Website of Couples For Christ Foundation, Inc.- District of Pasig

Father's Love Letter

AN INTIMATE MESSAGE FROM GOD TO YOU

The words you are about to experience are true.

They will change your life if you let them.

For they come from the heart of God.

He loves you.

And He is the Father you have been looking for all your life.

This is His love letter to you.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Theme for 2009:

“Trust in Jesus”

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song;
and he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2

Verse of the Day

CFCFFL Consecration to our Lady of Mediatirx, August 10, 2007 at Christ the King Parish

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Shout Box:

Trumpet Playing 1

R E M I N D E R: DISTRICT ASSEMBLY OF HOUSEHOLD SERVANTS & UP INCLUDING MINISTRY COORDINATORS ON JULY 17, 2009 AT PARKWOOD CHAPEL. ARRIVAL TIME 7:30PM; START 8:30PM

PASTORAL REMINDERS:

1. KEEP THE MISSION GOING: KEEP YOUR MONTHLY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION UPDATED. "TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED".
2. BE FAITHFUL TO HOUSEHOLD PRAYER MEETINGS AND ASSEMBLIES
3. BE A PASTOR AND MENTOR TO MEMBERS UNDER YOUR CARE.

FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL

OUR THEME FOR 2009

World Mission Sunday
October 19, 2008

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

   Here is our theme for next year plus the accompanying scriptural verse.

“TRUST IN JESUS”

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song;
and he has become my salvation.”
(Isaiah 12:2)

   At the start of the new millennium, as we entered into the fullness of the gospel with its spiritual and social dimensions, the enemy shifted to higher gear in attacking us. What resulted was a veering away that rapidly developed through the years. The very wonderful work of building integrated communities among the poor became the cause of increasing tension. There also developed increasing infidelity to our covenant to no longer living out a lifestyle of evangelization, to unfaithfulness to our life together, to many conflicts among elders. The results were disastrous poor harvest of souls, many lying low, loss of vibrancy in community life.

         God still used us to serve Him, but the anointing was diminished. God still allowed us to celebrate our 25th year in 2006 with great rejoicing, but the seeds for destruction of our life and work were already starting to sprout.

2007

         In His goodness and mercy, and in His desire to preserve His authentic work, God gave us a theme of hope for 2007 but brought us to the book of Lamentations. It was intended by God to be a journey of hope and joy, a journey back to His original call and intent for us. God was warning us, in a very profound but graphic way, as to what would happen if we persisted in our infidelities. Lamentations was all about what happened to His people Israel, and how they lost it all.

         If we only heeded and learned and lived out the lessons of Lamentations, then God would have forgiven us, brought us back on track, and used us even more powerfully for the next quarter century of our mission. But it was not to be. One elder said he had no need to lament, as he was without sin. One elder said yes let us lament but get it over with quickly so we can move on. One elder would later say that they were just privately laughing at my insistence on Lamentations.

         So the veering away persisted. And this was compounded by the actions of those who were left in top leadership, who began to malign and attack those who wanted to be fully restored to God’s authentic call. There was a lot of disinformation, and even outright lies. The internal conflict escalated.

         Some of us moved into restoration mode, to restore CFC from within. But the attacks only intensified. The crisis deepened. Options were severely constrained. The enemy was coming close to his goal of completely destroying CFC. The split became inevitable, as was even confirmed by the Philippine bishops.

         God then raised His remnant, in line with our prayer in Lamentations 5:21. CFC-FFL became the restored CFC.

2008

   This year our theme is “Joy in Christ.” It is time for great rejoicing for God had brought us back to His original intention for CFC. And now we would have many reasons to rejoice, as we see our life and work being restored, and beyond that, as we again experience how God can use us for His work according to His plan and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

         But in accordance with His plan, so that the veering away would not happen again, God knew He needed to raise a holy remnant. And for us to be holy, we needed to be purified. And a major part of that purification would be undergoing continuing attacks and oppression, unfortunately from our own brethren on the other side. The attacks intensified. Even the Church hierarchy was not spared. Bishops were maligned, if they in any way spoke the truth about our being in the right.

