For Church or for Lozada?
Rafael L. Oriel, Jr.
4 April 2008
Mr. Samuels and Mr. Miranda, that’s exactly what happens when some religious leaders go astray into political and corporate world where the name of the game is dirty politics or Money! Money! Money! the root of all evil. It has been said that money is a good slave but a bad master. Why not check the following web pages?
What happens when clerics go into business?
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=emilJurado_nov12_2004Internet with a mission.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVIB7_TmxP0A tale of trust betrayed.
http://www.itmatters.com.ph/features.php?id=071602Unfortunately for the Church and possibly for the country and its people, some religious leaders think that they have better ideas than their Almighty Master. They decided to diversify from their real mission in the country by adding political and corporate business character or flavour to Christianity so much so that some of them became provincial governor, corporate board of directors, Archbishop/corporate CEO, etc.
In short, some of the clergies became politicians, constitutionalists, incorporators, corporate stockholders, businessmen, etc. Gone are the days when they are plainly called Apostles, Disciples and/or Missionaries fully clothed with all humility or humbleness or meekness in their hearts. They are called Missionaries supposedly with a mission from the Lord our God that is why religious organizations were given special treatment, privileges and benefits in the country in the form of donations, tax holidays, wide prime landholdings, government financial supports, etc.
According to the news, the Pangasinan diocese will be holding a Mass for truth wherein they are giving a red carpet welcome to their guest of honor, Mr. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. I wonder, are the Catholics gathering in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ or in the name of Lozada or in the name of politics? It seems like they prefer to bring in more political values to the church rather than spiritual and divine values, is it not? What is ironic to this whole political exercise, disguised as Mass for truth, is the fact that very recently, two high ranking officials of the Catholic Church banned their fellow Catholic priest, Father Fernando Suarez, who is known to be gifted with healing power, from saying healing mass in their diocese without their explicit permissions.
It will be interesting to know how the parishioners and other priests in Pangasinan diocese feel about the whole affair especially the indifferent and lousy treatment given to the healing priest in comparison to the red carpet welcome given to a government whistleblower.
In as much that we are all seeking for the truth, we might as well seek for the Truth that can really set us free. It is true that we live in both the physical and spiritual realm but, unfortunately, our focus of attention is mainly on tangible things, the things that are perceptible by our senses especially our sense of touch.
Godspeed to all of us.
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