In the July 13, 2011 Senate hearing, Senator Teofisto Guingona III put CLOSURE to the controversy by ruling: (1) there were no pajeros SUVs; (2) no violation of the Constitution since the beneficiaries were the poor not the Bishops; (3) Juico’s accusation was without basis – factual or legal; (4) PCSO is responsible for the pain, anguish and shame felt by the 7 bishops.
How does one repair the damage inflicted on one’s reputation?
We pray for those who judged rashly the bishops.
The 103rd BPA was held on 9-11 July 2011, Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, Manila.
Attendance: 82 of 98 active members (83.67%) and 7 of 35 honorary members. Total: 89.
a) President’s Address. CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar spoke on same sex marriage, contraceptives, divorce. These indicate shift in priority of values, moral relativism and loss of sense of God.
b) Msgr. Gábor Pintér, chargé d’ affaires a.i., transmitted Pope Benedict XVIs message to the bishops. Pope encouraged bishops to defend human life, sacredness of marriage and of family. Papal Nuncio Pinto will arrive inManilaon 15 July 2011.
c) Mission Sunday Collections to be remitted in “their entirety to the P.M.S. director who will then forward them without any deduction and through established channels to the Superior Council of the said societies” (Ivan Card. Dias, prefect, Congregatio Pro Gentium Evangelizatione).
d) Antonio Card. Canizeres Llovera, Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, issued on 22 February 2011 the Decree granting “Recognitio” (confirmation) to the English Language Translation Text of the Missale Romanum. This new English translation will be implemented on First Sunday of Advent 2012 (Dec. 2).
e) Pontificio Collegio Filippino is asking a donation of P20,000 every 3 years from Marbel Diocese.
f) CBCP approved Pastoral Letter on Aids. 1st Sunday of Advent is Aids Sunday. CBCP also approved a statement on the 7 Bishops vs. PCSO.
g) Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR, is the newBEC Executive Secretary. His 4-year term starts June 2011. BEC National Assembly, 11-13 October 2011, Maryhill, Taytay, Rizal.
h) CBCP approved by 66 votes inclusion in Ordo Optional Memorial of Blessed John Paul II.
i) National Meeting of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy on 12-15 September 2011, Boracay, Aklan.
j) CBCP’s Major officers for Dec. 1, 2011 – Nov. 30, 2013. President – Archbishop Jose Palma,Cebu; Vice-Pres. – Abp. Socrates Villegas, Lingayen, Dagupan; Treasurer – Bishop John Du, Dumaguete; Secretary-General – Msgr. Joselito Asis, the incumbent ASecGen.
k) House’s Stand on RH Bill as of 08 June 2011.
Against Pro Unclear stand
Political Parties 117 70 39
Party Lists 16 35 5
Total 133 105 44
Rep. Pacquaio Rep. Avance-Fuentes Rep. Acharon, Jr.
l) 7 Bishops vs PCSO
Ms. Margarita Juico, PCSO, Chair, accused 7 bishops of violating the constitutional provision on separation of Church and State by accepting 7 pajeros SUV from the PCSO in 2009 under the Arroyo Administration.
Facts:
CBCP’s position. Receiving financial assistance from PCSO for the poor and needy is not a violation of the Constitution. Beneficiaries are the poor – citizens of the State. Any benefit accruing the bishops is only incidental. Neither is it immoral. To return or not the vehicle is left to the decision of the 7 bishops.
The 7 bishops’ decisions – (1) attend the Senate hearing on July 13, 2011; (2) apologize to the faithful and CBCP for the pain and confusion; (3) return the vehicles ASAP.
This Caucus took place on 31 January, 2011 at Pope Pius XII Center, Manila.
Issue was the Reproductive Health Bills.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Chairman, Senate Pro-Life Caucus, mentioned: need for consultations, many bills, prudent and cautious process, one’s life, including the unborn, must be protected.
Congressman Roilo S. Golez, Chairman, Pro-Life Caucus, House of Representatives: HB 13 “Protection of the unborn” was authored by him. Investigate oral contraceptives. Consider all aspect. Bishops to dialogue with his representatives to generate support against HB 96 and others.
Sen. Vicente C. Sotto III, Majority Leader and Vice-Chairman, pro-Life Caucus: RH 96 is unnecessary. Enhance anti-poverty programs. Foreigners are funding supporters of RH 96.
