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Month: April 2021

Christians and Muslims: Witnesses of Hope

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

Message for the Month of Ramadan and ‘Id Al-Fitr
1442 H. / 2021 A.D.
Vatican City

Muslims gather inside the Great Mosque in Paris during a meeting with French Muslims authority to determine the start of the Ramadan in Paris  (ANSA)

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

 We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity.

 During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity. 

 The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.

 As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent.

 Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them.

 Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect.

 Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope.

 We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters.

 In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope.  There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55).

We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair.

 As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.

From the Vatican, 29 March 2021

Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ
President

Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage
Secretary

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
00120 Vatican City
Tel.: +39.06.6988 4321
Fax: +39.06.6988 4494
E-mail: dialogo@interrel.va http://www.pcinterreligious.org/

PMPI Statement on Executive Order re. Moratorium for New Mining Contracts

This recent backtracking of President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte and his administration on mining prove that indeed his past pronouncements and posturing as pro-environment is nothing but lip service.

The reasons for the amendment are unsubstantial and flawed.  One, with regards to its claim that will add to the needed revenue and will generate jobs:

WE believe that mining is NOT a significant and sustainable job generating industry. One, with regards to its claim that it will  add to the needed revenue and will generate jobs, this sector has been consistently employing below 1% percent of the Philippine’s total employment from 2013 – 2018 (See Table 1. Data on Employment – Mining and Quarrying from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 2013 – 2019).

Poverty incidence in host mining provinces is high. The DENR, along with the Department of Finance, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, and their apologetics have come to conclude that mining contributes to poverty alleviation. Looking into the poverty incidence among families for the year 2015 based on regional Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold among prominent mining regions MIMAROPA, CARAGA, Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula (ZAMPEN), Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN, and Region V Bicol in relation to the national Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, we can deduce that mining operations within these regions does not necessarily help in alleviating poverty (See Table 2 below).

WE believe that the Philippine mining sector does not contribute to government revenue. A review of the Philippine government’s revenue from mining from National Government Revenues – Tax Revenues (treasury.gov.ph) and that of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Mining Industry Data 2013 – 2018 show the Philippine Mining industry is, was, and forever shall be, an export-oriented industry geared towards serving foreign countries need for raw and semi-processed minerals which means, the argument that it can support the needs of this government’s Build, Build, Build program is posited on a false idea that we manufacture our own steel and other metallic minerals into infrastructure components (See Table 3 below).

Worse, the share of the Philippine mining sector to the economy has yet to surpass the 2% share to the country’s total revenue! (See Table 3 Percentage share of Philippine Mining Sector to Philippine Export, and Government Revenue from Taxes, Fees, and Royalties in millions of Php).

Moreover, the EO is deceitful. We doubt that the second amendment in the new Order requiring strict implementation of Mine Safety and Environmental Policies will be implemented and just an icing to the cake to douse off cold water to oppositions and challenges it will meet.

We do not believe that the current policies will safeguard the rights of communities, and the integrity of their environment against the onslaught of foreign-capitalized large-scale mining.  Our communities are witness to this. Among those that suffer the most  from irresponsible large-scale mining corporations are communities of Marinduque, Rapu-rapu Island in Albay, and Manicani Island of Eastern Samar. These communities up to this moment bear witness to the scars and poison of open-pit mining – Marcopper Mining Tragedy of 1996 poisoned the Boac River and the communities living within the area; the un-rehabilitated mine site of Manicani Island despite Hinatuan Mining Corporations’ expired mining contract; and worse, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the DENR has approved its mining contract in the past without Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan per mandated by law.

We find the current government is insensitive and oblivious to the current situation of the world confronted with the environmental and ecological crisis.

WE are in the midst of a Climate Crisis. Based on the 2018 Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines was ranked second among the world’s most vulnerable in terms of the weather-related loss such as floods, storms, and heatwaves (Global Climate Risk Index, 2020). Opening-up new mines in rural areas put them at greater risk on the impacts of climate change. This is a scientific fact, neglected by the DENR and Office of the President when it imprinted its imprimatur on Executive Order 130.

