garnered hundreds of threads of comments in its online versionand in social media. Te only rub was, it was not true. Te CBCPdoes not back the Marijuana Bill. Even the copy of the news story, which was written by PDI’s church beat reporter who was privyto the CBCP’s “Pastoral Guidance on the Compassionate Use ofCannabis”, did not say so.

Immediately, Archbishop Socrates Villegas posted his reaction:“As President of the CBCP, I take strong exception to the MIS-

LEADING headline of your paper “CBCP Backs Marijuana Bill”.It would have been far more helpful to the public had you publishedour statement in full than to create the wrong impression in theminds of the public.

“Let me make the point clear: IN RESPEC O WHAEVERMEASURES ARE NOW PENDING BEFORE HE LEGISLA-URE, CBCP NEIHER ENDORSES NOR OBJECS, realizingthat the regulatory schemes and administrative strategies they attempt

to establish are beyond the competence of the CBCP to comment on.“What our letter did was to reiterate the teaching of the Church

 which I will summarize:1. Addiction is wrong, and those who facilitate addiction by placing

habituating drugs within easy reach commit a very serious wrong.2. Te constant teaching of Church is that palliative care using

narcotics is ethically permissible when there is no other convenientand available means with which to alleviate the suffering of theterminally ill.

3. In other cases, the principle of proportionality is to be applied which makes means licit when there is PROPORION betweenthe risks and disadvantages and the benefits expected or anticipated.

I hope you will give this clarification and disavowal as muchpublicity as you gave your misleading article.”

But this is the age of digital media. Unlike some years back whenreaders were left to swallow in toto what gatekeepers of news tellthem, this is the age of fast and multiple media platforms. Peoplealways find the truth faster than the malicious spread of lies. Noth-

ing, of course, is smarter than the truth, even in headlines.

Ecology of daily life

On Headlines

OPINION

MonitorPROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE 

CBCP

Pedro C. QuitorioEditor-in-Chief 

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The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus SocialMedia for Asia, Inc. with editorial and business offices at GroundFlr. , Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 F. R. HidalgoStreet, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404- 2182. Business: (632)

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Candidly Speaking / A7

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

And That’s The Truth

The Poor: Gospel

Perspectives and Challenges

 Fr. Roy Cimagala

Candidly SpeakingPriestly spirit of poverty

 WHEN Pope Francis visited thePhilippines in January 2015,he straightforwardly stated:“Te poor are at the center ofthe Gospel.” How accurate thePope’s words are! For example,

 Jesus warns his disciples against

the real dangers of riches (Mt6:19-21; Lk 8:14); he also invitesthose who wish to follow himmore closely to embrace a simplelife-style (Mt 19:21; Lk 12:33).

 Jesus’ words are often verydirect: “Sell your possessionsand give alms. Get yourselvespurses that do not wear out,treasure that will not fail you, inheaven where no thief can reachit and no moth can destroy it.For where your treasure is, there

 wil l your heart also be” (Lk12:33-34).

In Mark’s Gospel (12:41-44) we find the story of the poor wid ow who contri buted hertwo small coins to the temple

treasury. Jesus pointed out tohis disciples that her “widow’smite” had great value because it

 was a sincere contribution, com-ing from her heart, while othersonly made contributions from

their surplus wealth. Jesus requires that both justice

and mercy be practiced; the richhave an urgent duty to assist thepoor. In fact, one’s eternal hap-piness is conditioned on howone concretely treats one’s poor

neighbors: “When you have ameal, invite the poor, the crip-pled, the lame, the blind; thatthey cannot repay you meansthat you are fortunate, becausepayment will be made to you

 when the virtuous rise again” (Lk14:13-14).

Furthermore, our service ofthe poor is a concrete expressionof our love for Jesus, since Heis truly the one we are helping

 when we serve the needy. Tisis explicitly expressed in thenarrative of the Last Judgment(Mt 25:31-46); Jesus says that

 whenever we serve the hungry,thirsty, naked or the strangerand prisoner, we are assisting

the Lord himself. “I tell yousolemnly, in so far as you didthis to one of the least of thesebrethren of mine, you did it tome” (Mt 25:40).

In Jesus’ perspective, one is

blessed if, even in the face of per-sonal need, one still looks to theneeds to others. “Poverty” is notlimited to only material needs;there is the poverty of beinglonely, abandoned, unwanted,rejected by society. Even an

ordinary poor person can showneighborly love, compassion,and human tenderness. Jesusdeclares those “blessed” in God’skingdom whose lot is actualpoverty caused by circumstancesor persecution—if they remaingenerous even in their need.

Saint Paul in his beautifulChristological Hymn of Philip-pians 2:5-11 speaks about thekenosis , the “self-emptying” of

 Jesus’ divinity through the In-carnation. While maintainingthe full divinity and full human-ity of Jesus, Paul says that Jesusvoluntarily condescended and“emptied himself to assume thecondition of a slave” (v. 7); he

did this in profound humilityand accepted death on a cross.he Father has exulted Jesusthrough the resurrection: Jesusis Lord and Savior of the world.

