President Aquino’s insulting speech against the Filipino clergy only showed that his public display of affection for Pope Francis seems hypocritical

FULL TEXT: Aquino’s speech in the presence of Pope Francis at Malacañang

Your Holiness:

Colonialism was brought to our shores, partly by the efforts of the conquistadores, and partly through the efforts of the Church. When the clergy in that period was asked how they justified the injustices committed during the colonization of the Philippines, they responded by saying: the Kingdom of God is not of this earth.

With Vatican II however, this changed: Instead of being a pillar of the establishment, the Church began to question the status quo. My understanding of the changes inspired by Vatican II, and of the influence of liberation theology, was the notion that temporal matters affect our spiritual well-being, and, consequently, cannot be ignored. Two passages from scripture come to mind.

The first comes from Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 36-40, in which a Pharisee posed this question to Jesus Christ, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

The clear link between the two greatest commandments, as Christ put it, is further emphasized in another passage. In Matthew Chapter 25 Verses 35-36, Christ said, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’”

The Gospel challenges each member of the Church to go beyond almsgiving and mere charity, and to be concerned with injustice in temporal matters. We were further taught that if we do not intercede to make each person capable of exercising true freedom of choice, then we are not our brother’s keepers. One of the examples given to us involved a certain question. If it is a sin to steal, who is the greater sinner: the desperate man in an impossible situation forced to steal to feed his starving family, or the politician with an insatiable greed who, despite not having real material needs, stole from the public coffers?

When the Church engaged in temporal matters, it was truly working to bring the Kingdom of God apparent in this world. It was a living Church, a source of nurturing and support for the faithful, at a time when movies like “The Cardinal,” “The Shoes of the Fisherman,” and even “Jesus Christ Superstar” elicited deeper thoughts on how to further deepen the faith.

These teachings have been central to my family’s advocacy, which is understandable considering what we, along with millions of Filipinos, went through under the dictatorship. Then-President Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, when I was 12-years-old, beginning an era in which the most fundamental rights of many Filipinos were flagrantly and routinely violated. It was in this environment that I came of age. In a sense, I had a front row seat to that tyranny and persecution. After all, the dictator wasted no time in having my father, one of his most influential and vocal opponents, imprisoned.

Martial Law deprived our family not only of a loving husband and father. Many of our friends avoided us. There were few who dared speak up. One of those was Fr. Toti Olaguer, SJ, who, right in the heart of the dictator’s most secure prison, had the courage to speak the truth about Mr. Marcos’ abuses, even as he was being videotaped. Many others in the Church, such as Jaime Cardinal Sin, Bishop Francisco Claver, and Bishop Antonio Fortich, just to name just a few, truly lived their faith and acted as followers of Christ in being their brothers’ keepers.

The courage and daring displayed by the clergy solidified my belief: Especially during the Martial Law years, the Church of the poor and oppressed shone vividly. The clergy was always at the forefront of those wanting to emulate Christ and carry the burdens for all of us. Indeed, they nourished the compassion, faith, and courage of the Filipino people. This allowed millions to come together as a single community of faith and make possible the miracle of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Perhaps we had grown so accustomed to having this Church, always at the forefront of championing the rights of all, especially those of the marginalized, that we found it hard to understand its transformation. We were taught that the Catholic Church is the true church, and that there is constancy, for it upholds the truth at all times.

Hence, there was a true test of faith when many members of the Church, once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses, which we are still trying to rectify to this very day. In these attempts at correcting the wrongs of the past, one would think that the Church would be our natural ally. In contrast to their previous silence, some members of the clergy now seem to think that the way to be true to the faith means finding something to criticize, even to the extent that one prelate admonished me to do something about my hair, as if it were a mortal sin. Is it any wonder then, that they see the glass not as half-full, or half-empty, but almost totally empty. Judgment is rendered without an appreciation of the facts.

I understand I am only human, and thus, I am imperfect. I ran for the Presidency despite my discomfort with the trappings of power, because if I passed up on this opportunity to effect real change, I would not have been able to live with myself, especially if the situation worsened. But in this effort, the participation of all is necessary. Everything I have said has not been to criticize, but to speak the truth, for the truth shall set us all free. If we are able to settle our differences, can we not benefit our people quicker?

