MANILA, Philippines - Pope Benedict XVI has extended his heartfelt condolence and assurance of his prayers to the Aquino family and all Filipinos who are grieving over the death of former President Corazon Aquino.
In a communiqué sent to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone late Saturday night, the pope recalled Mrs. Aquino’s “courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people, her firm rejection of violence and intolerance, and her contribution to the rebuilding of a just and cohesive political order in her beloved homeland.”
“His Holiness commends her noble soul to the eternal mercies of God our heavenly father,” Cardinal Bertone said.
Bertone said the pope “remembers her as a woman of deep and unwavering faith and thus he prays that the same faith and hope which guided her life will now come to abundant fulfillment.”
“Invoking upon all the Filipino people an outpouring of divine graces, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing to all taking part in the Mass of Christian burial, as a pledge of consolation, strength and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
Rosales and Caloocan Bishop Degracias Iñiguez in separate interviews supported calls for Malacañang to declare “Cory and Ninoy Aquino” Day in honor of the “hero couple.”
Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Radio Veritas and executive director of Caritas Manila, said Ninoy and Cory deserved the award.
“Cory Aquino is woman of deep faith, a catalyst of freedom and democracy and the woman who was man enough to face social evil armed only with personal integrity and great compassion for our country,” he said.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), yesterday called on President Arroyo and her allies in Congress to follow the example set by Mrs. Aquino in resisting the temptation of extending their power by shelving their plans to amend the Constitution.
Lagdameo, who is also the bishop of Jaro, Iloilo, said the Filipinos are already anticipating the forthcoming 2010 elections, which is an epitome of democracy that Mrs. Aquino helped restore in 1986.
“Yes, be selfless like Tita Cory. Let us have an election first before Charter change,” Lagdameo told reporters.
In a related development, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo directed yesterday all Coast Guard vessels in the North and South Harbors to blow their ships’ horn once the remains of Mrs. Aquino passes Roxas Blvd. on her way to the Manila Cathedral today.
Tamayo said PCG officials and employees sympathize with the nation in expressing grief over the death of Mrs. Aquino.
He also directed all Coast Guard districts nationwide to offer Masses and prayers in honor of the late former president during their Monday flag raising ceremonies.
Tamayo urged commercial ships to join the Coast Guard personnel tomorrow for a moment of silence for Mrs. Aquino before deployment for maritime patrol.