Despite reports to the contrary, sources say there’s no particular Vatican concern about the new archbishop of Manila, the Philippines, over an article he contributed more than a decade ago to a controversial history of the Second Vatican Council. The article had not been part of the official documentation considered before his appointment. Luis Antonio Read more
As rescuers struggle with the scale of the Philippines disaster, Church and local government officials are appealing for aid to help Filipinos’ in the wake of tropical storm Washi. Among items needed are bottled water, medicines food supplies and kitchen goods, Fr Albert Mendez of the Iligan Diocese said. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez Read more
Philippines youth day organiser, Fr Favie Faldas says the Internet and social networking is having a negative impact on youth and lessening the influence of the Catholic Church. Faldas, head of the NYD Steering Committee said, social networks provide a way for people to openly the challenge the Church, whereas in the past people would not Read more
A Manila court today issued a warrant for the arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo following the filing of electoral sabotage charges against her by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A Church-based poll monitor supported the charges, saying there is a need to “put closure to the anomalies during the 2004 and 2007 elections.”
Read the article...
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has launched a website for homebound and overseas Filipinos who cannot make it to cemeteries to visit their dead. Filipinos who are away from home and physically unable to go to church or visit their dead in cemeteries on All Saints and All Souls Day, can still visit Read more
At Winton’s Thomas Aquinas Primary School almost a quarter of the children are Filipino, highlighting the changing face of the region.
Winton’s St Thomas Aquinas School principal Julian Ineson said 17 of its 79 pupils (22 per cent) were from the Philippines, owing largely to the dairy farming boom in the area that brings Filipino families to Southland to work.
He said some of the Filipino children had a limited knowledge of English, and he wants more direction from the Education Ministry on how best to teach them.
Read the article...
The day before Cardinal Joseph Ratziner was elected pope, the US embassy at the Vatican said he appeared to lack sufficient support. The statement was made in an unclassified diplomatic cable, and is one of many documents made public in the latest release of Wikileaks documents. “Despite a week of media speculation suggesting that German Read more
Over 100 Filipino pilgrims who went to Madrid’s World Youth Day have gone missing. “Fewer than 300 of the 427 delegated have returned,” said Fr Noel Osial, head of Manilia’s Don Bosco parish. “There are really some who are using this World Youth Day as an avenue (for illegal immigration) because they have relatives already Read more
Kitchy symbols of pop culture, a crucifix, a movable penis and Christ do not mix well and have offended Filipino Catholics. “May your soul burn in hell” wrote a furious Facebook user, one of many who have denounced the work of Mideo Cruz as offensive art. Cruz intended the work to be a commentary on Read more