06/11/2025
MONTHLY MOP-CLERGY RECOLLECTION (NOVEMBER 2025): Leadership with a Clean Heart: Seven Principles and Tutela Minorum
The Chaplain of V. Luna AFP Medical Center, Fr. (Col.) Carlito Buslon, CHS (GSC), hosted the MOP Clergy Monthly Recollection for November 2025 at St. Pius X Chapel, AFP V. Luna Medical Center, Quezon City on 05 November 2025. The said recollection was attended by the Military Ordinary himself, Most Rev. Oscar Jaime L. Florencio, D.D., SThD, and chaplains from the uniformed services of the country.
Before the recollection began, the Military Bishop paid a courtesy call to the new Commander of the AFP V. Luna Medical Center, Col. Gab, MC (GSC). He was accompanied by the Command Chaplain, Fr. (Col.) Carlito Buslon.
The recollection began with a Holy Hour led by Fr. (P2LT) Alfred Buyaw, CHS, currently assigned to the Office of the Chief Chaplain, Philippine Army. Afterward, Fr. (Col.) Harley B. Flores (Ret.), the MOP Chancellor, introduced the speaker, Fr. Joel Camaya, a Salesian priest, and presented his recorded lecture on Biblical Leadership in the Military.
In his lecture, Fr. Camaya spoke about the seven (7) principles of leadership, titled “Seven Principles for Military Leadership.”
1. Service – True leadership is rooted in humility and sacrifice, modeled by Christ washing His disciples’ feet (John 13).
2. Courage – Soldiers are called to both physical and moral courage, resisting corruption and standing firm in truth (Josh. 1:9).
3. Integrity and Justice – Trust is sustained by fairness and honesty, not favoritism or corruption (Ex. 18:21; Deut. 16:18–20).
4. Strategy and Discernment – Wise planning and calm direction, as shown by Nehemiah and modern Filipino Medal of Valor heroes, sustain mission success.
5. Example – Soldiers follow the example of a leader’s life more than commands. Authentic leadership inspires loyalty.
6. Obedience and Loyalty – Loyalty must be intelligent and moral, rooted in faith and conscience, not blind submission (Matt. 8:5–13).
7. Crisis Leadership is a leadership forged in service, tested in sacrifice, and proven in moments of crisis—a leadership grounded not in rank or power, but in faith, courage, and moral integrity.
Spirituality – True inner strength comes from God through prayer, discernment, and faith (Ps. 23; Eph. 6:10–18).
Fr. Camaya concluded: “Leadership is not measured by medals or promotions, but by the lives you touched and the mission you fulfilled with honor before God and country.”
After the recorded lecture, Fr. (LTC) Dionesio L. Acaso, CHS (GSC), the MOP Commission on Clergy Chairman, presented the lecture of Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera on the topic:
“Tutela Minorum — A Culture of Safeguarding”
1. Papal Mandate (Pope Francis, 2014)
“The Commission’s task is to propose the most opportune initiatives for protecting minors and vulnerable adults, ensuring that crimes such as those which have occurred are no longer repeated in the Church.”
What It Is?
In 2014, Pope Francis created a new Church body called the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
The term “Tutela Minorum” means “protection of minors.”
The Pope’s goal was clear: to make sure that crimes of abuse, especially against minors and vulnerable adults, never happen again in the Church.
Purpose of the Commission:
Promote local responsibility in every Church.
Collaborate with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Protect all children and vulnerable adults.
Main Mission
The Commission was given three main responsibilities:
Propose initiatives that will protect minors and vulnerable adults everywhere in the Church.
Support and guide bishops and Church leaders (both diocesan and religious) in creating policies, guidelines, and programs for prevention and response to abuse.
Promote local responsibility, meaning every Church community around the world must be involved — not just the Vatican.
It also works closely with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Church office that handles abuse cases.
Meaning in Simple Words
The Pope is saying:
“We must not wait for Rome to act. Every local Church must take action to protect its people, especially children and the vulnerable.”
So, the Commission is not only about writing rules — it is about building a culture of care, honesty, and safety across the whole Church.
Key Idea
Safeguarding is not just a legal or administrative duty.
It is a Gospel responsibility — part of loving as Jesus loved, especially the little ones and those who cannot defend themselves.
