BEATING OUR SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES : A Reaction

Here is another defense made by CFC-FFL on the case of reviving CFCFI and using the name CFC.

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(emphasis mine)

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Birthrights are normally vested by virtue of relationships that are passed on from generation to generation. In a more contemporary sense, and what political correctness could possibly dictate, rights and entitlements are also given by an authorized source. (And who is the source?)In the case of the use of the name of "Couples for Christ," a faith community anchored in being Christ centered as well as evangelistic and missionary, we go beyond the legal and the blood relations and ask the defining query: Who really has a birthright to the name in the context of being "for Christ?" Isn't Christianity an all-inclusive religion which welcomes "Gentile and Jew alike?" (Look who's talking!) Did not Christ Himself talk about its inherent inclusivity when He categorically forbade excessive sectarianism when John complained to Him that the disciples saw someone casting out demons in His name and the man was told to stop his practices because he was not one of them? But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid this man for he who is not against us is for us." (And what did you do with Pfizer, Wyeth, Mormons Church? Isn't it that you accuse GK of veering away from CFC because we partner with them, we work with them and we welcome them? Isn't it that you want GK to be exclusive on how you want it to work?) Unless CFC/GK may think CFCFI/CFC-FFL works against this exhortation of Jesus Himself, how does one explain the almost excessive obsession of the former to prohibit others from using the name? (Oh c'mon!) In fact, GK did what Christ did, welcome everyone to be part of the work regardless of sect, affiliation or whatever their product is. GK do not judge anyone but welcome all who wants to take partnership in the work. But what FFL did, you screen it, you filter it, because you do not want to be tainted with their what you call "Anti-life" kuno!

In fact, GK accepts everyone and make sure that even non-CFC partner will feel comfortable in the crowd of CFC by not overmentioning "CFC" and making GK gathering like a CFCstique event. But how did FFL took this? They accuse GK that they are hiding their CFC identity. You see...they exaggerated it.
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Thus, in a spate of releases that sadly advises its membership to go on a war footing with such slogans as "a call to arms," and exhorting the community to end its period of "being still," the CFC/GK may have just succeeded in bringing the might and force of the Praetorian army on CFCFI/CFC-FFL with hammer and tongs and with all guns blazing simply because the latter was granted approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revive the use of the name Couples for Christ Foundation,Inc. (Because what FFL did is inappropriate) In what promises to be a protracted legal battle, we have been brought to court by CFC/GK to insist on its exclusive use of the name, while it does not set its radar screens on questioning 5 to 6 other entities registered with the SEC (other than CFCFI/CFC-FFL) which also uses the name Couples for Christ. Again, how does one fathom the inherent wisdom of going through such great lengths insisting on a common birthright vested on all of Christendom anyway? (Brother's the logic is simple, any entity registered on SEC bearing the name CFC is an entity that is under the over-all authority of the governing body of CFC, or a subsidiary of CFC, or a sister-company of CFC, or aligned within the CFC structure. But FFL does not and will not subject itself to the authority of the CFC-IC, therefore, you broke-away. You are no longer CFC, and you have to acknowledge that. No one is stopping your evangelization and mission work, but please you use a new name and not CFC. Please read the Statutes...please. Come to think of it, isn't it that the Catholic Church forbade any sect that uses the name Catholic or identify themselves as Catholic if they are excommunicated already? take the example of Soceity of St. Pius X.
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CFC/GK may have missed the point when it talks about going legal by force of circumstances. It may have forgotten that it began the legalities attached to the use of the name by questioning our application to the use of the name CFC-FFL. (Everyone can be a couple for Christ, yes we agree on that! But as an association or organization it should not be. And since this has something got to do with legality, then we have to take legal action. Besides, we should have not questioned if you did not apply. Right? Simple rules brethren, no application, no question and if no approval, no appealing.
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Secondly, the revival of CFCFI is no underhanded plot. CFCFI became inactive for sometime precisely because it allowed CFC Global Mission Foundation, Inc. to carry on its mission. But now that CFC Global has veered away from the life and mission it was supposed to pursue, CFCFI now has every right to restore the eroded anchors of the life and mission and revive the original spirit which guided the community to put up, by virtue of " prior right," CFCFI. (Tell it to the marines! My goodness, first, CFCFI is the one and very the same CFCGMFI. It has just some additions in it but it is the same CFC. And why was it inactive, because a new name better defines its existence and nature, "global mission". And who among the FFL has the right to say that CFCGMFI has veered away from CFCFI...What do you mean by this, that the over-all governing of CFC is CFCFI. And that all others including CFCGMFI is under the authority of CFCFI? O c'mon, who invented this? It was not the practice eversince we separated from LNP. Besides, majority of the incorporators of CFCFI are members of the LNP.
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Thirdly, it may be timely to reiterate that the Bishops have approved of CFCFI/CFC-FFL and the Vatican has no objection to the use of the name as long as the local bishops approve. (You should say that, your bishop Gabby approve it. And please, do not include other bishops who are now having a terrible headache by what you have done.
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Fourthly, even the original application for the use of CFC-FFL has not been rejected by the SEC. .(And it was not also approved)
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Fifth, on June 14, 2008, CFC Founder Frank Padilla has gone on record, to wit: "With regard to our brethren in CFC/GK, we do not intend to do to them what they have been doing to us. (Definitely, coz you do not have the right to do that.) For the sake of peace and eventual reconciliation, we do not intend to prevent them from using the name "CFC" for as long as they strive not to let go of what it means to be truly CFC." (Wow, feeling...)This simply means heeding the call of the Bishops and the Vatican in their past pronouncements. (Nope, this is not what the Vatican thru Cardinal Rylko have said. What he said is very clear.."Your name CFC may not be used by any other association".)
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Sixth, we have always proposed creative unity and synergy, one big CFC with 2 separate branches, using the model of many religious organizations and congregations, but CFC/GK has steadfastly refused to take a serious look at this proposal. (What you are proposing is actually not for unity and synergy, but confusion and deception. CFC has already a lot of branches, but best described as Pillar)
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Based on the above, CFCFI is in no fighting mood. ( Of course, because you are now on a provocative mood) We are for co-existence, not the annihilation of one at the expense of another. We have always striven to build bridges while the other side seems to be for burning them. (This is a total lie) We therefore reiterate our call to consider each other as brethren, hewn from the same stock, but with different callings. (And what calling ? If you have changed CLP t o CLS, and so many others, then that is your call, and that is different from CFC's call. Therefore, live out with that call, but leave CFC alone. Let us live out the CFC Global theme of loving one another so that at the end, we are rewarded by God with Joy. (They said if you love someone...you shall set her free.) We extend our hand of Peace because together we should "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13,14). "Together, let us beat our swords into plowshares" and never look back. (Please accept our handshake of peace too, may you go in peace)
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CFC-FFL