Pre-Christmas Motorcycle Tour to Typhoon Devastated areas in Leyte and Samar

The other night, I arrived back in Baclaran after a long journey - not by bicycle or on foot as I did many years ago but on a Honda CB110. Last week after celebrating the first Simbang Gabi in Baclaran, I went on 2,450 km motorcycle tour to Samar and Leyte. I wanted to see for myself the devastation brought about by Super-Typhoon Yolanda and to attend a meeting of Redemptorists to discuss and plan the type of mission to be carried out in parishes affected by the typhoon. I also visited some of the diocesan BEC directors of Naval, Palo, Calbayog and Borongan and talked about the role of affected BECs in disaster relief and rehabilitation.

It was heart-wrenching for me to see the sight of places and people affected by the strongest typhoon that ever hit the country. One of the unforgettable sight was seeing people on both sides on the street with lighted candles in memory of those who perished 40 days earlier. They were still in grief. Some were huddled on the side of the street sharing with one another their painful stories.

This reminded me that in the aftermath of a disaster the members of the community do not only need food, shelter and clothing. Stress debriefing or psychological first aid can help but these also not enough. The people have undergone fear, helplessness, hopelessness, grief. Their faith has been shaken. They need spiritual solace and healing. They need a venue to share their stories, experiences, feelings, doubts and also the experience of grace. Thus, liturgical celebration and bible-sharing is very important. Below is a method that I designed and shared with the BEC directors and the Redemptorists who will be engaged in parish missions in the months to come.

Bible-Sharing Method for BECs Affected by Disaster

1. Opening Hymn (optional)

2. Opening Prayer/Invocation

3. Psalm (cf  booklet “Paglaom Taliwala sa Trahedya ex: Psalm 25:14-21, )

4. Silence/Individual Reflection (recall the disaster you have recently experienced – what happened? What were your questions? What were your experience of God’s presence or grace?)

5. Sharing of Experiences/Stories

6. Scripture Reading (choose appropriate texts: e.g. 2 Cor 4:6-17 or Rom 8:35-37 or Luke 8:22-25 or  any other Gospel or Old/New Testament passages that reflect their experience and give them consolation)

7. Silent Reflection

8. Sharing of reflection/deepening (by any member who would like to share and especially by the leaders and facilitator)

9. Shared Prayer of Thanksgiving (recall the graces & blessings you have received during this experience)

10. Shared Prayer of Petition (pray for what you and your community need)

11. Concluding Prayer

12. Final Hymn (optional)

59 km Run-Walk on my 59th Birthday

The other day, I celebrated my 59th birthday by running-walking 59 km from Baclaran to Antipolo and back. It took 10 hours and 53 minutes. What was strange was I wasn't exhausted, in fact I felt energized even after finishing. The last time I did an ultra-run/walk was over two years ago when I journeyed on foot across the Philippines. Last month after asking myself how I would like to celebrate my birthday, the crazy idea entered my mind that I should run-walk the equivalent of my age in km. I only had over three weeks of serious training. Last week after running/walking 32 km, I felt that I was ready for this. So last Sunday, I was able to prove to myself that even as I grow older I can still do this. Next year, I plan to this again - run/walk for 60 kilometers to celebrate my dual citizenship - Filipino and senior citizen. How long can I keep this up? I hope another 30 to 40 years. Perhaps, more walking and less running as I reach 90 years old.

What I did was a reminder that my life is a journey and I am a pilgrim. I try to overcome the limitations of ageing.

Promoting Basic Ecclesial Communities all over the Philippines

Over a week ago, I came back from Cebu after facilitating the National Gathering of Diocesan BEC Directors and Coordinators. Over 130 delegates from 64 dioceses attended the gathering. I did most of the organizing as part of my work as executive secretary of the CBCP-BEC Committee. I also presented the National BEC Profile which provided a picture of the state of development of BECs all over the country. After a week of rest I am off again tomorrow - this time to Palawan to give a series talks on BEC to the clergy and religious and also to lay pastoral workers and leaders involved in forming BECs. I will be back at the end of the week then I have two weeks here in Manila before leaving for Butuan to attend the annual conference of the Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines where I will be delivering a paper on "The Reception of Vatican II Ecclesiology in the BECs in the Philippines." From there I will fly to Cebu to attend the Visayas Pastoral Assembly where I will be the guest speaker on October 22. This is a gathering of bishops, priests, sisters and laypeople from the 18 dioceses of Visayas. I was invited to give a talk on BEC: Lay Formation and Church of the Poor. I was supposed to fly to Zamboanga on October 23 to attend the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference where I was invited to give the synthesis of the reports but this was postponed due to the recent attack of the MNLF fighters and the military operations conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I still have two more speaking engagements in Marbel and in Leyte before the end of the year.
Although I find the travel tiring, I enjoy my work going to various places all over the country, helping promote the growth of BECs.

