Santosh Digal

The archbishop of the capital tells AsiaNews that every follower of Christ should help their fellow man, especially those who are suffering, not only politicians. Welcome mass is celebrated in Manila Cathedral for the new auxiliary bishop, Mgr Broderick Pabillo.

Since starting in early August, the volcano's eruptive activities slow according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Experts warn that it is too soon to cancel alert. Residents told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Filipino bishops declare today, Feast Day of the Holy Name of Mary, a national day of prayer for peace and justice. They call on all the faithful to take part in the third national pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Mediatrix of all Grace.

Oil spill affects island communities in Western Visayas. Bishops' Conference chairman calls for solidarity; local parish priest warns of food shortages and unprecedented damages.

The Butuan City Bishop, Mgr Juan de Dios Pueblos, has accepted a government proposal to sit on the newly set up commission of inquiry into "extra-judicial" murders despite warnings from the bishop's conference that has asked its members to take an independent stand in politics.

The bishop of Batanes-Babuyanes says he took that decision out of respect for the autonomy of the Bishops' Conference and owing to his pastoral obligations.

Officials from the two organisations meet at a forum in Manila. Fr Robert Vitillo from Caritas International says that shared values and ideas can help both work together but differences in principles and views remain. In the Philippines last, more than 11,000 people were infected with the HIV virus.

Mining executives call Bishops' Conference's views unacceptable. CBCP had reported cyanide spills into the Pacific Ocean.

Pope Benedict XVI must still accept the resignation. Vidal is one of two Philipino cardinals. From 1985 to 1994, he chaired the standing committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences.

According to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the priority should be the honesty amongst political elites. Reform would turn the existing presidential system into a parliamentary one.

The event, which is jointly organised by Catholics and Protestants, is celebrated every year "to stress the importance of the Word of God in national renewal and people's lives.

The country's prelates meet at the end of the month for their 92nd plenary assembly. "God is with us . . . but . . . we must do our part," says the chairman of the Bishops' Conference.