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MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 [email protected] PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE ‘We heal as one’: Philippine reconsecrate nation to Mary

By Roy Lagarde

THE in the has turned to the mother of Jesus for protection amid the contagion and death brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. The church hierarchy, in solidarity with a number of bishops’ conferences around the world, marked the Marian month by consecrating the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. , president of the episcopal conference, led the consecration of the Philippines to the Blessed Mother on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The bishops sought the intercession of Mary for the “healing” of all those who contracted the virus and for the “strength and protection” of both the frontliners and the public. “We pray as one. We heal as one. We renew the world as one through this act of consecration,” Valles said. “This our country’s way to implore the grace and mercy Dennis Villarojo of Malolos leads the national consecration of the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela City on May 13, 2020. SANDIGAN – DIOCESE OF Consecration / A6 MALOLOS ‘Forgotten’: Prelate hits slow Marawi rehab efforts Seminary formation can’t be done online but…

A CATHOLIC prelate in southern Philippines has lamented the government’s slow rehabilitation efforts of Marawi. It’s been three years since the last shots of war were fired in Marawi but Bishop Edwin Dela Peña said “nothing much has happened since then”. “Ground zero is still an image of destruction reminiscent of the early days of the siege,” Dela Peña said on May 23. Attention to Marawi, he said, had also been overtaken by recent events such as the Taal volcano eruption, the coronavirus crisis, and the typhoon “Ambo”. “These relegated us to the backdoor of history… to the point Hundreds of major seminarians attend the opening Mass of this year’s “Kapatiran” at the UST Chapel in Manila, March 4, 2017. ROY LAGARDE of being completely forgotten from the national psyche,” according This file photo shows damaged houses and buildings in Marawi city on Feb. 7, 2018.DUYOG MARAWI ONLINE classes have never been an Archbishop , to him. option in seminary formation—until chairman of the Episcopal Thousands of residents living been living “in exile” at a village in besieged on May 23, 2017 by the coronavirus pandemic came Commission on Seminaries (ECS), in the main battle area of the city Lanao del Norte. hundreds of local and foreign militia along. said that “intellectual formation” have yet to return home, with many “All IDPs (internally displaced affiliated to Islamic State. But the bishops insist that is not the only the factor for of them still living in temporary persons) from the ground zero are The government imposed martial seminary studies cannot be done consideration in seminary studies. shelters. still living in temporary shelters,” he law and large parts of Marawi were fully online because “the other pillar “The seminarians need to be The prelate said that he and other added. “The future is still uncertain destroyed in five months of fighting of priestly formation requiring accompanied in their pastoral, residents of St. Mary Cathedral for all of us”. between troops and militants that personal accompaniment in the spiritual and human formation compound in Marawi have also The country’s Islamic city was killed nearly 1,200. (CBCP News) context of community”. Formation / A6 Many afraid to attend Mass due to coronavirus, archbishop says Manila bishop pushes back vs IATF restrictions WHEN a southern the full opening of the on religious activities Philippine archdiocese cathedral on May 17 and resumed holding public five other parishes in the MANILA Apostolic Administrator quarantine (ECQ) and 10 during Masses on a Sunday, the city held public Masses Broderick Pabillo on May 17 led the general community quarantine gatherings weren’t quite for the first time in two the charge against government (GCQ), pointing out that there what church authorities months, in the latest restrictions on religious services, were no such limits for offices and expected. easing of coronavirus saying that limiting Mass attendees business establishments. Archbishop Martin restrictions in the city. to five or 10 people even under “It is just another way of saying Jumoad of Ozamiz said Religious services relaxed quarantine rules was that you do not have religious the turnout at the city’s were forbidden with the unreasonable and even “laughable.” activities,” he said. Immaculate Conception lockdown, which was The Catholic Church had been “Where did they get these Cathedral was much lesser eased in many parts of The Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ozamiz City opens its doors to the largely compliant with restrictions numbers? Why is it that they do than the usual Sunday the country last week. faithful on May 17 adhering strictly to government health protocols such as imposed by the Interagency Task not give the absolute numbers of physical distancing, use of face masks and installation of foot baths. WENDELL Force (IATF) on the Management persons who can enter a store, or attendance. The archdiocese is TALIBONG “People are afraid to holding Masses under of Infectious Diseases since the work in the office, or in the factory? come to church because of strict new guidelines churches also installed 300 people,” Archbishop lockdown, cancelling public Masses Do they say that only 10 persons this pandemic. Practically worked out between foot baths. Jumoad said. and Holy Week activities and should be in an office, or that 20 only few attended our the church and local Ozamiz cathedral could “Still, it was good we switching to online platforms. persons work in a factory, or that Masses when we opened government authorities. accommodate around did it and we hope next In a Facebook post, Pabillo only 5 persons can enter a store at a the church,” Archbishop The faithful will have to 1,500 worshippers. “But Sunday church attendance questioned the IATF’s basis for time? This would be preposterous!” Jumoad said. wear masks and observe in most Masses, church will increase, he said. limiting Mass-goers to five during Pabillo also pointed out that The prelate inaugurated physical distancing. The attendance was only about (CBCP News) the modified enhanced community IATF / A6 A2 WORLD NEWS MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 CBCP Monitor

Our Lady in the weeds: Knights of Vatican Briefing

Columbus find forgotten grotto Vatican Museums will reopen June 1 as opens bor- ders to tourists The Vatican Museums announced May 23 that it will reopen on June 1, two days before Italy opens its borders to European visitors after nearly three months of lockdown. Entrance to the Vatican Museums will only be possible via prior reservation to limit the number of people in the museum and stagger entrance times. All visitors will be required to wear a mask, and mandatory temperature checks will be conducted at the entrance. To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, group visits to the museums will be capped at a maximum of 10 people. The Vatican Museums will have been closed for 12 weeks since the Italian government announced the closure of all museums and archaeological sites throughout the country on March 8. (Courtney Mares/CNA)

Pope Francis appoints new archbishop for Taiwan’s capital appointed May 23 Bishop Thomas An-Zu Chung as the next Metropolitan Archbishop of Taipei, Taiwan. Chung, who currently serves as bishop of Chiayi, Taiwan, will replace Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan, who has retired at the age of 76. The Holy See is the only remaining country in Europe that recognizes Taiwan as a country. The Holy See and Taiwan have had formal diplomatic relations for 77 years. However, the nunciature in Taipei has not been led by a nuncio since Oct. 25, 1971, when the United Nations ceased to recognize the Taipei- based government as the government of China. The pope also appointed Chung to serve as the apostolic administrator of the Matzu Islands, an archipelago of 36 islands in the East China Sea, and the Kinmen The restored shrine at Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. Islands, which are located under four miles from the mainland People’s Republic of China. (Courtney CNA Staff— The St. Scholastica Council working on that project, they happened To prevent the grotto from being lost Mares/CNA) 14485 of the Knights of Columbus upon “a clump of rocks covered with to nature once again, the knights were thought they were doing a routine vegetation.” sure to spray weed killer to prevent the Pope Francis moves financial records office under Secre- community service project, clearing “Upon closer inspection, we found overgrowth from returning. tariat for Economy out vegetation at a summer camp. They a grotto and pond, which had been In addition to the statue of Mary, the Pope Francis on May 20 moved the office of the did not expect to stumble upon a long- covered with vegetation for decades,” knights also restored and repainted four Vatican’s financial records database under the forgotten shrine to the Virgin Mary. said Les McGlothlin, the spokesman for other statues at the camp, and has in management of the Secretariat for the Economy— The local knights’ council in Lecanto, the council. the past worked to provide additional reversing a decision he made in 2016. According Florida, has worked with the Our Lady Realizing what they had found, maintenance to the camp’s facilities. to a rescript May 20, starting June 1 the Data of Good Counsel Camp for years. The approximately a dozen knights worked The council also works each year to raise Processing Center (CED) will no longer be run camp, which is located in Floral City, is for three days to unearth the forgotten funds in order to send disadvantaged by the Administration of the Patrimony of the a co-ed youth camp in the Diocese of St. shrine. The rocks of the grotto were children to the camp. Apostolic See (APSA)—the Vatican’s sovereign Petersburg, and it is run by the pastor of pressure washed and restored, and The Marian statue at the grotto asset management body—as was first defined in St. Scholastica Parish. the statue of the Virgin Mary was wasn’t the only religious image to get the apostolic constitution Pastor bonus in 1988. According to the Knights of Columbus, repainted and fixed up. The knights a makeover from the knights. Recently Instead, the Secretariat for the Economy, under the “it was natural that when the grounds built a path leading up to the statue they refurbished and repainted four leadership of prefect Fr. Juan Antonio Guerrero, S.J., needed some sprucing up and physical out of stones from a former mess hall other large religious statues on the will oversee the work of the office and its employees. improvements, the Knights were called at the camp. grounds. Pope Francis first moved the financial records office into action,” they said in a release. McGlothlin said that the council “We returned them in their original from the competency of APSA to the Secretariat for The knights were instructed to build a moved to restore the grotto in order glory,” McGlothlin said, adding that the the Economy in July 2014, a few months after he path that would improve accessibility to to “preserve an important part of St. Scholastica Council stood ready to created the secretariat as part of his financial reform the camp and chapel for campers with the history of the camp and of Citrus respond the next time the camp called of the Curia. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA) physical disabilities. While they were County.” for help. (CNA) Pope Francis says prayer opens the door of hope Kenyan bishop: Poor could be exploited in COVID vaccine trials Prayer opens the door of hope, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday. Speaking via NAIROBI, Kenya— A Kenyan with maximum openness, newspaper, Daily Nation, with money, and instill fear livestream due to the coronavirus crisis, the pope bishop said testing potential and testing should not be which claimed that “local of the disease in order to get said May 20 that throughout history prayer had coronavirus vaccines on his carried out on unsuspecting researchers participating in people to agree to undergo helped people to see beyond their suffering. He countrymen could disrespect citizens,” he added. an international study are trials of such vaccines and said: “Men and women who pray know that hope human dignity, and amount The bishop’s statement seeking final approval from drugs.” is stronger than discouragement. They believe that to a breach of the country’s came after Kenyan media agencies to test three drugs “Poverty, it must be said, love is more powerful than death, and that it will constitution, especially if reports that drugs and on Kenyans.” or sickness does not remove surely triumph one day, even if in times and ways Kenyans are not fully vaccines in development to The bishop said that alleged the dignity of a person. The we do not know.” (CNA) informed of the risks involved treat COVID-19 could be testing plans are disrespectful dignity of the poor must in testing new drugs. tested in the country. to Kenyans and a possible nevertheless be protected,” Holy See donates to WHO fund for medics on pandemic “Whereas the Covid-19 “The media has been awash indicator of opportunistic he added. front line pandemic is a grave matter with many messages and tendencies by foreign Wainaina noted that The Holy See has pledged to contribute to the at hand, it should not in any video clips talking about the agencies to take advantage Kenya’s constitution World Health Organization’s emergency fund way be used to compromise intentions of foreign research of the “poor” who are bribed requires the opportunity supplying protective equipment to medics fighting the rights and dignity of the agencies to come to Kenya into human subject research for public participation the coronavirus, an archbishop has said. Addressing citizens” of Kenya, Bishop to test some Coronavirus unethically. in decisions concerning a the World Health Assembly, held remotely in Geneva, James Wainaina of the vaccines and drugs,” “The ‘Glory of Kenya’ that matter as serious as human Switzerland, May 18-19, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič Diocese of Murang’a said Wainaina said. we sing about in our national drug trials. highlighted the Church’s efforts to combat the disease May 7. “This matter has left many anthem implies that Kenyans “The fact that this matter that has claimed the lives of more than 319,000 people Because “vaccines or drugs Kenyans wondering whether deserve respect,” Bishop was circulating in the media worldwide as of May 19. He said: “The Holy See has may have side effects on the circulating information Wainaina observed. and the Government failed to pledged to contribute to the WHO Emergency Fund the citizens, we must be has been true or not.” “All of us must remain address it openly leaves the for the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) convinced of the safety of The bishop made vigilant to the foreign public with more questions to front-line medical workers and has already made the same and preservation of particular reference to insurgences, including than answers,” Bishop various donations to the regions in need of urgent the citizens’ dignity.” a May 5 report from research agencies that plan to Wainaina noted in his May 7 help.” (CNA) “Everything should be done Kenya’s highest circulation come and lure poor Kenyans statement. (CNA) Vatican calls attention to growing food crisis from coronavirus California church sues over governor’s reopening plan The coronavirus emergency is also causing a food-related crisis, Vatican officials said Saturday, WASHINGTON, D.C. Newsroom— A to see a spike in virus cases. The church says it has a “large encouraging people to do their small part to help protestant church in California is suing In late April, Governor Gavin Newsom sanctuary” for spacing congregants those who are going hungry. “What happens now with the state for ordering churches to released a four-stage “Resilience apart from each other, and is equipped the coronavirus crisis is it is increasing food-related remain closed while some businesses Roadmap” plan to reopen the state; the with masks, gloves, and protective problems,” Fr. Augusto Zampini-Davies said during a can reopen during the coronavirus plan is now in “Stage 2,” where “lower- gear. It already runs an outdoor food livestreamed press conference May 16. “We know the pandemic. risk businesses” are allowed to begin distribution operation with staff wearing value of a society is determined by how we treat the South Bay United Pentecostal reopening. Retail stores can offer curbside masks and gloves, LiMandri noted. poorest, the most vulnerable, so what are we going to do Church in Chula Vista, California filed pickup and manufacturing businesses “Religious expression is not a hobby,” for all these people, who, apart from the health issues, the lawsuit on May 11 through the can reopen, and by the end of the month he said, distinguishing religious services are suffering from hunger or food-related problems?” Thomas More Society, alleging that shopping malls and restaurants are from “non-essential” recreational he asked. (Hannha Brockhaus/CNA) the state’s plan of allowing certain expected to be having customers. Liquor activities. “For the faith communities, businesses—including shopping malls stores and marijuana dispensaries have it is very much an essential activity.” Pope Francis supports scholarships in Lebanon as country and restaurants—to reopen before been allowed to keep doing business in On May 5, a federal judge in faces ‘severe crisis’ churches is unconstitutional. the state during the shutdown. Sacramento ruled that the state had the Pope Francis has donated $200,000 to support “We feel it is totally unacceptable. It’s However, churches remain closed and authority to restrict religious services as 400 scholarships in Lebanon in an expression of his relegating the churches to a second-class are not allowed to reopen until Stage 3 part of its emergency police power. concern for the country’s young people, the Vatican status,” attorney Charles LiMandri told of Newsom’s plan, “potentially months There is an effort underway by some announced May 14. The Holy See press office said CNA on Wednesday. away,” LiMandri said. Christian churches to reopen by the end that Lebanon was experiencing a “severe crisis” that Churches, he said, “enjoy special In that stage, churches are grouped of the month in spite of the governor’s risked robbing younger generations of hope. The status” under the Free Exercise clause of together with “higher-risk” businesses order, LiMandri said. press office said the pope had decided to send the the First Amendment, and “if anything” such as movie theaters, nail salons and “If 1,000 or more Evangelical pastors donation to the apostolic nunciature in Lebanon should be allowed to open before other tattoo parlors where customers will start services, what’s the governor going “in the hope of achieving a gesture of solidarity.” organizations, provided that they follow either crowd a closed space or will be in to do—arrest them all?” LiMandri asked. It clarified that the pope’s gift was sent in addition public health guidelines for social close proximity to staff. So far, the Catholic dioceses in the to aid channeled to the Middle East through an distancing and hygiene. “I don’t know how they can justify it, state have closed voluntarily to help emergency fund created last month by the Vatican California has been under a strict stay- because eating in a restaurant is not a reduce the spread of the disease, and to Congregation for the Oriental Churches. (CNA) at-home order during the COVID-19 constitutional right. Going to church is “cooperate and avoid confrontation.” pandemic, as one of the first U.S. states a constitutional right,” LiMandri said. (CNA) WORLD NEWS CBCP Monitor MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 NEWS FEATURES A3

