Election result dismays Catholic Church officials

 

Some Catholic Church officials are expressing dismay over the result of the elections, specifically concerning the senatorial race.

Good for them!

If you ask me, the result should silence them and should make them realize that their concern is in the affairs of the church and it should stop, when beyond that the affairs of the state begin.

I am not saying that they should not get involve in the political process of the country, for more than being priests they are citizens of the republic.

Their participation and role, however, should be on an individual basis and should not include the church in meddling in the affairs of the state.

Like government officials responsible for the earthly welfare of the people, the church officials also have heavenly responsibilities for their flock.

Both responsibilities, mind you, are far-reaching such that if one interferes with the business of the other, it creates animosity and divisiveness that not only mars the relationship between the state and the church, but also hinders the growth and progress programs of both institutions.

Such was the result of the acrimonious discord over the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill that went on to be the tool used by some high Catholic officials in identifying whom to vote for senator during the election.

They put up large tarpaulins in church surroundings bearing the names of candidates who opposed the RH law, branding them as “Team Buhay” and those who voted for the measure as “Team Patay.”

Note that the controversial measure was signed into law by President Aquino last December to provide poor people with information and access to various forms of family planning or birth control methods, including the use of condoms and other contraceptives, in order to save lives and improve the quality of life for those living and about to be born.

Believing that there is such thing as ‘Catholic votes’, the church went full bore on this idea, only to find out after the elections that those whom they black-balled for supporting the measure landed as clear winners in the senatorial race.

This is what dismayed them. But, what should dismay them more is the backlash it has generated among some of their followers who used reason and sensibleness in going against the wishes of the ranking church officials. They found the church’s advocacy on this matter suffocating, if not irrational, and are beginning to distance themselves from the church.

One consoling and encouraging reflection of the election results is that the Catholics are beginning to speak their own minds in matters relating to the affairs of the state and not be influenced by the dictates of ranking church officials whose myopic stand on such an important issue as health and responsible parenthood is senseless, at best, and deplorable, at worst.

In a world of two popes

 

Emeritus Pope Benedict and Pope Francis now both living in the Vatican compound.

It hasn’t been that way ever since I can remember, and so I consider it momentous that in my lifetime I am witnessing two living popes in the Vatican – one retired, the other reigning.

What could be the consequence of this?

It sure sounds intimidating to God, Who will now have an earful of incessant prayers from Emeritus Pope Benedict and Pope Francis for the salvation of not just the 1.2 billion Catholics, but the whole of mankind and the peaceful co-existence among nations.

Is the world going to be a better place, henceforth?

Will there be fostered a better understanding between peoples of different religions and creed?

Will the destruction of Syria and the massacre of its people stop now?

Could we expect better life and future for those in the refugee camps all over the world that have been displaced – all victims of atrocities committed by despots, war between nations, famine and natural calamities?

Will Iraq and Afghanistan discover again its past glories?

Will China be contented with being an economic and military might without flexing its muscle and claiming historic rights/sovereignty over areas, regions or seas that clearly belong to other nations already?

Could we expect North Korea to start using its resources to feed its people instead of amassing arsenal of weapons for mass destruction?

Will the Church have now less or be free of pedophile priests?

Will the Church now stop meddling in the affairs of the state and allow the people to be educated in the reproductive health or responsible parenthood program of the government?

Oh, there are so many, many more to be wished upon!

I am not praying for a perfect world.

But, with two godly popes incessantly praying, combined with the rest of well-meaning religious leaders, what I expect, at least, is divine intervention that would right most of the wrongs that some politically recalcitrant leaders are committing.

CBCP officer warns Catholic-based movements on openly endorsing candidates

Archbishop Socrates Villegas

The warning that Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas gave to the leaders of the various Catholic-based movements in the country is not only very timely and appropriate, but also a whiff of fresh air coming from a church whose credibility and transparency are both iffy and murky.

What makes the admonition meaningful is that it came on the heels of practically similar exhortation that Pope Francis made at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul‘s Outside the Walls, where he celebrated Mass, saying to the faithful who were in attendance that: “Inconsistency on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is undermining the Church’s credibility.”

On the same vein, Villegas came out with a pastoral letter, where he said that “the church must not even entertain the thought of endorsing candidates since it will just come out as losers even if their candidates win in the elections.”

His pastoral letter went on explaining that: “In endorsing candidates, the Bride of Christ, the church tarnishes her spiritual mission with the stain of the mundane. The endorsed candidate might win, but religion has been reduced to a political party. Religion has been has been used for political gain and our spiritual mission has been compromised.”

What a sound judgment from Villegas!