This  insensible decision by this administration makes clearer the government’s priorities and for whom is its promised development directed to. Mining industry has contributed greatly to the loss of biodiversity and this decreases natural and human resilience against impacts of climate changes such as drought, rising sea level and strong Typhoons such as Yolanda which devastated Eastern Samar back in 2013. The loss of forest covers leads to lessened ability for carbon sequestration and oxygen production, which are important to stabilize and balance climate changes. Wild animals being forced to move out due to habitat loss by mining bear the consequences that could reach catastrophic heights such as more zoonotic diseases like the COVID-19 pandemic. All these consequences will only have the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sector of the Filipino people bear the brunt of this questionable economic development.

We deplore this new destructive measure disguising as a move to favor development of people.  This measure is short-sighted and fails to reflect on its longstanding impact to our ecosystem and people. There is a firm need for the government, especially environmental agencies, to properly recognize the intersectionality of social and environmental issues anchored in exploitation of nature.

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Silsilah Message on the occasion of Ramadan 2021

Following a long tradition of Silsilah to send a message to the Christians during Advent and  Christmas time and to the Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, we address now this message to the Muslim Umma to renew the “chain” (Silsilah) of friendship , love and solidarity especially in this time when the world suffers most due to COVID19 and other forms of calamities that urges us to remember that we are together part of the same human family, as one “Human Fraternity”. 

With joy, we know that this concept of “Human Fraternity” has been reaffirmed in Abu Dhabi in the historical document signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-azhar University, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on February 4, 2019 and recalled by Pope Francis in Iraq this year 2021.

Meanwhile, we are happy of some positive developments of friendship and solidarity among Christians and Muslims around the world and in the Philippines. We cannot ignore situations of violent extremism and terrorism that, in recent times, are done especially by groups who claim to be Muslims guided by their religious beliefs. We know that this situation makes most of the Muslim brothers and sisters very sad also in the Philippines.

In this context, the Christians in the Philippines who, this year, remember the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines cannot ignore that along the years also some Christians have used violence in the name of their faith. That was a historical time that Christians have to remember with sorrow renewing the spirit of friendship proposed by the document of Vatican II, Nostra Aetate, that tell us: 

“Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom. (NA 3)

Yes, we are invited to “forget” but also to “remember” that we cannot repeat mistakes of the past and even of the present done by those who use violence, especially justified by any religious motivation. Thus, we invite all to face the future with hope as Pope Francis is doing, as well as other good leaders of different religions are doing. 

Silsilah, this year, in the spirit of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines will conduct online the 35th Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines- Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue (CBCP-ECID) on “LOVE AND HATE IN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM: How to Transform Hate to Love and be an Instrument of Peace in the midst of Violent Extremism and Terrorism” (For more details, you may visit, www.silsilahdialogue.com).

We know that also some Muslims in the Philippines are celebrating with pride their faith from the time Christians arrived in this part of the world. Meanwhile, Christians and Muslims celebrate with “pride” their faith, we encourage all not to forget the mistakes of the past to build a better relation as part of the same, “Human Fraternity”.

May all of us continue to live with joy, our faith but also live with humility convinced that faith is, first of all, a grace of God to be nurtured with prayer and penance. We are called to accept and respect the plurality of religions and we are invited to pray:

“O Lord, sustain my vision of peace Following Your inspiration,
You have many ways of revealing Your
Presence and love for humanity,
But Your style is constant,
You are in dialogue with all, You care for all.”

(a part of the Harmony Prayer) Silsilah Dialogue Movement

Philippine diocese launches prayer app for Covid patients

‘E-Pray’ allows people in isolation to access spiritual guidance from priests during testing times

Joseph Peter Calleja, Manila
April 10, 2021

Novaliches Diocese in Manila has launched an app that allows people to connect with clergymen for spiritual accompaniment during their Covid-19 isolation. (Photo: Unsplash)

A diocese in the Philippines has launched an application called “E-Pray” that allows people to connect with clergymen for spiritual accompaniment during their Covid-19 isolation.

Novaliches Diocese in Manila said the app was developed by its social communications ministry in response to a recent spike in Covid cases in the Philippine capital.

On April 7, the Philippines had recorded a total of 819,164 Covid-19 cases with 14,059 deaths since the pandemic began. On that day alone, 6,414 new cases and 242 deaths were also recorded, down from a peak of 11,020 new cases earlier in the week.

“With this E-Pray app, Covid patients can communicate with our diocese for spiritual announcement on social media. It’s a free web application where patients can type in their contact details so that priests can get in touch with them.

The diocese said communication is key to lessening the stress and anxiety felt by Covid patients.

