CBCP MAY 13 - 26, 2019, VOL 23, NO. 10 [email protected] PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE ANALYSIS PPCRV to look ‘Vos estis’ and ‘vulnerability’ POPE Francis’ recently promulgated policy on sexual abuse allegations made against bishops, Vos into poll glitches estis lux mundi, offers a new and much expanded interpretation of what By Roy Lagarde constitutes a canonical sexual crime by a cleric. That interpretation A church-backed has raised real questions poll watchdog has about how the law is to be requested data from the applied, at the Vatican and transparency server in diocesan chanceries. The new policy of the Commission recognizes as explicitly on Elections amid criminal the abuse of glitches. authority in coercive sexual relationships, a The Parish Pastoral move called for often in Council for Responsible the wake of the Theodore Voting (PPCRV) said McCarrick scandal. It also the situation calls for offers a new definition transparency to erase doubts for “vulnerable” adults, a among the people. legal category of persons Myla Villanueva, PPCRV who could be subject to chairperson, said the data criminally coercive abuse. would help them determine The universal law of the if the data will match with Church previously defined results from the central a “vulnerable adult” as one server. who “habitually lacks the “For me as a tech person, use of reason.” what is important is to Volunteers at the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) command center in Manila continue the manual encoding of the printed election results May 15. The church-based poll watchdog has managed to mobilize around 300,000 volunteers for the May 13 midterm elections. The new definition see why it happened in classifies a “vulnerable the first place. Second, Logs raised public concern and information. justice arm, the Comelec adult” as “any person in a the data from the central The PPCRV would also fuelled speculation that As of 2pm May 15, the must suspend the state of infirmity, physical and transparency server like to see the logs of there might be tampering transparency server shows proclamation of senators or mental deficiency, or should match,” Villanueva transparency server which of votes. that 84,633 out of 85,769 until allegations of election deprivation of personal said. stopped sending election The PPCRV also clustered precincts have fraud is cleared. liberty which, in fact, even But she said they would results for several hours on asked the poll body been counted. Caritas Philippines occasionally, limits their wait for the right time Monday night. to allow stakeholders The PPCRV, meanwhile, particularly demanded ability to understand or to “because that is post- “We will insist on the and independent has received around 10 for an independent and want or otherwise resist forensic”. logs,” Villanueva said. groups to document any percent of physical election impartial investigation into the offense.” “It is a way of auditing,” “This has never happened troubleshooting of the returns, mostly from the the allegations. That definition could Villanueva said. “We before, that’s why I want to transparency server. cities in Metro Manila. “We are calling to suspend seem to cover a very broad do not want to disrupt see the logs in order that we Villanueva said they would the proclamation of winning swath of situations, which the transparency server can avoid it ever happening share their recording with Suspend proclamation senatorial candidates until would be quite distinct because it is still receiving again,” she added. the IT community for them of senators the allegation of fraud is from each other. Some data.” The delay in transmission to further scrutinize the For the Church’s social Glitches / A6 Vatican and diocesan officials have told CNA they are concerned that Bishop hits attempts to the potentially broad Bishops to poll winners: Live up applicability of the new definition could cause suppress press freedom unjust expectations, and to people’s expectations uncertainty about how A CATHOLIC bishop has tribute to journalists who to proceed in individual joined calls for greater press were persecuted and killed cases. freedom in the country and for doing their jobs. Specifically, some worry deplored actions to suppress “Justice for those who were that Vos estis could foster it. jailed and killed but continue a sense that nearly any Bishop Gerardo Alminaza to inspire and their witnesses sexual act committed by of San Carlos said the shines forth amidst the a priest is expected be Church promotes freedom darkness,” Alminaza said. treated on a par with the of the press as he stressed The bishop added that sexual abuse of minors, the importance of truth in he is also praying for the and lead to his removal journalism. “conversion” of those “who permanent removal from “Promoting the truth is allowed themselves to be ministry. promoting life. We join used to spread lies, sow In a Church committed the call of respecting press fear and terror, abuse our to zero-tolerance for freedom, respecting the freedom of expression, sexual abuse, the new truth and respecting human divide rather than unite for definition for “vulnerable life,” Alminaza said in a the common good”. adult” could make clergy statement to mark World For its part, the National discipline a decidedly more Press Freedom Day. Union of Journalists of the complicated undertaking. The prelate also thanked Philippines (NUJP) has It seems clear, for the journalists who continue called for courage as press example, that a priest to fight for the truth “amidst freedom is currently “under who has had a sexual the darkness”. siege”. relationship with a He particularly paid Suppress / A6 traumatized victim of abuse who comes to him Voters look for their names on a list outside a polling precincts in Manila on May 13, 2019. CBCP NEWS Bishop on rampant vote buying: for spiritual direction has committed a most grave CATHOLIC bishops elected them,” he said. not hide his frustration over ‘Disheartening’ offense, and should face urged the winners of this Allies of President the results of the senatorial the fullest measure of year’s midterm elections, Rodrigo Duterte are on their race. justice - civil and canonical. especially the country’s way to dominate the Senate The Catholic Bishops’ But can the same be said new senators, to live up race, partial results from Conference of the for a newly ordained priest to the expectations of the the May 14 polls showed. Philippines (CBCP) had who, while still coming electorate. The prelate said this earlier appealed to voters into maturity, kisses a Bishop Ruperto Santos of only showed that many to preserve checks and parishioner with whom Balanga hopes that elected people still place their trust balances in the government. he is friends in a moment officials will “truly” work for and future to the Duterte The bishops warned that of indiscretion, after they the service of the people, administration. in the country today, such both have a few drinks, and not for certain person or “Our people has spoken. system in governance are then immediately puts a political party. It is their will, and we have being “undermined”. stop to things? “It is our prayer and hope to respect it,” Bishop Santos So far, they said, the Both are serious offenses that they will not fail us, nor said. Senate is the government that impact the good of fail us again,” said Santos, “We appeal that we all institution that is holding souls and the public good. who chairs the bishops’ work together for peace and out “as our country is A voter is helped by an election worker as he casts his vote during mid-term polls In both situations, the in Manila on May 13, 2019. CBCP NEWS Commission on Migrants prosperity of our country, inching out towards total other party was impaired and Itinerant People. for better and improved control”. A CATHOLIC bishop Bishop Gerardo Alminaza in some way, and could “Given a fresh mandate, lives of our people,” he For Bishop Bastes, has expressed displeasure of San Carlos noted that seem to meet the definition let us pray they will live up added. the outcome was simply over the rampant and open while the elections were of vulnerability. Both to our expectations, and we Bishop Arturo Bastes of “very disappointing”. buying of votes during this generally peaceful, vote- Analysis / A6 will not be sorry we have Sorsogon, however, could (CBCPNews) year’s midterm elections. Rampant / A6 A2 WORLD NEWS May 13 - 26, 2019, Vol 23, No. 10 CBCP Monitor Vatican Briefing EWTN to launch African news agency Pope invites young people to pledge to build a new economy Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs around the world to help create a “new and courageous culture” that finds new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment. “We need to correct models of growth incapable of guaranteeing respect for the environment, openness to life, concern for the family, social equality, the dignity of workers and the rights of future generations,” the pope said in a letter inviting young people to take part in a new initiative. The initiative, to be launched at an event in Assisi March 26-28, 2020, invites young men and women studying or working in the field of economics or business to join the pope and “enter into a ‘covenant’ to change today’s economy and to give a soul to the economy of tomorrow.” (Carol Glatz/CNS) Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests The priesthood is not a “cultural association or a union,” but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ’s mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.