CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said it’s no longer just religion, but the Filipino culture that would be affected by the proposed Religious Freedom Bill and he urged the faithful to “stand up” against it.
“This is no longer the issue of religion. It is the culture peculiar to you,” the cardinal said in an interview yesterday.
Rep. Raymond Palatino of the Kabataan Partylist, through House Bill 6330, or the Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act, is seeking a halt to the practice of displaying icons and images, mostly Catholic, and holding Masses and prayer vigils, in government offices.
Palatino said that his proposed bill is constitutional. He said that the Constitution mandates that the State treat all faiths with complete neutrality.
As far as Vidal is concerned, the devotion of Catholics to images, particularly the Señor Sto. Niño is already part of our culture.
“Everybody should know that the devotion to Sto. Niño has entered into the culture of Cebuanos. You cannot just release that from them,” the Cardinal said.
Stand up against it
Vidal urged the Catholic faithful to stand up against this proposal so it won’t get passed into law.
At the same time, he called on the author of the bill to consult the public first and not to forget that they represent the people.
“You are not there for yourself. You are there to represent the people. If you represent us, please respect us,” the cardinal further said.
The cardinal recalled an incident where a commander came to Cebu for a new assignment, particularly at the Talisay Police Station.
The people, Vidal said, surrounded the commander and prevented him from entering the police station because of his claim earlier to get rid of religious icons from all police stations.
“If you touch the Señor Sto. Niño, you are also touching the culture of the Cebuanos. I will tell the people to stand up,” the cardinal said.
Opposition
Vidal also agreed with Gov. Garcia who is also against the proposal, claiming that the Filipinos’ religiosity is a part of them for this is a Catholic country.
Garcia said placing religious icons in their offices is not imposing their own beliefs.
Palatino said the State cannot be seen to favor one religion over the other, in allowing the prominent conduct and display of religious ceremonies and symbols, respectively, in public offices and property.
The move got an unfavorable remark from the leaders of the Catholic flock, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and some government officials.
CBCP media director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio doubted if this issue is really very pressing in the hierarchy of priorities in governance.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza are also against the bill.
Rama said that he finds it divisive.
Radaza said that the presence of religious symbols and holding of religious ceremonies inside their city hall do not affect the workers’ performance. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)