New Year stirs up hope for better future

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
at the archdiocesan launching of the Year of Faith at
San Fernando de Dilao Parish, Nov. 3, 2012.

AS the New Year heralds a new beginning, it is also a time that brings people to wish for a better future and a safer world to live in.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in a New Year message said that hope for a better future is what precisely every New Year stirs up in the hearts of people.

“The New Year is an appropriate time to reawaken our desire for a better future, for new beginnings, and for a world that could afford us the achievement of our dreams,” he said.

But he also stressed that “all this could be fulfilled only in peace and through peace.”

The beginning of the New Year or January 1 is traditionally celebrated by the Catholic Church as World Day of Peace.

Tagle said that for Christians, “peace is primarily God’s gift [as] God created everything in love and willed that diverse creatures live in harmony with one another.”

“When sin disrupted the concord enjoyed by human beings with God, with each other and with creation, God relentlessly pursued His design for universal peace, culminating in the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,” he furthered.

He also said that it is “through the Holy Spirit [that] we are constantly recreated in Christ’s peace.”

The cardinal said that as we should be thankful to God “for opening for us the door to peace”, we also have to fulfill our “responsibility to enter that door.”

“God’s is the gift, ours is the mission of building peace,” he said.

“I share the dream of all Filipinos for peace and harmony in all aspects of our lives. We know, however, that peace can only be promoted by peacemakers, by people whose minds, consciences, attitudes and styles of life are devoid of self-interest,” said Tagle.

He said peacemakers only seek the “common good” as they “spread honesty, respect and friendship”, further urging everyone to pray for peace and live as true peacemakers. (CBCPNews)

Christmas: time for solidarity, peacebuilding

At this period of suffering for many Filipinos still reeling from the devastation caused by natural calamities, Christmas is a time for solidarity and peacebuilding, a ranking Church official said.

In a Christmas message, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma urged the faithful to express their solidarity with the victims of typhoon Pablo that devastated Compostela Valley and surrounding areas earlier this month.

He said parishes from his diocese “have sent a solidarity fund to the Diocese of Mati along with several volunteers from various organizations” as a concrete way of helping the affected families.

Last year, Cagayan de Oro also was devastated by Typhoon Sendong that killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of families.

A year after the tragedy, many families have yet to be given proper housing despite joint humanitarian efforts by national, local and international agencies to normalize the life of the victims.

“While more than half of the Sendong evacuee families have received permanent housing units within the city, many others are still waiting to rebuild their lives and means of livelihood,” Ledesma said.

Another contingency

Aside from the natural calamity, he also pointed out the passage of the RH bill as another kind of contingency that merits an urgent response from the faithful.

He said the approval of the RH bill with its promotion of contraceptives urges the Church to be more active in educating couples on natural family planning methods.

“While we continue to say no! to the widespread promotion of contraceptives, we are all the more challenged to push forward our All-Natural Family Planning program.  Even now, media surveys indicate that most couples prefer Natural Family Planning,” he said.

Ledesma has been active in the promotion of NFP even when he was still the bishop of Ipil.

He said his “pastoral experience over the past six years shows that not only Catholic couples but also those from Muslim, indigenous people, and Iglesia Filipina Independiente communities appreciate and want to adopt our All-NFP program.”

The archbishop also cited the collaboration of local government units and national government agencies like DOH, PopCom, and DSWD, which he said, “have indicated their readiness to promote NFP.”

“The ‘enemy’ is not so much the government, but the lack of information on all NFP methods, including the simplified ones, for the majority of couples today,” Ledesma said.

A lot to thank God for

But despite the setbacks, the Jesuit prelate also noted that still there are a lot to be thankful to the Lord.

He mentioned the recent ordination of three priests and two deacons in the archdiocese as great blessings especially in this year that the Church celebrates the ‘Year of Faith.’

“The gift of vocation offered and answered during this Year of Faith is a special blessing for our local church,” he said.

He also mentioned as another grace the signing of the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that can bring long lasting peace in Mindanao.

But he said “the agreement requires our own proactive efforts to forge inter-religious harmony at the personal level.”

“Peace on earth was the message of the angelic choir to the shepherds in Bethlehem.  May that same message resonate throughout the island of Mindanao and the rest of the country,” Ledesma said.  (CBCPNews)

RH bill a moral time bomb—bishop

Archbishop Socrates Villegas

A ranking Church official called the reproductive health (RH) bill a “moral time bomb” that is gift-wrapped in time for Christmas.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas in a pastoral letter said the RH bill is a moral time bomb that will pave the way to more crimes if signed into law.

Congress yesterday has approved the bill voting 133-79 with seven abstentions, while Senate voted 13-8. Two of the senators failed to cast their vote.

