Wegen einer Spendenaktion der katholischen Kirche ist das Kleingeld im Land knapp geworden. In einer 2004 gestarteten Spendenkampagne hatte die Kirche Gläubige zum Spenden von 25-Centavo-Münzen für Sozialprojekte aufgerufen. In einem Rundschreiben vom Donnerstag forderte der Erzbischof von Manila, Kardinal Gaudencio Rosales, die Gemeindepriester auf, die Münzen nicht zu horten, sondern zur Bank zu bringen. Die Zentralbank des Landes habe ihn darauf aufmerksam gemacht, dass wegen der Aktion kaum noch 25-Centavo-Münzen im Umlauf seien. Nach Kirchenangaben hat die Kampagne bis Ende 2007 umgerechnet rund 257 Millionen Euro eingebracht. Dafür haben die Philippiner mehr als 40 Millionen Münzen gespendet, die in den Kirchen in Flaschen gesammelt wurden.
Cardinal, reflecting on crisis, blames greed for high poverty
Oct 20, 2008
Reflecting on the global financial crisis that has led to crashing stock markets and the demise of Wall Street icons, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said the reason behind poverty is the unbridled greed of some people.
(Business Mirror, 19 October 2008) “God did not create people to be hungry. We have all the resources, but we don’t take care of them [the poor] at all,” he said during the 55th anniversary of Caritas Manila at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Saturday.
“The reason for poverty is because of the greed of some people. The resources and the world can feed all men’s needs,” he stressed.
Rosales reminded that true service can only be achieved through selfless love, and that “this love was already here in the earth even before Caritas Manila.”
Caritas Manila was founded with the aim of helping improve the lives of those in poor urban communities. Rosario Villar has been working with Caritas since the organization started.
“Since I have been doing charity work since I was 29 years old, this means I have been helping the poor for almost 80 years! I thank the Lord for giving me an opportunity to serve Caritas. I have been with Caritas ever since as treasurer. I always enjoyed doing charity work. I call myself as total volunteer. I just love to help, especially for the Lord,” Villar told the BusinessMirror.
Volunteers like Villar embody Caritas’s theme of “Stewardship towards fullness of life,” where volunteers share their blessings with the less fortunate, said Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual.
Even the government has acknowledged Caritas’s effectiveness in working with the poor and has partnered with the organization.
“The reason why the government is partnering with us is because we have identified the poor, the poorest of the poor and the moderate poor in terms of their economic, social classification in Metro Manila,” Pascual said, “There is no corruption in the church. Every cent that we have go to the services or, if not, to the development programs for the poor,” he explained.
He also said that problems will continue if there is no love among people.
“Selfless love is shown through helping others not only during crisis, calamities, accidents or fire. Love is not only for all time and seasons, love is without end, eternity,” he said.
In line with the celebration, Caritas Manila gave a plaque of appreciation to the people who became a big part in charity works for the past 55 years. Among the awardees were Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Sergio O. Valencia, Malacañang religious affairs undersecretary Ma. Fatima A.S. Valdez, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
Also honored were businessmen Manuel V. Pangilinan and Ramon del Rosario. (Sarah Fabunan)
Cardinal leads anti-health bill drive
Sept 08, 2008
Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and the Archdiocese of Manila have initiated a signature campaign against the reproductive health bill pending in the House of Representatives.
(manilastandardtoday.com, September 6 - 7, 2008) MANILA - Fr. Rufino Sescon, archdiocese chancellor, said the cardinal and parish priests decided on this course of action at a meeting last month.
The campaign will be stepped up in schools and offices in Manila, calling on the faithful to block the bill, which the Church says promotes abortion as a form of family planning.
Sescon said the Manila archbishop had expressed the desire to have the letter signed by him, the clergy, religious and lay faithful.
Sescon said the cardinal insisted that proper catechesis or instructions on Responsible Family Planning according to Church teachings should accompany, if not precede, the presentation of the position paper to the people for signing.
“We must adequately teach our people the scriptural, theological and even scientific foundations of our position,” Sescon said in a circular to the priests and chaplains.
The circular also urged the priests to intensify the Family and Life Ministry in their parishes and chaplaincies.
The Manila chancellor said that the method of implementing the signature campaign has been left to the priests who are being asked in the circular to exhaust all means available to have it (signature campaign) reach the most number of people in the archdiocese.
“This could include bringing the letter to the schools and offices and other establishments within the archdiocese,” Sescon said in a statement.
“Let our voices be heard by our government officials. Let us show them we are serious and united in this cause. Let us promote active social awareness and involvement among the faithful. Part of Christian discipleship is good citizenship,” the circular stated.
Cardinal slams pols living it up in Vegas
Jul 01, 2008
Philippines—A “sickness of democracy”—that was how the Archbishop of Manila Monday described the trip to Las Vegas of some politicians so they could watch the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz fight while much of the country was reeling from the devastation of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).
(Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 01, 2008) MANILA, Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales claimed that “pera ng bayan yung ginagastos” (public funds were spent) during the trip, which he referred to as a “junket.”
Asked about reports that a number of government officials and lawmakers had swarmed to the Mandalay Bay arena to see last weekend’s fight in which Pacquiao destroyed Diaz in nine rounds, Rosales told reporters in Filipino: “It’s a sickness of democracy. Why? Because that is what they always do when their term ends.”
Rosales, who was interviewed after celebrating Mass at the Manila Cathedral, said that politicians, even during the time of the late President Elpidio Quirino, took overseas trips when their terms were drawing to a close.
Rosales said he watched the fight at his brother’s house in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Hero’s welcome
He was the second Roman Catholic Church prelate to criticize the trip of the country’s political leaders to the United States in the wake of Frank’s powerful strike across the Philippines.
Last week, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, criticized the officials and legislators who joined President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her US trip, saying: “How can we talk of austerity and frugality in spending the people’s taxes?”
The criticisms by Rosales notwithstanding, Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City is preparing a hero’s welcome for the boxing idol.
Mayor Pedro Acharon said he and Rep. Darlene Custodio would lead the welcoming party and that the celebration would include a motorcade around the city.
The General Santos City government will host a victory dinner for Pacquiao and has started coordinating with schools and business establishments for the hanging of welcome streamers.
Praises from senators
The senators aren’t far behind, heaping praises on Pacquiao.
Senate President Manuel Villar said: “His win is a needed respite for the people ailing from the devastation and loss brought about by Typhoon Frank.”
Sen. Manuel Roxas II filed a resolution commending Pacquiao.
“His historic victory serves as a unifying force that provides a common ground for national unity, pride and honor among Filipinos,” Roxas said.
An unhappy priest
“He exemplified Filipino excellence at a time when his very own compatriots needed a chance to cheer amid soaring prices, a natural disaster and a slowdown in the global economy ... Pacquiao showed we can also knock out our problems.”
But a Davao City priest was not happy.
Fr. Amado Picardal said boxing was a “brutal” sport without any place in the civilized world.
“Boxing is the modern day equivalent of the gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome,” Picardal wrote in his blog. “Of course, boxers don’t try to kill each other, but many have been maimed or have even died.”
He said boxing should be banned.
Celibate homosexuals can be priests: Filipino cardinal
May 22, 2008
A leading prelate in the Philippines has said that homosexual men can be ordained to the priesthood, despite a Vatican statement to the contrary.
Manila, May. 21, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila told reporters that homosexuals who do not "act out" can be good priests. His statement came immediately after the release of a letter in which Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (bio - news), the Vatican Secretary of State, confirmed that a Church policy barring homosexuals from priestly training applies to all the world's seminaries.
Speaking on Radio Veritas in the Philippines, Cardinal Rosales said that the Vatican did not intend to ban chaste homosexuals from the seminaries. "A homosexual inclination is not bad but acting it out is an entirely different matter, and that is what is written in the sacred scriptures,” he said.
