THE ECCL-CLSP "COLLABORATION" Back to About Us The Episcopal Commission on Canon Law (ECCL) was organized in order to give a rightful place to the laws of the Church in its task of taking care of the Lord's flock in the Philippines. According to the CBCP Constitution and By-laws, it is the commissioned tasked to do studies and make recommendations to the CBCP about matters which pertain to canon law; to promote and organize updating seminars on Canon Law for bishops, priests, religious and laity; to assist dioceses in preparing personnel for the chancery, for the matrimonial tribunal, and; in general to look after canonical matters. Starting as a committee in 1958, it was raised to a commission when after Vatican II the Pontifical Commission to revise the 1917 Code of Canon Law was established. It counted among its chairmen Archbishop Francisco Mabutas, Archbishop Manuel Salvador, Archbishop Alberto Piamonte, and, concurrently, Bishop Leonardo Medroso. Its relationship with the Canon Law Society of the Philippines began when the latter was founded in 1993. One of CLSP's founding fathers was the late Archbishop Salvador who was then ECCL Chairman. Together with Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and other canon lawyers-bishops, Archbishop Salvador worked hard to have the society recognized and approved by the CBCP. When the late Archbishop Piamonte became its chairman, he challenged the CLSP to do certain tasks, which were basically tasks of the ECCL. He also appointed then CLSP President, Msgr. Gene Velarde, to be the ECCL's Executive Secretary. But that was how far things and situations went. Although there was a certain relationship between the CLSP and the ECCL, such a relationship was characterized by unease and awkwardness because, precisely it was felt that, that relationship was unclear, undefined, never formalized and remained tenuous. Time and again, questions about the relationship of the Society with the ECCL have been raised, as well as its access to the CBCP. Those questions have surfaced now and then during conventions and conferences, perchance inchoately at first but lately gaining clarity. As articulated, the question went this way: What is our role as society with regards to the CBCP in general and to the ECCL in particular? This was one of the burning issues that the 1999 national convention in Iloilo had to deal with. After a lengthy discussion and deliberation on the floor, the convention plenum made the following proposals: That the CLSP make itself available to render service to the CBCP; That the CLSP become the Secretariat of the ECCL Executive Secretary; That the CLSP President be available for appointment as ECCL Executive Secretary; That the CLSP be given office space at the CBCP for easy access and availability to the ECCL; That while serving the CBCP as an arm especially in matters canonical, the CLSP maintain its autonomy and dignity as a society. The president sent a letter that outlined these proposals to the CBCP before its July 1999 meeting. The response from the CBCP was positive. In a letter sent to the CLSP President, the newly appointed Chairman of the ECCL, Bishop Leonardo Medroso, DD, accepted the proposals, to wit: that the CLSP become the secretariat of the ECCL; that the CLSP President become ex-officio the Executive Secretary of the ECCL; that CLSP will now hold office at the CBCP. In a posterior meeting between Bishop Leonardo Medroso and Msgr. Vic Rivas, not only were the proposals accepted but the role of CLSP was increased to provide personnel and expertise to the ECCL, by attending to referrals and inquiries directed to the Commission. The CLSP-ECCL collaboration became formal and official on January 12, 2000, when at 10:00 a.m. the new office of the CLSP (which it shares with the ECCL) at the CBCP Complex was blessed and inaugurated. Bishop Nestor Cariņo, OMI, did the honors of blessing the office in the presence of the CLSP Executive Board and guests. The official address of the CLSP thus became: Canon Society of the Philippines Room 312, CBCP Building Gen. Luna St., Intramuros 1002 Manila Top LOOKING FORWARD: PROJECTIONS AND CHALLENGES While we look proudly at the achievements and gains of the CLSP in its short existence, we eagerly look forward to how it can strengthen itself more in order for it to better serve the Church. Slowly but surely, if CLSP has to achieve the aims that define its very existence, it has to pursue the projects already initiated and to take up new ones as needs arise. In the first four years of its existence, CLSP struggled to be alive. It underwent and experienced growth pains. It needed delicate care and attention. This was the task that the first president, Msgr. Gene Velarde, put himself to. At the end of his two-term presidency, CLSP was no longer a tottering infant but a grown-up, standing tall and ready to take its place in the life of the Church. Msgr. Vic Rivas, the second president, early on in his incumbency clearly charted the direction that CLSP had to pursue: "We will continue to respond to requests of Bishops for the updating of their clergy and lay leaders on Canon Law. Likewise, we will facilitate and conduct training of parish secretaries and Church personnel for an effective management of chanceries and parish offices. More significantly, we will assist dioceses to organize their Marriage Tribunals either at the diocesan or archdiocesan levels." "In view of foregoing commitments, we need to professionalize our membership as we promote a better understanding of Church law and its pastoral application. Accordingly, it was decided that the three CLSP vice presidents will hold periodic meetings of members in their respective regions for socials, conferences, updating consultations, etc." At present there are 246 canon lawyers in the Philippines as far as the latest listing is concerned. There could be more since every year there is a steady influx of new graduates from the UST Faculty of Canon Law and other canon law schools in Rome, Spain and elsewhere. Not all of them are members of CLSP. Only 137 have enrolled in CLSP, so far. In fact, not all of these 137 are actively involved with the Society's programs and projects. There is a need for members to play an active role in CLSP, and to reach out to those who have not enrolled yet to do the same. Regional and sub-regional conferences can do much to initiate those who are non-members to take interest in and join the Society, and to sustain members' interest and active participation in the concerns and programs of the Society. It is in the area of shared responsibility that our regional vice presidents can truly help in the increase of membership and in strengthening of the Society's internal organization. Perhaps, one very crucial question that each and every member of the CLSP will have to ask himself is this: As an individual member, what can I do for the Society? The gains that one can have by becoming a CLSP member have already been pointed out and proven in concrete. It is now time for everybody to think about what he can contribute for the good of CLSP and for the good of the Church. Top CONCLUSION The history of CLSP is not a done thing. In fact, it is still history in the making. Only time can tell whether it will be able to fulfill faithfully the mission it has set out to do in the service of the Church. Eventually, it will redound to each and every member, acting individually and collectively, to strengthen CLSP organizationally; to perform tasks for it to achieve its programs and projects; to promote, protect, and honor it with commitment and fidelity; and, to renew it by continually renewing themselves. Top Back to About Us     © 2005 Canon Law Society of the Philippines