VOLUME 20, NUMBER 2, JANUARY 25, 2016 No campaigning IN THIS ISSUE: in IEC, politicians told Msgr. Joseph Tan, executive secretary of the IEC New York blizzard strands Communications Department. IEC CEBU City, Jan 24, 2016--Politicians are IEC speaker, delegates, A3 welcome to attend the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here, but only as “pilgrims. The week-long IEC, which is expected Papal legate Cardinal Bo to draw 12,000 participants, is open to all to visit Cebu prison, A3 but is not an occasion for electioneering, said Msgr. Joseph Tan, executive secretary of the IEC Communications Department. “Although the IEC is open to every- IEC speaker to celebrate body, including politicians, we want to make sure that we will not change the Traditional Latin Mass, A2 IEC to become some kind of a political event for one party or the other, or one candidate or the other,” the priest said in a press briefing this morning at the IEC Pavilion. “Of course we expect … some of the people running for office to be present, but they will be treated like any other person, as pilgrims,” explained Tan. “We are open to their presence but rest assured that this will not become a plat- form for their electioneering,” he added. The IEC, a major religious event that promotes the centrality of the Eucharist in Christian life, features daily celebra- tions of the Holy Mass as well as cat- echetical talks. The theme of the 51st IEC The Catholic Church in is “Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory,” the Philippines: A Brief Myanmar Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Papal Legate to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, kisses an image of the Sto. Niño taken from Colossians 1:27. upon his arrival at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. SAMMY NAVAJA Two celebrations of the Eucharist Historical Overview, A7 will serve as the high points of the 51st IEC — the opening Mass at the Plaza Independencia signalling the start of the Essential movements in quadrennial congress today, Jan. 24, and the Statio Orbis (“The World Stops”) or the Eucharist, A6 ‘Eucharist calls for Misa ng Mundo at the South Road Prop- erties on Jan. 31. Both Masses will be led by Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Cardinal Bo, the papal legate or Pope Francis’ WWIII vs poverty, personal representative to the 51st IEC. (CBCP News) Non-Catholic admires cruelty’ – Papal rep IEC pilgrims’ faith By Felipe Francisco said the Eucharist, if lived out by the faithful CEBU City, Jan. 24, 2015 – If only especially beyond the four walls of the IEC because of the Rosary hanging on his pavilion, could help uplift the poor. CEBU City -- The Eucharist calls rear-view window, one would assume “This calls for a commitment to a world of for a “third world war” against taxi driver Richard Hijapon is a Catholic. justice. The Eucharist calls for a third world poverty and cruelty, said the Holy He is not. war, a third world war against poverty … a third While he has been member of the Father’s personal representative world war against a world that produces more Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church to the 51st International Eucha- weapons while more than half a billion don’t since birth—and an active one at that—he ristic Congress (IEC), which of- have enough food,” explained the Myanmar has enormous respect for Catholics who prelate. ficially kicked off yesterday. are sincere about their faith, especially Delivering a powerful homily at the Open- The Eucharist and poverty are inseparable, the delegates of the 51st International ing Mass of the 51st IEC, Papal Legate Charles he said. “The Eucharist is a beacon of human Eucharistic Congress (IEC). Maung Cardinal Bo, the Archbishop of Yan- dignity for the poor. No other religion elevates gon, emphasized the social dimension of the the poor to this level.” Catholic friends Eucharist, calling on IEC delegates to reach ‘Nation of unparalleled beauty’ “No. I’m not the kind who passes out to the poor. The Myanmar prelate also praised Filipinos, judgement on people who happen to be- Bo described widespread malnutrition and the Cebuanos in particular, for their warm wel- lieve differently from me,” he stressed in starvation in the world as “mass genocide,” and Poverty, A6 Filipino, as he drove past the Minor Ba- silica of the Santo Niño, the birthplace of Catholic Christianity in the Philippines. In fact, the 26-year old soon-to-be- ‘Happy’ to be in Cebu, married counts among his many good friends no less than a priest, Fr. Ben Al- forque of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). “I’m happy that I’m able to meet Catho- says Cardinal Bo lics who are kind and who practice what they preach,” he added. CEBU City Jan. 24, 2016--Yan- ‘Shy and afraid’ Catholics are a minority and The church Hijapon had lately been gon Archbishop Charles