Confronting a Corrupt Political System: March Against Pork Barrel

Last Monday, August 26, I ran from Baclaran to Luneta to join the March Against Pork Barrel. There were over a hundred thousand people who joined the rally organized by netizens on the social media. I met some of the ultrarunners, led by Retired General Jovie Narcise (aka Bald Runner) who ran to Luneta. I later joined the group from Baclaran Church who walked part of the way.

It's been a long time since I joined a protest march and rally. I thought I have retired from this but I got angry due to the latest expose of  pork barrel scam which involved Janet Napoles and some senators and congressmen. Like many ordinary citizens I was appalled at the extent of corruption engendered by the pork barrel system which perpetuates the patronage politics. I join the cry of Filipinos from all over the country: Abolish Pork Barrel! Hold those involved in the scam accountable.

Training for the Triathlon

I've  been doing a lot of traveling as usual. Over a week ago I went to Cebu to be the guest speaker the 9th BEC anniversary attended by around two thousand delegates coming from six parishes of the Mactan Vicariate. I also helped facilitate a 3-day gathering of priests from Calbayog which was held at the Redemptorist Retreat House in Cebu.

My plane landed at the Mactan airport at 10:15 in the morning of August 4. I was surprised that there were no taxi outside. No problem - I just ran/walked - carrying my heavy backpack (with clothes, laptop computer and LCD projector inside). When I reached the highway I found why there were no taxis. The Cobra Ironman 70.3 was on! The bridge was close to traffic - so I just continued on foot across the bridge up to Mandaue. I watched the triathletes on their bikes go by - and I was filled with envy and admiration. I told myself: someday, I will be there as participant rather than a fan or spectator.

Several years ago, I made a bucket list - things I would like to do before I die. There were many things to do on the list. Among these were: Bike around the Philippines - check. Run/walk across Mindanao - check. Run/walk barefoot on the Camino de Santiago - check. Run/walk across the Philippines (Davao to Aparri) - check. Join the triathlon before or when I turn 60 years old - not yet. Next year I will be a senior citizen. So I have started training for the Triathlon.

I already bought a road bike (carbon-fiber frameset) and I use it for long-distance cycling. I bike to the office and back three times a week. I run/walk to the office twice a week. And I swim for over an hour once a week at a nearby public pool.

I have no problem biking and running long-distance. My weakness is long-distance swimming. I have difficulty even swimming 25 meters - how much more 1.9 km!  I already bought a book on Total Immersion swimming method and I also downloaded video-instructions. I wanted to take up formal swimming lessons but my schedule is so irregular and erratic, I decided to coach myself.

I plan to join the DurianMan Triathlon in April 2014 in Davao City and hopefully, the Cobra Ironman 70.3 in August 2014 in Cebu. Perhaps, I can do the full Ironman Triathlon before I reach 65 years old. I haven't heard about a "Triathlon Priest" so far - I might be the first to claim that title.

Conducting a Holy Retreat for Priests

I arrived from Zamboanga the other day after conducting a retreat for 37 priests belonging to the diocese of Romblon. The retreat which was held at the seaside hotel of Lantaka near the old fort of Pilar started on Monday afternoon and ended Wednesday evening.

This is the seventh clergy retreat that I have given so far. I have given 3 retreats for priests from 3 Mindanao dioceses (Tandag, Pagadian, Dipolog), 1 Visayas diocese (Borongan) and 3 Luzon dioceses (Infanta, Baguio and Romblon).

As usual, the focus of the retreat was their life and ministry as priests with special emphasis on building and leading the parish as a network of Basic Ecclesial Communities. The framework that I used is based on the Vatican II and PCP II vision of the ordained ministry: the ministry of communion (koinonia) and pastoral leadership, the prophetic ministry, the liturgical/sacramental ministry and the social ministry. I also added the last topic: facing the darkside and the call to conversion.

