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By Roy Lagarde

The Catholic hierarchyhas renewed its call forthe care of the coun-

try’s most vulnerable,encouraging families tobuild their lives on hu-mility and compassion.

In a pastoral exhortation, theCatholic Bishops’ Conference ofthe Philippines (CBCP) urged thefaithful to “kneel down” before thepoor families.

CBCP president ArchbishopSocrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said kneeling downdoes not just mean seeking mercyfor their sins but is also a gestureof compassion “for our fellowwounded sinners.”

“We kneel down be-fore the poor wehave ignored,”Villegas said.

MonitorVOLUME 19NUMBER 24PHP20.00

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

November 23 -December 6, 2015

CBCPMONITOR.COM CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWO

CBCP

Thousands togather in prayerfor peacefulresolution of PH-China sea row

HOUSANDS of studentsacross Palawan province willtake part in a day of prayer onDec. 2 for the peaceful reso-lution of disputes in the WestPhilippine Sea next week.

Organizers of the prayergathering to held at the Puer-to Princesa City’s SportsComplex said it is vital topray for peace as tensionsaround the strategic water-ways mount.

“It’s going to be a prayerof the rosary and the target isto gather 16,000 participantswho are mostly studentsfrom different colleges anduniversities,” Puerto Princ-esa Bishop Pedro Arigo toldRadio Veritas.

He said the gatheringalso aims to raise awarenessamong the people about theissue and the current situa-tion in the contested territo-ries, which Beijing refers toas South China Sea.

Prayer, A6

• A3 -Vaticanmonitoring situationin Central Africa butpope plans to visit

WHAT’S INSIDE

• B1 - Jubilee ofblessings, missionof renewal

50 years after Vatican II, PH BECs

still a ‘work in progress’ – priest FIF Y years after the Second VaticanCouncil (Vatican II) ushered in an eraof renewal, a priest admits the country’sBasic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) con-tinue to face challenges as members heedthe call for a “new way of being Church.”

‘Ongoing journey’“Tey have already emerged in most

dioceses and parishes, but the realizationof the vision of a Renewed Church in Vati-can II and PCP II in the BECs remainsan ongoing journey,” bemoans Fr. AmadoL. Picardal, C.Ss.R, executive secretary ofthe Catholic Bishops’ Conference of thePhilippines (CBCP)’s Episcopal Commit-tee on BECs, in his paper “Basic EcclesialCommunities oday.”

Representatives of BECs from 75 arch/dioceses in Luzon, Visayas, and Mind-anao are in Metro Manila from Nov. 11until Nov. 14 for the 3rd National BEC Assembly in Paco, Manila, where they

Cardinal Tagle elected tonew synod councilCARDINAL Luis Antonio agle of Ma-nila was again elected to a 15-membercouncil of cardinals and bishops to pre-pare for the next synod.

welve members of the ordinary coun-cil of the Synod of Bishops were electedby the synod father at the end of the Oct.4 to 15 assembly at the Vatican.

Tey will assist current synod SecretaryGeneral Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri andUndersecretary Bishop Fabio Fabene in theirworks until the next assembly of the synodof bishops, an advisory body of the Pope.

Synod follow-upTe new council, made public by the

Vatican last Saturday, is signicant be-cause these prelates will also coordinatethe follow-up to the synod on the family.

According to the Catholic News Service,the body is composed of members whotook “strongly divergent positions” at thesynod particularly on giving communionto divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.

Te council is composed of a perma-

nent secretary general and undersecretaryas well as 15 members— three from eachcontinent with Asia and Oceania countedas one— and three papal appointees.

Council of cardinals Asi de fro m Cardinal agle , tho se

Put a ‘human face’ on theeconomy, APEC leaders urged

A PHILIPPINE cardinal ca lledon leaders of Asia-Pacific na-tions meeting in Manila thisweek to push for an economyguided not only by marketforces but a lso by humanvalues.

Cardinal Orlando Quaevedo

of the Cotabato diocese saidglobal leaders must never lose

sight of ordinary and poorpeople as they make economi cpolicies and market dynamics.

Citing a pastoral exhorta-tion of the Catholic Bishops’Conference of the Philippinesin July 1998, the cardinal saidthe current global economy

should have a human face.

Bishops decry ‘slow justice’ for Maguindanaomassacre victims CA HOLIC bishops fromMindanao decried the slow

pace of Maguindanao massacrecase that left 58 people dead,including 32 journalists, sixyears ago.

Bishops Martin Jumoad ofIsabela and Dinualdo Gutierrezof Marbel said a lot needs to bedone to eliminate delays in the justice delivery system.

“Te wheels of justice [are]very slow,” Bishop Jumoadlamented.

Acc ording to Gut ierrez ,the “inefficient” justice sys-tem and the government’slack of political continue tolet suspected massacre mas-terminds and other criminalsoff the hook.

It has been six years but the

Basilan prelate called on thefaithful not to get tired of seek-

ing for justice for the victimsin what is touted as the worstrecorded attack on journaliststhe world has known.

“Let us continue our advo-cacy for justice and peace sothat justice will prevail. Let’snot be discouraged,” stressed Jumoad.

he National Union of Journa li st s of th e Phil ip -pines also lamented how thegovernment is not makingprogress in securing convic-tions for the killings.

“Six years after Ampatuan,six years of continued impu-nity, six years of unfulfilledpromises and broken dreams,”

it said.(CBCP News)

Witnessing attracts more vocations

A CA H OLIC pri est can notrecommend enough the power of“attractive witnessing” when invit-ing people, especially the youth, toconsider a life entirely consecratedto God.

“ oday, attraction plays a veryimportant role to young people. Itis an action and power of incitinginterest. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ‘was very clear’ in saying theChurch grows by ‘attraction,’

that people are drawn to Christ’slove manifest in the spiritual and

charitable works of his followers,says Fr. Richie Gomez, vocationdirector of the Missionaries ofthe Sacred Heart (MSC), in anemailed reection.

‘How do I attract with my witness?’In line with this, he calls on fel-

low priests and religious involvedin the vocation ministry to askthemselves the question: “How doI attract with my witness?”

Quoting Pope Francis, Gomez

Synod, A6 BECs, A6

APEC, A7 Vocations, A7

Church to Catholics:‘Kneel before the poor’

Kneel, A7

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, reminded delegates of the ongoingNational Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Assembly about their role as “catalysts of change” at SanFernando de Dilao Parish in Paco.ROY LAGARDE

Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle of Manila.CNA

A private motorist near the intersection of MIA Road and Quirino Avenue in Parañaque Cityoffers a woman who wears what appears to be a hijab (Muslim headscarf) a ride to herdestination after countless are stranded because of APEC rerouting. RAYMOND A. SEBASTIÁN

READY FOR IEC. The 26,000-sq.m. International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavilion in the San Carlos Seminarycompound in Mabolo, Cebu City was opened to the public for the rst time during the turnover ceremony held onNov. 21. The photos show the interior and exterior views of the pavilion which has a seating capacity of 12,000for IEC delegates from across the globe. IEC will be held on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016. SAMMY NAVAJA

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

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A2 CBCP MonitorNovember 23 - December 6, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 24WORLD NEWS

Vatican BriefingPope sends condolences after deadly terrorist attack in MaliPope Francis condemned the “senseless violence” of Friday’s ter-rorist attack on a hotel which killed at least 22 people in Mali,and prayed for the “conversion of hearts.” Te Pope was “ap-palled by this senseless violence,” and “strongly condemns it,”reads the telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State PietroParolin, according to Vatican Radio’s translation from French.

“Te Pope implores God for the conversion of hearts and the giftof peace, and invokes abundance of Divine blessings on all thoseaffected by this tragedy.” Te Nov. 20 attack saw gunmen enterthe Radisson Blu Hotel in the Malian capital of Bamako.(CNA)

Vatican charges five in leak of confidential docsTe Vatican has formally indicted ve people for the recent leakand dissemination of private nancial documents, including twoformer members of a Holy See commission and two journalists. A Nov. 21 communique from the Vatican announced that theve would stand trial for the “unlawful disclosure of condentialinformation and documents.” Tose being charged are SpanishMsgr. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda, Italian PR woman FrancescaChaouqui, Nicola Maio (Vallejo’s secretary), and journalistsGianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi. (CNA)

Eat with your family, not with your smartphone, Pope saysFor Pope Francis the dinner table is a key place to strengthenfamily bonds and foster a sense of “togetherness,” which he said

can often be thwarted by an excess attachment to technology. “Afamily that almost never eats together, or that never speaks at thetable but looks at the television or the smartphone, is hardly afamily,” the Pope said Nov. 11. “When children at the table areattached to the computer or the phone and don’t listen to eachother, this is not a family, this is a pensioner!” Francis spoke tothe thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience.(CNA)

Vatican clarifies Mother Teresa canonization reportDespite rumors that a date has been set for Mother eresa’s can-onization, the Holy See Press Office told CNA Wednesday thatthe cause for sainthood has not concluded, and no date has beenofficially set. Fr Ciro Benedettini, vice director at the Holy SeePress Office, conrmed to CNA that there is “a project, a studybeing carried out” on the potential future canonization of BlessedMother eresa. However, he said, there is nothing juridical inplace yet, as the setting of a date would require the sainthoodcause to be concluded and the Pope to give his consent.(CNA)

