‘EDSA Shrine not for sowing anger’

The Catholic Church does not want protesters to vent their anger over various issues on the steps of the Mary Queen of Peace Shrine at EDSA and Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

Bishop Socrates Villegas, spokesman for Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, said the Church has banned rallies at the Shrine as the country celebrates tomorrow the first anniversary of people power II, which saw the overthrow of President Joseph Estrada.

However, Villegas, who is also rector of the EDSA Shrine, said the place of worship is open 24 hours a day to everyone for prayers as well as other spiritual and apostolic activities.

"The church is for God and the streets are for the people," he said. "It is not for purpose of any political rally or protest."

Villegas said protesters may express their indignation on Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) Bridge across Malacañang or at Liwasang Bonifacio and Rizal Park, all in Manila; or the People Power Monument beside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

"But in the event of another people power, the EDSA Shrine would be opened solely for prayers, for coming together to listen to God and for asking the Blessed Mother for help," he said.

Villegas said the Catholic Church has also asked President Arroyo to celebrate the first anniversary of EDSA II in another venue instead of holding a rally at the EDSA Shrine.

"Instead of the poor coming and listening to you, why do it the other way around," he said. "Come to their homes and listen to them"

Villegas said the youth and the poor should the priority of Mrs. Arroyo when rallying the "spirit EDSA," and that she must "not rely too much" on the media.

"It is about time that the EDSA celebration be less focused on a place but more on the people," he said. "Wherever the people are, that is where the EDSA spirit is. It lives in the heart of the people. It is not a person like Cardinal Sin, GMA or Cory."

Last Wednesday, hundreds of troops ringed the EDSA Shrine after the Catholic Church barred entry into its premises on the first day of the EDSA II celebrations.

Villegas said on Thursday the Archbishop of Manila owns the EDSA Shrine because it stands on Church property.

"And therefore (it) could only be used according to the rules of the Roman Catholic archdiocese," he said. "As a matter of policy, the deck of the EDSA Shrine, the church area and its surroundings must be used only for strictly pastoral and religious activities.

Manila Arcbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin does not want the shrine used for political purposes, he added.

Villegas said organizers of political and other protest rallies can use other venues.

Mrs. Arroyo told reporters Thursday she backs the Catholic Church’s decision to declare the EDSA Shrine off limits to political rallies.

"Actually, because that is a private property," she said. "It is really being requested by the Church not to allow rallies without permits to be held there."

Militant demonstrators led by Bayan will re-enact people power II on Chino Roces tomorrow, the first anniversary of the overthrow of Estrada.

Bayan secretary general Teddy Casiño said demonstrators will march to Chino Roces from various points in Metro Manila after the Catholic Church barred them from holding a rally at the EDSA Shrine.

"The celebration at Mendiola will relive the victory of the people," he said. "The people also trooped to Mendiola on the fateful day of Jan. 20 (last year) to demand (that) Estrada leave Malacañang."

On the other hand, Sanlakas and other militant groups will celebrate EDSA II at the People Power Monument near Camp Aguinaldo, also in Quezon City, some 100 meters from the Catholic shrine.

Wilson Fortaleza, Sanlakas national president, told reporters the EDSA Shrine has been transformed into a "mini fascist enclave" in the middle of a historic avenue of freedom.

"The EDSA Shrine is for the elite," he said. "How ironic it is that the symbol of freedom has now become a symbol of discrimination. That monument is for the poor and the disenfranchised."