To all Laiko Members: National Lay Organizations & Diocesan Councils of the Laity
Dear Brothers & Sisters:
The peace & love of the Lord!
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ this Christmas, we are pleased to invite you to an online Advent Recollection on Saturday, December 3, 2022, 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
We have invited Fr. Jason Laguerta, Director of the Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Manila to facilitate the event with the theme: “Journeying Together as a People during the Advent Season”. Together let us prepare ourselves spiritually as we welcome His coming into our midst.
Kindly encourage all your members, family and friends to join this moment of grace, hope and thanksgiving.
Kindly register to join the Zoom room & be acknowledged. Please email: laiko_phils@yahoo.com.ph, messenger: Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas or Text: 0967- 4025652. The event is also live at the Facebook page of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas.
By CBCP News November 18, 2022 Manila, Philippines
The Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF), a network of 16 schools based in the Philippines, is holding the 3rd Jesus-Centered Life (JCL) International Conference this coming December 8.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, whose “ultimate purpose” according to St. Pope Paul VI is the universal call to holiness, the conference theme is “Holy and heroic: The courage to be Catholic”.
With over 30 years in his ministry, international speaker John Beaulieu from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in the US will speak on how Catholics can be heroically holy in their daily struggles.
An expert in youth evangelization, Beaulieu has worked in the Christian Outreach Office of the Franciscan University, and presently is its Director for Evangelization and Engagement.
In a recent press conference with Beaulieu, Dr. Raul Nidoy, and Danny Moran, the panel talked about how we can grow stronger and more courageous as we move on to the post-pandemic era.
“We are slowly going back to how our lives used to be, but it’s not as simple as we thought,” said PAREF Chair and President Danny Moran.
According to him, many changes and new challenges have occurred whether it be in the business sector or one’s own spiritual life.
Moran said it’s important to ask ourselves, “What are these difficulties, and how do we cope with all of these things? There has to be a lot of adjustments, but the bigger challenge is how we can be holy and heroic in this era.”
He suggested “beginning wherever we are– at home, in our daily lives, facing the situations that we encounter daily, whether it’s academic, athletic, or even professional, there has to be a lot of adjustments.”
Beaulieu stressed that despite the challenges and hardships presented by the post-pandemic era, people have to entrust their fears to the Lord, quoting Joseph Piper who once said, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
To do this, the conference speaker heavily encouraged the need to pray, read the Bible and frequent the Sacraments “to put us in contact with the living Word of God” as a means of entering Him.
“This is so important: receive the sacraments. They give grace to us and draw us closer to Christ,” Beaulieu said.
Warm greetings from Church people-Workers Solidarity (CWS)!
CWS is a decade-old non-profit, ecumenical organization in support of workers’ rights and welfare. Workers are among the hardest hit by the worsening economic crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and neoliberal policies that depress wages, destroy unions and attack workers. Our support has been carried out through our various programs including Education and Formation, Campaign and Advocacy, Welfare and Support Services and Networking. We are present in key cities in Metro Manila and in the Visayas.
As the year ends, CWS has endeavored to continue serving workers and farmworkers through four major activities this December:
CWS-National Capital Region Assembly on December 5
CWS-NCR will convene workers and church people to revive the NCR arm of CWS which was first launched on March 17, 2012. An expected 200 participants, mainly workers from key cities in NCR, as well as advocates from the church sector, are expected to attend. This assembly is timely because of the dehumanizing situation of the workers and their families.
Himamaylan, Negros Occidental Mercy Mission, December 14
Himamaylan has been under intense militarization since October, owing to state forces occupying, hamletting, and indiscriminately bombing rural communities under the guise of counter-insurgency programs. Farmers and farmworkers are slowly going back to their communities but face dire economic difficulties as their homes, crops, and animals have been destroyed. Reports state that they are under virtual military lockdowns and thus need support to allow for the entry of essentials such as food, medicine, and others.
CWS will be part of this endeavor together with other church people and faith-based organizations in Negros.
Paskuhan Para sa Manggagawa at ang kanilang Pamilya, December 26
Paskuhan para sa Manggagawa is a CWS Christmas activity for workers and their family. This year CWS plans to provide educational materials and toys to three hundred (300) children of workers in the communities under the parishes of San Pancracio in Grace Park, Kalookan City and Risen Christ in Balut, Tondo Manila, as well as workers of Regent Food Corporation in Pasig City who are on strike.
Once a week Kapihan/ Talakayan sa hanay ng Manggawa ng Tondo which will start in November 25, 2022
This activity is designed to reach out to the workers in Tondo specifically those working in Manila North Harbor Center which is composed of 16 piers and an international port and South Pier Harbor Center. All of these are owned by big tycoon billionaires, Ramon Ang and Enrique Razon. Low wages, contractualization and inhuman working conditions are some of the issues that should be addressed during the discussions.
