This year's Quiapo Black Nazarene devotees reached an estimated 3 million and not only did their number stand out. The unruly behavior of many of this year's devotees, including the 336 tons of garbage they left behind, has called attention and criticism about their type of devotion and worship.
Hopefully, this type of devotion will not be repeated in Cebu City's Sinulog which will be celebrated this week. Prayerfully, we hope the devotees of the Sto. Nino are more responsible, that they do not push and inflict harm on others as they go about their worship and also, most especially, that the Sto. Nino devotees and the Sinulog audience will take care of their trash more effectively.
Despite the presence of Basura Patrollers in Quiapo, the devotees tossed their trash irresponsibly just everywhere they wanted to. These are the same devotees who raised their pleas to the Lord and who surged and competed to be able to touch the Black Nazarene in their belief that doing so will bring miracles and solutions to their needs.
Why the disconnect between their heavenly plea and their earthly behavior? Why the disconnect between their heavenly desire to be clean before the eyes of God yet at the same time, totally unmindful of the dirty environment they themselves create?
The statement of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco deserves reflection and follow-up: "Our devotees should be continuously catechized. Their faith should be deepened and enriched."
The Church needs to allot more time and discussion, with the faithful, to review the meaning of devotion to God. There is also a need to reorient some religious who encourage devotion and worship that does not stem from genuine belief and faith in God. We have in mind some religious who encourage the public to proceed with their type of devotion for non-secular selfish reasons. We remember how one whistle-blower reported that a Quiapo Church priest would bring the Black Nazarene image to the home of Napoles upon request. Whatever happened to this priest? Has the Church made any investigation about the role of this priest related to the PDAF scam?
The Church also has to be an active partner in protecting God's earth. Before and during the spiritual celebration, devotees have to be constantly reminded to take care of, to be responsible for their own trash. The whole earth is God's dwelling and so therefore, all believers need to be constantly reminded to keep the whole earth clean, sustainable, and protected as God intended for all generations.
May the Church carry the important message, on a more sustained basis, about everyone's stewardship of the earth that God created for them. Is it possible to have the priests include in their weekly sermon the importance of not throwing any waste anywhere? Is it possible for priests to ask, before the mass ends, for every participant to look around them and ensure that no trash is left inside and outside the Church , for the whole world is God's holy place? Is it possible for all religious in all denominations to include this continuing reminder about everyone's important role not to throw garbage anywhere so as not to harm or destroy God's beautiful creations?
Cebu City local government can also do their part in organizing effective barangay-level waste management teams that can be tasked to remind people about their trash and even impose the anti-littering ordinance for violators. Instead of having a problem with so much trash after the festivities which will demand so much funds and personnel to clean up, why not turn this problem into a positive initiative instead, where trash can be more properly managed and converted into cash for participating barangay teams and other volunteers?
Happy Sinulog celebration everyone! Happy Sto. Niño commemoration to you all! As all join in praising God and raising to Him all pleas and petitions and thanksgiving, let us join hands in prayer and may that devotion and worship include protection of God's earth through responsible waste management.
PIT SENYOR!!!
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Email at cherryb_ thefreeman@yahoo.com.