‘Refrain from eating ice cream until a new Pope is chosen’
AN official of the Archdiocese of Cebu yesterday called on the faithful to pray offer sacrifices for the success of the conclave at the Vatican.
Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said people should temporarily avoid doing what they like to do until the 266th successor of St. Peter the Apostle will be chosen.
“We refrain from doing anything we like for the time being. This has to be done in union with the cardinal-electors. This papal conclave won’t be easy considering the number of good candidates for the papacy,” he told CDN.
Binghay said one should “fast, abstain, and to double his or her prayers.”
“We ask the Lord to guide the cardinal-electors so they will be able to choose a capable and worthy leader of the Church,” he said.
But how does one abstain or fast?
“There are several ways to prevent yourself from doing what you want to do. You can refrain from spending much time to watch TVs. You can refrain from drinking softdrinks or eating ice cream until we have a new pope,” Binghay explained.
He said that fasting and abstinence are ways of asking for God’s mercy. /Ador Vincent Mayol
