Category: News

Minamahal na bayan ng Diyos sa Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila:

Alam natin ang Ikatlong Utos: “Gawin ninyong banal ang Araw ng Panginoon.”  Sa pangkaraniwang panahon, nakasanayan natin na nasunod na natin ang utos na ito matapos nating makiisa sa Misa tuwing Linggo.  Pagkatapos ng Misa, kanya kanya na tayo sa nais nating gawin.  Tila natatapos na ang Araw ng Panginoon matapos natin matupad ang obligasyong magsimba tuwing Linggo.  Sa maraming pagkakataon, sa halip na maging Araw ng Panginoon, ang Linggo ay nagiging pansariling araw ko.

Sa natatanging panahon ng Corona virus, hinahamon tayong suriin ang mga paraan natin ng pagpapabanal sa Araw ng Panginoon.  Hinihimok tayong usisain ang mga nakasanayan na nating pamamaraan.  Maari pa rin bang mapabanal ang Linggo kahit hindi ako pisikal na makadalo sa Misa?   Nararamdaman natin na hindi maaring pantapat o pamalit ang Misa online sa personal at piskal na pagdalo sa Banal na Misa.  Ito’y kulang na pamalit.  Paano nga kaya natin matutupad ang ikatlong utos?

Sa pagturing natin sa araw ng Linggo bilang Araw ng Panginoon, kailangang tunay na  ituring natin ito bilang Araw ng Panginoong Hesus.  Tuwing Linggo, ipinagdiriwang natin ang pinakamahalagang kagananpan sa kasaysayan ng kaligtasan, ang Muling Pagkabuhay ni Hesus.  Pinagtagumpayan niya ang kasamaan at kasalanan gayundin ang kamatayan.  Itinutuon natin ang ating pansin kay Hesus.  Sa ibang mga araw ng sanlinggo, abala tayo sa ating mga sarili – sa ating hanapbuhay, tahanan, paaralan, trabaho at mga kaibigan.  Tuwing Linggo, kay Hesus tayo babaling.  Nakikiisa tayo sa tagumpay ni Kristo sa kamatayan sa pagdiriwang ng Eukaristiya at sa pagtuon  ng ating pansin sa mas mahahalagang bagay na naisasantabi natin dahil pagkabahala sa ibang pang araw araw na alalahanin.  Naglalaan tayo ng panahon na palaguin ang ating pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pagbabasa ng Banal na Kasularan.  Pinahahalagahan natin ang ating pamilya.  Ang araw na Linggo ay panahon upang maglaan ng panahon kasama ang pamilya.  Pinababanal din natin ang Araw ng Panginoon sa paglilingkod sa kapwa.  Ang paglingkuran ang kapwa ay paglilingkod sa Panginoon.

Sa mga susunod na sanlinggo, hindi tayo makakapaglingkod at makakapagtipon sa ating mga simbahan para sa pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa.  Ngunit may iba pa tayong maaring pag-ukulan ng panahon. May pagkakataon na maglaan ng mas mahabang panahon para sa pamilya.  Makiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Misa online kasama ang buong pamilya.  Maaring magdasal ng rosary bilang isang pamilya at magbasa ng Salita ng Diyos kasama ang pamilya.  May mga pamilya na napapalalim at napapatatag ng ugnayan sa isa’t isa dulot ng pagbabahaginan ng Salita ng Diyos.  Maaring gugulin ang panahon na nasa tahanan ang lahat upang maglaro at magkuwentuhan kasama ang pamilya.   Ang mga sandaling ito na puno ng kagalakan at kasiyahan ang papawi sa pagkainip at papahalagahan ng lahat, matanda man o bata, sa mga susunod na panahon.

