Binghay: Make Pope Francis a role model

CEBU, Philippines - The Episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Monsignor Esteban Binghay, urged all priests to live in humility and simplicity to be more effective ministers to the Catholic faithful and make Pope Francis as a role model.

Binghay echoed the same sentiments that Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said in a report from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News.

Villegas said that the Church has been hurt because of the arrogance of some priests who also possess lifestyles that is in contrary with their calling as Christ’s ministers.

“That is very true, though not all. There are some priests who are like this, but this ‘some’ will cover the goodness of others as well as the virtues of the other priests. It is a challenge to all of us” Binghay said.

“Kaming mga pari, nabuhi sa sapi sa mga tawo, bisan ang pari gikan sa datu nga pamilya but ang calling ask for it. We should be humble and simple,” he added.

Binghay encouraged all the priests to follow what Pope Francis is practicing and reiterated that his actions should be imitated by the clergy.

“Si Pope Francis maoy angay natong sundon. Ang uban di motuo, ang uban dili makatuo. He rides public transportation, iyang linihukan, sa Vatican he only lived in a simple one, he also has a simple ceremony in his installation, pagka-elect niya’g Santo Papa, he stood up and went to the first cardinal on a wheelchair, (We should follow Pope Francis. Some refuse to believe and others cannot believe….)” Binghay narrated.

Binghay also revealed that some priests are not okay, as they are always seen with the rich people and would not even want to be touched by the poor ones.

“Hilas ang ubang pari, dili pahikap sa mga pobre, but they are seen always with rich people. The people can see it and can feel it. Ang mga pari makig amigo sa datu, mga pobre balibaran left and right, dili pa tagdon. Ang gugma sa mga pari, ang mga tawo unta regardless of the status,  (Other priests are snobs and do not want to be touched by poor people… Some priests make friends with the rich but reject the poor. A priest should love the people regardless of their status.)” Binghay said.

Villegas, on the other hand, urged the priests to avoid the temptation of egoism by deepening their prayer life and frequenting the sacrament of confession, as stated in the CBCP News.  (FREEMAN)