Each session has a three-fold component: a) a talk/conference by the retreat director (that's my part), b) a period of individual reflection/meditation, c) a time for small group sharing (by vicariate).

The aim of the retreat is to make the priests aware that a Renewed Church requires a Renewed Clergy, and that a New Way of Being Church (BECs) requires a New Way of Being Priest.

BEC Committee Report to the CBCP Plenary Assembly

This has been a very busy week for me. The Catholic bishops of the Philippines gathered for their plenary assembly and I had to prepare and deliver orally the report of the Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities to over 80 assembled bishops last Sunday. A couple of days before that, I also gave a short briefing to the Mindanao bishops who were having their meeting. Yesterday, I attended the lunch-meeting of the bishops who compose the Committee on BEC and this was followed by a meeting of the National BEC team. During the plenary assembly, I met Archbishop Palma who gave me a letter of invitation to be a guest speaker of the Visayas Regional Pastoral assembly which will be held in Cebu this coming October 2013. I also received invitation from the host of the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference to make a synthesis of the conference also during the last week of October.
This is the content of my report to the bishops:

CBCP_BEC Committee Report to the CBCP 107th Plenary Assembly

(July 2012- June 2013)

 The National BEC Team (composed of  the CBCP-BEC Committee chairman Bishop George Rimando, executive secretary Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, and the three consultants - Msgr. Manny Gabriel, Msgr. Joemarie Delgado and Dr. Estela Padilla) met 3 times during this period for assessment  and  planning.

 The team monitored the progress of the implementation of the 2008 National BEC Assembly recommendations and plans which were crafted by the regions during the 2011 National Gathering of Diocesan BEC Directors.

 Regional Networking and Cooperation

 1. National Capital Region Conference.  Delegates from 6 dioceses of the metropolitan province of Manila and the dioceses of Malolos and Antipolo gathered on September 29, 2012 in Pasig to share their experiences on forming BECs in the urban areas - "BECs in the City." The executive secretary attended the event as  guest speaker. He also participated in the gathering.

 2. Mindanao-wide BEC Gathering.  Delegates from 21 Arch/dioceses in Mindanao gathered in Tagum on November 20-23, 2012. Both the chairman and the executive secretary were present.  The sub-regions shared their experiences of forming and sustaining their BECs. The executive secretary gave a talk on the state of BECs in the Philippines, presenting it region by region and its challenges they are facing.

 So far, 3 regions have already gathered: Northern Luzon (February 2012), National Capital Region (September 2012) and Mindanao region (November 2012). We are still waiting for the other regions to implement their plans. The Southern Tagalog Region and the Bicol Region were planning to have their assemblies sometime in 2013. So far there is no given definite schedule. The Visayas region has scheduled a regional pastoral assembly in Cebu this coming October 2013.

 Diocesan/District/Vicariate  BEC Assemblies

 The executive secretary was the guest speaker of the gathering of the following dioceses, districts and vicariates:

 1. Isabel (Leyte) BEC assembly and silver jubilee celebration - August 18, 2012

2. Malolos diocesan BEC assembly - September 1, 2012
3. Digos Diocesan BEC Congress and 25th anniversary - October 20, 2012
4. Kalookan Diocesan BEC Assembly - October 27, 2012
5. Daet Diocesan BEC Assembly - November 6, 2012
6. Cebu South Disctrict (II) BEC Assembly - December 15, 2012
7. Cebu South-East District BEC Assembly - December 19, 2012
8. Palo Archdiocesan Assembly of Lay Organizations Movements and Associations (their role in the formation of BECs) - January 26, 2013
9. Butuan Diocesan BEC Assembly - February 8, 2013
10. Tuguegarao Vicariate BEC Assembly - February - February 16, 2013
11. Romblon Diocesan BEC Assembly - April 30, 2013
12. Malaybalay Diocesan BEC Congress - May 27-29, 2013
13. Pasig BEC Assembly - June 1, 2013
14. Antipolo Diocesan BEC Big Day - June 25, 2013

 

Collaboration with other CBCP Commissions

1.  The office was represented in the National Formators' Institute on October 22-25, 2012 in Cebu City which was organized by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Seminaries. The executive secretary presented a paper on "BEC and Seminary Formation." He included in his presentation the findings of a survey he conducted about how far the major seminaries and college seminaries have integrated BEC in seminary formation. The findings are very positive. To the question whether BECs are part of seminary formation, 20 out of 25 college seminaries who responded answered yes (80%) and 13 out 13 major seminaries who responded answered yes (100%). 19 out 25 college seminaries are structured as BEC cells, and 12 out 13 major seminaries have adopted the BEC cell structure. 19 out of 25 college seminaries have BEC exposure/immersion program, while 12 out of 13 major seminaries have their own BEC exposure/immersion.

