CBCP

MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 [email protected] Pope Francis blesses a smattering of faithful — mostly residents of Italy — from his window in the newly reopened St. Peter’s Square after nearly three months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, at the Vatican, May 31, 2020. VATICAN MEDIA Bishops urge public to unite against ‘anti-terrorism’ bill

By Roy Lagarde stressed that the respect and defense of human rights must be of CATHOLIC leaders called “paramount consideration”. “We maintain that the proposed on the public to unite law is open to abuse by despotic against the passage of governments to visit terror against a new anti-terrorism critics and the people in general,” measure, which critics according to Alminaza. say could be abused by “This government is criminalizing authorities to silence dissent, further suppressing criticism, while at the same time dissent and free speech. evading accountability, in the guise Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of of combating terrorism,” he said. San Carlos has warned that no The House of Representatives one is exempted from its “vague” passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of and “dangerous” provisions, even 2020 on June 3 after President church people. Rodrigo Duterte certified the bill “It is high time that citizens as urgent. and members of civil society The legislation allows the organizations set aside their government to wiretap suspects, differences to combat the passage arrest them without warrants and of this bill,” Alminaza said. detain them for 14 days, among “Now more than ever, we need other provisions. the power of dissenting voices in the If passed into law, the bill would current state of political and public repeal the Human Security Act of health in our country,” he said. 2007 wherein law enforcers can be While the fight against terrorism fined P500,000 for each day they Church people from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) call for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Bill during a protest in Quezon City is legitimate and necessary, he Unite / A6 on June 2. MARK SALUDES/LICAS.NEWS CBCP cancels plenary Church to give cash aid to OFWs displaced by pandemic THE Catholic Church’s will receive the financial assembly for first migrants ministry is assistance by June. targeting to give financial He said that land-based time in history assistance to some overseas OFWs will receive at least Filipino workers (OFWs) ₱5,000, while sea-based FOR the first time, decision-making body who lost their jobs as a OFWs will receive a cash the Catholic Bishops’ of the CBCP. When they result of the coronavirus voucher worth ₱4,000. Conference of the are not in session, the shutdown. “So this is just for Philippines has cancelled Permanent Council acts Fr. Restituto Ogsimer of distressed and displaced its plenary assembly that for and in behalf of the the bishops’ Commission OFWs who did not receive was planned for next month conference. on Migrants and Itinerant financial aid from any in Manila. The beginnings of the People, said the program government agencies,” The decision was CBCP may be traced back is for land-based and sea- Ogsimer said in a virtual announced by the CBCP to as early as 1945 when based OFWs who did not media forum on May 27. Secretariat on June 5, citing the conference was still receive cash aid from the The short term project, he as reason “the present known as the Catholic government. said, is a collaborative work health condition caused by Welfare Organization Fr. Resty Ogsimer, Executive Secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Migrants and Initially, according to him, of several dioceses, religious the Covid-19 pandemic”. (CWO). Itinerant People. CBCPNEWS about a thousand OFWs Aid / A7 The government has In line with the Vatican earlier banned mass II developments, the Government allows 50% church Online child abuses more ‘venomous’ gatherings due to the CWO became the Catholic than coronavirus — Church official coronavirus crisis. Bishops’ Conference of capacity in MGCQ areas Fr. Marvin Mejia, CBCP the Philippines in January A CATHOLIC Church official Secretary General, said that 1968. THE government has eased for the Management of has called for concerted the bishops’ annual retreat, Technically, this its restrictions in places of Emerging Infectious Diseases effort to fight online child which usually precedes the is the first time that worship under modified in its amended omnibus sexual exploitation amid July assembly, will be also the bishops’ plenary general community guidelines. reports that the coronavirus moved to January next assembly was cancelled quarantine. “Religious services in lockdowns may be worsening year. since the CBCP was Department of Justice MGCQ areas are allowed the abuses. The assembly, one of the formally established. Secretary Menardo Gueverra up to a maximum of 50% of Bishop Ruperto Santos two annual gatherings of But while it was CWO, affirmed his earlier statement the total seating capacity or of Balanga said everyone the bishops, was scheduled some assemblies were that churches in MGCQ venue,” Gueverra said. should be vigilant to to be held at the Pius XII cancelled because the areas can hold services at 50 He also stressed that the prevent children from being Center on July 11 to 13. bishops were in Rome for percent capacity. decision is “subject to the “unwilling victims”. Held twice a year, the Vatican II meetings in Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, He said that the rule was government’s minimum Vice Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal “We should condemn the the plenary assembly is the early 1960s. (CBCP adopted on June 3 by the health standards and any Commission for Pastoral Care of Migrants viruses of human trafficking considered the highest News) Inter-Agency Task Force MGCQ / A7 and Itinerant People. FILE PHOTO Abuses / A7 A2 WORLD NEWS MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 CBCP Monitor

Vatican Briefing American priest heading for beatification died amid a global pandemic Pope Francis: We cannot remain silent as planet is plundered VATICAN— Fr. Michael Pope Francis said June 5 that people should not remain McGivney, an American silent as biodiversity is threatened by destruction and priest soon to be beatified, exploitation, in a message marking World Environment died amid a 19th-century Day. “Caring for ecosystems demands a look to the pandemic which may have future, one that is not concerned only with the immediate been caused by a coronavirus. moment or that seeks a quick and easy profit, but Fr. McGivney founded rather one that is concerned for life and that seeks its the largest world’s largest preservation for the benefit of all,” Pope Francis said Catholic fraternal service in a letter to the host of the 2020 World Environment organization, the Knights of Day. “We cannot remain silent … when we realize the Columbus, in 1882. Today very high costs of the destruction and exploitation of the order formed in his parish the ecosystem. This is not a time to continue looking the basement in New Haven, other way, indifferent to the signs that our planet is being Connecticut, has grown plundered and violated by greed for profit, very often in to more than two million the name of progress,” he said. (CNA) members donating millions to charity each year. Pope Francis prays for the soul of George Floyd McGivney was serving and for peace and justice in US as a parish priest amid the Pope Francis said Wednesday that he is praying for pandemic of 1889-1890, the soul of George Floyd and all victims of racism, according to a press release adding that nothing is gained by violence. “Dear issued by the Knights of brothers and sisters in the United States, I have Columbus May 27. witnessed with great concern the disturbing social Biologists using gene- unrest in your nation in these past days, following the sequencing methods have A studio photo of Fr. Michael J. McGivney, by John Tierney. COURTESY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS tragic death of Mr George Floyd,” Pope Francis said in attributed the pandemic a video broadcast June 3. “We cannot tolerate or turn a to a type of coronavirus, McGivney himself worked for In addition to his parish from turning to secret blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet according to a Bloomberg a brief time as a child to help duties, he ministered to a societies in times of need. claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At report. This virus, which first support his family. 21-year-old man who was The Knights were named the same time, we have to recognize that the violence appeared in Russia, killed From an early age, on death row for killing a after the explorer Christopher of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. a total of 1 million people however, he sensed a calling police officer while drunk, Columbus. The order’s Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost,” the worldwide, including 13,000 to the priesthood (two of visiting him daily up until original principles were pope said. (Courtney Mares/CNA) in the United States. his brothers also became his execution. On the day he “unity” and “charity,” with McGivney became seriously priests). He was ordained was due to be hanged, James “fraternity” and “patriotism” Pope Francis blesses global rosary relay for priests ill with pneumonia and died in Baltimore’s Cathedral of Smith comforted the priest, added later. Pope Francis has given his apostolic blessing to a on Aug. 14, 1890, at age 38. the Assumption by Cardinal saying: “Father, your saintly Fr. O’Donnell, a worldwide rosary relay for priests. In a message to Pope Francis approved James Gibbons on Dec. 22, ministrations have enabled contemporary in Waterbury, the Worldpriest Rosary Relay for the Sanctification a miracle attributed to 1877, and took up his first me to meet death without a remembered McGivney as of Priests 2020, dated April 25, the pope expressed McGivney’s intercession on assignment, as curate at tremor. Do not fear for me. I “genial, approachable, of his support for the event which takes place June 19. May 26, paving the way for the St. Mary’s Church in New must not break down now.” kindly disposition, cheerful Participating shrines pray a mystery of the rosary at a American priest’s beatification. Haven, the city’s first parish. McGivney founded the under reverses, profoundly designated half hour in thanksgiving for the priesthood Born in Waterbury, In New Haven, McGivney Knights of Columbus at St. sympathetic with those upon and to seek Mary’s protection for priests. They pray Connecticut, in 1852, faced anti-Catholic prejudice. Mary’s in 1882 as a way to whom had fallen the heavy in relay across time zones until the globe has been McGivney was the first of A New York Times headline in provide financial protection hand of affliction, a man of strict encircled in prayer. In 2009, Mulhall oversaw the 13 children born to Irish 1879 -- “How an Aristocratic to families who suffered the probity and sterling integrity in launch of the Global Rosary Relay, which takes place immigrants Patrick and Avenue was Blemished by death of a breadwinner -- a his business transactions.” annually on the feast of the Sacred Heart. (CNA) Mary McGivney. Six of his a Roman Church Edifice” challenge McGivney himself “He was charitable to a siblings died in infancy or -- deplored the construction faced in his youth when his fault, if I may so speak. The Pope Francis issues law to combat corruption in early childhood. His father of a new stone church after father died in 1873. The priest poor found in him a Good Vatican financial transactions was a molder in a Waterbury the original building was also hoped the organization Samaritan,” O’Donnell said Pope Francis on June 1 promulgated a new law brass mill, where the young destroyed by fire. would dissuade Catholics in 1900. (CNA) intended to prevent corruption and control spending in Vatican City State and Holy See financial transactions. The law, “Norms on the transparency, control and US fertility rates fall again, and coronavirus could make it worse competition of public contracts of the Holy See and of the UNITED STATES— The birth rate in the data confirms the ongoing trend -abortion- and certainly many more who Vatican City State,” gives new procedures for awarding the US fell to a record low last year, seen over the last decade, and that the will postpone a baby they were hoping to public contracts which aim to increase oversight and with the fewest babies being born in 35 current coronavirus pandemic is likely have this year or next,” she said. accountability, and ensure the Vatican and Holy See work years. Experts are predicting the trend to further depress fertility. “For some fraction of those, that only with vetted financial partners. The new regulations to continue, and warn the coronavirus “The downward trend in birth rates postponement will end up being also bring the Vatican into line with international anti- could cause an even sharper decline in observed in the last several years permanent. Expect 2020, but especially corruption laws. In the motu proprio, signed May 19, future years. is not a flash in the pan,” she told 2021, to be far worse than what we see Pope Francis said “the promotion of a concurrent and fair Statistics released May 19 by the CNA. “Unfortunately, the economic here.” contribution of economic professionals, combined with Centers for Disease Control National devastation ushered in by COVID-19 Several trends continued in the data, transparency and control of contract award procedures, Center for Health Statistics show that, in is likely to make late 2020 worse, and suggesting that long term fertility will allow a better management of the resources that the 2019, 3.75 million children were born—a 2021 worse still.” rates will continue to drop. Teenage Holy See administers to achieve the ends of the Church…” drop of 1% from 2018. The figures also Many have speculated that months pregnancies have been in sharp decline (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA) show a 2% drop in overall fertility, with of lockdowns and stay-at-home for decades, with births among women only 58.2 births registered for every orders could result in a mini “baby under 20 dropping a further 5%, and Pope Francis asks consecrated virgins to be 1,000 women between the ages of 15- boom,” and that 2020 figures might declining by 73% overall since a peak ‘women of mercy’ 44. This is the lowest rate since records show a spike in births towards the in 1991. Pope Francis sent a letter Monday to women living began in 1909. end of the year. But, Pakaluk warned, Birthrates among Hispanic women the vocation of consecrated virginity, exhorting them The overall fertility rate now stands this optimism could prove to be also continued to drop, registering 20% to be close to suffering people, and to lead them to at 1.7, well below the 2.1 needed for unfounded. fewer births than 2008 projections Christ. “Be women of mercy, experts in humanity,” the population replacement. “You’ll hear lots of people joke about anticipated. Hispanic women account pope said in his June 1 message to consecrated virgins Birthrates have been in steady decline couples on lockdown with nothing better for nearly 25% of U.S. births. around the world. “Let everything that is happening for more than a decade following a to do than ‘make a baby’. But that’s just Experts have long warned about the all around us disturb you: do not close your eyes to it peak before the 2008 financial crisis. wishful thinking.” wider societal and economic problems and do not flee from it,” he continued. “Be present and The 2019 statistics show falling fertility “Plenty of evidence says that associated with declining birth rates, sensitive to pain and suffering. Persevere in proclaiming across all age groups except one, women unemployment is one of the best especially below the population the Gospel, which promises fullness of life for all.” A in their 40s. predictors of negative fertility shocks. replacement rate. Programs like social consecrated virgin is a never-married woman who Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Assistant With new jobless claims approaching a welfare and subsidized medical care dedicates her perpetual virginity to God and is set aside Professor of Social Research and staggering 40 million, there are many rely on growing populations which as a sacred person who belongs to Christ in the Catholic Economic thought at the Catholic couples, sadly, who will choose not to can contribute to the care of aging Church. There are more than 5,000 consecrated virgins University of America, told CNA that have a baby that they already conceived generations. (CNA) worldwide, according to estimates by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA) Facebook oversight panel prompts questions about free speech,

Pope Francis urges Christians to be united as abortion advocacy ‘witnesses to mercy’ Pope Francis said Sunday that he prays that Christians DENVER— Facebook says women and their pre-born checker labeled a post “false” by the social media giant. will be “more deeply united as witnesses of mercy” in it is responding to long- children.” for saying that “abortion is The board could also help the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. The pope standing questions about In Hawkins’ view, there is never medically necessary.” Facebook set policy for its made the comment in a video message May 31, broadcast content moderation and a bias in favor of abortion on The third party, Facebook website and for Instagram, during an online Pentecost Sunday service hosted by the censorship by appointing an most platforms. fact-checking partner which it also owns. Facebook Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, head of the independent oversight board Hawkins said that “pro- Science Feedback contended has over 2.6 billion monthly worldwide Anglican Communion. The pope said: “Let to help set policy. life and pro-faith people that removal of ectopic users, and some 1.7 billion us ask the Spirit for the gift of unity, for only if we live as American pro-life must be included” on the pregnancies are medically daily users, Yahoo Finance brothers and sisters can we spread the spirit of fraternity. advocates have voiced Facebook oversight board. necessary and should be reports. We cannot ask others to be united if we ourselves take concern about protections These people are most often considered abortions. Live Among its issues will be different paths. So let us pray for one another; let us each for their free speech, and affected by speech codes, she Action said that removing a hate speech, harassment, feel responsible for the other.” (CNA) at least one member of the said, citing Students for Life’s Fallopian tube or a portion safety, and privacy. Board oversight board has links to experiences on college and of it is not an abortion co-chairs said the process Pope Francis praises sacrifices of Rome’s clergy a group that halted a pro-life university campuses. because it does not aim at would be transparent and amid pandemic billboard campaign in Kenya. “Allowing only people who the death of the child--an accessible. Pope Francis has praised Rome’s priests for “Facebook is a place where support abortion to fact-check explanation echoing Catholic Facebook set up a $130 remaining close to their flocks as the coronavirus many people exchange ideas will create a flawed system ethics’ treatment of ectopic million independent trust pandemic ravaged Italy. In a 3,000-word letter dated and share their lives,” Kristan that will inherently lead pregnancy. to manage the oversight May 31 and marking Pentecost Sunday, the pope Hawkins, president of to pro-abortion positions, Live Action also objected board, and then named four expressed his deep appreciation for the sacrifices made Students for Life of America, which is especially troubling that the doctors who authored co-chairs. These co-chairs by clergy during the crisis. “As a priestly community said May 18. “The policies as both sides have very strong the fact-check also performed then worked with Facebook we were not strangers to this reality and we did not of Facebook should mirror opinions and the science abortions, and one served as to name the 16 other initial look at it from the window; drenched in the storm that broader society, in which needs to be discussed,” she a board member of the pro- board members, announcing raged, you made an effort to be present and accompany speech that does not incite said. abortion group NARAL. them May 6. This selection your communities: you saw the wolf coming and did violence is embraced. It’s In 2019 the pro-life Appeals of such judgements process will continue not flee or abandon the flock,” he said, according to ironic that pro-life speech is investigative group Live could soon go to a Facebook until the board reaches 40 an unofficial translation of the letter provided by the ever censored considering Action objected to penalties oversight board, which will members, at which time the Holy See press office. (CNA) that we advocate against the on its Facebook social media have the power to overrule board will lead the process violence of abortion and for reach after a third-party fact- content moderation decisions itself. (CNA) WORLD NEWS CBCP Monitor MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 NEWS FEATURES A3 Pope asks Mary to intercede for end to pandemic during rosary with world’s shrines VATICAN— Pope Francis in Canada, Our Lady asked the Virgin Mary to of Guadalupe in Mexico, intercede for an end to Our Lady of the Rosary of “this terrible pandemic” as Chiquinquirá in Colombia, he recited the rosary with Our Lady of Aparecida in Marian shrines worldwide via Brazil and Our Lady of Luján videolink May 30. in Argentina. The pope was joined The majority of shrines Saturday by 50 shrines in were located in Italy, Europe, the Americas, the including Loreto, Pompei, Middle East, and Africa as and Pietrelcina, the he implored God’s help amid birthplace of Padre Pio. the coronavirus pandemic, Other participating shrines which has claimed more than in Europe included: Lourdes, 365,000 lives so far. France; Fatima, Portugal; During the rosary, the Częstochowa, Poland; and pope was seated before the Walsingham, England. Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican The pope was joined from Gardens. The grotto’s altar Israel by the Basilica of the is the original altar from Annunciation, and from the Grotto at the Sanctuary Africa by the shrines of Elele of Our Lady of Lourdes in in Nigeria and Notre-Dame France. de la Paix in Ivory Coast. Sitting behind Pope Francis The rosary was recited were rows of people wearing in the Vatican Gardens by medical masks spaced apart men and women affected by to avoid spreading the virus. the coronavirus crisis. They At the conclusion of the included a doctor, a nurse, rosary, the pope rose to pray, a hospital chaplain, and a saying: “O Virgin Mary, turn woman who had lost her your merciful eyes to us in mother to COVID-19. this pandemic of coronavirus, In a May 30 interview with and comfort those who are Pope Francis prays at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens May 30, 2020. VATICAN MEDIA the Italian version of Vatican lost and weeping for their News, Archbishop Fisichella dearly departed, sometimes Jesus, asking him to comfort instead to those studying how shrines in Latin America via the theme “Devoted with one noted that a baby born during buried in a way that hurts the families of the sick and to avoid future catastrophes. videolink. accord to prayer, together the pandemic would also be the soul.” victims and to open their He implored Mary to help Speaking in Spanish, with Mary,” inspired by the present at the event with his “Support those who hearts to trust. Protect the the world grow in solidarity, he said: “To all of you, the Acts of the Apostles 1:14. family. are distressed for the sick doctors, nurses, healthcare firmness in faith, and shrines of Latin America -- I The Pontifical Council has He said: “Last but not least, people to whom, to prevent workers, volunteers who in perseverance in service and see Guadalupe and so many been responsible for Catholic I like to remember that there contagion, they cannot stay this time of emergency are prayer. others -- who are connected shrines since 2017. will also be Jacopo, a child near. Instill confidence in in the front line and put their “O Mary, comforter of the with us, united in prayer. In an interview with just one month old, whom we those who are anxious about lives at risk to save other afflicted, embrace all your In my mother tongue, I EWTN Vatican ahead of have chosen with his parents, the uncertain future and lives.” troubled children and ask that greet you. Thank you for the event, Archbishop Rino because he was born during the consequences for the “Accompany their fatigue the Merciful Father intervene being close to all of us. May Fisichella said: “I think we this dramatic period. economy and work.” and give them strength, with his omnipotent hand our Mother of Guadalupe have discovered two main “Jacopo is the one who “Mother of God and our goodness and health. Be close to free us from this terrible accompany us.” things during this special gives hope, he is the one who Mother, implore for us from to those who night and day pandemic, so that life may As those gathered sang moment. First of all the makes us understand that life God, Father of mercy, that care for the sick, to priests take its daily course in the Ave Maria of Fatima, importance of the media for continues and will always go this hard trial ends and that and consecrated persons serenity,” he prayed. the pope prayed silently the new evangelization and on, because man is made for a horizon of hope and peace who, with pastoral solicitude “We entrust ourselves beneath the statue of Our the importance of media for life, he is made to live.” returns.” and evangelical commitment, to You, who shine on our Lady of Lourdes, which was the prayer.” There have been more than Flanked by Archbishop seek to help and support journey as a sign of salvation illuminated inside the grotto, Shrines joining the pope 5.9 million confirmed cases Rino Fisichella, president everyone.” and hope, O merciful, O before departing. from the Americas included of the novel coronavirus of the Pontifical Council The pope prayed for pious, O sweet Virgin Mary. The rosary event was the National Shrine of the worldwide as of May 30, for Promoting the New scientists and world leaders, Amen.” promoted by the Pontifical Immaculate Conception in according to the Johns Evangelization, he continued: and that money spent on The Argentine pope then Council for Promoting the Washington, D.C., Saint- Hopkins Coronavirus “As at Cana, come to your Son weapons would be given greeted those gathered at New Evangelization, with Joseph du Mont-Royal Resource Center. (CNA) More than 600 Nigerian Christians Churches in China must preach ‘patriotism’ killed in 2020, new report says NIGERIA— Christians in days after the abduction, one to reopen after coronavirus Nigeria faced escalating of the four seminarians was persecution and a mounting found on the side of a road, CHINA— State-sponsored The Chinese government death toll in the first four alive but seriously injured. Catholic authorities in is in the midst of months of 2020, a new report On Jan. 31, an official at the parts of China have issued implementing a five-year has said. seminary announced that regulations on the reopening “sinicization plan” for In a report issued on another two seminarians of churches during the Islam, a religion that has 15 May, the International had been released, but that coronavirus pandemic. faced increased persecution Society for Civil Liberties and the fourth, Michael Nnadi The new rules include a in the country with at least the Rule of Law (Intersociety) remained missing and was requirement that churches 800,000 Uyghur Muslims said that 620 Nigerian presumed still in captivity. must preach on “patriotism” held in internment camps. Christians have been killed It was subsequently in order to reopen. Catholic acceptance of the since the beginning of the announced that Nnadi had In the eastern province “sinicization” program has year, and mapped a campaign been killed. of Zhejiang, the state- been a much-discussed topic of destruction and arson In an interview from affiliated Chinese Catholic following the formalization carried out against churches prison earlier this month, Patriotic Association and of last year’s agreement in the African nation. the leader of the gang which the province’s Chinese between the Vatican and The society, a non-profit abducted Nnadi took credit Catholic educational China that regularized the founded in 2008 in Nigeria, for his killing, telling local administration committee Chinese pilgrims attend the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 12, 2016. country’s government- works to promote civil media that the 18-year- issued a statement on May DANIEL IBANEZ/CNA appointed bishops with the liberties, the rule of law, old seminarian “continued 29 regarding the resumption Holy See. criminal justice reform, preaching the gospel of Jesus of Mass the following week. promote communist values, from the grassroots level” Previously, bishops and good governance. Its Christ,” and “told [his killer] The statement requires he added. and scholars. Their goal affiliated with the report said that “Nigeria’s to his face to change his evil that only “religious places China has been slowly was to create “accurate “Chinese Catholic Patriotic main Islamic Jihadists: ways or perish.” that meet the conditions of re-opening institutions and authoritative Association” were Militant Fulani Herdsmen In March, Archbishop epidemic prevention” would in the wake of the interpretations of classical consecrated illicitly and out and Boko Haram/ISWAP Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, be allowed to celebrate coronavirus pandemic, doctrines to keep pace with of communion with Rome. have intensified their anti- Nigeria, called on President Mass starting on June 2. including religious services. the times.” In 2019, Cardinal Christian violence in the old Muhammadu Buhari to Among these conditions Regulations differ by To accomplish this goal, Pietro Parolin, Vatican Middle Belt and Northeast address the violence and was the requirement to province, and some parishes passages that have been Secretary of State, said that regions.” kidnappings in a homily add “patriotism” to the are required to check the ruled to violate the “core “inculturation,” a Catholic “The atrocities against during Mass with the celebration of the liturgy. temperatures of worshipers socialist values” of the CCP missionary practice, and Christians have gone Catholic Bishops’ Conference Local Chinese Catholics, before they are allowed into would be removed from “sinicization” can be unchecked,” the report said, of Nigeria. speaking to UCA News, the building. texts like the Bible and the “complementary” and “can “with the country’s security “We need to have access to called the new measures In Sichuan, those seeking Quran. open avenues for dialogue.” forces and concerned our leaders; president, vice inappropriate. to go to church must get the The CCP seeks to “create a “Inculturation is an political actors looking the president. We need to work “The first requirement in permission of a government new version of Christianity essential condition for a other way or colluding with together to eradicate poverty, the notice is to teach a good official. shorn of its transcendent sound proclamation of the the Jihadists.” killings, bad governance and lesson on patriotism. It is The new rules come as visions and values,” Xi Lian, Gospel which, in order to Intersociety said that, all sorts of challenges facing wrong. As members of the the Chinese government a professor at the Duke bear fruit, requires, on the despite making up nearly half us as a nation,” Kaigama said. universal Catholic Church, takes increasingly strong University Divinity School, one hand, safeguarding its of the country’s population, In an Ash Wednesday we cannot accept and glorify measures to promote told the Wall Street Journal. authentic purity and integrity some 32,000 Christians have letter to Nigerian Catholics, what communists consider “sinicization” in the practice Since coming to power and, on the other, presenting been killed in Islamist attacks Archbishop Augustine patriotic education,” said of religion. in 2013, Chinese President it according to the particular since 2009. Obiora Akubeze of Benin Fr. Liu from the province of In 2019, the Xinhua News Xi Jinping has mandated experience of each people Christians in Nigeria City called for Catholics to Hebei to UCA. Agency reported that a the “sinicization” of all and culture,” he said. have been the victims of an wear black in solidarity with A Catholic from Wenzhou member of the Politburo religions in China, a move “These two terms, escalating series of attacks, victims and pray, in response named Jacob Chung Standing Committee had which the U.S. Commission ‘inculturation’ and including kidnappings for to “repeated” executions of characterized the move overseen a meeting that on International Religious ‘sinicization,’ refer to each ransom, since the beginning Christians by Boko Haram as additional government discussed the creation of a Freedom called “a far- other without confusion and of the year. and “incessant” kidnappings interference “in the internal translation of scripture that reaching strategy to control, without opposition.” In January this year, four “linked to the same groups.” affairs of religion.” is in line with the Chinese govern, and manipulate The full terms of the seminarians were abducted Other Christian villages The CCP seeks to “suppress communist party. all aspects of faith into a Vatican-China agreement by gunman from Good have been attacked, farms set and transform” the Catholic The meeting reportedly socialist mold infused with have not been released. Shepherd Seminary. Ten Nigerian / A6 Church in China to better included “religious people ‘Chinese characteristics.’’’ (CNA) A4 OPINION MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

What adds up?

