In good times and bad...
(Statement of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines President Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, June 23, 2008)
The recent typhoon "Frank" that battered a large part of the country has left behind stories of lost lives, destroyed private properties and damaged public utilities and parks. For some people similar typhoons have happened before and they were prepared.
However, for the people of Iloilo the destruction of typhoon "Frank" was unprecedented and unexpected. Their stories are still being told. "Tama ka grabe!" Flash floods from the mountains, the overflow of water dikes and the sudden high tide of seashores and rivers, converging in the same places make the damage tearfully indescribable. In the towns and city, along the roads are lined up home appliances, sala sets, cars, personal effects, etc., etc., neither for display nor for sale, but waiting to be returned to damaged residences. Shock, surprise and confusion can be traced in the faces of people wondering how and where they will begin to put order.
Accompanying the "bad news" brought about by typhoon "Frank" are stories too of both heroic and common sense charities. Communal action is at work. Typhoons occur in our country more than twenty times a year. We can almost say that – even if we are surprised each time it occurs – we have had rehearsals of it. Food, medicine, materials for rehabilitation are gratefully welcomed. Communal action is at work. God bless them.
We pray to God against typhoons and other destructive events, like fires and earthquakes. But when the same occur we also pray to God for help. In good times and bad we turn to God.
From the affected families of the poor who are suffering from the typhoon can be heard "Nasaan and pangakong limang daang piso? Ngayon na!" In the face of the exaggerated and and expensive trip of more than sixty of our national leadership to the United States for more than a week, how can we talk of austerity and frugality in spending the people's taxes, knowing for whom they must be urgently applied in times of great calamity?
We would be embarrassed to pray to God to solve our problems and perform miracles for us, when we fail to do what lies in our power to do. God bless the communal action of people who help alleviate the suffering of victims. In good times and bad people turn to one another and see the face of God.