Lavish spending

HOW do you define lavish and extravagance? I think they are synonyms. Extravagance means “given to lavish or imprudent expenditures; exceeding reasonable bounds; excessive; unrestrained; exuberant.” Lavish also means “characterized by or produced with extravagance and profusion; unsparing; too generous; overgenerous; great expense.” Why do I ask this question? This is in view of the spending of the Cebu Archdiocese in the forthcoming canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. I hope local church officials won’t brand me as the “devil” if I raise this issue. Like other Roman Catholic faithful who are also questioning the church’s spending, I am just exercising my “freedom” to air my views and concerns regarding the church’s huge expenditures for this once-in-a-lifetime historical religious event.

Bobby G. Nalzaro

Saksi

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Msgr. Roberto Alesna, chairman of the finance committee on the canonization of Calungsod, told reporters they need an additional P30 million for the entire affair here and in Rome. They already have P30 million in cash donated by various individuals and corporations. The preparation of the templete where the thanksgiving mass will be held on Nov. 30 at South Road Properties also needs additional funding.

Now, are the preparations for Calungsod’s canonization too lavish and extravagant? I think so. The church has no funds for this purpose. It is only banking on the support of well-meaning Catholics. But why aspire to spend P60 million when they’ve only solicited P30 million. Do they think they can raise the additional amount a week before the much-awaited event? I can’t see the logic of our church officials.

And even if they can meet and raise the amount, it is very impractical for the church to spend it on the event. Church officials should have the delicadeza not to spend that much. They are the ones teaching us about “austerity measures” by advising us to live within our means. They are the one advising us not to hold fiestas, lavish weddings, baptismal and birthday celebrations if we don’t have the financial capability. But now, it seems they are the ones violating their own guidelines with regards to this Calungsod thing.

Instead of sending a delegation of 100 from the Cebu Archdiocese to the Vatican, some of whom will be doing nothing, why not just send a small delegation? Akong nahibaw-an daghan pari ang gipakuyog didto sa Vatican unya mao to sila’y gilibre sa simbahan. Unsa may mga trabaho ato didto. Wala? Magsuroy-suroy ra. Kung sa gobiyerno pa ni, junket. Private individuals spent their own money.

And why spend millions on the thanksgiving mass, which is a one-shot deal, by constructing a very expensive templete. Why not hold a simple and meaningful celebration instead? I support the suggestion and position of the group that calls itself the “Concerned Catholics in Cebu and Mandaue City Nga Nagpakabana.” They suggested holding a simultaneous mass in the different parishes under the Cebu Archdiocese. No more huge expenses. Why aspire to gather one million people to attend a mass, but end up spending millions in the process?

My suggestion was to hold the thanksgiving mass either at the Cebu City Sports Complex or in front of the Capitol building. Close the entire stretch of the Osmena Blvd., up to City Hall, like during the Sinulog and mount speakers and baffles along the street.

Or require the public to bring radio sets because I am quite sure almost all radio stations will cover the mass live. And dispatch the priests all over all the place to hold communion. Magdala sila’g buyot sudlan sa ustiyas. Wala pay gasto. Unsaon man nang templete ining human sa thanksgiving mass? Ang SM ray makapahimulos ana.

Si Pedro Calungsod simple ra kaayo tong tawo. Wala man gani toy klaro ug pihong address. Kung buhi pa to siya ron, morag ingnon niya ning taga simbahan, “Hoy, ayaw mog palabi ug gastu sa akong pagkasantos.”

(bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com)