Peace and friendship with government - Lagdameo
Iloilo Archbishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Angel Lagdameo said he sees Church-Government relations in the country to be on the footing of friendship and peace.
But this does not mean the Catholic Church would condone or keep silent on any abuses and practice of corruption among government leaders and officials.
Msgr. Lagdameo said that his guiding principle of peace and friendship is 'hate the sin, not the sinner', which is what Christ would like his people to do so that a genuine transformation will take place.
Meanwhile, the Liturgical Commission of the CBCP composed a prayer in the observance of the Advent Season, which asks for God's help in the resoluti on of the country's present political crisis and deliverance from the evils of terrorism and bird flu.
The prayer is issued to be prayed in the churches all over the country, at the discretion of the local bishops.
Excerpts from th e prayers go this way: 'In this Advent Season of Waiting for the birth of our Savior, the Wonder-Counselor, and Prince of Peace, let your comforting light shine on our people that walk in the darkness of a political crisis caused by selfishness, lust for power and total disregard of the poor, the environment and the common good.'
'... Father soften the hearts of terrorists so that their hands may be stayed from using weapons of violence . . fill the hearts of world leaders with sense of justice and peace so that they may eliminate the just grievances that ca use terrorism, and work for reconciliation and peace between the oppressors and the oppressed.'
'Father, this is the season of anticipated joy at the birth of your Son, yet we fear the threat of a deadly disease that quickly spreads in our region. We ask you to protect the world and us from the virus of the bird flu that has already caused many deaths and impaired our steady supply of food. Inspire with your wisdom all government agencies and science experts who must contend with this disease so that they may discov er effective solutions through greater respect for the laws of nature.'
The prayer is to be prayed during this Advent Season, before the Prayer After communion.
(PIA 6)