Metro Infanta Foundation

By Mila Glodava

The closest I came to seeing the late Pope John Paul II was at a distance (in fact you could hardly see him) during his historic visit to Denver for World Youth Day in 1993 and again on the streets of my native land in Manila, Philippines, two years later. Nevertheless, it still was an awesome feeling!

The first time I saw him in Denver I started sobbing the moment the Holy Father entered the old Mile High Stadium. I was in awe that he would come to us. And everyone around me was just as awestruck and in tears, as the multitude that saw him during his audiences at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome did in his presence. From all accounts even presidents and royalties were affected the same way. Is it because he is the "Vicar of Christ"? Or is it simply because we were in the presence of a holy man? Indeed, Pope John Paul II was a holy man and I am proud to call him "Holy Father."

How has Pope John Paul II affected my life? Three Words: World Youth Day.

Had the Pope not chosen Denver in 1993 to be the site of his biennial World Youth Day (WYD), I probably would not have participated in WYD 1995 in Manila or anywhere else for that matter. I'm way past my youth! But as providence would have it, I was among thousands of volunteers for this phenomenal event in Denver -- working on the souvenir journal for the Pope's visit and as an interpreter. At the same time, my daughter was one of two representatives from the Philippines for the Pope's Mass at Cherry Creek (I did not realize the reason for this special participation until it was announced that the Philippines was the site for WYD 1995). It was, therefore, an easy decision for me to say "yes" when asked to help plan Denver's participation in WYD 1995 in Manila.

But what made this experience significant for me personally was how going home also brought me back to my roots. I rediscovered my heritage. Having left the Philippines in 1972, I thought my ties to the Philippines were forever severed, except for a few visits to my family. As a citizen of the United States, I am now enjoying freedom and the privileges that it entails. I also have become a contributing member of society, giving my time and energy to various causes in the community. I thought this was where I belonged.

The Holy Spirit has other plans, however, and used World Youth Day as a vehicle to reconnect me with my past. Since WYD 1993, I have found myself with a small community foundation reconnecting expatriates from my hometown to engage in "Diaspora philanthropy." I also have become a missionary to my old country promoting "stewardship as a way of life." Initially, all I wanted to do was help my home diocese hear the message of stewardship in their search for sustainability. The Holy Spirit must be at work here because the message of stewardship is now spreading across the country.

Last January 2005, I had an incredible and humbling experience speaking and giving a presentation (along with Father Andrew Kemberling, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish) to the entire Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. The bishops themselves have realized that stewardship and evangelization go hand in hand and will help them in their journey towards making the Philippine Church become the "Church of the Poor" and making their hope for a "renewed integral evangelization" in the Philippines and beyond become a reality -- a response to Pope John Paul II's call for the Philippines to become a beacon of light for its sister countries in Asia and other parts of the world.

I am humbled to be part of this exciting time in the Philippine Church; and I thank God for Pope John Paul II and his World Youth Days.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 07:39 PM | Permalink

By Rudy Arizala

I. Introduction
Due to the demise of Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005, a week from today, the April Conclave of 117 Cardinals will convene at Vatican´s Sistine Chapel (18 April). They would select or elect by secret ballot from among themselves who would be the next Pope.

In the minds of millions of Catholics and observers throughout the world are: 1) Who will be the next pontiff?; 2) What should be his qualifications?; and 3) Whether he would be a papa di passaggio (stopgap pope) in this modern age of aggiornamento (adaptation of the church´s mission to the needs of today´s world), or his reign shall be for a much longer period like that of his predecessor.

It has been said "the papacy depends on the personality of its head. He cannot afford to be colorless or indecisive; he has to lead all the time and to be seen leading."

To attempt find a clue to the answers to the the questions mentioned above, it is relevant to review or recall briefly the selection and reigns of the preceding pope personalities in modern times from 1958 to 2005. In other words, from the Italian Cardinal Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) to Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II).

II. Immediate Predecessors
Let us now examine briefly the reign of the following pontiffs.

A. Pope John XXIII (1958 &endash; 1963)
Cardinal Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) was the son of poor peasants at Sotto il Monte, near Bergano. He was Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria for 5 years as the start of his diplomatic career which lasted for 28 years. He was later on posted in Greece and Turkey. Then in 1944, he became Papal Nuncio in Paris for 9 years until be became a Cardinal (Patriarch) in Venice in 1953.

When Pope Pius XII died, Cardinal Roncalli was elected Pope after 3 days of balloting. It was claimed he became a Pope because "of his positive qualities, his exemplary piety, his loyalty to a pontiff whose philosophy he was known not fully to have shared, his talent for conciliation and his immense experience in diplomacy." He had also simplicity of character, the product of his peasant origin.

