We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
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......»»
Render unto Ceasar
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ plenary assembly in 2022 said the Roman Catholic Church will divest from banks and projects that are involved in fossil fuels as part of its contribution to the movement for clean energy. The warning showed the financial muscle through its corporate shares that the bishops can muster to influence the realm of business. In a pastoral letter, the CBCP said it will use its shareholdings in domestic banks to demand policies and plans to “phase out their exposure to coal, fossil gas, and destructive energy in line with the 1.5°C ambition.” “Without clear commitments and policies from these banks to divest from fossil fuels, we commit to withdraw all our resources that are with them not later than 2025, and hold them accountable to their fiduciary duties and moral obligations as climate actors,” read the pastoral letter. In its latest pastoral letter about the “climate emergency” last March, however, the Church bravado has dissipated and instead has been replaced by a warning that it will enforce the “CBCP-initiated non-acceptance policy of donations of whatever kind, from owners or operators and any representative of extractive companies regardless of the scale of operation.” The new position is oceans apart from the earlier encompassing threat to divest from all dirty energy projects and their financiers. Such flip-flops have been the impediment of the Church in exerting its supposed moral guidance in what the Bible says is Caesar’s domain. The Catholic Church is heavily invested in the biggest corporations in the country. In San Miguel Corporation, for instance, the list of its top 100 shareholders shows more than P600 million in investments from Church-affiliated entities. The Archbishop of Manila is currently listed as the fifth largest shareholder in one of the biggest lenders in the country, which is a huge provider of loans to energy projects, with 62 percent of its energy portfolio comprising coal. The bank’s exposure to coal projects is estimated at $444.82 million. The archbishops of archdioceses in Jaro, Iloilo, and Zamboanga are also major stockholders of the bank. The Manila archdiocese is also among the top shareholders in a giant mining firm through shares worth more than P66 million. It also has huge capital as a supplier of construction materials. When the Catholic Church appealed for donations for the renovation of the Manila Cathedral in 2013, top corporation SMC came to its aid with P50 million while Metrobank donated P20 million. In no time at all, the P136-million project was funded. Regarding donations, in 2011, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office named a priest and several Catholic bishops who received sports utility vehicles funded through the agency’s charity fund. The PCSO revelation sparked a Senate investigation and the bishops agreed to surrender the vehicles. A Commission on Audit report said the grant of the five vehicles amounting to P7 million violated the constitutional provision that “no public money or property shall be appropriated, applied or employed directly or indirectly, for the use of, benefit or support to any sect, church, denomination… except when such priest, preacher or dignitary is assigned to the Armed Forces or any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.” During a Senate investigation on the controversy, PCSO director Aleta Tolentino revealed that a bishop asked for a car as a birthday gift but used the welfare of the poor as an excuse. During the inquiry, Tolentino said, “We are not against the Church. We are just denouncing what happened in the past — corruption of government funds, which is prohibited by the Constitution itself.” “Would the bishops rather that we keep mum or lie about it? Would they want us to just keep quiet about this?” she added. With its heavily compromised state as a result of its financial involvement, the Church has abandoned its role as a conscience of society in the pursuit of uplifting the lives of Filipinos. The post Render unto Ceasar appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Antipolo Cathedral idineklara ng Vatican na kauna-unahang int’l shrine sa Pinas
MANILA, Philippines – Idineklara ng Vatican bilang unang international shrine sa Pilipinas ang National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage sa Antipolo City ,ayon sa post sa website ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Ginawa ni Bishop Francisco de Leon ang anunsyo sa misa sa pagdiriwang ng ika-39 na anibersaryo […] The post Antipolo Cathedral idineklara ng Vatican na kauna-unahang int’l shrine sa Pinas appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Bishop offers hope in mass for COVID-19 dead
Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who led the “mass for the dead” at the Manila Cathedral yesterday, reminded the faithful to still be hopeful and give importance to the life they were given even as thousands have died of COVID-19......»»
Bishop Pabillo offers Manila Cathedral as vaccination site
CALOOCAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- Manila Archdiocese apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo backed the COVID-19 vaccination plan pushed by Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso as he.....»»