IT simply does not add up neither by simple rhyme nor by intricate reason that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 should be certified urgent and taken in haste amidst the worsening impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its fatal consequences— such as the tailspin of the country’s economy, the displacement of workers, especially the OFWs, the havoc that it busted on the educational system, especially the impending demise of hundreds of private schools, to name but a few. Even before the pandemic, the government’s urgency of an anti-terrorism bill would still be out of the way in the hierarchy of development values and people’s felt priorities. There were gaping socio-economic wounds that needed more attention than political interests. The overarching problems of the country were debated during political campaigns in 2016, and Duterte always came up with his swift militaristic solution, to the satisfaction of the voters who were already weary since post-martial-law years looking for change. He got the vote, but the litany of promised changes will still have to be won, if ever. The government’s handling of the pandemic crisis has put into question not only its perceived populist preference but more so its competence. Disputable as it may seem, but the IATF has not foreseen the devastating consequences of its ECQ and GCQ strategies that in over three months it has unnecessarily crippled industries and bankrupt entrepreneurs, laid off and displaced millions of ordinary workers and nailed to the floor the very backbone of the BORROMEO BY ZACH ILLUSTRATION country’s economy, which, by comparison, did not happen in, say, Vietnam, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia. The dialogue vision The end of this crisis is still nowhere in sight. Despite its Living Mission strict quarantine measures, the IATF still can’t pinpoint to Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM date where the country is in the infection curve. Mass testing, of Vatican II which came very late in mid-April should have been done earlier than the mass quarantines that was strictly enforced for the whole of Luzon in mid-March. A possible vaccine may THE Philippine Bishops (CBCP) have the attitudes and initiatives among largest religion; best estimates assert neutralize the virus perhaps in a year or so, but the much- asked Catholics to look deeply into the the various religions is termed that 5-6% of Filipinos are Muslims. touted multi-billion rescue package will neither give a dent Church’s teaching on interreligious “interreligious dialogue” or “interfaith Traditionally, Muslims were mostly in years to a much debilitated economy nor the recovery of dialogue as an important theme in dialogue.” All these efforts to build confined to the southern part of the about 4.9 million Filipinos who lost their jobs. preparation for 2021, the fifth centenary fraternal relationships and foster country; however, this has significantly Even if, for the sake of argument, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 of the arrival of Christianity. Most communication are anchored in people’s changed due to migration; today there is really needed, it still will not add up because it’s provisions are Catholics are unaware that the Second faith. Though their religions differ in is a Muslim presence in almost all cities targeted miles away from real terrorists. One does not need a Vatican Council (1962-1965) produced many aspects, it is still proper to call and towns. well-bred brain to understand that this terrorism measure is aimed one entire document on approaches to these people “believers,” since their lives Global statistics reveal that worldwide towards government critics, dissent, and the safety safeguards of other faith traditions, Nostra Aetate and values are “God-centered.” there are more Muslims than Catholics; democracy. Some provisions are even unconstitutional. (NA). Interfaith dialogue moves beyond approximate percentages of the world So what adds up? Nothing substantially really, except Nostra Aetate (“in our time”) discussion (“dialogue”) about religious religious population are: Catholics perhaps to save the necks of the politically powerful. transformed the Church’s view and beliefs and practices. Dialogue means (16.10%), Muslims (22.32%), Christians relationship with other religions, entering another’s experience of God; [total] (31.50%). This is the multi- Punditry gone awry asserting: “The Catholic Church rejects it demands a growth in faith and religious context of the contemporary nothing that is true and holy in these a conversion to a deeper religious world! PUNDITRY, of course, has its legitimate value and purpose religions. She regards with sincere encounter with one’s God. Thus, Vatican II and Islam. One may in our life. It facilitates our knowledge of things in areas that reverence those ways of conduct and life, dialogue is always “faith-based,” and ask what the Council said about Islam. are quite unfamiliar to us, since they are not our fields of those precepts and teachings … [which] from this perspective people will “Upon the Muslims too, the Church specialization and yet they also are relevant to us. It clarifies often reflect a ray of that Truth which more readily collaborate to address looks with esteem” (Nostra Aetate things for us, and helps us in forming our own opinions, enlightens all people” (NA 2). social questions, authentic human [NA] 3). Yes, “the plan of salvation decisions and choices. It actually is a great service to society. “The Church, therefore, exhorts her development, and the freedom of also includes those who acknowledge In politics, for example, which is important to our collective children, that through dialogue and religious practice. the Creator. In the first place among life and where developments can occur in warp speed, punditry collaboration with the followers of other Revealing statistics. In the these are the Muslims, who, professing can be very helpful since we can avail of expert opinions from religions, … they recognize, preserve and Philippines today when one hears to hold the faith of Abraham, along with those who are closely following and studying its twists and promote the good things, spiritual and about “interreligious” or “interfaith” us adore the one and merciful God, who turns. We need to be careful in distinguishing between a good moral, as well as the socio-cultural values dialogue, one almost automatically on the last day will judge humanity” and enlightening punditry, on the one hand, and a rotten one, found among these people” (NA 2). thinks of Muslim-Christian relations (Lumen Gentium 16). on the other hand, that is full of rigid biases and prejudices. Exploring interreligious (though there are other faith groups, The Council notes that the Muslims Especially in the most delicate field of politics, we should be able dialogue. such as Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs, in “adore one God, living and enduring, to keenly distinguish between the two, since every pundit will A popular expression to capture all the country). Muslims form the second Living Mission / A5 always try his best to be very attractive, to sound very objective and fair, when in fact they are the opposite. Politics’ need for evangelization, humanization and Black skies over Beijing Christianization should be more keenly felt since it involves And That’s The Truth the whole society in a very direct way. Even if politics only has a temporal purpose, it definitely has spiritual and moral Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS dimensions that need to be taken care of. In the American political scene punditry has really gone awry. The pundits are sharply divided and polarized to such BEGINNING at 3 PM, last bewilderment and disbelief. videos multiplied and have of the weird happening, but an extent that each party thinks he exclusively holds what May 21, as the Chinese A life-long resident of Beijing continued to elicit comments my search yielded nothing. is objective and fair for everyone and the other side has Communist Party leaders was quoted by Epoch Times from netizens, alluding to I therefore searched my none whatsoever. They are quick to find fault at each other. gathered for their annual thus: “It is an alarm from divine justice, seeing the memory instead—about Bashing, sowing intrigues, resorting to all sorts of fallacies meeting in Beijing, an God... thunder rolling, heavy event as a sign of the anger plagues in the Bible, the best and red herrings now seem to be the main focus of their work. unpredicted weather gale blowing, the sky was very of God or of Allah. known of which have found They can even go so low as to get into insults, mockeries and phenomenon struck: the dark. I have never seen this My knee jerk reaction graphic depictions in movies all kinds of “ad hominem” arguments. And all this is being sky turned black, there in my life.” upon seeing one video was, like The Ten Commandments. supported by big and powerful communication outfits! was thunder and lightning, To validate the reports, I “Omigod, it’s like Good (If there is one thing this Even those pundits whose views are more reasonable, heavy rain, followed later searched the most reputable Friday in Beijing! China, Covid quarantine has done to are not exempt from some irregular practices. Of course, by hail. Weather forecast news sources in mainstream you’d better listen up!” And so many of us it is to remind they can always rationalize that if those in the opposite side was a pleasant spring day, media, but found nothing then, “Oh, maybe there was us to turn to Scriptures when resort to below-the-belt tactics, why shouldn’t they? As some thus when the day suddenly about it whether in regular an eclipse, or some volcano no one else can answer our conventional wisdom would put it, all is fair in love and war. “turned into night,” surprised or breaking news—not even erupted and the ashfall questions.) Seeing still But that should not be the case. Difficult, if not impossible, as it city folk took out their cell reactions from any of the blocked the sunlight…” another video and the article seems, we just have to make political punditry human and Christian. phones to record the bizarre 5,000 delegates who were Seeking some logic behind accompanying it which says It should not be field for a free-for-all approach. It’s true that in event. attending the meeting. Have it all, I searched the net that the Beijing meeting is this life, we are told to learn how to be wise, shrewd and clever Next day, raw video clips the big reports been following again—this time for weather reportedly passing, among like serpents. But such traits should always be accompanied if not of the strange occurrence the Beijing meeting indoors forecasts that may have been other things, new laws against inspired by the simplicity and innocence of doves. (cf. Mt 10,16) went viral, punctuated that they missed the marvel overlooked—hoping to find Christians in China, I see why Pundits should realize more deeply that to do their job really well by exclamations of outside? Meanwhile, the some scientific explanation And That’s the Truth / A3 they have to have a strong spiritual life, a life of close relationship with God. Only then can they do their punditry in truth and charity. It’s when they rely only on some ideologies that they actually Reinvent, recover, downgrade the quality of their job and mission in society. Candidly Speaking To be truly good pundits, not only should they be good move on technically. More important is that they be truly good persons Fr. Roy Cimagala and children of God!

WE have to be prepared for the ending of We just have to learn to move on, control, and that with him everything CBCP this stay-home dispensation. Hopefully doing whatever is necessary to adapt works always for the good, including it will be soon. We just cannot be held to the new things that will surely come things that can cause us great pain and in lockdown mode indefinitely. One day, about. No need to waste time to lament suffering. Thus, the first thing to recover Monitor we just have to go out and try to do the over lost opportunities, quashed dreams and to keep strong and vibrant should be PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE usual business as normally as possible. and ambitions. To be sure, life still has our spiritual life, our life of faith, hope Definitely, things will not be the same. a lot more to offer us, and it’s up to us and charity, our piety, our prayer and Pedro Quitorio There may be new circumstances that to face the new challenges that actually spirit of sacrifice. Editor-in-Chief will only have a short life-span. We just offer us new opportunities. We already have all the means to Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite have to bear them and try to make the Thus, we have to learn to be resilient, protect ourselves, defend and conquer Associate Editor Circulation Manager most out of them. But we also have to knowing how to re-invent ourselves the bad spirit that can insinuate itself be ready to contend with those that may to tackle more effectively these new into our life. We have God’s word, Ron Ramos, Sky Ortigas Marcelita Dominguez last till death. challenges and opportunities. Let’s we have the sacraments, we have the Design Artists Comptroller The important thing is that we should remember that if one door closes, edifying life-testimonies of saints and The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the not allow ourselves to be dominated by another one opens. Let’s recover our zest many other holy men and women, CBCP - Media Office with editorial and business offices at 3rd Floor, CBCP gloom, sadness, feeling of frustration for life. And if need be, let us just grin including those who are still alive. Compound, 470 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Email Address: [email protected], Business: (632) 8404 - 1612. and discouragement just because things and bear it, never allowing our smile and It’s really up to us to choose which ISSN 1908-2940. would not be the same as they were sense of humor to disappear. way we want to take in facing a new before the pandemic. Let’s remember that God is always in Candidly Speaking / A5 OPINION CBCP Monitor MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 OPINION A5

The saga of religious services Collection Box in the time of COVID-19 By the Roadside Fr. Jerome R. Secillano, MPA Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

THE community quarantine is slowly 18. The Bishop told me to attend in his accommodate ten (10) attendees for Requiem for easing up but some sectors are still not behalf with two other priests from the their scheduled masses not including happy with the IATF’s recommendation Archdiocese of Manila. mass servers. as it left some vital institutions to A Technical Working Group (TWG) It would have been a fitting gift to Michelle Silvertino remain “under control” in the General was created composed of the AFP, PNP, the church had the IATF allowed the Community Quarantine (GCQ) DILG, DOH, TESDA, DOLE and the public celebration of the Eucharist this MICHELLE, I never met you. protocols. Religious Sector from the Archdiocese coming Sunday as it is the Solemnity of But your story pierced my soul. People who have been deprived of of Manila. Pentecost, the “birthday” of the Church. It should pierce our souls as a physical participation in the celebration During the meeting held at the AFP When the Holy Spirit descended upon nation. For it is a story of so of the holy eucharist or the Mass are Commissioned Officers Clubhouse at the Apostles and the first believers, many of our poor. disappointed because it has been almost Camp Aguinaldo, I specifically suggested, they constitutively mark the birth of We romanticize, even make three months since they were barred at the behest of Bp. Pabillo, to consider the early Christian community whose the likes of you the cynosure from doing so. religious services as essential needs; to faith is centered on Jesus (Acts 2:1-31). of attention Masses, of course, continue to be allow ALL religious services in MECQ, It was a well-spring of faith and people when it is time for celebrated but without the presence and veering away from the IATF’s coming from different places and who election of the faithful. The digital platform decision about the number of attendees, spoke different languages were gathered but largely forget you proved to be of great help in bringing I insisted on physical distancing as the in worship and prayer professing their the rest of the time the holy eucharist at the doorsteps of basis for accommodating church-goers faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. including in our most civilized Catholic families but many feel that this during the mass. The 50% calculation of How beautiful it would have been if conversation. is still not enough and that the actual allowed attendees by the IATF is quite our celebration tomorrow is allowed participation and reception of holy complicated because we could not agree with the maximum participation of the Even the media took notice communion are still the most effective on where it should be based. Is it on the faithful. It would have been a sight to of you only after you died. ways to receive Christ specially in this actual size of the church or the pews? behold having people go out of their They said you were a maid ILLUSTRATION BY ZACH BORROMEO BY ZACH ILLUSTRATION time of crisis. Surprisingly, the members of the TWG houses and gather in one roof to express as if it explained What made it more disappointing for adopted the suggestions giving rise to their confidence and faith in Jesus why you could only afford many Catholics is the IATF’s decision our optimism that anytime from May 18, believing that this crisis will soon be to sleep on a footbridge to allow shopping malls to operate Catholics will finally be able to physically over because of Him, who is our savior. while you waited for despite knowing fully well that these attend our church services. This is not meant to be for now. The a bus ride home are frequented by people at any time of To further underscore the Archdiocese IATF doesn’t see religious services as to your province. the day compared to churches whose of Manila’s commitment to bring back essential to the people. The decision Alas, the ride never came. services are scheduled and regimented. the public celebration of liturgies in reflects how we value material things Instead the Grim Reaper set in. Despite assurances from the Catholic churches, we submitted to the TWG the more than the spiritual. Jesus has a church that it is more than ready to Guidelines for Religious Services which reminder fo that, “For what does it profit Cops first tried to help you implement health protocols to ensure elicited guffaws from some members as a man if he gains the whole world but loses but got scared. the safety of parishioners, the IATF it is stricter in scope and strategy. The his life in the end” (Mark 8:36). You allegedly had Covid-19 symptoms: remained unmoved and decided to still DOH representative commented that The Church has already prepared high fever, coughing. not allow religious services to be publicly PPEs are really for hospital use and for the so-called ‘’new normal’’. It They said you said you were fine. celebrated. The least it could allow is that priests may not wear them as it is has adapted its way of doing things But were you not forced to hide the truth? to limit the attendees to a maximum enough that they only wear face masks according to prevailing circumstances. That you didn’t want to be pitied. of five (5) in the Modified Enhanced and practice physical distancing while The presence of technology proved to be Or be traumatized by other peoples’ Community Quarantine (MECQ) and performing their ministry. an advantage in its mission. For all the fears, cruel insensitivity ten (10) in the General Community Despite all these though, the IATF is innovations and creativity though, the and inhumanity... Quarantine (GCQ). still not convinced that people will be experience of being a ‘’church’’ much This moved Bishop Broderick Pabillo, safe in the church. like that of the first Pentecost is crucial. In the end, like other victims the Apostolic Administrator of the In a text message, the Secretary of the We need to experience that physical of this pandemic, Archdiocese of Manila, to go public and Department of Justice told Bp. Pabillo oneness once again. We should not be you died alone, lambast the decision as “unreasonable” that the IATF had a vigorous discussion contented with the virtual unity that bereft of your loved ones’ embrace for it is after all tantamount to still about religious services yesterday was necessitated because of COVID-19. and your people’s compassion. not allowing the people to join the afternoon (Friday, May 29) but the body Anyway, we have at our disposal some Eucharistic celebrations. could not arrive at a favorable decision practical strategies to ward-off the virus. Forgive us, Michelle. Reeling perhaps from the public and decided to discuss it further on Spiritual instruments are available to us Forgive us for failing to see in you rebuke of the good Bishop, the National Monday, June 1 in their regular meeting. too. Why don’t we take full advantage a sister, a friend, a neighbor. Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 If there is any consolation, the SOJ also of them? Still afraid? And Jesus said, Forgive us for not being who we decided to reach-out to Bishop Pabillo said that since NCR is now under GCQ, “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid” say we are to you and to so many others. and invited him to a meeting on May parishes can now open but should only (Mt. 14:27). Now that your passing has fueled a long-simmering blame-game, Too soon for GCQ? help us pray that we honor you Duc in Altum with a coming-to-our-senses nationalhealing. Atty. Aurora A. Santiago Let our prayers be joined by yours because perhaps we need your prayers more than you need ours. Of this I am sure: The Heavenly One AFTER two months of when new confirmed cases passengers. Some employer physical distancing of has welcomed you into his home. ECQ and one half month of are still soaring. may shuttle the workers passengers, there will be You joined him in his Passion; Modified ECQ, Metro Manila The apprehension of to and from their home, long line to take a ride. Will You now share in his Exaltation! goes to GCQ or General going to GCQ is not only the but not all employers can physical distancing in the We pray that you rest in his peace and joy, Community Quarantine on expected surge in confirmed afford it. queue be observed? trusting that somewhere in the green June 01. Almost everyone cases but also the problems Work from Home – Not all How would the meadows of heaven your forgiveness shouted “Suicide!” “Mass that go with it. kinds of work can be done employees be paid – The merits your remembering to pray for us. Testing not yet done!” We Going to work in the office at home. There are work GCQ requires skeleton For even now we keep on forgetting: acknowledge the need to – As much as many would that require the workers force in the workplace. To OUR OWN POOR PEOPLE’S LIVES MATTER! boost the economy after like to return to work to to do it in the workplace. avoid retrenchment, the Candidly Speaking / A4 2½ months. However, earn money and buy foods Likewise, for those who employers may require we should not ignore the for the family, they foresee can do the work at home, shifting of few hours of chapter in our collective life So win or lose, up or down, DOH report that as of May the problem of going to would the employer allow work per week. How would after this horrible pandemic. we should just move on, 29 there are 1,046 new and from the office. With volumes of sensitive and the employees be paid? Will Of course, we need to study knowing what is absolutely confirmed cases, the highest the limited transportation, confidential documents to they get salary as if they things very well. We have to essential in our life that can so far, or a total of 16,634 the working sector would be brought out of the office work full time? Will the learn to listen to all parties always be attained by us, confirmed cases; pending be lucky to get to office on and be safe and secured at salary be reduced due to with different and even no matter what happens confirmation of 8k covid- time, and get home early. the employees’ home? shortened work hours? Will conflicting views, then weigh in our life. If we have the positive tests. It is really a There is also the possible Limited Transportation – the workers be paid during the various possibilities and proper spirit, we know, choice between economy or fare increase since only Even before the coronavirus lockdown? Will they get full options they offer us. as mentioned above, that the health and lives of the 50% of the vehicle would pandemic, there is salary? or reduced salary? or There will always be some everything will always work people. Everyone is afraid be occupied to enforce one- already the problem of “No Work, No Pay”? Much kind of general guidelines for the good in him who is Duc in Altum / A7 to get out of their home yet meter physical distancing of transportation. To enforce that all of us should follow. with God. But in the end, what we Thus, the ultimate secret, Culture of confinement choose should be something the most reliable key to the Whatever that is adapted to our real success of our life, is to personal situation. be with God. Let’s remember Fr. Francis Ongkingco And while we have to make that he was the one who our own decisions, always started everything in us, and taking some unavoidable he will also be the one to and calculated risks along complete and perfect things. WITH the experience of almost three diseases, but of circumstances that have special criteria or theme, who became the way, let’s always assume Ours is simply to go along months of confinement, most of us been the result of the abuse of human ‘victors’ rather than victims of war and a sportsman’s attitude. We with him in good times and would have adjusted to a ‘new normal’ freedom and the very rejection of the persecution. The others, are examples should do our best to play bad, in our successes and in way of life: constantly masking, innate dignity in every man and woman of self-confinement via the religious the game of life to win, but our failures. distancing and sanitizing ourselves of being God’s image and likeness. life. we should not forget that in This truth of our faith as our primary line of defense against These have come in the form of • Esther “Etty” Hillesum (15 January spite of everything, there is should never be lost as we COVID-19. Our experience of anxiety, racial wars, religious persecutions and 1914 – 30 November 1943). A Dutch always the possibility of a enter a new, post-Covid19 uncertainty and fear has been somewhat in our times the vicious ideological author who was deported and killed in loss or a defeat. phase in our life. replaced with restlessness, “rantiness” philosophies threatening to neutralize Auschwitz. It was during imprisonment and resignation. But as always, we have the family and marriage. These continue that she discovered a new and greater Living Mission / A4 managed to adjust and even come out to plague the world and society, and it form of freedom. While in the camp merciful and all-powerful, They also honor Mary, his as improved versions of ourselves in seems –even with COVID– carry on of Westerbork, she writes: “Those Maker of heaven and earth Virgin Mother; at times countless ways. with greater force. two months behind barbed wire have and Speaker to all. They they call on her, too, with Even before the present pandemic, But there were also instances been the two richest and most intense strive to submit whole- devotion. In addition, they however, humanity has already when without any external threats months of my life, in which my highest heartedly even to His await the day of judgment…. experienced countless trials. These that individuals choose to confine values were so deeply confirmed.” inscrutable decrees, just as Consequently, they prize the ushered man beyond the thresholds themselves freely. It is through such (“Etty Hillesum,” n.d., para. 8) did Abraham, which whom moral life, and give worship of his normal capacity and come out, choices that they are able to free • Anne Frank (12 June 1929 – the Islamic faith is pleased to to God especially through perhaps not always alive, but as a themselves from the unseen enemies of February or March 1945). Well known associate itself” (NA 3). prayer, almsgiving, and testimony of how ‘external pressures’ the soul, that constantly endanger man for her Diary, this little Dutch girl Vatican II continues: fasting” (NA 3). Indeed, can forge our nature’s raw material into from attaining his true end, Heaven. was confined behind a bookcase that “Though they do not through dialogue Vatican II something spiritually uplifting. What follows is the example of some concealed some rooms. From July acknowledge Jesus as God, was seeking to build bridges I’m not speaking of plagues or individuals, selected without any Whatever / A7 they revere Him as a prophet. of harmony and peace!