This is why I was struck by what Your Holiness recently said to the Curia, when you warned them of the illnesses that not only Christians, but anyone in a position of power, is prone to, including that of thinking one’s self immortal or indispensable, and the danger of becoming sowers of discord through gossip and grumbling.

I appreciate and respect Your Holiness, for your role as a unifying and revitalizing voice, not just among Catholics, but also among all peoples of goodwill. Your statements bear witness to the compassion and understanding of Christ. Exhibiting the same humility, you eschew the trappings of your position, even to the necessary security preparations, which, I should admit, has been somewhat of a security nightmare for us. [Laughter] In all seriousness, who can deny that Your Holiness is truly living the life of one who is dedicated to advocating for the oppressed and marginalized?

I believe that you are a kindred spirit, one who sees things as they are, and is unafraid of asking, “Why not?” Some of your statements might have been shocking or offensive to some peers. But Your Holiness is meant to be the instrument through which the Kingdom of God is allowed to flourish. In your example, we see the wisdom of continuing to ask, “Why not?” We see joy, a sense of authentic service, and an insistence on a true community of the faithful. We thank the Lord for other kindred spirits like Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Father Catalino Arevalo, and Sister Agnes Guillen, who have always been voices of reason, and who are spiritual people who will always be natural allies, along with so many others. We would like to think that even more will join us in the truth, in the fullness of time.

In the fight to transform society, one cannot help but be heartened by the fact that we are not alone. When we tread this path with people such as yourself, along with the millions you have inspired, we gain the courage to do what needs doing, the optimism to dream about what we can achieve in unity with one another, and the opportunity to turn that dream into a shared reality, with the grace of Almighty God. The Filipino people, in whose name I welcome you today, ask your blessing; may we find more mercy and compassion in our lives.

Thank you. Good day.

Pope Francis looked surprised listening to the insulting speech of the President in Malacanan

Splendor1618 

The speech of President Aquino was immature and careless and insensitive. The Filipinos loved the Friars and the Catholic Church during colonization because those missionaries built their first schools, hospitals, orphanages, taught them Alphabets, made their maps and preserved their literature. When Filipino revolutionaries tried to kill or imprisoned the Spanish missionaries they were defended and protected by the Filipino people. The president is deceived by her atheist-pro communist advisers.

During the Martial Law period when the Marcos Dictatorship closed the Congress, controlled the Media and arrested opposition leaders Jaime Cardinal Sin and the Filipino clergy became the voice of the masses. That is why Cardinal Sin is now enshrined as a national hero. He was the voice that toppled the Dictatorship. The president’s late Mother, the former President Corazon Aquino honored and loved and respected Cardinal Sin and the Filipino clergy for their courage to oppose the tyranny and to defend the poor.

During the reign of the Arroyo Administration the Bishops and the Filipino clergy were once again very vocal in condemning corruption and the social ills. It was Mr. Benigno Aquino III then Congressman and later Senator who was rarely seen or heard opposing the previous government. He was mostly SILENT and USELESS as legislator. The people voted him thinking that being the son of his parents he will uphold their values and their love of the Catholic Faith but the people are mistaken.

Having the Pope as visitor whose concern is the Poor, especially those affected by the SUPER TYPHOON HAYYAN which killed more than 15,000 Filipinos we expect the President to talk about the government program for the affected. Instead, THE PRESIDENT DIDN’T TALK ABOUT THE POOR AND THE FLIGHT OF OUR AFFECTED BRETHREN HE INSTEAD BLAMES THE PAST FOR THE PRESENT PROBLEM and much worse he blames the heroic clergy for his very own SOCIAL IRRESPONSIBILY AND INCOMPETENCE.

If our Bishops and Priests were not doing well for the poor and the downtrodden, how come our people LOVE THE CHURCH AND THE POPE SO MUCH? That love of God, of the Church, of the Faith and of the Pope is not out of a vacuum. It is the FRUIT OF THE HARDWORKS AND DEDICATION AND HEROIC SERVICE OF OUR PRIESTS, NUNS AND OUR OWN PARENTS.

