"It's one thing not to see the forest for the trees, but then to go on to deny the reality of the forest is a more serious matter."
Paul Weiss
Sometimes when we're deeply involved in something emotionally, we fail to see a solution even if it's staring us in the face. The issues we face when dealing with the FFL are very emotional. There is pain involved, indignation, and just over all distress about the whole thing. We are so caught up in defending the CFC, and I'm sure the FFL is pretty caught up in justifying their actions and their existence that it doesn't occur to most of us that there are peaceful solutions that are both logical and inspired.
I salute CFC-Zurich AND FFL-Zurich for this truly inspired Joint Statement of Peaceful Agreement between the CFC and FFL. My hats off to all of you and those involved in putting this together, for being able to take a step back and SEE God's forest, despite the trees the block our view. I honor you all for seeing past the petty issues being able to focus on what is truly most important: God and His people. You may have paved the way and provided the inspiration for all future interaction between the two groups. To quote a sentence in the email that contained this agreement:
You can download this in PDF format HERE.
Lets discuss this in the forum HERE.
Rejoice!
Paul Weiss
Sometimes when we're deeply involved in something emotionally, we fail to see a solution even if it's staring us in the face. The issues we face when dealing with the FFL are very emotional. There is pain involved, indignation, and just over all distress about the whole thing. We are so caught up in defending the CFC, and I'm sure the FFL is pretty caught up in justifying their actions and their existence that it doesn't occur to most of us that there are peaceful solutions that are both logical and inspired.
I salute CFC-Zurich AND FFL-Zurich for this truly inspired Joint Statement of Peaceful Agreement between the CFC and FFL. My hats off to all of you and those involved in putting this together, for being able to take a step back and SEE God's forest, despite the trees the block our view. I honor you all for seeing past the petty issues being able to focus on what is truly most important: God and His people. You may have paved the way and provided the inspiration for all future interaction between the two groups. To quote a sentence in the email that contained this agreement:
"This document is a result of a spirit-filled dialogue involving leaders of CFC and FFL held on 20 October 2007. During that meeting, we are one in agreeing to relate to one another with love, generosity and respect inspite of the current situation."Here it is:
You can download this in PDF format HERE.
Lets discuss this in the forum HERE.
Rejoice!
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22 comments:
ahh... I pray to God that this indeed will be the START of a peaceful relationship between CFC and FFL...
I would like to vote the leaders of FFL Zurich to take over here in Manila.
I thought it was very respectful of them to acknowledge that both communities have the same work of evangelism and family renewal.
Also, it's great to see a statement against the poaching of members.
Again, they have my vote to run the FFL head office!
yes, i take my hats off to our brethren in Switzerland. it was a GREAT agreement requiring GREAT humility.
They must have lots of humble pie in Switzerland to come up with this agreement. We all could use some here in the U.S. and elsewhere where this issue remains to be the biggest concern so both groups can get on with the work. Common sense simply dictates they drop CFC form their name. Hopefully our brothers example in Zurich will inspire the others to do likewise even if it had to region by region.
Dear Concerned4dtruth
Brother, you should see what is happening here in Rizal. While we at FFL have stopped our Restoration Assemblies and are moving on with brothers who have decided to join our group, our brothers in Global are still continuing their Restoration- Restoration of lost members, that is.They still continue to appear, even if uninvited in HH meetings of FFL members. These is definitely poaching!!I sincerely hope that we can all follow the example of Zurich.
Sana ganyan din dito sa Pinas.
Awhile ago at the MCG at the Ateneo, inspite of my earlier call to the FFL Youth coordinator TO STOP POACHING, I was told by one of the CFC YFC Cluster coordinator that they continue to call our YFC leaders and offer them positions in their group. Sana ok lang kung mga FFL ang parents ng mga ito pero mga CFC.
I can not fathom their duplicity that inspite of agreeing to NO POACHING mukhhang sanay na sanay yong mga FFL sa West C katulad ng mga leaders nila sa taas ng pagiging DOBLE CARA!!!
see! without prior bias, it is easy to call a spade a spade, a kettle black....
