CBCP Monitor Vol. 19 No. 14

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MonitorVOLUME 19NUMBER 14PHP20.00

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

July 6 - 19, 2015

CBCPMONITOR.COM [email protected]

CBCP

Group to SC,solons: Junkgay agendaCOMING out in support oftraditional marriage, a pro-lifegroup has called on justices,lawmakers, and other influ-ential people to “reject andoppose” any attempt by LGBlobbyists to redefine marriagein the country, and exhortedfellow Filipinos to do theirpart in helping prevent thisscenario.

Natural generationIn a statement released ues-

day, July 6, Filipinos for Lifeaffirms the Church teachingwhich holds that the conjugalcovenant “has always been di-rected towards the natural gen-eration and nurturing of per-sons in order to build a moral,ethical, and just society.”

WHAT’S INSIDE

SUPPLEMENT ISSUE THE CROSS: A SUPPLEMENT PUBLICATION OF KCFAPI AND THE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

SC / A6

Restoring the Church,

rekindling the faith, B1

Cardinal Tagle deplorespolitical patronage

Pope Francis’ encyclical spursCaritas PH fight against coal plantsINSPIRED by Pope Fran-cis’ encyclical on climatechange, Caritas Philip-pines and other environ-mental groups keep themomentum going bysending a strong messageagainst camps backingcoal-fired power projectsin the country.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, ex-ecutive secretary of CaritasPhilippines, said they sup-

port the landmark docu-ment Laudato Si, even ifit will not go down wellwith powerful intereststhat benefit from the sta-tus quo.

Global response“We, the Church and the

people of the Philippines,will stand alongside thePope as strong allies in thestruggle for a socially just,environmentally sustain-able and spiritually richworld that Pope Francisand the broader climatemovement are fighting for,”Gariguez said.

He said the Church now

faces the task of spurring thefaithful to take concrete stepsin reducing the country’s con-tribution to climate change.

Trough the encyclical,he said the Church raises

critical issues that need tobe considered in the globalresponse to this unprec-edented threat.

According to him, globalcapitalism has lifted millionsout of poverty by burningfuels. But on the flipside,he added, it has created“vast inequalities” and sacri-ficed the environment over“short-term” gain.

“Now is the time to break

the stranglehold of fossilfuels over our lives and theplanet. If it is wrong towreck the planet then it iswrong to benefit from itswreckage; a growing global

movement to divest fromfossil fuels takes this ethosat heart,” Gariguez said.

26 new coal plantsLast month, more than

a thousand demonstrators,led by church leaders, stageda rally against a proposedcoal-fired power plant in

Atimonan, Quezon.Similarly, priests in

Batangas are also at the fore-

front of the fight against theconstruction of a new coalpower plant project.

“he Church cannotremain a passive bystander.It’s our moral imperative to

give voice to the voiceless,”added Gariguez.

He also said the Churchhas been vocal in opposingcoal mining “because it willmake our country contributeto climate change, endangerecosystems, as well as thehealth and lives of people”.

“Our churches have of-ten led the struggles againstdirty energy,” he said.

he Philippine Move-

ment for Climate Justicesaid there are 26 new coalplant projects that willoperate in the country byyear 2020. (Roy Lagarde/ CBCPNews)

Bishops to revisit concepts,

presuppositions on gaymarriage after US ruling

SAME-sex marriage willlikely be on the agenda ofthe Philippine bishops afterthe US Supreme Court’saffirmation of gay couples’right to marry.

he Catholic Bishops’Conference of the Philip-pines said the court’s ruling“will not go unheeded”,saying it will revisit thegay marriage debate butaccording to the Gospelteachings.

“We shall study it withassiduousness, and revisitour concepts and presup-positions, always withan eye to being faithful

to the Gospel and to themission of the Church,”said Archbishop SocratesVillegas, CBCP Presi-dent.

In a landmark deci-sion, the Supreme Courtin Washington yesterdayruled in favor of same sexmarriage nationwide.

he ruling triggeredmixed reactions in the Phil-ippines, with some in favorand some strongly against.

An “an ti -d is cr im in a-tion bill” is currentlypending in Congress butsome expressed concernsthat it could eventually

lead to legalization ofsame sex unions.

he bishops said theysupport the measure aslong as it rejects second-class treatment for the gaycommunity, but reaffirmedChurch teaching againsthomosexual acts.

“he Church contin-ues to maintain what ithas always taught,” Vil-legas said, reiterating thatmarriage is a “permanentunion” of man and wom-an, “in the complemen-tarity of the sexes and themutual fulfillment thatthe union of a man anda woman bring into theloftiness of the matrimo-

nial bond.” “If there is an undeniable

difference between manand woman, there is also anundeniable difference be-tween the permanent unionof a man and a woman,”he said.

However, in a concilia-tory words on gays, Vil-legas reiterated that theyshould not be judged ormarginalized.

“Al l wil l continueto find welcome in theChurch, while, under thecommand from the Lordhimself, will continue toteach what the Church

has unceasingly taught,” hesaid. (CBCPNews)

Lay leaders to tackle divorce, homosexuality Palma to priests: Go beyond‘palliatives’ in helping the poor

A CAHO LIC arch-bishop has called on hisfellow clergymen andthe religious to make thecries of the poor centralto their prayers and not

just seek band aid solu-

tions to poverty. A r chb i shop Jo s ePalma of Cebu, thecountry’s second largestarchdiocese, said church-men must take a standon issues that oppressthe poor the same wayBlessed Oscar Romeroof El Salvador and Re-demptorist Fr. Rudy Ro-mano did.

“I call upon the wholearchdiocese to remem-ber these two modernmartyrs. Above all, Ipray that we would beas brave as Jesus, BlessedOscar, and Fr. Rudy.

May we also go beyond

Congregation goes ‘online fishing’HE Sisters of St. Francis

Xavier (SFX) communityof San Pedro, Laguna, threeof whom are Myanmar na-tionals and one Filipina, arediscovering the wide reachof vocations promotions viasocial media.

Trough Facebook con-nectivity, the communi-ty was able to inspire sixyoung women in the last

three years to undergo for-

By Roy Lagarde

THE country’s systemof political patronage

is among the biggestimpediments to goodgovernance, the head ofManila’s Roman Catho-lic Church said.

In a conference on “ServantLeadership in Public Service”

July 3, Cardinal Luis Antonioagle did not mince words inattacking opportunistic patron-age politicians, saying they ex-acerbate the country’s problems.

“Stones falling from the sky,may they hit us all… becausesocially and culturally and politi-cally our society has not gradu-ated from patronage,” agle said.

“And ultimately, patronage

politics or the patronage styleof leadership is not service,”he said.

Te Catholic Bishops’ Con-ference of the Philippines hasrepeatedly lamented how thecountry continues to suffer thestranglehold of patronage poli-tics in spite of the various effortson political education.

In their most recent statemententitled “Elections and the dutyof the Christian”, the bishopswarned voters against politicalpatronage, saying that “kapit

sa taas” should not be criterionfor their choice of local officials.

“We reject a government bypatronage,” read part of thestatement signed by ArchbishopSocrates Villegas, president of

the CBCP.

Common goodagle was among the speakers

of the two-day pastoral confer-ence held in Quezon City, wherehe also lashed out at politicianswho provide the needs of thecommunity, not out of charity,but to make the people beholdento them.

“here is a form of givingthat further enslaves the otherpeople,” he said. “Tey do notcontribute to the commongood.”

rue public servants, he said,are guided by real mission for thecommon good and are not tak-

ing advantage of their positions. And part of serving the com-mon good, he added, is invitingeveryone “to participate in theachievement of the commongood.”

“Are we truly serving, or arewe keeping people beholden tous?” agle asked.

A washbasin, towel and pitcher As the nat ion al ele cti on

is fast approaching, the car-dinal gave the audience anidea on what to give to poli-

ticians: “a washbasin, toweland pitcher”.

“When they ask, ‘What isthis?’ you say, ‘Read John 13,”agle said, referring to theclassic Biblical account

that demonstrated Jesus’leadership and practice.

agle said the teach-ings and life style of

Jesus are important inChristian life and inleadership.

“Tis environmentof common good willbe achieved if there isreal service for otherseven those who do not be-long to my group, even notto my persuasion,” he said.

Pride

agle then criticized politi-cians who have an excessivesense of self-importance,

saying they should“contem-p l a t ethe hu-

mility of a servant.”“Pride ruins leaders,” agle

said. “Pridesets me

above the others, even if it’s nottrue. I start thinking of myselfas better than the others.”

“Pride places ambition aheadof mission and people,” he alsosaid.

In May, the cardinal alsowarned the business sectoragainst making political dona-tions in its quest for immenseand big profit.

With only less than a year togo before the 2016 elections,he said that many businessmen

would attempt to buy influencewith political contributions.

“Please don’t tell me it’s al-truistic. It is giving so I couldget something in return,” aglesaid. “In fact, some give and thegiving violate the dignity of the

recipient.”

CARING for “wounded families” andpastoral care for homosexual persons areamong the topics that will tackled in aforum on marriage and family, with Manila

Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal agleamong the speakers.

Heads of family ministries of the differ-ent dioceses, pro-life advocates, and faith-based groups will convene at the CenturyPark Hotel in Manila on July 25 for amonumental conference, during whichsignificant issues facing the Church andFilipino families will be discussed.

