Category: News

By Nikko Balbedina
October 11, 2022
Davao City

A Catholic bishop has called on the government to pay more attention to legitimate ancestral land claims by indigenous peoples living in different parts of the country.

Bishop Valentine Dimoc, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, said ancestral domain issues remain among major challenges that IP communities face until today.

“Many indigenous groups still do not have their CADT (certificate of ancestral domain title) and are still struggling,” Dimoc said.

“And sometimes, there is no NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples) to help them,” he lamented.

The bishop was speaking during the national celebration of the 45th Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday at the Upper Sirib in the southern Philippine city of Davao’s Calinan district on October 9.

Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao presides over Mass to the celebrate the Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday at the Upper Sirib in the southern city of Davao’s Calinan district on Oct. 9, 2022. NIKKO BALBEDINA

Speaking to the Bagobo-Klata tribe, he told them that they are “blessed” to have an NCIP that cares for them.

“I’m sure that your NCIP here, along with your government, your church and other organizations are biddable, merciful and loving that they worked for and helped you to have your CADT. Sana all,” Dimoc added, using a modern-day Filipino catchphrase.

This year’s IP Sunday national celebration was hosted by the Archdiocese of Davao in partnership with the ECIP.

Various activities were held during the day including dialogues, tree-planting and Mass officiated by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao and former CBCP president.

The event was also held a day after the “Panagtagbo 2022”, a local celebration of the indigenous peoples’ “culture, faith and of life”.

By CBCP News
October 4, 2022
Manila, Philippines

A church-led grassroots movement will organize advocates in parishes across the country who will act as “champions” of good governance and nation-building.

Caritas Philippines announced the plan Monday during the official launching of its “Simbayanihan” movement, a “whole-of-Church” approach to address poverty and corruption.

“So among our next moves is to organize good governance advocates in different dioceses and parishes,” Caritas’ executive secretary Fr. Tony Labiao said. “We have to organize communities.”

“We need to organize the working teams who will lead the engagements for economic empowerment and participation in local governance,” said the priest, who is also the national convenor of Simbayanihan.

The launching was preceded with the first Simbayanihan National Congress at the Caritas Philippines Academy in Tagaytay City, south of Manila.

The whole-day event was attended by representatives from different diocesan social action centers across the country.

The national Caritas said the program also aims to form and support principled politics and politicians and create “critical vigilance” among communities.

Its national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said that the previous elections taught them that “we failed in our old strategies” to bring people together to discuss politics and development.

“Simbayanihan was hoped to bridge the gap between faith and justice, by taking part in concrete social action works on ecology, justice and peace, and good governance,” Bagaforo said.

Fr. Rex Paul Arjona, one of the convenors of Simbayanihan, said the movement is focused on linking existing good governance and community development programs through organization and partnership building, training and formation for responsible citizenship, and principled cooperation with government.

Aside from the Caritas network, Agri Partylist, the Quezon City government, and the People Power Volunteers for Reform are also part of the convening groups.

“We always believe in the influence of the church to effect community empowerment and development, which is vital in ensuring that government programs are enforced properly, and maximized fully,” said Agri Partylist Rep. Wilbert Lee.

“We are working with Caritas Philippines and our partners to provide communities with sustainable economic activities so we will be able to help create empowered communities who can exact accountability among local and national politicians, and be more engaged in local governance,” Lee added.

Simbayanihan will be launched at the regional and diocesan levels in the coming months, involving the civil society, government, and private organizations, through the social action clusters and centers.

August 18, 2022

TO: ALL PRESIDENTS/HEADS/ SERVANT LEADERS:
NATIONAL LAY ORGANIZATIONS ARCH/DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF THE LAITY
RE: LAUNCHING OF THE NATIONAL LAITY WEEK CELEBRATION

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Christ’s love & peace be with you!

As communicated to you, we will be celebrating the National Laity Week on September 24 to October 1, 2022 to highlight once again the laity’s indispensable role in the transformation of our society. This year’s theme is “Journeying Together and Reflecting Together on the Journey that has been Made…Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

In line with this, we are pleased to invite you or your representative to the Launching of the Celebration on Saturday, September 24, 2022, 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Lay Formation Institute (Layforce) San Carlos Seminary Complex Guadalupe, Makati City. The event is hosted by the Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese of Manila. No registration fee will be collected. Snacks & lunch will be served.

