SPIRIT OF POVERTY GONE ASTRAY? I wonder what Pope Francis would say if he witnessed in person or through the media the scandalously extravagant wedding ceremony of movie actress and model Marian Rivera and actor Dingdong Dantes at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City, officiated by 8 bishops and 7 priests and attended by 40 sponsors and hundreds of the elite and the politically powerful in our society, headed by no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines, a third world country, which only recently suffered massive devastation from super typhoons. The bigger question or issue is why the need for 8 bishops and 7 priests to officiate the wedding rites? To make it more binding legally and ecclesiastically upon the married couple to assure or discourage them from any possibility of separation, annulment or divorce in the near or distant future, God forbid? How much was paid or spent for the purpose in the midst of Pope Francis call for simplicity, spirit of poverty,and sensitivity to the feelings of the poor? Why did our good bishops and priests collectively and en masse allow their holy and consecrated selves to be used for this scandalous show of extravagance? Gratis et amore? Or for a fee or donation? Or just to be part of the picture among the showbiz beauties, the rich and the famous? Pardon me for asking as it may be none of my business. But, as a member of the laity, however unworthy I am, I feel I have an obligation to protect the reputation of my Church and to beg for a more appropriate and exemplary behavior (kahit kaunting delicadeza nalang) from my Church leaders. I am reminded of Janet L. Napoles and her favorite bishop or monsignor friend, who was openly shown before the media giving moral support to Napoles, despite the latters Php 10 Billion PDAF scam case. Until now, I continue to wonder: Had Napoles, before the discovery of the scam, offered to donate, say, Php 300 Million to a university or academic institution to put up a School of Finance and Management and the donation was accepted for the purpose, how embarrassed would be its future alumni and alumnae! While, indeed, the leaders of the Church welcome and appreciate donations from the faithful, they should, however, beware or be wary of kleptocratic charity. Otherwise, they will be, wittingly or unwittingly, directly or indirectly, encouraging and perpetuating the practice or, worse, the habit of kleptocratic charity and hypocrisy. Amay P. Ong Vaño Cebu City
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 17:10:59 +0000