Metro Infanta Foundation, Inc.

Contact us … Please send your email to: editor@infanta.org

A message from Mt. Carmel School-Infanta principal

Infanta has been devastated by typhoon Winnie and Yoyong. Mt. Carmel School of Infanta, which belongs to the Prelature of Infanta, has been heavily destroyed. It is a non-stock, nonprofit Catholic school, administered by the members of Notre Dame de Vie, whose mission-vision is towards building the Church of the Poor / Sambayanan ng mga Dukha.

Majority of our students are children of farmers and fishermen who want to avail of quality education with low tuition fees: P4,200 (I-III), P4,700 (IV) YEARLY.

Due to flash floods, we lost millions worth of structure and equipment. All classrooms (17) and offices (3) in the first floor buildings have been severely damaged. Books, tables, chairs, blackboards, walls, computers, musical and laboratory instruments, other machines where either buried in 3-5 ft. deep mud or washed away.

We have done our best to repair eight classrooms. We still need to rebuild nine classrooms or sheds. Our canteen has been destroyed too, together with our playground and basketball court.

We believe you can help us go back to normalcy so that the children will be able to study and play. Thank you very much for whatever aid you can give us. Surely, this will be very much appreciated by our school community. May God reward you a hundred fold for your generosity.

Sincerely yours in the good Lord,

Ms. Belen Foronda

Please click above for complete article.

On April 25, 2005, Brod Jordan and I went to Infanta, Quezon, to receive in behalf of APOGLA the Plaque of Appreciation given by no other than the Honorable Mayor of Infanta Quezon, Mayor Filipina Grace America, during the town fiesta. The plaque was given in appreciation of the continuing financial support by APOGLA for the agno river project. This gesture of appreciation was given thru the effort of Brod Atty.Agripino Morga, who is instrumental in many rehabilitation project of the town.

The town of Infanta still needs your financial support even until this time. They are counting on you. As their slogan say, BANGON INFANTA!

Orbit L. Ocdamia

Photos and news report sent by Sim Rivera

Food for thought

by Rudy Arizala

On the eve of our town fiesta (24 April 2005) Benedict XVI was installed at an outdoor mass in the Vatican as the 265th Pope. He received symbols of the pope´s authority: the pallium, a collar of lamb´s wool, and the gold Ring of the Fisherman.

During his half hour homily he spoke about "desert" of "poverty," "abandonment," "loneliness," and "destroyed love." According to Pope Benedict XVI:

"We are living in alienation, in the salt waters of suffering and death, in a sea of darkness without light. The net of the Gospel pulls us out of the waters of death and brings us into the splendor of God´s light, into true life."

He also said: "My program of government is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole church, to the word and the will of the Lord."

These are, indeed, thoughts to ponder on by everybody who believe in and profess their Catholic faith.

Maikling Katha ni Rudy A. Arizala

Hinagisan ni Nick (Kulas ang tunay ng ngalan) ng tanaw ang malawak na kabukiran. Dati-rati ngayon ang luntiang palay ay hitik na hitik na sa ginintuang bunga ng palay at naghihintay nang gapasin.

Napailing siya at napabuntong-hininga. Ngayon ay walang aanihin ni isang butil na palay. Ang kabukiran ay puno pa rin ng mga banlik na ngayon ay tumigas na dahil sa init ng araw na kahawig ay sementong matigas. Ito ay dahil sa biglang pagbuhos ng malaking baha sa bayan ng Infanta at mga kanug-nog-bayan noong nakaraang buwan ng Nobyembre.

Ang dampa o bahay ni Nick sampu ng kanyang pamilya ay tinangay ng baha.. Gayon din atng mga hayop na alaga niya tulad ng kalabaw, kambing, at mga manok.

Ngayon ay piyasta ng bayan. Kapistahan ng mahal na patron na si San Marcos. Dati-rati ang kanyang Ninang sa bayan ay may handang mga ibat-ibang pagkain. Ngunit ngayon ay walang handa. Maliban sa kanin na nasa kalan at isang latang "Sardinas" &endash; bahagi pa ng mga rasyon na ipinamudbod ng mga samahang kaawang-gawa tulad ng samahang "Krus na Pula" at sangay ng pamahalaan.

Umuwi siya ng bayan at nagpunta sa simbahan. Nagdasal si Nick sa harapan ng imahin ng mahal na patrong San Marcos. Napansin niya na ang kasamang hayop ng imahin ay isang baka. Subalit na-ala-ala niya ang imahin ni San Marcos na nasa bahay ng kanyang lola. Ang kasama ni San Marcos na hayop ay leyon at hindi isang baka.

Na-ala-ala rin niya na ang lola niya malayo pa ang piyasta ay naghahanda na ng mga itlog upang gawing "cakes", manok upang ilahok sa pansit, baboy upang litsonin, malagkit na bigas upang gawing suman at kalamay. Maraming namimiesta sa bahay ng lola niya. Pinakakain ang mga tao kahit hindi kakilala at taga ibang bayan o barangay.

