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Billionaire Archbishop Holds Second Collection for Sendong Victims

Red Tani
Red Tani

Last night, Archbishop Luis Tagle ordered all priests, rectors, and chaplains in Manila to hold a second collection for the victims of Sendong:

“In the spirit of Christian solidarity, I request that a second collection be made at all Masses in all parishes, shrines, and communities in the Archdiocese of Manila from today until Christmas Day,” he said.

This is good news. But when you consider the fact that Manila is the richest archdiocese in the Philippines with P17.26 billion invested in stocks, you have to ask: Shouldn’t they be doing more?

The Billions of Bishop Tagle

For starters, they can sell a fraction of their shares and send money directly to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Diocese of Iligan. As far as I know, these churches aren’t as fortunate to have stock investments of their own.

Anything short of this would cast doubt on Tagle’s statement that the calamity “saddens us and breaks our hearts.” Tagle would also be a hypocrite. How can someone encourage people to have simple Christmas parties or remember “Jesus who became poor” while he has P17 billion he could share?

If he truly wants to “make our Christmas this year more meaningful by our solidarity with each other,” Archbishop Tagle should answer my open letter and donate to the Sendong victims.

I urge all Catholics to remind the clergy of their vow of poverty and mission of charity. Before holding even more second collections, Catholics should demand a first collection from their bishops first.

***

Before giving to that second (and first) collection, please consider visiting these pages to learn how you can really help Sendong victims:

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76 comments

  1. Mideo Cruz is very much ALIVE!
    as EDL(england)Geert Wilders (netherland)MP Stadler (Austria) and the rest of European who support the right wing SAID: "the leftist liberal are the traitors of our Land"

    -Where is the "new Atheist" who speaks about Catholic Archbishop Padovese beheaded by a muslim?
    Church burn in Mindanao?Priest and Bishop murdered worldwide?
    Catholic dragged out by hindus outside their Churches and beat them,and burn their Churches!
    Boko Haram claimed Nigerian Church on our Holiest Day while Catholics are praying and worshipping?
    Will Atheist also stand for Persecuted Catholics?I have never seen one!
    Will Filipinofreethinker also stand about the endless battle of Muslim Separatist in Mindanao?
    I'm sorry but for me Filipinofreethinker=anti catholic.

    *bCk2vidGame&never.hang.here.again*

    • //Mideo Cruz is very much ALIVE! //

      And once again, you miss the point.

      //Church burn in Mindanao?Priest and Bishop murdered worldwide?
      Catholic dragged out by hindus outside their Churches and beat them,and burn their Churches!
      Boko Haram claimed Nigerian Church on our Holiest Day while Catholics are praying and worshipping?
      Will Atheist also stand for Persecuted Catholics?I have never seen one!
      Will Filipinofreethinker also stand about the endless battle of Muslim Separatist in Mindanao? //

      Ah, there's the "Persecution Card" we've all been waiting for. So because there are some cases of discrimination against Catholics abroad, you're saying that it should be okay for your people to launch death threats against local artists?

      And furthermore, for us to for us to fit the criteria of being anti-Catholic, you'll have to prove that we actively condone any of these violent acts you've mentioned. Because by your reasoning, I can easily assume that you're anti-gay, anti-woman, and anti-art because you never said anything that condemns our women's lack of RH services, gay discrimination, nor have you spoken out against the Christian fundamentalists that destroyed Mideo's work, and threatened to kill him.

  2. Bakit wala ako mahanap na page tungkol sa background ng Filipinofreethinkers Community?
    Ano ba talaga ang Filipinofreethinker?
    *google
    : one who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority; especially : one who doubts or denies religious dogma
    Red Tani claimed in one of his interview that FFC has Catholic members?
    Alam ko out of topic ito.Pero sa may alam ng sagot paki-reply ako. thanks!!
    (Catholic)

  3. Ano ang layunin ni Red Tani sa pagtuligsa sa Catholic Arcbishop?
    Ano ang relihiyon ni Red Tani?
    Kung may relihiyon si Red Tani sa tingin n'yo ba major contributor ito sa pagiging kritiko nya Simbahang Katoliko?

