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NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Page 2 of 4
4th National
Convention: Cabanatuan City
Cabanatuan City hosted the 4th CLSP National Annual Convention, April I5-I8,
1996 at the Maria Assumpta Seminary. Fifty-seven attended this convention, 17
of whom were new enrolees to the Society.
The entire presbyterium of Cabanatuan Diocese was involved in the preparation,
headed by the diocesan bishop, Most. Rev. Sofio G. Balce. The convention chairman
was Msgr. Jess Estonilo, who did not leave any stone unturned in order to ensure
what turned out to be a most successful and enjoyable gathering. The massive
turn-out of lay participants for the talks was proof enough of the importance
that the diocese gave to this convention.
Three very important topics which posed serious canonico-pastoral implications
were taken up during the convention. Msgr. Rolando Oliverio lectured on the Empowerment
of the Laity. This was followed by a group discussion where lay participants
eagerly shared their experiences, the joys and sorrows they encounter, the problems
they meet and the solutions they propose in their bid to truly live and witness
to their being Church. Fr. Jose Marabe, J.C.D. delivered the second lecture On Freemasonry.
Another intense discussion followed among the different groups. The third lecture
was delivered by Msgr. Artemio Baluma, J.C.D., dealing with The
Family Code of the Philippines.
Concretely, one tangible result arising from this convention, aside from the
expected camaraderie and deeper appreciation of the canonical apostolate among
priests-canon lawyers, is the CLSP's appreciation and realization of the lay
people's hunger to understand church law and the need for those with the capability
to respond to such a contingency. In fact, the resolutions that came out of the
general assembly were Indicative of this concern, One, because of the lay people's
desire for seminar in canon law, the different ecclesiastical jurisdictions will
be continuously encouraged to avail of the services of the speakers bureau. Two,
the freemasonry "problem" needed to be addressed pastorally and this would need
an in-depth study and proposals of pastoral means to the CBCP for the guidance
of bishops and priests. Third, that a proposed bill ("An Act to Legalize Church
Decisions of Nullity of Marriage for Civil Effects and Other Purposes") be submitted
to the CBCP for approval so that it can be brought to the Philippine Congress
for tiling into a bill that would eventually become part of the law of the land.
Fourth, that a committee be created to study Parish Pastoral Councils and to
propose sample structures and statutes that can be used by the different diocese
after they have been approved by the CBCP.
5th National Convention:
Cagayan de Oro City
The 5th National Annual Convention was held April 7-10, 1997 far away from Manila,
in the friendly city of Cagayan de Oro in Mandanao. By this time, the praxis
had set in for the National Conventions to be held in turn in Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao (the three main geographical regions of the Philippines).
For four days, the participating canon lawyers enjoyed the hospitality of the
archdiocese, led by Archbishop Jesus Tuquib and Msgr. Rey Monsanto, convention
chairman. Nothing was spared to make the convention successful: the friendly
welcome, the sumptuous food served at every meal, the hosting of participants
by families, the cooperation of the city and provincial governments, the city-and
out-of-town tours, the first class convention facilities, all with the cooperation
and support of the archdiocesan clergy.
The focus of the talks during this convention was Canon 1095. The mainlLecturer
was Rev. Dr. Charles J. Scicluna, then Substitute Promoter of Justice of the
Signatura Apostolica. Many confusions and misconceptions regarding the understanding
and usage of this canon were clarified. Hopefully, it paved the way to a correct
and better tribunal practice.
On the lighter side, Rev. Fr Michel de Gigord, Chaplain of the Mindanao State
University (MSU), talked about Inter-Religious Dialogue in a humorous way. The
talk was relevant in the light of the resurgent Muslim fundamentalist ascendancy
in Mindanao. Msgr. Rey Monsanto, on the other hand, read a paper on The Canonical
Status of Lay Associations/ Movements/Organizations in the Church. The latter
topic generated much discussion, in view of the many problems besetting the governance
and the orthodoxy of such groups.
Msgr. Gene Velarde delivered his valedictory address during this convention ,after
two terms as President. He was happy to note that the Society has surmounted
its growing pains and that it was already in a position to really pursue its
avowed aims and purpose to serve the Church through canon law.
A new set of officers was elected in Cagayan de Oro, and working committees reconstituted:
 |
|
| President |
MsMsgr.
Victorino Rivas |
| Vice Presidents |
Msgr.
Edgardo Pangan (for Luzon)
Msgr. Bernardo Pantin (for the Visayas)
Msgr. Rey Monsanto (for Mindanao)
|
| Secretary |
Msgr. Geronimo
Reyes |
| Treasurer |
Fr. Jose
Marabe |
| Board of
Directors |
Bishop
Leonardo Medroso, Bishop Manolo de los Santos, Msgr. Artemio Baluma,
Msgr. Higinio Velarde and Fr. Nilo Peig. |
| Committee
on Membership |
Msgr. Arcadio
Mejia (Chairman), Msgr Anselmo Pamintuan, Fr. Josefino Sebastian, Fr
Gamaliel Tulabing, Fr. Florendo Cimafranca, Fr. Linus de la Cruz. |
Committee
on
On-going Development |
Fr. Javier
Gonzalez, OP (Chairman), Msgr. Higinio Velarde, Fr. Jaime Achacoso, Fr.
Samson Silloriquez, OAR, Fr. Ted Torralba, Fr. Gau Sustento. |
Committe
on
Ways and Means |
Msgr Estonilo
(Chairman), Msgr. Ruben Abaya, Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, Fr. Rolando Mabutol,
Fr. Reynaldo Moso, Fr. Nelson Lucas, Sr, Lourdes Lipat and Fr Jerry Bitoon. |
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|
6th National Convention:
Puerto Princessa City
The 6th National Annual convention was held April 27-May 1, 1998 in Puerto Princessa
City, Palawan Island. The venue was the Asiaworld Hotel.
The 60 or so canon lawyers, 10 of whom were new enrollees, were welcomed with
all the pomp and funfare that seemed to ride on the crest of the Philippine Centennial
celebrations: a brass band at the airport, the introduction to the host families
and folkloric opening luncheon.
The Opening Mass was held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Puerto Princessa,
where Bishop Pedro Arigo, Vicar Apostolic of Palawan, welcomed the delegates
and gave the homily. The welcome ceremonies and dinner, attended by prominent
families and hosted by the mayor of the city, took place at the grand ballroom
of the Asiaworld Hotel. Much later in the evening, Msgr. Artemio Baluma, JCD,
head of the Legal department of CBCP, delivered the keynote address that centered
on Current Issues in Church and State Relations.
The following day, Msgr. Vic Rivas read a paper on the Canonico-Pastoral Implications
of Lay Organizations and Covenanted Communities. In the afternoon he read another
paper on The Temporal Goods of the Church.
During the business meeting, discussion centered on matters of internal concerns
such as membership, finances and constitutional provisions, as well as issues
that affect the canonical-pastoral ministry.
Since a certain lack of time for informal interaction had been observed in past
conventions, an entire day was set aside this time precisely for this purpose.
The trip to the St. Paul's Underground River was a balm for tired bones and frazzled
nerves, a time to be with colleagues and to simply forget about curial and tribunal
matters. The positive experience of this excursion would set the tone for future
conventions.
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© 2005
Canon Law Society of the Philippines
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