Sunday, July 8, 2007

CBCP launches online news service

THE Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) launched its online news service at the press room of CBCP Media Office, July 5.

With a specific mission of helping “spread the Gospel through contemporary technologies of communication by re-telling in news reports and features how it is witnessed in the daily events and lives of people”, CBCPNews is the first local online Catholic news service in the country.

Present during the launching which was attended by members of the CBCP press corps, were CBCP President, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, DD; CBCP Media Director, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio; and staff of CBCP Media Office.

Explaining the objectives of CBCPNews before the press, Lagdameo said that the online news service provides a “more organized thrust in evangelization, conscientization and formation of public opinion according to the Gospel values that can be attained.” (PCP-II, 102-105).

With evangelization as its primary objective, CBCPNews is an excellent means of spreading the Gospel in the fastest way possible.

Quitorio said reports posted in the news service can be downloaded free of charge.

“It will be circulated to the global community free-of-charge through its online facility (www.cbcpnews.com), email subscriptions, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) or through the CBCP Monitor,” said Quitorio.

CBCPNews sources its news primarily from the statements coming from the CBCP President and the Permanent Council. Other sources include the various Episcopal Commissions and the bishops in their respective dioceses.

The online news service was conceptualized as “an independent news organization to be staffed by Catholic journalists dedicated to providing accurate news written from a distinctively Catholic perspective.”

Though the project was approved by CBCP Permanent Council as early as 1997, various constraints such as personnel and logistics, kept the news service to become fully operationalized until this year.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Pope Benedict offers prayers for CBCP Plenary Assembly

POPE Benedict VXI has offered prayers for the bishops in the just concluded plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), at the same time encouraging them to remain relevant and responsive to the signs of the times.

In a message relayed through the Nunciature, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone conveyed to CBCP President Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, the pope’s best wishes and prayers for a fruitful deliberations of the 95th Plenary Assembly.

Bertone said the Holy Father prays for the Holy Spirit “to strengthen the Bishops in their resolve to renew their mission and responsibility as Pastors.”

The Holy Father encourages the bishops to continue preaching the gospel “in a manner relevant to the needs of the times, teaching the faithful themselves to defend and spread the saving message of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lagdameo, earlier sent a letter to the Holy Father thanking him for his prayers and concern on the situation of the country. Likewise, in view of the forthcoming plenary assembly, Lagdameo asked the Pontiff for a message for the Bishops’ conference.

Held at Pope Pius XII last July 7-8, the 95th plenary assembly was preceded by a three-day retreat reflecting on the theme “The Word of God in the Life and Ministry of the Bishop”. The topic was in line with the theme of the XII General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in the Vatican on October 5-26, 2008.

The Conference elected its delegates for the XII General Assembly of Synod of Bishops during the plenary assembly.