By Ma. Bernadette A. ParcoCebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday chose the controversial Reproductive Health Bill as the topic of his Homily during the Mass that marked the 75th anniversary of the Archdiocese.
Knowing the event would be attended by many political leaders, some of whom are Catholic but support the bill, he took the opportunity to raise the subject, Vidal said after the Mass.
The celebration at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was attended by local and national political and church leaders, led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams.
More than 5,000 parishioners and 42 other bishops, including Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, attended the two-hour celebration, which also included the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door and unveiling of a marker by President Arroyo.
Also present were more than 300 religious and diocesan priests and lay leaders who listened to Cardinal Vidal talk about other social issues such as vigilantism, homelessness, smuggling and graft and corruption.
For the second time since 2000, Vidal also asked for forgiveness in behalf of priests.
“Forgive us, for whatever wrong we have done and for whatever right we have failed to do,” he said.
Vidal first made a public apology in behalf of priests nine years ago, shortly after the late Pope John Paul II issued an unprecedented apology for “sins committed in the name of the church” at a time when controversies surrounding priests around the world hit the news.
Speaking against the Reproductive Health Bill, Vidal said that “I owe it to my apostolic office to re-affirm as clearly and as strongly as possible what the church of Christ teaches in this respect, and to reiterate vigorously her rejection of artificial contraception and abortion,” Vidal said.
The prelate also questioned the results of a recent survey of 600 Cebuanos regarding the bill.
“All that I must confess. I can not re-state in clearer terms, whatever so-called surveys say to the contrary,” he added.
Among the other political leaders present were Representatives Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district) and Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district), both of whom support the Reproductive Health Bill, officially known as House Bill 5043 or the Responsible Parenthood and Population Development Act of 2008.
After the Mass, Vidal said he “was not expecting” any sort of action by politicians as a result of his homily.
As the archdiocese turned 75, Vidal said, “we resolve to know the way, show the way and go the way.”
President Arroyo and Cardinal Vidal unveiled a marker commemorating the event.
Arroyo, garbed in a maroon dress, was joined by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and Paz Radaza, wife of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza.
Carved on the marker were names of persons that the archdiocese credited for making the renovation of the cathedral possible. Names included President Arroyo, Governor Garcia, Mr. Carlos and Mrs. Mariquita Yeung, Don Gil G. Garcia, Vicente E. Garcia, Jose E. Garcia, Mr. Henry Sy Sr., Don Jaime Zobel De Ayala and other benefactors and parishioners.
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