The church here and there

Media

Part of Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas

Title: The church here and there
Language: English
Source: Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas XLIII (482) May-June 1969
Subject: Catholic Church; Christianity
Rights
Fulltext: THE CHURCH HERE AND THERE POPE PAUL NAMES 2ND RP CARDINAL ‘A Sign of Affection for Filipino People’ His Holiness Pope Paul VI has named the second Filipino Cardinal in the person of Archbishop Julio S. Rosales of Cebu. Archbishop Rosales will receive the Red Hat, along with 34 other cardinalsdesignate during a consistory starting on April 28. The College of Cardinals will thus be raised to a record membership of 134. Commenting on the announcement of the new Filipino Cardinal, His Eminence Rufino J. Cardinal Santos said during a news conference last Saturday that the elevation of Cardinal-designate Rosales was another sign of the Holy Father’s affection and prediction for the Filipino people. It was, he added, an appreciation of the Philippines as the standard bearer of Christianity in Southeast Asia. Bom on Sept. 18, 1906 to Basilio Cinco Rosales and Aquieda SisonRas-Rosales, Archbishop Rosales is the third of the five children in the family. He entered the seminary at the age five and graduated from the ColegioSeminario de San Vicente de Paul in Calbayog City. He was the youngest member of the graduating class and he was given a 16-month dispensation since he was then only 22, and a priest in order to be ordained must at least be 24 years old. After his ordination on June 2, 1929, lie was assigned assistant priest of Catbalogan. Then he was transfered to Tacloban, Leyte where he was assis tant priest for 11 years. He became parish priest and after four years he was appointed the first bishop of Tagbilaran, Bohol on Sept. 27, 1946. As Bohol’s first bishop, he founded 12 schools; undertook the organiza tion of the K of C Center, Legion of Mary in all parishes and secular mis sionary priests that gave missions to all parts of Bohol. He left behind 39 parishes, 80 priests and 15 Catholic schools. He was elevated to the Archbishopric of Cebu on Feb. 19, 1950 at the 450 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS While in Cebu, he undertook the reconstruction of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, erected 13 new parishes, took charge of the Marian Congress in 1954 and the Holy Family Crusade and organized the secular missionaries for the farthest barrios. Archbishop Rosales is also a holder of an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of San Carlos and is a member of the exclusive Caballeros de Corpus Christi de Toledo, rank of Caballero Armado. Pope Appoints Two New Bishop His Holiness, Pope Paul VI has appointed the Very Rev. Felix Perez as bishop of the diocese of Imus (Cavite) and the Very Rev. Amado Paulino as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Manila, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Father Perez was bom on July 7, 1920, in Quiapo, Manila and was ordained priest on April 9, 1955 after his studies at San Jose Seminary. His past assignments were assistant pastor at the San Miguel Pro-Cathedral, chap lain of the De La Salle College, head chaplain of the University of the Philip pines, arid until the present) he holds office at the archdiocesan curia of Manila. Father Paulino belongs to the diocese of Malolos and was born on Sep tember 4, 1918 in Bustos, Bulacan. He studied at San Jose Seminary until his sacerdotal ordination on September 21, 1946. Formerly assigned succes sively as assistant parish priest of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Tondo (Manila), and Baliwag, Bulacan, he was promoted parish priest of Baliwag, since 1962, and at present a Vicar Forane. The new bishop will be remembered for having founded a free clinic in his parish, likewise for having organized Catholic Action units and the giving of religious instruction in the public schools. Physician-Widower Is Ordained Priest A physician and widower was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Al fredo Ma. Obviar at impressive rites held at the St. Ferdinand’s Cathedral in Lucena City last March 23. He is Rev. Dr. Guillermo Lavayna, 65, a graduate of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas in 1953. A native of Marinduque, Fr. Lavayna was bom in Balanacan, Mogpog of that province in 1904. Married to the late Victoria Lincallo, he has an only daughter, Carmelita Lavayna, who is at present a grantee of the Fullbright-Hays’ Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaria. THE CHURCH HERE AND THERE 451 After the demise of his wife, Father Lavayna chose to study for the Priesthood. He took up Latin studies at the Divine Word Seminary in Quezon City. Then he enrolled in Philosophy and later in Sacred Theology at the UST Central Seminary. A former columnist of a local newspaper, Fr. Lavayna authored the “Diksyonaryong Medikal Lavayna” and the “Glosaryo ng Mga Katawagan PangAtomo” in 1963. Being an author and prolific writer in Pilipino, he was awarded a plaque of recognition by the Institute of National Language in August 1964. MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF PAPAL TRIP Pope Paul will pray for peace for the Nigerian peoples, meet with African bishops, and preside over the consecration of an altar dedicated to the memory of African martyrs. These will be the highlights of his visit to Africa in July, according to his own announcement during a general audience last week. “In our heart we shall bear the spiritual and