Pope encourages Church in Slovakia to welcome migrantsSpeaking to the Slovak bishops who were in Rome for theirve-yearly ad limina visit, Pope Francis reminded them that theChurch is called to welcome immigrants and to reach out to‘the other’, including by ministering particularly to the Romanipeople. With globalization, he said Nov. 12, “at times we perceivethreats to less populous nations, but at the same time elementsthat can offer new opportunities. One opportunity, which hasbecome a sign of the times, is the phenomenon of migration,which demands to be understood and confronted with sensitivityand a sense of justice.” “Te Church is required to proclaim andbear witness to the welcome of the migrant in a spirit of charityand respect for the dignity of the human person, in the contextof the necessary observance of the law.”(CNA)

Education is too selective, elitist, pope saysTe educational alliance among families, schools and states isbroken, causing a serious situation that leads to selecting to

educate only “supermen” chosen solely based on intelligenceor wealth, Pope Francis said. “Behind this, there is always theghost of money -- always,” he said. Education has become“too selective and elitist. It seems that only those people orpersons who are at a certain level or have a certain capacityhave the right to an education.” Te pope held an impromptuquestion-and-answer session Nov. 21 during an audience withmore than 2,000 participants in a conference marking the 50thanniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration onChristian Education and the 25th anniversary of “Ex CordeEcclesiae,” St. John Paul II’s apostolic const itution on Catholicuniversities.(CNS)

Vatican monitoring situation in Central Africa, but pope plansto visitDespite the ongoing violence in the Central Africa Republic,Pope Francis wants to visit the country Nov. 29-30, plans for thevisit are in place, and the security situation is being monitored,the Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, the

spokesman, told reporters Nov. 19 that nothing had happenedto change those plans. Te Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, hesaid, obviously led to heightened security measures at the Vatican-- “I would not deny that” -- but they have had no bearing onthe decision to visit the Central African Republic where peoplehave been dying in civil strife for years and where Catholic,Protestant and Muslim leaders have worked and continue towork for peace.(CNS)

Pope highlights need to address impact pollution has onhuman healthPope Francis encouraged greater attention to those whosehealth is affected by environmental degradation and pollution.He said he meets so many sick people, especially children,during his weekly general audience or on a parish visit, whoare afflicted with a rare disease that doctors can’t explain.“Tese rare diseases are the consequences of the illnesses weinict on the env ironment. Tis is serious,” he said Nov. 19.Te pope was speaking to hundreds of scientists, health care

professionals, theologians, diplomats and other experts takingpart in an international conference sponsored by the Ponti-cal Council for Health Care Ministry. Te conference, Nov.19-21, discussed the culture of “health and welcoming” inserving humanity and the planet.(CNS)

Laity are disciples, not ‘second-class members’ of church,pope saysLaypeople are not second-class members at the service of thechurch hierarchy, but are disciples of Christ called to “enlivenevery environment, every activity and every human relationshipaccording to the Gospel,” Pope Francis said. Te pope sent amessage Nov. 10 to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of thePontical Council for the Laity, and participants of a workshopmarking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’sDecree on the Apostolate of the Laity, which dened the role,vocation and mission of laypeople in the Catholic Church. Inhis message, the pope said that the Second Vatican Council didnot just highlight the importance of the laity in the church, but

dened their role as a vocation.(CNS)

Paris archbishop: When the painis too great, we cling to GodPARIS, France, Nov 18, 2015--Ina Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral,the archbishop of Paris said thatdespite the uncertainty and griefsurrounding the terrorist attacksin the city last week, God is thesource of strength and hope.

“It’s an understatement to saythat the savage killings of thisblack Friday have plunged entirefamilies into deep distress,” Car-dinal André Vingt- rois reectedin his Nov. 15 homily. “And thisanxiety is all the more profoundwhen there aren’t any rationalexplanations that would justify theindiscriminate execution of dozensof people they didn’t even know.”

When the pain and confusionbecome too great to bear, the car-dinal asked, “Who can we turn toin this trial?”

He proposed that there areultimately only two options: the“tranquilizers” of this world or “theGod of life.

Te Mass at Notre Dame was of-fered for the victims of the Nov. 13 at-tacks in Paris. At least 129 people died--and over 300 more were injured--ina series of bombings and shootingsthroughout the city. ISIS has claimedresponsibility for the attacks.

Cardinal Vingt- rois reectedon how “the Christian faith can be

of some help to us in the confusionthat has fallen upon us.”

In addition to the pain and un-answered questions surroundingthe attacks themselves, he said, theatrocity of Nov. 13 reminds all themourning people of France andthe whole world of the “inescap-able reality” that “whether close orfar off…our existence is marked bydeath. We can try to forget it, getaround it, to want to soften andlighten it, but it’s there.”

“We don’t know the day orthe hour of our own end, and

not knowing this troubles a lotof people. But we all see--andwhat happened this week re-minds us cruelly, that death’s worknever ends and sometimes strikesblindly.”

While it may not be possibleto fully understand the evil thathappens in this life, believers canhold on to hope and bear witnessto it as they comfort the suffering,Cardinal Vingt- rois said.

Strength in face of these trials,he explained, “comes from ourcondence in God and our ability

to rely on him.”“So we can’t allow ourselves to

be stopped by the misfortunes oflife or the suffering that we’re en-during, as if this had no meaning.Trough them, we can discoverthat God is knocking on our doorand wants to call us again to life,and open up to us the ways oflife,” he said.

“Tis condence in God is alight on the journey of life,” thecardinal said, encouraging thosegathered to “put our trust in God,who is the God of life.”(CNA)

Five religions in Thailand send powerfulmessage to people of ParisBANGKOK, Nov. 21, 2015--Uniting withother major faith groups at an interreligious‘March for Peace,’ Tai Catholics on Tursdayoffered prayers for the victims of the recentterrorist attacks in Paris.

“Te world is tired of hatred and hungersfor peace,” Monsignor VissanuTanya-Anantold CNA.

“Tis peace march, a symbol of solidaritywith prayers for the victims, is also a chanceto show that all religions can live and workharmoniously together and work for the goodof the society and country as good citizens,”he said.

Msgr. Vissanu serves as deputy secretary-general for the Tai bishops’ conference.He formerly worked as undersecretary ofthe Pontifical Council for InterreligiousDialogue.

On Nov. 19, he joined Bishop Joseph Chu-sakSirisut of NakhonRatchasima in leadingthe Catholic delegation priests, religious anda group of school children at the peace marchin front of the French embassy.

Te march was held to offer prayer and soli-darity following the Nov. 13 terrorist attacksthroughout the city of Paris, France. ISIS hasclaimed responsibility for the attacks, whichleft 129 dead and more than 300 injured.

Tailand’s ve major religious groups wereall represented at the event. Members of theBuddhist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu andSikh communities each offered prayers fromtheir own faith tradition and signed a bookof condolences.

Bishop Chusak, who is the head of theTai Catholic bishops’ office for interreligiousdialogue, led the Catholic portion of the

prayer service.Muslim leaders at the march voiced their

pain and anguish at the news of terrorist at-

tacks and rejected the idea that their religioncondones violence.Te religious leaders also presented French

ambassador Gilles Garachon with a jointstatement that read, “We join in prayer forthe dead, the injured, and the families af-fected by this tragedy. May the Merciful Almighty grant the victims eternal rest andoffer consolation and hope to the injured andtheir families.”

“Our march for peace today is a symbolof the unity of the ve major religious tradi-tions in Tailand. ogether we implore the Almighty above to inspire and strengthen usfor the building of peace.”

“Violence resolves nothing, and we vig-orously condemn every act of violenceperpetrated in the name of religion,” theycontinued. “We invite all to join hands with

us to build a sustainable peace through justice,solidarity, and non-discrimination with regard

to nationality, religion, caste and color.”

Msgr. Vissanu stressed that the CatholicChurch is very close to the victims of suffeing, persecution and calamity.

Pointing to the Holy Father’s continued ap-peals for peace, he said, “We are inspired antake heed of the teachings of Pope Francis…tseek paths for resolving conicts and to worfor building peace and dialogue.”

He also emphasized that his a joint responsibility, saying, “We need the cooperationand goodwill of every responsible citizen tuphold the fundamental rights and dignity oevery human person.”

he monsignor recalled the Bangkokbombing in August that killed 20 people andinjured 125.

“Te world stood united in solidarity andprayer with hailand,” he reflected, “andnow it is also our reciprocal duty to pray

for others…during this difficult moment ogrief.”(CNA)

Preschooler whose ‘celebration of Mass’ went viral dies of cancerSAO PAULO, Brazil, Nov 20,2015--A young Brazilian boywhose solemn reenactment of theMass drew hordes of online traffichas passed away after nearly twoyears of battling an aggressive formof cancer.

Rafael Freitas, age 4, loved topretend to celebrate Mass. He saidhe wanted to be Pope someday.

On Nov. 14, he passed away,according to his family.

In a Facebook post reectingon his life, his father Randersson

cited the Psalms: “You show methe path of life. In your pres-ence there is fullness of joy; inyour right hand are pleasuresforevermore.”

Last year, a video of Rafaelpretending to celebrate Mass wentviral, receiving hundreds of thou-sands of views. Te boy, then 3years old, was receiving treatmentat a children’s cancer hospital inSao Paulo, Brazil.

Randersson said that the boywould invite all the patients atthe hospital to the common areato attend his “Mass.”

According to the diocese ofBarretos, Rafael was in his hometown of Conceição das Pedras a

time between treatments.“ here, after seeing his fam-

ily and spending a few weeks athome, he had to be hospitalizedin a neighboring city,” where hepassed away shortly after 8:00 pmSaturday, the diocese said.