In voluntarily serving the

poor in our midst, we need toadopt the same “self-emptyingattitude” of Jesus; we need totake on the “mind of Christ.”Paul writes: “Remember howgenerous the Lord Jesus was: he

 was rich, but he became poor for

your sake, to make you rich outof his poverty” (2 Cor 8:9).

 Aloysius Pieris, a Sri Lankan Jesuit, asserts that for the Chris-tian voluntary poverty is a trulycredible response to  forced pov-erty . In other words, whoeverlegitimately has material goodsin this life must freely and will-ingly (voluntarily) share them

 with thos e poor who live in forced poverty , caused by social-economic inequality, injustice,or even by natural calamities.Voluntary poverty is a clear signof today’s Christian.

God will not force us to dogood and live modestly; wemust willingly surrender to Jesus’

Gospel challenges. For Jesus’disciples, voluntary poverty   is apivotal attitude in our possessionand use of this world’s goods.Undoubtedly, the poor are a cen-tral focus of Jesus in the Gospel!

 Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM 

Living Mission

“Year of the Poor” Reections

I’S nice to know that manydioceses in the country areadopting the so-called StandardLiving Allowance (SLA) plan fortheir priests and, of course, theirbishops. It’s an effort to take careof the basic needs and sustenanceof the clergy whatever their pas-toral assignments and personalconditions may be. We indeedhave to take care of them whoare selfless in bringing Christ tothe faithful.

Te appropriate structures andsystems of the plan are being putup. Some period of experimen-tation is now underway. he

learning process has started withobvious cases of some kinks and

snags being ironed out. All these are good. But let’s

remember that the structuresand systems, no matter how ef-fective and efficient they are intheory, would come to nothingif they are not animated by theproper spirit of poverty that we,clerics, are supposed to live. AsSt. Paul puts it: “Te writtencode kills, but the Spirit giveslife.” (2 Cor 3,6)

 We should then understandthat this whole business of es-tablishing the SLA is not justabout money and sustenanceand of how Church finances can

be allocated with greater equity.It is, first and last, a matter of

reinforcing the priestly spirit ofpoverty that is very crucial inthe priest’s identity, dignity andministry.

 We have to understand that wit hou t thi s proper pri est lyspirit of poverty, the priesthoodis compromised or at least dis-torted, no matter how showy apriest struts his stuff. He will endup simply being a performer, auser, a bureaucrat, instead of thesacramental representation ofChrist as head of the Church, adispenser of the divine mysteries

In the Directory on the Min-istry and Life of Priests, issued

in 1994, some description ofthis priestly spirit of poverty is

made (n. 67). Priestly poverty ispictured as an image of the pov-erty of Christ that has a salvificscope. It is the way to make onetotally available to the things ofGod, of Christ, and the needs ofthe people.

“A priest could hardly be atrue servant and minister of hisbrothers if he were excessively

 worried with his comfort and well-being,” it says. With respectto the created and earthly goods,the priest can use them but “witha sense of responsibility, mod-eration, upright intention anddetachment, precisely because

he has his treasure in heaven and

Torre de Babel, Part 2

HE longer the orre de Manila controversydrags on, the more ridiculous the debatebecomes. Because louder and louder theprotesters’ battle cry appears to be only thebuilding’s being a “photo bomber”. Re-

ally? How shallow can we be? As someV hosts might say, “How babaw naman

 we are, promise!” Why do we insist that aphoto bombmer in our eyes is tantamountto disrespect in our hearts for a great hero?How babaw talaga!

Meanwhile, the enterprising photogra-phers at the park have boosted their income

 with a new “raket”: instant photos of your-selves and the monument but no orre deManila anywhere! Incredible? Not withPhotoshop, the park photogs quip.

Ongoing hearings reveal that no law has

been violated, so why the fuss? Surely we will not change the law to please a noisyfew? If protesters blast the orre becausethey are running out of relevant causes tofight, why don’t we all calm down and “use

our coconut” in the name of damage control?o begin with we can urge the Noynoy ad-

ministration to proclaim—finally—Dr. JoseRizal as the National Hero of the Philippines.

 We have been taught from grade school thatGat. Jose P. Rizal is our national hero. Tepresence in many Philippine towns and citiesof a street, plaza, school, hospital, factory,karinderia, and even a funeraria reflects anationwide acceptance of him as a nationalhero indeed. But would you believe thatthere is no official record of Rizal’s procla-mation as the Philippines’ national hero?

