HAPPY 111th INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL PINOYS!
The blog of a group of Filipino Catholics and their frank commentary on anything that affects their lives as a citizen of the Philippines and as a Roman Catholics.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Communion in the hand only UPDATE
As I have posted last week, so far it has only been the Archdiocese of Manila that has issued a directive to ban other forms of receiving communion other than in the hand. The National Capital Region where the Archdiocese of Manila is located hosts 5 dioceses, all suffragans of Manila. They are Pasig, Paranaque, Caloocan, Novaliches and Cubao. So far, NONE of these dioceses who are home to the major cities of Mega Manila have issued similar directives in response to the swine flu scare.
What does this say?
Does it mean the bishops of these dioceses do not care about the swine flu pandemic? Or have they taken a more prudent approach in addressing the swine flu scare so as not to even risk profaning the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament? Tell us your thoughts.
What does this say?
Does it mean the bishops of these dioceses do not care about the swine flu pandemic? Or have they taken a more prudent approach in addressing the swine flu scare so as not to even risk profaning the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament? Tell us your thoughts.
SNAPSHOT
Vatican II Council Father: "Where's Bugnini and Marini? They must be stopped!"Well, we know the ending to this story. Sadly though.
Words of Wisdom: Pope Benedict XVI
"Becoming the Eucharist: let this be our constant desire and commitment! So that the offer of the Body and Blood of the Lord we make upon the altar may be accompanied by the sacrifice of our own lives. Every day we draw from the Body and Blood of the Lord the free and pure love that makes us worthy ministers of Christ and witnesses to His joy. What the faithful expect from a priest is the example of authentic devotion to the Eucharist. They like to see him spend long periods of silence and adoration before Jesus, as did the saintly 'Cure of Ars' whom we will especially recall during the imminent Year for Priests"."Aware that, because of sin, we are inadequate, yet needing to nourish ourselves from the love the Lord offers us in the Eucharistic Sacrament, this evening we renew our faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Such faith must not be taken for granted!
"Today there is a risk of insidious secularisation, even inside the Church", "This could translate into a formal but empty Eucharistic worship, in celebrations lacking that involvement of the heart which finds expression in veneration and respect for the liturgy.
"There is always a strong temptation to reduce prayer to superficial and hurried moments, allowing ourselves to be overcome by earthly activities and concerns."
"With the Eucharist", the Pope explained, "heaven comes down to earth, God's tomorrow descends into the present moment and time is, as it were, embraced by divine eternity".
Friday, June 12, 2009
Giving what they want?
VATICAN Laicizing priests now easier for clergy congregation (link)
VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI has granted "special faculties" to the Congregation for the Clergy responding to a problem that has been faced in all continents, including Asia. This makes it easier for the congregation to dismiss priests involved in scandals and to grant dispensations from celibacy to those who have left the priesthood for five consecutive years, contracted a civil marriage, or are living with a woman.
Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the Brazilian-born prefect of the congregation, informed bishops of these new authorizations in a nine-page letter dated April 18. UCA News obtained a copy of the letter in early June.
In the first part of the letter, the Franciscan cardinal offers two reasons for the papal decision: to reaffirm priestly celibacy as "a gift that the Church has received and wishes to protect" and to assist bishops "in their daily task of preserving and promoting ecclesiastical discipline."
In other words, the Pope wants the more than 400,000 Catholic priests in the world to live a celibate and upright life, and wants bishops to ensure that they do so, or else dismiss them from the ministry.
A third reason for the new administrative procedures also emerges from the letter: The Pope wishes to restore order in the Church by regularizing situations of priests who have left the ministry without requesting dispensation.
According to Cardinal Hummes, "the vast majority of priests live out their priestly identity with serenity and exercise faithfully their proper ministry." However, he insisted that "when situations of scandal arise, especially on the part of the Church's ministers," the bishop must act promptly and decisively "according to the laws of the Church."
The letter makes clear that if a priest is not abiding by Church laws, that is, if he is living with a woman, has contracted civil marriage, or engages in other behavior that causes scandal, then the diocesan bishop has a duty and obligation to intervene and restore good order in the Church.