Deputy speaker Pablo P. Garcia, Vice-Chairman, Pro-Life Caucus, House of Representatives said RH 96 will “be aborted” in the House. Cited several constitutional provisions against RH 96. One example, Section 12, Art. II: Family-basic autonomous social institution. Legal and moral arguments against RH 96. Encourage the Integrated Bar of the Philippinesto come out with a statement on RH 96. The CBCP has already provided moral arguments.
Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, Tandag, CBCP President gave an opening message on the sacredness of life which is a gift from God.
Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, San Fernando, Pampanga, Chairman, CBCP Commission on Family and Life, introduced the more than 80 bishops present (not singly).
Archbishop Jose S. Palma, Cebu, CBCP Vice-President led the invocation.
Bishop Jesse E. Mercado, Parañaque, Chairman, CBCP Commission on the Laity made the synthesis.
M.C.s: Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Imus, Chairman, CBCP Commission on Doctrine and Congresswoman Rachel Marguerite B. del Mar.
There were 3 senators (Sen. Honasan) and around 20 members of the House of Representatives.
Future looks bright for the faithful followers; dark for the unfaithful.
Bishops met on 29-31 January at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, Paco, Manila.
Present were 96 of the 99 active members (97%) and 6 of the 33 retired bishops.
Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect, Congregation on Catholic Education, presided during the opening mass. Title of his homily was, “Faith Like the Night”. “Faith allows us to realize great things and to aspire to a heavenly homeland (Heb. 11: 1-2, 8-9).” Jesus rebuked his disciples who were terrified by a great storm; “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mk. 4: 35-41). Faith is like a dark night sprinkled with starts. At night one sees more. “Let us grow in faith”, urges Cardinal Zenon.
Cardinal Zenon delivered an opening message entitled, “The Importance of Catholic Learning Institutions”. “Local ordinaries must maintain ever closer ties with schools and universities”. Learning centers should adhere “to the teaching authority of the Church in matters of faith and morals”. Objectives of Catholic education are the “formation of authentic human communities ‘animated by the spirit of Christ’…” a common dedication to truth, a common vision of the dignity of the human person and ultimately, the person and message of Christ”.
Amidst moral deteriorization, Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, CBCP President, urged the renewal of personal Christian values.
10-year preparation (2011 – 2021) for the 500th anniversary of Philippine evangelization.
2nd National Congress, Laity, October 2011.
Review of CBCP’s stand on H.B. 96 and related bills on Reproductive Health. The Pastoral Letter was unanimously approved on 2nd reading: strong opposition to RH/Responsible Parenthood/ Population Development House Bill. Copies in English and Cebuano are available in the Chancery.
VII World Meeting of Families in Milan, Italy, 2012. Theme: “La Famiglia: il lavoro e la festa”, effective programs during 2011 regarding the family and its relationship to work and holidays.
Theme for the XIII Ordinary General Assembly, Synod of Bishops, 7 to 28 October 2012: “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith”.
CBCP voted by a vote of 94 (96 present) to approve the new English (ICEL) translation of the Roman Missal (Sacramentary). This decision will be sent to Romefor the “Recognitio”. Afterwards the Sacramentary will be printed in thePhilippines, at a lesser cost.
Changes: (1) Answer to “The Lord be with you” is “And with your spirit” (cf. 2 Tim. 4: 22 among others). The spirit represents the highest and noblest level in a human being (lowest is body – “soma”; middle: soul – “psyche”). (2) “for all” is now “for many”. Latin is “pro multis” – exact translation. For all is catechetical explanation. NOTE: DO NOT CHANGE YET. Let us wait for Rome’s “RECOGNITIO”.
CBCP approved the “Updated Program of Formation, Minor Seminary”.
Holy SEE has not approved “mediatrix” (proposed 5th Marian dogma). Regulates devotion to Our Lady of All Nations (approvation is not verifiable). Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not encourage “Feast of God the Father”. No theological and liturgical reasons.
50th International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin, Ireland, 10-17 June 2012.
Colegio Filippino, Rome has 18 Filipino student priests and 3 who are out most of year plus 8 non-Filipinos. Total: 29.
Youth cross was launched after the closing mass on 31 January. The cross will go around the Philippines. It started with Southern Tagalog dioceses.