Ang lolo naman niya kapag Mahal na Araw ay nagsisimba pagkatapos ay sinasahod ang mga bulaklak na isinasabog ng mga batang babae habang sila ay uma-awit ng "Hosanna" sa patio ng simbahan.kapag Domingo de Ramos. Ang mga bulaklak na ito ay inilalahok sa lupa bago pagtamnan ng palay o maghasik ng binhi. Ang sabi ng kanyang lolo ang bulaklak na isinabog sa Mahal na Araw ng mga batang uma-awit ng "Hosanna" ay nagpaparami ng ani ng palay.

Ngayon ay wala nang mga bata na nagsasabog ng bulaklak kapag "Domingo de Ramos" habang uma-awit sila ng "Hosanna." Ang pataba ngayon sa lupa ay "chemical fertilizers". Ngunit dahil nga sa baha, ay walang aanihing palay ngayon. Ni walang ibibili ng pataba sa lupa o "fertililizer."

Ang piyasta ngayon ay malungkot, walang sigla, at dahop sa pagkain. May mga mangilan-ngilang "magpeperya" na nagtitinda ng mga damit at mga gamit sa pagbubukid tulad ng itak, palakol at iba pang mga kagamitan. Ngunit ang mga magbubukid tulad ni Nick ay walang pera upang ibili ng mga kagamitan sa pagbubukid. Ni pambili ng bigas ay wala siya.

Nagkurus si Nick matapos magdasal. Bago lumabas ng simbahan ay binasa niya ang kanyang dalawang daliri ng benditang tubig na nasa isang dating bahay ng malaking kabibe at muling nagkurus sa noo.

Ipinasiya niyang umuwi na sa kanyang dampa sa bukid. Naghihintay ang kanyang asawa at isang sanggol na lalake. Dadaan muna siya sa bahay ng kayang Ninang sa kasal upang kunin ang ibinibigay sa kanya na dalawang kilong bigas, isang paketeng noodles at isang latang "Sardinas". Ang mga ito ay nalabing mga rasyon noong Nobyembre pagkalipas ng baha bilang pamatid- gutom sa mga taong nasalanta ng baha. Ito ang pagkain nilang mag-anak ngayong kapistahan ni San Marcos.

Napabuntong-hininga siya ng malalim habang naglalakad siya at sumagi sa kanyang isipan. Iba talaga ang piyasta noon, sa piyasta ngayon. Iba rin ang imahin ni San Marcos na nasa altar ng simbahan at ng nasa bahay ng lola niya.Itatanong sana niya kay "Father" kung bakit iba ang imahin ni San Marcos na nasa simbahan at ng San Marcos na nasa bahay ng lola niya. Ngunit napansin niyang palubog na ang araw sa kanluran. Wala na siyang panahon upang tumungo sa kumbento. Binilisan niya ang lakad upang huwag gabihin sa pag-uwi sa bukid. Tatawid pa siya ng malaking ilog. Walang tulay ngayon ang ilog. Tinangay rin ng baha. Wala nang natitira ngayon maliban sa magandang ala-ala ng kahapon. Lalong-lalo na ang ala-ala ng piyasta noon.

Pope Benedict XVI by Rudy A. Arizala White smoke heavenward swirl Vatican bells loudly chime Announcing us the good news Pope chosen by Cardinals   Crowd at St. Peter´s square Hailed the choice of Ratzinger As next Vatican leader And their evangelizer   Pope Benedict the Sixteenth Name chosen by new pontiff Which denotes "the blessed saint" In words, action, hope and faith.   May "Urbi et Orbi" call Love, peace, unity for all Announced by you to the world Be heard by all faith and creed

Benedict Popes

by Rudy Arizala

May I share with you what I wrote Mr. Ambeth Ocampo in connection with his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer of 23 April 2005 that Pope Benedict XVI is the 18th Pope Benedict and not the 16th.

I hope it would also be of interest to you and to the readers of MIF Website.

Dear Ambeth:

Your column of 23 April 2005 (PDI, 23 April 2005) stating that per your research Cardinal Ratzinger is the 18th and not the 16th Pope Benedict is informative and interesting.

According to "A History of the Popes" by Nicolas Cheetham, there are 14 Popes bearing the name Benedict as follows:

Names Years Other Data

1. Benedict II 684 - 685

2. Benedict III 855 - 858

3. Benedict VI 973 - 974

4. Benedict VII 974 - 983

5. Benedict VIII 1012 -1024

6. Benedict IX 1032 - 1044

7. Benedict X 1058 - 1059 (John)

8. Benedict XI 1303 - 1304 (Nicholas Boccasini)

9. Benedict XII 1334 -1342 (Avignon, Jacques Fournier))

10. Benedict XIII 1394 - 1423 (Avignon to 1417, Spain, Pietro Orsini)

11. Benedict XIV 1425 (Anti-pope, Bernard Garnier)

12. Benedict XIV 1724 - 1730

13. Benedict XIII 1740 - 1758

14. Benedict XV 1914 -1922

If from the above list we remove the two "anti-popes" &endash; Benedict XIII (Pedro de Luna) and Benedict XIV (Bernard Garnier), Cardinal Ratzinger would be the 13th pope with the name "Benedict"

However, if we do not discard the two "anti-popes," Cardinal Ratzinger would be the 15th pope with the name "Benedict". The confusion seems to lie on the fact that the new pontiff probably simply followed the number assigned to the last Benedict Pope XV. After XV comes XVI.