This will be done every 7:30 am which is the time they are going home from work. This will be done in a parish near their workplace.
This Advent Season, we seek your generosity and kindness to bring simple cheers to our sister and brother workers who ironically, create the world’s wealth but are among those with least in life. Your support in the form of goods, toys, and financial resources will go a long way for any of these activities. These will surely bring happiness and smiles to the children of the workers.
You can send your donations through the BPI Kamuning Savings Bank account name Churchpeople-Workers Solidarity, Inc. and account # 3143-4239-39. Kindly advise us if you have deposited your donation so we can gladly acknowledge your support. For donations in kind such as educational toys and other gifts and items for the children, you can indicate the address where we can pick up the said items or you can bring these to this address, Bukal Center, ICM District House, 61, Banawe Street, 1114 Quezon City.
A climate activist sits near banners demanding protection of human rights, climate reparations, and countries’ adherence to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, during the COP27 climate conference in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov 18. (Photo: AFP)
UCANews November 21, 2022 Crossing the Line Father Shay Cullen, MSSC
This year, instead of buying a cut tree for Christmas, plant one instead
COP27, the environmental conference on climate crises that concluded in Egypt last week, heard the voice of the Catholic Church calling for climate justice and restitution payments for the loss and damage caused by the industrial nations against the poor. Many in the hard-hearted rich industrial countries refuse to admit and accept their responsibility and liability for causing the climate crises.
These are the powerful hidden forces of industry that capture government departments and compromise and bribe politicians and bend them to their will. Their will is for all to deny that there is a climate crisis and leave the world as it is, consuming fossil fuel non-stop.
The planet is heading for a cliff at full speed, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, with the deniers and obstructers’ foot hard down on the accelerator. The tipping point of no return will soon be reached when the heating cycle of the planet continues indefinitely. Life on earth will be unbearable for creatures, plants and humans, the experts say.Ucan Store
Paying reparations for harm being done to poor nations is an urgent matter of conscience, according to Archbishop Nicolas Thévenin, Apostolic Nuncio to Egypt and deputy head of the Holy See’s delegation. He said that the rich industrial nations must pay compensation for polluting the planet and damaging the lives and environment of everyone else. In rather undiplomatic words, the rich countries must stand up and pay up.
“All humans have to save the environment and the planet from the destructive forces of irresponsible governments and industry”
“It is imperative that we build bridges of solidarity. Those who are most vulnerable to the ravages of climate change are urgently calling for real support in this moment of crisis.” he said, “to ignore them [those affected by climate crisis] would be a failure of conscience.”
Pope Francis in Laudato Si teaches that all humans have to save the environment and the planet from the destructive forces of irresponsible governments and industry that cause global warming and the massive disasters that are happening around the world.
The damage to small countries from floods, typhoons and drought is immense and is brought upon them by irresponsible governments that approve coal and oil power stations and are paying oil companies a trillion dollars in subsidies to explore more oil and gas. This is extreme hypocrisy and a total contradiction to their statements in the past and today at COP 27 where they vow to reduce CO2 and methane levels in the atmosphere. In fact, they are increasing the emissions of CO2.
The Philippines has 28 polluting coal-fired plants and industry moguls and some government cronies and politicians under their influence are demanding to build 20 more coal plants. Public opinion is steadfast against any more and clamors for free renewable power from nature.
The tycoons and government must invest in low-cost renewable energy generating sources like wind, solar geothermal, hydro and biomass. Oil companies worldwide are among the worst in causing CO2 and toxic contamination.
The papal encyclical has inspired many to join The Laudato Si Movement (LSM) of committed lay people, priests, religious, and hopefully bishops. Working together with many organizations, they are committed to saving the planet by raising awareness and inspiring action to reduce global warming and CO2 emissions.
The objectives are: “To urge political, business and social leaders to commit to ambitious climate action to solve this urgent crisis and keep the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius (relative to pre-industrial levels). They can be found at www.Laudatosi.org.
The bishops and priests can roll up their sleeves and get out of the comfort of their palaces, rectories and cloisters”
The one group they overlooked to mention by name is the bishops of the world. They need to be inspired, motivated, and challenged to act and help save the creation from global warming. Sadly, not all bishops in the USA support Pope Francis on his stand in Laudato Si. Many are silent and some are misleading on climate change, says research by Creighton University in Nebraska.
If bishops around the world took up the call of Pope Francis and began their own environmental-changing project in their diocese and plant at least 1,000 tree saplings and care for them that would be a great contribution. They could teach by example and encourage every parish to have its own tree-planting project. They could offer a prize for the best effort.
The bishops and priests can roll up their sleeves and get out of the comfort of their palaces, rectories and cloisters and lead the people in planting trees. It’s a powerful way to teach the Gospel values and inspire and unite a parish.
