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| Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP) and Couples for Christ (CFC) work together in Ligaya Escopa 3 Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village. The image above was taken in 2007 as shown. CFC spun off from LNP in early 1990. Today, GK has spun off from CFC. |
If indeed the intention of ANCOP is PURE to help the poor, why compete with GK? There are many avenues in helping the poor. Actually, there are still millions of poor Filipinos who need help. Why not just divide the work and collaborate with GK? Does IC have a grand plan to kill GK? Why not just create new sites?
Let's not forget that we are Christians doing good works with the poor. GK is God's work with the poor. ANCOP as the IC said is a work with the poor too. If you combine two good works ineque same areas doing the same programs will surely create fear, confusions, hatred and even threats to both volunteers and GK residents. Again, If the IC's intention is true in helping the poor, why divide GK? I need answers. Thanks and God Bless.
I thought of simply replying in that post, but his questions are so prevalent among "hard core" GK volunteers among CFC ranks that I thought of just writing a separate post about it.Let's not forget that we are Christians doing good works with the poor. GK is God's work with the poor. ANCOP as the IC said is a work with the poor too. If you combine two good works ineque same areas doing the same programs will surely create fear, confusions, hatred and even threats to both volunteers and GK residents. Again, If the IC's intention is true in helping the poor, why divide GK? I need answers. Thanks and God Bless.
Let me focus on the first question, "why compete with GK?" Everything else in his comment revolves around that question.
Let me try to answer that here ...
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| Builder of Dreams Antonio Meloto |
Gawad Kalinga was born out of ANCOP. It is wrong to even think that ANCOP was born after CFC let go of GK. ANCOP is CFC's umbrella for its various works for the poor, among them GK. We can debate on this til daylight. But the undeniable fact is, GK has been getting most of its funds through ANCOP abroad, particularly ANCOP USA and ANCOP Canada.Now, GK is building its own fund raising infrastructure. I think it has no problem raising funds locally or internationally. After all, many companies have chosen to enjoy the "media mileage" of being a GK donor, not to mention the nationalism that GK has stirred up among the individuals in these donor corporations.
GK has done so much to promote the work for the poor such that it has become an "IN" thing among everybody, rich or poor. That's good!
But if building houses is all that GK does, such work falls short of the standards of Couples for Christ
. As we know CFC is an international association of Catholic laity recognized by the Vatican. That has world of implications in the way we do things in the ground; foremost of which is to tell the world about the GOOD NEWS! |
| What is Catholicism? |
--- Katolikos or universal. It does not mean it's bad. It's simply not Catholic. It can take its own course, but not under CFC, and definitely not under the nose of the Vatican.That judgement is very hard to take, I understand. I have struggled with that myself. But we do have our own personal prayer times, right? Have we asked for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in guiding our dispositions?
We cannot enjoy the party and belittle the Host.
GK Volunteers among CFC ranks will now have to contend with the fact that their GK work is now a totally separate work from their pastoral work. They continue to be members of Couples for Christ, but their leadership in GK no longer counts as leadership in CFC. GK work is now outside CFC work (but continues to be a partner in the work for the poor).
In that sense, these leaders have to make a choice. Most already did. To some who didn't, the International Council made the choice for them.
The work for the poor in CFC continues, and that includes providing houses to the homeless, among many others, regardless of what GK leaders think. If there are indeed many who need homes, then there is no competition!
The real point of the question lies on the management of existing GK sites. The International Council has extended a proposal to GK leaders for CFC to continue serving these sites as CFC-managed GK sites. These are GK sites that continue to be served by current CFC GK volunteers, who, this time, will be following the CFC chain of command.
That proposal has encountered a cold response. GK leaders want total control of all existing GK sites, notwithstanding the fact that around 90% of these are being served by volunteers from CFC who see GK as their ministry in CFC.
As to me and my household, the work for the poor continues under ANCOP. I am CFC first, a GK volunteer second. Now that's GK's gone, I go to where the CFC leadership tells me to go.
The easier path would have been to remain with GK. All systems are in place, everyone is familiar with its nitty-gritty on the ground. There is clear chain of command, etc.
But work under ANCOP is like four steps back to us. All we have is the vision and the mission. But my queries about the mechanics of the operation at the site level have no answers. The CFC leadership tells us to just keep the vision and the mission in mind, and then carve our own path for others to study or follow.
In retrospect, we started work on GK that way four years ago in my site. When we volunteered for the work, all we had was the enthusiasm. We started work without a donor. Worse, we realized only much later that there was no engineer among us. In our team was a doctor, a dentist, a marine biologist, a retired teacher, a businessman ... get the picture?
We walked in faith then.
We continue to walk in faith now.
To CFC GK volunteer:
ReplyDeleteI invite you brother to ascribe also the best of intentions on ANCOP.
We must remember that the people in ANCOP had been reared by “GK” too -- “CFC’s GK”. -- the GK at the time when we were made to be involved in it by CFC; the GK that was within the whole gamut or the structural framework of CFC; the GK to which CFC has been sending and extolling its leaders and members, to be amidst the poor, open themselves for friendship with them, and launch the faith-based development initiative that is GK. Remember that the miracles that happened in GK all happened at the time that GK was under the institutional leadership of CFC.
