Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP)
AbbreviationSCAP
FormationApril 12, 1936
TypeCatholic Youth Organization
AffiliationsInternational Young Catholic Students (IYCS)
Websitehttps://www.scaphilippines.org/
The Standard Orientation Program given at the SCA Office

The Student Catholic Action is a religious student organization in the Philippines. Its affiliation overseas is the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS), also known as International Young Christian Students in Asia, that follows the methodology of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, the see-judge-act methodology. Known to be the first student religious organization in the Philippines and presently known all over the Philippines through local dioceses and catholic schools (public & private high schools).

It defines itself as an organized group of students striving to become a community of disciples of Jesus Christ by being evangelized and evangelizing. The cell, a small group of students, is the basic unit of the movement, and is essential to it.

Every three years, the leaders meet in a National Conference, the highest decision-making body of the movement. The Conference elects a National Coordinating Council (NCC), comprising a Cluster Coordinator together with a College Representative and a High School Representative, for a three-year term. The NCC meets twice a year. The National Secretariat comprising the executive director, Executive Secretary and the Liaison Officers for each region (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) run programs with the help of the National Formation Team.

As of 2014 there were about 300 universities, colleges and secondary schools affiliated with the Student Catholic Action.

Our Story

The Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) is an organized group of students striving to become a community of disciples of Jesus Christ by being evangelized and evangelizing.[1] We are a non-stock, non-profit organization duly registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Registration No: CN201014323. SCAP is a national student movement recognized by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY). It is a member of the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO) and affiliated with the International Young Christian Students (IYCS) with consultative status on UNESCO and United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

SCAP is a campus-based organization that forms students to become socially aware and effective leaders in the community through the five areas of concerns- (1) Values Education, (2) Social Justice, (3) Environmental Sustainability, (4) Science and Technology, (5) IT and Social Media. SCAP serves more than 80 years of molding consistent student leaders for the church and society. It applies the inquiry method of see-judge-act in seeing reality and deeply reflecting its actions. The organization was founded by Columban priest, Edward McCarthy, SSC in UP Manila. It started as a scholastic philosophy club with an aim to counter the anti-Christian attacks of the growing atheism in the campus on April 12, 1936.

The Student Catholic Action has its own share of Magsaysay Awardees in the person of Chief Justice Hilario Davide in the category of government service. SCA alumni shone in the other sectors of society. In the field of governance, the late Senator Raul Roco exemplified the virtue of Christian leadership. CHED Commissioner Patricia Licuanan dedicated herself to education and women. SCAP also contributed many talents in the field of NGO work. Carmencita Abella, Magsaysay Awards Foundation President and Fe Revita - Arriola of the Consuelo Foundation are worth mentioning. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma= are inducted SCAns. Presently, SCAP is present in over 20 arch/dioceses in the country clustered into six, namely, Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao.

Vision and Mission

VISION

We envision Filipino student leaders committed to transform their organizations, schools and parishes by witnessing to Gospel Values in Word and Action.

MISSION

We commit to the formation of Catholic student leaders, using the cell technique and contact method, to live out their faith-values (justice, peace, mercy and love) in collaborative, integrative, and sustainable development action.

History

The beginning

SCA was founded in 1936 as a loosely formed city-wide association and was formally approved on April 12, 1936, by Archbishop Michael O’Doherty. The first unit was formed in the University of the Philippines by Columban Father Edward J. McCarthy in 1936, where it is still active today as UPSCA- Diliman. SCA later became an organization with Chapters in most educational institutions in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Later in 1936 the organization extended its objectives to preparing Manila's students for participation in the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress.

Until the start of the Second World War SCA organized religion classes in non-sectarian schools with special student Masses in Sta. Cruz Church, and held annual rallies and regular convocations.

Dormant stage and suspension

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines the SCA registered with the occupying authorities and continued for a time with its regular student Masses, but eventually all activities ceased.

Revival and expansion

After the war, in 1948, SCA was recognized by Columban Father James V. MacDevitt at the request of the Archbishop of Manila. With the immediate objective of establishing religion classes in non-sectarian and public schools, SCA was first organized in Catholic schools for the main purpose of providing the many catechists required.

In 1949 the post-war SCA was formally inaugurated at UST Chapel, with 18 Catholic schools forming the nucleus of the organization. In the first twenty post-war years the number of school members in the Archdiocese of Manila increased to 138 including Catholic, non-sectarian and public schools. During the same period SCA was extended to practically all the archdioceses and dioceses of the Philippines.

Consolidation

In 1950, the First SCA Leadership Conference was held in Baguio. Two years after, it was mandated by the Philippine Hierarchy as member of the Catholic Action of the Philippines. Then the SCA affiliated with the Pax Romana International Movement of Catholic Students in 1955. It affiliated with the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) the next year. Leadership Training Schools ere initiated by Michael Nolan, SSC in 1957. The movement hosted the Pax Romana International Conference held in Manila from December 26, 1960, to January 9, 1961. It was participated in by more than 44 countries all over the world. The First SCA National Congress was convened in Iloilo from May 24 to 29, 1962.

