Conversation with a Fellow Christian

I was waiting for the bus to arrive on late afternoon. I took a seat on the bus stop and took out my Magnificat prayer book to read that day's Mass reading. The lady next to me (probably noticing what I was doing) asked me "Are you a Christian?". I said yes. She seemed interested in what I was reading and introduced herself as a Christian too.  She later told me that it is only Jesus who can save me, not the Virgin Mary nor the Pope. I agreed. 

She went on by saying that neither the Mass or the bread and wine can save me. I told her that in my Catholic faith, we believe that the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus during Consecration. She disagreed and explained that the 'Body of Christ' is us. I said to her that indeed we, the Church, form the body of Christ, but Christ Himself said that He who eats His body will be saved. The woman disagreed again and told me that Judas ate the bread and drank the wine, but wasn't saved. I retorted "How about the other 11 (apostles)?". Still, she ignored the question reiterating that it's only Jesus who can save us.  With the bus arriving, I stood up and thanked the lady for offering her views.

This seemed to be the first time I spoke with a fellow Christian where there seemed no agreement of ideas except that Jesus is the only saviour of the world. While I do have some former work colleagues who are also Christians from other denominations such as Methodist and Baptist (with whom I could relate well), this conversation I have had looked challenging. While I do respect her views, there came a time that I have to speak up to what I believe in.

Looking at the bigger picture where leaders of the Catholic Church are in dialogue with their counterparts in other Christian denominations, I guess such a conversation that I had with my fellow bus passenger would have been present.  Indeed, it is a big scandal to see a division among the followers of Jesus, among Christians. I pray for my fellow Christian that she would at least respect my belief and, ultimately know the truth. I echo what Jesus' prayer to His Father: "that they will all be one" (John 17:21).

Considering too the division among Christians, it is also imperative for us Catholics to know and deepen our faith - this is our web's intention this month. I remember 20 odd years ago in the Philippines when fundamentalists posed a challenge for us Catholics.  I note how the Filipino Catholic bishops lamented, in their exhortation to the laity early this year, the shallowness of some laity's faith and urged them to know more and deepen their faith lest they be indoctrinated by other religions. The conversation I have had was a wake up call to speak up in defence of the faith. It also jolted me to revisit the same faith that have been passed on to me. Baka nangangalawang na kasi (as it might be gathering rust already). 

There is, however, a more jolting experience happening elsewhere: the violence happening in Iraq that, according to Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, could spell the end of Christianity in the country. The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church (Iraq's largest Christian community) also mentioned that Muslims are also suffering from this violence. What is heart warming is that these persecuted Christians "... are known to be a disinterested mediator seeking the good of the country.Where fighting groups refuse to meet outside, when we invite them to our Churches to talk, they come," according to Patriarch Sako. Let us be united in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering persecution for their faith.  

Post Assumption Thoughts

My family and I went to church last Friday to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary, a holyday of obligation in England and Wales. The church wasn't jam packed, but the atmosphere was solemn.

As we sung the final hymn, I was touched with these lines:

All I have I give you,

Every dream and wish are yours,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of mine, present them to my Lord.

We have recently heard the sad news of the demise of the Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres, former President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, President of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), and first Filipino Rector of UST.  Diagnosed to have lung cancer in 2009, Among (as he was fondly called by the Bicolanos) "...spent hours before the miraculous icon [of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Bicolandia’s patroness] praying he survive the disease until after the 300th anniversary celebration of the devotion in September 2010" (http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=39350). Indeed, his prayers were granted. He later retired in 2012.

For me, Archbishop Legaspi is an example of how it is to be a devotee of Mary, of how it is to entrust to her our "every dream and wish". Our tasks, responsibilities, wishes, and dreams may pale in comparison to what this beloved Marian prelate may have done or aspired for, but if we place them wholeheartedly in Mary's hands, she will present them all to the Lord. Why? Here's what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes: "precisely because Mary is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us. While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is actually 'within' all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God".

Mary, our Mother assumed into heaven, pray for us!

