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Calling Cebu-based Ricardo Cardinal Vidal a “congressman in a cassock,” the Black and White Movement (B&W) disputes the denial by Vidal’s spokesman Monsignor Achilles Dakay that there is a “ban” on Cebu priests from saying Mass at any of the events featuring whistle-blower Jun Lozada. In interviews, Dakay has demanded for “proof” from those making the allegation.
In reply, B&W says the proof lies in the fact that “not a single priest has accepted the invitation to say a Mass for Truth in Cebu,” at least as of the time the statement was released Monday. In addition, says the anti-Arroyo group, “the Cardinal has used his influence to discourage Cebuanos from meeting Lozada, listening to him and judging him for themselves. Instead of prudence, Vidal prefers partisanship.”
The tide, it seems, is turning against Lozada as far as the institutional church is concerned. The other Manila auxiliary bishop has even been quoted as saying that the Philippine bishops are “getting tired” of Lozada and having doubts about his “sincerity” because in his many public appearances Lozada has seemed more of a politician than a crusader.
But there is more than appearances involved here. Statements issued by both the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Archdiocese of Manila have proven to be disappointments. In fact, it seems that in the most recent pastoral letter signed by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and bishops in nearby dioceses, the church leaders were more inclined to lay the blame on everyone, denouncing the “corruption we detect in ourselves.”
Indeed, we are all to blame for the state of our country, particularly as voters who allow our votes to be bought, corrupted or trivialized. But by saying that “everyone” is responsible for bad governance, aren’t the bishops in effect saying that “no one” is to blame?
Granted, as Rosales and the bishops aver, that “we can restore truth and justice without resorting to violence and hatred,” how can the people demand and receive accountability from our public officials? What moral option is left to the people who find all legal and democratic avenues to getting at the truth of the corruption allegations blocked at every turn?
Perhaps, aside from calling Cardinal Vidal names, what leaders of the anti-Arroyo protest movement can do at this point is to challenge the moral premises of the most recent pastoral letters and statements. A large swathe of the Filipino public has already gone beyond the bishops’ calls for reflection and have made up their minds about the guilt and innocence of all parties involved. Certainly, more than enough evidence has surfaced for the thoughtful citizen to draw his or her own conclusions.
Catholic bishops may be calling for prudence and caution, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do what we feel we can and should do – even if it goes way beyond the timid inclinations of our present crop of prelates. – Rina Jimenez-David