Thus viewed, the people in ANCOP are actually no less, “GK” advocates.
We cannot fault CFC for creating and launching ANCOP.
CFC has as its mission “Building the Church of the Home and Building the Church of the Poor.” This mission is indispensable and irreplaceable. It goes into the very life, existence and mandate of CFC. It is an expression of all that is in the Vatican-approved International Statutes. It has been vital in CFC’s past and present, and is fundamental for its future. CFC is not CFC without total Christian liberation and work with the poor.
Why not GK as CFC’s apostolate to comply with its mandate to build the Church of the Poor?
My humble answer is this.
GKCDFI is no longer within the structural framework, governance, or oversight of CFC,(represented by the IC in the international and national levels). As such, with the letting go, GKCDFI is in total control of GK.
Hence, GK now has its own leadership and backbone organization which will have its own “training in values formation, morals and ethics in caring for the poor and nation-building,” all under the exclusive auspices of GKCDFI. It will do work with the poor the GK-way.
CFC, for its part has its own organization, with own formation programs, which encompasses even morals and ethics in caring for the poor and nation-building. It must therefore have its own pastoral cover. It must do its work with the poor the CFC way -- which means “Moved by the Holy Spirit, One with the Catholic Church, Blessed to Witness Christ's Love and Service, Couples for Christ is a United Global Community Of Family Evangelizers That Sets the World on Fire With the Fullness of God's Transforming Love.”
For this reason, for CFC, --- and GKCDFI leaders know this by heart, most of them being CFCs themselves, -- the call to work with the poor must be borne out of and/or gravitate to one’s faith in God, and not be limited to one’s desire to love the poor or promote social justice, or a deep sense of nationhood. For CFCs, as they now grapple to realize, it is about discipleship, that of being “in communion, in community, and on mission”-- indeed, a tall order which must lead all to be humble.
I agree with you brother that ANCOP and GK must collaborate. The easiest way is for ANCOP to build new sites. That is what we are dreaming to do in the sector.
But not all ways are that easy and clear cut.
We have existing GK sites whose partners would henceforth want to partner with ANCOP to benefit existing GK sites. Shall we refuse it for the sake of treading the easy path?
We have existing GK sites whose KB and beneficiaries would want to be guided by ANCOP? Shall we shirk from the responsibility?
And we have caretaker teams who would want to do GK work the CFC way? Should we cling to the idea that the GK work must be done exclusively the GK way, i.e. GK, after the letting go period?
I do not know all the answers and I do not claim that the little answers I know are correct.
We must journey together in this, brother, and be advocates of GK and/or ANCOP. We start by ascribing in them, the best of intentions.
The creation of another group calling itself CFC-GK, however, is a different matter altogether.
Arnel M. Santos
P.S. Marvin, I entered as anonymous because I do not know how to navigate in the choose an identity portion. God bless.
Bro Arnel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting this site and helping me address the concern of our fellow "CFC GK" volunteer. I am humbled by your presence in this blog, and may you continue to visit this from time to time to help me address issues concerning our service.
God bless!
Dear Marvin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying to my question. As I read your reply, I was forced to clear some things that I think is the very foundation of our being Catholic in general and CFC in particular. My reply is written in italic . I do believe that as a CFC working in GK would clear the doubts and confusions among CFC’s because of the decisions of the IC regarding GK and CFC ANCOP.
I would like to answer your predicament piece by piece because there was an error about the bulk of my reply to you. I am sorry for being not knowledgeable enough in web posting. Maybe you can help me.
I thought of simply replying in that post, but his questions are so prevalent among "hard core" GK volunteers among CFC ranks that I thought of just writing a separate post about it.
Let me focus on the first question, "why compete with GK?" Everything else in his comment revolves around that question.
Let me try to answer that here ...
GK was born out of ANCOP. It is wrong to even think that ANCOP was born after CFC let go of GK. ANCOP is CFC's umbrella for its various works for the poor, among them GK. We can debate on this til daylight. But the undeniable fact is, GK has been getting most of its funds through ANCOP abroad, particularly ANCOP USA and ANCOP Canada.
It is true that “GK was born out of ANCOP” but CFC ANCOP did not fly like GK. With respect to the work with the poor program of CFC, GK was successful in its program. CFC even made it one of its ministry and not ANCOP. For CFC to continue its resource generation especially in the USA, Canada and Australia, ANCOP Int’l was allowed to be the conduits for the funds intended for GK. When CFC let go of GK, It does not follow that ANCOP USA funds and ANCOP Canada’s funds intended for GK will be under the management of CFC. CFC ANCOP is different from ANCOP Int’l. .
CFC GK Volunteer
”Now, GK is building its own fund raising infrastructure. I think it has no problem raising funds locally or internationally. After all, many companies have chosen to enjoy the "media mileage" of being a GK donor, not to mention the nationalism that GK has stirred up among the individuals in these donor corporations.
ReplyDeleteGK has done so much to promote the work for the poor such that it has become an "IN" thing among everybody, rich or poor. That's good!
But if building houses is all that GK does, such work falls short of the standards of CFC. As we know CFC is an international association of Catholic laity recognized by the Vatican. That has world of implications in the way we do things in the ground; foremost of which is to tell the world about the GOOD NEWS!”