Te so-called Marriage Encounter Na-

tional Congress is the country’s secondforum of its kind which seeks to formulatemotions for the two-week Synod of Bish-ops on the family at the Vatican in October.

Organized by the Marriage Encoun-ter Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.(MEFP), the forum will serve as a venuefor consensus-building on common maritaland family enrichment programs that canbe shared by faith-based orgnizations.

agle will deliver the keynote speech,while Lingayen-Dagupan ArchbishopSocrates Villegas, CBCP president, will be

Palliatives / A7Congregation / A7

Leaders / A7

M A T T P O P O V I C H

I L L U S T

R A T I O N B Y B R O T H E R S M A T I A S

Fr. Rudy Romano

palliative approaches inhelping the poor,” Palmasaid.

30th anniversary Te archbishop made

the statement in a letterinviting Cebu’s clergy,religious and seminariansto join a tribute for Ro-mano who disappearedthree decades ago.

Ceremonies will beheld on July 11, marking

Practice what you preach, Pope

encourages new archbishops, A1

B O N G P E N A S


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A2 CBCP Monitor July 6 - 19, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 14WORLD NEWS

Vatican Briefing Japanese Bishop Laments Country’s

Population Dropping to Dramatic LowsVAICAN CIY, July 3,2015—A Japanese Bishop is de-crying how his nation’s popula-tion is dropping to historic lows.

According to AsiaNews, Bish-op Isao Kikuchi of Niigata has

released a statement in which heexplains how the aging popula-tion is currently the most urgentproblem for the country, whichthreatens to collapse the pensionsystem and welfare.

his drama, he wrote, alsobrings another negative aspect:“An aging society and the dra-matic decline of the young popu-lation, which moves to big citieslike okyo, means the disappear-ance of local communities.”

he Church in Japan hassought to raise awareness among

Japanese residents. Te Bishops’Conference declared 2010 “Yearfor Life” and launched a series ofmedical and social initiatives in

favor of pregnancies.

Catholic media urged to unpack deeper meanings in pope’s sound bitesBUFFALO, N.Y., June 29, 2015—Catho-lic journalists could easily “remain on thesurface” when reporting on Pope Franciswith his great photo opportunities and“buzz-catching expressions,” but they needto take their coverage a step further, saidBasilian Father Tomas Rosica.

“Our work as Catholic media is notto remain on the surface but to go tothe deeper level of that story within thestory,” urged the priest, founding CEO ofCanada’s Salt and Light Catholic MediaFoundation.

Father Rosica was the keynote speaker June 26 at the Catholic Media Conference

in Buffalo. He also was the recipient of theClarion Award from the Catholic Academyof Communication Professionals, presented

June 25 at the organization’s Gabriel Awardsbanquet. Te award recognizes creativity,excellence and leadership in communica-tions and ecumenical cooperation.

Te priest, born in Rochester, got his journali sm start by writing a weekly sec-tion of the Courier-Journal daily newspa-per about Catholic school events.

In his address, he told Catholic mediarepresentatives about the pope’s recentheadline-making comments about howhe doesn’t watch television, have a laptopor an iPhone.

Tose remarks are not the end of thestory though and Father Rosica said theyshouldn’t suggest the pope has no interest

in modern technology.Te “pope is by no means a Luddite,”he said, noting that Pope Francis “under-stands what authentic communicationis all about” and demonstrates it in theways he connects with people and what he

wrote in “Laudato Si’” about how modernmedia can “shield us from direct contactwith the pain, the fears and the joys ofothers and the complexity of their personalexperiences.”

Father Rosica said the pope’s ecumenicaloutreaches often make for nice photos orquick headlines but also should be givena deeper look. He said although these“gestures are new and even disconcertingto some, the idea of growth in unity beingthe result of growth in fidelity to Christis not.”

Another key aspect of the pope’s minis-try—his calling together of the Synod of

Bishops on the family last October—wasalso reduced to sound bites, that at timeswere inaccurate, the priest said.

He told the group of journalists andmedia professionals that they may haveheard, read or even incorrectly reportedthat the synod was “about changing theteaching of the church on marriage, familylife or sexual morality. Tis is not true. Itwas about the pastoral care that the churchstrives to (give) people, the ‘motherly loveof the church,’ especially when facing dif-ficult moments and experiences in familylife.”

Father Rosica stressed that any reportsthat the synod “represented a defeat forPope Francis or that he was disappointedat its outcome” are totally false. At theend of the two weeks, the pope said the

gathering had been “a spiritual journey,not a debating chamber.”Te priest urged journalists to read the

text of the pope’s closing address at thesynod, which he said confirms the “storywithin the story” of the synod’s achieve-

ment.Father Rosica also drew attention to

the pope’s recent encyclical “Laudato Si,’”pointing out that “until now, the dialogueabout the environment has been framedmainly using political, scientific andeconomic language. Now, the language offaith enters the discussion.”

He said the document is “deeply un-comfortable” because it not only addressesclimate change but the “deeper tragedy ofhumanity itself.”

He also disagreed with those who arguethat the pope has no authority to speakon this issue, stressing that it builds on

Catholic social teaching. He also notedthat when journalists report on the encycli-cal, they need to present the “full picture”of the document which calls for a responseto the cry of the earth and the poor.

Father Rosica reminded members ofthe Catholic media that Pope Francis hasdeclared the upcoming year as a Year ofMercy, which means that the pope wantseveryone in the church to “open them-selves to God’s mercy and to find concrete ,creative ways to put mercy into practice.”

Te church can live out mercy when par-ishes reflect the image of church as “fieldhospital” that Pope Francis has used, butsuch work also can be done by membersof the Catholic media, he added.

“In this room, there are close to 300 fieldhospital workers ready for deployment,”

he said, urging them to recognize how theworld is in need of the pope’s “revolutionof tenderness, mercy and normalcy nowmore than ever before.”

“Be sure to tell that story to the world,”he told them. (CNS)

Sister Nirmala, former head of Missionaries of Charity, dies in India KOLKAA, India, June 23,2015—Catholics around theworld are mourning the deathof Sister Nirmala Joshi, whopassed away uesday. Sr. Nirmalahad succeeded Blessed eresaof Calcutta as superior generalof the Missionaries of Charity,serving in that capacity from1997 to 2009.

Sr. Nirmala, who was 81, hadsuffered ill health for some years,and was hospitalized and thenbrought home a few days ago,dying at a Missionaries of Char-ity home in Kolkata in the earlyhours of June 23.

“All people in India and es-pecially the Archdiocese of Cal-cutta is saddened with this greatloss of Sr. Nirmala Joshi, whowas very close and dear to us,” Fr.Dominic Gomes, vicar generalof the Archdiocese of Calcutta,told CNA.

“She was simple, humbleand emanated a strong spiri-tuality of faith,” Fr. Gomesadded. “Her exemplary life

was an inspiration to theyounger generation in the

congregation and to peoplearound the world.”

Te body of Sr. Nirmala is ly-ing in state at St John’s Churchin Kolkata’s Sealdah district, andwill be taken to the Missionariesof Charity’s Mother House inKolkata tomorrow. Te funeralMass will be said at 4 pm localtime on Wednesday, and theninterred at St. Johns cemetery.

Archbishop Tomas D’Souzaof Calcutta, who had visited Sr.Nirmala a fortnight ago whenshe had regained consciousness,has expressed his deep sadnessand grief at her death, saying,‘she was a great soul.”

He praised her work, notingthat “she never talked aboutherself; she was more abouthow to support peace, to behelpful to the poor … she hada deep union with Jesus and shewas a gentle apostle of peaceuntil the end.”

Sr. Nirmala was in born in1934 in Ranchi, capital of whatis now India’s Jharkhand state,

to a Hindu brahmin family fromNepal who were serving the

British during colonial rule. Hergiven name was Kusum, mean-ing “flower,” and she was theeldest sibling among eight girlsand two boys. Her early educa-tion was at Christian schools.

She was inspired by Mothereresa’s humanitarian work, andwas baptized. She later enteredthe Missionaries of Charity and

took the name Nirmala, mean-ing “purity” in Sanskrit. Shecompleted a master’s degree inpolitical science, and studied lawas well. In the 1970s, she becamehead of the congregation’s con-templative wing.

Sr. Nirmala was elected assuperior general of the congre-gation just a few months beforeMother eresa’s death in 1997,and pursued the founder’s causefor beatification.

During the Missionaries ofCharity’s general chapter in 2009she declined to remain headof the congregation, given herhealth issues. She was succeededby Sr. Mary Prema Pierick, who

remains superior general.Te Indian government has

recognized her work for the poorand for peace, granting her thePadma Vibhushan, the nation’ssecond highest civilian award,in 2009.

ributes and messages havestarted to flood social mediapraising her service to the poor.

Indian prime minister Nar-endra Modi was quick to tweet,

“Sister Nirmala’s life was devotedto service, caring for the poor &underprivileged. Saddened byher demise. May her soul restin peace.”

he opposition Congressleader Rahul Gandhi tweeted:“Extremely saddened at the pass-ing away of Sister Nirmala. Shecarried forward Mother eresa’swork with quiet dedication &dignity. She will be missed bythe countless whose lives shetouched.”

