Fr. Thomas Euteneuer and Dr. Ligaya Acosta, November 11-15, 2007

November saw a changing of the guard at Human Life International-Asia, as HLI President, Fr. Tom Euteneuer, announced in Bangkok the appointment of Dr. Ligaya Acosta as HLI Representative to Asia and the Pacific effective November 12, 2007.  Dr. Acosta took over from long time Executive Director, Dr. Orestes Monzon.  Both are from the Philippines.

Dr. Acosta is not new to HLI.  Thanks in large part to the influence of Dr. Rene Bullecer of HLI-Pilipinas, she had an amazing conversion in 2004 from being a firm believer in population control and an avid promoter of sterilization and contraceptives for 28 years to a staunch pro-life advocate and activist in her country. Since that time, she has been actively working with HLI-Pilipinas and HLI-Asia in organizing many activities to defend human life, faith, marriage, and the family and exposing the deadly deception of the culture of death - of which she was once a part.   She was also with the team of Fr. Euteneuer and Dr. Brian Clowes, who went on a five-day pro-life mission tour in Sri Lanka in October 2005. It is interesting to note that Dr. Acosta once considered HLI's representative in her country as her "mortal enemy!"  Never did she realize that one day she would jump over the fence and have HLI as her greatest ally!

Dr. Acosta brings with her a wealth of experience in both the anti-life and pro-life fields, and most importantly, an unquestionable passion and commitment to defend life, faith, and the family.

In recognition of her commitment to the pro-life cause, her archdiocese awarded her with a Plaque of Recognition in February 2006, and in October 2006, during the 13^th  Asia Pacific Congress on Love, Life, and the Family held in Cebu City, Philippines, she was also awarded the "Father Paul B. Marx Pro-Lifetime Award" "in recognition of her all out efforts and unselfish service in the defense of Faith, Life, and the Family."

As the leadership in our Asia Pacific office changes, we take this opportunity to thank Dr. Orestes Monzon and his wife, Dr. Edna Monzon, as well as Mr. Marlon Ramirez and all the HLI-Asia co-workers for their diligent decade and a half of work on behalf of life in the most populous region of the world. Not the least of HLI-Asia's accomplishments has been the planning and execution of 14 Asia Pacific Congresses in the strong HLI-Fr. Marx tradition. Blessings and thanks to those in our HLI-Asia family!

14th CONGRESS ON LOVE, LIFE, AND THE FAMILY: BANGKOK, THAILAND, NOVEMBER 11-15, 2007

The 14^th Asia Pacific Congress on Love, Life, and the Family was held November 12-14, 2007, at the scenic Pastoral Training Center in Bangkok, Thailand.  It was hosted by HLI's representative, Pro-Life Movement-Thailand, who, despite being relatively new in the field, did an excellent hosting job. Great credit goes to Mrs. Usanee Nanasilp for her magnificent organizational skills.

Attended by 240 registered participants, the Philippines registered the highest number of attendees (56), second only to the host country of Thailand (100 participants). This year's Congress had the most countries represented of all previous Congresses, including India (13 delegates); Sri Lanka (2);  Indonesia (5); Hong Kong (2); Malaysia (3); Myanmar (3); Singapore (2); China (2); Japan (1); Laos (5); Cambodia (8); and Vietnam (2), in addition to Thailand, the Philippines, and the United States.  Truly, HLI-Asia Family has grown through the years!

The tone of the congress was set with the Presentation of the Participants, hosted by Dr. Acosta and Attorney Jo Imbong, Legal Officer for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.  Dr. Acosta proudly introduced herself as the 9^th of 11 children, publicly expressing gratitude to God that her parents did not practice birth control, for otherwise she would not be in the world today. Attorney Imbong, for her part, proudly announced that she is the mother of eight children!

