Tributes poured in for a “courageous prophet” who braved threats and harassment in fighting the social ills in the country. Archbishop Oscar Cruz did not aim to overhaul society when he embarked a crusade against gambling in early 2000. His goal was to awaken the people to their exploitation by the gambling lords and their protectors in government. Those who knew him have nothing but praises after he died in a hospital due to complications from the coronavirus disease on Aug. 26. Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said his predecessor was “a faithful shepherd” and “a patriot and pastor”….

A Catholic bishop has called on the public to unite against the passage of a new anti-terrorism measure which he branded as “vague”. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos has warned that no one is exempted from its “dangerous” provisions even church people. “It is high time that citizens and members of civil society organizations set aside their differences to combat the passage of this bill,” Alminaza said. “Now more than ever, we need the power of dissenting voices in the current state of political and public health in our country,” he said. While the fight against terrorism is legitimate…

March 16, 2020, 10:03AM There is an appointed time for everything (Excl. 3:1). To the People of God in Metro Manila: “There is an appointed time for everything,” (Eccl. 3:1) the Holy Bible says. Let us heed the signs of our time and respond to them appropriately. The government has declared a community quarantine in Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14 to stem the spread of COVID 19. We bishops of this region met to discuss common pastoral actions in the light of this development We have been guided by fidelity to the faith, service to the people,…