 We have an officially proclaimed nationaltree (narra), national flower (sampaguita),national bird (Philippine eagle), nationalgem (south sea pearl), and national sport(arnis)—but no national hero. In fact, the

National Heroes Committee recommendedin 1995 Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio

 Aguinaldo, Marcelo del Pilar, Juan Luna, Apolinario Mabini, Sultan Dipatuan Kuda-rat, Melchora Aquino and Gabriela Silangfor recognition as national heroes, but noth-ing has come of that move to this day. Why?

 We may not have a properly proclaimednational hero, but we do have a nationalhabit of not questioning things, and so allthese years we have accepted what we havebeen told—that we do have a national dance

And That’s The Truth / A5

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A5CBCP Monitor August 17 - 30, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 17 OPINION

 Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD

Along the Way

Collection Box Fr. Jerome Secillano, MPA

Celibacy and Ministry

 Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

Duc In Altum

‘Pungkopungko’ Kid

Who’s the ‘least evil’of them all?

Care for our

Mother Earth

HERE is a clamor among some prieststo abolish mandatory celibacy and make itoptional. For them it is burden that is verydifficult to live out. Tey contend that ifmade optional it could attract more mento the priesthood, especially at a time when

there is a shortage of priests. After all, celi-bacy is not really essential to the ordainedministry. During the first millennium, ma-

 jority of the priests and even bishops weremarried. It was only in the 12th centurythat obligatory celibacy was legislated forthe Roman Catholic Church. After VaticanII, many expected that the Church wouldmake it optional sooner or later. So far theChurch continues to maintain that manda-tory celibacy is appropriate and requiredfor the priesthood. Te only exception isfor those belonging to the Oriental rite andmarried Anglican and Episcopalian priests

 who convert to Catholicism. What is the basis for holding on to the

discipline of celibacy? Te Church looks upto Jesus as the basis and model for celibacy.His celibacy was unusual since a Jew was

normally expected to marry and raise afamily. Tis was demanded by the prevail-ing culture and by Jewish religion. Eventhe priests of his time who offered sacrificesin the temple were married. It was indeedcounter-cultural and not in accordance

 with Judaism. So how did Jesus justify hiscelibacy? It was for the sake of the Kingdom.

 When Jesus spoke about those who becameeunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of God,he was implicitly referring to himself and tothose who would come after him. Te proc-lamation and inauguration of the kingdom

 was so central to Jesus’ mission that all hisattention, time and energy were focused onthis. His celibacy was a radical expression

of his total dedication to the work for thekingdom. Instead of marrying and raising afamily, his entire life was dedicated to rais-ing up and engendering a community anda people who will make up God’s family - aspiritual family, who are adopted children

of God whom they recognize as their lovingFather and related to each other as brothersand sisters, not by blood but by one faith,one baptism, one Spirit. Jesus made himselfa eunuch for the sake of the kingdom andrecommended it to some of his followers whofreely decide to dedicate themselves totallyto the work of the kingdom.

 Jesus made it clear that celibacy is not foreveryone. He did not make it a requirementfor discipleship. Te apostles were presum-ably married including Peter who had amother-in-law. But according to the Gospelsthey left everything to follow him - perhapsincluding their families, their wife andchildren to fulfill their mission all over theRoman Empire. Paul, the great missionaryto the Gentiles was himself a celibate and herecommended it to those who totally dedi-

cated themselves to the Lord and in carryingout their mission. Jesus’ celibacy was not due to a negative

attitude towards sex, marriage or family. It was a radical expression of the priority of hismission - for the sake of Kingdom of God.His love was not focused exclusively on one

 woman and some children, but rather aninclusive and universal form of love. Tus,

 Jesus’ celibacy would later be used as the basisand model for the ordained ministers of theChurch. It took over a millennium for theChurch to universally adopt it.

Following Jesus as the model, the priest’scelibacy is a radical expression of the priest’stotal dedication to God and to God’s king-

dom. It is for the sake of the kingdom.Trough a celibate lifestyle the priest candedicate all his attention, time and energyin carrying out his ministry and mission ofevangelization – of proclaiming the GoodNews of God’s kingdom and prophetically

denouncing evil in society, in forming andleading the Christian community (includingthe Basic Ecclesial Communities within theparish), in presiding over the liturgical andsacramental celebrations of the community,in working for the kingdom through actionfor justice, peace, development and the in-tegrity of creation, and in caring for the poorand the needy. When he does this, celibacybecomes meaningful and easier to live out.Instead of being a yoke or burden, celibacyprovides more freedom to carry out his mis-sion for the kingdom.

 A priest’s celibacy is empty and meaning-less when he spends most of his time andenergy solely in beautifying the church orrectory, watching V, drinking and playingmahjong, shopping, surfing the internet,going out with his friends to bars and night

spots, managing his business ventures. When he is not available to the people,to his parishioners, to the poor, when hedoes not have time for encounter with Godin prayer, a priest’s celibacy becomes emptyand meaningless. His life is characterized byperpetual boredom and loneliness makinghim more vulnerable to the “temptations ofthe flesh.” When celibacy is not intimatelyconnected to ministry and mission, whenit does not further the realization of thekingdom of God, it turns the priest into anirresponsible bachelor. Instead of being anauthentic sign of selfless dedication to thekingdom it becomes a sign of selfishness andself-indulgence.

