Bishop: Don't use Eucharist for political ends

LUBAO, Pampanga – Archbishop of Pampanga Paciano Aniceto cautioned his fellow bishops yesterday against using the Eucharist for political ends.

“We do not allow the Eucharist to be cheapened and allow it to be a political tool by people who have their own agenda,” he said in his homily.

“The presidency is a position of grace. It should be characterized by sharing, sacrifice and… for the good of our brothers and sisters.”

During a thanksgiving Mass for President Arroyo at the San Agustin Parish Church, Aniceto said the Gospel was about the miraculous multiplication of loaves of bread and fish in the desert where Jesus Christ was preaching.

It was the selflessness of the people listening to Jesus that led to the multiplication of the loaves of bread and fish, he added.

Aniceto said the Gospel is appropriate in the current situation of rising prices and tightening supply of basic commodities.

“We should become a channel… for the abundant flow of grace, each one should give his share so we could respond to the concerns of our country,” he said.

Aniceto said the Gospel’s message was for unity, sharing and cooperation among Filipinos.

“We should not treat each other as rivals, or as competitors, but as brothers and sisters, breaking bread together,” he said.

The Mass began at 10 a.m. with the parishioners singing “Happy Birthday” to Mrs. Arroyo as she entered the church grounds.

Mrs. Arroyo, who celebrates her 61st birthday today, was escorted by her son, Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who brought along his two daughters, Mikaela Gloria and Marie Angelique.

Among the government officials who attended the Mass were Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde, Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda, Candaba Mayor Gerry Pelayo, Bataan Gov.. Enrique Garcia, Pampanga Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao, members of the Pampanga Mayors League headed by Pineda, Pampanga Rep. Dong Gonzales, former Pampanga senior board Member Lilia Pineda, and Chief Superintendent Errol Pan of Central Luzon police.

Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio was not present.

After the Mass, the President proceeded to the Clark Freeport and inaugurated the P11.29-million expanded passenger terminal of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The expanded passenger terminal can accommodate two million passengers annually.

Aniceto led the blessing of the expanded terminal.

Mrs. Arroyo also witnessed the signing of agreements between Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) and Kuwait Gulf and Link (KGL) and SIA Engineering Co. (SIA-EC).

The expansion of the terminal is in consonance with Mrs. Arroyo’s declaration last Jan. 29 that DMIA will be the country’s premier international airport.

DMIA, operated by the CIAC, has at least 60 commercial flights a week by international airlines. – Paolo Romero, Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu, Jun Elias