Zurich indeed has it right - call Couples for Christ as CFC, not CFC-GK; and, CFC Foundation for Family & Life as FFL. unlike FAP forcing us to swallow CFC-GK and CFC-FFL.
when your intentions are real and pure, you will have it right.... fruit of the Spirit will manifest.
yes, i also agree... bring the FFL Zurich people to man FFL Home Office at StarMall.
Outside of the Philippines in far reaches of the world,the balance in peaceful agreement is one whom both sides respect ... a priest ... a peacemaker! As they say, it takes two to tango and in Zurich both sides want to move on in peace and from all indications, they crave to continue service to one God. Wouldn't it be neat if in our midst in the United States there is a priest such as the one in Zurich, Switzerland in each State/cities as well as brethen on both sides eager to work for peace in service to God? Let us pray United States will follow such commendable example by our brethren on both sides in Zurich, Switzerland. Peace!
I dare say:
1) How come a priest from Zurich came up with a Solomonic proposal, in a short time, while...
2)A Bishop from Antipolo has yet to make up his mind (CFC adviser but heart is FFL)
3) Another Bishop from Balanga Batangas, just recently chose to join the fray of the likes of another Bishop from Leyte... causing confusion
4) May we ask our Bishops to make a choice
a) FFL only in your diocese?
b) CFC only in your diocese?
c) None of the above
d) BOTH CFC and FFL IN YOUR DIOCESE...
Not CFC-FFL
Not CFCIC
Not CFC-GK
Not CFCGMI
THEN,
There will be no more confusion
There will be no more poaching
Easter group will just be sending out love letters
Frank can stay put and write another book
roundeyedtoddler will be almondeyed
jopen will be joclosed
acc wc can be called ac-dc
ernie s can be ernie M or ernie L
SleeplessinNJ will be wydawakenNY
CD can now convert to DVD!
We can live happily ever after...
that is until Frank wants to become CFC again...
Oh Biboy, I mean Oh boy!
Dear mr./ms moose
thank you for making me laugh...
btw, NY is a bridge away from me. Remind me to bring my CPAP machine so my wife could find some sleep too.
Dear All,
This is one of the ways to MOVE FORWARD for both CFC and FFL. Similarly done in 1993, CFC and Familia of LNP.
In fact, in Palanan, Makati, during the CLP of Familia, some of the service team members (music ministry and speakers) as i gathered came from CFC and both leaderships worked in harmony. And a former parish priest even formed a 3rd group called "Happy Couples for Christ".
I hope the posture of CFC London and CFC Australia will be as clear as the Declaration of CFC and FFL Zurich!
Have a pleasant week ahead.God bless.
Caloy Yturzaeta
(with our prayers from Salamanca and Avila)
moose,
i also had a good laugh reading your comments this morning but could only respond this afternoon.
sure let it be settled from jOPEN to jCLOSED.
but what will happen to 'jiggs' then? miggs or briggs? :)
then u'll also become "una ni mouse"
I have emailed this to my former SFC members who have moved to the other group.
Sadly, it was disregarded
Sept. 1, 2007 -- 1Thessalonians4:9-12; Ps98:1,7-8,9; Matthew25:14-30
I woke up early today. It is a start of a new day, a new month. And I was led into reflecting God’s word in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (first reading),
“Regarding mutual love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because God himself taught you how to love one another. You already practice it with all the brothers and sisters of Macedonia, but I invite you to do more. Consider how important it is to live quietly without bothering others, to mind your own business, and work with your hands, as we have charged you. In obeying these rules you will win the respect of outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
I am addressing this to you my brothers and sisters, I have my reasons very unique to me as you have yours very unique to you. And I am not about to cross the line, because crossing the line would mean meddling with one’s personal affairs.
Each one has been called uniquely by God to do specific task. I know that each one accepts and does the will of God passionately, regardless how much or how less each one take to heart God’s leading.
Except for Ana Marie (sadly this was the last time I was able to chat with her), Bernie, Ariel, Chelo and Ogie, I have not tried to engage you into discussing the issues. And let’s leave it at that for the time being. Let us not try to cross the line for in crossing the line everyone will inflict or get hurt. Let us live quietly without bothering others and mind our tasks. For now we give due respect to each other.
In God’s time all will be well.