 Fr. Carmelo O. DiolaSpaces of HopeHE image has since become vi-ral in the internet. It is a candid,cellphone-generated picture of anine-year old boy named Dan-iel Cabrera intently doing hishomework. He is seated on a low

 wooden stool (“pungko-pungko”in Cebuano) and his makeshift

 wooden table receives light froma street lamppost. He is studyingby the side of the road. Not atypical student.

Te picture is strikingly inspir-ing. It shows the determinationof a street child who does not

 want to remain in the streets.Consciences are pricked sincethere are those who have theconveniences but do not havethe desire to study. I wondered

 where the child is now. A day after, I received a text

message informing me thatRappler, a social news network,

 wanted to get in touch witha diocesan priest who has anoutreach with street children. Ihad been endorsed since I heada committee of the InternationalEucharistic Congress (IEC)2016 tasked with making surethat the poor have a voice and a

face in the IEC.Daniel’s picture was actually

taken in the Mandaue reclama-tion area not far from my parishassignment. He had borrowedthe wooden stool and table froma sidewalk eatery that Daniel’sfamily of four - his mother,Christina, and two other sib-lings; his father is already dead- calls their home while keepingguard over it for the night.

He is one determined kid.***

 Abo ut three months ago,the third grader had actuallybecome part of a group of 32street children that meets everySunday morning at the BarangaySubangdako center in MandaueCity. here they take a bath,exchange their soiled clothesfor newly-washed ones, receivea haircut, share lunch, take up

 Alternative Learn ing System,and undergo catechism. Te lat-ter is given by a volunteer fromthe Legion of Mary. Most of thechildren have since gone backto school at the SubangdakoElementary School, includingDaniel.

Tis initiative was undertakenby Chairman Ernie Manatadof Barangay Subangdako. KapErnie is a member of UBAS(or Ugnayan ng Barangay atSimbahan) of Mandaue City.Tis is a DILG program thatbrings together servant-leadersat the grassroots level - barangayofficials, police, and priests - forgood governance and effectivedelivery of services, especially tothe very poor.

In a video interview excerptedin an IEC AVP, Kap Ernie saysthat whereas before he consid-ered the kids to be a nuisancenowm they are like his ownchildren. He has mobilized vol-unteers for this effort and is eveninviting his constituents to con-sider being guardians to them.

 What if more barangay of-ficials did this in collaboration

 with other servant leaders at thebarangay level? It would be sweet

 wine of the Spirit.***

 A friend of mine recently had asnorkeling experience in the idyl-lic island of Siquijor. Te water

 was only chest deep. Yet as she

peered down through her swim-ming goggles, she found herselfgasping for breath, barely ableto keep her balance and beganthrashing wildly. Te dazzling

 world underneath her was justtoo much for her to bear.

Daniel has since been offeredall kinds of help. He and hismother have even been guested ina nationally-televised program andbeen interviewed by the media.

 When Kap Ernie visited hima few days after his instant fame,he noticed the child toying witha video game inside a cellphone.He was oblivious to the worldand the pages of his schoolnotebook were not moving.

 When asked during a televisioninterview what he wanted, Dan-iel, like any typical millennial,blurted out: “A cellphone.”

It is a dazzling world our he-roic child faces. It is filled withopportunities and risks. Howbest to help him - and others likehim - for the long haul requirescompassion, clear thinking, andorganized charity.

 And a good dose of pastoralaccompaniment.

FINALLY, the “anointed one” has alreadybeen named last July 31 at the historicClub Filipino. Te announcement is hardlysurprising as it is widely expected by punditsand supporters alike that Sec. Mar Roxas willindeed be the Liberal Party’s standard bearerin the 2016 election.

I am not a fan of Sec. Roxas, but I findit disturbing to hear political experts andordinary people say that the former isn’t win-nable and that he will be trounced by eitherVice President Binay or Sen. Grace Poe in athree-cornered fight in 2016.

VP Binay is reeling from charges of cor-ruption which to this day he has not satis-factorily answered or faced. o his critics, heis the epitome of what patronage politics isabout, one who makes poor people dependon him and present him as the only viablesolution to their predicaments. He givesdole-outs and rewards those supportive ofhis scheming ways while considering hiscritics his enemies.

Sen. Grace Poe, though possessing integ-rity as alleged by many, is a political neophyte

 who hasn’t been critically tested yet in thearena of governance and administration.Some say she is too soft and still naïve in theart of political wheeling and dealing. Proof ofthis is on how Sen. Chiz Escudero seems tobe manipulating her political decisions whileappearing to be her supporter. Although she

has not announced her presidential bid yet,her erstwhile political adviser, friend and

presumptive running mate, already madeknown that he is seeking the Vice Presiden-tial post. Tis strategy is to tie her hands tothe presidency and limit her options whilepresumably giving Chiz more chances atclinching the VP race for lack of compellingopponents.

