Fr Lucio Bola, Scalabrian missionary, returned home to Mindanao for the Christmas holidays. He has been missing since 31 December. Police are investigating and say there is no proof of kidnapping yet. Should the priest be in captivity, a spokesman for Cagayan De Oro archdiocese has offered to act as mediator to secure his release.
The two communities show great serenity and spirit of collaboration during Christmas and Ramadan. Religious authorities express hope that this atmosphere of cooperation can continue and that a peace accord can be reached between government and Muslim rebels.
For the chairman of the Filipino Bishops’ Conference, the government, churches and people should feel a duty towards solidarity not only in times of natural disasters but also in normal times. Cardinal Vidal urges priests not to succumb to materialism.
In his New Year message, the archbishop of Manila said debates and competition were not the way to break the chains of poverty. He called for prayer, necessary for peace.
The Catholic Women’s League and local Department of Health have reached an agreement about natural family planning methods to be applied in the region. The Archbishop of Cagayan has expressed his satisfaction.
US Bishops’ Conference sends aid through Catholic Relief Service to bring comfort to about 190,000 displaced people across the Philippines.
In the nine days before Christmas, millions of people of all ages go to church before going to work. It is an important time to prepare joyfully to celebrate the Nativity with the family. Even Filipinos working abroad are faithful to the tradition.
Prelates join the archbishop of Lingayed-Dagupan in his campaign against both illegal and state-run gambling.
Edsa Shrine has launched a website that will feature Masses live and post messages from believers.
The archbishop of Cebu announces that neither he nor the priests from his archdiocese will take part in the rallies scheduled for Sunday against proposed changes to the Filipino constitution. Instead he calls for widespread discussion at the local level and prayers for the good of the nation.
Too many people and failed population controls are the problem according to former Filipino President Ramos. The government meanwhile is implementing a plan to improve knowledge about birth control methods.
The first aid teams to reach areas affected last week by the typhoon have sounded the alarm: displaced people are at high risk of infection and lack all manner of basic items.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