By the Roadside / A7 A6 LOCAL NEWS MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 CBCP Monitor Manila parishes to create Bishop cautions against health care ministry ‘distance learning’ WHILE gearing up for the “new pastoral instruction released on as, among others, identify the normal,” Manila’s Roman Catholic Monday. parishioners who want to receive Church is pushing for the creation His statement also came after communion outside the church. of health ministry in all its parishes. the government placed Metro The ministry, according to him, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Manila under general community may also be assigned to screen archdiocese’s administrator, said quarantine (GCQ) but the holding of churchgoers by the use of thermal that such ministry is important as religious services remain restricted. scanners and to attend to those who parishes prepare for the resumption Only 10 people are allowed may later on be found to have illness. of church services with people in to attend religious gatherings “Little by little, each parish and attendance. in GCQ areas, according to the each church organization have to He said the archdiocese’s primary latest guidelines issued by the undergo planning on how to do concern is how to open up its Inter-Agency Task Force for their activities and programs in this religious services “in a safe way” the Management of Emerging new situation,” said Pabillo. amid the coronavirus pandemic. Infectious Diseases. “This is part of our stewardship “Let each parish create a ministry He said those working in the of the gift of health—our health and of health to extend services in the ministry may be tasked to extend the health of those around us,” he parish,” Pabillo said in his latest services to the elderly as they will said. (CBCP News) Church labor group calls for resumption of jeep operations, cash aid distribution

Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose. MARK SALUDES/LICAS NEWS

Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose normal” due to the pandemic. expressed concern over the move President Rodrigo Duterte said he to substitute “face-to-face” classes will not allow the opening of classes with online and “distance learning.” unless he is sure the students are The prelate said online classes safe from the new coronavirus lack the personal encounter that disease. contributes to the formation of the The Alliance of Concerned person and of the student. Teachers has called on the Bishop Mallari, who heads government to postpone its planned the Episcopal Commission on school opening unless distance Catechesis and Catholic Education, learning will be fully accessible to said online classes will also highlight learners, especially the poor. social and economic differences. The Catholic Educational “Online study enables us to see Association of the Philippines, that there is a big digital divide,” meanwhile, encouraged parents and he said. teachers to prepare for the opening “Many of our young students do of classes. not have any access to [the internet] “As stewards of Catholic schools, especially those in the rural areas,” I am appealing to all of you to added the prelate. pray, plan, and prepare,” said The Department of Education Father Nolan Que, an official of the has announced the distribution of association. printed self-learning modules for The priest urged Catholic students who do not have access to schools in the capital to “plan the online learning platforms. institutional continuity of our Education officials said parents schools.” should have a “more active role” “Adjust the framework according in their children’s learning process to your school’s current situation as as the country enters into a “new necessary,” he said. (LicasNews) A CHURCH labor group the lockdown. The San Carlos bishop public”. has called to allow the “Even before the also appealed for the He also called for the Unite / A1 operation of jeepney pandemic, jeepney immediate release of cash release of six jeepney drivers who are left without drivers and their families aid to jeepney drivers. drivers who were arrested wrongfully detain a suspect. “traversed the path of the wicked income for months due were already in difficult According to him, many during a protest calling Legislators removed such and ruthless”. to public transportation economic situations. And of the drivers are still waiting for the release of cash safeguards and replaced it with a “Terrorism is not our immediate restrictions during the now, the situation even for the government’s cash assistance in Caloocan harsher law. concern. Marawi’s rehabilitation community quarantine. worsens,” he said. aid for more than two City on June 2. and the continued displacement of Bishop Gerardo He stressed that the months now. “We also appeal to our Impact on church mission communities should be our priority. Alminaza of the Church resumption of jeepney In allowing jeepney brothers and sisters in The prelate claimed that because People’s health, safety and well- People-Workers operations will not only drivers back to work, the community to give the bill expands the existing and being should be first in our agenda,” Solidarity (CWS) said revive their livelihood but the prelate stressed the cash or in kind support already “broad” definition of the religious leaders said. that thousands of jeepney will also provide transport importance of mass to our drivers and their terrorism, any form of protest “These are the urgent concerns drivers were left with no service to Covid-19 testing “to ensure their families,” Aminaza said. or criticism may be considered a that we as a people need to sources of livelihood since frontliners and workers. safety and the commuting (CBCP News) “terroristic act”. address. These are the challenges He warned that even the Church’s that government can address Nigerian / A3 exercise of the prophetic mission by channeling resources for its may be affected “and one can be resolution,” they added. ablaze, vehicles carrying Christians the situation in Nigeria was this past year.” accused of such ‘crime’ without due attacked, men and women have deteriorating. “I think we’ve got to prod the process”. Tyranny, totalitarianism been killed and kidnapped, and “There’s a lot of people getting [Nigerian President Muhammadu] “The proposed amendments The Church’s social action arm is women have been taken as sex killed in Nigeria, and we’re afraid Buhari government more. They sully the very Constitution that urging the public to oppose the new slaves and tortured—a “pattern,” he it is going to spread a great deal can do more,” he said. “They’re guaranteed a democracy and every anti-terrorism legislation, warning said, of targeting Christians. in that region,” he told CNA. “It not bringing these people to justice citizen’s right to free speech and that it could “further reinforce On Feb. 27, U.S Ambassador is one that’s really popped up on that are killing religious adherents. redress,” the bishop added. tyranny and totalitarianism”. at Large for Religious Freedom my radar screens -- in the last They don’t seem to have the sense “We believe that these provisions Caritas Philippines raised the Sam Brownback told CNA that couple of years, but particularly of urgency to act.” (CNA) further violate the right to due alarm over the bill for fear that process, contribute to the shrinking it could be used to suppress free of democratic spaces, and promote speech and harass those who a culture of abuse of power among express dissent. authorities,” he said. “We cannot let this happen. This is not only intolerable, this is Track record inhuman, unjust and unlawful,” said An influential group of church Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Caritas leaders also voiced concern on Philippines’ national director. the bill, citing the Duterte Bagaforo, who is also the administration’s supposed abysmal bishop of Kidapawan in southern track record in handling dissent. Philippines, urged Filipinos not The Association of Major Religious to allow the government to curtail Superiors in the Philippines their democratic rights. (AMRSP) said the bill’s definition “The anti-terror bill violates the of terrorism is “very vague” and rights of our people and makes a prone to “abuse and misuse”. mockery of our Constitution,” he “This bill can be abused to stifle said. dissent and curtail rights to free An ecumenical peace organization speech, to organize and form also raised concern that the anti- associations, to peaceable assembly terror bill will further exacerbate in redress of grievances,” read the red-tagging and human rights AMRSP statement. violations in the country. The group also faulted the The Philippine Ecumenical Peace administration for prioritizing Platform (PEPP) is also concerned the anti-terror measure while the that the legislation will affect the Philippines is in the midst of a peace negotiations between the pandemic. government and the communist All the while, they said that rebels. Filipinos are still asking for mass “At times like these, the anti- Plants are placed on church pews to ensure physical distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Pacdal, Baguio testing, economic relief, and a terrorism bill will not serve to end City. COURTESY PF FR. ROSITO PEDRO, JR. comprehensive plan to address the conflicts of our land,” the group the health crisis but lawmakers said in a statement. LOCAL NEWS CBCP Monitor MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 A7

Angelicum School Iloilo stays open, says board of trustees Bishop reaches out to Muslims on Eid’l Fitr OZAMIZ City—A Mindanao-based brothers and sisters as you celebrate Catholic bishop greeted Filipino Eid Al Fitr,” he said. “You persevered Muslims as they celebrate Eid’l Fitr the fasting and that I salute you.” on Sunday, stressing the need for “May this celebration serve as a solidarity with the poor during the way for us to respect one another,” coronavirus crisis. Jumoad said. Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Eid’l Fitr celebrates the end Ozamiz said the situation calls Ramadan, the holy month when for kindness and generosity to Muslims go fasting in the daylight others, especially those who are hours and devote greater time to suffering. their faith. “One that we should do, not only This year’s celebration comes as Muslims but Christians as well, the world wrestles the pandemic Angelicum School Iloilo. COURTESY OF RAMON SANCHEZ is to be generous to those in need that has affected 13,777 people and particularly on this pandemic,” said killed 863 in the Philippines alone ILOILO City— The Angelicum the Philippines, didn’t approve Jumoad, who is also a Permanent as of May 23. School in Jaro, Iloilo will stay open, any cessation of operation,” the Council member of the bishop’ Muslims in the Philippines according to the school’s board of statement read. conference. make up about 5 percent of the trustees. Gatela has also resigned as The prelate also urged Christians total population, but a much The board, in a “corrective director of Angelicum School Iloilo. and Muslims to work together to larger proportion in Mindanao statement” on Friday, May 29, “The Board of Trustees accepted promote mutual respect. region— around 20 percent today. Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz. COURTESY said it had overruled and recalled the resignation of Fr. Maximo “Congratulations to our Muslim (CBCPNews) OF BRENDA MILAN the notice of closure issued by the Gatela, O.P., as Director of school director, Fr. Maximo Gatela, Angelicum School, Inc., Jaro, Iloilo O.P. dated May 27. City,” the statement read. The statement was signed by the Founded in 1978 by Fr. Rogelio Bishop welcomes royal pardon for 16 Pinoys head of the Filipino Dominicans, Fr. Alarcon, O.P., first prior provincial BALANGA City— A goodwill gestures” of Al Migrants and Itinerant and lives for the best and Napoleon Sipalay, O.P. of the Filipino Dominicans, Catholic bishop has Khalifa. People, said they are as blessings to others,” he “The Board of Trustees, as Angelicum School Iloilo occupies lauded the royal decree “He has given them new “very grateful” to Bahrain added. well as the Provincial Council the Lizares Mansion in Jaro district. issued by King Hamad Bin life. His pardon is great officials “who made this The Philippine of the Dominican Province of (PressONE) Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, help and assurance of valuable asssistance and government on Sunday, pardoning and releasing healing especially in this merciful pardon possible”. May 31, announced the Aid / A1 16 Filipino inmates. time of pandemic,” he “At the same time, we granting of royal pardon Bishop Ruperto Santos said. pray and hope that this to 16 Filipinos, including orders and the Vatican’s migrants based support system for returning of Balanga described Santos, who is also the inspiring example would two who were pardoned and refugees section. OFWs and their families. the release as “very Vice Chairman of the lead all of us to value our on the occasion of Eid’l Ogsimer also said that they are “We are looking at church compassionate and bishops’ Commission on works, our relationships Fitr. (CBCPNews) also eyeing to provide microfinance communities adopting an OFW aid to OFWs as part of their long- family to assure them that there Whatever / A5 term programs. is a support community that will He added that the church is also accompany them in these times of 1942 the Franks started hiding the communist. Imprisoned for joining the Trappist monks Merton looking at providing community- crisis,” he said. (CBCP News) in this secret place until they thirteen years, nine in solitary had lived a full life searching were discovered and deported to confinement. Released (under for the purpose of his life. Later MGCQ / A1 Auschwitz in 1944. It was during house arrest) in November 1988 on, he found the answer with these two years that Annelies Marie and in 1991 exiled to Rome. His his conversion to Catholicism in additional protocols imposed by participation of individuals in wrote her memories that later on memories are found in his book 1938. In 1941 he joined Cistercians your respective congregations.” religious gatherings. would be one of the most widely The Road of Hope, which describes of the Strict Observance in the The DOJ chief made the But the IATF kept the 10-people read books in history. his enduring testimony faith, Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky. statement in a message to the limit on religious gatherings in GCQ • Victor Frankl (26 March 1905 hope and forgiveness. On May 4, It would take some time before Catholic Bishops’ Conference of areas like Metro Manila due to large – 2 September 1997). An Austrian 2017, Pope Francis declared him Merton would fully adjust to this the Philippines on Wednesday number of coronavirus cases. neurologist and psychiatrist who Venerable, an important step new calling. Prayer, reflection and evening, through Bishop Mylo Other regions under GCQ survived the Holocaust. While towards sainthood. study would later on produce his Hubert Vergara of Pasig. include Pangasinan, Davao City, imprisoned in Theresienstadt, • Thérèse of Lisieux (2 January most influential work: The Seven Bishop Vergara represented the Zamboanga City and several cities Victor saw deeper into his ordeal 1873 – 30 September 1897). An Storey Mountain. This would make CBCP during the recent meetings and provinces in Cagayan Valley, and even helped many of his co- all-time favorite saint who at the countless World War II veterans between the government’s policy- Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and prisoners to find meaning within early age of fifteen entered the flock to monasteries across the U.S. making body in its Covid-19 Central Visayas. the inhuman walls of prison. His Carmelite community of Lisieux. Whether under imposed and response and the religious sector. Meanwhile, a more relaxed experience and reflections would She only spent nine years and self-imposed confinement, these Some bishops have earlier modified GCQ is in place in the lead to his best-selling work, Man’s eighteen months in Carmel where individuals revealed what the raised concerns over the limited rest of the country. (CBCP News) Search for Meaning. she died at the age of twenty-four human spirit is cable of achieving Abuses / A1 • François Xavier Cardinal from tuberculosis. In this brief and contributing to humanity. Nguyễn Văn Thuận (April 1928 period, she opened for the Church Thus, we must also ask ourselves and online sexual exploitation, Washington-based International – 16 September 2002). Ordained and countless souls her “little way” if our own confinement is oriented do what is necessary to eradicate Justice Mission noted the sharp to the priesthood at 25 1953. In which would be forever a spiritual towards the greater and deeper this worst endemic traffickers and increase of internet-based child 1967 he became the Bishop of Nha oasis found in her diary, The Story aspirations, sown by God in our sexual offenders,” he said. sexual exploitation in the country Trang. In 1975, six days after being of a Soul. hearts, which are meant to be According to him, online child in recent years. appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop • Thomas Merton (January 31, discovered and nurtured during abuse is “a more dangerous and The study showed that within of Saigon, he was detained by 1915 – December 10, 1968). Prior to our COVID confinement. extremely deadly” virus lurking three years the Internet Protocol around aside from the Covid-19 (IP) addresses used for online Duc in Altum / A5 pandemic. sexual exploitation rose to 81,723 Bishop Santos described human in 2016 from about 23,333 in 2014. as our heart goes with the tricycle and jeepney gambling and buying shielded from covid-19 traffickers and sexual offenders as Bishop Santos has urged the workers, we should also drivers, the poor and the liquors. and their covid patients. “the worst and venomous virus on public to report any incidence of understand the situation middle income earners, The Congressmen who I was so shocked when earth”. online sexual exploitation “and bear of the employers the senior citizens, approved the Bayanihan I learned that our “They prey on our young people witness to these evil deeds”. whose business was physically disabled Heal as One Law should government hospitals that are restricted to their homes “It is only then we can make at a standstill during (PWDs), solo parents have appropriated a big procured substandard due to coronavirus lockdowns. They sure that our youth, our children, lockdown. No money and the like. How did chunk of the budget to PPEs. The doctors and take advantage of the situation, with are not only socially distant from comes in, where would the DSWD come up with the purchase of PPEs, nurses said “mabuti na our youth who are preoccupied with those human viruses of trafficking they get the money the list of beneficiaries? hazmat suits and test kits ang substandards kaysa the Internet at home,” he said. and exploitation but we must to pay their workers? What are the criteria of a instead of the SAP. The wala” (Substandard “These predators are heartless, contain these perpetrators,” said Big companies may beneficiary? Some senior medical practitioners PPEs are good enough motivated by insatiable greed and the prelate. afford it, but not small citizens, PWDs, solo are in dire need of those compared to nothing). addiction to their craving of flesh “We must exhaust all legal means entrepreneurs. parents, middle-income PPEs, many of them died Why did the government trades,” the prelate added. to investigate, prosecute and punish Absence of mass testing earners were not in the due to lack of it. Had test purchase substandard A new study released by the them,” he also said. (CBCP News) – Despite compliance list, they were disqualified kits been purchased and items for their frontliners with health protocols by DSWD. My fellow mass testing done, the knowing that they would And That’s the Truth / A4 like proper wearing of church volunteers during 2½ months of lockdown not be protected when mask, washing of hands, this pandemic were would have flattened the they are supposed to many netizens view the weather It is tempting to dwell on omens use of alcohol, thermal shocked to find in the curve, the covid-positive save the lives of their phenomenon as a sign or warning and portents and punishment of scanning, disinfecting DSWD list of beneficiaries isolated, and stem the patients? I was glad when that God is about to punish China. others (especially if “others” refers the workplace after the names of groceries contagion. Pres. Duterte required For it is indeed true that the to an evil neighbor) but perhaps it work hours, is there and store owners, meat Another source his officials to purchased government’s crackdown on religion, would be a more fruitful exercise an assurance that the stall owners, optical of corruption is the high end PPEs, even if notably Christianity, has escalated to examine our own perception workplace will not be shop owners, those in purchase of PPEs or they are expensive, so over the past months: pastors and of things. How do we take our the source of covid-19 the upper bracket of the Personal Protective that the medical workers priests are jailed (some of whom are present stifling situation that widespread contagion? economic ladder. Some of Equipment, hazmat suits are protected from never heard from again), churches makes us prisoners in our own Going back to work by them may have returned and medical supplies contamination. are damaged or demolished, crosses homes—we cradle Catholics in a asymptomatic persons the money but how come like N95 masks, surgical *** are removed, religious images are country where religious freedom may cause infection of co- the DSWD included masks, gloves, etc. They Happy Birthday in bashed, bible-themed murals inside is taken for granted, we spoiled workers especially those them in the list when are badly needed by Heaven to my mother the churches are defaced, etc. Early brats who think boredom is an with co-morbidity, the they do not fall in any of the frontliners in the Gloria who passed on 5 this month, the police renewed their inalienable right and therefore immuno-compromised, thee categories of SAP hospitals who died (more years ago at age 97. May attacks on “jiating” churches (private believe that quarantine is a the vulnerable. beneficiaries? Everyone or less 31 as of this time she find happiness in homes where underground Christian punishment. If it is indeed God’s *** says “the beneficiaries are and were experts in the house of the Lord, church services are held), arresting punishment, who are we then to The worst thing that the friends of DSWD and their respective field together with our father members during worship. Can tell God how or when to punish a person can do in his Barangay officials and of medicines) due to Benito, Sr. and our still- anyone blame them for seeing the us? If we believe the punishment lifetime is take advantage whom they know”. When contamination and lack born sister Deborah. black skies over Beijing as a portent comes from God, shouldn’t we also of a pandemic to fill asked, our Barangay of PPEs. The rule in the Happy Birthday also to of death for Communist China? believe that the punishment is an his pockets. The Social Officials said they do medical field is “No PPEs, my brother Benito”Nito” Beijing has been a monumental expression of God’s love for us? By Amelioration Benefits not have anything to do No service”. The doctors Santiago, Jr. and to baddie and bully, after all, so why punishing us He is reminding us is the worst corruption with the list, the DSWD and healthworkers and Bishop Francis De Leon wonder if one of these days the to turn from our wicked ways and that happened during the prepared it. There you volunteers who are in the of Antipolo and former punishment may be meted out? to desire to return to Him. God pandemic. It is supposed go. The DSWD has lots frontline of this pandemic Apostolic Administrator The chastisement may have already never punishes us to get back at to be given to individuals of explaining to do. are risking their lives to of the Diocese of begun, with the covid pandemic—the us—He only wants to get us back who were badly affected Some beneficiaries used save others. They need Kalookan. Lord, please truth about which only God knows. to His side. And that’s the truth. by the lockdown – the the money to “tong-its” to be protected and continue to bless them! A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES MAY 25 - JUNE 7, 2020, VOL 24, NO. 11 CBCP Monitor New Zamboanga auxiliary Countdown to 500th anniv bishop to be ordained Aug. 24 of PH ’First Easter Mass’ starts in Maasin diocese

Bishop Prescioso Cantillas celebrates Mass at the Maasin cathedral during the launching of the 300-day countdown to the 500th anniversary of the First Easter Mass on Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte June 4. DIOCESE OF MAASIN

A Catholic diocese in central with the Covid-19 precautionary Philippines has started the 300-day measures. countdown to the quincentennial The event also launched the celebration of the “First Easter celebration’s theme song and Mass” in the Philippines. unveiled the countdown billboard. Auxiliary Bishop-elect Moises Cuevas. CBCPNEWS The celebration was highlighted After the liturgical service, with a Mass at the Maasin Cathedral Cantillas led a procession of the At 46, Cuevas is The same situation home for their safety.” The Archdiocese of presided over by Bishop Prescioso Blessed Sacrament around the city. currently the youngest happened during the “But I’ve been preparing Zamboanga’s new Cantillas on Thursday, June 4. Fr. Johnrey Sibi, chairman of the prelate in the Philippines episcopal ordination of spiritually. After all, that’s auxiliary bishop will be With the theme “We pray as one, Commission on the 500 years of the and the fourth auxiliary Jolo Bishop Charlie Inzon what is important really,” welcomed to his new we heal as one,” the launching also First Mass in Limasawa, said that bishop of the southern with only 10 people in he said. ministry at a special paid tribute to Covid-19 frontliners special events will also mark the Philippine archdiocese. attendance at the Cotabato Pope Francis appointed ceremony. and prayed for the healing of the 200 days and 100 days leading up Zamboanga is among cathedral last May 21. Cuevas, who is until now Bishop-elect Moises affected communities. to the grand celebration on March the cities under the Government protocols the cathedral’s parish Cuevas will be consecrated “We want to be healed as one, but 31, 2021. general community allow a maximum of priest, as auxiliary bishop at the city’s Metropolitan first we need to pray as one, and the Limasawa is an island at the tip quarantine (GCQ) due to ten people in religious of Zamboanga on March 19. Cathedral of the highest expression with our union of Southern Leyte province where the coronavirus crisis and gatherings in areas under In his new role, he Immaculate Conception with God is our union with Him the first Easter Mass was held in where religious services GCQ and 50 percent will assist De la Cruz at 9:00 a.m. on August 24. through the Eucharist,” Cantillas 1521 when Portuguese explorer are subject to stricter capacity in areas under in meeting the pastoral The ordination will be said in his homily. Ferdinand Magellan and his men restrictions than others. MGCQ. and administrative led by Archbishop Romulo The prelate also emphasized that landed. Unless the city will be “I’m anticipating these needs of the archdiocese de la Cruz of Zamboanga the people should be “one in prayer” Spanish friar Pedro de Valderrama placed under modified scenarios because of the with about a million with Archbishop Martin so that healing starts. was said to be the only priest of the GQC by August, only 10 situation,” Cuevas said. population, around 70 Jumoad of Ozamiz and Some priests, local officials, and Magellan expedition and was tasked people can attend the “And it’s okay because percent of which are Bishop Julius Tonel of Ipil a few parishioners attended the to celebrate Mass on the shores of ordination. people need to stay at Catholics. (CBCPNews) as co-consecrators. event that only allowed a limited Limasawa. (Rey Martin Reoma/ QC parish finds strength in BECs amid pandemic number of people in compliance CBCPNews)

THE impact of the coronavirus they are in touch with the daily accommodating help through social Amnesty confers La Salle brother outbreak in a ‘heavily affected’ realities”. media. Catholic parish might have been He said that parish was also tapped In recent weeks alone, the parish top human rights award worse but for the help of small by the Quezon City government to was able to collect about P2.5 Christian communities. help in identifying the beneficiaries million from its online fundraising Fr. Luciano Felloni of the Diocese for its relief operations. campaign. of Novaliches’ Kristong Hari “They saw that the Church is “These are small amounts but Parish said that the Basic Ecclesial organized so it served as a bridge for when gathered together, it’s a big Communities (BECs) are proving its the distribution of assistance and help,” he said. worth during the pandemic. coordination with the government,” While BECs are important in At a time when they are running Felloni said. responsiveness to the pandemic, short of people for frontline jobs, he The parish on Commonwealth Felloni said that the Church should said that the BECs made their relief avenue covers communities also be “creative enough” to adopt works easy and organized. from the urban poor sector, and with the situation by using all the “The strength of a parish is really where there are reported cases of available means. in the BECs,” Felloni said in virtual Covid-19. “We really have to maximize media forum on May 20. Felloni said the parish is also our capacity and a parish without The Argentinian priest said maximizing its capacity to reach a BEC will be much affected in that BECs are important in the out to its flock not just in terms times of challenges,” Felloni said. effectiveness of parishes “because of religious services but also in (CBCPNews) Another Filipino priest dies to Covid-19