Te West Bengal chief min-ister Mamata Banerjee stated,“Saddened at the passing awayof Sister Nirmala, who headedthe Missionaries of Charity after

Mother eresa. Kolkata and theworld will miss her.” (CNA)

Nuns’ center in Cambodia lights up livesPHNOM PENH, July 3, 2015—Te Centerof Light and Mercy (CELAC) in Boeungumpon district of the Cambodian capitalPhnom Penh, has been living up to its namelighting up the lives of the disabled childrenfor almost two decades.

wo nuns set it up in 1997—Sister Danyof the Society of Jesus (SJ) and Sr. Mary Adelof the Providence of Portieux Sisters (PP).Tey started with three blind children whostayed at the centre and did their studies.

Later, in cooperation with Kruo Sar Tmeiorganization (new family) additional pro-

grammes were initiated so that the deaf andmute children could pursue studies.

oday the Center has 33 students fromfour different schools—Phnom Penh TmeiSchool for blind children, Chbar OmpovSchool for deaf and mute children, thechildren from the School of Smile and state-owned schools.

Te eight bishops of Cambodia and Laoshad visited CELAC in May during theEpiscopal Conference held in Pnom Penh.

he children at the centre performedEuropean-style dances and sang beautifulsongs to welcome the bishops. One of thebishops from Laos sang a Laotian song in

order to express his love for all the childrenat the centre.

Te bishops were shown the activities car-ried out by the centre. At the Center, blindchildren can learn the English language, us-ing the computer and music. Te deaf andmute children can also learn dances, foldingof papers into shapes of flowers, animals etc.

he Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh,Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusleur, said, “Allof us are really happy being here because attoday’s meeting we reflected on compassionand on how to share our sense of compas-sion. So far we have seen that the Center ofLight and Mercy shares compassion with the

children by helping and encouraging them.”(Catholic Cambodia/UCAN)

he results,however, arestill unsatisfac-tory. Focusingon their careers,many couples

prefer to wait be-yond the maxi-mum age to havea child. In addi-tion, a very highrate of suicideamong juvenilesand a overlyconsumerist so-cial policy makematters worse.

he J ap a -nese populationdropped for thesixth year in a rowin 2014 and reached historic lowsaccording to data from the nationalcensus. According to official data,the Japanese are now 12,616,0000:

in 2014, the total number dropped

by 271,058. Tis figure representsthe sharpest decline ever recordedin modern times.

Te statistics also show that

25.9% of the population are over

65. Government officials state itis the first time since 1968 thatthis sector of society has beenmore than a quarter of the total.

(Zenit)

Vatican’s communications secretariat prioritizes new mediaInternet content and video production will assume a greaterrole in Vatican communications in the years to come, suggeststhe establishment and, particularly, the leadership of the newlyestablished Secretariat for Communications. At the sametime, traditional media, such as the Vatican’s newspaper andradio, are likely to diminish in prominence. On June 27, Pope

Francis established the new secretariat via a motu proprio.From June 29, it will oversee the all of the Vatican’s com-munications offices, including Vatican Radio, L’OsservatoreRomano, the Vatican elevision Center, the Holy See PressOffice, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications,Vatican Internet Service, the Vatican ypography, the Photo-graph Service, and the Vatican publishing house. Each of theseoffices “must continue their own activities, in accordance,however, with the indications given by the Secretariat forCommunications.” (CNA)

Vatican official says ‘it’s time to act’ on protecting the environmentCardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State,has expressed his hope that Pope Francis’ recent environ-mental encyclical will have a strong impact on the UnitedNations’ three major gatherings this year, and will inspireglobal powers not only to talk, but to act. Te cardinalspoke to CNA July 2, saying he hopes the effect of the

encyclical on the U.N. meetings “will be especially concretein climate change impact.” “We have discussed a lot aboutthe problem of climate change; now it is time to act. Ithink this is exactly what the Pope is requesting from us,to act and to start to change our lifestyle to preserve ourcommon house which is the earth.” Te cardinal answeredreporters’ questions before addressing a Vatican conferencetitled: “People and Planet First: the Imperative to ChangeCourse.” (CNA)

Pope officially paves the way for Saint Therese’s parents tobe canonizedPope Francis formally approved on Saturday the decrees neces-sary for Blesseds Louis and Zelie Martin—known for beingthe parents of St. Terese of Lisieux—to be declared saintslater this year. Te two blessed will be the first couple ever tobe canonized at the same ceremony, which will be held Oct.18 in the Vatican. Te event will take place fewer than threeweeks after the Oct. 1 feast of their daughter, and doctor of

the Church, St. Terese of the Child Jesus. Te Roman Pontiffapproved the decrees for the Martins’ canonization duringa June 27 consistory of bishops at the Apostolic Palace. OnMarch 18, the Pope had recognized a miracle attributed tothe couple. (CNA)

Catholics and Orthodox should meet, cooperate more often,Pope exhortsGreeting a delegation of the leader of Eastern Orthodoxy onSaturday, Pope Francis voiced hope that Catholics and EasternOrthodox would encounter each other more often, so as toovercome prejudices. “I hope, therefore, that opportunitiesmay increase for meeting each other, for exchange and coop-eration among Catholic and Orthodox faithful, in such a waythat as we deepen our knowledge and esteem for one another,we may be able to overcome any prejudice and misunder-standing that may remain as a result of our long separation,”the Bishop of Rome said June 27 at the Vatican’s Apostolic

Palace. He was receiving representatives of Bartholomew I,Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who are in Rome toobserve the June 29 feast of Saints Peter and Paul, who weremartyred in the city and who are the principal patrons of theChurch of Rome. (CNA)

Cardinal sends Ramadan wishes to suffering Muslims, rebukesreligious violenceIn an oblique rebuke to the Islamic State and other militants,Cardinal Jean-Louis auran has wished Muslims a peacefu land joyful Ramadan and acknowledged the pain of thosewho have suffered or died because of violence. “With PopeFrancis, we wish you that the fruits of Ramadan and the

joy of Eid al-Fitr may bring about peace and prosperity,enhancing your human and spiritual growth,” Cardinalauran, president of the Pontifical Council for InterreligiousDialogue, said in a June 12 letter to Muslims. His remarksalluded to ongoing violence in the Middle East and else-where. He asked both Christians and Muslims to pray. “Our

prayer is much needed: for justice, for peace and security inthe world; for those who have deviated from the true pathof life and commit violence in the name of religion, so as toreturn to God and change life; for the poor and the sick,”said the French-born cardinal. (CNA)

Families need prayers, mercy, courage, including from Synod,pope saysEven if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic familywith problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible Godcould use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, PopeFrancis said. Encouraging and celebrating family life dur-ing a Mass July 6 in Guayaquil, Pope Francis asked peopleto pray for the October Synod of Bishops on the family,and he tied the synod to the Jubilee of Mercy, a yearlongcelebration that will begin in December. Te synod willbe a time for the church to “deepen her spiritual discern-ment and consider concrete solutions to the many difficult

and significant challenges facing families in our time,” thepope said. (CNS)

Alliances needed to fight global warming, poverty, say Vatican speakersDemocracy must return to politics and unusual alliances mustform in order to get the world to reduce greenhouse gas emis-sions and tackle poverty, said a panel of speakers attending aVatican conference. But as people band together for change,world leaders will have to commit to real binding action atupcoming global summits on climate change and develop-ment because “there is zero tolerance for yet another failurebeing dressed up as a success for the cameras,” said NaomiKlein, a Canadian social activist, author and filmmaker, whowas invited to speak at the Vatican. Te Pontifical Councilfor Justice and Peace, together with the international alli-ance of Catholic development agencies, CIDSE, presentedthe aims of a jointly sponsored meeting at a news conference

July 1. (CNS)

W W W . A S I A N E W S . I T


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A3CBCP Monitor July 6 - 19, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 14 NEWS FEATURES

Practice what you preach, Pope encourages new archbishopsVAICAN, June 29, 2015—During hisMass for the feast of Saints Peter andPaul on Monday, Pope Francis called onthe Church’s new archbishops to be cou-rageous witnesses who are not ashamedof Christ, and who are convinced bywhat they themselves teach.

“Kingdoms, peoples, cultures, na-tions, ideologies, powers have passed,

but the Church, founded on Christ,notwithstanding the many storms andour many sins, remains ever faithful tothe deposit of faith shown in service,”the Roman Pontiff said during thehomily for his June 29 Mass, addressingthe 46 new metropolitan archbishopsinstalled over the past year.

During the Papal Mass for SaintsPeter and Paul, the Bishop of Romebestows a vestment known as a palliumon the archbishops who have been in-stalled within the past year. Te pallium,a white woolen vestment worn aroundthe neck and above the chasuble, is asymbol of archbishops’ communionand close ties with the Church of Rome.

“oday there is no great need for mas-ters, but for courageous witnesses, who areconvinced and convincing; witnesses whoare not ashamed of the name of Christ andof his cross; not before the roaring lions,nor before the powers of this world.”

Te Pope added that, in being wit-nesses to the faith, archbishops shouldpractice what they preach.

“Te most effective and authenticwitness is one that does not contra-dict, by behavior and lifestyle, what ispreached with the word and taught toothers!”

Christians, turning to the day’s secondreading in which St. Paul speaks of Godrescuing him “from every evil.”

“How many forces in the courseof history have tried, and still do, todestroy the Church, from without aswell as within, but they themselves aredestroyed and the Church remains aliveand fruitful!”

