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Pope appoints 21 new cardinals to fill highest ranks of Church
Pope Francis on Saturday elevated 21 clergymen from distant corners of the world to the rank of cardinal, saying diversity was indispensable to the future of the Catholic Church. Under sunny skies and with a crowd that filled half of Vatican City's grandiose, colonnaded St Peter's Square, the 86-year-old pope welcomed the new, so-called "Princes of the Church" -- one of whom could one day become the successor to the current pontiff. "The College of Cardinals is called to resemble a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and synodality of the Church," said Francis, seated under a canopy before the gathered cardinals on the steps of St Peter's Basilica. "Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design," said the Argentine Jesuit. The choice of the new cardinals, who include diplomats, close advisers and administrators, is closely watched as an indication of the priorities and position of the Church. One of them could also one day be elected by his peers to succeed Francis, who has left the door open to stepping down in the future should his health warrant it. Saturday's ceremony, known as a consistory, is the ninth since Francis in 2013 was named head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. One by one, the scarlet-clad cardinals knelt before the pope, who bestowed on them the two symbols of their high office: a scarlet four-cornered cap known as a biretta, and a cardinal's ring. To some, a grinning Francis uttered an encouraging "Bravo!" or "Courage!" as he shook their hand. Eighteen of the 21 newly made cardinals are under the age of 80 and thus currently eligible to vote as "cardinal electors" in the next conclave, when Francis' successor will be decided. They are among 99 cardinal-electors created by Francis, representing about three-quarters of the total That has given rise to speculation that the Church's future spiritual leader will be cast in the same mold as Francis, preaching a more tolerant Church with a greater focus on the poor and marginalized. Bishops taking action Throughout his papacy, Francis has sought to create a more inclusive, universal Church, looking past Europe to clergy in Africa, Asia and Latin America to fill the Church's highest ranks. With his latest roster of cardinals, Francis has again looked to the world's "peripheries" -- where Catholicism is growing -- while breaking with the practice of promoting archbishops of large, powerful dioceses. "He is looking for cardinals who correspond to the times. These are people who have all taken a step away from the Church of the past, who positively ensure a break," an informed observer of the Holy See who asked to remain nameless told AFP ahead of the ceremony. The array of cardinals represent "a richness and a variety of experience, and that's what the Church is all about," the Archbishop of Cape Town, Stephen Brislin, told AFP Thursday before his elevation to cardinal. "The Church encompasses all people, not just a certain group of people," he said. There are three new cardinals from South America, including two Argentinians, and three from Africa, with the promotion of the archbishops of Juba in South Sudan, Tabora in Tanzania, and Cape Town's Brislin. Asia is represented by the Bishop of Penang in Malaysia and the Bishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow, who is seen as playing a key role in seeking to improve tense relations between the Vatican and Beijing. Diplomats and managers Some of the new cardinals, like Chow, have experience in sensitive zones of the world where the Holy See hopes to play an important diplomatic role. The list includes the Holy Land's top Catholic authority, Italian Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first seated Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be made cardinal. "Jerusalem is a small laboratory, interreligious and intercultural, and that's a challenge that the whole world is facing at this point," Pizzaballa told AFP. Also promoted was the apostolic nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, France's Christophe Pierre, whose decades-long diplomatic career includes posts in countries including Haiti, Uganda and Mexico. Francis also tapped top administrators in the Curia, the Holy See's government. His new choices include Claudio Gugerotti, the Italian prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; Argentina's Victor Manuel Fernandez, whom Francis recently named head of the powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Chicago-born Robert Prevost, a former missionary in Peru who leads the Dicastery for Bishops. Following the ceremony, the new cardinals were congratulated by members of the public at the Vatican's sumptuous Apostolic Palace. The post Pope appoints 21 new cardinals to fill highest ranks of Church appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope to appoint 21 new cardinals, looking past the West
Pope Francis will on Saturday elevate 21 clergymen from all corners of the world to the rank of cardinal -- most of whom may one day cast ballots to elect his successor. The choice of the new "Princes of the Church", who include diplomats, close advisers, and administrators, is closely watched as an indication of the future direction of the Catholic Church. One of them could also one day become the successor to 86-year-old Francis, who has left the door open to resigning -- although he says he is not there yet. Saturday's ceremony, known as a consistory, is the ninth since Francis was elected pope by his peers in 2013. He has since sought to create a more inclusive, universal Church, looking past Europe to clergy in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to fill the Church's highest ranks. Beginning at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in St Peter's Square in Vatican City, the new cardinals will kneel before the pope to receive the two symbols of their high office: a scarlet four-cornered cap known as a biretta, and a cardinal's ring. Eighteen of the 21 new cardinals are under the age of 80 and thus currently eligible to vote as "cardinal electors" in the next conclave, when Francis' successor will be decided. They are among 99 cardinal electors created by the Argentine pontiff, representing about three-quarters of the total. That has given rise to speculation that the future spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics will be cast in the same mold as Francis, preaching a more tolerant Church with a greater focus on the poor and marginalized. Bishops taking action With his latest roster of cardinals, Francis has again looked to the world's "peripheries" -- where Catholicism is growing -- while also breaking with the practice of promoting archbishops of large, powerful dioceses. "He is looking for cardinals who correspond to the times. These are people who have all taken a step away from the Church of the past, who positively ensure a break," an informed observer of the Holy See who asked to remain nameless told AFP. "He likes bishops who take action." There are three new cardinals from South America, including two Argentinians, and three from Africa, with the promotion of the archbishops of Juba in South Sudan, South Africa's Cape Town, and Tabora in Tanzania. Asia is represented by the Bishop of Penang in Malaysia and the Bishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow, who is seen as playing a key role in seeking to improve tense relations between the Vatican and Beijing. "Traditionally, (the Church) was focused on Europe or the United States, but now we need to hear from Africa and Asia," Chow told reporters Thursday. Diplomats and managers Some cardinals-to-be, like Chow, have experience in sensitive zones of the world where the Holy See hopes to play an important diplomatic role. The list includes the Holy Land's top Catholic authority, Italian Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first serving Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be made cardinal. "Jerusalem is the center of the world, but it is also the periphery. We know that Pope Francis pays attention to the periphery," Pizzaballa told AFP. "Jerusalem is a small laboratory, interreligious and intercultural, and that's a challenge that the whole world is facing at this point," he said. Also to be promoted is the apostolic nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, France's Christophe Pierre, whose decades-long diplomatic career includes posts in countries including Haiti, Uganda, and Mexico. Top administrators in the Curia, the government of the Holy See, who are considered close to Francis are also being recognized. There is Italy's Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; Argentina's Victor Manuel Fernandez, whom the pope recently named head of the powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Chicago-born Robert Prevost, a former missionary in Peru who leads the Dicastery for Bishops. The last consistory was held in August 2022. The post Pope to appoint 21 new cardinals, looking past the West appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2015 Vatican decree on Mediatrix not binding!
