Bishop Rojas named as head of new diocese in Camarines Sur

The prelature of Libmanan, Camarines Sur which was canonically created by the late Pope John Paul II in March 19, 1990 had been designated a new diocese by Pope Benedict XVI and appointed Jose Rojas, Jr. as its bishop. This was announced by the pontiff’s envoy to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams. —CBCP News (03/25/09, Lagarde, R)

Together with 51 priests, Bishop Rojas, 52, who is from Naga City serves the new diocese with about 500,000 Catholics in 27 parishes.

For this significant milestone, UP Ibalon Bicol and its members joyously congratulate Bishop Rojas and the entire Libmanan Diocese. (Photo Credit: Libmanantowards20decade)=0=

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OLPDA holds Lenten Recollection

The Our Lady of Penafrancia Devotees Associaton (OLPDA) of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut invites Ina’s devotees to a day of prayer at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Jersey City, NJ on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Boy Cabaero, chairman of the association extends the free invitation to all and requests those attending to call him at 201-566-8424 or Genevieve del Rosario at 201-424-4435 on or before Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The whole-day religious event has the following schedule: (Photo Credits: Groenling x 2) =0=

PROGRAM

I. HOLY MASS – 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.

II. STATIONS OF THE CROSS – 11:00 – 11:45 A.M.

III. LUNCH – 12:00 – 12:45 P.M.

IV. FIRST TALK – 12:50 – 1:20 P.M.

V. BREAK – 1:20 – 1:30 P.M.

VI. SECOND TALK – 1:30 – 2:00 P.M.

VII. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – 2:00 – 2:30 P. M.

VIII. CONFESSIONS – 2:30 – 3:00 P.M.

Presider, Homilist, and Speaker: Rev. Joe Saltarin, Pastor, St. Anne’s Church, New Jersey

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Survey says a rising number of Americans have “no religion”

The poll made by Program of Public Virtues of Trinity College in Hartford, CT between February and November last year reported that only 76.7% of Americans identified themselves as Christians, a 9.5% decline from the 86.2% in the 1990’s. Most of the attrition comes from non-Catholic denominations. The percentage of Catholics has significantly increased in the Southwest, greater than in the Northeast, shifting attention to the needs of Hispanics in the Roman Catholic Church.

Additional findings of the American Religious Identification Survey include:
1. Americans claiming “no religion” is up from 8.8% in 1990 to 14.2% in 2001 and 15% in 2008
2. Between 2001 and 2008, 4.7 million Americans claimed to have “no religion”
3. Northern New England is ahead of the Pacific Northwest as the least religious section of the country, with Vermont, at 34% with “no religion” leading all other states by 9 points.
4. 90% of the decline among Christians comes from the non-Catholic segment of the Christian population, mostly from mainline denominations, including Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians/Anglicans, and the United Church of Christ. Source: http://usnews.com/ (03/09/0, Gilgoff. D)

This may represent a changing culture—- the rising secularization of United States where having “no religion” has turned to be more socially acceptable than a decade ago. The demographic shift among believers and non-believers may affect the way Americans think, vote, and live on issues like abortion, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and education among others as liberals, leftists, and secular progressives veer away from the Judeo-Christian tradition which is the cornerstone of the moral and cultural values of America since it was established. (Photo Credit emardaalvinbabista) =0=

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Recalling Fr. Damien of Molokai, Hawaii

Vatican announced that Fr. Damien de Veuster (1840-1889), the late 19th century Belgian priest who selflessly ministered to leprosy-stricken people in a settlement in Kalaupapa, Hawaii will be declared saint on October 11, 2009. Considered a “martyr of charity,” Fr. Damien served the quarantined patients in Molokai, Hawaii where he contracted Hansen’s disease (leprosy) until he died at the age of 49.

“Damien’s life was suffused with horror, yet he refused to be broken by it and refused to permit his little flock to be swept into despair. He ran foot races for the sports-loving lepers, even though some of them had no feet. He formed a band, even though some had few fingers to play the instruments. One witness reported two organists who played at the same time, managing ten fingers between them.”—Damien, the leper (www.ewtn.com/library/)

A protector of those shunned by society because of disease affliction, the Roman Catholic priest and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a missionary religious group, was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 4, 1995. He had been identified as a champion of the outcasts—those with HIV-AIDS, leprosy, and other contagious diseases.