It appears there are only 14 popes with the name "Benedict" prior to Benedict XVI, which includes the two "anti-popes." It may be noted further that in the numbering of popes bearing the name "Benedict", the numbers Pope Benedict I, IV, and V are missing but there were two Popes Benedict XIV. An in your research, we have two sets of Benedict XIII aside from XIV. Also, you discovered that there are three anti-popes, while Cheetham listed only two anti-popes &endash; Benedict XIII (Pedro de Luna) ad Benedict XIV (Bernard Garnier).

Being not an expert on ecclesiastical matters and merely a reader of history, I am as confused as the experts and of course, either enlighten or misguided by the reference books and materials I come across.

Why Cardinal Ratzinger selected the name "Benedict XVI" and got inspiration from Benedict XV, he only knows unless one day he would have the time to divulge his reason or reasons for selecting said name.

The new pope has hardly warm his throne at the Vatican and there are already brick-brats being thrown at his direction. A New York Times columnist referred to him as "Panzerkardinal" And now the "Conservatives" and the "Liberals" of the Catholic church and their respective followers are already taking up their respective positions watching the next moves or pronouncements of Pope Benedict XVI after he uttered his "Urbi et Orbi."

As to whether he would be a "Papa di passaggio" or not only time would tell and only heaven knows. And I wonder if it really matters to the ordinary laymen whether he is Pope Benedict XIII, XV, XVI, or XVIII. Except, perhaps, to distinguish him from the others or to convey that there are other popes with the name "Benedict."

Remember the letter to the editor I sent to America Magazine and posted on the website towards the end of March? I wasn't sure it would be published. In fact I was told that the likelihood of its getting published was slim due to the sheer number of letters they receive. I talked to one of its editorial assistants and he said, "Write it anyway. At least it wiould make you feel good." Well, I did and it made the April 18, 2005 edition!

If you happen to find a copy please check it out. It was a response to an article, A Tale of Two Ships," written by Dennis Murphy, coordinator of the Urban Poor Center in Manila. He described in great details what ails the Philippines -- its politics and the Philippine church. Indeed it express a pretty sorry state of our beloved country. In my letter I expressed my hope in the Philippine church's journey towards becoming the church of the poor and transformation and conversion of hearts through stewardship as a way of life. If you don't get a copy, please click here or above to review my letter. Please let me know if you have any comments.

Facts and Figures

Sent ot MIFby Deacon Mario Van Loon
Taken from the Social Action Center Newsletter

The Relief Operation:
Since the first shipment of relief goods left the Mount Carmel Shrine Parish Relief Center in New Manila during the first days of December 2004 we have distributed more than 250,000 food packages to the victims of the calamity in the Prelature. Of course more than 200,000 of these went to Dingalan, Infanta, Real and Nakar, where the need was greatest. But we also served San Luis, Baler, Maria Aurora, and even up to Casiguran area. Special attention was given also to our tribal sisters and brothers. They got a very big share. A conservative estimate puts the value of an average package at 200 pesos. This results in an amount of 50 million pesos in food packages distributed so far. Included her are the packages given in the program Food-for-Work.

After the first two weeks of relief food we began delivery of kitchen items and other household articles to replace the ones lost by the families with totally or partially washed out houses. Our list is not complete because several deliveries did not pass through our relief center in Manila or in Infanta and were brought directly to the people in the barrios. We can guarantee, however, that the value of these items surpasses the 5 million pesos mark.

The Food-for-Work Program:

The first week of January 2005 we agreed with almost all the NGOs working in the area that we would change from Relief Food Distribution to Food-for-Work. This means that people will work for the community in one or the other project for up to three hours for which they will receive one day of food for their family. This was also done based on the urgent request of the mayors of the three towns: "Get our people working again…"! The cleaning up of the towns of Real, Infanta and Nakar was greatly helped by this program. Food-for-Work is continuing today especially in building houses, reviving agricultural land and rebuilding infrastructure like irrigation canals.

The Provisory Shelter Program:
The first week of February started the first batch of our Provisory Shelter-building program. Our partner for this first batch in Real, Infanta and Nakar (RIN) is Christian Aid. Our partner for the first batch in Dingalan is YMCA. The second batch in RIN and Dingalan will be done in partnership with the National Social Action office (NASA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

On March 31, 2005 we had completed in RIN 491 of the targeted 500 shelters in partnership with Christian Aid. This program is covered by an amount of almost 6 million pesos. In Dingalan the YMCA is building 127 shelters.

The second batch will consist of 450 shelters in RIN and 450 shelters in Dingalan in partnership with NASA.

At this point we have to make a clarification of terms. We use the term SHELTER for a provisory house that is constructed mainly from wood with a roof of galvanized iron. The term HOUSE is used for a construction involving concrete flooring and partially or totally concrete walls. The projects we have so far initiated are all for shelters. In the future we hope to start projects on housing.

On Mach 30 we called for a meeting with other agencies/organizations involved in shelter or housing. It proved very profitable to coordinate and compare notes. What came out of this meeting is the following:

* Kumare, the organization of the women initiated by the Sion sisters, is close to completing the construction of 121 permanent houses for their members. This project involves a down payment for the acquisition of the land by those who do not yet own the land they are building their permanent houses on.

