FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 4)
RECONCILIATION AND REUNIFICATION?
LOOKING AT CARITAS IN VERITATE
November 24, 2009
Now
that CFC-IC has let go of GK, people ask: can the two CFCs
now get back together?
First,
it has to be clarified if indeed CFC-IC and GK have split.
Both sides claim that they have not and in fact that they
will intensify collaboration.
Second,
the crisis and split were not all about the veering away
of GK. Perhaps the even greater factor that caused the split
was the unchristian actions of the IC.
Thirdly,
I have always maintained that we are open to reconciliation
and even reunification, if that is what the Lord wills.
But if it is to be of the Lord, then it has to be based
on truth and justice.
In this regard, let us look to Pope Benedict XVI’s
encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, to give us proper wisdom
and guidance.
This
encyclical, issued in June 2009, is on integral human development
in charity and truth. The introduction gives general principles,
and these can help us in seeing the whole question of reconciliation
or reunification more clearly.
It
would be a triumph of Christian love if the two CFCs reunited.
However, as Pope Benedict XVI says, such love must be based
on, and is inseparable from, truth and justice.
Love and Truth
The pope clearly links charity to truth.
-
“Hence the need to link charity with truth not only
in the sequence, pointed out by Saint Paul, of veritas
in caritate (Eph 4:15), but also in the inverse and
complementary sequence of caritas in veritate.
Truth needs to be sought, found and expressed within the
“economy” of charity, but charity in its turn
needs to be understood, confirmed and practised in the
light of truth.” (#2)
-
“Only
in truth does charity shine forth,
only in truth can charity be authentically lived. Truth
is the light that gives meaning and value to charity.
.... Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality.”
(#3)
-
“Truth,
in fact, is logos which creates dia-logos, and
hence communication and communion.” (#4)
But the CFC-IC has often not told the truth.
-
The IC claimed it had 7 pillars after the split. But it
knew nothing about the 7th pillar, the Special Ministries,
and even today has nothing on this so-called pillar.
The IC claimed it was in 160 countries after the split,
and even now claims it is in 161 countries after adding
a new country. But in truth it is probably in only 60-70
countries. There are many claimed countries where CFC-IC
is not present, such as, to name just a few: Cameroon,
Namibia, the 20 countries of Latin America except for
one, Slovenia, Russia, etc.
-
The
IC misrepresented the statements of the CFC Spiritual
Director, Bp Gabriel Reyes, more than once.
-
The
IC claims CFC-FFL is recognized only by the bishop of
Antipolo, even when it was already present in over 30
dioceses in the Philippines. The official recognition
of CFC-FFL by the CBCP finally puts an end to this lie.
-
The
IC claims their CFC is the legal CFC, even suing CFC-FFL
in court over the name. They ignore the reality that CFC-FFL’s
corporation, CFCFI, was established in 1984, while their
corporation, CFCGMFI, was established only 9 years later,
in 1993. If anyone is to sue anyone over the name, it
should be we who should sue them.
-
The
IC claims we left CFC. The truth is we left the corporation
of CFC (actually, because we were being kicked out), but
we never left CFC, and in fact, we have restored the authentic
CFC, true to its charism and led by its founder.
-
The
IC made many false accusations against us, especially
against me, not the least of which is that I stole millions
from CFC.
If
there is to be reconciliation or reunification, there should
be first of all a recognition of what is true. The pope
stresses: “To defend the truth, to articulate it with
humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in life
are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity.
Charity, in fact, ‘rejoices in the truth’ (1
Cor 13:6).” (#1)
Love and Justice
The pope further links charity to justice.
-
“Charity... never lacks justice, which
prompts us to give the other what is ‘his’,
what is due to him by reason of his being or his acting.”
(#6)
-
“If
we love others with charity, then first of all we are
just towards them. Not only is justice not extraneous
to charity, not only is it not an alternative or parallel
path to charity: justice is inseparable from charity,
and intrinsic to it. Justice is the primary way of charity
or, in Paul VI’s words, ‘the minimum measure’
of it” (#6)
-
“charity
demands justice: recognition and respect for the legitimate
rights of individuals and peoples.” (#6)
But the IC has been guilty of injustices.
-
The IC has sued CFC-FFL in the Philippines, the USA and
Canada over the name “CFC.” This is despite
the CBCP and many bishops in other countries officially
recognizing us. Aside from being unjust, this is scandalous,
this is unbiblical, and this is a waste of God’s
money (and their members’ tithes).
-
The
IC has not paid the retirement benefits of over 20 full-time
pastoral workers who resigned or retired due to principle
from CFC after the split.
-
The
IC has not returned the bridge funds that it borrowed
from CFC members, simply because these brethren are with
CFC-FFL.
-
The
IC and GK have not completed many villages that have been
fully funded. One prime example is the Int’l GK
Village. This is despite the appeal of the beneficiaries
themselves. Is it because they aligned with CFC-FFL? This
is great injustice to the poor.
If there is to be reconciliation or reunification, there
must first of all be justice.
Our posture
Again, I am open to reconciliation and reunification. But
it has to be based on truth and justice. This is true charity.
On
the other hand, there is nothing that hinders us from loving
our brethren in CFC-IC-GK. In fact, this has been our posture
from the time of the split.
-
Even though they veered away while we restored the authentic
charism and call of CFC, we still look on them as CFC.
-
Even
though legally we have prior right to the name CFC, we
do not try to deprive them of the use of the name.
-
Even
though they have maligned us and considered us as enemies,
we have not retaliated in kind and have offered our hands
in friendship and brotherhood.
As the pope says, “On the one hand, charity demands
justice... On the other hand, charity transcends justice and
completes it in the logic of giving and forgiving.”
(#6)
I have forgiven my brethren in the IC, even though there has
been no repentance or asking for forgiveness. I hold no rancor
in my heart.
But
if we are to be truly reconciled, this should be based on
truth and justice.
Further,
insistence on truth and justice is for the good of our brethren
in CFC-IC-GK. We should desire that they not remain in untruth
and injustice. As the pope says, “To love someone
is to desire that person’s good and to take effective
steps to secure it.” (#7).
I pray for the Lord’s blessings upon both CFCs.
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