Medicines or not: lost in translation

Cabral unfazed by case to be filed by herbal firms

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is unfazed by the graft case filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman by a group of manufacturers of herbal and dietary products over the translation of a warning sign on product packages.

“I’m not bothered. All we did was translate it from English to Filipino so that it can be understood by most Filipinos. Why don’t they want the public to understand? Does it mean that they are thriving on deceit?” Cabral told The STAR.

The case stemmed from an administrative order of the Department of Health (DOH) issued last March 18 to replace the warning “No Approved Therapeutic Claims” on the labels of herbal and dietary products to “Mahalagang Paalala:
Ang (name of product) Ay Hindi Gamot at Hindi Dapat Gamiting Panggamot sa Anumang Uri ng Sakit.”

In its complaint, the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines Inc. claimed that the order had caused the industry some P47.4 million in damages and injury in the form of cancelled advertisements and wasted advertising and promotional materials, excluding losses in sales...
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Hmm. Why pick on herbals? I think Sec. Cabral should go all the way and make mandatory the translations of warnings on all other products as well.

English - "Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health"
Tagalog - "Ang paninigarilyo ay delikado sa iyong kalusugan, kahit presidente ka pa."

English - "Drink moderately"
Tagalog - "Uminom nang katamtaman lamang, kasi parang yosi din yan."

English - "Trust Condoms"
Tagalog - " 85% lamang ang bisa nito, at hindi ito gamot sa AIDS. Sa madali't salita, pwede mo ring ikamatay."

English - "Condoms is supergood medicine"
Tagalog - "Ah ewan!"
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Test-tube love?

Woman, 60, gives birth to twins—report

BEIJING – A 60-year-old retiree has become the oldest woman in China to give birth, bearing twins after becoming pregnant via in-vitro fertilization, state media reported Thursday.

The woman, whose real name was not given, gave birth to the two baby girls prematurely on Tuesday in Hefei, capital of the eastern province of Anhui, the official China Daily said.

The births came 34 weeks after she became impregnated to ease the pain caused by the death of her 28-year-old daughter, Tingting, who died in a "gas poisoning" incident early last year along with her husband, it said.

"Their cry resembles my late daughter," she was quoted as saying after the birth were born via Caesarean section.

"The girls give me and my husband the courage to live on. Despite the fact that we are old, we have the confidence to bring them up."
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My heart always goes out to a mother who loses her child, at whatever age each may be. In the imperfect world where we live, there is always the possibility for heartbreaking personal tragedies, and it remains for us to grasp at a stronghold in order to cope with the emotional trauma. In this case, the distraught Chinese mother resorted to assuage her loss by a most extraordinary means. She attempts to replace her loss with an artificially-generated, technological solution. Amazing even as it transpires, the fact is she can never really replace the loss of her 28-year old daughter with her artificially-conceived twins, although one hopes and prays that everything turns out for the better - for everyone. The 60-year old Chinese mother must have struck into this reality when she said that "despite the fact that we are old, we have the confidence to bring them up". This reality check tells us that the average Chinese lifespan is at 73 years. This reality check also tells us that some definite point in the near future, she and her husband will have to leave the twins at their tender years when they would need their presence the most. The twins will be orphaned minors at that moment, and sooner or later they would also be sadly pondering at the loss of their biological parents. One wonders even with rapid technological advances whether science would be in a position to help the twins by creating a laboratory-generated set of parents for them - or whether love can actually be generated from the laboratory. One can only hope and pray that when the time comes, these twins can grasp at a stronghold... one that lasts and endures forever.
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PS -For the Catholic position on in-vitrio fertilization, see Donum Vitae (The Gift of Life)

Hoping against hope

Advocates hopeful of RH Bill OK in next Congress

"MANILA, Philippines--As advocates vowed to revive the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the 15th Congress, the arena is expected to shift on the majority of its members whose position remains unknown on the issue.

Of the 286 members of the House of Representatives, only about 65 have clear position supporting the bill, including 13 who are first termers, according to Ramon San Pascual, executive director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLDPC) in a forum Wednesday in Quezon City.

