Archbishop ready for his next battle
HIS bags are packed and he is looking forward to a holiday in Istanbul, Turkey, the only country in Asia he has not been to.
But Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, whose retirement has recently been approved by the Catholic hierarchy, will not be away for long.
The 74-year old prelate, a staunch critic of the present administration, will be coming right back to pursue his socio-civic activities.
Cruz, in an interview with The PUNCH, said upon his return from his vacation, he will re-gather his group against illegal gambling, particularly the numbers game jueteng, and resume the formation of a group of lawyers around the country who will go after erring public officials.
Cruz, chairman of the Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said now that he is retired from the Catholic service, he will have more time to focus on his advocacies.
“I am a Filipino citizen and a taxpayer so I can get more involved in national concerns,” he said.
“If you don’t act, that means you don’t love your fellowman which is contrary to the teachings of Christ to love your fellowman,” he added.
The group of lawyers that he and other like-minded citizens are forming, he said, will include prominent law practitioners and retired chief justices who will pursue civil and criminal cases against corrupt government officials.
“Matindi itong grupo,” said Cruz of the group formed in response to the growing clamor for good governance and accountability.
Meanwhile, Cruz said he is aware that several politicians, particularly those benefitting from jueteng payola and the illegal drug trade are happy that he is finally leaving his post.
But he quickly added that he is certain that his successor, Bishop Socrates Villegas, who was previously posted in Balanga, Bataan, will take up the causes he has initiated.
“I don’t think my successor will let that go just like that. Ah, no, no, no. I think he is braver than I am,” he warned.
KUDOS
Cruz, who was ordained on Feb. 8, 1962 and became the youngest archbishop in the world at age 44, has been assigned at the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese for the last 18 years.
“It’s about time that they taste a different dish,” Cruz said in jest.
Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., sent good farewell wishes to Cruz and said Pangasinenses will miss him.
“His teachings and examples shall remain with us and inspire us more especially in governance and community organizations. Archbishop Cruz is truly not only outspoken but lives a life worth emulating,” Fernandez said.
Cruz said he enjoyed his 20-year stay in Pangasinan and described Pangasinenses as “extremely kind, and they are simple and their demands are, if any, little”.#
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