         What God was doing was humbling us and teaching us proper Christian conduct in the face of adversity. We were not to retaliate or to malign in turn. We were to just absorb the blows and rejoice in the privilege of suffering for the sake of righteousness. The other side intensified its unchristian ways, including insisting that we not use the CFC name (versus the clear teaching of Jesus in Mark 9:38-40). They even brought us to court, in the Philippines, the USA and Canada (versus the clear teaching of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8). And the whole irony was that they had taken on the theme of love in this year, but were not living it (versus the clear teaching of Jesus on loving even one’s “enemies”).

         This year we learned about how suffering and pain are part and parcel of the authentic Christian call. We learned the value of the cross. Paul rejoiced greatly in his sufferings. We were being formed in the same way.

         The theme of joy, at the start of the first full year of the life and mission of CFC-FFL, was meant to plant in us the proper virtue, and to plant it so deeply, in view of the persecution from our own brethren, that we would now be well equipped to face years of labor in the vineyard, and never be fazed again by adversities and crosses.

   We would now be able to truly rejoice always.

2009

         Now we look forward to a new year. And the theme the Lord has given us is trusting in Him.

         God is continuing to form us, to be a holy remnant, and ultimately to become the families He intended us to become, that He could use to renew the face of the earth. The call to holiness means constant purification, and a determination to go the way of the cross of Jesus Christ. There will be great challenges and trials, there will be human disappointments and frustrations, but we are to trust in Him totally.

         In considering the theme taken from Isaiah 12:2, we also look at the whole chapter 12 of Isaiah. It is short, with just 6 verses. This is what we see:
(verse 1) With our restoration, we are back in God’s embrace and plan. His anger has abated. He is merciful. We are ready to be used by Him as He intended.
(verse 2) At the core of our mission is Jesus the Savior. Our message is the good news of salvation in him. Since Jesus is the be-all and end-all of our life and mission, if he is with us, then we will not be afraid, we will trust. The Lord will provide us with power and strength in our work.
(verse 3) As God taught us in 2007 and still now in 2008, our lives will be filled with joy.
(verse 4) Our basic thrust of evangelization is affirmed. CFC-FFL is an evangelistic and missionary community. We are to proclaim Christ to the world.
(verse 5) We are to be a people of praise and worship. We are to reflect the holiness of God. We are to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
(verse 6) Our great and wonderful God is with us, He is working powerfully in our lives, and we are to always exult in Him.
         My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the world is in darkness, with attacks on the family and against life at the core of the enemy’s assault. God raised CFC in 1981 precisely to defend and strengthen His work. This call has not changed. Now, with CFC-FFL, we are in the thick of the fight.

         God has been merciful to us, and we want to become His instruments such that His mercy and love might be experienced by the whole world. We need to be prepared, by becoming holy men and women. And we need to do our mission with a passion, giving unselfishly of ourselves, just as Jesus has given of himself for our sakes.

         No matter what we face, no matter how intense the attacks of the enemy are against us, be not afraid. Simply trust in Jesus.

         I would also like to inform you that we will be looking to devotion to the Divine Mercy. As such, the by-line for our theme for 2009 is “Jesus, I trust in you.”

         God has given us another chance. Let us never again veer away, and let us always be faithful to our covenant. And let us put on the armor of God for the spiritual warfare that is at hand (Ephesians 6:10-18).

         May the Lord in His mercy and goodness bless us all. And may Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, to whom CFC-FFL has been consecrated, always keep us in her maternal embrace.

Your brother and servant,

Frank Padilla

The following is the text of an article by His Excellency, Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D., Chairman of the Commission for the Laity of the CBCP and Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, that appeared on Page A17 of the June 11, 2008 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Explanation and Defense of the Directives of Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko,
President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity,
to the Gawad Kalinga of the Couples for Christ

Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D.
Chairman
Commission for the Laity
Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines

         First of all, it is good to stress that the directives of Cardinal Rylko are not against the work of Gawad Kalinga for the poor. They exhort Gawad Kalinga to go on with its good work but it should correct some mistakes, namely, the over-emphasis of social work at the expense of evangelization and spiritual formation of the family; and the acceptance of funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives.

