Council spares Church from clearance fees

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council has granted the request of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma for exemption from fees for locational clearance and building permit for a pavilion for the International Eucharistic Congress.

 The pavilion will be constructed at the Diocesan Seminary in Barangay Luz. It will serve as the main venue of the congress in January 2016. The cost of the pavilion is yet to be determined.

 In a letter addressed to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and the City Council, Palma said the international gathering is a “momentous event that will showcase and promote the Cebuano identity and its unique history and cultural tradition.” 

 â€œAlongside this great privilege is the equally great responsibility of ensuring a memorable and meaningful congress. Since this historic event needs to be remembered and cherished not only during our lifetime, there is the need to construct a pavilion which will become the main venue said congress and the monumental remembrance in the life and history of our city and Province of Cebu,” he added.

 Seventy nine years after the Philippines hosted IEC in 1937 in Manila, Cebu City will be hosting the 51st year of the Catholic gathering.

 Organizers and the Catholic faithful are hopeful that Pope Francis will visit the country and attend the event.

“Since the Congress has been suggested and approved by Rome, there is a very big possibility that our Holy Father Pope Francis will be present for this once in a lifetime event for Cebu…every Pope’s visit to our country has always been a part of our nation’s history considering his stature, significance and standing in world affairs,” Palma said.

 The international event will be spearheaded by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cebu together with the Federation of Asian Bishop Conference and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.  (FREEMAN)