    -now,grab a massive shovel and *use it* before we think we know better!Let's all dig deeper and discover what behind on this! 😎

    • @bertliza

      I don't have any specific figures on our numbers, but I do know that our members are pushing for donation drives on our FB page.

      • This community has figures on the assets of the Archdiocese of Manila, but how come you do not have figures available on the community’s contribution to Sendong Victims. Isn’t contribution to Sendong Victims the topic of this article? Is this not the concern of this community?

        • The donations we give to Sendong victims are coming from personal contributions, so it's only natural that we don't have any specific figures on how much each person in FF provides. And besides, we didn't actually do the grunt work of tracking down the the bishop's assets – they were readily available from the the Philippine Stock exchange.

          You're more than welcome to try looking through the PSE for data on our stocks.

          //Isn't contribution to Sendong Victims the topic of this article? Is this not the concern of this community? //

          The topic of the article is about how hypocritical it is of the CBCP to ask for handouts from its own community, when it could have easily covered the donations costs for the Sendong victims through its personal finances.

          Somebody is missing the point 😉

          • You are correct. Somebody is missing the point.

            This is a community of filipino freethinkers, and as a community you accuse the Archdiocese of Manila for not giving enough to Sendong Victims, while you as a community has nothing to show.

            Thinking is Free, giving to Sendong victims cost money. That is the point somebody is missing.

          • //This is a community of filipino freethinkers, and as a community you accuse the Archdiocese of Manila for not giving enough to Sendong Victims, while you as a community has nothing to show. //

            Assuming that we didn't give anything, does that in any way affect the fact that the Church is witholding its billions of pesos in funds when it's sorely needed by its constituents?

          • //Thinking is Free, giving to Sendong victims cost money. That is the point somebody is missing.//

            You mean like prayer? prayer is indeed free, and history has shown thinking has a better track record of helping people.

          • //This is a community of filipino freethinkers, and as a community you accuse the Archdiocese of Manila for not giving enough to Sendong Victims, while you as a community has nothing to show. //

            The burden of proof falls upon you to prove whether or not we didn't donate anything, actually/

  5. I’m a Catholic but I know that my Church should and must do more. These Manila Archdiocese Stocks are actually publicly posted at the BPI website and I was shocked to see its staggering and fattening status. I’ve been a Church-Insider for a long time, up to know. I’ve been a seminarian before and I’m very well acquainted of all the corruption inside the Church, from priests who steal money to those who have impregnated their girlfriends and gave their consent to abort the child. I know that even seminarians sleep with prostitutes during their vacation time. We are all hypocrites as a Church and although I may not fully agree with Red Tani, I can attest to the veracity of his writings.

    If we are indeed Christians, as we claim to be. We have an obligation to always strive and doing more especially to those who badly need it. Christ himself didn’t remain dumb when He saw the thousands who were hungry. He asked what were the available food and multiplied them so that all can eat. P17 Billion or even its mere dividends can multiply a lot food.

    • Hi Cephalus! I'm glad to know there are still Catholics who not only practice their faith, but persist in asking the church to be accountable for what happens in the background. Even as a freethinker I still believe it's an institution that has a rightful place in society for as long as legal restraints are set to keep them accountable for their crimes and power trips. It's refreshing to see people of the faith who aren't as easily swayed as some others you may see on these boards from time to time.

      If you don't mind, I'm interested in your insights about the corruption and indiscretions you've seen and heard of, and would like to talk about them at length. My email is [email protected], we can exchange contact info there.

      Much thanks, enjoy the new year.