The remembrance of Fr. Damien is timely as the Catholic Church observes Ash Wednesday on February 25, 2009, the onset of lent, the days of fasting, penance, and reconciliation. (Photo Credit: Hawaii State Archives x 2 PD) =0=

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Wowowee, Penafrancia fiesta, & the 229 people injured in the Black Nazarene procession of Quiapo

The 13-hour religious parade snaked its way in the city drawing thousands of religious believers to walk in supplication until the revered black icon of Jesus was returned in the Quiapo Church on Friday, January 9, 2009 in Manila. I read there were 229 people who were injured during the procession. I couldn’t help recall the days when such spoiler incidents almost never happened.

As a kid who grew up in Naga City, the Traslacion, a similar feast honoring the Virgin of Penafrancia, was memorably peaceful. Lately however, like the Quiapo spectacle, the traslacion and fluvial procession in Bicol had been getting flak. People had not been as reverential and behaved as before. In September 2008, a rumble, a stone-throwing incident, and hostage-taking emergency in a bus dampened the fiesta in Naga.

Rarely were there scuffles and tramplings that put our limbs at risk in the crowd. That was in the past. Had a melee occured, our parents would have disallowed us into coming close to religious gatherings. We would have stayed at home to pay our private homage to God, in lieu of taking part in a dangerous holiday celebration.

But times have changed. The annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo has grown so big—almost unmanageable. The faith-based observance have lost part of its sanctity as people of plural intentions join. In spite of the Catholic clergy’s attempt to make the plebeian celebration a simple pious expression of faith, unintended incidents do happen. The open folk tradition of worship and contrition which borders to idolatry (as critics warned) has been marred by melee in a huge crowd with poor control.

People suffering from hypertensive spells and fainting due to excessive heat are getting more common. Difficulty of breathing from asthma has been reported in a number of weary processionistas. Contusions and abrasions caused by pushing and bare-foot walking have brought people rushing to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) reports of at least 23 people suspected to have suffered a heart attack. Surely, these are distractions which can be avoided. We need to act smart to prevent a full-blown mayhem.

Before the next Black Nazarene procession turns into a wholesale failure of crowd control— as hideous as the Wowowee stampede in February 2006, those who organize these events must devise a better plan. The Catholic clergy needs to modify the observance of the tradition. Nearly a thousand police officers and 300 PNRC volunteers are not enough to cope with the needs of the tight crowd.

In Wowowee, at least 74 innocent lives were lost in a recklessly planned TV extravaganza, most of them, trampled, brushed aside, and forgotten without the benefit of justice. (Photo Credits: Nesty Ocampo; Bobmani34; Nesty Ocampo) =0=

RELATED BLOG: “Wowowee & the Temple Stampede in Northern India” Posted by mesiamd at 8/04/2008

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Cory’s EDSA II apology opens controversies & distrust among Filipinos

Calling the EDSA II revolution a mistake, Corazon (Cory) Aquino, one of the leaders of the movement which ousted former Pres. Joseph (Erap) Estrada from power has brought the nation into new controversies. The sudden confession of the ailing former president opened wounds— sowing confusion among doubting Filipinos who bewailed the endemic poor leadership in the national government.

Rather than bridging the often-repeated “reconciliation” among warring political parties, the demure housewife and former chief executive unwittingly exposed the short-sightedness and immaturity of leaders who stood as huge obstacles to the progress of the country. There were those who surmised if cancer and treatment had put her on tremendous strain; her ability to think sanely as before might have taken a beating.

As a devout practitioner of Catholicism, the former president who’s trying to define her legacy as an infuential public servant may have scored high on matters of faith, but she has placed the people in a void of uncertainty whose damage is too early to quantify. The effects are likely to cause lasting shockwaves on how politics will be played in government affairs like the next presidential election. They will cut across the way people will view what is morally right and wrong as they rule over the scandals that see no end.

