Pastoral Statement

ONLY FISCAL DISCIPLINE CAN SOLVE THE FISCAL CRISIS

Fiscal discipline means “living within our means.” Because many of us, especially those in government and business, and in high echelons of power, live beyond our means, our country is in a crisis.

Living beyond our means translate itself into all forms of abuse and misuse of our time, talent, and money. This disordered, undisciplined way of life is the basic cause of scandalous extravangance, graft and corruption, and worse, violence. This is why the crisis is deeply moral.

Fiscal discipline inspired by the “discipline of the cross” can ensure success if we adopt it as a strategy for national survival and a long term prosperity for all Filipinos. The cross is the symbol f self-sacrifice.

The discipline of the cross adds a higher value and a mysterious power to a person’s self sacrifice. Varying in form and intensity, this self-sacrifice, when offered together with the cross of Jesus Christ, will produce an effect similar to the effect of the (pain and sufferings) Passion of the Christ. An unknown murderer saw the movie of Mel Gibson and was so touched that he went to the police and confessed a crime committed years back.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Blessed Pope John XXIII following this teaching of St. Paul to the people of Colossas (1:24) used painful sacrifice to help others especially conversion of hardened criminals.

This is the basis of our appeal ALAY GOBYERNO ALAY PILIPINO. We believe that the millions of Juan and Juana de la Cruz, who carry the cross of poverty and oppression, can touch the heart of those in power and those living in abundance by joining their sufferings and pains together with the Cross of Christ. This micro Pinoy model, when collectively evoked and felt nationwide, will trigger the process of personal and social transformation.

As a result, repentance and forgiveness will effect social healing and reconciliation paving the way of amicable settlements, fair restitutions and payment of damages. This is the meaning of the message of Pope John Paul II: “There is no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness.” This micro Pinoy approach is based on the belief that there is goodness in everyone which is not lost by sin or crime.

We appeal to media to help us bring this message to every nook and corner of the Archipelago.

Fernando R. Capalla
Archbishop of Davao
CBCP President