THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) would not ask for help from politicians or the National Government when preparing for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City in January 2016.
Archbishop Jose Palma made the statement after announcing the venues for the IEC
activities.
“We would rather the general public would be the main source of monetary contribution,” said Palma in a late afternoon press conference yesterday. “We do not want to give the impression that it is only when we approach politicians that we get things going.”
Palma cited “experiences” of church leaders asking help from politicians, but he did not specify instances.
Discharged
Meanwhile, Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal was discharged from the Perpetual Succour Hospital yesterday.
Vidal, who headed preparations for the celebration related to the country's second saint last year, suffered from a mild stroke and was hospitalized for about a week.
Palma revealed the final list of venues for foreign and local guests of the IEC, including the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and the Abellana Sports Complex.
He said negotiations for the use of a one-hectare warehouse in Mandaue City, which remains unnamed, fell through. The structure would be renovated and converted into a “Eucharistic center.”
Millions
The preparations and staging of the second IEC the Philippines would be hosting could cost “a few hundred million pesos,” said Palma, adding that he is optimistic the people will contribute for the IEC expenses.
“An association has already committed to spend for the vestments of priests,” he said.
He said the IEC is a spiritual event and the church does not want to “solicit” funds for it.
Palma said the IEC will include a procession from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Independencia and the closing mass would be at the outdoor mass site at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.
If Pope Francis comes, he will preside over the closing mass.
In another development, Fr. Joseph de Aquino Cardina, Vidal's secretary, told Sun.Star Cebu that the prelate was allowed to go home after his CT scan results turned out favorable.
“He (Vidal) needs to rest at home, to go with low-salt and low-fat diet. He is scheduled for another CT scan next week,” he said.