His parents said that he devel-oped a devotion to the Mass froman early age.

“When he started walking justafter he turned one year old, Rafaelstarted imitating the priest everytime we went to Mass. When thepriest raised up the chalice, hewould raise up his little cup in

the pew,” Randersson told CNAseveral months ago.

In early 2014, doctors toldRafael’s parents that the little boywas suffering from a stage 4 formof childhood cancer that affectsthe nervous system and the bones.

Rafael received chemotherapyin March 2014 at Children’s Hos-pital in the city of Barretos, butdoctors said there was no hope hewould recover.

Once at the hospital chapelwhere Rafael attends Mass with hisparents, the boy asked the chaplainfor a peculiar gift: a paten, the

small golden plate used at Mass tohold the Host. Te priest gave him

one and also gave him a small tu-nic and stole made just to t him.

“Te priest thought Rafael’s re-quest was so beautiful that he gavehim a whole set of unused liturgi-cal objects. Te day he receivedthem he must have celebrated 300hundred Masses,” his father joked.“He was still ‘celebrating’ Mass a11 o’clock that night.”

His father said it was “the bestgift” his son could have received.

“We (his mother and I) areextraordinary ministers of the

Eucharist and we strive to attendMass every day,” Randersson saidTe burial for Rafael took place

Nov. 15 at Conceição das Pedras. After saying goodbye to their

son, Rafael’s parents decided todonate their little boy’s belongingto children’s institutions.

Tey hope that this can be onemore way for their young son totouch the lives of others.

Earlier this year, Randerssontold CNA that “every day whenRafael is asleep we pray for himand consecrate his life to God,we ask that he can fulll the mis-sion that Jesus has for him. Andas his name Rafael means God’smedicine, we pray that that he

can cure people from the absenceof God.”(CNA)

Bishop Joseph Chusak (5-R) at the Interreligious Peace March for victims of the Paris attacks in Thailand on November19, 2015. MONSIGNOR VISSANU/CBCT.

Memorial for Paris attacks at Bataclan Theater, Paris. FREDERIC LEGRAND-COMEO

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Vatican monitoring situation in Central Africabut pope plans to visitVA ICAN, Nov. 19, 2015--Despite theongoing violence in the Central AfricaRepublic, Pope Francis wants to visit thecountry Nov. 29-30, plans for the visit arein place, and the security situation is beingmonitored, the Vatican spokesman said.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, thespokesman, told reporters Nov. 19 thatnothing had happened to change thoseplans.

Te Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, hesaid, obviously led to heightened securitymeasures at the Vatican—“I would notdeny that” —but they have had no bear-

ing on the decision to visit the Central African Republic where people have beendying in civil strife for years and whereCatholic, Protestant and Muslim leadershave worked and continue to work forpeace.

Domenico Giani, the head of Vaticansecurity, will leave for Africa before thepope goes Nov. 25, Father Lombardi said.He will visit the Central African Republicand make a nal security assessment.

Before arriving in the Central AfricanRepublic, Pope Francis is scheduled tovisit Kenya Nov. 25-27 and Uganda Nov.

27-29. It will be Pope Francis’ rst evervisit to Africa, Father Lombardi said.

“Te pope wants to go to the Central African Republic. Te plan continues tobe to go to the Central Afr ican Republic. We are all working in that direction. And,like any wise person would do, we aremonitoring the situation,” Father Lom-bardi said. “As things stand now, we planto go to Central Africa.”

Te country has been the scene of vio-lence and upheaval since 2013. Althoughreligious leaders insist the conict is politi-cal and ethnic, the ghting has divided the

country on religious lines—with mostlyMuslim rebel forces battling mainlyChristian militias. Despite the presenceof U.N. peacekeeping troops, the violenceincreased in September and October.

Pope Francis’ plan to visit a mosquein Bangui, the capital of Central AfricanRepublic, may take on more signicanceglobally in the wake of the Paris attacks,Father Lombardi said, but the visit wason the papal itinerary long before theattacks. “I do not think his message willchange, although how it is perceived”could change because of Paris.

It also is foreseen that Pope Francis wiluse an open popemobile in Central Afri-can Republic, just like he will in Kenyaand Uganda, the spokesman said.

A reporter asked Father Lombardi ifit was true that the Vatican had orderedboth a white and a black bulletproof vestfor the pope to wear in Central AfricanRepublic. “Tis is the rst I’ve heard ofit,” the spokesman responded. “It wouldbe odd, though, to ride around in an openpopemobile but wear a bulletproof vest.I hadn’t heard this and I don’t believe it.”(Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service)

If miracle approved, Blessed Teresa couldbe canonized Sept. 4 VA ICAN, Nov. 20, 2015--TeVatican calendar for the Year ofMercy deliberately set aside Sept.4, 2016, as a possible date for thecanonization of Blessed eresa ofKolkata, if her sainthood cause isconcluded by then.

he canonization would becelebrated by Pope Francis in St.Peter’s Square at the end of a three-day pilgrimage of people who, likeBlessed eresa was, are engaged incorporal works of mercy.

“Sept. 4 is a hypothesis or planwithin the calendar for the jubileeyear,” Jesuit Father Federico Lom-bardi, Vatican spokesman, toldCatholic News Service Nov. 19.

Te Italian news agency AGI re-ported Nov. 18 that a panel of physi-cians convoked by the Congregationfor Saints’ Causes agreed there wasno medical or natural explanationfor the recovery of a Brazilian mansuffering from multiple brain tu-mors. His healing after prayers forthe intercession of Blessed eresawas submitted as the miracle neededfor her canonization.

Father Lombardi urged cau-tion, however. “ he process isstill underway and official com-munications will be given at theappropriate time.”

Members of the Congrega-tion for Saints’ Causes still must

A mosaic of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Tirana, Albania. The founder of the Missionaries of Charityis a native of Albania.CNA

review the physicians’ reporton the healing. If the membershave no further questions, PopeFrancis would be asked to issue adecree recognizing the healing asa miracle worked by God throughthe intercession of Mother eresa.

Wit h the decree, the popewould survey the world’s cardinals

and set a date for a consistory ofcardinals who live in or couldcome to Rome for the occasion.Tey would be asked to recom-mend the pope canonize Blessed

eresa; if the pope agrees, hewould set the date for the cer-emony.

AGI had reported the likely date

of the canonization would be Sept.5 — Mother eresa’s feast dayand the anniversary of her death.However, Sept. 5 is a Mondayin 2016 and Father Lombardisaid the canonization would nottake place on a Monday. (CindyWooden/Catholic News Service)

Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilicauncovered as Jubilee nears

VA ICAN, Nov. 19, 2015--Hid-den since the Jubilee of 2000, theHoly Door in St. Peter’s Basilicawas revealed uesday as the brick

wall covering it was removed inanticipation of the Holy Year ofMercy launching next month.

Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica,led a special “recognitio” ceremo-ny, culminating in the removal ofthe brick wall.

According to a Nov. 17 com-muniqué from the Vatican, afterthe cardinal presided over a pro-cession and brief prayer service,workers began to remove the wallbrick by brick, beginning withthe extraction of a small zinc boxcontaining mementos from the Jubilee of 2000.

Opened with a type of blow-torch, the box held several docu-

ments of certification for theclosure of the Holy Door in 2000.It also held the keys with whichPope Francis will open it Dec.8 – the Feast of the ImmaculateConception – when this year’sExtraordinary Jubilee of Mercyofficially begins.

Also inside the box were theparchment deed for the previous jubilee, a few bricks and severalcommemorative medals.

Te box’s contents were entrust-ed to the Master of Ceremonies forSt. Peter’s Basilica, Msgr. GuidoMarini, who was also present forthe “recognitio” ceremony. Ad-ditionally, Archbishop Rino Fisi-chella, President of the Pontical

Council for the Promotion of theNew Evangelization, was also inattendance.

Each of the four major basilicasin Rome has a holy door, whichare normally sealed shut fromthe inside so that they cannotbe opened. he doors are onlyopened during jubilee years sothat pilgrims can enter throughthem in order to gain the plenaryindulgence that is connected withthe jubilee.

Holy Doors in Rome’s othermajor basilica’s will be openedthroughout the Jubilee year. St. John Lateran’s door will open Dec.13, St. Mary Major’s Jan. 1, 2016,and St. Paul Outside the Walls willopen Jan. 26, 2016.

Te rite of the opening of theHoly Door is intended to sym-bolically illustrate the idea thatthe Church’s faithful are offered an

“extraordinary path” toward salva-tion during the time of jubilee.One of the novelties for the

upcoming Jubilee of Mercy is thatfor the rst time Holy Doors willbe designated in every diocesethroughout the world.

For the rst time holy doors willbe designated in dioceses, and willbe located either in the cathedral,in a church of special signicanceor a shrine of particular impor-tance for pilgrimages.

Tough the Jubilee for Mercydoesn’t begin until Dec. 8, PopeFrancis announced his intentionto open the Holy Door in theCentral African Republic’s capital10 days early, during his Nov. 25-

30 visit to the African continent.In his Nov. 1 Angelus address,Francis said that he would jump-start the Jubilee by opening thediocese of Bangui’s Holy Doorwhile in the Central AfricanRepublic, as a sign of prayerand solidarity for the war-tornnation.

Francis also spoke of the signi-cance of the Holy Door during hisNov. 18 general audience. Sittingin front the St. Peter’s Basilica,where he will open the Holy Doorin just three weeks, he described itas the “great door of God’s Mercy.”