* The local chapter of Rotary International is going to build 35 permanent houses in barangay Pinaglapatan in Infanta.

* ICTC, the Inter-Congregational Theological Center, is going to build 46 shelters in two barangays in Nakar: Magsikap and Sablang.

* The Philippine Red Cross has decided to build 1000 shelters for victimized families. They agree to accept in their program the families we will indicate.

* Oxfam Great Britain will build also an amount of shelters (more than 700) for the victims that we will identify for them.

The calamity destroyed a total of 4000 houses in Real, Infanta and Nakar. It seems now a reasonable target to have replaced 3000 of these by provisory shelters and permanent houses by the first weeks of May.

On the level of houses NASA is interested in building villages of permanent houses in the three municipalities. Due to the lack of donations of land NASA is considering the possibility of acquiring land, always when the price is reasonable. We are presently investigating the possibility of acquiring 15 hectares in the municipality of Nakar for this purpose.

Other organizations with the same plans of building permanent houses have requested the municipalities to donate land for their housing program. So far this has not brought any positive results. The municipalities do not have land and do not have the funds to buy substantial amounts of land.

The Livelihood Program:
During the past months we have already provided some farmers' communities with seeds for vegetable gardens. This small-scale operation had some good results. It also provided us with valuable information about the possible use of alternative crops like vegetables on the (rice) land affected by the mudflows from the mountains.

On April 2 we have launched a comprehensive livelihood program again in cooperation with Christian Aid. This program has several components:

* A comprehensive program of rehabilitation of the affected agricultural lands with the help of experienced agriculturists, who will introduce sustainable bio-farming. Revival of the rice fields as far as this proves possible. Cleaning and / or rebuilding of the irrigation system or providing for alternative irrigation facilities like pumps. Conversion of rice-fields into vegetable farms if this proofs to be the only alternative. The acquisition or hiring of equipment to make the project possible.

* A comprehensive program of rehabilitation of the fishing industry by providing new fishing boats and nets to fisher-folks' communities by introducing a cooperative system and the introduction of new forms of aqua-industry like see-weed cultivation.

* A big scale livestock dispersal program involving small animals (chickens, ducks etc.) and big animals (pigs, cows, kalabaw etc.) with the corresponding education of the participants.

* The establishment of a marketing system, so the excess products can be sold in the markets of Manila and other big cities outside the area.

This quite ambitious plan is not limited to the partnership between our Social Action Center and Christian Aid. In a way these two partners have drawn up the framework and provided the initial financial backing. There are many other partners who will take part on this endeavor. About them we will write in the next Newsletter.

Medical Missions:
There have been so many medical missions in the area, many organized spontaneously by universities, medical institutions and most often congregations, that we have not been able to keep track of all of them. Already the first days after the disaster doctors and nurses went in the area by helicopter and by boat. Since then many have followed. Thanks to all of these beautiful initiatives the health situation has been brought under control very quickly. Several organizations have made long lasting commitments. They come to a certain municipality once a month with doctors and dentists and serve the sick. The Social Action Center has provided logistic support to these missions and in many cases bought additional medicines.

The last days of March we got the scare of several cases of dengue fever. The weather had been sunny for several days and the mosquitoes were multiplying. Stagnant water is everywhere in big quantities. It will take some time to change this situation. In the meantime we use all the necessary precautions to avoid spreading of dengue and malaria.

Processing the Soul:
It goes without saying that there are many traumatized people, especially children, in the area. Teams of counselors have been processing them. This "debriefing" is ongoing and will be continued for several months.

During the month of January it proved necessary to exam more closely the groups that were coming in, because not all proved well equipped for this work, making sometimes the wounds deeper instead of healing them. The Social Action Center took it on itself to provide screening and it advises the parishes on who could be trusted with this delicate work.

The Social Action Staff:
A very important fact we should not forget is the development of the staff of the Social Action Center and the Parish Social Action Offices and for the Social Action of the Tribal Center for Development (TCD). Bishop Tria Tirona made it very clear from the very start of our work that he wanted the Social Action to have "a bit" in the parishes, meaning the Social Action should be implemented by the Parishes under the leadership of the Parish priest and in the case of the TCD of Fr. Pete Montallana. Our social action should be felt by the most poor and affected victims.

At present the three Parishes, the TCD and the Social Action Center in Infanta have each a staff of five Social Action workers. The urgency of the situation provided only for 'on-the-job training', i.e. learning by implementing. The good results of our work, especially in the shelter program, proof that the process was effective.

During the months of April, May and June we will be able to give more explicit formation to the staff to equip them for the next phase of the program.

The Donors:
Thousands of people and organizations have contributed their share to make the above-mentioned results possible. Any lists of donors would be deficient. Many came and went even without telling us their name. They wanted to stay anonymous. However, we still want to make special mentioning of certain organizations that helped in a special way. We will provide a special corner for that in the next issue of this Newsletter.