I want to share with you the very basic of the Catholic Doctrine which GK has been doing. It is not true that “building houses is all that GK does, such work falls short of the standards of CFC.” Don't you know that GK is a Faith based community which is centered in God? The Core values in GK are makadiyos (Pro-God), makatao (Pro-People) and Makabayan (Pro-Country). Loving God and loving your neighbor are the very basic doctrines of the Catholic Church. For we can not truly love our God without loving our neighbor (our poor brethren and our country). I don't see anything wrong with these values being taught in the values formation program of GK. As a volunteer in GK, I saw how the people being transformed. The Kapitbahayan members (beneficiaries) became responsible persons as they embraced CFC as their way of Life as Christians. Our SIGA members (youth) became Youth for Christ members and the Sagip members (kids) to Kids for Christ. It is a fact that GK CLP's are bigger in numbers than the usual ones in the community. How can we say that GK does not adhere to the catholic values that CFC envisioned? It is true that 90% of caretaker teams are CFC's even after the April 30, 2009 "letting go" by the IC? Although some of the volunteers did not anymore support GK because of obedience to their leaders, I continue to work in Gk since I am answerable to the Lord in all my actions as a volunteer and as a CFC. As a CFC member, GK is the expression of my faith. I tried to practice the love of Christ to my less fortunate brethren in GK. The love that is unconditional or "agape".. In my sector alone, I am a witness to the transformation of the Kapitbahayan and SIGA members. During their sharing, they were very thankful to GK not because of the houses given to them but because of sharing to them JESUS CHRIST. Now, please tell me my brother, is GK only building houses or is it building the church of the poor? It is for the IC to honestly answer that. .
CFC GK Volunteer
"If GK leaders start rallying people along the lines of nationalism, then it ceases to be Catholic --- Katolikos or universal. It does not mean it's bad. It's simply not Catholic. It can take its own course, but not under CFC, and definitely not under the nose of the Vatican.
ReplyDeleteThat judgement is very hard to take, I understand. I have struggled with that myself."
I pity you my dear brother for your struggle but I think you are just misinformed (forgive my words).
If I combine my faith with nationalism, will these make me less Catholic? When we say universal it’s holistic. GK is defined as a holistic approach to community empowerment. Everything is there. To facilitate transformation, houses are built, values formation are being conducted. Other GK programs like CYD, health and Food are also being conducted. To fast track transformation, we invite them to a CLP if they are Catholics. Now tell me my brother, do these cease to be Catholic?
Since I am a Child and Youth Development head I already coordinated with our sector KFC coordinators that all the SAGIP (kids) to be KFC’s this year. I also asked the assistance of our YFC’s to conduct YFC youth camps to the NSTP students volunteers in SAGIP doing academic tutorials. . Am I not building the church of the home and building the church of the poor? Why I do this? Because I am a CFC member. Even those GK leaders who were removed by the IC are proud to be CFC’s.
Your predicament had been well defended by the IC in the CFC-FFL split about 2 years ago and I don’t want to dwell on this anymore. Perhaps, if you don’t mind please review all the defense of the IC regarding GK in the CFC-FFL split. The IC even strengthened its mission statement from “Bringing glad tidings to the poor” to “Building the Church of the Home and Building the Church of the Poor”. Did Gk veered away from the Statute of CFC approved by Vatican? If indeed yes, why not change the leaders? Anyway, Luis Oquinena offered to resign but the IC did not approve. What they did is remove GK as a ministry. Are there personal problems and hurts among the IC members regarding the GK leadership? It’s for the IC to answer.
Perhaps, you can visit any GK site and investigate if my pronouncement is true if indeed GK had veered away.
But we do have our own personal prayer times, right? Have we asked for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in guiding our dispositions?
I have many times asked the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The Lord always answered me that GK is His work. Otherwise, the CFC IC at that time had made a mistake in giving birth to GK and those IC members who are still part of the present IC should also be accountable to God and to the general membership. But why compete with GK if the intention of the IC is pure in helping the poor? It’s for the IC to honestly answer that.
We cannot enjoy the party and belittle the Host.
GK Volunteers among CFC ranks will now have to contend with the fact that their GK work is now a totally separate work from their pastoral work. They continue to be members of Couples for Christ, but their leadership in GK no longer counts as leadership in CFC. GK work is now outside CFC work (but continues to be a partner in the work for the poor).
I agree with you. The GK leadership also agrees with the IC in this scenario. As a CFC member I am only a volunteer in GK. My pastoral formation is still in CFC. It is very clear to me from day one when I worked in GK (even when CFC has not let go of GK) that my pastoral work as a CFC is to build the church of the poor.
GK CFC Volunteer
"In that sense, these leaders have to make a choice. Most already did. To some who didn't, the International Council made the choice for them."
