Church National

MANILA, March 19, 2014 — Committed to defending the right to life of every human being, the Knights of Columbus will again take the streets to demonstrate their opposition against a contraceptives law.

Now on its 7th year, the KofC’s “Walk for Life” is a simultaneous rally nationwide on March 22 to raise their indignation against the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) law and other anti-life measures.

MANILA, March 19, 2014— Handing out condoms, as part of the government strategy to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, will continue to be a failure, a Catholic bishop reiterated recently.

Church officials, who preach fidelity and abstinence, said, the practice only worsened the problem.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said, teaching responsible sexual behavior is the only realistic solution to the health crisis.

MANILA, March 14, 2014— Construction is underway of new permanent shelters for typhoon Yolanda victims as part of the Archdiocese of Palo’s 40 houses in 40 Lenten days project.

Palo Archbishop John Du said the project started on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, and is expected to be finished on Eastern Sunday, which marks the end of the celebration.

The project, he said, is a special initiative in lieu of the 40-day preparation for the Holy Week aside from the church’s long-term involvement in the rehabilitation work.

MANILA, March 14, 2014— President Benigno Aquino III must accompany his apology to typhoon Yolanda victims with restitution, Catholic bishops said. The most important way to prove, they said, that the government is truly sorry for its highly criticized efforts in the aftermath of the typhoon is to ensure that the hurtful action is not repeated. Nevertheless, albeit it is “too late”, the bishops lauded the Chief Executive for his courage to apologize over his administration’s shortcomings.

MANILA, March 7, 2014— For the third attempt, the Manila Cathedral is set to reopen its doors in time for the Holy Week next month, a church official said.

Monsignor Nestor Cerbo, its rector, said the target is to reopen the cathedral for the churchgoers starting on Palm Sunday, April 13 after two years of repair.

“As much as possible, we want it opened by Holy Week,” Cerbo said.

He, however, clarified that it remains indefinite as the project manager for the repair and restoration project is yet to make an assessment.

MANILA, Feb. 3, 2014— A Catholic bishop has expressed deep concern over the alleged recruitment of child soldiers by a breakaway Moro rebel group in Southern Philippines.

In a radio interview Monday, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad condemned the reported use of “minors” by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in engaging the military in Maguindanao.

The church leader said that the practice of recruiting children into the armed forces is against human rights law and is unacceptable.

MANILA, Jan. 30, 2014— A Church-based group will troop to the Supreme Court next week to support the filing of complaint against the privatization of the country’s only public orthopedic hospital.

MANILA, Dec. 2, 2013—Palo Archbishop John Du declared December 8, Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, as the “Archdiocese Day of Prayer and Remembrance” for all the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda that hit the region last November 8.

MANILA, Nov. 15, 2013—Members of the Caritas Internationalis and other Catholic relief institutions around the globe will join forces for one coordinated and effective rescue, relief and restore operation to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan, Eastern Samar has been totally destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda. What remained of this centuries-old church are the stone walls and the belfry.