However, Villegas said getting the majority vote of the lawmakers to pass the contentious measure does not mean they are right. 

“It is only a matter of time and then we will see more violations of “Thou shall not kill” and “Thou shall not commit adultery” among our families, our youth and children,” the vice-president of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said.

“This law will open more doors to abortion and more crimes against women,” he reiterated.

The pastoral statement titled “Let us move on!” also assured of a more intensified moral and spiritual education of the youth and children in the archdiocese of Lingayen to strengthen their moral fiber.

Villegas also urged to use all means available to safeguard the health of expectant mothers in the communities.

He said the sacrament of marriage will be made available to poor couples “so that they may be guided in the right path in living out their duties as husbands and wives and as Catholic parents.”

“Let us disseminate through organized pre-wedding seminars the teachings of the Church on natural family planning at the same time warning our people about the hazardous effects of contraceptive pills on the health of women,” he added. 

He also called on parents to conduct the sex education of their children so that sex would be understood as a “gift of God” as it “must never be taught separate from God and isolated from marriage.”

Hinting on the great chasm that the controversial measure has done on the country, the archbishop also pointed out to the faithful the need for soul searching, prayers and peacemaking.

“We might not see eye to eye but we can work hand in hand for the real progress that our people so richly deserve.”

But it should be “a progress with God, in God and through God,” he said. 

“Daang matuwid without God is a dead end street. Only with God can we see real progress of peoples,” he furthered. (CBCPNews)

A sad day for PH—bishop

Bishop Gabriel Reyes

“It’s a sad day for our country.”

Chairman of Episcopal Commission on Family and Life and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes said the Congress’ approval on Monday of the reproductive health (RH) bill on third and final reading is a “sad day for the country.”

The House of Representatives passed the contentious RH bill 133-79 with seven abstentions.

Besides reiterating the harmful consequences of the RH bill to women’s health and sanctity of the family, Reyes also lamented Malacañang’s hand in the passage of the law.

“What is very sad also is that Malacañang has pressured our congressmen to vote yes.

Had Malacañang not pressured our congressmen in second reading, we would have won, majority is for the truth,” Reyes said.

The bishop decried what he said was an act of corruption on the part of Malacañang by pressuring congressmen and dangling pork barrel in exchange for their vote.

But Reyes assured that the Church will remain in its commitment to educate the people on the evils of contraceptives.

The Church will continue to talk to people about family values and the harmful consequences of contraceptives, he said.

Reyes said congressmen “who remain steadfast with their No [vote] despite the pressure of Malacanang,” deserve to be congratulated.

And “for those who voted yes, we do not make a hate campaign,” he added.

From ‘reactive to pro-active’

Even with the passage of the RH bill the Church’s mission remains the same, according to Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Shrine of Black Nazarene in Quiapo.

He said the Church “will continue to preach for life, about the sanctity of marriage, about helping the poor, to help alleviate their situation.”

“The Church will only shift from being reactive to the RH bill to being proactive in teaching our people especially the grass roots, also in being faithful to the Church teachings,” Ignacio said.

“Let us not judge those who have voted for the RH bill. They have their own convictions [and] own views on the issue. We do not know where they are coming from. It only shows that there are many things the Church has to do with regards to this. They are our brothers and sisters even if they are on the other side,” Ignacio said further.

Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and CBCP secretary-general Msgr. Joselito Asis were also in Congress to give support and boost the morale of the anti- RH solons.

Senate on Monday also passed its own version of the RH bill on third and final reading with 13 voting Yes and 8 against it. (CBCPNews)

God’s wisdom essential to form consciences—Tagle

The Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life
is all lighted up as the first day of the dawn Masses
preceding Christmas begins December 16.

With many of the legislators invoking their consciences as their guide in voting for the reproductive health (RH) bill, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said God’s wisdom is a must to form consciences.

He urged lawmakers to open their hearts and heed the wisdom that can only come from God.

Tagle made the appeal in a message to the faithful for Simbang Gabi, as the traditional nine-day dawn Masses in preparation for Christmas began December 16.

“I appeal to our legislators in the House of Representatives and the Senate to welcome Jesus with joy. His Word and Wisdom (and not just any human word or wisdom) is needed to form consciences,” he said.

“I pray that you may prepare a straight path for the Lord so that the Filipino people of today and those of coming generations may find true and lasting joy,” the cardinal added.

Highlighting the theme of rejoicing for Third Sunday of Advent, also called “Gaudete Sunday”, the Cardinal also urged Catholics to manifest in their lives the joy of following Jesus.

