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Sunday, April 03, 2005
Filipinos told to prepare for Pope's demise
MANILA -- As the Vatican admitted that Pope John Paul II is now near death, Filipino bishops advised Catholics in the country to be prepared and accept God's will for the Holy Father.
In Malacanang, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined the country and the world in praying for the ailing Pope.
Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the Pope, like ordinary people, is human and mortal whose time is destined.
But he said the Pope's death should not be meet with sadness.
"When he visited us, we shouted 'Mabuhay'. Now that he seems to be leaving us, we also shout 'Mabuhay!'" Cruz said.
Archbishop Cruz told the Catholics to remember how the Pope gave his love and strength to 1.1 billion Catholics worldwide.
"The value of human life. The significance of human dignity. The truth of human right. The imperative of human freedom. These are some of the teachings that he affirmed and confirmed. Thus it is he the Pope of the Church, but he is also the father of all people--irrespective of their race, color and creed. Only a Pope can serve that much. Only a father can love that well," Cruz said.
Cruz recalled how the 84-year-old pontiff showed so much dedication and devoted his life in revolutionalizing the Catholic Church.
"He was shot once. He was operated thrice. He has been sick and fragile for years. Yet humanity continued to be his flock. The globe has become his concern. The young people have been the object of his special affection. And rightly so, they are the hope of the Church. They are the future of the world," the prelate said.
But Cruz said despite his sufferings, the Holy Father continued to teach about the reality of God and life.
"Born for a mission. Endowed with a vision. Living in sanctity. Destined for immorality. This is Pope John Paul II. Now that he is sick and weak, he is still teaching about life and suffering, still preaching about hope and pain," he said.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, for his part, said only God knows our destiny.
"Let us entrust all to the Lord," said Iniguez.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo Saturday cited the ailing Pope John Paul II for being a source of strength for everyone.
On national television, Arroyo said, "Pope John Paul II has an endearing place in the heart of millions of the Filipino faithful for the special care and attention he has shown to us, and it saddens us all to hear the news of his grave condition."
"His serene courage and indomitable will remain a lasting source of our strength and hope as we face the trials and challenges of a troubled world," she added.
2 new Pinoy bishops
Meanwhile, the Pope's failing health is not deterrence to the daily affairs at the Vatican, the Holy See has appointed two new bishops in the Philippines.
Bishop Jose Sorra, who resigned from pastoral governance of the Diocese of Legazpi will be replaced by Bishop Nestor Cariño, concurrent auxiliary bishop of Daet.
While Bishop Artemio Rillera was appointed as the new bishop of San Fernando, La Union and at the same time bishop of Bangued, Abra.
Vatican Representative to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco said the appointment was released and published in the Vatican Saturday noon.
But he said there is no specific date yet on the installation of Bishops Cariño and Rillera, the Papal Nuncio said.
Cariño and Rillera are returning to their respective hometowns where they will be serving for eight and 12 years, respectively.
Bishop Cariño, 67, will succeed Bishop Sorra who retired last year after reaching the retirement age for bishops of 75. Cariño was born on Sept. 8, 1938 was ordained priest in 1961 and was appointed auxiliary bishop of Legazpi on March 9, 1978.
Cariño also served as bishop of Borongan for six years (1980 to 1986) and as secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Bishop Rillera, on the other hand, was born on May 1, 1942 in Naguillan, La Union and was ordained priest in 1970 and appointed bishop of Bangued in 1993.
He succeeded Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, who is now the bishop of Novaliches in November 2003 upon the resignation of controversial Bishop Teodoro Bacani. (MSN/Sunnex Luzon)
(April 3, 2005 issue)
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Pope John Paul II dies