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Fr. McGivney’s cause for sainthood, Infanta prelature establish anti-APECO mission and International organizations to gather in Aurora

Posted on February 16th By yen ocampo, jandel posion (cbcp)


Fr. McGivney’s cause for sainthood moves forward; US group seeks miracle from PH


Postulators from Rome and United Stated have arrived in the country to seek the human effort of faithful Filipinos to bring the Knights of Columbus’ founder Venerable Michael J. McGivney to the honors of the altar.


Postulator Dr. Andrea Ambrosi and international journalist Brian Caulfield as vice-postulator for the cause of Fr. McGivney chose the Philippines—Asia’s number one Christian country to start promoting the latter’s noble cause for sainthood and to urge the Filipino brothers to pray for a God’s miracle through his intercessions.


“America doesn’t have a strong devotion to the saints unlike Filipinos, so we’re here in the Philippines for Fr. McGivney to be well known. We will work with radio stations, Brother Knights, parishes, Bishops, meeting with the territorial chaplains, among others,” said Caulfield, who is also a Communication Specialist from the executive office of the Supreme Knight.


Caulfield added that the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines have many ways of inspiration, faithfulness and devotion. He said they are looking for the faithful brothers here to pray for a possible miracle in their lives and that the said miracle happens to give honor to the Filipino Knights.


A miracle is needed to be attributed through the intercession of Fr. McGivney in order for him to be beatified, and an additional miracle is needed for his Canonization, a declaration of sainthood.


“How do we go about it? Pray the prayer card regularly and if someone is sick or seriously ill, ask for Fr. McGivney’s intercession to perform medical miracles because they are most probable in the sense. In the case where the doctors will say this person is better and I don’t have any explanation for [this] other than the work of God. [It is] beyond the knowledge of medicine that only God can explain. The miracle could happen but it has to be reported,” Caulfield stressed.


Fr. McGivney established the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary Parish in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882—the largest fraternal order for Catholic men and the right arm of the Church. He founded the organization out of his worries about the religious faith and financial stability of immigrant families.


He died on August 14, 1890 at the age of 38 due to pneumonia.


The Vatican has recognized the heroic virtues of Fr. McGivney on March 15, 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI declared him “Venerable Servant of God”.


Dubbed as protector of the poor and defender of the widows and orphans, Fr. McGivney will be the first American-born priest to be declared a saint, if canonized.


Father McGivney’s vision remains as relevant as ever in the changing circumstances of today’s Church and society, according to Blessed Pope John Paul II.


Meanwhile, the noble Cause for the Beatification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines, Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ has also taken a major step forward. Local Brother Knights are challenged to unearth additional materials and gather testimonies that will help support the Cause of Fr. Willmann.


Fr. McGivney and Fr. Willmann were known for their tireless work as servants of the Lord in serving the people amidst difficult situation.


Faithful are encouraged to avail the graces derived through Fr. McGivney’s intercessions by clicking this website www.fathermcgivney.org, and become a member (click join the guild) to start receiving the monthly newspaper and 2nd class relic such as little medal as necklace to be worn.

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Infanta prelature establish anti-APECO mission

With the on-going plans of creating the eco-zone of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) from 500 to 12, 427 hectares, covering more barangay in the municipality of Casiguran; farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples’ leaders and residents of the said municipality have repeatedly raised concerns against its expansion.

With this concern, the Prelature of Infanta is organizing a two-day Internal Solidarity Mission (ISM) to call for international and local support against APECO.

According to the prelature, the mission will be highlighted by an on-site visit of Swiss, Dutch and Filipino faith-based leaders, local anti-APECO support groups, representatives of the CHR and NCIP, together with media around the area of the eco-zone on February 17 and 18, 2012.

Their aim is to support and strengthen the anti-APECO campaign on both local and national levels towards the repeal of Republic Act 10083 (amended version of the RA 9490) renamed as the “Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO)”.

Members of the united against APECO are Bp. Felix Gmür from Switzerland; Bp. Rolando Tirona of the Prelature of Infanta;  Fr. Ben Verberne, MSC of Dutch Conference of Religious; Helena Jeppesen of  the Swiss  Catholic Lenten Fund (SCLF);  Floor  Schuiling  of  Mensen met een Missie- Netherlands; Fr. Edwin Gariguez of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), Fr. Pete Montallana, OFM and Bro. Martin Francisco of the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNA), Mark Cebreros of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Comm. Conchita Calzado of  the  National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); Integrated Pastoral Development Initiative (IPDI), Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Focus on the Global South (FOCUS), PAKISAMA/Task Force Anti-APECO, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), Tribal Center for Development (TCD), Swiss TV and Radio Veritas.

Other than the members of ISM, there are also 500 members from the affected local communities and parishioners of the Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Parish in the area of Casiguran, Aurora will also be participating in this mission.

“The first day will be a community sharing between the international delegates and local communities, with each sector represented, while the second day underscores the delegates’ visit to the indigenous people and fishing communities affected by the ecozone to listen to their experiences in relation to APECO,” they said.

They expressed that after the mission, the delegation will come up with a comprehensive report which will be sent to different international organizations and concerned Philippine government agencies, on the local level.

“The report will detail the mission’s findings and appeal for appropriate actions – which are beneficial for the residents and affected communities and sectors in Casiguran, pressure international and inter-governmental bodies to issue statements against APECO and persuade the ecozone’s funders and potential investors to withdraw their commitments and investments,” they furthered.

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International organizations to gather in Aurora for anti-APECO talks

Swiss and Dutch faith-based leaders will gather together with Filipino faith-based leaders, local anti-APECO support groups, representatives of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), and media around the area of the eco-zone on February 17-18 for a two-day International Solidarity Mission (ISM).

Organized by the Prelature of Infanta, the ISM is to call for international and local support against the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO).

The move to gather anti-APECO groups are because of the expansion of the eco-zone from 500 to 12,427 hectares covering more barangays in the municipality of Casiguran in Aurora.

According to organizers, ISM will focus in solving the issues raised by affected communities namely the farmers, fisher folks, indigenous people and residents of Casiguran.

“Some of the issues raised by affected residents are, private lands and farm lots awarded to farmer-beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) are among those included in the ASEZA (now APECO) coverage; there is no consultation with the affected sectors and communities was made prior to the passage of RA 9490; local government units of covered barangays were never informed, consulted, and considered before the approval of the law; harassment and misinformation about APECO on the ground; and n violation/conflict of the 1987 Constitution and other laws,” they said.

Other than members of the international and local groups, over 500 members of the affected local communities will also be participating.

A comprehensive report will be done after the two-day ISM which will be sent to different international organizations and government agencies concerned for an immediate appropriate action

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