For us Filipinos what he did was INSULTING. We do not do that to our visitors. The President can criticize any day he wants but not slap it on the Pope. He was delivering the speech for the Pope and not for the Bishops. HE USED THE POPE TO CRITICIZE THE BISHOPS AND THAT US UNGENTLEMANLY.

He can wait after the the Guest is gone and then he can engage the Bishops in public exchange of ideas on social and moral issues. In Filipino culture what the President did was stabbing opponent through the face of his own father. A subtle act of treachery when every body were in festive mood. It was an attack on Thanksgiving Day for an American to understand. If you want a World War II comparison it was PEARL HARBOR disguised as a WELCOMING PARTY.

HIS CRITICISM IS ACTUALLY UNFOUNDED.

It is not true that the Bishops threatened to excommunicate him. Our Bishops are actually very kind to him. We opposed the RH Bill with all our strength while the President wasted BILLIONS OF GOVERNMENT MONEY to buy politicians to vote for RH Bill and the Impeachment of the Supreme Court Chief Justice. He won in Congress but the Supreme Court struck down all the provisions that will compel Filipinos to support it with penalties. His victory is EMPTY and the RH Law is now A TOOTHLESS TIGER.

He is angry because ONLY THE BISHOPS HAVE MORAL AUTHORITY TO STAND BEFORE HIM AND REMIND HIM OF HIS INCOMPETENCE.

The President can criticize but he should study well the issues before he open his mouth. His concerns were petty and self-serving.

junadan • 3 hours ago [public opinion from PDI online]

Pnoy lacks professional and political savviness and sensitivities. Pnoy blames Gloria Arroyo for all the shortcomings and spread of poverty in his administrations. Pnoy being the leader must find legal ways and means to uplift the social and economic conditions of majority of the population and not be complacent about the upgrade of Philippine credit rating and growth which only benefits the capitalist rich elite and businessmen. He must see to it that the economic growth trickles down to the lowest stratum of society….the HUNGRY POOR! Pnoy cannot resort to PDAF and DAP funds to promote the well-being of the people, instead it become a source for political corruption of the political vultures. He uses this funding to reign in and control Congress which is helpless but only enriches its members, after all Pnoy does not have any pet bills he wants pass to alleviate hunger or provide good jobs. In fact , the law which people demand, like the FOI, Anti-Dynasty and other social amelioration bills have not been certified by Pnoy to congress as urgent to require immediate congressional actions. Pnoy is busy responding to critics for well-founded criticism of his administration, the onus of which he passes on to previous government of Arroyo. He was elected to rectify the misjudgment or maladministration of previous management not just to blame and do nothing. Pnoy is just joke bad manager and irresponsible leader whom the people expected to lead them to prosperity and good transparent governance but only good to cover up his allies and cabinet members and his KKK for misdeeds and corruptions. Pnoy will leave a legacy of very bad governance and palpable widespread of hunger and proliferation of poor families!

makamandag • 20 hours ago

Wala talagang pinipiling okasyon ang kalbong Penoy. Tinira na naman ang mga paring critical sa kaniyang pamamalakad harapan sa Papa at mga pari. Ubo pa nang ubo!!

leomar101 makamandag • 15 hours ago

Bastos talaga ang presidenteng yan that does not deserve an iota of respect. hehehe. Mula ng lumabas yan sa lunga ng kanyang ina ay bastos na dahil mentally derailed nga.

Pope Francis says Mass at Tacloban in the Philippines Jan. 17. Credit: CTV

Manila, Philippines, Jan 16, 2015 / 07:44 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Saturday spoke to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in an impromptu homily, voicing compassion for their plight and encouraging them to look to the love of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

“I’m here to be with you,” he said. “A little bit late, I have to say. But I’m here. I’ve come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. That Jesus never lets us down.”

The Pope acknowledged the plight and the trauma of the typhoon survivors.

“‘Father’, you might say to me, ‘I was let down because I’ve lost so many things: my house, my livelihood’,” the Pope said.

“It’s true, if you would say that, and I respect those sentiments,” Pope Francis continued. “But Jesus is there nailed to the Cross, and from there, he does not let us down. There, he experienced all calamities that we experience. Jesus is Lord, the Lord from the Cross, he is there for you!”

“And I walk with you all with my silent heart.”

