RECONCILIATORY OR M.Y.O.B.?

The FFL has issued a couple of responses to some of the past happy events in CFC. Here is the first in response to Bishop Reyes' talk at the MCG meeting on Oct. 16, which we covered here.

Update:

A little bonus: Bishop Reyes in the Q&A portion of the MCG meeting.

eastergroup@gmail.com writes:

It was with much sense of consolation that we read the CFC Multimedia Center's account of Bishop Gabby Reyes' exhortation to the CFC Mission Core Group in its regular Mission Core Teaching Night last October 16, 2007.

The heart and core of Bishop Gabby's teaching clearly placed the priorities of faith communities in the proper context. He specified that there are two goals of integral evangelization. The first goal "IS SALVATION WHICH BRINGS ABOUT RECONCILIATION WITH GOD, RESULTING TO FREEDOM FROM SIN AND THE REJECTION OF SIN AND EVIL." The second in terms of priority is liberation which "ASPIRED TO FREE MAN FROM HUNGER, DISEASE, IGNORANCE, LACK OF HOUSING, INHUMAN POVERTY AND IN JUSTICE." But in the same token, he reminded the assembly to keep in mind that "IN OUR WORK OF SOCIAL APOSTOLATE, SALVATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN LIBERATION."

The good Bishop also affirmed that the study and practice of contemplative prayer is important, stressing that "prayer and contemplation should be the main sustaining force of evangelization, because it is the deep experience of the person and the message of Jesus which leads us to effective evangelization."

We thank the good Bishop for his strong reaffirmation of the very directions of CFC-FFL in initiating the Restoration Movement. It was in keeping with the call for the restoration of the eroded spiritual anchors of our existence and the inordinate priorities placed on the aspect of liberation that it became inevitable for CFC-FFL to bring back the community to its original charism.

In the same token, the good Bishop struck a familiar word of caution after the Church's sad experience with the ideology of liberation theology in Latin America by stressing that "social apostolate, as a main component of evangelization, must be carried out in a close relationship with catechesis and worship." Continuing his words of caution, he stressed that "social apostolate without catechesis can become activism and may easily fall into the danger of being guided by unchristian ideologies." Bishop Gabby was equally emphatic that "without worship and prayer, social apostolate will lose it source of strength."

These messages bring forth shared memories of a lamented past where the overromanticization of our social apostolate came at the expense of our work of evangelization resulting in our dwindling numbers. More recently, we also saw the sad spectacle of being coy albeit bashful of unfurling our Christian banner to pay more tribute to the values of entrepreneurship.But nowhere does one see in the news releases the face and the identity of the mother which gave birth to the child. Again, the child may have placed the mother at the altar of sacrifice just over 2 weeks after the good Bishop made his powerful exhortation.

Lessons are indeed hard to come by and memories are bound to be short. As CFC-FFL, we ought not to repeat the mistakes of the past and always seek the proper alignments of our vision, mission and values and never again should we allow our priorities to make us veer away from our true north.

Couple for Christ Foundation for Family and Life

This is not meant to be offensive, and I will say without without any sarcasm at all, but frankly...who asked them? It seems the FFL keeps looking for "reaffirmation" for their existence within CfC's activities, something I find objectionable since they've already left. They already EXIST, why keep trying to justify it unless they themselves doubt the purpose of their existence.

Here's a novel idea; why not have your own MCG gathering, have Bishop Reyes speak (IF he is your spiritual advisor, I actually don't know) and then write about that instead? Surely it will be more beneficial to your members to have the good Bishop say something DIRECTLY TO YOU.

We're doing just fine, thank you. If we needed to clarify his own words, we'll ask the good Bishop himself. I think we understood him enough on our own without your "clarifications", after all, didn't we all come from the same religious background?

All I can comprehend from your email is that you needed to spin his words to justify your existence.

Let me define SPIN:

The techniques of spin include:

• Selectively presenting facts and quotes that support one's position (cherry picking)
• Non-denial denial
• Phrasing in a way that assumes unproven truths
• Euphemisms to disguise or promote one's agenda

This next one I'm taking with a grain of salt for now since I cannot confirm its source either from the FFL official site or from their blog.

