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Sunday, December 17, 2006
Cardinal advises flock to ask about Charter change
By Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- In opening his traditional celebration of the dawn masses, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal gave importance to what he described as the "social concern of these days" -- the Charter change.
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In his homily during the 4:30 a.m. concelebrated mass at the chapel of the Archbishop's Palace, Vidal told the faithful that in deciding to support a cause, it should be associated with one's willingness to tell the truth, care for justice, act with integrity, shared love and the respect for each other's freedom.
"Let us precisely be aware of the several social concerns that we have to face, and fight, and finish one at a time. There is no denying it. One social concern of these days is the Charter change. If you want to decide as to its need or no need, always be honest and be humble to ask questions in order to be clarified and to become committed to a cause," the prelate said.
Vidal said widespread discussion about the matter is essential "in prayer meetings, in Bible studies, in seminars and even retreats. And even a brief sermon at a Holy Mass may start off the discussion to be continued outside."
In an interview after the mass, Vidal explained that he included the issue on constitutional change in his sermon because Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo wants information dissemination about it.
He said the Cebu Citizens Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel) is coming out with a module about Changer change.
On the church-led prayer rally set Sunday, Vidal stood firm on his earlier statement not to take part in the mass action.
"They want to rally but I do not like prayer rally. I do not like it because I have experienced it many, many times. It's not prayer. What we want is to pray for peace and order, reconciliation," the prelate said.
On House Speaker Jose de Venecia's plan to ask Vidal to mediate between the House of Representatives and the Senate, Vidal said he is not the right person to do it because the issue is political.
"When it is religious matters, I know. But when it is political, how do I know? How can I react? What they do in Congress I am not a party to it. In the first place, I do not know what they do. I have so many things to do," Vidal said, adding that he will just pray for both Houses.
With this year's theme of the Misa de Gallo, "living the spirituality of stewardship in this year of social concerns", Vidal thanked the faithful for waking up early to hear the mass, despite exposing themselves to danger while walking on the roads.
The prelate said it is the faith that moves the people to get together "as one, big, happy family in order to hear the word of God, all about Christmas."
It is in hearing a mass that the faithful learned some lessons to live by that would guide them how to behave and make peace especially at home and at work, Vidal said.
He hopes that the faithful would "actively present" in all the next eight dawn masses, as some only attend the first and the last dawn masses.
"I know, and you know, it demands from all of us a lot of sacrifices and of prayers and even headaches and backaches," he said. (Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (December 17, 2006 issue)
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