‘No campaigning this Holy Week’

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on the faithful and candidates yesterday to set aside politics this Holy Week.

"All Christians, whether politicians or not, should observe Holy Week. They are "enjoined to participate in activities and spiritual acts of churches and parishes," CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III said.

Quitorio appealed to candidates to cease campaigning during the Holy Week and instead engage in "fervent prayers, reflection, penance and charity."

The CBCP said candidates could even take advantage of this traditional religious celebration to prove their sincerity by helping the poor.

"They are called to translate their religiosity into some concrete expression of love. This is why we are calling this year’s celebration as Alay Kapwa. All Christians are enjoined to share their resources. Candidates should donate to charity not as politicians but as Christians," Quitorio said.

Quitorio, however, admitted some candidates might take the opportunity to make donations to the poor and earn "pogi points" as part of their campaign.

"The motive of politicians at this point is obviously to win as many votes so they do acts for ‘pogi points.’ But if they could do it sincerely as Christians who want to express sentiment of love, there is no issue there," he said.

Quitorio reminded today’s Holy Monday is in commemoration of the "cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem."

Although no major feast is being practiced during this day of the Holy Week, unlike on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the Catholic hierarchy has prepared special recollections in various parishes nationwide.

Quitorio said penance is best observed through fasting and abstinence from eating meat, which he said are among the best ways to follow the ways of Christ.

"Penance is often misunderstood. People do different ways of sacrifices that are not within the context of Liturgy," Quitorio said, referring to the crucifixion practices in the provinces which are becoming a major tourist attraction.

The CBCP official said such traditional practices are "not a good Christian idea."

He said it is also the best time to confess sins, revealing that priests often stay in the confession box of church during this period.

The Filipino faithful began yesterday celebrating Palm Sunday in Masses all over the country. As traditionally practiced, Catholics brought palms to have them blessed.

The practice is a recollection of the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem as He was welcomed by a great crowd waving palm branches.

The people shouted "Hosanna" and laid their cloaks and palm branches from the nearby trees in His path.

It was believed that at this time, Jesus had fully accepted His mission in life. In order for Him to accomplish this, He had to be presented to the people as a common criminal after being wrongfully accused of pretending to be the Messiah.

In subsequent days, He endured physical hardships that ended when He died on the cross at Mt. Calvary. His resurrection came on Easter Sunday, according to the Christian faith.