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CBCP: Couples for Christ factions opt to split for now


The Philippine chapter of the lay missionary group Couples for Christ (CFC) is united no more, at least for now. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Tuesday that the two factions of the CFC “agreed" to go their separate ways, but still hope to reunite. In a statement on its website (www.cbcpnews.com) Tuesday night, the CBCP said the heads of the two factions met with CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Laity chairman Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes on Tuesday. Going their separate ways were the Couples for Christ led by Bro. Jose Tale and the Couples for Christ for Family and Life chaired by Bro. Frank Padilla. Bishop Reyes, however, insisted the split is temporary and that both parties “will remain open to unification" in the future. He added money matters had nothing to do with the conflict. He appealed to Couples for Christ members to continuously pray for their organization and continue to work in their respective communities. CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Bishops Ramon Villena (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya), Guillermo Afable (Digos, Davao del Sur) and Honesto Pacana S.J. (Malaybalay, Bukidnon) attended the meeting at the Council of the Laity of the Philippines Building at Cabildo Street, Intramuros, Manila. “The Couples for Christ for Family and Life led by Bro. Frank Padilla is now recognized as a diocesan private association of the faithful in the Diocese of Antipolo," Bishop Reyes said. He added the group may go into other dioceses with the permission of the bishop of the place. “It is for the bishop to decide whether to accept one or both in his area," Bishop Reyes explained. He added that Tale will look into reports that Gawad Kalinga “is veering away from the vision-mission statements of the Couples for Christ and several teachings of the Catholic Church." Asked of Gawad Kalinga’s tie-up with government and other religions, Bishop Reyes said “there is nothing wrong with tie-ups with government agencies and other religions." He added “tie-ups with other religions should be guided by the Catholic church’s rules on Ecumenism." - GMANews.TV

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