Many believe that a Roxas-Poe tandem isformidable and is touted as an effective foilto the political posturing of ambitious andgreedy politicians and of those seeking theirpolitical relevance beyond 2016.

Roxas, of course, has his own flaws. By

rebuking Mayor Alfred Romualdez in theaftermath of typhoon Yolanda, he is beingshallow and petty by letting politics stand inthe way of immediately helping the haplesstyphoon victims in acloban. His stint asSecretary of DOC is unremarkable to saythe least. As DILG chief, he lost grip of thePNP and was seemingly out of the loop formany of the PNP’s operations and transac-tions. He is perceived as an elitist and powertripper who threw his weight around with

 Wack-Wack employees for being made to paythe fees for a round of golf. Not to mention,he has Korina Sanchez for a wife. All told,Roxas can either be a strong leader for the

 wrong reasons, and a weak one for not doing what is right at the right moment.

But Roxas has not been implicated in cor-rupt activities. Except for some imprudent

decisions and actions, he is a veteran politi-cian but not in the image of a “trapo”. His al-

liances with groups like “Kaya Natin” serveshim in good stead as he is perceived to offera new brand of politics that will eventuallytrample the old and corrupt system that hasbeset our country.

Choosing our leaders should also dependon our current needs and circumstances. Atpresent, corruption in government is stillrampant. We also have a president, whoafter five years in office, seems to still be inan “On the Job raining” (OJ). With himat the helm, blunders are being committedleft and right. Hence, it would be the height

of stupidity if Filipinos will elect leaders who will merely exacerbate what we have at themoment.

his leaves us to consider Roxas. heproblem is the man appears to be an exten-sion of this highly idealized but not realized“Daang Matuwid”. Electing him wouldmean extending the mess that our presentleadership has created.

 As intelligent as he is, Roxas knows forsure the failures of Pnoy Aquino’s admin-istration and it would be foolish of him torepeat the same. Hence, it is only a matterof time before he casts his own imprint asto what his own administration will be like.Te same cannot be said about an allegedcorrupt leader and a political neophyte. Tecorrupt will remain to be such because it is

 just simply impossible to moderate one’s

greed. A novice will need the guidance ofCollection Box / A6

POPE Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si is about the care for our com-

mon home. He likened the Mother Earth to a sister who “sustains andgoverns us, and who produces various fruits with coloured flowersand herbs.” He stated that our sister “now cries out to us becauseof the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use andabuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.”

Some forms of pollution are part of people’s daily experience.Exposure to pollutants produces health hazards, especially for thepoor, and causes premature deaths. Te earth, our home, is begin-ning to look like a pile of filth. Climate change is a global problem

 with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political,and on the distribution of goods.

Pope Francis asked how do we respond as human persons, andas sons and daughters of God? If we are to blame to a large extentfor ruining that delicate balance of our ecology, then how do wemake up for it? Pope Francis’ appeal is “to protect our commonhome (which) includes a concern to bring the whole human familytogether to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we knowthat things can change.”

However, the Pope’s appeal will remain fruitless and just a small

voice in the wilderness if we would not do our role as children ofGod. How do we care for our Mother Earth? We must start doingour share from our respective home, from our family, from our com-munity. We do not need sophisticated technology and knowledge todo so. As a matter of fact, we learn all of these in elementary schools.

 We must start having clean air. Do not burn garbage, especiallyplastic and rubber; better bury your garbage under the ground. Putcandy wrappers in your bag and throw them in your garbage can

 when you reach home. Maintain your vehicles to avoid emissionof carbon monoxide which easily pollutes the air. Save water: Teearth does not have continuous supply of water. Even rivers dry up.Use a glass when brushing your teeth. When washing clothes, turnoff the faucet when the basin is already full of water. When takinga bath, turn off the shower while shampooing and washing yourbody with soap.

***Last June, Pope Francis addressed the delegates from the Interna-

tional Catholic Conference of Girl Guiding on the 50th anniversaryof its founding to reflect the theme “Living as a guide for the joy ofthe Gospel.” Te Holy Father commented on the girl scout leaders’

crucial role in educating women for their vocation and responsibili-ties in a world of ideologies that work against God and treat womenas inferior. He said, “It is therefore necessary to educate girls notonly to the beauty and grandeur of their vocation as women, in a fairand differentiated relationship between man and woman, but alsoto take on important responsibilities in the Church and in society.”