The claims of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Vatican that Pope Pius XII had officially decreed that the Mediatrix apparitions were of “no supernatural character or origin” is not exactly true. If it is proven not true, the Papal “decree” is not binding and the faithful are allowed not to follow the decree, based on Canon Law. The CBCP released Circular 23-04 dated 14 July 2023 — quoting the official Dicastery document Protocol 226/1949 — stating that “in 1951, the Dicastery, the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy See, after due examination of the documents made available, declared the alleged apparitions in Lipa (of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace) to have no supernatural character or origin, a decision directly approved by Pope Pius XII.” There has been no document in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, the official Vatican publication, that said that Pope Pius XII had indeed approved the decree. It was never formalized into an official “promulgation,” which is a requirement of Canon Law, to be binding. In other words, the Dicastery Decree is official, but not the Papal Decree. Protocol 226/1949, authored by the Dicastery, did not clarify that the Pope Pius XII Decree had not yet been official and binding in a formal promulgation. Then apostolic administrator Bishop Rufino Santos said, in his decree of 12 April 1951, that he was still awaiting the Vatican decision regarding Lipa, contradicting Protocol 226/1949 that said a decision had been made. I, therefore, challenge the CBCP and the current Dicastery to produce documentary evidence that there was indeed an existing official Papal Decree of Pope Pius XII in fulfillment of the Canon Law ruling. The decree of Pope Pius XII is important because it was the basis for the recent order of Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera to suppress Mediatrix activities in all churches in Lipa. “Vatican directs CBCP to cease 75th celebration of Lipa apparition” (CNN Philippines 28 July 2023). The CNN article reported that the Vatican reaffirmed its 1951 decree, precisely the questionable Pope Pius XII decree. Only the Pope has the authority to confirm and declare a Marian apparition. If the 1951 Pope Pius decree is now in question, so also are all the recent bans and suppressions of Mediatrix activities in Lipa. The added sentence reads, “The Confraternity of the Mediatrix of All Grace is a movement with dozens of chapters nationwide.” Confraternity members report that a Filipino priest very close to Pope Francis approached him to forward the sentiments of the Mediatrix devotees. He said the Pope simply passed the ball to the Dicastery. And since the Dicastery is vehemently anti-Mediatrix, it was a dead end, a failed attempt. Many Confraternity members were disappointed. The Confraternity has a nationwide presence, although its membership keeps moving dynamically forward and backward. There are chapters whose memberships are strong and keep growing, but there are some whose memberships have decreased. The dynamic chapters include Cebu, Iloilo, Guimaras, Kidapawan, Davao City, General Trias, and Jaro, to name a few. However, the Confraternity is different from the devotees. Confraternity members are essentially professionals, educated and articulate. They are well organized and subject to meetings and activities. The ordinary Mediatrix devotees are peasants, farmers, and fishermen, and are simply humble churchgoers, not so organized. But there are so many who have a strong faith and devotion to Mama Mary in their hearts. They do not even know the issues in the conflict. Their devotion is based on their hearts, not their minds. When the entire Philippine Church was held in submission by the Vatican under threat of excommunication or alienation, it was the laity that took up the cudgels, out of reach of the clutches of the Vatican and the CBCP. The Confraternity distributed hundreds of life-size Mediatrix statues nationwide. They laid the infrastructure for devotion to spread like wildfire to the sea of marginal devotees. It is estimated from Confraternity reports that Mediatrix devotees are broadly around four million nationwide. Herein lies the victory of the Virgin over the Vatican. Despite 70 long years of suppression and repression since the 1951 apparitions to this very day, Mediatrix devotion proliferates. The Vatican and the CBCP have succeeded in silencing Filipino nuns, priests, bishops, and cardinals but they are helpless against the true Marians among the masses. Even the suppressed Church prelates still believe in the silence of their hearts in the Mediatrix. Suppression has ironically strengthened the Filipino Marians. The Confraternity says it has devised a simple strategy. They will suffer and ignore the suppression without opposition, and discern the will of the Lord and Our Lady, and focus on divine messages, teachings, and pray, pray, pray, especially for the Pope, the Vatican and the CBCP. *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post 2015 Vatican decree on Mediatrix not binding! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NTF-ELCAC gives Church a seat
The Catholic Church will play a more significant role in the anti-insurgency effort through a recalibrated National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, or NTF-ELCAC, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said yesterday. The task force will now have the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs as a member. “We welcome the CBCP through its Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs to the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee and we look forward to working with them in pursuing peace and development in all parts of the country, especially in conflict-affected areas,” Año said. The task force indicated an openness to suggestions from the Church in adopting “moral and ethical approaches in addressing the communist insurgency,” as cited by CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David in a recent statement. “We are opening the door of NTF-ELCAC to the Church because it has an important role to play in ending violence and terrorism in the country,” Año said. “For more than 50 years, we have lived with the scourge of the communist armed conflict. With peace now in sight, the Church has an important role to play in ensuring peace and development in the long term,” he added. With the CBCP in the NTF-ELCAC, Año believes that concerns raised by the Church or by cause-oriented groups supported by them could be immediately addressed. “Because of this development, the Church will have more opportunity to relay its concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to the government,” he said, citing the attendance of Fr. Jerome Secillano at the NTF-ELCAC executive committee meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday. Año reiterated that the task force’s main mandate is to formulate “whole-of-nation” policies to end armed conflict in the country. “CBCP’s membership in the task force ensures a whole-of-nation’s participation because the religious sector is an important component of the nation,” he said. Intervention in influenced areas Año sees the CBCP making significant contributions to the development of areas previously under the influence of the New People’s Army, as well as facilitating social inclusivity in the pursuit of peace. “Given that we are now on the road to total victory, it’s necessary that we recalibrate the way we do things and the entry of the CBCP to the NTF-ELCAC is one of the changes we have implemented under the Marcos administration,” he said. More