“The pandemic has prevented churchgoers from accessing their priests and has deprived them of their spiritual life. During times when we feel like we are about to surrender, the presence of a priest is very important for guidance,” said Father Luciano Felloni, the diocese’s social communications director.

He said the internet must be maximized for the Catholic Church’s mission to be more alive and active during the pandemic.

“The problem [for sick Catholics] is that there is no direct contact because priests are not allowed to enter hospitals and quarantine facilities,” the priest added.

Father Filoni said one of the essential things for a sick person is faith in God.

Although clergymen cannot hear confession with the app, they can use it to pray for and with the sick, he said.the app, they can use it to pray for and with the sick, he said.

“We cannot offer at this point anointing of the sick … we also can’t offer confession. But what we can offer them is a priest to pray over and to guide them as they journey to recovery,” Father Felloni added.

Novaliches Diocese has assured the sick can reach a priest at any time — day or night.

“The platform will be manned by a number of volunteers who will put a sick person through to an available priest. We have enough priests and volunteers to make this work,” the diocese said.

Father Felloni said more than 30 clergymen have volunteered for the project, including one from New York in the United States. “Let’s not allow any single patient to go without prayer, to go without being blessed by a priest. Let’s help in our little and very simple way. Let us help with the grace of prayer,” he added.

UCAN News

Filipinos seek deliverance on Divine Mercy Sunday

Duterte opponents organize Mass to highlight woes caused or made worse by Duterte administration

Joseph Peter Calleja
Manila | April 12, 2021

Father Danny Pilario prays for the soul of an extrajudicial killing victim in Payatas, Manila, in this file photo. (Photo courtesy of Father Pilario)

A group of Catholics in the Philippines celebrated the feast of Divine Mercy in an online anticipated Mass on April 10 to pray for healthcare workers, coronavirus patients and victims of extrajudicial killings.

The Mass was organized by 1Sambayan, a coalition of political and national groups opposed to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Their aim was to present to Filipinos what they said were dire problems gripping the nation caused by the incompetence of the Duterte administration.

The Eucharist was presided over by Jesuit Father Albert Alejo together with Divine Word Society Father Flavie Villanueva, Vincentian Father Danny Pilario and Father Robert Reyes, all staunch critics of the president’s deadly war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives in recent years.

Father Reyes read the Gospel while Father Pilario gave the reflection.

Father Villanueva delivered the Prayers of the Faithful together with the homeless of Saint Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, a refuge that feeds Manila’s homeless.

“We have a saying that if there is suffering, there is the mercy of God. That mercy of God is called divine mercy. Today, we seek God’s mercy, especially when we are in a desperate situation like this pandemic,” Father Alejo said at the Mass.

Every Catholic in the Philippines must seek and beg for divine mercy like those whose loved ones died because of Covid-19, those who lost their jobs, and those with mental health problems and depression, he said.

“Everyone has deep questions today, they are deep that there are no immediate answers … Let us remember today those who died [in extrajudicial killings] because they died out of man’s cruelty and lack of mercy,” Father Alejo added.

In his homily, Vincentian priest Father Pilario said Filipinos could be the modern-day “doubting Thomas” for finding difficulty in believing in Jesus’ resurrection.

“We cannot blame the modern-day doubting Thomas. With the number of corpses in crematoriums here in Manila or in hospital morgues, we too can ask — Where is the resurrection?” Father Pilario said in his homily.

He said Jesus understood why Thomas doubted his resurrection.

Like many Filipinos suffering, it was difficult to believe in the midst of anxiety, fear and anger, Father Pilario said.

He recalled his missionary work in Payatas, Manila’s biggest dumpsite and an area that has seen many killings in Duterte’s drug war.

“While in Payatas [dumpsite], I saw chicks on top of the casket of a victim of an extrajudicial killing. I asked the mother why they had put a chick on the glass of the coffin. The mother replied that while the chick pecks at the glass … it also does so to his killers’ conscience.”

UCAN News

Pontifical Council for Culture Newsletter, N. 35 (March 25, 2021)

What’s happening at the Pontifical Council for Culture?