Because of existing health protocols, limited participants could only be accommodated at the venue (only One (1) representative or delegate per National Lay Organizations and Diocesan Councils of the Laity), however, other participants could also join online via zoom. Attached is the program and the Pre-Registration Form for both face to face & online participants. Deadline of the registration is on September 15, 2022.

We pray for your utmost support and favorable response.

Sincerely yours in the service of the Lord,

20 August 2022

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ and fellow workers’ rights advocates,

Warm greetings from the Church people-Workers’ Solidarity (CWS)!

CWS is a non-profit, ecumenical organization in support of workers’ rights and welfare. Our solidarity with our marginalized sisters and brothers, is a Gospel imperative. This year marks our 10th year of tireless dedication in serving among the most basic and key sectors in effecting genuine social change in the Philippines —  the workers, who face more difficult and precarious times now more than ever. Our support has been carried out through our various programs including Education and Formation, Campaign and Advocacy, Welfare and Support Services and Networking. In so doing, we learn from the workers and draw in more members of the religious community to embrace their cause.  CWS is present in key cities in Metro Manila and in  the Visayas.

We thus commemorate our decade of service in a simple celebration with the theme, “CWS: Isang Dekada ng Pakikilakbay sa mga Manggagawa”. The activity seeks to i) highlight CWS contributions to the advancement of workers’ rights and welfare, and at the same time find means to address challenges that need to be overcome in the face of worsening state repression especially against workers; ii) further strengthen partnerships with workers’ organizations and other formations especially in parishes and communities; iii) contribute to expanding workers’ rights advocates and iv) contribute to strengthening CWS, including revitalization of national and regional formations. Workers and urban poor community members, religious sisters and brothers, and advocates will be participating.

We invite you to mark this journey with us on Saturday, 24 September 2022, at the Parish of the Risen Christ in Brgy. 128, Balut, Tondo, Manila. The activity will be from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and will start with a Holy Mass officiated by our Chairperson, the Most. Rev. Gerardo Alminaza, D.D. and concelebrated by other priests networks of CWS.

September 6, 2022

Re.: Invitation to the Sept. 21 ML@50 event

Dear Friends and Networks,

Greetings of peace!

This coming September 21, to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., we will be holding a cultural event titled: “SingKwenta, Mga Kanta at KwentoTungkolsa Martial Law” at the University Avenue, UP Diliman Campus, from 4-7 p.m.

With the theme #NeverForget, #NeverAgain, the rally will feature various speakers, performers and artists who will narrate not only the horrors of martial law but also our people’s valiant efforts to defend our rights and freedoms and eventually bring down the Marcos dictatorship. It will end with a call for vigilance and rejecting all forms of disinformation and historical distortions that glorify the martial law period or pave the way for its return.

Prior to the cultural event, there will be a short march to the UP campus featuring floats that depict the various events and issues concerning martial law. Details of this will be announced subsequently.

In this light, we would like to invite you and members of your organization/institution to join us on September 21 for this very relevant and meaningful activity. Aside from your participation, any kind of moral, material or financial support will also be highly appreciated.

For inquiries and confirmations, you may contact the ML@50 Secretariat via email at ml50neveragain@gmail.com or through Ms. Gel via mobile phone no. 09475891578.

Thank you very much.

Pope Francis tells members of the numerous de Mello family of Portuguese entrepreneurs never to forget prayer, and recalls the power of keeping our gaze fixed on the Crucifix.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov August 26, 2022

“Let us not forget prayer, because prayer helps us to keep faith alive; the balm of faith is preserved by often turning our thoughts to the Lord: it can help us so much to look at the image of the crucifix, to stop our gaze there.. It is a beautiful way to pray.”

Pope Francis gave this reminder when meeting with the Family of Pedro Maria Guirmaraes de Mello in the Vatican on Friday.

The Mello family is a Christian family of entrepreneurs and as such has over 100 years of history, dedicated to social responsibility, with very strong bonds with the Portuguese Catholic University. The family of 12 siblings employs over a thousand people, as they work to develop their businesses and their collaborators for a better world.