  7. DEAR MR. RED TANI, HAPPY CHRISTMAS! FIRST, THE ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA DOESNT PERSONALLY OWN THE FIGURES THAT YOU’RE SHOWING.SECOND, HE PERSONALLY BELIEVES IN THE COMPASSIONATE HEARTS AND COLLECTIVE ACTIONS OF THE CHURCH. THIRD, HE’S NOT “HOLDING” THE COLLECTION, HE IS SIMPLY ALLOCATING IT TO THE PRESENT SOCIETAL NEED WHICH THE GOVERNMENT NEGLECTS TO DO. LASTLY, YOUR OPINION SHOULD NEVER BE POSTED IN FREE”THINKERS” BECAUSE A THINKER NEVER NEGATIVELY CRITICIZES A PERSON WHEN HE LACKS PROOFS OF HIS CRITICISM. NOW, IF YOU THINK THAT WAY. DO AS WHAT THE GOSPEL SAYS: “GO AND SELL ALL YOUR POSSESSION THEN GIVE THE MONEY TO THE POOR.” ONLY THEN CAN I CONSIDER YOUR POST VALID AND RELIABLE. :

  9. //The Red Crescent is a fairly new organization that was an adaptation of the Catholic-founded Red Cross.//

    dboncan, the Red Cross of today classifies itself as a non-religious and non-political entity.

  10. Though the figures show a staggering amount, is it for him to decide in dispersing the funds?

    Though everyone has a right to voice his/her thoughts, stating random comments and chatter does not make you open minded. If anything, it just shows a person's lack of education and self control. It's okay to assert your thoughts and ideals. When you put down and ridicule someone, this causes a hostile environment.

    • //When you put down and ridicule someone, this causes a hostile environment. //

      Don't worry – we don't put down or ridicule anybody until they prove themselves to be idiots.

  11. ang bobo ng mga nag reply. akala nyo ba mga muslim ang naninirahan sa cagayan de oro or mindanao? wow! i am truly amazed na some from luzon didn’t even set foot outside luzon. FYI, Major muslim area is ARMM Region. iilan lang muslim outside ARMM region. Cagayan de Oro is not part of ARMM. obviously, muslim hater din pla mga tga luzon. @nlsnbebang: hindi sila naniniwala sa christmas pero they are celebrating it. Jesus is also a Prophet in Islam. daming walang alam nag mamagaling dito.. tsk tsk!

  13. Hey “freethinkers” how about talking about The Muslims? Your “freethinking” encompasses all religions, after all, right? Or should you watch more Bill Maher videos?

    • W Uy, the Muslim community isn't being nearly as dickish or as retarded as the CBCP; We prefer to focus our energy on the biggest a-hole in the room, if you don't mind 😉

      • Twin_skies,*Muslim community isn't being nearly as dickish or as retarded as the CBCP*

        -like how muslims "reacted" in "Submission" of theo van gogh?
        -like how muslims "reacted" in Danish Cartoons,Draw Mohammad Day, and Burning the Koran?

        *We prefer to focus our energy on the biggest a-hole in the room, if you don't mind *

        -OK, "filipinofreethinker" kaysa naman sa makita namin na gilitan kayo ng leeg 8-D

        • …muslims? As in all muslims? Can you say instances of our Muslim Community messing around with our government? If you want to make a point, don't generalize… it makes you look like a bigot…XP

        • referring to the Philippine context, specifically on the matter of the RH Bill.

          The Philippine Muslim community has been far more level-headed over responsible birth control for its populace, and hasn't made any announcements that are as outlandish as the CBCP, at least to our knowledge.

          And besides, what makes you think we don't diss Muslims, or other religions for that matter, when they do something as retarded as the CBCp?

          //OK, "filipinofreethinker" kaysa naman sa makita namin na gilitan kayo ng leeg 8-D //

          I got news for your bub – it wasn't those damn dirty muslims that vandalized Mideo's art exhibit in CPP or sent the Mideo himself death threats. It certainly wasn't an angry Muslim mob that said people who support reproductive health should be aborted, or honestly thought we are possessed by the devil.

          Five points if you can guess which religion that was 😉

        • -OK, "filipinofreethinker" kaysa naman sa makita namin na gilitan kayo ng leeg 8-D

          For the benefit of our readers, this is what is called Fatwa Envy, a common fallacy tossed around by fundies who don't take kindly to their religion being ridiculed or criticized for being fucking retarded 😉
          http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Fatwa_envy

          //Fatwa envy is the term used for Poe-like behavior of wingnut Christians online. These people generally complain that criticism of their religion or themselves is wrong because the criticism would never be directed at Muslims for fear of violence or death.