Dante – Candor Lucis Aeternae

The Holy Father has released a new apostolic letter Candor Lucis Aeternae on Dante, “prophet of hope.” Our Dante committee has been involved in organizing a number of initiatives for the 7th centenary of the death of Dante Alighieri (Florence, 1265 – Ravenna, 1321). These include: 

  • Travel with Dante – a virtual exhibition curated by the Apostolic Library (video) (link)
  • Dante in the Vatican Museums – education pack
  • Florence, May 28, Lecture by Cardinal Ravasi on Dante’s Theology: A l’etterno dal tempo (Paradiso XXXI, 38)
  • In June, Dante in the Catacombs – readings with actors Verdone, Buy, Brilli & Haber 
  • Ravenna, Sept. 12, Mass and Conference by Cardinal Ravasi to close the Dante year
  • Rome, Nov. 25-26, International Conference on Dante and Eschatology, University “Roma Tre”

Articles by Cardinal Ravasi presenting the apostolic letter may be found here: L’Osservatore Romano; Corriere della Sera, others. The composition of our own Dante committee is listed here. 

Fratelli Tutti – Faith and Culture

The latest edition of our Journal – currently at the publishers – offers a number of responses from cultural perspectives to Fratelli Tutti. The same encyclical on fraternity and social friendship was the subject of a high level conversation, March 10, sponsored by the Dicastery exploring the foundations of a more humane economics, politics and culture, featuring Pankaj Mishra, Marilynne Robinson and Michael Sandel, moderated by Paul Elie (video here). And on March 3 our Women’s Consultation Group held a session of the webinar series “Women Read Pope Francis” with ecumenical and interreligious angles on the encyclical (video here). 

The themes of Youth culture continue to interest the dicastery and the first of a series of youthful interviews of writers on storytelling, with Silvia Avallone, has now been published on YouTube. As is customary, we also followed the Sanremo Music Festival, whose youngest singer composed a critically acclaimed, challenging piece about change, meaning and identity: “My voice will be the only thing left of me” (Voce, Madame). The hashtags of #Sanremo2021 sat uneasily but necessarily next to #PopeInIraq. And young refugee athlete Gerald Mballe featured in our Sport in the Service of Humanity’s podcast series Live Like You Play. 

The Courtyard of the Gentiles, in partnership with the national newspaper Il Corriere, presented, Feb. 22, the volume prepared by its scientific advisory board “Pandemia e resilienza” with Giuliano Amato, Ugo Amaldi, Laura Palazzani.

Visits are currently limited due to covid, but among those that have occurred: an intercultural and interreligious visit from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation (pictured), sponsors of restoration work in the Roman catacombs, and one from AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del farmaco) to consider the ethical, cultural and social aspects of healthcare. 

Cultural Heritage: Some 350 responses have arrived in response to the questionnaire sent to religious congregations concerning management of their cultural heritage. This material is now being studied and will be presented in the context of our International Conference “Charism & Creativity”, which has now been moved to May 4-5, 2022. See this interview by Cardinal Ravasi to Il Giornale dell’Architettura (English – Italian).

Activities of the Superiors

  • Several of the superiors made interventions at the 16º Encuentro de Centros de Cultura on “Vocación al amor y la utopía de lo neutro” held in Puebla, Mexico, and online 23-25 Feb.
  • Cardinal Ravasi met, among others, with our member Cardinal Porras Cardoza, new consultors Alessandra Talamo and Antonella Sciarrone, the ambassador of North Macedonia to the Holy See and the German Ambassador to the Quirinale. Together with his work on Dante (see above) he granted a broad-ranging interview to Il Giornale’s Serena Sartini on the activities of the dicastery at the end of the first year of the pandemic (link).
  • Bishop Paul Tighe spoke at a session organized by COMECE on Education and Culture and to an International Women’s Day event organized by the Australian Embassy (link). 
  • Undersecretary Sanchez de Toca spoke at the XIII Seminar on Sports management, FGV di Rio, and at a Seminar on Women in Sports Leadership in collaboration with FIFA.

On the horizon:

  1. April 28, 2021: Courtyard of the Gentiles on Democracy at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See, with the Minister for Justice, Marta Cartabia
  2. May 6-8, 2021: Fifth International #UniteToCure Conference, Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul – How Innovation and Novel Delivery Systems Improve Human Health, Vatican/Online
  3. May 28, 2021: Lecture by Cardinal Ravasi on Dante’s Theology: A l’etterno dal tempo (Paradiso XXXI, 38), Basilica of the Holy Cross, Florence
  4. Sept. 12, 2021: Closure of Dante Year, Conference by Cardinal Ravasi, Ravenna
  5. From Oct. 2021 to March 2022: Participation at Expo Dubai
  6. Nov. 10-13, 2021: Plenary Assembly, Rethinking Anthropology at a Time of Transition, Rome
  7. Nov. 25-26, 2021: International Dante Conference, Università Roma Tre, Rome
  8. May 4-5, 2022: Charisms and Creativity. Cultural Heritage Conference, Rome

