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Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines

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The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines[a] (CBCP) is the permanent organizational assembly of the Catholic bishops of the Philippines exercising together certain pastoral offices for the Christian faithful of their territory through apostolic plans, programs and projects suited to the circumstances of time and place in accordance with law for the promotion of the greater good offered by the Catholic Church to all people.[1][2][3][4]

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
AbbreviationCBCP
FormationFebruary 15, 1945; 79 years ago (February 15, 1945)
TypeEpiscopal conference
Headquarters470 General Luna Street
Location
Coordinates14°35′22″N 120°58′21″E / 14.5894893°N 120.9724191°E / 14.5894893; 120.9724191
Region
Philippines
Membership (2022)
90 active; 40 honorary[citation needed]
Official language
Secretary General
Bernardo Pantin
Pablo Virgilio David
Vice President
Mylo Hubert Vergara
Treasurer
John F. Du
SubsidiariesCatholic Media Network
Websitecbcponline.net, cbcpnews.net

Standing as the national episcopal conference in the Philippines, it consists all diocesan bishops and those equivalent to bishops in church law; all coadjutor and auxiliary bishops; and all other titular bishops who exercise for the entire nation a special office assigned to them by the Apostolic See. It has 90 active and 40 honorary bishops[5] and other members.[6] The chancery is centrally located within the Intramuros district, located just behind the Manila Cathedral.

Kalookan bishop Pablo Virgilio David is the current president as of December 2021.

History

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Purpose

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As provided in its constitution, the purposes of this episcopal conference is to promote solidarity in the Philippine Church; to engage the Philippine Church actively in the thrusts of the universal church; to assume the responsibilities as evangelizer in relation to all the people, and in particular to civil authority; and to foster relations with other Episcopal Conferences.[1]

According to this document, the purpose of the conference is to promote solidarity in the Philippine Church, formulate joint pastoral policies and programs, engage the Philippine Church as abide in the pastoral thrusts of the universal church, assume the responsibilities as evangelizer in relation to all the people and with the civil authority in particular and to foster relations with other Episcopal Conferences.[1]

Plenary Assembly

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Bishops are gathered as a body in pursuit of its objectives constitute the Plenary Assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of the Conference.

It is the Plenary Assembly which elects through direct vote the officers of the Conference, composed of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary General and Treasurer. It is likewise the Plenary Assembly which elects the members of the Permanent Council, the Chairmen of the Episcopal Commissions and the heads of the agencies attached to the Conference.[7]

The Plenary Assembly meets in regular session twice a year: in January and in July. When the Plenary Assembly is not in session, the Permanent Council acts for and in behalf of the Conference.

The Permanent Council is composed of a chairman, Vice-Chairman, and ten regional representatives (five for Luzon, two for Visayas and three for Mindanao).

The President of the CBCP serves for a term of two years, and is limited to only two consecutive terms. The members of the Permanent Council, on the other hand, have a term of two years but are allowed a cumulative number of up to four terms. They may not, however, serve for more than two consecutive terms in succession.

Permanent Council

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Bishops convene as a Plenary Assembly on a regular basis only twice a year. When the Plenary Assembly is not in session, it is the Permanent Council which acts for and on behalf of all the bishops.

The Permanent Council, composed of ten elected members representing the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions, acts in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the CBCP, and the policies and standing decisions of the Plenary Assembly.

The Council may be convened by the President at any time for the discharge of its regular functions or for special purposes. However, when the Council cannot have a quorum, the members present, together with other CBCP members available, may also act for and in behalf of the Conference.

The Permanent Council's regular functions include ensuring that the decisions made during the Plenary Assembly are properly executed and directing the activities of the Office and other agencies of the Conference. It is also tasked to prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Plenary Assembly and examine and approve the Conference's annual budget, prior to submission and final approval of the Plenary Assembly.[8]

A crucial function of the Permanent Council is to prepare the Joint Statements or Pastoral Letters of the Hierarchy on subject matters decided on by the Plenary Assembly, and see to it that copies are sent to the members for comment and/or approval before they are officially released.[8]

The council is likewise mandated to work with the Episcopal Commissions and assign to them functions of urgent character which may not have been taken up in the Plenary Assembly and which may not be provided for in the Constitution. It also has the power to set up temporary agencies for some particular inquiry or for some limited sphere of actions.[8]

Composition

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As of 2022, the episcopal conference has 90 active member cardinals, archbishops and bishops as well as 40 honorary members.[5]

The Philippines has 16 archdioceses, 51 dioceses, 7 apostolic vicariates, 5 territorial prelatures and a military ordinariate.

