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The Church vis-à-vis the Global Situation. A Presentation by Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR. The Global Situation (including the Philippines) The Situation of the Church in the World (including the Philippines). The Global and Local Situation: An Overview. Global Situation: Economic.
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The Church vis-à-vis the Global Situation A Presentation by Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR
The Global Situation (including the Philippines) • The Situation of the Church in the World (including the Philippines)
Global Situation: Economic • Globalization of the economic system (dominance of the liberal capitalist system, open markets, high-tech) • Recession (esp. U.S., post-Sept. 11) • Emergence of European Economic Union and China as economic giants competing with the U.S. • Widening gap between the rich industrialized countries and the impoverished nations (Third World)
The Era of Globalization TheGlobal Village
Globalization • People around the globe are more connected to each other due to advancement in technology in communication and travel • Information and money flow more quickly than ever. • Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. • International travel is more frequent
Globalized Economic System • The open market (free trade) – The free flow of capital, goods and services. The lowering of trade barriers (tariffs, protectionist policies). Import liberalization. • Those who benefit: the highly industrialized societies and transnational corporations • Weakening of national economies of the Third World, due to dependent economic policies – leading the debt crisis, increasing poverty • Weakening of the labor movement • International illegal drug trade
Global Political Situation • The Democratization of political systems in former Iron Curtain (Eastern Europe) & former dictatorial regimes (Latin America). • The end of the Cold War era & the expanding political hegemony of the U.S. as the sole superpower. • The weakening of the U.N. (a debating society). • Heightened terrorist threat from Islamic militants • Continuing Instability in the Middle-East and in African
Global Socio-Cultural Situation • Amidst cultural pluralism, a growing U.S./Western cultural imperialism (consumerist, individualistic, permissive culture) promoted by the entry of consumer goods and the dominance of western-oriented mass media & entertainment industry (TV, movies) • Emergence of the MTV generation/ youth sub-culture throughout the world. • Increasing awareness of women’s rights and their active role in society.
Global Demographic Situation • There are now 6.2 billion people in the world • Almost zero population growth in rich countries in Europe and North America (the inverted pyramid) – Older people make up majority. Cause: effective birth control policy and high rate of abortion. • Growing population in the poor countries (Third World – Asia, Africa, Latin America). Majority are young. • Urbanization (more than half of the world’s population live in the urban area)
Philippine Economic Situation Continuing underdevelopment and widespread poverty
Philippine Economic Situation • Affected by globalization • Trade liberalization (free flow of capital and goods) has led to the weakening of the local industries and agriculture (lack of safety nets) • Contractualization of labor & high rate of unemployment (10%) • Continuing brain drain and export of labor (overseas contract worker) • Dependence on US economy – affected by US recession (less demand for Philippine exports) • Peace & order situation & terrorist threat affected the tourist industry
Philippine Political Landscape • Combination of elite democracy and politics of personalities (popularity contest). • Patronage politics and corruption
Philippine Political Landscape (con’t) Ongoing armed conflict and spiral of violence between the government and the MILF & NPA.
The NPA/CPP continue to wage armed struggle In the countryside. Armed attacks have increased.
Political Landscape (con’t) Continuing terrorist bombings and increasing US military presence (Balikatan exercises)
Demographic • 85.85 million Filipinos as of 2002 • Continuing population growth (2.1% per year) • More young people than old • In the urban centers and among middle-upper class slow population growth rate • Urban migration from the rural areas
Socio-Cultural • The persistence of traditional sacral-magical –fatalistic world-view side • Spread of Western values (e.g. consumerism, sexual permissiveness) side by side with traditional values (family-orientation, personalistic, etc.)
This is the contemporary situation in which the Church finds herself in.How does this affect the Church? How does the Church respond to this situation?