The bishop can begin by admonishing the priest to change his life but if it is clear that the priest has no intention of doing so, then the bishop must initiate a procedure for his dismissal. [Will religious congregations do this on their own too? It seems the process is for diocesan priests only. I know a couple of priests living double lives. One is a charismatic Franciscan.]
The bishop can also initiate the process in the case of a priest who has left the ministry for five consecutive years or more with no intention of returning to the ministry, as well as in the case of a priest who is no longer living a celibate life and has no intention of changing.
In such cases, the bishop will carry out a thorough investigation at the diocesan level, always respecting the priest's legal rights. The bishop will then transmit his conclusion and request for dispensation to the congregation, which now has the power to dismiss the priest and grant the dispensation with or without recourse to the Pope, depending on the case. [Hope the bishops find the strength to even start an investigation!]
Once the congregation dismisses the priest and grants dispensation, the former priest can be fully reconciled with the Church and be able to live a full Christian life and receive the Sacraments. [Yeah, why not just leave the ministry, stop the lie, and live in a state of life he befits you.]
The new faculties and the more streamlined administrative procedures do not apply to priests who have been involved in the sexual abuse of minors, however. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith handles all such cases. [Some of those involved in abuse scandals belong to religious brothers and sisters and are therefore under perpetual vows. Maybe the Congregation for can streamline the process also.]
In an exclusive June 3 interview with the US-based news agency, Catholic News Service, Cardinal Hummes explained that the new procedures were necessary because the 1983 "Code of Canon Law" appears to be inadequate at addressing "new problems."
For example, when a priest leaves the priesthood, he "usually" informs his bishop and eventually requests a formal dispensation. Other priests, however, "just leave, marry (in a civil ceremony) and have children." In such cases, the bishop has no way of proceeding as it is up to the priest to request dispensation.
VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI has granted "special faculties" to the Congregation for the Clergy responding to a problem that has been faced in all continents, including Asia. This makes it easier for the congregation to dismiss priests involved in scandals and to grant dispensations from celibacy to those who have left the priesthood for five consecutive years, contracted a civil marriage, or are living with a woman.
Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the Brazilian-born prefect of the congregation, informed bishops of these new authorizations in a nine-page letter dated April 18. UCA News obtained a copy of the letter in early June.
In the first part of the letter, the Franciscan cardinal offers two reasons for the papal decision: to reaffirm priestly celibacy as "a gift that the Church has received and wishes to protect" and to assist bishops "in their daily task of preserving and promoting ecclesiastical discipline."
In other words, the Pope wants the more than 400,000 Catholic priests in the world to live a celibate and upright life, and wants bishops to ensure that they do so, or else dismiss them from the ministry.
A third reason for the new administrative procedures also emerges from the letter: The Pope wishes to restore order in the Church by regularizing situations of priests who have left the ministry without requesting dispensation.
According to Cardinal Hummes, "the vast majority of priests live out their priestly identity with serenity and exercise faithfully their proper ministry." However, he insisted that "when situations of scandal arise, especially on the part of the Church's ministers," the bishop must act promptly and decisively "according to the laws of the Church."
The letter makes clear that if a priest is not abiding by Church laws, that is, if he is living with a woman, has contracted civil marriage, or engages in other behavior that causes scandal, then the diocesan bishop has a duty and obligation to intervene and restore good order in the Church.
The bishop can begin by admonishing the priest to change his life but if it is clear that the priest has no intention of doing so, then the bishop must initiate a procedure for his dismissal. [Will religious congregations do this on their own too? It seems the process is for diocesan priests only. I know a couple of priests living double lives. One is a charismatic Franciscan.]
The bishop can also initiate the process in the case of a priest who has left the ministry for five consecutive years or more with no intention of returning to the ministry, as well as in the case of a priest who is no longer living a celibate life and has no intention of changing.