Pope Francis entrusts ‘His prayer life was edifying’, Filipino priest China to the Blessed says of St. John Paul II who ordained him Virgin Mary ROME— A Filipino priest among those ordained VATICAN— Pope Francis Commission found that ordained by Pope John Paul by John Paul II to the Sunday entrusted China to Chinese Catholics suffered II thinks that the modern day priesthood during the the Blessed Virgin Mary, “increasing persecution” saint’s life and teachings are International Eucharistic and asked people to pray after the Vatican-China deal. a model on how Christians Congress in Sevilla, Spain in for a new outpouring of the It said the government was should live their faith. 1993. Fr. Simangan is now Holy Spirit upon the most “demolishing churches, Rome-based Father a chaplain at the Philippine populated country in the removing crosses, and Gregory Gaston said John Coast Guard. world. continuing to detain Paul II was “truly a father”, Fr. Gaston considers his “Dear Catholic brothers underground clergy.” Priests caring not only for Catholics ordination by the pope- and sisters in China, I wish to and bishops have reportedly but also for other Christians turned-saint himself as a assure you that the universal been detained or have gone and non-Christians. “blessing” and the turning Church, of which you are an into hiding. “His living of the point of his life. integral part, shares your Earlier this week, the priesthood was an example According to him, the hopes and supports you in Vatican revealed that for us priests,” Fr. Gaston saint’s spirituality is best trials,” Pope Francis said Catholics in China were said May 18 as he recalled characterized by his intense May 24 after the Regina Caeli able to use the most popular the 100th anniversary of the prayer life. prayer. Chinese state-monitored birth of the saint. “His prayer life was indeed “It accompanies you with social media platform, Wherever he goes around edifying,” said Fr. Gaston, prayer for a new outpouring WeChat, to livestream Pope the world, John Paul II, he who also served at the of the Holy Spirit, so that Francis’ daily Mass during said, never failed to remind Vatican’s Pontifical Council the light and beauty of the the coronavirus pandemic. people to put Christ at the for the Family from 2002 to Gospel, the power of God It is unclear whether center of their lives. 2007. for the salvation of whoever Catholics in China were also In the World Youth Days, “I think that because of his believes, can shine in you,” able to watch the livestream he said that the pope always intense prayer life, Pope John the pope said. of this Sunday Marian prayer encouraged the young people Paul was able to work hard, Pope Francis imparted a for their country on WeChat to live their Christian life giving himself totally to God special Apostolic Blessing due to the heavy censorship well, by being close to God and to others,” he added. upon China for the feast of of all Chinese online media. through prayers, and close John Paul II visited the Our Lady Help of Christians. Pope Benedict XVI to others through a life of Philippines twice during his The Marian shrine of established the custom of service. 27-year reign. In February Sheshan in Shanghai, which praying for China on the “He would always lead 1981, he beatified the now is dedicated to Our Lady Help Marian feast of Our Lady us to look into the different St. in Manila. realities with the eyes of faith, Fourteen years later, he went Pope John Paul II lays hands on Gregory Gaston as he ordains him to the priesthood of Christians, remains closed Help of Christians in 2007, during the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) at the Seville Stadium in Spain in knowing that it is God who back to Manila in January on this feast after the Diocese and composed a prayer to 1993. L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO of Shanghai suspended all Our Lady of Sheshan for the guides each one of us,” said 1995 for the WYD. pilgrimages for the month of occasion. the Rector of the Pontificio Fr. Gaston also noted that “May Pope John Paul II’s themselves fully to the Lord, May to prevent the spread of Pope Francis entrusted to Collegio Filippino. every WYD, there was an 100th birthday bring many wherever God might have the coronavirus. the intercession of Mary Help He and another Filipino, increase in vocations to the of our young men and women led them in this life,” he said. “We entrust the pastors of Christians all Christian Stephen Simangan, were priesthood and religious life. to discover the grace to give (CBCPNews) and faithful of the Catholic disciples and people of good Church in that great will who are working for country to the guidance and peace, dialogue between School goes on for Collegio Filippino priests protection of our Heavenly nations, service to the poor, ROME— Life in time of coronavirus is Mother, so that they may and the custody of creation. not easy for anyone, least of all for the be strong in faith and firm The pope also marked Filipino priests studying in Italy, one of in fraternal union, joyful the fifth anniversary the hardest-hit in the world. witnesses and promoters of of publication of his While some priests residing at the charity and fraternal hope, environmental encyclical, Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome and good citizens,” Pope Laudato si’. He said that he have returned to the Philippines Francis said. wrote Laudato si’ to “draw recently, classes carry on for most of “May Our Lady always attention to the cry of the them. guard you!” he added. Earth and the poor.” Fr. Gregory Gaston, PCF Rector, said In his Regina Caeli address, Pope Francis spoke during that the priest-students are taking part the pope reflected on the his Regina Caeli address via in online classes since lockdown forced words of Jesus recorded in livestream video recorded in universities to shutdown. Gospel of Matthew for the the library of the Vatican’s “Our online classes continue. We are feast of the Ascension of Apostolic Palace. However, on our last month because June is the the Lord: “Go therefore and for the first time in more exam period and the end of the second make disciples of all nations, than 10 weeks, people were semester,” Gaston said. baptizing them in the name allowed to be present in St. There are at least 35 Filipino priests of the Father, and of the Peter’s Square when the pope at the Collegio but five of them decided Son, and of the Holy Spirit, appeared in the window to to return to the Philippines amid the teaching them to observe all give a blessing. pandemic. that I have commanded you.” Each person who entered the Three priests had gone home as early China is home to more square was required to wear a as March and two others joined the than 10 million Catholics, face mask and security enforced repatriation flight from Milan to Manila with six million registered social distancing for the people on April 28. as members of the gathered outside of St. Peter’s “It’s normal for some to go home for Chinese Catholic Patriotic Basilica, which reopened to the different reasons but majority have Association, according to public on May 18. remained with us here,” Gaston said. official statistics. After more than 5 million Some universities in Rome have Cardinal , Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, celebrates Mass with Filipino priest-students at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy on Feb. 11, 2020.CBCPNEWS The Holy See and the people around the world already laid their plans to finish the Chinese government signed have been documented with current semester and for the next The Pontifical University of the Holy that has seen a significant decrease a provisional agreement in COVID-19, the pope asked academic year. Cross is also doing classes virtually. in the daily death toll and hospital 2018 on the appointment Our Lady Help of Christians The Pontifical Gregorian University, Aside from the Filipino priests, the admissions. of bishops in the state- to intercede “for the victory of for instance, continued doing online PCF is also a home to at least 15 priest- But authorities have insisted that sponsored Church, the terms humanity over every disease classes including exams. It is set to students from different countries. strict physical distancing measures must of which have still not been of the body, heart, and soul.” open the next school year in October Although he has his residence at the still be observed. publicly released. In the “The feast of Ascension depending on the gravity of the Congregation, Cardinal Tagle has been The country was the epicenter of the wake of the deal, previously tells us that Jesus, although situation. staying at the Collegio since his arrival infection for most of March. There have excommunicated bishops he ascended into Heaven Meanwhile, the Pontifical Urban in Rome in February. He travels to his been more than 30,000 deaths in Italy of the Chinese Catholic to dwell gloriously on the University, wherein Cardinal Luis office at Piazza Spagna daily despite the and 219,000 people have tested positive Patriotic Association, which right hand of the Father, is Antonio Tagle is the grand chancellor, pandemic. for coronavirus. is overseen by the Communist still and always among us will not open for the next academic year. The cardinal also eats meals with the Public Masses and other religious Party, were received into full for us to derive strength, Also called the Urbaniana, the collegio priests and celebrates Mass services will also resume in Italy communion with the Vatican. perseverance, and our joy,” university is administered by the with them. beginning May 18, under conditions A report published in Pope Francis said. (Courney Congregation for the Evangelization of Italy has eased coronavirus restrictions set by the government officials. 2020 by the U.S. China Mares/CNA) Peoples that Cardinal Tagle now heads. on May 4 after a two-month lockdown (CBCPNews) Pope Francis praises St. John Paul II as man of prayer and justice

VATICAN— St. John Paul II focused on three qualities people. On the contrary, if attitude of mercy. And this is was a man of prayer who was of St. John Paul II, who he is not a shepherd, he is a a gift that he left us: justice- close to the people and loved was pope from 1978 to hierarch, an administrator mercy and just mercy,” he justice, Pope Francis said at 2005: prayer, closeness — perhaps a good one, but said. his morning Mass Monday. to the people, and love for he is not a shepherd. … And Francis, who canonized Celebrating Mass at the justice. St. John Paul II gave us the John Paul II in 2014, saint’s tomb in St. Peter’s He said that despite the example of this closeness: concluded: “Let us pray Basilica, the pope noted demands on his time, the close to the great and the to him today that he may that May 18 is the 100th Polish pope always made small, to the near and the far, give all of us, especially the anniversary of John Paul prayer his first priority. always close,” he said. pastors of the Church but II’s birth. “The first task of a bishop He observed that the to everyone, the grace of Quoting from the day’s is to pray, and he knew it. He Polish pope was “a man who prayer, the grace of closeness responsorial psalm, which did it,” he said. wanted justice, social justice, and the grace of just mercy.” declares that “The Lord loves “And he taught us that the justice of peoples, justice The Mass was his people” (Psalm 149:4), when a bishop makes an that drives out wars.” But concelebrated by Cardinal he said: “And today we can examination of conscience he was also a man of mercy, Angelo Comastri, the say here: 100 years ago the in the evening he must ask because mercy and justice archpriest of St. Peter’s Lord visited his people, sent himself: how many hours cannot be separated. Basilica, Cardinal Konrad a man, prepared him to be a have I prayed today?” Pope Francis recalled that Krajewski, the papal bishop and lead the Church. Francis said that John John Paul II championed almoner, and Archbishop In memory of St. John Paul Paul II, who made 104 the message of St. Faustina Jan Romeo Pawłowski, head Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica May 18, 2020. VATICAN MEDIA II, we take this up again: ‘The foreign trips during his 27- Kowalska, the Polish nun of the third section of the Lord loves his people,’ the year pontificate, traveled who promoted the Divine Vatican Secretariat of State, livestreamed his daily Masses the last papal daily Mass to Lord visited his people, he the world “looking for his Mercy devotion. which oversees the Holy since March 9, when public be livestreamed as public sent a pastor.” people.” “He felt that God’s justice See’s diplomatic corps. liturgies were suspended Masses resume throughout In his homily, Francis “A shepherd is close to the had this face of mercy, this Pope Francis has throughout Italy. Today was the country. (CNA) A4 OPINION MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Violence to redress injustice?

TIME to be wary of what appears to be a trend in the Internet these days: video clips that glorify violence as a way of redressing injustice. These videos are particularly appealing to the young ones who still are more in their idealistic outlook, not yet knowing how to discern other considerations that should make their reactions more realistic, humane and Christian. These videos usually depict extreme cases of injustice, like bullying, racism, etc., that cry to high heavens for justice. While it’s true that these cases can be real, it is actually improbable that they happen. Some demonic forces should be involved there, but I imagine that is not common. What’s even more improbable is to see that many others appear to be in agreement with those who inflict these extreme forms of injustice. It makes me think whether these videos are realistic. We all know that there is always a tendency in those involved in media and entertainment to fall into sensationalism. But we should be clear about where to draw the line. This is a dangerous trend because the young ones usually are still impressionable. Their reactions to what they see are guided more by their feelings and passions which are whetted by these extreme cases of injustice. They tend to act at the impulse of their base instincts rather than their reason enlightened by faith and charity. And so they tend to blindly follow and imitate what they just see. BORROMEO BY ZACH ILLUSTRATION The sense of justice and injustice of many of the young ones is still in the purely black-and-white model, shaped more by emotions and external factors rather than by what is truly Farmers are essential proper to man as a person and as a child of God. The need for Panaghoy patience and the attitude of drowning evil with an abundance Bp. Broderick Pabillo of good, following the example of Christ, are hardly inputted. Parents, teachers and Church and civil authorities should take the initiative to express their reactions to these videos. Of course, everything has to be done in charity, without falling MAY 15 is an important date for many we get our rice. If these countries stop people and give them a bit of a capital into bitter zeal that would just defeat the purpose. farming and fishing communities all exporting rice to us, how will we feed for them to stay there. This is already a We know that aside from peddling violence, the Internet is over the country. It is the feast of San our people? We have not given enough positive realization. People come to the also rife with pornography nowadays. It’s time that we openly Isidro Labrador, the patron of farmers. support to our farmers. We prefer to cities because they have no livelihood acknowledge the reality of this very perverse trend. We just It is a day of social gathering for farmers import, even staple as rice. We have in the provinces. But this is not enough. cannot keep quiet and passive in the face of this development. who most of the time are alone in no food security—and yet we are an The government and businesses should While we have to be most tactful, discreet and prudent in their isolated farms. This year, the agricultural country! pour massive investment in rural handling this very delicate issue, we also need to be active, quarantine surely has an effect on how Most of our people live on agriculture areas so that they get adequate human with the activeness of charity and mercy, of truth and justice the farmers celebrate their feast day. and fishery. These sectors do not get the services and jobs in the provinces. in resolving this matter. Poor farmers, most of the time they toil budget and the services that they need. There are still areas without electricity. Obviously, in doing this, we cannot expect to keep ourselves in their isolated farms, and now the one So we have the phenomenon of farmers What basic service can they get without completely clean. We have to expect some bruises and cuts, occasion for them to socialize can even and fisherfolks among the poorest in electricity? Many areas have no health some falls and failures ourselves, but we just have to learn be denied to them. the country, and consequently many clinics, and if they happen to have, they to get up, fight and move on toward what is ideal for us. But Yes, poor farmers! For so many years of them flock to the urban centers are just empty buildings because there let’s start with these violent videos because they usually offer we have neglected them, especially those which receive the bulk of services are no healthcare workers—no doctors the opening for other perversions, like pornography, to come of us who are in the cities. We do not see and government attention. Hence we and nurses, and poorly trained and and thrive. them around. We do not know how they have rapid urbanization which bring supervised barangay healthcare workers. toil and strive to survive. Yet because of along with it congested urban poor Many rural roads are impassable during The Solemnity of the Ascension their labor we are fed and nourished. communities, pollution, and even rainy seasons and dusty on dry seasons. This quarantine experience has once lawlessness. Because of the bad roads the transport NOW that we are still in various forms of quarantine, it might more brought to the fore the essential Now the government wants the people system is unreliable and expensive. In a be timely to remind ourselves of our need to keep heaven in services that the farmers render to us. to go back to the provinces to ward off the word, the development plan – and the mind. The Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ For a long time we have thought that this danger of massive contamination in our budget—should all be aligned to give gives us good occasion for this consideration, actually a crucial globalized world will support our needs, urban centers. Thus the Balik Probinsya importance to the rural areas in order one if we do not want to lose our proper bearing here on earth. even the basic ones such as food. The Balik Pag-asa (BPBP) Program is being to develop the agricultural and fishery The simple reason is that heaven is where we all came from, virus has unexpectedly and suddenly trumpeted. There have been so many sectors of our society. since we all came from God, and where we are meant to be in stopped international trade. How do we back-to-the- province programs in the I hope the corona virus should be a our definitive state of life for all eternity. That’s how God, our get our food from abroad? Fortunately, past and they all have failed. The people wake up call for the government and Creator and Father, wants it. He made us his image and likeness. other countries where we get our food they sent to the provinces came back business to pay attention to our farmers For this reason he endowed us with the capacity to know and are not very much affected by the virus, to the cities after some time. Now they and fisher folks. They are essential to our to love, and gave us his grace so that what we cannot attain such as Vietnam and Thailand where promise to give skills training to the economy and to our survival! through our natural powers, not to mention the dragging effects of our sinfulness, we can still manage to attain through his supernatural power to which we have to correspond as Hope for the best but best that we can. Active Faith That is why St. Paul tells us very clearly: “Set your hearts on prepare for the worst Joe Tale heavenly things, not the things that are on earth.” (Col 3) It’s not that we disdain the earthly things. What is meant is that we have to learn how to relate everything to heaven, and not get entangled in our earthly and temporal affairs. Everything WE are of course praying We long for the day when or vaccine has been found Also, scientists and medical is meant to start and end with God who is the Creator of for an early end to this we can attend mass again as yet. experts have indicated that a everything and the very foundation of reality. pandemic. We pray for the in our churches, receive the Many areas are certainly vaccine can be ready but only Thus, we are supposed to be always aware that we are in healing and recovery of those sacraments once more, or not out of the woods by any after one year. some kind of journey toward heaven. Our earthly sojourn is are sick, especially those gather for our worship. measure. Some mention Amidst these, there are just a test to see if we also would like to be with God in heaven who are struggling for life While we so hope, the months and even years posts that mention many as he wants us to be, since he does not force us to be with him. in the hospitals. We long nagging thought does not before this is over. There good things that have He wants us to also choose him freely, that is, to love him. to be back to normal times disappear - what if the is reputedly a document happened because of this Our earthly life is actually a test of love. as soon as possible, when pandemic remains, or a from intelligence sources corona virus pandemic. Our St. Augustine gives us an idea of how to go about this task. we can freely move about second wave comes? that estimates 18 months planet earth, our common It’s a matter of growing in our desire for heaven while here again, when we can report There are indeed welcome before this pandemic will home, had a welcome on earth. “Such is our Christian life,” he said. “By desiring regularly to our jobs, when signs of normalcy, of certain disappear. One benchmark breather, the air is cleaner, heaven we exercise the powers of our soul. Now this exercise we can pursue our respective establishments opening up we can consider is how the pollution by many measures will be effective only to the extent that we free ourselves from means of livelihood. We look again, albeit gradually and Vatican acts, which obtains is significantly lower, the desires leading to infatuation with this world.” forward to the day when the varying from place to place information from many ozone layer has been cleared How important, therefore, it is to always rectify our intentions schools open again, when we and from country to country. sources. Through the Pope, it in some areas. Many are in all our earthly and temporal affairs. That is, we should see to can eat snacks and dine once However, there are also has postponed major events rejoicing that traffic is much it that whatever we may doing, even if in the end, what we do more in our favorite restos, warnings of the pandemic by one year, specifically the lighter, and the price of gas could be considered wrong or deficient in some sense, should or even just walk and run in coming back in the fall and and the is much cheaper. Notably, be done out of faith and love for God and for others. the park or enjoy the beach. winter, especially as no cure World Meeting of Families. Active Faith / A7 Our present condition that involves an increase of pressure, confusing knowledge overdrives, increasingly sophisticated challenges and difficulties, require that we need to seriously Honing the sense cultivate this virtue. There’s no other way. It’s either that or Candidly Speaking we get into a free-fall toward disorder, chaos and desperation. of communion Thus, we have to make a regular monitoring and accounting Fr. Roy Cimagala of all the developments in our life to see if we are still on track.