          The rants of Fatwa-envy-filled posters generally start angry, upset or frothing at what the person said or did. The screed then turns to how the other religion would not tolerate what was said (almost as if the person ranting wishing he/she or fellow religious brethren would turn to violence or killing). And to complete the rant, the person usually prays for or forgives the person, or explains that he or she will be going to hell if he or she does not repent for alleged sins.

          Fatwa envy is full of lulz because the ranter does not understand that a loving and forgiving religious person would not rant in the first place, and forgive and forget any supposed wrongs before sending off an email or posting a reply to a blog or forum.

          Plenty of "New Atheists" have indeed criticized Islam just as strongly as Christianity and Judaism, and have legitimate concern for their lives as a result. Additionally, criticism and "blaspheming" of most mainstream religions can and does result in death threats — see the PZ link below for an example with Catholicism.//

          Honey, as we've seen with the CBCP's legal bullying and harrassment, threats of violence aren't the exclusive intellectual property of Muslims. Your people are just as capable, albeit you do it with that ever-annoying passive-aggresive tone.

      • You should study more about Islamic philosophy to know that Muslims don't practice altruism because to them every natural act is either reward or punishment. To them calamities like this was willed by Allah!

          • There are certainly individual Muslims who are generous charity benefactors but by and large, whatever altruism they practice these days is something they learned from the Christian west. The Red Crescent is a fairly new organization that was an adaptation of the Catholic-founded Red Cross. Do you see any Islamic states participate in rescue and relief operations the way the Christian-influenced western countries do?

          • …to compare your religion to another and even saying they ripped off their altruism from yours is really pitiful, dear sir

          • Well that isn't even the topic so maybe I digressed. That debate is for another time but even the sources given by the FFt shows exactly what I said. I think we should go back to the hypocrisy of the article at hand.

          • dboncan, you're the genius who decided to include Muslims in our discussion and claim altruism as a Catholci invention. Don't think you can weasel your way out of this just because we have you running with your tail between your legs.

            Now get back here, bitch.

          • Tail between my legs… hmmm when did I ever do that. I don't want to waste my time talking about another subject that's all. Besides I stand by what I said, you fellows target whom you can seemingly get away from, Catholics, why? because you know we will tolerate this without reprisals. On the other hand, Muslims may not take your hypocrisy sitting down.I think you guys are the ones whimpering and wining with this article and all complaining even about an editorial on Bl. Pedro Calungsod and telling a paper how to run it's business. Oh it's St. Pedro Calungsod and I did ask for his intercession for you guys who speaks badly of him! Merry Christmas to you!

          • FTFY 😉 :

            You should study more about Catholic Fundamentalist philosophy to know that fundies don't practice altruism because to them every natural act is either reward or punishment. To them calamities like this was willed by God!

          • hahahahaha catholic fundamentalist. Ng imbento ka nanaman ng terms. I see you want to invent another issue. same o same o. Hihihihi!

          • //Ng imbento ka nanaman ng terms. //

            Look up the words "Catholic", and "Fundamentalist" in the dictionary, dickie.

            They existed far before I ever used them in my prior statement, as shocking as it may sound for somebody with your level of english language comprehension.

          • My friend, this is from your link. Binasa mo ba?Zakat is considered to be a religious duty…Muslim scholars disagree whether the poor that qualify should include non-Muslims. Some state that Zakat may be paid to non-Muslims, but only after the needs of Muslims have been met

          • //Some state that Zakat may be paid to non-Muslims, but only after the needs of Muslims have been met //

            So we're in agreement that – to a certain extent – Muslims do practice altruism as a matter of religious doctrine. Compare this to your prior statement:

            //You should study more about Islamic philosophy to know that Muslims don't practice altruism because to them every natural act is either reward or punishment. //