rebels rejoin society NTF-ELCAC also expressed optimism the government can sustain its peace-building effort to encourage more rebels to reintegrate into mainstream society. At a forum on Saturday, NTF-ELCAC director Alexander Umpar said that in 2023, a total of 959 villages cleared of the insurgency were included in the Barangay Development Program or BDP, an initiative that aims to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities. Under the BDP, each village recipient receives a package of programs, activities, and projects worth a maximum of P20 million. BDP beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022 numbered 822 and 1,406, respectively, he said. Umpar said the NTF-ELCAC is confident that by 2028, it would have attained its goal of achieving lasting peace and development in areas that are vulnerable to armed conflict. “‘By 2028, it is about sustaining the momentum of NTF-ELCAC gains with regard to the dismantling of guerrilla fronts, the reintegration of former rebels, and most of all, building resiliency for our communities under the ambit of good governance toward unity, peace and development,” he said. The government, he said, has dismantled 69 of 89 guerrilla fronts since the creation of the task force in 2018. One of the 20 remaining guerrilla fronts, he said, is active while 19 others had weakened. “‘When we say strategic victory, this (because) of the 19 weakened guerrilla fronts and only one is left to be confronted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said. “There are still concerns about the armed groups but they are no longer able to initiate an armed struggle or to topple our government. So, that’s the strategic victory,” Umpar said. On the other hand, NTF-ELCAC director Jose Descallar urged rebels to give up and join the government in its goal of transforming the country into a “new Philippines.” He said the military could shift its focus to “external threats,” once the government is able to address the local insurgency. Meanwhile, Director Emmanuel Santos of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity said the conduct of localized peace engagements has been proven to be the “most effective” approach in addressing the communist insurgency. “We’re localizing the engagement so we will be closer to the people to make them feel that the government is really here,” Santos said. He added, however, that there should be “clear directions” to ensure the full reintegration of FRs into mainstream society. The post NTF-ELCAC gives Church a seat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep
Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday, beginning the first papal visit to the vast Asian nation landlocked between China and Russia. The 86-year-old pontiff's trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for the tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400. The Argentine pontiff left Rome at 1640 GMT Thursday bound for the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, arriving Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey. He was greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire and foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. Aboard the papal plane soon after take-off, Francis described the vast, sparsely populated country of Mongolia as one that "can be understood with the senses." Asked by a journalist whether he found diplomacy difficult, the pope answered: "Yes, you don't know how difficult it is. "Sometimes you need a sense of humor." The nine-hour flight passed over Chinese airspace and the pontiff, following custom, sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping, bearing "greetings of good wishes" to him and the Chinese people. "Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace," he wrote. The voyage -- Francis' second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan -- is geopolitically strategic. It is seen as encouraging Mongolia's fragile democracy and potentially helping the Church make inroads with the country's more powerful neighbors. "This is a clear effort of the Holy See to take care of Central Asia and not abandon it to Russia or China," Michel Chambon, a scholar of Catholicism in Asia, told AFP. The visit -- Francis' 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church -- is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation. "It's a way to not give up, to remind them 'I'm here!'" Chambon said. "It's a way not to just stay in Rome and wait for things to happen but to jump in." Stamina test The trip will be a stamina test for the pope, who continues to travel widely despite undergoing a hernia operation in June and pain in his knee that has forced him to use a wheelchair. After a day of rest, the pontiff's itinerary on Saturday includes a welcome ceremony, meetings with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a first address to authorities, diplomats, and members of civil society. He will meet the Catholic community -- which includes just 25 priests and 33 nuns, only two of them Mongolian -- later Saturday in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its circular nave resembles a "ger", the Mongolian nomads' traditional tent dwelling. The Jesuit pope addresses an interreligious meeting Sunday, where the rector of Ulaanbaatar's Russian Orthodox Church is expected to be present with a delegation, and later presides over a mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena. Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, the Vatican said, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Not taking sides Once part of the empire of Genghis Khan, Mongolia is dependent on Russia for energy imports and on China for the export of its raw materials, primarily coal. But while toeing a neutral line with its powerful neighbors, it has engaged in a "third neighbor" policy, strengthening relations with other nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, for balance. That makes Mongolia potentially helpful for Vatican relations with both Beijing and Moscow. The Holy See last year renewed a deal on the thorny issue of bishop appointments with China, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. Francis may use his trip to the former Soviet satellite state, a democracy since just 1992, to hammer home democratic principles. A major coal industry corruption scandal provoked street protests in December, eroding public trust amid a weak economy, high inflation, and major gaps between rich and poor. Chambon, a fellow at Singapore's Asia Research Institute, said Francis may take a page from last year's Kazakhstan visit, during which he warned authorities they have a responsibility to govern well. "The pope is not taking sides but is really putting politicians in front of their responsibilities," Chambon said. "'Who are we serving, are we honest, are we caring for the poor and marginalized, are we taking care of the entire nation in its religious and ethnic diversity?' "He plays the games but he asks the hard questions." Francis, who plans in October to publish an update to his seminal 2015 "Laudato Si'" a global call to action for the environment, will also likely bring attention to the impact of climate change on Mongolia's ecosystems. Together with mining and overgrazing, rising temperatures and their effects are fuelling desertification across swathes of the country. Severe cold, flooding and drought have killed off herds on the vast grasslands, forcing nomads who make up one-third of the population to migrate to Ulaanbaatar, now surrounded by shantytowns inhabited by displaced herders. The post Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why Roman Catholic?