Ilagan bishop catches COVID-19
The St. Michael’s Cathedral in Gamu, Isabela was temporarily closed to the public yesterday after Ilagan Bishop William Antonio tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19......»»
Manila Archbishop: Washing of feet maintains faithful’s connection to Jesus
In his homily at the Manila Cathedral on the evening of Maundy Thursday, Advincula stressed the importance of the washing of the feet, not merely as a hygienic act but as a sign of one's relationship with Jesus......»»
Guv still hopes for PBBM s nod of NIR despite bishop s opposition
Guv still hopes for PBBM s nod of NIR despite bishop s opposition.....»»
Braving the Heat
BRAVING THE HEAT. Workers install a platform in front of the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Monday, 25 March 2024. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the city's heat index reached 43 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. the same day. The platform is in preparation for Easter Sunday's "Salubong" mass. MindaNews photo.....»»
'How do you deal with a neighbour...': Jaishankar slams Pakistan over 'industry level' terrorism
Singapore, March 24 (ANI): Emphasising the complex situation of dealing with a neighbour like Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Islamabad uses terrorism as an instrument of statecraft and does not even hide from the fact. He affirmed that India will not skirt this problem anymore and the mood in the country is not to overlook the issue of terrorism. The EAM, who is in Singapore as part of his thre.....»»
'How do you deal with a neighbour...': Jaishankar slams Pakistan over 'industry level' terrorism
Singapore, March 24 (ANI): Emphasising the complex situation of dealing with a neighbour like Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Islamabad uses terrorism as an instrument of statecraft and does not even hide from the fact. He affirmed that India will not skirt this problem anymore and the mood in the country is not to overlook the issue of terrorism. The EAM, who is in Singapore as part of his thre.....»»
Shabu dealer linked to Dawlah Islamiya busted in Marawi
Another drug trafficker identified with the Dawlah Islamiya was arrested after selling P102,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed policemen in a sting operation Thursday in Barangay Cabasaran in Marawi City......»»
Chocolate Hills furor prompts Bohol bishop’s call to preserve national treasures
MANILA, Philippines — The public has been urged by the Catholic bishop of Bohol to preserve national treasures amid an outcry over the construction and operation of a resort in the middle of the picturesque Chocolate Hills’ protected area. The need to “recognize and cherish” Bohol’s natural wonders, specifically its Chocolate Hills and beaches was.....»»
Filipino bishop calls for end to gun violence
Filipino bishop calls for end to gun violence.....»»
Pope Francis Appoints Rev. Fr. Luisito Occiano as New Bishop of Virac Diocese
Rev. Fr. Occiano, appointed by Pope Francis as the new bishop of the Diocese of Virac Virac, Catanduanes – Rev. Father Luisito Occiano of the Archdiocese of Caceres was formally appointed by Pope Francis on Thursday, February 29, 2024, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Virac. Occiano will be the third Bishop of […] The post Pope Francis Appoints Rev. Fr. Luisito Occiano as New Bishop of Virac Diocese appeared first on Bicol Peryodiko......»»
‘He can be a diplomat’: Charismatic Naga priest is new bishop of Virac
Father Luisito Occiano, a longtime priest in Naga City, is set to lead the Diocese of Virac after its bishop for the past three decades retired.....»»
Pope Francis appoints new archbishop in Bicol
Alarcon, who was the former Bishop of the Diocese of Daet, has been transferred to the archdiocese which holds jurisdiction in the third, fourth and fifth congressional districts of Camarines Sur, Naga City, Iriga City and the Municipality of Gainza......»»
Bishop Ambo David elected vice president of Asian bishops’ assembly
This is the latest international assignment of Bishop Pablo Virgilio 'Ambo' David, an internationally trained Bible scholar and a prominent voice in Philippine society.....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 19 February 2024
DOT-10 opens historical trail in Cagayan de Oro The Department of Tourism-Region 10 (DOT-10) has launched the “Cagayan de Oro Historical Trail Walkthrough,” which covered the historical sites in the city. The trail will start at the wooden cross in front of the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cagayan de Oro. The cross, erected in […].....»»
Bishop: Duterte’s Mindanao secession push insane
The proposal of former president Rodrigo Duterte of having an independent Mindanao is “insane,” according to retired Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo......»»