Soon after his election to the papacy, he summoned a General Council to "enhance the spiritual welfare of Christians." He inaugurated said Vatican General Council at St. Peter´s on 11 October 1962. Before the opening of the Council, he issued his "Mater et Magistra" in 1961 to replace rather than confirm the social and economic teachings of his predecessors: Leo XIII´s "Rerum Novarum" and Pius XI´s "Quadragesima Anno".

In April 1963, only two months before his death, he issued his "Pacem in Terris", the encyclical designed to complement his social doctrine in "Mater et Magistra". On 3 June 1963, he died of cancer.

B. Pope Paul VI (1963 - 1978)
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini (Pope Paul VI) was another Italian Northerner who was born near Brecia in 1898. He belonged to a well-educated and established Catholic family with strong political connections. After becoming a priest, he spent virtually all his life at the Secretariat of State up to 1954. Later, he was promoted to the post of alternate to the Under-Secretary of State Tardini. Then he became archbishop of Milan remaining in that post for 9 years. Pope John XXIII made him Cardinal. Montini assured Pope John XXIII that the Council will make Rome the spiritual capital of the world whence the light will spread over those places and institutions where men are working for the poor, for progress, justice and liberty. Cardinal Montini was elected pontiff on 21 June 1963 as Pope Paul VI.

Pope Paul VI broaden curial appointments by bringing more clerics into the Vatican Council from outside Italy. He also undertook overseas travel and showed fondness for dramatic gestures &endash; he met and embraced the Patriarch Arthenogoras . At Ephesus, he prayed at the legendary house of the Virgin Mary. He was the first pope to address the United Nations. He visited Africa, South America, India and the Philippines. In the Philippines, he was stabbed by a mad Bolivian national dressed in priestly habit. Luckily, Pope Paul VI was not hurt.

He was also a tireless host. He granted audiences no fewer than 90 state visitors, presidents, dictators, democrats, communists, black and white, Christians and Jewish, Moslems and heathens. He urged heads of congregations to retire from the Curia at 75 years of age and more non-Italians were brought into curial posts. For the conduct of future Conclaves, he disqualified Octogenarian Cardinals from taking part in the ballot.

He also gave support to liturgical reforms &endash; introduction of the vernacular on the wider scale to make liturgy intelligible to the mass of overseas Catholics who do not speak Latin. Because of his policy, the Second Vatican Council ended in an atmosphere of harmony and confidence. He avoided irritating the progressives or offending the conservatives.

Pope Paul VI issued his first encyclical "Ecclesiam Suam" &endash; which echoed John XXIII´s view that while Communism itself was hateful, the church did not despair of entering into a more positive dialogue with individual Communist regimes. He insisted that the obligation of the rich nations is to provide for the economic and social welfare of the Third World, as contained in the encyclical "Populorom Pregressio" (1967). He tackled the questions of clerical celibacy and birth- control in two encyclicals &endash; "Sacerdotalis Coelibatus" (1967) and "Humanis Vitae" (1968) both of which precluded any relaxation of the rules prohibiting the marriage of priests and the use of contraceptives by married persons.

Pope Paul VI died quietly at Castelgandolfo on 6 August 1978.

C. Pope John Paul I (1978)
Cardinal Albino Luciano, (Pope John Paul I), the Patriarch of Venice was considered a papa di passaggio , a stopgap pope. He was a sympathetic but hardly imposing personality. His simple manner endeared him to his followers. His only public statement was a promise of faithful adherence to the principles of John XXIII and Paul VI. While Pope Paul VI had disbanded his Noble Guard, Pope John Paul I rejected other appurtenances of papal sovereignty such as the Tiara and the "sedia gestatoria" (portable throne). John Paul I was brought up and prepared for his career in the "Venetian hinterland" and possessed little knowledge of the outside world. He reigned as Pope for only 33 days.

D. Pope John Paul II ( 1978 &endash; 2005)
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) was the non- Italian pontiff in 455 years. Volumes of information about him have already been written since his election to the papacy in 1978. Suffice to mention it here that he was born in May 1920. His father was a minor clerical officer attached to the newly-created Polish army.

Shortly after his election as pontiff, the Polish pope lost no time in asserting himself. He traveled to 129 countries. Through the use of modern communications he drove home the point that the Head of the Church is not a remote and unknowable monarch but an immediately present and familiar figure and friend. He was visible and audible anytime.

He issued his first encyclical "Redemptor Hominis"-- nobody may treat theology as if it consisted simply of explaining his personal ideas. He was noted for his humility, accessibility and understanding of human nature but at the same time rigid in attitude on clerical marriage, admission of women to priesthood, celibacy, divorce, contraceptives, abortion and homosexuality. Subsequently, he issued another encyclical "Laborem Exercens" on the value and dignity of human labor. He condemned both Capitalism and Communism for exploiting the poor working class.

He was a good communicator attracting both the old and young generations. A true preacher and shepherd of his flock.