For further info about these stories see our review Cultures and Faith, 
our website www.cultura.va and social media

New Manila archbishop to maintain ‘open line’ with presidential palace

Cardinal Jose Advincula said protecting human rights will be one of his key missions

LiCAS News
Jose Torres Jr.  |  April 1, 2021

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Capiz watches the livestream broadcast of the consistory at his residence in Roxas City on Nov. 28, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Casac via CBCP News)

The new archbishop of Manila said he will maintain “an open line of communication” with the presidential palace despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated attack on the Catholic Church.

“I foresee to maintain an open line of communication with [the presidential palace],” said Cardinal Jose Advincula, new archbishop of Manila, in a recorded interview released to media on March 31.

The cardinal, who was appointed by Pope Francis on March 25, said protecting human rights will be one of his key missions in the archdiocese.

When he was named cardinal by Pope Francis in October last year, Cardinal Advincula said protecting human rights must be at the heart of the Church’s mission.

“The Church has to see to it that the human dignity and the human rights of the people are respected,” he said.

Human rights groups has characterized the Duterte administration with widespread abuses, including extrajudicial killings and a climate of impunity.

A report released by the UN Human Rights Office in June 2020 noted what it described as “widespread and systematic killing of thousands of alleged drug suspects.”

It also cited the alleged killings of “numerous human rights defenders” over the past five years.

In January this year, Cardinal Advincula led seven other bishops from the central Philippines in condemning the killing of nine indigenous peoples during a series of police raids in the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo.

The cardinal admitted that he felt fear over his new mission in a highly-urbanized archdiocese. “I know my inadequacies and I believe Manila is a very challenging archdiocese,” said the cardinal.

“But I continue trusting in the grace of God and in the help also of the people who would be around me,” he added.

When asked if he would follow the style of the late Cardinal Jaime Sin, former prelate of Manila and a vocal critic of the government, Cardinal Advincula said: “Cardinal Sin is Cardinal Sin.”

“I am afraid I could not be as vocal as Cardinal Sin,” he said, admitting that the former prelate of Manila was his Latin teacher in the seminary.

Cardinal-designate Jose Advincula of Capiz. (Photo from Capiz Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate)

About the killings, mostly in the national capital, in the past five years, the cardinal said several bishops “have already spoken a lot on this matter, on this issue, and I think the government is trying its best to address the COVID-19 problem.”

He said his primary role is to tend to his flock, saying “I am still a shepherd.” The archbishop said he will “try to concentrate on the pastoral life of the people in Manila.”

“I want to look at first the situation in the entire archdiocese … because a shepherd, I believe, can be more effective in addressing the needs of the people if he knows the real situation or the condition of his flock,” said the cardinal.

Born on March 30, 1952, in Capiz, Cardinal Advincula was ordained priest in 1976. He was appointed bishop of San Carlos in 2001 and archbishop of Capiz in 2011.

In October 2020, Pope Francis name the prelate of Capiz a cardinal, the ninth in the Philippines following Cardinals Orlando Quevedo, Tagle, Gaudencio Rosales, Jose Sanchez, Ricardo Vidal, Jaime Sin, Julio Rosales, and Rufino Santos.

The 69-year prelate has been the second Filipino named by Pope Francis as cardinal after Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the 81-year-old archbishop emeritus of Cotabato.

Coming from a lesser-known diocese, Cardinal Advincula admitted he was surprised by his appointment to the College of Cardinals.

“This might be a way the Holy Father wants to convey to the people the presence of the Church in the peripheries,” he said.

“I always thought that the Church has to be closer to the people, especially those that are in the peripheries,” he added.

Misyon ng pakiki-isa sa mga manggagawa, tungo sa Simbahan ng mga Dukha

Hands off Otto De Vries! Hands off EILER! — The Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN)

Misyon bilang lay-missionary | Otto de Vries

Bilang isang lay-missionary mula sa Diocese ng Rotterdam sa Netherlands, dumating ako sa Pilipinas noong 1991 mula sa imbitasyon ni Bishop Labayen ng Prelature of Infanta. Naka-udyok sa akin ang apila ni Bishop na isabuhay ang Simbahan ng mga Dukha sa aking misyon na lumubog sa araw-araw na realidad ng mga manggagawa. Bilang kasapi ng Calama, sumapi ako sa kanilang grupo sa Pasig.