ReplyDeleteIt is a question of obedience. When Jesus obeyed His Father to become man like us, He fully understood why. Peter, Paul and other disciples also did the same to Jesus. They even gave their lives because they believed and fully understood what Jesus had told them. Obedience is being applied by leaders for the sake of unity and focus in the vision and being good examples to the their members. The CFC IC told us that we should obey them because as leaders they say that they are anointed by God. Anyway, if we fail, it is them who are accountable to God. The Mission statement of CFC is to build the Church of the Home and also the Church of the Poor. As a CFC member, it is very clear to me that GK is the expression of our faith as CFC and as Catholics. “Fullness of life in Christ” is when we love unconditionally our less fortunate brethren. Because we can not truly love our God if we don't love our poor neighbor. This is a very basic Christian and Catholic doctrine. However, when CFC IC let go of GK as a corporate entity, they did also let go of GK as a ministry. It's not true that GK abandoned CFC. It is the CFC IC that let go of GK as a ministry. Because my CFC service was in GK, I saw "obedience" in the CFC hierarchy. Chapter heads informing their members not to have physical presence in GK anymore. The same was true with other leaders in our sectors. I saw how majority of SFC volunteers abandoned their Child and Youth development programs in GK as act of "obedience" to their leaders. For those who have no hearts in GK, it was an easy task to obey considering that they have to do nothing. But for those who have responded to this very challenging work with the poor, were forced to continue despite the confusions. For them, accountability is still to God. Those who serve in GK despite of being branded negatively as only pro-country and not pro-God continue to love the poor as they fully understood the vision and mission of CFC.
Perhaps, the act of letting go of GK as a ministry became a problem to the IC . A lay organization of the Church to focus and fulfill its mission to build the Church of the Poor should not let go of its journey in faith and action. For the Vatican to see that CFC is indeed true to its mission statement, CFC should continue to have a work with the poor program. Thus, ANCOP is reborn. "CFC managed GK sites" has been the word of the IC. This action of the IC may lead to competition with GK in the sites where GK is already managing. For ANCOP to fly like GK, all CFC leaders and members should be "obedient" to the IC.. Those leaders who were identified as GK advocates were removed in their services under the guise of CFC culture. Those who reacted were dubbed as disobedient.
Instead of competing, why not just collaborate and divide the work with GK? I believe that for us Christians to renew the face of the earth, we should not compete with others who do the same work. Does IC have a grand plan to kill GK in the pretense of "obedience" and CFC culture? Or is it power and control?
My dear Brother, perhaps we should first understand why those leaders did not follow the IC's directives with respect to GK. Abandoning the work with the poor like GK is contrary to the teachings of the Church in general and to CFC in particular.. Can we truly say that we love our neighbors except GK? Can we also truly say that we should build The Church of the Poor except GK? We should understand their hearts and I believe that they fully understood their faith and their journey to God. "Blind obedience" is not what we teach in our CFC culture but rather active obedience. You obey when you fully understand your leaders and leading you by example as a living witness to Christ .
CFC GK Volunteer
The work for the poor in CFC continues, and that includes providing houses to the homeless, among many others, regardless of what GK leaders think. If there are indeed many who need homes, then there is no competition!
ReplyDeletePlease tell the IC to help the poor by building new sites. Please do not manage GK sites where GK has been already managing. But we can always help them in realizing a better country.
It is very unchristian indeed to say that we should continue to do the GK programs in the same sites “regardless of what GK leaders think”. They are still our brothers. Is this the way a CFC leader behave? .
The real point of the question lies on the management of existing GK sites. The International Council has extended a proposal to GK leaders for CFC to continue serving these sites as CFC-managed GK sites. These are GK sites that continue to be served by current CFC GK volunteers, who, this time, will be following the CFC chain of command.
That proposal has encountered a cold response. GK leaders want total control of all existing GK sites, notwithstanding the fact that around 90% of these are being served by volunteers from CFC who see GK as their ministry in CFC.
All the programs of GK should come from the GK Board and not from CFC IC. Only the pastoral and spiritual formation of all GK beneficiaries including their children should be managed by CFC getting directions from the IC. And those CFC leaders like the Chapter heads will conduct CLP’s in GK sites. If a SIBOL school has been sponsored by ANCOP Int’l, it’s well and good. We honor ANCOP for this, 100%. GK treats ANCOP Int’l and CFC ANCOP as partners. They can even put a very big banner stating “This SIBOL School is sponsored by ANCOP USA” or “Thank you CFC sector west-c for sponsoring our SIGA”. CFC ANCOP can even sponsor houses. But all directions with respect to the GK programs will come from the GK Board. Why? If Globe is a partner of GK, would it follow that the directions of the GK programs will come from them? The answer is NO. It is always coming from the GK Board since GK is already a separate entity. The same is true with CFC ANCOP and all the CFC members who are volunteers in GK. We are partners with GK. GK treats me now as a partner in nation building for God and country. So why CFC IC want all CFC members to get direction from them under the guise of obedience and CFC culture? To kill GK? But why kill GK if CFC IC can build new sites? Is it the sin of pride or envy? Or is it power and control? It’s for the IC to honestly answer these.
As to me and my household, the work for the poor continues under ANCOP. I am CFC first, a GK volunteer second. Now that's GK's gone, I go to where the CFC leadership tells me to go.
True, but don’t manage the sites under IC directions. Manage the site under GK directions. Please remember that GK is already a separate entity. Can Filipinos working abroad get directions from the President of the Philippines, on how to manage their companies just because they are Filipinos? Will the owners of those companies abroad approve? It will be chaotic! It is also very unchristian indeed.
The easier path would have been to remain with GK. All systems are in place, everyone is familiar with its nitty-gritty on the ground. There is clear chain of command, etc.
