Bataan youth go on pilgrimage at Mt. Samat

MANILA, November 24, 2011― Young Catholics from all over Bataan will once again gather on the sacred grounds of Mt. Samat, as they celebrate life through the Annual Mt. Samat Pilgrimage in this momentous occasion of the Year of the Youth.

In line with the celebration of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Year of the Youth (CBCP-Year of the Youth), the diocese of Balanga in Bataan will hold its 8th Diocesan Mt. Samat Pilgrimage together with the other young people of the province on November 26.

Fr. Joshua Maria Santos, MMHC, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, in an invitation letter sent to YouthPinoy!, said that year 2011 is not only a gift to our young people but also to the youth ministry.

“The diocese of Balanga made use of this opportunity to gather once again the youth of our province, inspiring them and energizing them in order to bring life not only in the Church but also in our society making them potent agents of renewal at this springtime,” Santos indicated in the letter.

The procession of pilgrims will begin at 1 p.m. followed by different presentations of the youth and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Shrine’s quadrangle.

A candle lighting ceremony and fireworks display at around 8 p.m. will cap the event.

Other activities for the event include animations, praying the rosary and video presentation. (Jandel Posion)

Church hails SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita

MANILA, November 24, 2011— The Catholic Church’s social action arm lauded the Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution to farmers of Hacienda Luisita, a vast agricultural land owned by President Benigno Aquino’s family.

The National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said the farmers deserve to own land that they have been tilling for decades.

“It’s a long awaited decision and a step forward for the Supreme Court to regain its credibility in proving that it can truly stand for the truth and justice,” said Fr. Edu Gariguez, Nassa executive secretary.

“We hope and pray that the Supreme Court will be consistent in rendering judgment not for any political exigencies but to safeguard the interest of justice,” he said.

The High Court, in a resolution released yesterday, ordered the immediate distribution to over 6,000 farmworker-beneficiaries of about 5,000 hectares sugar estate.

Except for Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who did not take part in the voting, 14 of the 15 magistrates agreed to grant the motion for reconsideration of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council and the farmers’ group Ambala.

The High Court also changed its ruling in July that allowed the farmers to choose between land ownership or shares of stock representing the value of the land.

It stressed that the stock distribution option exercised by Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) was contrary to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“The SC decision has long been overdue. This is a victory not only for workers at the Hacienda Luisita but for all the farmers as well,” Gariguez said.

“With this development at Hacienda Luisita, we have a better hope for a genuine agrarian reform in the country,” he added. [CBCPNews]