Hindi tayo makakalabas ng bahay upang makapaglingkod sa simbahan at pamayanan sa panahon ng quarantine.  Maari bang maging bahagi ng ating Linggo ang maglaan ng maibabahagi sa mga dukha at mga manggagawang arawan ang kita sa paligid natin?   Maipagdiriwang ng masayang diwa ng Araw ng Panginoon  at marami tayong matutulungan bilang simbahan kung ang bawat pamilya ay magbabahagi ng makakain o tulong pinansyal sa isa o dalawang tao sa kanilang pamayanan tuwing Linggo.

Esteri
La Stampa in English

The Holy Father speaks about his pain in these days of crisis because of the virus: “The darkness that entered our homes will disappear, with wounds in the heart a united humanity will rise again”.

Domenico Agasso Jr
Pubblicato Il
20 Marzo 2020

“Here we cry, and we suffer. All of us. We can only get out of this situation together, as a whole humanity”. For this reason, we have “to look at each other with a sense of solidarity” and act accordingly. Pope Francis is following with concern the development of the Coronavirus emergency. However, on the phone on Monday, March 16 he also wants to instill hope that the “light” will come and will illuminate the darkness, which “entered everybody’s home”, in the form of pain and concerns. After this suspended time, it will be “a bit like a post-war period”, the Pontiff warns. We will have to rebuild. On four important pillars: “the roots”, which are represented by the grandparents and the elderly; “the memory” of these very surreal days; “the brotherhood” among all human beings; “the hope, which never disappoints”.

Your Holiness, Easter is approaching “behind closed doors” with celebrations that will take place only via web, television and radio: for many devotees this will be a double suffering. How should we live this Easter while in the midst of the pandemic?

“With penance, compassion and hope. And humbleness, because many times we forget that in life there are “dark zones”, the dark moments. We think they can happen only to someone else. On the contrary, this is a dark time for everybody, none excluded.”

During the Angelus, you stated that Lent can help find a meaning to what is happening: how?

“The preparation time to Easter, with prayers and fasting, trains us to look at the others with solidarity, especially those who suffer. While waiting for the glow of that light that will illuminate everything and everybody again.”

Is it particularly important to pray in this period?

 “I think of the Apostles in the storm when they invoke Jesus: “Master, we are drowning”. The prayer makes us understand our vulnerability. It is the scream of the poors, of those who are drowning, who feel threatened, alone. And in a difficult situation, desperate, it is important to know that there is the Lord to hold on to”.

How can God help us?

“God supports us in many ways. God gives us strength and closeness; in the same way He did with the disciples who asked for help in the storm. Or when He gave His hand to Pietro who was drowning.”

Where can the nonbelievers find consolation and encouragement?

“I don’t want to make a distinction between believers and nonbelievers. We are all human beings and as human beings we are all in the same boat. And no human thing must be alien to a Christian. Here we cry because we suffer. All of us. What helps us is synergy, mutual collaboration, the sense of responsibility and the spirit of sacrifice that is generated in many places. We don’t have to make a distinction between believers and nonbelievers, let’s go to the root: humanity. Before God we are all children”.

Circular No. 20-17
March 23, 2020

To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

Re: The Holy Father’s Invitation To Prayer

At the instruction of Abp. Romulo G. Valles, CBCP President, we would like to share with you the following information:

1. The Holy Father Pope Francis at the Angelus on Sunday, March 22, has invited all Christians to join in praying the “Our Father” as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, he has called the “heads of Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all the Christians of the various confessions” to recite at the same time the “Our Father.”

Heeding the Pope’s invitation, we recommend that we will pray together the Lord’s Prayer at 6 o’clock in the evening on March 25.

2. The Holy Father has also announced that on Friday, March 27, he will preside over a moment of prayer with him giving the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it through the various forms of communication. The live broadcast from the Vatican will begin at 6:00 PM Rome time (midnight Saturday.

For more information please refer to vaticannews.va “Pope announces extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Blessing.”