The main activity of catechetical instruction continued, but became one of many varied activities embraced in the five "SCA Areas of Concern".

Crisis

SCA started to experience crisis in 1969. Heightened student activism affected SCA, especially during the martial law years. Student organizations like SCA were banned.

New life

In 1978 the Campus Ministry, which traces its roots from SCA, was introduced. Religious instruction was officially allowed and catechists were organized.

The SCA called for a National Conference in Cebu in 1980. It called for a National Constitutional Convention, the last attempt to retain the national coordination, held in Manila in 1984. The national SCA coordination was disbanded, although diocesan coordination and units in the different parts of the country continued to exist.

In the January 1989 National Conference of Youth Ministers (NCYM), the rest of the active SCA diocesan groups presented and passed a resolution requesting the Episcopal Commission on Youth – National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate (ECY-NSYA) to take charge of coordinating the existing SCA units nationwide. As a result, there was a national consultation meeting of SCA in July 1989, spearheaded by the NSYA. Jose Sumampong of Diocese of Tagbilaran was appointed as National Chaplain of SCA.

The SCA now holds archdiocesan, regional, and national conferences, and is present in more than thirty dioceses in the Philippines.

The SCA Manila logo

The logo has a cross with rays at its center, representing Jesus Christ. The seven rays of the cross represent the Seven Sacraments. The border consists of three parallel lines and starting from left-below to form an imaginary spiral movement and ending to form an arrow towards top-right represents the following:

Three lines. The three parallel lines starting from left-below, represent the three major regions of the country, namely: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Second part of the border, where the parallel lines converge to form an arrow, represents the holy trinity. The God the Father, God the Son and The Holy Spirit.

SCA Hymnn

An Army of Youth

Flying the standard of truth

We are fighting for Christ the Lord

Heads lifted high Catholic Action our cry

And the Cross our only sword

On Earth's battlefield

Never a vantage we'll yield

As dauntlessly on we swing

Comrades true Dare and Do

‘Neath the Queens White and Blue

For our flag, for our faith, for Christ the King

Christ lifts His hands

The King commands, His challenge:

” Come and Follow Me!”

From every side with eager stride

We form in the lines of victory

Let foeman lurk and laggards shirk

We throw our fortunes with the Lord

Mary’s Son, ’til the world is won

We have pledged you our loyal word.

“To Christ the King: Our Love and Loyalty!”

Archdiocese of Manila

The SCA Manila logo

The public high schools In the Archdiocese of Manila participate in the movement and activities of SCA. Also Colleges and Universities within the location is the biggest population since many schools here have SCA for a long time. The SCA-AM office is located in the San Lorenzo Ruiz Student Catholic Center in Legarda St. As of 2014 there were 10 public high schools, 2 private schools, and 4 clusters of colleges and universities that belongs to this locality.

Presence of SCA in the different (arch)dioceses

The Student Catholic Action of the Philippines is present in more than 30 arch/dioceses. The National Conference and National Coordinating Council divided the country into 6 clusters, Northern Luzon Cluster, Central Luzon Cluster, Southern Luzon Cluster, Visayas Cluster, Mindanao Cluster and National Capital Region Cluster.

Northern Luzon Cluster: 1. Diocese of Baguio-Benguet 2. Diocese of Alaminos, Pangasinan 3. Diocese of Abra, Bangued

Central Luzon Cluster: 1. Diocese of Tarlac 2. Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga 3. Diocese of Malolos 4. Diocese of Iba, Zambales 5. Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija 6. Diocese of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija 7. Diocese of Balanga, Bataan

Southern Luzon Cluster & Bicol Region: 1. Diocese of Lucena 2. Diocese of Gumaca, Quezon 3. Diocese of Legazpi 4. Archdiocese of Caceres, Naga

Visayas Cluster: 1. Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol 2. Diocese of Talibon, Bohol 3. Archdiocese of Cebu 4. Diocese of Bacolod 5. Diocese of San Jose, Antique 6. Diocese of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental 7. Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo

Mindanao Cluster: 1. Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro 2. Diocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon 3. Diocese of Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur 4. Archdiocese of Davao 5. Diocese of Tandag 6. Diocese of Butuan

National Capital Region Cluster: 1. Archdiocese of Manila 2. Diocese of Cubao 3. Diocese of Antipolo 4. Diocese of Parañaque 5. Diocese of Novaliches 5. Diocese of Caloocan 6. Diocese of Imus 7. Diocese of Pasig

Affiliations

The Student Catholic Action has been affiliated with the following federation and associations:

  • AYOM - Archdiocesan Youth Organizations and Movements
  • CM - Campus Ministry
  • FNYO - Federation of National Youth Organizations
  • CODE-M - Coalition for Decency and Morality-Youth
  • EASYNet - Ecumenical Asia-Pacific Youth and Students Network (PhilNet)

References

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