*** Almost three months had passed since the tragic May 13 fire at

the footwear factory in Valenzuela City that killed 72 people that‘roused the nation to the reality of modern-day slavery’. ”

Re-elected CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said theValenzuela tragedy has indicated that there are many more sites ofexploitation where Filipinos “are worked to death” under the “mostappalling circumstances”. It is the duty and function of the Depart-ment of Labor and Employment to monitor and implement laborstandards in the working places where our labor force spend morethan 8 hours of their everyday lives; foremost in their function is toensure the safety of the employed. It is therefore incumbent uponthe local government units, especially the Bureau of Fire, to be on

the watch regarding the strict implementation of the Building Codeand Fire Code. All buildings, schools and work places must be safeand secured.

***Te Concert “Dakila ka San Roque” held at the Skydome, SM

City North EDSA, Quezon City was a huge success. Te concertaimed to raise funds for the renovation of the San Roque Cathedral’s

 Altar on the occasion of its 200th Anniversary as a parish. In behalfof the Diocese’s officials and laity, we thank the sponsors of theconcert, the clergy, choirs, celebrities who performed at the concert;those who sold and bought concert tickets, those who helped inthe success of the concert. Many thanks to Most Rev. Francisco deLeon, D.D., Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese and AuxiliaryBishop of Antipolo, for his full support; also to Fr. Romy uazon,the main organizer and performer of the concert. May our Lord

 Almighty bless us for contributing our time, talent, and treasuresfor the success of the concert.

***Happy Feast of San Roque, patron saint of the Diocese of Ka-

lookan. Bishop Francisco de Leon was the Mass celebrant at 6 a.m. while Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, D.D., Archbishop of Lipa, wasthe main celebrant at 6 p.m. together with the Kalookan Clergy asconcelebrants. Te lay faithful who heard Mass at the Cathedralduring its 200th anniversary (from April 8, 2015 to April 8, 2016)

 will earn plenary indulgences according to the Pope Francis’ Decreedated March 06, 2015 under the usual required conditions (Sac-ramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and Prayer for theintentions of the Holy Father).

***Congratulations to the Archdiocese of Manila on its 420th an-

niversary of its elevation as an Archdiocese. Congratulations alsoto its new Rector Rev. Fr. Reginald Malicdem. Te Holy Mass washeld at the Manila Cathedral last Aug, 14 at 6 p.m.

*** We greet Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr.,D.D., Bishop Emeri-

tus, Msgr. Alex V. Amandy, Vicar General and Fr. Salvador Curuchet,IVE of the Diocese of Kalookan on their Sacerdotal Anniversary.

(tinikling), national animal(carabao), national fish (ban-gus), national leaf (anahaw),national fruit (mango), nationalcostume (barong agalog andbaro’t saya), national footwear(bakya), national game (sipa)national house (nipa hut), andeven a national dish, the deadlylechon. (Doesn’t that last onemake you wonder why it’s notthe more affordable daing nagalunggong, or the more sought-after sinigang, crispy pata, kare-kare, or the tourist’s favorite,adobo? We might as well havea national snack, too—kwek-kwek. Hmmm...) No matter

how much we identify withthose icons, the truth is, they

have no official “national” status.So, our beloved heroes in effectare in the same category as ourbakya, kalabaw and sipa. And

 while we’re at it, we might as wellask, too, Why is Lapu-Lapu notenlisted as a hero—after all hekilled someone who “trampledour sacred shores”, thus his mag-nificent monument in Mactan,Cebu. Or is it enough that heis honored in the Pinoy’s menuas Prito, Escabeche, or Steamed

 with Soy Sauce?)So let’s go back to our beloved

Rizal. If this protracted inves-tigation of the orre de Manilacase proves that there indeed has

been corruption in the construc-

And That’s The Truth / A4

And That’s The Truth / A6

8/20/2019 CBCP Monitor Vol. 19 No. 17

6/20

A6 CBCP MonitorAugust 17 - 30, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 17LOCAL NEWS

veteran politicians and public servantsbut at this early she can’t even seem torecognize her being exploited by those

 whom she trusts. A candidate’s “winnability” must be

based not on patronage or popularity. We should elect a leader on the basisof his track record or accomplish-ments. Te nobility of his charactermatters and his ability to unite andinspire people to rally behind him is

a must. Te Church does not endorse

candidates for election. Priests do notdo that either. Tis piece is written toenlighten the electorate so they don’tsimply succumb to paid analyses andpopular claims that aim to favor themost charismatic and the most gener-ous of them all.

 We should not actua lly settle forthe least evil but for lack of the bestalternative, who among the presumedcandidates for the presidency in 2016

you think is the “least evil” of them all?

Collection Box / A5

tion’s approval, then by all means, pun-ish the guilty. ongue-in-cheek we canrecommend some “penalties”. CompelDMCI to:

--rebuild/restore the many Rizalmonuments in the provinces that havebeen neglected by the local govern-ments. Tey are usually made of con-crete, surrounded by scraggly shrubs inchipped concrete plant pots, and someof them have become moldy. Tey lookpathetic in the daytime, and without asingle lamp post, forlorn at night.

