Friday, November 16, 2007 Vidal to politicians: Shun personal interests
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged government leaders to align political and economic activities with the thrusts of the church.
Politicians should not do something that is against the objectives of the church and religion, he said.
“Hinaot unta nga ang ubang mga tulomanon sa kagamhanan ug sa patigayon nga ipahigayon, sibo gayod ug sumala sa kabala-anan sa relihiyon (I hope all political and economic activities uphold the sacredness of religion),” Vidal said in a homily at the National Shrine of Birhen sa Regla Parish in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.
He said politicians should not take advantage of the church for their personal interests at the expense of others.
“Wala unta’y magpaka-aron ingnon. Wala unta’y magpaka-himudsanon sa bisan unsang higayon (No one should be pretentious. No one should take advantage of others),” he said.
“Nagpadayon usab ang kadawo sa gahum ug kahakog sa dungog, diri ug didto, karon ug unya. Gipakabaliwala ang pagsulti sa tinuod, pagsubay sa mga lagda sa hustisya, pagtuman sa mga sugo sa gugma ug ang pag-amping sa kagawasan sa uban (There is still greed for power and prestige everywhere. Truth and justice, love and concern for others are ignored),” he said.
With the political and social problems in the country, Vidal prayed that political leaders will be enlightened.
“I always pray for them and I invite everybody to pray in their own way,” he told reporters.
In his homily for the fourth novena mass for the city’s annual fiesta, Vidal advised the people not to be scared of the social problems today.
“Unta makamao kita mo-antos ug dili kita matarantar, ug dili magkapuliki (We should learn how to suffer and stay calm),” he said.
He prayed for the success of the Fiesta of the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Regla as one of the church’s activities and responsibilities.
Vidal also advised former President Estrada to just “try to help the poor” instead of running again for public office.
In previous reports, Estrada said he won’t run for another position in the government and will just focus on helping the masses. (TEP)
