I HAVE read Ronnie Nathanielz’s May 16 column. I can understand his reactions because it all began in a report written by Jeannette Andrade and Tina Santos titled “Priest turns Pacquiao homecoming into anti-RH Bill rally.” (Inquirer, 5/15/11) The title itself was very misleading and those who attended the Pacquiao celebrations here were saying that the report was not true. It was not what really happened here. The Mass was very solemn and spirit-filled. But the news did attract attention and it did benefit to give more attention to Manny Pacquiao’s advocacy. My homily reflected on the gospel and the events happening today, both in the life of Manny and the parishioners, I mentioned about God’s love for man and man’s forgetfulness of God. We have been loved by God, and Manny has been loved “much” by God. The world has a tendency to make us forget this reality of God’s love. We have to thank God for all his love for us. And our way of thanking Him is to be serious in our calling and mission. God has a mission for each and every one of us. Manny, being a Congressman today, has a mission. In Congress, he has an important role to decide on the bills being passed. There are some bills which do worry our Church leaders like the anti-environment bills that might destroy our natural resources, the gambling bills seeking to allow foreign gambling operators to come in, and the RH bill (I mentioned all these in my homily but the reporters only quoted the RH bill). And yes, I encouraged Manny to be faithful to God’s will in the choices he has to take especially in Congress.
Manny mentioned (and he reiterated that he was not influenced by anybody), that it has been his decision before, and until now, not to support the RH bill. Any opinion that says Manny “had no choice but to respond by saying the RH bill meant disobedience to God” is really doing an injustice to Manny. Manny himself is convinced of the arguments against the RH bill. He has a mind of his own and he is a fighter. He knows where he stands and he is brave to express what he believes in. I appreciate Nathaniel’s suggestions for my “supposed homily” and I thank him for his suggestions. They were very insightful. But a homily is a preacher’s reflection after praying on God’s word and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, proclaims what God’s word has to say at this time for His people. The homily given during Pacquiao’s Thanksgiving Mass was the fruit of prayer. Priests should not shy away from preaching God’s Word in or out of season. It was the feast of St. Matthias and was a good reminder to us and to Manny to go bold in our mission in life.
Before I end, I wish to reiterate that it was not a rally but a Thanksgiving Mass for a man who, despite his strength, turns to God as his real strength. God is Manny’s moral strength and this is the reason why he holds dear those convictions against the RH bill.
—MSGR. JOSE CLEMENTE IGNACIO,
rector/parish priest,
Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene
910 Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila