DISAPPOINTED at the conduct of the House probe into an alleged National Bilibid Prison (NBP) drug trade, the Church’s prison ministry said it is better for the government to hold a “correction summit” instead.
Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Prison and Pastoral Care, said the House inquiry does not seem to address the problems at the national penitentiary.
“Our suggestion is to hold a correctional summit that will be initiated by Congress, wherein experts in penology and correctional field can provide us the solutions we need,” Diamante told Radio Veritas.
Network of experts
He said the prison ministry has a vast network of experts and stakeholders that can help in solving the issue. “If there is need for funds, we are willing to tap on our little resources so that we can really address the problems in the NBP,” he said.
Political agenda
In doing so, he said it would also prevent the supposed probe from being used for political and personal bickering.
“Let us go beyond the personalities and those pushing for their own political agenda. It has become so personal and that they are already using their positions to look into that,” Diamante added.
“It’s about time…please go beyond yourself,” he also said.
Manila archdiocese’s Marian Jubilee
Meanwhile, as part of its celebration of the Year of Mercy, the Archdiocese of Manila is hosting a Marian Jubilee this October.
The archdiocese said it has come up with a series of activities that the faithful are encouraged to be part of during the monthlong celebration.
October 1 the “Conference on the Face of Mercy: God’s Mercy Through Mary” was held at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium in Guadalupe, Makati City, with Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as speaker.
Marian Jubilee
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, meanwhile, will lead the celebration of the Marian Jubilee at the Manila Cathedral on October 7.
The event will begin at 2 p.m., with a procession starting from the San Agustin Church patio and the praying of the chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Among those who will give the reflection and witnessing on Mary as the Mother of Mercy are Jesuit Fr. Catalino Arevalo, former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Howard Dee and other youth leaders.
The event will culminate in a celebration of the Holy Eucharist to be presided over by Tagle.
‘Day of Mercy’
October 9 is designated as “A Day of Mercy,” where mandated lay organizations in Manila’s parishes are set to undertake various works of mercy.
The celebration is also being held with the help and support of the Office for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, the Campus Ministry under the Commission on Youth Affairs and the Marian Solidarity for Pope Francis.
The pope declared a Jubilee of Mercy from December 8, 2015, until November 20.
CBCPNews
