The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is sending several copies of the Bible and rosaries to Tacloban and nearby provinces to fill the spiritual necessities of those affected by supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan).
According to the CBCP, the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) will be sending 1,000 copies of the Bible to help strengthen the faith of the typhoon victims.
On the other hand, the prayer support network of the pro-life movement Rosary for Life donated to the CBCP an initial 3,000 rosaries for Tacloban to help uplift the spiritual morale of the devastated people in the city.
“We know that through prayers somehow we will survive as a people and persevere in life. The primacy of the spiritual dimension in our lives must be emphasized to our people. We, of course know that the physical necessities of life are important but also important is the spiritual side of the people in this recent calamity. We are making these rosaries available to people to help them pray in this time of trial and tragedy,” said William Lorenzo, the communication officer of Rosaries for Life, in a statement.
Lorenzo said they would visit the affected areas to help rehabilitate the Catholic spirituality of the people of Tacloban.
He added that rosaries would also be sent to Samar, another province badly affected by the supertyphoon.
Meanwhile, Dr. Natividad Pagadut, ECBA’s executive secretary, believes that the distribution of the Bible should be coupled with formation and counseling of the people in order to guide them on how to use it.
“We hope that the Bible would help the victims recover from the tragedy, strengthen their faith, and improve as persons,” she said.
“It is best to couple it with formation, counseling and to guide them on what to read in the Bible during this time. With this, they will be consoled, challenged, they will gain hope to move on, and get up from this terrible experience,” Pagadut said.
The biblical apostolate also gave 100 copies of children’s Bible for kids to read to help them get up from the devastating experience.
WTF? These people have lost EVERYTHING and with all of the money at their disposal the Catholic church sends them Bibles and beads?
They don't care about the well being of these people, they are just worried that they will lose members of the flock who might be questioning the wisdom of worshiping a God who either sent this typhoon on purpose who was unable or unwilling to prevent it.
These people need physical help, not more proselytizing.
I may be nothing more than a heathen but I have sent two different donations already.
Cash donations.
And I did it not to earn my way into heaven, or to buy my way out of hell, but simply because it is the right, the human, thing to do.
In English?
ReplyDeleteThey need food, drinking water and also shelter not bibles and rosary beads...they're a Catholic country to begin with.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason to replace items precious to them.
DeleteThis is a far cry from prosteletizing.
Atheists would have more influence if they picked their targets with care.
There's nothing said about practical aid included as well. Maybe it wasn't, or maybe it was in a different part of the report. We don't know.
They are actually just trying to get their shit in before the evangenitals show up en mass and try to convert the masses of catholics to an even crazier form of religion.
DeleteIt's not proselytizing because they are already Catholics to begin with, but these people need the basic needs like food and shelter more than anything else. CBCP could have spent the money used for bibles and rosary beads to buy more food, mat, blankets, or anything else that would ACTUALLY help the victims survive. I am 101% sure that prayers will not prevent them from dying of hunger.
DeleteIsn't this what Sarah and Franklin Graham did in Alaska? Took Bibles and cookies to freezing, starving Alaskans only after the news got wind of her negligence? There was a big article in my paper about Samaritan's Purse and their ShoeBoxes for Kids drive. Makes me wonder why the multimillion dollar charity needs to dun people for more stuff when they could probably fill a shoebox with stuff for most poor kids in the world just from Franklin's salary. Instead, they want people to do their work for them, while they take the credit.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously forgot the passage in the New Testament where Jesus says "When I was hungry, you gave me a Bible. When I was thirsty, you gave me a rosary."
ReplyDeleteThat's so they can make Pancit with shredded Bible pages and Pinakbet with coarsely crushed rosary beads.
DeleteThe saintly RCCult hierarchy keep this up, they'll be nominated for a Nobel Prize, you betcha.
That is a gorgeous rosary chain. That's all I can say about that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as how utterly cold and insensitive this is I can't begin to say. It is an abomination of the highest order and it sickens me that those lovely people who are desperate, scared, hungry, displaced and under enormous stress will have to fight off the inevitable theocratic snake oil salesmen that will be showing up to 'save' their souls, when really they are preying on them, NOT praying for them. Instead of approaching the human needs of food, clothing, water and shelter, comfort, reassurance, security, familiarity, safety, it's all about conversion and control. Disgusting.
The Church has so much money that could make a tremendous difference in the plight of the Filipino people, and any other peoples, cultures or countries that are in distress.
I have several from my parents, one almost like it but centuries old. It's made of hematite carved beads worn smooth by eons of use The other one is carved silver, solid beads with saints pictures on it from Czechoslovakia again extremely old and almost perfect, It was a show case set never used .
DeleteMy first question, after seeing the incredible and so very widespread devastation was -- how much with the Catholic Church contribute to the relief and rebuilding efforts, given that the vast majority of the victims are Catholic? Selling just a few of the thousands of treasures held in the Vatican would go a very long way. Instead.....bibles and rosary beads?