“On the threshold of the Year ofMercy, I want to reect today on themeaning of the Holy Door,” he said.

“It’s a door that opens in the Churchin order to reach out to those whofor many reasons are far away.”

He said that families are also in-vited to open their doors “to meet Jesus, who waits for us patiently,and wants to bring us his blessingand friendship.”

“A Church that is not hospitableor a family closed in on itselfwould be a terrible reality thatmorties the Gospel and makesthe world more arid,” he said.

Te jubilee was announced byPope Francis during a March 13penitential service, the secondanniversary of his papal election.It will close Nov. 20, 2016, the So-lemnity of Christ the King.(EliseHarris/CNA/EWTN News)

The Holy Door unveiling at the Recognitio ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica on November17, 2015. L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO.

Latest Ratzinger Prizes highlight Lebanese andBrazilian gifts to theologyVA ICAN, Nov. 18, 2015--A Brazilian priestand a Lebanese scholar were awarded on Mon-day the 2015 Ratzinger Prizes, in recognitionof their work in theology.

“With these two gures, the list of theo-logians who have deservedly received theRatzinger Prizes is further enriched not onlyquantitatively, but also qualitatively,” Arch-bishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.J.,secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrineof the Faith, said Nov. 16.

Te two honorees were announced during apress conference at the Holy See Press Office.

Professor Nabil el-Khoury, 74, is a professorof philosophy and literature at the Lebanese

University of Beirut and the University of ub-ingen in Germany. He has translated the entireworks of Joseph Ratzinger into Arabic, and hasbeen involved in many theological projectsand has authored numerous academic articles.

Father Mario de França Miranda, S.J., 79,is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He joined theSociety of Jesus in 1955, and is a past memberof the International Teological Commission.He has written many articles and 14 books,and has contributed to 31 other books. He hasalso served on the editorial boards of severalmagazines.

He has taught at the Pontical Catholic Uni-versity of Rio de Janeiro and at the Society of Jesus’ Faculty of Teology in Belo Horizonte,Brazil. He has collaborated with both Brazil’sbishops’ conference and the Latin AmericanEpiscopal Conference.

he Ratzinger Prize was begun in 2011

to recognize scholarswhose work demon-strates a meaning-ful contribution totheology in the spiritof Cardinal JosephRatzinger, the Bavar-ian theologian whobecame Benedict XVI. he pr ize isawarded by the Ratz-inger Foundation,which was foundedin 2010 with Bene-dict XVI’s approval

to study and promotehis writings as a theo-logian, as a cardinalin charge of the Vati-can’s Congregation ofthe Doctrine of the Faith, and as Pope.

Archbishop Ladaria noted that this year’shonorees represent Latin American and EasternCatholicism.

He said Latin America has given the Churchits rst non-European Pope in modern times,through whom the Church “has offered a newand very eloquent proof of its catholicity.” Healso cited St. John Paul II’s emphasis on theimportance of the Eastern Catholic Churches,and the need for the Church to “breathe withboth lungs,” east and west, with “greater mu-tual knowledge of these two great traditions.”

Te archbishop is a member of the RatzingerFoundation’s scientic committee.

Mgr. Giuseppe A. Scotti, the RatzingerFoundation president, said the foundationworks to create “a future where man andGod are capable of a full and constructivedialogue, capable of giving life to man andthe world.”

Past Ratzinger Prize honorees includeUniversity of Notre Dame theology professorFather Brian Edward Daley, S.J., French layphilosopher Remi Brague, Italian patristicsscholar Manlio Simonetti, Anglican professorRichard Burridge of King’s College London,German theology professor Christian Schaller,French scripture professor Anne-Marie Pel-letier, and Polish biblical scholar Monsignor Waldemar Chrostowski.(CNA/EWTN News)

Bishop’s reminder: Recognize Jesus as King PARAÑAQUE City, Nov. 22,2015--A member of the Philip-pine episcopate reminded thefaithful on Saturday, the eve ofthe Solemnity of Christ the King,to imitate Jesus and to acknowl-edge His reign always for themto gain eternal life.

“Let us follow Christ, His ex-ample. Let us proclaim His reignand work hard to extend His king-dom of justice, peace, love, andforgiveness,” stressed new AntipoloCoadjutor Bishop Francisco M.

de Leon in a homily for the Masshe presided over at the CathedralParish of St. Andrew in La Huerta,Parañaque, his hometown.

Beyond procession According to him, the celebra-

tion of Christ the King should gobeyond the customary processionand the veneration of images andpictures of Jesus in royal garb.

Instead, its focus must be onthe God Who assumed flesh,becoming “like us except in sin,”

and is king of the truth whoseboundless love brought about thesalvation of mankind.

“Keep this in mind: Tose whowant Jesus to be His king mustbe ready to be like Him,” he ex-plained, underscoring the fact thatHis royalty did not prevent Himfrom offering His life on the Cross.

Reflecting on this, De Leonpointed out that Christ’s kingshipdiffers from that of earthly mon-archs because His originates fromheaven, and that His mandate is

“not to be served but to serve.”

Unique kingship“Unlike the kings of Europe

and even the king of Tailand,Christ was born not in a palace,but in a manger … When Hedied, He even had to use thetomb lent by Joseph of Ari-mathea, realizing that He did nothave His own,” he said.

De Leon noted further thatChrist the King came not tosave people from their enemies,

rather from themselves, and didso through the Cross.

Whi le ar ti sts of ten dep ic tChrist the King literally as oneseated on a throne, crowned, andholding a scepter, the bishop af-rmed no representation capturesthe Lord’s kingship better than ofHim hanging lifeless on the Cross.

King of the Cross According to De Leon, the

Crucixion was the reason whymany among His rst disciples

left, since what they were hop-ing for was a leader who had themeans to free them from theirRoman oppressors.

“Te Cross is an not obstaclebut our stairs to life everlasting. We should not be ashamed toacknowledge that Christ is ourking,” the prelate declared.

“Te kings of Europe, of Tai-land, of other countries will comeand go, but Christ will remain kingforever,” he added.(Raymond A.Sebastián / CBCP News)

Vatican City - June 16, 2015. Pope emeritus Benedict XVI meets with seminariansfrom the diocese of Faensa-Modigliana, Italy on June 16, 2015 at the Vatican Gardens.Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana.

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FOREIGNERS often say Filipi-nos are friendly and hospitable.Does that mean we are also amerciful people? It seems we are.Invariably Filipinos admit to do-ing or saying kind things to othersout of “awa” or “kalooy” ( agalogand Waray words for “mercy”,“compasson” or “pity”). We areappalled when children are madeto beg on the streets or work for apittance (although we still toleratethese practices). We applaud themedia when they expose sexualor physical abuse of children,maltreatment of women, seniorcitizens as well as persons withdisabilities. No matter how late,

we have laws that already protecttheir rights and welfare. Even the World Bank sang the praises ofthe Philippine government for itsconditional cash transfer programfor the poorest of the poor, hailingit as one of the best, if not the best,in the world. In fact, we are somerciful as a people that we easilyforget the sins of past presidentialdictators, grafters, and plunderers(of course, after a long course ofpublic shaming through the mediaand public discourse).

“Filipinos have short mem-ories,” say Filipino observersthemselves. Which explains whyvery few today appreciate the real

horrors of Martial Law, with itsgruesome human rights viola-tions, forced disappearances, andrigged elections or, more recently,the Jueteng-gate of the Estradayears leading to his convictionand incarceration, the “I’m sorry”rigged-presidential-election con-troversy or the “moderate-your-greed” scams of the GMA era,the Reproductive-Health-Bill-passage-for-DAP arrangementsor the super typhoon Yolanda andMamasapano debacles of the cur-rent administration, among oth-ers—they all seem to be mercifullyshelved in the public unconscious.

Are these enough evidence to

warrant the claim that we are amerciful people?

Ten, pray explain explain why:1. We have an endless array of

“bashers” and “nay-sayers” wholove to put down not only celebri-ties and politicians in private andpublic fora, including the so-calledsocial media, but also ordinarycitizens who happen to offend theirtastes and political-cultural-person-al ideologies or idiosyncrasies?

2. Our election campaigns are,as a rule, not a competition of ordialogue over ideas and platformsbut cut-throat wars of vilicationversus vilication?

HESE are what we have to lookfor in choosing our public officials.Of course, to be realistic, we have

to put these qualities in the con-text of the candidates’ popularityand electability. But for Pete’s sake,let’s not make mere popularitythe main guide in electing ourofficials.

We have to go beyond looks,PR gimmicks, smart sound bytes,spins, and vote-getting machiner-ies. Sad to say, we cannot help butobserve how local candidates tendto congregate around national can-didates and political parties with avast and deep war chest. Tey arethere more for the “fund” of it.

Neither should we go by meregenealogy and pedigree—that oneis the son or daughter of so-and-so, or that his father or mother

died in some dramatic circum-stances. Tis is a dangerous way

to elect officials. It’s like impulsebuying that leaves many of us withthe buyer’s remorse.

Neither still should we beguided by some forms of kin-ship—blood, political, cultural,social, geographical. While thesefactors and conditions have theirvalid values, they can only play asecondary role. Tey should neverbe the primary criteria. Of course,a big no-no is choosing candidateson the basis of who give us moremoney, dole-outs and other formsof perks. Tis way can only spell-disaster.

We should not even be guidedsolely by the candidates’ fame ortheir mass appeal, though thatwould already be a big help. Wehave to be wary of image-buildingtactics that do not necessarily

show the true character of thecandidates.