          • Obligation as a matter of obeying an Islamic religious law vis a vis the Christian obligation to do what is right. Can you call it altruism if one is compelled to do it to fulfill a religious law? Notice that it says “…only after the needs of Muslims…” whereas Christian's do it regardless of the needs of other Christians . Then there is the issue of whether non-Muslims are even included. I am not being biased against them I am merely stating their own teaching.Besides, my point is not the issue of muslims but the hypocrisy to always pick on the target that you know will never do any violence to you guys. What kind of a twisted, evil mind would critique a Bishop who makes a plea for help and accuse the same Bishop of seeming hypocrisy rather than help and leave out religious bigotry in this time of calamity! Nagpapalapad lang ito'ng si Tani ng papel eh. Has he or the FFT done anything near what the church has done it terms of charity in CDO? What has he or the FFT have to show for?

          • //Besides, my point is not the issue of muslims but the hypocrisy to always pick on the target that you know will never do any violence to you guys. //

            So your ilk isn't violent? really?

            Let's ask Kenneth Keng, who was attacked by Rizalito David in Congress.
            https://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/05/25/anti-r…

            Let's ask artist Mideo Cruz, whose controversial (to Catholic fundies) artwork was subjected to an act of vandalism, while he himself has received several threats to his life.
            http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/228432/news/…

          • That's a pretty lame example. I think if we are just a little more honest, what i am saying is true. The mideo thing is hardly violence, besides if he was really just stupid enough to do something as offensive as that, he should expect someone to get offended. The David thing is something personal, call it frustration or whatever you want but it ain't no fatwa! I am sure that you know what I mean and so does everyone else.

          • //The mideo thing is hardly violence, besides if he was really just stupid enough to do something as offensive as that, he should expect someone to get offended. //

            Ah, the old "he deserved it" argument.

            Let's try this thought experiment then:

            Would you be perfectly okay with this reasoning if I said that I will visit next week, and beat you within an inch of your life with a stick, in front of your family, just because your reply offends my religious beliefs? I certainly think you deserve it.

            Or if a rapist assaulted your daughter, and claimed that she deserved it because she was wearing provocative clothing, would you be as willing to acknowledge your logic?

            We live in a democracy dickie – Mideo has the right to be free to voice his opinion without having to live in fear of being physically assaulted just because some moronic twat thinks that what he (Mideo) says or presents are insulting his personal fairy tale.

            And people like you are free to voice your displeasure as much as you want. What you aren't free to do is to silence Mideo and people like him with death threats and similar acts.

            //The David thing is something personal, call it frustration or whatever you want but it ain't no fatwa! I am sure that you know what I mean and so does everyone else. //

            So it's not "wrong" because it's not specifi called called a fatwa? I see you're up to your old semantic tricks again.

            Rizalito attacked Kenneth because the latter was debunking his strongly-held religions opinions regarding the RH bill. In short, he felt blasphemed, and he replied with violence. And you trying to claim that he wasn't acting like a proper Christian is a poor attempt at a No True Scotsman fallacy.

          • What part of what I said didn't you understand, I said someone could get offended I didn't say it was okay to do violence to him… don't know how you went from this to that. There are many ways in which people responded that were non-violent. Let me repeat myself, If someone does something as stupid as that he should expect that people may get offended. it is unfortunate that people respond differently to different situations. So the solution is… don't do stupid things.Oh so now we live in a democracy, so which means that I can say what I want about gays as long as it's not instigating violence? SO I say Sodomy is a sin is okay and should not offend too right? Oh wait, I did say that before and guess what, I was called a homophobe… such hypocrites!Well there are no two ways about it, Rizalino was wrong to do so.”Or if a rapist assaulted your daughter, and claimed that she deserved it because she was wearing provocative clothing, would you be as willing to acknowledge your logic?”Hahaha I think it is your logic that is flawed. To mock and denigrate something that is held as sacred is far far different from someone dressing immodestly.