Finally, Pope Francis spoke of howSaints Peter and Paul give Christianstoday the “call to witness” to the faith.

“A Church or a Christian who doesnot give witness is sterile; like a deadperson who thinks they are alive; like adried up tree that produces no fruit; anempty well that offers no water!”

Te Pope continued: “Te Churchhas overcome evil thanks to the coura-geous, concrete and humble witness ofher children.”

Pope Francis then turned to the arch-bishops, calling them to be “masters ofprayer,” “masters of faith,” and “menof witness.”

He explained to them the significanceof the palliums, saying: “It is a sign whichrepresents the sheep that the shepherdcarries on his shoulders as Christ theGood Shepherd does … a symbol of yourpastoral mission.”

“I wish to entrust you with this call toprayer, to faith and to witness.”

Pope Francis blessed the archbishops’palliums during Monday’s Mass; how-ever, the archbishops will be officiallyimposed with the vestments in theirrespective dioceses by the local apostolicnuncio, rather than by the Pope in theVatican. (CNA/EWN News)

Vatican City - May 30, 2015. Pope Francis met with a group of children who arrived at the Vatican aboard the “Children’s Train.” CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Drawing from the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, which recountsSt. Peter’s imprisonment, the Pope, notwishing “to dwell on these atrocious,inhuman and incomprehensible perse-cutions,” the likes of which still occurtoday, instead focused on the courageof the apostles and the early Christians.

“Tis courage carried forward thework of evangelisation, free of fearof death and martyrdom, within thesocial context of a pagan empire,” thePope said.

Pope Francis centered his homily onthree examples in the life of these earlyChristians and apostles—prayer, faith,and witness—which today’s Christians

are called to follow.First, the “call to prayer”: citing the

account of St. Peter’s imprisonment,and the Church’s “earnest prayer forhim,” the Roman Pontiff reflected onthe importance of persistent prayerwithin the Christian community.

“Te community of Peter and Paulteaches us that the Church at prayer isa Church on her feet, strong, movingforward! Indeed, a Christian who praysis a Christian who is protected, guardedand sustained, and above all, who isnever alone.”

Te Pope spoke of the angel rescuingSt. Peter from prison, as recounted in

Acts, and the “many times the Lord has

heard our prayer and sent us an angel”during difficult times.

“Who comes to snatch us from thehands of death and from the evil one;who points out the wrong path; whorekindles in us the flame of hope; whogives us tender comfort; who consolesour broken hearts; who awakens us fromour slumber to the world; or who simplytells us, ‘You are not alone’.”

“Prayer is the encounter with God,with God who never lets us down;with God who is faithful to his word;with God who does not abandon hischildren.”

Next, Pope Francis spoke on the “callto faith” demonstrated by the early

Evangelizing evangelicals – why Pope Francis loves to

meet with charismatic movementsVAICAN, July 3, 2015 -- Pope

Francis’ attendance for the secondconsecutive year at the Catholiccharismatic movement’s Re-newal with the Spirit convocationshows his attention to charismaticmovements as means to fosterecumenical path.

Not by chance, Renewal withthe Spirit styled the convocationto be heavily ecumenical.

During the meeting with PopeFrancis’ in St. Peter’s Square,prayers were raised by CardinalsKurt Koch and Leonardo Sandri,president of the Pontifical Coun-cil for the Promotion of ChristianUnity and Prefect of the Congre-gation for the Eastern Churches;the Anglican Archbishop DavidMoxon, who represents the Arch-bishop of Canterbury toward theHoly See; and Msgr. BarnabaEl Soryani, Coptic-OrthodoxBishop, as a delegate of TeodoreII, Patriarch of Alexandria.

Also present were Msgr. Athana-sisu Matti Shaba Matoka, Syriac-Catholic archbishop emeritus ofBaghdad; His Eminence Polycar-pus Eugenio Aydin, vicar of theSyriac-Orthodox diocese of theNetherlands; Rev. Louie Giglio,from the Passion City Church of

Atlanta; Jonas Jonsoon, from theLutheran Church of Sweden; andGiovanni raettino, president ofthe Evangelical Church for Rec-onciliation in Italy.

Tis varied presence aligns withPope Francis’ commitment toecumenism. Beyond the recentlyopened dialogue with Orthodoxand Anglican Churches, the Evan-gelical world is a big challenge forecumenism, and perhaps one ofthe most important ones.

Dialogue with evangelicalgroups, especially Pentecostals,has been called “the fourth ecu-menism” by several authors,

including the Catholic sociologist

Massimo Introvigne, an interna-tional authority on religious sects. According to Introvigne, the

fourth ecumenism – that of thenew Protestant sects born at thebeginning of the 20th century – isperhaps the most fruitful groundfor ecumenical dialogue.

Attempts at such dialogue havelimits: for example, a search forparties to represent the Pente-costals. Although they make upthree-quarters of Protestants insome parts of the world and asmuch as one-third of all Chris-tians, Pentecostals are very frag-mented. Te diversity within thegroup presents difficulties fordialogue.

Tis might be why Pope Fran-cis has chosen to foster dialoguespecifically with individuals andsmall groups.

On July 28, 2014, the Popepaid a private visit to the evan-gelical pastor Giovanni raettino’sChurch in Caserta. Te two hadmet in 2006 and have maintainedgood relations ever since.

Tat meeting came at the endof a series of meetings Pope Fran-cis had with evangelical leadersin 2014.

elevangelist Joel Osteen, pas-tor im immons and presidentof the Evangelical WestmontCollege Gayle D. Beebe visitedPope Francis June 4, 2014.

Pope Francis then met June 24

of that year with the televangelists James Robins and Kenneth Co-peland, with the bishop AnthonyPalmer of the Communion Evan-gelical Episcopal Churches, withthe spouses John and Carol Ar-nott from oronto and—amongothers—with Geoff unnicliffeand Brian C. Stiller, respectivelygeneral secretary and ambassadorof the World Evangelical Alliance.

According to the prominent

Italian vaticanista Sandro Magis-ter, through these meetings PopeFrancis is putting into action abroad effort to “win the favor ofthe worldwide leaders of those‘evangelical’ and Pentecostalmovements which especially inLatin America are the most fear-some competitor of the CatholicChurch, from which they aresnatching enormous masses ofthe faithful.”

Attending the Renewal withthe Spirit convocation is part ofthis effort. Pope Francis himselfacknowledged—during his tripback from World Youth Day inRio de Janeiro—that he used tolook at charismatic movementswith suspicion, and that he laterchanged his mind, and now hebelieves that “this movementdoes much good for the Churchoverall.”

Renewal with the Spirit presi-dent Salvatore Martinez, anacademic of music and musician,who has been committed to themovement since his youth, hadthe occasion to meet with PopeFrancis at the very beginning ofthe pontificate, after the Mass thePope celebrated in the Vaticanparish Sant’Anna March 17,2013, four days after his election.

After that, Martinez had a pri-vate meeting with Pope Francisin September 2013, and therethe invitation to the 2014 annual

convocation was forwarded di-rectly to the Pope, who accepted,probably considering it as a partof his ecumenical commitment.

Speaking in front of the con-vocation June 1, 2014, the Popevoiced hope that both evangelicaland Catholic charismatic groups,gathered in the InternationalCatholic Charismatic RenewalServices, would share the same

office as a sign of ecumenism.

Tey did it.Meeting with them Oct. 31,2014, the Pope praised the deci-sion, and stressed that “unity isnot uniformity… it does notmean doing everything together,nor thinking the same way, norlosing identity.”

Pope Francis went further. LastMay 23, he sent a video messageto the participants of the Dayof Dialogue and Prayer orga-nized by the Diocese of Phoenix,which gathered Catholics andevangelical Pentecostal pastors.In the message, the Pope askedthem to pray “together for thegrace of unity,” that unity that“is flourishing among us, andbegins with the only Baptism allof us received.”

All of these signals suggest thatPope Francis has indeed changedhis mind and, starting from aninitial skepticism, he later foundin charismatic movements a privi-leged path to seek ecumenism.

Tere could be another press-ing factor in the Pope’s enthusi-asm for such meetings—a wave ofconversions, particularly in Latin

America, where it is estimatedthat100 million Catholics haveconverted to evangelical Christi-anity. Now, it appears that PopeFrancis would like to evangelizethe evangelicals.

His spiritual ecumenism, put-ting prayer at the center, and even

making it a diplomatic tool, rep-resents the most logical meetingpoint with the Protestant world.

Attending a large Catholiccharismatic event could be thebridge the Pope needs to reach hisfinal goal, to turn the evangelicalsfrom rival to allies and push ecu-menical efforts forward. (CNAVatican Observer, Andrea Ga- gliarducci/CNA/EWN News)

Vatican official says ‘it’s time to

act’ on protecting the environment

VAICAN, July 3, 2015—Car-dinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s

Secretary of State, has expressedhis hope that Pope Francis’ re-cent environmental encyclicalwill have a strong impact on theUnited Nations’ three majorgatherings this year, and willinspire global powers not onlyto talk, but to act.

Te cardinal spoke to CNA July 2, saying he hopes the effectof the encyclical on the U.N.meetings “will be especially con-crete in climate change impact.”

“We have discussed a lot aboutthe problem of climate change;now it is time to act. I thinkthis is exactly what the Pope isrequesting from us, to act andto start to change our lifestyleto preserve our common housewhich is the earth.”