We should not be naïve as notto consider the many subtle formsof propaganda that sway people’s

favor unfairly. We have to discernwhether that mass appeal thatcandidates may have, spring trulyfrom some divine or humanlylegitimate charisma, or it is simplya product of some witchery.

What we should look into invetting the candidates is theirtrack record, their performancein public service, their achieve-ments, their mistakes and howthey handled those.

Integrity and competenceshould always go together. Integ-rity without competence wouldnot give us good governance.Neither competence without in-tegrity. Tey are supposed to havea mutual relationship.

Integrity evokes a sense of com-pleteness and wholeness as well as

order, harmony, consistency, hon-esty. For us, it is crucial because itis something to work and live out,

protect, defend, and even ght for.It does not come automaticallywith our DNA.

We have to know its real essence,its rm basis and real source. Wehave to know the different ele-ments involved in achieving it aswell as the techniques and skillsto get the act together. Hopefullywe can develop a clear and cor-rect science about it, both in itstheoretical and practical aspects.

Offhand, we have to be clearthat the ultimate foundation,source and goal of our integrityis God, our Creator and Father.Hence, we have to understand thatthe pursuit of integrity cannot bedone outside of this original reli-

gious context. Any understanding

EDITORIAL

SOME forms of pollution are part of people’s daily experience.Exposure to atmospheric pollutants produces a broad spec-trum of health hazards, especially for the poor, and causes mil-lions of premature deaths. People take sick, for example, frombreathing high levels of smoke from fuels used in cooking orheating. Tere is also pollution that affects everyone, causedby transport, industrial fumes, substances which contributeto the acidication of soil and water, fertilizers, insecticides,fungicides, herbicides and agrotoxins in general. echnology,which, linked to business interests, is presented as the onlyway of solving these problems, in fact proves incapable ofseeing the mysterious network of relations between thingsand so sometimes solves one problem only to create others. Account must also be taken of the pollution produced

by residue, including dangerous waste present in differentareas. Each year hundreds of millions of tons of waste aregenerated, much of it non-biodegradable, highly toxic andradioactive, from homes and businesses, from constructionand demolition sites, from clinical, electronic and industrialsources. Te earth, our home, is beginning to look moreand more like an immense pile of lth. In many parts of the

planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes arenow covered with rubbish. Industrial waste and chemicalproducts utilized in cities and agricultural areas can lead tobioaccumulation in the organisms of the local population,even when levels of toxins in those places are low. Frequentlyno measures are taken until after people’s health has beenirreversibly affected.

Tese problems are closely linked to a throwaway culturewhich affects the excluded just as it quickly reduces things torubbish. o cite one example, most of the paper we produce isthrown away and not recycled. It is hard for us to accept thatthe way natural ecosystems work is exemplary: plants synthe-size nutrients which feed herbivores; these in turn becomefood for carnivores, which produce signicant quantities oforganic waste which give rise to new generations of plants.But our industrial system, at the end of its cycle of production

and consumption, has not developed the capacity to absorband reuse waste and by-products. We have not yet managedto adopt a circular model of production capable of preservingresources for present and future generations, while limitingas much as possible the use of non-renewable resources,moderating their consumption, maximizing their efficientuse, reusing and recycling them. A serious consideration ofthis issue would be one way of counteracting the throwawayculture which affects the entire planet, but it must be said thatonly limited progress has been made in this regard.

-- Laudato Si’ , nos. 20-22

HE 3rd Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) National Assembly held recently in Manila was an opportunity torevisit an ongoing pastoral priority of the Catholic Churchin the Philippines. Tis pastoral approach, which is seen asa new way of being church, was formally adopted in 1991at the celebration of the Second Plenary Council of the

Philippines (PCP-II). Its “ecclesial blueprint”, however,was already budding at the aggiornamento of the SecondVatican Council in 1965. Admittedly, its concrete realization had been quite slow.

Understandably, it had to be that sluggish because, just likethe renewal brought about by Vatican II, it needed a radi-cal changing of perspectives. In a Church that for ages hadbeen used to a different ecclesiological model--which wasmore personal than communitarian, cultic than social--theintroduction of a new ecclesiology was an uphill climb.

Te impetus of the BEC had sideswept the eager beaver toprecarious extremes. In some BEC communities, the “basicchurch” had become exclusive to the detriment and exclusionof the un-churched and the unregistered. It was a betrayal of thespirit of the renewal and a stiing of the Holy Spirit that “blowswhere it wills.” Not a few had been denied the sacraments or

funeral services because they were not part of the hamlet. After decades of navigating this new pastoral, which hadbeen lled with tremendous challenges, especially at the par-ish level, the Church emerges fully armed with the lessons oftime and theology. Te coming of Pope Francis, who moveswith inclusivity, mercy, and compassion, will certainly givefuller meaning to the BEC, to a better way of being Church.

Pollution, waste andthe throwaway culture

A new way of being Church

OPINION

Integrity and competence Fr. Roy Cimagala

Candidly Speaking

MonitorPROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE CBCP

Pedro C. QuitorioEditor-in-Chief

Nirva’ana E. DelacruzAssociate Editor

Roy Q. LagardeNews Editor

Kris BayosFeatures Editor

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

Three Servants ofGod’s Poor

The Year of Mercy andPhilippine society

Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM

Living Mission“Year of the Poor” Re ections

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnight ly by the AreopagusSocial Media for Asia, Inc. with editorial and business officesat Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404-

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Candidly Speaking, A7

By the Roadside, A6

Rev. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr., SThD

By the Roadside

REPEA EDLY, Pope Francis hasexplicitly stated that he wants “aChurch which is poor and for thepoor.” As the “Year of the Poor”declared by the CBCP draws to aclose, we realize that our commit-ment must be fervent and con-stant. We can take encouragementfrom the lives of three servants ofthe poor.

Peter Claver , born in Spain in1580, entered the Society of Jesusin 1602. In 1610 he sailed forthe missions, arriving in Carte-gena (modern Colombia), theprincipal slave market of the New World. Approximately a thousandNegro slaves arrived every month.Ordained in 1616, he dedicatedhimself by a special vow to theservice of slaves from Western Africa for 33 years.

Peter waited for the slave shipsto arrive with their human cargo.Ten, he and his interpreters, car-rying baskets of food, would board

the ships and greet the slaves.

Peter would also go down intothe stench-lled holds to ministerto the sick and dying. When theslaves were brought ashore, hevisited them, gave them religiousinstruction, and ministered totheir needs until they were soldand transported to other parts ofSouth America.

Peter himself said that he musthave baptized about 300,000 ofthem. He tried to follow them tothe plantations, encouraging themto live as Christians. He tried toprevail upon their masters to treatthem humanely. His service to thepoor extended until his death in1654; he is rightly known as the“Saint of the Slave rade.”

Vincent de Paul , born in 1581in France, was radically commit-ted to serving Jesus by servingthe poor. He founded a religiouscommunity, Congregation of theMission (the Vincentians), for twopurposes: the formation of priests

and service of the poor. He viewed

these two goals as intimately inter-related.

For Saint Vincent, in imitationof Jesus, “we ought to have hissame spirit and imitate Christ’sactions, that is, we must take careof the poor, console them, helpthem, support their cause…. Ifyou consider the poor in the lightof faith, then you will observe theyare taking the place of the Sonof God who chose to be poor….Since God surely loves the poor, healso loves those who love the poor.”

“It is our duty to prefer the ser-vice of the poor to everything elseand to offer such service as quicklyas possible…. Do not becomeupset or feel guilty because youinterrupted your prayer to servethe poor…. One of God’s works ismerely interrupted so that anothercan be carried out…. Charity iscertainly greater than any rule.”

Jean Vanier, a committed Cath-olic layman, founded the first

L’Archein France in 1964. Te

closest English word to the FrenchL’Arche is Ark, a safe and secureplace to live. oday, there are nearly150 communities in 35 countries,including the Philippines.

A L’Arche home is a specialform of community where peoplewith developmental disabilities(psychological, physical, medicaletc.) live in community. Tesepeople, though often shunnedand rejected by the world, livetogether with their care-takers.Te L’Arche community messageis that the poor and weak arepotentially a source of life, hopeand peace to others.

Te spirituality ofL’Arche in-corporates “an inward movementtowards God hidden in the depthsof our own vulnerability, and anoutward movement towards ourbrothers and sisters, especiallythose who are poor and in need.”For Vanier, “ o live with Jesus is tolive with the poor. o live with thepoor is to live with Jesus.”Serving

the Poor is Serving Jesus.

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Atty. Aurora A. SantiagoDuc In Altum

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola

Spaces of Hope

An Unthinkable,Barbaric Act

‘Doable after all’

Collection Box Fr. Jerome Secillano, MPA

Solidarité

POPE Francis expressed his “deep sorrow forthe terrorist attacks that bloodied France,late on Friday, causing many casualties.” Hecondemned the massacre as an “unspeakableaffront to human dignity”.

Everyone was shocked with the series ofterrorist attacks in Paris, France in November2015, Friday the 13th. It was an unexpectedtragedy when everyone was set to enjoy Fri-day night after a long week’s hard work. Asexpected from terrorists, they would go onsneak attacks in crowded places, where themost number of people are. As what hap-pened, multiple shootings and grenade at-tacks occurred on that Friday night. argetedwere a concert hall, a sports stadium and arestaurant. French President, Francois GerardGeorges Hollande, who was watching the

football game between France and Germanynearby, was immediately evacuated from thestadium.

