HB 96 was introduced by Rep. Edcel Lagman, 1st Regular Session, 15th Congress, July 1, 2010.

Sec. 3 (c): “The State shall promote, without bias, all modern natural and artificial methods of family planning that are medically safe, legal and effective.”

Dr. Lorenzo’s comment: “In effect, this provision mandates the states to promote intra-uterine device (IUD) which causes medical abortion.”

He explains: “The IUD is a plastic device (usually a coil) that is inserted into the uterine cavity and left there for as long as the woman wants to contracept.”

Continues Dr. Lorenzo: “being a foreign body, it triggers a ‘foreign body reaction’ in the inner lining (endometrium) of the uterus. The foreign body reaction renders the endometrium hostile to a fertilized egg. So when the fertilized egg attempts to implant itself in the endometrium, it is rejected and dies. Many authors call this mechanism medical abortion.”

He furthers argues: “This sec. 3 (c) promotes also the use of different kinds of ‘morning after’ pills such as RH 486, which is marketed in the U.S. as Mifiprex, Plan B, Optimor…”

“Mifiprex”, he clarifies, “uses a combination of two medications, namely, mifepristone and miso prostol. Mifepristone is usually given in the clinic. It blocks progesterone, a hormone which is needed to maintain pregnancy, causing the endometrium to slough off. Bleeding occurs and the cervix softens…”

“Then, 24 to 72 hours after the first medication”, Dr. Lorenzo states, “misoprostol is given which causes the uterus to contract. The pregnancy is usually expelled within 6 to 8 hours. When these two drugs are used in combination, they are 95-97% effective.

“Clearly, Dr. Lorenzo concludes, ‘HB 96 not only subverts the moral fibre of Filipinos by promoting medical abortion. It also goes against the Constitution of the Philippines which states [The State] shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception’” (Sec. 12, Art. II).

House Bill No. 96 is immoral as well as unconstitutional.

Aim: “…to help people understand that the texts bequeathed by the Council Fathers need to be read correctly, to be widely known and taken to heart as important and normative texts of the Magisterium, within the Church’s tradition” (n. 5).

Church renewal through witness: “The renewal of the Church is also achieved through the witness offered by the lives of believers: by their very existence in the world, Christians are called to radiate the word of truth that the Lord Jesus has left us” (n. 6).

“The Year of Faith…is a summon to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the World” (n. 6).

 “Caritas Christi nos” (2 Cor. 5:14)  Christ’s love “fills our hearts and impels us to evangelize” (n. 7).  Motive to evangelize is Christ’s love.

The Year of Faith is “a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist” (n. 9).

Two tasks:  “to rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed and to reflect on the act of faith…” (n. 9).

 A path to better understand the content and act of faith.  Pope Benedict quotes St. Paul:  man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Rom. 10:10).  “The heart indicates that the first act by which one comes to faith is God’s gift and the action of grace which acts and transforms the person deep within” (n. 10).

Benedict XVI adds: “Confessing with the lips…implies public testimony and commitment”.  Faith demands social responsibility” (n. 10).

Systematic knowledge of the content of the faith can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (cf. 11).  Important to retrace “ the history of our faith, marked…by the interweaving of holiness and sin” (n. 13).

Holy men and women contributed “to the growth and development” of the Church.  While sin provokes in us “a sincere and continuing work of conversion” (n. 13).

Today, we need “credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the Word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many in the desire for God and for true life, life without end” (n. 15).  Credibility and competence are qualities of effective evangelizers

Fr. Rolando M. Castro, OP, professor, Ecclesiastical Faculties, University of Sto. Thomas, Manila was the sharer/spiriter.

October is the month of the rosary.

 Mary is a Model of the Rosary because she is the most faithful disciple of the Lord.  Like Jesus, Mary was always obedient to God’s will.  “Fiat”, let it be done to me according to your word. (cf. Lk. 1:38).

The Rosary is a simple prayer.  Christo-centric.  A compendium of the Gospel.  Meditation/contemplation is essential to the recitation of the rosary. (cf. Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”, John Paul II, 2002).

There were instances  when the recitation of the rosary helped defeat the enemies of the Catholic Church: La Naval against the Dutch and Lepanto against the Turks.

 Thank you, Fr. Roland.  Thank you, Fr. Bien, “recruiter” of resource persons.  Thank you Dominican Fathers for hosting the recollection.

In addition, a mountain of toxic waste rock.

These pose very serious threat not only to living beings – human, flora and fauna, but also to structures: homes, public buildings, bridges, etc.

Breakdown: Kidapawan – 9,293; Digos – 38,766; and Marbel – 57,988.

