Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Bishops lead civil society in upholding rights of families

BISHOPS, lawmakers, government officials and members of civil society reiterated their common stand in upholding the rights of families to found their families according to their religious convictions in a recent Human Life International congress held in Cebu City last August 24-25.

In a statement participants to the congress collectively committed themselves to resist population control in any form and oppose the passage of any bills that promote the “culture of death.”

Bishops participants included Jaro Archbishop and CBCP President Angel Lagdameo, Cardinal Ricardo Vidal and Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortez of Cebu, Bishop-emeritus Jesus Varela of Sorsogon and Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran.

Criticizing the over-population propaganda being advocated by the government, the participants urged government officials to support programs and legislation that strengthen the family.

“[We] earnestly urge government officials, local and national, as well as lawmakers, to support programs and legislation that genuinely strengthen the family and to invest in its total development, instead of espousing programs/bills that tend to destroy it,” they said.

The participants also committed to relentlessly pursue the promotion of Fertility Awareness at all levels of society, especially on the grassroots.

Human sexuality should also be regarded in the context of God’s plan for humanity and the value of marriage, the statement said.

The participants also resolved to fight all efforts of propaganda that promotes freedom of sexual orientation which undermines the stability of families and to support the absolute duty of parents over the education of their children in human sexuality.

“[We] uphold the exclusive responsibility and the right of parents over the education of their children in human sexuality and …help their children achieve sexual integrity and to espouse saving sex for marriage,” they said.

Lawmakers included Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. and some representatives from Congress who are supportive of pro-family bills. Other participants are active members of pro-life and family organizations from the different dioceses in the country.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Bishops-Ulama, AFP: dialogue is key to peace-making

IN a statement released before their August 9 meeting the BUC convenors emphasized that despite having the same goal of promoting peace and order, both religious leaders and law enforcers vary in their methods of implementing it.

“Hence there is a need of building lines and occasions of peaceful communication and dialogue among them towards an effective mutual collaboration,” the statement said.

Acknowledging the key role of religious leaders and peacekeepers in promoting peace through respectful dialogue, both parties agreed to strive to build bridges of solidarity, reconciliation and peace through dialogue calling on each citizen to fulfill their role in peace-making.

Officials of the Tripartite Commission of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) led by Davao archbishop Fernando Capalla, UCCP Bishop emeritus Hilario Gomez and Ulama League President Dr. Mahid Mutilan met last August 9 with representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, (AFP) the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Military Ordinariate to a dialogue for peace in Mindanao.

National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales, General Hermogenes Esperon, and Director General Oscar Calderon represented the AFP and PNP.

Contentious situations “such as land conflicts, misrepresentation and inaccurate reporting, the threat of hostilities breaking out because of possible flash points, provocations because of biases and prejudices” remain problematic issues that call for an ongoing dialogue.

Both parties agreed that dialogue should start from the grassroots and work its way up to the level of leadership.

Serving as a liaison between the Bishop-Ulama and military in the peace process is Military Ordinariate Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, DD.

According to Fr. John Brillantes, the bishop’s secretary, the Military Ordinariate’s participation in the peace dialogue is important because of the military’s involvement in the ongoing clashes.

“[The bishop] wants to be involved in the peace process because the men and women in uniform are at the center stage of the ongoing conflict in Mindanao,” he said.

Tumulak has issued instruction to all chaplaincies of AFP and PNP throughout the country to organized Holy hour and pray for peace in violence-racked Sulu and Basilan provinces.

The government deployed more than 4,000 soldiers in Sulu and Basilan last week in a military offensive against Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Filipino Chaplains, Pastoral Workers to meet in Europe

FILIPINO chaplains and pastoral workers ministering to Filipino communities in Europe are set to meet in Dublin, Ireland for a five-day regional consultation meeting on August 27-31.

Episcopal Commission on Migrant and Itinerant People (ECMI) executive secretary Fr. Edwin Corros, CS said the regional consultation meeting started as a response from Filipino chaplains to meet the need to accompany and minister to Filipino communities in Europe.

“It started as a gathering of Filipino chaplains around the world, later they agreed to meet as a region,” said Corros.

Filipino chaplains are active in their ministry of accompanying Filipino communities in the regions of Asia, Oceania and Europe, where a big concentration of Filipino communities can be found.

Corros said Middle East and Africa are regions where labor market is not well established and Filipino communities are spread out. Except for Filipino missionaries belonging to religious congregations assigned in these countries, there are no Filipino chaplains to minister to Filipinos working in these regions.

“In Africa, Filipinos are usually deployed in far flung areas not accessible to missionaries,” explained Corros. “Whereas in Middle East, the practice of religion is not allowed,” he added.

The regional meeting will tackle family and labor concerns affecting Filipino communities in Europe.

A Vatican representative from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People will deliver a keynote address on the issue of Workers in the Pastoral Care of Communion.

Priority for the Chaplaincy is to provide specific direction on the concerns of Filipino family and the youth in Europe as recommended by the 6th Regional Consultation Meeting.

Participants are also working on the following goals which they hope to achieve at the end of the meeting: to follow up challenges posed by the 6th Regional meeting; to share and learn the good practices employed by chaplaincies to improve services to migrants and their families; to review and enhance collaboration between churches, government and other civic organizations through concrete plans of action in their advocacy and linkages; and to review and ensure the application of the Vatican document “Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi.”

Already in its 7th round, the regional assembly which started 14 years ago is held every two years. This year’s conference has the theme, Filipinos and their families, contributors to European church and society.