  •  
    Map of the Philippines showing the different ecclesiastical provinces
  •  
    Map of the Philippines showing the different apostolic vicariates

List of presidents

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Main article: President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines

Philippine politics

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Post-election pastoral letter by the CBCP in 1986

The episcopal conference expressed dismay (July 6, 2007) over the conduct of the May 14, 2007, midterm elections, saying "the challenge of credible, honest, meaningful and peaceful polls remains". CBCP president Lagdameo lamented that "vote-buying and other anomalies have already become systematic and even cultural." He stressed that election watchdogs, including the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), noted that the problem no longer lies in the voters but the voting system itself and the irresponsibility of some election officials. PPCRV chairman Henrietta de Villa told the bishops that last May's elections merely repeated the unresolved poll fraud issues in the 2004 race between Arroyo and the late Fernando Poe Jr. Lagdameo promised that they would come up with a full assessment of the conduct of the May 14 midterm elections at the conclusion of the assembly (July 9). The CBCP is also expected to discuss other pertinent issues, including extrajudicial killings of activists and journalists as well as the implementation of the new Anti-Terror Law.[9]

Lagdameo asked the government to review the controversial anti-terror law, fearing it could be abused. The CBCP warned that the Human Security Act may be used by authorities to quell popular dissent against the government of Mrs. Arroyo.[10] The CBCP, in a press conference, further called for a change of leadership at the Commission on Elections as it noted the "continuing dominance" of political dynasties, dagdag-bawas, and poll violence. Demanding "full revamp of the Comelec", it sought for the appointment of people with "unquestioned integrity and competence, especially in systems and management" to succeed Chair Abalos and the five other members. There should also be "serious efforts to de-politicize and professionalize the bureaucracy," the CBCP said in a two-page pastoral statement read by its president Angel Lagdameo. Its call came after the vote of the 85-bishop CBCP during their two-day plenary assembly.[11] Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento urged the early nomination process (which must be transparent and should involve the electorate) for the four poll commissioners. The terms of office of Chair Abalos and Commissioners Tuason and Borra would end in February next year, with an existing vacancy at the Comelec.[12]

On December 17, 2007, in a statement on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, Pampanga archbishop Paciano Aniceto stated that Pope Benedict XVI assured Filipinos that God and the church are still with them – in his encyclical "Spe Salvi facti sumus (In hope we are saved)."[13] Also, Manila auxiliary bishop Broderick Pabillo was appointed the new chair of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action and Peace and the National Action for Social Justice and Peace (Nassa), the CBCP's social arm, replacing Marbel bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez.[citation needed]

On January 7, 2008, Bishop Leonardo Medroso, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Canon Law and bishop of Tagbilaran diocese, Bohol, issued the appeal to priests to stay away from politics, ahead of the May 2010 elections. He cited Code of Canon Law, prohibition, Canon 287, which forbids all clerics from entering politics and that priests "cannot have an active role in political parties unless the need to protect the rights of the church or to promote the common good." Three priests—Crisanto de la Cruz, Ronilo Maat Omanio and Ed Panlilio—who ran in the last elections were suspended from their pastoral duties as a result of their entry into the political arena. Only Panlilio won.[14]

On January 19, 2008, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (quoting from a letter of Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone) announced that Pope Benedict XVI "praised the courage of, and was saddened over the brutal and tragic killing of Reynaldo Roda in his ministry as head of Notre Dame School." The Pope wrote Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon: "calls upon the perpetrators to renounce the ways of violence and to play their part in building a just and peaceful society, where all can live together in harmony."[15]

Church insiders reported that the CBCP was still ruled by conservatives, amid renewed calls for Mrs. Arroyo's resignation. Bishops therefore, failed to join these clamors, since the President "continues to wield influence over a good number of CBCP members".[16]

Positions

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HIV/AIDS

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In 2015, the head of CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Health Care, Dan Vicente Cancino, explained that the rise of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines due to Filipinos believing to "distorted concept of sexuality" due to lack of "family values formation". He urged Filipinos to adhere to traditional Filipino values and live a life of prayer.[17][18]

