after Angelus 

Make us, O Lord to Love your  Word

Teach us to listen and live by your Word

Bless those who promote your Word

Open our hearts that we may be generous, that others might have a copy of the written Word

18th National Biblical Workshop

Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas

February 9-13, 2010

“The Word of God is the Life and Mission of the Church”

 “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your torrents”—this passage from the book of Psalms (Ps 42:8a [NAB]) would reverberate in nature and in our hearts as our National Biblical Workshop, the 18th in the history of ECBA, moved from the seashore of Cagayan de Oro City two years ago to the lakeshore of Talisay, Batangas. Here on the shore of the world-famous Lake Taal and across its serene yet ever watchful Taal volcano, we strove to fathom the depths of our life, vocation and mission as “Bible apostles”.

We were 178 participants in all: bishops, priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful coming from the Board of Trustees, the national office, and the 12 regional centers. The workshop took place at Club Balai Isabel from February 9-13, 2010 and had for its theme “The Word of God is the Life and Mission of the Church”, a take-off from the theme of the 12th Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. Prior to the workshop, the 5th National Consultation and Planning was conducted in the same venue attended by the bishops, members of the ECBA boards, and regional and diocesan directors.

The theme of the workshop elucidated to us by our ECBA chairman Bishop Pablo Virgilio S.  David, fondly known as “Bishop Ambo”, is part of a larger theme, “May They Be One” (Jn 17:21). This priestly prayer of Jesus is also the name of a five-year nationwide program aiming to put a Bible in every Filipino home. To this program ECBA has committed, from 2009 until 2013, to work in bayanihan  spirit with the Philippine Bible Society and other Bible organizations in the country and abroad, so that 5 million Bibles shall have been distributed at the end of the program.

A representative of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) then came and explained to us the importance of automated elections, an inevitable and historic landmark in our country, which should be faced with courage and hope. The challenge he put before us Filipinos is captured by the slogan: “Itama ang boto; iboto ang tama.”  We should vote correctly so as not to spoil our ballot, at the same time choose the right candidates.

The morning of the second day was devoted to the presentation of the theme “Translated Word Transforming and Uniting Peoples” by the staff of the Summer Institute of Linguistics-Philippines headed by Fr. Marc Jacobson and his wife Suzanne Jacobson. Different workshops on the theme were conducted after the noon break. Later in the afternoon, Ms. Elvira Go and her staff officially launched the 4th Catholic Family Bible Encounter, replacing the more intimidating Catholic Family Bible “Quiz”, with the theme: “The Word of God calls us to be Caring Stewards of Creation.”

On the third day, we listened to our Filipino “Synod Fathers” as they echoed the Synod on the Word of God taking the Nuntius or Final Message as the springboard for further reflections and challenges in the Biblical apostolate. Presenting the four phases of the journey of the Word were Bishops Luis Antonio Tagle (“The Voice of the Word: Revelation”), Arturo Bastes, SVD (“The Face of the Word: Jesus Christ), Pablo Virgilio S. David (“The House of the Word: The Church”) and Broderick Pabillo, SDB (“The Roads of the Word: The Mission”).

After two days of inputs, reflections, and sharing, we listened to Jesus’ summons to “rest for a while” and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Some took boats to cross to the other side of the lake and climbed the volcano. Others moved up to Tagaytay City and Silang, Cavite. Others opted to stay in the resort watching a poignant film, “Saint Peter”, which turned out to be a powerful re-echo on the power of the Voice, the Face and the House of the Word which is a “flame” that cannot be put out and directs every listener to His Pathways. Back to Talisay, we approved our Final Statement and enjoyed our final dinner and cultural night.

Staying by the lake, who would not be reminded of Lake Tiberias where once Simon the Fisherman received a command from Jesus: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Lk 5:4)? We, too, are called by the Divine Master to be fishers of men and women, to catch people for the Kingdom. Hence, as we return to work in other shores, even in the vast ocean of our Biblical apostolate, we will strive to pursue the following resolutions and commitments, relying on the grace of God and the intercession of Mary, Star of the Sea:

1. We will make the coming Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God the basis and reference point of our reflection and action in our apostolate, thereby committing to share this Apostolic Exhortation with the people of God.