DeleteThey can use the beads for fishing lures and the book can be fire starter - or dare I say it? ....some "reading" material that might have another purpose in the outhouse?
ReplyDeleteCome on, mellow out, you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Philippines is largely a Catholic country and therefore I'd expect that many (lots) would find comfort with a bible and rosary. The bishops are "speaking to the choir" as it were.
It's not the same as if they were simply using the tragedy as an excuse to proselytize and try to convert people. They appear to be reaching out to their own.
Keeping up a person's morale and ability to deal with the horrors is important at times like this, and whatever helps, helps.
Food and other items are on the way and are already arriving.
"We, of course know that the physical necessities of life are important but also important is the spiritual side of the people in this recent calamity. "
p.s. A lot of Alaskans have families and close ties to the Philippines. If you haven't donated to help the cause, then don't gripe about how others are donating. ADN has info for helping...since a lot of them are Catholic organizations, I guess some of you will just let the folks suffer rather than give to a religious group.
http://www.adn.com/2013/11/15/3178623/fundraising-events-around-alaska.html
Sorry...I shouldn't make snarky comments about those of you who don't like religious groups. But, I guess I'm getting tired of hearing so many complaints on this site.
I understand that you don't support a specific religion, but don't attack people for helping others within their group (Catholics, for instance) as it's NOT the same thing as trying to cram religion down someone's throat.
If I was a Baptist (I''m not), I think I would find comfort from "palling around" with other Baptists who would help me through an ordeal. We'd have the same belief systems and could encourage each other in a way that non-Baptists couldn't.
Just my $1.57 worth.
You're showing quite a bit of ignorance about Catholicism here. First, most Catholics don't read the Bible - aren't supposed to. Might confuse them (that's what all the "formation" talk was about) . second the rosary isn't necessary to praying - it's jut a marking device for keeping count of the prayers (hail marys). superfluous and useless to people in real need.
DeleteThat's just the point, 8:32, they are NOT helping.
Delete8:32. WHY do you visit this site? Gryphen has the right to say how he feels on his own site. YOU have to right to lecture him about what is appropriate on this site. If you don't agree, STFU and find a site more to your liking. I personnaly totally agree with his take on this. The space those books take could , and should, be used to transport basic needs. I grew up catholic but now realize how much real harm many religions cause. So few give a damned about anything but their own pocketbook.
DeleteSince I suspect you are yet another of Sarah's paid trolls, go away!
9:16, 9:17, 9:18 Totally NOT a paid troll. Just because someone doesn't agree with you 100 percent doesn't make them a Sarah lover.
DeleteAlso, sure Jesse has the right to say what he wants in HIS blog. But I, and everyone else, has the right to say what we went in OUR comments.
I'm not lecturing him in the least. Nor would I want to. (Also, note that Gryph said he donated twice--in his own, non-religious way--to the cause.)
And guess what, 11:01 Jesse doesn't block VISITORS to his sight so anyone, including those of us who don't always agree with him, can visit the site...and even comment. If we've got the guts to handle the regular ATTACKS by some people who don't agree.
Cripes, this is just what I'm talking about. Let's all attack the commentators who don't agree with us!!! Great way to eliminate comments from those who are a more reserved and to miss out on what they have to contribute to the discussion.
I personally believe that it is all the DIFFERENT points of view that make this site so interesting. If it were ALL attack, ALL the time, I wouldn't visit it.
I have been reading and commenting on this site since that fateful day in 2008.
I happen to live in Kodiak which has a large Filipino Community. They have been working off their butts to raise money to send home to family and friends who have been hurt and have lost EVERYTHING.
I know AS A FACT, that bibles and rosaries would be a welcome gift for those Catholics that would get them.
And for 9:16 who's showing their ignorance is YOU. Catholics do to read the bible. And no one says they can't. The church gave that stuff up decades ago. FACT.
I go back to what I said earlier. If you haven't helped the cause that is so important to so many Alaskans then don't gripe about how those who have (especially those closest in blood and mind-set) have contributed to help.
Did it ever occur to you that some victims who love the Bible but lost their's might find great comfort in this? You mock what comforts them just because it does not comport with your belief? It doesn't comport with mine, either, but I certainly will not mock the efforts of those who believe alike to bring each other comfort in hard times.
ReplyDeleteWhile they're dying of thirst, starving to death and dying of disease. Right.
DeleteHas it not occurred to you that giving people who want and can be helped by Bibles does not preclude providing them with food and medicine. They do not lose their ability or need to read in times of hardship.
DeleteGood little sheep, follow what your priests have told you. Think for yourself for a change. When you are without the basics humans need to survive, what good is a book of fairytales?