By seeking Estrada’s forgiveness, Cory repudiated the collective action of her party and those who pushed for an end of blatant thievery, corruption and ineptness during and after Estrada’s administration. The damning evidence of incompetence and plunder laid bare during the 6 years of trial reduced the public to docility and silent acquiescence—- a treacherous problem of Filipinos no wanted to touch.

Like a modern-day soap opera, Estrada’s dizzying legal battle and his privileged imprisonment shown in TVs, radios, and newspapers ended in a conviction hailed by the people. But it was quickly reversed by Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo (GMA)— herself, a sore symbol of almost all things that had gone wrong with the country. Many believed GMA, the current prexy with an outrageously low approval rating of negative (-30) cleverly pardoned Estrada for political convenience. It was unclear though whether Cory’s apology to Estrada was linked to her frustraion over GMA’s mishandling the government. Cory called on her to resign amidst uncurbed corruption as the wagons of Estrada’s political come-back had rolled in from the first station.

Because of Cory’s change of heart, there are deepening doubts on whether Filipino leaders are up for the job of steering the country to better times. In spite of the early justifications and defense for the widow of Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino, her position strengthens the chance of the come-back of the Estrada and his “weather-weather” gang. The Filipinos are left in an impasse: Wala na ba talagang ibang mga magagaling at matitino?

The demoralizing effect of Cory’s declaration puts the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) leadership, a staunch supporter of EDSA II on the defensive. It revives anew the questions on church-state separation and the constitutionality of the power take-overs which left a serious lingering leadership vacuum in all political fronts.

Most of all, it irreparably damaged the Cory brand of uprightness and wisdom she shared with her martyred husband Ninoy Aquino, leaving Filipinos one less of a person to trust and emulate. (Photo Credits: Joe Galvez; Marcial Pontillas21; Marcial Pontillas21; gmaresign; Marcial Pontillas21; Marcial Pontillas21)=0=

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Simbang Gabi Sa Nueva York

Halina, Jesus, Halina!
Sa simula’y sinaloob mo
O Diyos, kaligtasan ng tao
Sa takdang panahon ay tinatawag mo
Isang bayang lingkod sa iyo.

On a frigid early evening of Saturday, December 6, 2008, Filipinos of New York came in droves to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and joined the celebration of Simbang Gabi sa Katedral, a traditional mass in celebration of the Christmas holiday. In the packed gothic church along Fifth Avenue, prayerful songs distinctly from the country filled air.

In spite of the chill, there was the warm glow of kababayans wishing each other the peace and love of the season. Among the merry attendees were some members of the Ateneo de Naga Northeast Alumni and Our Lady of Penafrancia Devotees Association (OLPDA.) The holy celebration was led by the Simbang Gabi Sa Katedral, Inc. under the guidance of Rev. Joseph G. Marabe, JCD. =0=

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Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ, 90, defender of the unborn & the dying

America’s champion of the unborn, Cardinal Avery Dulles of the Society of Jesus died at the age of 90 on Friday, December 12, 2008 in the infirmary of Fordham University in New York where he served as professor for 20 years.

A former disbeliever of God and convert to Catholicism, he served the Navy before he was ordained as a Jesuit in 1956. Fr. Dulles was appointed in the College of Cardinals by the late John Paul II in 2001. Considered by many as the dean of American Catholic theologians, the humble Jesus follower had strong opinion on abortion and euthanasia:

“Many politicians, like much of the American public, seem to be unaware that abortion and euthanasia are serious violations of the inalienable right to life. These are not just ‘Church’ issues but are governed by the natural law of God, which is binding upon all human beings. The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights, since a person deprived of life has no other rights.” Photo Credit: AP/ Massimo Sambucetti) =0=

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

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Matuninong na kinaban sa fiesta navidenya

“Tuninong na Kinaban”

Ang banggui tuninong,
Gabos mayong guirong
Maski an mga bitu’on, sa azul na langit

An malumoy na huyop-huyop may pagka-moot
Sa katuninongan kan kinaban.