2.      We will be more active in our financial campaign to finance our Biblical initiatives, taking advantage of opportunities provided by National Bible Sunday, Bible Week, and other related programs.

3.      We will actively join the MTBO Bible Campaign, looking for and forming beneficiaries as well as generous benefactors for this project.

4.      We will continue to promote the diffusion of the BEC Bible in a new package after the MTBO project .

5.      We will intensify the efforts in fostering collaboration with PBS, SIL, CBAP  and other Catholic groups in coming up with Bible translations.

6.      We will resolutely take the “roads of the Word” that are open before us: to transmit the Word in the culture of communication, to bring the Word to families and the world of the youth, to find common harmony with the great religious traditions and local beliefs, to bring God to the people through the via pulchritudinis (way of beauty) of the Word, and to transform and regenerate cultures through the Gospel.

7.      We will take the coming elections as another “road of the Word” and heed our Bishops’ call for Vigilance and Involvement, guided by their Pastoral Statement of January 24, 2010.

We conclude with a deep sense of gratitude to people who were God’s instruments in making both the National Consultation and Biblical Workshop a joyful and a fruitful experience.

Our sincerest appreciation and gratitude rightly go to the St. Peter’s Regional Biblical Center and National Center for the National Capital Region headed by their Regional Director, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Tapiador.  Kudos and a million thanks to him and to his team.

Our gratitude goes also to the Steering Committee ably chaired and charged by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, SDB and Bishop Renato Mayugba.

Our heartfelt thanks go also to the proprietors and staff of Club Balai Isabel who made us feel “sa balay”—at home—during our stay.

Lastly, how can we thank enough our chairman emeritus, Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD.  For such a long time, he has been our father, guide, and friend at ECBA!  Even if the mantle of leadership has now been passed on to Bishop Ambo, he continues to help us keep the fire of God’s Word burning and alive in our hearts. He will always be a source of inspiration for us.

For the Workshop Participants:

(Signed):

+ PABLO VIRGILIO S. DAVID, D.D.

Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga

Chairman, ECBA

13 February 2010

Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

Cha-Li Beach Resort, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City

February 11-15, 2008

  FINAL STATEMENT

For the 17th National Biblical Workshop of the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA-CBCP), some 218 Bible workers from all over the country gathered at Cagayan de Oro City, the city of golden friendship, in northern Mindanao. They were joined by 24 delegates from ten (10) South East Asian countries who would participate in the 5th South-East Asia Catholic Biblical Federation.

The ECBA Workshop held on February 11-15, 2008 was followed immediately by the CBF Workshop (February 16-17). Venue to both events was the Cha-li Beach Resort, Zone 3 Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

When the participants were arriving, the weather was turning inclement, delaying the flights of some participants and preventing others from coming. Outside the venue, angry waves were pounding the sea walls. It is as if nature itself, still groaning in the travails of the children of God, was mourning if not lambasting, the brewing political crisis in the country as the Senate was investigating the NBN-ZTE corruption scandal involving the officials in the highest echelon of the government. The encircling gloom played like a prelude to the theme of the workshop: “God’s Word: Source of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace.” More than ever, the power of God’s Word is needed to break darkness’ spell that threatens not just the political fabric but the very soul of the nation.

In his introductory remark, Bishop Arturo Bastes, ECBA Chairman, put the two workshops in the context of several biblical events that would rightly make 2008 the Year of the Bible. On June 24-July 3, 2008, the Catholic Biblical Federation will hold its 7th Plenary Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa. Then, the biggest biblical event of the year follows in October: the 12th Ordinary Synod of Bishops which has as theme “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” No less significant is the celebration of the Year of St. Paul marking the bi-millennium of his birth which will be celebrated on June 28, 2008—June 29, 2009. The letters of St. Paul, considered the first “Christian theologian,” comprise the earliest New Testament writings.