***

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate my brother Giovanni for his safe arrival in the US last week.  Keep up the good work there, Gio! Pray to Mama Mary as you have always been doing! Take care and see you soon!

A Woman of Courage

2014 has been named the Year of the Laity by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). With the theme "Filipino Catholic Laity: Called to be Saints...Sent Forth as Heroes!", the pastoral exhortation written for this occasion calls on all Filipino laity to "choose to be brave".

To become a saint, let alone become a hero is indeed a daunting aspiration.  And yet, that's our calling according to our faith.  How does one become brave in the midst of the many trials we Christians have to face?

I have been engrossed with promoting the late Aurora Aragon-Quezon's cause for beatification and canonization  lately.   Reading through Doña Aurora's life, here's her qualities of how it is to be brave:

Awareness.  I think this is the backbone of how it is to be brave.  Doña Aurora was aware of the issues that were happening during her time. Take poverty for example. It has been said that having been orphaned at a young age she did hard work such as fetching water, washing clothes, and planting in the rice field. When her husband became President of the Commonwealth from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s, Mrs Quezon didn't stay in Malacañan Palace very often and preferred to reside in a nipa hut nearby or in her farm in Pampanga.  For me, this was perhaps her way of staying "on the ground". How do we get out from our ivory towers?

Understanding.  With awareness comes understanding.  By her own personal experience and her encounters with the less fortunate, Doña Aurora understood how it was to be poor, marginalized, and downtrodden.  So much so that she did everything in her power to tackle poverty, injustice, and suffering through education, women's right to vote, and charitable works. According to the late Fr James Reuter, SJ: "She looked upon all the poor as her special children".  Do we truly know where those in need are coming from?

Righteousness.  Mrs Quezon was an upright woman.  When Philippine Congress voted to grant her a pension worth PhP 1,000 per month after her return from the States following the death of her husband, she declined the offer citing the many war widows and orphans who were more deserving of such help. How is our sense of sin nowadays?

Openness. Doña Aurora was a woman of prayer.  Apart from daily Mass she was also a devotee of the Virgin Mary.  Mrs Quezon's gentleness and patience reflected how she opened herself up to God.  Being rooted in the Lord, she bore much fruit - her family remained strong in spite of the many challenges and trials, the Philippine National Red Cross became an independent Red Cross organization, churches ravaged by the war were rebuilt, Mount Carmel College of Baler was established, etc. She also showed such quality when she and her daughters volunteered as nurses for the Red Cross in California while waiting for their return home.  Does the Holy Spirit still have an influence in our lives?

Respect. Fr Reuter wrote: "President Quezon was so occupied with official affairs that he sometimes left a little to be desired as a husband. But Doña Aurora never uttered one negative word of criticism. Not a syllable. She was his pillar of strength, always".  Indeed, President Quezon publicly praised his wife, recognizing her as "my friend, companion and partner".  How do we deal with those on the other side of the fence?

Aspiration. It was said that Doña Aurora wanted a national period of prayer in honor of the Blessed Mother and spread her message of peace.  Sadly, she died a violent death.  And yet, her dreams continue to make their presence felt in the country and in the Church.  Evil forces may attempt to thwart these, but for as long as there are people who are willing to continue Mrs Quezon's legacy, her dreams will take flesh.  What is your dream for our country and for the local Church?

As we commemorate Doña Aurora's 126th birth anniversary today, let us strive to follow her lead. Like her, let's choose to be brave!

Doña Aurora, pray for us, your kababayans, your fellow laity. Amen.

***

Once again, I would like to invite our dear readers to please support us in our online petition to Bishop Honesto Ongtioco asking him to open the diocesan process for Mrs Quezon's cause for beatification and canonization. The more people sign it, the better our chances to be heard:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/petition-to-open-the-diocesan-process-on-the-cause-for-beatification-and-canonization-of-aurora-aragon-quezon

Also, please join our group page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/118643504977298/

Thank you. God bless us all through Doña Aurora!

Political Me

.