The position of majority of the first termers, or 84 percent, remains unknown, he said."

Yeah, yeah, it's a numbers game alright, although we are hopeful that legislators would take positions based upon principled stands arising from convictions towards the RH bill's objective merits or lack thereof. Political wheeling-dealings must now be consigned to the dustbin. The nation must now be keen on observing that "kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap" is not just a slogan.

"But advocates including Akbayan partylist Representative Risa Hontiveros and Iloilo Representative Janette Garin see glimmer of hope that the controversial measure would finally hurdle Congress with incoming president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and with either Albay Representative Edcel Lagman or Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte as Speaker, who are all supportive of the bill."

Wait a minute. Lagman and Belmonte's support of the bill may presumably be counted upon, but the RH-bill advocates are being presumptuous on the position of the incoming president. For the record, Noynoy Aquino's latest statements on the RH bill do not support their optimism, and I quote: "There are provisions that I cannot support...". Therefore, the only logical conclusion one can make at this point is that in its present form, Noynoy will veto the bill.

"The church will always remain an opposition to the bill, but Hontiveros said they are hopeful Aquino and the new Speaker can stand up against the bishops and pave the way for the enactment of the measure into law."

Hah. While anti-RH advocates remain in unity with the bishops against the RH bill, the pro-RH advocates must worry about standing up against formidable arguments, not against clerics. In fact the most compelling arguments against the bill, even from a purely secular standpoint, have been culled from lay people.

" 'The hope is realistic that we can expect support from the executive,' she added."

Not so fast Risa, you have to get it voted through the Lower House and the Senate first. Too bad you didn't win a Senate seat. But of course you can always hope.
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On Masonry and the Catholic Church

Bishop: No politics in denying burial rites to Nantes

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – (UPDATE) Bishop Emilio Marquez, head of the Diocese of Lucena, on Sunday, explained that the Church denial of Catholic burial rites for the late Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes was in accordance with Vatican laws and was not motivated by politics.

In his homily during a mass at the Saint Ferdinand Cathedral here, Marquez revealed that Nantes was a “born again Christian” and a “Freemason” and thus, under the Church Code of Canon laws 1184 and 1185, Catholic burial rite was to be denied, "unless some signs of repentance before death have been shown.”...

“There is no politics in the decision of the Church. I just implemented the Church laws,” said the bishop, known here as an arch-critic of Nantes.

Marquez said the Diocese was forced to issue the clarification in order to dispel confusion and avoid any misunderstanding that might arise from the prohibition that the Church issued last week on the celebration of mass at Nantes wake at the Quezon Medical Convention Center here.

Marquez said: “The local Catholic church in the Diocese of Lucena mourns with the people of Quezon. The fact is we sent our condolences to the family of Governor Nantes immediately after we received the sad news of his tragic death.”

“We did not in any way forbid prayers for the eternal repose of his soul or to bless the mortal remains of the governor,” Marquez said...

Note, here are the texts of canons 1184 and 1185:

Can. 1184

§1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Can. 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.

So canons 1184 and 1185 already settles the issue.

But just for further reference on Masonic associations, here is the declaration of the Vatican CDF issued on November 1983 by then Cardinal Ratzinger. Note that this declaration has been specifically approved by the then reigning Roman Pontiff, John Paul II. It is the latest statement by the Church to date. I quote partly, with emphasis:

Declaration on Masonic Associations

...Therefore the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.

It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the Declaration of this Sacred Congregation issued on 17 February 1981..."

The aforementioned declaration thus follows:

Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming Freemasons

On 19 July 1974 this Congregation wrote to some Episcopal Conferences a private letter concerning the interpretation of can 2335 of the Code of Canon Law which forbids Catholics, under the penalty of excommunication, to enroll in Masonic or other similar associations.

Since the said letter has become public and has given rise to erroneous and tendentious interpretations, this Congregation, without prejudice to the eventual norms of the new Code, issues the following confirmation and clarification:

1) the present canonical discipline remains in full force and has not been modified in any way;

2) consequently, neither the excommunication nor the other penalties envisaged have been abrogated;

3) what was said in the aforesaid letter as regards the interpretation to be given to the canon in question should be understood—as the Congregation intended—merely as a reminder of the general principles of interpretation of penal laws for the solution of the cases of individual persons which may be submitted to the judgment of ordinaries. It was not, however, the intention of the Congregation to permit Episcopal Conferences to issue public pronouncements by way of a judgment of a general character on the nature of Masonic associations, which would imply a derogation from the aforesaid norms.

Canon 2335 in the older version of the canon law reads as follows:

Persons joining associations of the Masonic sect or any others of the same kind which plot against the Church and legitimate civil authorities contract excommunication simply reserved to the Apostolic See.

The current and revised 1983 version however, removed the previous provision an replaced it with Canon 1374, as follows:

A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict.

Following the promulgation of the new Code, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the (erstwhile) new Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a new declaration:

(1) the new Canon 1374 has the same essential import as the old Canon 2335, and the fact that the "Masonic sect" is no longer explicitly named is irrelevant;
(2) the Church's negative judgment on Masonry remains unchanged, because the Masonic principles are irreconcilable with the Church's teaching ("earum principia semper iconciliabilia habita sunt cum Ecclesiae doctrina");
(3) Catholics who join the Masons are in the state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion; and
(4) no local ecclesiastical authority has competence to derogate from these judgments of the Sacred Congregation.

My further comment is that the rule on automatic excommunication of Freemasons seems to have been more open to situational considerations with the effect of the new canon law. To be more specific requires the explanation of a good canon lawyer. Secondly, I am of the opinion that there is no real issue with Mass being "denied" to Gov. Nantes. The prohibition was merely reiterated. There is nothing in the report that says it was even requested by the immediate family. Add the fact that Nantes is a "born-again Christian" -- specifically a Protestant who does not believe in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the first place, and has already disassociated himself by choice from the Catholic Church.

May the soul of the late Gov. Rafael Nantes rest in peace. Amen.
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A low point to Tagaytay Highlands

I told myself that if I were ever elected President of the Philippines (God forbid), the first thing I would do is to solve the confounding mess on the road by first instilling order and discipline in drivers throughout the country. It is the day-to-day aggravations we see on the road that mirror the sad and sorry condition of society's inculturated disregard for propriety and the law. This one is somewhere in Sta Rosa Laguna going to Tagaytay. One of my pet peeves is witnessing drivers who blatantly go against the counter-flow lane in traffic, ignoring the double-yellow lines, and muscling their way to the front of the queue near the intersection. They manage to cross the intersection first without getting caught while many of us patiently stay and wait in line. Happens many times. Grrr.

Anyway, this morning I drove my wife to a brief company function at Tagaytay Highlands. I was happy to do so, even as I told myself I had to have just a glimpse of this enclave of the rich and famous. Wow. And there's free wi-fi even as I type this piece along amidst lush surroundings, sipping cold water, while waiting for the wifey. It's a cool bit and slice of serenity that I am savoring for the moment here. In a little while we will be driving back on the asphalt jungle.

The True Church

A question from CatholicFriends:

Scripturally and logically speaking...

Why do you think your CHURCH is "the church, which is His body", as mentioned in Colossians 1:18, 24?

Why do you think your CHURCH is "the church, which is His body", as mentioned in Colossians 1:18, 24?
According to those who studied the Greek language, the English word CHURCH is EKKLESIA. The classical meaning is A CALLED OUT ASSEMBLY without reference to a particular religious group.

A LOCAL CHURCH is a mixed multitude of people, while "The church, which is His body" is a mixed multitude of JUSTIFIED people. The first is headed by a human pastor or minister, while the latter the HEAD IS CHRIST.

This is the big difference of YOUR CHURCH and the CHURCH of COLOSSIANS 1:18, 24

Therefore, there is no ORGANIZED CHURCH ON EARTH who could Scripturally claim being the TRUE CHURCH.

