Pope Francis, may mabigat na hamon sa mga politiko sa Pilipinas

Sa kaniyang unang talumpati sa pagbisita sa Pilipinas, hinamon ni Pope Francis nitong Biyernes ang mga politiko na itakwil ang katiwalian at bigyan ng prayoridad ang mga mahihirap.
 
“Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart,” pahayag ng lider ng Simbahang Katolika sa kaniyang talumpati sa harap ng mga politiko at diplomatiko sa Malacañan Palace nang mag-courtesy call kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino III.
 
“I hope that this prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life of the community,” dagdag niya.
 
Hinikayat din ng Santo Papa ang mga politiko na maging tapat at magtulungan para sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipino.
 
“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” paghikayat niya.
 


Sinabi pa niya na ang pagtutulungan at pagrespeto sa isa't isa ng mga lider ang tanging paraan para maani ang mga biyayang maipagkakaloob ng bansa.
 
“In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country. Thus will they be able to marshall the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace,” ani Pope Francis. 
 
Binigyan halaga rin ni Pope Francis ang pangangailangan na igalang ang dignidad ng tao at kapakanan ng mga mahihirap para makamit ng bansa ang inaasam na kapayapaan at kasaganahan.
 
Hinikayat din niya ang mga lider pulitikal na putulin ang tinatawag niyang "bonds of scandalous social inequalities.”
 
“Essential to the attainment of these national goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity. The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities,” patuloy ng Santo Papa.

Dalawang taon na ang nakaraan nang tawagin ni Pope Francis ang kahirapan sa mundo na “scandal” and a “cry.” Hinikayat din niya ang 1.2 bilyong Katoliko sa mundo na “not have too many things and to become a little poorer.” 
 
Bagaman iniulat kamakailan na bumaba ang poverty incidence sa Pilipinas noong nakaraang taon, sinabing malaking bahagi pa rin ng populasyon ang nananatiling mahirap, base na rin sa datos ng pamahalaan.
 
Sa isang survey ng Social Weather Station bago matapos ang 2014, lumitaw na 11.4 milyong Pinoy ang ikinunsidera ang kanilang sarili na mahirap.
 
Mahalaga ang pamilya
 
Binigyan pansin din ni Pope Francis ang kahalagahan ng pamilya para sa pagbabago ng lipunan. Partikular na tinukoy ng Santo Papa ang mahalagang papel ng mga kabataan, at ang tamang paggabay sa kanila sa kagandahang asal.
 
“A fundamental role in the renewal of society is played, of course, by the family and especially by young people. A highlight of my visit will be my meetings with families and with young people here in Manila. Families have an indispensable mission in society. It is in the family that children are trained in sound values, high ideals and genuine concern for others,” anang Santo Papa. 
 
Nagpaalala rin siya sa mga pagsubok na kakaharapin ng pamilya, at mangangailangan ng lubos na pagtutulungan.
 
“Like all God’s gifts, the family can also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know how difficult it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such basic human values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human person, respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect for the inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and extending to that of the elderly and infirm,” payo niya. 
 
Nanawagan din ang Santo Papa sa mga miyembro ng lipunan na tumulong sa pangangalaga sa pamilya, at ipasa sa kabataan ang isang kultura na may integridad.
 
“Families and local communities must be encouraged and assisted in their efforts to transmit to our young the values and the vision which can help bring about a culture of integrity—one which honors goodness, truthfulness, fidelity and solidarity as the firm foundation and the moral glue which holds society together,” pahayag niya.

Kapayapaan at pagsisikap
 
Sa kaniyang talumpati, binigyan din ng pansin ni Pope Francis ang kontribusyon ng mga Pilipino sa mundo.
 
“I would also mention the oft-neglected yet real contribution of Filipinos of the diaspora to the life and welfare of the societies in which they live. May the deepest spiritual values of the Filipino people continue to find expression in your efforts to provide your fellow citizens with an integral human development. In this way, each person will be able to fulfill his or her potential, and thus contribute wisely and well to the future of this country,” ayon sa Santo Papa. 
 
Pinuri niya ang ginagawang hakbang ng pamahalaan na makamit ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao.
 
“I am confident that the praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between the followers of the different religions will prove fruitful in the pursuit of this noble goal. In a particular way, I express my trust that the progress made in bringing peace to the south of the country will result in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including the indigenous peoples and religious minorities,” patuloy ng Santo Papa. 
 
Kasalukuyang nakabinbin sa Kongreso ang panukalang batas para maisapinal ang usapang pangkapayapaan na pinasok ng pamahalaan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
 
Pinuri rin ni Pope Francis ang katatagan ng Filipino spirit, lalo na ang mga naging biktima ng bagyong "Yolanda," na humagupit sa bansa noong Nobyembre 2013.
 
“This visit is meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. Together with many people throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others,” ayon sa Santo Papa.
 
Binigyan din niya ng pansin ang ginawang pagtulong ng international community sa mga naging biktima ni "Yolanda."
 
“In that moment of national crisis, countless people came to the aid of their neighbors in need. At great sacrifice, they gave of their time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working for the common good,” pagpuri ni Pope Francis.
 
Inihayag din ng Santo Papa ang mahalagang aral ng pagkakaisa sa pagbangon tulad ng isang pamilya.
 
“Solidarity in the work of rebuilding teaches us an important lesson. Like a family, every society draws on its deepest resources in order to face new challenges. Today the Philippines, together with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid foundations a modern society—a society respectful of authentic human values, protective of our God-given human dignity and rights, and ready to confront new and complex political and ethical questions,” paalala niya.
 
Sa Sabado, magtutungo si Pope Francis sa Leyte upang makasalamuha ang ilang naging biktima ng bagyong "Yolanda." -- FRJ, GMA News