|
Monday, September 29, 2003
Vidal tells priests: Answer charges
CEBU -- When accusations against a member of the clergy and the church are reported in the media, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wants his priests to stand up and use their right to reply.
Vidal said that the media should give the priests the right to reply and that priests should use this right at all times.
Aside from asserting their communication rights, priests should also use their Sunday masses to advise parishioners to observe the schedule for registration, as one way to help ensure honest elections next year.
In his second-day novena mass last Saturday night for the 70th founding anniversary of the Sto. Rosario parish, the cardinal said that “in their state of life and their lifestyle,” priests should follow the works and attitude of Christ as much as possible, “like his strength and courage in making his identity known, that he is alter-Christus.”
In an interview after the mass, Vidal told Sun.Star the concerned priest’s comment must always be sought to give the priest a chance to reply and clarify the issue.
“But for priests who prefer to remain silent, then what can we do, that is also their privilege. We cannot oblige everybody to do things we want them to do,” he said.
Vidal also expressed hopes that the media would match the exposure they give to the wrongdoing of some individuals with equal exposure for the efforts and time spent in spreading and witnessing the gospel by those who are good.
News organizations, including Sun.Star Cebu, have opposed the right-to-reply bill in Congress,arguing that it’s not necessary as the right is already practiced even without legislation and the bill infringes on freedom of the press because of prior restraint.
Last Saturday, the Roman Catholic Church also celebrated the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, who focused his work on the formation of the clergy and education for the youth.
“The priests should be strong and courageous not only within the church, but also outside the church, not just during the holy mass but also after the mass. Not only in the pulpit but also in the newspaper, over the radio and on television because in reality, they have the right to reply,” Vidal said in his homily.
“Ngano nga magpakahilum man siya kun pananglit, gi ACDC (attack, collect-defend, collect) ang Dios, si Cristo ug ang iyang simbahan? Dili ba iya usab nga duty, ug dili lang right to reply? Enough is enough sa mga katungod, ari na usab kita sa mga katungdanan,” he continued. (We’ve said enough about rights, let us speak of responsibilities as well.)
The cardinal urged devotees of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and the faithful to reflect on the mysteries of Light and pray for the renewal of the clergy.
The special period of grace declared by the cardinal for the Sto. Rosario Parish church will continue up to Oct. 5, its 70th founding anniversary. LCR/Sun.Star Cebu
(September 29, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Artica subcontractors confess dome unsafe