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for hundreds of thousands of people on a windy, rainy morning at the airport near Tacloban, a provincial capital located on the central eastern Philippines island of Leyte. The area suffered severely from the December 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Typhoon Yolanda. The powerful storm killed over 6,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless nationwide.

The Pope set aside his prepared homily. He told the crowd that Christians have in Jesus a Lord who is “capable of crying with us, capable of walking with us, in the most difficult moments of life.”

“We have the security of knowing that we are not going to weaken in our faith, because Jesus has been there before us… In his passion, he assumed all our pain,” he added.

“So many of you have lost everything… I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent.”

He encouraged the congregation to look to the maternal care of the Virgin Mary.

“In the moments where we have so much pain, where we no longer understand anything, all we can do is grab hold of her hand firmly. And say ‘Mom,’ as a child does to a mother, when he or she feels fear.

“It is perhaps the only word that we can say in such difficult times: Mother.”

The Pope led the congregation in a moment of silence, asking them to look to Christ on the Cross and to say to the Virgin Mary the word “Mother.”

“Let us know that we have Mother Mary, and our older brother, Jesus. We are not alone.”

The Pope explained that he decided to visit the Philippines after witnessing the “catastrophe” of the typhoon.

“This is what comes from my heart, and forgive me if I have no other words to express this,” his homily concluded. “But please know, Jesus never lets you down. Please know that the love and tenderness of Mother Mary never lets you down.”

“And holding onto her mantle, and with the love of Jesus on the Cross, let us move forward, always forward, and walk together as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Forward!”

“Cardinal Chito Tagle, too, was inspiring in the cathedral, and brought tears to the eyes with his faith in the Filipino and in the grace of God.” – Dr. Winnie Monsod, PDI

Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/81778/you-bet-its-worth-it#ixzz3P2RR3XNq

Knights of St. Michael members

The Papal Visit is a historic event for many Filipinos regardless of religion. Since the arrival of the Pope last Thursday, January 15, the social media networking sites were flooded with #PopeFrancisPH and #PapalVisitPH hashtags which proved the love and support of many Filipinos. While there were still bashers, many Catholics preferred to remain silent and prayerful during the Papal Visit.

Some members of the Catholic Apologetic group Knights of St. Michael (KSM) were asked about their individual encounters and preparations for the visit. These are their answers:
Paulo Miguel Magisa Ksm (Grand Master):
Ako bilang Grand Master ng KSM, minarapat kong magbigay ng maagang pahayag ukol sa pagtatanggol sa ating Santo Papa Francisco, upang maagang maihanda ang mga maaabot ng aking artikulo bago pa sumapit ang Papal Visit. Sinadya kong iwasan ang mga debate o anumang talakayang apolohetika mapa online man o personal na pakikipanayam habang naririto ang Santo Padre pagkat nais kong ilaan ang oras ko sa pagbabahagi ng aking sarili sa mga gawaing may kinalaman sa Papal Visit. Ito rin ay panahon upang maituon ko ang aking sarili sa tunay na diwa ng temang “Awa at Habag” na ninanais ng Papa Francisco na isabuhay nating lahat. At bilang panghuli nais kong gugulin ang lahat ng sandali ng may kapayapaan at kapanatagan upang maging mabunga ang pagninilay na aking nasimulan. Isang simulaing bahagi ng kasaysayang ipapamana sa susunod na henerasyon.

Naramdam ko ng makita ko si Pope kahit di ko sya nahawakan o nalapitan pero nang kumaway sya sa amin damang dama ko na mahal niya ako. Oo mahal niya ako yan ang naramdaman ko. Lalo akong naging inspirado maging isang simpleng lingkod lamang sa ubasan ng Panginoon.

XDhane Visitacion Ksm:
Ako po may naka sagutan kaso po hindi ko na shinare kasi kapwa natin xa catholic. Naiinis lang ako s pananaw nya. nkakasama ng loob tapos ung isang ibang sekta na tumutuligsa kay Pope nkalimutan ko po name. Pero pinaalam ko kay Brother pau na ininvite ko sa page natin kasi wala pa ako masyado alam sa debate. Eh hindi nman po nag paramdam sa page.

