By MELITO SALAZAR JR.
Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic religion teaches us that after the crucifixion, there was the resurrection. Whatever pain and sufferings we experience in the mortal world will be miniscule compared to the eternal happiness when we finally join our Creator.
We are glad to see that the recent controversy centered on the acceptance of seven bishops of sports utility vehicles (not Pajeros) for use in their social action missions has provided a splendid opportunity for the Church, through its bishops to regain its moral ascendancy and forge forward with greater adherence to its pastoral mission.
Many Catholics recalling the non-support of the bishops during the public outcry to remove former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo began to think that the bishops had been “bought” in light of the widely reported letters sent by bishops to her or to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
They have now regained their faith in their religious leaders. With their explanation in the Senate, it is clear that the bishops, especially Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos who asked for a vehicle as a birthday present from GMA and wrote, “Be assured of my constant support…” were not engaged in a “transactional relationship” with the then beleaguered GMA.
The defining action that made the Church triumph in this episode is the pastoral statement issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines titled, “A Time of Pain, A time of Grace.” There is an acceptance of the effect on the Church – “Our Mother Church has been deeply wounded by the controversies in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office that have erupted in the last two weeks.
” There is the apology – “…we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you.” There is the owning up of responsibility – “…the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional.” There is the admission of a mistake – “…they failed to consider the pitfalls to which these grants could possibility lead them.”
There is the promise to reform – “…making sure that pastoral sensibilities are respected and the highest ethical standards are observed.
We shall examine our values in light of our vocation to be disciples of Jesus Christ”. There is the determination to change – “…commit ourselves to the long journey of personal and social transformation required of all disciples of the Lord.”
When I first heard on radio the “I am sorry…” line, it reminded me of GMA’s public statement after the Garci tapes hogged the national media for weeks. Much more, when I heard Bishop Pueblos apologize for a “lapse in judgment” in the Senate hearing.
But as I read the CBCP statement and witnessed the contriteness and humility of the bishops in the Senate hearing and their decision to return the vehicles, I realized the wide difference between the bishops and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In the case of GMA, after her public apology – “I am sorry,” she did not return what was not hers – the presidency.
Imagine if she had, Philippine society would have regained its moral moorings; there would have been no attempts to tempt people and institutions with power and wealth just for her to remain in office; and today, she and her cohorts would not be facing a litany of corruption cases in the courts or worse already be found guilty in the arena of public opinion.
As the church has triumphed, GMA could also have!
Business Bits. The proposals of Senator Miriam Defensor and Senator Franklin Drilon for the PCSO and Pagcor to be purely regulatory bodies and for the private sector to take over operations, paying the government’s general fund a percentage of gross receipts, is worthy of consideration.
No comments:
Post a Comment