In his remarks, the Pope thanked them for their witness of their love for the Church and for their “pilgrimage to the tomb of St Peter.”

“It is faith in Jesus that brought you here and brought you together. It is good to see a family united, and a family strengthened by the gift of faith.”

Harmony in families

He expressed his joy to see the family and thinking of families like theirs.

“Seeing your family and thinking of families like yours,” the Pope reflected, “I am reminded of Psalm 133: ‘How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one! Like fine oil on the head, running down…'”

The oil, he noted, is a beautiful image of union, and of the happiness of being in communion.

“But the oil,” he added, “is also an image of the faith that strengthens our bonds and, through the Holy Spirit, makes harmony in families possible – this is important – harmony also in the Church, in the world.”

By CBCP News

August 23, 2022
Manila, Philippines

A global leader for Catholic women on Monday invited the Catholic Women’s League-Philippines to keep walking the path of social and environmental respect.

Speaking before CWL members in Metro Manila, María Lía Zervino, president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), urged them to continue heeding the cry of the poor and of the planet.

“Continue to listen and respond to the cry of the poor and the cry of the planet as Pope Francis said in Laudato Si,” Zervino said at the Ermita Church.

The Argentine, who has been in Rome since 2013, particularly acknowledged the CWL’s roles and programs at grassroots level.

“What you have is this wonderful union here in your parishes and dioceses. I think all WUCWO organizations must learn from you,” she said.

Zervino, a known old friend of the pope, said she is in the country for a five-day visit “to listen and to learn” from the national CWL.

“If we want to serve the WUCWO organization, we must know them (members) better. We must know and realize what they are living, what they are suffering, and what they are needing so we must be nearer,” she added.

Zervino arrived in Manila on Aug. 20 and immediately met with the CWL national board and visited the tomb of former Manila Archbishop Michael O’Doherty at the crypt of the Manila Cathedral.

Archbishop O’Doherty founded the CWL Philippines in 1919. To date, the organization has about 60,000 active members nationwide.

On Sunday, Aug. 21, she visited a number of some of the organization’s projects in the dioceses of Cubao, Kalookan, Novaliches and Malolos.

Aside from its advocacies and charitable programs, the CWL also helps support seminarians pursue their vocations.

“We believe that we have to support our clergy so we are doing our best,” said its national president Rosa Rita Mariano.

Zervino recently made headlines after the pope appointed her and two nuns to the Dicastery for Bishops, the first time women have been allowed to serve the Vatican body that helps choose new bishops.

World Mission August 24, 2022

Two bishops caution webinar attendees against further human rights abuses in the Philippines

LOUISVILLE — During a Tuesday evening webinar, two bishops — one retired from the United Methodist Church, one Roman Catholic* — used their lived experience under martial law enacted by former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos to urge viewers to be wary of what Marcos’ son, BongBong Marcos, the nation’s 17th president, could bring about for the nation of nearly 116 million people.

The webinar, the second of six planned by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines-U.S. Chapter, was called “The Church in the Struggle Against the Marcos Dynasty.” The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), together with Church & Society and Global Ministries, were among the co-sponsors.

The presenters were Bishop Solito Toquero, who’s retired from the United Methodist Church, and the Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza, Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos. The Rev. Sadie Stone, a United Methodist pastor serving Bethany United Methodist Church in San Francisco, introduced them.

Next month marks the 50th anniversary of martial law as enacted by Ferdinand Marcos, noted Stone, who’s traveled to the Philippines five times, most recently in June. Elected alongside Bongbong Marcos this spring was Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing president, Rodrigo R. Duterte. The new president has been invited to come to the U.S. this fall and will speak to the United Nations.

“We are already seeing oppression in the new administration,” Stone said. “Those of us in the United States need to realize the U.S. plays a role” in, among other policies, providing military aid. Since 2016, the U.S. has given more than half a billion dollars to the armed forces and national police in the Philippines, according to Stone.

Toquero called his talk “Ministry in the Context of Repression During the Time Marcos.”

Toquero said Filipinos have inherited “the trinity of evil”: feudalism, fascism and U.S. neocolonialism. He traced Filipino history back to September 1972, when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, closing the nation’s Congress and arresting opponents and demonstrators.