With our prayerful wishes of good health, I remain

Sincerely yours,

GENERAL SECRETARIAT: 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila P.O. Box 3601, 1076 Manila, Philippines
 (+632) 527-4054, 527-4138 ●  (+632) 527-4063 ●  www.cbcponline.net ●  cbcpsecretariat@gmail.com , cbcpsecretariat@yahoo.com

CONGREGAZIONE PER IL CULTO DIVINO E LA DISCIPLINA DEI SACRAMENTI

ENGLISH
Prot. N. 153/20
DECREE
In time of Covid-19

            During this difficult time through which we are living because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and considering the impediment to the community celebration of the liturgy in church as per the direction of Bishops for their territories, a number of queries have come to this Congregation concerning the imminent celebration of Easter.  In this regard, the following general indications are offered along with some suggestions for Bishops.

1 – Concerning the date of Easter. Easter is the heart of the entire liturgical year and is not simply one feast among others.  The Easter Triduum is celebrated over the arc of three days which is preceded by Lent and crowned by Pentecost and, therefore, cannot be transferred to another time.

2 – The Chrism Mass. Having evaluated the concrete situation in the different countries, the Bishop has the faculty to postpone it to a later date.

3 – Indications for the Paschal Triduum.

            Wherever the civil and ecclesiastical authorities have put restrictions in place, the Sacred Triduum must be celebrated in the following way:

Circular No. 20-15
March 20, 2020

To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

RE:      Recommendations for the Celebrations of the Holy Week During the Quarantine  Period (2020)

“The greatest mysteries of the redemption are celebrated yearly by the Church beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until Vespers of Easter Sunday. This time is called “the Triduum of the crucified, buried and risen”, it is also called the “Easter Triduum” because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to his Father. The church by the celebration of this mystery, through liturgical signs and sacramentals, is united to Christ her Spouse in intimate communion” (Paschales Solemnitatis no. 38).

The annual celebration of the Paschal Triduum is the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year. This is greatly manifested in the way we celebrate the Holy Week as Filipinos full of faith, life and color. All our parishes take time to prepare for these great celebrations. Filipinos abroad long to be back to the country during this time to experience the life and beauty of the mysteries we celebrate therein. Our national life is truly influenced by these great celebrations.

LiCAS News
Jose Torres Jr. and Mark Saludes, Philippines
March 17, 2020

The social action arm of the Philippines’ Catholic bishops’ conference has urged dioceses across the country to set up “kindness stations” in poor communities affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The government has placed the entire island of Luzon, home to over 57 million people, on “enhanced community quarantine” starting March 16 in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the order, strict quarantine for all households is implemented, transportation is suspended, and provision for food and “essential health services” are regulated.

Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the social action secretariat of the bishops’ conference, said community-based efforts have to be done because the operations of humanitarian organizations are paralyzed due to the lockdown.

“We need to de-centralize the giving of assistance,” Father Gariguez said. “We need to mobilize communities to help the most needy and vulnerable members,” he said.

“Kindness through community solidarity must be promoted, more than the usual centralized aid assistance,” he added.

Father Gariguez said fund-raising can be done at the community level so that village leaders can have the capacity to respond to the need of the people.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines warned of a “humanitarian crisis” in the wake of the “enhanced community quarantine.”

Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, general secretary of the Protestant council, expressed grave concern for workers and for the poor.

“Unless the poor are considered and provided with economic relief and unless medical services are enhanced and made accessible for them, the community quarantine will defeat itself,” he said.

“This will just lead us to further humanitarian crisis,” said the bishop.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine on March 16, a day after a community quarantine took effect in the capital.

The enhanced community quarantine expanded the coverage to the entirety of the main island of Luzon.

“We are doomed to suffer a more serious humanitarian crisis altogether if the social and economic concerns of the poor remain unaddressed,” said Bishop Marigza.

He said massive job and income losses and inaccessible basic social services “will worsen the plight of millions of Filipinos already suffering from poverty and hunger.”

Church leaders divided on lockdown

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, said the public should give authorities “the benefit of the doubt” and let them work on addressing the threat of the pandemic.