Perhaps not all know why a majority of Filipinos are Catholics and why we call ourselves “Roman Catholic.” For your information, my dear friends, there are at least 23 Sui Iuris Catholic churches throughout the world and the Roman Rite is only one of them. These churches consist of rites of their own. They have their own laws, constitutions, rituals, and symbols, among other things, which would identify them separately from each other. Although some have similarities in their rites and rituals, liturgy, doctrines, and beliefs. As I said, one of these Sui Iuris churches is the Roman rite or Roman church. It includes most of the Catholics in the Western world. A Roman Catholic is a Catholic who is a member of the Roman rite. There are many Catholics in the East who are not Roman Catholics, such as Maronite Catholics, Ukrainian Catholics, and Chaldean Catholics. The term “Roman Catholic” is commonly used to refer to the Church that is in communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The development of the term “Roman Catholic” can be traced back to historical and theological factors. The Roman Catholic Church is an institution that accepts the supremacy of the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, the leader of the Church that Jesus Christ established more than 2,000 years ago. Basically, Roman Catholics believe in the oneness of God and the Trinity, having God the Father as the Creator; the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, which includes the meaning of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus; and the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. Historically, the term “Roman Catholic” gained prominence during the English Reformation in the 16th century. As a result of the Protestant Reformation, various Christian denominations emerged, including those that rejected the authority of the Pope and the Roman Church. To distinguish themselves from those Protestant groups, Catholics who remained in communion with Rome began to be referred to as “Roman Catholics.” The first use of the term “Catholic Church” (literally meaning “universal church”) was by the church father, Saint Ignatius of Antioch (c. 50–140), in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). He died in Rome, with his relics placed in the Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano. The term “Roman Catholic” emphasizes the Church’s connection to the City of Rome and its unity with the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, whom Catholics believe was appointed by Jesus Christ as the head of the Church. The Catholic Church recognizes the primacy of the Bishop of Rome and his role as the visible sign of unity for the Church. By the way, whoever is elected to become a bishop of Rome is automatically the Pope and whoever the Pope is, he is the Bishop of Rome. The titles of the Pope include Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, and Servant of the Servants of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not specifically address the term “Roman Catholic” but rather refers to the Church as the “Catholic Church”. The Catechism teaches that the Church is “catholic” in its universality, encompassing all believers and being present throughout the world (CCC 830). It emphasizes the unity of the Church under the leadership of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him (CCC 882). It is important to note that while the term “Roman Catholic” is widely used, it is not the official name of the Catholic Church. The Church itself refers to its members simply as “Catholics” or as part of the “Catholic Church”. The term “Roman Catholic” is more commonly used in specific contexts or to differentiate Catholics from other Christian denominations. The post Why Roman Catholic? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spread the faith, Catholics told
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Bishop Charles Brown yesterday urged the faithful to help spread the word of Jesus Christ as the Catholic Church marks its 500th year in the Philippines......»»
Catholics to receive same blessings online – Church
Whether attending the nine-day Simbang Gabi physically or online, the Catholic faithful would receive their blessings, Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said......»»
34 injured as church floor collapses in Philippines
MANILA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-four people were injured after the second floor of a packed Roman Catholic Church in Bulacan province, north of Manila, collapsed on Wednesday, a disaster-response official said. Gina Ayson, head of the San Jose del Monte City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said the accident occurred in the morning as Catholics packed the church to celebrate Ash Wednesday. Ay.....»»
34 injured as church floor collapses in Philippines
MANILA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-four people were injured after the second floor of a packed Roman Catholic Church in Bulacan province, north of Manila, collapsed on Wednesday, a disaster-response official said. Gina Ayson, head of the San Jose del Monte City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said the accident occurred in the morning as Catholics packed the church to celebrate Ash Wednesday. Ay.....»»
Catholic church, communities launch anti-mining prayer assembly in Samar Island
Catholic church, communities launch anti-mining prayer assembly in Samar Island.....»»
Secret society? Meet the Freemasons, men excommunicated by Catholic popes
Freemasonry makes headlines after the Vatican, in response to Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, says the Catholic Church still bans the faithful from joining this brotherhood.....»»