Villegas, who is also vice president of the CBCP, said that the church should not be perceived as winning or losing an election, saying that the church “must be beyond such.”

Truly, the church should act her role as purveyor of peace, decency, unity, and objectivity in matters involving state functions.

The homily of Villegas was simply putting the house of God in order and placing the clergy and the lay minister’s role in the right perspective – that of not being political king-makers.

State politics is not within the realm of the church, and more so of the lay leaders of Catholic-based movements, who almost always act more popish than the pope.

But, this doesn’t mean to say that these entities won’t entreat government and all political parties involved for an honest, peaceful and credible election. They should, for it is their duty as representative of these religious sectors to demand it. Their faithful followers deserve no less.

Although Villegas did not specify any entity, Bro. Mike Velarde of the famed Catholic charismatic group, El Shaddai,  must have felt being alluded to because he wants to see Villegas to explain his White Vote Movement, which has endorsed openly senatorial candidates for the May elections.

These nuggets of wisdom from Villegas should be taken to heart and spread out among the country’s clergies.

Thoughts about the Catholic religion

At first I thought I was about the only odd ball member of the Catholic religion that has not been upholding the Catholic faith the way we had been taught to champion it.

When asked about my religion I always say I am a Catholic, but only in words and not in deeds.

Does that make me proud? Of course not.

But, does that satisfy my thirst for a sense of belonging to somebody that is Omnipotent? Yes, it certainly does!

My faith in the Almighty God has never been as strong as it has been all these years since I had been silently and fervently communicating with Him in my own time.

I feel much, much peace and contentment in His presence, especially when I make the church as a refuge for my devotion and supplication.

This is when the church is devoid of a priest and all kinds of worshipers.

This is the time I cherish most when thoughtless priests won’t come in the way of your religious contemplation by talking nonsense instead of building up your spiritual sense of being.

This is the time I care most about because I feel more the reverence of the place and can seem to listen truly the words of God and not the corrupted words of the priest delivering his homily.

Was I surprise, therefore, about the outcome of the survey made by Social Weather Stations (SWS) that one in every 11 Filipino Catholics, or 9.2 percent, sometimes considers leaving the Church? Or that Filipino Catholics were less devout and active in attending church services compared to other religions?

Of course I was, for after all I didn’t expect that there were these many disgruntled Catholics in the country. I seemed to be seeing my own image among those surveyed.

There is nothing wrong with the Catholic Church per se. But, there is plenty wrong, obviously, with the leaders in our own churches.

No less than Fr. Joel Tabora S.J., president of Ateneo de Davao University, had this to say: “The Catholic Church is in trouble—even in Catholic Philippines …. People have been leaving the Catholic Church. People are about to leave the Church. It is time, I think, for Mahar Mangahas to take out his social survey tools to help us understand what is happening.”

The result was stunning, to say the least, and a wake-up call to the Catholic Church hierarchy.

To me there is no better explanation than the one given by the outspoken Reproductive Health advocate Carlos “Damaso” Celdran, when he issued the following statements: the survey was “a sign that Filipinos are becoming a critical people and now slowly choosing reason over religion.”

“It is also a sign that Filipinos are becoming more aware of the flaws of the Filipino Catholic hierarchy and are disappointed …. The stubborn and obsolete thinking of Filipino bishops are turning them away.”

If there is one person that could turn this dismal survey around, it is Pope Francis. He simply has to make sure that the Catholic Church hierarchy in the Philippines shall toe the line and follow his words and deeds and make it as an example to the new priests.

Pope Francis is showing the way now, but the hardest thing is for the Filipino church officials to win back the trust of their flock in this country.

La imagen simple y práctica del Papa Francis (The simple and practical image of Pope Francis)

Estamos todos asombrados por la imagen simple y práctica que Papa Francis ha estado proyectando a ser.

Déjeme, entonces, compartir con ustedes, en la foto de arriba, las seis diferencias entre el Papa Francis y su precursor, el Papa Benedict XVI.

1.Cambió el trono de oro por una silla de madera…algo más apropiado para el discípulo de un carpintero.
2. No quiso la bufanda roja bordada en oro para verse fresa.
3. Usa los mismos zapatos negros viejos, no pidió zapatillas rojas estilo Ratzinger.
4. Usa su misma cruz de metal, nada de rubíes y diamantes.
5. Su anillo papal es de plata, no de oro.
6. Usa por debajo los mismos pantalones negros de siempre para recordarse que es un sacerdote más.
Ya que tantos políticos se declaran “fans” del Vaticano, podrían aplicar algunas de estas enseñanzas.

(Translation)

We are all in awe at the simple and practical image that Pope Francis has been projecting himself to be.

Let me share with you then the six differences between Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.