The Vatican policy on the question, explained in an Instruction that was released by the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2005, stipulates that a homosexual identity interferes with a man's ability to achieve what the document termed "affective maturity and spiritual paternity," even if the individual refrains from homosexual acts. The Instruction says that anyone who identifies himself as homosexual-- whether or not he is sexually active-- is not an appropriate candidate for priestly ministry.
Cardinal Rosales says gay priests OK but ...
May 20, 2008
The Manila Archbishop Monday said that having homosexual Catholic priests wouldn’t be “too bad” as long as they didn’t “act out” their “tendencies.”
(Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05/20/2008) MANILA, Philippines — In an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales acknowledged that gay men had been accepted into the priesthood because “even if [the priest] has [homosexual] inclinations, it does not immediately mean that he is evil.”
Distinction
The cardinal noted that such priests had chosen “to make a distinction between inclination and acting out.”
“A homosexual inclination is not bad but acting it out is an entirely different matter, and that is what is written in the sacred scriptures,” he added.
Rosales explained that this had been the stand of Pope Benedict XVI who, he said, was “not condemning homosexuals” per se when he confronted the issue of pedophile priests during his recent visit to the United States.
He noted that when Benedict declared in New York that “the Church needs holy priests, not many priests,” the latter was speaking out particularly against men of the cloth who had sexually abused children and brought shame to the Church.
Fact-finding body
In this country, Rosales said, complaints against priests who commit sexual abuse may be raised before bishops. The subject priest would be made to answer the allegations before a fact-finding body.
If found meritorious, the case would be elevated to the Vatican, where it would be decided whether the priest should be defrocked, Rosales said.
Cardinal Rosales pumalag sa utos ng NSO
Dec 24, 2007
Nadismaya si Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales sa direktiba ng National Statistics Office na lahat ng mga pari ay dadaan sa pagsasanay ng NSO ukol sa pagdadaos (o pag-solemnize) ng kasal.
(gmanews.tv, 12/23/07) “We understand NSO’s concern because we know of abuses done by so-called ministers of the Gospel (not priests), but they [NSO officials] should not be like that to us, as if we know nothing," Rosales said.
Ayon kay Rosales, mahigit 2,000 taon nang nagkakasal ang Simbahang Katoliko at nakalulungkot para sa mga pari ang direktiba ng NSO.
“The truth of the matter is we have been solemnizing weddings for 2,000 years already and now they are going to teach us how? Now we are going to see who is really more capable," ayon kay Rosales sa isang panayam.
Sa naturang desisyon ng gobyerno, nagmukhang walang alam ang mga pari tungkol sa pagkakasal, ayon kay Rosales, na pangulo rin ng Commission on the Clergy ng Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
“The Church is not contentious. If they [government officials] want to add something then they might want our cooperation, but don’t make it appear as if we know nothing about (solemnizing) weddings. That’s the only sentiment of the Church to NSO," dagdag pa ng Cardinal.
Nauna nang hiniling ni Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, presidente ng CBCP, sa gobyerno na kanselahin ang direktibang kailangan dumaan sa orientation seminar ang mga pari dahil itinututuro sa seminaryo ang pag-solemnize ng kasal.
Hindi rin kailangang dadaan pa sa training ang mga pari dahil updated ang mga ito sa marital laws ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng diocesan chancellors at sa tulong din ng mga eksperto sa canon law.
Nitong buwan, nakatanggap ang mga pari ng kopya ng bagong memorandum mula sa NSO na ibinaba noong ika-6 ng Nobyembre 2007.
Ang bagong patakaran ay nakabatay sa Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2007, na naglalahad ng mga alituntunin at regulasyon hinggil sa pagrerehistro ng mga taong binibigyan ng awtoridad na magdaos ng kasal.
Naksaad sa alituntunin ng AO no. 1 na bago bigyan ng certificate of registration and authority to sanctifying marriage (CRASM) ang isang solemnizing officer (SO) kailangang may hawak itong katunayan na dumaan sa training ng NSO.
Ito’y nangangahulugang hindi maaaring magsasagawa ng kasal ang isang pari kung walang maipapakitang certificate of training mula sa NSO.
Ang mga kursong nakapaloob sa seminar ng NSO ay ang marriage laws and other related laws, marriage registration procedures, at registration procedures of the authority to solemnize marriage of SOs.
Stop Praying for Rain, Cardinal Tells Faithful
Sept 09, 2007
This was the comment of the faithful after heavy rains inundated Manila and parts of Luzon since early August. The rains were caused by series of typhoons that hit the Philippines the past three weeks, killing scores of people, rendering tens of thousands homeless and causing damage to properties amounting to millions of pesos.
(manilamaildc.net, September 07 2007) After asking the Catholic faithful late last month to pray for rain because of the crisis brought about by the long drought, Manila Arcbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales two weeks later again called on the faithful not to continue praying for rain but to stop the rain.
Rosales, in a circular dated Aug. 15, directed all parish priests, rectors, chaplains and school directors in Archdiocese of Manila to lift the prayer to request for rain, or the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam, as the weather bureau announced the end of the dry spell in some areas of Luzon. The directive came as the country experienced rains last week brought by typhoons “Egay,” “Chedeng” and “Dodong,” which also rendered areas flooded, caused landslides and destroyed crops.
“The rains have come and the Philippine weather agency has pronounced the end to the dry spell. We thank God for this blessing, a sign of His providence and love for us," Rosales said.
At the time, Rosales said the relief will come from nature and that the faithful should implore God, “at whose command the winds and the seas obey, to send us rain."
He urged the faithful to continue to pray for people’s enlightenment to protect the environment. “The floods and landslides are not all the result of too much rain, most of these come because of the denudation of our forests, the silting of our rivers, the clogging of our creeks and waterways with non-biodegradable waste and other harmful practices," the cardinal noted.
“We cannot continue to test God’s mercy and kindness with our destructive actions towards nature and the environment He has provided us for our habitat, our home," Rosales said.
“In this time of gratitude for the rains, let us acknowledge our offenses against our beautiful land and habitat. Let us be truly sorry for them and promise not to commit them again," he added. According to Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, there are no formal prayers to request for the rains to stop. “There is only a devotional practice of giving eggs to the Sisters of St. Clare in their convent to pray for the rains to stop or for not to rain," he told reporters.
Rosales’ predecessor, the late Jaime Sin, also issued a similar prayer in 1998 at the height of the El Ni±o phenomenon plaguing the country.
Fortunately, Egay, which had winds of up to 220 km an hour, skirted the northern Philippines and hit Taiwan before moving to China.
The series of storms have brought torrential rains which paralyzed Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, flooding roads and forcing the closure of schools and government offices. ‘After two weeks of heavy rains and floods caused by three successive typhoons, the country can now expect improving weather conditions, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said, adding no tropical cyclone is expected to develop within and outside the Philippine area of responsibility soon.
Cardinal Rosales takot ba sa katotohanan? – Lacson
Sept 07, 2007
Tinuligsa ni Senador Panfilo Lacson nitong Lunes ang pagtutol ni Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales na muling imbestigahan ng Senado ang kontrobersyal na “Hello, Garci" tape at sinabing maaari ring ipatawag sa pagdinig ang lider ng Simbahang Katolika.
(GMANews.TV09/03/2007) "Maybe he doesn't want to tell the nation why he instructed Bishop Socrates Villegas to escort former military spy Vidal Doble Jr out of San Carlos Seminary and bring him to the quarters of then AFP chief of staff Gen. Efren Abu at the time," pahayag ni Lacson sa media.
Sinabi pa ng senador na walang sinuman ang dapat matakot kung ang hangad nito ay lumabas ang katotohanan.