Five things to know about Pope Francis’ Synod
Pope Francis opened the Synod of Bishops' general assembly in Rome on Wednesday, which in a historic first gives women a vote, after a vast global consultation on the future Catholic Church. Here are five things to know about the event: Input from faithful Since 2021, the world's 1.3 billion Catholics have been invited to express their views on the Catholic Church and its challenges to help guide the institution through the 21st century. The "Synod on Synodality" was launched by Francis, 86, as a way to make the Church more inclusive and transparent as it sought input from the faithful around the world. Insights from local dioceses were submitted to episcopal conferences, all contributing to a 50-page working document called the "Instrumentum Laboris" that will be used during the discussions that will take place over the next four weeks. A second session of the assembly is scheduled for October 2024, after which a final document will be given to the pope. He will then decide whether or not to incorporate its findings into a papal document known as an apostolic exhortation. "It's an important forum for reflection for the Church, on its way of being, of moving forward," Italian priest Giacomo Costa, the special secretary of this assembly, told AFP. 21st-century issues The current Synod is the first time the Vatican has waded into so many of today's contentious social issues so openly. The topics to be addressed include the place of LGBT+ people within the Church, whether women should be ordained deacons, and whether married men can serve as priests in regions with insufficient clergy, among others. While there has been consensus on some issues, "there are other issues on which we disagree in substance," said Costa. Contributing to discussions will be theologians, experts, and sociologists, he said. Women and laypeople The Synod is a consultative institution created by Pope Paul VI in 1965 that meets regularly through assemblies. Francis presided over three previous Synods: those of the Family in 2014-2015, Youth in 2018, and Amazonia 2019 -- where he rejected a proposal to open up the priesthood to married men in remote areas of the Amazon. The current Synod marks a major break from the past, however, with Francis' decision to allow women and lay people to vote. "It's a total change from Paul VI: this time, the people of God are being summoned, not representatives," a Vatican observer told AFP. The source said the laymen and women in the assembly will be trying to push past the "ecclesiastic culture" pervading the event. "They won't be satisfied with good words, there will be a demand for procedure, the will to change, efficiency," said the source. Busy calendar For four weeks, the 464 participants, including 365 voting members, will meet every day, divided into 35 working groups divided into five languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese). Among them are 54 women. The Synod will open and close with a mass presided over by Francis in St. Peter's Basilica and will be marked by periods of prayer. Francis said last month that discussions during the assembly will be behind closed doors to "safeguard" the synodal climate. Dissent Although Francis has warned that there is "no room for ideology in the Synod", there are likely to be differences. Vatican observers will be closely watching the conservative wing of the Church, which is hostile to the Argentine pope. Its members, which include Germany's Cardinal Gerhard Mueller and US Cardinal Raymond Burke, maintain that Francis risks creating confusion and division in the Church, given the Synod's reflections on possible doctrinal changes on thorny issues such as gay rights or celibacy. The post Five things to know about Pope Francis’ Synod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mediatrix controversy
Author’s note: In the last column, I wrote that the 1951 Pius XII decree that said the Mediatrix apparitions had “no supernatural character or origin” is not binding because it was never promulgated officially. Pope Francis recently appointed a new Prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal-to-be Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, SJ. Like his predecessor, Fernandez is a Jesuit and an Argentinian. He is the “theological alter ego” of Pope Francis. How will controversial Archbishop Fernandez handle the 70-year-old Mediatrix issue? Will the current Dicastery, which is vehemently anti-Mediatrix, under the helm of Archbishop Fernandez tone down its stance? As a background, there was a decree of the Dicastery but not of Pope Pius XII. The Dicastery of 1951, whose members have died, claimed Pope Pius XII directly approved its decision (not to recognize the Mediatrix apparitions), but it was never formally entered into the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, the official Vatican publication, a requirement of Canon Law for it to take effect. What are the implications if the 1951 Pius XII decree is in truth non-existent? Under the domino principle, this implies that technically all subsequent declarations and orders of the Dicastery for 70 long years are also not binding, including the latest, wherein Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera was ordered by the Dicastery to ban all celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Mediatrix apparitions. However, the Dicastery never authenticated the Mediatrix apparitions, so the apparition celebrations are rightfully banned. But there is a contradiction that must be resolved — since the original 1951 Pius XII decree is in question. The members of the Dicastery in 1951 were caught in a lie because then apostolic administrator Bishop Rufino Santos stated in his decree of 12 April 1951 that he was still awaiting the Vatican decision regarding Lipa — when the Dicastery reported in its Protocol 226/1949 that a decision had been made, contradicting Bishop Santos. Archbishop Fernandez has to resolve this issue because the evangelization of Asia, which is the focus of Pope Francis, is at stake. Pope Francis looks to the Philippines, the only Christian nation in Asia, as the launch pad for the evangelization of Asia and the “conversion” of China. Conversion means stopping the persecution and massacre of Christians in China, permitting churches there to open, reuniting the Underground Church (who are the target of assassinations) and the Vatican-led Church, and finally, changing China’s belligerence to benevolence in the South China Sea to prevent a full-blown US-China confrontation. The Virgin can bring peace to Asia better than any military solutions. A well-publicized message of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace was a warning about China: “Pray hard for China’s dream is to invade the whole world. The Philippines is one of its favorites.” (17 October 1949). There is a Mediatrix shrine in a chapel in a small village near Nanjing that was built by Metropolitan Bank when it was commissioned by the Chinese government to develop two villages. This “foothold” in China is evidence the Virgin Mediatrix is fulfilling her mission of evangelization and conversion. Archbishop Fernandez and Pope Francis must be informed of the history of the Mediatrix to sharpen their perspectives on its geopolitical ramifications. The continued suppression of Mediatrix devotion and