In such cases, the bishop will carry out a thorough investigation at the diocesan level, always respecting the priest's legal rights. The bishop will then transmit his conclusion and request for dispensation to the congregation, which now has the power to dismiss the priest and grant the dispensation with or without recourse to the Pope, depending on the case. [Hope the bishops find the strength to even start an investigation!]
Once the congregation dismisses the priest and grants dispensation, the former priest can be fully reconciled with the Church and be able to live a full Christian life and receive the Sacraments. [Yeah, why not just leave the ministry, stop the lie, and live in a state of life he befits you.]
The new faculties and the more streamlined administrative procedures do not apply to priests who have been involved in the sexual abuse of minors, however. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith handles all such cases. [Some of those involved in abuse scandals belong to religious brothers and sisters and are therefore under perpetual vows. Maybe the Congregation for can streamline the process also.]
In an exclusive June 3 interview with the US-based news agency, Catholic News Service, Cardinal Hummes explained that the new procedures were necessary because the 1983 "Code of Canon Law" appears to be inadequate at addressing "new problems."
For example, when a priest leaves the priesthood, he "usually" informs his bishop and eventually requests a formal dispensation. Other priests, however, "just leave, marry (in a civil ceremony) and have children." In such cases, the bishop has no way of proceeding as it is up to the priest to request dispensation.
Faithfulness to the priesthood, major thrust for “Year for Priests”
From the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website
Manila, June 12, 2009—Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD said faithfulness to the priesthood remains the challenge they face this coming “Year of the Priest” scheduled to begin on Friday, June 19. [Declared by His Holiness under the patronage of St. John Marie Vianney]
In an interview over Radio Veritas, the prelate said there have been instances when priests “doubt their identity” and get confused of their roles while some get involved in political activities. [I know some who even doubt why they become priest and even refuse to perform their functions as priest other than saying the Mass and baptising.]
“Our desire is to go back to our original vocation, that we are specially called by Jesus Christ to participate in His work in evangelizing the world,” the 65-year old prelate said. [Starting with dispensing the graces of the Lord through the sacraments. We have here in the Philippines a priest famous for jogging around the country to protest this, to protest that. Where did he end up? His own parishioners petitioned his bishop to get him out of the parish because he spends more time on the streets that in his own parish rectory. He depends on priests from other parishes to celebrate the regular Sunday Mass! He was given a sabbatical by his good bishop to think over his vocation. A couple of months after his sabbatical, he is back on the streets! Good grief. At least, he is still celibate as far as I know. But here is the million dollar question… Do you need priestly ordination to protest the injustices in the world?]
He said St. John Ma. Vianney provides priests the necessary model because the saint ministered to his flock, specially hearing their confessions lasting 15 hours a day. [Hard to find the good old boys these days!]
He said priests would be more effective in attending to his flock’s spiritual needs. [AMEN! And bishops too!]
“We have so many church documents to read and eventually give us the ‘real orientation’ of the priesthood,” Bishop Bastes added. [The documents end up in the shelves gathering dust. I saw one good book about the spirituality of priests. Written by Fr. Franz Josef Eilers, SVD entitled “Priestly Spirituality”. A good read for priests to let them stay grounded with quotes from Council Documents, not only Vatican II and from papal encyclicals, which is rare for priests to quote! I bought one as a gift for a friend priest. The response I got aside from the curt “Thank You.” was, “Too traditional views. Not updated with the times.” Haaayyyy. The corrupted spirit of Vatican II. Thanks to the likes of Rahner, Kung, Bugnini, Schillebecx, etc.)]
In Davao, Archbishop Fernando Capalla said they will launch their celebration to welcome the “Year for Priests” on Thursday, June 18.
“It will coincide with my 34th Episcopal anniversary and we’ll make our launching at the San Pedro Cathedral,” Archbishop Capalla told Radio Veritas Wednesday morning.
He said they have lined-up a number of activities to highlight the “Year for Priests” to be participated by members of the clergy.
“We will focus on the on-going formation of the priests and seminarians to complement the program being prepared by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Clergy,” Archbishop Capalla said. [Uh... I always have doubts on what the CBCP comes out. They are faster with pronouncements about politics but are too slow about the more important matters. It’s like they have a dedicated Mac and fiber-optic Internet connection for anything about Philippine politics but they have a horde of monks writing calligraphy for anything Church-related.]
