svd statement on elections 2022 may 9

 

who is fr danny pilario, cm, phd, std?

source: https://www.stjohns.edu/sites/default/files/2021-09/Short%20CV%20-%20for%20SJU%20SP%20REVISED.pdf

Rev. Daniel Franklin Pilario, C.M., Ph.D., S.T.D. 

Fr. Pilario is a member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in the Philippines. He is an Associate Professor and Dean of St. Vincent School of Theology at Adamson University in Quezon City, Philippines. He comes from the barangay of Hagdan in the municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu in the Philippines. 

Fr. Pilario earned an undergraduate philosophy degree at Adamson University, a bachelor’s in theology at the University of Santo Tomas, and a master’s and doctoral degree at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. 

His book, Back to the Rough Grounds of Praxis: Exploring Theological Method with Pierre Bourdieu (Leuven, 2005), was awarded the Jan en Marie Huyse Prijs of the Leuven Academic Foundation as the best research in the humanities in 2003. 

He has also written After the End: Reflections of the Happy Theologian in and on the Rough Grounds (2014), and other monographs. He edited or coedited several anthologies. The most recent are The Ambivalence of Sacrifice (2013); Christian Orthodoxy (2014); Globalization and the Church of the Poor (2015); Philippine Local Churches after the Spanish Regime (2015); Faith in Action: Catholic Social Teaching on the Ground (2015); Second Plenary Council of the Philippines: Quo Vadis (2015); Theology and Power: International Perspectives 2016); Suffering and God (2016); Minorities (2017); Theology, Conflict and Peacebuilding (2018); Asian Christianities (2018); and Signs of Hope in Muslim-Christian Relations (2020). 

Fr. Pilario belongs to the editorial boards of philosophical and theological journals. Among them are Hapág: Interdisciplinary Journal of Theology; Sian Christian Review; Concilium: International Journal of Theology; Institute of Spirituality in Asia; PHAVISMINDA; and the International Journal of Philosophy and Theology. 

He has extensively published in national and international academic journals. His field of research covers fundamental theology, cultural theories and inculturation, liberation theology, theological anthropology, methods of theological research, political-social theory, theology and ecology, Catholic social teaching, and justice and human rights. Fr. Pilario is also a former President and founding member of DaKaTeo, the Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines. 

He is a professorial lecturer at universities and seminaries in the country, and regularly ministers at a garbage dumpsite parish in Payatas, Quezon City, on weekends. 

Rev. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M., Ph.D., S.T.D. 

St. Vincent School of Theology 

221 Tandang Sora Avenue Quezon City, Philipppines 

danielfranklinpilario@yahoo.com

personal vs structural sins

 WHY NOT SARA?

There are movements now that "drop" Bongbong Marcos and combine Sara’s candidacy with other Presidentiables in different places — Isko-Sara, Pacquiao-Sara and even Leni-Sara. I do not know where this is coming from. Maybe from local governments’ alliance with these candidates but also their loyalty to Duterte himself.

In this article, let me ask the question: why not Sara? The open answer is because she wants to “continue”, maybe perpetuate, the legacy of her father. In her campaigns she proclaims: “Yan po ang commitment namin, na ituloy ang mga programa kontra kriminalidad ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte.” (Paranaque, March 12, 2022).

There might be a "hidden" answer but hard to speculate. Though it does not really take a genius to figure out why. Hindi naman tayo ipinanganak kahapon.

Because she does not join public debates, and because the UniTeam does not have concrete platforms on issues other than “unity”, we do not really know what "Duterte legacy" she (and they) want to preserve other than this "fight against criminality".

But let me count the ways.

1. EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS

We know that Duterte and his men have a pending case in the International Criminal Court. For sure, that is not a “yellow” narrative. To win the Vice-Presidency would give her some leg room and influence to protect the father from litigation. But whether Duterte has cases in the ICC or not, my journey with the mothers, widows and orphans of the War on Drug victims is enough reason that this administration has “killed” not only the addicts but the future of their families as well. One can never imagine the trauma and anger the killing did to young minds. One sharing a child said: “I want to be a police, because I want to kill the policeman who killed my father.”

We also know the killings did not stop with the addicts but also pursued the “communists”, the lumad, the dissenters and activists. If this is the criminality she is talking about, this is a well-funded program under NTF-ECLAC and legally supported by Anti-Terrorism Law. This legacy is not only an attack against human life and dignity. It is also a source of corruption that breeds violence. What kind of legacy is that?

“Thou shall not kill” is an absolute Christian command. Any enabler of a government who kills is not worthy of our vote.

2. CORRUPTION

“Give me 3-6 months” was the campaign refrain, an upbeat promise to rid the Philippines of corruption. More that 16 million cheered. He will not tolerate a corrupt official, “not even a whiff of corruption”. In his last SONA, he admitted: “You cannot stop corruption… it will always be there.” Let us just remind ourselves of this legacy which are from COA, an official government body: the PhilHealth scam (15B); 67.3 B “deficiencies” with the Department of Health, 41B of which went to the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). Do you still remember Pharmally and the overpriced face masks and PPE’s from China? 583.5 B flagged by COA as “wasted funds on corruption and incompetence” in 2017 alone.

