Santosh Digal

The president of the Philippine Bishops' Conference has taken a stance on the start of proceedings for the impeachment of the vice-president and daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, which after several postponements linked to the clash with the Marcos clan is set for tomorrow. The cardinal: 'Although impeachment is by nature a political process, it is not exempt from the moral demands of truth, justice and accountability'.

Launched in 1975 as a Lenten gesture, over the years it has become an ongoing form of support for the activities of the 85 social action centres of the Philippine Church. And to mark the anniversary, Caritas has launched a campaign to engage one million Filipinos in a monthly donation. Bishop of Kidapawan Msgr Bagaforo: "Seed of hope and compassion".

Fe Mantuhac Barino, a Catholic laywoman linked to the Charismatic Renewal, is behind a programme created in 2016 (when Duterte was president) that offers drug addicts and their families a way to take back their lives. Over the years, more than a thousand people have participated,” she said, adding that “Only God can make these changes.”

In the diocese of Dipolog, in the south of the country, Chrisma Bangaoil and a group of volunteers have already built 12 small churches in the most isolated mountain areas. ‘We are not just building buildings; we are building faith in these outlying areas’.

A member of PIME, the missionary has promoted interfaith dialogue and peace between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao for 40 years. At the next session of the bishops’ assembly in July, he will receive the award named after Mgr Jorge Barlin, the first Philippine bishop.

Under the Parish Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), volunteers will act as independent observers. Barangay elected officials implement and monitor locally all government programmes.

In 2015, Pope Francis invited them to fight the "ideological colonizations that try to destroy the family". The Philippine Constitution states that "marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and must be protected by the State". Legal separation and civil annulment provided for by law. Fears of the repercussions of the provision on children.

The handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus started the Rainbows of Love Livelihood Center in Santa Rafaela (Legazpi) to help women to put their skills to good use, making bed sheets, bedcovers, pillows, and clothes to sell on the Internet. Sister Nette M. dela Cerna tells their story.

For the Bishops’ Conference, the apparent remedy “might end up destroying even those marriages that could have been saved”. Card Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, calls on married couples to make decisions for the good of their children. The Couples for Christ movement is against the bill because of the “sacredness and indissolubility of marriage”.

Citizens complain that local governments do not sufficiently protect abused women as required by law. However, international surveys reveal that the Philippines has recently achieved excellent results in the pursuit of gender equality. Through the Catholic Women's League (Cwl), the Church is engaged in numerous initiatives for women's rights.

"Inspired by our Patroness, the Virgin of the Poor, and founded by the venerable Aloysius Schwartz, the Schools of the Sisters of Mary direct their energies to the poorest youth in the country". In the last 33 years, the nuns have taken care of over 63 thousand students, in the four institutes that they run. Food, clothing, housing, medical and dental services, high schools and technical education are free for approximately 11,245 students.

The project stems from "the ease with which they can relate to and teach young children.” Groups of 45 women or more attend two-day classes. Training involves specific modules on various aspects of catechesis. Nuns and lay people act as mentors.