Te cardinal answered report-ers’ questions before addressinga Vatican conference titled:“People and Planet First: theImperative to Change Course.”

aking place in Rome July 2-3,the summit was organized by thePontifical Council for Justice andPeace, which prepared a first draftof Francis’ encyclical, alongsidethe Catholic International Coop-eration for Development and Sol-idarity, a network of 17 Catholicdevelopment agencies workingtogether for global justice.

Te goal of the conference isto use Laudato Si’ to influenceseveral major political gatherings

set to happen this year, includingkey U.N. conferences.

Amo ng them are the July13-16 Addis Ababa meeting onFinance and Development, theU.N. General Assembly to ap-prove Sustainable DevelopmentGoals in September, and Decem-ber’s COP 21 meeting in Paris toagree on a global climate deal.

Cardinal Parolin spoke onthe importance of Laudato Si’for the Church and the worldspecifically in light of 2015’s ma-

jor political events, but also theimpact it will have on the future.

He said that while the encycli-cal will certainly have an effecton this year’s events, “its breadth

and depth go well beyond itscontext in time.”he environment, the earth

and the climate “are a commonand collective good” which be-long to the whole of humanity,and as such are “the responsibil-ity of everyone,” the cardinalobserved.

He said both the technologicaland operative basis for promot-ing a more human and integralprogress are “already available orwithin our reach, and that theinternational community mustseize this great opportunity” tomove forward with develop-ment.

At the heart of this progress

lay the key objectives of allow-ing human dignity to flourish,

helping to eradicate poverty, andcountering environmental decay,

the cardinal continued.He then turned to the na-tional and local sphere of theclimate discussion, saying thatfrequently there are “too manyspecial interests, and economicinterests (too) easily end uptrumping the common goodand manipulating informationso that their own plans will notbe affected.”

Awareness among organiza-tions must be increased, he said,explaining that this is where theChurch’s social doctrine comesin as a point of reference on boththe dignity of the human personand the promotion of the com-mon good.

Te cardinal then reiteratedwhat Pope Francis said in hisencyclical about the role ofthe Church in the discussion,saying she “does not presumeto settle scientific questions orto replace politics,” but ratherbrings awareness of the needto “question the meaning andpurpose of all human activity.”

He said that when we thinkof what kind of world we wantto leave behind, it’s no longerenough to simply express concernfor future generations, but there isalso a need to see “that what is atstake is our own dignity.”

Our responsibility is to be“responsible for the responsibil-ity of the other,” the cardinal

stated, adding that our humanvocation to be protectors of theearth and the environment “isnot something optional.”

In his comments to CNA,Cardinal Parolin also spokeabout the Pope’s objectives forhis July 5-13 trip to the South

American nations of Ecuador,Bolivia, and Paraguay.

“As in all trips, the Pope goesto meet the Catholic community.Tis is his ministry as pastor ofthe universal Church, insertinghimself inside the pastoral andcatechetical paths that each (lo-cal) Church is pursuing,” he said.

Te cardinal also addressed theconcern of those who say the Pope

will use the trip to dip into localpolitics, such as the debate sur-rounding Bolivia’s access to the sea.

Distinguishing between “partygoals” and “political goals,” Car-dinal Parolin said that for PopeFrancis, political interests in histrips are understood in the senseof “the construction of the socialand political community.”

“On the part of Christiansthere is truly an action and con-tribution to help solve problemsthat they find in that regard,” hesaid, explaining that the Popeisn’t going to support any specificperson, but rather to promotepeace, reconciliation, and mate-rial and spiritual development.

(Elise Harris/Catholic News Agency)

ACLOBAN City, July 3, 2015—It ispossible to get angry and not sin.

Tis was what Palo Archbishop JohnForrosuelo Du told the faithful during

the pontifical concelebrated Mass on thefeast day of Señor Sto. Niño de aclobanon June 30.

Speaking in the vernacular, the prelatestressed, “Kasina, pero ayaw pakasala.”

“We can be angry but on the conditionthat is it is for the right reason, [havingthe] right [frame of] mind and even atthe right intensity,” he said, using Jesusas an example.

An angry Jesushe prelate explained there were in-

stances when Jesus was angry but also feltpity for those who were oppressed.

Du recounted how Jesus reprimandedhis disciples when they tried to keep thechildren away from him. He admonishedthem to allow the people to get close to

him. Accordin g to the prel ate, benev olent

‘Be angry but do not sin’ – prelate to faithful

Palo Archbishop John Forrosuelo Du (in the middle) EILEEN BALLESTEROS – NAZARENO

temper is one trait thatthe faithful should learnand embrace, especiallytowards the poor. “God

is just and defends thepoor,” Du said, reiterat-ing the common beliefthat God hears the cry ofthe poor.

‘Benevolent temper’He chal lenged the

people to examine them-selves and see if theyfeel Christ’s “benevolenttemper” whenever theysee the poor being oppressed and deprived.For the prelate, this is the essence of thetheme of this year’s feast of Señor Sto.Niño de acloban, that is “Look at Jesus:Do justice and kindness.”

In connection to this, Du called on thefaithful once more to support the program

he initiated to answer the need of the poor,the Sunday feeding program called “La

Mesa ni Marta.” As part of the said prog ram, each par ish

opens its doors to feed indigent individualson Sundays, following a Mass and cat-echism. Du shelled out Php 1 million fromhis personal account for this purpose, di-viding the amount among the 178 parishes

within the Archdiocese of Palo. (EileenBallesteros – Nazareno/CBCPNews)


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OVER 25 years ago, the CBCPcame out with a pastoral letter en-titled “What is happening to ourbeautiful land.” Tis was the firsttime that a bishops’ conference,anywhere in the world, addressedthe threat of environmentaldegradation and climate change.It called on the Church to takeaction to preserve the integrityof creation.

“As people of the covenant weare called to protect endangered

ecosystems, like our forests, man- groves, coral reefs and to establish just human communities in ourland. More and more we mustrecognize that the commitment towork for justice and to preserve the

integrity of creation are two insepa-rable dimension in our Christianvocation to work for the coming ofthe kingdom of God in our times.”

A year befo re the past ora lletter was drafted, the BasicEcclesial Communities (BECs)and Peoples’ Organization (Pag-bugtaw sa Kamatuoran) in SanFernando, Bukidnon successfullycampaigned against the loggingcompanies with the help of theScarboro Missionaries and the

Redemptorist Mission eam withthe support of Bishop GaudencioRosales and the local clergy. Poorfarmers and members of BECsbarricaded the highways withtheir bodies and did not allow

logging trucks to pass until the Aquino Government finally de-clared a total log ban in the prov-ince of Bukidnon. Te BECs andgrassroots communities enteredinto partnership with the De-partment of Energy and NaturalResources in implementing thelog ban and in the reforestationprogram. Around the same time,the townspeople and BECs ofMidsalip also carried out similaractions against logging companies

with the support of ColumbanMissionaries.Te CBCP pastoral letter cited

the various efforts of grassrootscommunities including the BECsof San Fernando and

Midsalip as signs of hope:We are also encouraged by the

growth in environmental awarenessamong many Filipinos. Small ef-

forts which teach contour plowing,erosion control, organic farmingand tree planting can blossom into amajor movement of genuine care forour Earth. We are happy that therehave been successes. Both Chicodam project was suspended and theBataan nuclear plant mothballedafter massive resistance. Tis year

the people of San Fernando, Bukid-non and Midsalip, Zamboanga delSur defended what remains of their

forest with their own bodies. At theSanta Cruz mission in South Co-

EDITORIAL

BY her special relationship with the Eucharist, Mary leads us toward thismost sublime Sacrament to find in it the source and goal of the Church’sevangelizing mission. AS in her virginal womb, the Son of God took onhuman nature that made him the Sacrament of the Father’s love, so inthe Eucharist, Christ continues to be Sacrament of the Father throughthe sacramentality of the Church—in the person of his minister, in theproclamation of the Word, in the assembly that prays and sings, butespecially in the Eucharistic Species.

Te Church can learn from the school of Mary, the “Woman of theEucharist,” the necessary and proper interior disposition to fruitfullycelebrate and live out the mysteries of redemption: attentive, contem-plative and active presence, generous concern for the rest of the worldand humanity, and openness to the eschatological fulfillment of all thathumanity hopes for. Mary exemplifies the Eucharistic worship thatseeks to be concretized in works of love and service and that opens thefaithful to eschatological hope. For to the Christian faithful at worship,Mary stands as model in listening to the Word and taking it to heart;in praising and thanking God who has done great favors to oneself

and to the rest of humankind; in bringing Christ and his gifts of joyand salvation to all that one meets, in praying and interceding for theneeds of all, in nourishing the life of grace which one receives throughthe Sacraments, in offering oneself in union with Christ’s offering ofhimself to the Father, in imploring the coming of the Lord, and in inwaiting for it with vigilance. (Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship,Orientations and Proposals for the Celebration of the Marian Year 1987-1988 , 3 April 1987).