A FRIEND of mine once told me that he us always whatever our conditions and do good always, because whatever good CBCP was a bit sad because his 4 children and circumstances may be. No, not distance, we do, no matter how little, will always the grandchildren are slowly moving not even death can separate us from the redound to the good of others. It will out of his house to settle down in other others as long as we are with God. We also serve to deter us from doing evil, for Monitor places. Of course, he knew that he had are meant to be together. God created the same reason: that whatever evil we PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE to expect this to happen, but he could and designed us to be that way. do, no matter how little, will also badly Pedro Quitorio not avoid feeling sad at We actually are one family of God. affect the others. Editor-in-Chief seeing his house becoming an empty We form one body with Christ as the All our deeds, no matter how hidden, Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite nest. “We are now just my wife and I,” head and all of us as members. As the will always have effects on everybody Associate Editor Circulation Manager he told me. Catechism teaches us, “Since all the else, precisely because we are one body, That was when I had to explain to faithful form one body, the good of organically united to one another, so to Ron Ramos, Sky Ortigas Marcelita Dominguez him, as nicely and calmly as I could, the each is communicated to the others.” speak. On this point, St. Paul said: “If Design Artists Comptroller beautiful doctrine of our faith about the (CCC 947) And since Christ is the one member suffers, all suffer together; The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the communion of saints that takes place in head of that body, everything in him is if one member is honored, all rejoice CBCP - Media Office with editorial and business offices at 3rd Floor, CBCP our lives. communicated to us, especially through together. Now you are the body Christ Compound, 470 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Email Address: I told him that we can never be the sacraments. and individually members of it.” (1 Cor [email protected], Business: (632) 8404 - 1612. ISSN 1908-2940. separated as long as we live with God This truth of our faith is very useful 12,26-27) who in his wisdom and power unites because it can strongly motivate us to Candidly Speaking / A7 OPINION CBCP Monitor MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 OPINION A5

Mass testing to stem the Duc in Altum spread of Covid-19 Inside Out Atty. Aurora A. Santiago Fr. Spencer Lewerenz

HOWEVER we call it in 2nd wave of covid-19. Some *** in the hospitals. The social the Philippines—Enhanced individuals thought that since Irrespective of how long amelioration project has Time for a Community Quarantine or it is Modified ECQ, they can the lockdown would be, it become the source of ECQ, Modified ECQ, General do their things already. The will not successfully flatten corruption and many spiritual ‘reboot’ Community Quarantine or word modified is misleading. the curve. The covid positive deserving individuals like the GCQ or Modified GCQ, it It appears that the people just individuals will continue senior citizens and the PWDs IT’S “time to get our lives back” many people say, to “get is still a lockdown in the read the topics but never the to balloon if mass testing is or persons with disabilities back to normal.” international parlance. In complete guidelines. Little not done. Mass testing can still have to receive the cash No doubt we are ready to get out of the house, those of us our place in Navotas City, we did they know that there are determine who are the covid assistance from DSWD. lucky enough to have one. But are we really so eager for things had another term, Extreme two or three changes. Both positive so that they can Then the Department to return to “normal”? Perhaps we should take a moment to Enhanced Community under ECQ and MECQ, it immediately be isolated or of Budget just released an stop and re-consider that “normal.” Quarantine or EECQ which is still 100% stay at home; quarantined and not infect additional P45.0 Billion to In a remarkable interview with papal biographer Austen was implemented from schools still closed; no public others. Once testing is done DOH for all health-related Ivereigh, Pope Francis said: May 6 to 11:59pm of May transport, no domestic by the LGUs, covid positive requirements for covid-19. What we are living now is a place of metanoia (conversion)... 15; in other words, it was flights, limited international individuals cannot infect We just hope that DOH will So let’s not let it slip from us... strictly lockdown. Those flights, no interisland travel, other individuals anymore set aside a big percentage of God has allowed the world to come to a stop, the Pope says, with Quarantine Pass issued skeletal onsite work and and the spread of coronavirus the amount to purchase test not so that we can just get back to normal. Rather, he wants by Barangay could get out others work from home; still will be curtailed. kits so that mass testing can us to change our approach to the world around us. The secret, of the house only to buy with curfew from 8pm to Pursuant to RA 11469, be done immediately. The he says, is in “slowing down” to rediscover the “contemplative foods, medicines and other 5am; still with liquor ban. out of the P246,283 Billion experience of South Korea in dimension” of life. essentials either MWF or Some changes are: limited Heal as One Budget from a flattening the curve through In other words, we need a spiritual reboot. TThS, depending in which outdoor exercise allowed total pooled savings from mass testing of its population The word “reboot” originated in the world of technology. Barangay one resides. Sunday like walk, jog/run, bike but discontinued programs, was successful in immediately When our electronic devices begins to malfunction or exhibit ILLUSTRATION BY ZACH BORROMEO BY ZACH ILLUSTRATION was strictly Stay Home unless must wear masks and have 2 activities and projects, only segregating covid positive glitches, often the most effective solution is simply to restart in case of emergency to buy meters physical distancing; P1.912 Billion is allotted from the community. them. Having entered the vernacular, the word “reboot” is medicine. It was the day to mass gathering is restricted to DOH as compared As long as there is no now applied to everything from movies franchises to brands disinfect markets, groceries, to a maximum of 5 persons; to P196,044 Billion to medicine yet to treat to business ventures, anything that is “malfunctioning,” so- public places, etc. Our City controlled inbound travel DSWD to cover the social covid-19, as long as there is to-speak, and in need of a fresh start. Mayor wanted to extend the for OFWs and returning amelioration cash assistance. no vaccine yet to immunize The Pope sees a world that has forgotten how to contemplate EECQ due to the continuous ; and biking and We are battling an invisible the population, everybody the beauty of what is around them, the world and its people, rise in the number of covid non-motorized transport and borderless enemy, a must strictly follow the health especially the ones who tend to be invisible in society, those positive individuals, however, encouraged. pandemic, and yet the DOH protocol - stay at home, avoid “thrown away.” the IATF decided against it. In our city, some business was given a very meager mass gathering, observe And so we have come to a “stop” for a reason. We have Hence, we are on MECQ as may be opened; tricycles or budget. Instead of putting physical distancing, wear stopped here in order to learn how to contemplate. the other cities in NCR. pedicabs may be allowed a big chunk of funds to mask properly, wash hands What is this “contemplative dimension”? Many of us have The first day of MECQ was provided that it is limited DSWD, Congress should with soap and water or use likely been discovering it without even realizing it. Slowing chaotic. Everybody got out of to one passenger only. have given more to DOH alcohol. down has given us more time to enjoy our families and to the house, EDSA was full of Compulsory wearing of mask so that it can purchase the *** appreciate God’s creation. But slowing down can also be vehicles, and so were other covering the nose and mouth. PPEs or Personal Protective Happy Birthday to my difficult. Have you felt a little bit bored? Depressed? Anxious? main thoroughfares. Malls Government infra structure Equipment, hazmat suits sister-in-law, Jinky Santiago, These feelings were probably there before this all started. were full of people, physical projects, mostly flood and medical supplies which the wife of my brother Dr. This time of shut-down has just allowed them to come to the distancing was not observed. control and school building are very much needed by Roy Santiago and mother of surface. It is like hell broke loose. We projects, will be continued the frontliners, especially my nephew Rome and niece A Twitter user commented: should be worried about the and completed. those working or assigned Ella. The truth is: this isn’t just “staying home and watching Netflix”: It’s abandonment wounds. It’s attachment issues. Swiping paradox It’s relational conflict… It’s existential dread. It’s overwhelm Whatever of grief. It’s lack of purpose. It’s fear of death. This is what happens when we stop and unplug. It is Fr. Francis Ongkingco difficult, but necessary... a downtime of grace and truth. For me, this time has allowed many truths to surface: The truth of my reliance on work and accomplishment for my sense of self-worth. The truth of my almost complete inability ONE day, a friend showed me a video and scroll we make. • Receiving new lights and guides in to unplug from TV and devices to make room for internal of her baby daughter on the floor playing This is what we take for granted: to our spiritual life always comes from silence. The truth of my compensating for the uncertainty of with her toys. Suddenly, her attention see the latest content on the screen we above, that is, God. our times by filling my head with news and opinions. was caught by the magazine that her swipe up to see what is new, and to go • Giving thanks to God for many In our American culture as a whole, we are seeing the truth mother had left beside on the floor. back and read past posts or news we blessings received personally and those of how dependent we are on our “stuff”—our material wealth— Her eyes were captivated by the cover need to swipe down. In other words, we love. and how far we are willing to go not to lose it. full of fancy colorful letters—though to go down, we must swipe UP and get • Offering up inconveniences or trials Our glitch is a flight from reality, from what seems mundane she couldn’t still read—she grabbed latest post, and to go up, or the history to God so that they will help us to trust and beneath us into a glitzy fantasy world where we are all the magazine with a hungry curiosity. in the thread, we must swipe DOWN! in Him more. stars and experts and heroes. As a church we are often guilty of She examined it carefully, gave it some This relationship between the swiping turning Jesus’ command to love one another into just another twists and flips to see what would movement that is opposite to the Swipe ourselves down means: industry, consuming ourselves with slick productions and happen. Then she laid it carefully on content we are looking for also holds • Everything that is old or belonging lofty projects and forgetting to simply make time to connect the floor and gently glided her palm true in our spiritual life. to our past life are seen when we swipe with one another. over the cover. Jesus already taught us a similar down. And now, like actors without the dramatic lighting and She was a bit confused when nothing lesson: if you want to live and be fruitful, • This entails examining experiences stage makeup, we get to see the fearful truth. This is the happened. Once again, she glided both you must fall to the ground and die of joy and sorrow, successes and failures, contemplative movement, the Pope says. “Go down into the palms but again with no satisfying like a grain of wheat, if you wish to be healings and hurts and more. underground, and pass from the hyper-virtual, fleshless world result. Disappointed and distraught she great and enter the kingdom of heaven • Swiping down reminds us to be to the suffering flesh of the poor.” cried hopelessly to her father for some you must become a little child, and humble and docile, to realize how God In other words, in the underground of our consciousness, explanation, as if saying, “Why doesn’t He reminded His disciples that their never left our side. where we have been hiding from the truth of who we are, some the picture change when I swipe the ‘greatness or success’ is determined by • The gesture will constantly remind others are waiting as well: The people we forgot. Maybe it is screeeeen!!!?” how willing they were to become the us to give thanks, ask pardon and to the person on the street corner. Maybe it’s our kids. That day, she learned to differentiate servant of the others. This is the paradox serve others. Those whom the pope says were once merely “part of the a tablet from a magazine! of Christian life and fulfillment! landscape” become “pietas, which point towards God and Swiping or scrolling up, down, left and Thus, let us not take for granted the Next time you find yourself towards our neighbor.” The truth turns out to be terrifying, right is a very normal routine for us in casual swiping up and down in our monotonously swiping up or down, yes, but also indescribably beautiful. The suffering-yet- our digital world. We use our mouse to smartphone and other gadgets. pause for a bit and consider if you were glorious flesh of Christ is in those people, and it’s in us. We, scroll through infinite pages on the Web, Here are some examples that may be going up or down. Then ponder on the tragically, forgot to notice. Let’s not make that mistake again. and most of the time, we use our thumb helpful to take advantage of our swipes: possible lesson that a simple movement Our contemplative reboot is about stopping so that we can or index finger to swipe and scroll can actually bring about in our heart and learn that all that stuff we thought we needed, we really don’t. through content in our smartphones or Swiping ourselves ups means: soul. May these simple gestures help God thinks you are pretty cool the way you are, without all tablets. As much as these motions seem • That everything new in our life point us to live in God’s presence rather than the lighting and makeup. And he wants you to see others the totally normal for us, we are actually not us upwards, that is, all graces come from simply being absorbed with manually same way. That’s a new normal worth a shutting down for. aware of the paradox behind every swipe above. swiping, scrolling and clicking. (Connect with Fr. Spencer on Twitter @FrSpencer_CMC) Exposing a virus, being exposed by the virus instead By the Roadside Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

“For everyone who does wicked an unseen malevolent enemy before facemasks became what they In the process of wearing so many perceived harmful or dangerous. In things hates the light and does not confined within an unseen cage are now—a worldwide craze. And different faces, we either serve fact, truck drivers got it first. They come to the light, lest his works until they can effectively discover a mask is a face, each one distinct or mangle truth and goodness, sometimes remind you by putting should be exposed” (Jn 3:20) ways to terminate, manipulate or from the other, depending on what justice and right. Shakespeare up a sign behind their vehicles, even use it for their own ends. In the end the immediate environment calls once wrote: “Why, I can smile, before Covid-19: “DISTANCIA, “Sometimes our worst enemy the unseen enemy is controlling for or the motive behind wearing and murder while I smile: and AMIGO (Keep Distance, Friend)” best mirrors us to ourselves”—Leo everyone’s behavior, decisions and it. We have a face for the home, cry, content to that which grieves to avoid accidents. On the other the Mountaineer actions such that it is now the focal one that may be more truthful or my heart; and wet my cheeks with hand, that is what we have been point of political, economic, social honest. We have another face for artificial tears, and frame my face doing with some people, groups I WOKE up in the middle of the and cultural changes now called the friends, probably more honest to all occasions.” So Covid-19 says: or associations that are objects of night recently. The pall of gloom “new normal”. and truthful than the home face, “Since you actually wear different our loathing. Many couples keep seemed worsened by a massive However, as world leaders and but it also depends on how deep masks, why don’t I make you more distance even from their spouses blackout in Eastern Samar my experts work themselves into a or shallow the friendships are. We truthful by requiring you to wear after some years of problematic province. But the real blackout, frenzy of controlling Covid-19, have another face at work which visible ones?” marriages. Many of us are forced it hit me, is, right now, Covid-19. there is a constant need to expose is totally adjusted to the degree SOCIAL/PHYSICAL to keep distance from our families A thought crossed my mind on its ins and outs, no matter how working relationships have either DISTANCING. Although because we work or live outside the the Philippine and world crisis unseen its nature. But in the end become positive or negative in musicians and poets may agree country or because we have inflicted response: “TRYING TO CONTROL Covid-19 is really exposing them relation to job security, sense of with Worsworth who once said wounds on one another or do not A VIRUS, NOW CONTROLLED and all of us humans for the things fulfilment or disillusionment etc. that the “sweetest melodies are wish to inflict any on our loved ones BY THE VIRUS INSTEAD”. It that we have been actually doing to Still there are other faces we wear those that are made by distance if they discovered the kind of life suddenly appeared to me, like a ourselves. for the school, the church, our more sweet”, the distancing we we are living. Our leaders are even phantom of the night, how local, FACEMASKS AND PPEs. social circles and society at large; now engage in has more mundane, more distant to their opposition national and world leaders are Covid-19 makes us see how we have we wear them for our own ends pragmatic ends. We do (social or counterparts. Nations have been scrambling to find ways of keeping been wearing so many masks even and purposes, whatever they are. safe) distancing to avoid something By the Roadside / A7 A6 LOCAL NEWS MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 CBCP Monitor

More rural jobs would CBCP head calls for cooperation with decongest Manila — bishop gov’t on religious services guidelines

THE head of the Catholic after the government’s religious gatherings in described the guidelines bishops’ leadership asked guidelines on the conduct areas under MECQ would as “impractical and church leaders to take lead of religious services be highly restricted and without sense”. in showing “calmness” triggered mixed reactions limited to five persons He, however, asked his and “cooperation” with even from within the only, and a maximum of fellow bishops to seek the government as the Church. 10 in GCQ areas. clarification in the spirit nation grapples with The Inter-Agency Task One of those first to react of dialogue. coronavirus. Force for the Management was Bishop Broderick “It is good to remind Archbishop Romulo of Emerging Infection Pabillo of Manila, who ourselves that these Valles, president of the Diseases (IATF-EID) on asked for clarification on guidelines are meant episcopal conference, May 16 allowed the holding the national guidelines. not only for the Catholic stressed the need for of religious gatherings in Bishop Pabillo also Church but for all understanding and “open areas placed under modified said that there are also men and women and communication” with enhanced community confusion as to whom communities of faith who authorities whatever quarantine (MECQ) they could talk with practice different modes concerns the Church. and general community regarding regulated of worship and prayer,” The archbishop made quarantine (GCQ). church gatherings. Archbishop Valles said. the statement May 18 Under its guidelines, Even Archbishop Valles (CBCP News) Bishop voices solidarity with typhoon victims

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila. ERIC PAUL GUANLAO/RCAM

UNLESS rural realities are taken the past and “they have all failed”. into account, a Catholic bishop said He said that people who were sent that the revived “balik probinsya” to the provinces came back to cities (back to the province) program will after some time because of the need not work any better. for jobs. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the “Now they promise to give skills administrator of the Manila training to the people and give archdiocese, said that lessons from them a bit of a capital for them to the past should be taken more stay there. This is already a positive seriously. realization,” Pabillo said. “In a word, the development But this is not enough, according plan—and the budget—should all to him. be aligned to give importance to the The government and businesses, rural areas in order to develop the he stressed, “should pour massive agricultural and fishery sectors of investment” in rural areas so that our society,” he said. they get adequate human services President Rodrigo Duterte and jobs in the provinces. on May 6 institutionalized the The bishop also said that the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa pandemic should serve as a “wake Program,” which seeks to decongest up call” for the government to pay Metro Manila and boost countryside attention to the “neglected” sector

development. of agriculture. Typhoon Ambo leaves Jipapad town in Eastern Samar inundated May 15. PHILIP RAYMOND BOTE/DIOCESE OF BORONGAN The struggle to contain the spread The quarantine period, he said, of coronavirus has spurred the has once more brought to the A CATHOLIC bishop is giving our support and parish church was ripped typhoon Yolanda in 2013. authorities to address the massive fore the essential services that the expressed his closeness prayers to all of you,” off completely. He added that the numbers and densities of Metro farmers and fisher folk render to to those who were affected Varquez said. The typhoon’s heavy typhoon destroyed Manila’s informal settlements. the public. by the strong typhoon Ambo, the first downpour also submerged some evacuation centers The back to the province program “They are essential to our that devastated parts of tropical cyclone to hit the upstream town of transformed into Covid-19 is not new. The prelate said there economy and to our survival,” he Eastern Samar province. the country this year, left Jipapad. isolation areas. have been many such programs in said. (CBCP News) Bishop Crispin Varquez a trail of destruction in Fr. Guido Ditalo, Jr., Bishop Varquez also of Borongan said he was the northern part of the parish priest of Arteche, exhorted the victims to Consecration / A1 “deeply saddened” by province, with hundreds of described Ambo like a keep their faith and never the destruction caused families made homeless. “super typhoon”. lose hope, as he asked God during the Marcos dictatorship. of the Lord to end the pandemic of by typhoon “Ambo” that The storm also left Eastern Samar Gov. to give them strength. The Church again renewed the coronavirus,” he said. struck the province on two persons dead in San Ben Evardone said that “Let us always remember nation’s consecration to the Sacred The prayer service was streamed May 14. Policarpo town, where the damage by Ambo in that in the midst of our Heart of Jesus and his Mother’s on different Catholic media “We join in the suffering Ambo made its first landfall. terms of infrastructure suffering, God will never Immaculate Heart “as a form of platforms as dioceses across the that you’re all going In the nearby town and agriculture is abandon us,” he said. joyous thanksgiving” in 1987. country are under strict quarantine through and the diocese of Arteche, the roof of a comparable to super (CBCP News) protocol. Most recently, in 2013, the The consecration, which coincided bishops approved the yearly IATF / A1 with the 103rd anniversary of the national consecration of the country apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary reaffirmed the bishops’ previous during its memorial every June 8, consecrations of the Philippines in preparation for the celebration to Mary. of the 5th centenary of the In March 1984, the Filipino Christianization of the Philippines. prelates joined Pope John Paul II But these “extraordinary times”, with other bishops around the globe Valles added, calls on the Church to in the worldwide consecration to the do the national consecration with a Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rome. “sense of urgency”. The following year, the Church “This is an opportune time to also begged the Blessed Mother’s reflect on the current situation intercession to bring the country that the world is experiencing right to “true freedom and peace” now,” he said.

