Saturday, May 10, 2008 CBCP says Pope can't visit RP
AN OFFICIAL of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the much awaited visit of Pope Benedict XVI in the country is unlikely to happen at this time, owing it to the busy schedule of the Pontiff.
CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said they have asked for the Pope to visit to the country in a formal letter sent in July 2007 signed by him and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales.
"The reply was categorically 'no' for the time being due to many schedules that have been filled up," he said.
However, he said they would try to invite again the Holy Father but they are waiting for the right timing, as they want to make sure that it would not be turned down.
"Probably, when he has time, Pope Benedict surely would love to visit Asia, particularly Asia's largest Catholic country, the Philippines," Lagdameo added.
Earlier, Pamalakaya, a group composed of fisher folks urged the CBCP to invite the Holy Father to the country for him to personally see the real human rights situation in the country.
Two Pontiffs have visited the country in the past. They are Pope Paul VI (1970) and Pope John Paul II (1981 and 1995).
The 1995 mass of the late John Paul II at the Luneta Park in Manila for the World Youth Day was recorded as the single largest event in Christian history after it was attended by eight million people.
Pope Benedict recently went to the US, where he addressed the United Nations (UN) assembly to put premium in addressing human rights situations.
He is set to visit Australia this July for the World Youth Day celebration. (FP/Sunnex)
