Palma’s appeal: Spare Eucharistic Congress from politics
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma advised politicians not to use the 51st International Eucharistic Congress which falls on an election year, saying they should back off from the religious event.
“This is IEC. We do not want anything that will defeat the purpose of the celebration. Politicians and their respective parties are not welcome to use the congress as an avenue to advance their winnability,” Palma said in a press conference at the Archbishop’s Residence in Cebu City yesterday.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had chosen Cebu City as the venue for the 51st IEC on January 24 to 31, 2016, barely four months before the presidential elections.
But Palma explained that the Catholic Church wouldn’t decline any donations from would-be candidates as long as it is done in good faith.
“We’re extra careful here. While we look at people not as politicians, but as individuals, donations should not come with any strings attached,” he said.
“Parading donations for politicians or a party is certainly a no-no,” the archbishop added.
Staging the international religious event entails a huge budget.
Constructing the Eucharistic Pavilion which will serve as the main venue of the event would cost around P550 million.
The pavilion which will have a capacity of 15,000 people is being constructed at the seminary compound in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
A private firm—Duros Land Properties— is shelling out P550 million for the pavilion which is expected to be finished by October next year.
The IEC will tackle the significance of the Holy Eucharist in the lives of the people and the challenges confronting the Catholic Church in the celebration of Masses. The last IEC was held in Dublin in 2012.
Fund raising
Last June, the Church launched a nationwide “piso-piso” fund raising campaign for the expenses of the IEC 2016.
According to Palma, the campaign dubbed as “Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo” is an invitation for everyone to contribute in their own small way to help defray various expenses for the international gathering.
Donation boxes printed with two hands holding the Holy Communion were distributed to all parishes, chapels and Catholic institutions where people can drop their contributions.
As of yesterday, Palma said Cebu parishes gathered about P1.3 million from the fund raising campaign.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis was invited to the IEC. The Pope’s visit to the country next year, is specifically set to be with survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
“Before the strong earthquake and Yolanda happened last year, I personally invited Pope Francis to come to Cebu City for the 2016 IEC. He told me ‘pray that I’m still alive in 2016.’ However, his plans of coming to Cebu may have changed after last year’s calamities,” he said.
Pope Francis is set to visit the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015 “to visit victims of calamities.”
So far, only Manila and Leyte are in his itinerary.
But Palma remains hopeful, the Pope will return to the country in 2016 for the IEC.
“Who knows? He can make a McArthur,” said Palma alluding to the famous American General Douglas McArthur who coined the famous statement “I shall return (to the Philippines).”
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