2. Upon the invitation of the executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Canon Law (Msgr. Tulabing), the CBCP-BEC Committee executive secretary attended the meeting of the ad hoc committee on BEC Guidelines of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines which was held in Cebu City on June 10, 2013. The final draft will be submitted to the CBCP for approval. The guidelines address the issue of the canonical status of BECs.  It also questions the so-called “sanctions-policy” adopted by some dioceses whereby active membership in BECs is a requirement for the reception of the sacraments (baptism, matrimony, funeral mass). Such policy is considered discriminatory and violates the rights of the faithful. This is the same position of the BEC office. Active membership in BECs should be the fruit of new evangelization and personal conversion, rather than a product of coercive policies. Perhaps what maybe helpful is a more systematic and effective program of new evangelization and catechesis. The guidelines on BECs from a canonical perspective can form part of a broader BEC guidelines which our office wishes to develop.

Collaboration with other Institutes

1. The office collaborated with the Socio-Pastoral Institute (SPI) in conducting a seminar on the Spirituality of Stewardship to the bishops during the CBCP Assembly in January 22-23, 2013. The executive secretary gave a talk on "Spirituality of Stewardship in BECs."

2. In a seminar-workshop on "Pastoral Perspective on New Evangelization" organized by the Bukal ng Tipan on April 8-12, 2013 in Taytay, Rizal,  the executive secretary conducted a workshop on "BECs and New Evangelization."  On April 22-26, 2013,  Msgr. Jomarie Delgado conducted a seminar on "BEC and New Evangelization" in Bacolod, also organized by Bukal ng Tipan.

3.  The members of the national BEC team also collaborated with the Asian Social Institute (ASI) in their program of accompaniment for 5 dioceses in the Bicol Region. On March 18-21, 2013, Mgr. Manny Gabriel conducted a seminar on Pastoral Management to the diocesan pastoral workers, including priests and religious, coming from 5 dioceses in the region. On May 20-23, 2013, the executive secretary conducted a seminar-workshop to the same group on "BECs and New Evangelization."

Case Studies on BECs

The executive secretary and two staff members have started conducting case studies on specific BECs in some parishes of Paranaque, Manila, Cubao and Cebu. The following are the areas of interest: BECs and livelihood programs and their engagement with government agencies, BECs and Cooperatives, BECs in depressed areas, BECs in upper class areas (condominium and gated subdivisions), etc. We will expand the areas of coverage to the other parts of the country in the near future. Video-documentaries on exceptional BECs will be done later. 

We are also gathering case studies and write-ups on BECs that have already been done by others. We are also encouraging dioceses to conduct their own studies and documentation on best practices in the formation of BECs. These studies will be made available in our office library and will be posted in the website (www.cbcpbec.com).

Diocesan/National BEC Profile & Assessment

            We are in the process of coming up with a national BEC profile and assessment. We have come up with questionnaires and tools of assessment which can be used by the dioceses and parishes. We have already sent the questionnaires to the diocesan BEC directors (or in-charge) for an initial diocesan BEC profile as part of the preparation for the National Gathering of Diocesan BEC directors and coordinators. A more detailed assessment can later be carried out. We hope that we will be able to come up with a data-base which can provide a more accurate picture of the BECs in the Philippines.

National Gathering of Diocesan BEC Directors and Coordinators

            A National Gathering of Diocesan BEC Directors and Coordinators will be held this coming September 16-19, 2013, at the Holy Family Retreat House in Cebu City. Last May 2013, a communication was already sent to the bishops and to the diocesan BEC directors. For this gathering, we are inviting two delegates from each arch/diocese, namely the priest-in-charge/diocesan BEC director and a lay or religious BEC coordinator. The arch/dioceses are expected to shoulder the travel expenses as well as registration fee for board and lodging.  Please take note of the following:

• Registration fee is  ₱2,200.00 per delegate for three days.
• Arrival:  September 16, 2013 with afternoon merienda (no lunch served).
• Departure:  September 19, 2013 after breakfast.

