Cebu officials still hoping for stopover

CEBU, Philippines - Despite official announcement that Pope Francis will not be visiting Cebu and Bohol during his January visit, officials of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño remain hopeful and will continue to prepare for the possibility of a stopover.

“Even if we are back to plan A, there is still plan B (Pope’s visit). We will continue to prepare. Although there is a slim chance, we will not let go of our preparation,” said Basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares.

Based on the official itinerary released by the Vatican, the Pope will spend most of his time in the capital. He will only leave Luzon to visit areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, particularly Tacloban and Palo in Leyte.

With Cebu often referred to as the ‘seat of Christianity in Asia,’ Mejares couldn’t help but wonder how the itinerary was arrived at.

“Between Manila and Cebu, mas bug-at ang Cebu being there cradle of Christianity. Kung hisgutan ang kalamidad, equal footing ra ang Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas. Both were devastated and traumatized. The only difference is the number of casualties,” said the Bohol native.

Others, meanwhile, are optimistic that the Pope will eventually visit Cebu during the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in January 2016.

Still, Cebu archdiocese spokesman Monsignor Joseph Tan cautioned that his visit in 2015 reduces the chance of a possible return a year after.

“If he is coming in 2015, there is a very slim chance for him to come the following year. But we still continue to pray that he comes. What we need to do now that the itinerary has already been finalized is to carry on with our preparation for the IEC. I believe that the very things in this world are governed by prayers and faith,” Tan said.

He said church officials in the Visayas have done their part in pushing for the inclusion of Central Visayas in the Pope’s itinerary by sending a petition to Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, as well as to the Vatican.

REACTIONS

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella remains hopeful, too, but said that should a spontaneous decision to visit will not materialize, those interested can always go to the places where the Pope will visit. He said he and his family are considering of going to Tacloban and Palo.

“We will respect it. If we would love to see him, we have options to go to the places where he will go. It’s enough that Philippines is part of his itinerary,” Labella said.

He said he would really want to see the Pope this time because he already lost the chance of seeing Pope John Paul II in person when the former pontiff visited the country because he was studying in London at that time.

Labella said he respects the fact that the Pope’s visit is intended primarily for the typhoon survivors and not for festivities.  “His visit would mean a lot to the survivors because he will be giving hope, peace and confidence to them,” he said.

“We are all prepared for international events, even if the Pope will be coming, we are still ready. I believe there is still chance that he will visit Cebu because we are not far from Leyte and we have an airport that could accommodate him,” he said.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said they have anticipated Cebu’s exclusion in the itinerary, considering the tight schedule. While northern Cebu was also affected by the typhoon, Magpale asked for “more understanding” from the public as it would be difficult to demand for the Pope’s time, what with the many logistical considerations, chief of which is security. — /JMO (FREEMAN)