Faithful asked: Mercy over justice

CEBU, Philippines – Mercy should triumph over justice.

This was the message of Monsignor Roberto Alesna in his homily during the novena Mass celebrated at the opening of the Sinulog festivities yesterday at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

He called on government and church officials, public and private sectors, and devotees of the Señor Santo Niño to be more concerned about mercy rather than justice.

Alesna said 2016 is a Jubilee year of mercy, but the actions of people toward the disadvantaged are far from being compassionate and merciful.

“We should be more concerned about mercy rather than justice,” he said.

He said government officials, for instance, could not deliver help or services to the marginalized because of so-called ordinances and laws that prevent them from doing so.

Alesna hoped that 2016, being an election year, would see elected officials serving the poor.

“Tabangan ug i-address unta ang kahimtang sa mga pobre karon,” he said as he claimed that the poor are being rejected by society.

He said mercy is “compassion, kindness and forgiveness” shown especially to those who has no power.

Alesna challenged church officials, public officials, and the private sector to help uplift the lives of the marginalized.

“Bishops, priests, nuns, government officials, private and public sectors, let us respond to the challenge nga mamahimong manggiluy-on, masinabtanon, manggihinunaon ug mapasayluon ngadto sa uban, ilabi na mga kabus ug timawa,” he said.

He also stressed that a community should be free from “legalism” and dependence on moral laws rather than on personal religious faith.

He said everyone has to give love and compassion without discrimination.

“The mission of the church is to become a place, a home of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Church should be a community of love. The challenge today is we must not abandon. We must love everyone. We must be merciful, compassionate and forgiving especially to the poor,” he said.

Alesna concluded his homily with a question: “Simbahan, pangagamhanan, sakop sa pribado ug pampublikong sektor, matag usa nato nga kristohanon ug lungsoranon — kun dili kita, kinsa man? Kun dili karon, kanus-a man?”

After the 2 p.m. novena Mass at the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center, suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who also sits as chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., formally opened the Sinulog 2016 festivities.

The declaration was greeted with cheers from the crowd as white doves were set free and confetti rained down on them.

Devotees, who endured the scorching afternoon heat, were also seen clapping and swaying and dancing while holding the image of the Holy Child.

They shouted “Pit Senyor!” and “Viva Senior Sto Niño!” as the Mass concluded.

The entire pilgrim center was filled with devotees, with the open ground being occupied by 16 Sinulog dance troupes from different schools and universities of Cebu whose members were clad in vibrant, traditional Filipino costumes and national costumes of other nations.

The declaration was immediately followed by a parade from the Basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center.

This year’s 12 Miss Cebu finalists led the one-hour parade from the Basilica to the CCSC.

The parade was made festive by sound systems strategically stationed along Osmeña Boulevard and blaring the Sinulog feat all the way to the CCSC.

Sinulog Festival Queen 2015 Julienne Hazel Penserga of Tribu Himug-ulaw of Placer, Masbate led the different dance troupes, which included Abellana National School; University of the Visayas; Cebu Institute of Technology-University; Cebu Normal Universtiy; and Mandaue City Science High School that showcased Philippine folk dances.

Contingents from other schools, on the other hand, wore the national costumes of different countries and places like Malaysia (University of San Carlos), Hawaii (Cebu Doctor’s University), USA (University of Cebu), Mexico (University of Southern Philippines Foundation); Brazil (Indiana Aerospace University), Venezuela (Mandaue City College), Spain (University of San Jose Recoletos), France (Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology), and Egypt (Cebu Technological University).

In an interview with reporters, Rama said he ordered establishments along the Sinulog Grand Parade carousel route give space to spectators and ‘decongest’ the sidewalk areas next Sunday.

The goal, he said, was to provide a bigger space for the spectators and to avoid a “possible” stampede.

“Kinahanglanon gyud nga paluagan ug tangtangon ang mga nakababag sa pag agi sa publiko,” he said.

He added that an establishment needs to give the public three meters from the sidewalk so as to enjoy the parade. He identified private bleachers, stands, concrete barriers, and vendor stalls as among those that would be removed.

In his inspection of the carousel route with a few City Hall department heads yesterday, he said he wants obstructions immediately removed. He requested concerned offices and other stakeholders to also monitor where there are obstructions so they could be cleared away.

“Sama aning usa ka pader sa Mango Avenue, kaning sa DOLE (Department of Labor and Employement) ug VECO, ug uban pa nga nakalabas sa sidewalk,” he said.

Rama also reminded sidewalk vendors near Fuente Osmeña not to sell on Saturdays and Sundays. —  Kristine B. Quintas, May B. Miasco, USJ-R Intern Friensy G. Larawan/RHM (FREEMAN)