THE PRESIDENTIABLES HOLDING HANDS AND
PRAYING: A GREAT SYMBOLIC GESTURE
Last Sunday May 9 "Unity Mass" at the Old San Agustin
Church in Intramuros, Manila, sponsored by former president Corazon
C. Aquino and presided over by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B.
Rosales was unprecedented in its novelty, historic in its importance,
and powerful 311 its message.
Unaware perhaps of the implications, presidential candidates
GMA, FPJ, PL, RR and EV did something that was not done before
the national elections. What they did was a. social and religious
event in a holy place. The Sunday affair was a strong call to
unity and challenge to all Filipinos. As a whole, it was a great
and formidable symbolic gesture that can herald a bright future.
We congratulate and thank the presidentiables who came in
their Sunday best. We laud and appreciate the efforts of Mrs.
Corazon C. Aquino and Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales . We believe
it was an answer to our prayers as believers and as people of
hope. That is why the elections were generally peaceful
Although sarcastically criticized by some columnists and commentators,
that beautiful s ymbol of holding hands and praying the Our Father
-- if pursued to its last deal - would set in motion the
process of authentic reconciliation towards national unity
which is necessary for peace, progress and development. The process
can be effected by using the formula of Pope John Paul
II "No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness" and
that of the Nobel Prize awardee Archbishop Desmond Tutu "No
Future Without Forgiveness."
That Sunday morning affair highlighted the important role of
the two former presidents in the process -- Mrs. Aquino and Fidel
Ramos. Putting aside personal interests after the presidential
winner is proclaimed, they can lead the former candidates in
the process of reconciliation, which shall include Mr. Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco,
Mrs. Imelda Marcos, and former president Joseph E. Estrada. On
different occasions in the past I had the pleasure to talk to
them individually about the process. They were open to it and
perhaps are now ready for it. I hope Mayor Duterte and former
Mayor Ben de Guzman are also ready. The Davao people are waiting
for it.
The Intramuros event could be the beginning of the process.
I volunteer to help, I know Bro. Mike Velardc: of El 5haddai
and Frank Padilla of the Couples for Christ are ready to help.
So are Iglesia Ni Cristo Bro . Erano Manalo and Bro. Apollo Quilboloy
of Jesus, the Name above Any Other Name.
For the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA
Archbishop of Davao
Presisdent, CBCP
09 May 2004
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