Palma: Be involved in teaching values

CEBU, Philippines - On the third year of celebrating his martyrdom as an official saint, the leader of Cebu’s Catholic Church urged the faithful to take part in spreading Christian teachings and values.

“Transmit the faith. Involve yourself with catechesis. Teach. In this culture and globalization of indifference, it feels good that as Christians we care for our brothers. We care for the sick,” said Cebu Archdiocese Jose Palma in his homily during the Pontifical Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod inside the Archbishop’s Residence compound.

The Philippines, Palma said, is fortunate for the gift of faith amid all the crises that hound the predominantly Christian nation.

“We are very blessed because despite our economic and political crises, our churches are filled unlike much developed countries in Europe with grand but empty churches,” he said.

The Freeman chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas and wife Nena were among the offerers during the 9:30 a.m. mass led by the prelate.

San Pedro Calungsod’s feast day, which is on April 2, was celebrated yesterday since the official day of his martyrdom falls on the Holy Week.

Calungsod died as a lay catechist boy who accompanied Blessed Fr. Diego Luis De San Vitores in the hands of Marianas natives in modern Guam.

The processing of beatification of San Vitores led to the accidental discovery of the Filipino volunteer missionary.

Since there is a limited account on his life, it was not determined where in the Visayas he specifically came from. —ATO (FREEMAN)