Santosh Digal

According to a recent survey by an American research group, 44% of Filipino Catholics have joined Pentecostal sects or Catholic "Charismatic" groups.

In the country, it is traditional to spend the night between 1 and 2 November in prayer near the tombs of their deceased dear ones. From Manila alone, 500,000 people are expected to pay a visit to the cemetery.

After a month-long trip to Canada and the United States, the archbishop of Manila talks about the "great faith" of Filipino workers living abroad. He urges his fellow Filipino at home to remain hopeful, stressing the beautiful and good things the country has to offer.

The bishop, Mgr Oliveros, said weapons must be left outside places of worship, which should not be used to hold meetings for or against the Communist insurrection in the area. The army has defended itself, describing churches and chapels as "public places".

The Mindanao Peoples Caucus has called on the diplomatic community and religious leaders to help the government and MILF rebels resume stalled talks.

The Philippines' House of Representatives has approved a bill outlawing actions based on racial and religious hatred. Politicians claim the Muslim minority is subject to stigmatization and branded as terrorist.

Manila has announced the launch of a micro-credit bank modelled on the Grameen Bank of Nobel Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus. A Catholic man will run the bank that will be based in Pangasinan.

The movement was founded to "promote and strengthen the growth of Christian families, evangelise families and communities, and help transform people to be witness to Christ in the world".

The government is proposing a new identity system for predominantly-Muslim places. Christian and Muslim leaders reject the humiliating proposal and urge the population not to respond to the provocation.

Leaders of the Catholic and Muslim communities demand a quick return to government-Muslim rebel dialogue. Following yesterday's bombs Muslims announce ten days of prayer vigils for a return to peace.

The community of the Philippine Independent Church has said the murders of Alberto Ramento, president of their Supreme Council of Leaders, and of pastor, Dionisio Gingging, are part of a wave of crimes committed to punish social activism.

The feast of the patroness of Zamboanga is being marked today. The authorities have called on all the population to invoke Mary with true faith and to remain united in times of adversity like now, after torrential rains devastated the city.