The celebrations will also coincide with the 60th year of the Archdiocese of Davao as a new ecclesial province.
Manila, June 12, 2009—Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD said faithfulness to the priesthood remains the challenge they face this coming “Year of the Priest” scheduled to begin on Friday, June 19. [Declared by His Holiness under the patronage of St. John Marie Vianney]
In an interview over Radio Veritas, the prelate said there have been instances when priests “doubt their identity” and get confused of their roles while some get involved in political activities. [I know some who even doubt why they become priest and even refuse to perform their functions as priest other than saying the Mass and baptising.]
“Our desire is to go back to our original vocation, that we are specially called by Jesus Christ to participate in His work in evangelizing the world,” the 65-year old prelate said. [Starting with dispensing the graces of the Lord through the sacraments. We have here in the Philippines a priest famous for jogging around the country to protest this, to protest that. Where did he end up? His own parishioners petitioned his bishop to get him out of the parish because he spends more time on the streets that in his own parish rectory. He depends on priests from other parishes to celebrate the regular Sunday Mass! He was given a sabbatical by his good bishop to think over his vocation. A couple of months after his sabbatical, he is back on the streets! Good grief. At least, he is still celibate as far as I know. But here is the million dollar question… Do you need priestly ordination to protest the injustices in the world?]
He said St. John Ma. Vianney provides priests the necessary model because the saint ministered to his flock, specially hearing their confessions lasting 15 hours a day. [Hard to find the good old boys these days!]
He said priests would be more effective in attending to his flock’s spiritual needs. [AMEN! And bishops too!]
“We have so many church documents to read and eventually give us the ‘real orientation’ of the priesthood,” Bishop Bastes added. [The documents end up in the shelves gathering dust. I saw one good book about the spirituality of priests. Written by Fr. Franz Josef Eilers, SVD entitled “Priestly Spirituality”. A good read for priests to let them stay grounded with quotes from Council Documents, not only Vatican II and from papal encyclicals, which is rare for priests to quote! I bought one as a gift for a friend priest. The response I got aside from the curt “Thank You.” was, “Too traditional views. Not updated with the times.” Haaayyyy. The corrupted spirit of Vatican II. Thanks to the likes of Rahner, Kung, Bugnini, Schillebecx, etc.)]
In Davao, Archbishop Fernando Capalla said they will launch their celebration to welcome the “Year for Priests” on Thursday, June 18.
“It will coincide with my 34th Episcopal anniversary and we’ll make our launching at the San Pedro Cathedral,” Archbishop Capalla told Radio Veritas Wednesday morning.
He said they have lined-up a number of activities to highlight the “Year for Priests” to be participated by members of the clergy.
“We will focus on the on-going formation of the priests and seminarians to complement the program being prepared by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Clergy,” Archbishop Capalla said. [Uh... I always have doubts on what the CBCP comes out. They are faster with pronouncements about politics but are too slow about the more important matters. It’s like they have a dedicated Mac and fiber-optic Internet connection for anything about Philippine politics but they have a horde of monks writing calligraphy for anything Church-related.]
The celebrations will also coincide with the 60th year of the Archdiocese of Davao as a new ecclesial province.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
St. Lorenzo Ruiz
In case you are wondering, my profile photo shows the picture of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, first Pinoy saint and protomartyr of the Philippines. He was martyred during persecution of Japanese Christians under the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century.
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 to 1610. His father was Chinese and his mother was a native Tagalog.
During his youth he was an altar boy, sarcistan at the Binondo Church which serves the Filipino-Chinese community. He was educated by the Dominican Fathers and was their escribano (scribe) because of his skillful hand and unsurpassed penmanship.
It is most commonly believed that he left the Philippines in 1639 because the Spaniards believed he had committed a crime against them.