UPDATE:

Their blogsite has just added this, so it's official.



Note that while this seems to be in a reconciliatory spirit, they have still managed to make it appear that CFC's ideals are not centered on GOD. This strikes me as offensive and should be pointed out.

CFC-GK
Emphasis on social (GK).
Build a nation.
Focus on heroism.
Inward look to the Philippines
GK as non-sectarian.

CFC-FFL
Emphasis on spiritual (family & life).
Build God's kingdom.
Focus on holiness.
Mission outlook to other countries.
Total work overtly Catholic.

What gave them the right to falsely define what the CFC's priorities are? The last I heard, Frank wasn't in attendance at the last council meeting. Are we not after all, still sticking to the mission/vision that he himself helped create? I don't see any "nation building" bulletins coming out from the IC, I don't even see GK being emphasized other than it being just ONE of the 7 Pillars.


On GK.
If GK has seemed to have taken on a life of its own, let us acknowledge the fact that it is a highly successful program for the poor. It obviously won't have its many corporate and govt partners if they didn't see its merits. CFC will always be at the root of that, but CFC isn't about who gets the acclaim. We did a good thing. CFC did a great thing with GK. Let us allow that to prosper and do the good work that it does. Many of the poor are being sheltered, many of the poor are getting their dignity back. Let us rejoice in God's work that is being done, because no matter what, it IS...and that's what counts.

About the "Mission outlook to other countries.", this one at least seems relatively accurate, as they are still on the offensive and employ the by-hook-or-by-crook strategies, as shown in this email:

From: moises.evan@****
To: mcgonzales@******
Subject: Re: EMCreport2007
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:45:26 +0100

Thanks Bro. Melvin,

Now I got it. I`ll send it to our website operator for publishing. There might be some slight changes (or might be none at all).

As to the plane ticket, it`s OK, but it is quite heartening to know. You know, my visit is still part of my pastoral responsibility considering the fact that Essen has not declared the position that time and until now. The amount does not matter it is the question of principle and Christian values and responsibilities. Anyway, the Lord will provide and He always did more than what I am spending during my mission trips. I pray that the Lord will bless those supported you as I know you are one of those who voted yes but I pray more for those who say no that the Lord will bless them as well of what they deserved.

Do not be afraid Bro., you are not alone. I think you have make your position known to all so that people will follow. I know they are waiting for your words. Let us be ready for the split. This has to happen even in Essen. Majority of Europe and the entire International Community is with FFL. So you will not be left out. I hope Bro. Bert and CO. will hold on to their words that they will not accept anyone. If they did, then you can declare your stand in CFC Essen so they cannot declare that Essen is 100% IC. Like what happened in Geneva. When the group of Art declares for IC more than half of the couples declare that they are FFL. I was there last weekend.

Bro. Please tell the members, Bro. Nolet has nothing to do with CFC Germany, nor he is an elder in the Phils. and he is not an official representative of IC and so you cannot call for an official assembly that he can speak. He can come and Bert can invite those who wants to listen but that should not be an official gathering.

Bro. let`s face it. You have to make your stand known by all.

I will be with you togehter with the NC and the rest of CFC-FFL community.

God bless.

Bro. Moises

Note: According to the Home Office, "Bro Nolet is going there with official status because the IC, through Joe Yamamoto, has asked him to."

Seems their tactics haven't changed. Let me just remind the FFL of their theme for 2008:

We are pleased to inform you of CFC-FFL’s theme for next year 2008. It is taken from the book of Zephaniah. Our 2008 theme is “Our joy in Christ.”

“The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you” (Zep 3:17).

We had been unfaithful to our covenant. We had been rebellious. But now we have been purified and we have been restored. In CFC-FFL we are a remnant humbled and made lowly (Zep 3:12). Those who speak lies and have a deceitful tongue have been removed (Zep 3:13). We have no further misfortune to fear (Zep 3:15). Indeed, the Lord has brought about our restoration (Zep 3:19,20).