--improve the lighting of the RizalPark and focus the limelight, so tospeak, on the monument itself, so thatthe contentious structure would be sobrilliant as to overshadow anythingburning below 1,000 watts. Meralcobill to be shared by the guilty parties.

--give orre de Manila the competi-tion it deserves: allow the constructionof two dozen other 49-storey condos onthe same road.

--chop down the orre to a reasonableheight (which means “acceptable” to thenoisy protesters), refund the buyers, andsplit the loss between DMCI and thecorrupt officials.

--partner with the government inbuilding mass-housing projects anddeveloping satellite towns for the home-less “informal settlers” of Metromanila.Everybody deserves decent dwelling—not just the condo buyers. Who knows,this might work so well that finally we

 will have no more need to cover up theshanties whenever kings or ambassadorsor popes come to visit.

(To be concluded) 

And That’s The Truth / A5

IEC venue nearscompletion

 WIH only five months left before themomentous International EucharisticCongress in January 2016, the Pavil-ion being constructed specially for thisevent is now 82.5 percent complete.

 According to recently ordained Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, sec-retary general of the IEC, this humblebuilding is fully air-conditioned and canaccommodate up to 12,000 delegates.

So far, 51 countries have already reg-istered their delegates for the event, withthe biggest number coming from Canadaand the U.S.. Yet, the number may stillincrease and reach even a hundred par-ticipating countries, said Villarojo.

Te funding for the Pavilion’s con-struction was sponsored by the DurosDevelopment Corporation, and noteven a single centavo from the “PisoPara sa Misa ng Mundo” campaign isbeing spent on this project.

“Te fund raising for the IEC is notbeing used for the Pavilion but for theoperating expenses of the Congress,’”explained Villarojo.

 After the Congress, the Pavilion shallbe converted into a minor seminary anda pastoral center, the plot of land whereit stands being owned by the archdioc-esan seminaries.

One of the first communicants

during the 1937 IEC held in Manila, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu RicardoCardinal Vidal expressed elation overthe first communion that will takeplace during this Eucharistic gathering.In his experience, they were made totransfer from one building to another,and that with the construction of thisIECPavilion, this year is the “luckiestyear” because delegates will comfortablygather for activities under a single roof.

On Sept. 30, 2015, the Pavilion willbe turned over to the Archdiocese ofCebu. Te IEC Pavilion is expected tobe completed by October 2015. (LukeGodoy/CBCPNews)

Shun competitive parenting,

Tagle tells parents 

HE head of Manila’s Roman CatholicChurch has called on parents to stayaway from competitive parenting, andinstead instill in their children the virtueof humility.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio

Cardinal agle said competitive child-rearing is among the many commonparenting failures of today.

He said many parents care too muchabout what brands their kids use and

 want them to be always better thanothers.

Comparing kidsHe said some parents take this to the

extreme by comparing the achievementsof their child to those of other people’soffspring as well.

“Parents, let’s teach our children truegreatness. If we teach them the wrongthings, we will be the ones to sufferas well as the country,” agle said inFilipino.

“If we ever have competition amongourselves, let it be about who is thehumblest and most ready to serve soci-ety,” he added.

Te cardinal made the statement inhis homily during a Mass to welcomethe arrival of the historic Sto. Niño deCebu image at the San Agustin Churchin Intramuros, Manila last Friday.

First symbol of Christianity 

agle then called on the public,especially the youth, to imitate Jesus’humility and service wherever they findthemselves: at school, at work, or onsocial media.

He also called particular attention tothe “finding” of the Sto. Niño image inCebu 450 years ago which is the “firstsymbol of Christianity” in the country.

“With our worldly thinking, great-ness is measured by riches and accom-plishments. For Jesus, that is not truegreatness. If you wish to be great, belowly, humble like a child,” agle addedin Filipino.

 According to the prelate, Filipinosare reminded that being great is notbrought by being proud or arrogant,or by insulting your fellowmen but bybeing humble servants. (Roy Lagarde/ CBCPNews)

PH Franciscan in Israel slams rabbi’s ‘church burning’ remarks 

 A FILIPINO Franc is canhas cried foul over the callof a Jewish leader to set fireto Palestine’s churches andmosques, comparing such“destructive intolerance” tothe ban by some Muslimstates on religions other thanIslam.

 “Te [extremist] Muslimsin Indonesia burn Catholicchurches. Apparently, theseextremist Jews have sameidea against both Muslimsand Christians,” lamentedFr. Andres Rañoa, OFM, theCommissary to the Custody(Custos) of the Holy Land, inreaction to the suggestion of

Lehava’s Rabbi Bentzi Gop-stein to vandalize Christianand Muslim properties inthe country.

he Franciscan pointedout the fear of the Assemblyof Catholic Ordinaries inHoly Land (AOCHL) is

 justified in view of the reli-gious and political tensionsprevailing in the region.

