Palma lauds "unity" of Cebu officials

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma did not miss talking about the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in his homily during the Pontifical Mass for the fiesta celebration at the Basilica Del Sto. Niño.

“Mag-ampo kita na dili mao kini ang mudaog nga panghunahuna ug pagtuo ug dili kini mao ang hinungdan sa pagtapos sa kinabuhi sa kadaghanan ug labina sa kinabuhi sa kabataan,” Palma said.

Sto. Niño is the refuge of the Filipino family, Palma said, and like the Holy Child, we should protect and take care of our children.

“This (RH Bill) is a real threat sa mga kabataan og mag-ampo kita nga di mudaog nga mahimo kitang tigpanalipod sa mga kabataan. We must care for them and provide for their future,” he said.

Palma thanked the Sto. Niño because Cebu is allegedly united against the proposed measure.

Palma, who is president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, recalled calling government officials in Cebu after being installed as Archbishop here to get their stand on the issue.

The Archbishop said he was very thankful that most of the leaders in Cebu are “pro-life.”

He said education is the solution to poverty, rather than abortion and contraception.

“Salamat sa mga nagtuo sa kasagrado sa kinabuhi,” the Archbishop said.

Palma was also happy of the cooperation between the city and provincial governments of Cebu.

“We need one another. The city needs the province; the province needs the city ug nalipay kita sa nindot nga relasyon karon pinaagi sa ilang mga leader nga sila si Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ug Governor Gwen Garcia. Dunay unity ug pagtinabangay,” Palma said.

The archbishop said such unity between Cebu politicians hopefully would contaminate to other government officials in the country.

Palma then cited such unity should contaminate among the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches of the government.

“Aron sa atong pagkahiusa maghunahuna kita og mga proyekto nga makadala ug paglambo sa atong nasud,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on the people to take care of the environment.

 Meanwhile, at least 300 residents from Bogo City traveled to pay homage to Sto. Niño on his feast day.

The devotees stayed on the sidewalk along Legaspi St. since Friday. Most of them said that it has been their yearly devotion to the Holy Child.

“Tulumanon namo nga kada-pista Senior dili namo makalimtan ang among mga pagpaningkamot,” said Lorenzo Ruiz of Barangay Bungtod, Bogo City.

Delio Lipod, 40, resident of Barangay Poblacion, also made it a habit for his family to spend days in Santo Niño church as part of their devotion every year.

Most of them however are selling candles to augment their expenses while in the city.

“Gamay pa ko buhi pa akong ginikanan naa nami ngari hangtod naminyo nako, ako napud ning ipasa sa akong mga anak,” Lipod said. — (FREEMAN)