Bishop Antonio Tobias celebrates Solemn Pontifical Mass in the convent chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in Novaliches

On April 27, 2010, feast of St. Peter Canisius, His Excellency Antonio Tobias, Bishop of Novaliches, offered Solemn Pontifical Mass in the convent chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in his diocese. He was assisted by priests and brothers belonging to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.

This Mass is only the second Solemn Pontifical Mass to be celebrated by a Filipino bishop since September 14, 2007 (the first one had been offered by Bishop Camilo Gregorio of the Prelature of Batanes on September 14, 2008 — see this for a report on that Mass), and the first to be offered by a Filipino Ordinary in his own diocese since 1970.

Bishop Tobias had offered Solemn Pontifical Mass for the 2003 international colloquium of the Centre International d’Etudes Liturgiques in France, and a “Low Mass with Solemnity” last year, also in the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate.

Source: Rorate Caeli

Six Catholic Bishops now back J. C. de los Reyes and Ang Kapatiran Party: Arguelles, Bacani, Nacua, Navarra, Palang, and Tobias

MANILA, March 6, 2010— What is with Ang Kapatiran (The Brotherhood) party that other political parties don’t have? Four more Catholic bishops came out in the open endorsing the Ang Kapatiran party of presidential aspirant John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes, breaking with the tradition of offering commentary on election-related moral issues without endorsing candidates. The influential prelates now include Bishops Antonio Tobias of Novaliches, Joseph Nacua of Ilagan, Antonio Palang of San Jose de Mindoro and retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani.

According to Bacani, the platform of the said party which, according to its founders, was formed based on Christian precepts is “worth supporting” by “any intelligent Catholic.” He said a “peculiar feature” of the party is that all its candidates are committed to the entire platform and principles of the party without any mental reservations. “I hope that it will catch fire in the imagination and hearts of our formation of this political party. I hope people would join it in great numbers and promote it among fellow Filipinos,” said Bacani.

Tobias affirmed, for his part, “Of course I am with you for the Ang Kapatiran as the conscience vote for the 2010 election.

Nacua said a political party with platform based on clear principles has a roadmap for genuine integral human development. Leadership without vision, governance without morals, cannot lead to true liberation, he said. “The Kapatiran stands on principles for the common good not on personalities. That is the way of genuine representation in government,” said Nacua, the country’s first Capuchin missionary to be appointed as bishop.

Source: CBCP News

Rename not Commonwealth Avenue to Erano Manalo Avenue

As the 2010 elections looms, the politicians’ desire to please the Iglesia ni Cristo becomes a priority.  Last year they want to change Commonwealth Avenue to Felix Manalo Avenue.  Bishop Antonio R. Tobias objected:

In a letter to Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Tobias pointed out that there are three “major” Roman Catholic churches — St. Peter Parish; Kristong Hari Paris and Sto. Nino de Leyte Shrine — situated along the avenue.

“To change the name of Commonwealth Avenue to that of Felix Y. Manalo would sacrifice the very history of our nation and the integrity of our city,” Tobias said in the letter that was also distributed to the 26 QC councilors.

Tobias urged the city council not to decide on the issue for the sake of “partisan interests of a specific minority”. (Manila Bulletin)

This year the politicians resurrected the idea again, after seeing the massive turnout of INC members in Commonwealth at the death of Erano Manalo, but this time to rename Commonwealth Avenue as Erano Manalo Avenue.  This politicians will never tire.  As Majority Leader Inton remarked after he withdrew his support to the last year’s proposal:

Pleasing the INC could be politically rewarding. But offending the Catholic church is political suicide. (Manila Bulletin)

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.  It is a fitting name since it is the road which connects Quezon Circle and Quirino Avenue.  When the Tydings-McDuffie Act or the Philippine Independence act was approved in 1934, a 10-year transition period to Philippine independence from the U.S. was defined.  This transition period was the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.   Manuel Quezon was the first president in the Commonwealth period from years 1935-1944.  Elpidio Quirino was the last vice president in 1946.  He was elected again as vice President under Manuel Roxas at the start of the Philippine Republic.  In 1948 Quirino became President.

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.  Quezon city was created during the Commonwealth period and replaced Manila as the Capital of the Philippines.  Remove the name Commonwealth Avenue from the map and replace it by another name and you remove the foundations of Quezon city.  Commonwealth gave birth to Quezon city; Manalo did not. Quezon City must honor its father and mother  (Commonwealth), so that its inhabitants may have long life in the land that the Lord has given them (c.f. Ex 20:12).  And as the Filipino proverb says:

He who does not know how to look back to where it came from can never reach where it wants to go to.

(Ang sinong hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paroroonan.)

Let Commonwealth Avenue be.

Note: A hobbit thanks to In Defense of the Church for the info.