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Saturday, April 09, 2005
Legaspi: Really?
By Carlos Legaspi, Jr.
Questions That Matter
THE Pope is now laid to rest. Eternal rest unto Pope John Paul II. By April 18, we shall kneel and pray in unity with the Sacred College of Cardinals as they enter into the conclave to choose the next Pope. Let us pray with them for a "Habemus Papam."
While we joyfully and sorrowfully mourn for the passing away of our great Holy Father, a group of misinformed men are sowing intrigues that the Philippine Catholic Church is infiltrated by communists. Can't they wait? What a shame, these uniformed (pardon uninformed) men has no respect for the dead.
First, they have some of the youth view a film (Knowing The Enemy). This was a film prepared by this uninformed gentlemen about communist infiltration in many of the institutions in the country.
Secondly, they have the ladies and gentlemen of the urban and rural communities to be cleansed of any leftist ideology. The Philippine Armed Forces are like hungry wolves ready to devour anyone suspected to be against the useless ideology they want to convince the people to believe in.
In a certain part of the film, the producers identified the institutions being infiltrated or propagate their contra-ideology. They mentioned that cause-oriented groups and particularly mentioned the Roman Catholic Church led by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. It seems that those who have identified these groups are really confident on their allegations.
Today, these well-distinguished uniformed (uninformed) men are also issuing statements that schools and universities in the province are being infiltrated.
These men, I salute, have really a very good intelligence networking. They really know their enemies. They really do their jobs (do they?).
Anyway, let us contemplate more on the baseless and irresponsible statements our supposed protectors are making. It is a very irresponsible act for these institutions to propagate division among the people and the religious institutions. The Church has nothing in mind but simply to answer the spiritual needs and moral needs of the people.
However, the Catholic Church cannot just talk about morality and spirituality without touching political and social issues and concerns. One of the concerns that the Church is focused on is the issue of Human Rights violations and graft and corruption.
With the Philippine Church strong stand on these issues, the institutions affected by the strong stand are now avenging. The Church is always and had always been ready for this humiliation coming from groups and institutions that are practicing such immoral acts.
I pray that the Princes of the Catholic Church in the Philippines would come out and speak strongly against accusations made by irresponsible uninformed men. I also pray that it is the moral obligation of each and every catholic to correct and to strongly condemn this irresponsible act of the producers of such film.
If the uninformed men really want to humiliate and downgrade the Church leaaders and workers, they should have at least waited after the burial of the Pope or until a new Pope has been elected. Let us respect one another.
I really admire the Philippine Army in Negros for really focusing on their anti-insurgency programs in the province. I admire them but I hope they will be responsible enough not just to follow orders but they have to be critical on what they say and inform the people. Anyway, our men in uniform are just victims of commands made by higher officers.
The accusations in whatever manner should always be factual. I do not know what facts can the counter-insurgency campaign convenors could present, in case asked to present facts and data? I guess the uniformed producers should come out and correct their errors. This would be patriotic and heroic on their part once they come out and tell the truth and stop sowing intrigues and divisive tactics.
I do not do not deny that there are members and leaders of the Catholic Church that embrace the leftist ideology, but this does not give the uniformed men the authority to accuse the whole Church. The argument seems to be illogical and immoral. It is like saying that since an army general has been proven to be practicing graft and corruption, and then all their members are practicing graft and corruption. Wow, what a very dangerous argument.
Let us all be vigilant but let us also be responsible in accusing or branding our brothers. Let us all work for social transformation and help our religious leaders in bringing heaven here on earth and now.
Why are these uniformed (uninformed) men afraid of the bible, the host and the crucifix? What are they afraid of? Great questions were posted by my dear colleague Super Wennie Estares of RGMA Saksi.
If working for social transformation and justice is communism, then count me in. Pope John Paul II, Pray for us.
For comments, send email to ecaloy@yahoo.com.sg
(April 9, 2005 issue)
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