The Rise of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines, as much as Ten people per day, has been attributed to the CBCP's stance against reproductive health education and condom use.[19][20][21][22][23]

Philippine Anti-discrimination Bill

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Further information: Homosexuality and Roman Catholicism

In December 2011, the CBCP reportedly urged the Philippine Senate not to pass the Bill 2814 known as "Anti-Ethnic, Racial or Religious Discrimination and Profiling Act of 2011" or "Anti-discrimination Bill".[24] CBCP legal counsel Roland Reyes stated that he believes that the bill is a precursor for the passage of a same sex marriage bill in the country. Another CBCP legal counsel, Jo Imbong, questioned protecting homosexuals because she considers homosexuality to be a choice of the individual.[25] The CBCP sees the Anti-discrimination bill as a challenge to religious freedom,[26] but the CBCP stated that it supports the bill as long as it rejects second class treatment for the LGBT community.[27]

Controversies

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PCSO controversy

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Protesters rallied in front of the Senate against the bishops that allegedly accepted money and luxury cars from former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in exchange for support

The CBCP was embroiled in a controversy in 2011 over millions of pesos in donations from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office at the behest of then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[28] According to a Commission on Audit report in 2009, some bishops received donations for the purchase of vehicles from the PCSO.[29]

Critics claim the donations was given to ensure church support for Arroyo, who was then buffeted by scandals and repeated threats of impeachment.[28] The bishops were tagged as "Pajero bishops" as it was alleged that they received Pajero vehicles.[28]

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato, explained that they asked for donations from the government because they are from "the provinces that have some of the most difficult areas that we have."[29] He added that it is their duty to help the people from those provinces with the use of their resources and that "when we lack resources, we seek the assistance from others."[29]

The bishops were summoned during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation on the anomalies within the PCSO, with the bishops returning the vehicles donated to them.[29] The CBCP Permanent Council also conducted its own investigation regarding the controversy.[28] Senator Teofisto Guingona, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said that since the vehicles were used for secular purposes, the donation is not considered as a violation of the Constitution, but added that the issue was a "litmus test to the Constitution" since the Constitution prohibits favoring a particular religious organization.[29] Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said that the tag "Pajero bishops" were unfair since the bishops did not receive expensive vehicles and said that the PCSO leadership must be blamed for the controversy.[29]

Pedophilia

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Further information: Catholic Church sexual abuse cases

Shay Cullen, founder of the People's Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation, accused CBCP members of covering up cases of sexual abuse and misconduct.[30][31][32]

In year 2002, CBCP apologized for the cases of sexual abuse and misconduct that were committed by its priests. CBCP admitted that around 200 priests have been involved in various cases of sexual misconducts, not limited only to pedophilia, for time period of 20 years.[30][33]

According to one report, cases of pedophilia in the Philippines were settled out of courts, with the convicted members of clergy being transferred to another parishes by their Bishops.[30] Several cases of pedophilia have been reported with some still pending trial.[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][30][41]

John Mary Vianney Galilee Development and Retreat Center for Priests

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In 1991, at the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), the CBCP decided to build a national center for the ongoing renewal and rehabilitation of clergy, to operate under the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Clergy.[42][43]

The John Mary Vianney Galilee Development and Retreat Center for Priests, a 54-room institution would be inaugurated on August 15, 2007 by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.[44] The center would also accommodate clergy who were "exiled" for sexual misconduct including pedophilia and siring children.[42]

Notes

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  1. ^ In Philippine languages: Filipino: Kapulungan ng mga Katólikong Obispo ng Pilipinas; Cebuano: Hugpong sa mga Obispo nga Katoliko sa Pilipinas; Central Bikol: Komperensya kan mga Obispo Katoliko kan Filipinas; Hiligaynon: Komperensya sang mga Obispo Katoliko sang Pilipinas; Ilocano: Kumperensya ti Obispo nga Katoliko ti Filipinas