Discuss this in the forum.

CFC Europe

Just wanted to draw your attention to the CFC Europe link added to the relevant links on the right side of the page.

Here is the url:

http://www.cfceurope.org/

and their declarations of support for the CfC.

The following local communities have opted to stay in the original Couples for Christ global community.

May God continue to shower His blessings upon us all.


Statement of CFC France



CFC FRANCE for Couples FOR CHRIST

August 9, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all!

With apologies to Bros. Frank Padilla, Tony Borja and Ray Magno.

1 Co. 1:10 “By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I appeal to all of you brothers, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and purpose.”

We believe that Couples for Christ is a community created by God to fulfil its mission of “families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth” and the vision of “bringing glad tidings to the poor” through rapid, massive and global evangelization.

We also believe that our “fundamental loyalty is FIRST to JESUS, NEXT to CFC and only THIRDLY to our RESPECTIVE LEADERS” as being taught to us in Talk 12 : Unity in Christ of the Foundations for Christian Living.

1 Co. 1:12 “Let me put it this way: each of you says something
different. One says, “I follow Paul”, another, “I follow Peter”, another, “I follow Christ.”

We are called Couples FOR CHRIST and it is to Jesus alone that we render our loyalty. It is for this reason that we strongly believe in the anointing of our leaders as our Lord Jesus will equip them in leading our community.

Therefore, we, the National Council of CFC France, unanimously agreed after much discernment, to recognize the present CFC structure and submit to the leadership of the International Council as endorsed by the Board of Elders.

We pray that LOVE, which is the only law of God, continue to purify us as we humbly serve Jesus in building His kingdom here on earth. “Lord, Jesus, we enthrone you. Come, take back your place!”

May God bless us all,


The CFC Council, France

Mandy Lising
Venci Arcayan
Ramie Fabian
Peter Lee
Bernie Matugas
Ilyo Mendoza
Loren Siccion



Statement of CFC Ireland



Dear Brothers and Sisters in Ireland ,

Greetings of Peace!

First, I would like to show my appreciation to our Country Head, the Governance Team and Household Leaders for making a united stand to stay and remain in CFC. The announcement made in a proper venue (GA) and appreciated by all (I think as shown on the clapping of hands) those who are present. The efforts made also to convene with Bishop Cantillas (Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant Peoples) after our GA yesterday to hear his opinion (especially about CFC split and GK) and pastoral advice was a great opportunity to seek more the truth of the matter and what direction the two groups are heading. The most important was the Bishop giving a blessing to our group to remain faithful and united here in Ireland , to the church hierarchy and in serving God. The Bishop also instructed us to really involve our CFC Spiritual Director, Fr. Pat O’Connell (He is also the Chaplain for Filipinos) and the other Filipino Priest here in Ireland (especially Fr. Rene Esoy, SSS).

Should you want to know more about the truth and updates especially the involvement of the CBCP. Kindly search on Goggle (cbcp updates on cfc). One latest issue now if there is money issue involve in this split. If you have time to read more just CTRL+click the link below (you can click also on its relevant links):

http://defendingcfc.blogspot.com/search/label/financial

or start here: http://defendingcfc.blogspot.com/search/label/START%20HERE

Let us carry on the good work and continue to pray for peace and unity.

God bless,

Cres Abragan
CFC Ireland


Statement of CFC Switzerland National Council On Behalf of CFC Geneva and CFC Bern



10 October 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The grace and peace of Christ be with you all!

For several months now, we have witnessed a spiritual battle way beyond our imagination and unprecedented in our life as Couples for Christ. We in CFC, who were raised as God’s army to win souls for Christ, have come face to face with the evil threat of losing the souls won for Christ and fallen to the trap of Satan – the true deceiver.