Objectives of the gathering:

1. To review decisions made in October 2011 Gathering; 

2. To update the participants of diocesan BEC profile;

3. To identify concerns, challenges and aspirations in view of their own experiences and in the light of New Evangelization;

4. And lastly, to brainstorm ideas in preparation for the BEC National Assembl,y slated sometime on 2015 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II.

BEC Resources/Materials

            We continue to gather books and other resource materials on BECs, some of which are in our office book-shelves. They are also posted in our website. Books that are out of print will be scanned and stored as pdf file that can be downloaded.  We are also gathering and developing modules  and manuals on BECs, on new evangelization as well as related topics that can be used by BEC animators and formation teams. These will be posted in the website and will be published later.

         

Prepared by:

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR

Executive Secretary

 

Noted by:

+ George B. Rimando, DD

Chairman

CBCP-BEC Committee

The Hermit of Busay

Here I am once again in my sacred space - in my "hermitage" up in the mountain of Busay. I came up here a week ago. I actually arrived in Cebu on March 8, but I had to go first to Marigondon to interview the parish priest, the parish BEC coordinators and some BEC leaders for the case study on the BECs in the parish.

As usual, I am here for four weeks - spending time in solitude, silence, prayer, reflect, reading and writing. I am doing a lot of running and walking on the mountain trails around here. For the first two weeks, I will be fasting during the day and have a light dinner (just salad). Then, on the third week - Holy Week - I will have an absolute fast (no food - only water and a cleansing liquid drink) from Palm to Easter Vigil.. Then back to one meal a day on Easter week.

I've been especially praying for the cardinals gathered in Rome for the papal conclave to choose the successor of Benedict XVI. I was glad to hear that they elected Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio who took the name Pope Francis. Now, I am praying for him as he begins his ministry of shepherding the universal Church.

Staying here for a month each year has become part of the rhythm of my life - a habit which I have been doing since becoming a priest 31 years ago. I intend to continue doing this for the rest of my life. I've spend longer periods here before - 3 months in 1989, 5 months in 2005 and 3 months in 2010. Perhaps, I will have another longer period during my next sabbatical in 2016. When I reach 75 years old, this is where I will spend my retirement.

This is such a beautiful place. I love it here.

Benedict XVI's "Creative Minorities"

Today, Pope Benedict XVI will formally step down as  pope. One of his most fascinating ideas is the Church  becoming a creative minority which I believe can be appropriated for Basic Ecclesial Communities. I would like to share this article which I wrote for my regular column in the CBCP monitor, published this week:

 

BECs as Creative Minorities

Before he was elected pope, Benedict XVI already envisioned a Church that would act as creative minority, appropriating the idea of the historian Arnold Toynbee:

“Here we must agree with Toynbee that the fate of a society always depends on its creative minorities. Christian believers should look upon themselves as just such a creative minority, and help Europe to reclaim what is best in its heritage and to thereby place itself at the service of all humankind.” (Ratzinger & Pera, Without Roots).

This idea was already present in his book (Faith and the Future,1971), when he chose the image of a mustard seed for the Church: “Perhaps the time has come to say farewell to the idea of traditionally Catholic cultures. Maybe we are facing a new and different kind of epoch in the Church’s history, where Christianity will again be characterized more by the mustard seed, where it will exist in small, insignificant groups that nonetheless live an intensive struggle against evil and bring the good into the world – that let God in.”

He again referred to this term during an interview as he was on his way to Prague in 2009 for a papal visit:  “it is the creative minorities that determine the future, and in this sense the Catholic Church must understand itself as a creative minority that has a heritage of values that are not things of the past, but a very living and relevant reality. The Church must actualize, be present in the public debate, in our struggle for a true concept of liberty and peace.”

The pope used this term as a prognosis for how the Church whose membership has become a minority in Europe should act in face of secularism and de-Christianization. The clergy, lay organizations and renewal movements would have an important role in this.

In his broad historical study of major civilizations, Arnold Toynbee observed that the growth and transformation of many societies depend on creative minorities whom the majority eventually follow. This is similar to Vilfredo Pareto’s 20-80 principle or the law of the vital few: the 20 percent of any group or institution account for 80 percent of the effect. Thus, 80 percent of our efforts should be focused on the 20 percent that can make a difference.

This is how the Church should function according to Benedict XVI. While this can be applied for the Church in Europe, is this also applicable for the Philippines where Catholics make up the majority?

