Dagupan archbishop to lead rally vs con-ass

DAGUPAN CITY — The Catholic church here led by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz is planning a big multi-sectoral prayer rally against the constituent assembly (con-ass) on Dec. 15.

He will start meeting more than 50 priests today to discuss details of the gathering.

Cruz told The STAR yesterday in a phone interview that the priests would be asked to relay what they would discuss during the emergency meeting to concerned heads of colleges and universities, religious organizations and Christian denominations as well as to their Muslim brothers and sisters.

Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim had informed him that he will join the prayer rally.

The venue will be at the city plaza but if the weather would not cooperate, it will be held at the St. John the Evangelist Church here.

But during the prayer rally, as per order of CBCP president Angel Lagdameo, there will be "no rowdy speeches, no banners."

Cruz said the rallies will push through unless the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order (on con-ass) or declare the exercise unconstitutional.

He said he will also call on the dioceses in the cities of Urdaneta and Alaminos if they wish to join them or if they want to have their own prayer rally.

"The insatiable greed for power, wealth and influence is the underlying cause of the unicameral constitutional assembly for a Charter change," Cruz said. — Eva Visperas