CARDINAL SIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

This story was taken from www.inq7.net

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Commentary : The lesser-known Sin
, June 26, 2005
Updated 05:55amam (Mla time)
Nandy Pacheco
Inquirer News Service

IN ADDITION to his great contributions to and his crucial and positive impact on the lives of millions of Filipinos as well as on so many worthy political and social causes, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, former Archbishop of Manila, also gave encouragement to two organizations at a time when they needed it most.

We pay tribute to His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin for the genuine support he gave us when we started the Gunless Society in 1991 and the Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) in 2002. The KPK is a national, interfaith, nonviolent, political movement that seeks to renew Philippine politics and rid the Filipino nation of its evil dimensions, for the common good.

It was Gloria Alcuaz, a social activist, who arranged an appointment for our group to see the cardinal so that we could get him to endorse the Gunless Society project. A small group, made up of Mila Magsaysay-Valenzuela, Bea Zobel, Gloria Alcuaz, Mercy Tuazon, Alex Reyes Jr. and myself, went to see him. Cardinal Sin had no difficulty in supporting the project after we explained that the Gunless Society is rooted, first, in the prophecy of Isaiah that says, “they (people) shall beat their plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, one nation shall not raise sword against another, nor shall they train for war again”; second, in God’s commandment “You shall not kill”; and, third, in the “Social Teaching of The Church” with particular reference to that part on the “Sanctity of Life and Dignity of the Human Person.”

As a result of that visit, Cardinal Sin issued a message endorsing to the government two related and complementary resolutions approved by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). One of the resolutions “calls on all sectors of the Church to actively campaign for an end to the production and manufacture of the technology of death and the arms trade as part of the Church’s vision of peace”; and the other “calls for a massive campaign for a public policy to prohibit the glorification of guns and violence, lust and sex in the movies, movie billboards, TV, radio and print media.”

Cardinal Sin and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal were the first to sign the petition asking the government “to keep the environment safe by making it unlawful for anyone to carry guns and any instruments of violence in a public place unless he/she is authorized, in uniform and on duty. This ban would not apply to sportsmen or individuals who wish to keep licensed guns in their homes or gun clubs.” The other bishops followed suit. The petition also appeals “to the Government to impose this ban strictly and thereby carry out its mandate of creating a peaceful environment for its citizens.” In addition, Cardinal Sin sent a special message to Congress, urging the speedy approval of the gun control legislation. He did many other things in support of the Gunless Society, such as allowing a big billboard to be placed on the wall of his residence facing Shaw Boulevard, with the message: “You are welcome, your gun is not.”

We were able to gather over a million signatures on the petition. But sad to say, the reality is that one cannot expect a gun control law from a progun-dominated Congress. This has been the situation in Congress since the time of President Corazon Aquino up to the present. There is no political party in the Philippines that is committed to gun control.

With regard to the Kapatiran, the other cause for which we sought the assistance of the cardinal, he received Manolo Dayrit and me warmly when we went to visit him to get his endorsement of the movement.

Cardinal Sin expressed elation when we told him that we had just formed the KPK to renew and transform Philippine politics in accordance with the values of the Good News of Jesus and in the spirit of PCP II.

Cardinal Sin reacted by saying “it is about time for our lay faithful to be more actively involved in socio-political affairs.” In his reply to my letter of June 3, 2003, he also said: “I share your sentiments that Philippine society needs transformation and renewal. We must inject the Gospel values to our citizens, especially to our government officials. Genuine peace and progress can only take place if there is spiritual renewal.” He even asked us to get in touch with Fr. Vic Apacible, the minister for lay formation in the Archdiocese of Manila, to help us and put in context our good intentions.

With common good as its ideology, Kapatiran’s mission includes: (1) to build a nation of character; (2) to develop an enlightened, mature and responsible citizenry-from which servant leaders will emerge-through character building, values formation based on the social teaching of the Church, consistent ethic of life, love of country, and basic political education; (3) to make politics an effective means for the integral development of all rather than a tool for the advancement of a privileged few; (4) to draw up a list of clear and specific aspirations which can be woven into a coherent program of government; (5) to make politics a medium through which you can show love for neighbor and promote justice and peace; (6) to make a reality a government of the people, for the people, and by the people; and (7) to make Kapatiran a national vehicle for social and political transformation.

Cardinal Sin’s earthly work is now done, but we who follow him in his footsteps should not forget the example that he set. Neither should we ignore his wise counsel. He was a great teacher, a true leader, and above all a man of love and peace. The principles that he espoused must guide us all, Filipinos, as we work to build a better country for our children and for the future generations.

Cardinal Sin, you were indeed a faithful servant of God. We love you.

Nandy Pacheco is the founder of Nature/Gunless Society and Kapatiran Sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan. He is also the president of Ang Kapatiran, also known as The Alliance for the Common Good.