Mindanawon priests’ books are finalists in 20th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 30 August 2026) – The book of Bukidnon parish priest and MindaNews columnist Fr. Reynaldo Raluto, “Integral Ecology Ministry: Doing Ecological Theology and Advocacy in Light of Laudato si’” is a finalist in two categories in the 20th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards (CSCBA): Ministry and Theology.
It is the lone book among 26 finalists that is being recognized in two categories, according to the announcement card posted by the CSCBA on Saturday, containing photos of the 26 book covers and the nine categories they belong to: Children, Youth, Family & Life, Ministry, Liturgy, Theology, Homiletics, Inspirational, and Spirituality. This year’s theme is “Preserving Human Faces and Voices” in celebration of the 60th World Day of Social Communications.
Published last year by the Mindanao Institute of Journalism, the publisher of MindaNews, “Integral Ecology” is one of three finalists in the Ministry category, along with “Imperfect Leadership: A Jesuit Reflects on His Journey” by another Mindanawon, Fr. Antonio “Tony” F. Moreno, SJ; and the e-book “On the Road to Ever After: A Pre-Cana Workshop Manual for Organizers and Speakers” by Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag.
Moreno’s book was published by the Xavier University Press in Cagayan de Oro City and Dumadag’s e-book is available at handsonparentwhilelearning.com.
For the Ministry category, the books must “illustrate or document the varied forms of Christian ministry in the Philippines, including faith-based advocacies, social/civic apostolate and projects.”
Raluto’s book is also a finalist in the Theology category, along with “Was COVID-19 the Will of God? Evil, Evolution, and Divine Involvement,” by Fr. Ramon Echica; and “Education for a Faith that Does Justice: Philippine Catholic Education in an Age of Globalization” by Rhoderick John S. Abellanosa.
Echica’s book was published by the Institute of Spirituality in Asia and Abellanosa’s by St. Pauls Philippines. Both authors are from Cebu.
For the Theology category, the books must “aid the study of and reflection on Catholic Christian faith and doctrine, including works in Scriptures, Patristic, Christology, Church and Morals.”
Finalists will receive Certificates of Recognition and will be invited to the Awards Ceremonies on September 10 at 4 p.m. at the Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Raluto has been serving as parish priest of Jesus Nazareno Parish in Libona, Bukidnon since 2021 and has been leading the Integral Ecology Ministry of his Diocese since 2022. He has recently been appointed to lead the Integral Ecology Ministry of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
From 2011 to 2021, he served as Academic Dean of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro where he also teaches fundamental/systematic theology and Catholic social teaching. Among his ecological advocacies are planting/growing Philippine native trees, mountain climbing, and active participation in the cultural and ecological activities of the Indigenous People Apostolate in his Diocese.
Moreno spent grade school, high school and college at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City where he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2003, and Vice President of Social Development in 2005. He was named President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in 2007 and Provincial Superior of the Philippine Jesuits in 2011.
The CSCBA Trophy is awarded to a winning entry that scores 90% and above while a Special Citation Plaque is awarded to a winning entry that scores below 90%.
“Today, we celebrate the stories, voices, and people who continue to enrich Catholic literature,” the Facebook page of the CSCBA said on Saturday.
The works of the finalists, it said, “remind us of the enduring mission of Catholic publishing: ‘To communicate the Gospel in ways that speak to the realities of our time and lead people toward what is true, good, and life giving.’”
In congratulating the finalists, the awards-giving body said: “May your works continue to reach readers, open conversations, deepen faith, and bring the light of the Gospel into the realities of everyday life.”
“May every book continue to become an instrument of encounter, allowing stories to be heard, human dignity to be seen, and the light of the Gospel to reach more hearts,” it said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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