III. Observations
On the whole, the world likes a Pope who while pursuing his own way, tries to avoid clashing with either reactionaries or progressives and who does not encourage those who hold the survival of the Church and Papacy must depend on their identification with advanced socio-political thinking, or flexible attitude towards moral questions and the replacement of traditional theology by something much less explicit.

With this in mind, the new pontiff, Italian or non-Italian, shall not only be capable of continuing the implementation of the ideas or thinking of his predecessors (Pope John XXIII et al) but also in adapting to the needs of modern times without abandoning traditional precepts or teachings.

In resume, Pope John Paul II´s reign was characterized by the following:

1. Put an end to post Vatican II turmoil.

2. The first pope to pray in a synagogue; to visit a mosque; to preach in a Protestant church.

3. His most important legacy is "Catechisms of the Catholic Church," the first universal summary of the Catholic faith in over 400 years.

4. Brought democracy to his native country of Poland and put an end to dictatorships in some other countries.

5. Fulfilled three great dreams: a) Reunited Europe: b) Led the church into the third millennium; c) Trip to the Holy Land visiting both Israel and Palestine.

6. Traveled to some 129 countries, and rode on a "pope mobile" whenever he travels on land or within city limits.

7. Used modern communications to propagate Catholic faith and reach out to all kinds of people.

8. Expressed humility by apologizing for church errors and denounced anti-Semitism.

9. To protect the poor he criticized both capitalism and communism.

10. He resisted all attempts to liberalize the church teachings on birth control, abortion, homosexuality, priestly marriage, divorce, and the ordination of women.

11. His travels sought not only to minister to the faithful but also to make the church more disciplined, hierarchical and orthodox.

The next pontiff ideally should not be a "papa di passaggio" or transition pope only. He should be lasting or enduring and firm as a rock. He should be a leader; a good communicator; able to relate himself with all kinds of people and explain the gospel to all types of audience. He must be capable of a more perceptive approach to the modern world and source of moral inspiration as well as an impartial and stabilizing factor in the affairs of nations. In other words, he should be a preacher and shepherd.

Any of the following or outside the listed names below could be the next pontiff depending on the Holy Spirit when the Conclave of 117 Cardinals meet on 18 April 2005, at the Sistine Chapel:

1. Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi (71 yrs old) Archbishop of Milan. (Italian national)
2. Cardinal Claudio Hummes (70 yrs old) Archbishop of Sao Paolo, (Brazilian national)
3. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (78 yrs old) Dean of the Cardinals (German national)
4. Cardinal Christoph Schonborn (60 yrs old) Archbishop of Vienna (Austrian )
5. Cardinal Francis Arinze (72 yrs old) Nigerian national

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*Note: Some of the information in this essay were taken from "A History of the Popes" by Nicolas Cheetham (Dorset Press, New York 1992) and newspaper reports.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 07:35 PM | Permalink

by Rudy Arizala

Background

According to news report, Pope John Paul II died today 2 April 2005, at 9:37 p.m.

And this reminds me of the Papal six-day visit to Chile from 1 to 6 April 1987, when I was Philippine Ambassador to Chile. The Holy Pope visited Chile from north to south. His main team was "Love is more powerful." On that visit, Neneto and I had the rare privilege of meeting Pope John Paul II and held or kissed his hands.

Hereunder are my entries in my Notebook on 3 April 1987.

Early this morning the Holy Father was up already. He visited the Maipu Temple where he crowned the image of Virgen del Carmen de los Andes, the patron said of Chile. Then he went to Hogar de Cristo where he visited the sick / homeless and prayed at the tomb of Chilean priest founder of said Hogar de Cristo, Fr. Alberto Hurtado (canonized later as saint). Afterwards the Pope went to Universidad Catolica de Chile. Then back to the Nunciatura (his place of residence while in Chile) for lunch.

At 2:40 p.m., all foreign chiefs of Mission / Charge d´Affairs a.i. and their ladies were all present at the Nunciatura to greet the Pope. Attire required: Black dress for women with long sleeves and dark suit for men.

Neneto and I left our residence early arriving at the gate of the Nunciatura at 2:25 p.m. Some foreign ambassadors and their ladies arrived ahead of us. We were requested to wait outside. At 2:45 p.m. we were told to enter the Nunciatura premises. Once inside the living room of the Nunciatura, we were requested by the protocol officer to fall in line in pairs with our respective spouses. Another wait for about 15 minutes. The the Holy Father appeared preceded by Cardinal Cassaroli and the chief of protocol and the Pope´s security. The Nuncio (Msgr. Angelo Sodano who is now a Cardinal and Vatican Secretary of State), made a brief opening statement expressing the desire of the various chiefs of mission and their ladies accredited to Chile to greet the Holy Father. Then the Holy Father wearing a white attire and white cap on his head delivered a short speech thanking us for our presence and stating that his presence in Chile is a "pastoral visit" a mission of peace, reconciliation and respect for human dignity. He stressed that these are also the mission of diplomats -- peace, understanding and friendship among nations.