Br. Armin Luistro, FSC. FILE PHOTO

AN international rights watchdog speaking out against repression has conferred a Filipino Catholic during this crisis,” Olano said. missionary its highest award for AI also lauded the “spirit of human rights defenders. activism and exceptional courage” Amnesty International (AI) the awards’ recipients continue Philippines’ second Ignite Awards to show while faced with an honored La Salle Br. Armin Luistro unprecedented public health in the individual category, while the emergency. Philippine Center for Investigative The organization emphasizes that Journalism (PCIJ) received the taking action to safeguard human same award for organizations. rights “has become more important Other awardees included especially now more than ever”. Lorenzo Miguel Relente for Young This year’s winners were Outstanding Human Rights announced on May 28, coinciding Defender award and Michael David Amnesty International’s 59th Tan for the Art that Matters for anniversary. Literature category. Luistro has over 33 years of

Monsignor Romualdo “Boy” Sosing, a native of Northern Samar, dies from coronavirus in New York on May 24. COURTESY OF FR. MATT BROWNE The organization’s “most experience in both the private and distinguished human rights public sectors. The first Filipino parish “It is with great sadness gentle man, and he will based in Spain had also defender” award aim to recognize From 2010 to 2016, he served priest on New York’s Long that 6:15 tonight, Msgr. be greatly missed,” she succumbed to Covid-19 the work of human rights as secretary of the Education Island has died after weeks Sosing, surrounded by his added. on May 1. defenders in changing the lives of department. Prior to this, he was of battling coronavirus. family, had passed and is Ordained priest for the Augustinian Fr. Gilbert people through policy advocacy, at the helm of De La Salle University Monsignor Romualdo now at peace,” the parish Diocese of Catarman in Luis Centina III, an mobilization, activism and art. in Manila, serving as its president “Boy” Sosing, a native of said in a Facebook post. 1977, Msgr. Sosing served award-winning author “They truly ignite the human from 2004 to 2010. Northern Samar, died The Holy Name of Mary the Diocese of Rockville and poet, died in León rights cause, speaking up against Luistro is also the former president at a hospital on Sunday School also expressed Centre since 2004. city in northwest Spain. injustices and exposing inequalities of the Philippine Business for Social evening in NY, May 24, condolences for the priest Previously, he served as He was 72. on behalf of those who, otherwise, Progress, the country’s largest or Monday morning who served the parish administrator of St. Luke’s In the Philippines, the will not be heard,” said Butch Olano, business-led non-governmental in the Philippines. He since 2011. Church, Brentwood, and first priest to die from the AI Philippines Section Director. organization. was 67. “Monsignor Rom was associate pastor of Notre disease was recorded in He stressed that it is especially In July 2019, he was among those The priest was second a man of great faith, who Dame, New Hyde Park the Davao region. difficult now for human rights charged of sedition by the country’s term as pastor of the Holy believed in the power and St. Dominic, Oyster Fr. Arnel Celis of the prime movers to take action amid police, described by many as an Name of Mary Parish in of prayer, especially the Bay. Diocese of Tagum died the Covid-19 pandemic. intimidation against government Valley Stream when he rosary,” said Mrs. Pam Msgr. Sosing became a on April 27, and the first “We note that we are in critics. The case was later dismissed contracted the virus early Sanders, HNMS principal. US citizen in 2013. Covid-19 death in Tagum extraordinary times but the same by the Justice department for lack May. “He was a kind and A Filipino missionary City. (CBCPNews) human rights defenders are of evidence. (CBCPNews) CBCP Monitor May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

Pope Francis celebrates Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica May 31, 2020. VATICAN MEDIA ‘Come, Holy Spirit … make us builders of unity’ Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Solemnity of Pentecost Vatican Basilica, 31 May 2020 “THERE are different kinds of Let us now focus on ourselves, devised no strategy; when they were Because our way of being believers concerned about me?”. In the spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit” the Church of today. We can ask locked in there, in the Upper Room, depends on how we understand God. crisis we are experiencing, how (1 Cor 12:4), as the Apostle Paul ourselves: “What is it that unites they were not strategizing, no, they If we have in mind a God who takes ugly victimhood is! Thinking writes to the Corinthians. He us, what is the basis of our unity?”. were not drafting any pastoral plan. away and who imposes himself, that no one understands us and continues: “There are different We too have our differences, for They could have divided people into we too will want to take away and experiences what we experience. forms of service, but the same Lord; example: of opinions, choices, groups according to their roots, impose ourselves: occupying spaces, This is victimhood. Finally, there there are different workings but the sensibilities. But the temptation speaking first to those close by and demanding recognition, seeking is pessimism. Here the unending same God who produces all of them is always fiercely to defend our then to those far away, in an orderly power. But if we have in our hearts a complaint is: “Nothing is going well, in everyone” (vv. 5-6). Diversity and ideas, believing them to be good for manner... They could have also God who is gift, everything changes. society, politics, the Church…”. unity: Saint Paul puts together two everybody and agreeing only with waited a while before beginning their If we realize that what we are is The pessimist gets angry with words that seem contradictory. He those who think as we do. This is a preaching in order to understand his gift, free and unmerited, then the world, but sits back and does wants to tell us that the Holy Spirit bad temptation that brings division. more deeply the teachings of Jesus, we too will want to make our lives nothing, thinking: “What good is is the one who brings together But this is a faith created in our own so as to avoid risks... No. The Spirit a gift. By loving humbly, serving giving? That is useless”. At this the many; and that the Church was image; it is not what the Spirit wants. does not want the memory of the freely and joyfully, we will offer to moment, in the great effort of born this way: we are all different, We might think that what unite us Master to be cultivated in small the world the true image of God. beginning anew, how damaging yet united by the same Holy Spirit. are our beliefs and our morality. But groups locked in upper rooms The Spirit, the living memory of is pessimism, the tendency to see Let us go back to the origin of the there is much more: our principle of where it is easy to “nest”. This is a the Church, reminds us that we are everything in the worst light and Church, to the day of Pentecost. unity is the Holy Spirit. He reminds terrible disease that can also infect born from a gift and that we grow to keep saying that nothing will Let us look at the Apostles: some us that first of all we are God’s the Church: making her into a nest by giving: not by holding on but by return as before! When someone of them were fishermen, simple beloved children; all equal, in this instead of a community, a family giving of ourselves. thinks this way, the one thing that people accustomed to living by the respect, and all different. The Spirit or a Mother. The Spirit himself Dear brothers and sisters, let certainly does not return is hope. work of their hands, but there were comes to us, in our differences and opens doors and pushes us to press us look within and ask ourselves In these three – the narcissist idol also others, like Matthew, who was difficulties, to tell us that we have beyond what has already been said what prevents us from giving of the mirror, the mirror-god; an educated tax collector. They one Lord—Jesus—and one Father, and done, beyond the precincts of a ourselves. There are, so to speak, the complaint-god: “I feel human were from different backgrounds and that for this reason we are timid and wary faith. In the world, three main enemies of the gift, only when I complain”; and the and social contexts, and they had brothers and sisters! Let us begin unless there is tight organization always lurking at the door of our negativity-god: “everything is dark, Hebrew and Greek names. In anew from here; let us look at the and a clear strategy, things fall hearts: narcissism, victimhood and the future is bleak” – we experience terms of character, some were Church with the eyes of the Spirit apart. In the Church, however, the pessimism. Narcissism makes us a famine of hope and we need to meek and others were excitable; and not as the world does. The Spirit guarantees unity to those who idolize ourselves, to be concerned appreciate the gift of life, the gift they all had different ideas and world sees us only as on the right proclaim the message. The Apostles only with what is good for us. The that each of us is. We need the Holy sensibilities. They were all different. or left, with one ideology or the set off: unprepared, yet putting their narcissist thinks: “Life is good Spirit, the gift of God who heals Jesus did not change them; he did other; the Spirit sees us as sons and lives on the line. One thing kept if I profit from it”. So he or she us of narcissism, victimhood and not make them into a set of pre- daughters of the Father and brothers them going: the desire to give what ends up saying: “Why should I pessimism. He heals us from the packaged models. No. He left their and sisters of Jesus. The world sees they received. The opening part give myself to others?”. In this mirror, complaints and darkness. differences and now he unites them conservatives and progressives; of the First Letter of Saint John is time of pandemic, how wrong Brothers and sisters, let us pray by anointing them with the Holy the Spirit sees children of God. A beautiful: “that which we have seen narcissism is: the tendency to to him: Holy Spirit, memory of Spirit. With the anointing comes worldly gaze sees structures to be and heard we proclaim also to you” think only of our own needs, to God, revive in us the memory of their union—union in diversity. At made more efficient; a spiritual gaze (cf. 1:3). be indifferent to those of others, the gift received. Free us from the Pentecost, the Apostles understand sees brothers and sisters pleading Here we come to understand what and not to admit our own frailties paralysis of selfishness and awaken the unifying power of the Spirit. for mercy. The Spirit loves us and the secret of unity is, the secret of and mistakes. But the second in us the desire to serve, to do good. They see it with their own eyes knows everyone’s place in the grand the Spirit. The secret of unity in enemy, victimhood, is equally Even worse than this crisis is the when everyone, though speaking scheme of things: for him, we are not the Church, the secret of the Spirit dangerous. Victims complain every tragedy of squandering it by closing in different languages, comes bits of confetti blown about by the is gift. For the Spirit himself is gift: day about their neighbor: “No one in on ourselves. Come, Holy Spirit: together as one people: the people wind, rather we are irreplaceable he lives by giving himself and in this understands me, no one helps me, you are harmony; make us builders of God, shaped by the Spirit, who fragments in his mosaic. way he keeps us together, making no one loves me, everyone has it of unity. You always give yourself; weaves unity from diversity and If we go back to the day of us sharers in the same gift. It is in for me!”. How many times have grant us the courage to go out of bestows harmony because in Pentecost, we discover that the first important to believe that God is gift, we not heard these complaints! ourselves, to love and help each the Spirit there is harmony. He task of the Church is proclamation. that he acts not by taking away, but The victim’s heart is closed, as he other, in order to become one family. himself is harmony. Yet we also see that the Apostles by giving. Why is this important? or she asks, “Why aren’t others Amen. B2 UPDATES May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 CBCP Monitor FEATURE The corona wedding Marriage in times of general community quarantine (Part 2)

By Jaime B. Achacoso, JCD

Before proceeding to the actual witness—the Local Ordinary, celebration of the Corona Wedding, the parish priest of either of let us address a possible objection the contractants, or a priest or to the canonical investigation of the deacon delegated by either of the parties through mobile platforms— two (c.1108, §1). It is the job of e.g., Viber, Personal Messenger, the qualified witness to ask the Zoom or Facetime. Some parish contractants and receive from them priests claim—with very good their consent, in the name of the pastoral reasons—that a face-to- Church. It is what in Civil Law face interview would be much better, is referred to as the solemnizing since such physical immediacy would officer. In fact, ordinarily, such enable them to better determine the qualified witness for the canonical dispositions and aptness of the marriage is also the solemnizing parties for marriage. Indeed there is officer for the civil marriage that a reason why this has been the age- takes place simultaneously. old praxis of the Church. However, 3) Two other witnesses—whose the limitations imposed by the names shall be recorded in the ECQ, GCQ and even MGCQ would parish Marriage Registry and noted make such a face-to-face interview also in the Baptismal Registry of highly difficult to attain and, where the parishes where the contractants possible, may be less revealing of the were respectively baptized. dispositions of the parties as regards Note that these two witnesses can the projected marriage. be the parents of the contractants In effect, with the mandate to themselves (two of the four parents). wear a mask for such a face-to- Hence, the total number of persons face interview, it becomes highly involved in a canonical marriage questionable that the facial can be a minimum of five—exactly expressions of the parties would be the limit originally set for religious more revealing than an equivalent gatherings under GCQ. To the A couple ties the knot at the Manila Cathedral on April 30 despite the coronavirus lockdown. ROMAIN GARRY LAZARO interview (without masks) via extent that government allows more mobile platform. persons for religious gatherings, venue of choice)—its canonical wedding discussed above, the following are then more can be involved in the importance cannot be disregarded. Can.1118, §1 stipulates that the options for a Corona Wedding: The canonical form of marriage entourage. But the Corona Wedding Its importance lies in the ff: Marriage between Catholics or 1. A teleconference wedding: The Canonical Form of marriage can be as small as five persons. 1) The proper parish priest— between a Catholic and a non- The most straightforward is to hold as set down by the present Code of 4) Extraordinary Form of of either contractant—has the Catholic Christian is to be celebrated the wedding in the church of choice, Canon Law consists of the following: Canonical Marriage. Canon Law primary responsibility to conduct in a parish church; but with the with limited participants: the couple, foresees that in the case of mixed the canonical investigation of permission of the Local Ordinary the sacred minister, two witnesses a . Minimum persons marriage—i.e., between a Catholic the aptness of the contractants or the proper parish priest of the (relatives of the couple or their required: 5 persons and a non-Catholic Christian—if for marriage (i.e., absence of any Catholic party, it can be celebrated closest friends). In order to allow the 1) Both prospective spouses— there is a serious difficulty to observe impediment), especially as regards in another church or oratory. other “guests” to participate, they present either in person or by the above-mentioned form, the the freedom to marry. Hence, it The same canon in §2, however, can be connected online through any legitimate proxy (c.1104, §1). The Local Ordinary of the Catholic party is his responsibility, primarily, to gives another option: The Local of the teleconferencing platforms— option of being represented in one’s can dispense from such a form in allow or disallow a marriage to Ordinary can permit marriage to be e.g., Zoom. A giant monitor can be marriage through proxy is unique to individual cases, but after consulting proceed. celebrated in some other suitable placed in the sanctuary to project Canon Law, given its understanding the Ordinary of the place where the 2) Corollary to the previous place. the screen of the Zoom Meeting, that what constitutes marriage is marriage is to be celebrated and with number, if the wedding is celebrated Here indeed is another area for with each guest using his own PC, legitimate consent of the contracting due regard, for validity, for some with another sacred minister— latitude given GCQ and MGCQ tablet or smartphone to connect to parties, which can be expressed by public form of celebration (such whether in the same place or in restrictions: If Catholic churches the actual wedding, while the actual legitimate proxy. that it can be juridically verifiable). another—it is important that such are still limited to 5-10 people, or if wedding is caught by one or two Here is another area for a certain The conference of bishops is to issue minister has the proper delegation elderly relatives were to be prevented smartphones connected to the Zoom latitude by the Local Ordinary. In norms by which such a dispensation from the proper pastor or local from attending a gathering in a more Meeting. This is the simplest set-up, effect, if the consent of a party can may be granted in an orderly manner ordinary. Without this delegation, confined space (like a church), which admits of better webcams and be expressed through legitimate (c.1127, §2). the marriage would be invalid. perhaps an open space—like a other sound equipment. proxy (a physical person), what garden in the house of either 2. A garden wedding: Making more if such consent is expressed b. Place for the wedding: Here is another source of latitude contractant—may be an acceptable use of a more open space to satisfy by the contractant himself by an Choose a place under MGCQ for the Corona Wedding: if the alternative, with permission of the the social-distancing protocols of authentic means of communication Can.1115 states that: Marriage proper parish of the contractants Local Ordinary. GCQ and MGCQ, a garden wedding presented by modern technology— are to be celebrated in the parish is still under severe limitations due Note further that such permission can be arranged, also to allow elderly e.g., a videoconferencing platform. where either of the contractants to the Corona pandemic—ECQ or of the Local Ordinary may be easier relatives to participate right at As long as there is guarantee of has a domicile, quasi-domicile or GCQ—the couple has the option to to secure if the celebration were home. This will need the permission simultaneity—i.e., absolute absence a month-long residence, but may get married in another place where limited to the marriage rite—i.e., of the Local Ordinary. of possible manipulation of the be celebrated elsewhere with the such restrictions are not anymore not a Ritual Mass, which is the 3. A venue in MGCQ: Another videoconference—this offers even permission of the proper ordinary in force. For example, a couple in ordinary case. The more stringent simple solution would be to choose more guarantee of authenticity than or parish priest of either of the the NCR might opt to have their requirements for the Eucharistic a venue in another area which is a proxy with legitimate mandate, contractants. wedding in a place outside the NCR, Celebration might be put aside if in a more lax quarantine. In areas because a legitimate proxy can Even if the first part of this which allows more leeway as to the only the marriage rite were to be under Modified General Community still express a consent contrary to provision is usually not followed— size of their entourage. celebrated. Quarantine, 50% capacity of the that of the contractant, while a live since most marriages are celebrated churches will be allowed. Hence, videoconference cannot. in the parish of choice of the c. Venue for the wedding: Summary the original elaborate wedding plans 2) In the presence of a qualified couple (usually dictated by the The possibility of a garden Summarizing what we have might then be possible. Online Masses cannot be celebrated on a virtual platform (Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following query:)

Q: With the pandemic that the those physically present at the world is experiencing, I am curious celebration. about an aspect of the online Mass. There have even been some, Is It valid, for example, to celebrate thankfully rare, attempts at online the Mass through a video conference concelebrations with priests platform, and the readers are at intervening from different places. the other side of the screen not While the Mass celebrated by each physically present where the Mass is priest would be valid, they would being celebrated? — A.P., Tacloban also be illicit as each priest omitted City, Leyte, Philippines a part of the Eucharistic prayer and other parts of the Mass. This would A: Before answering this question, constitute a grave abuse. I would first like to outline some Since following the online Mass positive benefits of celebrating is primarily a spiritual activity, and online Masses in places where not actually participating in the public Masses are currently not Mass, those who are doing so could available. independently engage in activities These Masses offer the faithful that enhance that experience. an occasion of growing in grace by For example, if a family was hearing God’s word proclaimed, by watching the Holy Father’s being nurtured by preaching, and morning Mass in Italian, one of by uniting themselves, in a manner the members could do the readings analogous to spiritual communion, in the local tongue. If they wished, with the prayers and actions of they could also sing a hymn as a the priest who celebrates the holy means of spiritual communion. sacrifice of the Mass. These are all temporary measures However, and here we must be due to the present crisis. As public very clear, just as making a spiritual A priest celebrates Mass at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal during the coronavirus lockdown, May 17, 2020. Masses are gradually restored, communion is a good thing but is PHOTO FROM THE ARANZAZU SHRINE online Masses will necessarily decidedly not the same as receiving On April 17 Pope Francis, in his situation that the Lord is allowing, virtual platform, and all parts of the diminish, and the transmission Christ’s body and blood, following an own online Mass, reminded us but the ideal of the Church is Mass must be celebrated at the same of Mass by all forms of media to online Mass is a good thing but it is that online Masses and spiritual always with the people and with location and at the same time. benefit the housebound will return not participating at Mass. communions do not represent the the sacraments — always.” Therefore, it would not be correct to the norms established by the local Only those who are physically Church: From this, it also follows that to have readers or singers entering bishop or, as the case may be, the present at the Mass participate fully. “This is the Church in a difficult Mass cannot be celebrated on a from other places and substituting bishops’ conference. UPDATES CBCP Monitor May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 FEATURE B3 Understanding the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 ‘’The government should not make as an excuse the upholding of national security while undermining human rights and civil liberties. To do so makes the government terrorist against its own constituents.’’