         The directives of Cardinal Rylko are the same as the guidance that the CBCP Commission for the Laity gave to Gawad Kalinga. The Commission for the Laity also points out that these mistakes mentioned above make Gawad Kalinga deviate from the nature and purpose of Couples for Christ and from the statutes of CFC which were approved by the Pontifical Council of the Laity.

            The first directive of Cardinal Rylko is that Gawad Kalinga should not over-emphasize social work at the expense of evangelization and on-going spiritual formation of the family. The family that is meant here is first of all the families of the CFC members themselves who are doing social work in Gawad Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga is a ministry of CFC and most of the workers in Gawad Kalinga are CFC members. The Statutes of Couples for Christ, in No. 2 Vision and Mission, says: 2:1 “…CFC is called to bring families back to the plan of God. It is called to bring the Lord’s strength and light to those who are struggling to be truly Christian families in the modern world.” 2:2 “Couples for Christ works for family renewal at various levels – the individual, the family, the larger community.”

            Some CFC Couples have told me that because of their work in Gawad Kalinga they have no more time for their own prayer meeting where they undergo their own evangelization, on-going formation, and spiritual nourishment. This neglect of their on-going evangelization and spiritual formation is against the CFC statutes and bad for their own Christian life and growth in it.

            We can compare this guidance to Gawad Kalinga of not over-emphasizing social work to the guidance to our priests during the late sixties, the seventies, and during the years of martial law when social activism was very much emphasized in the Church in the Philippines. The priests were reminded that they should work for the poor and the oppressed but they should not neglect their life of prayer and on-going spiritual formation. They were warned that if they neglect their spiritual life because of too much activism, they will unknowingly imbibe values which run counter to their Christian and priestly life. Many of those who were much involved in social activism did not listen to this advice. Many of these priests left the priesthood. Some of them became Marxists, a few became commanders of the NPA.

            What happened to a number of activist priests described above can also happen to the CFC members who are working in Gawad Kalinga, if they over-emphasize social work to the neglect of their own on-going evangelization and spiritual formation. Without their knowing it, they imbibe values which run counter to Christian values and which go against the CFC nature, purpose and vision/mission. And this has happened. For example, there were instances when Gawad Kalinga leaders will hide their identity as Couples for Christ when they are applying for funding from corporations who will not give to religious organizations. Another example, a Gawad Kalinga leader was against sending the children (Sibol, Sagip) in Gawad Kalinga villages to a Children’s Rosary Rally because he did not want “our partners to see Gawad Kalinga as sectarian and identified with the Church.” I would like to stress, however, that the majority of CFC members working in Gawad Kalinga are not of this    mind-set. But, these cases, although few, involve the leaders of Gawad Kalinga and their wrong mind-set can easily influence the members.

         Gawad Kalinga was established by the Couples for Christ because they love Christ and want to love Christ in the poor and because they want to give witness to Christ through social work. Through Gawad Kalinga, the CFC aims to proclaim to people that Christ must be good because He made the CFC do the good work in Gawad Kalinga. In this way the CFC will attract people to Him. How can Gawad Kalinga be a witness to Christ if the leaders hide its identity as a ministry of the Couples for Christ because they want to get donations from companies or organizations that will not give to religious organizations?

         In the news item of the Philippine Daily Inquirer of August 28, 2007, entitled “Bishops to Discuss Couples for Christ Split,” Tony Meloto was asked why Gawad Kalinga “was accepting donations even from corporations manufacturing contraceptives, contradicting the CFC’s pro-life stance.” He answered: “GK is non-partisan. We do not take any side in building a nation in the same manner that we do not pass judgment on any corporation we engage. We do not even ask them what their (corporations) products are as long as they want to help.” In the news item of the ABS-CBN News Online, April 16, 2008, entitled “Vatican admonishes Couples for Christ over Gawad Kalinga,” Tony Meloto was told that “the Vatican disapproved of CFC’s ‘over-emphasis on social work’ and Gawad Kalinga’s openness to donations from groups that promote artificial family planning.” His answer was “Gawad Kalinga’s mission is to build a nation… We will just continue to work.” Tony Meloto’s answers and statements in newspapers implied that he does not agree that GK is over-emphasizing social work at the expense of evangelization and spirituality and that for him it is okay to accept donations from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives. One of the main reasons he gives is that the mission of Gawad Kalinga is to build a nation.

