Here are a couple of articles from the Philippine Daily Inquirer concerning the recent allegation of Roman Catholic Bishops in the Philippines soliciting SUV's from former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
On Target by Ramon Tulfo:
Some quarters are asking if it’s a big deal that bishops received sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO).
It is not only a big deal, it’s also scandalous.
The money that was used in buying the SUVs could have been spent on many ailing poor who needed medicines.
The bishops who were recipients of the largesse should have thought about the PCSO’s poor beneficiaries who were deprived of medicines because the money went to them.
Besides, why would those bishops, who are supposed to lead simple lives following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, want luxury vehicles when they can ride bicycles or motorcycles?
The answer is simple: They are pasikat or showoffs. They want to feel important, as important as legislators who display the number 8 license plates on their vehicles.
Doesn’t the Catholic Church teach its followers that pride is one of the deadly sins?
CBCP apologizes for SUV's by Jocelyn Uy
A contrite Church hierarchy on Monday apologized for its involvement in the controversy at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in which seven bishops received funds from the state-run charity agency for the purchase of SUV and other vehicles during the Arroyo administration.
“Our Mother Church has been deeply wounded by the controversies in the [PCSO] that have erupted in the past two weeks … As shepherds struggling to love you like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you,” Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, read from a pastoral statement titled “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace.”
At the closing of the Catholic bishops’ plenary assembly on Monday, the CBCP said inconsistencies of its actions with its pastoral teachings had brought confusion and sadness to many of its faithful, particularly the youth and the poor. (end excerpt)
My comments:
1. While I support many provisions in the RH Bill, if this alleged controversy will be used the by Aquino administration against CBCP to get back at their opposition to the bill then we are not playing fair. It's blackmail at its worst.
2. This alleged controversy is no different with ministers of other religions soliciting funds from people they consider as outsiders. A simple example are those so-called preachers who evangelize in buses and then solicit money from the passengers by handing out envelopes. It ruins the dignity of any church. If a church really needs funds the leaders should bring the concern to their congregation so that those who would like to help may do so.
3. It is commendable that CBCP apologizes for its involvement. In turn, I hope Roman Catholics would pray for their bishops on this time of trial.
4. I agree with Ramon Tulfo that the Catholic bishops (or any minister of other religions for that matter) should follow the example of humility Christ and the apostles have set.
On Target by Ramon Tulfo:
Some quarters are asking if it’s a big deal that bishops received sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO).
It is not only a big deal, it’s also scandalous.
The money that was used in buying the SUVs could have been spent on many ailing poor who needed medicines.
The bishops who were recipients of the largesse should have thought about the PCSO’s poor beneficiaries who were deprived of medicines because the money went to them.
Besides, why would those bishops, who are supposed to lead simple lives following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, want luxury vehicles when they can ride bicycles or motorcycles?
The answer is simple: They are pasikat or showoffs. They want to feel important, as important as legislators who display the number 8 license plates on their vehicles.
Doesn’t the Catholic Church teach its followers that pride is one of the deadly sins?
CBCP apologizes for SUV's by Jocelyn Uy
A contrite Church hierarchy on Monday apologized for its involvement in the controversy at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in which seven bishops received funds from the state-run charity agency for the purchase of SUV and other vehicles during the Arroyo administration.
“Our Mother Church has been deeply wounded by the controversies in the [PCSO] that have erupted in the past two weeks … As shepherds struggling to love you like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you,” Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, read from a pastoral statement titled “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace.”
At the closing of the Catholic bishops’ plenary assembly on Monday, the CBCP said inconsistencies of its actions with its pastoral teachings had brought confusion and sadness to many of its faithful, particularly the youth and the poor. (end excerpt)
My comments:
1. While I support many provisions in the RH Bill, if this alleged controversy will be used the by Aquino administration against CBCP to get back at their opposition to the bill then we are not playing fair. It's blackmail at its worst.
2. This alleged controversy is no different with ministers of other religions soliciting funds from people they consider as outsiders. A simple example are those so-called preachers who evangelize in buses and then solicit money from the passengers by handing out envelopes. It ruins the dignity of any church. If a church really needs funds the leaders should bring the concern to their congregation so that those who would like to help may do so.
3. It is commendable that CBCP apologizes for its involvement. In turn, I hope Roman Catholics would pray for their bishops on this time of trial.
4. I agree with Ramon Tulfo that the Catholic bishops (or any minister of other religions for that matter) should follow the example of humility Christ and the apostles have set.
Thank you for this charitable article.
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