Pope Benedict XVI names 24 new cardinals but there is no Filipino to take the seat of retiring Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
It is recalled that Sen. Joker Arroyo expressed his desire on the senate floor that the Holy See should name an additional cardinal for the Philippines. Recently, the senator reiterated his plea for an increased number of cardinals by calling the attention of the Papal Nuncio and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to act as channels. Mr. Arroyo notes the disproportionate number of cardinals who shepherd the majority of our population who are Catholic.
The Holy See alone has the final say on the number of cardinals a country should have and has no intention to entertain lobbyists requesting for additional cardinals especially when they come from the side of the State.
For the record, a bishop or an archbishop is as good as a cardinal in taking care of the spiritual needs of the Catholic community. These days, despite their sincere effort to evangelize how many among us are open to what they are saying? If we believe that they are ineffective, why the need for a third cardinal for Mindanao? A cardinal after all is primarily tasked to elect a new pope and act as a papal adviser. Other than that and the title, the pastoral ministry of bishops and cardinals is essentially the same.
Why is the Philippines interested for more cardinals when in this age of relativism and secularism, who cares to listen when they transmit the official teachings of the Church? Who cares for a Mindanao cardinal pleading for religious tolerance and freedom; attacking the evil of graft and corruption; abuse of the environment; hooliganism and the need of peaceful coexistence in the island regardless of faith, ethnicity and language?
Right now, who are listening to Cardinal Rosales, (Ret.) Cardinal Vidal and the bishops?
In return, they and the Church are mocked as if what they are teaching is foolishness and that we have a better understanding and idea on pressing moral issues than them.
That is sad but it is also true.
That is sad but it is also true.
The sexual misconduct of the clergy, let me point out, which the Church does not condone does in no way affect the validity of what they preach but rather clouds their credibility instead. Be it so as it may, faithful Christians should listen to the words of Christ who said and continues to say “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” (Mt. 23:3)
The door is not closed from inside on the possible addition of another cardinal in the future. As we wait that opportune time, the Catholic majority and all Christians should grow in faith and come to believe that the Church preaches truth for the salvation of all. -30-
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Photo Credit:
www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/arroyo_bio.asp
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