         Gawad Kalinga is a ministry of the Couples for Christ. Like Couples for Christ, its mission is not just to build a nation but to build the Kingdom of God. Its mission is to evangelize, to bring people to Christ, the Savior. Gawad Kalinga, as a ministry of CFC, is not a civic or secular agency. It is a ministry of a religious organization that believes in and promotes the values of Christ. Gawad Kalinga should not be “non-partisan” with regards to Christ and His values. It is good to build a nation but Gawad Kalinga, as a Christian organization, should build a nation according to the values of Christ. According to the magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church), contraception and abortion (some contraceptive pills are abortifacient) are sinful, are against the values of Christ. Therefore it is wrong to accept donations from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives.

         Mr. Tony Meloto is the real leader in Gawad Kalinga. It is but proper to tell him that his mind-set regarding the mission of Gawad Kalinga is veering away from the vision and mission that Couples for Christ has given to Gawad Kalinga. CFC’s Gawad Kalinga is helping the poor because of love for Christ. It should never happen that GK will abandon the values of Christ because of its wanting to help the poor.

         Above, I said that, in the directive that Couples for Christ should not over-emphasize social work at the expense of the evangelization and on-going spiritual formation of the family, the family that is meant is first of all the families of the CFC members who are working in Gawad Kalinga. In this directive, the families of the beneficiaries are also meant.

         Some are against the directive not to over-emphasize social work at the expense of evangelization and spiritual formation of the family because they say that, as you cannot preach to an empty stomach, you should not speak about spiritual matters to people who lack decent housing.

         I beg to disagree. I think we should help the beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga in their spiritual and material needs at the same time. Work for the material needs of the poor and work for their spiritual needs should proceed hand in hand. Of course, depending on the situation, there are times when one should stress social work more but evangelization should never be neglected. The poor are already deprived of food and decent shelter, why should we deprive them of the word of God, which is food for their hearts and minds and which will give them hope and strength in their difficult situation. Sister Marlene, a German Little Sister of Jesus, who has been living with the poor in the Philippines, once said: “There is nothing wrong in talking about God to a man who has an empty stomach, provided your stomach is also empty and you try to help him find food.”

         I have been assigned in some parishes in Metro Manila as a parochial vicar and, later, as parish priest. Through our parish social action center and through my pastoral ministry (sick calls, neighborhood masses, block rosary, etc), I was also in contact with the poor who do not have decent housing or are living over “stinking esteros.” I found the great majority of them open to God and spiritual matters, except those who never heard about God or were never catechized or have been indoctrinated by Marxists. Many people who flock to the “Poon Nazareno” in Quiapo Church or to the Sto. Niño in Tondo do not have decent housing.

         The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) in nos. 154-185 speaks about integral evangelization and the elements composing it, namely, catechesis, worship, and social apostolate. In No. 182, it says, “…it must be stressed that no true renewal can happen in one area (e.g. catechesis) in isolation from the other areas (worship and social apostolate). Any genuine renewal must affect all three areas in their inter-relationship.” “Without education towards maturity in the faith, the social apostolate will become activism and will fall prey to the temptations of unchristian ideologies.”^{(No. 183)} In No. 185, it continues, “Finally the social apostolate without worship will lose its source of strength…” Pope Benedict XVI says in “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love) No. 25, “a] The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacrament (leitourgia), and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia). These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable.”

         Regarding the issue of receiving funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives, let me first quote from the letter to me of the late Cardinal Trujillo, the former President of the Pontifical Council for Family and Life, dated November 26, 2007:

         “Accepting donations from those who promote abortion and contraception will compromise the Gospel of the Family and of Life, and will greatly harm our efforts to strengthen and defend the family and life; hence, it should not be done.”
         “First, in this concrete case, the funds offered also come from actions that are morally evil, abortion and contraception. Accepting such funding creates confusion among the faithful, as they give the impression that abortion and the production, distribution, and use of contraceptives and abortifacients are acceptable practices. Besides, in their advancements and promotional materials, these companies could say that they help the Catholic Church, and thus give the false idea that their contraceptive and abortion causing products and services are acceptable.”
         “Second, the risk exists for the pro-family groups receiving similar funding to be at least silent about the unacceptability of such products.”
         “Third, it would provide those working against the family grounds for extremely persuasive criticism to attack and discredit Church organizations and the Church herself – especially through charges of incoherence and insincerity.”

