INC RALLY BIBLICAL, NOT PRO CJ
[PHOTO - THE RULING FILIPINO
BISHOPS]
MANILA,
FEBRUARY 23, 2012 (STANDARD) by
Joyce Pangco Pañares - PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is open to a dialog with the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Iglesia Ni Cristo sect,
but only to "discuss the merits [of] the impeachment case" against Chief Justice
Renato Corona, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Monday.
He lashed out at Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles for asking the Senate to
stop Corona's trial on graft charges, and at retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar Cruz for supporting Corona.
"It [the trial] may not be a biblical solution to his [Arguelles']
perspective, but it is a constitutional solution when it comes to removing
government officials," Lacierda said.
"It's unfortunate that Bishop Arguelles is only speaking now. When there was
a call for the truth to come out, where was Bishop Arguelles?
"Where was Oscar Cruz when we were making calls for the truth to come out?
Shouldn't the Church be for the truth? So where are they?"
Lacierda made his statement even as a Catholic Church official
said the Church will not meddle with the Iglesia's plan to rally in support of
Corona.
More than 3 million Iglesia members are expected to rally nationwide on Feb.
28. Over a million Iglesia members are expected at the Luneta in Manila alone on
that date.
Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso appealed to Mr. Aquino and Corona to stop
issuing public statements about the trial.
"We can just give an advice to them or remind them about the dignity that
they have, [that] they are talking as persons with dignity, persons with
education," Medroso said.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Roderick Pabillo expressed concern about the
consequences of the impeachment trial, which he said had drawn Mr. Aquino's
attention away from the more important issues affecting the country.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines repeated its call for
a fair trial against Corona.
Lacierda said the Palace expected the Iglesia's gathering on Feb. 28 would be
a Bible exposition and not a political rally in support of Corona.
"We have been assured that the [Iglesia] rally on February 28 will be a Bible
exposition," Lacierda said.
"We expect them to be true to their word and that it will be a religious
activity and no other."
Over the weekend, Mr. Aquino said there was nothing to be nervous
about the Iglesia's grand rally.
"Why should I be nervous? I have not done anything wrong," he said. With Vito Barcelo
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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