Cubao bishop calls out ‘klepto-spirosis’ during mass at People Power Monument

A Cubao bishop criticized “klepto-spirosis” in his homily during a Holy Mass near the People Power Monument in Quezon City as part of the September 21 rallies against corruption in flood control projects.

“Ang paglilingkod sa Diyos ay nagdudulot ng kalayaan, kagalakan, at buhay. Ang paglilingkod sa kayamanan ay nagiging pagkaalipin, pagkabalisa, at kawalan,” Bishop of Cubao Elias Ayuban Jr. said in his homily in front of protesters that were gathered at a stage that was set up along White Plains Avenue.

(Serving God brings freedom, joy, and life. Serving wealth brings slavery, anxiety, and loss.)

“At nagkaroon pa ng bagong sakit sa mga sakim. Ito ay hindi leptospirosis kundi ‘klepto-spirosis’—kleptomania at leptospirosis, pinagsama. Ito yung mga sakit ng mga magnanakaw na kabahan ng bayan na mahirap gamutin,” he added.

(And there has been a new disease among the greedy. It is not leptospirosis but ‘klepto-spirosis’—kleptomania and leptospirosis, combined. These are the diseases of thieves who are afraid of the people and are difficult to heal.)

Ayuban told the audience that they should love people and use money, warning of tragedy if they “invert the equation”

The Cubao bishop encouraged protesters not to stop and not to lose hope because “God will act.”

"This is the worst of times dahil sa massive corruption, but it is also the best of times because marami na sa atin ang mulat. At kapag tayong mulat, hindi na dapat tayo matulog muli,” Ayuban said.

“Huwag nating tantanan ito. Huwag nating tigilan. Let us not lose hope because God sees, God remembers, God will act. And until He does, we must be His witnesses, defenders of truth, protectors of the poor, and builders of a just society,” he added.  —RF, GMA Integrated News