Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, February 11, 2010-As the political campaign season turns to high gear this week, Catholic prelates called on electorate to be responsible and well informed.

This was the appeal of Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Jr. as he also appealed to the candidates for their sincerity in seeking public office.

The same sentiment was expressed by Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo who also called on politicians to heed their conscience and inform the electorate of what is true, accurate and correct.

NAGA CITY, Jan. 1, 2010-With the automation of May elections promising a political exercise reflective of the people's will, a high-ranking prelate said the upcoming mid-year polls may yet signal new hope for the country and Filipinos in particular.

Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, in a New Year Message, said the automated elections give fresh hope to the electorate that it will truly reflect the people's will.

LEGAZPI City, Dec. 9, 2009-The Province of Albay, famous for its Mayon Volcano, is in the thick of preparations to welcome its sixth bishop, the 55-year old Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, in fitting liturgical reception and canonical installation at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral at 4:00 P.M. tomorrow.

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales will lead about 30 other bishops from across the country.

MANILA, November 17, 2009-After over a month in captivity in the boondocks of Southern Philippines, Irish Missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott said he will definitely go back to Pagadian City.

Speaking at the CBCPNews - CMN sponsored public affairs program "The Forum" this morning, the missionary said he has considered Pagadian City his home.

Though he admitted everything would depend on the decision of his immediate superior Fr. Patrick O'Donoghue and Pagadian bishop Emmanuel T. Cabajar, CSsR, Sinnott is optimistic of this return within the next few days.

COTABATO CITY, November 12, 2009-Fr. Michael Sinnott, the Columban missionary who was abducted October 11 in Pagadian City, was released around 4:30 this morning in Sangali, Zamboanga City.

The Irish missionary was turned over by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to agents of the Philippine government.

LEGAZPI City, Oct. 11, 2009- "DwBS will continue to play its role in society through its relevant programs and in spreading the Good News," thus said Bishop Lucilo Quiambao during the Thanksgiving Mass marking the station's 18th anniversary and re-launch recently.

The region's second Catholic radio station has survived its most difficult challenges and will continue its mission as an effective medium in bringing the faith closer to the people, he said.

The occasion also marked its transfer to its new location at the heart of the city's business district.

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept. 19, 2009-The local Church in Catanduanes is up in arms in opposition to the proposed mining operations in the province claiming the activity will lead to environmental destruction.

Virac Bishop Manolo Delos Santos registered his flock's opposition to the proposed mining operations in Catanduanes at a public hearing conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Senator Jamby Madrigal at Pepperland Hotel, this city, to investigate a mining contract granted to a mining company without public consultation.

NAGA CITY, Sept. 20, 2009-Thousands of devotees, armed with rosaries, lighted candles and white handkerchiefs lined up the opposite banks of Naga River from midday to early evening yesterday shouting "Viva La Virgen!" and "Viva Divino Rostro".

Traffic stood still along the city's main roads as several thousands of devotees regionwide joined the procession of the region's patroness.

MANILA, July 27, 2009-The head of the Catholic bishops' leadership expressed dissatisfaction at President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the SONA did not stick with the truth when Arroyo described the state of the nation.