"Mr Albano, you have the makings of a politician", Mr Emmanuel Batoon, my former Economics lecturer once told me.  He didn't elaborate, but it got me thinking:  "Me, a politician?".  The Albanos as well as the Valdeses (my paternal grandmother's family) indeed have politics in their blood: we are related to the Albanos of Isabela who, from one generation to another, have governed that region as well as the Valdezes of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte such as the current mayor of that town as well as former President Fidel V Ramos. (The difference of how the surname is spelt is irrelevant.)

My first stab at politics happened in the summer of 1992 when the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) launched the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPC-RV) across the country.  During that time I was already active in the parish. It was also the heydays of Anluwage and the Youth Ministry where I was involved.  Together with other youth parishioners, we attended seminars at what was then the parish's Ultreya Hall, went from one barangay chapel to another to educate voters, held prayer rallies, etc.  It was a shame though that I was unable to vote during the synchronized elections that year - I was 9 days shy of 18, the minimum age requirement to vote.

Apart from taking part in PPC-RV, I kept myself abreast with social issues facing the country by reading The Free Press.  I must thank Mr Benjamin Roda, my former English lecturer, for challenging us to read so that we can be conversant not only in the English language, but also in issues affecting us.

Five years later, my mom told me that I was slated for the Barangay elections as a candidate for the kagawad (councilman) post.  I was reluctant. I didn't turn up to meetings called by Mr Victor "Mang Vi" Santos, then Barangay Chairman, our campaign organizer.  When I had the courage to show up he blurted "Paano ka mananalo nyan kung papatay-patay ka?" or words to that effect. That was my point of no return.  Together with fellow candidates - there are 7 councilman seats up for grabs - we met, visited people, etc.  Of course, it wasn't all a bed of roses.  Some people from the other party would entice me to support them (or their candidates) and in exchange they will support me.  I just smiled and walked away.  Surprisingly, I won garnering the highest number of points. I became what is generally called "First Kagawad".   I held the position for the next five years.

It was a challenge to be looked up by people as a leader and as a model.  I must admit that at times I didn't live up to people's expectations.  Apart from my service to the community I was also working.  There were instances that I was away.  Although the councilman's role is more of legislation (e.g. ordinances, budget, etc.), you would need to be there for your people. There are times too that you can displease some of your constituents.

Apart from my role in the barangay, I was also present in many political rallies organized by the Church (particularly by the late Cardinal Jaime Sin) such as the Anti-Charter Change in 1997 and the ouster move against Erap Estrada in 2001.

Going back to the barangay, I enjoyed serving people. I saw a different avenue of reaching out to others. While I made friends, I have also made enemies.  During the barangay elections in 2002, I have witnessed the ugly side of politics.  It seems to me that people whom I displeased did everything to get rid of me. And even after the elections, there were still some residents who did me harm.  With humility and gratefulness, I decided to move on, forgive those who trespassed against me, and focus on other aspects of my life.  True, I got married in a few months from that debacle and then migrated to the UK later on.  

Still, I continued to dip my hands into politics. This time through my writings as well as the various campaigns that I have taken part of whether here in the UK or in the Philippines.  I felt challenged especially that CBCP has named this year as the Year of the Laity. I see politics as an extension of my faith in Jesus Christ, a layman Himself, who showed a new, different, life giving, people empowering kind of leadership.  A leadership based on service. 

For me, unless ordinary people like you and me take part in politics, it will remain the domain of those who have guns, goons, and gold. Unless we, who work 8 or more hours per day and pay taxes to fund the government, speak out change won't happen. Unless we put our leaders to task and hold them accountable, no progress would be effected. Unless we vote wisely, the same (rotten) bananas would remained ensconced in public office. Unless we good Catholic Christians as we often brag ourselves to be do something, evil will continue to thrive in our midst.

Cardinal Orly

Years ago, when I tell some priests that I am the nephew of Archbishop Orlando "Orly" Quevedo, I would receive varied responses: 

"Ah, si Bishop!" 

"Yung Ilokano?" 

"Monsignor (addressing another priest), pamangkin pala siya ni Archbishop Quevedo!" 