By Rev. Jerome R. Secillano, MPA

THE controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (SB No. 1083) was approved by the Senate on final reading last February 26, while its counterpart bill in the Lower House was approved on June 4, a day before Congress takes its break on June 5. The haste it is approved is buoyed by President Duterte’s move to make it urgent. It is expected to be enacted into law once Congress resumes after the June 5 break. But as it appears, Congress is dispensing with the usual Bicameral session and immediately decided to submit the measure for the signature of the President as a last step before turning it into a law. Critics of the measure call it a ‘’tool for repression’’ while its proponents see it as a ‘’shield for Filipino citizens from atrocious attacks’’ and ‘’prevents the country from being a haven for extremists’’. For purposes of information subject to your prudent judgment, here are some contentious provisions of HB No. 6875, AN ACT TO PREVENT, PROHIBIT AND PENALIZE TERRORISM, THEREBY REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9372, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “HUMAN SECURITY ACT OF 2007”. This version of the Lower House completely adopts the Senate version. Be it known that some of the bill’s provisions have a semblance of regularity and legality, hence, not Church people from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) call for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Bill during a protest in Quezon City on June 2. MARK SALUDES/LICAS.NEWS anymore included in this paper. good to say about the government finding of probable cause After determining the existence of this bill. SEC. 4. (a) Engages in acts to keep their mouth shut. Clearly, that the individual, groups a probable cause, the next legal step - A suspect may be arrested but intended to cause death or this is against a citizen’s right to free of persons, organization, or is for a suspect to stand trial before only with the issuance of a warrant serious bodily injury to any expression. association commit, or attempt the court. of arrest by a proper court and not person, or endangers a person’s to commit, or conspire in Proscription, on the other hand, is by a mere order from the Anti- life. SEC. 16. Surveillance of the commission of the acts a decree of condemnation or an act Terrorism Council (ATC). This section talks about how Suspects and Interception and defined and penalized under declaring something or someone as - Allowing fourteen (14) days of terrorism is committed. It looks Recording of Communications. Section 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and outlawed, hence, prohibited from detention without a proper charge like a definition for a common One’s right to privacy is 12 of this Act. The designation engaging in certain acts. derogates from or violates Article crime, thereby, making the scope of sidestepped for the sake of national shall be without prejudice to Very clearly, the role of the Court 125 of the Revised Penal Code commission vague, amorphous and security. Armed with an order the proscription of terrorist of Appeals in this section is simply which merely allows twelve (12) open for abuse or misinterpretation. from the Court of Appeals, a law organizations, associations, to declare a proscription against hours of detention, for crimes In essence, anybody can be suspected enforcement agent or military or groups of persons under identified suspects and not to or offenses punishable by light for a terrorist by simply endangering personnel may secretly wiretap, Section 26 of this Act. determine the probable cause. penalties, or their equivalent; the life of another. But, how does overhear and listen to, intercept, The established and valid legal The intent, therefore, of the last eighteen (18) hours, for crimes or one endanger another? It’s the screen, read, surveil, record or principle in determining probable sentence in Sec. 25, is merely to offenses punishable by correctional State that decides whether one’s collect, with the use of any mode, cause is for a prosecutor or assure the public that it is not the penalties, or their equivalent; and act poses a danger to others. The form, kind or type of electronic, a proper court to determine it ATC that shall declare who is a thirty-six (36) hours, for crimes or arrested public-school teacher who mechanical or other equipment or after undergoing the usual legal terrorist for it is the Court of Appeals offenses punishable by afflictive or ‘’threatened’’ to have President device or technology now known processes. The ATC appears to have that shall do so. Having said that, capital penalties, or their equivalent. Duterte assassinated would have or may hereafter be known to been accorded with both executive it is, therefore, irregular to give been charged under this act. But, science or with the use of any and judicial powers with the way the ATC the task of determining SEC. 35. Anti-Money threatening to have some Catholic other suitable ways and means for this section is formulated. This the probable cause for the simple Laundering Council Authority Bishops beheaded would merely the above purposes, any private again gives the ATC tremendous reason that such task is reserved to to Investigate, Inquire into and be hyperbole in the eyes of the communications, conversation, powers to run after perceived a prosecutor or a proper court. Examine Bank Deposits – For government. The risk of ‘’double discussions, data, information, ‘’enemies of the State’’ rendering The provision granting suspects purposes of this Section and standard’’ in applying this definition messages in whatever form, kind or the latter with lesser legal options the right to be heard merely gives the notwithstanding the provisions is not only imagined but is in fact the nature, spoken or written words of to protect themselves from abuse process a semblance of regularity, of RA No. 145, otherwise known norm under this government. and harassment. but the real issue here is not being as the ‘’The Law on Secrecy of (c) Any person charged with The last sentence of this section is heard or not. It is the determination Bank Deposits ‘’ as amended; SEC. 5. Threat to Commit or suspected of committing misleading and shall be dealt with of the probable cause which is RA No. 6426, otherwise known Terrorism – Any person who any of the crimes defined and and explained in the next section of apparently given to the ATC but as the “Foreign Currency shall threaten to commit any of penalized under the provisions this paper. which legally, only a prosecutor or Deposit Act of the Philippines”, the acts mentioned in Section 4 of this act. a proper judicial authority can do. as amended and other laws, hereof shall suffer the penalty But who can be a suspect? A SEC. 26. Proscription of the AMLC is hereby authorized of imprisonment of twelve (12) suspect is supposed to be determined Terrorist Organizations, SEC. 29. Detention Without to inquire into or examine years. prior to being spied upon, but Association, or Group of Judicial Warrant of Arrest deposits and investments with The dangerous part of this since the bill doesn’t provide any Persons – Any group of persons, As a rule, before a person may any banking institution or non- provision is not the penalty of accountability for spying before organization, or association, be arrested, courts must first issue bank financial institution and twelve (12) years but on how to determining the suspect, it is likely which commits any of the acts a warrant of arrest; otherwise, an their subsidiaries and affiliates interpret the word ‘’threaten’’. The that military or law enforcement defined and penalized under arrest will be considered as illegal. without a court order. onus of accusation rests on the State agents may spy on an individual Sections 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and However, awaiting the issuance The propensity of this government and it can whimsically interpret a and declare him/her a suspect 12 of this Act, or organized of a warrant of arrest sometimes to undermine safeguards to our criticism or unfavorable comments as a by- product of spying. This for the purpose of engaging renders ineffective the arrest rights is evident in this provision. against the government or anybody exposes the fiercest critics of the in terrorism shall, upon of the perpetrators of criminal This is clearly against the right to in the government as threatening government. They are easy targets application of the DOJ before offenses. Thus, our laws enumerate ownership and the right to privacy. to commit a terrorist act specially for spying. Critics, as we all know, the authorizing division of permissible instances authorizing Check and balances are thrown-out, if uttered by a fierce critic of the are always the ‘’usual suspects’’ the Court of Appeals with arrest of persons without any individual privacy and secrecy are establishment. It negates, in the when something goes wrong in the due notice and opportunity warrant issued by our courts. not protected, while the power of process, our right to free speech. government. to be heard given to the group Section 5, Rule 113 of the Revised the government is further expanded Compelling all telecommunication of persons, organization or Rules on Criminal Procedure and strengthened in the guise of SEC. 9. Inciting to Commit and internet providers to furnish association, be declared as provides that “a peace officer or preserving our national security. Terrorism – Any person government agents with all data terrorist and outlawed group a private person may, without a who, without taking a direct and information about a ‘’suspect’’ of persons, organization or warrant, arrest a person: SEC. 46. Functions of the part in the commission of including his/her communication association by the said Court. (a) When, in his presence, Council (n) Investigate motu terrorism, shall incite others history is a sure-fire formula for The application shall be filed the person to be arrested has propio or upon complaint any to the execution of any of the abuse. Though the bill makes this act with an urgent prayer for the committed, is actually committing, report of abuse, malicious acts specified in Section 4 legitimate by securing an order from issuance of a preliminary order of or is attempting to commit an application or improper hereof by means of speeches, the Court of Appeals, this simply proscription. No application for offense (in flagrante delicto); implementation by any person proclamations, writings, becomes a case of weaponizing the proscription shall be filed without (b) When an offense has just been of the provisions of this Act. emblems, banners or other law against suspected individuals the authority of the ATC upon the committed, and he has probable This is called a ‘’sweetener’’ representations tending to or groups. The government can recommendation of the National cause to believe based on personal provision in the bill. Proponents the same end, shall suffer the easily collect dossiers against Intelligence Coordinating Agency knowledge of facts or circumstances want people to believe that abuses penalty of imprisonment of critics or dissenters. This aims to (NICA). that the person to be arrested has with regard to this measure will be twelve (12) years. weaken legitimate dissent against The framers of this bill wanted committed it (in hot pursuit). dealt with accordingly. However, While a critical speech or writing an inefficient government. to give readers the impression of (c) When the person to be arrested there have been unbridled abuses may simply be a criticism of the regularity and legality in the process is an escapee. in our country that remained establishment and clearly without SEC. 25. Designation of of declaring individuals or groups With due consideration of the unsolved or not attended at all. the intent to incite terrorism, there Terrorist Individual, Groups as terrorists. We have to bear in abovementioned legal doctrines, This should lead us to think whether is no preventing the State from of Persons, Organizations or mind, however, that ‘’Proscription’’ red flags under this section of the the government is really bent on construing it as an incitement to Associations – The ATC may is different from ‘’Probable Cause’’. Bill are found: protecting the welfare of its citizens commit terrorism especially if it designate an individual, groups Probable cause refers to a - A person cannot be arrested or advancing its own interests. comes from a fierce critic of the of persons, organization, reasonable or sufficient reason without a warrant if based merely government. This is a warning to or association, whether based upon known facts to believe on suspicion of committing any of SEC. 56. Repealing Clause – those who don’t have anything domestic or foreign, upon that a crime has been committed. the acts defined and penalized under Understanding / B7 B4 FEATURE May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 CBCP Monitor FEATURE The Church’s mission in the time of the pandemic and beyond Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD

WE live in a period of uncertainty. We cannot predict the future. We can only take into consideration various scenarios—especially the worst-case and the best-case. What is certain is that many people all over the world are severely affected by the pandemic and we are facing a more catastrophic crisis—climate change. So how can the Church carry out her mission at present and in the decades to come? This is what every local Church and religious communities should answer based on their particular context. What follows are some general ideas and suggestions that might be helpful and can be taken into consideration. What is important is to think strategically, always assessing developments and trends— the external threats/opportunities and the internal strengths/weaknesses—being creative and coming up with fresh ideas and bold action. The Church can only survive and thrive when she is able to adapt to the changing situation.

Immediate and continuing task: Caring for a wounded world Caring for the victims of the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis is a priority for the Church in collaboration with civil society and government institutions. The Church must mobilize its resources in supporting relief and humanitarian efforts. This requires supporting those in the Local stranded individuals take shelter at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Parañaque City while waiting for buses to bring them home to their provinces, June 11, 2020. frontlines – the medical workers who are BACLARAN CHURCH engaged in caring for the sick and the dying. In concrete this will take the form of providing It also means participation in mission—the process as well as emphasizing story-telling. faithful in the Church’s priestly mission. But accommodation, food, transportation during prophetic-evangelizing mission, the priestly Even with less face-to-face encounter, we have to avoid clericalism that posits that lockdowns and quarantines. mission, and the kingly-servant mission. This spiritual counselling and direction can be only the ordained minister alone can make This also means providing psycho-spiritual synodality—communion and participation carried out using digital technology and social the Church a truly priestly/worshipping care for the bereaved and front-liners who in mission—must be realized not only at the media (WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Zoom, etc). community and that the Eucharist is the only may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress universal level but at the local level -at the Theologians should address the theological form of prayer and worship. The Church will Disorder. This can take the form of on-line diocese, down to the parish, Basic Ecclesial questions arising from the pandemic and the continue to survive without frequent/regular counselling. Communities and the Christian families. ecological crisis. They can share the fruits of Sunday Mass in communities due to the Since the poor are the most vulnerable In a world that is becoming decentralized their reflection online and engage in dialogue shortage of priests or restrictions imposed by especially under lock-down and beyond, the and fragmented, those in pastoral leadership with other theologians, Church leaders and the circumstance (e.g. pandemic, persecutions, Church (especially at the parish and grassroots must employ new ways of exercising faithful. They can also give on-line lectures or etc.). A life of holiness among the members level) should respond to their basic needs both leadership and governance. The new digital webinars. as well as the capacity for self-sacrifice and material and spiritual. The most immediate is technology and social media make it possible Worship and liturgy martyrdom that accompany participation in providing food assistance and encouragement. for regular and direct communication and Due to physical distancing, large gathering communal liturgy characterize the fullness of To avoid dependency and passivity everyone consultation instantly overcoming physical for liturgies and worship will not be possible priesthood of the faithful. must actively be involved in the process of distance. Leaders and members can be more for quite some time. Dioceses and parishes will Social action addressing their needs and problems. This interconnected. Church leaders should not have to think of how regular Sunday Masses in The Church continues her mission as a can only be sustained through the spirit of be isolated but should continually be in touch parish churches can be celebrated with these servant community in a situation where communion—of sharing and participation. with each other and the people they serve. restrictions. It could mean limiting attendance the majority suffer due to the effects of the Digital information/communication Online meetings and assemblies are possible. for each Mass and adding more scheduled pandemic and the creeping ecological crisis. technology/social media should be used The clergy should continue to communicate Masses. It could also mean celebrating small How this is to be carried out concretely for this purpose—in identifying those in to the faithful and listen to them. A more group Masses—BEC/neighborhood/family depends on the local situation where the need, inviting volunteers and contributions, participative style of leadership is possible groupings, etc. This type of can be celebrated Church is situated. The See-Judge-Act distribution centers, networks and delivery, avoiding a top-down model. This can be done once every two or more months for each method is recommended. Concrete action etc. at all levels—at the local, national, regional, small group—depending on the availability of should flow from analysis of the situation (the universal level. Strategic thinking and acting priests and the size of the parish. A Mass for specific problems and issues that the local New forms of communion and solidarity is required—of seeing the big picture and the a particular a family/small-groupings/cells Church/community is facing), and the moral The continuing threat of pandemic requires long view. can be broadcasted live so that other groups judgment. physical distancing—this will be the new who are not physical present can still virtually The priority continues to be the promotion normal. There will be restrictions on large Evangelization and Christian education participate and make spiritual communion. of integral development—working for justice, gathering/assemblies. International and in the pandemic and the ecological Family liturgy/worship should be developed peace and the integrity of creation. In face domestic travel will be limited. The trend crises and promoted. The Christian family as of economic recession or depression, each is towards doing things locally—including How can the Good News and the Christian domestic church is a worshipping and praying local Church should address the problem of economic production. message be proclaimed in the time of the community. Following the Jewish practice, increasing poverty, unemployment and lack More time will be spent at home. Most pandemic and the ecological crises? family-centered rituals around the table of food security which can lead to hunger of the face-to-face encounter takes place at The central message: God’s love for the can be adopted. Family rosary, bible-service and even starvation. Many will be driven to home and in the community. The new mantra: world—for humanity and all living creatures. and sharing can also be practiced by each indebtedness. work at home if you can, go to the office or We are called to be in communion with household. Since government efforts to address these workplace only if it is really necessary. The the Triune God—the Father, Son and Holy Celebration of Sunday “priest-less liturgies” problems may not be enough, the Church in same is happening in education. There will be Spirit—and with one another and the rest or liturgies in the absence of the priest with collaboration with civil society organizations more on-line learning and home-schooling. of creation. We are all interconnected. We or without communion services should be has to promote sustainable development This will be the opportunity for promoting all have the responsibility to love, share, promoted in BECs, cells and family groupings and initiate or support poverty-alleviation the family and household as the domestic care for each one and for all things. We are for communities that cannot have regular programs. Credit unions/cooperatives as church. Parents will spend more time with called to conversion—this means rooting out Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. These well as micro-finance programs should be their children. This is the time to experience selfishness, greed, hatred and violence. This are usually led by lay liturgical leaders. The introduced or promoted to avoid loan-sharks. the loving communion and sharing within the requires responding to the cry of the poor and proliferation of permanent deacons to serve During the pandemic “Kindness Centers” family. the cry of the earth and promote justice, peace these communities should be considered with feeding programs and food banks have However, the family should not be isolated and integral ecology. We are also called to live especially for those who are already exercising proliferated in many parishes. This should from other families. They need to link a simple and sustainable lifestyle. The social leadership in these small communities. This be multiplied and expanded. This is difficult up with other families and individuals teachings of the Church as well as the papal can be the context for the ongoing study to sustain in most parishes with dwindling within the immediate neighborhood and documents (e.g. Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato and consideration about the possibility of incomes and resources. Parishioners should local community. Forming or revitalizing Si) should be studied and propagated. including women in the diaconal ministry by be encouraged to share their time, talent a network of small communities/Basic Christian formation and education should the commission created by Pope Francis. and treasure. Besides giving food, what is Ecclesial Communities (BECs), cells or family emphasize servant-leadership, participative We have to emphasize the Vatican II more important is to promote local food groupings becomes necessary. The parish ethos, creativity rather than submissiveness. teaching on the priesthood of the faithful. production such as gardening and communal must become truly a communion of BECs. Evangelization requires being prophetic – to This means not only active participation in the farms. Families and communities should The model of the Church as described in Acts speak out against social evils and proclaim liturgy but also living a life of prayer and self- be taught to engage in natural/organic (2:42-46, 4:32-35) must be experienced once the coming of a new world, a new reality. The sacrifice, and active charity. We have to accept farming or sustainable agriculture and link again. The sense of belonging, sharing and the local Church has to monitor, denounce and that there are situations when it is not possible up with consumers through social media spirit of stewardship must be inculcated as the resist human rights violations and abuses— to participate regularly in Sunday Eucharist. and e-commerce which bypass middle-men. communitarian dimension is emphasized. This including totalitarian state control that We must de-emphasize the mentality that it is Parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities is the antidote to isolation and individualism. diminishes freedom in the guise of containing mortal sin to miss Mass on Sundays and holy within dioceses with livelihood projects and The communion and solidarity of the the pandemic. days of obligation which unnecessarily create income-generating programs can engage parishes with the dioceses and wider levels Since physical distancing is the new normal a sense of guilt and anxiety for those unable to in alternative trade, organizing networks of (national, regional, universal) will take on a and large gathering is restricted, we have to do so due to unavoidable circumstances. There production and marketing. new form. This is also the case among religious use digital information and communication is more to sharing in Christ’s priesthood than With the radical restructuring of the institutes and communities. technology/social media for evangelization, attending Mass. world economic order that is becoming de- In promoting communion and solidarity catechesis and education. This means online While the Mass is the summit and fount globalized, a more localized and self-sufficient we should be aware that we are living in evangelization seminars and catechesis of Christian life, its daily/weekly celebration economic system is emerging. This is the the digital era. We stay connected with one (webinars). Bible-study/bible-sharing groups is not the only expression of the priestly effect of the decentralization and localization another. We can develop or join virtual can meet online. Mass media communication character of the Christian community. The of supply chains in the aftermath of the communities and ecclesial movements that should go digital and linked with social real presence of Christ is not exclusively pandemic crisis as well as the acceleration have local, national and global reach through media. Each diocese and parish must develop manifested in the Eucharist but also in other of the 4th industrial revolution with the the digital information and communication their capabilities and come up with quality community prayer and worship when the proliferation of digital-based manufacturing, technology and social media. Online meetings video-material that can be shared through faithful gather in Jesus’ name and in the Word 3-D printing, robotics, e-commerce, artificial and assemblies are now possible. With the social media in line with their respective that is proclaimed and shared. What matters intelligence, etc. The trend is towards local development of more advanced and cheap evangelization and catechetical programs. most is not the frequency of the celebration of manufacturing and production for domestic technologies all these can be possible even in Face-to-face interaction should still be the Eucharist but how it is celebrated with a consumption rather than for exports. New areas that are remote and distant. used but in a smaller scale observing physical community that truly lives a life of communion skills and competencies will be required with Communion always includes participation distancing and appropriate safety measures. with Christ and with one another in their day new enterprises and jobs generated. in mission. This means synodality—journeying BEC/family-groupings can be the setting to day life. The social action program of the Church together. Synodality involves participation in for evangelization and catechesis as well as The role of the ordained minister is to lead should be geared towards promoting and the decision-making process—in governance. Gospel-sharing. All these require a dialogical and enable active participation of the lay Mission / B7 FEATURE CBCP Monitor May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 FEATURE B5 All who take the sword will perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52) Pastoral Guidance on the Anti-Terror Bill

DEAR brothers and sisters in the guaranteed liberties. The right to for a thorough re-study of the law, Church of Lingayen Dagupan: be arrested and detained only upon with as wide a base of consultation As a pastor, I too am dismayed a court-issued warrant is merely as possible, while keeping to by what terrorists have done one of the issues I have among international standards. While it throughout the world and in the others. The vast powers conferred may be true that provisions of our Philippines. After Catholic clergy on the Anti-Terrorism Council, as bill were culled from provisions of and laity have been victims, as proposed, are frightening in their similar laws in other jurisdictions, have other Christian faithful, many breadth and scope. this is no guarantee that they pass of them slain in very brutal ways. More troublesome however is the the bar of moral scrutiny. There is no way a bishop like me vagueness of the provisions defining We can and should resist terrorism can abet, support or approve of such terrorism and defining the crime — and at the same time take care barbarity. of terrorism. While I appreciate that the State itself does not use When I make of public record the fact that actions such as rallies, terror on the citizens to banish then my reservations about the labor strikes and protests and other terror from our country. Anti-Terrorism Bill that has been similar actions are not included Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your submitted for presidential approval, in the penal scope of the law, still sword back into its sheath, for all I do so with the most strenuous distinction are not so easy to make who take the sword will perish by objection to deeds of terrorism, and in practice. It is a sad experience we the sword.” (Mt.26:52) to its projects. Terrorism can never have that over-zealous police officers From the Cathedral of Saint be the way of God. It cannot make and over-enthusiastic prosecutors John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, any claim to be holy. can always make out a case even June 11, 2020, Eve of Philippine However, I am seriously disturbed where there is none. Independence Day, that many provisions of the bill, I respectfully urge government Archbishop Socrates Villegas delivers his homily during Mass at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in in a desire to nip terrorism in the then not to rush to the approval + SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS Dagupan City on May 24, 2020. SCREENSHOT/SABINS STUDIO bud, also transgress fundamentally and enforcement of the law. I beg Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Safe, sign of God’s mercy, Activism is not terrorism Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and and setting good examples my deliverance be revealed. (Isaiah 56: 1) like the Anti-Terrorism Bill. OUR dear senior churchgoers, the prevailing danger of sickness and death If what we do constitutes terror acts, from Covid-19, our Almighty God, in His then what else is not? If every dissent and I am writing to you as you stay home and goodness and love, abstains us from fulfilling opposition can be considered terrorism, watch our Holy Mass through live streaming. our Sunday obligations. who else will be free? If all the powerful in This is one of the things considered to be To our God, what matters is our safety. He government can label anyone a terrorist, what your “new normal.” As mandated by the Inter wants us to live soundly and healthy. Saint else can they not do? Agency Task Force on Covid-19 Pandemic, Irenaeus of Lyons says: “the glory of God is senior citizens are not allowed to go out of the man fully alive.” So, it is God’s desire that Activism is not terrorism. house to attend mass gatherings, including we live to the fullest of our capability. Our We cannot let this happen. This not only other religious services. main concern here is that we take good care intolerable, this is inhuman, unjust and Only the doors of our Churches are closed. of ourselves and of others in order to survive. unlawful. Thus we urge everyone to register Celebrations of the Holy Eucharist continue, We have to save ourselves. And one of the Bishop Jose Collin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, national director of Caritas Philippines. FILE PHOTO opposition against the bill which to our firm with the participants limited to ten people surest and easiest means is to stay at home. belief will further re-enforce tyranny and and between the ages of twenty and sixty In this troubling time of Covid-19 NASSA/Caritas Philippines is the totalitarianism. years old. pandemic, mass gatherings are prohibited. humanitarian, development and advocacy We at NASSA/Caritas Philippines condemn I know how and what you feel. You want Holy Mass live streaming suffices our Sunday arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of in the strongest terms, the blatant maneuvering to be physically present, to attend and to obligations. Our home is now our domestic the Philippines (CBCP). We stand to adhere, of the legislative processes and the rule of commune; not just to watch virtually nor church. God is with us and resides in our defend and protect the rights and welfare of law to suppress legitimate dissent, and to from a distance. We know well from our household. We are in communion with the Filipino people, especially the poorest and criminalize or to arbitrarily brand as terrorists catechesis that the Holy Eucharist is present, God, along with our family members, in the the most vulnerable. We uphold, recognize those who are perceived to be opposing the alive, and communal. But here we are, confinement of our homes. and put forward the rights of nature and all administration. We denounce the obvious separated by the dangerous and devastating God always provides ways and means for ecosystems. circumvention of the democratic processes Coronavirus. us. Currently, He is using the Holy Mass As such, we provide constant opposition to just to obey and please the self-interests of Yet we have to follow what the IATF tells us live streaming to reach us, be near us and in government actions when we see them unfit the legislators and the autocratic rule of the to do. Why do we have to follow the directives spiritual communion with Him. God is never and unjust especially to indigenous peoples, president. of staying at home and not go out even to distant from us. He has turned our home into peasants, fisher folks, women, children and We enjoin all nation-loving Filipinos not to attend the Holy Mass? For me, there are His dwelling place and makes Himself as part all the other marginalized sectors, like the allow our government officials, especially from three important reasons to reflect on. What and member of our household. government-backed Kaliwa Dam construction. the executive and legislative departments, to are these? Think about it, isn’t it God’s mercy that We demand for transparency and prioritize giving solutions to the pandemic Safety for all He leads us now to speak to Him and share accountability from our civil servants, crisis, and never to curtail the democratic Showcase of God’s Mercy about Him with our family members? Isn’t especially in cases when the use of public rights of the Filipinos. The anti-terror bill Setting a good example that God’s way of demonstrating His love that funds and facilities, and the delivery of violates the rights of our people and makes a One, it is for the safety of all. To stay our houses are now open as His altar, as His services are questionable, like in the case of mockery of our Constitution. at home is to make us safe from being Upper Room? the Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and the It is our prayer that once the constitutionality contaminated or get someone contaminated. To stay at home is to see God in our home Marawi reconstruction. of this bill is brought to the attention of the Coronavirus is our enemy that we cannot see. and in our family. It is also to share and serve We pressure politicians, the police and Supreme Court, our honorable justices will It thrives and hides in the crowd. We all have Him within our family members. government leaders when deliberate inaction exhibit sense of fairness, impartiality and become the unknowing and unwilling prey of Lastly, stay at home is setting a good and disregard of due process happen like the trustworthiness. They must live up to their this virus. Coronavirus does not choose who example not only to our children but immobilized agrarian reform program. We being the last pillars of democracy and rule of to infect. It is not selective. Lahat ay kanyang especially to the grandchildren. We do not organize communities, and stress for active law in our country. lalapitan, kakapitan, at hahawahan. No one only give orders but likewise, we follow them. participation in decision and policy-making, #JunkTheTerrorBillNow is exempted and excluded. And we, the senior We set rules and observe them as well. We, like pushing for the legislation of Right to Food #FilipinosDeserveBetter citizens, are the most prone and vulnerable too, are obedient. We submit ourselves and and Rights of Nature. to this. give due respect. We are humble to accept We give decisive views and analyses of +JOSE COLIN M. BAGAFORO So, we have to be safe. Stay away from the and follow what we are asked to do. government actions, especially when we see National Director, NASSA/Caritas Philippines crowd and avoid congested places. It is safer Our children care for us. They worry about them detrimental and threaten the very values Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Social to stay and remain at home. It is our safety, us and will see to it that we are safe and well- of freedom, respect, justice and compassion, Action Justice and Peace our refuge, and our line of defense from this protected. They advise what is best and most Covid-19. safe for us. During this Covid-19 pandemic, Yes, it can be boring to stay at home but it’s let us listen to them and those who are in better to be safe than sorry and have regrets authority who urge us to stay home for it is CBCP-BEC Statement on afterwards. Isn’t it a blessing to have a home very beneficial to us . When we heed their call, and be at home? Isn’t it the most gratifying we show how much we value their concern, experience to spend time at home with those how much we trust them, and how much we the Anti-Terrorism Bill who are dear and near to our hearts? hope and rely on them. WE, the members of the Catholic Bishops’ When boredom sets in, take recourse to Our dearest senior churchgoers, patience is Conference of the Philippines – Committee family storytelling of your struggles and your most lived virtue. You have been patient on Basic Ecclesial Communities (CBCP-BEC), successes, of your ups and downs, of your best as you reared and nursed us in our early serve as an ecclesial body that coordinates efforts and blessings. At home, do something childhood. Day in and day out, without any the BECs or neighbourhood-based faith together to discover and foster each other’s complaints, you untiringly watched over us, communities in the Parishes all over the talents such as: baking, painting, or making prepared our meals, and waited on us. You country. Majority of our members are poor designs. Introduce to your children your patiently listened, taught, and accepted us and marginalized living among and with childhood games such as dama, chess, and again and again. Now with this stay at home, the indigenous peoples, believers of other sungka. your patience is being asked from you. faiths, and even members of other churches. To stay at home is not only for our safety Let us be patient once more. With God’s In solidarity, we endeavour to promote and but much more for others safety too. It is our power and manifesting glory, this Covid-19 build up God’s Kingdom of justice and love, service to others in saving them from being pandemic will surely come to pass. God will peace and total human development in Bishop Jose Cabantan celebrates Mass at the San Isidro Cathedral in Malaybalay City, April 12, 2020. DIOCESE OF contaminated. We are sparing them from grant the necessary cure. He will help us. Our today’s society. MALAYBALAY possible sickness from Coronavirus. almighty God will bring us healing. We will After reflecting on the nature, scope Stay at home is best described on the wake up and realize that all is well. We will and intent of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, and their dissatisfaction of what they are going billboard along EDSA which says “#walang see our Churches are opened again. We can studying its ramifications in the light of BECs’ through. iwanan, #walang hawahan.” come and celebrate the Holy Mass together. life context, we express our disagreement 2. Deflection from the priority of economic Two, it is a visible sign, a showcase of God’s And truly, our Holy Mass is eucharistia , that towards this Bill. To begin with, it is a survival. Our grassroots communities are the mercy. God understands our situation and is, thanksgiving. deflection or deviation from the life-issues most vulnerable to the worsening poverty of accepts our predicaments. He sympathizes of our people. the country. They are the ones directly hit by with us. He always does something for our We are thankful to God in the Holy 1. Deflection from the impact of the the “No work, No pay” policies. Many of them own good and safety. Eucharist that through Him and with Him, COVID-19 pandemic. Our grassroots lost their jobs, or if not, finding it difficult to With God’s mercy, He excuses us from we are safe. We surpass. We survive. We are communities are the ones most affected by return to their previous employment due to attending the Sunday Holy Masses. The third alive. the pandemic. Fear is present everywhere. lack of transportation, company’s reduction Commandment impels us to “Remember Fear that the spread of the virus might of workers or work hours. Fresh graduates the sabbath day and keep it holy. For six escalate. Fear on the uncertainties that the are uncertain of employment. Joblessness days you will labor and do all your work, +RUPERTO CRUZ SANTOS, DD “new normal” holds for them. The trauma is shackling every home and community. but the seventh day is a sabbath for Yahweh Bishop of Balanga inflicted by the pandemic on the poor and Government efforts must focus on prioritizing your God.” (Exodus 20:8-10). Yes, we must Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Commission on the marginalized is immense and they do not the economic recovery of its people and not attend the Holy Mass on Sundays but with Pontificio Collegio Filippino need another law to add to that nor repress Statement / B7 B6 REFLECTIONS May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 CBCP Monitor SOCIAL CONCERNS Poking fun at colored people The fear of the Lord 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Matthew 10:26-33) Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year A (John 3:16-18) June 21, 2020 June 7, 2020 By Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD

