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"On the Burning Issues"
When the CBCP gathered in conference to discuss their Pastoral Letter, especially on the "burning issues," the hottest of which was about the impeachment, the bishops knew that their guidance would not sit well with all sectors. But they must proclaim the message "whether favorable or unfavorable...to itching ears" (2Tim. 4, 2-3). The Pastoral Letter needs to be read in its entirety especially the paragraphs on the hottest issue. When we were discussing the issue of the impeachment, the bishops were concerned with proclaiming a message which would serve the country best according to the light of their discernment, prayer and discussion.
Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope
A CBCP Pastoral Letter on Social Concerns
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you. Jesus said to him, look after my sheep." (Jn. 21:16)
Beloved People of God:
Greetings of peace, joy, and hope in the Lord!
1. The Lord, indeed, has given us an experience of his love and peace in the five days that we spent doing our spiritual retreat. We prayed and meditated. In prayer we recalled that out of his love the Lord has called us to be shepherds of his flock. He has made us so by his ineffable grace of Episcopal ordination.
PRESS STATEMENT
Uniting For A Common Cause – The Cause of Human Life
It is with great jubilation that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care receives the news that finally both houses of the Philippine legislature have abolished the death penalty.
We congratulate ourselves as a people and nation. Divided in recent time by political differences, we now unite for a common cause – the cause of human life.
PRESS STATEMENT
ON THE COMMUTATION OF DEATH SENTENCE
The CBCP welcomes the presidential commutation into life-sentence the judgment on some 280 convicts in the death row. The CBCP has been constantly opposed to death penalty.
According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church "The Church sees as a sign of hope a growing public opposition to the death penalty, even when such a penalty is seen as a kind of legislative defense on the part of society. Modern Society in fact has the means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without definitively denying them the chance to reform… The growing aversion of public opinion towards the death penalty and the various provisions aimed at abolishing it or suspending its application constitute visible manifestation of a heightened moral consciousness" (#405).
EASTER FRUIT OF THE TREE OF THE CROSS
Easter Message 2006
"If Christ has not risen from the dead," St. Paul writes, "our faith is futile, and we have not been forgiven" (cf. I Cor. 15/17). Easter, the Resurrection of Christ, is the fruit of the tree of the Cross. Easter is the proof that what Jesus said on Calvary on that gloomy Good Friday will continue to be fulfilled in our life. This is the reason why we celebrate Easter. Each Word of Jesus on Calvary is guaranteed by his Resurrection. And so we can say "Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119[118]: 105).
The first fruit of the Tree of the Cross is forgiveness. You and I have found forgiveness for our sins. "Father," did not Jesus say, "forgive them for they know not what they do." (Lk. 23/34). Uttered many times during his public ministry, this word of forgiveness has brought about many resurrections, like that of Mary Magdalene, Peter, St. Augustine, and countless sinners down through the centuries, including ourselves.
We may say that the repentant thief beside the crucified Saviour was the first to experience resurrection. He was the first fruit of Good Friday. To him our Lord said: "Today, you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk. 23/43). Today! So much for your suffering now! Today, you will be happy with me in Paradise. We will taste the happiness of God, when we understand the meaning of Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors and prostitutes. The fruit of repentance is peace and happiness in God.
ORATIO IMPERATA
In time of Civil Disturbance
We come before you, God of power and mercy,
as crisis of political leadership once again grips our country.
An alleged coup attempt by forces of destabilization
and the proclamation of a state of national emergency
cripple our democratic institutions
and sow uncertainty and fear in the hearts of citizens.
Lord, banish both violence and falsehood from our midst.
Make us realize that violence is never an answer to crisis
and falsehood is never a foundation of a strong republic.
Your Son has taught us that the truth will set us free.
Help our national leaders to seek the truth and live by the truth.
Give us the tranquil assurance of the truth
Lent: A Call to Transformation
Ash Wednesday launches the Catholic Church into the season of lent. On Ash Wednesday we are given a grim reminder by the church "You are dust, and unto dust you shall return." The liturgy allows the use of Jesus Christ's inaugural message as he entered his public life: Repent and believe in the Gospel. (Mk 1:15). This is said as the ashes are imposed on the forehead.
It is season of Lent. Quaresma, it is also called. Season of penance and mortification. Season of pabasa, the common singing of pasyon. Season of the Stations of the Cross every Friday. The season leads to Palm Sunday... the Visita Iglesya on Holy Thursday... the Seven Last Words on Good Friday…the Empty Tomb on Easter Sunday.
Statement of Sympathy and Concern
My soul seeps because of grief;
strengthen me according to Your Word.(Ps. 119:29)
The sad news about the most tragic landslide in Guinsaugon, Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte has moved us to our knees in prayer. We contemplated on the unfathomable ways of God in the face of misfortunes that has befallen our country in the last couple of weeks.
Message on the Elevation of Archbishop Rosales
to the College of Cardinals
The CBCP gladly welcomes the news of Archbishop Rosales' elevation to the College of Cardinals. The CBCP likewise profoundly thank His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for honoring one of its members, the Archbishop of Manila, with the dignity of a Cardinal. The CBCP joins the Archdiocese of Manila in its rejoicing over the promotion of Archbishop Rosales..
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