Meloto, Padilla give their sides on CFC split
October 28, 2007 -- Got something to say?
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HILLSIDE, New Jersey Tony Meloto, the controversial man of the hour, Last month broke his silence during a gathering of Gawad Kalinga-ANCOP and talked about the issues that hounded him and the organizations he is affiliated with - Couples for Christ and Gawad Kalinga (GK). The heart of the issue is the recent announced split in the Couples for Christ (CfC) over leadership disagreements about Gawad Kalinga and the major shake-up in the organizations key positions.
I have been quiet for the past seven months as far as the Couples for Christ was concerned. I was taught to tame my tongue and I chose to be quiet,” Meloto said.
“Now, I want to ask forgiveness for my silence. To those who might have been hurt or confused, I apologize. I do not want to get involved any further. Just discern and seek the truth. Find your peace and follow the right path,” he announced.
As one of the 7 pillars of CfC and designed to be its social arm, Gawad Kalinga has transformed into a global movement for nation building.
Several weeks ago, one of CfCs founders, Frank Padilla, has announced that his group is leaving CfC and the main issue is Gawad Kalinga.
In a recent interview with Nonoy Mendoza of Filam Image magazine in Washington DC, Padilla said the Couples for Christ should go back to evangelization. CFCs are better as evangelizers rather than fundraisers for social developments, referring to Gawad Kalinga (GK).
Meloto resigned as GK Executive Director last February. He turned over the reins of the group to two young leaders, Luis Oquinena, who is now GKs Executive Director, and Issa Santos-Cuevas, who handles the administrative and financial aspects of the organization.
I stepped down from all of my positions at GK and CfC last February 12 because I knew that there were certain lessons to be learned. I became freer to move around, to meet and develop more partners for GK,” Meloto stated. Real power resides in the Lord, not in imperfect human beings such as myself.”
The man with white hair, as he is frequently called, believed that Oquinena, at the age of 37, was ready to become the organizations executive director. I felt liberated and inspired and I know that the work will continue. We raised new leaders to continue what we started,” he said.
For him, there was only one bottomline: he didnt need a position to serve, or care for the poor.
GKs work is pure and noble. It has inspired people and brought out the integrity and honor of the people. Thats why it pains me when people attack it,” he said.
Because of GKs success in making the world know that it is helping the government in nation-building, these issues of CfC and leadership have become a very public controversy.
Maraming problema sa CfC, Meloto said, as the audience held on to his every word, Nag-umpisa yata when I received the Ramon Magsaysay Award last year.” The crowd managed a muffled laughter.
I do not seek awards. I did not seek awards, he said emphatically, This is a work of many challenges, many sacrifices. I was willing to sacrifice because I was being asked to be a father of the poor.”
Meloto received last years Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership for his efforts in making Gawad Kalinga a household name, not only in the Philippines but around the world. (The Asian Journal) Left with no more alternative and upon the recommendation of Philippine bishops and the Episcopal Commission on the Laity, Frank founded Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life. Frank clarified We in CFC-FFL remain as Couples for Christ. We have not left CFC, which is the spiritual body and international movement distinct from the Philippine corporation. What we have left is the legal entity of Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc. We in CFC-FFL have as much right, if not more, to remain as CFC than those who have veered away from our original charism. GK has replaced holiness with heroism and winning the world for Christ with nation-building. Thus winning souls have been subdued in favor of constructing houses. CFCs who go to GK events have also been warned to remove their IDs for fear by GK leaders that they might scare prospective partners by the fact that CFC is a faith-based organization.
Padilla, one of the original 16 couples who began Couples for Christ in 1981 and who has served as its executive director for the past 26 years, said there is nothing wrong about helping the poor, in fact it completes the gospel and we are honored to have been a great part of it, but our mission is that of an evangelistic community and our priority is preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. We love GK but we will not change our Catholic character just because of it.
But what broke the camels back, Padilla said were two things: first, GK no longer discriminates where it gets funds. He quoted Meloto as saying that GK GK is non-partisan. We do not even ask them what their (corporations) products are as long as they want to help.” He said this drew a rebuke from the bishops adding that GK has also allowed the proselytic Mormons to build water systems in all villages.
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Frank Padilla decided to RESIGN as a CFC International Council member AFTER Tony announced his resignation on Feb.13. The post of the International Mission Director is tied up to the person being a member of the International Council. formalizing his resignation a week later, Frank vowed to serve in whatever capacity the then incumbent International Council going to give him. The claim of termination is unfounded; it is being asserted only to justify Frank’s creation of a new group. Even assuming (without granting) it to be factual, Frank gave his word that he would be happy to serve in CFC in any capacity. His being relieved, if true, was a test to his character. He failed. He just did not want to let go of his 26 years of reign of CFC.
i am glad that you are hearing both sides of the story by allowing TM to talk in NJ.
i heard that NJ will soon come up with its stand on the issue. i hope you discern well brothers and sisters.
In regards to the issue of the proselytizing Mormons, I asked Bro. Frank these questions, and he was kind enough to give some answers:
By the way, these questions are part of 21 questions that I asked of him and which can be read in full here: http://defendingcfc.phpbbweb.com/viewforum.php?f=14&mforum=defendingcfc
13. Why are you concerned that the Mormons will proselytize the GK villages that they penetrate? Do you not trust that God will do the conversion and not man?
FRANK PADILLA: So are you willing to ignore all the conversions of Catholics being accomplished by Mormons today?
FORTES_IN_FIDE: My answers here are only my personal opinion and does not reflect the stand of the IC. I
Yes, it’s concerning that this paper may not have done its research properly. Frank resigned with a 45 minute long resignation speech that I myself watched.
This is equally strange: Padilla said
In my own research of the history of Couples for Christ (CFC) I found that it started as an outreach ministry of the Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP). Frank Padilla joined it later and became its Coordinator. It is therefore interesting to note that Frank Padilla has not, to my knowledge, corrected this perception whenever he is alluded to as the Founder (in this article, one of the founders) of CFC. How it became a separate community is, in itself, an interesting story in the context of today’s split in CFC.
Also, I would like to seek your confirmation if he indeed said that “…. GK has also allowed the proselytic Mormons to build water systems in all villages.” I would appreciate your doing so as this is significantly different from his statements that reached us in CFC.
Your articles says, “He (Padilla) reiterated the fact that because of GK, CFC had started to veer away from its original charism which is evangelization and family life.”
-> This is, at best, debatable.
Your article says, “With that platform, he organized a ‘restoration movement’ inside Couples for Christ, a gesture that was clearly misunderstood by the present CFC International Council.”
–> This is what Frank says. But you should check out what his actions and put it in your report as well. His calls for ‘restoration’ were mutinous acts that call for the withdrawal of support to the International Council. That’s an act very unbecoming of a former CFC Director.
Your article says, “Not only ignoring his recommendations, the powers-that-be of CFC/GK fired Frank as International Director, by email.”
–> The position of International Director is tied to one’s membership to the International Council. Frank resigned as CFC Director and as member of the International Council in February 2007.
Your article says, “Meloto resigned as GK Executive Director last February.”
–> So did Frank. Three of them resigned in February 2007. Tony Meloto resigned first, then Frank said he would resign as well. This was despite the appeal of Joe Tale for them not to resign.
Your article says, “But what broke the camel