A Bishop’s advice

Hi there! It’s a new week. So, it’s Migz and Koko again, thanks to Mr. Ampatuan (laglagan na!). Let me see, it’s 2011, and we have two more years before the next election, that’s two years remaining for the term that they are fighting over, they could have settled for a term-sharing early on (Smile! It’s a new week).

Still on Zaldy Amaptuan. The Former governor revealed that ex-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was involved in the election fraud in Maguindanao in 2007. Likewise, he revealed that Jose Rizal was killed by the Spanish; the Earth revolves around the sun, and John Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman. Apparently, Zaldy Ampatuan wants to turn state witness. Against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Zaldy Ampatuan has initiated court proceedings to change his last name. He is seeking a little compassion and empathy from the public. Hopefully, the judge would grant his petition to use the surname Mangudadatu. (oops, this paragraph came from The Professional Heckler. Check his site).

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As I have reported in this column, Fr. Marcelo Tubac was recently installed as the Third President of Christ the King College. Among the highlights of the fraternal agape was the speech of Bishop Isabelo Abarquez. I asked permission from the good bishop to feature parts of his speech in today’s column:

“ . . . I congratulate the men and women who make up the Christ the King College – keepers of the standard of excellence that this great institution has always symbolized.
At this juncture, may I invite you to reflect on Knowledge and Virtue, Faith and Reason. Education cannot be the mere accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge must the directed towards formation in virtues, just as virtue must dispose the seekers to the acquisition of more knowledge.

In this modern day and age, there has been an ever – widening dichotomy between knowledge and virtue. The age of information has led to progress in communications technology. Yet, while distance and time have become foreshortened to turn the world into global village, the village has fallen short of becoming a true Christian community. Instead of greater understanding between and among peoples, there is now an increased sense of insecurity and animosity.

Let us not allow ourselves to be deceived. Knowledge without virtue is mere technique and information. We do not need to attend college to learn technique and get information. We can learn technique from manuals. Television can give us the information we need. Unless an institution of learning, like Christ the King College, can show its ability to form its students in virtue, it is nothing but a diploma mill. If all a college does is cram its students full of knowledge- no matter how to up-to-date – without forming them in virtue, it is only producing mindless and artless citizens- persons capable of counting but not valuing, of comprehending but not understanding, of communicating but not engaging in dialogue.

This, then, is my challenge for you today as leading institution of learning in the Diocese of Calbayog. “Duc in Altum” meaning “Put out into the deep”. Turn this college into not just an institution of learning but also into venue of information.

I challenge you then, who are working in this venerable institution: be witness of the Christ the King. Let His kingship reign in your hearts and families, let His kingship reign in your classrooms and offices, les His kingship reign in this community and campus and let His kingship reign in our City, Province and Diocese.

As you begin again another school year, may I invite you to examine your Catholic faith. Do not rely more on reason, faith and reason are not contrary faculties. Faith and reason are the two wings that enable the mind to soar towards the truth. It is characteristic of young people to search for meaning. It is the duty of a Catholic College to provide such meaning without making it less of a discovery for the young. Religious is being taught in this catholic College as one of the courses a student is required to take. Faith however, cannot be given or taken as a course answering to a number of credits or units. It can only be transmitted. Take care therefore that religion is taught only by men and women of genuine faith. If you cannot find enough people to qualify, do it yourselves. And, if perchance you do not find enough faith in yourselves, let your students teach you, for I know that in the rough-and-trouble of the classrooms, there are young men and women whose faith needs only the proper and encouragement. Pay attention therefore - pay much attention - to your campus ministry, for what cannot be taught in the classroom may be experienced outside of it.

I therefore ask Fr. Mar and the other OFM Fathers to make the education given here a real synthesis between faith and reason, between knowledge and virtue, and between industry and service.

During our Ad Limina visit to Rome, I visited several decasteries and Pontifical Commissions. One of the decasteries that we, Bishops, had visited was the Congregation for Catholic Education. During our meeting with the Cardinal Prefect of this particular decastery, the Cardinal told us, “provide and maintain the Catholic identity of our Catholic Schools, Colleges and Universities”. Then nagpapadayon siya pagsering, “if in the name of academic freedom, some professors may teach teachings that are not in conformity with our Catholic faith then do something for it is also our right to maintain the catholic identity of our schools”.

Fr. Mar, bring out the Catholic character of this college, because I firmly believe that the Church has so much to offer society. While the Church has often been painted by its critics as the enemy of knowledge, a sober assessment of its legacy will bear out the inestimable contribution of the Church to the progress of civilization and culture.

Fr. Mar this is your task and this, too, is your challenge. And once you accept it with faith, you will be able to lift and even carry it. The yoke of Christ the King will not crush you. It will carry you. The light of Christ the King will not blind you. It will make your vision definitely clear.”

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This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!