Celebrating the spirit of these founders of the Society of Jesus:
Francisco de Jassu y Javier– born 7 April, 1506 at Javier in Navarre
Pierre Favre — born 13, April 1506 in Villaret in Savoie
Ignatius Loyola– died 31 July, 1556 at Rome

When Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach announced the jubilee, he said: “The anniversary [...]]]> Watch.

Celebrating the spirit of these founders of the Society of Jesus:
Francisco de Jassu y Javier– born 7 April, 1506 at Javier in Navarre
Pierre Favre — born 13, April 1506 in Villaret in Savoie
Ignatius Loyola– died 31 July, 1556 at Rome

When Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach announced the jubilee, he said: “The anniversary invites us to examine and intensify our fidelity to the call of the Lord that they were the first to discern and that they followed in such a creative fashion that it continues to challenge us, their companions of the third millennium. We remember especially some aspects of the original spirituality that moved these three companions of Jesus and that continue to challenge the apostolic body of the Society today.”

In these first three Jesuits, we recall that the Society of Jesus began in companionship. In each of them we see personal symbols of essential aspects of the “original spirituality” of the Society.

As Jesuits and lay partners, therefore, we wish to celebrate this jubilee year by contemplating the foundational experience of their companionship. We also desire to appropriate the unique gifts of each for our challenging time and Philippine context. In these difficult and uncertain times of national crisis, we wish to receive the spiritual resources we need to endure and to respond to our situation with creativity and hope.

TO THE WHOLE PROVINCE

In view of the confusing reports regarding the present situation, and the many calls on Jesuits, lay partners and Jesuit institutions to support various movements, I wish to share with the Province some information on our present situation and some [...]]]> February 27, 2006

TO THE WHOLE PROVINCE

In view of the confusing reports regarding the present situation, and the many calls on Jesuits, lay partners and Jesuit institutions to support various movements, I wish to share with the Province some information on our present situation and some responses for your discernment and guidance. As with the earlier Guidelines from the Province Commission on the Social Apostolate, these considerations are the fruit of discussion and discernment, understandably hurried given our circumstances, of an adhoc Province Committee on Crisis Response.

At a time when things remain fluid and unstable, these guidelines are presented, not as a total and final response to the situation and the problems of political legitimacy and reform, but as an initial response to very immediate concerns and questions. Moreover, they are offered for consideration and discernment, rather than as “positions” all are required to adhere to. Those who, after prayer and reflection, find that they can, in conscience, hold these positions, may share what is contained with others, who seek guidance in a time of confusion and heightened emotional responses.

Let us continue to beseech our gracious Lord for the light, courage and hope we need as we face these challenging times in our country’s history.

Preliminary Guidelines for the Present Situation of “National Emergency”

A.        The Situation:

There seem to be groups in the military who have seriously been engaged in attempts to seize state power. Part of the impetus for these coup plots appears to be legitimate grievances concerning the present state of the military under the present administration. But it does not seem that the ventilation of these grievances is the only agenda of the present movements among these groups. There also appears to be a genuine intent to take political control of the country. Transitional juntas, with civilians participating, appear to be envisioned. Some civilians, chiefly politicians and organized political groups, seem to know about these plans. Some, convinced that all constitutional means to oust the present administration have been exhausted, support these attempts.

There appears to be a crucial difference between the events of EDSA 1986 and the present. EDSA was a civilian-led initiative against dictatorship that received support from the military. What we are witnessing these days is quite different: a military-led effort seeking civilian support and legitimation.

The response of the government is the declaration of a state of National Emergency, through Proclamation No. 1017. The column of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., in today’s Philippines Daily Inquirer, explains the constitutional basis for and scope of emergency powers in the Proclamation. But Fr. Bernas also points to the disturbing inclusion of what seem to be martial law powers in the President’s declaration, particularly in its appeal to Article XII, Section 17 of the Constitution, concerning the temporary takeover of privately owned businesses and utilities, a move that seems aimed at government control of the press and media.

