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MANILA, Jan. 29, 2013— As the May 2013 elections approaches, Catholic bishops deplored the “widening practice” of political dynasties in the country and the lack of measure against political clans.

In pastoral statement released Tuesday, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines wants the political dynasties to disappear in Philippine politics because, saying that it exacerbates the problem on corruption.

“Political dynasties breed corruption and ineptitude,” reads part of the statement signed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president.

MANILA, May 7, 2013— Vote buying in the country has become more sophisticated and rampant than ever as the May 13 election approaches, a Catholic Church-backed poll watchdog said.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said that political parties had become wiser about buying votes to avoid detection and to ensure victory. 

Ana Singson, PPCRV communications and media director, said candidates or their emissaries are tempted to buy votes “in the dead of night.” 

For the first time, the Alay Kapwa (AK) Program of the CBCP-NASSA launches its National Lenten Campaign simultaneously in three Dioceses, one from each of the three regions in the Philippines. This year, 2013 the theme is “CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES OF STEWARDSHIP IN THE YEAR OF FAITH.”

The hosting Dioceses are: Diocese of Digos (from Mindanao region) which will launch the Lenten Campaign on February 15, 2013; Diocese of Catarman (from Visayas Region) which will launch on February 13-15, with a series of activities; while Diocese of Caceres (Naga, Luzon) will launch the campaign on February 20.

MANILA, Jan. 31, 2013— Two months after being elevated as cardinal, the head of Manila’s Catholic Church on Thursday has been appointed to two vital councils in the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI has given Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle new assignments to help him govern the universal church.

The pope named Tagle as member of presiding committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

MANILA, Jan. 17, 2012— For Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, there is no way that the he will ‘reconcile” the morality with immorality.

Reacting to Malacañang’s call for reconciliation after the dispute over the controversial Reproductive Health Law, Arguelles said there is no way that the Church can accept the measure.

MANILA, Dec. 31, 2012—Catholic Church officials expressed deep sadness over the death of Jesuit priest Fr. James Reuter.

“I am very sorry to hear of his death. He was a very pious and exemplary Jesuit priest who was always wearing his sotana, the habit of Jesuits,” said Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.

“He was a great communicator of the Good News of Jesus, using modern media, even musicals, plays and movies,” the bishop said.

MANILA, Dec. 17, 2012—The reproductive health (RH) bill was passed on third reading today at the House of Representatives, with a 133-79 vote in favor of the measure, with seven abstentions.

It was a full house, with nominal voting concluding in less than two hours, and with key people from both sides of the issue present to witness the proceedings.

Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, chair of CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL), who had been attending the proceedings in the last several session days, lamented the voting outcome and the apparent intervention of the Palace.

MANILA, Dec. 5, 2012— A Catholic Church official has criticized Malacañang for allegedly pressuring members of the House of Representatives to favor the reproductive health (RH) bill.

Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life, claimed that the Palace “continues to raid the pro-life ranks” of lawmakers to muster enough votes for the enactment of the measure.

“Malacañang is monitoring the ‘solid’ votes of the anti-RH bill and calls them up and persuades them to soften up because it’s ‘shameful to the Speaker, it’s shameful to the President,” Castro said.

CEBU City, Nov. 29, 2012—The people’s expression of faith and the fervor of their devotion to the new Filipino saint was truly astounding, a Church official said.

The fervent devotion shown by the faithful during the “Duaw Nasud” was truly a religious experience, said Fr. Marvin Mejia, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

MANILA, Nov. 20, 2012—Catholic bishops acknowledged Tuesday that the proposed reproductive health (RH) bill has been watered down, but gave no sign they will accept the measure.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) maintained that the birth control measure will remain unacceptable to the Church.

“Despite some amendments, this latest version of the House Bill 4244 is not acceptable because of its bad provisions,” said Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes in a statement.

MANILA, Oct. 24, 2012— Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle as the Catholic Church’s newest cardinal.

The pontiff elevated Tagle, head of the Philippines’ largest archdiocese, to the College of Cardinals along with 5 other archbishops from different countries.

MANILA, Sept. 25, 2012— President Benigno Aquino III’s much-vaunted ‘straight path’ campaign would remain a slogan if the government would not pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

In a statement, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines wondered why Aquino has not certified the FOI as an urgent measure if only to eliminate corruption in the government.

According to the CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action – Justice and Peace (Nassa), the measure adheres to the principle of transparency and accountability.