“Do whatever he tells you!” With these words Mary continues totell her Son’s Church to take heed of his bidding to do what he didat the Last Supper and on Calvary “in memory of him.” But she alsosummons the Church to commitment to this most sublime mysteryby her quiet but active engagement in its apostolic mission. She waswith the apostles of her Son as they awaited in constant prayer (Cf. Act 1:14) the coming of the Holy Spirit he promised them to be theireacher and Guide in their mission (Cf. Jn 14:16-17; Jn 16:13-14).She must have been with the first general of Christians who devotedthemselves to “the breaking of the bread” (Acts 2:42). She continuesto be present, with the Church and as the Mother of the Church, ateach of our celebrations of the Eucharist. Te Church, therefore, neverceases to ask for the her prayer (at the Confiteor) and to honor her (inthe Eucharistic Prayer) for it is fitting that “the Eucharist, being the mostsublime celebration of the mysteries of salvation worked by God throughChrist in the Holy Spirit, must necessarily recall the Holy Mother ofthe Savior united indissolubly to these mysteries.” (Cf. Congregationof the Divine Worship, Orientations, cit, 19).

Finally, with Mary, the Church sings the Eucharist as her Magnificat,recalling the wonders worked by God in salvation history in fulfillmentof the promise once made to the fathers, proclaiming the wondrousmysteries of Christ’s redemptive Incarnation, Death and Resurrection,and awaiting the eschatological hope of glory.

-- From the Teological and Pastoral Reflections in preparation forthe 51st International Eucharistic Congress

HE president of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops(USCCB), Archbishop Joseph Kurtz called the US Supreme Courtruling on marriage “a tragic error.” On the morning of June 26, 2015,the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a 5-4 decisionestablishing the legal right of two individuals of the same sex to legallymarry in all 50 states of North America.

It was victory for the LGB and their supporters. But the CatholicChurch in the US immediately rose in protest. “Regardless of what anarrow majority of the Supreme Court may declare at this momentin history, the nature of the human person and marriage remains un-changed and unchangeable….it is profoundly immoral and unjust forthe government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitutea marriage,” contested the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, Archbishop Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky.

While calling for continued pastoral care for homosexual persons,the bishop of yler in East exas, Most Rev. Joseph Strickland, issued astrong pastoral statement on the very day the Supreme Court releasedits contentious decision. Short of calling for civil disobedience, he said“Given this and recognizing my responsibility and moral authority asthe shepherd of this Church of yler, I will shortly issue a decree inthis Diocese establishing, as a particular law, that no member of theclergy or any person acting as employee of the Church may in any wayparticipate in the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages,and that no Catholic facilities or properties, including churches, chapels,meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, orany places dedicated or consecrated, or use of Catholic worship, maybe used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.”

Like the many Catholic bishops in the U.S., the bishop of Lafayettein Louisiana, Bishop Michael Jarrell instructed all Catholics under hiscare not to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on gay “marriage.”He said, “Let me state this very plainly that no human court has theauthority to change what God has written into the law of creation.Te ruling is irreconcilable with the nature and definition of marriageas established by Divine Law…I realize that this ruling will create con-science problems for many Catholics, especially those in public office.In some cases, civil disobedience may be a proper response.”

It has been said rather flippantly that whenever the United Statessneezes, other countries get cold. Well, there were pockets of jubila-tion and rallies, too, in this country following the U.S Supreme Courtdecision on “gay marriage”. But well meaning Catholics in this partof the world will fight tooth and nail before the local Legislature or thelocal Supreme Court starts to ape the Americans.

Mary and the Eucharist in the

Church’s Mission

‘A tragic error’

OPINION

More amusedthan pained

Fr. Roy Cimagala

Candidly Speaking

MonitorPROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE CBCP

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I L L U S T R A T I O N B Y B L A D I M E R U S I

Clerico-penal disciplinein the ChurchOscar V. Cruz, D.D.

Views and Points

Along the Way / A6

I is not a secret but neither is it a well-known fact that the Church all over theworld has her own Penal Law in order todiscipline the erring members of her ownclergy—noting well that the term “clerics”include not only deacons and priests but alsobishops, archbishops, and cardinals. Te saidPenal Law which is basically about the im-

position of disciplinary punishments is butan explicit and official admission on the partof the Church that though gifted with holi-ness as a whole, the universal ecclesiasticalcommunity nevertheless has certain clerics ormembers of the Clergy who for one reasonor another violate any of the commandmentsof God and/or the mandates of Church Lawwith duly appended penal sanctions whendisobeyed.

It can be said that among the more knownclerical errant acts, those against continenceand/or contrary to celibacy, are their morecommonly known moral aberrations. Amongmany other obligations, clerics are bound toabstain from carnal acts (Violation of Cleri-cal Continence), and from conjugal ventures

(Violation of Clerical Celibacy). And amongthe grave penalties for such serious misdeedsis dismissal from the clerical state of the clericconcerned. In short, it means that the indi-vidual concerned is punished by his manda-tory expulsion from the ranks of the clergy.

Wherefore, the same individual may no longerexercise valid and licit ministerial acts.

Recently however, Pope Francis formallymade a new normative penal provision thatis both relevant and impressive. Te saidprovision is clearly intended to emphasizemore not only the ethical but also the moralimperative of having disciplined clericalauthorities in the Church. In the past, itwas the standard practice that priests whoerr by commission against continence and/or celibacy are penalized. And rightly so.But now, the Pope himself made a signalcategorical option that is duly translatedinto an official penal provision specificallyin conjunction with bishops.

In so many words, while bishops remainsubject to penal sanctions when they them-selves engage in immoral acts, now Pope

Francis issued the new official penal provi-sion that bishops are now likewise subject topenal sanctions when they fail to do what isright specifically in conjunction with erringmembers of the clergy under their respectiveterritorial jurisdictions. So it is that now,bishops incur the pertinent ecclesiasticalpenalty not only for doing wrong themselves

but also for not doing what is right as far asthe members of their respective clergy areconcerned.

Reason: When bishops do not correctthe erring members of their clergy, this isa sin of omission which can readily havethe following negative effects: First, it canscandalize the lay faithful in their respec-tive ecclesiastical jurisdictions who look upto their priests with respect and reverence.Second, it can scandalize the other membersof their own clergy who are living theircommitment according to their best. Tird,it can scandalize the seminarians who aretaught about the dignity of the priesthoodthat they have to live by when ordained aspriests themselves.

I, OF COURSE, was pained when I learnedabout the US Supreme Court decision onthe so-called “same-sex marriage” (SSM).But as I started going through the pertinentarticles, including parts of the decision,

sorry, but I started also getting more amusedthan pained.

I am now more convinced that this so-called landmark event will not take off andfly. It may appear as a big, whopping successto those who favor it, but that victory canonly be at best Pyrrhic and very subjective,vibrant only in the mind and heart of itssupporters. It’s a victory in fantasy land.

Why so? Simply because it is mainly basedon the very flimsy argument of “equality,”“equal protection,” “equal right.” It is likesaying that any opinion, position, prefer-ence, view, lifestyle, sexual orientation, etc.,do have the same moment and value.

Equality here is taken to mean unifor-mity, and the tolerance that it is expectedto foster is completely detached from anyobjective standard outside of a purely

subjective one. In this regard, no one talksanymore about what is right and wrong,

what is natural and unnatural. It simplydepends on a subjective ground that cangain some weight if a consensus of somesort is achieved.

If a couple of the same sex wants to live

together, they are always free to do so. Iam not aware of any law prohibiting themto do so, nor throwing them into prison,except perhaps in some ultra-conservativecountries.

But it’s another story when with its le-galization, its proponents start to redefinemarriage, altering the nature of marriage,and nullifying what US Chief Justice JohnRoberts as the “millennia” behind the insti-tution of marriage understood as betweenone man and one woman.

Tese are his words: “Te court invali-dates the marriage laws of more than halfthe states and orders the transformationof a social institution that has formed thebasis of human society for millennia, for theKalahari Bushmen and the Han Chinese,the Carthaginians and the Aztecs...Just who

do we think we are?”I completely agree with him when he said:

“If you are among the many Americans—ofwhatever sexual orientation—who favorexpanding same-sex marriage, by all meanscelebrate today’s decision.

Celebrate the achievement of a desired

goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a newexpression of commitment to a partner.Celebrate the availability of new benefits.But do not celebrate the Constitution. Ithad nothing to do with it.”

And if I may add, much less has it any-thing to do with the nature of marriage.Marriage is not a political animal that canbe defined simply by a certain consensusof the people. It’s about a lifelong com-mitment of love, of total self-giving thatinvolves the use of the body, i.e., sex. It hasits own nature and law, quite independentof how we understand it.

As such it has to be stable and indissolu-ble until death, exclusive, between one manand one woman, and always open to life. Alove that involves sex has these properties.

And since we are humans who are free, it

is a love that requires them.

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD

Along the Way

Candidly Speaking / A7

The Philippine Church’sEnvironmental Advocacy


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A5CBCP Monitor July 6 - 19, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 14 OPINION

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

Duc In Altum Robert Z. Cortes

Commentary

So what if the BBL isConstitutional?

Prayer Heals

SEVERAL events are happening in the coun-try which need to be looked at, studied care-fully and reflect on by us as vigilant citizensof this country, especially with the nationalelection is fast approaching on May 09, 2016;we need to seriously consider the persons we

would elect in the government.Let us be vigilant and aware of our rightsand obligations as Filipino citizens and asCatholics.