"I know bishops are for the truth. Why is he trying to hide it? If he says 'don't investigate,' is that not hiding the truth?" dagdag ni Lacson.
Nagpulong nitong Lunes ang mga senador para plantsahin ang gagawing imbestigasyon na sisimulan sa Biyernes. Ang joint investigation ay gagawin ng Senate committees on national defense, blue ribbon, at constitutional and revision of laws.
Para naman kay Senate President Manny Villar Jr, dapat na lamang igalang ang opinyon ni Rosales tulad ng paggalang sa pananaw ng mga taong nais matuloy ang imbestigasyon.
“Lahat naman may karapatang magbigay ng komento sa ginagawa ng Senado. Naiintindihan namin na hindi lahat ng tao ay gusto na magkaroon kami ng imbestigasyon," sabi ni Villar.
Idinagdag niya na sa simula pa lang ay batid nila (mga senador na pabor sa pagbuhay sa imbestigasyon ng “Hello Garci,") na hindi sila makakukuha ang 100 percent na suporta ng publiko.
Inihayag ni Lacson na irerekomenda n'ya na ipatawag din sa imbestigasyon si Rosales ngunit depende ito sa magiging testimonya ni Villegas sa Senado.
Sinabi ni Lacson na kabilang sa puntirya ng imbestigasyon ay tiyakin na ang intelligence funds ng gobyerno ay ginagamit ng wasto.
Nitong Linggo, nagpahayag si Rosales na ang pagbuhay ng Senado sa "Hello, Garci" ay sagabal sa pagsulong ng bansa.
"Our country is not progressing because we don’t learn how to forgive each other," ayon kay Rosales.
Sinabi ni Lacson na nakatanggap siya ng impormasyon na inatasan ni Rosales si Villegas na sunduin si Doble sa San Carlos Seminary sa Makati City noong June 10, 2005.
Dinala umano ni Villages si Doble kay Abu sa Camp Aguinaldo kung saan naghihintay din ang pamilya ng dating intelligence agent.
"Maybe after Bishop Villegas testifies and tells the committees who instructed him to bring out Doble, maybe we can invite the good cardinal to shed light. Assuming Rosales was the one who issued the instructions to Villegas, we want to know who urged him to issue those instructions," dagdag ni Lacson.
Priest's formation is continuous
Sept 07, 2007
A newly opened church center will host programs for "permanent" formation of all priests, not just "troubled" priests, said the chairman of the Philippine bishops' Episcopal Commission on Clergy.
TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines (UCAN, 8/22/2007) – Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila on Aug. 15 inaugurated John Mary Vianney-Galilee Development and Retreat Center in Tagaytay City, 55 kilometers (about 35 miles) southeast of Manila.
Speaking with UCA News after the inauguration, he said the Assist Ministry for priests, under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will use the center. The Assist Ministry, he explained, has developed several programs to address needs of priests at various stages of their priesthood.
According to the cardinal, the clergy commission's approach to caring for priests is driven by a desire to help priests who could use some "affirmation" or "renewal," as well as those who have children and partners, who have "problems with authority" and other special needs. He also said the commission is training personnel to minister to priests.
During the interview, the cardinal also talked about the Pastoral Guidelines on Sexual Abuses and Misconduct by the Clergy, approved by the CBCP Permanent Council on Sept. 1, 2003. In sociological, cultural, psychological, civil and canonical terms, the guidelines describe the context, issues, concerns and principles relevant to "allegations and actual cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy in the church in the Philippines." They also include recommendations for dealing with such allegations and cases.
Cardinal Rosales, 75, was ordained a priest in 1958 and appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila in 1974. In 1982, he was assigned to Malaybalay Diocese in Mindanao, the southern Philippines. Two years later he headed that diocese. He was appointed archbishop of Lipa in 1992 and archbishop of Manila in 2003. Pope Benedict XVI made him a cardinal on March 24, 2006.
Cardinal Rosales assumed chairmanship of the clergy commission in 2000, after serving as chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Seminaries for 15 years.
The UCA News interview with the Philippines church leader follows:
UCA News: What inspired this center?
CARDINAL GAUDENCIO ROSALES: In the Catholic Church, the formation of the priest is continuous, ongoing. In fact, in one of the latest documents of the Church on priestly formation, Pastores Dabo Vobis (I will give you shepherds, 1992), the late Holy Father John Paul II mentioned that this formation is not just ongoing. He calls it "permanent." Even old people need formation. At 70 or 80, it is not so much to add new ideas or to add new theologically enriching doctrine, but to affirm them in what they have done in terms of their long ministry. In this center we will have room for priests to live in. We will have the classrooms, and can have the five-day retreats of the Assist.
UCA News: The center and programs are not only for troubled priests?
CARDINAL ROSALES: Definitely not. I was surprised that almost half a dozen dioceses have already booked. On Aug. 22, the whole clergy of Puerto Princesa (vicariate) in Palawan (province) is coming with the bishop for their own retreat.
Whenever I go to a monastery and attend a full-time directed retreat, where we need complete silence, I come back feeling renewed and with a feeling of inner strength.
Priests are very public persons. Our Lord was a very public person. People grabbed him, listened to him, pushed him and even wanted to touch any part of his clothing. And yet when they looked for him in the morning they found him on a hill by himself.
It shows us solitude is needed for effective ministry and "humanhood." We need that to express what is in there inside of us. Solitude creates a space where the heart can express itself. It is not only for the priest. I think it is for every person. My father was a doctor, a very public person. And yet like most men, he had his quiet moments and we knew not to disturb him.
UCA News: What are you speaking about when you talk of troubled priests?
CARDINAL ROSALES: There are many aspects, not only in the area of celibacy. Sometimes there are priests who have authority hang-ups. There are different forms of addiction and other levels of needs of priests as human beings.
For example, I am 49 years a priest. As an idealist I remember feeling disappointed and down when I was young, and I looked at my companions. I asked myself, especially around five years into my priesthood, "Did I take the right steps?" My classmates were successful doctors, engineers, and there I was -- a priest.
I talked to my spiritual father. He told me, "Father, the time you give up prayer you will also give up priesthood." A young man like me, in my 30s at the time, I remember that very well, and I am very grateful to recapture that zeal, that moment of fervor.
Around the time the council (Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965) was beginning, it was a very confusing moment for priests. When my bishop promised me I would go to Rome to study, I was keeping that in mind. I'm going to Rome. But when the council finished, half of our priests who were studying in Rome and finished didn't come home. They married in Europe. So naturally my bishop got disappointed and told me, "You don't go to Rome."
To me, that was painful. The others were able to go to Rome, and when it was my time to go, no more. It may seem a small matter to you, but to us priests that is a very painful thing. Besides, the bishop didn't keep his word. I took it in. When I introspect and return to that experience, there is that slight pinch. But you move past it.
The best example I can give you also is when I was appointed to Mindanao. I never thought that would come. It was painful too when priests asked me, "Why are they sending you to Mindanao? What have you done?" Some were happy I was sent to Mindanao. And some were shocked. But I told myself, rather than brood, just treat it as one episode in my life. That is over. But when it was happening, it was painful.
UCA News: How does the church deal with priests fathering children?
CARDINAL ROSALES: The pastoral guidelines say, if you have a child – singular – you may undergo curative measures. There have been priests who had children, like St. Augustine. There may be a singular event or episode that could spell a weakness on the part of the person. This could be treated pastorally and it could be healed through a program that encourages a person to be better rather than just punishing him.
But speaking in plural terms, it is where you will apply the hardness of the law. When we get a case like that, Assist will help the priest acknowledge that he has a natural obligation to support the children that supercedes his other obligations, including priesthood. So we explain this and it will surface that parenthood is a much greater obligation that he should face. The priest has to leave the ministry.
