Manila (AsiaNews) Msgr. Fernando Capalla, archbishop of Davao and president of Filipino Bishops' Conference, has admitted that Catholics in his country have a poor understanding of repentance.
In an editorial published in the Bishops' Conference newsletter, he pointed out that "repentance (for sin) is difficult, since today Filipinos' sense of sin is disappearing from their moral consciences." He then drew on some examples of politicians and personal experiences with faithful.
Last November, while preparing for the wedding ceremony of 32 couples who had lived together for years, when asked by their parish priest to go to confession before being united in holy matrimony by the archbishop, they responded: "Father, we don't have any sins to confess!" The archbishop explained that by replying in such a way, couples show that they are no longer aware of their sin of living together outside the sacrament of marriage.
And this is the cause of their "indifferent and luke-warm consciences, hardened so by no longer listening to God's voice inside them", he said. The archbishop added that they find it difficult to say, "I'm sorry, Lord."
For 29 years archbishop Cavalla has been dedicating himself to promoting reconciliation between Christians and Muslims. He also acts as presidential adviser in the peace process between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) active in western Mindanao.
The archbishop sustains that reconciliation is necessary before peace can occur in Mindanao. Yet he says that this will be difficult to obtain, despite the fact that both the Koran and the Bible teach that forgiveness is necessary for reconciliation. Yet there can be no forgiveness without repentance for one's sins. Today sins are rarely condemned as moral disorders, offenses against divine love, breaking commandments or refusals of God's love.
The archbishop wonders, "What happened?" Why do people say there is no more sin? Why have people all but stopped going to confession? Why do they receive the Body of Christ in Holy Communion if in such a state, even in mortal sin?
The same story, the archbishop continues, is found in the world of politics, as the country heats up during national election campaigns. Politicians, candidates and their backers are well aware of the evil and sin they commit against one anther and the harm they inflict on citizens. Politicians make empty promises just to buy votes. Some even defame the characters of their adversaries by telling tall tales and lies. And yet despite all this, they go to church, attend mass and receive Communion. When they leave the church, however, they return to hard battle against one another. (SE)