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Janet,

Let me attempt, briefly. Actually it is quite coincidental that in yesterday's Gospel (Jn 21:15-19) we see Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him. We see then from Peter's as many affirmatives that Jesus instructed him just as forthrightly to "feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep". It is very clear evidence from the Scriptures that Jesus specially anoints Peter towards a monumental task in leading His flock. Thus, when Jesus says "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18), we essay the biblical evidence that Christ instituted the Church along with Peter's primacy. Although the broader definition of the Church may include many senses, in this particular context we speak of the visible Church, composed of a community of believers, an ekklesia united under the love of Christ AND under the authority of lawful pastors that Jesus himself commissioned. We see that there is only one Church that traces its lineage from our current Pope Benedict XVI all the way to the first Pope -- St. Peter himself. From the time of the Early Church Fathers (those Christians closest to the apostles in time, culture, and theological background), it was clearly understood that Jesus promised to build the Church on Peter. The Holy Tradition of the "laying of the hands" found in the Scriptures manifests itself only in the Papal succession of the Holy Catholic Church -- in an unbroken tradition.

Thus based on Scriptures and the actual historical evidence, there can only be one decisive answer to the question of what is the true visible Church. However when we speak of the Church as the mystical body of Christ, we are speaking in a different sense that does not in any way negate the establishment of a visible Church with its pastoral leaders. For while we speak of a visible Church, it also has both visible and invisible boundaries. The Church, the mystical body of Christ, is also a mystery in this sense. Thus we do not claim that the Holy Catholic Church has a monopoly of the truth, but that it alone possesses the fullness of the Truth - that which has been faithfully handed down throughout generations as the deposit of faith. In all this we must remember that the fullness of truth carries '"the keys to the kingdom of heaven" (Mat 16:19) that .."whatever you BIND on earth shall be BOUND in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.”.
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Popcom official urges Aquino to act on RH program

Popcom official urges Aquino to act on RH program

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines -- A Commission on Population (Popcom) official in Eastern Visayas expressed hope that the reproductive health program would be given more attention under the administration of presumed President-elect Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

"We are really hoping that he will give more focus or emphasis on the issue concerning reproductive health. He's been open about it," Popcom-8 regional director Elnora Pulma said on Tuesday.

Sure Noynoy is open, and that is better than having a closed mind on the issue. In fact, in a recent forum prior to the elections, Aquino said he now believes that the pending RH bill must be amended. “There are provisions that I cannot support,” Aquino said. “I was mistakenly labeled as co-author [of the bill]. Actually, I’m listed as interpellator, and I’m waiting for my opportunity." On the other hand RH bill sponsor Lagman has previously maintained: "We will not entertain killer amendments like limiting family planning options to natural family planning methods; deleting or reducing the appropriations for reproductive health and family planning; altogether discarding reproductive health and sexuality education; and removing the provision on humane and non-judgmental medical care to women suffering from post-abortion complications, among others,". His statement actually looks like a summary of the entire bill, deliberately couched in mystifying language that no one can find fault with. The devil however, lurks in the details. In other words, Lagman and his cohorts insist on the bill "as-is", while they continue to market it with bleeding-heart statements. It would be safe to say that the president-elect's position is now at odds with those of the RH-bill proponents. Good for now.

Pulma has emphasized that the issue on reproductive health is not just about family planning or population control. "There are several elements concerning reproductive health, like maternal and child health, and responsible parenthood," she pointed out.

Sure, but she makes it sound as if responsible parenthood can be legislated. How is the bill going to do that? Who is against responsible parenthood anyway? And maternal and child health - again. Who can argue with a proposal that will promote maternal and child health? In reality, the argument goes for the canard that promoting contraceptives would cut maternal deaths. Otherwise, it is just plain dishonesty on their part because maternal and child health is already under the purview and mandate of the Department of Health - no need to enact a redundant law. The Family Health Office under the DOH is already tasked to promote maternal and child health, so it follows that the existing line agency should just be strengthened. It says so right there in black and white. I have no problem with part of my taxes going there. I would have a problem though, with my taxes being used to pay for other people's condoms.

Finally, director Elnora Pulma further emphasized that PopCom really stands for Popular Comedy.

Well, that last one was a joke. Hard to tell, really.
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