"We have a Pope!! announced Jorge Antonio Cardinal Medina of Chile from the balcony of the Vatican Palace fronting St. Peter Square filled with thousands of cheering crowd from all over the world at 12:45 ´p.m. (Chilean Time)19 April 2005. At 11:50 a.m. white smoke started coming out from the smoke-stack on the tiled roof-top of the Vatican building. Then at 12:11 p.m. the huge bell of the Vatican started to chime-. At 12:50 p.m. the new Pope Benedict XVI came to the balcony of the Vatican palace and imparted his blessings "Urbi et Orbi."

Long live Pope Benedict XVI " German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the 265th Pope in the history of the Papacy.

Posted April 15, 2005

Pope John Paul II

1920-2005

---

God bless you, JPII! May your soul rest in peace!

by Rudy Arizala

May I share with you what I wrote Prof. Randy David, a columnist of The Philippine Daily Inquirer, regarding his column of 09 April 2005, titled "Immortality" in connection with the life and death of Pope John Paul II.

Your column "Immortality" in connection with the life and death of Pope John Paul II is interesting when you concluded that "Neither television nor canonization can make John Paul II immortal. But a concrete change for the better in the life of the human family may."

Immortality is attained when a departed long after his death lives on in the memory, songs and culture of the people because somehow he has touched their lives and effected in them "a change for the better." This happened to Rizal, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and now to John Paul II.

Yes, John Paul II was a good communicator and spoke the language of the people, young or old, rich or poor, the humble or the mighty. But above all he knew also how to listen and look at you in silence with that compassionate blue eyes as if saying "Fear not, God loves you" touching your soul.

Nicolas Cheetham in his book "A History of the Popes" (Dorset Press, New York, 1992, p. 304) wrote about John Paul II as follows:

"He evokes esteem and affection on a scale which no President of the United States, no successor to Stalin or Mao, no Secretary-General of the United Nations, no transient competitor for the allegiance of Islam, is likely to attain in the forseeable future. His fortunate - some would say miraculous - escape from assassination has further emphasized the power of his personality and the universal character of his ministry."

He was not merely a "papa di passaggio" or stop-gap but "a pope for all seasons". For he had touched millions of lives and perhaps borrowing your words in your column, effected "concrete change for the better in the life of the human family."

By Rodolfo A. Arizala

I. Introduction
Due to the demise of Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005, a week from today, the April Conclave of 117 Cardinals will convene at Vatican´s Sistine Chapel (18 April). They would select or elect by secret ballot from among themselves who would be the next Pope.

In the minds of millions of Catholics and observers throughout the world are: 1) Who will be the next pontiff?; 2) What should be his qualifications?; and 3) Whether he would be a papa di passaggio (stopgap pope) in this modern age of aggiornamento (adaptation of the church´s mission to the needs of today´s world), or his reign shall be for a much longer period like that of his predecessor.

It has been said "the papacy depends on the personality of its head. He cannot afford to be colorless or indecisive; he has to lead all the time and to be seen leading."

To attempt find a clue to the answers to the the questions mentioned above, it is relevant to review or recall briefly the selection and reigns of the preceding pope personalities in modern times from 1958 to 2005. In other words, from the Italian Cardinal Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) to Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II).

II. Immediate Predecessors
Let us now examine briefly the reign of the following pontiffs.

A. Pope John XXIII (1958 &endash; 1963)
Cardinal Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) was the son of poor peasants at Sotto il Monte, near Bergano. He was Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria for 5 years as the start of his diplomatic career which lasted for 28 years. He was later on posted in Greece and Turkey. Then in 1944, he became Papal Nuncio in Paris for 9 years until be became a Cardinal (Patriarch) in Venice in 1953.

When Pope Pius XII died, Cardinal Roncalli was elected Pope after 3 days of balloting. It was claimed he became a Pope because "of his positive qualities, his exemplary piety, his loyalty to a pontiff whose philosophy he was known not fully to have shared, his talent for conciliation and his immense experience in diplomacy." He had also simplicity of character, the product of his peasant origin.

Soon after his election to the papacy, he summoned a General Council to "enhance the spiritual welfare of Christians." He inaugurated said Vatican General Council at St. Peter´s on 11 October 1962. Before the opening of the Council, he issued his "Mater et Magistra" in 1961 to replace rather than confirm the social and economic teachings of his predecessors: Leo XIII´s "Rerum Novarum" and Pius XI´s "Quadragesima Anno".

In April 1963, only two months before his death, he issued his "Pacem in Terris", the encyclical designed to complement his social doctrine in "Mater et Magistra". On 3 June 1963, he died of cancer.

B. Pope Paul VI (1963 - 1978)
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini (Pope Paul VI) was another Italian Northerner who was born near Brecia in 1898. He belonged to a well-educated and established Catholic family with strong political connections. After becoming a priest, he spent virtually all his life at the Secretariat of State up to 1954. Later, he was promoted to the post of alternate to the Under-Secretary of State Tardini. Then he became archbishop of Milan remaining in that post for 9 years. Pope John XXIII made him Cardinal. Montini assured Pope John XXIII that the Council will make Rome the spiritual capital of the world whence the light will spread over those places and institutions where men are working for the poor, for progress, justice and liberty. Cardinal Montini was elected pontiff on 21 June 1963 as Pope Paul VI.