Dennis Lester Blas Ksm (Grand Bailiff):
Ako simple lang… Nagmumuni muni kasi ako lalo na nung nabasa ko yung message na Pope regarding others faith. Tyaka tumigil muna ako (sa pakikipag debate) at di ako naapektohan lately kahit may nababasa ako kasi mas nangingibabaw yung saya na nararamdman ko kesa sa mainis sa mga nababasa ko…

John Steven Ganitano KSM at the Int’l Media Center, Manila Hotel

John Steven Ganitano Ksm:
We are actually celebrating a very significant event that entails not just mundane festivities and preparations but also a deeper renewal of faith and personal encounter with Christ. It is for this reason that we must refrain from engaging on unfruitful and uncharitable discussions regarding the shallow matters of faith that could only ruin this much anticipated moment. Let the message of mercy and compassion brought to us by Pope Francis touch our hearts and the hearts of our separated brethren in Christ and lead us all to genuine conversion.

Jesza Garcia Ksm:
The Holy Spirit itself will defend its community. This people who keeps on bashing our beliefs are just mocking us specially ths kind of occassions..
We are also just an instrument to what we would really want people to understand.. now thT its quiet.. it means nalulukuban tayo na banal na spirito ..at ang bansa. .para kahit saglit e umayos .
I believe so sir.
You know sir. I havenr seen papa yet.. kasi I have work.. and as much as I wanted to go out early or watch over the net.. i couldnt kazi wala signal…
But whn I arrive frm work yesterday and was able to see him on tv going to moa.. I had goosebumps.. up until he spoke.. i felt a tear.. i cant explain why..

MgJane Visitacion Ksm (Grand Chancellor):
I want to dedicate these 4 days to the Holy Father. I want to give him my clean self, unpolluted by the unavoidable pain and hate that I commonly feel towards the heresies that are continuously trying to demolish our strong and ancient faith and Church.
Pope Francis deserves to get the mercy and compassion from me, which he restlessly gives to everyone, may they be CATHOLICS or not. His love and compassion to everyone inspires not only us, CATHOLICS, but also non-Catholics because he shows deep respect to the entire religious groups.
He deserves my resistance against the heretics that even up until this moment, are still striving hard to destroy him and his good intentions.
I commit myself to shut up for a while as long as he’s here and perhaps, get back to those heretics in a more compassionate way after he’s gone back to Vatican.
For now, I want to give my whole self to the presence of thy Holiness.

“Our best defense is prayer”, Sem. Khing Latoja Macaranas Ksm, Grand Chevalier, at the Int’l Media Center

According to Sem. Khing Latoja Macaranas Ksm, Grand Chevalier / Spokesperson, “Since the arrival of Pope Francis, we have been encouraging our co-apologists to shun answering / debating with other religions during the visit of His holiness. We know that the Pope is promoting healthy inter-religious relationships and as his flock we are necessitated to follow our leader, Pope Francis, the ‘stone upon which Christ built His Church’ (Mt. 16:18). The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is “a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build” (3:3); “a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing” (3:5); “a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace” (3:7-8). I myself had an encounter with the Pope. I was passing by the Manila Cathedral after his Mass when his convoy went out. Nakatalikod na sya pero kumakaway pa rin ako. That’s the Francis Magic. He draws many people to prayer and unity.”

Aside from spiritual preparations,

KSM is also well represented in Papal Visit activities. Most members were chosen among other youths to have an encounter with His Holiness on January 18, 2015 at the University of Santo Tomas while the others signed up as volunteers.

“The Papal Visit and its message is much greater than our emotions and the anger of Anti-Catholics so why bother? For now, PRAYER is our best defense (apologeia). The fact that Pope Francis is here the more that we have to be Catholic (all-embracing)”, the spokesperson added.

AVE MARIA!

These are my reflections about the negative comments of non-Catholics about the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines. Some of them accused us Catholics that we worship the Pope as God. Absolutely not true. These non-Catholics who accused the Catholics of worshipping the pope as God are guilty of breaking the commandment of God of not bearing false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).

We Catholics know that the pope is not God but he is the Vicar of Christ. He is the visible head of Christ’s kingdom here on earth, the Catholic Church.