UCA News: What about a priest with one child?
CARDINAL ROSALES: It depends on the decision of the person. Because of renewal, if he decides he will not have any more contact with the woman, at least we have hope for that person. The natural obligation to support one's child remains the higher obligation than the priesthood. Therefore, if he wants to stay in the priesthood, he has to set aside a certain amount to support that child. But he doesn't have to give it directly to the mama, maybe through another source. There will be no more relationship with the mother.
A priest cannot take the money of the parish or the church even if he has not fallen. The priest cannot claim the parish's money for himself. We are talking about his own money, for example, stipends from baptisms, salaries from teaching or lecturing.
UCA News: What is the role of punishment in caring for priests?
CARDINAL ROSALES: The church is very strict about those who have been abusive. Failure or weakness is different from abuse. If it's only a matter of weakness, you could study the case, introspect with them to see this is what happened, you were weak.
But something that happens repeatedly, that hurts others, I don't think that is weakness. There is something wrong. There is a certain bad will, a certain taking advantage of your position and taking advantage of others. This is bad. But if it is something that happens to a priest once, here is where you can be curative, not punitive. And here we will have some courses that are curative.
UCA News: Has poverty been a problem for Filipino priests?
CARDINAL ROSALES: No, I don't think so. I was assigned in Mindanao and I take off my hat to those priests trying to minister in very impoverished places. I remember when we did not have insurance for accidents, five of my priests got involved in vehicular accidents. We had nothing to spend for their hospitalization. You know, we passed the hat around among priests and they helped. So don't tell me that simply because you are in a poor area, that is a reason why you will lose your vocation. I won't buy that.
One of my priests in Mindanao asked me once if he could go on vacation. In my mind I asked, what was he thinking asking for a vacation when Mindanao is suffering from poverty. I immediately thought he planned to go to Manila or Baguio (mountain vacation city in the north). I was so angry at myself when I learned he was planning to take two weeks off to help his father plow the field before the rains came. He was back in 10 days.
This is a priest and he was spending his vacation plowing the field. So let the world know it is not true that poverty is an obstacle to priesthood. There may be some exceptions, but don't believe everyone who says he left the priesthood because of the difficult life of a priest.
UCA News: What exactly are “Assist” programs and who runs the center?
CARDINAL ROSALES: The development programs in the center are under the programs director, Father Ray Panegunda, and he has five resident priests on his staff.
There is a five-week renewal program for priests according to the number of years in the ministry. The three-month Assisted Intensive Renewal (AIR) for priests is for deeper integration and processing of issues and needs of persons. A two-month live-in AIR for formators or priests working in seminaries focuses on human-formation training skills.
There is also a whole-year program for staff, and counseling and spiritual direction. Servants of the Paraclete priests will provide tutorial courses for resident staff.
There are programs planned for clergy one-to-five years in the ministry, value clarification for clergy six-to-10 years in the ministry, programs on midlife concerns for those 18-24 years as priests and preparing for their silver jubilee. For those 25 years and above in the ministry and for senior clergy about to retire, we will have modules on a second look at priesthood as a gift and fullness of life.
UCA News: What is the status of the CBCP guidelines on priests' sexual misconduct?
CARDINAL ROSALES: We sent it to Rome and they returned it with some corrections. It is approved and for implementation by individual bishops, not by CBCP per se, that's why it is called "pastoral guidelines," and not protocol.
The bishops voted down the punitive school of thought. I thank God the bishops of the Philippines did not advocate the "one strike you're out" theory. They accepted the school of thought to which we belong, which says: Give the man help, repair the man and help him repent.
Tama na ang pagdarasal para umulan
Aug 17, 2007
Nanawagan si Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales nitong Huwebes sa mga mananampalataya na ihinto na ang Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam o ang pagdarasal para umulan.
(GMANews.TV 08/16/2007) Sa ipinalabas na circular na may petsang Agosto 15, inatasan ni Rosales ang lahat ng parish priests, rectors, chaplains, at school directors sa Archdiocese of Manila na itigil na ang pagdarasal upang humiling ng pagpatak ng ulan.
Ang kautusan ay bunga na rin ng pahayag mula sa Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) na tapos na ang tagtuyot na naranasan sa Luzon.
“The rains have come and the Philippine weather agency has pronounced the end to the dry spell. We thank God for this blessing, a sign of His providence and love for us," paliwanag ni Rosales.
Kasalukuyang dumadaan sa Northern Luzon patungo sa Taiwan ang bagyong si Egay kung saan nakataas ang storm signal No. 1 sa Batanes Group of Islands, Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, at Catanduanes.
Noong Martes at Miyerkules ay maraming lansangan sa Metro Manila at karatig na lalawigan ang binaha dahil sa patuloy at malakas na pagbagsak ng ulan na dala ng bagyong si Egay.
Bago si Egay, dumaan na rin ang mga bagyong sina Chedeng at Dodong na nagdulot ng matinding pagbaha sa Luzon at sumira sa mga pananim.
Ipinalabas ni Rosales ang circular noong Hulyo 31 kung saan inatasan niya ang mga pari na isama ang kahilingan para sa ulan sa lahat ng misa simula noong Agosto 3.
Sa kabila nito, hinikayat ni Rosales ang lahat na ipagpatuloy ang pagdarasal para maliwanagan ang mamamayan upang pangalagaan ang kalikasan.
“The floods and landslides are not all the result of too much rain, most of these come because of the denudation of our forests, the silting of our rivers, the clogging of our esteros and waterways with non-biodegradable waste, and other harmful practices," paliwanag niya.
Sinabi pa ng cardinal na panahon na para itigil ng tao ang pagwasak sa kalikasan at pangalagaan ang kapaligiran.
“We cannot continue to test God's mercy and kindness with our destructive actions towards nature and the environment He has provided us for our habitat, our home. In this time of gratitude for the rains, let us acknowledge our offenses against our beautiful land and habitat. Let us be truly sorry for them and promise not to commit them again," pahayag ni Rosales.
Angel Thoughts
Aug 11, 2007
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales who will turn 75 tomorrow, followed the Good Book and now has his vision for the Archdiocese of Manila down pat.
"Write down the vision.
Write it in your mind.
Keep it in your heart.
It is going to happen
No matter what."
- Habakkuk 2:2
(The Manila Bulletin Online, August 11, 2007) The Good Book has instructions how to make our visions and dreams come true aside from praying.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales who will turn 75 tomorrow, followed the Good Book and now has his vision for the Archdiocese of Manila down pat.
As articulated in a two-day general pastoral assembly in 2005 among the priests, lay leaders, the academe and other "players" in the archdiocese and led by Cardinal Rosales himself, the Mission-Vision took shape and has since been formalized.
It states that we, (meaning all those who fall under the shepherding responsibility of the cardinal and his ministers, and hopefully all those who come to know and believe in living this vision) are:
"A People called by the Father in Jesus Christ to become a Community of Persons with Fullness of Life, witnessing to the kingdom of God by living the Paschal Mystery in the power of the Holy Spirit with Mary as Companion."
*****
The vision statement says it all — how to be better persons in whatever profession or calling we are in. But how many of us know that this is vision of our shepherd, the Cardinal?
Perhaps realizing that the vision-statement needed to be explained to be lived, the Cardinal has began to reach out to sectors, inviting them to Villa San Miguel, (previously called the House of Sin by its occupant, Jaime Cardinal Sin) now known as The House of Three Ps (Peace, Principle and Priests), for mass and a dialogue.
I felt blessed to have been one of those invited, together with people from broadcast media and advertising (Emily Abrera, Yolly Ong, Joey Avellana, Cheche Lazaro, Mike Enriquez, Bobby Barreiro, etc) to a breakfast with the Cardinal last month.