Pope Paul VI broaden curial appointments by bringing more clerics into the Vatican Council from outside Italy. He also undertook overseas travel and showed fondness for dramatic gestures &endash; he met and embraced the Patriarch Arthenogoras . At Ephesus, he prayed at the legendary house of the Virgin Mary. He was the first pope to address the United Nations. He visited Africa, South America, India and the Philippines. In the Philippines, he was stabbed by a mad Bolivian national dressed in priestly habit. Luckily, Pope Paul VI was not hurt.

He was also a tireless host. He granted audiences no fewer than 90 state visitors, presidents, dictators, democrats, communists, black and white, Christians and Jewish, Moslems and heathens. He urged heads of congregations to retire from the Curia at 75 years of age and more non-Italians were brought into curial posts. For the conduct of future Conclaves, he disqualified Octogenarian Cardinals from taking part in the ballot.

He also gave support to liturgical reforms &endash; introduction of the vernacular on the wider scale to make liturgy intelligible to the mass of overseas Catholics who do not speak Latin. Because of his policy, the Second Vatican Council ended in an atmosphere of harmony and confidence. He avoided irritating the progressives or offending the conservatives.

Pope Paul VI issued his first encyclical "Ecclesiam Suam" &endash; which echoed John XXIII´s view that while Communism itself was hateful, the church did not despair of entering into a more positive dialogue with individual Communist regimes. He insisted that the obligation of the rich nations is to provide for the economic and social welfare of the Third World, as contained in the encyclical "Populorom Pregressio" (1967). He tackled the questions of clerical celibacy and birth- control in two encyclicals &endash; "Sacerdotalis Coelibatus" (1967) and "Humanis Vitae" (1968) both of which precluded any relaxation of the rules prohibiting the marriage of priests and the use of contraceptives by married persons.

Pope Paul VI died quietly at Castelgandolfo on 6 August 1978.

C. Pope John Paul I (1978)
Cardinal Albino Luciano, (Pope John Paul I), the Patriarch of Venice was considered a papa di passaggio , a stopgap pope. He was a sympathetic but hardly imposing personality. His simple manner endeared him to his followers. His only public statement was a promise of faithful adherence to the principles of John XXIII and Paul VI. While Pope Paul VI had disbanded his Noble Guard, Pope John Paul I rejected other appurtenances of papal sovereignty such as the Tiara and the "sedia gestatoria" (portable throne). John Paul I was brought up and prepared for his career in the "Venetian hinterland" and possessed little knowledge of the outside world. He reigned as Pope for only 33 days.

D. Pope John Paul II ( 1978 &endash; 2005)
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) was the non- Italian pontiff in 455 years. Volumes of information about him have already been written since his election to the papacy in 1978. Suffice to mention it here that he was born in May 1920. His father was a minor clerical officer attached to the newly-created Polish army.

Shortly after his election as pontiff, the Polish pope lost no time in asserting himself. He traveled to 129 countries. Through the use of modern communications he drove home the point that the Head of the Church is not a remote and unknowable monarch but an immediately present and familiar figure and friend. He was visible and audible anytime.

He issued his first encyclical "Redemptor Hominis"-- nobody may treat theology as if it consisted simply of explaining his personal ideas. He was noted for his humility, accessibility and understanding of human nature but at the same time rigid in attitude on clerical marriage, admission of women to priesthood, celibacy, divorce, contraceptives, abortion and homosexuality. Subsequently, he issued another encyclical "Laborem Exercens" on the value and dignity of human labor. He condemned both Capitalism and Communism for exploiting the poor working class.

He was a good communicator attracting both the old and young generations. A true preacher and shepherd of his flock.

III. Observations
On the whole, the world likes a Pope who while pursuing his own way, tries to avoid clashing with either reactionaries or progressives and who does not encourage those who hold the survival of the Church and Papacy must depend on their identification with advanced socio-political thinking, or flexible attitude towards moral questions and the replacement of traditional theology by something much less explicit.

With this in mind, the new pontiff, Italian or non-Italian, shall not only be capable of continuing the implementation of the ideas or thinking of his predecessors (Pope John XXIII et al) but also in adapting to the needs of modern times without abandoning traditional precepts or teachings.

In resume, Pope John Paul II´s reign was characterized by the following:

1. Put an end to post Vatican II turmoil.

2. The first pope to pray in a synagogue; to visit a mosque; to preach in a Protestant church.

3. His most important legacy is "Catechisms of the Catholic Church," the first universal summary of the Catholic faith in over 400 years.

4. Brought democracy to his native country of Poland and put an end to dictatorships in some other countries.

5. Fulfilled three great dreams: a) Reunited Europe: b) Led the church into the third millennium; c) Trip to the Holy Land visiting both Israel and Palestine.

6. Traveled to some 129 countries, and rode on a "pope mobile" whenever he travels on land or within city limits.

7. Used modern communications to propagate Catholic faith and reach out to all kinds of people.

8. Expressed humility by apologizing for church errors and denounced anti-Semitism.

9. To protect the poor he criticized both capitalism and communism.

10. He resisted all attempts to liberalize the church teachings on birth control, abortion, homosexuality, priestly marriage, divorce, and the ordination of women.

11. His travels sought not only to minister to the faithful but also to make the church more disciplined, hierarchical and orthodox.

