Everyone must respect the basic human rights of all human beings, pope says
VATICAN— The fundamental rights of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable, must be respected and protected in every situation, Pope Francis said, marking Human Rights Day, Dec. 10. “While a part of humanity lives in opulence, another part sees their dignity denied, ignored or infringed upon and their fundamental rights ignored or violated,” he said. Such a contradiction leads one to ask “whether the equal dignity of all human beings — solemnly proclaimed 70 years ago — is truly recognized, respected, protected and promoted in every circumstance,” he said in a written message. The message was read aloud by…
‘Respect for human rights begins at home,’ bishop tells gov’t
The Philippines must lead by example in the field of human rights, a ranking Catholic official said after the country won a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said the Philippines must stand up for human rights and “set a good example to the world”. “I hope that our representation in the UN Human Rights Council is a positive thing and that means we have to start right at home,” said David, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). A vocal critic of the government’s bloody war against…
CBCP agency remains vigilant against death penalty
Mr. Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, presents a handbook against death penalty after a Mass commemorating the 12th anniversary of the abolition of the capital punishment in the country, June 25, 2018. Opponents of the proposal to reinstate capital punishment in the country remains steadfast and are keeping a close eye on the Senate. Marking the 12th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty with a Mass in Manila on Monday, staunch “right to life” advocates said there is no room for complacency as the ball remains in the hands of the…
Cardinal Tagle to lead walk against killings
(L-R) George Campos of the Couples for Christ, CBCP Commission on Laity chairman; Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo; Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas president Julieta Wasan, and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Philippines media direcor Peachy Yamsuan hold a press conference, Feb. 12, 2018. ROY LAGARDE Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the march in Manila next week to protest the continued killings in the country. In what could be the largest pro-life event so far this year, the “Walk for Life” will be held simultaneously in other dioceses on Feb. 24. In a press briefing on Monday, Manila…
CBCP pastoral guidelines for discerning the moral dimension of the present-day moves for Charter change
Catholic bishops pose for a group photo after the opening Mass of their 116th plenary assembly at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Jan. 27, 2018. SAMMY NAVAJA “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17) Beloved People of God: Introduction To change or not to change the Constitution, that is the fermenting political question of the day. The move for Charter change is, and has been, the proposed vehicle to adopt Federalism as a new form of government. But ignored in the welter of political opinions regarding Charter change is the fundamental moral dimension of…
Bishop condemns killing of priest
The body of Fr. Marcelito “Tito” Paez waits to be transported from the Gonzales General Hospital morgue in San Leonardo town to a funeral home in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, December 5, 2017. CBCPNews STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija— Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose has expressed alarm at the killing of an elderly priest in his diocese. Four men in two motorcycles ambushed Fr. Marcelito “Tito” Paez at about 8pm while he was driving his vehicle in Jaen town. The priest was rushed to a hospital in the nearby town of San Leonardo but he expired around two hours later after…
Our Lady of Fatima will be icon at prayer for healing
Thousands of devotees join the grand Marian procession along the streets of Cebu City to honor the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions in Portugal, October 13, 2017. SAMMY NAVAJA The Catholic Church will be using an image of Our Lady of Fatima in a procession against extrajudicial killings along the historic Edsa highway on November 5. It’s the same image that devotees brought to Edsa in the peaceful “people power” revolt in 1986, facing tanks and soldiers of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it will be a prayerful gathering…
Church urges faithful to join ‘heal the nation’ Edsa procession
Seminarians and different religious groups call for an end to drug-related killings during a candlelight vigil at the Christ the King Church in Quezon City, Oct. 6, 2017. ANGIE DE SILVA MANILA— A “heal the nation” campaign will see people take to the historic street of Edsa next month to pray for peace amid the spate of killings in the country. The “Lord Heal Our Land Sunday” on November 5 will start another month-long period of praying for victims of extrajudicial killings as a result of the government’s bloody anti-drug war. To launch the activity, Catholic bishops are inviting Catholics…
Priest on death penalty revival: ‘What message are we sending the youth?’
Jesuit Fr. Silvino Borres, Jr. (center), president of the Coalition Against the Death Penalty, presides over a Mass to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty at the CBCP Chapel in Manila, Oct. 10, 2017. CBCPNews MANILA— The revival of the death penalty would risk sending the wrong message to society, especially the young people, a Catholic priest said. Jesuit Fr. Silvino Borres, Jr., president of the Coalition Against the Death Penalty (CADP), said that to have a civil society, the country must respect life, not demand death. “What kind of message are we telling our young people?” said…
Church exec tells Duterte to ‘shape up’
Various religious groups call for an end to drug-related killings during a candlelight vigil at the Christ the King Church in Quezon City, Oct. 6, 2017. ANGIE DE SILVA President Rodrigo Duterte has been told to “shape up” and improve his administration’s services to the people after his trust and satisfaction ratings suffered the steepest drop since he came to power last year. Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the bishops’ Committee on Public Affairs, said that Duterte’s trust rating could drop further if the latter will not change his leadership style. “It will continue to go down unless he…