He left his wife and three children on 10 June 1636 with the aid of the Dominican Fathers led by Fr. Domingo Gonzales. He initially thought that they were bound for China but he later learned that the Dominican Fathers were in fact on a mission to plant the seeds of the Faith in Japan.
In Japan, Christians were persecuted and put to death as order by Tokugawa Yeyasu, the reigning shogun. St. Lorenzo Ruiz together with his imprisoned companions were captured and brought to Nagasaki around 10 July 1636. There they suffered incredible torture as they were hung by their feet and submerged in water till they neared death which brought some of St. Lorenzo's companions to recant their faith. Needles were pressed in between their finger nails and skin and they were beaten unconscious. These needles were then plucked like guitar strings. St. Lorenzo never lost his faith.
On 27 September 1637 he was taken with his companions to the "Mountain of Martyrs", the place of execution. There he was hung upside down into a pit in what was called a 'horca y hoya'. This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person so that the person suffocates faster and is crushed from their own and added weight. After two days, St. Lorenzo died. His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown into the sea.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to Manila on 18 February 1981, the first beatification outside of Vatican City. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on 18 October 1987 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Rome.
According to preserved records of his trials, when asked if he would renounce his Faith in order that he may live, St. Lorenzo said in reply, "That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God. I did not come to Japan to die as a martyr but for Him I will give a thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as you will please."
The miracle that led to his canonization took place when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio, a 2 year old girl suffering from a rare brain disease, brain atrophy (hydrocephalus), was cured through the intercession of the family and supporters to Lorenzo Ruiz. This took place in 1983. She was diagnosed shortly after her birth and was treated at Magsaysay Medical Center. Primary Treating Physicians was Dr. Felicidad Sotto. I remember reading a magazine article of the child's cure. She was shown holding a statuette of then-Blessed Lorenzo. When asked what happened, she said that she was lying on her sick bed, almost motionless from the pain of her brain disease when she noticed a light coming from where here feet were. She noticed a man holding a rosary, looking heavenward. The man did not speak and she did not know who he was. The vision did not last long. The following morning she was already feeling well and was even sitting on her bed. What she did not know was that her mother and friends prayed a novena to Blessed Lorenzo and placed a picture of the Beato on her pillow.
Well, that was what I remember from that article.
Here is a photo of St. Lorenzo in St. Peter's Basilica:
This is a mosaic found in the Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter
If you look closely, this is the inspiration for the bronze statue given by Blessed John Paul II to the Filipino people after the beatification of Lorenzo and his companion martyrs. The statue is located at Rizal Park.
Another bit of trivia. Notice the tree at the back? That was planted by Pope Paul VI when he visited the country, the first pope to ever do so.
Some useful links regarding the so-far only Pinoy Saint.
Homily of John Paul the Great on the Canonization of St. Lorenzo and Companion Martyrs (link)
Timeline of the miracle needed for the canonization (link)
Chapel of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in New York (link)
St. Lorenzo in the Communion of the Saints tapestries in the LA Cathedral (link)
[I am not a fan of this cathedral, though. Looks more like a theater than a cathedral]
Interior of the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (link) [This is the Saint's parish church and where he served as sacristan and escribano. Highly probable that dear Lorenzo served as an acolyte during the TLM.]
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 to 1610. His father was Chinese and his mother was a native Tagalog.
During his youth he was an altar boy, sarcistan at the Binondo Church which serves the Filipino-Chinese community. He was educated by the Dominican Fathers and was their escribano (scribe) because of his skillful hand and unsurpassed penmanship.
It is most commonly believed that he left the Philippines in 1639 because the Spaniards believed he had committed a crime against them.
He left his wife and three children on 10 June 1636 with the aid of the Dominican Fathers led by Fr. Domingo Gonzales. He initially thought that they were bound for China but he later learned that the Dominican Fathers were in fact on a mission to plant the seeds of the Faith in Japan.
In Japan, Christians were persecuted and put to death as order by Tokugawa Yeyasu, the reigning shogun. St. Lorenzo Ruiz together with his imprisoned companions were captured and brought to Nagasaki around 10 July 1636. There they suffered incredible torture as they were hung by their feet and submerged in water till they neared death which brought some of St. Lorenzo's companions to recant their faith. Needles were pressed in between their finger nails and skin and they were beaten unconscious. These needles were then plucked like guitar strings. St. Lorenzo never lost his faith.
