N.B. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE MY CALL FOR SOBRIETY AND LEVEL-HEADEDNESS IN THE FACE OF ALL THE CONFUSION THAT LEADS THIS COUNTRY TO THE BRINK OF CHAOS. I AM REMINDED OF A LINE THAT IS SO CLEAR IN THE CURRENTLY SHOWING FILM "THE FLOCK." ONE WHO TRIES TO DO BATTLE WITH MONSTERS MUST TAKE CARE, IT SAYS, THAT HE DOES NOT BECOME A MONSTER HIMSELF.
TOGETHER WITH ALL THOSE WHO CRY FOR TRUTH, I ALSO BEG FOR THE TRUTH. I ALSO CRY OUT AGAINST CORRUPTION ESPECIALLY THE KIND PERPETRATED SHAMELESSLY BY PEOPLE ON TOP. BUT MY CONCERN FOR THE COMMON GOOD AND THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY IS GREATER THAN MY DESIRE, NO MATTER HOW PASSIONATE AND INTENSE, THAT THIS COUNTRY IS RID OF ALL THESE HIGH PROFILE THIEVES IN OUR SOCIETY AT THE SOONEST POSSIBLE TIME AND AT ALL COSTS.
WE WANT THE TRUTH. ACTUALLY WE ALREADY KNOW THE TRUTH, EXCEPT THOSE WHO ARE BUSY TRYING TO HIDE BEHIND THE CLOAK OF LEGALITY TO DENY THE TRUTH. WE KNOW THE EVEN MORE GLARING TRUTH THAT WE AS A PEOPLE ARE A SINFUL AND CORRUPT NATION, STARTING FROM THE HIGH PROFILE CROOKS WHO RUN THIS COUNTRY, YES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE SO VOCIFEROUS IN INVESTIGATING THE SO-CALLED TRUTH. CORRUPTION PLAGUES OUR CULTURE MUCH WORSE THAN DENGUE IS ENDEMIC EVERYWHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES. BUT THIS BATTLE IS BIGGER THAN GMA, BIGGER THAN ALL OF US PUT TOGETHER, NAY MORE, BIGGER THAN LIFE ITSELF.
WE HAVE TO BE LEVEL HEADED BEFORE WE ALLOW THIS MEDIA FRENZY AND THE GROWING THIRST FOR BLOOD TO TAKE THE BETTER OF US, BEFORE WE PLUNGE IRREVERSIBLY TO CHAOS, THANKS TO THE HIDDEN AGENDAS OF THE POWER PLAYERS BEHIND ALL THIS, WHO JUST WANT TO HOLD THE REINS OF POWER. WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK, AND DISCERN WHETHER OUR DESIRE TO BUILD THE FENCE OF TRUTH-TELLING REALLY BOILS DOWN TO DESTROYING THE WALL OF OUR COMMON WEAL, AND A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL OF US AND THE PEOPLE COMING AFTER US.
I SEE ESPECIALLY THE DANGER BEHIND THIS MEDIA MOMENT, CAPITALIZED MOST ESPECIALLY BY THE HERO OF THE DAY, J LO, AND HIS RABID HANDLERS AND SUPPORTERS. NOT THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IN WHAT HE SAYS. IT IS JUST THAT BY SAYING TOO MUCH, BY ENGAGING IN SO MANY "PA CUTE ANTICS," WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM NUNS AND SEMINARIANS, WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM MEDIA HOOPLA GONE WILD, WE MAY BE DOING A GREAT DISSERVICE, NOT TO THE TRUTH PER SE (VERACITY), BUT TO THE PROCESS OF TRUTH-TELLING ITSELF (VERIDICITY).
WE ARE FIGHTING A BIG AND HORRIBLE MONSTER. LET US NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF BECOMING MONSTERS OURSELVES!
I WOULD LIKE TO APPEND AN ARTICLE THAT IS WORTH REFLECTING ON. WHILST I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HE SAYS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT OUGHT TO MERIT OUR CLOSE SCRUTINY.