Yes the chain of command should come from GK because we are volunteers in Nation Building for God and country. The chain in command from CFC is when it pertain to the spiritual and pastoral formation. CFC is encourage to collaborate even with respects to the GK programs. Anyway, all the programs of GK are CFC based. But it is still GK who should give the directions.
CFC GK volunteer
But work under ANCOP is like four steps back to us. All we have is the vision and the mission. But my queries about the mechanics of the operation at the site level have no answers. The CFC leadership tells us to just keep the vision and the mission in mind, and then carve our own path for others to study or follow.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, we started work on GK that way four years ago in my site. When we volunteered for the work, all we had was the enthusiasm. We started work without a donor. Worse, we realized only much later that there was no engineer among us. In our team was a doctor, a dentist, a marine biologist, a retired teacher, a businessman ... get the picture?
I honor you my dear brother for walking your faith in GK. But were you a living witness of Christ in GK? If yes then you had practiced your faith. Otherwise, you are one of those who got tired and didn’t see the real picture of God’s plan in GK. Also, you are one who curse the darkness instead of lighting candles for a better Philippines and God’s Kingdom which is GK.
We walked in faith then.
We continue to walk in faith now.
This is our journey my dear brother. . I tell you my brother, faith without action is dead faith. The fullness of life in Christ is with us when we continue to love our less fortunate brethren just as He have loved us even if our leaders acted otherwise. Anyway, at the end of the day, we are all accountable to God.
Thank you and God Bless! .
CFC GK Volunteer
To Brother Arnel M. Santos,
ReplyDeleteThank you for complementing the reply of brother Marvin to me. I am grateful for the two of you for sharing your thoughts and allow me to understand the other side of the river.
Please allow me to share some thoughts of mine regarding this issue. Mine is written in italic. I also posted it part by part so that it can accommodate the bulk of my reply. I am sorry for the lack of knowledge in web posting.
To CFC GK volunteer:
I invite you brother to ascribe also the best of intentions on ANCOP.
We must remember that the people in ANCOP had been reared by “GK” too -- “CFC’s GK”. -- the GK at the time when we were made to be involved in it by CFC; the GK that was within the whole gamut or the structural framework of CFC; the GK to which CFC has been sending and extolling its leaders and members, to be amidst the poor, open themselves for friendship with them, and launch the faith-based development initiative that is GK. Remember that the miracles that happened in GK all happened at the time that GK was under the institutional leadership of CFC.
Thus viewed, the people in ANCOP are actually no less, “GK” advocates.
Very well said my dear brother.
ANCOP is the replica of what was GK before the letting go of GK by the IC. However, it is not true that the miracles in GK only happened during the leadership of the IC. Miracles still continue to happen even when CFC abandoned GK as its ministry. They continue happening until now. I am a living witness to this my brother because I did not abandon those poor people longing for the love that CFC have promised them. Despite the hardship, even doing alone in this work that CFC have taught me , I continue to do so in my own little way because I believe that this is the very basic of my faith as a Catholic and as a CFC member.
We cannot fault CFC for creating and launching ANCOP.
It is indeed a very good program for building the Church of the poor if only the intention is PURE. Can we ask the IC if they can honestly say in front of God on judgment day, that their intentions are true to their hearts.That indeed there is no malice in competing with GK in the same sites and with the same programs and the same people doing the same work for God’s Glory and Honor?
“Building the Church of the Home and Building the Church of the Poor.” This mission is indispensable and irreplaceable. It goes into the very life, existence and mandate of CFC. It is an expression of all that is in the Vatican-approved International Statutes. It has been vital in CFC’s past and present, and is fundamental for its future. CFC is not CFC without total Christian liberation and work with the poor.
Very well said my brother. Perhaps, when the IC realized that after letting go of Gk, and maybe to have compliance with the Vatican approved statutes, the work with the poor should continue. Thus, CFC ANCOP is reborn.
CFC GK Volunteer
Why not GK as CFC’s apostolate to comply with its mandate to build the Church of the Poor?
ReplyDeleteMy humble answer is this.
GKCDFI is no longer within the structural framework, governance, or oversight of CFC,(represented by the IC in the international and national levels). As such, with the letting go, GKCDFI is in total control of GK.
Hence, GK now has its own leadership and backbone organization which will have its own “training in values formation, morals and ethics in caring for the poor and nation-building,” all under the exclusive auspices of GKCDFI. It will do work with the poor the GK-way.
I agree my brother.
CFC, for its part has its own organization, with own formation programs, which encompasses even morals and ethics in caring for the poor and nation-building. It must therefore have its own pastoral cover. It must do its work with the poor the CFC way -- which means “Moved by the Holy Spirit, One with the Catholic Church, Blessed to Witness Christ's Love and Service, Couples for Christ is a United Global Community Of Family Evangelizers That Sets the World on Fire With the Fullness of God's Transforming Love.”
That is why GK welcomes CFC to do the pastoral and spiritual formation in GK sites. This should be part of the collaboration process and division of work.
For this reason, for CFC, --- and GKCDFI leaders know this by heart, most of them being CFCs themselves, -- the call to work with the poor must be borne out of and/or gravitate to one’s faith in God, and not be limited to one’s desire to love the poor or promote social justice, or a deep sense of nationhood. For CFCs, as they now grapple to realize, it is about discipleship, that of being “in communion, in community, and on mission”-- indeed, a tall order which must lead all to be humble.
My dear brother, if I combine my faith with patriotism/nationalism, will these make me less Catholic? Remember that the ten commandments of God has been reduced to just one by the Gospel of John- “Love your neighbors as I have loved you.” It is hypocrisy to say that you love your God but don’t love your neighbor. As a CFC member expressing my faith to the fullest in GK means that I should be in accordance with the very basic teaching of the Catholic Church. As I journey in my faith, I should also evangelized people. Is my work in GK now does mean that I am only doing social justice to the poor without being a living witness to Christ? Tell me my dear brother. You used to be a defender of GK. I read your piece.
Humility is also a way when we allow one good work to take its course. We should only supplement that good work and do our share to make it succeed. At the end of the day, when everything is OK, we may say that we are only instrument of God’s Goodness. Humility is not being forced. It is practiced and allow someone’s heart to have a high level of goodness.
CFC GK Volunteer
I agree with you brother that ANCOP and GK must collaborate. The easiest way is for ANCOP to build new sites. That is what we are dreaming to do in the sector.
ReplyDeleteBut not all ways are that easy and clear cut.
We have existing GK sites whose partners would henceforth want to partner with ANCOP to benefit existing GK sites. Shall we refuse it for the sake of treading the easy path?
Are those partners allowing ANCOP to manage the GK sites indeed knew the truth? Or they were just misinformed by a one sided opinion? Are they aware that there will be chaos when CFC ANCOP will forced the issue on GK managed site?
CFC, being the spiritually mature parent of GK should have opted to say NO since this may lead to confusions, hatred and divisions in GK sites. Thus, CFC should refuse even it will take some time. And this is my point. The success of GK is also a success for CFC being the one who gave its birth.
Forcing this issue allows me to believe that this is not the real reason of the IC. Does the IC want to kill GK under the guise of obedience and CFC culture? It’s for the IC to honestly answer that.
We have existing GK sites whose KB and beneficiaries would want to be guided by ANCOP? Shall we shirk from the responsibility?
Again, my answer is the same as the above .
And we have caretaker teams who would want to do GK work the CFC way? Should we cling to the idea that the GK work must be done exclusively the GK way, i.e. GK, after the letting go period?
It is in my humble opinion that GK is not exclusive in its work with the poor. Why allow beneficiaries who are not even Catholics nor Christians? Why allow partners who are dubbed by some CFC leaders as sinners? You are a witness to this my dear brother. . Perhaps, CFC is the one who is exclusive. This is not in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is inclusive, being universal in nature.
I do not know all the answers and I do not claim that the little answers I know are correct.
I understand you my dear brother. What I surely know is that when you want to do something good but it will hurt another good thing being done, then we should refrain from doing so and not compromise the issue. Only the evil one will surely benefit from it. I hope and pray that the IC will read this humble opinion of mine.
We must journey together in this, brother, and be advocates of GK and/or ANCOP. We start by ascribing in them, the best of intentions.
Yes, we just collaborate and divide the work but not compete.
The creation of another group calling itself CFC-GK, however, is a different matter altogether.
This is the result of the forced issue I am talking about. For CFC ANCOP to fly like GK, all CFC’s are forced to follow the chain of command. Those who opted to work in GK because they can not abandoned the work whom God has given them, were removed from their CFC service under the guise of CFC culture. Those who reacted were dubbed as disobedient. The result is CFC-GK. Who are to blame? It’s again for the IC to honestly answer.
Thank you brother and God Bless!
CFC GK Volunteer
Brother CFC GK Volunteer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your passionate comments to my post. I can relate with that passion because that's the same passion that has energized me and my wife in the work for the poor for more than four years already.
Let me number my replies as follows:
1. GK became "bigger" than ANCOP by design. It was the intention of the International Council at that time, which counted Frank and Tony among them. We have a new set of leaders today and a new set of realities to contend with. Some choose to disobey them. Some choose to follow them.
2. What you have related here about CFC members abandoning their duties in the GK sites is sad. As far as I'm concerned, they have disobeyed the International Council. the International Council has been very clear on this: CFC members in GK sites are supposed to stay in their respective posts and continue serving the sites. As Project Director myself, that instruction is clear to me.
3. I don't question your high regard for GK as an embodiment of Catholic doctrines. After all, GK was born in CFC, which is Catholic. Whether GK chooses to remain Catholic in spirit is no longer the decision of CFC, but we will all rejoice if GK remains so. After all, more than 90% of its volunteers are from CFC ranks; yes, before and after the International Council decided to let go of GK as a CFC ministry. That's a fact we both rejoice about.
4. Discussion on the source of funds, to me, is inconsequential because at one point, ANCOP and GK were working as one. They can still work together as one if they decide to do so.
5. From everything I have heard, yes, there have been "problems and hurts" between IC and the leadership of GK. I believe both the International Council and the GK leaders do not hide that. From where I sit, what I see is this: GK leadership says to CFC, "I'm right, you're wrong!" The final reply of the International Council is, "Ok, since you no longer need me, you may move on without me."