Sa higit sa 20 taon namuhay ako sa isang maralitang komunidad sa Lungsod ng Pasig. Ang karanasan ko sa  hanay ng mga maralitang lungsod at uring manggagawang Pilipino ay nagmulat sa akin sa realidad ng kanilang kalagayan. Matapos makumpleto ang isang kurso sa Tagalog at kurso para sa mga welder, nagtrabaho ako bilang welder at bilang structural fitter sa unang 10 taon ng aking pamamalagi. Naranasan ko ang realidad na kinakaharap ng mga manggagawa na kumikita ng wala pa sa minimum na sahod, bilang isang kontraktwal na manggagawa sa ilalim ng isang kontrata na wala pang anim na buwan ang itatagal at walang kasiguradihan ng renewal. Sa loob ng tatlong taon ay nagtrabaho ako sa maintenance ng isang pagawaan ng bakal, una sa ilalim ng isang ahensiya, at kalaunan ay bilang direct hire. Nagtangka ang mga kapwa ko manggagawa na magtayo ng unyon ngunit nagsara ang pagawaan.

Nang matapos ko ang isang bokasyunal na kurso sa electricity sa Salesian brothers of Don Bosco sa Tondo noong 2000, nagtrabaho ako bilang electrician para sa iba’t-ibang subcontractor at noong 10 taon sa isang electrical na subcontractor sa mga malalaking construction project. Naranasan ko ang masaklap na kalagayan sa paggawa ng mga manggagawa sa construction. Nakakaligtaan ang mga batayang karapatan sa paggawa tulad ng minimum wage, security of tenure, ligtas na paggawa. Dagdag pa, ang kakulangan ng kagamitan ay lalong nagpapahirap sa trabaho at lalong nagiging mapanganib. Habang ibinabahagi namin sa isa’t-isa ang mga karanasan na iyon, nakumbinsi akong itala sa isang pananaliksik ang mga kalagayan sa paggawa sa iba’t-ibang subcontractor, laluna sa huling proyekto na pinagtrabahuhan ko. Kongkretong ipinakita ng pananaliksik ang lumalalang kalagayan sa paggawa sa kada antas ng subcontracting. Ilan sa mga kaibigan ko ang umudyok sa akin na ibahagi ang aking mga pagtingin sa Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research o EILER, bilang isang mahusay na research NGO na kilala ng maraming manggagawa at unyonista.

Sa kasabay na panahon, naging regular ang pagbisita ko sa isang piket ng mga kababaihang manggagawa ng kasuotan. Nakatulong ito para maunawaan ko ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa at ang kanilang kolektibong pagkilos para makamit ang kanilang karapatan. Pinabayaan ng management ang lehitimong panawagan ng mga manggagawa at basta na lamang sinara ang pabrika. Sa pamamagitan ng paglubog sa mga manggagawa, naunawaan ko kung gaano ka lala ang pagsasamantala sa industriya ng kasuotan.

Dahil sa matibay na pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa, tumagal ng isang dekada ang piket. May ilan sa mga manggagawa ang doon na mismo sa piket nagtayo ng pamilya. Dahil nakikabit sila para magkakuryente, nagkaroon ng ilaw sa piket at maaari na rin silang makapagluto. Bilang electrician, tumulong ako sa mga pagsasa-ayos. Nanalo sila sa kanilang kaso matapos ang 6 na taon, ngunit ni hindi sila binayaran kahit isang sentimo. Saka, ilang tangka ng mga awtoridad na binuwag ang piket, noong huling 2 taon iniwanan na lang ang toldang piket. Matapos ang pang-anim tangka na buwagin ang piket, nagpasya kaming iwan ito. Kaya bago umalis, kasama ang dalawang manggagawa ay nagsalo kami sa aming “huling hapunan” na kanin at sardinas.

Maka-ilang ulit ding binisita ang piket ng mga grupong simbahan na sumusuporta sa kanila at nagnanais na lalo pang maunawaan ang punto-de-bista ng mga manggagawa. Ang suporta ng mga lokal na parokya ay batay sa pananaw ng pari. Ang pari sa aking parokya, si Msgr Pagulayan, ay napakabukas at bumisita sa piket upang makipag-usap sa mga manggagawa para maunawaan ang kalagayan nila.