On 27 September 1637 he was taken with his companions to the "Mountain of Martyrs", the place of execution. There he was hung upside down into a pit in what was called a 'horca y hoya'. This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person so that the person suffocates faster and is crushed from their own and added weight. After two days, St. Lorenzo died. His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown into the sea.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to Manila on 18 February 1981, the first beatification outside of Vatican City. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on 18 October 1987 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Rome.
According to preserved records of his trials, when asked if he would renounce his Faith in order that he may live, St. Lorenzo said in reply, "That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God. I did not come to Japan to die as a martyr but for Him I will give a thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as you will please."
The miracle that led to his canonization took place when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio, a 2 year old girl suffering from a rare brain disease, brain atrophy (hydrocephalus), was cured through the intercession of the family and supporters to Lorenzo Ruiz. This took place in 1983. She was diagnosed shortly after her birth and was treated at Magsaysay Medical Center. Primary Treating Physicians was Dr. Felicidad Sotto. I remember reading a magazine article of the child's cure. She was shown holding a statuette of then-Blessed Lorenzo. When asked what happened, she said that she was lying on her sick bed, almost motionless from the pain of her brain disease when she noticed a light coming from where here feet were. She noticed a man holding a rosary, looking heavenward. The man did not speak and she did not know who he was. The vision did not last long. The following morning she was already feeling well and was even sitting on her bed. What she did not know was that her mother and friends prayed a novena to Blessed Lorenzo and placed a picture of the Beato on her pillow.
Well, that was what I remember from that article.
Here is a photo of St. Lorenzo in St. Peter's Basilica:
This is a mosaic found in the Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter
If you look closely, this is the inspiration for the bronze statue given by Blessed John Paul II to the Filipino people after the beatification of Lorenzo and his companion martyrs. The statue is located at Rizal Park.
Another bit of trivia. Notice the tree at the back? That was planted by Pope Paul VI when he visited the country, the first pope to ever do so.
Some useful links regarding the so-far only Pinoy Saint.
Homily of John Paul the Great on the Canonization of St. Lorenzo and Companion Martyrs (link)
Timeline of the miracle needed for the canonization (link)
Chapel of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in New York (link)
St. Lorenzo in the Communion of the Saints tapestries in the LA Cathedral (link)
[I am not a fan of this cathedral, though. Looks more like a theater than a cathedral]
Interior of the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (link) [This is the Saint's parish church and where he served as sacristan and escribano. Highly probable that dear Lorenzo served as an acolyte during the TLM.]
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SNAPSHOT 2!
Who's your PAPA little one? Don't listen to that nasty community organizer. Babies like you will always be our little precious! (No. No. No. Not you Gollum!)
SNAPSHOT
Inspired by TheCrescat, The CurtJester, LOLSaints and The American Papist, I will be posting photos of interest and most of the time, of humor on my blog. My initial offering...
Obama: What the?!?!? This is a 15lb. PUNISHMENT!!!
Obama: What the?!?!? This is a 15lb. PUNISHMENT!!!Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Communion only in the Hand now in Archd. of Manila website
Here is the official announcement of the Archdiocese of Manila regarding Liturgical Precautions in view of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Here is the link but I posted them here with my comments. Can't help it. (lol)
***
A simple reminder from REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM. Articles 91 and 92 say:
[91.] In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.
[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.
***
By the way, St. Paul Publications (an apostolate of the Pauline Family (Society of St. Paul and Daughters of St. Paul) publishes Papal Encyclicals and other related Church documents. I CANNOT FIND A COPY OF REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM AND SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM IN THEIR BOOKSTORES. Wonder why?
CIRCULAR NO. 2009-18
June 9, 2009
TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, RECTORS OF SHRINES, CHAPLAINS,
RELIGIOUS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: LITURGICAL PRECAUTIONS IN VIEW OF A H1N1 VIRUS
Dear Monsignor / Fathers / Brothers / Sisters,
Greetings of Christ’s Peace!