Given this situation, some CFC volunteers say, "I'll follow my heart and continue being CFC. But I'll continue to serve in GK as in my service for the poor. I will not let IC deter me from my calling." These volunteers are still Catholic, praise be to God!
There are also CFC volunteers who say, "I'll follow my heart and continue being CFC. I will submit to the leadership of the International Council in both my pastoral work and service to poor." These volunteers are still workers for the poor and partners of GK in the same work!
We see both types of volunteers who choose to remain serving in their respective sites.
God forbid that our passions and energies get wasted on discussion about who's right and who's wrong.
My dear brothers,
ReplyDeleteYou all speak with so much passion, I have to caution everyone less the flames of passion engulf us.
Let us put our passion in what is the reality.
It is useless to talk about a reality that was in the past. Let us change our thought patterns... we can discuss till the turn of the century, till we become old and wrinkled... but it will be all in vain because what is done is done, what is in the past is in the past.
The reality today is that CFC and GK are now two independent groups. Each one has nothing to do with the other. Both organizations have different sets of governing team, and both have different ideals. It does not matter who is right or who is wrong, if IC is at fault or if is GK. It is not relevant anymore.
So long as we do not accept this we will always be pining for the yesteryears which we can never go back to. Tapos na yun.We can not move on if we go on blaming the IC for what has happened.How much blaiming will suffice?
In another year perhaps GK will have new ideas, in another year CFC will have a new set of IC members. Things change, nothing is constant. Accept, accept, accept... that is the only way to move on.
You all say it is God's work, if it is truly His, isn't it in God's hands to flourish or fail the work? We are but instruments in His kingdom. He has allowed the break up of what was supposed to be a great partnership, there must be a reason to it. There has to be because there is a meaning and purpose to everything... God has a plan for all and this is part of His design.
What is important is for eveyone to work where their heart and their conviction leads them, follow God's call and serve where He wants each one to serve. For us also to search for the meaning of all these in our lives. We will never be free unless we accept this reality. We will never be able to serve in the best of our abilities if we are not free, if we keep on going back to what was yesterdays reality.
I pray and hope that there will be no more of this kind of discussions, there is much work to do.
Above all let us strive for peace, because where there is peace there is love... and remember where there is love, GOD ABOUNDS!
On a lighter note, if there's one thing that I value about my faith journey in CFC and GK is that I have learned to respect beliefs, cultures - seeing God in the faith of others. I have experienced being prayed over by a Muslim and to have shared pastoral nourishment with them. Also, I've realized that since Catholic means Universal, then I need to be inclusive and respective of the beliefs and conviction of others. And the best part, is seeing God working in their lives, praying with them, learning others ways to experience Christ other than prayertime and worship.
ReplyDeleteJust a sharing brother, I was part of the team who, in the guidance of Bro. Ernie and Bro. Tony, instituted a GK Camp for youths. Since all of us came from YFC, we used it as our model. We have used the story of the Israelites from their Exodus going to the promised land. By this, we can relate to Muslims and Jews, since they also share the same stories. And we realized that our country can relate so much with the story of the Israelites, we have the Moses, Josuas,Egypt may be our past, we may be at present at the 40years of wandering in the desert, and the "letting go" maybe (just a personal reflection) is the crossing the Jordan River. Muslim and Christian participants relate to these stories so well that they've learned to pray for each other. Isn't it a Cool Catholic idea?!
One last hirit po sana. Maybe we can also remember that CFC IC has appointed several leaders who'd be overseeing the "CFC Managed GK sites" and we can also remember that even if they've released a memo 'not to abandon the gk sites', we are lead to the confusion that we are suppose to follow the CFC leadership and not GK. Questions: Who are the partners talking to, CFC leaders or GK? Who's doing the reports, CFC or GK? Who's campaigning to get more volunteers, CFC or GK? Can say in all honesty that CFC IC or those they appoint to oversee CFC Managed GK sites were the ones doing it? WHERE THEY INSTRUCTED TO DO IT? If they do, to this date, WAS THERE A PLAN CARRIED OUT? Or for now we just want to build a CFC Center muna and lets talk about the lives of the poor after we've raised enough funds for it? I don't have problems with the structure, pero akala ko ba wag iwanan ang mahirap? Ang dami na ngang titles: CFC-Managed, Ancop, etc. pero bakit po majority ng mga CFC volunteers iniwan ang mahirap? AT WALANG GINAWA ANG IC ABOUT IT? Dami nga natin pina-CLP sa mga GK sites eh, ano sila, ginamit para sabihin we grew in numbers? Di po ba for most of the time yung GK Caretakers narin ang nag-pa-pastoral sa kanila kahit may iba silang service outside dahil malinaw sa kanila that being GK is not just being "one with the catholic church" but living the values of the Catholic church? It is for this very reason that GK has stood by its commitment not to abandon any GK site - because GK leaders know the the welfare of the poor is being compromised with all these "letting go" and "disobedience" issues. Now that for me is being cool Catholic. Hindi nang-iiwan!Inclusive and really living and carrying out the faith! My SFC Chapter, despite our busy schedule, agreed to be caretaker teams kasi iniwan ng CFC yung mga Catholics sa site. Ang saya! Praise God!
