“In line with the teachings of the Catholic Church, we in Couples for Christ:
“a) Firmly believe that marriage is first and foremost a gift and part of God’s plan for the good of humanity. It is not born out of a whim but rather a vocation that requires deep commitment and dedication. It is evidence of God’s great confidence that humanity – man and woman – have the ability to share and participate in His desire to bring into existence another human person as marriage “is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory.” (CCC 1652)
“b) Will continue to uphold the truth that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. We recognize that “God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion” (CCC 2331)
“c) Stand firm in our belief that sexual desire leaves room for the exercise of the will. And in exercising that will, the human person “should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity” (CCC 2333) – both body and soul – not rejecting any part of it and, in so doing, able to totally give himself to another person who would be able to fully receive him because of the complementary nature inscribed in their bodies.
“d) Continue to believe that, in man’s pursuit of happiness, freedom is not absolute and has its own limitations. And that by “deviating from the moral law man violates his own freedom, becomes imprisoned within himself, disrupts neighbourly fellowship, and rebels against divine truth.” (CCC 1740)
“e) Maintain our respect for people of homosexual orientation. We acknowledge that they too have been given by the Lord various gifts essential for the fulfilment of God’s plan. At the same time, we fully understand that what they need is acceptance and not tolerance, that we should not waver in inviting them to “self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace; they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.” (CCC 2359)
“The times have truly been challenging for the Christian faith.
“But while we can continue to voice out our opposition against those who threaten marriage, we should more resolutely pursue more effective ways by which we can defend the family. Our own marriages and family lives, because they are centered on Christian values, should be a living witness to a world that would rather listen to actions than words. By having our message clearly heard, we may then lead others towards the right path to happiness and freedom, indeed to Christ Himself.
“We must all the more persevere in prayer and in faith in order that our marriages become a genuine reflection of God’s image here on earth!
“God bless our families!
“For the CFC International Council
“JOSE T. TALE
“Chairman
“June 30, 2015.”
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What a way to end the lovely marriage month of June – marriage under fire! God Blesses all who continue to value and fight for the Christian sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman!
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There were so many ka-ilians in our beloved city and nearby municipalities of Benguet who were so unsuspecting of scheming groups and individuals sucking their hard-earned savings and money into smithereens or like magic that in seconds they are gone. We thought that the usual prey are the unlearned and the poor. But we were wrong. Even the learned have joined the bewildered group of the instant poor ka-ilians. While we despise these scammers and pity our poor ka-ilians, maybe the root cause of this phenomenon is our insatiable appetite to earn quick money. We tend to become irrational when we are lost to the sweet talking of these scammers. By the glitter of money and our hope that we shall be financially liberated the quickest way puts us into the abyss of the point of no return. Can I then say that we are now basically “chance people?” That is why we have this problem on gambling that is slowly creeping into us. Despite the very loud opposition from the Catholic church and the society in general, we have seen that permits and clearances are being silently approved left and right. If only we can remember and live the Filipino trait of being “masipag” or hardworker, then all of us shall surely be successful.
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You, are you a “chance person”? I do not!