“I call on all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Manila to make their joy complete by turning away for what is contrary to the Gospel in order to follow Jesus,” Tagle said.

“Joy in Christ leads to conversion to Christ and His ways. Conversion to Christ in turn leads to conversion to love of the poor, truth, justice and humble service as St. John the Baptist said,” he added.

The assurance that Jesus saves is enough reason for rejoicing even in the midst of uncertainties, sufferings and conflicts, Tagle also said.

During the nine-day “Simbang gabi” Masses preceding Christmas, the Catholic faithful symbolically join the Blessed Mother in her nine months of joyful expectation for the birth of Jesus. (CBCPNews)

Cebu celebrates canonization of homegrown saint

Cardinal Ricardo Vidal leads the National Thanksgiving

Mass for St. Pedro Calungsod.

Around a million people celebrated with thanksgiving and bustling enthusiasm the gift of its homegrown saint— Pedro Calungsod.

Devotees coming from all over the country and abroad filled the expanse of the 27-hectare business development area at South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City during the National Thanksgiving Mass held November 30 for St. Pedro Calungsod.

Leading the celebration was Cebu Archbishop-emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who called on the faithful to live an integrated life, stressing that ‘duality’ has no place in the life of a true Christian.

Faithful Christian, faithful citizen    

Speaking before the vast crowd of devotees, Vidal said a true Christian can be faithful in living his Christian faith and be a faithful citizen of his country at the same time.

Fidelity to the Christian faith should not run counter to one’s observance of the law, he said. “If we have to be Christians, let us be good citizens as well, observing every just law, practicing justice, in all our affairs being honest in word and deed.”

“Let our citizenship be empowered by our Christian faith, seeking to apply God’s will in the public and private life,” the cardinal said.

Delivered alternately in English, Cebuano and Tagalog, Vidal’s homily was punctuated with applause from the public as he addressed the mammoth crowd with a personal touch, as that of a father to his children.

“Let our gratitude this day be sustained by the daily conduct of our lives. Let our faith empower us to be faithful followers of Jesus and beautiful citizens of our country. Let us no longer live dual citizenship. Good Christians but bad citizens.”

Part of the vast crowd that attended the celebration.

He urged for consistent laws that would form people to become good citizens not only for the country but ultimately for the next life.

The country’s laws should be in place to serve the public good, he said—starting from “individual human body, to the human community, to the wider environment.”

He said the essence of sainthood is nothing less but consistency in living one’s Christian life, because “any inconsistency will ultimately lead to the breakdown of human society.”

“In regard to the self we must exercise self mastery, in regard to others, justice, in regard to environment, care and respect.  In every level, we exercise restraint, for that is the nature of rational beings,” he added.

No shortcut to holiness

Reflecting on modern day’s take on love, the cardinal noted that present generation’s idea of love is rather selfish and self-seeking.

“It seeks the easy way out, it seeks fulfillment without facing consequences. It does not assume responsibility,” said the diminutive cardinal, his voice booming.

He said the real meaning of love—a love that edifies and purified by faith—must be taught to the young of today.

“This is the love that we must teach our young, not the love that is self-seeking, not the love that sets no limits to the self, not the love that robs lovers of their soul, but the love that gives dignity, the love that edifies, the love that ennobles,” he said.

The Templete where the Thanksgiving Mass was held on
Nov. 30.

He acknowledged that following the right thing is not always easy. But emphasizing on the life of the young saint, he said the love that St. Pedro has shown “can point us to the future because it is timeless.”

It is a love that is patterned after than of Christ, he said.

“Other forms of love make a semblance of sacrifice, though they are merely acts of despair. Others give no value to sacrifice at all because they are merely acts of self-seeking. True love, pure love flows from the heart of Jesus crucified,” the cardinal stressed.

Vidal also urged the people to exercise patience and perseverance as they strive to live faithfully their Christian life, saying “there is no short cut to holiness.”

“We all have to learn to wait, to be patient, to strive our best every day, to have faith in God” as lack of patience and perseverance can only lead us to infidelity, he said.

Joining Vidal in the Eucharistic celebration were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president; Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, Cebu-born Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, apostolic nuncio to Korea; Manila Archbishop-emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Agana, Guam and hundreds of bishops and priests from all over the country and abroad.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay and some Cabinet members and Senate officials were also around during the Mass.

Cebu local officials led by Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Michael Rama also attended the celebration.

The Eucharistic celebration was preceded by a foot procession of devotees that began at 1 p.m. going towards SRP and a fluvial procession of the image of San Pedro from Mandaue City to the Templete.

The National Thanksgiving Mass capped the more than a month’s festivities following Calungsod’s canonization in Rome on October 21. (CBCPNews)