         People who find nothing wrong in receiving funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives reason in this way: If a starving man may steal when stealing is the only way for him to get food and escape imminent death, then Gawad Kalinga may also receive funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives in order to provide housing to people in need of decent housing.

         The reasoning is wrong because the two situations they cite are not the same. First, the funds of the pharmaceutical company that produces contraceptives are not the only means to provide housing to the beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga. There are many partner corporations and groups giving funds to Gawad Kalinga for its housing project. I am sure more groups will be willing to help, if asked. Gawad Kalinga’s work will not be significantly affected if they stop receiving funds from companies that produce contraceptives. Second, the beneficiaries of GK, who lack decent housing, are not in imminent danger of death. They have been living in these houses for years. Their situation is not as desperate as the man who is allowed to steal because he is in imminent danger of death and the only solution to avoid death is to steal. So, there is no justifying reason for Gawad Kalinga to do something wrong, that is, receive funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives, especially when there are so many good means available in order to get funds for the housing project.

         This directive to the Gawad Kalinga to stop receiving “objectionable” funds is similar to the “collective policy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines regarding gambling”. In its “CBCP Statement on Gambling,” dated January 23, 2005, it says:

        “3. Therefore, the CBCP has made it a collective policy: a] ….. b] ….. c] To refrain from soliciting or receiving funds from illegal or legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling; and d]      To encourage Church personnel and Church institutions to refrain from doing the same, even when the objective may be that of helping the poor.”

            Those who say that it is all right for Gawad Kalinga to receive funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives in order to provide housing for the poor cite another reason, namely, the Latin proverb: “Prinum est vivere, deinde philosophare” – “to stay alive comes first before philosophizing.” But, contraceptives are not just a matter of philosophizing. It is also a matter of “staying alive.” Some contraceptives are abortifacient; they kill people.

            Before I end, I would like to point out that Mr. Tony Meloto and some columnists, knowingly or unknowingly, distort the directives of Cardinal Rylko. By the way they comment on the directives, they make people think that the directives are against the work of Gawad Kalinga for the poor. The directives are not against Gawad Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga should continue its very good work. The directives are just making some corrections in Gawad Kalinga, namely, that Gawad Kalinga should not over-emphasize social work at the expense of the evangelization and spiritual formation of the family and that GK should stop receiving funds from pharmaceutical companies that produce contraceptives.

THE RESIGNATION OF BISHOP GABRIEL REYES FROM CFC

Well it finally happened. Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the Spiritual Director of CFC, could no longer take the disrespect of the International Council (IC) under Joe Tale. And so he resigned as CFC-GK's Spiritual Director. Such a move is quite unprecedented. It could only have happened because of the accumulation of wrongs done by CFC-GK under the IC.

From the very start they maligned Bishop Reyes. They spread the lie that Bishop Reyes favored CFC-FFL. This is ironic, since Bishop Reyes bent backwards to show that he was neutral, that he was only after the truth and what was right.

Bishop Reyes silently endured many blows. The IC under Joe Tale disobeyed the strong recommendations of Bishop Reyes, together with Archbishop Lagdameo and Bishop Villegas. They deceived Bishop Reyes regarding the elections and reneged on the win-win agreement. They kept promising to cut their partnerships with pharmaceuticals producing/marketing contraceptives but never did so. They gave deceptive reports to CFC, prompting Bishop Reyes to correct them two or three times. Their allied columnists maligned and attacked Bishop Reyes in newspaper articles.

One columnist even reported that Bishop Reyes, in a meeting with the IC, was livid with rage. Now who could have told this columnist that except the IC? But then, it is very unbelievable, since Bishop Reyes, to anyone who knows him, is quite mild-mannered and soft-spoken. We are sure he had reason to be angry with the IC's disrespect and disinformation, but he would never make an angry outburst.