Formation / A1 too. It is an integrated formation seminary premises. No personal that takes place in the context contact with visitors. A restricted of community accompaniment,” exposure and interaction with Villegas said in the Guidelines for seminary staff. Seminary Formation during the These are among the new pandemic. measures that await seminarians In “extreme conditions”, the when they return to their seminaries. seminary body said that academic “The seminary administration deans “may study prudently” which under the direction of the diocesan minor subjects may be delivered bishop must adhere to the online. instructions of the civil authorities “The major subjects are best regarding proper conduct during taught with physical presence of the this pandemic,” Villegas said. A worker disinfects the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Parañaque City on May 18. PHOTO FROM BACLARAN CHURCH teacher and with interaction among He said this include the basic the seminarians,” Villegas said. safety protocols such as social a “one-size-fits-all” directive consultation with the sectors allowed under the modified ECQ According to him, formators distancing, wearing face masks, and was “laughable” if applied to big involved. So they come out with prevailing over Metro Manila, may even consider offering more hygiene practices. churches like the Baclaran church unreasonable directives!” the Laguna and several central Luzon subjects than they used to teach. The archbishop also stressed or . prelate said. provinces. “In fraternal charity, we must the need for seminaries to employ “Why not give instead the Pabillo earlier sent a proposal “Puwede na rin pong magbigay consider the situation of extern the regular services of counselor instruction that there be one meter on social distancing guidelines for ng home religious services. seminarians enrolled who may psychologists and mental health or two-meter distance between church activities to the Department Pansinin ninyo po, ‘home religious really need to take their classes experts. persons in a church?” he said. of Health. services,’ ang mga pastor, mga online,” he said. He said such move is necessary Pabillo said there was no The proposals included holding pari, mga imam, mga rabbi at Schools everywhere have been so that “the rapid changes our consultation with the religious Masses on weekdays to spread the iba pang religious ministers upended by the pandemic and seminarians and formators are sector prior to Malacañan Palace’s number of attendees, hour-long provided mayroon pong proper seminaries are no exception. going through may be processed release of the omnibus guidelines on gaps between Masses, foot baths at health protocols gaya ng pagsuot When classes resume in August, professionally”. quarantine restrictions on May 16. entrances, and prohibitions against ng mask at saka social distancing, the usual seminary life may never “To ignore the changes now can “This is a problem with the touching and kissing images. temperature check at iba pa po,” he be the same again. harm the future,” Villegas said. government. They make arbitrary Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a briefing broadcast on state A limited free time outside (Roy Lagarde / CBCP News) decisions without proper said home religious services were television. (PressONE.PH) LOCAL NEWS CBCP Monitor MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 A7

‘It’s logical,’ bishop New Jolo prelate to says on women’s role in keep up work for peace seminary formation

COTABATO City— The new Jolo cathedral in 2019 that prelate of Jolo, an island killed at least 20 people, in the country’s south long mostly churchgoers. plagued by instability, While the Philippines is recognized proactive peace- predominantly Catholic, building as one of his pastoral Christians are a minority in priorities. Jolo and nearby provinces Just like his predecessors, that are majority Muslim. Bishop Charlie Inzon said Having spent most of he stand committed to do his missionary life in Jolo, everything to realize an Inzon said that its people end to armed conflict and are “very religious, friendly, Theology seminarians attend Mass during the “Kapatiran” at the St. Augustine Parish violence in province. affectionate and sincere”. Church in Baliwag, , Feb. 10, 2018. COURTESY OF EUGENE PARAYAOAN “The focus would be on “I would say that on the peace-making and peace- relational, personal, and A PHILIPPINE Catholic to a secular institute who had building to mitigate group-level interpersonal aspects, things bishop has echoed a Vatican prior training in this field violent encounters that affect are not bad as some people official’s call for more women as in charge of our human other levels of peace,” he said. outside Sulu would think involvement in priestly formation program,” he said. He made the statement in about it,” he said. formation in seminaries. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, a recent interview published “Admittedly, this reality Bishop Gerardo Alminaza prefect of the Congregation of by The Mindanao Cross, is disrupted by structural of San Carlos said that having Bishops, earlier said that the a Cotabato city-based violence including persistent more women on seminarian Church needs more women newspaper run by the Oblates military and formation team has always involved directly in priestly of Mary Immaculate (OMI). battles, violent encounters been “necessary”. formation in seminaries. Pope Francis on April 4 among clans and intermittent “For me it is most logical In an interview with the appointed Inzon as the sixth kidnapping and threats and important for a more Vatican’s women’s magazine, apostolic vicar of Jolo. within towns,” he added. integral human formation,” Ouellet believes that “the The vicariate, which also Having been out of the said Alminaza, who formerly experience of collaborating covers Tawi-Tawi province, vicariate for more than chaired the Episcopal with women on an equal has been without a bishop six years now, Inzon also Commission on Seminaries level helps the candidate [for since November 2018 after admitted the need for him to (ECS). priesthood] to envisage his Angelito Lampon was named be “acquainted” again with A former formator himself future ministry and how he archbishop of Cotabato. the people of Jolo. for nearly two decades, he will respect and collaborate Jolo is a stronghold of the “It is important for me to Bishop Charlie Inzon of Jolo. OMI PHILIPPINES said the practice of having with them.” Abu Sayyaf, a militant group rekindle that friendships that women and laypeople in Fr. Gregory Gaston, Rector that has pledged allegiance I already have, to begin with,” As head of the OMI mission, when I go back as shepherd seminaries has been done in at the Pontifical Filipino to Islamic State and is he said. Inzon said that dialogue this time of the vicariate dioceses that he served. College in Rome, also stressed notorious for its bombings Since 2018, Inzon has been and consultation helped – visit, consult, and draw Alminaza served as the important role women and kidnapping. serving as OMI’s provincial him frame his leadership up context and evidence- seminary formator in the play in seminary formation. The group was also tagged superior before becoming a approaches. based projects,” he said. Diocese of Bacolod for He said that Jesus himself, in the twin bombing of the bishop. “I think I would the same (CBCPNews) 13 years and in the Jaro “the high priest and our archdiocese for five years. model”, involved women in “I had couples (husband his work. Online classes? So much to be done, says bishop and wife) serving as lay “So I think this has to DAET, Camarines Norte— Much has yet companions of seminarians be present in the priestly to be done in making virtual learning in college seminary, as formation in the seminaries accessible to students when classes start professors and counselors, with this idea that women are in August amid coronavirus concerns, a and as facilitators in our not only our collaborators but Catholic bishop said. human formation programs,” we can also learn a lot from As of the moment, Bishop Rex he said. them,” Gaston told EWTN Andrew Alarcon of Daet said that school When he was head of the News on May 13. administrators and teachers are doing ECS, Alminaza also sent some He said that women should their best to adjust. women counselors in Jaro’s not just be treated as an “However, many are not prepared regional seminary to join the “additional” but are vital to financially, technologically, Assisted Intense Renewal for seminary formation “because pedagogically,” said Alarcon, who also Seminary Formators. of the complimentary roles chairs the bishops’ youth ministry. “The “Here in San Carlos, we and characteristics of men capability of our providers is another now have a woman belonging and women”. (CBCPNews) concern.” Candidly Speaking / A4 The Department of Education has earlier announced that coming academic Even the Hindus and the our limitations, let alone, year will open on Aug. 24. Buddhists have something our sins that tend to cut us The agency also said that the flexible similar to this truth of our off from God and from the learning system may be conducted Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Daet. DIOCESE OF DAET Christian faith. It is called others. But we can always try physically or online depending on the “karma,” which in their and try again to pursue that state of the pandemic by then. become a risk, online classes would be steps yet,” he added. “There is much to beliefs “is the sum of a ideal, enlivening our faith For private schools planning to open a “safe mode”. be done.” person’s actions in this and and purifying ourselves after in June, online classes are also advised. He stressed the need for immediate “But education as a human activity, previous states of existence, our every fall. Where we are Alarcon, a Catholic educator before measures on the part of schools to would not be complete without personal viewed as deciding their fate limited by our own powers, becoming a prelate, agreed that if ensure readiness for online classes. encounter, certainly,” Alarcon said. in future existences.” God always gives us the grace congregating together continues to “It has started actually but not big (CBCPNews) This is so because we have that enables us to do what is been created in God’s image impossible for us to do. By the Roadside / A5 and likeness, and as such are Let’s remember that we endowed with the intelligence are living stones built into a keeping distances between that makes people either look that testing also lies in the exemplifying before them and will that would enable spiritual house with Christ themselves: superpowers down on those of others or varying degrees of difficulty proper manners or even us to enter into an abiding as the cornerstone. As such, in their toxic rivalries with kowtow to highly favored ones we put up in the necessary a sense of morality in an relationship with everybody who Christ is and how he is, is fellow superpowers worsen out of a sense of self-perceived effort to understand and increasingly morality- else. Our intelligence and will also who we are supposed to this distance between or self-assigned Inferiority. relate with one another. We unfriendly world. We turn are spiritual faculties that can be and how we are supposed nations, superpowers And here comes Covid-19 test one another’s patience our backs on the poor and the transcend the limitations of to be. We share the very life also add to the distance telling us: “You have asked by our professed hardnosed environment except when space and time. They enable of Christ. We are supposed between them and weaker it upon yourselves. I have no professionalism when the their cries already disturb our us to connect with others to be ‘alter Christus,’ ‘ipse nations by bullying them choice but to give in. So here reality we unabashedly social pleasures, entitlements no matter how distant they Christus.’ or exploiting their poverty you are, isolate yourselves in exhibit is a hard-headed or our well-groomed, well- are or even if the others are Let’s help one another in and underdevelopment to a lockdown courtesy of your arrogance. We test our oiled, callous consciences. already in the afterlife. the effort to develop this advance their hegemonic ECQ.” hard-earned harmonious In our ordinary day-to-day Of course, that is the sense of communion among and other ends. So Covid-19 TESTING. Tests are used relationship by insisting on lives we often sell ourselves ideal, though in practice we ourselves, especially during decided: “You have been to measure performances what we consider the right as either faithful worshippers often fall short of it due to these times.= cultivating varying degrees of or to determine patterns, view of things when all that or truthful followers of the artificial distances between behavior and causes of we show is hubris. We test Messiah; but most of the Active Faith / A4 one another. Why don’t I diseases or the success and our ability to trust by acts of time we do a Pilate. So thus make it official?” bad performance of products betrayal, our ability to hope speaks Covid-19: “I hear you people have generally not be that bad even if this ISOLATION/ or goods. But because of the by perpetual preoccupation loud and clear. You want realized what is really pandemic continues a bit QUARANTINE/ varying degrees of difficulty with bad or fake news, our yourselves to be clean of important, what really more, for as long as jobs LOCKDOWN. Covid-19 has tests are associated with, sense of charity by a proclivity your responsibilities. Be my matters. Families have and means of livelihood can exposed the many different including the fear of failure to curse and malign others. guests. I’ll make you indulge become closer, parents have continue and are protected. types of self-absorption we or, worse, loss of career or And here comes Covid-19 your source of pleasure—do time for their children. All This is really what is key, that are given to. There is the self- life, tests are often dreaded saying: “You factually are frequent hand-washing. In churches may be closed, but the economy holds. absorption of a Sartrean kind and even avoided. Covid-19, addicted to testing. So I’ll the guise of keeping a virus many homes have become What would be prudent born of a conviction that “hell is for its part, has exposed make you think of the need away, enjoy the splash of small churches. People have therefore is for people to other people” when we refuse us to the need for testing to be tested, even of the need water and the thrill of escape become kinder. Even lay welcome an end to the to see others as other selves so as to identify the virus for mass testing.” from responsibility.” groups have adapted to the pandemic but also prepare for whom we need to settle carriers, trace their contacts FREQUENT HAND- Covid-19, in short, is new situation—worship, for a continuing period of or accept differences. There and eventually treat them. WASHING. Covid-19 today’s “THECEL”—“You meetings and conferences modified lockdown and is the self-absorption that But governments balk at has exposed our culpable have been weighed in a are now online. There is quarantine. Hope for the best makes us mind only our own the high costs of testing and abandonment of our balance-scale and have come no substitute for actual but prepare for the worst. interests or those of our family would rather pursue goals responsibilities to our up short” (Dn 5:27). meetings, but these online In the end, we simply place or its extensions, that is, our that make people believe families, communities and It is also today’s teaser to meetings have turned out all these in the hands of the relatives, barkadas, province, they are doing enough societies. We refuse to correct Jesus’ open invitation in the to be advantageous in many Lord. Mankind will do its region or just preferred human testing when their concept our children’s mistakes for Gospel: “This is the time of respects—reduced trips, no best, confident that God will company. There is likewise of enough actually does fear of alienating them or fulfilment. The kingdom of expense for food, no cost for do the rest. We pray for what the self-absorption in the not measure up at least to losing their love. We leave God is at hand. Repent and venues, and so forth. These He thinks is best for us. He excessive love of one’s own people’s expectations. Then to others the responsibility believe in the Good News” are real benefits too. knows, and he loves us. We race, culture and nationality we forget the hard truth— of feeding, teaching and (Mk1:15). Thus, some think it should put our full trust in Him. A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES MAY 11 - 24, 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 10 CBCP Monitor Pandemic didn’t stop new bishop’s ordination THE coronavirus pandemic did Inzon said. not stop his consecration to the During the homily, Cardinal episcopacy but with only 10 people Quevedo said a bishop has to be a in attendance. “model” of outstanding faith and In a nearly empty church, Charlie good morals. Inzon was ordained bishop by As shepherd, a bishop is also Archbishop Angelito Lampon called “to be holy” because “he of Cotabato on May 21, but live is called to guide his people to streaming allowed his family, holiness”. friends, and the local community “This task is truly challenging,” to join virtually. Quevedo said, adding that a bishop Due to strict quarantine protocols, must also lead his flock “to the path participation in the Mass at the city’s of truth and justice”. Immaculate Conception Cathedral Pope Francis has appointed Inzon was very limited. on April 4 as the new and sixth The government only allows a prelate of the apostolic vicariate of maximum of 10 people to attend Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in religious services in areas under southern Philippines. general community quarantine such Upon his appointment, the as Cotabato. 54-year-old bishop was serving The small congregation included as the provincial superior of the retired Cardinal Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the of Cotabato, Bishop Jose Colin country. Bagaforo of Kidapawan, 3 priests, He succeeded Archbishop and a few choir members. Lampon who was transferred to While the pews were almost the Archdiocese of Cotabato in late empty, Inzon said he knew many 2018. Bishop Charlie Inzon was ordained in an empty cathedral on Thursday, but watched online by family and friends. SCREENSHOT/OMI PHILIPPINES FB PAGE friends and loved ones would be An apostolic vicariate is a local watching the livestream and praying Church in missionary regions Sept. 8, 1990. 24, 1993 in Coloocan City. his assurance of strength and from afar. which do not have a diocese. Its He studied Philosophy at Notre The bishop also holds a master’s consolation as I take up this He said the gathering may be administration is assigned to the Dame University in Cotabato degree in theology from LST and a ministry of service in the Church in “rare and unprecedented” but its apostolic vicar who governs it in the City and Theology at the Loyola doctorate in psychology from the the Vicariate of Jolo”. simplicity still made “the Lord at the name of the pope. School of Theology (LST) of the ADMU. Inzon will be formally installed center of the celebration”. A native of Sorsogon province, Ateneo De Manila University In the days leading up to the as Jolo prelate in the vicariate’s “(Nothing) can stop us from Inzon entered the OMI in 1982 and (ADMU). ordination, he said, “I rejoice in Mt. Carmel Cathedral on May 28. celebrating God’s gift and grace,” made his perpetual profession on He was ordained a priest on April the mercy of God and trust in (CBCPNews) Pope Francis postpones World Youth Day Caritas Philippines releases guidebook and Meeting of Families due to coronavirus on ‘greening communities’

A staff of the Social Action Center in the Diocese of Borongan takes a picture of plants in the diocese’s Farmer’s Learning Center in this photo taken in 2019. MARK SALUDES/LICAS.NEWS

CARITAS Philippines has released the publication will “help us look at on May 20 a guidebook for local ourselves if we are contributing to communities to promote “concrete the problem or not.” ecological actions” based on The priest said the booklet is a Pope Francis’ encyclical on the reminder to communities of the environment Laudato si. “small things that we can do” to The book is a compilation of save the environment and promote illustrated reflections and guidelines “activities that advance ecological on how to live the spirit of the pope’s awareness.”