He gave as example the avoidance of war between Chile and Argentina and the signing of a peace treaty and friendship between the two neighboring sister nations in South America. He gave a general blessing to all of us and to our respective countries at the end of his brief remarks.

Then one-by-one, we approached the Pope according to protocol or seniority at the post and shook / kissed his hand greeting him. Neneto and I were seventh in the line starting from the Vice Dean of the diplomatic c orps -- the ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and his wife. When Neneto´s turn and mine came to greet the Holy Father, the Nuncio (Angelo Sodano) announced to the Pope: "The ambassador of the Philippines and his wife." I held the hand of the Holy Father and told him: "Your Holiness, Greetings from the Philippines" followed by Neneto. The Pope said to us in English "Thank you and God Bless you."

What was my feeling when I held the hand of the Pope? It was brief but it seemed to me eternity. Despite the crowd of people around, it seemed only the Pope and I were having a dialogue fact-to-face with a figure in his resplendent white attire with clear generous blue eyes, fatherly smile of humility, peace and human kindness. Neneto told me later on that she had the same sensation. As we stepped out of the room, a Msgr. gave me a commemorative Papal bronze medal of his visit to Chile. Neneto was given a rosary with white beads. We were also given souvenir pictures of the Pope with his signature. (Pope John Paul II).

Diplomats and their ladies after greeting the Pope waited in the sprawling garden of the Nunciatura for him to come out of the building. We saw the Pope walked from the Nunciatura up to the gate crossing the garden on foot to take the Papal mobile which will take him to CEPAL. A huge crowd has gathered outside the Nunciatura on the sidewalk across the street from the Nunciatura mostly young people waving small Vatican flags. Outside the Nunciatura, the Pope stopped for a brief moment before getting inside his vehicle; faced the crowd and greeted them by raising both his hands with a smile on his face. The crowd shouted several times: "Viva el Papa!" and waved flags, banners and placards.

At CEPAL the Pope delivered a speech on poverty, foreign debts and economic solidarity. Vice consul Catalino Dilem, Jr., and my eldest son Rodo were the ones who attended the ceremony at CEPAl. Authorities of this UN regional organization in Santiago, Chile invited only two persons from each foreign embassy to attend said ceremony due to space limitations.

Note: When I arrived in Santiago, Chile in 1981 to open a resident embassy and made my courtesy call on the Dean of the foreign diplomatic corps in Chile, Msgr. Angelo Sodano, his advice to me: "Mi querido Sr. Encargado de Negocios de Filipinas, in diplomacy one has to have plenty of patience". Probably, he gave that advice to me because he learned that I was sent to Chile by the Philippine government to establish a resident embassy after the "canceled visit" of Gen. Pinochet to the Philippines in 1980 which almost cause the break of diplomatic relations between the two countries. But that is another story.

At that time, little did I know that someday Msgr. Sodano would become the Vatican´s Secretary of State and now rumored to be one of the candidates to succeed the papacy. In diplomacy one can never tell what would happen in the future especially to people you meet.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 07:41 PM | Permalink

by Mila Glodava

Below is a letter to the editor I sent to the "America Magazine" in response to an article written by Denis Murphy of the Urban Poor Center in Manila. I don't know if they will print it, but if not I want to share my thoughts about it with you.

As a Filipino American, I read with interest Denis Murphy's article, "A Tale of Two Ships" (3/14). I was impressed with his great honesty, especially regarding the climate of graft and corruption among traditional politicians in the Philippines. There is a disconnect between the faith and behavior of corrupt Filipinos who take pride in the being a Catholic or Christian country in Asia.

Indeed, the Church -- still "a trusted institution" according to Mr. Murphy -- has failed, not only in what Cardinal Sin himself has admitted regarding being the "Church of the Poor" but in teaching about morality! The Catholic schools as well as the public schools and the government also have failed the people.

Yet, there's hope! While it's easy for anyone to say what the bishops should do, it's more significant when the bishops themselves realize where they have failed and what they need to do to overcome the problems especially graft and corruption. The bishops have began to recognize the need for a conversion of heart: the spirituality of stewardship as a way of life to emerge from the "endless circles." The bishops, though skeptical at first, now understand that it would be a "sin of omission" if they didn't promote it. According to Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, the challenge is to share stewardship spirituality with the people and to provide a structure in which they can embrace stewardship as a way of life.

Over the last two years I've personally observed powerful conversions among priests, bishops, religious and lay leaders as they effect change and transformation in their own lives and the lives of those around them. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is working in the life of the Philippine Church. I am convinced that while it will take time, there's hope that the Church may be able to curb the climate of graft and corruption in the Philippines.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 07:33 PM | Permalink