"Outside, (but) Most of the time Inside" (the priest making a joke of the Archbishop's religious congregation whose acronym is OMI [Oblates of Mary Immaculate]).  

For me, this last response is the most interesting and intriguing. 

Established in 1816 by St Eugene de Mazenod and 4 companions to preach missions in Provencal, France, the Oblates have grown to 4,440 priests and brothers spread all over the world.  Religious congregations would have their 'specializations' such as education for the Dominicans, but according to the OMI website (www.omiworld.org) their order does everything: "We are not specialized, except in facing urgent needs.... It was enough for bishops to come to our Founder and say to him: "I do not have anybody..." for him to act, re-examine his manpower, cut personnel here and there, and release 2 or 3 men for these new needs. And that continues today still. You see, it is a question of passion, of missionary concern.... ".  St Eugene's challenge to his confreres: "to leave nothing undared" (www.omiphil.org).

In the Philippines, the OMI's baluarte is Mindanao.  It was here that the young Orly grew up after his brood migrated from Ilocos Norte.  It was also here that he had his calling to be a priest.  For a time he was away from that region due to studies, but he was later called back to serve as Assistant Parish Priest in Cotabato Cathedral and later as Bishop of Kidapawan.   He was called to lead the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia for 12 years, but later made a comeback to the south when he became Archbishop of Cotabato, his current assignment.

Outside, but Most of the time Inside.  Throughout his ministry, as a priest and later as a bishop, he faced many challenges that allowed him to be 'outside', to be with the people who are in need: in Kidapawan, during the Martial Law years; in Nueva Segovia during the post-EDSA 1 revolution; and in Cotabato where he pursues inter-religious dialogue among Christians, Muslims, and indigenous groups. According to Ceres Doyo, he was one of the initiators of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (http://opinion.inquirer.net/69673/cardinal-elect-quevedo-a-gods-commando). 

For someone like me who hasn't been in Mindanao and may perhaps have my own (mis)conceptions of that region, I find his ministry truly daunting.  My father once described Tito Orly as "an unassuming and humble man who has survived countless Christian massacres in Cotabato". 

In an interview with ABS-CBN (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/01/25/14/quevedo-wont-leave-cotabato) he said: "I was not worried about myself. I was never in fear of my life when I was there. Even as a bishop, I would go alone to the barrios and go through Muslim territories. I was never afraid because Muslims are friends of mine."

Apart from looking after dioceses and archdioceses, Tito Orly was also President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC).  

Outside, but Most of the time Inside.  Though he may be have been 'outside', exposed to serving the poor and being with his brother bishops and priests, he is a man from 'inside'. Thomas Fox wrote: "Bishops in the Philippines and throughout Asia have often deferred to Quevedo to draft papers on diverse issues dealing with terrorism, migration, poverty, and the Eucharist as fundamental community builder" (http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/philippine-cardinal-architect-asian-pastoral-churches).  And Fr Catalino Arevalo, SJ has this to say: "Quevedo is almost always a member of the drafting committee. The committee would very often give him the documents and he would work all night and finish it up in the early morning. That means capacity for reflection, for putting things together" (http://ncronline.org/news/global/quevedo-red-hat-boosts-hope-local-church).  

Outside, but Most of the time Inside. I was listening to Archbishop Socrates Villegas' Opening Address during the CBCP's Plenary Assembly where he urged his brother bishops to become contemplative bishops of the poor.


Modesty aside, I think Tito Orly is one of those bishops "soaked in prayer as contemplative shepherds of the people freed from fear and rejection, carrying the mark of Christ scourged, crucified yet risen". A shepherd who, borrowing from Pope Francis' words, has the smell of his sheep.

Warmest congratulations and prayerful wishes, Tito Orly on your appointment as a cardinal of the Catholic Church!  It is indeed an honor for our family, but more so to the Christian community in Cotabato and in Mindanao to have one of theirs to be chosen for such a position.  I'm sure that Pope Francis wanted someone from that region to help him in tending the sheep. May the good Lord bless you! May Mary Immaculate to whom you have dedicated yourself without any reservation guide you. Mabuhay!