1. He changed the golden throne with a wooden chair… more appropriate for the disciple of a carpenter.
2. He didn’t want the red scarf embroidered in gold to look impressive.

3. He uses the same old black shoes, he did not ask for Ratzinger-style red shoes.
4. He uses the same metal cross, none of rubies and diamonds.
5. His papal ring is of silver, not of gold.
6. He uses under the same black pants to remind him that he is one more priest.

Since so many politicians declare themselves ‘fans’ of the Vatican, they could apply some of  these lessons.

 

 

 

Creencias eternas del liderazgo de Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi no sólo es conocido por su carácter no-violenta, sino también por su vida ética y moral ejemplar.

Esta fue su marca de liderazgo que demostró a su pueblo como él tomó la responsabilidad de estar a su servicio.

Servicio le significó no sólo el sacrificio, pero también exigió un fuerte sentido de conciencia (imperativo moral), valor (audacia, iniciativa) y el carácter (integridad).

La “voz interior” para Gandhi era sinónima de conciencia, asi que ha sido siempre su creencia de que los líderes deben desarrollar y seguir su conciencia aún más que la gente sencilla ya que les han colocado a ellos en el timón para conducirlos.

Por lo tanto, él escribió: “Ninguno de nosotros, sobre todo ningún líder debería permitir que se desobedezca la voz interior ante la presión desde fuera. Cualquier líder que sucumbe en esta forma perderá su derecho de liderazgo.”

Ay, esto es muy lejano de ser el tipo de mando que los políticos de nuestro país, los empresarios y los líderes de la iglesia tienen.

Es triste decir que es así como han sido todos estos años. El materialismo y el deseo de estar en el poder son la manera de seguir para saciar su avaricia y al diablo con la voz interior.

Pero no hay duda que hasta en el presente las creencias de Gandhi continua ser ciertas, impactantes y, hasta entonces, modelos de liderazgo.

Es en esta nota que compartiré con ustedes  los que Gandhi llama los:

Easter and the country’s politicians

I am taking this opportunity of writing about what looks like seemingly two contradictory subjects, but which in reality aren’t or shouldn’t.

Hope and despair are what they are, perceptively.

Easter is a commemoration of the greatest miracle there ever was that happened two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ, in human form, died on the cross in atonement for our sins and on the third day was resurrected by the Father to join Him in heaven.

Mother Teresa once said: “Remember that the Passion of Christ ends always in the joy of the Resurrection of Christ, so when you feel in your own heart the suffering of Christ, remember the Resurrection has to come — the joy of Easter has to dawn. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Risen Christ.”

Suffering transformed to joy and giving mankind hope for a better future, both in life and death.

Hope that essentially means the rebirth and renewal of man, that his deeds maybe beneficial to mankind and acceptable to God.

But, how I wish the reflections on the meaning of Easter is done by people, especially the politicians among us, everyday of their lives and not just when we celebrate Easter or Resurrection Sunday.

Just as Easter symbolizes for every Christian a new life in Christ, giving hope for spiritual salvation, so should the country’s politicians carry the badge of honor that would give assurance and hope to the people that electing them as public servants, as desired by them, will save us from graft and corruption that has been plaguing this country for a long time now, and start making this country progressive.

If politicians simply reflects and take to heart the real meaning of Easter in their lives, there is no reason why we can’t be hopeful that the best is soon to come for the country and its people.

Thus, as we see them again, more especially the country’s opposing senatorial candidates, resuming their campaign after the Holy Week and picking up the issues where they left off, let us hope and pray that the spirit of Easter to be a better individual and a responsible politician, than what they are now, be their guiding light.

But, more than anything, may we, the electorate, not only endeavor to renew our belief and faith in Christ, but also try to mend our ways now by selecting and electing to office only those candidates that are highly qualified and competent and not be swayed anymore by someone’s idol status.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Reflexiones de la Semana Santa (y para siempre) – Holy Week Reflections (and for all times)

(God’s decisions are mysterious, but always in our favor)

( God always gave me a second chance in my life. )

( The God whom I believe does not send us the problem, but the strength to overcome it.)

( Jesus is not my religion,  He is the reason to go on …….. )

( There are people who believe in luck……  I believe in God ! )

( God understands our prayers, even when we do not have the words to express them. )

     ( Do not count the number of times you have fallen, count the times you have stood up.

Because you can do  it all with Christ , Who strengthens you. )

Pope Francis veers away from more protocols

The compassionate image of Pope Francis

Since becoming pope, Francis has never ceased to amaze me, and this is in fact true to many people thrown off by his uncustomary ways in the hierarchy of Catholic Church officials.