Pope Francis at the World Youth Day in Panama in January, 2019. VATICAN MEDIA teaching. The booklet indicated household- The Catholic Church marks this level initiatives, such as waste VATICAN— Pope Francis include the presence of an estimated 700,000 and in the coming time, week the fifth anniversary of the management, recycling, and has decided to postpone by the pope and gather at young Catholics. The the focus of everyone’s encyclical. planting that can be done on a larger one year World Youth Day least tens of thousands of youth gathering was attention is on caring Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, head scale or at the community level. and the World Meeting of people. started by St. Pope John for the most vulnerable, of Caritas Philippines, said the It also provided readers with a Families, according to the Bruni said Pope Paul II in 1985. At some families, and all who, for Church celebrates Laudato si’ Week summary of Pope Francis’ concern Vatican. The events were Francis’ decision to move past World Youth Days very different reasons, not just to remember the document on the care of the environment and expected to take place the dates of the global attendance has reached suffer from the effects of but “to articulate its achievements a synopsis of the pope’s “ecological during the summers of gatherings was “due to the into the millions. the pandemic caused by and challenges.” pathways.” 2022 and 2021. current health situation The theme of World COVID-19.” He said people should realize Jing Rey Henderson, World Youth Day, and its consequences Youth Day in Lisbon in In 1994, St. Pope that the spread of infectious communication and advocacy officer programmed for Lisbon, on the movement and 2023 is “Mary arose and John Paul II established diseases “is very much related to of Caritas Philippines, meanwhile, Portugal in August 2022, aggregation of young went with haste.” the World Meeting of the destruction of the habitat in our called on dioceses and parishes to will now take place in people and families.” The bishops’ local Families, which also takes ecosystems.” document their best practices on August 2023, according The pope made the organizing committee place every three years in Bishop Bagaforo said Catholics “greening communities.” to an April 20 statement decision together with for World Youth Day a different country. The have to continue initiatives and Henderson said there are dioceses from Matteo Bruni, Holy the Dicastery for Laity, in Portugal put out a most recent meeting was accomplish action points “to protect that have succeeded and are See press office director. Family, and Life, which is statement April 20 saying held in Dublin, Ireland in our common home.” continuing their practices that can The World Meeting responsible for organizing it welcomes the pope’s 2018. The book aims to help readers be replicated in other places. of Families, previously the events. decision to postpone the The event, now moved examine the personal, leadership, On May 17, Caritas Philippines scheduled to be held World Youth Day, event. to June 2022, has the and communitarian “witnessing initiated a year-long program called in Rome in June 2021, which is typically held The committee said theme: “Family Love: dimension of our environmental “Green Initiatives” that aims to will now happen in June every three years, last it shares “with the Holy a vocation and a path concerns.” ensure food security in communities 2022. took place in Panama in Father the call that, to holiness.” (Hannah Father Edwin Gariguez, executive after the coronavirus pandemic. Both events usually January 2019, drawing in the current context Brockhaus/CNA) secretary of Caritas Philippines, said (LICAS.news) Former head of world’s Jesuits, who lived in Manila, dies at 84 TOKYO— Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, Jesuit pope. In 2008, he was elected contact with situations,” University. that Nicolás had composed the 30th superior general of “All of us here at the Jesuit Superior General of the he said. From 1978 to 1984, he was during his annual retreat the Society of Jesus, died General Curia mourn him Jesuits in the second round Nicolás was born in director of the East Asian in 2011. Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan, and a special Mass will be of voting, succeeding Fr. Palencia, northern Spain, Pastoral Institute at the “Enlighten our minds at the age of 84. offered here in Rome as Peters Hans Kolvenbach. on April 29, 1936. After Ateneo de Manila University and our hearts, and do not The Spanish priest led the soon as we can organize it. In an interview that entering the Jesuits in in the Philippines. Later forget to make us smile Jesuits, the world’s largest Because of travel restrictions year, Nicolás described his 1953, he volunteered for he served as rector of the when things do not go as men’s religious order, from just now, I cannot travel to approach to leadership. the foreign missions and scholasticate (house of we wished. At the end of the 2008 to 2016. Japan for the funeral but I “For everything—whether was sent to Japan. He was formation) in Tokyo. day, of each one of our days, In a condolence message assure all his many friends it is spirituality or social ordained to the priesthood In 1993, Nicolás became make us feel more united May 20, his successor, there of my closeness, apostolate, whatever in Tokyo in 1967. Provincial of the Jesuit with you and better able Fr. Arturo Sosa, said that my compassion and my it might be—there is no After further studies at Province of Japan. At the to perceive and discover Nicolás’ time as Superior condolences,” he said. shortcut. There is always a the Pontifical Gregorian end of his six-year term, around us greater joy and General was marked by Nicolás, who had been long way; real change and University in Rome from he devoted four years to greater hope,” the prayer “his sense of humor, his ill for some time, met with real insights come through 1968 to 1971, he returned serving poor immigrants in concluded. courage, his humility and Pope Francis for a final time a long process. The first step to Japan, where he served Tokyo. A memorial website has his close relationship with on Nov. 26, 2019, during the in all of them is contact— as a professor of systematic The Jesuits in Britain been created to celebrate Pope Francis,” the first papal visit to Japan. contact with persons, theology at Sophia website quoted a prayer Nicolás life. (CNA) CBCP Monitor May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience May 13. VATICAN MEDIA Life becomes history “That you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2) Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 54th World Communications Day

I WOULD like to devote this year’s immersing ourselves in stories, we welcome and create beautiful, true of Israel cry out to Him, God listens history, to the point that he became Message to the theme of storytelling, can find reasons to heroically face and good stories. We need courage and remembers: “God remembered man, flesh and history. It also because I believe that, so as not the challenges of life. to reject false and evil stories. We His covenant with Abraham, with tells us that no human stories are to lose our bearings, we need to Human beings are storytellers need patience and discernment to Isaac and with Jacob. God saw the insignificant or paltry. Since God make our own the truth contained because we are engaged in a process rediscover stories that help us not people of Israel—and God knew” became story, every human story in good stories. Stories that build of constant growth, discovering to lose the thread amid today’s many (Ex 2: 24-25). God’s memory brings is, in a certain sense, a divine story. up, not tear down; stories that help ourselves and becoming enriched troubles. We need stories that reveal liberation from oppression through In the history of every person, the us rediscover our roots and the in the tapestry of the days of our who we truly are, also in the untold a series of signs and wonders. The Father sees again the story of his strength needed to move forward life. Yet since the very beginning, heroism of everyday life. Lord then reveals to Moses the Son who came down to earth. Every together. Amid the cacophony of our story has been threatened: evil meaning of all these signs: “that human story has an irrepressible voices and messages that surround snakes its way through history. 3. The Story of stories you may tell in the hearing of your dignity. Consequently, humanity us, we need a human story that can Sacred Scripture is a Story of children and grandchildren… what deserves stories that are worthy speak of ourselves and of the beauty 2. Not all stories are good stories. How many events, peoples signs I have done among them, that of it, worthy of that dizzying and all around us. A narrative that can stories and individuals it sets before us! It you may know that I am the Lord” fascinating height to which Jesus regard our world and its happenings “When you eat of it … you will shows us from the very beginning (Ex 10:2). The Exodus experience elevated it. with a tender gaze. A narrative that be like God” (cf. Gen 3:4): the a God who is both creator and teaches us that knowledge of “You”—Saint Paul wrote—“are can tell us that we are part of a temptation of the serpent introduces narrator. Indeed, God speaks his the Lord is handed down from a letter from Christ delivered by living and interconnected tapestry. into the fabric of history a knot word and things come into existence generation to generation mainly by us, written not with ink but with A narrative that can reveal the difficult to undo. “If you possess, you (cf. Gen 1). As narrator, God calls telling the story of how he continues the Spirit of the living God, not interweaving of the threads which will become, you will achieve…” This things into life, culminating in the to make himself present. The God of on tablets of stone but on tablets connect us to one another. is the message whispered by those creation of man and woman as his life communicates with us through of human hearts” (2 Cor 3:3). The who even today use storytelling for free dialogue partners, who make the story of life. Holy Spirit, the love of God, writes 1. Weaving stories purposes of exploitation. How many history alongside him. In one of Jesus spoke of God not with within us. And as he writes within Human beings are storytellers. stories serve to lull us, convincing the Psalms, the creature tells the abstract concepts, but with parables, us, he establishes goodness in us From childhood we hunger for us that to be happy we continually creator: “For you formed my inward brief stories taken from everyday and constantly reminds us of it. stories just as we hunger for food. need to gain, possess and consume. parts; you knitted me together in my life. At this point life becomes story Indeed, to “re-mind” means to Stories influence our lives, whether We may not even realize how greedy mother’s womb. I praise you, for I and then, for the listener, story bring to mind, to “write” on the in the form of fairy tales, novels, we have become for chatter and am fearfully and wonderfully made becomes life: the story becomes part heart. By the power of the Holy films, songs, news, even if we do not gossip, or how much violence and … My frame was not hidden from of the life of those who listen to it, Spirit, every story, even the most always realize it. Often we decide falsehood we are consuming. Often you, when I was being made in and it changes them. forgotten one, even the one that what is right or wrong based on on communication platforms, secret, intricately woven in the The Gospels are also stories, seems to be written with the most characters and stories we have made instead of constructive stories depths of the earth” (139:13-15). and not by chance. While they crooked lines, can become inspired, our own. Stories leave their mark which serve to strengthen social We are not born complete, but need tell us about Jesus, they are can be reborn as a masterpiece, on us; they shape our convictions ties and the cultural fabric, we find to be constantly “woven”, “knitted “performative”[1]; they conform us and become an appendix to the and our behaviour. They can help destructive and provocative stories together”. Life is given to us as an to Jesus. The Gospel asks the reader Gospel. Like the Confessions of us understand and communicate that wear down and break the fragile invitation to continue to weave the to share in the same faith in order to Augustine. Like A Pilgrim’s who we are. threads binding us together as a “wonderful” mystery that we are. share in the same life. The Gospel of Journey of Ignatius. Like The Story We are not just the only beings society. By patching together bits The Bible is thus the great love John tells us that the quintessential of a Soul of Saint Therese of the who need clothing to cover our of unverified information, repeating story between God and humanity. storyteller—the Word—himself Child Jesus. Like The Betrothed, vulnerability (cf. Gen 3: 21); we are banal and deceptively persuasive At its centre stands Jesus, whose becomes the story: “God’s only Son, like The Brothers Karamazov. Like also the only ones who need to be arguments, sending strident and own story brings to fulfilment who is at the Father’s side, has made countless other stories, which have “clothed” with stories to protect our hateful messages, we do not help to both God’s love for us and our him known” (Jn 1: 18). The original admirably scripted the encounter lives. We weave not only clothing, weave human history, but instead love for God. Henceforth, in every verb, exegésato, can be translated between God’s freedom and that but also stories: indeed, the human strip others of their dignity. generation, men and women are both as “revealed” and “recounted”. of man. Each of us knows different capacity to “weave” (Latin texere) But whereas the stories employed called to recount and commit God has become personally woven stories that have the fragrance of gives us not only the word textile but for exploitation and power have to memory the most significant into our humanity, and so has given the Gospel, that have borne witness also text. The stories of different a short lifespan, a good story can episodes of this Story of stories, us a new way of weaving our stories. to the Love that transforms life. ages all have a common “loom”: the transcend the confines of space and those that best communicate its These stories cry out to be shared, thread of their narrative involves time. Centuries later, it remains meaning. 4. An ever renewed story recounted and brought to life in “heroes”, including everyday heroes, timely, for it nourishes life. The title of this year’s Message is The history of Christ is not a every age, in every language, in every who in following a dream confront In an age when falsification is drawn from the Book of Exodus, a legacy from the past; it is our story, medium. difficult situations and combat evil, increasingly sophisticated, reaching primordial biblical story in which and always timely. It shows us that driven by a force that makes them exponential levels (as in deepfake), God intervenes in the history of his God was so deeply concerned for 5. A story that renews us courageous, the force of love. By we need wisdom to be able to people. When the enslaved children mankind, for our flesh and our Life / B7 B2 UPDATES May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 CBCP Monitor FEATURE The corona wedding Marriage in times of general community quarantine (Part 1)

By Jaime B. Achacoso, JCD

OUR readers would be expecting principle—is apt for marriage, the concluding part of an article marriage being the institutional started in the previous issue of expression of conjugal love, which CBCP Monitor, entitled Liturgical is the natural vocation of a human Law in Times of the Coronavirus person, unless called to a higher Pandemic. However, a more vocation of committed celibacy (in pressing matter has cropped up the priesthood, consecrated life or lay that requires immediate attention, apostolate). So natural is marriage given the anxiety that it is causing that canon law has constituted it in many people and, unfortunately, into a right, which—however—is even leading to wrong choices out subject to regulation (limitation) by of a seeming lack of legitimate Canon Law based on very specific options. This is the matter of how situations or circumstances. Such to proceed with the weddings that juridic situations or circumstances had been planned for this year, incapacitate a person from getting now that the Corona Community married. These are the so-called Quarantine has placed us all in a impediments—i.e., a set of 12 veritable lockdown. The matter is situations that Church Law has urgent, because quite a number of established—that render a person couples have been resorting to civil incapable of validly getting married, marriages, thinking that a canonical as juridic protections of the tria one is simply impossible to do in the bona or the three goods of marriage foreseeable future. To these couples, (in the language of St. Augustine). In and their Catholic shepherds, this other words, in order to safeguard two-part article is addressed. In the intended goods of the marriage fact, the Law of the Church gives institution, these 12 conditions have them options in order to proceed been identified as the minimum with what I have called a Corona requirements so that marriage may Wedding. This article is divided into attain its ends, such that the presence two parts: (1) the requirements and of any of these impediments at the preparatory steps for the wedding, moment of contracting marriage— and (2) the actual wedding. i.e., the absence of any of those requirements—would invalidate Civil law requirements for a that marriage from the start. canonical wedding: A case Among them is the minimum age where bishops can dispense requirement (in the Philippines 18 Despite the distinction between years for both man and woman), or Church and State as far as law is the presence of any of three bonds concerned, c.1071,§, 2º states the (bond of existing marriage, bond following prohibition to priests: of Holy Orders, bond of perpetual Except in the case of necessity, vows in an Institute of Consecrated no one is to assist without the Life), or the impediment of a certain permission of the Local Ordinary degree of consanguinity between the at a marriage which cannot be prospective spouses. On top of these recognized or celebrated in accord 12 impediments is the so-called with the norm of civil law. psychological incapacity (c.1095, This means that Canon Law 3º), which incapacitates a person prescribes that no marriage should from contracting marriage due to be celebrated canonically if the his/her incapacity to assume the civil marriage is not celebrated serious obligations thereof. simultaneously, unless such civil Only the Supreme Legislator can marriage had been previously establish additional impediments celebrated, or—with permission for the baptized (c.1075, §2). Hence, of the Local Ordinary—a purely all other so-called requirements— canonical marriage is celebrated. In the so-called Pre-Cana Seminar, the effect, a church wedding will have canonical interview, the publication civil law pre-requisites—i.e., those of the marriage banns—are all requirements that civil law has in pastoral measures, which—even order to issue a marriage license, through highly desirable—cannot which are totally dependent on be constituted as requirements sine civil regulation, even during the qua non for marriage. Doing so entering marriage so that through Zoom platform, this group of young responsive to the times of the Covid Coronavirus pandemic. Ordinarily, would be tantamount to establishing such preparation the parties may couples are conducting what they Quarantine, for example: such requirements have to be another set of impediments—aside be predisposed toward the holiness have called the Before I Do Webinar, The examination of the parties by complied with for any Church from the 13 established in the Code and duties of their new state. on six consecutive Saturdays at the parish priest can be carried out wedding to take place. of Canon Law—like the impediment 10:00am-12:00pm, starting last through the means of mobile social However, this is one case where of non-attendance to the Pre-Cana Can. 1064 adds: It is up to the Local May 16 and running through to June communication—e.g., platforms as the Local Ordinaries may choose to Seminar, or the impediment of Ordinary to make provisions that 20. Originally offered to a reduced Personal Messenger, Viber, Zoom relax the requirements during the non-fulfillment of the canonical such assistance is duly organized, base of friends, the webinar has or Facetime. If even the Holy Mass Coronavirus pandemic, if needed: interview in the form established even after consulting men and become so popular that the number can be attended through these should the civil requirements be by the parish. women of proven experience and of registrants have exceeded the means, there is no reason why the difficult to secure due to the shutting With this principle established, it skill, if it seems appropriate. comfortable level for the Zoom canonical investigation prior to down of certain government offices, is easier to understand the latitude With the constraints to mobility platform, such that a second group marriage cannot. the Local Ordinary can give the permitted the Local Ordinaries and occasioned by the quarantine— has been organized, with the The system of posting the Marriage permission for the canonical the parish priests as regards these whether MECQ or GCQ and encouragement of the Chairman banns in the parish church is pre- marriage to proceed without the canonical requirements. hopefully later even MGCQ—such of the Episcopal Commission on medieval: the same inquiries can marriage license from the civil constraints will remain, making Family Life, Abp. . be accomplished in a much more authorities—i.e., it will be a purely A. The pre-cana seminar attendance to the usual Pre-Cana efficient and faster way through canonical marriage, perfectly licit (Cana 101): A webinar Seminars organized by the parishes B. Canonical investigation mobile platforms—e.g., Facebook. in the eyes of God and of the Church, The Code of Canon Law does very difficult. Add to this the of the parties: personal The Code does not specify any with the civil marriage to follow later not establish a specific way of provisions on physical distancing Messenger, Viber, Zoom or system for the publication of the when the circumstances allow its administering such a seminar: the and one understands why many Facetime marriage banns. proper processing. terminology itself may be quite parishes are hard put to organize The next hurdle to be overcome Additionally, the submission of This is a better solution than unique to the Philippine setting. their Pre-Cana or Cana 101 Seminars in this period of very limited public other documentary requirements what quite a number of couples are What Canon Law has established in the accustomed manner. transportation is the so-called can also be facilitated by accepting already doing as mentioned in the in c.1063 is the obligation of parish Here is where Pope Francis’ canonical investigation—i.e., the a digital facsimile of the same—even introduction above—i.e., getting priests to see to it that their own principle of reaching out to the personal interview by the parish just a photograph—transmitted married civilly now and leaving the ecclesial community furnishes peripheries comes in, or what the priest of the prospective couple, for through a mobile platform (e.g., canonical marriage for after the the Christian faithful assistance old saying affirms: If the mountain the former to ascertain that they are Viber or Messenger), with the actual coronavirus quarantine, with the so that the matrimonial state is does not come to Mohamad, let ready for marriage and that nothing physical documents to follow even on subsequent cohabitation outside of maintained in a Christian spirit and Mohamad go to the mountain. If stands in the way of its valid and licit the day of the marriage celebration marriage that this implies. makes progress toward perfection. the engaged couple cannot go to the celebration (c.1066). Can. 1067 of itself. If the corporate world This assistance is especially to be parish for a Pre-Cana Seminar, then the Codex puts the responsibility on accepts such digital documents— Canonical requirements for a furnished through: let the seminar go to the prospective the Episcopal Conference (CBCP) to with billions of dollars at stake church wedding: The pre-cana 1º preaching, catechesis adapted couples, as provided for by c.1063, issue norms as regards: sometimes—there is no reason why seminar, canonical interview, to minors, youth and adults, and 1º quoted above. This was actually (1) the examination of the parties, the canonical investigation cannot marriage banns even the use of the media of social the rationale behind a webinar (2) the marriage banns or other do the same. (To be concluded.) Before anything else, it is good to communication so that through organized by the Asian Institute for appropriate means for carrying out establish a principle in Canon Law, these means the Christian faithful Marriage and Family (AIMFam), the necessary inquiries that are to with deep Christian anthropological may be instructed concerning the adapting a Pre-Cana Seminar that precede marriage. (Eds. Note: Due to the urgency of roots: the ius connubii—i.e., the meaning of Christian marriage they had been conducting four times Here indeed is another area for the the topic taken up by this article, we right to get married. Because and the duty of Christian spouses a year at the St. Alphonsus Ma. CBCP to reach out to the peripheries are continuing the Second Part of marriage is a natural institution, and parents; Ligouri Parish in Magallanes Village and facilitate the conduct of the “Liturgical Law in Times of Corona every normal human being—in 2º personal preparation for for the last eight years. Using the canonical interview to be more Pandemic” in subsequent issues.) UPDATES CBCP Monitor May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 FEATURE B3 Recommendations and Guidelines for the Liturgical Celebration in ‘New Normal’ Condition

WE need the Lord—the Bread of Life—in the Holy Eucharist! The Holy Eucharist is central and essential to the life of the Church and to the life of each individual believer. It is in this context that we understand our people’s desire to return to the parishes, participate in the liturgy, and receive the Eucharist, which up to now we are not able to do because of the current restrictions to address the coronavirus pandemic. However, we tell ourselves that when the time comes and we are able to gather and celebrate the Eucharist, we will approach this next phase, in the context of the pandemic, with prudence, patience and loving and charitable mindset. We offer you then some guidelines in view of the possibility, in the gradual return to the new normal that we will be allowed to celebrate the Sacraments with the people in attendance, especially the Holy Eucharist. The main content of these guidelines was drawn up by Fr. Genaro Diwa, Executive Secretary of our CBCP Episcopal Commission on Liturgy. We thank him for his patience and kind assistance. During the days of the suspension of the public celebration of Masses, our parishes have creatively continued to minister and accompany our faithful as they journey through this COVID-19 crisis. These creative ways prove our pastoral sense and love for our flock. There are two ways, which have emerged and become effective ministerial channels during the ECQ: Screenshot of online Mass presided over by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao May 21.