Dozens were killed during the Eagles ofDeath Metal concert inside the Bataclan con-cert hall and as of presstime, there are 129 casu-alties, 350 injured, and still counting. Eagles ofDeath Metal are known for free-spirited garagerock and raunchy humor but are not generallyknown for politics. Tree suspected Islamicextremists opened re as the band performedat the Bataclan concert hall, killing 89 peoplebefore dying from their suicide vests. PresidentHollande named the Paris attacks an “act ofwar” by the “Islamic State”.

Days after the carnage, ISIS (Iraq-SyriaIslamic States) claimed responsibility. It isa jihadist militant group in Iraq and Syriainuenced by the Wahhabi Movement. Abdel-

hamid Abaaoud, the presumed mastermindof the devastating attacks in Paris, was killedless than a week after the massacre. He wassaid to be so slippery that he could moveundetected between Syria and Belgium, hishome country. Explosions and gunre rangout as French police stormed a building in the

Paris suburb of Saint-Denis where Abaaoudwas believed to be hiding. Authorities said awoman blew herself up and a man was killed.French authorities identied Abaaoud as theson of Moroccan immigrants who grew up inthe Belgian capital’s multiethnic Molenbeek.

Hours after the bloodbath, French au-thorities closed all its borders; some Europeancountries followed suit. It was believed thatsome ISIS came with the refugees who ockedto Europe. It was then they took noticed thatmost of the refugees are male and young adultswith good physiques.

Te ISIS announced that their next targetsare the United States, United Kingdom,and even the Vatican. Let this unthinkablebarbaric act be stopped. Let us pray that theperpetrators of these killings be enlightened

and be enveloped with the merciful interces-sion of our Blessed Mother. Let us pray forthe safety of our Holy Father.

*** We will continue to state here the need for

the re-installation in the SMAR MA ICPCOS machines of the 4 security features -Ultra Violet Detectors, Source Code Review,Voter Verification Paper Audit rail andDigital Signatures - in order to have a cleanand honest election, upholding the true willof the people by protecting the sanctity of theballot. All of them are very important securi tyfeatures which were deleted during the 2010and 2013 elections. Let us pray that thosefeatures be re-installed so that the voice ofthe people will be heard.

***Te Holy Year of Mercy will open on Dec.

8, 2015, the Solemnity of the ImmaculateConception. Pope Francis stated that “afterthe sin of Adam and Eve, God did not wish toleave humanity alone in the throes of evil. Sohe turned his gaze to Mary, holy and immacu-late in love, choosing her to be the Mother ofman’s Redeemer. When faced with the grav-

ity of sin, God responds with the fullness ofmercy. Mercy will always be greater than anysin, and no one can place limits on the loveof God who is ever ready to forgive. I willhave the joy of opening the Holy Door on theSolemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Onthat day, the Holy Door will become a Doorof Mercy through which anyone who enterswill experience the love of God who consoles,pardons, and instils hope.”

He further said “On the following Sunday,the Tird Sunday of Advent, the Holy Door ofthe Cathedral of Rome – that is, the Basilicaof Saint John Lateran – will be opened. Inthe following weeks, the Holy Doors of theother Papal Basilicas will be opened. On thesame Sunday, I will announce that in everylocal Church, at the cathedral – the mother

church of the faithful in any particular area– or, alternatively, at the co-cathedral or an-other church of special signicance, a Doorof Mercy will be opened for the duration ofthe Holy Year. At the discretion of the localordinary, a similar door may be opened atany Shrine frequented by large groups ofpilgrims, since visits to these holy sites are sooften grace-lled moments, as people discovera path to conversion.”

Pope Francis will open the Holy Door onthe 50th anniversary of the closing of the Sec-ond Vatican Ecumenical Council. Te Jubileeyear will close with the liturgical Solemnityof Christ the King on Nov. 20, 2016. “As theHoly Door is sealed, we shall be lled witha sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to theMost Holy rinity for having granted us anextraordinary time of grace.”

*** We greet Fr. Leo Gilbero of the Dioceseof Kalookan Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary.Happy Birthday to the Curia Staff Novemberbirthday celebrators Kathy de Leon, Jen-nebeth Reyes, and Rolando David, from theDiocese of Kalookan.

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

Whatever

HE violence that has killed overa hundred innocent people inFrance has also left millions theworld over deeply wounded! AsI continue to follow the news, Icould not help but feel a tinge of

bitterness and helplessness aboutthe wave of terrorism sweepingthe globe. It felt like 9/11 all overagain! I could best only pray.

I recall how once the Prelateof Opus Dei, Javier Echevarría,before the plague of terrorismthat was then common in Spain,exhorted us to learn how to prayand forgive. At one moment inthat gathering, he let out a heart-felt cry that perhaps, also revealedwhat he was striving to apply tohis own spiritual life: “But doyou [and I] really ask our Lordfor peace and to learn to forgivethose responsible?!!!”

I was struck by this sincereexhortation, because it shattered

the mold of solidarity that I hadmistakenly understood and com-fortably lived.

Te recent sad events in Franceas well as in other parts of theworld, remind us to re-examinehow we live the virtue of soli-darity. Solidarity is “a rm andpersevering determination tocommit oneself to the commongood; that is to say to the good ofall and of each individual, because

we are all really responsible forall.” (Catechism of the CatholicChurch, 1948).”

Sometimes, before naturaldisasters and violent upheavals,it seems very easy to express or

live the virtue of solidarity. Wewitness countless individuals andinstitutions immediately ‘appeal-ing to some minutes of silence toremember the victims’ of certainatrocities or injustices. Tere arealso numerous concerted materialefforts attempting to promptlyalleviate victims of typhoons,earthquakes, and wars.

But surely, the virtue of soli-darity cannot be reduced to onlyphysically or materially helpingour unfortunate brethren. In fact,not everyone has a chance to beinvolved in these material andsocial projects. How else couldwe live solidarity, as in the presentcase of our brothers and sisters

in France?Naturally, it begins with ourconstant prayers! But we cannotforget that prayer is said bestwhen it is backed by action. What k ind of act ion? From thispart of the world, the Philip-pines, we may not be able tosend something more personalor heart-warming to the rela-tives of the victims. Te most, Icould imagine, would be to click

on any hosting social networksthat would electronically conveyour condolences (together witha million others) to the victimsin France.

Can we do something more?

I believe we can.***“Father, is it alright for me not

to play shooting video games?” Agrade school boy asked me.

“What do you mean, Brad?”I asked.

“‘Coz I saw what happenedin France, and I thought that byplaying my game, I was like beinga terrorist too.”

“Of course not, Brad. I don’tthink you will ever be like them.But I think your sacrice of notplaying any violent games is awonderful way to tell yourselfand others that you are one withthe French victims and theirrelatives.”

“Tanks, Father.”***I believe this short and enlight-

ening conversation is a wonderfulexpression of solidarity lived inthe most personal and authenticlevel. It is an example of how toavoid an ‘articial form of com-passion’ and sincerely sharingin what our brothers and sistersthe world over are suffering andenduring of the scourges of ter-

rorism, slavery, prostitution,abortion, drugs, famine, and war.

We wouldn’t be consistent withliving solidarity with France (orany place or people for that mat-ter) if for example, after painting

our profiles with the Frenchnational colors, we nonchalantlyupload loud party and outingpictures a few minutes later. Or to join social networks condemningviolent injustices and afterwardsshift to watching a violent lmor wasting hours playing Grand

heft Auto. Perhaps, they are just movies or games? rue, butit reveals a lot about our innerconviction and attitudes. It showshow sensitive and rened we areto take upon ourselves what oth-ers are genuinely suffering. Soli-darity becomes a form of prayer,but one that is not only said withour lips. It is a prayer united to apersonal conviction that leads to

our personal conversion.Trough these hidden but ef-fective acts of solidarity, we aretruly accompanying our sufferingbrothers and sisters throughoutthe world. And in some mysteri-ous way, which we may never beaware of, they too, – in their ownviolent trials –, may be prayingand offering it for you and eventhe very ones responsible for theseacts of terrorism.

IN a video interview earlier this year, Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu notedthat the 51st International Eucharistic

Congress which was thought at rst to be“overhwelming” is, in fact, “very doable.”In about two months the Catholic worldwould be celebrating the much-awaited51st International Eucharistic Congressin Cebu from Jan. 24 - 31, 2016.

his is a graced-filled, once-in-a-lifetime experience for most of us. As weknow, this happens once every four yearsas Catholics all over the world gatherto publicly proclaim the Eucharist ascentral to their lives. Te gathering alsorotates among six continents. Te prob-ability of the IEC happening again in thePhilippines in our lifetime is not high.

In fact, this is only the second timeit will be held in the Philippines. Terst and only time was in Manila in1937 when a seven-year old boy named

Ricardo Vidal received rst communion

while a four-year old named GaudencioRosales witnessed the event.

Tis will be held in Asia, the continent

where Christianity began; and in Cebu,the cradle of Christianity in the biggestRoman Catholic nation in Asia. It alsocomes at a time when the Church seemsto be returning to its beginnings withall the challenges it faces as a religiousbody. For Catholics this is a tremendousspiritual boost.

Te 51st IEC is an opportunity fordelegates and pilgrims to celebrate inPhilippine soil and to be reminded ofour missionary vocation as a Eucharis-tic people, particularly in Asia wheredialogue with the poor, the youth, andother religions loom large.

