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Critics of Arroyo and anti-corruption watchdogs in the Philippines, including nuns, priests and church workers -- who are waiting for the truth to come out concerning corruption on the controversial US$329 million National Broadband Network deal -- were dismayed to learn that Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal and Camarines Sur Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi ordered their priests to reject any request for them to officiate at a Mass for Truth organized by corruption star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr.
A number of churches have agreed to hold such masses; those who attend are praying that the truth will come out about the allegedly corrupt deal between the government and China's ZTE Corporation. They are also supporting Lozada, who has accused government officials of accepting bribes in connection with the deal.
The move by the top Roman Catholic leaders drew sharp criticism and condemnation from groups who have been working hard for the truth to come out regarding charges of multi billion- dollar corruption in the Arroyo government.
"It is really disturbing and horrifying to see top leaders of the Roman Catholic Church playing supporting roles to the hilt as palace apologists," said Fernando Hicap, chairperson of the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, in a statement. Hicap said the Catholic leaders were, wittingly or unwittingly, succumbing to the president's cover-up. "We hope decent thinking bishops will continue to search for the truth," he added.
Opposition Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. argued that while Cardinal Vidal has his reasons for banning the priests from officiating at a Mass for Truth, it is always bad to gag the messenger of truth from informing the public.
The government quickly denied that the president had a hand in the Cebu priests' boycott of Lozada, stressing that the camp of the ZTE star witness is the one that is not telling the truth.
Reports said that hours after Lozada's arrival in Cebu, priests in the province were told not to attend the Mass for Truth organized on his behalf, upon the instruction of the Cebu archbishop. Sr. Estrella Castalone, executive secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, corroborated reports that priests in the province received orders not to celebrate mass for Lozada.
The spokesperson of Cardinal Vidal, however, denied that local priests in Cebu were barred from celebrating mass in connection with Lozada's "truth caravan."
Arroyo critics have asserted that the palace has directed all church leaders loyal to the president to ban the masses in their respective archdioceses, dioceses and parishes. Proof of this, they said, was the summary order of Nueva Caceres Archbishop Legazpi for priests not to entertain requests from Lozada's camp to hold any Mass for Truth, arguing that the mass is sacred and that priests, nuns and bishops should not abuse the sacredness of the mass and must reject any agenda to use it for political purposes.
Archbishop Legazpi said he was only opposed to the use of the Mass for Truth for political purposes, and in combination with the anti-Arroyo rallies conducted in Camarines Sur and other parts of the country. He said the Mass for Truth undermines the sacredness of the mass.
Critics of Arroyo likened the situation to the Philippine Spanish colonial era from 1521 to 1896, where the Spanish religious order used religion and the pulpit to cover up the truth.
The pro-Arroyo Roman Catholic leaders should put aside their biases and place above all the rightful claims of the people for truth, justice and accountability. The right of the people to find truth, seek justice and fight oppression is found in the Holy Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Something must be done to correct the prevailing gospel of cover-up to the gospel of truth, justice and accountability.
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(Gerry Albert Corpuz is a correspondent of Bulatlat.com, an alternative Philippine online news site. He is also head of the information department of Pamalakaya, a national federation of small fisherfolk organizations in the Philippines. His website is www.gerryalbertcorpuz.motime.com, and he can be contacted at themanager98@yahoo.com. ©Copyright Gerry Albert Corpuz.)
