The Itinerants Path

It was quite good to attend to the newly held regional convention of Religious Brothers from different congregations here in Mindanao. Fifty-six delegates, all members of Association of Mindanao-Sulu Religious Brothers, gathered together to tackle issues in our society in our present time. With the theme, “Mission Possible: Spreading the Spirituality of Communion,” guest speakers were invited to talk about the relevance of our presence as Religious Brothers in relation to our national and local situations at present.

The keynote speaker, Br. Noelvic Deloria, a Brother of the Sacred Heart, addressed the assembly with what does spirituality of communion means as being tackled by the “Novo Milennio Inuente” (NMI). The main principle of NMI is to promote the spirituality of communion as a guiding principle of education. He explained that spirituality of communion is, first, that it indicates above all the heart’s contemplation of the mystery of God dwelling in us that we see on the face of other people. Second, is that we may be able to see that others are part of us, the belongingness to a family of God; thus we share everything to others, sufferings and joys, and the desire to help them in their needs. It becomes a challenge for all to be attentive to each one. Next is the ability to see the giftedness of others to us, we affirm that giftedness. And lastly, we created spaces to welcome any strangers. Brother Noel challenged all the Brothers that in order to succeed in the mission, a contemplative heart is needed, a heart that able to see, feel and reaches out and welcomes strangers.

“The Philippines is in a state of “continuing” crisis,” was the first statement of Dr. Mario Aguja, a faculty of Sociology in Mindanao State University, Gen. Santos City. He presented to the Brothers the crisis in good governance in the political aspect; crisis of legitimacy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, lack of the credibility of the government to lead and the elite democracy. He said that the present political crisis is the reflection of the crisis during the dictatorship of Marcos, he further explained the absence of an alternative. He also talked about the Economic fundamentalism, how it gives a strong republic (low deficit, strong peso, low inflation) yet having poor people (lack of jobs, low income, and limited social services). He added that the national situation is completely reproduced here in Mindanao where there is a situation of unpeace and hopelessness. Dr. Mario Aguja gave statistics of poor people in different regions and the increasing poverty incidence that is rising dramatically. He further explained the roots of poverty; from problem of governance, lacking Mindanaoan consciousness, landlessness and lack of access, chronic conflict of cyclical war, historical injustice over dispossession of Moros and Lumads and low- value added production and cash crop economy. With all his presentations, he challenged every individual to look on the possibilities of interfaith dialogue, cultural sensitivity, involvement in health and education initiatives, promotion of good governance and to “inspire the public.”

Col. Gaudencio Pangilinan, PA talked about the situation of our national security, the government’s program against terrorism and the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He pointed out, one by one, the internal threat situations; the presence of the communist Terrorist Movements (CTM), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Misuari Group and other groups like Abu

Sayyaf, Rajah Solaiman Movement. Colonel Pangilinan also talked about external security concerns, referring to the Kalayaan Island Group, the Transnational issues like maritime piracy, poaching and illegal fishing and smuggling. He explained that the Philippines, from Sulu and Celebes Sea to Northern Luzon, experiences these issues; adding to the issues of human and drug trafficking and environmental disasters. Furthermore, he enlightened the Brothers with the legal definition of “terrorism” as the “calculated use of threats of unlawful violence; intended to coerce or intimidate government of societies in pursuit of goals that are generally political , religious or ideological.” With all the risks of being victims of terrorism and part of societal issues, he gave assurance of the role of the Armed Forces as protectors of the land according to the declaration of the Constitution of the Philippines Republic. It protects the welfare of every Filipino giving national security and internal stability, with the President as its Commander-in-Chief. He ended his talk with a general objective statement to transform Mindanao from an area of conflict into an area of immense opportunities.

The speakers talked from different perspective that somehow, hopefully, helped the Brothers to look into the possibility of how these inspiring and eye-opening situationers about Mindanao and the roles of different groups in our society. The regional convention held at Isla Parilla in Alabel, Saranggani Province was also in preparation for the National convention of all Religious Brothers, National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines NFRBP. Last 2006, the national convention was held at Capuchin’s place in Lipa, Batangas, while next year’s convention will be somewhere in Davao or Bukidnon district.

Part of the gathering was social night with singing and dancing, and getting-to-know-you moments. The convention (attended by the Marianists, Brothers of the Holy Family, Benedictine Monks from Digos, MArist Brothers, Oblates of Mary Immacualte, Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Alexian Brothers, Redemptorist Brothers, SCJ and few others) successfully and fruitfully ended with an Eucharistic celebration, offering the new Constitution of the Association of Mindanao-Sulu Religious Brothers (AMSRB.