We were with a group of businessmen and tycoons, whose firms literally make the wheels of local industry run.
It was edifying to listen to the cardinal who explained his vision for his flock, very patiently and enthusiastically.
I looked all around me during his "lecture" and saw that every one was in rapt attention, absorbing and digesting his words, including former Chief Justice Art Panganiban, a devout Catholic.
(I asked him if he was happy about the SC court decisions under Reynato Puno so far and he smiled a Cheshire Cat smile and said, "Well, so far… we’ll see…")
We heard a simple mass officiated by the host in the small chapel, concelebrated by Bishop Bernardino Cortez, Msgr. Gerardo Santos and Fr. Vic Apacible.
We shared a breakfast of corned beef, "daing na bangus" and rice at the second floor library.
All of us, without exception, were all "primed" by the time we polished off the simple breakfast.
*****
The Cardinal’s "lessons" on values in these dark times and how to answer Jesus’ call to become "better persons" fell on fertile ground.
We are living in times of turmoil, he lamented, and principles have been cast aside. We all have to be better persons and find our way back!
The Cardinal’s 3 "Ps" or priorities in his ministry can be summed up in his mantras — Peace, Principle and Priests.
Stories on the simplicity and holiness of the Cardinal include his sorties in the darkest and dingiest squatter areas in Metro Manila have been shared by those privileged to have been with him in his "journeys."
How he goes without his entourage (and media) into hovels and says mass for the shocked "residents" there, how he has brought together people willing to help the poor without fanfare.
In Lipa, they also tell of how the Cardinal has gone off in public vehicles to other towns when his driver was not around.
How the horrified nuns who run his household have had to jump into the public buses themselves and go after His Eminence!
*****
Although born to an illustrious clan with a long history of men and women in public and church service, political power and private wealth, "Densie" Rosales chose the unbeaten path of priesthood.
He is passionate about living simply, decency in media, preserving peace, and preserving the environment.
Because of the warm response to Rosales’ values talk, His Eminence is now going to address a joint gathering of all business groups that matter in this country to be organized by Amb. Ramon "Boy Blue" del Rosario, Dick Romulo and Joey Cuisia of Philamlife.
Oil and energy watchdog Raul Concepcion was very enthused about having the cardinal’s vision and values taught to his employees.
During the open forum moderated by Amb. Tita de Villa, this was the general sentiment: "We are here at your behest. What do you want us to do?"
The cardinal informed them that the archdiocese had a team of formators that could be asked to talk to employees in companies that the business leaders would identify.
The business leaders that morning included Joe Concepcion, Cynthia Mamon, Tony Oppen, Noemi Saludo, Ric Pascua, Greg Montinola, Nandy Pacheco, Gerry Ablaza, Jess Estanislao, Polly Nazareno, Nabila Doctors Hospital medical director Dr. Dante Morales, George Winternitz, CFC president Joe Tale, and Greg Monteclaro, president of the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation.
Advertising icon Emily Abrera agreed with Joey Avellana, and indeed, media could stand cleaning up. Precy Florentino could not agree more.
Unfortunately with the broadcast industry, the "more bastos" or raunchier the show is, the more advertisers put their ads in them! Figure that out, reformers!
*****
Well, the spark has been lit — let’s hope that those who can do something to keep the flame burning to be a conflagration will not let the cardinal’s vision flicker out. No "ningas cogon," please!
In that breakfast dialogue, copies of the Cardinal’s talks (February to December, 2006) to MAGPAS (Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly) and instructions on how to see "faraway and beyond" and go where you are intended to go were given out.
If you care enough to know how the Cardinal’s vision took shape and how it should be carried out, get a copy.
I don’t promise you an easy time reading through it, but it should give a clear idea on what the archdiocese is trying to do.
The Magpas team is composed of Bishop Cortez, Msgr. Santos, Masgr. Roberto Espenilla, Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, Frs. Edwin Mercado, Anton Pascual, Francisco Ungria, Vic Apacible, Anita Castro, Gaines Marie Rosario, and Charito Santos.
Pope won’t let Rosales retire yet as Manila archbishop
Aug 08, 2007
Pope Benedict XVI has extended indefinitely the tenure of Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales as Manila Archbishop, rejecting the prelate’s customary resignation letter. Tomorrow, he turns 75 years old, the mandatory age for retirement of bishops.
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Inquirer
August 08, 2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Pope Benedict XVI has extended indefinitely the tenure of Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales as Manila Archbishop, rejecting the prelate’s customary resignation letter. Tomorrow, he turns 75 years old, the mandatory age for retirement of bishops.
The Pope “responded” to the cardinal’s resignation letter by “inviting him to continue in your ministry,” the Manila Archdiocese said in a statement yesterday.
Rosales, who succeeded the late Jaime Cardinal Sin in 2004, made an early submission of his resignation letter to the Holy Father last June for the proper selection of his successor as Manila Archbishop.
The Apostolic Nunciature conveyed the response of the Pope in a letter last July 12.
“It was being conveyed so that you can bring it to the knowledge of the entire Archdiocese and continue in your pastoral service in this particular Church, leaving to the Holy Father the decision when to appoint your successor,” Monsignor Wojciech Zaluski, charge d’affaires, said.
The Archdiocese of Manila has designated the Cardinal’s birthday as “Special Day for the Poor.”
Manila Auxiliary Archbishops Bernardino Cortez and Broderick Pabillo, in a circular, have asked each parish and community to honor the poor “in a way it thinks best and what the poor would regard as a ‘birthday treat’ and a gift to the Cardinal.”
The bishops said this could come in the form of a fellowship or a whole day of social services such as a free clinic, livelihood training, feeding of children, and gift-giving.
Rosales’ has spearheaded a fund raising for the poor called “Pondo ng Pinoy,” urging individuals to donate 25-centavos daily for the country’s poor.
The archdiocese statement said that Rosales -- affectionately called “Cardinal Dency” -- had expressed his wish to “disappear on his birthday and for week thereafter for much-longed moments of looking back and prayerful reflections on his life and ministry.”
But he agreed to have a Mass Wednesday at the Arzobispado de Manila for the advance celebration of his birthday.
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, said in his homily that “Cardinaly Dency (is) someone who has offered a new vision only for Manila but also for the Philippines.”
Vidal turned 75 more than a year ago and was also told by the Pope to “continue with his ministry.”
Cardinal Rosales reminds brides to wear proper clothing
Aug 06, 2007
Wedding Day should not be an excuse for brides and their entourages to wear "improper" attire in church.
(GMANews.TV, 08/07/2007)
Wedding Day should not be an excuse for brides and their entourages to wear "improper" attire in church.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales issued the reminder Monday night as he lamented those who do not wear proper attire distract other churchgoers from their prayers.
"Observe proper clothing during weddings. Failure to adhere to suggested attire may catch the attention of other churchgoers and may be distracted from their prayers," he said in a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website www.cbcpnews.com.
Rosales' reminder came on the heels of his earlier directive to churches to enforce the "dress code" at church, especially during Sunday Mass.
He added his recent call for proper decorum and attire in churches is just a reminder for the faithful.
The prelate explained the Church has called on its faithful to be properly attired, which does not mean wearing brand new designer clothes but rather something that is appropriate and suitable.
He recalled womenfolk before were required to don veils whenever they enter churches.
"Jeans were a no-no before the Vatican II," the archbishop said.
With Due Respect : Vision of Cardinal Rosales
Aug 05, 2007
When I started writing this weekly column on Feb. 11 this year, I laid out my basic belief that “every leader and every organization, big or small, must have a clear idea of what they ultimately want to accomplish, and of the specific ways to achieve the declared goals.”