Thank you Bro. Marvin for letting us understand with much guidance and discernment the real score with our service to God through CFC and GK. I am also an active SFC member.
ReplyDeleteMay I share to you my insights and pardon me because admittedly, this was written with so much hurt from what some Catholic leaders are doing that compromises the welfare of the poor, to where I see God in my everyday encounter with them.
CFC IC released a memo stating that , "CFC can continue serving in GK sites"... but in the later developments, have instituted the term "CFC-managed GK sites" to which, from your own term, "These are GK sites that continue to be served by current CFC GK volunteers, who, this time, will be following the CFC chain of command."
Let me share to you one scenario on how this confusions lead to actual compromising of
Catholic values. Some SIGA scholars were threatened to be removed from scholarship if they don't denounce their lineage with GK and call themselves CFC Ancop scholars? Yes, there might be no big deal 'bout the names, but what bothers me is the act of these CFC leaders? Why compromise the education of the poor because of the name? Is this being One with the Catholic church?
Dear SFC Manila:
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by. I would suggest that you mention in detail the names and area assignments of CFC volunteers who abandoned the GK sites, not necessarily in this forum, but straight to the IC if possible.
There must be sufficient reasons for their actions.
Scenario #1. They've been given other assignments, which is natural in the community.
Scenario #2. They can no longer work with the volunteer of the site, who does not toe the line with the CFC IC.
Scenario #3. They did not understand the "Letting Go" circular of IC and mistakenly thought that they were ordered to get out of GK sites.
It is disobedience to abandon a GK site. IC is clear on this: remain in GK sites.
Bro Marvin
Hi Bro. Marvin, may I sight one perfect example: our CFC West B.
ReplyDeleteWho else from Bro. Maning Alda, Bro Jan Crisol and Bro. Francis Balagtas are still tending the needs of the GK sites?
Yes, they were ALSO given NEW assignments. Bro Francis for example holds leadership in his service in CFC in his area, but why didn't he abandon the poor? We'll never know the answer unless we talk to him. But I think they might be the ONE OF THOSE FEW following our CFC IC, don't you think brother?
Truly it was a difficult year when GK went its separate way. I was a very ardent GK supporter here in Canada and was sad and surprised when GK decided to separate.
ReplyDeleteIt took a while to decide where I would go. Having, invested years of time and effort for love of the poor and helping GK, I felt that by not continuing I would have wasted this sacrifice and be selfish by not sharing my time, talent and treasure.
I knew I wanted to help the poor and our motherland but after the letting go of GK I wrestled painfully with the following facts.
1. GK has grown into a strong movement, with international support, wide reach and resources to uplift the lives of the poor. GK has successfully engaged government, corporations and individuals to help the poor. GK is great for our country and continues to do good. I would most probably be able to help more poor people because of the multiplying effect.
2. However, with GK no longer under the CFC umbrella it need not follow the Catholic Church and Christ's teachings 100%.
3. Since separating, GK has never ever claimed or officially stated that it is a Catholic/Christian organization. Although served by Catholics from CFC,
I thank Bro. Temi Pangilinan for sharing his insight with me and helping me decide where I should go.
I chose to go with ANCOP under CFC.
Why? For one, it tormented me to no end that although volunteering in GK was good and charitable, I could never be sure if funds where received from ethical sources. Funds from drug companies that promoted abortion or funds from gambling and working with partners that were actively trying to destroy Christian principles our faith and Church teaching.
Certainly, many may call me narrow-minded. Shouldn't we accept help from wherever it comes from? This was the turning point. I am indeed narrow-minded because I choose to focus only on God and our Holy Church. I choose pour my time, talent and treasure to help the poor exclusively under Catholic and Church teaching. This, I know ANCOP can guarantee.
This is my choice using my God-given free will.
For our CFC brethren that continue to serve under GK I pray that you and GK continue to be blessed. I am inspired by Tony and regularly read his writings. having contributed much to GK in the past I pray for it's continued success. I know that you are guided by your faith as well. GK helps the poor under it's own model and CFC-ANCOP will also help the poor under our own faith model.
We at ANCOP Canada have started building our own ANCOP villages. We also sponsor more than 500 children, most of them in GK controlled sites. WE have not let them go and continue our commitment to them.
For those of us who have chosen ANCOP we rest assured and find great joy in knowing that we will continue to help the poor as Christ taught us and as Christ instructs us to. We have chosen His way of serving the poor, without compromise or exceptions.
Paolo Borromeo
ANCOP Canada
Chief Programmer - ANCOPwalk.ca 2007 to present...(formerly GK Walk)
P.S. To our brethren back home, never forget that we are in solidarity with you always.
Dear Bro. Paolo,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very uplifting words. We will definitely pray for everyone in the work that we do that we will always be guided by the Holy Spirit in every action that we take.
Our site will be availing of the scholarship offers from ANCOP Canada. Thank you so much for the sacrifices that you are making for this to happen.
Bro Marvin
This is your first line: "If indeed the intention of ANCOP is PURE to help the poor, why compete with GK?"
ReplyDeleteSa linya pa lang nagkamali ka na kaibigan. ANCOP was not competing with GK. ANCOP was the financial source of GK.
better join on cfC-gk ... it supports both couples for christ and gawad kalinga... which its main goal is to serve God by serving others
ReplyDelete