Penitential Walk for voters set Friday

CEBU, Philippines - To “enlighten the conscience” of the Catholic faithful this election period, the Archdiocese of Cebu will be spearheading a Holy Mass and Penitential Walk this Friday.

“In all of the things happening, we need enlightenment and the grace of God through a Holy Mass and penitential procession. This is a way of recognizing that we need God, we need the grace of God,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Palma himself will preside over the 5 p.m. Eucharistic celebration on Friday, May 6, at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, which will be followed by the Penitential Walk.

 “I (Palma) am requesting the parishes within the Metro Cebu area to send a sizable parish delegation to the Penitential Walk to be held on May 6, 2016. Please bring with you candles, banners and tarpaulins which support our quest for credible elections,” read the April 27, 2016 circular relayed to the team ministries, parishes, and chaplaincies within Metro Cebu.

Palma also enjoined the parish priests and team moderators outside Metro Cebu to simultaneously hold the same activity in their respective parishes.

The head of the archdiocese underscored that the Catholic Church has the role to teach, catechize and guide the faithful in choosing the righteous leader to serve the country for the next six years.

But the Church, the 66-year-old prelate said, has in no way of endorsing or campaigning openly as to who the Catholics should choose among the election candidates.

Monsignor Cayetano Gelbolingo, the director of Catholic Church-based association Apostleship of Prayer, said he has coordinated with the city’s police force and traffic agencies in conducting the religious activity on Friday.

Motorists are advised to take alternative routes to prevent buildup of vehicles during the foot procession.

The procession route, Gelbolingo said, will start from Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, will pass through Legaspi Street, take a turn to Colon Street, then another turn to Mabini Street, going back to the Cathedral.

Lawyer Rey Gealon, executive director of Cebu City Transportation Office, has assured to designate traffic personnel on the affected roads to man the vehicular flow and assist motorists. — (FREEMAN)