1. The Use of Social Media: the circumstances for obtaining strictly observe social distancing. priest alone, without assistance, at need to wear face masks and observe Liturgy Livestreamed and essential goods and services or for the credence table near the altar. social distancing. Televised. The social distancing so work in permitted industries and 6. Anticipated Masses. The Special provision should be 2. The baptismal water to be used needed to stem the spread of the offices.” [Section 2, No. 3] anticipated or vigil Mass shall be made for the collection. Baskets should be clean and blessed for that virus has taught all of us to maximize There are also those who are reckoned beginning any time after should not be passed from person celebration. the potentials of the Social Media. taking serious caution not to be 12 noon on Saturday; a faithful who to person. Long-handled baskets 3. The Holy Oils should be applied, Through this particular form of contaminated by the virus and attends any Mass after midday of could be acceptable if the ushers using cotton, on the one baptized. communication, our Sunday, Holy therefore avoid gatherings of people Saturday shall be in fulfilment of can remain at a suitable distance The cotton with holy oils should be Week and daily Masses, spiritual even in Church. Sunday obligation (cf. Raymond from others. There can also be burned after the celebration. conferences and preaching have As circumstances allow, a Browne, Letter & Spirit (1995), designated boxes or collection reached many of our faithful as visit from a priest, a deacon or 702, Commentary on CIC Canon points where the faithful can place C. Sacrament of Confirmation well as our young people. This extraordinary minister of Holy 1248, §1); all evening Masses from their contributions. We can forego mass confirmations has become a powerful tool for Communion to bring them the Wednesday to Friday, using Sunday If hosts for the communion of this year. Those who are to be evangelization and catechesis. Social Eucharist is highly recommended. Liturgy, may be deemed anticipated the faithful are to be consecrated, baptized as adults or who are getting media has brought us together in Sunday Mass satisfying the Sunday they should be placed on a second married can be confirmed by the spite of the social distancing we 2. The Use of Social Media. It obligation therefor (cf. CIC Canon corporal on the side of the altar. This parish priest as church discipline imposed on ourselves. is still strongly recommended to 85, i.e. merely ecclesiastical law in a allows the priest to say the words of dictates. continue to livestream or televise particular case can be granted with consecration directly over the host 2. Liturgy with the Faithful our Masses, especially for the dispensation). that he will consume, while the other D. Celebration of Weddings in Attendance. A good and clear abovementioned people in no. 1. The new schedule of Masses hosts on the altar are not directly in The Wedding Rites prescribed understanding, however, must be As we maximize the use of social should be circulated well. front of the priest as he speaks the in the liturgical book have to be taught between virtual participation media in this regard, we are also Eucharistic Prayer. followed. But, due to the demand and the full participation of the reminded to observe the proper 7. Entrances and Exits. Specific of social distancing, wedding people in our liturgical celebrations. way of celebrating the Holy Mass. entrances and exits of the church 10. Holy Communion will celebrations this year will have Pope Francis reminded us: “The Those who prepare for this need could be planned and well indicated still be distributed only on to be simpler than the usual. We Church, the sacraments and the to follow the General Instructions to help maintain social distancing the hand. The ministers of Holy have to forego all of the secondary people of God are concrete. The of the Roman Missal. The special during the entrance and departure Communion (both priests and lay elements of the normal wedding virtual participation of the liturgy character of the Holy Mass, our of Mass goers. Station ushers at ministers) need to wear face masks ceremonies, e.g., the wedding cannot be the “status quo”. “This is highest form of prayer as Catholics, entrances of the church to help and sanitize their hands before entourage (abays). Only the bride the Church in difficult situation that is compromised by mindless and “direct traffic”, to ensure that the and after the distribution of Holy and the groom, the parents of the the Lord is allowing, but the ideal of arbitrary accommodations inserted faithful keep 1 meter from each Communion. In areas where the couple, and one set of sponsors are the Church is always with people and into the celebration, oftentimes other while entering and exiting faithful might stand in line to receive to be present in the ceremony. with the sacraments.” foreign or contrary to the nature the Church. Holy Communion, place tape on the of the Eucharist. The celebration floor, to indicate proper spacing E. Funerals 3. The Rediscovery of of the Holy Mass, televised or a. Thermal scanners are to be between persons. The faithful are Attendance is restricted to the the Domestic (Family) livestreamed, is seen not only by used for temperature check. Ushers also lead to the line by pews. immediate family and all must wear Church. During the ECQ, families Catholics but also by non-Catholics. will handle this at the entrances of face masks and all should observe have come together to pray. This is the church (This is a requirement 11. Sign of Peace and The Our social distancing. the foundation of our Church’s life 3. Priests and Lay of the DOH). Father. No holding of hands during and growth. We grow in genuine Ministers who take part and assist b. Foot baths [1:10 bleach the singing/praying of the “Our F. Confessions prayer with the Church because we in the celebrations: solution; 1 liter bleach mixed with Father” and shaking of hands during 1. The sacramental nature of have learned and have been taught a. Should wash and sanitize their 9 liters of clean water] are to be set the Sign of Peace (CBCP Circular No. confession requires that it must to pray with our family. hands properly before and after each up in all entrances of the church 20-05, dated January 29, 2020). be done in person; however, it is We are eagerly awaiting the celebration. (This is a requirement of the DOH). advisable not to use the confessionals possibility of resuming public Masses, b. Should wear face masks when c. Hand sanitizers should be 12. We need to train younger in the church. Although confessions and when the time comes, we offer they are not to speak to lead in made available at the entrances of Extraordinary Ministers of may be heard in the parish office, these following recommendations: prayer, give instructions or proclaim the church. See and note on this in Holy Communion. Many of our it is preferable that they be heard the Word of God to the assembly. But the next section. EMHCs are elderly and therefore outdoors, where there is better A. Mass and Adaptations the priest celebrant should not wear are the ones vulnerable to the virus. circulation of air and additional 1. The Elderly and the Sick, the masks or globes during the 8. “Ushers and Collectors” will Care is to be exercised in this regard space for safe distance between the Young and the Children: We urge celebration of the Mass. Instead, have to be retrained to equip them to not to expose them to the infection confessor and the penitent. the elderly and the sick, the young he should remain more than 1 meter guide the assembly how to sanitize of the virus. 2. When hearing confessions, the and the children to stay home and from the congregation during the [this presumes that hand confessor always wears a face mask. not to attend Mass. Every parish Mass. In such circumstances, there sanitizers are provided] before 13. Holy Communion Outside The penitent also wears a face mask. needs to take extra precaution that is no substantial risk of infection. they enter the church, where to Mass. Parishes should also 3. Priests are reminded not to our elderly and the sick will not c. Should practice social distancing sit in the church, when to come to distribute Holy Communion outside hear Confessions via telephone or be exposed to occasions for the in the sanctuary. Therefore, only a the communion line during Holy of the Mass for the sick and those Zoom teleconferencing, though they infection of the virus. It is advisable minimal number of altar servers and Communion, and when and where who are taking serious caution not may use these methods to offer the that they be dispensed from the lectors need to be in the sanctuary. to enter and to exit the church. to be contaminated by the virus penitents spiritual counsel. obligation to attend Mass during d. The number of choir members and therefore avoid gatherings of 4. Act of Perfect Contrition. When this time when the vaccine is not yet who will sing during the celebrations 9. Offertory and Preparation people even in Church. This is again the Sacrament of Reconciliation available and the threat of the virus need to be reduced in order to keep of the Gifts. The Offertory in reference to people mentioned in is not possible, for example, to is still widespread. social distancing. It may even be procession (presentation of the no. 1 of this section. a patient who is isolated or in The IATF-EID clearly mandates advisable to have only a cantor who gifts) should be omitted. quarantine, he/she can make an that under GCQ: will lead the assembly in the singing. A deacon (if present) or a server 14. Regular General Act of Perfect Contrition. The Act of “Any person below twenty-one may bring the missal, chalice, paten/ Disinfection should be done for Perfect Contrition always has been (21) years old, those who are sixty 4. The faithful attending the ciborium, and cruets of wine and the entire place of worship. City a part of our Catholic tradition. God (60) years old and above, those with Mass should all wear face water to the altar, while the priest or Municipal Governments may is always present to us, even when immunodeficiency, comorbidities, masks. remains at the chair. (Alternatively, possibly assist us on this. the Sacrament of Reconciliation is or other health risks, and pregnant the priest could do this himself.) not possible. While a priest cannot women, including any person who 5. Markers on Pews. Put After the deacon or servers move B. Baptisms give absolution over the phone, he resides with the aforementioned, markers on the benches/pews inside away, the priest could come to the 1. The celebration of Baptism can use the phone to give a blessing shall be required to remain our churches to indicate where the altar and arrange the items on the is allowed but restricted to the and even guide a person to make in their residences at all times, faithful could go and sit while inside altar. immediate family members and to an Act of Perfect Contrition. This except when indispensable under the church. These markers will help The lavabo should be done by the one or a pair of godparents. They Guidelines / B7 B4 FEATURE May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 CBCP Monitor FEATURE

Hundreds of major seminarians attend the opening Mass of the “Kapatiran” at the UST Chapel in Manila, March 4, 2017. ROY LAGARDE Guidelines for seminary formation during the COVID-19 pandemic Come to me… I will give you rest (Mt 11:28)

POPE Francis expressed on our diocesan Bishop must adhere available physicians and nurses who to be disinfected before they enter divine perspective and to respond to behalf the anxieties of the world to the instructions of the civil will see that each seminarian is free the premises but only until the areas the condition with a pastoral heart. in these words, “We find ourselves authorities regarding proper from symptoms of the virus or of designated to drop off their items. The seminarians must be constantly afraid and lost. Like the disciples conduct during this pandemic. The any other contagious disease. When Even exposure and interaction with reminded sentire cum ecclesia and we were caught off guard by an three elements that stand out are symptoms are found, the seminarian seminary staff need to be prudently all formation for ministry must unexpected, turbulent storm. SOCIAL DISTANCING, PUBLIC will receive proper medical attention restricted. be pro vita mundi. We have realized that we are in and PERSONAL HYGIENE and and care, and, if necessary, according 10. The norms laid down by the 4. This is an opportune time the same boat, all of us fragile and WEARING of FACE MASKS. The to the discernment of the Rector, Episcopal Commission on Liturgy to revisit and readjust existing disoriented, but at the same time revised seminary discipline during may be given time to recuperate. with regard to the celebration and customary community gestures important and needed, all of us the pandemic must include the When he has recovered completely, reception of the sacraments must and practices, such as fraternal called to row together, each of us scrupulous observance of hygiene he will be invited to rejoin the be observed. expressions of physical affirmation, in need of comforting the other. On through frequent handwashing, seminary community. 11. The areas where the community playing contact sports, the customary this boat… are all of us. wearing face masks and social 5. In the observance of social daily gathers must be disinfected fraternal abrazos, etc. Just like those disciples, who distancing in all seminary activities. distancing it is recommended daily according to the standards laid 5. Although the vision to be spoke anxiously with one voice, 5. We are stewards of God and our that the seminarians be assigned down by the Department of Health. a church of the poor has been saying ‘We are perishing’, so we bodies are gifts from the Creator. permanent places in the chapel, 12. Individual confessions and repeatedly taught in the past, the too have realized that we cannot go The fifth commandment not only refectory, classrooms and library. spiritual directions may be done current condition of the world on thinking of ourselves, but only forbids us to murder but also The places can be marked so that with both confessor/director and necessitates a formation in deeper together can we do this.” (Urbi et obliges us not to tempt God with the seminarians are not left to just seminarian wearing face masks. It simplicity and poverty of lifestyle Orbi, March 27, 2020) our recklessness and imprudence. estimate their distances from one is preferred that the Sacrament of among seminarians in communion This unexpected tempest called We must not endanger the lives another. Penance be administered in such and in solidarity with the increasing COVID-19 also makes it necessary of our seminarian sons through 6. If the chapel and refectory wise as to avoid the use of the number of poor people. The for us to revisit our program of our negligence. It is a Christian are not spacious enough to confessional or confession box, with engagement of the seminarians seminary formation, prayerfully obligation to obey the quarantine accommodate social distancing, the the seats of confessor and penitent in alleviating the sufferings of the attentive to the signs of the times and scrupulously observe hygiene. seminary can explore two batches parallel to each other, but facing in poor such as providing food relief yet relentlessly faithful to the mind for Masses, prayers and meals. opposite directions, observing the bags, coming from their personal and heart of the Church. Some Practical 7. The wearing of face masks being proper distance. sacrifices according to their age and Considerations: mandatory under the Enhanced 13. Human formation counselors situation, must be encouraged. Some Basic Principles: 1. The suggested online classes Community Quarantine and General may do their regular accompaniment 6. More than ever, due to the 1. Seminary formation is NORMALLY cannot apply to Community Quarantine guidelines, with the seminarians virtually, one- rapidly changing situation of the the intense following of Christ seminary formation due to the it shall also be mandatory in on-one sessions without physical world, it is even more necessary that in all aspects of a seminarian’s other pillars of priestly formation the seminary when seminarians contact, by making available a the seminary employ the regular personality. The intellectual requiring personal accompaniment gather in groups more than five consultation room with strong wifi- services of counselor psychologists formation is not the only the factor in the context of community. The persons socially distanced. When connection, with proper observance and mental health experts so that for consideration in seminary seminary community is a family, a seminarian is in his individual of counseling protocols. The room the rapid changes our seminarians formation. The seminarians need and it is as a family that we will go room (for those who have individual and equipment must be disinfected and formators are going through to be accompanied in their pastoral, through this pandemic. rooms) he need not wear the face every after use. may be processed professionally. To spiritual and human formation 2. However, in extreme conditions, mask. ignore the changes now can harm too. It is an integrated formation the academic deans may study 8. For the sake of hygiene, it New Outlook the future. that takes place in the context of prudently which MINOR subjects is advisable to assign particular 1. The seminary formators are Through the centuries, the firm community accompaniment. may be delivered online. The bath cubicles and toilet bowls to advised to contextualize the spiritual point of the seminarians’ daily life 2. Insofar as the seminary is MAJOR subjects are best taught each seminarian in the event that conferences, theological and and the foundation of his spiritual recognized by the government as with physical presence of the teacher contact tracing may be required. philosophical convocations, pastoral and human structure is his deep an institution of education, the and with interaction among the Seminary authorities shall also talks and homilies within the current personal friendship with the Lord. seminary must comply with the seminarians. The resident formators see to it that all kitchen utensils situation of the world. COVID-19 From this intimacy with the Lord, prescribed academic requirements need to be more hands-on and are properly disinfected and that has been metaphorically called a may he live a life that is fully human including the prescribed opening to even consider to teach more commonly handled surfaces such doorway leading to a new rupture in the celibate state, with a joyful of the academic year. On the subjects than they used to teach. In as doorknobs, toilet flushers in the world. The seminarians will zeal to share in the mission of the matter of prescribed norms laid fraternal charity, we must consider and similar must be wiped clean be the future priests on whose Lord for the salvation of the world! down by the Church regarding the situation of extern seminarians with proper disinfectants. Even shoulders will be laid the task to lead May Mary Help of Christians seminary formation, the diocesan enrolled who may really need to take sacred vessels such as the paten our flock into that new world. and Mother of Priests protect her Bishop enjoys autonomy and full their classes online. and the ciboria must be properly 2. Seminary formation during seminarian sons and help them to jurisdiction. 3. The seminaries may consider disinfected, with due regard for COVID will probably have more become like her Son. 3. The current situation of the scheduling the return of their the consecrated nature of these the flavor of “propaedeutic” and country under the threat of a life seminarians by batches. Mandatory vessels. For the moment, there will “vocational synthesis” stages. While Submitted by the CBCP Episcopal threatening sickness whose vaccine self-quarantine will be observed. be no participation in the precious we ensure that it is integral, the Commission for Seminaries for and treatment is still being studied They must be “cleared” by available Blood. Concelebrants are to partake dimensions of human and spiritual adaptation and approval by the by scientific experts, makes it doctors. Only then shall they be of the precious Blood through formation will be highlighted and and Bishops for the imperative for the diocesan Bishop integrated into the community. intinction only. pastoral formation necessarily will seminaries within their jurisdiction. to comply with the health norms laid Once they have been integrated into 9. It may be necessary to limit have a “shift”. Apostolate will be down by the civil authorities. The the community, they shall become to the minimum the availability an “inside” experience but for the May 15, 2020, Memorial of San bishop is as concerned with the like a household; there is no need of free time for the seminarians “outside.” Isidro Labrador health and well-being of seminarians for a mask. But for those allowed to to go out of seminary premises 3. Due to the unprecedented as civil authorities are; in fact leave the premises for marketing, in order to minimize exposure or situation that the world is going even more, for his care is that of a errands and the like, they shall contamination. Visitors must not through, the seminarians and +SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS shepherd. exercise extreme caution and strictly be allowed personal contact with formators should be organized to Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan 4. The seminary administration follow the protocols. the seminarians. Items shall be left form small circles of discernment Chairman, Episcopal Commission under the direction of the 4. The seminary will make in designated areas. The visitors are to look at the situation from the for Seminaries FEATURE CBCP Monitor May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 FEATURE B5 Anticipating to celebrate our liturgy in CBCP Statement on the the ‘new normal’ condition closure of ABS-CBN WE eagerly await the time in the In anticipation of that time, My sincere thought is, “New Normal” condition when the CBCP has recently released may we try to take the lead in we will be allowed to celebrate on May 16, 2020, a new set of showing the spirit of patience, our liturgy, especially the Holy Recommendations and Guidelines calmness, understanding, open Eucharist, with our faithful in for the Liturgical Celebration in communication and cooperation attendance. We approach this phase “New Normal” Condition. This is the in these very trying times as we of our life as church with the wise official set of guidelines proposed to continue to patiently present our thought of our Holy Father who all bishops as they make their own particular concerns to the proper said “At this time, when indications particular pastoral decisions and authorities. Again, we take to heart have been given to start coming course of action for their respective what Pope Francis said “At this time, out of quarantine, we pray that the dioceses. when indications have been given Lord will grant to His people, to all During these days, we may to start coming out of quarantine, of us, the grace of prudence and hear of some guidelines from the we pray that the Lord will grant to obedience to these indications, so government and health authorities His people, to all of us, the grace of that the pandemic will not return” regarding our conduct of worship. prudence and obedience to these (Pope Francis’ Homily at Casa Santa They may at first come across as indications, so that the pandemic Marta, April 28, 2020). impractical or without sense to us. will not return”. Indeed, we need the Lord – In this scenario, I believe that the May our Blessed Mother, the the Bread of Life – in the Holy way forward is to patiently ask and Mother of the Church, continue to Employees of ABS-CBN hold a rally outside the network’s compound in on February 21, 2020. Eucharist! The Holy Eucharist is seek clarification from the source of accompany us as we fervently pray MY first thought in the currently more than ever broadcast services central and essential to the life of these guidelines. It is good to remind for each other, for our nation, and much talked-about closure of ABS- that would bring them the much- the Church and to the life of each ourselves that these guidelines are for the world. CBN is our people—our people needed information in this time of individual believer. It is in this meant not only for the Catholic who are in these extremely difficult crisis. context that we understand our Church but for all men and women +ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. and trying times because of the With this consideration, I sincerely people’s desire to return to the and communities of faith who Archbishop of Davao coronavirus pandemic. hope and pray that our government, parishes, participate in the liturgy, practice different modes of worship CBCP President Because of the closure of this especially our Congress, will work and receive the Eucharist. and prayer. 18 May 2020 broadcast station, our people have together to resolve the issue so lost one of our country’s major that ABS-CBN may be allowed to sources of information which is resume its broadcast the soonest to crucial to our people in this present the benefit of our people who really Pastoral reminder about situation. If I may add, they also need as many as possible sources of have lost a source of entertainment good and reliable information in this and diversion during these days of time of suffering and distress. confinement in their homes for more ‘venomous virus’ preying on than two months already due to the +ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. lockdown measures. Archbishop of Davao our youth during pandemic These days our people truly need CBCP President