civil destiny of all Africa.” Pope Paul said. He said he was concerned for “the peace of the peoples of Africa, especially of Nigeria, whom we know and love so well, who are so tormented by die sorrowful events in their land.” A year before his election as Pontiff, Pope Paul had visited Nigeria in 1962. Since becoming Pope, he has made six trips outside of Italy. These include trips to the Middle East and India in 1964, the United Nations in New York in 1966, Portugal and Turkey in 1967 and Colombia in 1968. With his visit to Africa the only continent the Pope will not yet have visited will be Australia. Pope Paul VI is by far the most traveled Pope in history. His trip by air to Kampala will be more than 6,200 miles roundtrip. Birth Regulation Experts’ Visit Doctors John and Lyn Billings, experts in birth regulation from Australia, a husband and wife team gave several lectures in Hongkong on birth regulation. In collaboration with two world-famous scientists in Melbourne, Dr. John Billings has concentrated in oestrogem symptoms in the woman’s cycle. This is revealed through a mucus discharge from the vagina and women who are carefully instructed can determine accurately the day of ovulation from exam ination of the mucus. The fact of mucus discharge as a sign of approaching 452 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS ovulation has been known to doctors for some time but Dr. Billings and his research workers have been able to reduce this knowledge to a safe and prac tical application. The mucus identification method is often used in conjunction with the temperature method. Both are concerned with determining the day of ovulation, but the mucus symptom is related to the release of progesterone hormone. Perhaps Dr. Billings’ most thrilling encounter was with the poor people from the resettlement area. After that meeting the two Doctor Bil lings said, “Here are people who understand what we are talking about. ** The Catholic Marriage Advisory Council hopes to have Dr. Billings’ book The Ovulation Method translated into Chinese in the near future. Modem Birth Regulation (Interview with Dr. John and Dr. Lyn Billings) Information on Ovulation, a method of high regulation that appears to combine safety, simplicity, and fulfillment was given in Hong Kong last week by Drs. John and Lyn Billings, two specialists from Melbourne, Australia, where most Catholics are said to be welcoming it as a “happy solution.” This husband and wife medical team, invited here by the Catholic Mar riage Advisory Bureau, spent six days giving detailed lectures to the many differently concerned assemblies of physicians, medical students, nurses and clinicians, priests, and Sisters, married couples and other lay groups. Presenting the Ovulation method as a product of human wisdom coupled with Christian spirit, Dr. John and Dr. Lyn pointed out that: 1) It offers security lacking in the Rhythm method because it is a method of “recognition not prediction” of fertile and infertile days; whereas Rhythm is “irksome” to husbands and wives who lack confidence in its success. 2) Many experts in contraception have become “quite disillusioned about the pill” agreeing with them that “it has no future.” This means that ulti mately all people “will return to the built-in system of family planning God has provided for us.” 3) If the money spent on family planning was spent on raising the econo mic standards of people there would be no over-population problem.” 4) Humanae Vitae has not been properly understood for it asks nothing not attainable by everybody. The Pope provides enormous scope in what he presents as the “apostolate of life to life” with married people helping people they know within their own circle, in a generosity homed of true Christian char ity ... helping one another. THE CHURCH HERE AND THERE 453 Dr. and Mrs. Billings amplified their points as follows: “God made woman so that they are more frequently infertile than fer tile. The ovulation method makes it very easy to determine the infertile, less fertile and fertile days — and this is particularly vital where there are serious problems making it essential that a woman doesn’t become pregnant. “Moreover, our experience has been that periodic continence is absolutely appropriate to human nature. It is a normal part of life whether or not you ar.e married and for all sorts of reasons apart from family planning. “And it is important to realize that for a man to be in control of the situation makes him feel more of a man and adds to his self-respect. Much of sexual promiscuity springs from loneliness, the need to be loved. When a person is loved, periodic continence becomes easier. And a husband will restrain himself for a short period of time for the sake of his wife or family. “This viewpoint, we have found, is something people of all levels ol society respond to for it gets to the very root of love — generosity, giving, not taking. And this we believe, was in the Pope’s mind and that is why he is even now finding an echo in many people’s lives, shouts against his teachings notwithstanding. For he has called them to a deeper understanding of the true significance of life. Stating that those who argue that it is either the pill or overpopulation have abortion and sterilization in mind as a family control method, the Bil lings said: “You don’t get rid of poverty by killing the poor! That is the most absurd of propositions. What you do is raise the economic standard of the people. And although nobody has even been able to determine the causes, there is evidence that when incomes rise population falls. . . and not simply because it is planned that way. “In Melbourne, as elsewhere, many people had thought the teaching of the Church on birth regulation might be changed. They thought the Ovulation method might be impracticable. But because the Church’s teach ings were made clear in Humanae Vitae, in a surge of loyalty to the difference between the faidi of those who believe in die Church and the intellectuals who try to work out the problem themselves and cannot because they lack both sufficient scientific information and the humility to acknowledge this. “We hope that in Hong Kong there will be die family to family — the married couple to married couple movement — an apostolate of learning how to regulate one’s family in the framework of Christian charity.” 