The prelate, however, called on the Philippine government to “give subsidy to the poor and the people who depend on their daily work.”

Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose said his diocese in the northern Philippines “will comply” with the government decision to limit the movement of the population “for the good of our people.”

Father Warren Puno of the Diocese of Lucena has expressed worry on how local governments will be able to feed the people if a strict lockdown will be imposed.

“Is there really a comprehensive plan before they decided to impose this?” asked the priest.

“There are many poor Filipinos who rely on their daily wages. Can the government provide for all of them?” he said.

Father Puno said he is not against any move to combat the spread of the disease “but we need to prove to the public that we can provide their basic needs and that they will not die of hunger.”

Redemptorist priest Oliver Castor said the lockdown “was too late.” He said the country should have implemented a strict ban on all incoming flights to Manila as soon as the outbreak started.

He said the Filipino people is now suffering because of the “inability” of the government to handle the situation one step ahead.

“A strategic approach to address COVID-19 is needed,” said Father Amado Picardal.

He said the recent deployment of security forces to close every border and to limit the movement of the people is “inadequate and only contributes to the spread of the virus.”

“A community quarantine or lockdown must be accompanied by massive test and detection, immediate response to cases, adequate protective equipment, and food supply,” said Father Picardal.

He said the long-term lockdown “without addressing the basic needs of the poor run the risk of chaos when the choice becomes either catch COVID-19 or die of hunger.”

LiCAS News
Mark Saludes, Philippines 
March 18, 2020

Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines called on the government to “plug the gap” in its efforts to address the impact of the new coronavirus on the poor.

The church’s social action arm said the “welfare of the poorest and the most vulnerable” should be considered during the implementation of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.

Father Edwin Gariguez, executive director of Caritas Philippines, released recommendations he gathered from various social action ministries and civil society groups across the country.

“We decided to issue an appeal because we want to help the government in responding to this crisis,” he told LiCAS.news.

“We need to help the government find a proper response to this problem,” said the priest.

Caritas Philippines urged the government to distribute free food and medical assistance and give priority to depressed areas in the country’s main island of Luzon during the 30-day lockdown.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier put all of Luzon under an “enhanced community quarantine” until April 12 to stop the spread of infection from the new coronavirus.

Duterte said public movement would be restricted to only buying food, medicine, and other essential items necessary for survival.

In a phone interview, Father Gariguez said the presidential office should consider “freeing up” its $182 million intelligence fund and use it “to support the daily basic needs of the impoverished.”

The priest stressed the need to provide emergency assistance packages to workers and low-income earners to compensate for the loss of wages during the forced-quarantine period.

“It should be in the form of comprehensive financial assistance and unemployment benefits and not loans,” said the priest.

On March 17, the country’s labor department issued guidelines for workers affected by the lockdown.

The guidelines include one-time financial assistance of $100 “to cover the remaining unpaid leave of the affected workers.”

Father Gariguez, however, said the amount is not enough to help workers survive the month-long quarantine.

“It has to be more than that amount,” he said.

In its appeal to the government, Caritas Philippines also noted that treatment for those infected should be made readily available and paid for by the government.

“Mass testing should be conducted in all areas as a prevention and containment measure,” read the statement released by the group.

“There is emerging evidence of best practices from other countries on how testing can be ramped up and scaled up,” it added.

Father Gariguez said a plan for a “house-to-house approach” in mass testing and disease detection should be developed, considering that hospitals are already full because of other illnesses.

The Philippines has a 101,688-bed capacity in all its 1,224 government hospitals. Private hospitals only have a capacity of 54,317 beds.

Caritas Philippines urged the public and private sectors to help the government in doing “mass disinfection” in areas where people usually congregate.

The social action arm also called for the deployment of health professionals at checkpoints instead of military personnel.

“We are confronting a health crisis, not a military problem. Extreme compassion should be exercised at all times,” read the Caritas appeal.

