The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website has published a response by Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, plainly stating that "He (President Aquino) bore false witness against the Church in front of Pope Francis, the whole nation and the whole world. He was not only rude, he was also a liar."
"It is not his hair—or lack of it—that has to be admonished. It is what is lacking below his hair", Picardal said.
 |
| Aquino addressing Pope Francis and members of the diplomatic corps. |
Excerpts from the CBCP article:
In his welcome address to Pope Francis in Malacañang a week ago (Jan. 16, 2015), President Benigno Aquino III paid tribute to courage of the clergy during Martial Law and for vividly living up to the vision of “the Church of the poor and the oppressed” that “nourished compassion, faith and courage of the Filipino people … This allowed millions to come together as a single community of faith and make possible the miracle of the EDSA People Power Revolution.” At the same time he denounced the Church for being silent in the face of the abuses under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration:
“Hence, there was a true test of faith when many members of the Church, once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses, which we are still trying to rectify to this very day.In these attempts at correcting the wrongs of the past, one would think that the Church would be our natural ally. In contrast to their previous silence, some members of the clergy now seem to think that the way to be true to the faith means finding something to criticize, even to the extent that one prelate admonished me to do something about my hair, as if it were a mortal sin. Is it any wonder then, that they see the glass not as half-full, or half-empty, but almost totally empty. Judgment is rendered without an appreciation of the facts.”
The president lamented that the clergy who were silent during the previous administration are now his critics in his efforts to correct the wrongs of the past. He accuses this of rendering judgment “without an appreciation of the facts.”
Many netizens and journalists criticized the President for his inappropriate remarks, lacking in delicadeza and good manners, and out of touch with the occasion. Imagine, criticizing the host—the Philippine Church—in front of the Pope. Others, praised him for speaking his mind and for telling the truth even if it was not the proper occasion. That it was inappropriate everybody can agree. But was he speaking the truth? Was the Church really silent under the Arroyo Administration?...
...These news reports cited here are just some examples to show that President Aquino rendered judgment on the Church without an appreciation of the facts. He bore false witness against the Church in front of Pope Francis, the whole nation and the whole world. He was not only rude, he was also a liar. This is what made his welcome address very offensive.
The Church was not silent during the dark days of Martial law, the Church was not silent during the Arroyo administration, and the Church is not silent under Aquino’s administration. It is not his hair—or lack of it—that has to be admonished. It is what is lacking below his hair. He follows the neo-malthusian solution to the problem of poverty: more free condoms and birth control pills. Sure, some of his political enemies are already in prison for corruption, but what about his friends and allies. He continues to defend his PNP chief who has been charged with corruption.
Pope Francis’ comment about corruption in government was in reference to the present administration. While talking about reforming the corrupt political system, President Aquino defended patronage politics and the corrupt pork-barrel system (PDAF & DAP) until these were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. While he has come up with a peace agreement with the MILF, he has not shown any interest in continuing the peace process with the NDF. This administration has not adequately responded to the disasters caused by successive typhoons and other calamities. The victims until now are still waiting for the implementation of rehabilitation program. He even snubbed the anniversary of Yolanda in Tacloban even if he was just nearby. He talks about climate change and protection of the environment while allowing mining and the construction of more coal-fired power-plants. What I find lacking is his mercy and compassion.
I supported his candidacy because I thought he was a decent man who continued the legacy of his parents whom I admire so much. I was mistaken. To my regret, he has turned out to be a big disappointment in the end. I wonder if his parents would be proud of him. With all his good intentions, he was not up to the challenge of becoming a great leader like his parents. His welcome address to the Pope in Malacañang was pathetic and a monumental embarrassment to the nation. He was not just rude, he also did not speak the truth. That was un-presidential of him. This was the lowest, ugliest moment of the papal visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment