Can bets join Holy Week events?

CEBU, Philippines - Two Church officials expressed opposing views on politicians joining in the different activities for Holy Week.

Monsignor Achilles Dakay, spokesman of the Archdiocese of Cebu, yesterday said that it is okay for politicians to join in the profession of faith during the Holy Week.

“That’s their choice, as Catholics, if they want to participate and magpa-blessing, it’s okay,” said Dakay.

But Msgr. Esteban Binghay, the Episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, on the other hand, said earlier that he discouraged politicians from speaking before the public during the “Siete Palabras” or the Seven Last Words of Christ, which is one of the highlights of Holy Week.

According to Binghay, activities like the Siete Palabras are a religious activity.  They also discourage politicians from speaking in front of the public so as not to give them an unfair advantage over their opponents.

Binghay explained that the Siete Palabras will be aired over radio and television so it would be improper for politicians to participate in narrating the seven last words of Christ.

“Ang paggamit sa mga butang sa relihiyon ug mga tinuohan ilabi na sa Cuarisma ug pag-ampo, sa mga buhat sa kalooy, dili sakyan sa personal nga interes kay sa Diyos kini, kinahanglan gamiton kini alang sa kalambuan sa tawo,” Binghay explained.

However, Binghay clarified that politicians are not discouraged from making offerings during Mass.  He said some politicians make Mass offerings until election day.

Binghay also encouraged politicians to confess during Holy Week and change their ways in handling and leading the people if they win.

“Ang mga politicians unta mosulod sa simbahan, mangumpisal ug magbag-o sa pamaagi unsaon pagdala sa mga tawo kung makadaug sila,” Binghay said.

To this Dakay agreed, saying that the season of Lent is the time to recall and acknowledge one’s sins.

“We call to mind our sins and acknowledge them and we should be sorry for our sins through confessions. We should be humble enough to confess for our sins,” Dakay said.

Binghay added that three things should be done during the season of Lent and Holy Week; prayer, fasting or abstinence, and works of mercy.

Binghay said that praying deepens one’s relationship with the Lord especially for those who are not yet close to Him.

For fasting or abstinence, Binghay said that it means practicing one’s generosity.

“Mao kini ang pagbansay sa atong kinabuhi, not only sa pagdili sa atong kaugalingon sa mga butang nga maayo but aron pag-practice sa pagbansay sa atong pagka-manggihatagon. What you saved from fasting and abstinence should be shared to the less fortunate and not be kept,” Binghay said.

And lastly, the works of mercy, which are the fruits of prayer and fasting, should be given to the needy in order to give them hope in God’s mercy, Binghay said.   (FREEMAN)