Foremost is what I call the “re-registration”as a voter. I am a registered voter since Ivoted in the last election, the barangay elec-tion. However, the Comelec or the Com-mission on Election announced that weneed to register again. According to reports,more than 7 million registered voters willbe barred from voting in the 2016 local andnational elections if they fail to submit theirbiometrics data to the Comelec. Registeredvoters without biometrics could have votedin 2013 and 2010, but still would not beable to vote in 2016 without biometrics.Voters registration will be up to Oct. 31,2015, Sunday to Tursday, from 8a.m. to5p.m. Better go to your local Comelec officeand re-register.

“Biometrics refers to the registrant’s pic-ture, fingerprint, and signature recorded by acomputer during the registration period.” Tisdata is supposed to purge multiple registrantsfrom the final voters’ list.

***Te second important thing that we need

to be vigilant about are the DEAH billsalready filed in the House of Representativesand the Senate which would legalize divorce,euthanasia or mercy killing, abortion, totalpopulation control, and homosexual unionsor same sex marriage.

Te U.S. Supreme Court recently issued itsdecision that it is unconstitutional (under theU.S. Constitution) to ban same sex marriage.

Te CBCP President Socrates “Soc” Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan statedin his circular that “Te Church continues tomaintain what it has always taught. Marriageis a permanent union of man and woman, inthe complementarity of the sexes and the mutual

fulfilment that the union of a man and a womanbring into the loftiness of the matrimonial bond.If there is an undeniable difference between manand woman, there is also an undeniable differencebetween the permanent union of a man and awoman x x x We will continue to teach the sonsand daughters of the Church that marriage, trans-

formed by Te Lord Jesus and by His Church intoa sacrament—a means by which the Risen Lordencounters his people—is an indissoluble bond ofman and woman.” (Underscoring supplied).

***Tird, on amending the economic provisions

of the Constitution. he proponents of theamendment stated that “the restrictive provisionslimiting foreign participation in the Philippineeconomy have in fact been prejudicial to economic

growth. Foreign investment and the infusion of for-eign capital into the country have been held at bayby what some characterize as the unduly stringent

provisions of the Constitution.” Clearly paraphrased, one of the most

important economic provision in the Con-stitution which the legislators want amendedis the one which prohibits foreign corpora-tions from purchasing parcels of lands inthe Philippines. Tis provision has been inthe 1935 Constitution and reiterated in thesucceeding 1973 and 1987 Constitutionunder the presidency of Ferdinand Marcosand Corazon Aquino. Te framers of thesetwo Constitutions had one purpose in statingthese restrictions: to preserve the wealth andresources of the country for our countrymen.

It is a known fact that our country wassecond to Japan in economic prosperity inthe late 1950s and early 1960s, when the

U.S. dollar to Philippine peso conversionrate was US$1.00 to P2.00. Our country’seconomy was doing good until the 1970sonwards. Why is our economy going down?

Your answer is as good as mine.Granting foreign corporations the right to

purchase parcels of land in the Philippineswill result in giving all our land to foreignerswho have all the money in the world to buyall the available land in the country, in theend, leaving nothing to Filipinos because mostFilipinos cannot afford to buy even a plot ofresidential land.

In his circular on the subject, again CBCPpresident Archbishop Soc commented:“While amendments having to do with the formof government are matters that we, your bishops,leave to politicians and to their discernment,

proposed amendments in respect to economic provisions bear directly on issues of social justice.Te social encyclicals of the Church bear witnessto the fact that the Church has always consideredsocial justice an area of her competence andsolicitude.”

Archbishop Soc urged competent Catholiclay persons to study and provide clear answersto the following questions: “(1) What do we,as a nation, stand to gain from relaxing the

provisions now deemed restrictive? (2) How arewe assured that the resources of the country, bothnatural and human, benefit Filipino nationals

principally?(3) What are the human, social andenvironmental costs of lifting present limits to

foreign participation in Philippine economicand business affairs?”

*** We would like to greet Fr. Rey Amante,

Fr. Cristopher ibong,OFM, and Fr. An-tonio Nopasa of the Diocese of Kalookana Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary. HappyBirthday to my niece, Mary GretchenRosales-Castro, daughter of my Ate VioletaSantiago-Rosales.

P.O.G.I. (Presence Of God Inside) Rev. Fr. Alan Gozo Bondoc, SVD

Collection Box Fr. Jerome Secillano, MPA

Let us be Vigilant

HEY always say that when you throw inten lawyers to interpret a law, you basicallyget ten different interpretations. It is anexaggeration for some, but definitely truefor others. On the Constitutionality of theBangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) for example, itis rather difficult whom to believe and whatto accept as our country’s legal luminariesgive practically contrasting opinions onthe matter. As a consolation though, theseso-called legal experts’ procrastinations willhardly matter as it is the Supreme Court,with all its sitting Justices, that will rule onthe issue.

Te High Court’s ruling, if that happens,certainly does not speak of the absolutetruth. While we presume the objectivity of

our Justices, it cannot be denied that theCourt simply adopts the decision of themajority even if the other Justices do notagree to it. In short, numbers do not guar-antee the truth.

Assuming, for the sake of argument, thatthe BBL hurdles these Constitutional issues,will it guarantee peace or bring about devel-opments in Mindanao? Tose supportive ofthe measure already admitted that it won’tbut curiously, they continue to push for itspassage. Te Constitutionality of the BBL,to say the least, merely assures us that ourhonorable lawmakers are “wise” enough tocraft a law that is not illegal. Anything morethan that is suspect. Te BBL, especially inits present form, is not a panacea to all thatis bad in Mindanao.

Why our lawmakers continue to simply

focus on the BBL’s Constitutionality is per-plexing. Why the debates do not dwell on

the more practical issues like its effectivenessto combat the problems in Mindanao or itsresponsiveness to the needs of Mindanaoansis baffling. President Pnoy and the supportersof the measure continue to harp on givingpeace a chance as if those not in favor of theBBL are not for peace. What we are hearingfrom the President and his blind followers aremotherhood statements for peace, ironically,they themselves admitted that the measuredoes not guarantee such. Is it not logicalto say, then, that those who are against themeasure but continue to look for betteralternatives are the ones genuinely for peace?

If the President will be so hard-headed asto force the approval of the measure by usingthe powers and resources of the government,

it will greatly help him if the BBL will bethoroughly studied and analyzed based onthe following criteria:

Effectiveness refers to whether a policyalternative results in the achievement of a val-ued outcome of action, that is, an objective.(William N. Dunn, Public Policy Analysis,p.224). Already they say that the BBL, atleast in its present form, does not guaranteepeace in Mindanao. Why don’t they refine itso that it may contain pertinent provisionsthat will effectively lead to peace and takeaway provisions that will only cause moreproblems later?

Efficiency refers to the amount of effortrequired to produce a given level of effec-tiveness. It is synonymous with economicrationality and it is the relationship betweeneffectiveness and effort with the latter often

measured in terms of monetary costs. Policiesthat achieve the greatest effectiveness at the

least cost are said to be efficient. (Dunn, p.224) How do you think the BBL will fareagainst this criterion? It was already revealedthat billions of pesos will be poured in Min-danao from the annual block grant, sharesin taxes from cultivating the region’s naturalresources and other income. How sure arewe that those who will be elected leaders ofthe Bangsamoro will be less callous than theirpredecessors in the Autonomous Region ofMuslim Mindanao (ARMM)? Do they reallyneed such a big amount of money to be ableto bring about development in the region?

Equity is closely related with legal and so-cial rationality and refers to the distributionof effects and effort among different groupsin society. It asks, “How can a policy maxi-

mize the welfare of society and not just thewelfare of particular individuals or groups”?(Dunn, p. 228) Under the BBL, we ask, “Isthe welfare of the Moro Islamic LiberationFront (MILF) the same as those of the In-digenous Peoples (IPs) in the region, of theChristian minorities and of the other rebelgroups like the Moro National LiberationFront (MNLF) or the Abu Sayyaf? Obviouslynot! But the government dealt exclusivelywith the MILF and appears headed to alwaysacquiesce to the latter’s demands withouteven seriously considering the sentiments ofother stakeholders in the region. Under thesecircumstances, is the government workingfor the welfare of the nation or merely forsomebody else’s interests?

Responsiveness refers to the extent thata policy satisfies the needs, preferences or

values of particular groups. Tis criterion is

AS I write this reflection, myearthly father is in the IntensiveCare Unit of a hospital witha fifty-fifty chance to live. HisDoctor did not advise us to havemy father undergo two majoroperations: one on the rightside of his brain and second,his heart, only half of which ispumping. Given that my fatheris 71-years old, the doctor saidthese major operations will notguarantee his full recovery. Heended by telling us, “Just prayfor a miracle.” Upon hearing thedoctor’s explanation and adviceto pray for miracle, I realized thatmy father’s situation is already ahopeless case.

I administered the Sacramentof the Anointing of the Sick.

As I prayed over him, I felt like Abraham standing in front of analtar with Isaac whom he is aboutto offer to God. My heart is soheavy and I feel so much pain as I

look at my father. I feel the pain,so painful that my heart wants toburst. All I want to do is cry outto God, to ask him to take mylife instead of my father’s.

