by Yayes Basares
(this is Yayes' reflection on the the ongoing discussion of "revitalizing olps" over at the olps alumini blog)
What is lost?
The edifice remains, and even if it vanishes if not to be included in NOAH’s ark, it will remain in the heart of every SANO and clergy. You the clergy are its most strong proof, as OLPS existence is defined by its purpose to produce PRIESTS (only God was too selective?). SANO have nothing but memories that somehow in our distant past and during glorious years of our lives we were once there.
The life we lived inside, the character, the language, the manner mirrored the life, the character, the language of every clergy of the diocese. Seminarians merely trudge on the road traveled by Reverend Fathers of the diocese as they tried, albeit unsuccessfully for most, to merit heavens approval of at least nearness if not likeness to what is expected from each of them. People outside tend to look at seminarians as the future Reverend Fathers of their diocese ; future Fr. Butch (Fajardo), Fr. Louie Buenaobra, among others. The respect and admiration seminarians earned is an extension of the respect and admiration of their clergy – their leaders, their shepherds, their bridge to God.
What is lost?
It is regretful to note that the church is busy.
Daily news tell us that these days even the opinion of the church is asked on matters that are purely political in nature. (During the first year of Sorsogon cityhood, one priest was trying to act as mayor while the mayor was trying to act as God’s shepherd.) Church people are dragged in political controversies as some members are queried on giving sanctuary to its perceived enemies. A bishop leads a fight against gambling perhaps unaware that gambling is an inherent trait of every nationality in general and Filipinos in particular, and worst, disregards that economic crises are what drives these people to grab any opportunity for quick income, and much worst neglects to address this. Further, while it condemns gambling, which to the common TAO supplies them food, it rationalizes its acceptance of funds from PAGCOR as necessary to address temporal needs, leaving us hearing this in total awe of its logic and confused of who is talking of what.
The church cannot exist in a vacuum totally secluded in far flung monasteries devoting their time on bended knees and eyes cast on heavens. The church belongs to society and is accountable to it. Yet there is a clear delineating and demarcation line on roles to be played. It is at times when the church cross lines, under the guise of Salvation Theology or misconception of concern for the people, or whatever it is blinded to, that it gets totally distracted and becomes out of context.
If only you will look outside, there is a multitude of people desperately looking for their God, in whatever name they wish to call them. This is evidenced not only on the attendance prayer rallies of Eddie Villanueva and Mike Velarde generates, but on the faces of lost souls on the street (the rugby boys, the corrupt traffic enforcers, the street bully etc … ) You can see them in the news as stories of crimes and scandals are flashed. Heck you can even see them among the rich and the powerful, the educated and prominent, on their stories of failed financial scams.
Yet where are the priests? Do they have time for the dirty and ugly lost souls on the street? If these people suddenly wakes up in the middle of the night and realizes they need God it would still be them to carry themselves inside the church to find a priest.
You asked every house in your neighborhood who in the past six months had the time to come and visit bringing God’s word. The Mormons, the Adventist, will surely be in the list, if not topping the list. Where are the priests?
At the comforts of their homes watching people win millions on Laban or Bawi?
1 comment:
the problem is most the priest are unapproachable and elitist snobs. sometimes they are no less than your local political scumbag. that's the reason why christians have many sect. people seek redemption or guidance outside the church hence, the likes of velarde and villanueve came with great success because they actually reach out in fashion. which the church can only do is just align themselves with them as some sort of sheep dogs and not as sheperds. somebody commented that the clergies' problem as of today is not about chastity but their desire for early pocessions. the church itself is so consumed by wealth they tend to forget about their primary role on earth. but who can blame them for there's much money to be made from Jesus Christ Inc.
its simple, profitable, tax free and legal.
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