Other recommendations include a moratorium on public financial obligations.

“Filipino families must be un-burdened with these obligations at a time when the preoccupation should be prevention, containment, and treatment,” said the group.

The Catholic humanitarian arm called for the establishment of a “community-level citizens desk” that will serve as “feedback, grievance, and action mechanism.”

It urged the government to “speak in a unified voice,” adding that the health department should be the sole source of information and direction to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Father Gariguez said the recommendations aim to improve the country’s response to the crisis and “avoid civil disobedience or a possible uprising because of the disgruntled public.”

The priest also encouraged church institutions and civil society groups to prepare their respective humanitarian responses, especially after the imposed enhanced community quarantine.

“The government will be needing our help in assisting the public, especially the poor and the impoverished, stand on their own feet again,” he said.

“The real and harder challenge will come in the coming days. We must be ready to extend our arms to the government. We must be always ready to care for the poor,” said the priest.

TAGS Catholic News | Coronavirus | Philippines

There is an appointed time for everything (Eccl. 3:1).

To the People of God in Metro Manila:

“There is an appointed time for everything,” (Eccl. 3:1) the Holy Bible says. Let us heed the signs of our time and respond to them appropriately.  The government has declared a community quarantine in Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14 to stem the spread of COVID 19. We bishops of this region met to discuss common pastoral actions in the light of this development. We have been guided by fidelity to the faith, service to the people, and the common good of the community.  After much discussion and discernment, we have decided on the following points which we will implement in our ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the Archdiocese of Manila, in the dioceses of Cubao, Novaliches, Pasig, Kalookan, Parañaque, parts of both the diocese of Antipolo and Malolos that belong to Metro Manila, and some parts of the Military Vicariate of the Philippines.

1.         We will abide by the government’s directive to suspend all large gatherings from March 15 to April 14. So there will be no celebration of the Holy Mass with a large congregation within this period, plus other religious activities during the Holy Week which usually attract huge crowds of the faithful. We heed the instruction of the CBCP which reads: “We should continue to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and Holy Week liturgical celebrations even in the absence of a congregation.  In spite of the fact that our faithful cannot be physically present in the Eucharistic celebration, the crisis gives us the opportunity to unite ourselves with one another in the bond of spiritual communion through the digital technology” (CBCP circular 20-14).

2.         The Baptisms, Confirmations, and Weddings scheduled within these dates, which can no longer be postponed due to the enormity of the preparations involved, may push through, but will be subject to severe restrictions as to the number of participants and attendees, and proper social distancing should be observed.  All other celebrations of these aforementioned sacraments are to be temporarily deferred.

3.         Since the dates for the Metro Manila Community Quarantine will coincide with the last three Sundays of Lent, and Holy Week, it would mean that the liturgical celebrations during those days, including Palm Sunday, the rest of the Holy Week and Easter Sunday will not be open to the public.    

4.         There will be no public blessing of palms, Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Good Friday procession and Easter Salubong.  We encourage the faithful to stay home and follow the said activities on TV, Radio, or online. The faithful are called upon to pray the Rosary as it is a good prayer to meditate on the mysteries of the life of the Lord that we intensely celebrate in the universal Church during the Holy Week.

5.         We call for days of penance, prayer, and fasting during all the Fridays of Lent (March 20, 27, and April 3), including Good Friday (April 10). This is our response to the CBCP appeal: “We are enjoining all the Local Ordinaries and the Diocesan Administrators to call for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for all those who are infected with the COVID-19 and those who have died, and for our deliverance from this pandemic” (CBCP circular 20-14).

6.         The month-long community quarantine will affect the poor and the daily wage earners heavily. Let our parishes and church institutions, in close coordination with their local government units (LGUs),  be creative in going out of their way to help the people in their basic needs. We appeal for donations to help the poor and the sick.