Like today’s Gospel, God has given each one of us talents. Let us harness them, take it and put it to good use. Let us run the race to win! Let us make God known to people who has not yet know God. Let us all do this all for God’s honor and glory!
Peace be with you!!!
God bless us all.
I dare recall:
1) I was with Bukas Loob Sa Diyos (1989)
2) BLD Elders had disagreement; then a split
3) Salt and Light Community was created
4) BLD Elders had another disagreement; then another split
4) Serviam was created
5) After the split disagreements ended. They moved on with their new community.
6) Each supported the other (i.e. resources, speakers and even shepherds)
7) Bounderies were defined, each community had a name different from the original
I dare ask:
CFC, is there peace in the horizon?
YES, only when...
Showme decides to be Siomai
Bisdak declares he is pandak
Fidesnforte admits to be fido'ndida
Jiggs is unmasked as a jinx
And finally
CD must reveal he has BO!
CD,
Di ko sure kung saan pwede post to...watch out for more daw.
God bless Africa,
Concerned no more
CD Sorry from concerned no more, eto yung gusto ko i-publish. This is from a trailblazer from Africa.....
On Nov 5, 2007 8:14 AM, Michael Ariola wrote:
> To My Fellow Servants,
>
> For the past months we have agonized so much with what was happening
in our
> community, including our CFC family in South Africa. And now the
wait,
> patience and prayers have been heard, a clear and awesome direction
was
> given at last weekend's CFC African Pastoral Congress here in Kenya.
A
> direction that I believe can move Africa forward towards a direction
that
> gives us ONE HEART, doing ONE MISSION, in ONE AFRICA under ONE GOD.
Praise
> the Lord for truly giving us the opportunity to serve and grow here
in this
> continent.
> We have made the decision to wait for our Bishops and the clergy's
guidance
> and direction about the matter. We have made the decision not to
divide CFC
> South Africa and to just carry on with the mission of CFC. We did not
take
> sides, even though we already had our personal inklings to a
particular
> group, WE DID NOT ACT ON IMPULSE AND EMOTIONS, but instead we replied
with
> prayer, fasting and consultation. I honor you for doing that, and
praise the
> Lord for the patience, forgiveness and faithfulness that He showed us
and
> our community.
> Together with our chief shepherd in South Africa, His Eminence
Wilfrid
> Cardinal Napier OFM, Uncle Peter one of our council members and I
attended
> the CFC Pastoral Congress on the invitation of the International
Council of
> CFC. I am happy to announce that the Cardinal co-wrote the resolution
of
> Africa towards what happened in the community and was signed by the
> different Bishops, clergy, and leaders of CFC from North Africa
(Bishop
> Makarios Tawfiq of Egypt sent a video sharing and support to CFC
GMFI), West
> Africa came with Tito Ricky Cuenca their regional coordinator, full
time
> missionary Dexter and a letter of support from His Emminence Peter
Cardinal
> Turkson and Archbishop Gabriel Buckle of Ghana. East and Central
Africa our
> host brought in newly elect His Emminence John Cardinal Njue of
Kenya,
> Bishop David Kamau, representatives of His Emminence Polycarp
Cardinal Pengo
> of Tanzania, who is also the president of Symposium of Episcopal
Conferences
> of Africa and Madagascar, Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, and
Fr.
> Ambrose representing Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Uganda, the
Bishop
> of Indian Ocean Countries, Bishop Denis Wiehe also sent his support.
Council
> members, governance teams and full time pastoral workers of the whole
> continent of Africa also took part in the congress. The resolution
was that
> we honor only Couples For Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc and
they will
> take directions from the newly elected CFC International Council
headed by
> Tito Joe. I will send you the copy as soon as I upload it, sorry for
writing
> this, I am just excited to share these developments with you.
> Again, with love, admiration, prayer and service I thank you. Thank
you for
> bearing with me, our leaders and for serving unceasingly and for not
> counting the cost. I hope through our prayers and decisions God was
> glorified. Thank you. Let us continue to serve the Lord with ONE
HEART that
> beats for ONE MISSION looking forward to ONE AFRICA under ONE GOD.
> I love you, and everybody here in Kenya sends their love. See you
soon!