Yes we are sure excited and joyful to have the Pope in the Philippines. And it’s normal because we look up on him as our spiritual father (not as God). So as his children, it is just a normal reaction for us to be truly happy to see the father of our family. There’s nothing wrong about that.

And about the objection that God is jealous about the honors and praises that we shower to Pope Francis, well, let us put it this way- the Pope is like a masterpiece of God. If the painting is praised and glorified because of its beauty, the ultimate receiver of the praise and glory is not the painting but the painter. Have you heard any painter being jealous to his painting because people praise his painting?

Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod at SM Aura Premiere. Courtesy of chapel’s Facebook page

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An aerial shot of people during a downpour of rain as Pope Francis celebrate a mass in Luneta on January 18, 2015. Photo from PAF-PIO/EPA

‘6 to 7 million’ attend Pope Francis Mass in Manila

(UPDATED) Pope Francis celebrates mass with ‘6 to 7 million’ singing and cheering Catholics in one of the world’s biggest outpourings of papal devotion

MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – Pope Francis celebrated mass with “6 to 7 million” singing and cheering Catholics in the Philippine capital on Sunday, January 18, in one of the world’s biggest outpourings of papal devotion.

Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a press briefing Sunday night, January 18, “There was an estimated 6 to 7 million people who attended the pope’s Mass. If this is true, this is the largest event in the history of the popes.”

“We experienced in the Philippines a great devotion,” Lombardi added.

Rain fell steadily in Manila in the hours before the mass but Filipinos are famous for practicing a passionate brand of Catholicism and they turned out in a joyous mood that defied the gloomy skies.

Six million turned out to see the pope at the park and along motorcade routes, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman, Francis Tolentino told Agence France-Presse, adding this was based on calculations done with the police.

This surpassed the previous world record for a papal gathering of five million during a mass by John Paul II at the same venue in 1995.

The 78-year-old pontiff thrilled crowds on his way to the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta in Manila for Mass. He travelled along a motorcade route in a “popemobile” styled after the Philippines’ iconic minibuses known as jeepneys.

Pope Francis aboard his popemobile reets devotees following a mass at the Quirino grandstand in Manila on January 18, 2015. Photo by Dennis Sabangan/EPA

The pontiff, dressed in a plastic yellow disposable poncho, waved and smiled to cheering crowds that were 20-deep. The popemobile stopped repeatedly so he could lean over barriers and kiss babies.

He than arrived to a sea of devoted followers for a mass that lasted nearly two hours.

The Philippines is the Catholic Church’s bastion in Asia, with 80% of the former Spanish colony followers of the faith, and he is a revered figure. 

Philippine authorities undertook one of their biggest-ever security operations to protect the pope, with nearly 40,000 soldiers and police deployed for Sunday’s event.

“This is a sea of faith we are dealing with,” Philippine National Police OIC Director General Leonardo Espina said on Sunday before the mass, the pope’s last major event before flying back to Rome on Monday.

The pope’s tour, which also took him to Sri Lanka, is his second trip to Asia in five months, in a nod to the region’s growing importance to the Catholic Church as it faces declining support in Europe and the United States.

It is also the fourth papal visit to the Philippines, and the rapturous reception given to him throughout his stay cemented the nation’s status as the Church’s Asian role model.

“We are devotees of the pope,” Bernie Nacario, 53, told Agence France-Presse as he stood amid a mass of people with his wife and two young children near Rizal Park ahead of the mass.

“The pope is an instrument of the Lord and if you are able to communicate with him, it is just like talking to God himself.”

As groups of friends sang nearby and others burst into spontaneous cheers, Nacario said he was a long-time arthritis sufferer but today his pain had disappeared.

“It is as if the Lord has cured my ailment.” – with Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

Post credits: ABS-CBN / Jean-Louis De La Vaissiere and Cecil Corella, Agence France-Presse

Pope attracts world-record crowd in Luneta mass

An aerial view of Rizal Park showing millions of people attending Pope Francis’ final mass in Manila Sunday. Pope Francis will be flying back to Rome January 19 to end the 2nd leg of his apostolic tour in Asia. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Air Force

Pope Francis drew a record six million people as he celebrated mass in the rain-swept Manila Sunday, delivering a powerful message for the poor to a rapturous audience in a triumphant finale to an Asian tour.