strengthen the society is to safeguard Statement of the CBCP our children, our young people. They are the hope. They are our Episcopal Commission on future. Human trafficking and online sexual exploitation are evil deeds Social Communications on the and criminal acts which ruin their future. Their lives are destroyed, and can even lead to a violent death. shutting down of ABS-CBN So it is a call for all of us to protect our children, our youth and prevent THE Peace of our Lord be to all! same on all the other franchise ap- them from being victimized. plications of other media networks We should condemn the viruses of The CBCP Episcopal Commission already on their desk for passing human trafficking and online sexual on Social Communications is aware and renewal. We value and uphold exploitation, do what is necessary of the sentiments of our people re- press freedom, and thus believe that to eradicate this worst endemic garding the lapse of the franchise of the delay of renewal and the closure traffickers and sexual offenders. ABS CBN and the cease and desist of any recognized media channel Be brave enough to report, and to order imposed upon them by the jeopardize this same freedom and bear witness to these evil deeds. NTC. We recognize the importance deprive our people of their right to It is only then we can make sure of the role of the same corpora- access news and information. It is that our youth, our children, are tion in the Philippine democratic also our hope that they do not forget not only socially distant from those landscape, as they, together with that this is not only about a corpo- human viruses of trafficking and all other Philippine media entities rate giant’s renewal application, but exploitation but we must contain represent the voice of the freedom of that it is too about the livelihood the press. They are part of the many and sustenance of the thousands Bishop of Balanga, Vice Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care these perpetrators. We must exhaust of Migrants and Itinerant People. all legal means to investigate, media channels that contribute to of people and their loved ones who prosecute and punish them. the timely, objective and truthful depend on it. It is also about the THERE is a more dangerous and They are the viruses of our society Our Church is a mother. A mother dissemination of news and informa- many Filipinos who also consider extremely deadly virus lurking who use the physical vulnerability speaks and stands for her children, tion bringing guidance and support ABS CBN a vital source of informa- around us aside from Covid-19. and poverty to lure and victimize especially for the vulnerable and to our people especially during this tion and their temporary escape They prey on our young people that our people. voiceless children. She speaks to time of the COVID-19 pandemic from the daily grind of their ordinary are restricted to their homes due to We should do everything to comfort, to console, and to confront crisis. We are aware of the fact that lives. And it is foremost about being coronavirus lockdowns. They take protect our children, our youth from those who make them suffer. Our their closure also jeopardizes the united as a nation overcoming our advantage of the situation, with these evil doers. Everyone should Church as a mother, defends and livelihood of more than 11,000 em- differences for the common good, our youth who are preoccupied be vigilant to prevent our children protects her flock; ensuring to make ployees, their families, and those as we confront a common adversary, with the Internet at home. These from being unwilling victims. At right what is wrong and to correct them whose businesses are directly or which is the crisis brought about by predators are heartless, motivated home, always be observant of your by doing what is best and beneficial to indirectly connected and are depen- the COVID-19 pandemic. by insatiable greed and addiction to children, especially with the use of her children. She must see to it that dent on the continuous operation of We trust in the good judgment their craving of flesh trades. the Internet. Be aware of what they they are truly safe at home. the same media network. of those who are entrusted to serve These are the human traffickers are doing. Have time limits with the We will never end up victims but We humbly implore and call upon the good of our people. And we hope and sexual offenders, the worst and use of their gadgets. Also, with this victors over the viruses of trafficking the lawmakers in congress to act ex- for the expeditious solution to this venomous virus on earth, taking stay at home order, stay physically and online sexual exploitation. peditiously and judiciously on their situation that affects many Filipinos every opportunity to raven our present with the members of the Thank you so much and be safe application, pending since 2016, in if not all. youth and even young children who family. Talk to them consistently, always. accordance to the merits and demer- We pray for the peace of God, are bored at home and have nothing have conversations about their its of the same. We entreat them to which surpasses all understanding, to do but navigate the internet. friends or what they are undergoing. consider the immediate resolution of to guard all our hearts and minds in These young people wanting to At home, do something together to +RUPERTO CRUZ SANTOS, D.D. the application of ABS CBN for the Christ Jesus! (Phil 4:7) belong or get attention, fall into their develop or discover each other’s Bishop of Balanga possibility of their going back on-air cunning and empty promises. Our talents such as baking, painting or Vice Chairman, CBCP Episcopal and back to operation at the soonest +MARCELINO ANTONIO MARAL- youths who are either just curious, making designs. Introduce to your Commission for the Pastoral Care possible time as we need all support IT, JR., D.D. in crisis, or in search for affirmation children your childhood games such of Migrants and that we can get from all sectors of Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Com- get trapped by their sugar coated as dama, chess or sungka. Itinerant People (ECMI) society during this time of crisis. And mission on Social Communications enticements and false illusions. To protect the family and to May 25, 2020 we hope that the lawmakers do the May 9, 2020 Benevolence, compassion and charity THE Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, the public’s right to information. responsibility for the lives of 11,000 economy; and the guidelines issued on God, who is benevolent and full stands together with the various The NTC’s Order is inconsistent ABS-CBN employees who lost their on the government’s aid to help the of compassion, to intervene. Now respectable and concerned people with its declaration in March 2020, jobs, in the same manner that he poor and the jobless. It is through more than ever, let us join hands and and organizations, against the Cease that the broadcasting company publicly assured the thousands of ABS-CBN that diverse and effective help each other through this crisis. and Desist Order of the National could remain on air while the license returning OFWs, of his personal ways of aid distribution is monitored In the meantime, we encourage Telecommunications Commission renewal is pending in Congress. protection? and its irregularities, brought to the ABS-CBN to persist. Despite being (NTC) prompting ABS-CBN to sign- Likewise, it ignored the advice of ABS-CBN is most needed now fore. silenced, we marvel at how creatively off last May 5, 2020. ABS-CBN is the the Department of Justice, that it and the NTC’s decision to put it off Therefore, in solidarity with the you are using the social and digital largest broadcasting entity in terms is within NTC’s mandate to allow the air is ill-timed. The network thousands of jobless employees, we media to pursue your slogan ‘in the of coverage and audience; thus, the network to operate until the bill has provided the DOH, the IATF urge Congress to take this matter service of the Filipino people.’ We locking down 42 television stations, renewing its franchise is passed. and other government agencies seriously for the common good. are at your side! Resist! This too including the flagship Channel 2, 10 But the legislative body like ours, with substantial air time that kept Loftier than regulatory compliance shall pass. digital broadcast channels, 18 FM dominated by President Duterte’s the nation informed about the and constitutional rectitude is the stations, 5 AM stations, together loyalists, sat on the issue and the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting primacy of compassion, especially For the Sangguniang Laiko ng with the “Malayang Mamamayan” calculated delay of action cost the in further knowledge about the towards the needy during these Pilipinas Board, DZMM radio station, is a palpable livelihood of thousands of Filipinos virus and its preventive measures; distressful and uncertain times. demonstration of power that who have families to feed. Will the curve status of those infected; We are calling on all LAIKO ROUQUEL A. PONTE undermines freedom of speech and President Duterte stand up and take the impact of the lockdown in the members to rally in prayer calling President, May 8, 2020 B6 REFLECTIONS May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 CBCP Monitor SOCIAL CONCERNS The Church of the Risen Lord A mission and a presence Feast of Ascension, Year A, (Mt 28:16-20) that last till the end of time May 24, 2020 Feast of Ascension, Year A, (Mt 28:16-20) By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD 54th World Communications Sunday May 24, 2020 It would seem, however, that today’s Gospel does not accept that line of By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB thinking. From a Christian point of view, the most decisive act of God in history is his revelation in Jesus. As IT was bound to happen: the to become the TEACHERS of all we noted in the previous Sundays, that triumph of the Resurrection had to nations. And that was not all. Those revelation was unfortunately rejected. find its completion in the exaltation frail men, full of defects and wrong Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom of of Christ “at the right hand of the priorities were expected to be God and his demand of conversion Father.” Now, Jesus’ human nature WITNESSES to Jesus and the Gospel fell on deaf ears; in fact, his enemies belongs to another dimension of they were sent to proclaim! (See crucified him, and they thought that existence—the fuller dimension of today’s First Reading, v. 8.) And this was he end of him. But God was with the glorified state. We rejoice and mission was to be carried out “to the him. The Father raised him from share in his exaltation. ends of the earth” and “until the end the dead. His cause—the Kingdom According to God’s design, Christ’s of time”! By all standards, it looked of God—was entirely correct, and mission has to be carried on by the and was a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! the resurrection vindicated him. Church, under the visible leadership What made all the difference and Hence, the mission he began must of the Apostles and their successors, assured a complete final success be continued. That is why, in today’s empowered and guided by the Holy (despite all obstacles and “ups and Gospel, Jesus gives his disciples the Spirit. The mystery of mankind’s downs”) was the unfailing and so-called Great Commission: “Full Redemption continues in and powerful presence of the HOLY authority has been given to me both through the Church, the Mediatrix/ SPIRIT. Repeatedly promised by in heaven and on earth; go, therefore, Channel of all grace. In her, the Jesus and eventually sent by the and make disciples of all the nations. mystery of an omnipotent God, Father and him on Pentecost day, Baptize them in the name of the who solicits the cooperation of frail the Holy Spirit transformed that Father, and of the Son, and of the creatures in order to realize His plan, apprehensive band of not-qualified Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry is restated and re-enacted in a new, people into heroes and saints. He out everything I have commanded even more disconcerting manner. did and will continue doing the you” (Matt 28:18b-20a). Since Jesus This “” started with eleven same with their successors till the could no longer personally continue fearful “nobodies,” mustered from end of time. his mission, because he has already among fishermen, tax collectors, And through it all, the glorified ascended to the Father, the Christian and zealots. They were sent by Jesus Jesus will not watch the vicissitudes community where his Spirit lives on into an immense, unfriendly world of his Church “from a distance.” must carry on the cause. The disciples to sow in it the “mustard seed” of Though invisible, he will still be must proclaim the Gospel, and those the Kingdom. very much fully involved in the life ONE time, I happened to meet a scans the spectrum of religions, he who accepted it have to be brought The mission of the Eleven was of his Church for he has become and man in his 50s who has gone to may observe that they appear to be to the community through faith and daunting and unprecedented. In “remains for ever Emmanuel”— various Christian denominations all the same—they teach about God baptism. That is why the Church the past, the Lord God had assigned “God with” us! (See the conclusion and sects. In the end, he settled for (under different names) and good continues to send missionaries to prophets to convey His messages to of today’s Gospel passage.) a born-again community that he behavior, they observe certain rites, bring people to the fold. some individual or group, in a well This mystery of God saving felt answered his affective needs. I and call everyone to conversion. Does this mean that we will have defined area and within specific people through people continues recalled that he believed all religions No wonder, some people would to reject other religions? There historical circumstances. The Old through the centuries. It will go on were the same, and so it did not advocate pluralism in religion. is no question about it—today we Testament is replete with such till the end of time, in spite of all matter to him which religion was They would tell us that all religions are in the age of inter-religious cases. But the mandate given by opposition from outside the Church, true. What was important for him are of equal value, and are ways dialogue. We can no longer go Jesus to the Apostles was absolutely and the limitations, defects and was that the particular sect he had to salvation, and what is decisive back to the time when Christians unlimited in space, scope, and time. failures in the leaders and other chosen assured him that he was is that one follows the religion he had almost nothing good to say of He sent them to the whole world. members of the Church. Such is saved. This line of thought that professes. Indeed, others go even as other religions. Nowadays, we seek They were to proclaim the Gospel to the “strategy” adopted by God. We all religions are the same—this is far as saying that what one believes dialogue, trying as we do to explore all nations, teaching them to observe have no alternative. And it is simply rather common even among the does not matter; what is decisive is areas where we can agree with all that he had commanded them fascinating to reflect on the fact educated. Of course, when one what he does. Church / B7 during his apostolic life in Palestine. that God should hold us in such The mission was simply a high esteem as to make us His overwhelming. Those poor and associates in the fulfillment of His The Tower of Babel mostly illiterate men were expected plan of salvation. Pentecost Sunday, Year A, (John 20:19-23) The transforming and unifying May 31,2020 By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD role of the Holy Spirit Pentecost Sunday, Year A, (John 20:19-23) May 31, 2020 By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

JESUS freed us from sin through keeps the Church alive, constantly all that he was and deed, but renews her, guides her into an ever especially through his passion, greater appreciation of the truths death, and resurrection. Thanks of revelation, sanctifies her, and to him, salvation is made available strengthens her against all dangers and offered to all human beings. But and oppositions. this does not mean that we are all And so the mystery of the herded into heaven. Christ destroyed Incarnation continues—God sin, but not our freedom. It can still saving men through men, not happen that we say once again “No!” just through the all-holy Jesus, but to God. also through the ministry of frail As long as we live on earth, sin and defective people, sanctified and remains a “possible accident” strengthened by the Spirit of love, caused by a number of factors, the unity, and holiness. main ones of which are the devil’s We will never be able to fully TODAY, we celebrate the feast of Jerusalem witnessed the outpouring could be promoted if Christians are temptations, the negative influence appreciate the importance of the Pentecost. For Christians, it is not of the Spirit on the apostles, “they to be informed with a spirituality of the environment in which we live, role of the Holy Spirit in the Church simply the 50th day after the Lord’s were much confused because each of communion. According to John and especially the moral weakness and in each of us. Without him, resurrection; rather, it is also the one heard these men speaking his Paul II in his Tertio Millennio of our wounded nature. Experience the Church would be just a human time when the Church, through own language. The whole occurrence Adveniente, this spirituality means shows that sin remains a sad reality institution, destined to perish like the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, astonished them” (Acts 2:6). If that we are able to think of our to this very day, both in ourselves all other institutions, empires and received its mission to bring all in the story of the tower of Babel , brothers and sisters in the faith and around us. civilizations. But the Church will last people to God. Thus, in the Gospel, people were confused because of within the profound unity of the Jesus knew it would be so. That until the end of time only because Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to the their different languages, here the mystical body; it means sharing is why he repeatedly promised and the Holy Spirit, the Lord of Life, early Church: “As the Father has Jews who came from every nation their joys and sufferings; it implies eventually gave the Holy Spirit to animates her. sent me, so I send you. Receive the on earth were confused because each the ability to see what is positive in the Church that she might continue Thanks to the presence of Holy Spirit. If you forgive men’s one heard the apostles speaking in others; it means knowing how to his healing mission in the power of the Spirit, the gift of salvation sins, they are forgiven them. If you his own particular language. Thus, make room for others, bearing their the Source of all unity, wholeness, and all other gifts of the hold them bound, they are held Pentecost overcomes the division burdens, and resisting temptations and holiness. Risen Christ are channeled to bound” (John 20:21.23). Pentecost of men at Babel . That is why Luke that constantly beset us and provoke Thus, Jesus completed his people, through the Church, signifies that the risen Lord is active uses tongues as of fire (v 3) to convey competition, careerism, distrust redemptive work by commissioning the “Universal Sacrament in the world, reconciling all men this signification. This means that and jealous; and above all, it means the Church to carry on the struggle of Salvation” (CFC, 1416). to God and to one another. Thus, through the tongue of the Spirit, our contemplation of the Trinity against all that divides mankind, The Church fulfills this role one of the theological meanings of which is ultimately charity, all men dwelling in us. If people can see all that makes us selfish, proud, through all that she is and the event is that Pentecost is a time will be reconciled. Pentecost is thus this spirituality shining on our aggressive, and oppressive. does, but especially through of reconciliation and communion. a time of reconciliation and fraternal faces, they will certainly recognize And this is what the Church those sacred acts that we call Indeed, from linguistic evidence, communion. the miracle of Pentecost working has been doing in her 2000 “sacraments.” In particular, the there is no doubt that the account A Christian always expects that in the Church and, who knows, years of existence, in spite forgiving love of God becomes a in the First Reading (Acts 2:1-11) the Church be a community of our political structure and system of all the limitations and reality for us, today, through the is meant to reverse the experience reconciliation and communion. And could be affected in the long run. weaknesses that come to her sacrament of Reconciliation, which of Babel. Luke says that the Jews precisely because the Spirit that was And the Babel among our political from her “human component.” enables us to rise after every fall, who came from every nation poured out at Pentecost is active parties will be transformed into The Holy Spirit, present in her as purified and strengthened by God’s under heaven and were staying in in the Church, such a community reconciliation and communion. her “soul,” is the divine Power that forgiving love. REFLECTIONS CBCP Monitor May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 SOCIAL CONCERNS B7 The three great catastrophes facing mankind By Fr. Shay Cullen