Why did the IC treat Bishop Reyes this way? Because they malign anyone who says anything they consider negative against them. And Bishop Reyes' findings in the whole situation of crisis in CFC, as reported to the Philippine bishops, was clear: (1) CFC-GK veered away, and (2) the IC was disobedient to the bishops. That sealed Bishop Reyes' fate. He had become the enemy.

In his letter of resignation, Bishop Reyes said that he sided with what he thought was right. Joe Tale claims he sided with Frank Padilla and the CFC-FFL. So there you have it: the Spiritual Director of CFC, as he investigated the crisis with neutrality and fairness, found that CFC-FFL was right.

Joe Tale's acceptance of his resignation is his standard fare of saying what he does not mean or what is not true. He claims to have acted properly in relation to the Spiritual Director, while the Spiritual Director says what was proper was to consult or inform him of certain things, which the IC did not do. Joe says he wants the parting of ways to be loving. Bishop Reyes had better watch it then. What the IC has done to CFC-FFL, in spite of CFC-GK's theme of loving one another, is to continue to malign and attack us. Joe says they respect and honor him as a pastor. Well, they really do not, and such disrespect is already a matter of record. Joe says they remain committed to the Church. Well, maintaining their partnerships with pharmaceuticals that produce or market contraceptives is contrary to what the Church has told them repeatedly regarding cutting off such partnerships.

No wonder Bishop Reyes reached that point where he felt he had no option but to resign.

Let us all pray for our beloved Bishop Reyes, a just, wise, fair, loving and Spirit-filled pastor and shepherd. He has been unjustly treated and maligned. We can only rejoice that he is privileged to take up his cross, courtesy of Joe Tale and the IC.

CFC-FFL

IN DEFENSE OF THE CHURCH

May 6, 2008

Our commitment, as expressed in our statutes, is “to rise in defense of the Roman Catholic Church against the forces that seek to destroy or weaken it.”

In the past few weeks, the Church hierarchy has been subjected to unprecedented attacks.

Against bishops and the Church in general
“…. it is very easy for me to discern falsity, or hypocrisy, especially of the self-righteous who preach much more than they practice.” “And we must forgive those who were anointed to guide and protect us from the evil that has enslaved us for they probably know not what they do.” (Boy Montelibano, “A Mortal Blow to a Mortal Crime,” March 7, 2008)

“In the center of controversy ….. hypocrisy which is a constant presence in the halls of hierarchy ….” (Boy Montelibano, “Hate Campaign against Gawad Kalinga will not Succeed,” April 20, 2008)

“….. the Catholic Church seems determined to preach only the new theology that God wants to reward the wicked and punish the good.” “The bishops accept money from a hypocritical to do everything in their power to keep her in power just so they could fatten and gladden themselves.” “I do not claim to know the ways of heaven, but when St. Peter goes out one day to meet Meloto ….., and the bishops who have praised their God loudly by refusing to condemn the most corrupt of their ‘sisthren,’ I have a good idea whom he will send upstairs and downstairs.” (Conrado de Quiros, “There’s the Rub,” April 22, 2008)

“What is generally known but not so talked about is the participation, by commission or omission, of the Catholic Church in causing and perpetuating the situation of poverty and corruption.” “….. fundamentalism and spiritual bigotry. ….. there is hope that erring cardinals and bishops who have veered away will ultimately see the way, the truth and the light.” (Boy Montelibano, “Nobility versus Hypocrisy,” April 23, 2008)

“There are true Christians among Catholics, but there are also Catholics who are not even Christians at all. Sometimes, even the shepherds of Christ’s Church are themselves lost sheep.” “Sad to say, we have the same breed of confused clergy today mouthing condemnation and raising alarums of eternal damnation against members of the Catholic congregation who happen to outdo them in their avowed mission to win hearts and souls for Christ.” “The bishops preach that gambling is evil and yet bishops and cardinals are known to derive a big chunk of funds from gambling operations of PCSO and Pagcor. How can they provide spiritual inspiration to the faithful when they themselves are confused about their own perspectives?” (William Esposo, “How the New Pharisees Undermine the Roman Catholic Church,” April 29, 2008)

