LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON ‘GOD DIED’ DOCTRINE: ARCHBISHOP PALMA AFFIRMED THAT GOD DIED & MOTHER OF GOD ARE NOT FIGURATIVE BUT REAL

To the general membership of the CFD organization:

I think it is my duty and your right to know about the outcome of our meeting with His Eminence Archbishop Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu. The purpose of the meeting was to consult the Archbishop regarding the doctrinal issue on “God died.” We had our meeting today [March 7, 2016] at around 10:45 am. In attendance during the meeting was myself, Bro Adam [Bro. Adam Amper – CFD Cebu President], Bro Soc [CFD National Adviser], and Rev. Fr. Lucas Inoc [CFD National Spiritual Adviser].

During the meeting the Archbishop express his gladness that we are studying and meditating on the truths of our faith and how better to express and articulate this to our people. He also expressed that he is happy to know that we are consulting members of the clergy such as Rev. Fr. Carlos Estrada. He said that reading the documents which we submitted, he felt like being transported back to the time of the early Church Fathers when they discussed and debated on the expressions of the faith. On the outset the Archbishop said that these expressions of faith are NOT FIGURATIVE BUT REAL. He explained that in his opinion the opposite to what is figurative is what is real. He gave an example on the Eucharist that in answering Protestants who holds that the Eucharist is only figurative that we on the other hand maintain that it is real, that Jesus is really, truly and substantially present. He also commented that using the word “literal” although this is not oppose to using the word “real” (the word “figurative” is the opposite in his explanation) could have some pastoral concerns since this can also be misunderstood by people thus the need to further explain what is being said. He also noted that although we express the mystery of the faith in words yet words are at times inadequate to express fully the mystery of the faith.

When I was given the floor to speak, I just reiterated what I mentioned in my cover letter when I submitted to him the draft resolution. I told His Eminence that the Board of Governors of the Catholic Faith Defenders has commissioned me with the task to making a draft resolution on how to understand and explain the expression “God died.” I told him that the draft resolution in its present form has already been reviewed for initial comments and suggestions by the members of the Clergy such as Fr. Jerry Quejada, Fr. Carlos Estrada, Fr. Russell Bantiles, and Fr. Abraham Arganiosa whom I believe possess the necessary knowledge and competence to advice us on doctrinal matters. I told him that what I now seek from His Eminence is to express his judgment whether what is contained in the draft resolution is consistent with the Catholic Faith. I did not delved anymore into the specific articles of the draft resolution as I believe the Archbishop has already read them. The only thing which I clarified was the use of the word “literal” in our explanation that when we use the word “literal” this is simply to mean that which is “not figurative.”

Bro Soc in his turn gave a rather lengthy explanation on the merits of his arguments which is mostly a rehash on what he has written in his position paper entitled “God died/ Always Alive.” Along the way, Bro Soc tried to give an explanation on the figurative interpretation of Mother of God by liking it to a figure of speech which is called metonymy which is somewhat different from his and Bro Adams explanation before since they said it is synecdoche. The plea of Bro Soc was that the Archbishop reread his position paper. At times Father Lucas has to interrupt him for he was mentioning things which are not controverted and which we also agree such as Jesus, as God, is immortal or that the divinity cannot die. I thank Fr. Lucas for this interventions in order to clarify that such things that Bro Soc mentioned are actually accepted by both parties. Despite Bro Soc’s lengthy and sometimes redundant explanation the Archbishop listened intently and patiently.

Fr. Lucas in his turn expressed his analysis of the situation which for him boils down to the basic question on whether the expression “God died” and “Mother of God” is literal or figurative. Fr. Lucas reiterated his suggestion neither to use the word “literal” or “figurative” as this has become the bone of contention between the opposing parties but instead to stick to the language used by the Church which is communicatio idiomatum. Fr. Lucas also expressed his concerns that this issue has already caused so much confusion and division within the CFD organization and makes this not only a doctrinal issue but also pastoral on how to arrive at a common understanding and expression which is acceptable to both parties.

Bro Adam for his part remained silent during the entire proceeding.

Finally, Archbishop Palma said that he has already brought awareness to the issue among some of his close associates in their casual discussions. He promised to submit the respective position papers of both parties to the level of the doctrinal committee of the CBCP. I informed him that the CFD will be having its annual national convention this coming May 2016 and it would be best if the report from the doctrinal committee be available prior to the CFD National Convention. Since there was still another group which the Archbishop has to meet our meeting was therefore brought to a close.

On my own personal note, although no definitive decision was given by the Archbishop as he still have to consult the CBCP doctrinal commission but I am glad and thankful that the Archbishop has given his time and attention on this problem which has troubled our CFD organization. I am also happy to hear from the Archbishop himself that the expression of our faith on the Mother of God, just like the Eucharist are NOT FIGURATIVE BUT REAL which means that they are founded in reality. For now, what we can do is to wait patiently and prayerfully.

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