The conferences were chosen to elucidate the different dimensions of justice, reconciliation and peace. On the first day, Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ spoke on “The Transformative Power of God’s Word in the Struggle against Corruption.” He was followed by Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, FSP who developed a theme with Pauline and ecological color: “St. Paul and the Groaning of Creation.” The Keynote Speaker, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, was prevented by bad weather from coming. But he sent his reflection on the theme “The Word of God—Source of Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace” and this was delivered with,  “rabbinic” commentaries, by Bishop Arturo Bastes in the morning of the second day. Another speaker, Ambassador Tita de Villa, did reach Cagayan de Oro in the afternoon and she spoke on “Challenge 2010… Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.” Bishop Virgilio David was not as successful, so his prepared conference on the Lineamenta of the Synod of Bishops was presented by Bishop Renato Mayugba.

The main conferences were supplemented by sharing and workshops. The convention appreciated the National Catholic Family Bible Quiz, now in its 3rd edition. It has branched out to other countries and has given birth to a TV talk-show “Power to Unite.” On the third day, the participants had several workshops to choose from: Bible Translations and the Challenge of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace (Fr. Marc Jacobson and Dr. Annie del Corro), Justice, Reconciliation and Peace in the Bible and the Qur’an (Msgr. Elmer Abacahin and Ms. Aminah Mambuay), Promotion of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace in the Military and Police (P. Supt. Romy Inway Palgue and P. Supt. Warren Tolito), Catholic Faith Defenders as Promoters of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace (Atty. Mike Abas), and Bibliodrama and the Biblical-Pastoral Ministry (Fr. Rudi Poehl,SVD).  

Indeed, the participants were offered a wealth of materials to ruminate upon, a veritable banquet for the mind and spirit. The organizers have really done a magnificent job. The workshop would not be successful if not through the efforts of our wonderful hosts who showed us the best of the province’s hospitality and golden heart. Our gratitude goes to Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ and his team headed by the Diocesan Bible Director Fr. Alan Pulgo. Thanks to generous individuals and groups who prepared food and entertainment for us. Thanks also to Fr. Iluminado Rojo, the Regional Director for Mindanao. With our thanks goes our felicitation to the whole Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro which is currently celebrating its Diamond Jubilee as an independent diocese.

Finally, we would like to thank our speakers and workshop animators for sharing with us the fruits of their own “wrestling with the Word” and for braving the inclement weather in order to join us.

In this workshop, we felt more intensely the travails of the workers for justice, reconciliation and peace. Creation “groans” with us as we try to live up to our dignity as children of God. Although we realize how deep we have fallen into the spell of corruption, and how difficult and how hopeless the situation may seem to some, we are full of hope for we know that the grace of God in Christ Jesus is more powerful than darkness and our human frailty. Our hope and our strength comes from the Word, “inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in holiness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). In the power of the Word, we shall strive to implement the following lines of action, the fruit of our 17th National Bible Workshop:

1. Our struggle for Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace

1.1. We reiterate our resolve in the Bontoc Workshop: that we shall, in our personal capacity, reject corruption in all its forms. We shall begin with our personal values, the values of our family, parish, basic ecclesial communities and religious institutions.

1.2. We shall apply ourselves to more organized actions to fight corruption, form or join “circles of discernment,” and support those who forsake corruption to redeem their dignity/soul.

2. Challenge 2010

2.1. We shall respect and help others respect the dignity of the ballot. We shall help expose in a Christian way the evils of CORRUPTION which has become imbedded in the electoral process and in our social life.

2.2. We shall help the PPCRV in the formation of conscience and the mobilization of volunteers to disseminate its roadmap, to monitor the conduct of elections, and to carry out electoral reforms.

3. Bishops’ Synod on the Word of God

3.1. We shall pray for and follow the developments in the Synod on the Word of God. Once the Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God comes out, we shall make it one of the principal guides for our Bible apostolate.

4. Jubilee of St. Paul

4.1. We shall strive to know, love, and imitate the great Apostle of the Gentiles. We shall reflect on his letters and pray for a share of his zeal for the Gospel. We shall support the various initiatives of the Church for the celebration of the Pauline Year 2008-2009 and her concern for ecology.

5. Bible Celebrations

5.1. We shall participate more actively in the different Biblical initiatives, celebrations, and causes: Family Bible Quiz, National Bible Month/Week/Sunday, Bible symposia/sharing.  