📜 Chirograph of Pope Francis – Apostolic Palace, 22 March 2014.
2. Mandate of the Commission
Advise and assist the Holy Father on strategies to protect minors and vulnerable persons.
Help dioceses and religious communities create effective guidelines for:
Prevention of sexual abuse.
Proper response when abuse occurs.
Praedicate Evangelium, Art. 78: affirms the advisory and guiding role of the Commission.
In Simple Words:
The Commission’s job is to help the Pope and every local Church become safer — by teaching, guiding, and supporting, not just correcting.
It is the Church’s way of saying:
“We will protect before harm happens, and we will respond with justice and compassion when it does.”
3. Theme: A Culture of Safeguarding
“A global view of safeguarding within the Catholic Church — attentive to history, current challenges, and diverse cultural realities in Asia and Oceania.”
What “A Culture of Safeguarding” Means
Safeguarding should not be only about rules or policies — it should become part of the Church’s way of life.
A culture of safeguarding means that everyone — priests, religious, and lay people — naturally acts with care, respect, and protection for others, especially the vulnerable.
It’s about building a Church where safety, trust, and compassion are normal, not exceptional.
A Global and Cultural Perspective
The Church exists in many countries, each with different traditions and realities — especially across Asia and Oceania.
This means the Church must:
Learn from the past (including its failures).
Face today’s challenges honestly.
Respect each culture while still upholding the same core value: protecting human dignity.
Focus Areas:
Safeguarding and Synodality – Safeguarding is deeply connected to Synodality — the Church’s call to journey together in faith and responsibility.
Renewal of Church Identity – Safeguarding renews who we are as Church — a community that protects, heals, and welcomes.
Listening as a Core Practice – A safeguarding Church listens — especially to victims, the vulnerable, and those often ignored.
Leadership as Service – True leaders don’t control — they serve, guide, and protect.
Spiritual Disciplines for Renewal – Prayer, discernment, and accountability keep the Church honest, humble, and caring.
Universal Responsibility for Protection – Protection is not only the task of bishops or commissions — it belongs to every baptized person.
4. Historical and Ecclesial Context
The Church has been learning — often painfully — from its past failures in handling abuse cases.
Over the years, it has created stronger laws, clearer procedures, and new offices to ensure that abuse is prevented, reported, and punished correctly.
Key Institutional Reforms:
2010: Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela — clarified Vatican norms on grave crimes.
2014: Creation of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors — moved the Church from reaction to prevention.
2016: As a Loving Mother (Come una Madre Amorevole) — clarified accountability of bishops.
2019: Vos Estis Lux Mundi (revised 2023) — required dioceses to establish reporting systems and protect whistleblowers.
2021: Reform of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law — strengthened penalties for abuse and ensured justice.
5. Accountability and Transparency
Vos Estis Lux Mundi (“You Are the Light of the World”) ensures:
Clear, accessible reporting systems.
Protection for whistleblowers.
A call to continuous conversion and concrete action.
The Church commits to honesty and transparency as acts of faith and justice:
“To protect others is to serve God. To be transparent is to walk in the light of Christ.”
6. Zero Tolerance and Synodal Governance
Under Pope Francis, the Church promotes zero tolerance toward abuse:
Any form of abuse must never be ignored or tolerated.
Protection is part of the Church’s mission.
Synodal governance means shared leadership, listening, and openness.
In Simple Words:
Zero tolerance = no more silence or cover-ups.
Synodal governance = shared responsibility and collaboration.
Together, they ensure a transparent, accountable, and united Church.
7. Theological and Pastoral Imperative
Safeguarding is a Gospel value rooted in justice, mercy, and human dignity.
It is not only a policy but a spiritual vocation — an expression of the Church’s maternal mission to protect and care for the vulnerable.
8. Conversional Justice — A Healing Path
“Conversional Justice” is a new model of justice that focuses not only on punishment but on truth, healing, and reform.
It emphasizes:
Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Reform.
Healing of victims linked to the Church’s conversion.
Safeguarding as a redemptive act — restoring the Body of Christ.
9. Framework of Conversional Justice
Core Principles:
Truth – Face and document facts honestly.
Justice – Ensure accountability for wrongdoing.
Reparation – Support and accompany victims.
Guarantee of Non-Repetition – Prevent future harm through education and reform.
Mission:
Fight impunity.