7.         Let the bells of our Churches be heard at 12  o’clock noon and 8 o’clock in the evening to call all the faithful to pray the Oratio Imperata together with the praying of the Angelus at noon and the family rosary in the evening. Let us all earnestly turn to the Lord in prayer. Together with the psalmist, let us pray: “I love you, LORD, my strength, LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!” (Ps. 18:2-3)

Our present situation is very fluid. For the moment these are our common actions in our dioceses. Other developments and subsequent instructions may come in the future. Let us all be vigilant. We offer to the Lord the difficulties and uncertainties that confront us in the spirit of Lent, which is the spirit of fervent prayer, penance and generosity. We are assured of Easter. Life will overcome death. This virus will pass us by. We say with St. Paul: “We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (Rom. 5:3-5).

Let us entrust ourselves to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of the Afflicted.

Yours truly in Christ:

Most Rev. NOLLY C. BUCO            Most Rev. PABLO VIRGILIO S. DAVID
Auxiliary Bishop of Antipolo                   Bishop of Kalookan

Most Rev. FRANCISCO M. DE LEON     Most Rev. OSCAR L. FLORENCIO           Bishop of Antipolo                     Bishop of the Military Ordinariate
                                                                                    of the Philippines

Most Rev. ROBERTO O. GAA                    Most Rev. JESSE E. MERCADO
Bishop of Novaliches                                      Bishop of Parañaque

Most Rev. BRODERICK S. PABILLO   Most Rev. HONESTO F. ONGTIOCO
Apostolic Administrator of the                      Bishop of Cubao
Archdiocese of Manila

Most Rev. MYLO HUBERT C. VERGARA   Most Rev. DENNIS C. VILLAROJO
Bishop of Pasig                                                           Bishop of Malolos

16 March 2020

Muling naglimbag ang Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas ng Daan ng Krus Para sa Buhay. Mabibili ang bagong edisyon ng Daang ng Krus sa mga tanggapan ng Sangguniang Laiko at Radyo Veritas.

Pwedeng i- download ang kopya ng Daan ng Krus Para sa Buhay dito.

Circular No. 20-10 
March 10, 2020

TO ALL THE BISHOPS AND THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATORS

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

RE:   PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY – COVID-19

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a state of public health emergency in the country. This according to our health officials is a call to greater preparedness if the spread of the Corona Virus continues to affect greater number of the population. This has caused more fear, anxiety, and genuine concern. We need to take all of these seriously. We have already issued some guidelines in the recent past on the matter but we need to respond to the situation now in consistent efforts together.

As Catholics, we believe that God uses material instruments to bring to us His blessings and presence. This is the reason why we use material elements in our sacraments and sacramentals.

The same material elements that bring us God’s blessings are also subject to the broken nature of our fallen world. Science and our God-given reason demand that we use every means available to protect ourselves and our families against the spread of COVID-19 and any other disease. In the face of this world wide pandemic we are demanded to exercise vigilance as a Church, lest our churches become venues of transmission of the disease.

The measures we are strongly recommending do not change the traditions of the Church but rather are temporary precautions during this time of crisis.

We continue to appeal to our priests and faithful to follow the hygiene protocol that the DOH has consistently requested to everyone, namely, the proper washing and sanitation of hands and avoidance of body contacts. There is nothing more effective measure in this crisis than the best effort to stay clean.

1.      We recommend those feeling unwell physically to refrain from liturgical assemblies until they are certain of their diagnosis. Taking the basic steps of wellness as recommended by the health authorities is not only sensible, but wise and considerate of others. In truth, it is an expression of genuine charity. For vulnerable populations like elderly, those who are immunocompromised, they may view the celebration of Holy Mass on TV and the social media.

2.      Clergy and the faithful alike should use best practices through careful hand-washing and frequent cleaning of liturgical space and objects (e.g. sacred statues and sacred vessels). Our liturgical spaces should be disinfected/sanitized after every liturgical services. We should also provide hand sanitizers at the doors of our Churches for the use of our church goers.