“GOD so loved the world that he gave other Christians who receive this can claim superiority over others. his only Son that whoever believes divine life. Understandably enough, In the words of the Latin American in him may not die but may have the same letter describes Christians bishops, “we are all fundamentally eternal life” (John 3:16 ). With these as “one new man” (Eph 2:15 ). Con- equal, and members of the same words, John makes it clear that the sequently, there cannot be division race, though we live our lives amid purpose of Jesus’ coming is to give in the Christian community. Pre- the diversity of sexes, languages, us eternal life, which is John’s term cisely because God, by sending Jesus cultures, and forms of religiosity. for salvation. Elsewhere, however, to communicate his life to us, shows By virtue of our common vocation, John describes the purpose of Je- himself as the Father of the com- we have one single destiny” (Puebla sus’ incarnation and death in terms munity, all of us who share his life 334). No doubt this statement is of gathering people: “Jesus would have become brothers and sisters. based on the Constitution of the die for the nation—and not for this Whatever and whoever we are, we Church: “Although by Christ’s will nation only, but to gather into one form one family where there is no some are established as teachers, all the dispersed children of God” division: “Each one of you is a son of dispensers of the mysteries and (John 11:52 ). If salvation is about God, because of your faith in Christ pastors for others, there remains, gathering people into one commu- Jesus. All of you who have been nevertheless, a true equality with re- nity that experiences the life of God, baptized into Christ have clothed gard to the dignity and the activity then we can say that it is Jesus who, yourselves with him. There does not which is common to all the faithful by his coming, communicates this exist among you Jew or Greek, slave in the building up of the Church” divine life to the community. No or freeman, male or female. All are (Lumen gentium, 32). This why is wonder then that elsewhere in the one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28 ). The our racist streak---poking fun, for New Testament, we are told that early Christians saw the implication example, at colored entertainers this life that comes from God first of this teaching. Luke tells us, for and at our colored neighbors—is IT was the beginning of the sixth always available, but if the man, or of all flows to Christ who in turn example, that in the early Church, wrong, and nothing could make century before Christ, about the year if any of us refuse to acknowledge shares it with the community: “In the Christians were one in heart and it right. 590. The Kingdom of Judah and our sins and seek forgiveness, we Christ the fullness of deity resides in mind. No one claimed anything as If we stressed this implication its capital Jerusalem were terrified. are committing the deadly sin in bodily form. Yours is a share of his own; rather, everything was held of the Gospel today, it is with the The Babylonians were on the march. of presumption, and, in effect, this fullness in him” ( Col 2:9). A in common (Acts 4:32 ). In other purpose of showing that the doc- They had conquered the Assyrians. denigrating God to a creature of our similar teaching can be found in the words, the Christian community is trine of the Trinity need not be Tarsus and Damascus to the North imagination. letter addressed to the Christians a place where people are accepted taken as an esoteric teaching that had fallen. All of Mesopotamia, But if we live with a reverence and in Ephesus : “May Christ dwell in and welcomed. has no connection with the every- the nations between the Tigris respect for the Lord, the biblical Fear your hearts through faith and may The basis for accepting and wel- day life of the Christian. In the and Euphrates had fallen. Now of the Lord, if we do all we can to be charity be the root and foundation coming every Christian to the com- past, we looked at God in himself, Jerusalem was threatened. How God-fearing, then we do not have to of your life. Thus you will be able to munity is simply the fact that he is and we tried to explain the Trin- could the tiny Kingdom of Judah be afraid of anything. When we live grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the a Christian—he partakes of God’s ity in terms of Greek categories withstand such a huge enemy? with a reverence and respect for the breadth and length and height and divine life. Consequently, in a that are difficult to comprehend What should the King do? He Lord, then all those concerns that depth of Christ’s love, and experi- Christian community, there can- unless one has a background of looked to his counselors. They told the media delights in frightening us ence this love which surpasses all not be any discrimination on any Greek philosophy and culture. Here, him to consider treaties with their with will diminish. Will the corona knowledge, so that you may attain basis—be it sex, power, merits, however, we simply tried to present pagan neighbors. This would mean virus destroy half the population of to the fullness of God himself” (Eph wealth, culture or race. Earlier, we how the Trinity is experienced in trusting in the pagans rather than the world similar to how the Black 3:18-19). noted that discrimination of colored our lives, and we found that, among trusting in God. The King looked Plague destroyed half the population Salvation or eternal life is there- people is wrong on the ground of its others, our faith in God as Father to God. There was a prophet in of Europe? We certainly pray that it fore achieved when Christians share superficiality and its effect on oth- and in his Son makes us realize that Jerusalem whom he respected, the will not, but we also know that live Jesus’s life of love that has its origin ers. But a meditation on the Gospel it is wrong to discriminate people prophet Jeremiah. The king saw or die what matters is that we belong in the Father. Because they share provides us with a deeper basis: we on any basis, precisely because of him as someone who knew the truth to the Lord. Will the world end this in the life of the Father and Jesus, have become one with Christ. All their fundamental equality that is and was not afraid to proclaim the year? Everything else seems to be Christians therefore become one of us share in the status of being guaranteed by God’s sending his Son truth. Jeremiah told the King that going wrong in 2020, so maybe, with the Father and his Son and with God’s children. Therefore, no one to the world so that it may be saved. the Babylonians were agents of God but probably not. The end of the about to punish the Jewish people world does not matter as long as for adopting pagan ways. The King we are united to God. Will World needed to lead the people in trusting War III erupt when we lest expect? The Eucharist, greed and the in God rather than in the pagans. Maybe, probably not. Nevertheless, That is why the King’s counselors it does not matter as long as we are hated Jeremiah. Today’s first united to God. Will Hurricane Mojo reading, from one of the sections of devastate the west coast of Florida poor in our midst the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah destroying our homes? Maybe, referred to as the Confession of probably not. But it does not matter Jeremiah, relates how the King’s as long as we are united to God. Will Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year A (John 6:51-58) counselors were looking for ways people attack us for being Christian? June 14, 2020 by which they could denounce Absolutely. In fact there are many him to the King, condemn him, people in sections of Africa and even have him killed. Jeremiah is India that are being attacked for By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD tested. Should he go along with the being Christian every day. Will counselors and preserve his life? we be disparaged because we are GREED is the exact opposite of Should he get out of Jerusalem against abortion, against capital what today’s feast of Corpus et with its deadly politics? Or should punishment, against euthanasia, Sanguis Christi implies—which is he give witness to God and chance against taking children from their sharing so others might live. But persecution from those gathered parents? We certainly will be that is going ahead of what should around the King. He decided to fear attacked for promoting the totality be noted first. Today’s Gospel is God rather than be afraid of men. of respect life, but disparagement the second part of Jesus’ discourse Fear God. That is a biblical concept does not matter as long as we are on the bread of life (John 6:35-58). that is often misunderstood. It does united to God. Whereas in the first part (vv 35-50), not mean that we should be afraid of We have nothing to fear as long as the nourishing heavenly bread is God. It mean that we should respect we fear the Lord. We are a lot more the teaching of Jesus, in this second God, reverence God, and be more important to our Loving Father one (vv 51-58), it is the Eucharist. concerned with fulfilling the Law of than a flock of sparrows; yet not one Though both parts speak of giving God than with the way others might sparrow falls to the ground without life, they differ in that, while in the respond to us. our heavenly Father’s concern. How first part eternal life is given through In the Gospel reading for this much more does God value those belief, in the second it comes from Sunday Jesus says, “Do not let creatures who are made in His feeding on the flesh and drinking others intimidate you.” He tells us to image and likeness? We are worth keep our priorities straight. He tells infinitely more than many sparrows. the blood of Jesus. Thus, this cannibalism. Rather, they are about the life of the Son and the Father, us that we should not even be afraid The devil has three terrible lies section has a Eucharistic theme, sacramental communion. After he is joined to the whole body of of people who could kill us. “Do not with which he assails us, sometimes and exclusive so. Raymond Brown giving up himself in the sacrifice on believers. It is in this sense that fear those who deprive the body of directly, sometimes subtly. The first notes two impressive indications the cross, he will give himself in the Paul, in the second reading, speaks life but cannot destroy the soul.” In of the devil’s lies is: You are not that the Eucharist is in mind. First, sacrament. And considering that in of the sharing in the body of Christ. one of the most beautiful passages good enough. To that God answers, the narrative stresses the eating of the Old Testament, “the body and “Because the loaf of bread is one, we, in the New Testament, Jesus says, “I have made you good enough. I Jesus’ flesh and the drinking of his blood” expresses human life, the many though we are, are one body, “Are not two sparrows sold for next became one of you. I died for you; blood—which cannot be taken as a Evangelist most likely implies that for we all partake of one loaf” (1 Cor to nothing? Yet not a single sparrow so I could raise you up with me metaphor or symbolically. Rather, in the Eucharist the communicant 10:17). In receiving the Eucharist, falls to the ground without your to eternal life.” The second lie of if Jesus’ words about eating his flesh receives the whole living Jesus. In Christians are joined to Christ and Father’s consent. As for you, every the devil is: You are alone. God and drinking his blood are to have other words, Jesus is totally present in to one another. They are established hair of your head has been counted; answers, “I am with you always. I any favorable meaning, they must the eucharistic bread and wine that the as one community in which so do not be afraid of anything. You know you. I know every hair on your refer to the Eucharist, reproducing believer receives. In the sacramental Christ is a communal possession. are worth more than an entire flock head. I know what you are going the words of institution in the communion, Jesus shares his very Consequently, Christians who of sparrows.” through. Together we can conquer Synoptics. Second, what Jesus says life with the communicating believer: receive the Eucharist cannot be The Lord also says in that passage, all challenges, all fear.” The third in v 51 (“The bread that I shall give “The man who feeds on my flesh and greedy or engaged in monopoly, “Fear Him who can throw body and lie of the devil is one which all liars is my flesh for the life of the world”) drinks my blood remain in me and still less take what do not belong to soul into Gahanna.” This is not a try to convince others of, that lie is resembles the Lucan form of the I in him” (v 56). No wonder, Paul them. To the contrary, by the very popular concept in our society. We simply: the other person is lying. words of institution (“This is my declares to the Christians in Corinth, act of sharing in it, they commit emphasize God’s compassion and In the case of the devil, his third body which is given for you”), and “Is not the cup of blessing we bless, themselves to share their life and mercy, and this is good, but we tend great lie is that God has deceived most likely preserves the Johannine a sharing in the blood of Christ? possession with other members to refuse to acknowledge His justice. us. He used this to great effect in the form of the words of institution. And is not the bread we break, a in the Christian community. The In our own minds, we transform biblical sages’ story about original Thus, for John, eternal life is given sharing in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor rich, for example, cannot continue God into an imaginary figure that sin. The devil told Adam and Eve to those who communicate the body 10:16). For John, however, there receiving the life of God without will not respond to our rejection of that God was deceiving them to keep and blood of Jesus. is first of all a mutual indwelling in sharing their wealth with the poor, His life and laws. For example, a them from being like God. In our The objection at the beginning the Eucharist: Jesus remains in the for that would be anomalous. man commits adultery, leaves his modern times, some people question of this section, “how can he give Christian, and the Christian remains In light of this, a Christian cannot wife and children, and then says, that there might be other ways to live us his flesh to eat” (v 52) probably in Jesus. Moreover, just as the life of but make a crusade for the writing off “God understands.” Well maybe than that presented by the Church. reflects the Jewish criticism of the the Son and the Father is one (cf John of foreign debts by poor countries; the god of his imagination might To the accusation that God lies, God Johannine Christian community 14:10), so the man who receives the indeed, in the light of the meaning of understand, but the real God was answers, “I am the Way, the Truth ritual, since Jews were forbidden to Eucharist shares the very life of God the Eucharist, wealthy nations and present when marriage vows were and the Life.” eat meat with blood (Lev 17:10-11). himself. institutions must right the wrong in made to Him and to his wife. God “Fear the Lord and do not be But as the whole section indicates, However, to receive the Eucharist the international economic order in sees the turmoil the selfish man afraid of anything.” the Lord says. the eating of his body and drinking is not only to be involved in the very which the poor get poorer, and the thrust upon a good wife and their You are worth more than many of his blood have nothing to do with life of God himself. If one shares in rich get richer. beautiful children. God’s mercy is sparrows. REFLECTIONS CBCP Monitor May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 SOCIAL CONCERNS B7 Child abuse over the internet By Fr. Shay Cullen

THEY are the two latest arrivals at sexual abuse. Soon, there may be in 2014 to the whopping total of the Preda Foundation’s beautiful international sanctions against 81,723 by 2017. So over a three year home for exploited children set them if they don’t obey Philippine period, the increase in the number in the countryside surrounded by and international laws to protect of Internet IP addresses used that wooded hills beside a small stream. children online. shared images and acts of sexual The children are Pedro, 12, and The Philippines is a global hot abuse of children increased from 43 Angelica, 7, victims of online sexual spot of child sexual abuse online. per 10,000 IP addresses to 149 per abuse perpetrated by the uncle with It is growing more severe with 10,000 IP addresses—a massive and the knowledge of their parents. They the Coronavirus lock-down and shocking increase in the child sexual are now rescued and are happily restricted international travel. abuse of Filipino children. playing with toys and recovering Many more foreign pedophiles This evil inclination of the from the abuse. are seeking sexual gratification by pedophiles and their enablers They were rescued from an abusive having children abused live online that is damaging thousands of uncle who sexually abused them. He while they watch. Parents and children shows a serious failure of made a video whereby he put his cell relatives are the perpetrators and irresponsible government officials phone into his briefs and blindfolded the ISPs that enable it. to implement existing laws to the children and told them to look The frequency and number of protect the nation’s children. The for it. He videotaped the sexual reported incidents of online sexual enablers that make it possible abuse that followed and uploaded child abuse has exploded. The US- are the internet server providers it on YouTube. He was detected based National Center for Missing such as PLDT/Smart and Globe and the Philippine National Police and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Telecommunications. Soon, a new three-year olds from online sexual technology, program or software to Women and Children Protection which operates the CyberTipline player DITO Telecommunity, will be abuse about which the NTC appears ensure access to or transmittal of Center (PNP-WCPC) of Region 4A Report (CTR), has a hotline for a provider of access to the internet. to do nothing, favoring PLDT and any form of child pornography will tracked him down and arrested him. cases of online exploitation of The ever vigilant and straight- Globe? These powerful Internet be blocked or filtered.” (See the A week previously, three children and has recorded 279,166 talking man of action, President Servers PLDT headed by Manuel complete law at www.preda.org). more child victims of cyber reports from March 1 to May 24, Rodrigo Duterte, intolerant of V. Pangilinan and Globe headed The Cybercrime Prevention Act of sexual abuse were rescued also 2020, according to the Philippine child sexual abuse, must use all by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala 2012, Republic Act No. 10175 bans through the intervention of the Department of Justice. The number his presidential power to protect must answer for the child abuse cybersex and child pornography, International Justice Mission is greater by 264.63 percent or by the children and get the National that is happening over their internet among other things. (IJM) together with the National 202,605 incidents in comparison Telecommunication Commission, servers. Have they “captured” the What appears to be collusion Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the figures recorded at this time headed by Commissioner regulators at the NTC and have an between government agencies and the PNP-WCPC. The children last 2019. Then there were 76,561 Gamaliel A.Cordoba and Deputy arrangement NOT to implement the and the telecommunications were brought by government reports of on-line sexual abuse of Commissioner Delilah F.Delesto clear provisions of the law? Would companies enables 24/7 the access social workers to the Preda home. small children. This a shocking and to explain why the Electronic and they lose the revenue of more than to horrific images of children The government has no more disgusting figure of this heinous Internet Service Providers such as 82,000 or even 100,000 paying being tortured, raped and abused. capacity for the victims and has no crime. The NCMEC is a US private PLDT/Smart and Globe have not customers perhaps? The pernicious and evil abuse of commitment to financially support non-government agency funded by installed detection software to block Republic Act 9557, under Section online streaming of children being them at the Preda home. They had the US government. the uploading and downloading of 9, says: “The duties of Internet sexually abused must be stopped been sexually abused by their own Another study led by the child pornography and online live- Server Providers (ISP) to monitor by the NTC and the ISPs. Can step-mother in online exposure International Justice Mission (IJM) streaming of the sexual abuse of the content passing through their President Duterte be the one man to Australian pedophiles over the shows that Philippine internet- children as provided by law. servers, notify the police of illegal that can do it? Who are the worst Philippine internet service providers based child sexual abuse had The NTC was so quick to issue a content and provide the authorities criminals? They who do it? They either PLDT/Smart or Globe when tripled in the past three years. The “Cease and Desist Order” against the particulars of users who gained who order and pay for it? Or those arrested. These companies are study showed that the number of ABS-CBN for no fault other than or attempted to gain access to an in the NTC and ISPs who enable it violating Philippine law by not Philippine IP accounts that were the non-renewal of its franchise but Internet address which contains to happen? All three must be held blocking child pornography and used for child sexual exploitation how much more important is the any form of child pornography. to account and face the sanctions allowing live streaming of child online increased from about 23,333 protection of little children, some All ISPs shall install available of the just laws.

Understanding / B3 RA No. 9372, otherwise known like protecting human rights and issues. Hence, they insist on the under the combined powers of principles and processes. The as the ‘’Human Security Act upholding civil liberties are put presumption of regularity in the the institutions from within the government should not make as an of 2007’’, is hereby repealed. at risk. With warrantless arrest, implementation or enforcement government. excuse the upholding of national All laws, decrees, executive illegal detention, and spying as of this measure once enacted into The bill also contains provisions security while undermining human orders, rules or regulations key components of this bill, all law. Clearly, they are downplaying that are contrary to laws that rights and civil liberties. To do so or parts thereof, inconsistent laws that supposed to uphold our the legitimacy and seriousness of aim to protect our civil liberties makes the government terrorist with the provisions of this Act rights are abrogated in the guise these concerns. like freedom of speech, right to against its own constituents. are hereby repealed, amended, of protecting the interest of the This study shows in no uncertain privacy, right of ownership, right Guided by the Catechism of the or modified accordingly. nation. terms that because of its amorphous to property, protection against Catholic Church, we, the faithful, The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 provisions, the implementation of illegal detention, etc. are duty-bound to oppose such is not called a ‘’draconian bill’’ Conclusion this measure is best left to the While we believe and agree that measure as it is contrary to the for no apparent reason. This Proponents of this bill believed discretion of implementers. This the State and its citizens should be demands of the moral order, provision is what makes this bill that criticisms against the measure arbitrariness gives room for abuse protected from any form of harm to the fundamental rights of really dangerous. All hopes of are unfounded. They said that the leaving suspected individuals or terror, we shall do so within man and to the teachings of the adhering to democratic principles issues raised are merely ‘’trust’’ or groups helpless and hapless the bounds of existing democratic Gospel (CCC 2242).

Mission / B4 supporting the growth of an economy motivated not primarily to ecological crisis, emphasis (GCCM) as well as the Sowing and should be doing—and support cooperatives and of medium/small by profit but by sharing with the should be given to the reduction of Hope for the Planet Campaign each other and express solidarity scale/cottage industries which needy and promoting a culture of carbon foot-prints. This involves are promoting a roll out plan for as we act together to transform and are community-based or at the giving while ensuring business to participation in the Greening the years to come as a concrete heal the world. grassroots (parish and BEC levels). grow in a free market economy. movement, tree-planting, micro- response to Laudato Si. It should also focus on skills training, It should be an economy based gardening (family-community To carry out our mission of Final thoughts capability building and local on solidarity and the principle of levels), adoption and promotion of promoting justice, peace and Through the centuries the Church capitalization. It should address stewardship, living in practice the alternative sources of energy (solar, integrity of creation we need to has found herself facing numerous the problem of unemployment ecclesiology of communion and in wind), waste-management, biking, make full use of digital technology crisis worst than we have now. This and labor displacement due to the particular the communion of goods walking, etc. We should promote a and social media. This is a means is not the time to be afraid and to economic crisis as well as disruptive where the members are of one heart healthy and simple lifestyle which for letting us see what is happening panic. Our Lord Jesus Christ has technologies brought about by the and mind and no one in need (cf. besides reducing carbon footprints all around us—the cry of the promised us that He is always with 4th industrial revolution. A program Acts 4:32-35). It should emphasize can strengthen the immune system earth and the cry of the poor, the us and will not abandon us. The for enterprise building and job- sustainability and respect for the against diseases and viruses (plant- effects of the pandemic and the Spirit-filled Christian Community placement can be initiated. There environment. This requires the based diet, caloric restrictions, ecological crisis, the injustices has survived and thrived even in are parishes with pious wealthy advice and technical assistance of intermittent fasting). and inequality, the violence. the worst situation and continued members who are engaged in grassroots-oriented technocrats While acting locally we need This allows us to analyze, reflect to fulfil her mission. What matters business or industries that can and entrepreneurs as well schools to link-up with each other at and make judgment on what is most is to believe and trust in the be tapped. The principles and of business and management in various levels – national, regional, happening from the perspective Triune God, to be filled with hope best practices of the Economy Catholic Universities. global. The Vatican Dicastery of the Christian faith and the and give hope to others, and to be of Communion (initiated by the We should continue to promote for the Promotion of Integral Church’s moral and social filled with love and express this Focolare movement) can be adopted integral ecology according to the Development in collaboration with teaching. This enables us to share concretely to others as we strive to and further developed. It should be spirit of Laudato Si. As a response Global Catholic Climate Movement our stories—of what we are doing heal this world.