Accompany victims with compassion.
Strengthen prevention and healing structures.
10. Vision Statement
“Conversion heals wounds. The Church’s safeguarding mission must be one of truth, justice, reparation, and the guarantee that such crimes never happen again.”
In Simple Words:
The Church’s dream is to become a place where everyone is safe — where wounds are healed through honesty, justice, and compassion — and where the sins of the past are never repeated.
Official Source:
📍 Tutelaminorum.org – Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
After the presentation, the Military Bishop, Bishop Florencio, gave a deeper explanation of the topic.
This was followed by the presentation of the Proposed Program for Retired Chaplains by the Commission on Clergy Chairman, entitled:
MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Bishop’s House, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
CIRCULAR LETTER
No. ___, Series of 2025
TO:
All Clergy of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines
FROM:
✠ Most Rev. Oscar Jaime L. Florencio, D.D.
Military Ordinary of the Philippines
RE:
Pastoral Ministry Opportunities for Retired Chaplains of Military Ordinariate of the Philippines
(Full text of the Circular Letter )
After the presentation, the Military Bishop, Bishop Florencio, explained further about the proposed program and asked the chaplains to read it and give their inputs.
The recollection concluded with a Holy Mass presided over by the Military Bishop.
In his Homily, the Bishop said:
Opening Gratitude
Before I forget, let us also express our heartfelt thanks to the new Commander of the AFP Medical Center, Col. Gab, for his presence and support.
We also thank Ma’am Aida and the support staff for facilitating our smooth and prayerful gathering today. Their efforts made this recollection truly possible and meaningful.
Purpose of the Recollection
As we come together for this recollection, let us remember what it truly means.
A recollection is not merely an event—it is a sacred pause.
We set aside this time for the Lord—to listen, to be renewed, and to thank Him for the wonderful gift of vocation and for all that He has given us.
From our seminary days, we have learned that recollections are essential moments of ongoing formation. They allow us to return to our center, to realign our hearts, and to remain grounded in God.
Sometimes, with the many works, programs, and activities we handle, we get displaced or distracted. But recollections like this bring us back—to stay in touch with God, to stay in touch with ourselves, and to keep our spiritual senses alive through prayer.
Communion of Priests
More than a personal encounter with God, this is also a moment of communion as a presbyterium.
When we gather as brother priests, we see one another, share our experiences, and learn from one another.
We find encouragement in hearing, “Don’t worry, we are in the same boat.”
This sense of fraternity is vital—because it reminds us that we are never alone in the journey of discipleship and ministry.
Focus on Discipleship
Our common aspiration remains: to be disciples of the Lord.
To be a disciple is to stay focused on Christ—to always discern and to always learn.
The word disciple itself comes from discere—“to learn.”
And how can we learn if we are not focused on the Lord?
So, let us remain attentive, prayerful, and open to His teaching today.
Gratitude and Cooperation
I also thank you all for your cooperation and collaboration.
At the end of all these efforts—whether in leadership formation, safeguarding discussions, or stewardship initiatives—it is all for the good of our Military Ordinariate, our clergy, our communities, and our families.
Each recollection should lead to a takeaway—something that helps us grow.
After listening and discerning, may we bring home insights that can strengthen our ministry and deepen our union with God.
Entrustment to the Blessed Mother
Today is the first Wednesday of November, a day traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Let us entrust ourselves and our ministry to her maternal care.
There’s an old story from Poland:
When the nation was about to be destroyed by invaders, the people turned to the Blessed Mother for protection.
According to tradition, Mary interceded so powerfully that the enemy forces were turned back and the city was spared.
This shows how Mary has always been the defender and protector of her children.
In the same way, she intercedes for us—her sons in the priesthood—entrusted to her by Jesus at the foot of the Cross.
Closing Encouragement
Wherever we are—whether in the office, in the field, or already retired—let us always call upon the protection of Mama Mary.
She will never fail us.
She will cover us with her mantle, protect us in danger, and lead us closer to Jesus, her Son.
Through her intercession, may we always find the grace to serve with humility, to pray with constancy, and to persevere with joy in our priestly ministry.
Amen.
The next MOP Clergy Monthly Recollection in December 2025 will be sponsored by the Philippine National Police, under the baton of Fr. (PBGEN) Jaime Serena III.
