‘Ask about Cha-cha’
Dec 16, 2006
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”: Charter change.
(Sun.Star, December 17, 2006) 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, a person should tap one’s willingness to tell the truth, care for justice, act with integrity, shared love and show 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.
Cardinal 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 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 an information campaign about it.
The CBCP is leading a “thanksgiving rally” today, after President Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives backed off from Charter change through a constituent assembly.
Administration allies in the House have sought a change in the form of government from presidential-bicameral to parliamentary-unicameral. One of the controversial provisos is the extension of the proponents’ terms of office.
Vidal said the Cebu Citizens Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel) is coming out with a module about Changer change.
But the prelate stood firm on his earlier statement that he will not take part in the church-led prayer rally today.
“They want to rally but I do not like prayer-rallies. 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.
As to 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 the House and the Senate.
With this year’s Misa de Gallo theme of “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 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 mass that the faithful learn some lessons to live by that will guide them on how to behave and make peace, especially at home and at work, Vidal said.
He hopes that the faithful will be present in 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.
‘Ask about Cha-cha’