New Year wishes focus on peace, polls

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo expressed hope that the country’s economic recovery and growth would continue in 2010 while Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila called on the faithful to prepare themselves for the elections next year saying discernment should begin as early as the end of 2009. The President, in her New Year’s message, said she is [...]

Bishops: Choose reliable leaders

UNDERSCORING the need for institutional change to effect good governance in the country, the head of the Catholic hierarchy urged the people to exercise their right of suffrage intelligently in the coming elections. President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, in a New Year’s message said, the upcoming [...]

Philippine bishops’ New Year’s message

Dear People of God, “Happy New Year!” This greeting may not just remain a simple wish; its realization is within reach. Now, more than ever, we hold the promise of a happier Philippines, despite the tragedies that happened in the preceding year. Institutions need change. No less than the late Holy Father, Pope John XXIII [...]

Priest, bishop support state of emergency

ARMED men hiding from the law in Maguindanao have resorted to stealing farm animals, striking fear in the hearts of villagers and forcing them to flee their homes, a parish priest said on Wednesday. That’s why, President Macapagal-Arroyo did right to approve the National Security Council’s recommendation to extend the state of emergency in the [...]

Evacuees warned of new danger from fireworks

AUTHORITIES are warning of a new threat to the tens of thousands of Filipinos evacuated from the vicinity of restive Mayon volcano — fireworks. With makeshift camps in schools and churches overflowing, fears are growing that firecrackers on New Year’s Eve could set off a deadly blaze in the crowded buildings. Governor Jose Salceda of [...]

March helps youths learn about problem of abortion

ABOUT 75 teenage students and Catholic youth club members marched in a cemetery here on the feast of the Holy Innocents, praying for aborted babies in the country. They were accompanied by a group of women who have had abortions, some of whom shared their experiences during the Dec. 28 event. Participants walked from the [...]

Christian student kidnapped by Islamic group in Mosul

A Christian girl was kidnapped by an Islamic group while at university. The girl, Sarah Edmond Youhanna, attended the first year of the faculty of education at the University of Mosul. The kidnapping occurred on Dec. 28. The kidnappers had telephoned the family of the girl and said they were members of an Islamic group. [...]

Korean Church leaders slam activist’s northern incursion

South Korean Church leaders have condemned US Christian activist Robert Park’s incursion into North Korea, saying it will not help religious freedom in the country and may do more harm than good. Park, a Protestant Korean-American, crossed the border on Christmas Eve with a Bible in his hand, shouting: “I brought God’s love! God loves [...]

Abuse suit filed against Texas diocese

The lawsuit accuses the late Father David Espitia of sexually molesting an 8-year-old boy until he was 16. The document further describes in graphic detail multiple sexual acts on the child at various locations including on church grounds. One line says that Espitia intentionally would wear his priestly collar during the sexual assaults. “Father Espitia [...]

Family gathers in Bethlehem for traditional celebration

The doorbell rang at the stately Sansour home and, amid smiles and hugs, the long-awaited uncle, Dr. Ramzi Sansour, and his family entered to a clamor of cheerful greetings from his brother and sister and their families. Journeying from Ramallah, West Bank, to spend the holiday with relatives, the family passed smoothly through the Qalandiyah [...]

President’s performance rating still ‘bad’

THE Filipino people continue to be dissatisfied with the performance of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the latest December 5-10 survey of the Social Weather Stations, only 23% or 1 in 4 respondents were satisfied with Mrs. Arroyo’s performance while nearly 2 in 3 respondents or 61% were dissatisfied. This translates to a net dissatisfaction rating [...]

Church helps decongest evacuation centers

THE Diocese of Legazpi will actively participate in the local government’s program to decongest evacuation centers in preparation for the coming school year. Emerging from a meeting presided by Albay Governor Jose Salceda and attended by international relief agencies, Social Action Center Director Fr. Ramoncito Segubiense said Bishop Joel Baylon has given his support to [...]

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