Melo M. Acuña

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.

MANILA, July 10, 2009─Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI deplored the recent bombing in Cotabato City that left several people dead and wounded others, saying that the dastardly act "is a heinous crime that cries out to heaven."

"In strongest terms, I condemn this inhuman and unconscionable act of murder so senseless and so indiscriminate," said the prelate.

Manila, June 12, 2009-Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD said faithfulness to the priesthood remains the challenge they face this coming "Year of the Priest" scheduled to begin on Friday, June 19.

In an interview over Radio Veritas, the prelate said there have been instances when priests "doubt their identity" and get confused of their roles while some get involved in political activities.

"Our desire is to go back to our original vocation, that we are specially called by Jesus Christ to participate in His work in evangelizing the world," the 65-year old prelate said.

ILOILO City, April 27, 2009-The head of the Catholic bishops' leadership is apprehensive of the ruling which increases the number of lawmakers in Congress because it might cause more problems than gains.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a country suffering from political and economic crisis, the decision means additional burden to the public.

MANILA, April 16, 2009- The appointment of businesswoman and civic leader Ma. Mercedes "Mercy" Reinares Arrastia-Tuason to the position of Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See was not a surprise at all for some Catholic Church leaders.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Lagdameo said he was informed of the appointment two weeks ago by the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

MANILA--Restorative justice calls for a true paradigm shift where offenders and the offended could establish good relationships after the offenders have served time in prison.

Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro V. Arigo said the Catholic Church is not just concerned of the punishment meted on the offenders but to restore the broken relationship where the offenders and the offended will recognize each one as brothers and sisters, not only as human beings but as Christians.

MANILA--The country ’s oldest Catholic prelate, Bishop Manuel P. Del Rosario, emeritus of Malolos and a Bikolano, passed away at 1:00 A.M. today, at age 93.

Del Rosario has been confined to a wheelchair since he was paralyzed due to a stroke in 1963 while attending the conferences of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. The prelate died of pneumonia at Yanga Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan according to his nephew newly-appointed SEC Commissioner Manuel B. Gaite.

“He is the country’s last living bishop ordained under Vatican I,” said Commissioner Gaite, a former seminarian.