NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

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7th National Convention: Iloilo City

If the rain that poured in torrents after the opening ceremonies at the Jaro Cathedral would have been an indication of things to come, then it would have been an auspicious portent of the graces and achievements that the convention in Iloilo brought to the Society.

The 7th CLSP Convention in April 12-16, 1999 was hosted by the Archdiocese of Jaro, and was held at the Kalantiao Hall of the Sarabia Manor Hotel. Under the able leadership of Msgr. Gene Velarde, convention chairman, full cooperation was given by the lay people and the Jaro clergy, whose resources and enthusiasm were harnessed to the maximum to make this convention a success. Noteworthy was the support that Msgr. Jose M. Gamboa, Diocesan Administrator, gave to make the convention fruitful, enjoyable, and comfortable.

Eleven canon lawyers became new members of the Society during this convention. Attendance was a high 65, the highest since 1963 thus far.

The talks on the first day were well-attended by the Iloilo clergy and lay people. Archbishop Cruz-then President of the CBCP-was the keynote speaker, and he surveyed Current Church Issues. His conclusions called for a radical understanding of discipleship and a renewed vigor in the Church's pastoral task of evangelization and catechesis.

Msgr. Enrique Perez, JCD, Judicial Vicar of Jaro, delivered a lecture on Tribunal Matters: Prevailing Grounds on Matrimonial Cases. A lively open forum ensued to clarify issues that had to do with most-often used nullity grounds, the process of filing a case and other related matters.

Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, JCD, VP-for the Visayas, read a paper on Parish Pastoral Councils-a rather interesting, if not altogether controversial, topic because of some misconceptions regarding the nature of PPCs, giving rise to the current problems and confusions about leadership, structure, composition and its definitive role in the parish vis-ā-vis pastoral administration.

The business meeting on the third day was most fruitful. So many issues needed to be resolved and the discussions which followed were most satisfactorily participatory and lively. The more important resolutions were as follows:
  1. In addition to the President's Annual Report, written annual reports should be likewise submitted by the different CLSP Committees.
  2. The proceedings of every CLSP national convention be published and that every member be provided with a copy, as has been done in many canon law societies abroad.
  3. The following clarifications were made regarding the policy on membership, considering the amendments passed during the previous convention in Palawan:
    • Only those canon lawyers who have enrolled or registered when they attended a national or regional convention, and who have paid their membership dues, are properly designated members.
    • There are only two categories of membership: Principal and Associate. Honorary membership is thus dropped from the classification.
    • There should be two separate lists of canon lawyers: the Canon Lawyers of the Philippines, and the CLSP Membership List. These two separate directories will have to be drawn up.
    • Recruitment/enrollment of canon lawyers to the CLSP should be the goal of Regional Meetings/ Conferences, as well as of any individual member.
  4. Another important issue was the CLSP-ECCL relationship. After a lengthy discussion, the thinking of the members on matter ran along the following lines:
    • Access to the CBCP is very important for the CLSP to be effective.
    • One way for the CLSP to be of service to the CBCP is for it to become the Secretariat of the ECCL. This will serve as recognition of its invaluable service to the CBCP. In this connection, it would be good if the CBCP could provide the CLSP with an office in its building.
    • The choice for the Executive Secretary of the ECCL belongs to its Chairman. It would be good, nevertheless, if that person is the CLSP President.
    • To maintain an office, the CLSP will need funds for maintenance, light, water, telephone, equipment and the salary of the secretary who will manage the office.
    • The CLSP, while serving the CBCP, should maintain its autonomy and dignity as a Society,
  5. A different concern was the ongoing formation of canon lawyers during the annual conventions. There is a need to improve the content of these conventions: to invite speakers of international standing, to have more papers read and more substantial lectures. It was resolved that for every convention, at least one substantial lecture should be given by an authority in canon law and 4-5 shorter papers read by members. In this connection, it was resolved that one topic should be a Review of Recent Decisions by the Roman Rota.
  6. It was an election year and the following were elected:
President MsMsgr. Victorino Rivas
Vice Presidents Msgr. Edgardo Pangan (Luzon)
Msgr. Bernardo Pantin (Visayas)
Fr. Gemnoli Bandivas (Mindanao)
Secretary Msgr. Nereo Odchimar
Treasurer Fr. Jose Marabe
Board of Directors Bp. Leonardo Medroso, Fr. Nilo Peig, Msgr. Rey Manuel Monsanto, Msgr. Higinio Velarde, Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes
Committee on Membership Msgr. Arcadio Mejia (Membership), Msgr. Enrique Perez (Ways and Means), Fr. Javier Gonzalez (On-Going Development)
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.


The last day of the convention was spent visiting the churches of Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Guimbal, and Tigbauan, the parish priests of which were the epitome of Ilonggo hospitality.

The 7th national convention stands out as one where so much was accomplished not only in terms of camaraderie, but also-more importantly-in the resolutions of issues affecting the Society.

8th National Convention: Davao City

Davao City-the premier city of the Island of Mindanao in Southern Philippines-hosted the 8th CLSP National Annual Convention May 2-5, 2000. The venue was the Waterfront Insular Hotel. Eleven (11) new members were added to the list during this convention.

At 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon of May 2, Most Rev. Fernando R. Capalla, Archbishop of Davao, and the predominantly young clergy welcomed the CLSP members in a concelebrated Mass at the Davao Cathedral.

On May 3, at 9:00 in the morning the convention formally opened with Fr. Paul Cuison as emcee, Msgr. Gimmy Afable, Vicar General of Davao, gave the opening remarks and the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Antonio Franco, delivered the opening address. After his address, the Papal Nuncio received from the CLSP President a copy of the Philippine Canonical Forum, Vol. 2, which issue was dedicated to him. After a coffee break, Most Rev. Nestor Cariņo, CBCP Secretary General, gave the keynote address in behalf of the CBCP President Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.

After the lunch break, the main speaker of the convention, Fr. Augustine Mendonca, JCD, was introduced by Msgr. Nerio Odchimar, JCD. Fr. Mendonca introduced the four topics for the four sessions allotted to him, to wit: (1) "The Expert in Marriage Nullity Cases" (2) "The Error of Person in Canon 1097, 1 & 2" (3) "Inspecting The Acts in Nullity Proceedings" (c. 1098,1) "What Happens When The Right Is Violated" and, "The Rights of Priests, Especially In 'Unfriendly' Decisions Made by the Bishop." Alluding to Archbishop Capalla's homily during the opening liturgy, Fr. Mendonca defined law as a means by which values are proposed, promoted and defended.

In the afternoon of the third day, Fr. Javier Gonzales, OP, talked on the Great Jubilee 2000. Afterwards, two papers were presented by CLSP members. Fr. Gamaliel Du Tulabing, JCD, read a comparative study on "Legal Separation under the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Family Code of the Philippines." This was followed by Fr. Allan Roy Remo, JCL with his paper, "The Right of Defense and The Defense of Rights."

The last day was alloted to a tour of Davao City's scenic spots: Eden Park, Malagos Gardens, the Philippine Eagle sanctuary in Calinan, Yuhico Orchids. The business meeting was held after lunch in one of these stops.

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