The theme of the Congress was "Interfaith Dialogue and Solidarity on the Value and Meaning of Life," featuring speakers who explained the life teachings from Buddhism, Islam, and the Hindu religions. However, the Asia Pacific Congress is always the venue through which HLI speakers evangelize different cultures about the teachings of the Catholic Church on the life issues. His Excellency, Archbishop Louis Chamniern Santisukniran of Thailand spoke on "The Value and Meaning of Life," and Fr. Socorro Mendez of Goa, India, explained the teachings of Pope John Paul II on the contemporary challenge of the culture of death. HLI President Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer spoke on "The Safe Sex Hoax: Exposing the Deceptions of Contraceptive Mentality" and "Street Advocacy: The Challenges of Sidewalk Counseling and Prayer Services."

Each day included either the Rosary or the Holy Mass or both. His Eminence, Cardinal Michael Kitbunchu, was the main celebrant for the opening Mass.  The Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, read messages from the Holy Father and the Pontifical Council for the Family to bless our event. The Holy Father's message emphasized "the irreplaceable role of the family, through which the future of the world passes." "Each human life," he said, "is God's precious gift, is the incarnate love of God, is the concrete presence of God, is God's good news, and thus is sacred, precious, and inviolable."

Overall, the 14^th Asia Pacific Congress was a success.  With superb preparations, sumptuous food, and the impressive Thai architectural designs and eye-catching orchids strewn all over the stage, our hosts left no stone unturned to make everyone feel welcome.

NATIONAL LOFE, LIFE AND FAMILY CONFERENCE: CHALLENGES OF TEH MALAYSIAN FAMILY-MIRI, MALAYSIA, NOVEMBER 17-18 2007.

More than 300 participants came from all over Malaysia as well as the nearby countries of Brunei and Singapore for this national conference hosted by the Human Life Service (HLS), HLI's long-time associate in Malaysia. The participants comprised various sectors, many of them doctors and nurses still doing contraception and sterilization services. Some of them cried as they heard the talks-and shared their guilt-with the speakers. Two bishops attended the entire conference: our host bishop of Miri diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Lee Kok Hin; and the Bishop of Kuching, Most Rev. Datuk John Lee.

TRUE CHAMPIONS OF LIFE IN MALAYSIA

Bishop Lee shared how he was severely persecuted for his pro-life convictions and work and was called "mentally ill," even by fellow bishops, who publicly called for prayers for his recovery!  However, judging from the fast growing number of devoted Catholics in Miri and the publicly recognized work of the center, Bishop Lee's programs and projects flourish.  "By their fruits you will know them."

Human Life Service is a powerful witness to the profound impact of the work of HLI.  It was established shortly after Bishop Lee attended an HLI Conference in 1994 in the United States of America, where he says he was greatly moved and inspired to start a pro-life center to serve people regardless of race, religion, and status. Today, after 12 years, HLS has expanded to include a Home for Unwed Mothers, which we visited.  It is a very functional office located right in the heart of Miri and also houses a very comfortable Counseling Center.  The staff says that most of their appliances and equipment are "second hand" - donated by generous people who believe in their cause. 

A PHENOMENAL CONFERENCE

The two-day program had the following topics: 

"Keeping the Culture of Death Out of Malaysia," "Bioethics," and "The Spiritual Dimension of the Battle of Life," by Fr. Tom; "The Myth of Overpopulation and the Fight for Life in Asia," "Pills, Condoms and Other Stories," by Dr. Acosta; "Legal and Moral Anchor for Pro-Life Advocacy," by Attorney Jo Imbong; and several great talks on marriage and family by Dr. John Wong, National President of NFP Service of Malaysia.

The congress was vividly spirit-filled.  The homilies and songs pierced everybody's heart, and the talks were overwhelmingly received.  Even after the conference finished, the speakers were still pursued by throngs of participants who hungered for more and who had their own stories to share.  The truth still sets people free! Participants from the neighboring country of Brunei even wanted to bring the speakers back with them, but this was not possible at that moment. HLI is very blessed to be doing what Pope John Paul II calls, "the greatest work on earth!"

Because of this great success, it was decided that Miri would host the 16^th Asia Pacific Congress in 2009.  Aside from its perfect organizational skills and the full support of the bishop, Malaysia is strategically located in central Asia, which would allow many participants from surrounding Asian countries to be able to attend.  Truly, it is an occasion to look forward to.