I pray not for healing for myfather but stronger faith for himand especially for me and the restof the family to embrace the willof God. I do not want to test thepower of God, instead I want tolove Him more. I do not wantto question His Will, instead Iwant to answer His call even Icannot understand His will andplan. Mother Mary was right inanswering the Will of God bysaying, “Be it done to me accord-ing to Your Word.” She did notsay, “Be it done according to myown way, to my own will, andto my own plan.” In her wordsof prayer, she gave God the wayand space to work as He willedin her life. It was a prayer of selfsurrender. Her fiat is her faith

that God is in control. He knowswhat is best and knows how itcan be done. He knows betterthan I do.

ruly, when I cannot under-stand why such painful thingshappen in my life... I just needto let God do His work and carryout His will. I prayed a prayerof surrender for my father. ForI believe it is the most powerfulprayer of all. Surrendering doesnot mean I lose my hope or Irefuse to believe in the possibilityof a miracle. Surrendering meanstotal trust; it is a form of trulyloving God.

Letting go does not meanlesser love. But it is instead, thegreatest gesture of true love. EvenGod let go of His Son by givingHim to the world. Praying formy father a prayer of surrenderincreased and strengthened myfaith in God even more whoknows what is good and right for

me and the entire family. Teseare the words I told Him: “God,we belong to you, in life and indeath. I believe in the resurrec-tion as the fullness of life in You.Do as You will. I believe in Your

Will. My love for You will notchange. My faith in You will notlessen. I love my earthly fatherbut You love Him more. Do as

You wi ll for You know betterthan I do.

After five days in the IntensiveCare Unit, the doctor visitedus and whispered these words,“Your prayers are powerful; Godheard them because now yourfather can leave the IntensiveCare Unit.” Our family wasinstantly rejuvenated upon hear-ing the news. Our prayers wereheard and granted. Our prayersdid not only heal my father butmost especially, it healed our re-lationships in the family. Prayertruly heals.

#LoveWins,Human Society Loses

BY now no one has not seen those rainbow-colored #LoveWinsmemes. Or those rainbow-colored hearts that witter tacked on tothe hashtag to celebrate the victory of same-sex marriage in the Landof the Free.

Yet there was neither victory for love and marriage, nor victory for America in the Scotus decision. What that 5-4 Supreme Court decisiondid, in the words of marriage scholar and author Dr. Ryan Anderson,was “to short-circuit the democratic process… to put a stop to thenational discussion we were having about the future of marriage.” Forthis, the decision meant a supreme loss for human society.

Why so? First, because in place of a sturdy and obvious definitionthat has served civilization well since the dawn of human history,

the majority has replaced it with their own veneer and traditionlessdefinition of marriage and a confused idea of marital love. And that, ac-cording to Chief Justice Roberts, without “even a pretense of humility.”

I certainly do not want to demean the love that exists between thehomosexual couples who have sought, in the words of Justice Ken-

nedy, simply “to find (marriage’s) fulfillment for themselves… not tobe condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’soldest institutions.” Yet, we know that ardent longings for fulfillmentare not enough to change the nature and purpose of marriage. Indeed,

longings cannot change the nature of anything. And homosexual love, no matter how noble it may be, no matter

how eternal it possibly could, indeed, no matter how desirous ofmarriage it is, simply is not and cannot be marital love. It may be areflection of a human being’s basic need, but the fulfillment of thatneed in the homosexual person is not homosexual “marriage”. Tisis not dictated by bigotry; this is dictated by the nature and purposeof marriage.

Whatever that fulfillment may be, it should be admitted, is some-thing

that still needs to be truly discerned. It is something that needs tobe pinned down and specified soon. In fact, expediting the processto do that may be the positive thing that will come out of this wholeexperience. Tis demands a sincere effort from everyone in society interms of honest research and open discussion. But what is evident isthat it is not to force the lie that in marriage biological complementaritydoes not matter, and that “mothers and fathers are interchangeable.”

Marital love is “the fullness of self-surrender, the completeness ofpersonal commitment” manifested by a total openness to the begetting

and raising of children. Tis means that marital love, although an endin itself, really does have a purpose: to stabilize marriage for the sake ofthe children. Marriage, in the words of Chief Justice Roberts, “arosein the nature of things to meet a vital need: ensuring that children areconceived by a mother and father committed to raising

them in the stable conditions of a lifelong relationship.”Marriage, then, demands complementarity all the way down to the

biological, because it is there for the purpose of first begetting, thenstably raising, children as far as it is possible. Te so-called “personalcomplementarity” proposed by Catholic theologians Michael G.Lawler and odd A. Salzman to justify gay marriage just doesn’t makethe cut. Above all because it is bogus: personal complementarity oughtto include biological complementarity. Human persons are, after all,bodies as well as spirits.

Sadly, instead of correctly and truthfully interpreting the naturallaw and the Constitution, as proper Supreme Court Justices ought todo, the sentimental reasoning of the majority limited them instead topropping up wounded self-esteem or helping seemingly hapless peoplefind their way out of a lonely wood. Indeed, for a while, reading Justice

Kennedy’s words, I thought I was reading a Hollywood script.But what’s worse about the majority’s decision is not that it’s going to inspire a host of movies with this theme next Oscar season. It’

that it has replaced America’s strong democratic pillars—marriageand authentic democratic processes—with a “wobbly stick of a socialexperiment.” As a consequence, hatred and chaos loom somewhereover the rainbow. Where’s victory there for America?

Justice Alito wrote that the decision “will be used to vilify Americanswho are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.” Indeed, we knowthis is already happening. Te day after the decision, one tweet fromStevie J West read “I have never seen hatred like the kind spewed fromthe frothing mouths of the ‘tolerant’ left. #LoveWins unless you dareto disagree.”

And the hatred will not end with speech. Indeed it hasn’t and hadn’t,even way before the decision came out. People who hold deeplyseated beliefs about marriage as it was always been understood havebeen litigated, summoned to courts, sacked from jobs, kicked out ofschool, and unjustly fined simply for living out a reasonable beliefsupported by more than 2,000 years of history. Moreover, despitetraditional marriage believers doing them good service, the “tolerantleft” would even demand from them not to express their beliefs intheir own business premises.

Marriage perversion will follow. Ethicist Christian Brugger wroteas early as two years ago that “if we concede this type of Orwellianpower to change meaning, then the possibilities for future redefini-tion remain open-ended.” And now it has come true. Hardly had theSupreme Court come out when promoters of legalized polygamy aregleefully rubbing their hands in preparation for assault. And after this,Brugger adds, marriage will go “beyond adults, and beyond humans.If we think otherwise, we’re naïve.”

Further, the “pot of golden marriage equality” at the end of therainbow will not bring peace even to the LGB community. Chief

Justice Roberts warns, “Tere will be consequences to shutting downthe political process on an issue of such profound public significance.’Closing debate tends to close minds. People denied a voice are lesslikely to accept the ruling of a court on an issue that does not seemto be the sort of thing courts usually decide.”

Even considering just these points, this much is clear: Americahas lost in this decision. And because much of the world looks up

to America and its model of democratic process, human society haslost as well.

It is thus imperative that America find its way back to enshriningboth the truth of marriage and the truth of its democratic process, soit becomes once again the beacon it has been to the world.

Just don’t expect Justice Kennedy to lead the way. For he said themarriage “institution—even as confined to opposite-sex relations—hasevolved over time”; yet if you ask him where it’s evolving to, it’s a surebet he can’t tell you. Tankfully, there are, I believe, enough Americansof goodwill to lead and even more to actually make this happen –notwithout shedding blood, sweat, and tears.

As for the rest of the world who are just about ready to spring andfollow America’s lead down this slippery slope, please. If only for thesake of leaving our societies a sane and orderly place for ourselves andfor our children, let’s not do anything rash. Please pause and thinka bit more.

Don’t follow America. In this decision, she is mistaken.

(Robert Z. Cortes is a PhD student in Social Institutional Communica-

tion at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce, Rome. He has an M.A.in Ed. Leadership from Columbia University, N.Y.)Collection Box / A6


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A6 CBCP Monitor July 6 - 19, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 14LOCAL NEWS

Pope grants indulgence for venerating Perpetual Help icon

FILIPINO Cathol ics , es-pecially Marian devotees,have an entire year all tothemselves in order to availof a plenary indulgence PopeFrancis granted recently tothose who venerate the iconof Our Mother of PerpetualHelp, dubbed the “Icon ofLove”, at her shrine in Ba-claran or any other churchesrun by the Redemptorists.

‘Icon of Love’ According to the Redemp-

torist International website,the Holy Father offered thisopportunity to all Catholicswho want the temporal punish-ment due to their sins remittedin keeping with the celebrationof 150 years since Pope PiusIX placed the much-belovedpicture in the care of the Con-

gregation of the Most HolyRedeemer (C.Ss.R.).

It reads, “he indulgenceis available to all who make apilgrimage, between the 27th

June 2015 and 27th June 2016,to the Church of St. Alphonsus[Maria de Liguori] in Rome orin any Redemptorist churchanywhere in the world to vener-ate the icon of Our Mother ofPerpetual Help.”

Indulgence As usua l, the ple nary in -

dulgence can only be hadprovided pilgrims meet theseconditions: the celebration ofthe sacrament of reconcilia-

tion, Eucharistic communion;prayer for the intentions of the

Holy Father; the visit shouldconclude with the recitationof the Our Father; the Creedand prayers to Our BlessedMother.

he Code of Canon Law(Can. 992) and the Catechismof the Catholic Church (n.1471) define an indulgenceas a “remission before Godof the temporal punishmentdue to sins whose gui

Documents

CBCP Monitor Vol. 19 No. 14