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On the eve of 2009, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal talked of ?greed? as the root cause of poverty and issued a new 'oratio imperata' or mandatory prayer for the Catholic faithful to prepare for the 2010 elections.
?This January 1, when we celebrate the World Day of Peace, the Pope urged us to solve poverty which now has different faces,? said Vidal, in Cebuano. ?We should accept the Pope?s challenge.?
?Let us, for a change, be just in our dealings in our homes, love our elderly, go out to feed the hungry at least day once a day, always with the eyes of faith,? he said.
In the ?oratio imperata? which he read at the end of the Mass, Vidal led a plea to the Lord ?for the fruitful evangelization of our political culture as we prepare for elections 2010.?
Looking pale and wearing a neck brace to ease pain in his back, Vidal gave his New Year?s greeting to his flock with the phrase ? in sickness and in health.?
The 77-year-old prelate, who suffers from osteoporosis, was visibly weaker than usual, leaning heavily on the altar table several times during the 9 p.m. Mass.
After the rites, he retired to his quarters to rest and did not come out anymore to receive well-wishers as he does as part of his New Year?s tradtion.
The new ?oratio imperata? to be recited in all Masses in the Cebu archdioceses seeks divine guidance for next year?s elections, said Fr. Carmelo Diola, overall coordinating steward of the Dilaab Foundation.
?O Sacred Heart of Jesus, the reality of our country impeles us to respond with new urgency to the most pressing problems of our times.
Rooted in our faith in You, and love for our country, we want to participate in Your work of transformation of persons, families, organizations and society.
Through the transforming powerof the love of Your Heart, we draw inspiration which can change and transfigure our lives as individuals and as a nation.
?We implore you for the fruitful evangelization of our political culture as we prepare for elections 2010, offering our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day,? theprayer states.
?Love of the heart of Jesus, through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, give us courage and patience, teach us to pray and to act with hope and charity at all times. Amen.?
Diola said the latest ?oratio imperata? was the same prayer used at the height of public outrage over the ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) controversy last year.
It replaces the ?Prayer for Peace? said in Cebu churches during the recent Mindanao conflict last August. The year 2009 marks the 75th anniversary of the Cebu Archdiocese.
Vidal, in his Dec. 31 homily, , echoed Pope Benedict XVI's challenge to fight poverty and ?expand the heart to meet the needs of the poor.?
Those who attended the Mass were granted a plenary indulgence for the forgiveness of sins.
Jan. 1 was celebrated by Catholics all over the world as a Solemnity commemorating Mary as the mother of God.
Under the doctrine of the church, those who have received plenary indulgence will receive total absolution of their sins and its punishment.
January 1, is considered by the church as an holy day of obligation where all Catholics are obliged to participate in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Cebu archdiocese which centers on the theme ?Growing together in grace as the body of Christ.?
