MANILA
Actually, the conquest was mutual. Pope Francis charmed and conquered the Filipinos, while they overwhelmed him with their devoutness. He conquered our emotions as we conquered his admiration.
The Pope, in the Philippines Jan. 15-19, will never again see anywhere in the world such multitude displaying their religious enthusiasm and fervor.
The Pope’s visit was a much-needed opiate for the Filipino people, particularly the storm-ravaged residents of Leyte. And it was a shot in the arm for the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines which has been experiencing a loss of followers over recent years.
The Pope’s message to the Philippine clergy is to not be content with just conveying the word of God, but rather going out there and mingling, speaking, and working with the people.
The message is timely because the Church has been alienating many Catholics over various issues, ranging from misbehavior of priests, to irrelevance of the Church in people’s daily lives, to meddling of Church officials in politics. The Church is also suffering from a drop over the years in the number of young men opting for a career in the priesthood.
The leaders of the Philippine Church must do a lot of soul-searching about involving themselves in secular affairs, particularly government. Enshrined in the Constitution is the provision on the separation of Church and State, and the Catholic hierarchy in the country must honor and observe that proviso.
The clergy must not hide behind the excuse that when they speak on politics and governance, they speak as individuals and as private citizens. That is hogwash. When a man of the cloth speaks, he speaks as a cleric, however he may protest that he speaks only as an ordinary citizen.
During the Pope’s courtesy call on President Aquino, the President complained about clergy’s previous tolerance of the predecessor administration’s corruption. For that Mr. Aquino received flak from the usual critics.
The criticism was that Aquino’s remarks were inappropriate and that the occasion was not the right time and place to have aired the President’s gripe about past corruption.
I take the opposite view. Malacanang is the President’s residence and office, and he has all the right to air his sentiments and opinion on any issue. Actually, I think it took courage on the part of the President to speak his mind face to face with the Pope.
Ironically, one of the President’s critics on this particular issue belongs to a camp that is itself disruptive and destructive in its tactics, including anarchic actions against institutions and individuals, even the President’s private home. This is a case of “look who’s talking,” because these people complain about the President’s decorum and disrespect for protocol when it is they who practice this as their regular tactic.
The most notable aspect of the Pope’s visit was the Filipino people’s adherence to order and discipline all through the Pontiff’s stay. It’s a sign of the Filipinos’ growing maturity, perhaps, and let’s all hope this continues. It’s a sign that we Filipinos can and will do what’s required on certain occasions and specific events.
Something the organizers of the feast and procession of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo, Manila, may want to adapt in future celebrations. It’s time we did away with fanatical display that has caused harm, even death, among participants.
When the euphoria over the Pope’s visit has faded, will it leave a lasting effect on us? In the end, it will still be we ourselves who will have to improve our lives. As the saying goes: “Nasa Diyos ang awa, pero nasa tao ang gawa.” God gives pity and compassion, but the people will have to do the work.
***