Tagbilaran Diocese endorses and recognizes JACSHIC Catholic charismatic group of Bohol

Bishop Alberto Uy

The Diocese of Tagbilaran formally endorses and recognizes the Rev. Fr. Jose Augusto C. Sision Holy Infant Community (JACSHIC)-Bohol chapter also known as the Holy Infant Community (HIC) of Tinago, Dauis as part of the Catholic charismatic group renewal movement in the said diocese.

Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy, in a letter dated May 12, 2021, formally endorses and recognizes the group.

“By this letter, I wish to formally ENDORSE and RECOGNIZE the Holy Infant Community based in Tinago, Dauis, Bohol and acknowledge this group as part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Diocese of Tagbilaran,” the bishop wrote in his letter.

Bishop Uy also wrote: “The Holy Infant Community conducts activities which are very much in line with our adhered Catholic convictions and have demonstrated catholicity in their beliefs- i.e. monthly confessions, participation in Sunday masses/liturgies, reception of holy communion, regular prayer meetings in their homes and spiritual center, prayer vigils and other endeavors that bring people to conversion in Jesus through the exercise of their multi-faceted charismatic gifts.”

The bishop added in his letter, “This endorsement and recognition is inspired by my utmost paternal concern and good wishes for all those who strive for holiness and sanctification in their day-to-day lives as followers of Christ. I trust that your support and participation to the undertakings of the Holy Infant Community would afford you with an invaluable experience which in turn enriches your Christian life.”

The letter is also signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Tagbilaran Fr. Agerio Paña.

The HIC becomes part of the worldwide Catholic charismatic renewal movement following the endorsement and recognition of the diocese of Tagbilaran.

The spiritual director Msgr. Jeff Malanog facilitated the endorsement and recognition of the said group.

ABOUT THE GROUP

In a telephone interview on May 15, 2021, Msgr. Malanog told The Bohol Tribune about the nature of the said Catholic charismatic group.

He explained that as a baptized Catholic, one has many ways to express his/her spirituality, and one of the ways is through joining a Catholic charismatic group.

The group’s objective is to find ways to lead a person who went astray to return to God’s fold and become a renewed Catholic.

Msgr. Malanog also said that as spiritual director of HIC, he is the one overseeing the group’s activities, the monitoring of the soundness of their teachings in relation to the Catholic doctrine and in providing direction about the group’s goals towards the sanctification of one’s self and others.

He further explained that everyone of us has the right to carve our own spirituality. By joining groups like JACSHIC, a person can also gain his or her own sanctification through works and by following the Church’s teachings.

The members of JACSHIC have chosen the form of spirituality provided by the Catholic charismatic movement because they want to offer sacrifices to God for the sake of other people so they can return to the fold of the Almighty.

The members offer sacrifices to God by praying the Rosary, holding prayer meetings and carry a literal cross around the group’s headquarters in Tinago, Dauis, Msgr. Malanog told The Bohol Tribune.

The carrying of a literal cross can be seen as a sacrifice offered for the remission of sins, the group’s spiritual director said.

For the members, these acts of spirituality will help them and other people to become closer to God.

Msgr. Malanog said that the group’s distinct practice of carrying a literal cross is a way for the members to share in the suffering of Jesus.

Everyday, several members of the community are clustered in a small group where they carry a literal cross as a form of sacrifice according to Malanog.

The community has been in existence in Dauis for at least 8 years already, Msgr. Malanog revealed.

The community here in Bohol is an extension of the community that originated in Mindanao back in 1989 and spread to other places including Bohol.

Msgr. Malanog also said that anyone who wishes to enhance his or her own spirituality is welcome to join the community.

In a separate interview, one of the JACSHIC leaders, Cylwin Bomediano bared the leadership structure of the said group.

He said that the president of the JACSHIC-Bohol chapter is Mayor Marietta Sumaylo, with Bomediano as the vice president.

Bomediano added that the group’s treasurer is Lucita Simporios.

According to Bomediano, other servant leaders of the group are Angelito Morala, Sister Salve Romanii Armacheulo, Jojo Lampa and Veneranda Dologin.