Allow me to share with you all some excerpts from the recent pastoral statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during their recently held 129th Plenary Assembly issue through its President, H.E. Pablo Virgilio S. Cardinal David, DD. Here are some significant points of their exhortation …

Hoping against hope, like Abraham in the letters of St. Paul, we, Christians examine ourselves and allow our faith in God to engage the situation that afflicts our nation. In trying to understand the reality around us, we experience frustration and anguish in the face of the following:

(1) In the sphere of morality, we sense widespread confusion, indifference, apathy, and helplessness because of murderous attacks against life, particularly against innocent ones. The culture of impunity, self-entitlement, and loss of sense of sin are alarming.

(2) In ecology, we are constantly traumatized by the effects of disasters and tragedies due to climate emergencies, worsened by substandard and underfunded structures. Private interests are protected over the common good and the welfare of the marginalized, including the indigenous peoples and poor communities.

(3) In the area of economy, the increase in poverty, manifested by the rise of unemployment and the price of commodities and services, leads to a situation where the rich become richer, the poor become poorer, and the powerful become more powerful.

(4) In the political realm, the scandalous misuse of public funds and resources; the questionable insertions, cuts, and adjustments in the national budget; and the anti-poverty programs that promote a culture of patronage and mendicancy are truly disturbing. As the Elections draw near, we see how platforms of popularity, dynasty, and patronage are again exploited, making politics into a family business.

(5) In the area of security and international concerns, we witness how our sovereignty and national security are constantly threatened.

(6) In the field of communications, falsehood, misinformation, and disinformation are weaponized against the truth.

(7) In the area of governance, we wonder whether there are still checks and balances.

Given this background, hope seems to be more elusive than ever. Thus, we all ask: “May pag-asa pa nga ba?” (Is there still hope?) Whom do we turn to? As we reflect on these situations, we realize that the first thing we need to do is to examine ourselves and pursue the path of personal, institutional, and ecclesial conversion in order to rediscover hope. This is the opportunity that the Jubilee Year provides us. Thus, we too make ourselves accountable before the Lord.

Into the darkest and starkest space of death, Jesus Christ, our Savior entered and transformed death by his salvific love. Black Saturday triggers not only pious thoughts of sadness at the death of the Savior, but it conceals a powerful force where God’s love penetrates our suffering, our misery and death, saves and transforms us. This space of abandonment is a place where hope and new life germinate. As believers, this is our anchor and our strength. Love generates hope, because hope is in Jesus who works within and around us.

Love piercing through darkness reveals glimpses of hope … (a) We see sparks of hope in principle-driven leaders who champion good governance; (b) We see sparks of hope in the idealism of young people and responsible citizens who do not sell their idealism and patriotism; (c) We see sparks of hope in the spontaneous collaboration among NGOs, civic, and religious organizations with the government in times of disasters and calamities; (d) We see sparks of hope in local initiatives and efforts to empower communities for change; (e) We see sparks of hope in public, religious, uniformed, and civic leaders, and ordinary laborers committed to sincere service even without recognition or reward; (f) We see sparks of hope in responsible business practices that seek to protect the environment and serve the needy; (g) We see sparks of hope in those who stake their reputation, even lives, to fight corruption and pursue justice; and (h) We see sparks of hope in the Filipino spirit of resiliency, and in those who dedicate themselves to genuine service despite being overwhelmed by their own need.

We sense a strong surge of hope, above all, in the feeling of uneasiness and disturbance -symptoms of an inner affliction, prodding us that something is wrong, yet at the same time urging us that something can and must be done within, among ourselves, and our institutions …

Hopelessness can lead to despair. Yet to hope is not to be overcome by fear and despair. Hopelessness can paralyze and enslave us. Yet hope gives us courage and freedom. We pray for courage, so that we may always freely stand up for truth, and uphold the good and the rule of law, as we protect democratic institutions and processes. Let us hold power to accountability. Let us continue to build on what we have accomplished. May we have the courage and perseverance to walk the path of conversion to change for the better, and relentlessly pursue the good of all, over personal interests. May we never tire of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society: specifically the unborn and the children, the elderly and the sick, the poor and the marginalized, the weak, the voiceless and powerless. May we not give up on one another and our country, for God does not give up on us.

There is hope! May Pag-Asa! And St. Paul counsels us: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). With our prayer for a spiritual revolution of hope, let us all walk together in this Pilgrimage of Hope towards the Father’s Kingdom … We entrust our journey and pilgrimage, as Filipino People, with our afflictions and dreams unto the hands of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Hope, that she may accompany and guide us as we follow the Way of Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.

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For any personal comments or suggestions you may call 0917-4805585 or email me at [email protected].

AUTHOR PROFILE

Bro. Clifford T. Sorita