Pinoys united in mourning Francis: A true father
MANILA, Philippines — Often engaged in bitter bickering, Filipinos across the political spectrum are united in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years.
Statements of grief and sympathy over the pope’s death and hailing his legacy were issued by Vice President Sara Duterte, pro-administration politicians and officials, labor unions, progressive groups and an animal rights group.
During a mass held for the pope yesterday at the Manila Cathedral, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula described the pontiff, called “Lolo Kiko” by Filipinos, as “a true father to us.”
In Mindanao, the predominantly Muslim 80-seat Bangsamoro regional parliament condoled with the Catholic community over the pope’s death.
“We in the Bangsamoro government express our deepest condolences with the Catholic Church, our Catholic residents in the region and to all who mourn the loss of Pope Francis,” Abdulrauf Gambar Macacua, chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said in a statement yesterday.
Macacua is known for his closeness with leaders of the Catholic Church as well as Christian religious communities in Central Mindanao.
At the Manila Cathedral, one of the chapels displayed a framed photo of the Argentine pope surrounded by flowers and candles, as prayers and hymns sung by the choir echoed through the church.
“As we reflect on the journey of Pope Francis’ pontificate, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gift of his person, a precious gift of God to the Church and to the world – and in a very special way to us as a Filipino people,” Advincula said in his homily.
It was Pope Francis who elevated Advincula to the rank of cardinal and appointed him as Archbishop of Manila, replacing Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
Aside from Advincula, Pope Francis enrolled two other Filipinos to the College of Cardinals – Kalookan Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David and emeritus Cotabato Orlando Cardinal Quevedo.
Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, thanked the Filipino people for praying with “great generosity” and “great love” for Pope Francis, especially during the time when he was stricken with double pneumonia.
Brown and emeritus Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias were invited as concelebrants in the requiem mass officiated by Advincula.
In his message, Brown expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people who, during the time that the pope was sick, responded to his request for prayers.
“I want to thank all of you, the Filipino people, for the prayers for our Holy Father, especially these last two months. In all the masses that I have been celebrating all over the Philippines, especially in Manila these past two months, I have been asking you to pray for him and you responded with great generosity and with great love for your Lolo Kiko,” said Brown.
Filipinos will always remember Pope Francis’ 2015 pastoral and state visit to the Philippines, where he personally comforted the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte.
“Under the rain in Tacloban, standing with the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain,” Advincula said.
“Throughout his pontificate, our Lolo Kiko was a true father to us and has continued to show his love for the Philippines – not only through words, but through actions. He appointed many of our shepherds – including three cardinals and many bishops – who share his heart for service, simplicity and dialogue,” the Manila prelate added.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Cardinal David, in a Facebook post, described Pope Francis as a shepherd who walked with his people and often chose the path of dusty roads.
“Pope Francis has now returned to the Father, but his legacy as a supreme pontiff – that is, as bridge-builder – will never be forgotten by the Church. Let us pray for the repose of his soul and commit ourselves to carrying forward his call: to grow into a missionary synodal Church – one that goes forth, listens deeply, walks humbly with others and proclaims God’s mercy with joy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said that their diocese would also offer prayers and masses for Pope Francis.
“We lost a father, a holy and very human father. With his paternal and pastoral care, Pope Francis grants us hope and helps us in turbulent and trying times. He gives us healing of ourselves and of the world,” he said.
United in reverence
In a video message posted on her Facebook account, Vice President Duterte hailed Pope Francis as a humble and dedicated disciple of God who led by example.
“We pray as we mourn the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the shepherd who taught us to be compassionate, forgiving and merciful in a world poisoned by social inequities, hate, greed and wars,” the Vice President said.
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela women’s party Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel conveyed the Makabayan bloc’s solidarity with Catholics worldwide, describing Pope Francis as a champion of justice and compassion.
“We in the Makabayan bloc express our deepest condolences to the global Catholic community and to all the peoples of faith and conscience on the passing of Pope Francis, a progressive spiritual leader whose papacy was marked by his tireless advocacy for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized,” the three said in a joint statement.
According to Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Adiong, Pope Francis will be remembered not only as a shepherd of the Catholic Church but one of the leading voices for a more just and conscionable world.
“His deep empathy for the oppressed, including the Palestinian people, and his efforts to build bridges between Muslims and Christians will live on in the hearts of all who yearn for a more humane and compassionate world,” he said.
The Philippine National Police also offered prayers and condolences, calling the late pope “a beacon of humility, compassion and courage.”
“His message of peace, mercy and unity echoes the very values we strive to uphold in the PNP,” it said in a statement.
Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or Bayan, lauded Pope Francis’ stand against blind worship of the market, the insatiable desire of the financial elite and greed of those in power.
“In 2015, he visited Typhoon Yolanda victims in the Philippines, interacted with the youth and street children and spoke about ‘scandalous’ poverty and corruption in front of the country’s top leaders,” Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said.
Similarly, Kilusang Mayong Uno said Pope Francis’ vision is clearly to attain living wages for all working people in the world.
KMU expressed hope that the pope’s aspirations for the working class will continue to inspire workers all over the world to fight for just wages, decent work and ultimately, dignity of life.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, for its part, called on President Marcos to declare a national mourning and order all Philippine flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis.
“National mourning is a solemn fitting tribute from a grateful Filipino people to a pope who, in the face of our greatest storms, walked humbly beside us – especially with workers, the poor and the forgotten,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.
Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada filed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
In Senate Resolution No. 1342, Estrada highlights the remarkable journey of the late pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, being the first one from Latin America.
While Pope Francis’ compassion for people was widely regarded, his support for better treatment of animals was also equally notable.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals hopes that his successor would follow his legacy and echo his call for the world to treat animals with kindness.
“A decade ago, PETA named Pope Francis our Person of the Year. After taking on the name of St. Francis of Assisi, protector of all animals, the pope repeatedly called on the world to treat animals with kindness,” PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk said. — John Unson, Elizabeth Marcelo, Jose Rodel Clapano, Emmanuel Tupas, Mayen Jaymalin, Cecille Suerte Felipe
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