I WOULD LIKE TO APPEND AN ARTICLE THAT IS WORTH REFLECTING ON. WHILST I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HE SAYS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT OUGHT TO MERIT OUR CLOSE SCRUTINY.
MEN & EVENTS
By Alito L. Malinao
The role the Church must play
By Alito L. Malinao
The role the Church must play
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been pilloried for refusing to join the mob calling for the resignation of President Arroyo.
Among the most disappointed by the CBCP action, or inaction, were the civil society groups, political opposition, militant organizations and a giant television network whose greatest passion is to work for the downfall of the Arroyo administration.
The insidious plot of the triumvirate in the CBCP, composed of Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, CBCP president, Caloocan City Bishop Deogracias Yniquez, Jr. and Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, was obviously trounced by the bishops from Mindanao who maintained that allegations of corruption in the Arroyo administration have not been proven in court and, therefore, the call for a "brand-new people power" against Mrs. Arroyo is unjustified.
As a result, Butuan City Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos is spearheading a move to oust Lagdameo as CBCP president for allegedly allowing himself to be influenced by Cruz and other radical bishops.
Hidden agenda
Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD, is a long-time friend of media and is himself a media person writing a column at the Manila Bulletin. I have heard the mild-mannered Father Bel several times because he is always invited to say mass at the National Press Club whenever an NPC member dies or when there are religious functions at the club.
In his latest column, Father Bel said today there is no longer any distinction between prayer rallies and political rallies, and holy or unholy masses.
The good father said that many prayer rallies and masses have become "forums and launching pads for political attacks under the guise of religious activities." And the best example could be the so-called interfaith rally held last Friday in Makati City .
Then he asked: "How can they be religious when their hidden agenda is motivated by hatred and mob rule aimed at ousting the President and destabilizing the country?"
Indeed, it is high time for the Roman Catholic Church to reexamine its priorities and motives. Is the Church still the voice of reason and moderation? Or is it now engaged in sowing hatred among its flocks? What happened to the basic Christian values of love and compassion for others?
Moratorium on politics
We still believe in the huge influence of the Catholic Church in our lives. But while it is correct to condemn the "continuing culture of corruption" in our country as it had done in its latest pastoral letter, the Church could have done more.
And since its main function is to provide moral and spiritual guidance to the faithful, the Church could have:
1. Called for a moratorium on all political activities for at least one year. This would definitely ease tension and help bring stability and progress to our country.
2. Started the process of true national reconciliation by initiating a dialogue among the warring political factions and groups, thus preventing the deterioration of the already-precarious situation.
3. Urged the Senate to stop all its investigations on alleged irregularities in government and let the courts decide on the charges so that the "august chamber" can attend to its legislative functions.
4. Persuaded former President Cory Aquino to calm down and not exacerbate the people's restiveness. After all, Aquino herself has been the subject of several resignation calls during her term, some even made through the bloodiest coup attempts in our history. But
did she resign?
5. Reminded former President Joseph Estrada that it was President Arroyo who saved him from life imprisonment. Estrada is now calling Mrs. Arroyo an illegitimate president, forgetting that as an illegitimate president, her act of granting him pardon is null and void from the start.
6. Stopped the "canonization" of Jun Lozada by some religious factotums now that he is unmasked not just as corrupt as the people he has accused of corruption but is also morally-flawed having admitted that he has another family.
7. Told the Makati business leaders to concentrate on making money instead of joining the chorus for Mrs. Arroyo's ouster. After all, despite the "sins" of the Arroyo administration, they are now raking in huge profits as a result of the improved economic conditions in the country.
8. And purged the CBCP of the Pharisees whose actions betray their ingrained hatred for President Arroyo and thus do not have the moral ascendancy to preach reconciliation and Christian love.
It is not too late. The Catholic Church can still redeem itself. And if it will do this, then it can be a true vehicle for peace and reconciliation among our people. And the epiphany that we have sought in our hearts for so long can be ours finally.
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