By Artemio V. Panganiban
Columnist, Philippine Inquirer
Posted date: August 05, 2007
MANILA, Philippines—When I started writing this weekly column on Feb. 11 this year, I laid out my basic belief that “every leader and every organization, big or small, must have a clear idea of what they ultimately want to accomplish, and of the specific ways to achieve the declared goals.” Every leader must publicly commit to and aggressively pursue “a clear vision, mission and core values.” Moreover, “leading by example is the best, if not the only, way to accomplish the vision/mission.” In short, visionary leadership by example is the best success formula.
Fullness of life. With this credo in mind, I was happy to have been invited by His Eminence, Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales to a Holy Mass-breakfast-meeting on the whole morning of July 27, 2007. Although addressed to his flock in the Archdiocese of Manila, the top prelate’s extended homily, properly invoked, could benefit everyone, regardless of religion.
He started with the exhortation that every leader—whether of the family, the community, the church or the country—must declare a vision that answers basic questions, like: “What is my ultimate goal? How am I going to achieve it? Who will help me in my journey?” He said, “It is treason to lead without a vision. Without a vision, the leader betrays God and the people.”
Then, he pointed to “fullness of life” as the “diwa, the heart, the spirit” of his own vision. Elaborating, Cardinal Rosales cited the New Testament’s simple summation of God’s commandments; namely, love of God and love of fellow humans. No vision, he said, can be attained unless the leader exemplifies love and selflessness as core values.
Paschal mystery. More than forgiveness of sin, fullness of life refers to the “development of the human person.” Just as redemption implies freedom from sin, “development means deliverance from anything that enslaves.” To enable people to enjoy fullness of life, the leader must envision how to liberate them from “(1) ignorance, (2) poverty, (3) sickness, (4) selfishness, (5) unjust values (like ako muna, or worse, ako lamang), and (6) sin.”
In turn, the people must be willing to undergo what Cardinal Rosales (and other theologians) called the “paschal mystery.” Leaders must demonstrate by their personal example that the vision can be attained through sacrifice. He emphasized, “the only way to overcome suffering that leads to growth is to experience the suffering … it is the roughness of the grindstone that sharpens the blade of the sword; it is the storm that hardens the oak tree; and it is work that develops the muscles.”
Aside from human experience, the Cardinal cited the Bible teaching that “…unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest (I John 12:24). For the seed or the grain to produce new shoot and fruit, it has to fall to the ground, to die and germinate new life, and give the promise of new fruits …. Sacrifice and discipline provide the passage to better, freer new life and character.”
Response by the audience. The Cardinal moved many of the attending lay leaders to action. For instance, Ramon del Rosario Jr., Jose Cuisia and Ricardo Romulo committed to organize a joint meeting of all the big business groups, like the Makati Business Club, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bankers Association of the Philippines, and the Management Association of the Philippines, during which the well-loved man of God would explain his thesis.
Jose Concepcion Jr., chair of Barangay Forbes Park, said he would call on barangay assemblies to listen to the Cardinal and to the many teachers trained by Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, regional director of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (National Capital Region). Ambassador Tita de Villa volunteered to ask the various chapters of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to conduct teach-ins. Even the Gawad Kalinga leaders undertook to spread this new gospel to all GK chapters nationwide.
I thought that such enthusiastic response revealed a longing for visionary leadership by example. Nonetheless, I limited myself to making little suggestions on the book that was to be published, explaining the prelate’s vision. As I reflected on it that evening, I reckoned that the call to action would truly work in the parishes, schools and other church communities, given the esteem that the Cardinal enjoyed and the fact that the vision was collectively crafted over a two-year period (2005-2006) by the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly (MAGPAS).
However, in the secular field of political governance, would our people be willing to undergo the paschal mystery of no-cross-no-glory, considering that, many times in the past, they have been manipulated to do just that without any positive results? Even more important, is the President sufficiently trusted by our people for them to suffer now to be able to reach the promised fullness of life some day?
In short, the bottom line is credibility. Will our people believe and follow our government leaders when they invoke the paschal mystery? Can our leaders show by their personal example the core values (like “discipline, integrity, self-control, the banishment of greed”) necessary to lead our people to sacrifice today to be able to enjoy fullness of life tomorrow? Or will the people dismiss this well-intentioned vision as one more gimmick to beguile and fool them again.
* * *
Comments are welcome at chiefjusticepanganiban@hotmail.com
Cardinal Calls For Prayers For Rain During Dry Spell
Aug 04, 2007
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila has called Catholics to pray for rain as power outrages hit cities and farms report losses amounting to millions of pesos due to low rainfall.
MANILA (UCAN, 03/08/2007) -- Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila has called Catholics to pray for rain as power outrages hit cities and farms report losses amounting to millions of pesos due to low rainfall.
In an Aug. 1 circular, the cardinal directed priests and school directors in his archdiocese to lead prayers, starting with First Friday Masses on Aug. 3, to implore "the Master of all creation" to "send us rain."
His circular included English and Filipino versions of an oratio imperata (required prayer) he wants people to pray at Masses right after Communion.
The prayer asks for rain "to irrigate fields," "stave off a power shortage," "provide water for our bodily health" and "refresh our parched land."
"Raise your hand Almighty God to commence the normal rainy season that has now been long delayed so that crisis may be averted," it implores.
Cardinal Rosales issued his circular the day the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that 80,060 hectares of land planted with crops in the northern Philippine provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan lacked water.
The NDCC report also says 52 million pesos (US$1,136,000) worth of rice and corn in Quirino province, some 200 kilometers northeast of Manila, and 267 million pesos worth of the crops in Isabela province, north of Quirino, were damaged. Some 42,000 hectares of fishponds in Isabela reportedly "dried up."
On July 25, some places in the Manila region and surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal were without electricity for up to two hours. The National Power Corporation announced in a statement that the hydroelectric plants of San Roque, Binga and Magat in northern Luzon and Angat and Pantabangan in central Luzon had low water levels.
"People tasked with managing our water/power resources have warned that we face a crisis in those areas," Cardinal Rosales wrote in his circular.
In it he also stated intentions to be inserted into the Prayer of the Faithful at all Masses. The prayers ask God to "hasten to send the rain we badly need, especially in Luzon, so that the damage to crops and other livelihood and an impending power shortage may be averted."
Luzon, the largest Philippine island, forms most of the northern part of the country. It accounts for 57 percent of rice and 32 percent of corn production for national consumption, according to 2005 Department of Agriculture records.
On July 26, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported "dry spell conditions" in the northern and central Luzon regions and Metro Manila due to "below normal" rainfall during June and July, when the rainy season normally starts.
The administration posted the statement on its website and projected that a persistent dry spell may "develop into drought conditions in some of these areas, particularly Metro Manila." It predicted a dry spell until the end of September.
The Philippine Air Force conducted cloud-seeding operations July 19-31, the NDCC reported.
Even before the cardinal's circular, a group of farmers in Bagong Silang village, Nueva Ecija province, 130 kilometers north of Manila, resolved to pray novenas and stage processions in the afternoons until the rains return.
Jose Torres, assistant provincial agriculturist, told UCA News only 15 percent of the 44,679 hectares of rain-fed rice lands have been planted.
Farmers do not plant because they will not gain much profit with a "big expense in drawing water," explained village chief Rodolfo de la Cruz. He said farmers in his village have had to buy 180 meters of water hose and a water pump to draw water from rivers and streams. "This is the first time that we experienced this kind of dry spell," de la Cruz told UCA News on Aug. 1. He said villagers decided to pray because prayers have brought rain in the past.