Where are Faeldon and Lapena today? What happened to the magnetic lifters in 2017? Do you still remember the “pastillas” scam? In 2020, the Philippines ranked 115th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) done by Transparency International (TI). What kind of legacy is this?

“Thou shall not steal” is God’s command. Any candidate who plans to continue such legacy, who connive with plunderers in one party, and have no plans to prosecute the corrupt is not worthy of my vote.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PLUNDER

Duterte began his term with environmental “dramatics”—the return of Canada waste illegally shipped to us and the Boracay “clean up”. He also banned casinos in the island—only to lift the same ban in April 2021. It is now open to 150-hectare resort of the Alliance Global Group.

In a dramatic move and to our delight, he chose the environmental advocate, Gina Lopez, to be the DENR Secretary in 2017. He also imposed moratorium on open-pit mining. He later sacked Gina and lifted the moratorium in the granting of new permits for mining companies. Gone are our hopes for sustainable ecology.

Another expensive drama is the Manila Bay dolomite beach. When typhoon Odette struck the Visayas, Alcoy (Cebu) from where the crushed dolomite were hauled, had big boulders came rushing down on houses in the plains. The delight to our eyes in Manila were paid for by the suffering of people somewhere else. There are still other environment issues that pose questions to the Duterte administration: the Kaliwa dam and the controversial Chinese capitalization, the Malampaya deals with Dennis Uy, and the coal plants program.

And there are many other issues too long to mention: the “build, build, build” program which according to NEDA, plans to complete mere 18 projects out of 122 proposed at the end of Duterte’s term (well, after so much credit grabbing, publicity and “bruhaha”); independent foreign policy (kuno) which is read as “friendship” with China; the drama of ABS-CBN, Rappler, and many others.

But what has this got to do with Sara, the daughter? My answer is the same as with Marcos Jr., the son.

Sins are not just personal sins, something which we individually commit. St. John Paul II talks of “social sins”, “structural sins”, sins found in societal structures. They “cry to heaven because they generate violence, disrupt peace and harmony.” They are started and perpetrated by persons; but they continue to corrupt and pollute society in the structures that these candidates and party vow to perpetuate and continue. They are conscious and willing "enablers" and promoters of the structures of evil.

So far, no one owned up to these facts and cases. Neither the father and his minions. Nor the daughter who has also no plans to call these people into account. Of course, how can she? Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?

These are enough reasons to say: she is not worthy of my vote! Maybe yours too.

Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM

Vincentian Center for Social Justice

St. John’s University – New York

cardinal tagle: the goodness of the human person amidst the ukranian war 2022 feb 24 ...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-03/ukraine-war-cardinal-tagle-caritas-interview.html?fbclid=IwAR1VS2MloGkm9e-PtJwEFputEx_eAfECeLDQKDYfNQEtLacXMvPD-nQmnrE

Cardinal Tagle on war in Ukraine: no weapon can kill hope

Interview with the president of Caritas Internationalis on the war in Ukraine, Europe’s great test of solidarity and the testimonies of humanity that give hope, even in a time marked by suffering and pain.

By Alessandro Gisotti

Under the bombs but working non-stop. This is how Caritas operators are bringing help to those in need in Ukraine devastated by the Russian military aggression. Despite the difficulties on the ground, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine continue to serve the population. Since the beginning of the conflict, assistance has been provided to over 160 thousand people. It ranges from food distribution to the provision of housing, but also psychological assistance. Extraordinary is also the commitment of all the local Caritas offices of Europe, and in particular in those countries - such as Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia - which have received the largest number of refugees fleeing the war. We asked the President of Caritas Internationalis and Prefect of "Propaganda Fide", Luis Antonio Tagle, to dwell on this commitment in a world that is strangled by pandemics and conflicts and finds it difficult to look to the future with confidence.

Cardinal Tagle, for two years now humanity has been grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the war in Ukraine, unleashed by Russia and the fear - of many - of a new world conflict. Where to find hope in the face of a time that seems so distressing?

As Christians, we must trust that hope is always in God. In this season of Lent, the Church - through the Readings - invites us to renew our hope in Jesus Christ. And this hope means the triumph of love, of mercy. We now see concrete signs of this hope. No gun can kill hope, the goodness of the spirit in the human person. There are so many testimonies to this. The hope in Jesus Christ and His Resurrection is true and is seen precisely in the testimony of so many people.

Pope Francis at last Sunday's Angelus spoke of "an unacceptable military aggression." On 6 March he had said that this "is a war," not "a special military operation." You are a Filipino, not a European, what emotions does a war in the heart of Europe arouse in you?

First of all, sadness. I feel sad seeing the images, hearing the news and being close to this place where there is war. I feel sad and also a bit confused because humanity has not learned the lessons of history! After so much war and destruction, we remain so hard at heart! When I listen to the stories of my parents who lived through World War II, I can't imagine - not even imagine! - the poverty, the suffering they endured. That generation continues to carry the wounds of war in their bodies as well, and they still have a wounded state of mind. When, when will we learn? Those are my feelings. We truly hope that we will learn from the lessons of history.

