CBCP names Archbishop Alarcon as PPCRV’s spiritual director

Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres. PHOTO FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES

By CBCP News
May 29, 2024
Manila, Philippines

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has appointed Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres as the national spiritual director of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David formally appointed Alarcon to the post on May 27, following the Permanent Council’s decision during its May 22 meeting.

In his appointment letter to Alarcon, the CBCP head said, “We express our deepest gratitude to you for accepting this assignment. May the Lord continue to bless and guide your ministry.”

He said the functions of the office “are in accordance with the statutes of the PPCRV and in coordination with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Laity.”

PPCRV is a national parish-based, political but non-partisan lay movement that works for clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections.

Established in 1991, the movement was born from the realization that the laity must be part of nation-building and the renewal of Christian life.

PPCRV’s current national chairperson is Evelyn Singson.

Filipino fishers protest, demand demilitarization of West Philippine Sea

LiCAS News

May 31, 2024

Approximately 20 boats carrying around 40 small-scale fishers set sail from Masinloc, Zambales to Scarborough Shoal on the afternoon of Thursday, May 30, to carry out what they call a “collective fishing” as a stand against the fishing ban imposed by China in an area that falls within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. According to the group Pamalakaya, the activity was not meant as a provocation but as a reassertion of fishing rights and national sovereignty. Photo by John Carlo Magallon/ Altermidya

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) held a two-day fishing expedition in Masinloc, Zambales, to protest foreign military presence and assert sovereignty over Philippine territorial waters.

The initiative responds to Beijing’s unilateral fishing moratorium and the recent U.S. Balikatan military exercises.

According to PAMALAKAYA, the action challenges the fishing ban and advocates for the total removal of military operations in the West Philippine Sea.

Joey Marabe, provincial coordinator for PAMALAKAYA-Zambales, criticized military activities by both China and the United States.

“Foreign military presence in our waters challenges our sovereignty and affects our fisherfolk,” Marabe said.

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Children – Be united with Jesus: Celebrating World Children’s Day

Pope Francis declared the 25th and 26th of May 2024 to be the celebration of the first World Children’s Day at the Vatican. “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5) is the theme for this year’s event. In his letter addressed to children, Pope Francis says to them, “All of you, girls and boys, are a source of joy for your parents and your families, but also for our human family and for the Church, in which each of us is like a link in a great chain stretching from the past to the future and cov

Sr Oluwakemi Akinleye fsp

Children are precious gifts to their families and to humanity. Pope Francis reminds us that “Children, everywhere, are a sign of every person’s desire to grow and flourish. You remind us that we are all children, brothers and sisters. We would not be alive unless others brought us into this world, nor could we grow without having others to love and from whom to receive love.” Where ever they are, children deserve to be loved and protected.

Raising children in the digital era

Good parental guidance is needed at every stage of a chid’s life. Today, digital technologies  give children more learning opportunities than in the past but they can also lead them to being exposed to vices such as pornography and violence at an early age. Therefore, the responsibility of parents spending more time with and guding their children can not be underestimated.

When asked about the difficulties parents face today in raising children, Barrister Mrs Virginia Mudimu, a mother and guardian from Zimbabwe, spoke about the fact that “Nowadays, parents are so busy trying to make ends meet, that they leave their children very often with television and phones. These devices are needed and useful but children must be guided on  their proper use.” She also reminds parents of the invaluable necessity of spending quality time with their children.

Do not forget those other Children

In a world where gross inequality exists between the haves and the have-nots, Pope Francis invites children to remember “all those other children and young people who are already battling illness and hardship, in hospital or at home, and those who even now are being cruelly robbed of their childhood.”

Prayer as a special secret

Teaching children how to pray and helping them grow in having a loving relationship with God is a priceless gift to them. Pope Francis shares his special secret with the children, one of having a life of prayer. “Now, I am going to share a special secret with you. If we really want to be happy, we need to pray, to pray a lot, to pray every day, because prayer connects us directly to God. Prayer fills our hearts with light and warmth; it helps us to do everything with confidence and peace of mind.”

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Palawan bishop launches ministry for pastoral care of seafarers, fishers

Bishop Socrates Mesiona presides over Mass to inaugurate the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa’s new apostolate for the “pastoral care of the people of the sea” at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on May 30, 2024. AVPP

By Katya A. Santos
May 31, 2024
Puerto Princesa City

The Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa (AVPP) on Thursday inaugurated an apostolate dedicated to the well-being and pastoral care of seafarers and coastal communities.

The launch followed a Mass presided over by Bishop Socrates Mesiona at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princesa City.

Fr. Eugene Elivera, coordinator of the Committee on Migrants and Itinerant People, will oversee the ministry for “pastoral care for the people of the sea.”

Its mission is to provide spiritual support, counseling, and practical assistance to seafarers, both on land and during their maritime journeys.

In his homily, Mesiona emphasized the significance of seafarers, saying they are “close to the heart of Jesus.”

He recognized their challenges, including separation from families, exposure to unpredictable weather, and vulnerability to exploitation due to globalization.

“As a Church, we must extend our care to them,” Mesiona said. “Let us pray for their well-being, seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother, the Star of the Sea (Stella Maris).”

The launch was attended by officials from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and City Tourism Council.

Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates, City Councilor Karl Dylan Aquino, representatives of the Philippine Ports Authority, and seafarers’ families also participated in the event.

In April, Bishop Ruperto Santos of Stella Maris – Philippines discussed with Mesiona the possibility of establishing a center in the apostolic vicariate to provide pastoral care for seafarers, fishers, and their families.

Santos said the maritime charity intends to build more centers in the country to reach areas with a large number of seafarers and fishers.