ONLINE RETREAT @ VISITAIGLESIA.NET
MANILA, FEBRUARY 25, 2012 (Catholic Philippines Online) [People
gather on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in February 1986 to oust a
dictator (photo: Wikipedia)]
THE Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP) yesterday called on the public not to
use the 1986 "people power" anniversary celebrations to make political
statements.
Conference president, Archbishop Jose Palma (photo at right) of Cebu,
said it is about time Filipinos think of the "common good, development and
giving people hope" during the celebrations.
The bishop's statement comes amid reports that the presidential palace will
use the 26th anniversary of the uprising as a "show of force" against impeached
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The chief justice is accused of graft, flouting the constitution and
betraying the public's trust.
The government issued a memorandum this week encouraging government workers
to join the celebrations that mark the end of the two-decade dictatorship of
Ferdinand Marcos.
The palace earlier said it is willing to enter into dialogue with the
Catholic Church and other religious groups that have criticized the impeachment
of Corona.
Government spokesmen on Monday allayed fears that the influential Iglesia ni
Cristo (Church of Christ) sect's February 28 rally will be used to drum up
support for the chief justice.
"The premise that religious groups favor the chief justice may not be
entirely correct," said Edwin Lacierda, President Benigno Aquino's
spokesman.
Church offers online Lenten retreat Published
Date: February 23, 2012
[PHOTO -Filipino Catholics receive marks as a sign of penance during
Ash Wednesday celebrations yesterday (photo by Artemio
Dumlao)]
THE Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) says it will have
another feature for its Lenten season website this year: online retreats.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, the CBCP media office director, said the online retreat
will be available on visitaiglesia.net starting on
Sunday.
"These are video reflections that will serve as alternative catechesis to
those who are unable to attend Lenten retreats," Monsignor Quitorio said during
the website's launch yesterday.
However, he emphasized that an online retreat is no substitute for spending a
few days in a "monastic atmosphere."
Monsignor Quitorio said retreats are important because they help the faithful
understand the meaning of the Lenten season.
"Catholics are invited to reflect on themselves and prepare for the coming
celebration of Holy Week."
Other features on the site include podcast reflections, blogs of bishops,
priests, Religious, and lay people.
The CBCP first launched the Visita Iglesia Online site in 2010 so overseas
workers can participate in the country's unique celebration of Lent, like the
pabasa or the singing of the Gospel account of Christ's Passion.
"This project is intended for Filipinos who have no way of going to churches,
especially seafarers," Monsignor Quitorio said. Report from
ucanews.com
Abstinence not for meat alone, says prelate
[PHOTO - Bishop Joel Baylon]
AS Catholics welcomed the Lenten season, a Roman Catholic prelate reminded
the faithful that abstinence is not exclusively for eating of meat.
Bishop Joel Baylon of Lagazpi on Sunday said there are other ways that one
can practice abstinence during Lent aside from not eating meat.
"Apart from meat, one's favorite fast food, junk food, sweets, and soft
drinks are what the Catholic faithful are urged to forego this season of Lent to
make one's sacrifice a heart-felt one," Baylon was quoted as saying by the
official news agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP).
He said that in doing so, it would be like going on a healthy diet but that
it has a spiritual complex.
"If health-conscious people undergo a diet and refuse a lot of food to get
slim and fit to maintain external beauty, why can't we impose the same
discipline to make ourselves beautiful inside too?" said the chairman of the
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth.
During Lent, traditional Catholic tradition provides that the faithful should
not eat meat during Ash Wednesday and during all Fridays of the 40-day period as
a form of abstinence.
But according to the prelate, there could be more to abstinence than just
stopping oneself from eating meat.
"The point of abstinence is depriving ourselves of the things that give us
comfort and luxury. It is imposing discipline on our body so that we may free up
our souls," Baylon said. Report from Sun.Star
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
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NEWS ONLINE
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