Keep mall masses solemn, cardinal reminds Catholic flock
Aug 01, 2007
There’s nothing wrong with celebrating mass in shopping malls and department stores as long as its sanctity and solemnity are observed, according to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
By Jerome Aning
(Phillipine Inquirer, 07/31/2007)
MANILA, Philippines – There’s nothing wrong with celebrating mass in shopping malls and department stores as long as its sanctity and solemnity are observed, according to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Speaking over Catholic-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday, Rosales said that while the Church has allowed Eucharistic celebrations in malls, these should be held in the establishments’ chapels or in decent places, even “in a quiet corner” where people could actively participate.
The cardinal added that masses in the Archdiocese of Manila -- which covers the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong and Pasay -- would also be allowed in department stores provided permission has been given by the parish priest with jurisdiction over the area.
A story about the growing number of malls, which have built chapels in their establishments, appeared last Sunday in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
According to Rosales, the Church has allowed masses to be celebrated in malls to reach out to its faithful.
In the pre-Vatican II days, he recalled, masses were celebrated only in churches. In the 1950s, church authorities allowed Eucharistic celebrations in schools, to get children to participate.
Masses were later allowed at large shopping malls where most people converge on Sundays.
“People from the provinces usually drop by the malls and are given the opportunity to attend to their Sunday obligations,” the prelate said.
Cardinal visits DC, says Mass at Basilica
Jul 11, 2007
Manila Archibshop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who has reportedly tendered his resignation with the Vatican, presided at a Mass for the 10th annual Filipino Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Birhen Antipolo) at the Basilica of the Natonal Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 23.
(manilamaildc.net, July 11, 2007) WASHINGTON D.C. – Hundreds of the Virgin of Antipolo followers and the Catholic faithful attended the Mass. The Cardinal’s visit to Washington is part of a two-week visit to the United States on his way to the Vatican to attend a meeting of Cardinals next month. With him is his secretary, Fr. Reginald Malicdem.
Many Catholics say they were not aware of the visit of the Cardinal or the Mass at the Basilica because it was not well publicized by the organizers of his visit.
Before coming to DC, he stopped over in San Francisco June 20 to meet with the Rosales clan and officials of the Philippine consulate. The Cardinal celebrated Mass at the St. John the Baptist Parish in Milpitas in San Jose, California, whose pastor is Fr Norman Segovia, the vicar for Filipino clergy of the Diocese of San Jose. Then he returned to the Bay Area for masses at St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco on June 21 at 9 a.m. and in the afternoon of the same day at the St. Anne of the Sunset Parish Church in San Francisco, where he talked about “Pondo ng Pinoy.” This was followed with a dinner with the Filipino community in the Bay Area. On June 22, Rosales proceeded to Washington D.C. where he was formally welcomed at a reception at the World Bank by Msgr. Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Theodore Edgar Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, Fr. Joseph Holcomb, Director of Pilgrimages, Msgr. Godfrey Mosley, Spiritual Adviser of Birhen ng Antipolo, and priests and lay leaders of the archdiocese.
The Antipolo mass was the highlight of his five-day visit to Washington at the basilica at 2 p.m. June 23. Principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass was visiting Gaudencio Borb_n Cardinal Rosales. Concelebrants were Msgr. Godfrey Mosley, Fr. Jaime Noel Deslate, Fr. Jovy Roldan, Fr. Franco Liporace, Fr. PJ Camiring, Fr. Regie Malicden, Fr. Gary Villanueva, Fr. Pete Literal, Fr. Nixon Negparanon, Fr. Valeriano Cabahug, Fr. Venancio Balarote, Jr., and Fr. Jerome A. Magat.
The Mass was followed by a procession to the Oratory at the Crypt Church Cardinal Rosales was personally invited by a group of Filipino American devotees of Our Lady led by Msgr. Rossi when they visited the Philippines and made a courtesy call to him in February 2006.
Rosales also visited various community leaders in the Metropolitan Washington DC area, celebrating Mass at St. Columba Church in Maryland on June 24.
On June 25, he visited the offices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops where he was welcomed by Msgr. David Malloy, USCCB General Secretary and its Filipino employees led by Cecile Motus. The Cardinal’s next stop was Chicago where he met with Filipino Community at the Our Lady of Ransom Parish Church in Niles, Illinois.
On June 28, he departed for Italy where he will celebrate Sunday Mass on July 1 with Filipinos in Milan. He will attend a meeting at the Vatican of the Council for Economic and Organizational Affairs of the Vatican City State on July 2 and 3. He is expected to be back in Manila on July 5.
Manila cardinal promotes 'theology of crumbs'
Jul 10, 2007
In an expansive homily that drew applause, laughter and emotion at San Francisco‘s St. Anne of the Sunset Church, Cardinal Guadencio Rosales of Manila underscored the deep faith, generosity and hospitality of the Filipino culture and urged Filipinos living in the United States to use their cultural heritage as a leaven in American society.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Catholic San Francisco, 7/9/2007) - A Pontifical Mass followed by a reception at St. Anne were the final events of the cardinal-s three-day Bay Area June visit which also included a Mass at San Francisco‘s St. John the Evangelist Parish, East Bay liturgies, and visiting several relatives.
In an interview with Catholic San Francisco, the cardinal cautioned the United States about its social development aid in the Philippines and expressed excitement about the impact of Pondo Ng Pinoy, a foundation he helped launch to aid the poor in his homeland three years ago.
While ”mutually beneficial” bi-lateral treaties between the Philippines and United States ”should be respected,” notably security agreements, it would be prudent for U.S. federal developmental aid programs to ”distance themselves” from ”some human development programs” currently supported and become more aware of how monies are used, Cardinal Rosales said.
It is widely acknowledged that corruption and lack of accountability have long plagued social development sectors of the Filipino government as well as some non-governmental organizations there.
On the other hand, Cardinal Rosales said, Catholic Church affiliated organizations ”have always been among the most credible.”
That would include Pondo Ng Pinoy, whose member organizations now include more than a dozen Filipino dioceses and apostolic vicariates.
A key tenet of the Pondo Ng Pinoy philosophy, Cardinal Rosales said, is personal commitment to tangible, daily support of at least 25 centavos - less than one cent in U.S. currency - to the poor and the work of the foundation. He described it as true democratization of charity.
The cardinal expanded on what he calls a ”theology of crumbs” during his St. Anne homily.
”We in the Philippines are gathering crumbs from every Filipino,” he said to the nearly 1,500 gathered at St. Anne. ”All God wants is small things. Small things put together can start up a miracle. The issue is the love for the poor. Goodness is not complicated.” He underscored the significance of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, pointing out that no other parable reveals the name of the persons involved - from the story of the Prodigal Son, to the Pharisee and the Publican, to the Good Samaritan. ”This is very, very significant, he said.”
”Love is a way of life. Love is not a one-shot thing,” said the leader of the Philippines nearly 65 million Catholics, more than 80 percent of the nation’s population.
The Filipino culture, he emphasized,” embedded in us since we were small kids has the ability to be friends with almost everyone. There is room for everyone in our culture. There is always room for one more in our culture.”
After describing the Filipino emphasis on personal care and concern for individuals ”even if it interferes with schedules, the cardinal drew applause when he said, I assure you, God is not going to judge us according to schedules. He is not a God of schedules.”
Speaking about the priesthood and to the many priests present at the Mass, Cardinal Rosales said, ”God is not going to judge me as a priest or a cardinal, but as a person. The first ontological and metaphysical vocation for a priest is to be a good human being.”
”To be a good man, to be a good person is your first vocation,” he said. ”Be good as a man, reflect the goodness of God, and a good priesthood will follow.”
Cardinal Rosales, who turns 75 Aug. 10, told Catholic San Francisco he had submitted his letter of resignation to the Vatican in June, complying with the canonical mandate for cardinals to offer their resignation on turning 75. He said he had not received official word whether or not he would be asked to continue as head of the Manila Archdiocese.