Katuninongan nin panahon
Mensaje nin buhay
Biyaya kan Diyos para sa tao

Ang banggui tuninong,
Gabos mayong guirong
Maski an mga bitu’on sa azul na langit.”
—F. de Leon, L. San Pedro
(Bicol trans. by mesiamd)

Maogma an aldaw na Deciembre 8, 2008 ta habang kita naghahalat kan pagkamundag ni Jesus, an fiesta kan Immaculada Concepcion satuyang pigce-celebrar. Mas maogma ining pag-guiromdom kan banal na Ina. Pigtutubudan tang pinag-mundag siya na mayong dungis nin kasalan arog kan aki niyang si Jesus.

Ining tukdong ini kan Simbahan Catoliko lalong may kahulugan. Sa satuyang mga buhay kadakul kitang nano’dan. Padagos an pag-sustento kan satuyang pagtubod maski palibot kita nin pag-duda sagkod mga problema.

Ngonian na fiesta navidenya, nahiling ta an karahayan kan kinaban. Pero apektado na kita kan mga problema digdi sa satuyang rogaring. Apektado na kita nin secularismo. Liberalismo. Relatibismo. Lataw na an pagka-commercial kan satuyang celebrasyones. Padagos an pagkawara kan satuyang mga tradisyones religiosos. Nalilipat na kita kan kaogmahan pag Christmas ang pig-oolayan.

Totoong maribong na ang satuyang kinaban. Yaon diyan an iriwal—an pag-suporta sa aborsiyon, terorismo, an korupsiyon. Uya an pagprotesta laban sa pag-guibo nin Belen. An pagsayuma sa sampulong tugon. Pag-negar kan pag-karol, an paghabo sa Christmas tree sa publiko— Gabos ini, maski kaogmahan kan satuyang mga ka-aki’an, jovenes, sagkod gurang.

Da’e ta manigaran si birheng Maria sagkod si Jesus—sinda ang nakatabang sa pagbilog kan satuyang mga ugali. An satong pagka-tao. An pag-tubod ta komo Christiano nag-taong dalan sa pag-buhay-buhay. Nakatabang sa pag-atubang kan mga sentir, kinakatakutan, pig-dudulagan.

Auotpa man lugod na ngonian na mga aldaw, maparani guiraray kita sa pagkamo’ot ni Jesu Kristo, Maria, sagkod ang satong Kagurangnan. Feliz Navidad habang kita naghahalat kan pag-abot kan satuyang paratubos! (Photo Credits: SymonmReynolds; Keith Maguire; Pianoforte)=0=

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Religion tailored to one’s liking—an alternative to Catholicism?

Those who can’t take the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) may have a lesson from the members the Universal Fellowship Metropolitan Community Church (MCC,) the 40-year old American church of gays and lesbians who has established a chapter in Manila. The founding of the gay church has practical applications to those who campaign against other religions for the sake of changing their teachings.

It’s often suggested by some leaders of RCC that those who cannot abide with its teachings has the option to make their own congregation just like any protestant denomination. That’s exactly what the MCC has done for the gay community. Providing support for the homosexuals, the MCC enjoys peace in the Christian ministry instead of wrangling with the RCC to change its age-old doctrines.

TJ Agbayani, the local pastor of MCC said that since the founding of his church in September 2006, twelve (12) gay and lesbian members entered in the “holy matrimony.” The main tenet of his church is that every member of the community can serve God through ”holy service.” Diverging from RCC’s teaching, Agbayani and his church members believe anyone can interpret the Bible so long as he follows “guidelines.” So far, no one seems intent to bother them on this belief.

Divisions among religions have been spawned by age-old conflicts. In more modern times, the cultures of secularism and relativism have something to do with the bitter quarrels over religious convictions and traditions. That’s why more and more churches are established, creating splits even among the believers of Jesus Christ. A gay life-style is considered aberrant and sinful by the RCC, a belief carried through its 200 centuries of existence.

Spreading peace and avoiding antipathy towards other faiths seem to be the immediate windfall of being part of a sect like MCC which is tailored to one’s belief. The separate congregation is an alternative for those who doubt and cannot find a common ground with the church they belong.

Can there be a time when believers of abortion, contraception, euthanasia, stem-cell research, thievery, murder or corruption will have their own churches too? Maybe.(Photo CRedit: GoldenCalf; CaloricoHermoso;Blazeip1) =0=

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