The CFC National Council of Switzerland has previously positioned itself to remain impartial, not to withdraw support from our leaders, embracing all in order to shield CFC Switzerland from the crisis in the global community. Our desire was to proactively engage leaders from both parties to seek a peaceful dialogue. It is with this stance that we hoped to start the process of reconciliation and healing of our beloved community. Indeed, we have pursued our engagement with Bro Frank Padilla and with CFC International Council member Bro Roquel Ponte on 5‐6 September and 4‐5 October, respectively. It was a privilege to have had these opportunities to meet with and listen to both brothers. These dialogues helped shed some light on the many issues surrounding the crisis. The openness of both for reunification has been articulated, the reality however dictates that, just like any other process, reunification cannot be done in haste.


From the very beginning of this crisis, we tried to seek the truth and the real issues that needed to be addressed. Through it all, we remain convinced that separation, leaving our community and establishing a new group are not the solution to our predicament. It is, on the other hand, a manifestation that we are turning our back from our collective responsibility in facing the problem which is contrary to all that we have learned and preached.


Today, the four members of the SwissNC (As of 04 October 2007 – Arthur Sandoval, Edgar Quinto, Elmer Pagdilao, Oscar Cepeda) with the fraternal group of CFC Bern and CFC Geneva (which also oversees CFC Fribourg and CFC Lausanne), we are taking our stance to reinforce our support to the International Council of Couples for Christ. We choose to remain in CFC, to rise unafraid in facing the issues and resolve it from its current structure. Not because of blind obedience to our leaders, but because we want to actively participate in coming up with solutions. We believe in God’s anointing to the new members of the International Council, as we have believed and supported its past members. Our faith is in the Lord who has tasked them to work and face these challenges in our community.

Brothers and sisters, please accept our sincere apologies for falling short of your expectations as your leaders, and that decisions were not made as early as everybody expected. We, your leaders discerning with our limited wisdom and seeking the Holy Spirit, have given and will continue to give our very best to bring what is for the greater good of our community. Thank you for your patience and trust.


For our brethren in Switzerland who are discerning or have made their declaration prior to this announcement, we continue to honour you and acknowledge our deep bond as brothers and sisters. Our inclinations in the face of this crisis may differ, but our love for one another should never diminish. Let us remain allies in serving the same God and His one true Church. Let us continue to bring those who are lost back to Christ. As we sincerely serve Christ, we will certainly see vast opportunities for us to work together and that reunification may already be at hand.


Beyond our Lamentations, there are plenty of lessons that we are reminded of and can further learn in this phase of our life in CFC – servant leadership, humility, obedience, forbearance, repentance, forgiveness, and a lot more. As for St Paul, he will continue to exhort us saying, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13). If only for these lessons that we face in this crisis, then these are indeed marvellous blessings that we can all truly be thankful for.


“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth; break into song; sing praise!” (Ps 98:4)

In service of the Lamb,
Arthur Sandoval
CFC Switzerland National Director


Statement of CFC Malta

During the first meeting which was convened yesterday to discuss the split in the CFC family, the members of the CFC Governance group took a unanimous decision that we will start a process of discernment and evaluation of the situation, remaining at this stage functioning as CFC MALTA within the authority structure of the CFC’s International Council.

MY PERSONAL PRAYER:

* Praying that the work among the poor in GK may not in any way be disrupted but intensified
* Praying that the bonding on the international level among all levels of the family ministries - especially the young - may remain intact as we all encourage unity in the Holy Spirit.
* Praying that the Church in the Philippines may act as a wise mother that cares for her quarrelling children without showing favor to one or the other.
* Praying that God gives the grace and wisdom to all to formulate emails in a way which show maximum discretion and prudence avoiding the trap of political persuasion tactics that strive to win the hearts and minds of people by portraying negatively the “other side”
* Praying that God may deliver us from all idolizing or over-extolling CFC beyond that of being one of the humble servants of the People of God, without in any way losing our focus on Jesus our one and only hope.
Praying that corporate unity may be agreed by all to be the litmus test for any ultimate authentic renewal of CFC.


Joe C Aquilina

CFC MALTA


Statement of CFC Greece

From: luis ilagan
Subject: CFC GREECE MOVE FORWARD!


Peace of Christ be with you Always!

