This is in reaction to Rina Jimenez-David’s Jan. 30 column (“The arrogance of ‘Damaso’”). When Carlos Celdran took the risk of pushing for the passage of the reproductive health bill (now a law) right inside the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion in Intramuros, during a ritual considered in the Catholic religion as the highest form of adoration, he crossed a line. As a Catholic he claims to be, he is expected to believe a dogma of our faith that declares the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the actual renewal of the Sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus, at Calvary, highlighted by His Real Presence during the consecration.
Yet, Celdran set aside this dogma to exercise his freedom of expression. Besides the shameful desecration of the House of God, he, likewise, denied the worshippers their common right to peaceful assembly and violated the utmost solemnity of the religious ritual they hold so sacred. The Catholic Church being universal, this is not simply a case of Celdran versus the local hierarchy, but in a greater sense, Celdran versus the Universal Body of Christ whose religious sensitivity he failed to give due respect. Hence, the term “arrogance” more aptly applies to Celdran, not to the “unforgiving” complainants.
About the forgiveness that David, along with President Aquino, insists on, none is required since Celdran continues to arrogantly contend that he did nothing wrong. If he is given an easy way out of his well-deserved sentence, what will stop other activists from doing the same, i.e., invading at will our churches during Mass to air their protest against the hierarchy? The RH bill was not of greater importance that would justify the proposition that Celdran’s intrusion was a mere misdemeanor, thus, Celdran does not deserve even a day in jail.
Having said that, it must also be noted that the Church hierarchy was, in the past, as guilty as Celdran of insensitivity to the religious rights of the congregation when they used the Holy Mass as a political forum rather than a simple, uncomplicated occasion for adoring the Almighty by the people of God.
The fact is, most people go to Mass to listen to the Word of God and a homily related to it, not to a lecture on political issues over which the bishops and priests have serious differences with the government. Sunday being their only time for public adoration, the faithful should be allowed to forget about mundane matters to better feel the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and thus gather strength and inspiration from a spiritual ritual comparable to experiencing a piece of heaven on earth.
—MARY JOAN ANGELES,
joan_a_angeles@hotmail.com