I believe that the concept of “Creative Minorities” is relevant in our country. Although 81 percent of the population are Catholics, the majority are either nominal or seasonal Catholics. There is a tiny minority – around 15 percent – that are active.

There is no need to despair as long as the small percent of those who are active act as “creative minorities.” This means that they live as genuine disciples of Christ in community. Having undergone conversion and filled with dynamism they actively participate in the Church’s prophetic, evangelizing mission, in the work for justice, peace and social transformation, and give witness by their holiness of life.

The lay organizations, renewal movements and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) have a vital role to play as creative minorities in the midst of a Christian majority who are mostly nominal and who need to be evangelized.

Since, 1991, the PCP II and the CBCP have promoted the growth of BECs all over the Philippines. In most of the dioceses and parishes in the country, there are already BECs. The parishes are becoming  networks of small Christian communities or BECs. The percentage of Catholics actively involved in the BECs are still small but they function as creative minorities – as light, leaven and salt, or as the mustard seed. In them, the ordinary lay-faithful, including the poor members actively participate in the life and mission of the Church.

Over the decades the BECs have made a difference in making the Church fully alive and contributing to the transformation of society. These communities have been engaged in renewed evangelization in the neighborhood communities and villages. Many of these have introduced programs to alleviate poverty (sustainable agriculture, livelihood projects, cooperatives, micro-finance, etc.). In response to the armed conflict, there have been BECs  involved in peace advocacy -- in the establishment of peace zones or spaces for peace. There are BECs that have defended the environment  through their efforts to stop logging, mining and coal-fired power-plants. There are also BECs involved in campaign for good-governance and political education. Other BECs are involved in pro-life campaign and introducing Natural Family Planning methods and responsible parenthood. Their numbers may not be significant yet but they are growing and  are already making a difference. Thus, in the BECs, Benedict XVI's vision of the Church as a creative minority is being realized at the grassroots, in the neighborhood and the barangay. As we say good-bye to our beloved pope, we will remember his ecclesial vision of the creative minority as one of his legacies.

The Church's Stance vis-a-vis the Present Government

I wrote this article which was published in the CBCP Monitor this week

The Church's Stance vis-a-vis the Present Regime

 

In the minds of many people, the passage of the RH bill was a defeat for the Church - a sign of the declining influence of the Church in the political arena, a failure of the Church to assert her moral and political power.  This assessment is questionable. But what is clear is that the President and his allies have succeeded in passing a law which they claim can help solve the problem of poverty and ensure the "reproductive health" of women by providing free contraceptives and compulsory sex education.

The question is what should the Church’s stance be vis-à-vis the present government in view of this recent development?

In my opinion, there are various options. The first is to keep silent and withdraw from engagement in the social and political arena. Let things be, focus on the spiritual and religious matters. This means being in the sidelines and not “meddling” in politics. This is probably what the government and elements of civil society influenced by Western liberal-secular agenda would like.  This would be an abdication of the Church’s social mission.

Another option is to build up and re-assert the Church’s influence in the political sphere. In view of the coming election, this means making the “Catholic vote” a reality, campaigning against pro-RH politicians and supporting pro-life candidates. This implies becoming a power-broker.  Easier said than done. The Church cannot follow the act of the INK. The clergy cannot tell the faithful who to vote for. The lay leaders coming from mandated organizations and movements do not have the capability of creating a critical mass. Catholics may constitute the majority of the population, but those who follow the teachings of the Church are a minority. The majority are nominal Catholics who do not listen to the clergy – especially when it comes to political matters.

Campaigning on a single issue (RH law) could put the Church on the side of  politicians who may not be paragons of good governance. It would be too much to expect the electorate to vote on the basis of a single issue. Being pro-life should not be the only criteria for voting candidates into office. It would be inappropriate to vote for candidates who are claim to be pro-life and yet have records of corruption, abuse of power, violence, human rights violation  and destruction of the environment.

The option which I find preferable is that of the humble servant and prophet.

This means avoiding the image of the Church as a powerful institution trying to throw her weight around or imposing her will in the political arena, acting like a bully. The Church will continue to function as a humble servant continuing the various programs and initiatives that concretely manifest her care for the poor, the sick and the weak. This means working for justice and for peace, defending the integrity of creation – the environment. This also means promoting and defending the basic rights of all – including the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn. Thus, the Church needs to embrace a consistent ethic of life that integrates these various concerns.