6. Five-fold area of Biblical Pastoral Ministry

6.1. We shall integrate our biblical pastoral ministry under five areas: Formation, Celebration, Translation, Production, and Distribution.    

7. Networking 

7.1 We shall network with the CBF and the Biblical Pastoral Workers in South East Asia and North East Asia. We shall make use of media technology in coordinating our efforts and in spreading the Good News.

Approved this 14th of February 2008

MOST REV. ARTURO M. BASTES, SVD, DD

Bishop of Sorsogon

ECBA-CBCP Chairman

In the name of the participants

DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES

ASPAC BA COORDINATORS’ MEETING

MAY 20-26, 2007

BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES

FINAL STATEMENT

            We the twenty enthusiastic Biblical Apostolate coordinators, representing the different provinces/regions in the SVD Asia Pacific Zone, gathered in Baguio City and San Fernando City,

          As we looked into our zonal situation, we are encouraged to find confreres who are committed in animating one another in reading the Bible and living the Word. Earnest efforts have been made to integrate the four SVD characteristic dimensions into our missionary life as well as in our formation programs. Worthy of noting is the contribution of confreres to both the local and universal Church through the Biblical Apostolate and through their cooperation in the Catholic Biblical Federation.

          The rich religious pluralistic heritage and environment of our people and their thirst for the Word of God has given birth to a considerable number of lay partners committed in the Biblical Apostolate. Even though there is a constant effort to inculturate the Word of God in our liturgies and activities, we know that we can still do more. We should also improve our communication among coordinators and our participation in important milestone celebrations in the Church that have to do with the Biblical Apostolate.

          Reflecting upon this situation, we find a meaningful and challenging dynamics for our Biblical Apostolate between LIFE and TEXT. The movement from LIFE to TEXT starts when we encounter the people. They become our partners with concrete names and faces. Their present context, their aspirations and questions help us to read these realities in the light of God’s Word (cf. Mk 7:24-30). The movement from TEXT to LIFE consists in returning to the sources. In the light of the XVI General Chapter we are called to be animators among our confreres for them to become Word-centered communities. The TEXT (Bible, Constitutions and other SVD Documents) is a permanent reminder of the centrality of God’s Word in our life and mission (cf: IDW 6, 29).

• Journeying with St. Arnold and St. Joseph in the next triennium, we, the ASPAC Biblical Coordinators, commit ourselves to witnessing to the Word in the spirit of Prophetic Dialogue through:
• Integrating the Word of God in all our ministries, trying to attune ourselves with the dynamics of finding a balance between life and text;
• Looking for new and creative ways of reading, sharing and living the Word of God in daily life;
• Allowing ourselves to be evangelized by our dialogue partners as we evangelize them through ongoing biblical-pastoral formation;
• Strengthening the continuity of the Biblical Apostolate Programs and the integration of the BA (directives, guidelines, policies) into the over all direction of the province;
• Improving communication among ourselves, especially on zonal events and celebrations (BA, centennial of St. Joseph and St. Arnold, UCCBA).

          In conclusion, doing BA should start with ourselves as St. Joseph Freinademetz said, “How happy it should make us to be allowed to help in some small way in sowing the good seed, the Divine Word. Before that Word can be entrusted to us, however, the Divine Gardener demands that we undergo a kind of test, that we first cultivate a small plot, our own heart” (As Wine Poured Out, p. 41).

ASPAC BA COORDINATORS

25 May 2007

PHN PROVINCIALATE

LA UNION, PHILIPPINES

fr. heart,svd/WEBSITE/BA (The Final Statement of ASPAC)

There is a very close collaboration between the SVD biblical ministry and the John Paul I Biblical Center. The offices for both are located at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City. This setup makes it possible to avail of the facilities of the biblical center and staff for a more effective service to the members of the province and to the

Some highlights of the ministry include Bible formation, publications, and distribution of Bibles. The formation programs include the World Alive Biblical Institute (a summer course for Bible animators), a basic course in bibliodrama. and basic Bible seminars.