Filipinos are famous for practicing a passionate brand of Catholicism and they turned out in force despite the wet weather, determined to see the charismatic 78-year-old pontiff, and in a celebratory mood that defied the gloomy skies.

Francis made an exhilarating entrance to a Manila bayside park for the mass aboard a “popemobile” that was styled after the nation’s iconic, flamboyant and much-loved “jeepney” minibus.

Dressed in a plastic yellow poncho, he waved and smiled to wildly cheering crowds, stopping repeatedly so he could lean over barriers and kiss babies, before reaching the sea of believers at Rizal Park.

The Philippines is the Catholic Church’s bastion in Asia, with 80 percent of the former Spanish colony followers of the faith, and the pope praised them for their reverence.

“The Philippines is the foremost Catholic country in Asia. This is itself a special gift of God, a blessing,” the pontiff told the vast crowd.

“But it is also a vocation. Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia.”

He also spoke out against “poverty, ignorance and corruption”, a theme he has drawn on during the five-day visit to the Philippines which opened with a speech in which he lectured the nation’s politicians to end “scandalous social inequalities”.

About 25 million Filipinos, or one quarter of the population, live on the equivalent of 60 cents a day or less, according to government data.

Youth participants cheer as Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with young people at the University of Santo Tomas, Sunday morning. Huge crowds converged in the oldest Catholic university in Asia for a chance to see the pontiff and listen to his message. Photo by Stefano Rellandini, Reuters

Record crowd

The head of Manila’s planning agency said six million turned out to see the pope, surpassing the previous world record for a papal gathering of five million during a mass by John Paul II at the same venue in 1995.

Francis was stunned by the enormous crowd, Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who has acted as the pontiff’s chaperone throughout the trip, told reporters.

“I can not fathom the faith of the simple people,” Tagle quoted the pope as saying after the mass was over.

People who attended the event exuded excitement, love and respect.

“We are devotees of the pope,” Bernie Nacario, 53, told AFP as he stood amid the crowd with his wife and two young children.

“The pope is an instrument of the Lord and if you are able to communicate with him, it is just like talking to God himself.”

Nacario said he was a long-time arthritis sufferer but today his pain had disappeared.

Pope Francis comforts Glyzelle Palomar, after sharing her experience as a former street child, during the youth encounter at the University of Santo Tomas Sunday. Thousands of Catholic faithful, mostly young people attended the celebration at UST. Photo by Stefano Rellandini, Reuters

Emotional meeting

Before the mass, the pope had an emotional encounter with former street children.

Glyzelle Palomar, a 12-year-old taken in by a church charity, wept as she asked how God could allow children to descend into prostitution and drug addiction.

The pope enfolded her in his arms, and discarded his prepared speech as he reverted to his native Spanish to deliver an impromptu and heartfelt response.

“She is the only one who has put a question for which there is no answer and she wasn’t even able to express it in words but in tears,” he told those gathered at a Catholic university in Manila.

Pope Francis waves to young participants during a youth encounter at the University of Santo Tomas, Sunday morning. The pontiff challenged the young participants present during the celebration to be concerned with others, particularly the poor. Photo by Basilio H. Sepe, The Varsitarian/ABS-CBN Pool

Security

Philippine authorities undertook one of their biggest-ever security operations to protect the pope, with nearly 40,000 soldiers and police deployed for Sunday’s event.

“This is a sea of faith we are dealing with,” acting national chief Leonardo Espina said on Sunday before the mass, the pope’s last major event before flying back to Rome on Monday.

The pope’s tour, which also took him to Sri Lanka, is his second trip to Asia in five months, in a nod to the region’s growing importance to the Catholic Church as it faces declining support in Europe and the United States.

It is also the fourth papal visit to the Philippines, and the rapturous reception given to him throughout his stay cemented the nation’s status as the Church’s Asian role model.

Storm chaos

But not everything went to plan.

The pope said the main reason for visiting the Philippines was to meet survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest storm ever recorded on land which claimed more than 7,350 lives in November 2013.

He flew on Saturday morning from Manila to Leyte island, ground zero for the typhoon, and had planned to spend a full day in communities where homes were flattened by monster winds and tsunami-like storm surges.

