Cardinal David: Philippines needs moral, spiritual reset amid corruption

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said the Philippines needs a moral and spiritual reset as he led the mass during the November 30 rally against corruption at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

“Kung mayroong Kuwaresma bago Pagkabuhay at mayroong Adviento bago ang panahon ng Kapaskuhan. Kung ibig natin tunay na maranasan ang pagdating sa atin ng Panginoon sa Pasko, magkaisa tayo sa penitensya,” David said before thousands of protesters.

(If there is Lent before Easter and there is Advent before the Christmas season. If we truly want to experience the coming of the Lord to us at Christmas, let us unite in penance.)

“Magkaisa tayo sa pagsisisi sa naging tiwaling kalakaran sa ating lipunan. Kailangan po natin ng moral and spiritual reset kung ibig natin na magliwanag ang kinabukasan ng Bansang Pilipinas,” he added.

(Let us unite in repentance for the corrupt practices in our society. We need a moral and spiritual reset if we want the future of the Philippines to be bright.)

David dedicated the Mass for transparency and accountability as well as for the end of corruption and the cleansing of the institutions and the society.

He called on the people to pray for the light of Jesus Christ to shine on the darkness of lies, abuse, and corruption.

“Hilingin po natin sa Panginoon na buksan ang ating mga puso sa bagong pag-asa, sa bagong simula, at sa pagkilos para sa katotohanan at katarungan,” David said.

“Kaya mga kapatid, sa simula ng pagdiriwang na ito ng Banal na Eukaristiya, buong kababaang-loob, aminin natin at pagsisihan ang ating mga pagkakasala upang maging marapat tayong gumanap sa Banal na Pagdiriwang,” he added.

Rebirth of the Philippines 

During the homily, Bishop of Cubao Elias Ayuban Jr. also called for the rebirth of the Philippines after being “wounded far too many times.”

“As we stand at the threshold of the season of Advent, our hearts are steered not only with longing for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also with a deep yearning for the rebirth of our beloved country, the Philippines,” Ayunban said.

“We have been betrayed and wounded far too many times. Nasaktan tayo sa mga matatayog na pangako na napako. Nasaktan tayo sa pang-aabuso ng posisyon at kapangyarihan. Nasaktan tayo sa walang habas na pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan,” he added.

(We have been betrayed and wounded far too many times. We have been hurt by promises that have been broken. We have been hurt by the abuse of position and power. We have been hurt by the theft of the public treasury.)

Ayuban warned corrupt officials not to be complacent, considering many bishops have participated in the said protest activity.

“Kapag ganito kadami mga obispo nakikilahok sa pagkilos, dapat hindi maging kampante ang ating mga tiwaling opisyal because we are not only serious, we are very serious against corruption,” he added.

(When these many bishops are participating in the protest action, our corrupt officials should not be complacent because we are not only serious, we are very serious against corruption.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News