The Church should be willing to engage and collaborate with the government and civil society in promoting the common good – especially in poverty alleviation, promotion of peace and good governance, and environmental protection. In doing so, the Church should not act as Messiah or liberator but as a genuine humble servant cooperating with other people of good will. Thus, the Church must live up to her identity as Church of the Poor.

As a prophetic community, the Church has two-fold function: to announce and denounce.

Prophetic annunciation means proclaiming the Gospel message and Christian values. This is the task of new evangelization especially in light of the fact that majority of the people are nominal Christians, many of whom do not accept and live the Church’s teachings. This is also the task of renewed catechesis. There is much to be done to deepen the understanding of the faithful of the basic Christian doctrines, about the social and moral teachings of the Church. The teachings of the Church about marriage, sexuality, family, responsible parenthood, natural family planning method and the value of life should be inculcated in the schools, parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities. An ongoing political education based on social teachings of the Church should lead the members to vote wisely and to participate in the crusade for good governance.

The task of prophetic denunciation includes the exercise of the Church's role as  conscience of society. This means struggling against the culture of death and corruption.

While collaborating with the government in initiatives that promote the common good – such as poverty alleviation, good governance, peace and environmental protection - the Church must at all times maintain a critical stance. The Church will continue to denounce the government policies and laws that are contrary to common good, that promote the culture of death and that weaken the family. The negative effects of the RH Law needs to be exposed and denounced.  This includes  exposing how billions of pesos of tax payers money are spent on birth control and sex education, and less on actual poverty alleviation programs, better health care and affordable quality education for all, especially the poor.  The Church should not hesitate to exercise the critical function when the government fails to alleviate poverty, to protect the environment, achieve just and lasting peace, to implement genuine agrarian reform, to eradicate graft and corruption at all levels.

This servant and prophetic mission of the Church should be carried out not just by the bishops, priests and religious, but also the lay-faithful as well, especially by the renewal movements and the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

Seminar on "Spirituality of Stewardship" for the CBCP

This week the Catholic bishops of the Philippines are gathering for their week-long assembly which started yesterday. I was part of the team (made up of  the staff of  the Socio-Pastoral Institute) that prepared and conducted a seminar on "Spirituality of Stewardship (SoS)" for the bishops. In the morning of  the first day, Bishop Broderick Pabillo opened the seminar with a talk on "Spirituality of Stewardship and New Evangelization." This was followed by the sharing of experiences by lay leaders (Merlita Sibal and Adelyn Tores) and their parish priest (Fr. Manny Catral) from Tuguegarao who have been implementing the SoS in the BECs of their parish. Then the Clergy stewardship program of the Diocese of Legaspi was presented by Mayee Abear. After the lunch break, Bishop Antonio Tobias and Fr. Tony Labiao shared their experience of implementing the SoS in the diocese of Novaliches. I then shared my observation and theological reflection on "The Spirituality of Stewardship and Basic Ecclesial Communities." This was followed by a series of short talks by the guests from the United States who have been promoting the Spirituality of Stewardship (Fr. Andrew Kemberling, Rick Jeric, Tim Gray, Sharon Hueckel, Terry Polakovic). This morning, after the recap by Joey Clemente, Bishop Mylo Vergara shared his experience of promoting the SoS in the dioceses of San Jose (Nueva Ecija) and Pasig. The last part of the seminar was the workshop and open forum.

Welcoming the New Year

I arrived here in Iligan last Dec. 28 to welcome the new year with my siblings and their children. Only my 4 sisters are around (Nonie, Myrna, Mely and Cely). As usual my three brothers are out of the country. Sam is in San Francisco (USA), Angel is in New Jersey (USA), and Agustin is on a ship somewhere in  the Atlantic Ocean. It's been a very long time that my brothers in the US have come home. The last time we were complete as a family was during the funeral of my mother in December 1985. We've never had any family reunion. I wonder when we can have one. My three sisters (Nonie, Mely and Cely) have taken up running and are becoming very fit. They want to walk the Camino de Santiago three years from now and they are thinking of inviting the other sibling along so that we can have our reunion in Spain and do the Camino as a family. I think the Leon to Santiago de Compostela (312 km) can be done in 15 says (20 km per day). Three years is enough time to get fit and save money for the expenses. I hope we can make that dream come true.