Tom now wants ecumenical service in honor of Aquino

CEBU, Philippines - Instead of a Catholic Mass, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will now opt for an ecumenical memorial service.

Osmeña in a text message sent to The Freeman said he is open to a possible interfaith memorial service instead of a Mass at the Carmelites Monastery.

This came after Cebu Archdiocese spokesperson Monsignor Achilles Dakay criticized politicians for sponsoring masses for the late president when there are already masses being held in all the parishes.

 “I will not allow the Cardinal’s spokesman to smear the proposed Mass at the Carmelites Monastery as a political activity. This is a slur to us Cebuanos, who only want to commemorate all the good things Cory stood for. Better cancel the Mass na lang. I’m open to a possible interfaith memorial service at the Cebu City Sports Center if the other religious groups desire,” Osmeña said.

A member of the Aquino family, the mayor said, will still be invited for them to know how Cebuanos honor and express their gratitude to President Cory.

The mayor originally wanted a Mass held at the Carmelites Monastery, because it was where Aquino sought refuge when her safety was in danger in 1986 after the snap elections.

Osmeña would have wanted a “neutral party,” one preferably from the religious sector, to organize the Mass.

The mayor emphasized that his intent is to bring everyone to the Mass as a way for the Cebuanos to remember that the EDSA People Power Revolt of 1986 was made possible because of the key role of Cebu and the Cebuanos.

Osmeña even invited everybody from the various political leanings to the event. — Ferliza Contratista/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)