Last Sunday was a blessed day for all of us. For me and my bethren in Greece 28th of August was the judgement day and finally thru prayers, and discernment HE lead us to stay in our mother CFC and It's Family Ministries which served as our FAMILY, HOME and SHELTER, and a VESSEL to reached our brothers and sisters to spread HIS GLORY.

We will continue our service under the umbrella of our very own CFC-IC. We loved all our Elders and it will never change, we learned so many things from them especially during the hardtimes in our service.

Nothing will change in service of CFC Greece. We will move forward! May God Bless us always in our works.

God bless,

Your Co-workers in HIS Vineyard

CFC Greece



Statement of CFC Monaco

From: Rey Vita De Jesus

Subject: cfc monaco's statement


Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,


When CFC was established in Monaco in the later part of 1996, we were so thankful to God. Since then we have given our full commitment to our community and embrased it as our way of life.

These last few months , we all know that our beloved community is going through a major crisis. And much as you wanted to insulate Europe, we are now in the midst of this chaos. It pained us so much to see you, our own elders, being in conflict with one another because we have come to love and respect you all. God only knows how much we prayed for our community to remain united. But even the Bishops have seen that there is no other option but separation. So you have asked us to discern and choose whether we wanted to stick to CFC or to join the newly founded community FFL. We have made ourselves open to both parties, allowing them to speak to us to make matters clearer. And so, on September 15, all the leaders of CFC Monaco gathered together and after a deeper discernment and a lot of prayers, we have come up with a decision.

CFC Monaco will remain faithful to CFC Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth. We will continue to give our full support to the International Council, whom we believe were legitimately voted last June 22, 2007 by the Elder's Assembly.We see no reason at all why we have to move to another community when CFC is still the same catholic community whom we joined more than ten years ago and still recognize and supported by our own Bishops and by the Vatican.

CFC has been and will always be a blessing and a gift to us by God, our Loving Father. And we will always be your loving brothers and sisters in Christ, respectful to one another.


In Christ,
CFC Monaco




Statement of CFC Belgium



Dear Bro. Rene,



It is sad to think that CFC was brought to conflict and disunity by issues that until now had not been resolved. It is also sad to think that majority of CFC members are in the position that is divisive with regard to the issues, thus making them more controversial. It appears that all of us are not yet ready to face a storm driven by conflict and disagreement.



All of us love CFC, and we believed that our leaders love and care for CFC much more. Because of this love our leaders will defend their ideas on the issues affecting the vision, mission and culture of CFC. But the problem is they have different sets of ideas, that when conflict and disagreement occurs, they have different views and ways of solving it. Some leaders thought that by stepping down it will solve some issues affecting CFC and GK. But nothing has been solved; instead it became the root to another problem. Some of our leaders think that advice from our Bishops is unnecessary, now it became part of the most serious controversy.



These concerns were tackled during the our fraternal meeting last Sunday and we are unanimous in our decision to wait; to be patient and be confident that God will intervene; that we will not join in any move that is divisive. For us, there is still hope, only if our leaders will try again and continue their dialogue in gentleness, patience and humility. We believed our leaders did try hard to settle their differences with the help of our Bishops, although it failed. Why don’t they try to have a dialogue again and set aside pride and put in the middle the One Most High, our Lord Jesus Christ and be committed in seeking a mutual and peaceful solution? And be constructive in dealing with issue, suspend any judgment, and act in a non-defensive way.



Lastly, we believed that conflict is a normal part of life in any relationship and CFC even our church is not exempted in any conflict whatsoever. CFC Belgium had lived in conflict and problems for years but we did not give up until we attain the peace that we have at present. The existing conflict and disagreement between our leaders is bothering us and in case our leaders will not give peace a chance, CFC Belgium will remain obeying and respecting the administration of the Board of Elders and their directives.



Peace is a pathway to heaven. God love CFC. Because He loves CFC, He will lay a pathway for CFC to find peace, for God wants CFC in heaven.



Let us all pray for peace and unity.

Couples for Christ Belgium