Tungo sa Simbahan ng mga Dukha

Napakahalaga para misyon na gawin ito bilang isang grupo, bilang Calama. Ibinahagi namin sa isa’t-isa ang mga naging karanasan at ini-ugnay ito sa salita ng Diyos, na nagpalalim sa pagganyak ng bawat isa. Madalas naming ibinabahagi ang aming karanasan kay Bishop Labayen para sa kanyang pastoral na patnubay, at nagpatuloy sa kaniyang mga kahalili: sina bishop Tirona at Bernard Cortez ng Prelature. 

Pangunahing misyon naming sa Simbahan ay ang pormasyon ng mga seminarista at mga layko. Nag-aayos kami ng mga exposures para sa mga seminarista sa hanay ng mga manggagawa, kung saan, nang hindi inilalantad ang kanilang sarili bilang mga seminarista, ay nagaapply at nagtatrabaho bilang manggagawa, na nagmumulat sa kanila sa realidad ng kalagayan ng mga anak ng Diyos. Labis na napukaw si Father Joseph Buslon sa kaniyang paglubog sa mga manggagawa na ini-alay niya ang sarili sa pagtulong sa pagtatayo ng labor ministry matapos nitong maging pari. Kasama sa dedikasyon at panlipunang pagsisiyasat ng layko, nalaman ng diocese of Novaliches ang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa na naging batayan sa pagpapa-unlad ng labor ministry nito.

Noong 1987, ang Calama, sa ilalim ng gabay ni bishop Labayen, ay sumulat ng isang kontribusyon sa Synod sa Bokasyon at Misyon ng mga Layko. Sa kontribusyon na ito, binigyang diin ang tungkulin ng diakonia, ang paglilingkod ng simbahan sa lipunan bilang tungkulin ng layko ay sa pamamagitan ng pag-aambag sa pagtatayo ng lipunang makatarungan. Ang Social Teachings of the Church ay nagbibigay ng gabay sa kanilang pormasyon bilang layko. Dagdag pa, ang mga lokal, regional at pambansang forum ay naka-ambag sa pagbabahagi ng karanasan sa hanay ng mga layko. Naging bahagi ako ng mga pagtatangkang ito mula pa 2000. Bilang lay-group, ibinahagi namin ang aming karanasan sa lipunan at sa simbahan at pinalalim ang aming pag-unawa upang mailahad ang identidad at kontribusyon bilang layko.

Noong 2014, na-aksidente ako kung kaya hindi ko na maipapagpatuloy ang pagtatrabaho ko bilang electrician. Sa sumunod na taon, umugnay sa akin ang EILER sa batayan ng aking pananaliksik sa kalagayan sa paggawa ng mga subcontractor sa construction at inimbitahan ako na maging mananaliksik. Habang mas nakikilala ko ang EILER bilang isang institusyong ekumenikal para sa mga manggagawa, mas lalo akong nagkaroon ng pagpapahalaga sa ugnay ng Simabahan sa kilusang paggawa, at patuloy na isabuhay ang aking misyon sa hanay ng mga manggagawa. Nang maging parish priest si Father Ronald Macale ng St. Joseph Shrine kung saan nakapaloob ang EILER, ulit kaming nakipag-ugnayan katulad noon siya formator sa San Carlos seminary na nakipagsasa-ayos kami ng mga exposure para sa mga seminarista sa hanay ng mga manggagawa.

Matapos ang 30 taon, ang aking misyon ng pakiki-isa sa hanay ng mga manggagawa at pagtatayo ng Simabahan ng mga Dukha ay patitigil dahil sa kanselasyon ng aking visa. Inutusan akong umalis ng Pilipinas, na naging tahanan ko na sa loob ng 30 taon, dahil sa mga malisyosong bintang, at hindi man lang dumaan sa angkop na proseso. Taliwas sa mga akusasyon ng NICA, hindi gumagawa o sumusuporta sa teroristang mga gawain ang EILER o ako. Sa katunayan, naglilimbag ng mga pananaliksik at educational modules ang EILER batay sa katotohanan at kongkretong kalagayan ng mga manggagawa, at lumalaban para sa isang makatarungang lipunan. Isa lamang itong hakbang upang manakot sa mga lumalaban para sa batayang karapatan at panlipunang hustisya, at upang patigilin sila sa pakikibaka.

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