Breakdown, Marbel 57,988: Marbel – 10,365.  Lagao – 5,970.  Surallah – 5,020.  Calumpang – 4,589.  Glan – 3,402.  Cannery – 3,193.  Polomolok – 2, 678.  Fatima – 2,581.  Tampakan – 2,126.  Banga – 2,109.  Tantangan – 2, 073.  Bula – 2,068.  Alabel – 1,846.  Maasim – 1,274.  T’boli – 1,129.  Tupi – 898.  Maitum – 821.  Kiamba – 616.  Non-parishes:  Catholic Mission to the Indigenous People (Passionist) – 2,512.  Healing, Fr. Suarez, NDMU – 1,347.  Campus Ministry-NDMU – 1,013.  Chancery – 358.

We request the following parishes to campaign for signatures, which campaign is educational:  Dadiangas, Malapatan, Malungon, Norala, St. Michael Archangel, Sto. Niño and Lake Sebu (future parish).

This means “intensified operations against all criminal elements so that justice may be served.

This involves military and police efforts together with local government units’ and community leaders’ support to achieve a holistic solution to problem.

Some of these lawless persons are Waning Abdusallam, a fugitive MILF leader, Putot and Ogis Jakaria who have warrants of arrests.  Ibrahim Malat Sulayman who was allegedly involved in the Al-Barka Massacra of 19 soldiers and Dan Asnawi who was jailed but escaped.

Bishop Romulo de la Cruz, Kidapawan Diocese, presided during the mass on 25 October 2011 at 9:30 in the morning, Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces Cathedral, Kidapawan City.  He asked in his homily: “Even when peace and justice will finally arrive in Arakan, his memory and martyrdom shall not be forgotten.”  Some 88 priests (or 100?), including 6 other bishops concelebrated with Bishop de la Cruz.

Fr. Alfredo Palomar, Jr. of Kidapawan, read Pope Benedict XVI’s message to Apostolic Nuncio.  Pope Benedict praised Fr. Fausto for his bravery and courage.  “A good priest, a fervent believer who for many years served the people of the Philippines in a courageous and indefatigable way”, he wrote.

Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi, PIME, Superior General, said after the mass: “The Diocese of Kidapawan is now soaked with the blood of Fr. Fausto and Fr. Tulio”.  Fr. Tulio was killed by militiamen led by Norberto Manero on 11 April 1985 at Esperanza, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Italy’s Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari expressed indignation over Tentorio’s killing and the prevailing climate of impunity in the Philippines that allowed the murder of the missionary and indigenous peoples.

Felicci Tentorio, Fausto’s brother, thanked everyone.  Speaking in Italian he said: “Although we are sad over his sudden death, we are a bit heartened by the show of love of the Filipino people”.

Other notables present: Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman, Department of Welfare and Development, Governor Emmylou Mendoza, North Cotabato and Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, AFP, EastMinCom Commander (I think).

Fr. Fausto’s coffin was made of mahogany, a tree he himself planted.

From the Cathedral the remains were brought to the Bishop’s Compound, Balindog, some seven kilometers distant.

 He was buried near Fr. Tulio’s grave.

Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Bishop of Tandag, Surigao Sur and CBCP President wrote before the funeral: “How long will evil men continue to plot against those who courageously protest against the sufferings of the poor and the degradation of God’s creation?”

Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, OMI, Cotabato Archdiocese, wrote in his blog “Perspective”:  I have no hesitation to call Fr. Fausto Tentorio as a martyr for justice and peace.

The only enemies he could make are those who wanted to silence his voice appealing for justice and peace for the indigenous peoples and for God’s creation.

If the perpetrators think that his murder would silence priests, religious sisters and brothers, and bishops from proclaiming the justice of God’s Kingdom, they are wrong.

Marbel Diocese was represented by some priests led by Fr. Bobby Parreño, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy.

Fr. Fausto’s Last Will and Testament: “…what the Lord requires of you: only to do justice, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). (Fr. Alex Salas provided some details)

Total signatures gathered against open pit mining: 106,047.  Marbel – 57,988.  Digos – 38,766.  Kidapawan – 9,293.  These will be presented to President Aquino when two bishops and some representatives will meet with the President.

The 15 members present agreed to petition President Aquino to declare protected areas these mountain ranges: Roxas which separates Allah Valley and Koronadal Valley; Daguma which separates Allah Valley from Sarangani and contains Lakes Sebu, Lahit and Siloton as well as Mt. Parker; and Quezon where Mt. Matutum is located.

He said that the rosary is Christocentric and compendium of the Bible.

Essence of recitation is contemplation.  Pause after announcing the mystery.  Example: Annunciation.  Meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation – God became man.  Continue meditating as the Our Father and Hail Marys are slowly recited.

Marvelous prayer in simplicity and depth.

Pope Leo XIII wrote “rosary is useful in fighting evils in society” (1883).

For peace and family.

Contemplate with Mary Jesus’ face.

Around 200 vehicles accompanied the remains to Matutum Cemetery.

 Rest in peace, faithful servant.