Church

MANILA – The social action and humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the faithful to take time to do charity works aside from joining traditional religious activities during the Holy Week.

Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo on Monday said Catholics may also consider helping those in need during Lenten observance.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

1st Reading – Ezekiel 37:12-14

Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.

Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people!

I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

KORONADAL CITY - Sinabi ni Marbel Bishop Allan Casicas ng Diocesan Clergy of Marbel, si Fr. Alan Catigbay ay hindi na kasapi ng DCM at anumang gawain niya ay walang kinalaman ang simbahang katoliko.

Nasa ibaba ang kanyang liham para sa mananampalatayang Katoliko.

March 15, 2023

Prot. No. 190366

TO: TO ALL THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF MARBEL

RE: FR. ALAN G. CATIGDAY’S DEPARTURE FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

CATARMAN - Retired Bishop Angel Hobayan, the first bishop of the Diocese of Catarman who oversaw the growth of the local church for 30 years, died March 11. He was 93.

The country’s oldest bishop died at around 2:30 a.m. at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Metro Manila, the diocese said in a statement.

“We extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and relatives and to all the faithful of the diocese,” said Bishop Emmanuel Trance of Catarman.

MANILA – Despite life’s greatest challenges, Filipinos remain hopeful and resilient because of their unwavering faith, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

Marcos made this remark as he joined Filipino Catholics in celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

“As the Catholic Faithful expresses their devotion to the Black Nazarene, let us also remember its deep rootedness in our Filipino culture of overcoming the great trials and tribulations in our midst,” Marcos said in his Black Nazarene feast day message.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years, has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.

His death was announced in Rome on Dec. 31.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican press office director Matteo Bruni said. “Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”

MANILA – Catholic prelates in the country have joined the appeal of Pope Francis to offer prayers for the immediate recovery of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo heed to the call of the Holy Father to offer prayers for his predecessor.

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday encouraged Filipino Catholics to put their faith in God and in each other as the country celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In his message, he asked the Catholic faithful to take inspiration from the Blessed Mother’s charitable and selfless love for others.

MANILA - An Irish priest who is credited for designing several churches in southern Philippines died on Nov. 23, the feast of their congregation’s founder, St. Columban.

Fr. Desmond Morrison passed away at Manila Doctors Hospital at around 7am.

At 97, he was the oldest Columban priest in the Philippines at the time of his death.

Born in Ireland’s northern city of Derry, Desmond was an engineer by profession before he was ordained priest in 1951. He arrived in the Philippines in 1956.

MANILA – Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) supported the decree issued by Pope Francis to reorganize the Caritas Internationalis (CI).

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Caritas Philippines president, said Thursday the decision to reorganize is not about corruption or mismanagement of funds.