In view of the increasing number of cases of infection with the Influenza A H1N1 Virus in our country, particularly in Metro Manila, our Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales has instructed that certain precautions be adopted to prevent the spread of the disease. He has asked that in Masses Holy Communion be given ONLY in the hand [Fr. Diwa must be jumping in joy for prohibiting other forms of communion. See Redemptionis Sacramentum's prohibition on this.] and that no holding of hands during the praying of the Lord’s Prayer be done [We don't need a diocesan circular for this. Redemptionis Sacramentum prohibits this]. He says these will be followed for the duration of the crisis.[Let's hope!]
We also recommend strongly that priests and lay ministers [He is the Archdiocesan Minister for Liturgical Affairs and he does not know that the Church calls them Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and NOT lay ministers! Geez!] distributing Communion during the Mass wash their hands thoroughly before and after the Mass.
As pastors let us carefully explain these instructions to the faithful and enjoin them to follow the advice of health experts on how we can prevent contracting and spreading the disease. [How about trusting the Lord?]
Thank you.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
REV. FR. GENARO O. DIWA
Minister
Ministry for Liturgical Affairs
***
A simple reminder from REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM. Articles 91 and 92 say:
[91.] In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.
[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.
***
By the way, St. Paul Publications (an apostolate of the Pauline Family (Society of St. Paul and Daughters of St. Paul) publishes Papal Encyclicals and other related Church documents. I CANNOT FIND A COPY OF REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM AND SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM IN THEIR BOOKSTORES. Wonder why?
Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines
I was able to google this article from the Philippine Star about the controversial bill in Congress which seeks to enact into law a comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Policy for the country which in truth is the institutionalization of contraceptives and eventually abortion. This article will show you how this has become a battleground between the Catholic Church and the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) which is a hybrid of the Mormon Church and Freemasonry. They do not believe in the Trinity. Only God the Father is God. Christ is divine but human and the Holy Spirit is a free spirit (Lord, they said it not me!) Their doctrines and practices mirror the Mormon's and their discipline in secrecy is like those from Masonry because their self-proclaimed "angel" of a founder, Manalo, was a freemason before he founded his brand of christianity.
Reproductive Health Bill: Battle between Catholic Church and INC
Reproductive Health Bill: Battle between Catholic Church and INC
Debates on the controversial reproductive health bill in the House of Representatives will be a showdown between two of the country’s largest and most influential religious sects – the ultra-conservative Catholic Church and the powerful bloc Iglesia ni Cristo. [A sect founded by Felix M. Ysagun. He later changed his name to Felix Y. Manalo, because he feels his name is "prophetic" felix=happy, manalo (tagalo) = victory, ergo Happy Victory. Yeah right.]
The sponsorship speech delivered Wednesday by main author Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, which was a day late after it was blocked by the bill’s critics, was already a show of force between the two groups, as hordes of pro-church and pro-choice attended the session.
Pro-church groups, who have been calling House Bill 5043 (Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development Act of 2008) as “pro-abortion,” wore red T-shirts, while pro-RH advocates donned mostly yellow and violet ones, with pins on.
Those coming from the church have reportedly been herded by Quezon City Rep. Annie Rose Susano, [surprisingly!] who accused Lagman’s supporters of being funded by a well-oiled lobby group, [pharmaceutical companies the same groups who lobbied against the Cheaper Medicine Act] and was even attended by nuns and those from civil groups like the Catholic Women’s League. [the Knights of Columbus were also there! The writer forgot to mention it.]
Lagman’s supporters, apart from the influential INC, included the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network and several non-government organizations that come from academe and civil society groups. [well funded!]
Among those who made known their opposition to the measure are Reps. Pablo Garcia of Cebu, Eduardo Zialcita of Parañaque [he is a 4th degreee Knight of Columbus], Trinidad Apostol of Leyte and Ma. Carissa Coscolluela of party-list Buhay, the sectoral group formed by El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde. [a powerful charismatic group even bigger in membership than the INC]
“We should protect our people from harmful products and promote health as mandated in our Constitution. Actually we should prevent harmful products, like contraceptive drugs and devices proliferating in the market,” said Zialcita.
