Philippines helps with Vatican Nativity Scene

ROME, Dec. 17, 2010—The traditional nativity scene that will be put up at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican will feature a set of nine Filipino figures that will complement the traditional figures of the Holy Family.

The Philippine-made statues depict a Filipino family inside a boat pulling a net with a plentiful catch from the sea. Near them, other companions are portrayed playing different indigenous musical instruments. Some baskets, filled with different Philippine tropical fruits, vegetables, fishes and shells, highlighting the bountiful harvest of the earth and the sea, complete the set.

Designed by Davao-based Filipino sculptor, Kublai Ponce-Millan, the sculptures represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus.

Kublai Ponce-Millan began his work in August after Mercedes Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, presented the project to the Governorate of the Vatican City State as part of the launching activities of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See.

“To include the Filipino figures at the Vatican nativity scene will surely be most meaningful for all Filipinos knowing that the solemnity of Christmas is perhaps the most popular celebration among Filipino Catholics”, Tuason said in her letter to Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.

Delighted with this proposal, Cardinal Lajolo responded that “this gesture would be meaningful for the vast Filipino community in Italy, a hard working community of great faith and family values.”

Under the supervision of the Technical Services of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, around 35 workers began work on the nativity scene in St. Peter’s square in early November.

The work is expected to be finished on December 24, in time for the official opening and blessing that evening. Pope Benedict XVI will participate in the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments.

Filipinos in Italy are consoled to see their Christian faith recognized and affirmed by the Holy See in this symbolic way. They are grateful for the honor of being placed in the center of Catholicism’s celebration of the birth of Christ this year.

The ongoing construction of the Nativity scene and the Philippine contribution to it can be viewed on YouTube by accessing

Communicators invited to advent silence

VATICAN, Dec. 14, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Vatican's media council is inviting social communicators to take this time of Advent to be silent.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said this in a message to communicators of Latin America on the occasion of last Sunday's feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He noted how local Churches are promoting the continental mission, "recalling that to be disciples means to have lived a genuine encounter with [Christ], to have experienced his goodness, his love and his mercy in our personal history."

"This experience," the prelate said, "marks and transforms life in a permanent way, and that is why we wish to communicate it to others, thus transforming ourselves into men and women missionaries."

Holding Mary's hand

An encounter with the Lord is multi-faceted, Archbishop Celli proposed: It is both personal and communal, arising both in solitude and in the liturgy and family.

"It is nourished by dialogue and community prayer, expressed in song, in catechesis and ends in action and service," he said. "That is why, on this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I would like to invite you, precisely as men and women communicators, to enjoy once more the experience of encountering Christ.

"I invite you to live moments of silence during these days of Advent, to hear Jesus' voice who speaks to our heart. Holding Mary's hand, let us meet with him without haste, as he always awaits us!"

The Vatican official recommended hushing the "flood of concerns and noises that so often drag us endlessly."

"Silence," he said, "is like a blank screen on which we can project the film of our daily life to see it clearly. If we project it on a wall full of pictures, books and objects, with a background of noise, we will understand little. [...] In silence we hear the voice of God. In this way we will be able to be genuine bearers of his Word -- as Mary who, 'kept all these things in her heart.'"

Not so easy

Archbishop Celli acknowledged that his exhortation is difficult in times of "news bombardment, pastoral needs, bustle in families, in our media and in parishes, not to mention purchases, gifts, parties and celebrations."

"However," he said, "if we dedicate time to choose the ingredients and to prepare the dinners and meals we will share over the holidays, must we not also prepare, and even more so, what we will communicate through radios, newspapers, television programs and Web sites? What can we give that is substantial, if our life is filled only with repeated words, with little depth and contents? Let us dedicate time to the Lord whom we are awaiting this Advent."

Collegio Filippino welcomes 35 bishops, 2 Cardinals

ROME, Dec. 3, 2010—The Pontificio Collegio Filippino welcomed 35 Bishops and 2 Cardinals from the Philippines, the first of three batches to hold their Ad Limina Visit to the Holy Father.

The first batch of bishops came from 5 Ecclesiastical Provinces of Nueva Segovia, Tuguegarao, Lingayen-Dagupan, San Fernando (Pampanga) and Manila.