454 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS England Tightens Law Against Church Thieves LONDON (RNS) — Church thieves — a growing menace in recent years — face up to 10 years imprisonment under a new law, the Theft Act, which became effective Jan. 1. The act was not specifically designed solely to cover thefts from church buildings, but, as a Church of England announcement said here, it “has rele vance to the fabric and ornaments which are improperly removed from churches.” Churches, cathedrals, synagogues, and, places like art galleries and mu seums have been the victims of increasing thefts in recent months. The total value of looted goods runs into many thousands, and hardly a day goes by without some church or similar building being raided. On the advice of the Ecclesiastical Insurance Office, which insures the contents of some 20,000 Anglican church buildings, many precautions are al ready being taken. Her.e are some of the methods suggested by the churches’ main committee: “There is no substitute far-constant vigilance. Whenever possible a church should be kept locked at night. In the daytime doors inside, between the church and vestry, should be kept locked. “Keys should not be' left under a mat or on a ledge. Special precautions should be taken when there are workmen in or about the church doing repair work. “Communion plates and other valuables should be kept in a substantial safe. The altar ornaments should be secured to make theft more difficult; some churches substitute wooden ones during weekdays. “The access to the roof of a church should be made difficult to protect lead work or copper, and since any theft of lead or cooper, must be assisted by a truck, the gates leading to the churchyard should be kept locked at night. “The best precaution is to create a protected area within the church, such as the vestry, by installing a burglar alarm. The local police will welcome cooperation in preventing crime and their advice should always be sought.” All authorities admitted that church thefts are on the rise in England. Some say many stolen objects are believed destined for America, where there is a market for valuable silver and such antique items as armor, swords, and helmets. Some churches are like small museums. THE CHURCH HERE AND THERE 455 Poll Shows Most Americans Believe in God, Devil, Hell PRINCETON, N. J. (RNS) — More Americans say they believe in God, life after death, and hell than do persons living in all other nations sampled by the Gallup Poll. Ninety-eight percent of Americans believe in God, according to statistics released here by the public-opinion surveyor. The figure fell below 80 percent in the Netherlands, Great Britain, France Norway, and Sweden. The poll was conducted in 12 centuries between July and November 1968. Persons were asked: “Which of the following do you believe in: life after death? the devils? hell? God” In the United States 73 percent of respondents said they believe in an afterlife. This was up from 68 per cent in 1948. The Gallup organization concluded that in the past 20 years Americans have maintained religious be liefs strongly held two decades ago while a dramatic shift has taken place in European nations. More than 50 percent of respondents in eight European countries do not believe in the devil or in hell, Gallup said. More than 60 percent in the United States were found to hold such beliefs. The poll included responses from 12,000 adults. On life after death the Gallup table showed: Yes No No Opir Greece 57% 28% i5r; Finland 55 23 22 Norway 54 25 21 Netherlands 50 35 15 Switzerlands 50 41 15 Uruguay (cities) 42 36 22 West Germany 41 45 14 Great Britain 38 35 27 Austria 38 56 6 Sweden 38 47 15 France 35 53 12 456 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS On belief in God two percent of Americans gave a “no opinion” responses in the States to that question. Polls in other nations showed the following: Greece Uruguay (cities) Austria Switzerland Finland West Germany Netherlands Great Britain France Norway Sweden No_________ No Opinion 2% 2% 10 3 10 5 11 5 7 10 10 9 13 8 11 12 21 6 12 15 26 14 _Yes_ 96% 89 85 84 83 81 78 77 73 73 60 Percentages of belief in the existence of hell were: Yes No United States 65% 29% Greece 62 25 Uruguay (cities) 44 50 Norway 36 45 Finland 29 49 Netherlands 28 61 Austria 26 68 Switzerland 25 67 West Germany 25 62 Great Britain 23 58 France 22 70 Sweden 17 71 Percentages of belief in the existence of the devil were: No Opinion ”"~ * 6% 13 6 19 22 11 6 8 13 19 8 12 _____ Yes' Greece 67% United States 60 Uruguay (cities) 45 Norway 38 Netherlands 29 Finland 26 Switzerland 25 West Germany 25 Austria 23 Great Britain 21 Sweden 21 France 17 No No Opinio 21% *12% 35 5 50 5 44 18 57 14 57 17 69 6 62 13 71 6 60 19 68 11 76 7
pages: 449-456