THERE are three deadly catastrophic sexually abused online and many events engulfing the world as you more in danger of online cyber-sex read this. None of us can ignore abuse. these realities without suffering The latest victims of this gross the dire consequences. Should we government neglect were rescued do so, we will be less human, less from cyber-sex abuse and were responsible and become more self- admitted to the Preda home for centered and even devoid of the sexually abused girls last week. Two great virtues and values that make of them, Jane, 14 and Charmie, 11, good people better. The first is the and six-year old Patricia (not real pandemic coronavirus (covid-19). names) had been used by their The second is global warming and own stepmother in online sexual the dangerous climate change it abuse and were in the process of is bringing to the planet and each contacting another customer from one of us. The third is the age- Australia when they were rescued old human evil of child slavery by operatives of the National and child sexual abuse. For all Bureau of Investigation’s Anti- three, we need to respond with a Human Trafficking Division (NBI- vigorous determination and global AHTRAD) and the Philippine unity. Each is an evil, a disaster, a National Police Women and catastrophe that is happening now. Children Protection Center (PNP- The coronavirus is attacking WCPC) from a 34-year old female the children in jail where they are suspect. She was forcing the cramped, squeezed, and forced to children to perform sexual acts live live in tiny government cells, in on webcam for paying customers. grave danger of the virus where She has been arrested. they are likely waiting to die. We When admitted to the Preda appeal to the Philippine public, home they were given care, comfort, judges, the Public Attorney’s encouragement and affirmation. Office, Office and mayors to act They were warmly welcomed and to save the children. I previously reassured they are good children, exposed the truth of children in innocent and had done no wrong. jails and the heinous crimes of They were assured that they will find sexual, physical and psychological safety and new friends at the Preda abuse against the smaller children home. They were given tasty meals, by the older inmates. View this new clothes, toys and a special and another William Allen Corley The most recent episode of abuse was done to her on camera or by the on https://www.youtube.com/ apartment and Preda caregivers. in Clarkton Hotel in Angeles City. was in their small house in Angeles pedophiles. watch?v=G_96Du7MWaE . The next day they were smiling and The men allegedly videotaped and City. The stepmother pimp was in This is just one of thousands The coronavirus has locked- talking to the Preda social workers photographed the sex abuse of the contact with another Australian man of acts of child sex abuse in the down families and some have and telling openly what they had children. William Corley, 63, from that lives in Melbourne and he has Philippines and millions more in continued sexually exploiting endured. West Ryde in Sydney was arrested been identified by the children and every country on the world. It is a their own children or the children Just in case they were exposed to recently in Australia and released on the pimp. He was waiting for the global disaster for our children and of others on the internet using Covid-19, the Preda staff called in bail in April this year. He is charged sex abuse to begin when the police a catastrophe for the world. Humans cellphones and tablets. They are medical personnel to administer a with crimes related to sending arrived and rescued the children and are the only species who do this screening their naked children rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19. payments to the Philippines to pay arrested the pimp. to their offspring. The majority of and some abusing them in front of They happily proved negative but for online child sex abuse and being Charmie, now 11- years old, was the perpetrators of child abuse are the camera for foreign customers will stay in the special apartment for in possession of child pornography. abandoned by her mother and her the biological fathers and live-in who pay them by money transfer. 14 days to be sure. Then, they can The Australian Federal Police father’s new live-in partner brought partners followed by pedophiles Only a tiny fraction of the abuse is join the community of fifty children can now charge him for allegedly her to hotels all around Angeles City helped by women pimps. Most of discovered by international police that are healing and recovering from sexually abusing and endangering when she was ten. Child sex abuse, it is covered up and hidden and forces and Interpol. The streaming child rape and human slavery and Jane, Charmie and and Patricia. child pornography and cyber-sex children hide it all their lives. of child sexual abuse is banned by trafficking. The children will soon be healing, is allegedly a common business To choose to remain silent, hide law in the Philippines. The National They endured much abuse. The recovering and empowered to testify in the hotels and hopefully not away and do nothing is allowing Telecommunications Commission is eldest, Jane, 14, told Preda social against Corley and his friend Daniel. totally ignored by local police and child abuse to spread like another mandated under RA 9775 (section 9) workers that she was nine years The Australian police will soon politicians. pandemic. Preda Foundation saves to enforce the law that mandates all old when she was first brought identify him. The pictures of the Charmie was forced to participate hundreds of children and wins as Internet Server Providers to install to the Wild Orchid Hotel by her three children are likely to be in in live internet cyber-sex shows. many as twenty convictions against software to block and filter child mother together with her sister, Corley’s collection of child porn After each show, they gave her child rapists every year. Help the pornography and live streaming. Rose 16 years old. Jane was seized by Australian police. They can money. Six-year old Princess was work with advocacy and support. But they don’t enforce the law and allegedly sexually abused by two contact us at [email protected] also brought to the hotels and she Stand up and speak out for the child thousands of children are being Australian men, one named Daniel or +63 9228768621. has not yet spoken about what abuse victims.

Life / B1

Our own story becomes part of of the great storyteller. Telling God with us as actors in today’s story. humanity of God and, the Gospel every knot can be untied. Woman of every great story. As we read the our story is never useless: even if the For no one is an extra on the world tells us, wove together the events the Spirit, mother of trust, inspire us Scriptures, the stories of the saints, record of events remains the same, stage, and everyone’s story is open to of her life. For the Virgin Mary too. Help us build stories of peace, and also those texts that have shed the meaning and perspective are possible change. Even when we tell “treasured all these things and stories that point to the future. light on the human heart and its always changing. To tell our story of evil, we can learn to leave room pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2: And show us the way to live them beauty, the Holy Spirit is free to to the Lord is to enter into his gaze for redemption; in the midst of evil, 19). Let us ask for help from her, together. write in our hearts, reviving our of compassionate love for us and for we can also recognize the working of who knew how to untie the knots of memory of what we are in God’s others. We can recount to him the goodness and give it space. life with the gentle strength of love: Rome, at Saint John Lateran, 24 eyes. When we remember the love stories we live, bringing to him the So it is not a matter of simply O Mary, woman and mother, you January 2020, the Memorial of that created and saved us, when people and the situations that fill telling stories as such, or of wove the divine Word in your womb, Saint Francis de Sales we make love a part of our daily our lives. With him we can re-weave advertising ourselves, but rather of you recounted by your life the stories, when we weave the tapestry the fabric of life, darning its rips and remembering who and what we are magnificent works of God. Listen to Franciscus of our days with mercy, we are tears. How much we, all of us, need in God’s eyes, bearing witness to our stories, hold them in your heart turning another page. We no longer to do exactly this! what the Spirit writes in our hearts and make your own the stories that remain tied to regrets and sadness, With the gaze of the great and revealing to everyone that his no one wants to hear. Teach us to [1] Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi, 2: bound to an unhealthy memory storyteller—the only one who has or her story contains marvellous recognize the good thread that runs “The Christian message was not only ‘informative’ but ‘performative’. That means: the Gospel is not that burdens our hearts; rather, the ultimate point of view—we can things. In order to do this, let us through history. Look at the tangled merely a communication of things that can be by opening ourselves to others, we then approach the other characters, entrust ourselves to a woman who knots in our life that paralyze our known–it is one that makes things happen and is open ourselves to the same vision our brothers and sisters, who are knit together in her womb the memory. By your gentle hands, life-changing”.

Guidelines / B3 Church / B6 can be done provided the person every 8:00 P.M. daily. believers of other faiths, mindful Congregation for the Doctrine of she cannot surrender the mandate expresses faith in and love of God as we are that God can speak, too, the Faith Dominus Iesus (On the that Jesus gave to the Church in above all things and resolves to I. May, Devotion to the through other religions. Of course, Unicity and Salvific Universality today’s Gospel. She must preach make a sacramental Confession as Blessed Mother in the practical level alone, dialogue of Jesus Christ and the Church) the Gospel to all nations, and those soon as possible. All his/her sins, Pope Francis has asked Catholics is important. For us, Filipinos, says, “it would be contrary to the who accept it must be baptized even mortal sins, are forgiven. around the world to pray the Rosary, dialogue with our Muslim brothers faith to consider the Church as one and admitted to the historical asking Mary’s intercession to stop is of paramount significance. In way of salvation alongside those embodiment of the Kingdom G. Anointing of the Sick the Covid-19 pandemic. He has the words of the Second Plenary constituted by the other religions, of God. “Following the Lord’s The recommendations we have offered us also two prayers that can Council of the Philippines (PCP- seen as complementary to the command (cf Matt 28:19-20) and outlined in the previous circular on be recited at the end of the Rosary. II), “(1) our history as a Christian Church or substantially equivalent as a requirement of her love for the Pastoral Care of the Sick during people has pitted us against them in to her, even if these are said to be all people, the Church ‘proclaims the pandemic are relevant even Conclusion a long series of religious conflicts, converging with the Church toward and is in duty bound to proclaim during the GCQ. We refer you to the There will no doubt be challenges and lowland Filipinos still suffer the eschatological kingdom of God.” without faith Christ who is the way, same document. and frustrations. Our parishes need today from its psychological and x x x “With the coming of the Savior the truth and the lie (John 14:6). to learn new ways to cope with the cultural effects. And (2) we are Jesus Christ, God has willed that the In him, in whom God reconciled H. The “Mass in Time of “new normal” after the ECQ, when part of the Asian region and Asia Church founded by him to be the all things to himself (cf 2 Cor 5:18- Pandemic” [Recently provided we begin to celebrate the liturgy, contains the bulk of the world’s instrument for the salvation of all 19), men find the fullness of their by the Holy See] and the Oratio especially the Holy Eucharist, with Islamic countries. We need, humanity (cf Acts 17:30-31). This religious life.” Says the Declaration: Imperata. the faithful in attendance. But therefore, to take a closer look truth of faith does not lessen the “Indeed, the Church, guided by 1. This Mass can be celebrated, we believe that following these at inter-religious dialogue as an sincere respect which the Church charity and respect for freedom, according to the rubrics given for guidelines is a reasonable sacrifice. imperative of mission.” Part of this has for the religions of the world, must be primarily committed to Masses and Prayers for Various For the interest of the common dialogue that has to be encouraged but at the same time, it rules out, proclaiming to all people the truth Needs and Occasions, on any day good, and ultimately to best serve is the dialogue of life. The PCP in a radical way, that mentality of definitively revealed by the Lord, except Solemnities, the Sundays our own community, we want to II was happy to note that “in the indifferentism “characterized by and to announcing the necessity of of Advent, Lent, and Easter, contribute to solve this crisis and areas of Mindanao and Sulu where a religious relativism which leads conversion to Jesus Christ and of days within the Octave of Easter, soon be freed from the threat of the Muslims and Christians live and to the belief that ‘one religion is as adherence to the Church through the Commemoration of All the pandemic. work together, a dialogue of life good as another’” If it is true that Baptism and the other sacraments, Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), is taking place. In daily life they the followers of other religions can in order to participate fully in Ash Wednesday and the days of witness to each other to their own receive divine grace, it is also certain communion with God, the Father, Holy Week. Please see again the For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference religious values and both contribute that objectively speaking, they are Son and Holy Spirit. Thus, the communication from the Holy See of the Philippines to the building of a just society.” in a gravely deficient situation in certainty of the universal salvific will regarding the text and the use of But inter-religious dialogue comparison with those who, in the of God does not diminish but rather this Mass. +ROMULO G. VALLES cannot mean a compromise of Church, have the fullness of the increases the duty and urgency of 2. We continue to pray the Oratio Archbishop of Davao the Christian uniqueness and the means of salvation.” the proclamation of salvation and Imperata during the Mass, after the President, CBCP command of Jesus to carry on his Therefore, even as the Church of conversion to the Lord Jesus Prayer after Communion and also May 16, 2020 work. As the Declaration of the advocates inter-religious dialogue, Christ.”* B8 ENTERTAINMENT May 11 - 24, 2020 Vol. 24 No 10 CBCP Monitor

ORATIO IMPERATA PRAYER FOR PROTECTION against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

God our Father, We come to you in our need To ask your protection against the Coronavirus (COVID-19), That has claimed lives And has affected many. Miss Americana We pray for your grace For the people tasked with studying the nature and DIRECTOR: Lana Wilson cause LEAD CAST: Taylor Swift (as herself) MUSIC: Taylor Swift, Alex Somers Of this virus and its disease CINEMATOGRAPHY: Emily Topper And of stemming the tide of its transmission. EDITING: Paul Marchand, Greg O’Toole, Lee Rosch GENRE: Documentary COUNTRY: USA LANGUAGE: English DISTRIBUTED BY: Netflix Guide the hands and minds of RUNNING TIME: 86 minutes medical experts

Technical assessment: 4 That they may minister to the sick Moral assessment: 3 With competence and compassion. CINEMA rating: V13 Miss Americana follows the brilliantly looks at some And of those governments and journey of Taylor Swift as of the most controversial private agencies an artist. Her song-writing moments of Taylor’s life (i.e. That must find cure and solution to this epidemic. genius paired with her angelic her initial exclusion from persona easily catapults her the Grammy nominees, the captured the right materials good, and beautiful. Most into a well-loved country Kanye West MTV Music to fit the narrative sometimes of the time, personalities We pray for those afflicted singer at the age of 14. She Awards nomination, the raises doubts on the sincerity get intoxicated with the May they be restored to health soon. becomes the youngest of sexual harassment case of the storytelling. adulation and the monetary everything in the music against David Mueller and A documentary’s real success that come with industry until she crosses the never-ending contempt strength lies in the seamless popularity, forgetting that Grant us the grace over to pop in her late teens. and judgement of media) as editing to create a dynamic all these do not make them To work for the good of all Taylor’s motivation graduates existential turning points story. An editing tight enough better persons or artists. And to help those in need. from needing approval and and formative experiences. for cohesiveness but invisible Fans forget, the industry adulation to standing firm Wilson presents them in enough to forget that the moves on, and as Swift Grant this through our Lord, on the ground as her own the obligatory superstar footages come from different mentioned, entertainments artist to finding her voice to angst — “it is lonely at the times and intentions. Miss treat female artists like Jesus Christ, your Son, fight for what she believes is top, nobody sees the real Americana achieves this. white elephants when they Who lives and reigns with You, right. Each phase triggered me”. But what Wilson does As a whole it will make you reach 35. However, when the in the unity of the Holy Spirit, by an incident challenging so delicately is interweave appreciate Taylor’s songs celebrities discover to use God, forever and ever. Amen. her resolve, forming her these emotional challenges better and understand her their voices, their stardom, character and inspiring her in Taylor’s own self- deeper. their network to fight for songwriting. As she turns 30, realization and growth Miss Americana something, to effect change, Mary Help of all Christians, pray for us. Swift seemingly finds comfort as an artist. Beneath her emphasizes the role to make this world a little St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. that she rediscovers her self saccahrine-laden packaging, celebrities should play in better for us. Taylor saw St. Rock, pray for us. worth and uses her music not we find the bittersweet society. They are not just this and finally embraced St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. merely to tell her narratives struggles of growing up perfectly packaged versions this responsibility as she but also to effect change. and growing older of a of everyone’s fantasy life but peacefully sang “Only the St. , pray for us. The documentary real person. How Wilson also amplifiers of what is true, Young”.

Extraction Buhay San Miguel

(Priyanshu Painyuli), a rival anticipated 12-minute hope. It’s painful to watch a baffling at first how evil drug lord in Bangladesh. single take action sequence. film of evil against evil, as if characters deliver words of DIRECTOR: Sam Hargrave Tyler succeeds in finding It is utterly successful in the audience has to root for a wisdom in the film but it LEAD CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Ovi in Dhaka — killing all those respects but the lesser evil that does not seem gets really troubling when Hooda, Golshifteh Farahani his Bangladeshi kidnappers. entire picture appears to to exist. The hero-anti-hero they get their redemption SCREENWRITER: Joe Russo However, the mission gets be quite a disappointment in Rake reflects moral decay in the end — poetic justice PRODUCER: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Chris Hemsworth, Mike Larocca, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwern messed up — Khan informs given its flat storyline and and how messed up human gone really wrong. Although EDITOR: Peter B. Ellis & Ruthie Aslan Rake that the client has not character development. The values have become. Deciding the film clearly is about the MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Henry Jackman & Alex Belcher yet turned over the payment Russo brothers who wrote to rescue home the kidnapped underworld and how evil GENRE: Action, Thriller and that Saju (Randeep and produced the project kid for sentimental reason the black market is — and CINEMATOGRAPHER: Newton Thomas Sigel Hooda), the chief aide of apparently are only after does not seem light enough for amidst all these there is Rake DISTRIBUTOR: Netflix Ovi’s father, is hiring his own the blood porn — and really the darkness of the film. The who is haunted by a past LOCATION: Bangladesh and India mercenaries to do the job not interested themselves in portrayal of race in Extraction regret, and a drug lord’s son RUNNING TIME: 116 mins himself. Rake’s team is double telling a compelling story. is also problematic: Rake longing for love — it still lacks crossed and he is instructed to There’s blood, violence, as the “white savior “ and conviction in its ethical and Technical assessment: 2.5 abandon Ovi when his team explosions and lots of the Asians, particularly the moral choices. In the end, the Moral assessment: 2 comes to Dhaka for him. But senseless killings here and Indians and Bangladeshis film leaves disturbing images CINEMA rating: V18 Tyler refuses to leave the there — nothing much to see as criminals, make up for that numb and desensitize Netflix Rating: 18+ kidnapped kid behind no other that. The film is devoid an Orientalism narrative the audience to violence matter how dangerous it is to of logic in so many ways and that places once again the rather than urge them to Tyler Rake (Chris extricate a kidnapped boy escape alive. has only kept Hemsworth in westerners at the center of the reflect on how humans turn Hemsworth) is a former from India, Ovi Mahajan Jr. Extraction made waves his stereotyped Thor image. universe. The seed of hate and into savages. For its graphic Australian soldier turned (Rudhraksh Jaiswal) — son during its Netflix premiere The film depicts evil and violence being implanted in portrayal of violence and mercenary and is hired by Nik of a powerful but imprisoned mainly because of Hemsworth violence to the core — up to the children’s minds through blood, CINEMA deems the Khan (Golshifteh Farahani) a drug lord. Ovi is abducted — a.k.a. Thor — as its major the point of its hopeless cycle the young gangster characters film as fit only for mature fellow mercenary to find and for ransom by Amir Asif attraction and the much with very little regard for is really disturbing. It is viewers aged 18 and above.