B.         Some Guidelines:

1. The crisis of political legitimacy and the crying need for reform of the military are real.  Nonetheless, any attempt by factions in the military to seize state power, however well motivated, cannot be supported. Such attempts overstep the noble task of the military in a democracy. The consequences of such actions that threaten civilian supremacy over the military will be extremely difficult to reverse and would be seriously harmful for the country’s future. The experience of countries in which a politicized military has taken state power—what we often refer to as “banana republics”—gives sobering illustrations of these consequences. Once having captured the state, military forces have not given up power easily. A cycle of constant struggles for state control among military elements begins, to the detriment of political stability, democratic freedoms and national development.

   Democracy demands the rule of civilians who are legitimately chosen from and by the people, and not simply kept in power by military might. It is important to recall the principle articulated by the CBCP in its pastoral statement of January 2006: actions that “condone violence or counter-constitutional means in resolving our present crisis” are not acceptable, especially since they “would only bring about new forms of injustice, hardships, and greater harm in the future.”

2. The serious threat to democratic freedoms involved in Proclamation No. 1017 should be exposed, questioned, and resisted. Even constitutionally mandated emergency powers can be abused if they are exercised disproportionately, to the point of undermining basic rights. It is alarming that, even now, there seem to be indications of this abuse, such as the arrest of civilians without clear bases and charges. This is a serious and unacceptable violation of civil and political rights.

   Furthermore, the present administration’s actions towards controlling the media must be resisted. Not only are these moves of questionable constitutionality, but state takeover of media seems morally unjustified, as such a measure would violate the freedom of expression which is a fundamental tenet of democracy.

3. We must not be naïve and uncritical. Many groups have taken and will continue to take advantage of the present confusion. We, especially religious and Church groups, must be wary about which groups we identify with, lest we indirectly legitimate and support antidemocratic groups with vested interests. The question of the future governance of the country, should the present administration collapse, is not a matter of indifference, but a serious moral consideration. Who assumes power, with what mandate and what agenda, are questions that we must seek answers to from those who would solicit our support.
4. The present administration’s actions to frustrate legitimate constitutional means of reform and accountability must be held largely responsible for the present crisis. Government’s constant attempts to evade accountability and true reform have made the military solution seem attractive and inevitable to some.

Thus, it is necessary that the following be addressed with greater urgency: the search for truth on the many controversies of the recent past; the revamp of COMELEC and other necessary electoral reforms; reforms in the military; and the continuing search for solutions to the problems of poverty and inequality that beset most of our people.

C.        Some Immediate Courses of Action:

In this situation, the following are appropriate immediate courses of action:

• Gatherings of prayer for peace and a non-violent resolution of the crisis;
• Gatherings to exchange reliable information, and to discern collectively in the light of emerging developments;
• Expressions and actions of protest against the curtailments of democratic freedoms in Proclamation No. 1017.

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It’s Bro. Robbie’s segment in Breakfast on Studio 23.

(For feeders, see complete post at http://ixavier.xs.edu.ph/jescom/?p=42)

Every morning, Bro. Robbie Sian, SJ takes a slice from the normal lives and encourages viewers to reflect on it. It could be as simple as the morning traffic, the pleasure of listening to a friend, the [...]]]> Nope! It’s not cooked egg!

It’s Bro. Robbie’s segment in Breakfast on Studio 23.

(For feeders, see complete post at http://ixavier.xs.edu.ph/jescom/?p=42)

Every morning, Bro. Robbie Sian, SJ takes a slice from the normal lives and encourages viewers to reflect on it. It could be as simple as the morning traffic, the pleasure of listening to a friend, the challenges of handling life’s little inconveniences or the fun of looking back to your childhood days.

Here’s a sampling of previous episodes of the segment:
Watch the Jan 16 episode.
Watch the Jan 20 episode.
Watch the Jan 23 episode.
Watch the Jan 27 episode.

Catch Bro. Robbie on Mondays and Fridays in Breakfast. In case you’d miss him, you can tune-in to this feed as we’re having Sunny Side-Up as our newest addition to the JesCom Media Blog / Podcast!

For more information on Sunny Side-Up, visit
http://ixavier.xs.edu.ph/jescom/?page_id=41

Please visit http://ixavier.xs.edu.ph/jescom/?page_id=39 for more info.

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