Vote for bets who are pro-life: Vidal

FOUR months before the national and local elections, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal called on the people to prepare for the elections.

Vidal said voters should be guided morally and spiritually so that they will elect candidates who adhere to the Catholic Church’s pro-life advocacy.

“Mao man gani nga ang angayan gayud natong bag-ohon mao ang atong mga batasan, ang atong mga taras, ang atong mga mithi, aron makab-ut na gayod nato ang atong gipangandoy nga kalambuan (That’s why we should change our attitude, our habits, our ideals, so we can attain our dream of progress for our nation),” he said in his homily during the mass at the Sto. Niño Church.

“Ang dagway sa atong politika nagpaila lamang sa dagway sa atong personal nga kinaiya (Our politics reflects our personal life),” he said.

Vidal, who was Archbishop of Cebu for 29 years, was the presider at the second of the nine-day novena masses in honor of the Holy Child Jesus at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

He said the challenges of the New Year are the preparations for the coming elections and the political issues that affect Cebu at present.

“The Church’s intention is not to meddle in political issues, but in molding the people so they can choose officials with valor and honesty in service,” he said.

He said the aim is to uphold the spiritual and moral aspects of the elections.

The 81-year-old prelate told about 4,000 devotees gathered at the Pilgrim Center that the process of choosing political candidates also reflects the human values and motivations of the voters.

“If we prioritize the needs of others, we will be able to choose leaders with vision, with a good and practical plan for the country even if we do not personally know them,” he said.

“Apan kung gihatagan nato og bili ang kinabuhi sa tawo, ma-bata man o ma-tigulang, sad-an man o inosente, dili gayud ta mopili nianang mosuporta sa pagpatay sa bata sa sabakan, nianang magtudlo sa kabataan og malaw-ay nga mga buhat, nianang mopatay sa gituohang kriminal bisan walay makiangayong proseso. (If we value human life, whether young or old, guilty or innocent, we will choose not those who support abortion, those who choose those who choose young people immoral acts, those who kill criminals without due process),” he added.

Vidal opposed the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill for years until it was signed into law as Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 by President Benigno Aquino III last month.

In an interview, Cardinal Vidal told reporters he has opted to focus on the elections for his Sinulog message this year.

He has done so in the light of the message of Pope that bishops should help in the formation in the conscience of the people.

“The politicians are not there (in office) for themselves,” he said.