The next pontiff ideally should not be a "papa di passaggio" or transition pope only. He should be lasting or enduring and firm as a rock. He should be a leader; a good communicator; able to relate himself with all kinds of people and explain the gospel to all types of audience. He must be capable of a more perceptive approach to the modern world and source of moral inspiration as well as an impartial and stabilizing factor in the affairs of nations. In other words, he should be a preacher and shepherd.

Any of the following or outside the listed names below could be the next pontiff depending on the Holy Spirit when the Conclave of 117 Cardinals meet on 18 April 2005, at the Sistine Chapel:

1. Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi (71 yrs old) Archbishop of Milan. (Italian national)

2. Cardinal Claudio Hummes (70 yrs old) Archbishop of Sao Paolo, (Brazilian national)

3. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (78 yrs old) Dean of the Cardinals (German national)

4. Cardinal Christoph Schonborn (60 yrs old) Archbishop of Vienna (Austrian )

5. Cardinal Francis Arinze (72 yrs old) Nigerian national

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

*Note: Some of the information in this essay were taken from "A History of the Popes" by Nicolas Cheetham (Dorset Press, New York 1992) and newspaper reports.

Posted: April 8, 2005

Thank you, Pope John Paul II

By Mila Glodava

The closest I came to seeing the late Pope John Paul II was at a distance (in fact you could hardly see him) during his historic visit to Denver for World Youth Day in 1993 and again on the streets of my native land in Manila, Philippines, two years later. Nevertheless, it still was an awesome feeling! The first time I saw him in Denver I started sobbing the moment the Holy Father entered the old Mile High Stadium. I was in awe that he would come to us. And everyone around me was just as awestruck and in tears, as the multitude that saw him during his audiences at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome did in his presence. From all accounts even presidents and royalties were affected the same way. Is it because he is the "Vicar of Christ"? Or is it simply because we were in the presence of a holy man? Indeed, Pope John Paul II was a holy man and I am proud to call him "Holy Father."

How has Pope John Paul II affected my life? Three Words: World Youth Day.

Had the Pope not chosen Denver in 1993 to be the site of his biennial World Youth Day (WYD), I probably would not have participated in WYD 1995 in Manila or anywhere else for that matter. I'm way past my youth! But as providence would have it, I was among thousands of volunteers for this phenomenal event in Denver -- working on the souvenir journal for the Pope's visit and as an interpreter. At the same time, my daughter was one of two representatives from the Philippines for the Pope's Mass at Cherry Creek (I did not realize the reason for this special participation until it was announced that the Philippines was the site for WYD 1995). It was, therefore, an easy decision for me to say "yes" when asked to help plan Denver's participation in WYD 1995 in Manila.

But what made this experience significant for me personally was how going home also brought me back to my roots. I rediscovered my heritage. Having left the Philippines in 1972, I thought my ties to the Philippines were forever severed, except for a few visits to my family. As a citizen of the United States, I am now enjoying freedom and the privileges that it entails. I also have become a contributing member of society, giving my time and energy to various causes in the community. I thought this was where I belonged.

The Holy Spirit has other plans, however, and used World Youth Day as a vehicle to reconnect me with my past. Since WYD 1993, I have found myself with a small community foundation reconnecting expatriates from my hometown to engage in "Diaspora philanthropy." I also have become a missionary to my old country promoting "stewardship as a way of life." Initially, all I wanted to do was help my home diocese hear the message of stewardship in their search for sustainability. The Holy Spirit must be at work here because the message of stewardship is now spreading across the country.

Last January 2005, I had an incredible and humbling experience speaking and giving a presentation (along with Father Andrew Kemberling, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish) to the entire Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. The bishops themselves have realized that stewardship and evangelization go hand in hand and will help them in their journey towards making the Philippine Church become the "Church of the Poor" and making their hope for a "renewed integral evangelization" in the Philippines and beyond become a reality -- a response to Pope John Paul II's call for the Philippines to become a beacon of light for its sister countries in Asia and other parts of the world.

I am humbled to be part of this exciting time in the Philippine Church; and I thank God for Pope John Paul II and his World Youth Days.

By Rudy A. Arizala

Where reigns supreme brotherhood.

Ode to Pope John Paul II by Rudy A. Arizala P - eople all over the world O - ffer prayers we are told P - raying that we all behold E - very acts of Pope unfold   J - ustice, fairness, faith are worth O -ver thousand tons of gold H - onesty, peace, love he brought N - ot forget men´s brotherhood   P - rayer banners are unfurled A - nd thru faith could mountain move U - nder watchful eye of Lord L - ead us from this sinful world.

Farewell to Pope (John Paul II) By Rudy A. Arizala   From all over the world People journeyed to Rome Pay homage and behold Pope in funeral robe   All the roads lead to Rome But Plaza St. Peter It could hold no longer Millions to pray and mourn   What magnetic power This dead Pope could muster When his voice no longer Ring with solemn prayer   He won the hearts and faith Of young and old alike Humble folks, kings, leaders From all creeds and colors.   Farewell, Holy Father May seeds you scatter Of love, peace and brotherhood Grow, bear fruit and prosper.

by Rodolfo A. Arizala

Background

According to news report, Pope John Paul II died today 2 April 2005, at 9:37 p.m.

