‘Use images of Christ, not pope’

MANILA, Philippines - Welcoming Pope Francis, who is known for humility and simplicity, should be done without banners bearing his image.

This was what Vatican officials told the Archdiocese of Palo in a set of instructions for Pope Francis’ motorcade from Tacloban City to Palo on Saturday.

In an article posted on the Papal Visit website, Fr. Amadeo Alvero, head of the information and social communications committee of the Papal visit to the Archdiocese of Palo, said the welcomers should bear tarpaulins with the images of Jesus, parishes’ patron saints or the Blessed Virgin Mary instead.

According to Palo Archbishop John Du, all the families who survived the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda in Nov. 2013 are encouraged to join in welcoming the pope and attending the papal mass and the motorcade.

Du noted that this once in a lifetime experience would be an experience of “healing and hope.”

“This is a rare opportunity to experience the mercy and compassion of God through the apostolic mission of the Vicar of Christ on earth, the pope,” he added.

Du has called on the faithful to carry banners with the message “God is merciful and compassionate.”

Grace Berino, regional district manager of Insular Life Assurance Co., Inc. in Tacloban, said she sees nothing wrong with the streamers, especially those with the pope’s face on it.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air. We’ve been through many calamities and seeing the pope’s face, his smile and the aura he exudes, it’s inspiring. It gives us hope,” she added.

Berino even took selfies of herself with the streamers, saying they will form part of her memorabilia for the historic visit.

She refused to comment, however, on alleged “e-pal” streamers.

She said as long as it is the face of the pope on their welcome banners, she does not see anything wrong with it. “We love the pope and everybody has the right to welcome him,” Berino said.

Courts in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte will be open on Saturday, Jan. 17, when Pope Francis visits the province.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has ordered all executive judges in Tacloban and the judge of the lone municipal trial court in Palo to maintain a skeletal force to process urgent court proceedings during that day, according to the public information office of the Supreme Court.

Earlier, the SC chief declared special non-working holidays in all courts in the National Capital Region on Jan. 15, 16 and 19 due to the pope’s visit in Manila.

Covered by the order are the metropolitan trial courts, regional trial courts, the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, Court of Tax Appeals and Sandiganbayan.

Under Administrative order 02-2015, Sereno required executive judges to maintain a skeletal force in RTCs and MTCs in NCR.

Based on the guidelines issued by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez “the concerned executive judges and clerks of court of the Offices of the Clerk of Court of the first and second level courts shall be on stand-by or on-call duty during the said days.”

“They shall assign two personnel from their respective courts and offices to serve as a skeletal force to process applications for bail and act on other urgent matters,” the guideline read.

The executive judges and clerks of court were also directed to be ready and available to proceed to their offices as the need arises.

Marquez, who supervises all judges nationwide, also required executive judges to assign a judge to be on duty for each of the said days. – With Edu Punay, Lalaine Jimenea