Cebu Archdiocese: We didn’t ask PNoy to quit

CEBU, Philippines- Following  “confusion” as to whether or not Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged President Aquino to step down, Cebu archdiocese officials yesterday clarified that the Church is not backing calls for the president to resign.

In a hand-written statement, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma stressed that the archdiocese does not share the same sentiments as groups calling for change of government by changing the officials running the country.

“As I have mentioned in several occasions, the Church respects the opinions and sentiments of the citizens who are calling for the president’s resignation. However, the Church is not in the position to issue such political statement for it is beyond her competence,” read Palma’s statement.

“I am not also making any statement of such nature because I fully subscribe to the CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines) statement issued last February 4, 2015 by Archbishop Socrates Villegas which denies any moral support from CBCP for those who are calling for the President to step down from office,” the statement continued.

The clarification came after the National Transformation Council again called for President Benigno Aquino III to step down from office.

The call was made inside Vidal’s retirement home in Cebu City where he read a three-page statement. The statement sparked different interpretations and confusion and the retired prelate was believed to share the same sentiments as NTC.

Vidal yesterday declined a media interview and his secretary Fr. Joseph De Aquino said the prelate is “sad but understands” what happened.

“He does not blame anybody for the media reports. He feels bad but understands the situation. He said he will not grant interview about this especially since the archdiocese has released the official statement, which he subscribes to,” De Aquino said.

Despite the recent controversy, Vidal’s secretary assured his health is okay.

Archdiocese spokesman Monsignor Joseph Tan echoed Palma’s statement that the Church will not meddle in political affairs.

“This is not because the Church is indifferent but because the Church respects her people and their respective opinions,” Tan said. He also apologized to those who got confused and offended

Palma is in Manaoag, Pangasinan, to attend the proclamation of the title “Minor Basilica” to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. The two-page letter bore the letterhead of the shrine.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)