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Sunday, April 03, 2005
Concern for Pope crosses religious boundaries
By Jujeway G. Awit
CEBU CITY -- Everyday since this papacy began in 1978, Natividad Pañares-Antonio, 83, has prayed for Pope John Paul II.
Antonio remembers being touched at seeing the pope bless over 10,000 people gathered at St. Peter's Square last Easter Sunday, despite his frail health.
"He was clearly weak, but he still showed up," said Antonio, a catechist at the Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral for 33 years now.
Now that the Pope's death seems imminent, Antonio's prayer has turned poignant.
"Naglisod naman kaayo siya. Maski mahimong masulob-on ang kalibutan sa iyang sitwasyon, mas maayo gihapon na ato nalang dawaton, og i-ampo na lang nato ang iyang kalag para magmalinawon. Mura siya'g si Hesus, maluloy-on, og mayo," said Antonio.
(He is struggling. While the world grieves over his plight, perhaps it would be better for us to accept, and pray for peace for his soul. He is just like Jesus, merciful and good.)
Global icon
All over the world, people like Antonio watched and prayed as the Pope's health swiftly deteriorated last Thursday. The sorrow and concern crossed religious bounds.
"Muslims, Protestant leaders are praying. The Pope was friendly, open and concerned about the welfare of the other churches," said Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal Saturday.
"He was the first Pope to visit a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim center of worship in Constantinople. Anywhere he goes, he's welcome," added the cardinal.
The Archbishop's Palace is keeping in contact with the Vatican for developments on the Pope's condition. As soon as they receive a signal, Cardinal Vidal will fly to Rome, said archdiocesan spokesman Msgr. Achilles Dakay.
At 74, the archbishop of Cebu is one of nearly 200 cardinals worldwide who are eligible to vote and to be voted upon as Pope.
As the cardinal officiated a mass in honor of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Saturday, he asked devotees to "continue praying for the pope, who is in critical condition."
But he explained that the Pope was "fully conscious, serene and calm in the midst of his pains."
Ever since the Pope's health worsened more than two weeks ago, the Archdiocese has ordered a special prayer after every communion rite.
Prayer
"Lord God, look down on His Holiness John Paul II, who is all Yours. Please fill his mind and heart with Your peace and with Your love. Make his patient endurance of pain and suffering a model and an inspiration for all Your children throughout the world."
"Lead him back, through his sickness, to the fullness of health and strength and the joy of living, so that he may continue to lead all to You and remain a channel of grace for all of us who love him."
Throughout the day, while the news from Rome remained grim, international news networks aired video clips that highlighted the pope's popularity and influence, even among non-Catholics.
Cardinal Vidal recalled the days when the Pope was "so enthusiastic about spending the good news of Christ everywhere. That's why he always wanted to go around the world to share to the people the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ, especially to the young."
The cardinal assured the whole Catholic ministry that the eventual loss of Pope John Paul II will not unsettle the church. "The Lord has promised 'I am with you until the end of times.' This is why the Holy Pope is the only one who cannot resign from service."
God's will
For now, all the faithful can do is pray.
The Couples for Christ and Oasis of Love in Cebu have asked their members to ardently pray for the Pope.
Oasis' weekly mass and vigil, which stretched from 9 p.m. Friday until Saturday morning, was centered on praying for the Pope's health. The group closely monitored developments through a priest-member who is at the Vatican.
"We recognize that in every beginning there is an end. We just pray that if God takes Pope John Paul II, an equally good leader will take his place. If the Father takes him away, there must be a real purpose behind it," said Pedro Arela, head of family ministry for Couples for Christ.
Said Cardinal Vidal: "If the will of God is that he should stay, we will pray for that. If the Pope should really be taken by Him, then that's up to Him. We should continue to persevere in praying for the Holy Father, whatever God wills for him." (With AIV)
(April 3, 2005 issue)
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Filipinos told to prepare for Pope's demise