of the entire Philippine Church may hamper the Church’s efforts to evangelize Asia. In truth, Satan is scared of the Mediatrix, that is why, in his panic, he tortured Mediatrix visionary Sr. Teresing Castillo, as she wrote in her second diary that the Vatican failed to destroy but which is now available on the Internet. Is Satan behind the suppression of the Mediatrix by using Cardinals in the Vatican without them knowing it? For centuries, Satan has been penetrating the sacred halls of the Vatican and using the Cardinals without their being aware of it. That Satan works in the Vatican is nothing new. Historically, the Spanish Inquisition in the Middle Ages beheaded on mere suspicion about a thousand “heretics.” The ongoing “apostasy” (civil war) within the Vatican, which Fatima prophesied, is another sign of Satan’s works. It is thus in the interest of the Vatican to consider the Marian evangelization that it is suppressing — to have a change of heart. In the end, the Virgin will triumph over the Vatican, if need be, as revealed in the Bible. The Lord said, “I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the Woman (Mary), and between your offspring (demons) and hers (Jesus). Her offspring will crush your head and you will bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15. “A huge red dragon stood before the Woman about to give birth, to devour her Child. She gave birth to a Son destined to rule all nations. In utter rage, the serpent waged war against the rest of her offspring, those bearing witness to the Son born of Her womb.” Revelation 11:1-17 (excerpts). *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Mediatrix controversy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NSC eyes recalibrating NTF-ELCAC’s efforts with CBCP
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Saturday said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is mulling to recalibrate its efforts as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’s Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs joined the task force. “We welcome the CBCP through its Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs to the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee and we look forward to working with them in pursuing peace and development in all parts of the country, especially in conflict-affected areas,” he said. Año said the task force is open to suggestions from the Church in adopting “moral and ethical approaches in addressing communist insurgency” as mentioned by CBCP President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David in his recent statement. “We are opening the doors of NTF-ELCAC to the Church because it has an important role to play in ending violence and terrorism in the country,” Año said. “For more than 50 years, we have lived under the scourge of the communist armed conflict. With peace now in sight, the Church has an important role to play in ensuring peace and development in the long term,” he added. Having CBCP in the NTF-ELCAC, Año believes that concerns raised by the Church or by cause-oriented groups supported by them could be immediately addressed. "Because of this development, the Church will have more opportunity to relay its concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to government,” he said, citing the attendance of Fr. Jerome Secillano during the NTF-ELCAC executive committee meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday. Año reiterated that the task force’s main mandate is to formulate “whole-of-nation” policies to end armed conflict in the country. “CBCP’s membership in the task force ensures a whole of nation's participation because the religious sector is an important component of the nation,” he added. Año sees that CBCP could make significant contributions to the development of areas previously under the influence of the New People’s Army as well as facilitating social inclusivity in pursuit of peace progress. The post NSC eyes recalibrating NTF-ELCAC’s efforts with CBCP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CBCP president clarifies ‘membership’ in NTF-ELCAC
In a statement released on Friday, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D., Bishop of Kalookan, clarified news reports that the CBCP has become a member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. One of the CBCP’s commissions, the Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs led by Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista with Fr. Jerome Secillano as executive secretary, "has the specific task of engaging government on many levels of dialogue over important issues," said David. "The said Commission clarifies that they are engaging with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) precisely to address some Church issues vis-a-vis government, including the issue about the red tagging of some cause-oriented groups and Church organizations by the said body," David added. The question of whether the CBCP Commission can engage with the NTF-ELCAC as a private sector representative and not be part of the task force's executive commission as a member will be tackled by the CBCP, said David, who stressed that "It’s not exactly CBCP as a conference but the Episcopal Commission of Public Affairs that is there as a private sector representative." "As such, this Commission has access to the NTF-ELCAC ExeCom and more opportunity to express the Church’s specific concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to the public and private sectors and to advance some of the social concerns and issues of the Church. The said Commission also has the intention of providing moral-ethical approaches to dealing with the problem of insurgency." "We intend to tackle this matter and come up with a concrete resolution on it in our forthcoming meeting of the CBCP’s Permanent Council. Can this Commission engage the said government body in a dialogue without having to join its ExeCom as member — i.e. as private sector representative? We hope to come up with some resolutions on this matter soon," he added. The post CBCP president clarifies ‘membership’ in NTF-ELCAC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More groups junk release of Japan nuke wastewater
The Catholic Church in the Philippines, multi-sectoral environmentalists, and fisherfolk leaders have expressed their opposition to the release by the Japanese government of wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, expressed its strong opposition to the discharge of the contaminated water. “We stand in solidarity with the Catholic bishops conferences of Japan and South Korea in expressing our concern and opposition to the dumping of radioactive water into the sea. The decision is a reckless gamble with the health and well-being of people and the environment. We call on the Japanese government to reconsider its decision and to find a safe and responsible way to dispose of the contaminated water,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo in a statement. He added: “We urge the Philippine government to invest in renewable energy sources that are safe, sustainable, and affordable. Renewable energy is the future of our planet, and it is the only way to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.” Earthsavers executive director Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez appealed “not to make the