Uncategorized — Page 751

  • Bishop condemns killing of Church worker

    Bishop condemns killing of Church worker

    CBCPNews,

    The prelate deplored the killing of Wilerme Agorde, a 64-year-old peasant leader and worked as project coordinator of the agrarian reform program of the CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa). “We condemn the many extrajudicial killings happening today which have become so common,” Bagaforo said. The recent murder of Wilerme “Ka Wiling” Agorde, according to him, is causing fear and insecurity among civilians particularly among the human rights and peace advocates in the area. Agorde, 64, was stabbed and gunned down in the presence of his grandchildren by unidentified assailants in Brgy. He has been at the forefront of a campaign with his fellow farmers who have been struggling for decades for ownership of the unused agricultural land-reservation in Arakan town. About 5,000-hectare property is owned by University of Southern Mindanao but the 1,000-hectare portion was allocated to the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology. According to Nassa, the disputed land had been occupied by the farmers for several decades. Last Feb 9, the Department of Agrarian Reform voiced support for the the distribution of land reservation for the 2,110 potential beneficiaries during the dialogue conducted with the Commission on Higher Education. The Nassa said this recent development indicates that the farmers “are winning in the agrarian campaign”. “However, the killing of Ka Wiling is interpreted by the community as a way to silence the leaders in defending their land rights,” it said. “The land conflict is escalating as the farmer groups are momentum in pursuing their land rights,” the Nassa added. The killing of Agorde was reportedly the third farmer-leader slain in North Cotabato this February alone. Church leaders are appealing to the authorities to stop the escalation of killings among farmers and their leaders. “Other farmer leaders in Arakan are now in hiding for fear of their lives. He was also a member of the Arakan parish team since the time of Italian priest Father Fausto Tentorio who was brutally killed in 2011 and whose case remains unsolved until now. “We do not know of their deaths can ever obtain justice since Fr.

  • Anti-death penalty advocate cries railroading

    Anti-death penalty advocate cries railroading

    CBCPNews,

    Rodolfo Diamante of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (Photo: (CBCP-ECPPC)) MANILA – A lay prison ministry official of the Catholic Church scored the undue haste of the House leadership to pass a measure seeking to revive the death penalty by next week. Diamante said this happened after seven session days and with only seven of the 50 agreed lawmakers who wanted to interpellate the bill’s sponsor were given the floor. 29 and March 1 are “crucial dates” as the majority “will most likely exert its will on the Congressmen and call for party vote on the matter”.

  • Where were you during EDSA I?

    Where were you during EDSA I?

    CBCPNews,

    …and that’s the truth Especially around this time of the year, I get to be asked that question: “Where were you during EDSA I?” For the life of me I could not tell anyone, all these years, w…

  • February 25, 2017 – MK 10:13-16

    February 25, 2017 – MK 10:13-16

    CBCPNews,

    He put the fear of himself upon their hearts, and showed them his mighty works, That they might glory in the wonder of his deeds and praise his holy name. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

  • Access to water is a basic human right, concerns ‘the common good’

    Access to water is a basic human right, concerns ‘the common good’

    CBCPNews,

    (L’Osservatore Romano) – A Vatican seminar on water held this week highlighted the complex challenges faced around the world in making the basic human right to water a reality for all people. He said that “on the level of the Church” the point of departure for the issue of water access is “certainly dignity.” “Because we affirm the dignity of people, we also affirm anything that is needed to make this dignity realized,” he said. Hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Argentine organization Catedra del dialogo y la cultura encuentro, the workshop brought together scientists, scholars, business and non-profit leaders, clergy, and educators for an “interdisciplinary discussion.” During the seminar, participants agreed that there is a fundamental human right to water, but differed on the exact approach to take to combat the issue.

  • Gratitude is central, Pope Francis tells Spanish footballers

    Gratitude is central, Pope Francis tells Spanish footballers

    CBCPNews,

    To achieve this affinity, much training is needed; but it is also important to invest time and effort in strengthening team spirit, to create that connection of movements: a simple look, a small gesture, or an expression communicate so many things on the field.” This can be done “if you play in the spirit of fellowship, setting aside individualism or personal aspirations. “This is a responsibility, and should motivate you to give the best of yourselves, so as to exercise those values that in football must be palpable: companionship, personal commitment, the beauty of the game, team spirit.” “We can recall those we played with as children, our first teammates, coaches, helpers, and even the supporters whose presence encouraged us in every game,” Pope Francis said. “This memory is good for us, so that we do not feel superior but instead become aware of being part of a large team that has been forming for some time.” He said this “helps us grow as people, because our ‘game’ is not merely our own, but also that of others, who in some way form part of our lives.

  • Cardinal Tagle urges all Manila parishes to mark EDSA anniversary

    Cardinal Tagle urges all Manila parishes to mark EDSA anniversary

    CBCPNews,

    25.’ He said the event should be done with “simplicity but deep” and coupled with public prayer events such as processions, rosary rallies, prayer worship, among others. Read: Archbishop Soc decries ‘rape’ of EDSA spirit This is the first time in recent years that all parishes in Manila are urged to organize events to mark the 1986 peaceful mass uprising that overthrew the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. “In full view of the world, the Filipino people showed the power of prayer that begets courage that begets solidarity that begets change.” “Thirty-one years later we thank God for the gift of faith, as we also ask pardon for our personal and communal failure in consistently living that faith in justice, love and peace,” he said.

  • Friday is ‘free wedding’ day at this parish

    Friday is ‘free wedding’ day at this parish

    CBCPNews,

    Eric Bobis) OCAMPO, Camarines Sur – A parish in Old Moriones, Ocampo holds a regular wedding schedule for those who wish to have their union blessed as a sacrament even if they are strapped for cash. We realized love is not in the decorations but in the way we care and love,” said Maricel Sideco, a bride who got married on one such Friday in December. Mojica thought of the program as a means to help address the increasing number of couples who choose to live-in or co-habitate without the Sacrament, especially for those whose reason for putting off getting married is financial.

  • Public servants as public lords

    Public servants as public lords

    CBCPNews,

    Views and Points It is becoming progressively more pronounced, definitely more manifest as time goes by. There are more and more public servants in this country who think and speak like publ…

  • Archbishop Soc decries ‘rape’ of EDSA spirit

    Archbishop Soc decries ‘rape’ of EDSA spirit

    CBCPNews,

    “Thank God, Eminence, you did not see these days we are going through.” But the archbishop said there is always reason to celebrate the spirit of Edsa and for Filipinos to live up to its meaning despite some attempts to “prostitute” its meaning. For EDSA, according to him was not about the enemies of peace and democracy but the faith and bravery of Filipinos “who called upon the Lord in their distress and whose cry the Lord has heard from heaven”. It is people who have raped it.” “This land may be ruled by tyrants and killers, murderers may win in elections, plunderers may grin at the ignorant voters they have cheated, trolls may keep hurling invectives at their peace loving countrymen, commanders may prostitute the meaning of EDSA… but we will still celebrate,” he said.