But, with Tropical Storm Mekkhala descending on the region, he was forced to cut short his visit and fly back to Manila.

“I apologize to you all. I’m sad about this, truly saddened,” the pontiff told thousands who had gathered at one church shortly before he raced back to airport.

Just 30 minutes after his flight left, a plane carrying top aides of President Benigno Aquino skidded off the same runway as it was buffeted by strong side winds while trying to take off. No one was seriously injured.

Earlier in the day, the storm’s winds tore down scaffolding at the venue where the pope said mass, killing a woman volunteer with the organizing committee.

Still, the crowd of 200,000 typhoon survivors who turned out in heavy rain were overjoyed the pontiff had braved the dangerous weather to see them.

“Long live the pope!” the crowd chanted.

The Church of Englands legislative body, General Synod, voted unanimously to make the apology/File AFP photo

LONDON - The Church of England has formally apologised for past child abuse by Anglican priests and for its own failure to prevent it.

The church’s governing body, the General Synod, voted unanimously to make the apology at a meeting in the northern English city of York and said it would now tighten its procedures.

“We failed big time,” Paul Butler, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, said as he opened the meeting on Sunday.

“We cannot do anything other than own up to our failures. We were wrong. Our failures were sin just as much as the perpetrators sinned,” Butler added.

The synod also observed a 30-second silence following a statement from support groups for survivors of abuse, an issue which has already rocked the Catholic Church in a number of countries.

The Church of England is the mother church of the world’s 80 million Anglicans.

The vote came after a final report was published earlier this year into child abuse scandals in the troubled diocese of Chichester, southern England.

Three former Church of England priests from the diocese have been charged with sexual offences against children.

The powers and authority of the diocese have been taken over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church.

AFP

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/644802-anglican-church-apologises-for-sex-abuse-scandal.html

Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle gesturing “I love you” to Deaf people in Sign Language at Mall of Asia

As soon as Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle had finished making this gesture towards Deaf persons at the Mall of Asia, cultists, Born Again’s and other anti-Catholics weighed in with their usual stupid accusations that the Pope and the Cardinal had made a satanic sign. For these chaps, knowledge is limited beyond their misconceived opinions-no matter whether what they believe are myths or conspiracy. This only shows that they have a closed mind and are not open to new knowledge.

The sign in question is the “I LOVE YOU” gesture in American Sign Language. Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle made it  as a gesture to Deaf people who were invited during the meeting of families at the mall of Asia. I heard that in Philippines, it has reference to happiness and love.

These stupid people making bogus accusations without knowledge of Deaf issues will rush to believe conspiracy theories without discovering the idea behind. Deaf people communicate in sign Language. In American Sign Language, this sign means I LOVE YOU. According to this source(http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILY_sign) the sign originated among deaf schoolchildren using American Sign Language to create a sign from a combination of the signs for the letters I, L and Y (I Love You).

Want a little dramatic effect? Here it is;

Want more?

I LOVE YOU

 Go to google here and find out more truth.

The sign is a very informal way of expressing a number of positive emotions, ranging from general esteem to love for the recipient of the sign. There is a truth to it, but some people don’t know how to balance facts and nonsense and often mix them together.  And to educate these who say its a masonic sign without considering the reason why the Pope made it, they need to remember that A CATHOLIC IS AUTOMATICALLY EXCOMMUNICATED FOR BECOMING A MASON or AN ILLUMINATI.

But again these haters will say: Why did the Pope make it even when he knows its a satanic sign? This is beggary question. The Pope did not make it to appease satan but as a gesture of love to Deaf people since that is the way they communicate “I Love you” in Sign Language. It is their language, making bogus claims of “satanism” in regard to the Pope’s gesture towards them is an insult to Deaf culture and the Deaf people themselves who received this gesture. If you’re deaf, you’d probably understand this sign easily. Freedom of expression is your right, so does my right to freely believe what the gesture means and i do not need you to tell me your warped nonsense when i know what this sign exactly means in Sign Language. Hello, i know Sign Language and i have a certificate in Sign Language. I know what am talking about. Click on the image and discover clearly.

Little knowledge is really dangerous because little knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are! May God give you wisdom to know the difference.