Statement / B5 on this Anti-Terrorism Bill which than the Anti-Terrorism Bill. as citizens of this country: charges up to 14 days, and can still seeking legal aid. We also urge our is not an answer to the country’s 4. Deflection from our treasured 1. Defining be extended to 10 more days, as the members to continue to be vigilant economic malaise. values as Filipinos. The current “Terrorism.” Though the Bill law enforcers continue to build up and critical against any move that 3. Deflection from the continuing pandemic has highlighted again and expressly exclude “advocacy, the case. suppresses our human rights or struggle of the Indigenous Peoples again our core values of “bayanihan, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, 4. Respect for Human tramples underfoot our dignity as and pressing ecological concerns. pananagutan, pagmamalasakit, industrial or mass action, and Rights. With the danger of human persons and children of God Indigenous Peoples and those pagtitiwala at pananalig sa Diyos”. other similar exercises of civil and weaponizing the law against critics We continue to hope that our helping them are most vulnerable Aside from the government’s political rights”, the rest of the and other vulnerable population government officials will listen to to red-tagging. What the IP’s need “ayuda” programs. Both big and document does not clearly define like the drug addicts and poor the growing voices of the poor and are laws that will truly respond small corporations, NGOs, families, what “terrorism” is. farmers and lumad, all the above marginalized and the concerned to their unduly neglected socio- and even simple individuals did 2. Surveillance. Any military loopholes in the Act can easily citizens – their constituents and cultural concerns like land their share in responding to the personnel or law enforcement agent be instrumentalized by people in true bosses – who gave them the problems, human rights violations, crying needs of the victims of can wiretap and “overhear and power for their own interests and privilege and power to craft and etc., that continue to cause them the pandemic. The government listen to, intercept, screen, read” benefits. In fact, this Act awakens enact laws based on right reason social unrest and poverty, and not must find ways to reinforce these any “communications, discussions, the memory of the BEC leaders and good intention for the benefit of laws that will further degrade them efforts in order to build up a post- data, information, messages” from and members whose rights were all and not just the selected few. We nor opportunities to use and abuse pandemic nation instead of the any available technology for any violated, some of them disappeared also pray that they prioritize those them. Furthermore, we are in the Anti-Terrorism Bill which instils “suspected terrorist”. With the and some were killed, during that things that are truly needed for the climate emergency situation which suspicion and fear to the poor and development in technology, these repressive rule of the dictatorship nation’s recovery from the impact highly exposes everyone, especially the marginalized who are very are easily accessible. In itself, this is in the past. of the COVID-19 pandemic and not the poor, to tragic and fearful prone to abuses of those in power a clear violation of a person’s right We, in the CBCP-BEC, commit those that please the hunger for calamities. There is an intimate especially that this Bill contains to privacy. ourselves to the ongoing education power of those in office. connection between the emergence several questionable provisions. 3. Detention. The Anti-Terror of our members to human rights and of the COVID-19 and the worsening Furthermore, we do not accept Council (ATC) can order arrest by civic responsibilities. We encourage +JOSE A. CABANTAN, D.D. of unhealthy ecosystem. Hence, the the Anti-Terrorism Bill due to mere finding of “probable cause” our members to fearlessly report CBCP-BEC Chairperson government must seriously address the following technical provisions without a warrant of arrest from human rights abuses, relentlessly these ecological concerns as one that are reprehensive and can a legitimate Court. The suspect’s protect the victims especially REV. MSGR. MANUEL G. of the post-pandemic measures to be detrimental to our lives as assets can also be frozen upon order those in grassroots communities, GABRIEL avoid another pandemic, rather grassroots communities and rights of ATC. One can be arrested without and untiringly help those victims CBCP-BEC Executive Secretary B8 ENTERTAINMENT May 25 - June 7, 2020 Vol. 24 No 11 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 Dangerous Lies And has affected many.

DIRECTOR: Michael Scott We pray for your grace CAST: Camila Mendes, Jessie Usher, Elliott Gould, Sasha For the people tasked with studying the nature and Alexander, Jamie Chung, Cam Gigande SCREENWRITER: David Golden cause PRODUCER: Margaret Huddleston, Stephanie Slack Of this virus and its disease GENRE: Crime thriller EDITOR: Alison Grace And of stemming the tide of its transmission. MUSICAL DIRECTOR: James Jandrisch CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ronald Richard Guide the hands and minds of DISTRIBUTOR: Netflix L OCATION: USA medical experts RUNNING TIME: 96 mins That they may minister to the sick Technical assessment: 3 With competence and compassion. Moral assessment: 3.5 CINEMA rating: V13 And of those governments and NETFLIX rating: 16+ private agencies of Adam. Adding to the There is grace in That must find cure and solution to this epidemic. Financially challenged police investigator Detective confusion is the couple’s consistently living out strong young married couple Katie Chesler (Sasha Alexander). passionate love for each moral values to the point that Franklin (Camille Mendes) The case becomes more other. The director did a against your conscience even We pray for those afflicted and Adam Kettner (Jessie complicated by the surprise good job in the suspense the closest person in your life May they be restored to health soon. Usher) work as caregiver appearance of Julia Byron- treatment of the film, making (like your beloved husband) and gardener respectively Kim (Jamie Chung) who the lead characters appear cannot influence you. This Grant us the grace for the rich and kind old man introduces herself as as the potential villain has been the scenario in the Leonard Wellesley (Elliot Leonard’s lawyer to execute themselves. This helps in character played by Mendes. To work for the good of all Gould). Katie and Leonard the “will” designating Katie engaging the viewers until Nowadays when some And to help those in need. become good friends and as sole heir of his wealth. the conclusion of the film. “practical” people would treat each other as relatives. Dangerous Lies has a Lighting is appropriate and choose material wealth over Grant this through our Lord, When Leonard learns from well-developed plot with contributes in the effective compassion for a human Jesus Christ, your Son, Katie about their financial a successful build-up of delivery of some scenes being, a person with innate problem, he becomes very characters that somehow particularly the darkness and kindness will still choose to Who lives and reigns with You, concerned. Unfortunately, makes the ending predictable brightness inside Leonard’s be compassionate and not in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Leonard mysteriously dies — but not quite. The house. If you will just forget take advantage of a windfall God, forever and ever. Amen. a day after he gave Katie her dramatic premise of the about some loose ends in the despite the specter of unpaid pay cheque for an amount way main characters’ financial narrative, you will see that bills. In any relationship bigger than her salary. With problems is fittingly Dangerous Lies delivered like marriage it is important Mary Help of all Christians, pray for us. no known family and without established. The “dangerous without special visual effects, to stay open, honest, and St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. a will, the controversial lies” in the story are nuanced sophisticated technology true to one’s promise. In St. Rock, pray for us. death is subjected to in the tensions created by in the investigation, or the end the upright gets St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. investigation questioning opposites: Katie as diligent, choreographed gun battles — rewarded with peace of mind St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us. the ulterior motive of the responsible and ethical, in it succeeded as a psychological and more, while the greedy couple particularly that contrast to the self-interested thriller rife with deceit and and unscrupulous ones get of Adam as theorized by and grasping character manipulation. their just deserts.

Hindi tayo pwede Buhay San Miguel

Isinasalaysay ni Gabs (Lovi ay multo, kaya ayon nga sa ang nagbukas ng pintuan maiwan ni Gabs at Gabriel Poe) ang kahalagahan pamagat, hindi sila puwede. ng kotse para sa sarili niya. ang pag-iibigang natuldukan ng pagmu-move on, o Maayos naman ang plot, Helow? Wala bang ibang ng kamatayan? Base sa pagpapatuloy ng kanyang at ginamitan ito ng mga tao sa paligid na nakapansin ganda ng pagkakagawa ng buhay sa kabila ng flashbacks para maliwanagan na bumukas mag-isa ang bed scenes ng dalawa, tila masaklap na nakaraan. Ang ang mga pangyayari. Ang pintuan ng kotse? Sobrang makamundong pag-ibig pinaghuhugutan nito ay ang problema lang sa ganitong swerte naman ng multong ang dahilan. At base din sa DIRECTOR: Joel Lamangan pagkamatay sa aksidente mga istoryang may karakter yan. husay ng pagkakagawa sa LEAD CAST: Lovi Poe, Tony Labrusca, Marco Gumabao, Candy ng boyfriend niyang si na multo ay: nakakalito ito Naroon na rin lang tayo sa bed scenes ni Gabs at Dennis, Pangilinan, Andrea del Rosario, Cai Cortez, Phoemela Baranda, Gabriel (Tony Labrusca), minsan, at pati nga direktor paksa ng pagmu-move on, ganoon din ang uri ng pag- Christopher Roxas, Julian Trono, Nicole Omillo, Josef Elizalde, at ang kasalukuyang (Lamangan), scriptwriter talakayin na natin. Dapat, ibig na nakadadarang sa Mayton Eugenio, Angela Tinimbang, Vangie Labalan, Lui namumukadkad na relasyon (Lee), at editor (de Leon) ay sa halip na “Hindi Tayo dalawa. Paalala ng CINEMA: Manansala ni Gabs sa kanyang best nakakalimot na din. Kapag Puwede”, ay “Hindi Tayo ang pagiging artistic ng mga SCREENWRITER: Ricky Lee friend na si Dennis (Marco sila lamang dalawa (Gabs at Makasulong” ang naging eksena ng pagtatalik ng PRODUCER: Vic del Rosario Jr. Gumabao). Ang balakid sa multo ni Gabriel), parang pamagat ng pelikula. Pagka’t mga hindi mag-asawa ay EDITOR: Vanessa De Leon pagmu-move on ni Gabs hindi namatay si Gabriel — iyon ang nangingibabaw na maaaring maging kaakit- MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Von de Guzman ay ang sinisinta niyang si tuloy ang ligaya, ika nga — konseptong pinagbabasihan akit sa mga kabataan GENRE: sexy romance drama Gabriel, na bagama’t yumao pero kapag may kasamang ng kwento: ang paniniwala at makaimpluwensiya CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jay Abello, Lee Meily na ay buhay na buhay pa rin ibang tao, lagus-lagusan na “hindi makatawid sa sa kanilang tularan ito. DISTRIBUTOR: Viva Films para sa kanya — buhay na ang totoong tao sa katawan kabilang buhay” ang kaluluwa Alalahanin ang turo ng LOCATION: Philippines laman na dinadaluyan ng ni Gabriel, walang ibang ng patay nang si Gabriel. Sa Simbahang Katolika: ang RUNNING TIME: 98 minutes dugo, nakikita, nakakausap, nakakakita o nakakaalam madaling salita, hindi pa rin pagtatalik ay sagrado, tanda nahahawakan at nayayakap. na nandoon siya. Katibayan siya maka-move on, hindi ng pag-ibig na namamagitan Technical assessment: 3 Saposter pa lang ay na ang isang multo ay hindi maiwan si Gabs dito sa lupa. sa isang babae at isang lalaki, Moral assessment: 2 makikita na agad na ang laman kungdi ispiritu. Pero Sa daigdig ng Hindi Tayo at nagkakaroon lamang ng CINEMA rating: V 18 pelikula ay isang love triangle, bakit may isang eksena Pwede, ano ang ipinakikitang tamang kahulugan sa loob ng MTRCB rating: PG at ang isa sa mga tauhan na ang multong si Gabriel dahilan kung bakit hindi sakramento ng kasal. THE CROSS A Supplement Publication of the Order of the Knights of Columbus and KCFAPI

CBCP Monitor Vol. 24, No. 11 May 25 - June 7, 2020

A time for joy Life, Times and Beatification of Fr. Michael J. McGivney

“He cared for the faith of Saints, approved by Pope honoring Fr. Michael J. Which is why on March and work of the Church died worldwide, Fr. Michael J. and well-being of those on Francis, for the beatification McGivney? 29, 1882, he founded the (worship and prayer, family McGivney zealously attended the margins….Then he died of their founder, Fr. Michael Answer. Fr. Michael J. Knights of Columbus in New life, community service to the to the needs of the patients, of a pandemic…possibly J. McGivney. One more McGivney’s roots and wings, Haven, Connecticut with a poor and disadvantaged), Fr. got infected and died on caused by a coronavirus… miracle attributable to his his humble beginnings and group of 16 men, principally Michael of McGivney helped August 14, 1890. Supreme The timing of his beatification intercession and he will be his selfless service to the poor, as a mutual aid society, to plant the seeds of “apostolate Knight Carl Anderson hails Fr is providential because his on his way to the pantheon tell all, speak eloquently about provide financial assistance of the laity” or “hour of the Michael J. McGivney a model connection to the pandemic of saints. From Venerable to his being a man for others, a to widows and orphans, later laity.” This kind of apostolate of the “Good Samaritan” gives us someone to intercede Blessed to Saint! man of God. on evolving as a fraternal that challenges laypersons to who could also be seen as for us….” --- Carl Anderson, Beatification (from Latin The story of the life and times society. Today, the small band be what Pope Francis calls “pandemic patron”. Supreme Knight, Knights of beatus, “blessed,” and facere of Fr. Michael J. McGivney of 16 Catholic men has grown as “missionary disciples” All told, Fr. Michael J. Columbus “to make”) is a recognition started in Connecticut , USA. exponentially to about two was officially recognized McGivney, by the grace of by the Catholic Church that Born to Irish immigrant million Catholic gentlemen by Vatican II on November God, was a colossus of a man: ECCLESIASTES 3:4 of the a dead person can intercede parents in 1882, eldest of 13 living in Asia, North America, 18, 1965 when it issued the pro-poor, pro-disadvantaged, Holy Scriptures instructively on behalf of individuals to children, he strove hard to Latin America and Northern “Decree on the Apostolate of pro-family and pro-God. In his proclaims that there is in pray in his or her name.1 become a priest. He studied Europe, united by the four the Laity,” a document that short but purposeful 38-years the world, at the time God Canonization on the other in two seminaries in Canada foundational principles of encourages and guides lay of existence, he frontlined to chooses, a “time for joy,” even hand, is a Papal declaration (one in Quebec and the other charity, fraternity, unity and Catholics in their Christian bring goodness and godliness a “time for dancing.” There that the Catholic faithful in Montreal) until he finished patriotism. service. in the lives of many. is joy when one’s heart is full may venerate a particular at St. Mary’s Seminary in Was Fr. Michael J. Finally, at a time when VIVAT JESUS! of gladness because of an deceased member of the Baltimore, Maryland. McGivney, founder of the the term “frontliners” is (RVSarmiento) uplifting human or spiritual Church.2 From his personal Knights of Columbus in associated with heroism in experience. 1 Samuel 2:30 tells us experience, Fr. Michael J. 1882, composed solely of the pandemic world today, Fr. ______For the Knights of that “He who honors me, McGivney recognized the laypersons, a visionary or Michael J. McGivney would 1 Beatification, wikipedia Columbus, theirs is the joy, I will honor.” Surely, God heart-wrenching impact one ahead of his time? Yes. best qualify as a frontliner en.m.wikipedia.org real and authentic, because is honoring Fr. Michael on immigrant families of By involving and connecting in 1890. For during the 2 Canonization, wikipedia of the decree issued by the J. McGivney through the untimely death of the the Knights of Columbus pandemic in the U.S.A. that en.m.wikipedia.org Congregation for the Causes beatification. Why is God breadwinner, the father. as early as 1882 in the life year, when one million people Knights of Columbus founder Father Michael McGivney moves closer to Sainthood Priest launched largest Catholic organizations in role within the Church. Today, the world with 2 million members his spirit continues to shape the 2020_3_6 Model international lay in North and Latin America, the extraordinary charitable work of Office .docx Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. Knights as they continue to serve movement, died The miracle recognized those on the margins of society as in 19th century as coming through Father he served widows and orphans in McGivney’s intercession involved the 1880s. Father McGivney also MEMORANDUM pandemic an unborn child in the United remains an important role model TO: Board of Directors States who in 2015 was healed for parish priests around the ROME – The Vatican today in utero of a life-threatening world and left us a transformative FROM: Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight (May 27) announced that Pope condition after prayers by his legacy of effective cooperation Francis Pope Francis approved family to Father McGivney. between the laity and clergy.” DATE: May 27, 2020 the promulgation of a decree A date will soon be set for Born of Irish immigrant

recognizing a miracle attributed the beatification Mass, which parents in 1852 in Waterbury, It is with singular joy that I write to share news that, at Roman Noon today, the to the intercession of the founder will take place in Connecticut. Connecticut, Father McGivney Holy See announced the formal recognition of a miracle attributed to our founder, of the Knights of Columbus, It will include the reading of an was a central figure in the Venerable Father Michael McGivney. Venerable Father Michael J. apostolic letter from the Holy dramatic growth of the Church With this announcement, a Mass of Beatification will soon be scheduled. McGivney, a Connecticut priest Father and the bestowing of in the United States in the who served his flock during the title “Blessed” on Father late 19th century. Ordained in This joyful news is the culmination of many years of determined effort. I ask for the pandemic of 1890, before your continued and increased prayers as we prepare for the day when our founder McGivney. Baltimore in 1877, he ministered will be known as Blessed Michael McGivney. himself becoming ill and dying Earlier this year, in an address to a heavily Irish-American and of pneumonia. to the Knights of Columbus immigrant community in the The Vatican announcement can be found below: The pope’s action means that Board of Directors, Pope Francis then-Diocese of Hartford. At a Father McGivney can be declared said the organization has been time of anti-Catholic sentiment, “Blessed,” the step just prior to faithful “to the vision of your he worked tirelessly to keep his Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints sainthood. An additional miracle founder, Venerable Michael flock close to the faith in part On May 26, 2020, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Becciu, attributed to Father McGivney’s McGivney, who was inspired by by finding practical solutions to prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience, the Supreme Pontiff authorized intercession will be required for the principles of Christian charity their many problems – spiritual the same Congregation to promulgate the Decrees regarding: his canonization as a saint. and fraternity to assist those most and temporal alike. With a group […] McGivney is best known for in need.” of the leading Catholic men of

‐ the miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Michael McGivney, Diocesan founding the Knights of Columbus “Father McGivney has inspired New Haven, he founded the Priest, Founder of the Order of the Knights of Columbus; born on August 12, 1852 in Waterbury (United in 1882. Nearly a century before generations of Catholic men Knights of Columbus in 1882 States of America) and died in Thomaston (United States of America) on August 14, 1890; the Second Vatican Council, his to roll up their sleeves and put at St. Mary’s Church to provide Venerable Michael McGivney was the founder of the Knights of Columbus, now the world’s largest prescient vision empowered their faith into action,” Supreme spiritual support for Catholic Catholic fraternal organization. After studies in Canada and the United States, he was ordained to the laity to serve Church and Knight Carl A. Anderson said. “He men and financial resources for the priesthood by Archbishop James Gibbons in Baltimore. He founded the Knights of Columbus as a mutual aid society, geared especially to working men and their families. He was known for his neighbor in a new way. Today, the was decades ahead of his time in families that had suffered the loss tireless work among his parishioners. He died at the early age of 38 from pneumonia. Knights of Columbus is one of the giving the laity an important Sainthood / C2 C2 May 25 - June 7, 2020, Vol 24, No. 11 THE CROSS THE CROSS

Bonifacio B. Martinez Jose C. Reyes, Jr. President’s Chairman’s Update Message Let us pray the rosary daily!