Car- Among the high-ranking that he feels “shy and afraid” picking up passengers from is near Plaza dinal Maung Bo of Myanmar, Church officials who joined being the Pope’s official IEC Independencia, where pilgrims from all the prelate representing Pope in welcoming the papal leg- representative. over the world flocked Sunday to take Francis to the 51st Internation- ate were Cebu Archbishop part in the opening Mass of the week- al Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Jose Palma; his predecessor, ‘Dako ang kalipay’ long religious gathering. which the city is hosting, had retired Cebu Archbishop Ri- As papal legate, Bo has or- his first taste of Cebuano hos- cardo Cardinal Vidal; Cotabato ders to act on behalf of the Holy More similar than different pitality on Sunday as he was Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Father in the duration of the According to him, he would rather fo- welcomed by local Catholics, Quevedo; Manila Archbish- weeklong congress. cus on what is common between the two members of the local clergy, op Luis Antonio G. Cardinal On entering the Cathedral Christian groups like the Holy Trinity than and pilgrims from all over the Tagle; Archbishop Giuseppe grounds, the Burmese cardinal on what separates them world into the Cebu Metropoli- Pinto, apostolic nuncio to the watched a minutes-long per- “If Catholics believe that God is three tan Cathedral. Philippines; Archbishop Piero formance of Cebuano students Persons, we also do,” he shared. “Pit Senyor! Maayong buntag Marini, president of the Pon- in what appeared to be angel Hijapon went on to express admiration sa inyong tanan. Pit Senyor! tifical Committee for Interna- costumes dancing to festive for Catholics and those of other religions Magandang umaga sa inyong tional Eucharistic Congresses, music along with a young who take time off their busy routine to lahat [Pit Senyor! Good morning and others. woman carrying an image of worship God. to all of you],” he said, greeting In a short speech, the 67- the Santo Niño (Holy Child). “It is important that we find time to welcomers back in a combina- year old told the faithful that “Thank you very much for spend with the Lord. We always think of tion of Cebuano and Tagalog. he came from a country where Happy, A6 Pilgrims, A6 A2 NEWS January 25, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 2 CBCP Monitor Pope may deliver live IEC offers free shuttle for delegates CEBU City, Jan. 24, 2016--Thousands New buses, new experiences of people participating in the 51st Eu- According to Rayniel Rubilla, a charistic Congress can avail of the free transportation team volunteer from shuttle service when going to various Leyte, some of the buses are new and message to 51st IEC IEC venues throughout the congress. were specially bought for the IEC. Organizers have prepared nu- “Some of these are new buses, es- merous shuttle services for free at pecially for the IEC; some came from designated bus pick-up and drop-off Bacolod,” said Rubilla in Filipino. points for those who can present their “Since it’s the first ride, I was ner- IEC IDs. vous at first, but so far it’s a wonderful experience,” he added. Safe and convenient IEC trips “[It] was a very convenient ride, For the convenience and safety of very organized and fitting, really,” the IEC delegates, helpers, and other said Sister Dolores Tan from the participating parties, volunteer trans- Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of portation teams, and PNO officers Jesus, recounting her passenger ex- accompany each trip. perience. “In every bus, there are designated “We encountered a very accom- officers chosen to assist,” said SPO2 modating volunteer who became our Jose Yamasaki Repompo in Filipino. ‘instant tourist’ guide within the trip According to the organizers, the too,” she added. buses are readily available when The first trip of the IEC shuttles there is the need to be transported navigated from the IEC Pavilion from one IEC venue to another. to Plaza Independencia where the Also, if a delegate can present his Opening Mass was held and this IEC ID and happens to be within the free transportation will be available bus routes, he can hail the shuttle during the weeklong IEC. (Chrixy anytime. Paguirigan / CBCP News) Pope Francis (center). ROY LAGARDE CEBU City, Jan. 24, 2016--Pope moting the centrality of the Holy Cebu event an “experience of a Francis is expected to give a Eucharist in Christian life, is a lifetime.” message to the participants of “spillover of grace” from the 2015 Bishop Vergara said the IEC IEC speaker to celebrate the 51st International Eucha- papal visit, Bishop Vergara said. was an occasion for Catholics ristic Congress (IEC), which is Some 12,000 pilgrims are to reaffirm the Second Vatican set to open this afternoon in expected to flock to various IEC Council’s proclamation of the Cebu City.