Santosh Digal

It is still unknown what the causes were that led to the sinking of the ship Princess of the Stars: the company that owned it is accusing the weather bureau, while fishermen are asking for compensation for the polluting of the ocean. Only the Catholic Church is calling for "serious reflection to prevent similar disasters".

On the occasion of celebrations for the 2,000th anniversary St. Paul's birth, the archbishop of Manila stresses the centrality and relevance of the apostle's writings. These help to grasp "the essence of the truth that is Jesus Christ".

Hundreds of Filipino Catholics are ready to leave for Sydney, but many pilgrims are still waiting for visas from the Australian authorities. Another 400 will arrive from Singapore. The bishop there is calling on them to be "witnesses of the proclamation of Christ".

Filipino Muslims are against the "halal" butchering of cloned meat, while the Islamic academy of Pakistan admits its validity. Pressure from multinational companies that project business of more than 150 billion dollars per year. Human cloning banned outright.

Leaders of various faiths have created the IPPF forum that brings together Catholic priests, Protestant pastors, and imams. The common objective is "peaceful coexistence" and programmes of "social assistance" for the population, regardless of religious creed.

Catholic Relief Services with backing from Filipino and US bishops allocates first US$ 25,000 in favour of typhoon victims. Next Sunday there will be a second collection of funds in Cebu diocese.

Prayers were said for the victims yesterday in the country's churches, and the pope expressed his own "spiritual closeness" at the Angelus. Little hope of finding survivors among the passengers of a sunken ship, as damage assessment begins.

Peace Advocates Zamboanga, a group composed of Catholic and Islamic religious, has organised a summer camp for young Catholics and Muslims. The call to bring peace into their own homes, for a better future.

Four years since the Pondo ng Pinoy or Filipinos’ Fund was created, the Church in Manila has raised about US$ 3.5 million, currently funding some 80 projects across the country. The prelate behind the initiative stresses the importance of compassion among the faithful.

A bomb squad safely removed and detonated an explosive device placed near the church, in the city's main square. It's not yet known who placed the bomb and why. In Sibugay, the body has been found of one of the Islamic rebels implicated in the kidnapping of Fr Giancarlo Bossi.

The bishop of Marbel and 50 priests from his diocese sign a letter challenging the legitimacy of mining operations that “seriously damage the agricultural sector and aquatic resources”, putting people’s lives at risk.

With 7,000 participants, it may be fourth among the countries with the most representatives. The enthusiastic anticipation of the young people. 20 Chinese will be in the Filipino delegation.