ONE of the messages of Our Lady of Now that we have survived the nor have an unprovided death We heal with Him Fatima was to pray the rosary every day. pandemic, we probably need a greater 7. not die without the Sacraments of OUR faith and stability in coping up are being challenged Many of us now, being in the month motivation to continue our daily the Church anew by this crisis brought about by COVID-19 pandemic. of May and amidst a pandemic due to recitation of the rosary individually or 8. at the moment of death, participate We do not know who is affected at a glance given that there COVID 19, are praying the rosary daily as a family. I found a prayer book marker in the merits of the Saints in paradise are asymptomatic ones freely roaming around. Thus, the and as a whole family. As the month of that contains “The 15 Promises of Mary 9. be delivered from purgatory government’s first mandate is to limit our movement by staying May ends and the quarantine prescribed to Christians who recite the Rosary” that 10. merit a high degree of glory in home and following health protocols to make sure everyone is by the Department of Health is gradually was given by Mama Mary to St. Dominic. heaven safe. However our circumstances are not all the same, while we being lifted in many areas of the country, I hope that these promises will motivate 11. obtain all you ask of me are at the comfort of our homes, most of us especially the daily some, if not the majority, will already us to continue to pray the rosary daily. 12. be aided by me in their necessities wage earners are risking their lives to earn. We can list all of have stopped praying the rosary. Praying Whoever recites the rosary shall: 13. have for intercessors the entire its negative effects and that list will be close to being endless. together is not easy to organize now that 1. receive signal graces celestial court during their life and at the Risks here and there, mental health issues slowly making its people are already starting to go back 2. receive my special protection and hour of death way, future uncertainty, and it goes on. to work. They might not have time and the greatest graces 14. be my sons, and brothers of my only In times where we cannot see our opponent, we have a energy to say the rosary at the end of the 3. have armor against hell, to destroy Son, Jesus Christ Savior who is bigger and mightier than any situation we are day. “Sayang ang magandang nasimulan vice, to decrease sin and to defeat 15. receive the great sign of facing and will face in the future. Thus, I pray for guidance, na araw-araw na pagdadasal ng rosaryo heresies predestination enlightenment, compassion for our government officials for bilang isang pamilya nuong may lock 4. obtain for souls abundant mercy May you be blessed with Mary’s them to come up with a solution that is not only beneficial to down. Sana maipagpatuloy natin ang of God fulfillment of her promises as you some but most especially will cover those who are in need. ating nasimulang pagrorosaryo araw- 5. not perish continue to pray the Holy Rosary After all, we are one and we should be united to successfully araw.” 6. never be conquered by misfortune devoutly! Vivat Jesus!!! combat this pandemic. In every crisis may we ponder on what important lessons we Karlo Serviento learned from every shortcomings and circumstance we have gone through. May we truly realize the essence of compassion, obedience, and the sense of oneness in these trying times. Pondering the Words I always believe that no matter how hard our situation is, as of the moment--with Him, nothing is impossible. What we Do you love me? need is to keep our hearts and intentions pure at all times. I am faithfully praying for this pandemic to be over. So, we all can return to our normal daily lives, taking into our hearts, minds, THE month of May as for the new Pentecost when him to His mother being her the use of the social media, and actions the things we have learned. May we become better dedicated to the Blessed the Holy Spirit will come own. Reading carefully the our celebration of the Holy and renewed persons not only thinking about our benefits but Virgin Mary as the beautiful once again to refresh our words of Christ it states (Jn. Eucharist continues even in for the greater good in the long run. flower in the heavenly garden body, soul, spirit and the 19:26-27), “...’Woman, here these hard times. Only private Vivat Jesus! has just ended. Devout community. is your son’ Then he said to masses are allowed, hence, Arsenio Isidro G. Yap Catholics now enter into Have you seen yourself the disciple, ‘Here is your the Church being a church of another month of devotion: as an apostle during this mother.’ And from that hour mercy and compassion gives June - associated with our quarantine? the disciple took her into his us all the recourse on how A Brother’s Insight deep love for the Most Sacred Different from last year’s own home.” We know it is to be one with them. There Heart of Jesus which solemn celebration of the Passiontide, John, the disciple whom the may be social distancing but feast we celebrate nineteen we have now made a semi re- Lord loves. But going back, never will there be graces days after Pentecost, in this enactment of how is it to be an his name was not mentioned distancing. The doors of the year, on June 19. Truly, the apostle during the crucifixion in the words of entrustment. churches have been closed relation of Jesus and Mary is of the Lord. During those Why? Because Jesus sees us but the palms of the church Crisis Part II inseparable. days, they locked themselves all at the foot of His cross remains open. Priests, as Love is always the center inside the upper room for the with His mother. It is not shepherds of the flock, have FROM March 15, 2020 to April 30, 2020 the entire Metro of the gospel narratives as fear of being persecuted. We only John and Mary present, made the sacraments and Manila was put in a lockdown otherwise known as Enhanced Jesus, our Lord, the word too are also fearful from the we too are there. We are also blessings available to the Community Quarantine (ECQ). The purpose of which is to incarnate is from love and is virus. The virus seems to be addressed by those words. faithful. Live TV Masses contain the spread of Covid 19, a deadly Pandemic Disease love Himself. These trying the roman soldiers, whom We too are entrusted to Mary, were held. Some priests and which originated from Wuhan, China. This was extended to times as we face the terrible unnoticeably, can take our she is also entrusted to us in ministers walked around their May 15, 2020. pandemic, being obedient own lives. return for the fact that we are vicinity and gave communion Covid 19 spread very quickly to different parts of the world to the measures of the On the other hand, one also God’s beloved. to the people. Motorcades of and soon infected millions of people and likewise killed government, we seem to be apostle remained at the foot Social communications the Blessed Sacrament and millions. The lockdown can be liken to a house arrest wherein like the disciples in the upper of the cross, it is John. One once a ministry set aside by the saints were done. General nobody as in nobody should ever leave their home without any room with Mary, quarantined of the famous accounts in some is now the main course absolutions were given. Even valid reason except frontliners and those working in industries within our own homes praying his gospel is when Jesus has of our spiritual nourishment the Holy Father gave an vital in the fight against the corona virus. and waiting for the grace that entrusted him His mother to as it sustained us through Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Everybody was caught flatfooted and nobody seems to know the world be renewed, healed be his own and on the other their online Masses, novenas, (to the city and to the world) what to do and how to react with the situation. Governments, and strengthened as we wait hand, the Lord entrusted rosary and the like. With Pondering the Words / C3 Doctors and Scientists alike all-over the world could not immediately give a protocol on how to deal with the said Atty. Luis Voltaire D. Formilleza pandemic. The best thing to do is to impose a lockdown. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but it’s the best thing to do in the absence of a vaccine. By the Reading Lamp The concept of a lockdown is very simple. You stay at home for a 14 day self-quarantine period to avoid being infected. The reason is the virus incubation period is 14 days. Hence, after I Pray… 14 days, you should be cleared of the disease in case you got infected one way or the other. Why a 45 day lockdown was imposed and extended for WRITING for a Catholic newspaper, I what is permissible in my attempt at for all the workers (employed and self- another 15 days? Because the government’s Department of have been advised early on to refrain throwing shade. Please indulge me if you employed) that they find fortitude and Health (DOH) could not cope up with the demands of the from writing anything political. Maybe will, in an attempt at being satirical and strength in the more crucial days ahead. people to be tested for the disease. The DOH failed to procure it is to reinforce the line tightly held by spiritual at the same time for the sake of May they be able to likewise service enough testing kits and even if it was able too, did not have the secularist and the religious which keeping insanity at bay- I pray: their employers and clients in the best enough testing facilities. On top of all these, the government separates the church from matters “I thank God and praise him for of their abilities. May they be able to find was perceived to be too slow in procuring the necessary testing of state. Or maybe perhaps, it’s just keeping me my family, my friends and sufficient means for a roof top of their equipment and kits. anathema to the nature of our humble loved ones safe and healthy. Nothing heads and food on their table. I pray that There was a mad scramble for medical devices, primarily Association to highlight mundane is more precious these days than the the youth, likewise realize their potential surgical face masks or any face mask that could protect and differences which may impede growth gift of being able to breathe (literally) in these trying times for they are indeed prevent the spread of the virus. Alcohol and other disinfectants and sow distrusts, rather than ensuring without any pain or any difficulty. I pray the undeniable hope of our motherland. I ran dry in the stores. People were on their own to protect that all stakeholders in the organizational for the sick and the suffering that they pray that I may able to play outside again themselves. The scarcity of supplies led people to panic and buy structure find comfort in the existence of may receive God’s mercy and blessings. without fear. I pray for meals and drinks too much for their own needs. Doctors and nurses are having a common ground that would enable us I pray for our courageous front liners, with friends. I pray for excursions. I pray extreme difficulty of “buying” their own protective gears such all to fulfill our corporate raison d’etre. since you are indeed our real modern that we can all once again enjoy nature as PPEs, N-95 face masks, gloves and face shields. Hence, we agree to disagree and highlight day heroes. May they be kept safe. I and the other wonder gifts of mother When the ECQ was extended from April 30 to May 15, people similarities rather than differences. It’s pray for our scientists and researchers earth. I pray that those accountable for got anxious and even concluded that it would be extended 15 not more of depriving one to speak (or so that they may be able to succeed aggravating our crisis meet their karma. days at a time. The extension gave the people the impression write) but more of making sure that no in this race against time for a cure. I I pray for correct and accurate data from that the government is still unable to test all the people who one is offended. pray, that the people in governments experts so that I can keep some peace of have the symptoms of the disease. It still does not have enough But recent month’s events tested the get their acts together for the interest of mind. I pray to be able to go shopping testing kits. viability of this kept peace, as we move the people who placed them in power. again. I pray that I may be able to read a Brother’s Insight / C3 forward to slowly adapting and gaining May those who are in better places be book in a coffee shop. I pray for buffets. back whatever normalcy is left from our able to check their privileges. I likewise I pray for lavish walks in parks. I pray previous lives pre-Covid19. During these pray for businessmen and employers for long museum tours. I pray for every times, rightly or wrongly, the distinction that they may be able to survive the family, mothers and fathers out there. THE CROSS between church and state is blurred out, as economic crisis that is inevitable. May May we all be strengthened in hope, all of us, regardless of spiritual beliefs and they be able to look after the interest of prayer and love. I pray that your prayers A Supplement Publication of the Order of the Knights of Columbus and KCFAPI truths, fight a common enemy and struggle their employees in the best possible way and the desires our hearts of hearts be to achieve a single purpose- survival. that they can. May they gain wisdom in granted. I silently pray all of these by my Editorial Board And so, I will choose to remain within governing their respective yards. I pray reading lamp. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Jose C. Reyes, Jr. Bonifacio B. Martinez Chairman President Sainthood / C1 of their breadwinner. that that pandemic – like the “In fidelity to the vision of exemplary American priest, Ronulfo Antero G. Infante Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III OIC - Executive Vice President The fledgling group soon current one – may have been Father McGivney, may you the Venerable Michael Spiritual Director became a major force in caused by a coronavirus. continue to seek new ways of McGivney, whose vision and Mary Magdalene G. Flores the areas of evangelization, Known by his being a leaven of the Gospel zeal led to the establishment Editor-in-Chief charity, racial integration, contemporaries for his in the world and a spiritual of the Knights of Columbus.” and the defense of religious devotion to the faith and force for the renewal of the Two recent books also tell Jhon Lyndon D. Palafox, Juan Karlo S. Serviento freedom. his embodiment of the Church in holiness, unity the story of Father McGivney Associate Editors Father McGivney spent characteristics of the “Good and truth.” and his legacy: Parish Priest Jerome P. De Guzman, Erwin John B. Mallari, his entire priesthood in Samaritan,” his cause for In March 2008, he was (2006), his biography; and Kris Jay Rolex A. Yngco, Atty. Luis Voltaire D. Formilleza parish ministry and died of sainthood was opened in declared a Venerable Servant the The Knights of Columbus: Contributors pneumonia on August 14, the Archdiocese of Hartford of God by Pope Benedict An Illustrated History (2020). 1890— two days after his in 1997. St. John Paul II – XVI, who during his visit More information is The Cross is published monthly with its business at KCFAPI, General Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila with tel. no. (02) 8527-22-23 to 27 (trunk line) local 200, 201. Email 38th birthday – after falling who was pope at that time to St. Patrick’s Cathedral also available at www. Address: [email protected]. Website: http://www.kofc.org.ph ill amid a pandemic. Recent – lauded Father McGivney’s cited the “remarkable FatherMcGivney.org scientific evidence indicates principles, stating in 2003, accomplishment of that (JCullen) THE CROSS May 25 - June 7, 2020, Vol 24, No. 11 C3 Weathering the Storm The Knights of Columbus remains financially strong and committed to serving Catholic families

ships. Businesses that were impact of the coronavirus is not corporate profit but insurance program stronger, by social distancing. planning to help save the pandemic. what is best for our brother more competitive and better At the same time, we world are now simply saving S&P ranked only six Knights and their families. positioned to withstand developed IT and procedural themselves.” The May 6 companies in the top Pope Francis has urged today’s challenges. solutions to hold virtual column, titled “Sustainability category, and the Knights Catholics to take up what he We have undertaken a state conventions and online was Corporate America’s of Columbus is one of them. calls “an ethics of fraternity.” major restructuring and exemplifications of our Buzzword. This Crisis This level of financial Such ethics have been our enhancement of our new ceremonial. We also Changes That,” further strength does not magically guiding light for more than information technology implemented an emergency noted, “Entities from one-cell appear overnight. It is a century. department, reorganized church loan program for organisms to multinational the result of consistent As I have said many and strengthened our Catholic dioceses facing conglomerates shut down and sustained corporate times, there were already insurance field force of more financial crisis and a everything except what they governance to do what is insurance companies in than 1,100 general and field multimillion-dollar food need to survive.” best for our brother Knights Connecticut in Father agents, and have brought assistance program through No wonder people are and their families in a McGivney’s day. He could greater efficiency and our Leave No Neighbor worried. Today, many prudent and professional easily have referred his productivity to our business Behind initiative. “C-suites” are in crisis, and way. It involves decades parishioners to these processing departments and No one can predict what many executives are reaching of determined effort to companies. But our founder customer service. the future may bring. As for drastic solutions. maintain both a superior didn’t want business as Given the Supreme the days ahead will call for Not so with the Knights level of capital adequacy usual; he wanted something Council’s proximity to fortitude and continued of Columbus. Sustainability and a low risk exposure as different and something the epicenter of the U.S. vigilance, we will remain was never just a buzzword the best protection against distinctly Catholic — a outbreak in New York City, true to the principles that by Supreme Knight with us. financial storms. Catholic fraternity that we took action before most have served our Order so Carl A. Anderson Consider the April 6 report We continue to have would transform men into companies to protect the well in past. released by Standard and more than $100 billion of a committed brotherhood. health of our employees But above all, we A RECENT COLUMN in Poor’s, titled “Ranking North insurance in force protecting That is what Father and the continuity of our have confidence in the The Wall Street Journal American Life Insurance the financial future of our McGivney founded, and operations by adopting a providential care of the Lord observed, “Today, every Companies, Strongest to Catholic families. That is that is what we continue remote work plan. That of history, just as we have occupant of every C-suite Weakest.” S&P reviewed an awesome responsibility, today; you might say that transition went forward recourse to Our Lady, that is trying to figure out what its ratings of hundreds of and it is guided by our we are very traditional. At in an exemplary manner gentle and glorious “Star they’re willing to throw life insurance companies in commitment to provide the same time, we have — as did the work of our of the Sea,” who for over overboard as the economic North America to determine “insurance by brother made many changes, insurance agents as they, two millennia has guided so storm spawned by the how well positioned they are Knights for brother especially during the last too, transitioned to a new many safely home. pandemic is swamping their to withstand the economic Knights.” Again, our goal several years, to make our operating model demanded Vivat Jesus!

Pondering the Words / C2 The Gentle Warrior Blessing when the Apostolic Heart of Jesus, having this Penitentiary loosened its quarantine, let us look requirements for the Plenary upon ourselves. Have we By James B. Reuter, SJ Indulgence to be imparted. patterned our hearts to that (Urbi et Orbi Blessing is given of the Wounded Healer? CHAPTER FIVE only during solemn occasions: Are we ready to be called the proclamation of the newly “His beloved” or are we elected pope, Christmas Day roman soldiers continuing to THE WAR YEARS They are valuable! We will need them!” and Easter Sunday.) persecute the church? What But the internees, drunk with freedom, Is it allowed? Yes. will be our response as we are “DA DEE DEE” was close enough to said: “No! It’s all over! The guards are Churches may be closed called to entrust our lives with the sound of the name to make all the gone! We’re free!” And they cut up the but the doors of our faith Mary as our mother? Will fear internees scream. The “cawas” were wooden benches for firewood. remains open and will be our response or obedience the great metal containers in which the Then, in the middle of the night, after remain to reach us now as to the will of the Father? kitchen crew boiled the rice. the eighth day of freedom, one of the we need it most. The church We are God’s beloved from When the Jesuits were singing the Central Committee came through the extends its arms to us in the time being and until we Christmas carols, during Midnight Mass Jesuit barracks, saying quietly: “The all the peripheries that our reach the everlasting bliss at Christmas time, 1944, the tenors guards are back! The guards are back! spiritual thirst be quenched. in the kingdom of God when cracked on the high notes. The lead tenor No one goes out. The guards are back!” We are God’s beloved. Jesus himself will ask us face was Joe Kavanagh, a Scholastic. He had a And it was true. The guards came back. As we celebrate this holy to face, “Do you love me?” beautiful voice, but he also had beri-beri. They withdrew because they received a month of the Most Sacred Half of his face was paralyzed. When he report that the Americans were attacking sang, only half of his face moved. The Manila. They thought that this meant Brother’s Insight / C2 other tenors were weak from hunger. ground troops. But the attack was only Kavanagh cracked on the solos, all of the from the air. The Japanese guards were But the government with some public transport. tenors cracked on the high notes. There is reprimanded in Manila, and sent back to Barracks 20. needs to balance things out. More people would be nothing so miserable as a beautiful tenor to their posts at Los Baños. They were He found the Sisters lying flat on Economy cannot grind to allowed to work and go voice cracking on a Christmas carol. inside the camp, close to the internees, the bamboo floor. He found Ruth. a halt as it could be more about their business. stationed at every crucial point. She was face down on the bamboos, damaging than the virus Whether the government’s After the Mass, some of the singers Death struck more frequently after that. but shaking with laughter. He said: itself. Though reluctant, the gamble pays off or not remains said, for the first time: “You know…. The graves became even shallower…. “What’s the matter? Why are you government eased the ECQ to be seen. I hope that the maybe we will not get out of here. Maybe Two feet…. Just enough to cover the laughing?” Lying together on the and modified it from May government’s decision to this is the end.” One second tenor said: coffin with dirt. floor, she told him. “That Sister…that 16-31. The MECQ allowed place Metro Manila in GCQ “If ever we do get out, I won’t care if I Some of the older internees just gave up. old sister…. she never stops talking! some businesses to open as is correct and was based on become the Rector of the biggest Jesuit They did not want to try anymore. They And just now she was talking, as badly needed revenues both a scientific study rather than house on the Atlantic seaboard, or the lost the will to live. It was despondency, usual, and a bullet shot the coffee by the government in the on gut feel alone. That the last, lowest and least in Tuguegarao, if deep depression, despair. cup right out of her hand! She stood form of taxes and the private spread of the virus is very I have three things. Only three things.” First the hysteria of freedom — after there for a minute and said: ‘That sector not only for survival much under control with This was his spiritual vision, when face three years of captivity…. And then the was the best cup in the barracks’, but to support the needs of sufficient testing kits and with to face with death. He said: “Those three terrible let down when the guards came and then lay down, with the rest of their employees. I think it was faster test results. I pray for things are: breakfast….dinner….and back… It was too much…. Whenever us. She was quiet, for the first time more of a gamble rather than our people’s health and to be supper!” an internee said: “I don’t want to live in months! Then she leaned toward a scientific approach in easing totally free of this horrendous George Willmann shook his head, and anymore” — that was the end. me and asked: “What was I saying?” the lockdown. disease. I also pray that we said: “No, son. There are things more But George would not give up. He said, Ruth could not stop laughing. It struck The government is upping could easily adjust and adapt important than food. Man does not live doggedly: “We will survive this thing! We her as incredibly funny. She said to the ante on its gamble as it to the new norm not only to on bread alone…. we will survive this will survive!” George: “Whatever this is, it must be announced that beginning protect ourselves but also not thing! We will survive!” 3. Liberation something big! She lost her train of June 1, Metro Manila to infect others in case we are Early in January of 1945 hysteria swept The planes roared over the camp at thought!” will be place in General carriers of the disease. Let through the prison camp. An internee seven in the morning. All of the Jesuits Japanese soldiers ran into the barracks Community Quarantine us all be safety conscious at ran through barracks after barracks, at were still inside their barracks, because of the Sisters and began firing out of (GCQ). This could mean all times for the sake of our three o’clock in the morning, shouting at seven they were to line up in the little their windows, firing at the hills. George more businesses to open family. at the top of his voice: “Our Japanese dirt street in front of the barracks, to be guessed that the Japanese were firing at guards have left the camp! The guards counted and identified by the Japanese. the guerrilleros. It could not be anyone have left the camp! There are no more But the bell for this counting had not else. The Japanese were stepping on KC Updates guards! They’re gone!” rung yet. the nuns, to get to the windows. And the guards were gone. They Standing at the barracks door, looking Through the open doorway, George disappeared in the night. This did not at the planes, George saw a white, could see new figures approaching the mean freedom, exactly. The Japanese billowing parachute open just under one barracks. They were wearing coal-skuttle military who were stationed on Mount of the planes. Then another, and another, helmets, like the helmets of the Germans Makiling, in great numbers, came down and another. “What is it?” a priest asked in World War I. The Japanese were allies to inspect the camp. It was true that him. George said: “I don’t know. The of the Germans, so George guessed that our guards were gone. The Japanese Japanese must be practicing. I guess it’s these might be Germans, imported to Officers from Mount Makiling could not some kind of war game.” train them. But these men in the coal- understand this. They posted guards of But, as the parachutes opened, rifle skuttle helmets, some of them, had no their own — from the troops on Mount fire began from the low hills outside shirts — and their bodies were yellow! Makiling — all around the camp. They the camp! Bullets were whistling George guessed that they might be The Knights of Columbus Visayas Jurisdiction headed by Worthy Visayas State Deputy said to the Central Committee: “No one through the barracks. The Jesuits Koreans. There were many Koreans in Bro. Teofrido B. Lagria during their outreach activity amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic entitled “Leave No Neighbor Behind” may leave this camp! No one!” lay flat on the bamboo floor, because the Japanese Army. But at least there were no Japanese the bullets were ripping through Two of the Japanese, firing from guards inside the camp! Barracks the sawali walls — in one side of the the window, were wounded. They Three was empty. The internees had barracks and out the other — about withdrew, bleeding. The other Japanese the whole area, inside the barbed wire, four feet above the ground. withdrew, still firing. One of the figures to themselves! It was a delirious week George began to worry about Sister in the coal-skuttle helmets came sliding of freedom. Internees broke into the Ruth. The barracks of the Sisters — along the wall, outside the barracks, Japanese bodega, and carried out all Barracks 20 — was between Barracks 19 and looked in. He was an American! the rice. For eight days everyone had and the rifle fire coming from the hills, George knew this, at once. A little nun enough to eat. The wood crew did not so it must be worse in the quarters of bounced up from the bamboo floor, go out into the hills anymore, to cut the Sisters! George crept to the passage threw her arms around the American wood for the kitchen. The internees leading to the wash room. The big pot soldier, and kissed him! The boy began to chop up the wooden benches, was there, in which the rice came to blushed, took off his helmet in the The Our Lady of Fatima Council no. 7443 in Cagayan de Oro of the Knights of Columbus for firewood. Barracks 19. It was empty. George took middle of the battle, and said: “Gee! Mindanao Jurisdiction headed by the Past District Deputy Fidel Marlon Bongay and the George was distressed at this. He said: the pot lid, and — holding it like a Roman This is the nicest battle I ever been in!” Grand Knight Cresileo Q. Macas while preparing for the distribution of food packs for their less fortunate fellow Brother Knights and members of their community amidst “We should not destroy the benches! shield — ran across the intervening space (To be continued next issue) the COVID-19 Pandemic C4 May 25 - June 7, 2020, Vol 24, No. 11 THE CROSS THE CROSS A courageous step to taking care of life and what matters HAVE you ever thought about Get yourself a Valiant Retire 65, and the remaining 50% of before age 60. preparing for retirement? Benefit Certificate from the Face Value will be received If the death occurs between Have you seen a product KCFAPI and maintain a at age 70. This means that ages 60 and 65, the beneficiary in the market that fits your worry-free life! when the BC Holder reaches will receive 75% of the Face financial needs when you turn Valiant Retire is a benefit age 60, he will start receiving Value. This is because the BC 60? 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The team implemented in the National Capital Region wanted to provide the Fraternal Counselors which later on covered all regions nationwide. accessible training materials that they may During that time, only the family member with use at their own pace and at their own time. a quarantine pass issued by the government Further, we launched a 2-month training was allowed to go out to buy food and other program for the Sales Team that covers the essentials. Work was suspended for many months of June and July – the Wednesday companies. Businesses and transportation Open Clinic and Friday Special Training. stopped. And many lost their income. Indeed, it was a tough time. Only companies and WEDNESDAY OPEN CLINIC institutions vital to the survival of the citizenry This 3-hour weekly training sessions aim were allowed to operate. to provide basic training modules to all On June 1, the ECQ was finally lifted and accredited Fraternal Counselors. Because of was replaced by the more relaxed General the health crisis we are facing, we realized Community Quarantine (GCQ). Some the need to allow the Fraternal Counselors to companies started to operate again and about refresh and bounce back from a long period 50% of the nation’s workforce was back to face of community quarantine. We identified life’s reality of having to work again. Little by modules from the basic Fraternal Service little, the society is hoping to bounce back. Training Program and the Sales Cycle Training Out of creativity, resourcefulness and Program, compressed the modules, and resilience, people found ways to survive and assigned each topic every week for 8 weeks. We temporarily replace their lost means of income. also inserted new topics that are relevant to the Some sold goodies, packed home-cooked food, business of life insurance. Some of the topics survival essentials and other items online. include Fundamentals of Life Insurance, Professional speakers conducted webinars and KCFAPI Products Orientation, Underwriting online training sessions. Artists showcased Guidelines and how to accomplish BC their masterpieces online. Theater enthusiasts Application Forms, and Temporary Receipts made their recorded stage plays and musicals and Collection Reports and BC Relation available online for a specific number of hours concerns. for people to witness. Everyone found a way From the Sales Cycle Training Program, to contribute to help each other fight worries we included Prospecting and Setting-up and anxieties amid the pandemic. an Appointment, Presentation Skills and Resilience is indeed one Filipino trait that is Overcoming Objections, and Closing the Deal very obvious in each one of us. and After Sales Service. Hopefully, we are able KCFAPI SALES TEAM ON EMBRACING to provide what the Sales Team of KCFAPI THE NEW NORMAL needs to get back on track! The Sales Team of KCFAPI, composed of FRIDAY SPECIAL TRAINING around 1,800 Area Managers, Unit Managers, This training program includes a set of more and Fraternal Counselors, was not spared advance training modules necessary in the from the difficulties and challenges caused development process of a Fraternal Counselor. by the pandemic. Operations were paralyzed The objective of this program is to level-up as face-to-face contact was strictly prohibited the knowledge and skills of the Sales Team in by the government and everyone was asked dealing with prospects and existing clients. to stay home. This will also broaden their opportunities But we did not falter. The Sales Team in terms of offering a more complex and of KCFAPI found ways to make use of the rewarding solution to client needs. The topics time spent at home and make it productive that will be discussed in this program include - maybe not by selling life insurance but Financial Planning, Building Your Business, by learning more to become more effective Basics of Investment and Basics of Estate Fraternal Counselors. The Fraternal Benefits Planning. These training modules will surely Group, through its Sales Training Team, jumpstart our Fraternal Counselors to reach initiated online learning sessions that higher goals and help more Brother Knights aimed to help the Sales Team cope with the and their families. uncertainties brought by the ongoing health Prior to the launching of these training crisis. Through this initiative, the sales team programs, we gathered the Fraternal had a way to acquire new learnings about Counselors and Fraternal Benefits Managers life insurance and life in general. We created online for a session on how to utilize technology and launched a Facebook Group exclusive for training and what they can do in the for all Fraternal Counselors and Fraternal business while following the government Benefits Managers where they can watch mandated community quarantine. We uploaded training videos and other learning identified activities that they may continue to materials discussing what’s necessary in the do online and over the phone like prospecting, business of life insurance. Some of the topics setting-up an appointment, online needs discussed are: Types of Life Insurance, Field based analysis, presentation of solution and Underwriters and Underwriting Factors, accomplishing of the BC Application Form. Importance of Life Insurance, Non-Medical The preparation phase was not easy but we Privilege and Routine Medical Underwriting all willingly went through it. Teaching the Sales Requirements, and Anti-selection. These Team installation and account creation process topics are vital to learn to be efficient was also a challenge due to availability of Fraternal Counselors. gadgets and internet connectivity but everyone To make the video training materials more was willing to learn and they all accepted the useful to the Sales Team of KCFAPI, FBG new challenge. With all the commitment and Sales Training Team released an edition of support from the Fraternal Counselors and videos that tackled the proper way to fill- Fraternal Benefits Managers, we were able to out the BC Application Form. It is a series somehow make sure that everyone was ready of videos that discusses the step-by-step to face and embrace the new normal. process of accomplishing the application And now, we are all set to take off! form – from Personal Information down to (JDJavier)