          • //Obligation as a matter of obeying an Islamic religious law vis a vis the Christian obligation to do what is right. Can you call it altruism if one is compelled to do it to fulfill a religious law?//

            So what I gather here is that even if you aren't Christian, you'd still be compelled to do the right thing? So what's the need for a religion then? 😉

          • Compelled, no? No one can compel anyone to dot he right thing, it's conscience that does it. Oh that isn't the only thing that religion does to someone.

          • //No one can compel anyone to dot he right thing, it's conscience that does it.//

            And dangling promises of heaven to do-gooders, and the eternal hellfire to bad people isn't an incentive?

          • Hellfire… what? I think you're image of the church is badly caricatured. You should drop by sometime and find out what the truth is.

          • //What kind of a twisted, evil mind would critique a Bishop who makes a plea for help and accuse the same Bishop of seeming hypocrisy rather than help and leave out religious bigotry in this time of calamity! //

            bdoncan, let me put it this way: Your church doesn't bat an eyelash at spending millions of dollars in its own money to pay for legal settlements just to avoid creating a scandal whenever its priests molest kids in Europe and North America.

            Your church here has billions of its own money to spend, and yet would rather instead bank on the donations of its flock instead of spending its cash to help. I'd call that being a cheapskate.

          • It appears that you have a very very poor understanding of how the church works. Call it what you want but it does not remove the fact that the church is still the biggest and longest sustaining institution that has contributed to charity. It's shallow minded to think that the church's resources must all go to one particular calamity when there are calamities and needs happening everyday in this troubled country and world of ours. If any, the church is overextended in it's day to day work to help to alleviate poverty. What does the sex abuse scandal have to so with this? I see your up to your old tricks of diverting attention away again.

          • //It appears that you have a very very poor understanding of how the church works.//

            A courtier's reply now?

            //Call it what you want but it does not remove the fact that the church is still the biggest and longest sustaining institution that has contributed to charity.//

            Neither does your point change the fact that the church is one of the biggest promoters of discrimination and hate against the gay community and women today, due to its actively promotion of prejudice, and denial of vital RH services regardless of the circumstances of our people.

            //It's shallow minded to think that the church's resources must all go to one particular calamity when there are calamities and needs happening everyday in this troubled country and world of ours. //

            dboncan, do tell us where the church plans to spend its 18 billion pesos in cash. I certainly don't see them moving any of that currency around to send relief supplies, even if they are obligated by their own religious doctrine to help the poor and downtrodden.

            With that kind of money lying around, they wouldn't even need to request for assistance from other diocese overseas.
            https://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/12/22/cbcp-c…

            //If any, the church is overextended in it's day to day work to help to alleviate poverty. What does the sex abuse scandal have to so with this? //

            You've missed the point then. It's appaling that the church would invest so much time, money, and energy in trying to hide sexually abusive priests, often paying the legal fees out of its own pockets, but can't be counted on to spend that money on protecting its flock from said rapists, or natural disasters.

          • from the looks of it the church is more willing to use their own money for the following:

            1.protecting their own investments.
            2. paying legal fees and settlements (usually for rape cases)

            before they intend on donating.

          • //Has he or the FFT done anything near what the church has done it terms of charity in CDO? //

            Have you? 😉

          • Hahaha How is that any business of yours? I don't have to justify to FFt what I do or give, the FFt did the criticism. If any should put your money where your mouth is. You should show and justify if you've done anything close to what the Catholic church has done. I dare you to accuse the Church of being remiss in front of the people of CDO and let's see what they answer you!

          • //If any should put your money where your mouth is.//

            And here you go again making a crass assumption that just because we took the time to write this article, we're not doing anything about Sendong's damage.

            //You should show and justify if you've done anything close to what the Catholic church has done.//

            Neither have you.

            //I dare you to accuse the Church of being remiss in front of the people of CDO and let's see what they answer you! //

            Sure. Will you pay for my plane tickets and hotel fee? CDO's an awfully long way from Manila.

          • hehehe but you brought that up, not me! I said that instead of criticizing others' plea for help in this time of crisis, just help instead. Well how does it feel to be in the receiving end of the critique?

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