CBCP apologizes for bishops who accepted luxury vehicles
July 12, 2011
A FILIPINO Catholic bishops group whose members have received luxury vehicles from a government sweepstakes agency has apologized “for the pain” it has caused to the faithful.
The apology was contained in a Pastoral Statement issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) entitled “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace”.
“We are saddened that many of you, especially the youth, the poor, our Basic Ecclesial Communities, have been confused because of the apparent inconsistency of our actions with our pastoral preaching,” said the one-page statement read by CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar in a press briefing at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila on Monday.
At least seven prelates have been implicated in the fund mess of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which is currently being probed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Bishops who received sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from the PCSO were Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos who got a Mitsubishi Montero Sport; Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran who got a Nissan Pathfinder; Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian (Mitsubishi Strada); Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace); Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad (Mitsubishi Strada); Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles (Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace); and Nueva Segovia Bishop Ernesto Salgado (Isuzu Crosswind).
The bishops concerned are ready to face the Senate probe on Wednesday, except for Salgado, who is reportedly out of the country, the CBCP said.
“We assure you that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional,” said the CBCP.
But at the same time, the bishops received the donations “without malice” and have been done to help the poor, it added.
“Out of their sincere desire to help their people, they failed to consider the pitfalls to which these grants could possibly lead them,” said the statement.
The CBCP also asked the public to refrain from judging the seven bishops who accepted the vehicles.
“As we express our sadness, we also ask you to be slow in judgment and to conscientiously seek the whole truth behind the controversy. Let us seek the truth always in charity,” said the bishops.
The CBCP statement comes at the conclusion of the three-day Plenary Assembly of the 131-strong bishop-members in Manila.
Malacanang, meanwhile, welcomed the CBCP’s statement.
“That’s a welcome statement from the part of CBCP. However, if you ask us what the consequences will be, we do not know at this point in time. We will have to see how the Senate investigation progresses,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Former PCSO officials have also revealed that they gave money to some bishops to buy SUVs during the previous administration.
Valte joined the CBCP in its appeal to the public to withhold judgment against the Church officials pending the result of the investigation.
“I think that is a fair appeal also from the CBCP since the investigation is still ongoing there are still allegations that need to be discussed,” said Valte.
She also hoped that the government’s partnership with the Church on charity works will not be affected by the controversy.
Malacanang also said that communication lines with the Church will remain open especially with new set of CBCP officers.
“What we believe is from our viewpoint. If you ask us, we have always been very open to dialogues with the CBCP even under the former leadership. We hope to continue the same, not in reference to the dialogue but we continue to be open to the new leadership as well,” said Valte.
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