Te congress is open to non-Catholicsas well. In our broken world, the act ofbreaking bread beautifully witnesses tothe power of God to bring healing and

wholeness to individual lives, families,

groups, and the world. It connects us toone another and to those who hungerfor God.

***One of the rooms in the very inspir-ing St. John Paul II National Shrinein Washington D.C. is dedicated tohis view of the Eucharist. Te roomhighlights the words, “Te Church hasreceived the Eucharist from Christ herLord not as one gift – however precious –among so many others, but as the gift parexcellence - for it is the gift of Himself...”(Eucharist in the Church, no. 11).

Tere are other international gather-ings of Roman Catholics, like the World Youth Day and the World Meeting ofFamilies. he latter, recently held inPhiladelphia, was attended by PopeFrancis himself. Te former, to be heldin Poland will also have Pope Francispresent.

While the absence of Pope Francis

for the 51st IEC comes as a disappoint-ment to many who had passionatelyanticipated his presence, the realization

that the Eucharist is “gift par excellence”should boost the spirit of delegates andpilgrims. After all, the Petrine Office is atthe humble service of this communion.

Next year’s IEC theme, “Christ in You,Our Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27)has a special resonance with the hostcountry whose faith remains joyful, re-silient, and event deant despite its shareof natural disasters - an earthquake thatshattered many places of worship and thestrongest storm ever to make landfall.

A most moving image of this power ofthe Eucharist is Pope Francis’s breakingof bread with survivors of Superstorm Yolanda last January 2015 in acloban,Philippines. here, amid very wet,windy, and trying conditions broughtabout by another tropical storm that was

on signal number 2, he came, oblivious

to the dangers and inconveniences. Whocan forget the Pope covered with yellowraincoat over his liturgical vestments?

Who could’ve remained dry-eyed as hespoke words of mercy and compassion?***

o join the IEC is to receive veryspecial blessings so as to be a very spe-cial blessing to others. Te Eucharistis celebrated daily for eight days in amulti-lingual manner ministered by thebest choirs and music groups of a peoplewhose jewels are its faith and its music.

Five thousand first communicantsinclude 500 street children. More thana million pilgrims are expected to joina street procession and the Mass of theworld, a beautiful opportunity to witnessto the social dimension of our Christianfaith.

Very beautiful socio-cultural eventshave also been lined up even as we pre-

Gays, Divorced, andRemarried in the Synod

on the FamilyTe Synod of Bishops’ ending last Oct. 25 was sort of anti-climac

Te contentious issues which consumed many of the participants wleft without denitive answers much to the consternation of thhoping for clarity in so far as their status in the Church is concern

Except for the recognition of gay or homosexual unions, whichSynod fathers emphatically thumbed down by a vote of 221-37 butwithout reiterating that those with homosexual tendencies be respein their dignity and not be discriminated (Relatio, par. 76), the relsynodi (synod report) spoke mostly about recognizing the circumstand understanding the context of these controversial marriage isas they happen to couples and the pastoral approaches needed to couples to a fuller participation in the life of the church.

Fr. James Martin, SJ, a columnist of America Magazine said, “report is an agreement in ambiguity”. Meaning, the report made that the contentions of both liberals and traditionalists were accomdated at the expense of a more precise statement on where the divoand remarried stand on the issues.

Tose who crafted the report should be commended though for th

ability to weave through the discordant voices in the Synod resuin a more objective and balanced declaration of the participants’ s According to Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, Prefect of the Sacred Congtion for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s doctrinal czar, “Tewas tension between doctrine and pastoral approach, but it is the of the synod to see these two aspects together. Every Catholic bisin his person, is a teacher of the faith and also shepherd of the o

Faithful to this task, the group, composed of ten prelates chofrom the Synod fathers, carefully wrote upholding Church’s teachon the matter and in a sign of liberality acknowledged the need “fodivorced and civilly remarried, who are baptized, to be more integinto the Christian communities in the diverse ways possible, avoevery occasion of scandal. Tey must not feel excommunicated, they can live and mature as living members of the Church, feelinto be a mother who always welcomes them, taking care of them waffection and encouraging them in the path of life and the Gosp(Relatio, par. 84).

o effect this approach, the report said, “Te path of accompanimand discernment orient these faithful to an awareness in conscien

their situation before God. Conversation with the priest, in the inteforum, contributes to the formation of a correct judgment on wplaces an obstacle to the possibility of a fuller participation in theof the Church and on the steps that can favor that participation amake it grow” (Relatio, par. 86).

Tough less than what the divorced and remarried were perhaexpecting, the Synodal report opened a window of opportunitythe former to nally achieve what they hope for. Te report adde“Moreover, it cannot be denied that in some circumstances “the gand responsibility of an action can be diminished or annulled” (CoCanon Law, 1735), because of different conditions. As a consequthe judgment on an objective situation must not lead to a judgment“subjective guilt” (Pontical Council for Legislative exts, declarof June 24, 2000, n.2a). Terefore, while upholding the general norit is necessary to recognize that the responsibility for certain actiodecisions is not the same in all cases” (Relatio, par. 85).

An objective reading of the foregoing tells us that on a case tobasis, with proper discernment and examination of conscience throthe help of a priest or bishop in the internal forum and for as long

may not create scandal, the divorced and remarried may possibly hfuller participation in the life of the church. Te problem is it is not cwhether this “fuller participation” also includes receiving commu

Te vague declaration of the Synod report should not dampen thouthe expectations of those batting for a more inclusive church. Te fthat the document recognized the different circumstances and contof each marital case may already be considered a signicant step tothat direction. Whereas before, it was easy for the Church to say thadivorced and remarried should not receive Holy Communion or thin de facto unions (cohabitation) were living in sin. With this documespecially if ratied and adopted by the Pope, clergymen, and the laitywill now be more compassionate and understanding when dealing these people. But how to translate these compassion and understaninto concrete actions will, of course, continue to be a work in prog

What the Synod achieved was not a radical change in doctrinessimply there were none, but a consideration, affirmation, and accepof the many issues that threaten the family. Tese issues cannot simplignored anymore and the Synod fathers prompted by mercy and charitythemselves to task to make the church more effective in addressing t

Tis Synod of Bishops reiterated once more the beauty of the faily. Te Synod fathers also realized that to preserve its beauty requmore than just being xated with the Church’s narcissistic tendenby simply adhering to her laws and regulations. Pope Francis sathe Synod, “It was about listening to the voices of families and paand seeing reality through God’s eyes to offer hope and encouragein a world of growing crisis and pessimism”.

Spaces of Hope, A6

8/20/2019 CBCP Monitor Vol. 19 No. 24

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A6 CBCP MonitorNovember 23 - December 6, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 24LOCAL NEWS

CBCP lists 15 ways to ght climate change

WI H Paris Summit just around the corner,the Philippine Catholic bishops offered someways for the people to implement and initiate

a big change that could save the planet.Tese are 15 concrete steps to combat cli-mate change which, according to experts, isalready starting to worsen.

In a statement entitled “On ClimateChange: Understand, Act Pray”, CBCP presi-dent Archbishop Socrates Villegas called onthe faithful to act against the global warming.

Concrete stepsHe particularly urged the parishes, Catho-

lic schools, and the youth to support theresolution of the National Climate ChangeCommission of the Philippines to reducethe national carbon emissions by 70 percentby 2030.

So what can you do to take action?1. Grow a tree2. Switch off and unplug

3. Good bye plastic4. Segregate5. Reduce, reuse and recycle6. No to burning of wastes7. Promote renewable energy 8. Bring your own tumbler9. Use energy efficient appliances10. Walk, bike or carpool11. Recycle electronics and batteries12. Environmental and energy awareness13. Save water: use pails, dippers, and cups14. Tink before you print15. Support earth products

Villegas said such actions by the faithfulare vital as called for by Pope Francis through

his encyclical, “Laudato Si: On Care for OurCommon Home”.

Paris summit According to him, it is a powerful docu-ment that has caught the attention of peoplethroughout the globe.

“Its multi-layered message urges all to cometogether to care for our earth, our commonhome,” noted Villegas.

More than 100 world leaders are expectedto gather in Paris for the international climatenegotiations and forge a global climate changedeal next month.

Te CBCP head emphasized the urgency ofaddressing climate change before it is too late.

“Te urgency is clear. Global warming, caused bythe way we human beings use this planet, is no longerdisputable,” he added.(R. Lagarde / CBCPNews)

Cardinal urges BECsto serve the ‘outcasts’

CARDINAL Luis Antonioagle of Manila called on the Basic

Ecclesial Communities (BECs) toturn their attention to the margin-alized people.

In his talk during the 3rd BECNational Assembly at the PacoCatholic Church on Friday, thecardinal urged BECs to embracethe ‘outcasts’ of society.

“BECs should say no to exclu-sion of communions,” Cardinal

agle said.“I hope that all BECs will be ex-

amples of including the excluded,outcast ones. Every Christiancommunity shall do its share inenriching personal and communal

encounters,” he said.Echoing Pope Francis’ call to

serve the poor, the cardinal alsourged the BEC leaders, workersand volunteers resist the economyof exclusion.

“We should say no to the econ-omy of exclusion and inequal-ity,” he said.He added that sincethere must be shared responsibil-ity in the life and mission of theChurch, it is hoped that BECs willstrengthen lay participation.