Migrant workers, many of them from the Philippines and employed as domestic maids, are seen amongst pedestrians at a public access walkway as they gather on their weekly Sunday off in Hong Kong’s Central district on Sept. 24, 2017. (Photo: AFP)
By Joseph Peter Calleja November 18, 2022
A coalition of Filipino migrants has accused the Philippine government of brushing aside human rights violations of workers at home and abroad, at the United Nations meeting.
Migrante International, a global alliance of overseas Filipinos and their families in 24 countries, said the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. had no right “to boast” that the human rights of migrants were being protected in the country and outside it.
“The Marcos Jr. government is lying: it is not protecting migrant Filipinos and our families. It is disgusting that it even made a marketing pitch for exporting Filipino labor in its report for the UN human rights body,” the group said in a statement on Nov. 16.
The statement came as the Philippine justice secretary allegedly “boasted” that the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers was proof that the administration of Marcos, Jr. was upholding human rights.
Filipino nun cries foul over human rights abuse of migrant workers during preparations for the Qatar FIFA World Cup
“The establishment of the Migrant Workers Department, something that President Marcos has achieved in his term, is a testimony of the government’s advocacy for the human rights and welfare of the overseas Filipino workers,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the UN Human Rights Council representatives during a recent meeting.
Remulla also said that the country has remained in Tier 1 in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons 2022 report.
The Philippines has been under the scrutiny of the UN since Nov. 14 for assessment of the human rights violations in the past administration.
The process is called the “universal periodic review” where 47 member states of the council would evaluate and recommend ways to address various human rights issues in a country.
Remulla said Marcos, Jr.’s performance was not yet ripe compared to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who had been accused of committing crimes against humanity for the alleged 30,000 killings of drug suspects during his term.
“It’s not fair for the president to answer for the accusations on the previous administration. What is important for us is today. We also cannot answer for the administration of the former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.” Remulla added.
The migrants’ group said Remulla cannot evade the attacks against Marcos, Jr., and Duterte because they are their close allies.
“Marcos, Jr. cannot hide the realities on the ground: the government’s neglect and abandonment experienced by distressed Filipino migrant workers all over the world. The countless cases and testimonies of Filipino migrant workers who have been denied the urgent assistance and protection they need is a more accurate measure of the government’s sincerity in advancing their rights,” the group said.
Several member countries of the human rights council have called on Marcos, Jr. to address violations and issues left by Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, a Filipino nun challenged Marcos, Jr. to protect Filipino migrant workers in Qatar, who were demanding compensation from FIFA, the international football association, for abuses, including unexplained deaths, while preparing for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Benedictine Sister Mary John Mananzan waved a red card on Nov. 16 against Marcos, Jr., and Qatar saying they had no right to abuse labor rights.
Philippine human rights activist Father Robert Reyes said that the true measurement of the Philippines’ success in upholding human rights is the rule of law.
“The basic indicator is no other than the law- how many were killed yet remain unsolved cases docked in courts? Did anyone go to jail due to his or her responsibility for the killings? Were the killers brought to justice?” Father Reyes told UCA News.
International Labor Organization estimates that about 10 million Filipino live abroad as migrant workers and about one million Filipinos leave the country each year on average to work abroad.
Remittance from migrants is a major national thrust for economic growth in the Philippines.
However, rights groups have documented rights abuses and even deaths of Filipino migrants.
By CBCP News November 16, 2022 Manila, Philippines
The country’s Catholic parishes and institutions are invited to join the churches around the world in the annual observance of “Red Wednesday”, which falls on Nov. 23 this year.
ACN Facebook post
With the theme “Blessed are the Persecuted”, this year’s main celebration will be held at the Antipolo Cathedral.
“Everyone is welcome as we pray and stand in solidarity for Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ,” said the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Philippines in a social media post.
Red Wednesday is an initiative of ACN to pray for, and draw attention to, Christians who suffer and are persecuted for their faith.
“If possible, the building façade of the churches, schools, and participating institutions is to be illuminated or decorated in red,” said Msgr. Gerardo Santos, ACN Philippines’ chief operating officer.
ACN Facebook post
Red is the color of martyrdom in the Christian faith and studies have shown that Christians remain the most persecuted faith group in the world, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
ACN is the official papal charity for persecuted Christians worldwide with at least 23 offices around the world and one of them is in the Philippines.
“Where there is violence and terror, ACN aids and materially responds to the call of the mission to promote ecclesial and spiritual communion between those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who possess a compassionate and generous heart,” Santos added.
Red Wednesday was first organized in the United Kingdom in 2016; a number of dioceses in the Philippines started joining the campaign in 2017.
In January 2020, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) declared Red Wednesday as an official church activity in the Philippines.
