The meeting with the bishop started at 9am. The bishop warmly greeted us as we enter the door. He then invite us to sit and he had prepared a little snacks for us.
We gently handed our letter to him asking for the RCAM accreditation of CFD Manila. The bishop read the letter thoroughly and commented that we are in a noble ministry however there are few words he like to expressed and clarified.
First he wanted to know our own story on how we got involve in apologetics. Bro. Robertson told the bishop first his story about his being a former born again and how he converted to the Catholic faith. After that, the bishop asked me and I told him about my college days encounter.
He was pleased to hear our tale and told us that in our dealing with our separated brethren we should not appear as bashing them or attacking their person. He reminded us that Christ told us to love our enemy.
The bishop stressed his message by telling us a story of Abraham Lincoln. Where when Abharam Lincoln during a meeting with his enemies was talking kindly and highly of his confederate enemies a woman was scandalized and asked Lincoln why he speak highly of people who wanted to kill him. He said to the woman. I am destroying my enemies by making them my friends.
After this, Robert asked the bishop how to deal with INC and ADD since they blatantly attacking and defaming the Catholic faith and how to dialogue with them? The bishop responded that we should explain our faith to them gently and not to respond in a similar way with them. It does not mean that we will not defend and answer for our faith, we will still answer them but not in a way that we bash them and attack their person.
I also asked the bishop if all officers were to be elected by the RCAM or only the President? He said that it will only be the president however we should list them in a way that our 1st in the list is the worthiest, next is the more worthy, and worthy choice.
The bishop then handed his letter of accreditation signed and sealed by him. The Accreditation shall be for a period of 2 years, renewable, and may be revoked at any given time for cause. Aside from that, we will undergo basic and on-going formation under auspices of the office of the bishop-in-charge of formation. We concluded our meeting with the bishop with a picture taking.
October 23, 2014
Mr. Robertson Poblete
President
Catholic Faith Defenders – Manila Chapter
Dear Mr. Poblete:
Peace be with you!
We have received your letter dated October 22, 2014 requesting accreditation of the group Catholic Faith Defenders – Manila Chapter of which you are president. It is Our understanding that CFD-Manila is engaged mostly in Apologetics, the defense of the Catholic Faith, which We consider as noble endeavor and for this We consider you as a dutiful and obedient son who is zealous in the propagation of the Faith.
My son, Apologetics presupposes adequate knowledge of the content of the Faith in its entirety and the assimilation of the proper disposition of the proper disposition for its communication to all men and women. Furthermore, “The way and method, which the Catholic Faith is expressed should never become an obstacle to dialogue with our brethren…the Catholic faith must be explained more profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as our separated brethren can also really understand.”
In this regard, the members of CFD-Manila will undergo [1] basic and [2] on-going formation under the auspices of the Office of the Bishop-in-charge of formation as a requirement for accreditation. Accreditation shall be for a period of two years, renewable, and may be revoked at any time for cause.
As for the set of officers, it is Our understanding that CFD-Manila holds election by secret ballot. The holder of the office of the President, CFD-Manila however shall require the approval of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), hence, the members shall submit three names (candidates who have received the highest votes) to RCAM who in turn will choose the President.
I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+MOST REV. BERNARDINO C. CORTEZ, D.D.
Auxiliary Bishop of Manila
Bishop-in-charge
Council on Formation