Delicate situation“As the Commissary to the

Custody of the Holy Land, Iunderstand the delicate situ-ation Christians there have toface. In Israel, religious andpriests alike find it difficultto acquire longer residence,

among other concerns. Tedecreasing number of Chris-tians is also alarming. Tat is

 why Popes have been visitingthe Holy Land in an effortto gain favorable laws forits Christian community,”Rañoa explained.

Part of AOCHL’s com-plaint reads: “A few days ago,Rabbi Gopstein, leader ofan anti-Jewish assimilationextremist movement, Lehava,made the remarks at a paneldiscussion for Jewish yeshivastudents where he did nothesitate to assert that Jewishlaw advocated destroyingthe land of idolatry Israel,

and therefore churches andmosques could be burned.”

It continues: “hese re-marks, which came after atroublesome act of vandalismagainst the Holy Place ofabgha in Israel, are unac-ceptable to the Assemblyof Catholic Ordinaries ofthe Holy Land. Tey incitehatred and pose a real threatto the Christian religiousbuildings in the country.”

Doing their partFor centuries, the Custody

of the Holy Land has com-mitted to conserving andreviving the places in theHoly Land and other Middle

Eastern countries associated with Christ.

Te friar went on to listdown the achievements of hiscongregation in Palestine de-spite cases of anti-Christianprejudice.

“he Good Friday col-lections for the Holy Landpartly help finance the vari-ous ministries and projectsfor the maintenance of thevarious shrines and assistanceto pilgrims. he financialreport last year of the Custos

 was preceded by a summaryof the Franciscans’ presentendeavors,” he said.

Franciscan mission

 Among the various objec-tives of the Franciscan mis-sion, Rañoa mentions thesupport and progress of theChristian minority.

Tese include the upkeepof archaeological sites, inter-ventions during emergencies,the liturgies in worship cen-ters, its network of elemen-tary and secondary schools,and assistance to pilgrims.

Besides these, Rañoaboasted the Custody was ableto generate as many as 1,500

 jobs, grant scholarships tosome 150 students, and putup 500 apartments.

“… the Custody also sup-

ports and helps grow thedwindling Christian minor-ity in Israel. … Many ArabChristians have left Israeldue to laws prejudicial tothem. One of them is therestriction to own lands.Te Custody, therefore, hasdecided to build them afford-able houses,” he added.

‘Sad news’For Fr. Dexter oledo,

executive secretary of the As-sociation of Major ReligiousSuperiors in the Philippines(AMRSP) and also a Fran-ciscan, the proposed arsonattacks on Christian propertyis nothing but unfortunate.

“Tis is a sad news. It is truethat the Franciscans are takingcare of the Holy Land sincethe time of the Crusades. Inthis modern age, fundamen-talism must be replaced withdialogue and mutual under-standing,” he said.

Te Order of Friars Minor(OFM), popularly known asFranciscans, has an ongoingpresence in the Holy Landdating back to 1217.

In 1342, Pope ClementVI named them official cus-todians of the Holy Placesin the name of the CatholicChurch.  (Raymond A. Se-bastián/CBCP News)

run for office if the legislative branchitself refuses to define exactly whatpolitical dynasties are.

“Until Congress defines what dynas-ties are in a manner that fulfills thepolicy embodied in the fundamentallaw, we have nothing more but aninert provision of the Constitutionthat accusingly points at the refusal ofCongress to act!” he adds.

‘Economic inclusiveness’Meanwhile, while he concedes there

are figures proving that investmentsindeed have risen, Villegas was alarmedat what he saw as the “inclusiveness of

economic gain,” dismissing governmentand corporate figures as items of coldstatistics that are no good until they aretranslated into better lives for the poorand disadvantaged.

On the other hand, the prelate laudsthe earnestness of lawmakers in address-ing the problems besetting Mindanao,stressing the need for a peaceful and

 just settlement that will be acceptableto Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“Te ongoing disagreement betweensupporters of different versions of theorganic law for the region are not wor-risome. If anything, they are proof ofthe earnestness with which our Legisla-ture addresses nettlesome issues. Tere

 would be nothing more prejudicial tothe peace process than a resurgence of

violence and lawlessness. We urge all toallow the institutions of our democracy

to craft a solution, in dialogue with all,to this challenge,” he explains.

Evangelization of political orderMonths ahead of the approaching

presidential elections, Villegas under-lines the importance of lay participationin the apostolate of evangelizing thepolitical order, and recognizes the ini-tiative of people who take time screen-ing candidates, listening to them, andendorsing those the movement deems

 worthy of support.“While the CBCP and the Catholic

Church in the Philippines will neverendorse a particular candidate or a par-

ticular party, leaving the consciences ofvoters sovereign in this respect, in keep-ing with long-accepted moral teachingsof the Church, we commend effortssuch