Gloria-Erap ‘belen’ removed from Cebu theater

Sun.Star: A controversial Nativity scene or belen was removed from the façade of New Cinema Theater on Colon St. last Thursday. The belen used photos of President Arroyo to depict Mary and former president Joseph Estrada for St. Joseph. Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral whose jurisdiction includes the cinema, said he was pleased that the belen had been removed. He said he hopes that the incident won’t be repeated. The Nativity scene, owned by moviehouse proprietor Vic Alvarez, sparked various reactions from the public and local Catholic Church officials. Cebu Archdiocese media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay earlier criticized it. “Vic acted properly. Let them (other businessmen) act properly, too. We respect other peoples’ freedom, but this freedom has its limitations. We ask them to consult with us in matters like this (putting up a belen)," Gelbolingo said. He said he passed by the area and saw several men taking down the Nativity scene last Thursday morning, after he got a new haircut in downtown Cebu City. The following day, Sun.Star Cebu published a report on commission on worship chairman Msgr. Cristobal Garcia describing the image as a blasphemy. Garcia had suggested to Alvarez to remove the image or change it into one that will show Arroyo and Estrada kneeling and worshiping Jesus Christ. Sun.Star Cebu tried but failed to reach Alvarez to get his comment. - Sun.Star