CBCP head calls for repentance from lust for power, wealth

03/31/2010 | 07:59 PM






Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/187439/cbcp-head-calls-for-repentance-from-lust-for-power-wealth


The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Wednesday called for repentance from craving for power and lust for wealth during the Holy Week – especially for this year, an election year.

CBCP president Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said such lusts are manifested through increasing graft, poverty, human rights violations, vote buying and selling and electoral fraud.

“How are we challenged individually and collectively as a community by this season of repentance and renewal? Rightly so, if we are to examine the very core of our being, we realize that our hearts innately crave for power, are attached to material wealth, content to
maintain the status quo, and inclined to worldly allurements and other forms of selfish desires," Odchimar said in his Holy Week message.

“All these have outward manifestations through the increasing cases of graft and corruption in many institutions, poverty, violation of human rights, vote buying-and-selling and other forms of electoral fraud, abuse of natural resources, land grabbing, and all forms of injustices," he added.

Odchimar added it is time to transform society through renewed individual citizens, adding the Lenten journey leads to that total personal renewal. He said such a personal renewal has two decisive movements, the first of which is repentance, followed by justice.

“(The) subsequent step brings us to a new direction of life. At this point, we do not act according to mere impulse and human tendencies but illumined by the Gospel, we practice justice, we become peacemakers, and we love in a manner that the Lord Jesus Christ loves," he said.

Odchimar said the pursuit for good is a fundamental option among individuals, and Filipinos’ efforts of deep concern for the members of the family apparently show our yearning to provide them good and quality life.

Such a yearning for good and quality life includes the desire for good governance, he added.

“In fact, we advocate good governance and seek responsible leaders in view of establishing a just and peaceful society—where all may enjoy a fuller life. But above anything else, we take heed to this crucial call to conversion because God, the Creator and Ultimate Origin of all Good, has drawn us to Himself through His death and resurrection," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV


Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/187439/cbcp-head-calls-for-repentance-from-lust-for-power-wealth