> A humbled servant,
> Michael "Shok" Ariola
> CFC GMFI- Missionary, Africa
>
> God's Love is better than Life - Psalm 63:3
>
I dare to remember:
1) If I took my Alzheimer medicine already or not
2) If I still nurse a morphine over-dose
You see my brethren, I just came from a successful "by-pass" and I need the best medicine which is laughter. Thank you for laughing with me. I already can feel your love, dymentic as I am.
Now on with our crusade!
Fixed the letter in the last post:
On Nov 5, 2007 8:14 AM, Michael Ariola wrote:
To My Fellow Servants,
For the past months we have agonized so much with what was happening in our community, including our CFC family in South Africa. And now the wait,patience and prayers have been heard, a clear and awesome direction was given at last weekend's CFC African Pastoral Congress here in Kenya. A direction that I believe can move Africa forward towards a direction that gives us ONE HEART, doing ONE MISSION, in ONE AFRICA under ONE GOD. Praise the Lord for truly giving us the opportunity to serve and grow here in this continent.
We have made the decision to wait for our Bishops and the clergy's guidance and direction about the matter. We have made the decision not to divide CFC South Africa and to just carry on with the mission of CFC. We did not take sides, even though we already had our personal inklings to a particular group, WE DID NOT ACT ON IMPULSE AND EMOTIONS, but instead we replied with
prayer, fasting and consultation. I honor you for doing that, and praise the Lord for the patience, forgiveness and faithfulness that He showed us and our community.
Together with our chief shepherd in South Africa, His Eminence Wilfrid Cardinal Napier OFM, Uncle Peter one of our council members and I attended the CFC Pastoral Congress on the invitation of the International Council of CFC. I am happy to announce that the Cardinal co-wrote the resolution of Africa towards what happened in the community and was signed by the different Bishops, clergy, and leaders of CFC from North Africa (Bishop Makarios Tawfiq of Egypt sent a video sharing and support to CFC GMFI), West Africa came with Tito Ricky Cuenca their regional coordinator, full time missionary Dexter and a letter of support from His Emminence Peter Cardinal Turkson and Archbishop Gabriel Buckle of Ghana. East and Central Africa our host brought in newly elect His Emminence John Cardinal Njue of Kenya, Bishop David Kamau, representatives of His Emminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo of Tanzania, who is also the president of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, and Fr. Ambrose representing Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Uganda, the Bishop of Indian Ocean Countries, Bishop Denis Wiehe also sent his support. Council members, governance teams and full time pastoral workers of the whole continent of Africa also took part in the congress. The resolution was that we honor only Couples For Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc and they will take directions from the newly elected CFC International Council headed by Tito Joe. I will send you the copy as soon as I upload it, sorry for writing this, I am just excited to share these developments with you.
Again, with love, admiration, prayer and service I thank you. Thank you for bearing with me, our leaders and for serving unceasingly and for not counting the cost. I hope through our prayers and decisions God was glorified. Thank you. Let us continue to serve the Lord with ONE HEART that beats for ONE MISSION looking forward to ONE AFRICA under ONE GOD. I love you, and everybody here in Kenya sends their love. See you soon!
A humbled servant,
Michael "Shok" Ariola
CFC GMFI- Missionary, Africa
God's Love is better than Life - Psalm 63:3
Dear Bro./Sis Moose,
You have my prayers...
You have my support...
and most of all
you have my laughs...
Are we related? hehehehe
see you in my prayers
Mickey
We can have peaceful co existence with FFL in the country and in West C in particular under 2 simple parameters:
1. No poaching of members. Evangelize those still not in the renewal instead of recruiting members from CFC and its ministries.
2. Those who have left the community should not use CFC as their name instead be very specific of their group's name, FFL. Then we can avoid confusion at the parish level.
If these 2 parameters can be done then surely we can even help those who have moved to the other side of the fence in their activities, if needed.
moose,
no!.. i dont want to be a jinx... LOL
i hope you recover fast from your "by-pass"...
Thank you for letting us know what was happenning in Africa. Prayers, fasting and discernment were the ways to go!!!! I really admire this Shiok!!! Isa sa pinakamasipag sa YFC Campus Ministry when were one of the coordinators then!!! We all hope and pray that we can continue to support our missionaries in Africa!!!
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