CEBU, Philippines - Should the proposed visit of Pope Francis in Yolanda-hit areas push through, a local church official said parishioners should contribute for the accommodations of the leader of the Catholic Church.
Cebu Archdiocese Episcopal Vicar Monsignor Esteban Binghay said aside from the Pope's proposed visit to typhoon victims, there's another important event in Cebu in 2016 that eyed his attendance.
"In terms of logistics, wala pa ta ana. Ang Archdiocese sa Palo, kay sila man ang nag-invite sa Pope should prepare and be ready. Mag-andam gyud na sila para ma-accommodate ang Pope," Binghay said.
Binghay recognized the high cost of hosting the Holy Father but expressed optimism that the people will not fail the Church as soon as the trip materializes.
"It's not easy to invite the Pope. It is expensive. Pero ang tawo, kung makadungog nga ang simbahan nagkinahanglan, matandog gyud na ilang kasingkasing ug mutabang," he said.
He said that priests and bishops in the Archdiocese of Palo must take into consideration that they could not make solicitations to local parishioners in Eastern Visayas since they are all victims of the typhoon.
"Depende na sa pari ug obispo didto unsa na nila pagpangitag paagi. Dili man pud nila puwede pangayuan ang mga taga didto kay pulos biya pud nangabiktima," Binghay said.
He admitted that he only learned about Palo Archbishop John Du's plan to invite the Pope to visit the typhoon areas through the newspaper.
"I have just known about it via The Freeman newspaper. I do not know if this pertains to the occasion that we have been preparing for (Eucharistic Congress) or an earlier one. There has been no discussion about it here (Cebu)," Binghay explained.
Du signified interest in inviting the Holy Father when a Vatican envoy, Guinean Prelate Robert Cardinal Sarah, recently visited Tacloban City, Palo and other Yolanda-ravaged areas to personally bring the message of solidarity from the pope.
Du, who hails from Bantayan, replaced Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma when Palma was transferred to Cebu Archdiocese upon the retirement of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
Binghay stressed that while the possibility of an earlier visit by the Pope is good news, Filipinos must help prepare for the Eucharistic Congress which the country is hosting in 2016. -/LPM (FREEMAN)