“Every Christian grows in faithwithin a community,” agle alsosaid. “And we are all equal inChristian dignity.”(MyraineCarluen Policarpio/CBCPNews)

Gov’t learned nothing from ‘Yolanda’ – group A FAI H-BASED org ani za-tion has made known its “ex-treme disappointment” over thegovernment’s failure to learnfrom the lessons of “Yolanda”(international name: “Haiyan”)given its alleged “lip service”on disaster preparedness, andthe consent it granted foreignbusinesses to use the country’snatural resources through “de-velopment projects” like min-ing, logging, reclamation, andlike activities it believes couldworsen the effects of climatechange.

“Contrary to governmentclaims that it has done its job,

the thousands of people living intemporary shelters, the patheticshelters it built, news of unspentfunds, and rotting relief goodsexpose a lack of any compre-hensive relief and rehabilitationprogram,” the National Councilof Churches in the Philippines(NCCP) laments in a statementon the 2nd anniversary of thesuper typhoon.Grievous sin

It points out that while disastersas effects of climate change aresure to still hit the Philippines inthe years to come, the experienceswith Yolanda and even typhoon“Lando” (international name:Koppu), prove how ill-prepared

is the government in handlingdisasters.“Worse, in its failure to do what

it claims to know should be done,the government has committeda grievous sin against its ownpeople. Equally evil is the obviousinsensitivity to the rights of thepeople as human beings. How canthe government deny the squalorbrought about by this insensitivityand callousness?” NCCP notes.

Te group goes on to express

fear that big corporations complic-it with those in the governmentcontinue to exploit the earth’s

resources without concern forpeople and the next generation.

“Giving away our natural re-sources to foreign business is notonly insensitive to future genera-tions of Filipinos. It also increasesour vulnerability to disasters thatare becoming more destructive,”it stresses.

PH least responsible According to NCCP, poor andvulnerable countries like the Phil-

ippines are the “least responsible”for climate change.

“Why should we be the ones tosuffer most for the transgressions ofrich and powerful countries to ourmother earth?” it asks, referring tothe forthcoming COP 21, or the2015 Paris Climate Conference,where world leaders will meet todiscuss the means to achieve a

legally binding and universal agree-ment on climate.(Raymond A.Sebastián / CBCP News)

‘May your tribe increase,’ Archbishop tells BEC workers

SAYING that “participation iskey” to the Basic Ecclesial Com-munities, a Catholic archbishophas one wish for lay BEC leaders,workers and volunteers: “Mayyour tribe increase!”

Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebuon Tursday recognized the effortsof lay people, who are gathered forthe BEC National Assembly at thePaco Catholic School, in the evan-gelizing mission of the Church.

“For many years, the Churchhas been ‘mostly clerical’. But nowwith the BEC, you know too wellthat this is our Church… yourChurch,” Palma said in his hom-ily during a Mass held to end theday’s session.”

“When I think of BEC, it al-ways reminds me of you our dearlay people. Tank God that yourealize, it is your duty and yourrole to participate,” he said.

He lauded the active participa-tion of lay faithful in the BEC,which is an expression of “a new

way of being Church”, despite themany difficulties and challenges.

“But you know this is your role,privilege and duty as well com-ing from the Lord,” said Palma,former president of the CatholicBishops’ Conference of the Philip-pines (CBCP).

In the Philippines, adequatetraining and formation of lay pas-toral workers, both full time andvolunteer, and BEC leaders remainamong the challenges.

Fr. Amado Picardal, executivesecretary of CBCP’s Committeeon BEC, there is an increasingnumber of BEC volunteers and layformators in recent years.

He said these formation teams arecomposed mostly of part-time layvolunteers who are fully committedto assist in the formation of BECs.

“Tey need ongoing formationto deepen their commitment anddevelop their skills in evangeliz-ing, organizing and mobilizing,”Picardal said.(CBCPNews)

celebrate together the half-century since theclosing of Vatican II.

“We gather here today BECs from all overthe country to rejoice in our ‘being-in-one-ness.’ Tis event further encourages all of us tocelebrate the renewal that has been happeningwithin the Church for 50 years ago since Vati-can II ended,” shared Picardal in an interview.

Already … but not yet In the same study, the Redemptorist mis-

sionary goes on to point out that various shapesand forms of BECs have arisen nationwide,mostly in chapel-centered rural communitieswith 30 to 200 families, bemoaning, however,that they are a “not yet-yet-already reality.”

While a growing number have social ac-tion component like programs for sustainableagriculture, livelihood projects, peace advo-cacy, environmental protection, micro-nance,community-based health program, skills train-ing, and good governance, among others, helaments that the majority (around 74%) haveyet to integrate social action dimension intheir activities.

Unsupportive clergy Picardal also expresses concern that many

of the clergy seem to lack interest in BECs,considering that BECs thrive where priestsactively promote them.

“In response to this concern, some seminar-

ies and formation programs all over the Philip-pines have incorporated the BEC thrust. Te

structures of some seminaries and houses offormation are patterned after the BEC cells.Tey do not only talk about BECs but live itas a way of life among themselves,” he says.

“Some dioceses are also integrating BECformation for the newly-ordained deacons orpriests. Some have also incorporated this inthe ongoing formation program for the clergy.Seminars and retreats about priestly ministryand BECs have been given,” he adds.

BEC problemsOther areas of concern Picardal points out

are as follows:• Lack of effective means for forming and

sustaining BECs• Te vision of BECs, as promoted by PCP

II, is not fully understood and owned.• BECs are considered as simply activities

(Bible-sharing) instead of a culture or a wayof life

• BEC is reduced to a handful of people/cell or Family Groupings composed of 6 – 10people who gather for Gospel-sharing.

• Tere is a tendency to regard the BEC cell/neighborhood grouping as the BEC insteadof being part of the local community. Tis isa misunderstanding of BEC. Consequently, itis difficult to determine how many BECs thereare because the number of cells are countedrather than the actual BECs.

• Very few men and youth are actively in-

volved in BECs are women.• Te poorest of the poor (especially in urban

areas) are not involved in BECs• Many BECs remain prayer/bible-sharing

groups without social concern.• Many BEC social action programs are

not sustainable or lacking in effectiveness anddo not lead to social transformation or povertyalleviation.

• Some BECs on maintenance modeare slowly stagnating.

• Many BEC formation program lacksystematic and sustainable evangelizing com-ponent.

Some dioceses and parishes rely on sanctions

policy to coerce people to participate in BECactivities (certication). Inactive members arenot allowed to have their children baptized,married in Church, or given no funeral Mass.

Vatican II @ 50 According to the Picardal, what Catholics

know today as BECs is actually a fruit of thesaid Ecumenical Council that convened atvarious times between 1962 and 1965.

He dened BECs as small communities ofCatholic Christians within the parish whocome together to pray, to listen to the wordof God, and to discuss ideas for social action.

“So it’s a way of getting more members of theChurch involved in the life and mission of theChurch. In their community meetings, thereis always an ongoing evangelization that takes

place,” he added. (Raymond A. Sebastián /CBCP News)

BECs, A1

elected were Cardinal ChristophSchönborn of Vienna; Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of Durban(South Africa); Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga of

egucigalpa (Honduras); CardinalPeter Kodwo Appiah urkson,president of the Pontical Councilfor Justice and Peace; CardinalGeorge Pell, prefect of the Secre-tariat for the Economy; CardinalMarc Ouellet, prefect of theCongregation for Bishops; Car-dinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai(India); Cardinal Vincent Nicholsof Westminster; Cardinal RobertSarah, prefect of the Congrega-

tion for Divine Worship and theDiscipline of the Sacraments; Archbi shop Charles Chaput ofPhiladelphia; Archbishop BrunoForte of Chieti-Vasto (Italy); Tethree named by the Pope himselfare: Chaldean Catholic PatriarchLouis Sako of Baghdad; Arch-bishop Carlos Osoro of Madrid;and Archbishop Sergio Da Rochaof Brasilia, Brazil.

Cardinal agle served as one of3 presidents of the synod generalassemblies on the family held atthe Vatican in 2014 and in Oc-tober this year.(Roy Lagarde /CBCPNews)

Synod, A1

“Te purpose of this is for thepeople to get involved and to in-tensify our prayers so we shouldnever lose hope,” the prelate said.

In July this year, the CatholicBishops’ Conference of the Phil-ippines (CBCP) issued a manda-tory prayer for the faithful torecite for the peaceful resolutionof the territorial row betweenChina and the Philippines.

Te CBCP also said the “ora-

tio imperata” seeks to guide thecountry’s leaders who broughtthe issue before an internationalforum for arbitration.

Te archbishop said that theOratio Imperata also seeks toguide the country’s leaders,who are currently in Te Hagueand are tasked to deliver thearguments of the Philippines’arbitration case against China.(CBCPNews)

Prayer, A1

3. Human and animal rightsgroups who loudly cry foul overmistreatment of criminals or ani-mals but are often short of wordsover victims of violent robbery,assassination, abortion, and othermanifestations of disrespect forhuman life and property?

4. People who say and do the(morally) right things are oftenscoffed at or ignored, while peoplewho say and do the (politically)correct things receive awards andcitations?

5. Victims of wrongdoing suchas “tanim-bala (plant-a-bullet

scam)” are detained and trauma-tized by strict legal procedureswhile their perpetrators are vigor-ously defended or go scot-free?

6. Farmers do not have enoughfood, carpenters have no decenthousing, fishermen cannot fishbecause their government cannotdefend them from bullying byforeign ships?

7. Moreover, if we are a trulymerciful people why is virtue inour society trampled upon with gleewhile crime is granted impunity?

8. Moreover