“The conflicting messages and actuation of the Church hierarchy among themselves and oftentimes in full view of the public contribute to the lessening of the credibility of this same hierarchy. Worse, the participation or intrusion of the Vatican in a controversy which it should keep away from can lessen its own credibility …..” “….. religious bigotry and fundamentalism.” (Boy Montelibano, “GK Enough or More …. Are we a Church of the Poor?”, April 17, 2008)

Against Bishop Gabriel Reyes
“Bishop Gabriel Reyes ….. wants like Pontius Pilate to appear uninvolved.” (Boy Montelibano, “Hate Campaign against Gawad Kalinga will not Succeed,” April 20, 2008)

“The statement is not only shocking, but utterly absurd. It is, in fact, quite perverted because of the fact that it comes from the Catholic Church as orchestrated by a bishop from the Philippines.” (Boy Montelibano, “Nobility versus Hypocrisy,” April 23, 2008)

“The actuation of Bishop Gabriel Reyes is suspect because his name had already been reported in another controversy affecting Couples for Christ last year. Seen clearly by the hundreds of thousands of CFC members as a partisan supporter of a breakaway splinter group, Bishop Reyes has done much to damage the image of the Church …..”

“A wide range of issues were raised by the new Pharisees.” “But this makes us wonder if all this hypocrisy that emulates nothing but the Pharisees is at bottom all about money.” (William Esposo, “How the New Pharisees Undermine the Roman Catholic Church,” April 29, 2008)

Against Bishop Reyes and Cardinal Rylko
“What we speak of here in the current brouhaha with the actions of the concerned Church personalities is a matter of Church protocol or even hypocrisy, not Church dogma. As Cardinal Rylko and bishop Gabriel Reyes smear, deliberately or consequently, the most noble work …..” “Cardinal Rylko and Bishop Reyes call it an ‘overemphasis’ on the social instead of the spiritual. That is not only a spiritual distortion, it is contrary to Church teachings. But in the case of Cardinal Rylko, I will call it only ignorance of the truth, or the human weakness of believing a source without sound basis.” “….. from fundamentalism and hypocrisy, from the clutches of the evil that lurks of those who claim to be spiritual and moral leaders.” (Boy Montelibano, “Hate Campaign against Gawad Kalinga will not Succeed,” April 20, 2008)

“Christ did warn us: ‘Beware the devil quoting scripture.’ The new Pharisees and their Vatican ally, Cardinal Rylko, cannot even be consistent with what Pope Benedict XVI has been pushingsocial action.” (William Esposo, “How the New Pharisees Undermine the Roman Catholic Church,” April 29, 2008)

“Anyone who reads the letter of Cardinal Rylko can easily deduce that he had fallen for the position of the Pharisees, a position that was apparently espoused and presented by Bishop Reyes who heads the National Council of the Laity here.” (William Esposo, “Updates on the Pharisees, GK and CFC,” May 6, 2008)

Against Cardinal Rylko
“The Church’s latest disincentive to faith is the letter of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Laity to Couples for Christ seeking to ‘correct’ what is wrong with it.” (Conrado de Quiros, “There’s the Rub,” April 22, 2008)

Who are the attackers?

Boy Montelibano is the right-hand man of Tony Meloto, the head of Gawad Kalinga. William Esposo and Conrado de Quiros are associates of Montelibano in a political group that is looking to having Tony Meloto as a candidate for President in 2010.

We deplore the lies, disinformation, and rabble rousing in the writings of these three persons. We deplore the use of media to malign the Church and the hierarchy. We deplore the disrespect to our spiritual shepherds.

We also regret that the CFC International Council under Joe Tale, the members of which have authority over GK, have chosen not to correct or chastise Montelibano, a CFC member and a GK leader. By their silence they betray their concurrence, at the very least, with what has been written.

We declare that there is absolutely no truth to the allegations.

We ask our brethren to continue to engage in spiritual warfare, as the enemy continues to rage. New Age has infiltrated GK, and it is a characteristic of New Agers that they hate the Church. New Age coupled with a political agenda becomes even more diabolical.