References

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  1. ^ a b c Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. "Preamble". Manila. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  2. ^ Code of Canon Law. 1983.
  3. ^ Second Vatican Council (October 28, 1965). Christus Dominus. Vol. 38.
  4. ^ John Paul II (May 21, 1998). "Motu Proprio Apostolos Suos". 14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b Microsoft Word - BISHOPS DIRECTORY - 2017.doc (PDF) (Report). November 29, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "Be shepherds of your flock, Pope reminds RP bishops". GMA. July 5, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Plenary". www.cbcpwebsite.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c "PermanentCouncil". www.cbcpwebsite.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  9. ^ "ABS-CBN, Interactive, CBCP slams conduct of midterm elections". Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  10. ^ "ABS-CBN, Interactive, CBCP wants anti-terror law reviewed". Archived from the original on September 1, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  11. ^ "Catholic bishops want Arroyo to revamp Comelec en banc". July 9, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  12. ^ "Palace urged to nominate 4 poll commissioners soon". Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "Pope tells Filipinos to have hope amid crises". December 18, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  14. ^ "AbsCbn, Priests urged: Keep out of politics". Archived from the original on July 9, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  15. ^ "Pope praises courage of slain Philippine priest - USATODAY.com". USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  16. ^ "www.abs-cbnnews.com, Conservatives Now Control CBCP; Bishops Won't Join Resign-GMA Calls". Retrieved April 26, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ "CBCP exec: Many persons with HIV/AIDS come from broken families | Inquirer News". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. April 15, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  18. ^ Macairan, Evelyn (April 16, 2015). "Many STD patients come from broken families – CBCP | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star". philstar.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  19. ^ "Gay sex fuels HIV rise in Catholic Philippines". Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  20. ^ "Rise in New HIV Cases in Philippines Stirs Debate on Reproductive Health Bill". June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  21. ^ Gutierrez, Jason (July 26, 2012). "Men-to-men sex fuels HIV rise in the Philippines". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  22. ^ Gonzales, Iris (February 5, 2016). "Philippines at risk of 'full-blown' HIV epidemic". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  23. ^ "Gay sex fuels HIV rise in Catholic Philippines". July 26, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  24. ^ "Anti-discrimination bill may justify gay marriage: CBCP official". Directory.ucanews.com. March 13, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  25. ^ Calleja, Niña (December 7, 2011). "CBCP wants anti-discrimination bill cleansed of provisions on gay rights". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  26. ^ "Senate 'anti-discrimination bill' mandates religious intolerance – lawyer". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  27. ^ "CBCP on anti-discrimination bill: Gender is 'God's gift'". Rappler.com. March 4, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  28. ^ a b c d "Another CBCP body takes over probe of bishops in PCSO mess | Inquirer News". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. July 9, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  29. ^ a b c d e f "Bishops attend Senate hearing, return all PCSO cars". The Philippine STAR. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  30. ^ a b c d "Catholic News Asia | Church, Features, Opinion, Gospel, Dioceses". ucanews.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  31. ^ "Preda Foundation". CRIN. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  32. ^ "The Life of Street Children in the Philippines and Initiatives to Help Them". Cpcabrisbane.org. September 13, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  33. ^ "Asia-Pacific | Philippines Church apologises for sex abuse". BBC News. July 8, 2002. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  34. ^ Ang, Tiffany. "Sexual abuse and the Catholic Church in the Philippines". www.aljazeera.com.
  35. ^ "Cebu priest probed over 'child abuse' after ivory trade". Rappler.com. September 27, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  36. ^ Whaley, Floyd (September 27, 2012). "Philippine Priest Facing Scrutiny Over Ivory and Abuse". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  37. ^ "Priest suspended on 20-year-old child abuse raps | Inquirer News". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. September 26, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  38. ^ "Defrocked Pinoy priest ordered extradited to US for sex abuse raps | News | GMA News Online". Gmanetwork.com. April 3, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  39. ^ philnews.com & Datu Enterprises. "Philippines News Link, PhilNews - And What About Sexual Abuse by Catholic Priests in the Philippines?". Philnews.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  40. ^ "Can we know how rich the Catholic Church is?". Rappler.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  41. ^ "'Molest me, Father, for I have sinned' - The Manila Times Online". www.manilatimes.net. August 5, 2017.
  42. ^ a b Onato, Anton C. "Sexually deviant priests sent to Tagaytay for rehab". The Philippine Star.
  43. ^ Files, Anton C. Onato, VERA. "Sexually deviant priests sent to Tagaytay for rehab".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "Bishops´ Commission Inaugurates Center for Priests". UCA News. August 16, 2007.
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