Pacific Ocean a trash can for nuclear waste, and to safeguard the ocean for future generations.” Chinese Embassy diplomat Wu Chenqi said: “The Pacific Ocean is not Japan’s sewer.” He appealed for alternatives to dumping nuclear waste into the ocean, such as “alternative water injection, vapor release, hydrogen release and underground burial.” ‘Thanks for understanding’ Meanwhile, the government of Japan on Friday expressed its gratitude to the Philippines for “understanding” its decision to release 1.3 million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “Japan deeply appreciates the Philippine government’s understanding of the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant from a science-and-fact-based perspective and its impact on the ocean,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said in a tweet. This came after Japan proceeded with its plan to discharge an advanced liquid processing system or ALPS-treated water into the Pacific Ocean, despite criticism from other countries. The post More groups junk release of Japan nuke wastewater appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eastern Samar church up in arms vs mining
BORONGAN CITY — Over a thousand parishioners under the Diocese of Borongan marched to the streets for a “Jericho Walk” on Monday morning to air grievances against the continued mining operations in the historic islands of Homonhon and Manicani in the southern town of Guiuan. The prayer rally, led by Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, was composed mainly of members of various pastoral organizations from different parishes under the diocese, students of catholic schools, seminarians, nuns and church workers. Fr. James Abella, head of Borongan’s diocesan social action center, said the church is alarmed by the escalating mining activities in the whole Samar Island especially in Guiuan. “It is also our way to call for action to protect the environment and the rights of communities in Homonhon and Manicani,” Abella said. The “Jericho Walk” started at the Borongan Capitol grounds and ended at the Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady with a Mass where Varquez was the main presider. In his pastoral message, Varquez said mining operations have worsened the state of poverty due to its impact on marine ecosystems, livelihoods and their health and well-being. Varquez also appealed to the provincial and municipal boards as well as village leaders in affected communities not to endorse mining applications. He also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to cancel all mining permits in Samar island. “Let us not be blind to the current horrific effects of mining operations on our main islands, islets, radically scarring landscapes and seascapes,” said the bishop. He stressed that instead of mining, the government should promote agri-ecological tourism in these islands, saying that while mining only contributes 1.10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product, tourism’s share is at 5 to 6 percent. The post Eastern Samar church up in arms vs mining appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million)
Here’s sharing with you Cyber Proust’s (now Proust Redux) winning piece when he joined the 2010 Philippine Star Lifestyle Journalism Contest sponsored by Rustan Commercial Corporation and the Stores Specialists, Inc. The announcement called for feature articles, as many as one could submit, about heroes, dead or alive. Cyber Proust submitted three — one about his mother; another about a blogger who tells stories about his clan and people like them, making for a good read for people interested in Philippine upper class but not necessarily high society; and this one, about Danny Dolor, Cyber Proust’s patron and benefactor when Cyber Proust had not yet declared himself rich. Here goes: My hero, my icon, the man I’d rather be When people are asked who they want to be if they ever get the chance to live their lives all over again, they almost always say they want to be the same person. If you ask me the same question, I’d have the same answer, only because I want to keep the same set of parents. But if I could keep my Dad and Mom, and still be someone else, I’d look at you straight in the eye, and declare, I want to be Danny Dolor. I can think of a hackneyed thousand and one reasons why I prefer to breathe and eat and live like Sir Danny, but let me stick to the quintessential five. First, he is rich which we all want to be. He is an art lover which I profess to be. He is a trailblazer even if he is a Libran who prefers balance, while I am an Arian who always wants to be the first. He was a good son who took care of his mother in her old age, which every good son should do especially if he were single. I am single, but I was always away from home, too busy changing and finding writing jobs. The closest I got to emulating Sir Danny was spending endless nights conversing with my mother whenever I was home during Christmas breaks. Sir Danny, on the other hand, never travelled abroad because he wanted to be by his mother’s side every night of the year. When he visited Lipa, their hometown, he would pick up his mobile phone to check on his mother and sister Fe in their Makati home, rattling off his orders to their yaya — check their temperature, don’t forget the medicine after their merienda, and so on. Finally, Danny Dolor is a good Catholic who hears Sunday Mass, fingers his beads when in the car, and joins the procession on Good Friday beside his own Mater Dolorosa. How I wish I could give away lands on which to build churches, donate thousands of portfolio bags for priests attending their annual convention, and build a museum in honor of a townsman, Alfredo Maria Obviar, who may yet be the first Filipino bishop to be beatified and, in God’s time, canonized. First conversation I am lucky to have an icon whom I have seen up close. I have seen Danny Dolor when he goes into a trance as he describes his first conversation with National Artist Atang de la Rama, to whom he became a friend and confidante, or fits of laughter as he recalls the usually funny repartee between his friends Sylvia La Torre and Oscar Obligacion when the latter was still alive. For all the secrets and fun times we have shared, I stick to calling him Sir as I did the first time I interviewed him in his thickly-carpeted, air-conditioned and perfume-smelling den. I had known about the man before I ever met him. I knew about his Tribung Pinoy which concertized all over the country in the late 1970s all the way to the mid 1980’s. I never saw them perform in person, but I read about Danny Dolor and his gang of sopranos, tenors and baritones who rendered their harana, danza, balitaw and, of course, kundiman, in schools and churches, and quixotic venues like the Culion Leper Colony in Palawan, the mental hospital and the women’s correctional where the patients and inmates cried, sang, danced and thanked him because no one ever came to sing for them. The path-breaking Danny Dolor also produced the first ever concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines featuring an all-Filipino-traditional-music repertoire. Danny Dolor’s house, at that time when I interviewed him, was along Tamarind corner Banaba in uppity Forbes Park. In the den, paintings, sculptures, plaques, and trophies vied for the attention of first-time