We call on all CFC members, both CFC-GK-IC and CFC-FFL, to defend the integrity of the Church, and to reject those who for selfish reasons seek to destroy or weaken it.

CFC-FFL

THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE CFC-GK-IC AD OF MAY 1

Please see attached letter of Cardinal Rylko to Joe Tale dated April 3, 2008, which is the basis of their May 1 ad.

Here are our comments:

REGARDING THE APRIL 3 LETTER OF CARDINAL RYLKO
(1) It is interesting that Joe Tale asked Cardinal Rylko to change the name recognized by the Vatican from “Couples for Christ” to “Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc.” Why? This simply means they are unsure about their hold on the CFC name and wanted to firm it up by changing the recognition to “CFCGMFI.” In proposing it, Joe, as chided by Cardinal Rylko, showed his civil (social, corporate) rather than spiritual thinking.

(2) Cardinal Rylko’s letter says the name “Couples for Christ” cannot be used by another. Of course, rightly so. But “CFC” with something attached to it becomes an entirely new and different name. That is why there are at least 8 corporations registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission that are named “Couples for Christ (plus something attached).”

(3) Looking at the CFC-GK-IC’s other ad of April 7, 2008, in relation to Cardinal Rylko’s directives to them in his letters of March 11 and April 3, 2008 to Joe Tale, it is clear that the IC did not follow Cardinal Rylko’s directive regarding the apology for the public scandal. Cardinal Rylko directed Joe Tale to “clearly state” that “We sincerely apologize for any scandal that CFC may have provoked among the faithful by receiving funds from pharmaceutical firms producing contraceptives. From now on this will never happen again.” What the IC rather wrote in their April 7 ad, buried in the text, was “We sincerely apologize for any scandal that the CFC leadership, past or present, may have caused among the faithful with our previous partnerships.” Nowhere in this ad is there a mention of pharmaceutical firms producing contraceptives. Nowhere in this ad is the commitment that such partnerships will never happen again. This is because such partnerships, up to today, are still existing, and it seems CFC-GK-IC has no intention of terminating these partnerships.

(4) Since the IC refuses to follow the Vatican, and since CFC-GK still has these partnerships with pharmaceuticals with contraceptives, CFC is still not in “good standing” with the Vatican.

REGARDING THE MAY 1 AD
(5) Once again there is deception. They did not print the full letter, because once again, just like the March 11 letter of Cardinal Rylko to Joe Tale, it is not favorable to them. They took one seemingly favorable line and hid the rest of the text which were all unfavorable.

(6) They claim that it was clarified “that CFC remains on solid ground with its work with the poor, Gawad Kalinga.” But that is nowhere to be found in Cardinal Rylko’s letter!

(7) The ad says “contrary to impressions it may have become anti-life.” But indeed Cardinal Rylko’s April 3 letter says they should apologize clearly for the “scandal” of receiving “funds from pharmaceutical firms producing contraceptives,” and that they should say “this will never happen again,” and that they “will continue ... purposes not related to contraceptives.” The Vatican definitely sees such partnerships as anti-life. It is not an impression, but a reality.

(8) They reiterate CFC’s “being one with the Catholic Church” but in the past two weeks, after the ABS-CBN online news entitled “Vatican admonishes CFC over GK” came out, columnists connected with CFC-GK have viciously and repeatedly attacked the hierarchy -- Bishop Reyes, Cardinal Rylko and the hierarchy in general.

(9) They made “an appeal to the CBCP and the entire Philippine Clergy to recognize only one CFC” but did this through media rather than directly to those they are addressing. Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the Spiritual Adviser of CFC, was not consulted and he did not know about this ad.

(10) They want “to prevent confusion, division and scandal among the faithful.” But this is precisely what they, through this ad, are causing.

REGARDING CFC-FFL
(11) CFC-FFL has already been officially recognized by many bishops. Those like Bishop Reyes and Archbishop Lagdameo, President of the CBCP, have in fact clearly stated that the name is not a problem, just as there are many Franciscan, Carmelite and other groups with the same basic name but with something else appended.

(12) In many countries outside the Philippines, the name “Couples for Christ” is actually legally held by those affiliated with CFC-FFL.

May 2, 2008