All the bishops are staying at PCF where it is a home away from home. Most of the prelates had stayed at PCF years ago when they were taking further studies in the different Pontifical Universities in Rome.

“To return to PCF and reminisce memories while visiting the Holy Father is wonderful indeed,” many of them said.

During their general audience with the Holy Father last November 29 at the Consistory Hall, Pope Benedict welcomed them and expressed appreciation on what the Bishops of the Philippines have been doing to promote culture of faith, life, love and family.

“Your presence here in Rome strengthens the bonds of communion between the Catholic community in the Philippines and the See of Peter, a communion which stretches back over four centuries to the first offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice upon your shores,” the pope said. (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo) http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13933

Clash among Catholics

note:  This is the face of the resistance group in the Philippines, though a minority bloc as of the moment, in an attempt to push the passing of the House Bill 96 or Reproductive Health Bill that would give the go signal to use contraception and even legalization of abortion, if approved to become a law.  It is sad to know that these two opposing groups belong to the same family - the Catholic Church. The battle is not yet over.  The resistance will return as the Church´s faithful will stand prepared!  (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo)

Pro, anti-RH bill clash outside Manila Cathedral

MANILA, Nov. 22, 2010— Opponents clashed with supporters of Reproductive Health Bill who had gathered outside Manila Cathedral on Saturday night to protest the Catholic Church’s opposition to contraceptives.

About 20 pro-RH bill “Catholics” tried to enter the cathedral where a “prayer and reflection service on human life” was being held but they were barred by the organizers.

The demonstrators, mostly teenagers, belonging to a group called Filipino Freethinkers, however, forced to get inside the church sparking word-war between both parties.

The supporters of the reproductive health bill were wearing t-shirts with “Damaso” printed on them and the statement “Pass the RH bill Now.”

“Father Damaso” refers to an abusive priest who fathered a child in Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere.”

“Get away from us, walk out! This is our affair, respect us… organize your own affair,” yelled Pro-Life President Philippines Eric Manalang.

“You’re insulting my Mother Church. If your mother would be insulted, will you not feel bad?” Manalang said.

A protester answered: “Maybe not…”

“We are also Catholics (that’s why we are here),” said another one.

But RH-bill supporters defied the appeal and continued distributing flyers or invitation to a “party” together with the people and organizations that support the RH bill.

“If supporting the RH bill means excommunication, excommunicate me!” part the flyer read. “Join us for an evening of dinner, entertainment, and dissent,” part of the flyer read.

Manalang said they felt insulted as more opponents including famous lawyer Romulo Macalintal went outside the cathedral to face the rallyists.

“Do anything you want to do and we don’t care… just respect our own affair,” a mother said.

The rallyists finally decided to leave the cathedral after about 10 minutes of confrontation and as more participants of the forum went out of the church to drive them away.

“You are Catholics but you are dissidents. We are Catholics but we follow God’s commandment to protect life strictly,” shouted Manalang as the rallyists were leaving the cathedral. (CBCPNews)

source:  http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13793

Ad Limina Visit to the Holy Father

Collegio Filippino set for RP bishops’ ‘ad limina’ visit

ROME, Nov. 20, 2010—The Pontificio Collegio Filippino is all set to welcome the first batch of Philippine bishops who are scheduled for their ‘ad limina’ visit to Vatican.

“The Pontificio Collegio Filippino is ready for the arrival of the first batch of Bishops to have their ‘ad limina’ visit here in Rome,” PCF Rector Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston said.

Fr. Greg enumerated the preparations done in anticipation for the bishops’ arrival.

He said everything is organized including the rooms, the computer system with its printer which the bishops could use with regards to their documents, e-mails and other necessary paper works; the easy access for requesting papal blessings certificates, some souvenir items for sale, service van to bring the bishops to their destinations, laundry schedules and many more.

The first batch of bishops together with Cardinal Rosales and Cardinal Vidal are scheduled to be in Rome from November 25 to December 6, 2010.

The last ‘ad limina’ visit of the Bishops from the Philippines took place in 2003. This ‘ad limina’ from November to February for the three batches of bishops from all over the Philippines will be the first time with Pope Benedict XVI.

The ‘ad limina’ visit is an opportune time for the bishops of the Philippines to visit the Pope and to renew their commitment to shepherd the Faithful in our local Church in the Philippines. (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo)

source:  http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13767