New Filipino Cardinal to Lead EDSA 1 Celebration
Feb 25, 2006
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales will lead the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 1986 people power revolt on Saturday with a Mass at noon at the historic EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.
MANILA, February 24, 2006 (STAR) - This will be Rosales’ second Mass as a cardinal following his ordination by the Vatican the other night. The first was a thanksgiving Mass today at the Manila Cathedral for outgoing Papal Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Franco, the Vatican’s representative in the Philippines.
The archdiocese of Manila is inviting all faithful Catholics "to join the commemoration of that historic and religious event that brought us together as a people under the mantle of Mary, Queen Peace, Our Lady of EDSA, to bring about out country’s peaceful transition to freedom and democracy."
The archdiocese has been holding various activities since the start of the month to celebrate the anniversary of EDSA I, in which the Roman Catholic Church played a crucial role in ousting former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and restoring democracy to the country.
Earlier this month, mass baptisms, weddings and healing sessions were held at the Manila Cathedral. Retired bishops also concelebrated the Mass on several occasions when old and retired priests were given gifts.
Today, Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes will celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Mass at the EDSA shrine. This will be followed by the launch of the shrine’s "pilgrims’ desk," a procession and the traditional barrio fiesta (village feast).
At Malacañang, President Arroyo said yesterday the government would continue to join Rosales in his efforts to fight poverty and build a God-centered society.
In a statement, the President said "we share the joy and price of the entire Filipino Catholic community" on the Vatican’s appointment of Rosales as the country’s third cardinal on Wednesday.
"Cardinal Rosales deserves this honor for the leadership he has shown in spreading and upholding the faith and in guiding our people along the path of moral and spiritual enlightenment," Mrs. Arroyo said.
"Our solidarity with Cardinal Rosales will be unsullied in the fight against poverty and in building a God-centered society," she added.
Mrs. Arroyo pointed out that Rosales’ ordination by Pope Benedict XVI came at an auspicious time, as the country was preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the "people power" revolt, which was spearheaded by the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.
"We reminisce on the call of his (Rosales’) predecessor, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, for people power in the shining moments of EDSA," she said.
Rosales, 73, is known for his "Pondong Pinoy" (Filipino fund), a fund-raising project that has been feeding thousands of poor Filipinos nationwide.
Franco earlier announced that the Pope had appointed Rosales cardinal at exactly 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The appointment of Rosales, who was installed as the 31st archbishop of Manila on Nov. 21, 2003, brings to three the number of Filipino cardinals. The others are Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Rome Archbishop Emeritus Jose Cardinal Sanchez. — With Paolo Romero
New Filipino Cardinal to Lead EDSA 1 Celebration