guests. I immediately liked a Zalameda portrait of a basketball player, but what impressed me was a plaque with Latin inscriptions which, my host explained to me, was his papal award. He next brought me to the lanai, thrice as large as the den, where beside the lacquered opium bed stood a gigantic St. Joseph. He showed me a life-size oil portrait of Charito Solis, Ramon Valera ternos worn by Gloria Romero and his sister Fe, and original drawings of Darna by Mars Ravelo. The man, who knows his art, takes pride in his penchant for everything Filipino. It is an interest that goes a long way back to his childhood during the Japanese occupation. In the family hacienda where they evacuated, he listened to the farmers sing native songs. In grade one a year or two later, the young Danny sang Bayan Ko before his classmates, to the shock of the teacher who probably expected Jack and Jill. When Sir Danny was in grade school, he watched Filipino films in the movie houses along Rizal Avenue. As a high school student, he listened to the Mabuhay singers over the radio. In college, he watched Tawag ng Tanghalan on television. Is it any wonder that he should mount a best-selling exhibit of movie ads from the golden years of Philippine cinema? Or that he has maintained, for more than ten years, a column in the Philippine Star, “Remember When?” featuring the movie stars and great musical talents of yesteryears? Danny Dolor is unique in that he straddles the worlds of show business and high society, which many find incompatible. Not with him who has produced movies, including Indie films, and concert tributes honoring luminaries of the silver screen like Director Hermogenes Ilagan and movie queen Carmen Rosales. His involvement in the upper strata, on the other hand, is never without a good reason. For example, he collaborated with the socialite businesswoman Nedy Tantoco in organizing the best-selling Ramon Valera retrospective exhibit. If he is chummy with the grand dame Imelda Cojuangco that’s because he is a loyal and trusted officer the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, of which she is the chair. Every year, come Feast of the Immaculate Conception, they gather hundreds of children from depressed areas to receive their first holy communion. Imagine the mix For all of these, he takes a break from his duties as chairman of various companies that include a hospital, hotel, educational institution, bank and subdivisions. Imagine the mix — movies, music, church, business and high society. And he dances the Rigodon too. How can one not desire such completeness? There’s something though he’d rather not be said about him. In my times of need, he does not hide under his canopied bed, and in the milestones of my life, he gives me a thick red envelope. Once I ran out of cash to pay my rent, I called him up and told him that if only I could touch the tip of his pants, I was sure to have what I needed. Scolding me first for being such a cheap copy of the woman in the bible, he said Yes to my pleadings, while reminding me to help him prepare another souvenir program for yet another concert tribute for another forgotten gem of Philippine music. The man does not believe in outright charity. Not to me, anyway. And while he is patient with me, he insists that I “fix” my life for “all these things you delight in will soon come to pass” and “if you do not take care of yourself, who will?” and so on. From his mother, he passes on a classic gem, “Never do anything that people will notice from afar,” a rough translation of “Huwag kang gagawa ng kahit anong matatanaw mula sa malayo.” In short, don’t be a show-off. My hero and icon, Danny Dolor, is not only a model for living the successful and well-lived life that I dream about. He is also a saviour, a mentor and an angel who, despite the “professional distance” we keep between us as a “client” and as a “talent,” if the relationship must breed results, has come closest to being my “Tito” and best friend. Sir Danny will not be pleased with this article. He will think that I need to borrow money from him again. The post Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beware: God’s silence
Dear Editor, Has the Church lost its moral ascendancy to preach about righteousness and piety? It is a wonder why it has been silent about all forms and sources of evil in our society, like corruption and gambling, legal or illegal. What could be the reason why the Church is mum on important national issues involving depravity or demons, unlike during the time of Jaime Cardinal Sin three or four decades ago? Why does the Church seem to have abandoned its duty of exorcizing evil? I am referring not only to the Catholic Church but to other churches as well, including Protestants, all Christian denominations, and other religions in the country. If church leaders can corrupt the government and politicians, we can just imagine the magnitude of their corrupt acts over their church organization’s own money. These are those who entered a “life of mission,” but due to undying love for mammon and a “good life” (contrary to Christ’s life), they ended up serving themselves rather than God and their flocks. The Constitution is clear: “No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied to, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use of, the benefit of, or support of any sect, church, or denomination.” May I add, “And no church money shall be used for personal ambitions?” Upon reading news similar to the SUV scandal in 2011 whereby a “bishop asked for a car as a birthday gift but used the welfare of the poor as an excuse,” and upon realizing the baseness of many ministers today who use gadgets as Bibles, I was led to write this piece. In the same way that we can distinguish the original from fake products by looking at the details or scrutinizing the small, minuscule parts, a church is known for its authenticity or hypocrisy. While God is also in the details of Christian living and the imperatives of faith, the Devil is in every side and corner, floor and ceiling, of religiosity and the so-called “essentials” and “fundamentals” of (sham) faith. Since when have sanctified living and/or corruption, child abuse, human trafficking, taking drugs, drinking, smoking, gambling, adultery, and the like become “non-essentials?” Why are most ministers today afraid of speaking against sin? And how dare they categorize crookedness and worldliness as just being parts of what they call “non-essentials”? They have been so focused on their essential “theology” and “religiousness” that they’ve been blinded to see piety and righteousness. Christ was not crucified to save religions but sinners, according to Matthew 7:15-20. But be equally watchful of “ministers” who preach the Bible with Bibles but are actually just preaching their man-made religions and damnable doctrines. Finally, why not make a law that would stop corrupt churches from corrupting politicians during elections by prohibiting them from endorsing any candidate via “block voting,” openly or secretly? Be courageous for the good of the motherland and do this, dear lawmakers. Country first, before yourself (or your votes), and you will have the vote of God. No worries. Reni Valenzuela renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com The post Beware: God’s silence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»