DeleteIt's been a long time since Catholics were discouraged from reading the Bible. My grandmother would have forgone a week's worth of food to get a rosary. I'm no longer Catholic, and I would prefer clean drinking water, but this would definitely bring comfort to devout Catholics. I agree with Anonymous 8:32.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since Catholics were discouraged from reading the Bible. My grandmother would have forgone a week's worth of food to get a rosary. I'm no longer Catholic, and I would prefer clean drinking water, but this would definitely bring comfort to devout Catholics. I agree with Anonymous 8:32.
ReplyDeleteReally, did you even bother to READ what EBCA's Pagadut said?
Delete" Meanwhile, Dr. Natividad Pagadut, ECBA’s executive secretary, believes that the distribution of the Bible should be coupled with formation and counseling of the people in order to guide them on how to use it.
“We hope that the Bible would help the victims recover from the tragedy, strengthen their faith, and improve as persons,” she said.
“It is best to couple it with formation, counseling and to guide them on what to read in the Bible during this time. With this, they will be consoled, challenged, they will gain hope to move on, and get up from this terrible experience,” Pagadut said."
Sure sounds like they think the "common folk" can't understand the bible on their own.
Well, I guess you can call me pragmatic...but I think one of these would help a lot more.
ReplyDeletehttp://inhabitat.com/6-water-purifying-devices-for-clean-drinking-water-in-the-developing-world/
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumpy'nut
Better than some fictional reading and Mardi Gras beads.
Hey, Gryph,
ReplyDeletethose poor people are going to need toilet paper, too, ya know.
Not if they don't get any food ! !
DeleteDo your homework. Catholic Relief Services (which is the official relief agency of the world's Catholic bishops) has been on the ground PRIOR to the typhoon: http://crs.org/typhoon-haiyan/
ReplyDeleteJust some of the aid that has been given:
2,243 tarps for emergency shelters were distributed
municipal water supply is now functioning in Tacloban City and Palo
Families inside 1,526 evacuation centers
For those who are faithful, the comfort of Scripture and prayer is immeasurable. Of course, the essentials of food, water and shelter are of imminent concern. Broaden your scope of reading; broaden your mind.
Here's a link to Kodiak KMXT. Community raised $8,000 in less than 2 weeks. Accounts set up at Wells Fargo so you can donate from anywhere in country.
ReplyDeleteKodiak Helps Raise Almost $8,000 For Typhoon Victims
Posted on November 21, 2013 by briannabgibbs
http://kmxtnews2012.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/kodiak-helps-raise-almost-8000-for-typhoon-victims/
Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
It’s been almost two weeks since super typhoon Haiyan (HY-ahn) ravaged the Philippines. Here in Kodiak, relief efforts quickly kicked into gear and various community groups took to fundraising for family and friends left amid the devastation overseas. Kodiak has raised almost $8,000 in the past two weeks, with more support rolling in each day.
Hannahgrace Lucas is the worship and youth group leader at the Kodiak Filipino Bible Church. Last Sunday the church hosted a giant fundraiser, bringing in almost $5,600 to put toward relief efforts in the Philippines. She said they sold donated garage sale items, baked goods, and even held auctions for certain items. Lucas said the group also collected monetary donations.
“Plus a big box of canned goods and boxes of clothes to be sent to the Philippines.”
Two bank accounts were set up at Wells Fargo. Mary Guilas-Hawver is the president of the Filipino American Assocation of Kodiak and said the account set up by Fil-Am has about $830. The other bank account, set up by other Filipino community members has roughly $570.
“It is best to couple it with formation, counseling and to guide them on what to read in the Bible during this time......"
ReplyDeleteWhat?
Unicef, Doctors without Boarders are my two go to secular relief funds. As a non believer, I don't want one penny of my money to go to any religious organization. As a former Roman Catholic, I "get" the "comfort" these material objects can give, but the logic is beyond me.
The way it's spoken about in the article makes it look more like an effort at PR than a true effort at saving lives.
CRS, although named "Catholic Relief Services" actually rates quite high at how much goes to humanitarian efforts. I believe it was in the mid 90 percent actually going to the people in need. I just don't want any of my donation to go to any religious organization. Think it's kind of humiliating when poor hungry people in need of shelter, medicine, clean water etc are preached to/asked to pray/etc. before being given help they deserve and need.
At least the Bible's could come in handy, while the paper is a poor quality they could be used for toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteAs a Catholic I can respect this decision. Hope is a very powerful thing to have especially when you feel as those you have nothing else to lose. Through faith, religion, and prayer, many people can still hold onto that sense of hope to get them through tough times. Religion is a great provider of hope and holy rosaries and bibles are religious symbols and reminders to remain hopeful and to trust in god that everything will be okay.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info. It sounds pretty user friendly. I guess I’ll pick one up for fun. thank u.
ReplyDeleteAuto Rosary