Caritas Internationalis was born 70 years ago to address the humanitarian needs that emerged from World War II. Today, what is the biggest challenge for the Caritas network with respect to the conflict in Ukraine?

It seems to me that the biggest challenge of the Caritas family network is what is precisely inscribed in its mission. The mission to always remind the world that every conflict, every disaster has a human face. Caritas' response is always humanitarian. For example, the war in Ukraine and conflicts in other countries of the world are generally presented as political, military conflicts but people are forgotten! With our mission, Caritas reminds the world that war is not a military, political issue, but it is, first of all, a human issue.

The Ukrainian people are giving an incredible testimony of courage, while its neighboring countries - in particular, we think of Poland, Romania - are offering a testimony of exceptional solidarity. What lesson can we learn, we who are "near" but still far from this war in Ukraine?

We must be grateful for the witness of the people in Ukraine and in neighboring countries and even of those further away who are sending aid and offering assistance. The lesson for me is this: in the desert of violence, the human person has the capacity to be good. The lesson for me is that even in a bad situation like war, a better humanity can emerge. But there is a challenge: the formation of the heart, of the mind. Conflicts, how do they begin? In the heart, in the decision of people. The lesson lies in the way families form their children in the values of respect for others, of listening, of compassion, of choosing a path of justice, of dialogue instead of revenge, of violence.

Is there a story, an image from this war - we are hearing about and seeing so many - that has struck you in a particular way, that somewhat represents the pain but also the strength, the goodness of people?

It is difficult to choose, but - perhaps as a Christian and as a bishop - the images that struck me most are those of people praying. This faith of the mothers kneeling before the Sacrament. Prayer, the network of prayer that unites humanity, for me, is a sign of hope despite the war. The Lord is with us. the Lord loves his family.

13 / 03 / 2013 election of pope francis

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/pope-francis-mario-bergoglio-election

266th Roman Pontif

speak up to save lives! (ukraine archbishop of kyiv)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzPajQayBA

>8 min video message of the catholic archbishop of kyiv (the capital of ukraine) Sviatoslav SHEVCHUK in ukrainian with English subtitle

>26 feb 2022 (2 days after russia started invasion of ukraine)

>pope francis called him up & promised to "do everything possible" to help ukraine

>even patriarch Bartholomew expressed his solidarity & brotherly prayers: schisms get healed in critical times like this, the archbishop said

>main message: do not be silent, a WORD can save lives; do not be indifferent & silent!

purgatory in the bible

 Re: Purgatory in the Bible

Fr: Bible Study Tools Staff (2018 July 3). https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/purgatory-in-the-bible/

 What are the references to purgatory in the Bible? Purgatory is defined in Roman Catholic doctrine as a place or experience of suffering for the souls of sinners who are absolving their sins before going to heaven. Furthermore, entrance into Heaven demands this momentary suffering due to sins whose guilt has not been forgiven. Catholic doctrine goes on to say that only those who die in the state of grace but have not yet undergone the punishment of their sin can be in purgatory. Therefore, no one in purgatory will stay there forever nor go to hell. Discover mentions of purgatory in the Bible from the collection of scripture quotes below!

 

1.    1Pt 3:19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

2.    1Pt 4:6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

3.    2Cor 5:10 or we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

4.    2Cor 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

5.    Heb 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

6.    Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

7.    Heb 12:23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

8.    1Cor 3:13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

9.    1Cor 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

10. 1Cor 15:29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

11. 1Cor 15:52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

12. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

13. Lk 12:47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.

14. Mt 5:26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

15. Mt 5:45 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

16. Ps 115:17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence;

17. Rev 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

18. Rev 20:2 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

19. Rev 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

20. Zech 9:11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.

21. Rev 20:13-14 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

22. Mt 12:36-37 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

23. 1Jn 5:16-17 16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

24. 1Pt 3:18-19 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

25. Jn 20:19-24 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

temporal punishment, purgatory, and plenary indulgence

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/how-catholics-can-receive-a-plenary-indulgence-on-fridays-during-lent?fbclid=IwAR0g-UqF0B3wboFoY2Eh-VpXGfYBzVTWVLFp1azFwrEIlQ-W9B3wn6G7Gc4

 If one dies in a state of grace after receiving sacramental confession and absolution, but before having offered fitting penance, the Church teaches, that soul will undergo purification before entering heaven — a doctrine commonly known as purgatory.

“All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 1030.

An indulgence, meanwhile, is a special grace offered by the Church that either partially or fully remits this “temporal punishment.”

totalitarianism is kleptocracy (mikahil khodorkovsky, 2015)

 Re: "Putin's Way" (2015 PBS documentary)

Fr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIgqhU4lkgo

"In reality, every totalitarian system is a kleptocracy." 

-- Mikhail Khodorkovsky (exiled Russian businessman & former youth communist party leader & politician; former oil magnate owning Yukos company ranked #1 as russia's richest & 16th wealthiest in the world by Forbes with estimated 15B$ assets in 2003; incarcerated 4 years x 2 + 10 years in Siberia; 1993 Deputy Minster of Energy, 1997-2004 Chairman & CEO of Yukos)