It is not that he is an oddball or puzzling individual, then as cardinal and now as pope, but it is just that our naivete took the better of us, believing that once a cardinal is elected to the papacy that a dramatic change would occur in his deportment to conform his stature as successor of St. Peter, leader of billions of Roman Catholics, bishop of Rome and head of state of Vatican City.

At least that is how we were made to believe the system works at the Vatican, once a pope is installed on his throne and presented to the public.

For some reason, he appears to be a different man, dressed expensively and granted the indulgence of living in opulence, surrounded by all kinds of aides.

Not until Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis did we learn that you can continue being your own persona and still be recognized and even acclaimed more as pope.

We have seen how Francis has shunned much of the Vatican tradition by choosing simpler and less costly alternatives when it comes to both papal clothes and accessories.

He has not changed at all from the way friends and acquaintances have described him.

Known for his simplicity and humility, he has been breaking with papal tradition from the very beginning that people seem to be asking: what is next to be dispensed with? But, all these have simply endeared him to many – Catholics and non-Catholics.

In a continuing display of adherence to what his chosen name symbolizes, which is “poverty, humility, simplicity and rebuilding the Catholic Church”, it has been reported that Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartment used by Benedict XVI and others before him, preferring instead to stay in a simple suite at a Vatican guesthouse.

Spokesman Federico Lombardi said the new pontiff would remain in the 120-room guesthouse among other members of the clergy “until further notice.”

“He is trying out this type of simple living with other priests,” Lombardi said, without saying when, or even if, the Pope would move into the papal residence.

The pontiff has been taking his meals in the common dining room of the guesthouse, more known as Casa Santa Marta, and celebrating 7am mass with Vatican employees in its main chapel.

What is being eagerly awaited is on Holy Thursday when Francis is expected to break with tradition again by celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which includes the gesture of the washing of feet, at the Casal del Marmo youth detention center.

The service has in past years been held at the grand Basilica of St. John Lateran, the official seat of the bishop of Rome.

As Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina, he used to celebrate the Mass in a prison or hospital or hospice for the poor and marginalized.

The way I look at it, with the consistency of Pope Francis’ character, we are now at the threshold of seeing the propitious change in the image of the Catholic Church.

May God grant him long, fruitful years ahead.

Holy Week ushers time for reflection

Ever since I can remember Holy Week has always been a week of restraint in words and deeds, of reflections on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, of prayers, which meant more kneeling, and of eating fish, more than anything else.

I only know now also that abstinence from flesh is commanded for all the days, while for Good Friday, an absolute fast is commanded. But, growing up, who would understand ‘abstinence from flesh’, and, perhaps, in maturity it made me tend to forget it. Today, I would like to believe that I am exempted from it.

But that is neither here nor there.

I know where I stand and I understand I am far from being honorable, but I have myself only answerable to God.

While I continue contemplating on the divine ways of Christ and how it has affected and changed the lives of many people to be godlike, I cannot help but also reflect at how the timeless good words and deeds of Christ not been able to alter the unscrupulous ways of some politicians, who goes around proudly describing themselves as public servants.

I would like to think that having a yearly Holy Week is enough for me, unlike the politicians, who are not only answerable to God, but to the people as well, every week should be a Holy Week for them.

They call themselves honorable and they are so fond of the honorific that they want themselves to be addressed as such, and they know, more than anybody else, that the appellation is a misnomer.

I found it screwy therefore when UNA campaign manager Toby Tiangco issued a Lenten message, saying:”Instead of using up the remaining days of the week to campaign, with sincere intentions, we adjusted our schedules for everyone in UNA to have a moment of reflection this Holy Week.”

“The Coalition is asking every Filipino to unite in prayer in the midst of problems besetting the country. In observance of Lent, it is but fitting to place in our hearts and minds the pains of our fellow Filipinos who are suffering in hunger, poverty, and injustice. Let us bind ourselves in prayer so that we may show our unity and goals to advance the welfare of the entire nation.”

If it were not an election year, would Tiangco and the rest of his ilk remember that Filipinos ‘are suffering in hunger, poverty and injustice?’

I wonder what reflections UNA politicians will make, and all politicians for that matter, knowing that essentially it is politics that has slowed down the progress of this country over the years, worsened by having actors elected who can’t decide whether to become legislators or continue entertaining people with their showbiz style of politics. Then we also have ex-military men and lawyers elected, whom we thought should be performing well, but who has shown instead a flair for showbiz.

The ascendancy of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy is providential, indeed.

If it is too much reflecting on the passion of Christ, then how I wish politicians would reflect instead on who Pope Francis really is – unpretentious, austere, selfless and a true disciple of Christ, who cares for the poor.

Can they emulate him? Or am I still asking too much?

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”