Manila bishop urges peace and unity

"The need of the nation right now is national unity."

This was stressed by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas in a special "peace and unity" Mass held at the EDSA Shrine last night attended by President Arroyo and former President Corazon Aquino.

"We can do so many things if we are united," Villegas said. "The poor can be better served, the youth can be better educated, the homeless can be better protected, the problem of corruption can be better eliminated, laws can be more speedily passed and implemented if we are united."

The bishop appealed to all Filipinos that there can be no unity without God and prayer and urged everyone to let the common love for God be the basis for national unity.

"Let us not allow our unity to be simply grounded on the needs of the present. Let us root our unity in God. In this way, our unity will go beyond political plans and economic programs. Our unity will be grounded in our faith and trust in God Almighty," he said.

Villegas likewise hailed the President’s recent announcement not to run for president in 2004 as a "fine example" of pursuing peace and unity for the world and for the nation.

The bishop described the President’s decision as "heroic" and qualifies Mrs. Arroyo to be counted among the country’s statesmen and patriots. – Sandy Araneta