Baguio prelate reminds Marcos: Let spirit of freedom soar

MANILA, Philippines — On the occasion of Pentecost, Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico reminded the administration of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to allow the spirit of slavery to reign and instead let the spirit of freedom soar.

In an interview yesterday with Radio Veritas, Bendico said that by allowing the Filipino people to enjoy their freedom, they would love the Philippines more and be motivated to work for the good of the country and their fellowmen.

“With the new government administration, let us not put on a spirit of slavery. Let us be led by a spirit of freedom. We are free people in a free nation,” said Bendico, who also chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Liturgy (CBCP-ECL).

“In a free country, there can only be a free citizen – citizens who love their country and work hard for the common good,” he added.

As for the Catholic faithful, he said that while the recent May 9 national and local elections caused much divisiveness among the Filipino people, they must come together in unity on the occasion of the Pentecost.

The Pentecost refers to the descent of the Holy Spirit to the 12 apostles. It is a movable feast that takes place 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Brothers and sisters in Christ, the essence of Pentecost is unity. There were images of winds and fire which broke down the barriers of fear, anxiety and worry among the disciples,” Bendico said.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula encouraged Catholics to work toward attaining peace and learn to forgive those who persecute and made life difficult for them.

“With the help of the Holy Spirit, we would be able to accomplish this – to work for peace, be faithful to our mission and forgive those who persecuted us and made life difficult for us,” Advincula said in a recent Radio Veritas interview.

During the two-year COVID-19 pandemic, several people were filled with anxiety and apprehension about the future.

One of the messages from the Holy Spirit was for the people to learn forgiveness in order for the Lord to live in their hearts, according to the Manila archbishop.