Monday, April 02, 2007 Cardinal gives youth poll advice
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal appealed to the youth’s idealism and advised them to avoid giving in to those who buy votes in the elections this May.
He encouraged them to research on the rightful candidates to vote for “because the country will be affected due to poor choices of leaders.”
“Ang atong maayong buhaton karon mao ang pag-aghat sa mga kabatan-onan sa ilang pagka-idealistic. Nituo ako nga sa inyong pagka-idealistic dili, kamo matintal dayon sa kwarta nga ihatag (The best thing to do is appeal to your idealism. Being idealistic, you can resist the temptation of taking the money for your votes),” he told over 3,000 youths gathered for the 22nd Local World Youth Day (LWYD) in Alcantara town.
He gave the advice after one youth asked him for guidance because a fellow youth coordinating council officer in their parish was tapped by a local candidate to help in the campaign.
“There is a big chance he’ll (be) involved in vote-buying. The council is (now) broken up into two. One is that of the C-Cimpel (Cebu Citizens Involvement in Maturation and People’s Empowerment for Liberation) volunteers and the other is (composed of those) campaigning for that local candidate. What should we do?” he said.
The cardinal replied that while helping C-Cimpel does not enrich volunteers and make their stomachs full, it helps lend credibility to the elections.
He met the LWYD delegates during a vigil Saturday night and stayed on for yesterday’s dawn mass.
Earlier, the participants had their cultural night on the first day and an inter-parochial tour on the second day.
He advised them to save money; to bring a Bible wherever they go, especially if they are working in call centers; to attend mass every Sunday; and to bring their friends to Bible studies, to the church, and to join youth groups.
“Also, don’t be greedy over the overtime rate. This would show if you are working for the money or for God,” he added.
Vidal likewise challenged the Commission on Youth to come up with programs to address the spiritual aspect of a call center agent’s life.
Since yesterday was Palm Sunday, he said it should serve as reminder for the youth to be like Jesus Christ, who was humble enough to accept the course of his life “without anger or regret.” (NRC)