For information on Pondo Ng Pinoy, visit its Web site: www. pondongpinoy.com
Use culture as leaven in society, cardinal urges Filipinos in U.S.
Jun 27, 2007
In a homily at a San Francisco church, Cardinal Guadencio Rosales of Manila, Philippines, underscored the deep faith, generosity and hospitality of the Filipino culture and urged Filipinos living in the United States to use their cultural heritage as a leaven in U.S. society.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (CNS, 6/27/2007) – A Mass June 21 at St. Anne of the Sunset Church and a reception afterward were the final events of the cardinal's three-day visit to the Bay Area.
His U.S. trip included a stop in Washington, where he presided at a June 23 Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
In a June 19 interview with Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper, the cardinal cautioned the United States about its social development aid in the Philippines and expressed excitement about the impact of Pondo Ng Pinoy, a foundation he helped launch to aid the poor in his homeland three years ago.
While "mutually beneficial" bilateral treaties between the Philippines and United States "should be respected," notably security agreements, it would be prudent for U.S. federal development aid programs to "distance themselves" from "some human development programs" currently supported and become more aware of how monies are used, said Cardinal Rosales, who turns 75 Aug. 10.
It is widely acknowledged that corruption and lack of accountability have long plagued social development sectors of the Filipino government as well as some nongovernmental organizations there.
On the other hand, Cardinal Rosales said, organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church "have always been among the most credible."
That would include Pondo Ng Pinoy, whose member organizations now include more than a dozen Filipino dioceses and apostolic vicariates.
Calling it a "true democratization of charity," a key tenet of the Pondo Ng Pinoy philosophy, Cardinal Rosales said, is personal commitment to tangible daily support of at least 25 centavos – less than 1 cent in U.S. currency – for the poor and the work of the foundation.
The cardinal expanded on what he calls a "theology of crumbs" during his homily at St. Anne.
"We in the Philippines are gathering crumbs from every Filipino," he said to the nearly 2,000 gathered at the church. "All God wants is small things. Small things put together can start up a miracle. The issue is the love for the poor. Goodness is not complicated."
He underscored the significance of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, pointing out that no other parable reveals the name of the persons involved – from the story of the prodigal son to the Pharisee and the publican to the good Samaritan. "This is very, very significant," he said.
"Love is a way of life. Love is not a one-shot thing," said the leader of the Philippines' nearly 65 million Catholics, more than 80 percent of the nation's population.
The Filipino culture, he emphasized, "embedded in us since we were small kids has the ability to be friends with almost everyone. There is room for everyone in our culture. There is always room for one more in our culture."
After describing the Filipino emphasis on personal care and concern for individuals "even if it interferes with schedules," the cardinal drew applause when he said, "I assure you, God is not going to judge us according to schedules. He is not a God of schedules."
Speaking about the priesthood and to the many priests present at the Mass, Cardinal Rosales said, "God is not going to judge me as a priest or a cardinal, but as a person. The first ontological and metaphysical vocation for a priest is to be a good human being."
"To be a good man, to be a good person is your first vocation," he said. "Be good as a man, reflect the goodness of God, and a good priesthood will follow."
Cardinal Rosales sees no religious motive in Italian missionary's abduction
Jun 14, 2007
The Roman Catholic archbishop of Manila cautioned against attributing any religious motives to the abduction of an Italian missionary in the southern Philippines, on Wednesday calling it a criminal act.
MANILA (AP, June 13, 2007) - In an apparent attempt to prevent recriminations between Muslims and Christians, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales said the words "Muslim" and "Islam" should not be used to describe the gunmen who seized Giancarlo Bossi on Sunday in the coastal town of Payao in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
"Religion has nothing to do with this, at least as far as we can see it at the moment," he told journalists in Manila. "And if ever those kidnappers did it, no matter what their religion is, they were doing it as criminals."
He said he has written to Eduardo Ermita, executive secretary of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Cabinet, asking him "to please pursue all the possibilities in trying to work for the safe release" of the 57-year-old missionary.
Easter message of Cardinal Rosales
Apr 08, 2007
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila says Easter should remind us that in Christ there should never be any division, nor competition, but one vision of pursuing the love of God and the good of every human in the level ground of helping and inspiring everyone to share in the Kingdom of one Father of all.
(abs-cbnnews.com, April 8, 2007) After the resurrection, he says Jesus has triumphed over all, including his enemies, by forgiving them, and over his unfaithful disciples by reuniting Himself in love with them again.
HAPPY EASTER! PEACE BE WITH YOU!
The last rites of the Holy Week have just been celebrated and Christianity has been ushered to the joyful Season of Easter. Vacationers return home, campaigners are back on trail pursuing their personal projects, those who reflected and prayed come back to work with some hope even over an unwelcoming future.
Empathizing with Christ’s passion, death and resurrection (which for the Christian is the Paschal Mystery) surely means more than just a long weekend! For in His Paschal-crossing episode, Jesus summarized and perfected all human crossings (experience) over difficult means - slavery, poverty, ignorance and oppression; making himself and his Pasch a model and a source of hope in human stories of liberation and salvation.
Jesus Christ is the only way and model for humans to save and develop self into a person who is fully human, fit for God’s Kingdom, and able to accept that what is good for him is also good for others.
Peace be with you!
This is the true Christian greeting, because it was Jesus Christ’s testimony to love. After the resurrection, Jesus has triumphed over all, including his enemies, by forgiving them, and over his unfaithful disciples by reuniting Himself in love with them again.
Easter recalls to us that in Christ there should never be any division, nor competition, but one vision of pursuing the love of God and the good of every human in the level ground of helping and inspiring everyone to share in the Kingdom of one Father of all.
For Christ Jesus Happy Easter really means "Peace be with you!"
GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
Promote truth, justice at start of Holy Week
Mar 28, 2007
In a pastoral letter to be read during Sunday Mass, Rosales said it is not enough to do works of mercy, but also to know why poverty and justice continue to exist, and then do something about it.
(GMANews.TV03/29/2007) "As we do works of mercy, let us also seek and promote truth and justice, which is the challenge of this year's Alay Kapwa theme Katotohanan at Katarungan: Hamon sa Sambayanan tungo sa Pagkakaisa at Kabanalan. Begin by asking why poverty and injustice exist in our country. Then commit yourself in helping transform our nation to become one and holy. May Christ be our inspiration who gave his life to heal the brokenness of our world and to restore God's reign of love and justice for all," he said in the pastoral letter, which was posted on the Archdiocese of Manila website (www.rcam.org) Wednesday night.
He said he prays that more people would support Caritas Manila, the archdiocese's charity arm, and its work for the development of the poor.
The prelate said contributions will support and sustain nationwide social initiatives on peace, advocacy, governance, ecology, sustainable agriculture, children's rights and disaster management.
Rosales invited the faithful to reflect on the teachings of Jesus on love and service for others, especially during the last week of Lent.
"How shall we love our neighbor? Suppose there are brothers and sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in saying to them, God bless you! Keep warm and eat well, if you give them the necessities of life? Love should not just be in words and talk. It must be genuine – a love that shows itself in action," he said.
He added Alay Kapwa Sunday is an opportune time to collectively reach out to others, offering to neighbors "who we are and what we have as an expression of our solidarity with the poor."
"Share your time, talent and treasure. Whenever we see people hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick and oppressed, it is our duty to act. I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, homeless and you gave me shelter, sick and you visited me. Truly I say to you, as you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to Me," he said.
Rosales also reminded his flock that in sharing, no one is poor that he has nothing to give and no one is so rich that he has nothing to receive.
Kein Kleingeld wegen Spendenaktion
Cardinal, reflecting on crisis, blames greed for high poverty
Cardinal Rosales pumalag sa utos ng NSO