Coscolluela, for her part, said passing the measure would “bring about a culture of promiscuity; at worst, a culture of death.”
Lagman’s co-author, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, an obstetrician-gynecologist by profession, thanked the INC leadership Thursday for supporting their cause, noting that it is very “important” in determining the fate of House Bill 5043. [This woman is so rabid in her support of the bill. She even said that priests and bishops have no business talking about family planning since they do not have families of their own. Huh?!? So, priests and even pastors do not have a right to talk about heaven and earth because neither have ever been there. Dumb logic.]
Garin said the INC stand could very well determine if the bill gets the numbers to pass in the House of Representatives, where the measure will now be debated on in plenary, and will be discussed and voted on by the chamber’s 240 members. [Because the INC dictates their members who to vote for during the election. They are very open about this yet no one cries foul for their meddling in politics. Catholic bishops decry corruption and they are branded as meddlers. Huh?!? Dumb logic...again.]
The INC declared last Tuesday its support for the RH bill, although it rejected “natural” family planning, including the rhythm method, which they considered as “really contrary to nature.” [Dumb logic...again!]
“INC accepts modern family planning methods or the use of what others call contraceptives as long as they are not abortifacient in nature and they do not impose prolonged abstinence from sexual intercourse among married couples,” spokesman Bienvenido Santiago said. [Because anything that the Catholic Church teaches, the INC will find a way to go up against it. Literally, anything. Watch out for my posts about this pseudo-religion]
Lagman and Garin have repeatedly rectified misconceptions that the RH bill is pro-abortion. “We are strongly against abortion. The RH bill is pro-life and we are pushing for a good quality of life,” Garin insisted. [Huh?!? Dumb logic...again! I wish I had a dollar everytime I hear that!]
Opposition Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque, for his part, urged his colleagues yesterday to first attend to the emerging new financial crisis before tackling the controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
“We should fix first the financial crisis, repair the budgeting process, then tackle side issues like reproductive health,” Golez said.
Golez said congressmen should address the adverse impact of the economic crisis in the United States on the local market as one and not be distracted and divided by other issues.
Meantime, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday said some 4,500 Filipino women die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth every year “because public reproductive health service is not comprehensive enough.”
In its report “Progress for Children: A Report Card on Maternal Mortality,” UNICEF noted that in the Philippines, “too few mothers receive skilled care before, during and after pregnancy and lastly, most mothers do not always have access to quality emergency obstetric care services.” [Not only obstetric care but the entire medical service of the country is all screwed up!]
“Although over 90 percent of Filipino mothers do seek prenatal care, only 60 percent deliver babies with properly trained skilled birth attendants and less than 40 percent deliver either in a public or private health facility,” the report showed.
The report revealed that developing countries account for more than 99 percent of all maternal deaths, with some 84 percent “concentrated in Sub-Saharan and South Asia.”
“The tragic fact is that every year more than half a million women lose their lives as a result of complications due to pregnancy or childbirth… The causes of maternal mortality are clear – as are the means to combat them. Yet women continue to die unnecessarily,” claimed UNICEF Chief of Health Peter Salama. [And contraceptives solve this? Huh?!? Dumb log...Getting tired of this.]
Hemorrhage or bleeding is the most common cause of death, particularly in Africa and Asia.
The report showed that a woman’s overall health, including her nutritional level and HIV status, influences the chances of a positive outcome to pregnancy and childbirth.
The other influences include societal factors, such as poverty, inequity and general attitude towards women and their health. Maternal deaths are also impacted by traditional or cultural practices that often prevent women from seeking delivery or post-partum care.Papal Mass of the Pentecost
For those who do not have the chance to watch the Papal Mass of the Pentecost, here is the link to the video from CatholicTV.com "The Global Catholic Broadband Network".
http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=57&videoID=709
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