And this reminds me of the Papal six-day visit to Chile from 1 to 6 April 1987, when I was Philippine Ambassador to Chile. The Holy Pope visited Chile from north to south. His main team was "Love is more powerful." On that visit, Neneto and I had the rare privilege of meeting Pope John Paul II and held or kissed his hands.

Hereunder are my entries in my Notebook on 3 April 1987.

Early this morning the Holy Father was up already. He visited the Maipu Temple where he crowned the image of Virgen del Carmen de los Andes, the patron said of Chile. Then he went to Hogar de Cristo where he visited the sick / homeless and prayed at the tomb of Chilean priest founder of said Hogar de Cristo, Fr. Alberto Hurtado (canonized later as saint). Afterwards the Pope went to Universidad Catolica de Chile. Then back to the Nunciatura (his place of residence while in Chile) for lunch.

At 2:40 p.m., all foreign chiefs of Mission / Charge d´Affairs a.i. and their ladies were all present at the Nunciatura to greet the Pope. Attire required: Black dress for women with long sleeves and dark suit for men.

Neneto and I left our residence early arriving at the gate of the Nunciatura at 2:25 p.m. Some foreign ambassadors and their ladies arrived ahead of us. We were requested to wait outside. At 2:45 p.m. we were told to enter the Nunciatura premises. Once inside the living room of the Nunciatura, we were requested by the protocol officer to fall in line in pairs with our respective spouses. Another wait for about 15 minutes. The the Holy Father appeared preceded by Cardinal Cassaroli and the chief of protocol and the Pope´s security. The Nuncio (Msgr. Angelo Sodano who is now a Cardinal and Vatican Secretary of State), made a brief opening statement expressing the desire of the various chiefs of mission and their ladies accredited to Chile to greet the Holy Father. Then the Holy Father wearing a white attire and white cap on his head delivered a short speech thanking us for our presence and stating that his presence in Chile is a "pastoral visit" a mission of peace, reconciliation and respect for human dignity. He stressed that these are also the mission of diplomats -- peace, understanding and friendship among nations.

He gave as example the avoidance of war between Chile and Argentina and the signing of a peace treaty and friendship between the two neighboring sister nations in South America. He gave a general blessing to all of us and to our respective countries at the end of his brief remarks.

Then one-by-one, we approached the Pope according to protocol or seniority at the post and shook / kissed his hand greeting him. Neneto and I were seventh in the line starting from the Vice Dean of the diplomatic c orps -- the ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and his wife. When Neneto´s turn and mine came to greet the Holy Father, the Nuncio (Angelo Sodano) announced to the Pope: "The ambassador of the Philippines and his wife." I held the hand of the Holy Father and told him: "Your Holiness, Greetings from the Philippines" followed by Neneto. The Pope said to us in English "Thank you and God Bless you."

What was my feeling when I held the hand of the Pope? It was brief but it seemed to me eternity. Despite the crowd of people around, it seemed only the Pope and I were having a dialogue fact-to-face with a figure in his resplendent white attire with clear generous blue eyes, fatherly smile of humility, peace and human kindness. Neneto told me later on that she had the same sensation. As we stepped out of the room, a Msgr. gave me a commemorative Papal bronze medal of his visit to Chile. Neneto was given a rosary with white beads. We were also given souvenir pictures of the Pope with his signature. (Pope John Paul II).

Diplomats and their ladies after greeting the Pope waited in the sprawling garden of the Nunciatura for him to come out of the building. We saw the Pope walked from the Nunciatura up to the gate crossing the garden on foot to take the Papal mobile which will take him to CEPAL. A huge crowd has gathered outside the Nunciatura on the sidewalk across the street from the Nunciatura mostly young people waving small Vatican flags. Outside the Nunciatura, the Pope stopped for a brief moment before getting inside his vehicle; faced the crowd and greeted them by raising both his hands with a smile on his face. The crowd shouted several times: "Viva el Papa!" and waved flags, banners and placards.

At CEPAL the Pope delivered a speech on poverty, foreign debts and economic solidarity. Vice consul Catalino Dilem, Jr., and my eldest son Rodo were the ones who attended the ceremony at CEPAl. Authorities of this UN regional organization in Santiago, Chile invited only two persons from each foreign embassy to attend said ceremony due to space limitations.

Note: When I arrived in Santiago, Chile in 1981 to open a resident embassy and made my courtesy call on the Dean of the foreign diplomatic corps in Chile, Msgr. Angelo Sodano, his advice to me: "Mi querido Sr. Encargado de Negocios de Filipinas, in diplomacy one has to have plenty of patience". Probably, he gave that advice to me because he learned that I was sent to Chile by the Philippine government to establish a resident embassy after the "canceled visit" of Gen. Pinochet to the Philippines in 1980 which almost cause the break of diplomatic relations between the two countries. But that is another story.

At that time, little did I know that someday Msgr. Sodano would become the Vatican´s Secretary of State and now rumored to be one of the candidates to succeed the papacy. In diplomacy one can never tell what would happen in the future especially to people you meet.

(Please click here or above heading for past daily posting on Metro Infanta)