80 bishops offer Mass for Cory

MANILA, Philippines - Catholic bishops yesterday offered a healing Mass for the speedy recovery of former President Corazon Aquino who is suffering from colon cancer.

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, outgoing Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, led the concelebrated Mass at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila, where bishops held their regular plenary assembly.

Lagdameo said the CBCP is one with the rest of the Filipino people in offering prayers for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery.

Among the 80 bishops and Church leaders present at the healing Mass were Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Mrs. Aquino’s spiritual adviser, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas.

Former CBCP heads Archbishops Fernando Capalla of Davao, Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato and Zamboanga Archbishop-Emeritus Carmelo Morelos also attended the prayer service.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon and former Philippine ambassadors to the Vatican Howard Dee and Henrietta de Villa, and Mrs. Aquino’s grandson Kiko Aquino Dee were also among those present at the Mass.

Dee said the Aquino family and Mrs. Aquino herself, were very grateful to the CBCP and to the Filipino people who are praying for her recovery.

“The good news is that she is slowly recovering,” Dee said.

Mrs. Aquino’s nephew, Rafael Lopa, who attended the Mass held in St. Peter and Paul Parish church in Makati, said Aquino is now eating very little and her strength has not totally returned.

He said the Aquino family is leaving her fate to God.

Aquino’s former spokeswoman Deedee Siytangco earlier said that a five-day prayer organized by supporters of Aquino will start today at Rockwell Center in Makati.

In his homily at the Mass in St. Peter and Paul Parish, Father Tito Caluag recalled the contribution of Aquino in bringing back democracy in the country.

“The biggest contribution of former president Aquino to the people is the return of democracy in our country in 1986,” Caluag said.

A deluge of prayers and healing Masses were offered for Mrs. Aquino after her condition turned serious. She was rushed to the Makati Medical Center last month for loss of appetite due to the buildup of fluids in her stomach.

Mrs. Aquino, 76, considered an icon of democracy, was diagnosed with colon cancer in March last year. – With Jose Rodel Clapano