Cebu clergy confident Pope Francis to overcome health woes
DESPITE having only one lung, newly anointed Pope Francis won’t be deterred from serving the Church, Cebu’s clergy leaders said yesterday.
“Why did the cardinal electors chose someone with that condition? We are concerned. However, we have faith and trust in God. The Lord will keep and guard those whom He selects,” said Msgr. Esteban Binghay in an interview yesterday.
Binghay, the episcopal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, believes the 76-year-old pope is a living miracle to remind the people about God’s greatness and love. “As St. Paul the Apostle said God’s power is strongest when you are weak,’” he said.
Pope Francis had one of his lungs removed when he was still a teenager. The medical procedure was made to treat an infection.
Removing one of the lungs to treat infections such as tuberculosis was reportedly common at that time since antibiotics were not widely used yet.
Pope Francis’ activities and movements were not hampered even if he only has one lung.
Binghay said the Holy Father only needs to be careful so he can remain healthy in serving God’s flock.
“Pope Francis should be careful with his health so that running the Catholic Church would be smooth sailing,” he said.
Pope Francis served as the archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina before he was elected to the papacy last Thursday.
He made history for being the first non-Italian pope in several years, the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope and the first pontiff to take the name Francis.
Binghay explained that a pope wasn’t chosen for namesake but has a role to perform for God’s kingdom.
“We need ro pray for our Holy Father so whatever he teaches will always be right and faithful to the faith,” he said.
Retired Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Rañola said the cardinal-electors had reasons why they chose a 76-year-old pope to lead the Catholic Church when there were younger cardinals to select from.
“We wish him long life, good health, and good shepherding of more than one billion Catholics all over the world. He’s relatively young and we hope he will visit his flock in different parts of the world,” Rañola said.
Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, the rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Pedro Calungsod, said Catholics should learn how to sincerely pray for the Pope in every Masses.
“It’s a beautiful aspect that we put into our minds and hearts when we pray for the pope during the Mass so that it would be easy for him to guide all of us,” he told Cebu Daily News.
During the first novena Mass of St. Pedro Calungsod yesterday, Leyson used for the first time the name “Pope Francis” during the Eucharistic Prayer after the consecration.
Lawyer Paterno Acabodillo, president of the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity of Cebu, also echoed the joy of lay people as Pope Francis assumed the Petrine ministry.
“We’re hoping that he will act on the current crisis the Church is facing. With the prayers of the faithful, I hope the pope will be able to face and address the challenges,” he added.
Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer country director of Human Life International, said Pope Francis is an answered prayer for pro-life groups.
“We have the right pope at the right time. Based on his history, he’s a strong leader who does not compromise like when he fought against gay marriages and use of condoms in Argentina. He’s a big boost to our campaign,” he said.
He, however, wanted Pope Francis to clean his own congregation first.
Bullecer referred to a prominent Jesuit priest in the country who supports the controversial Reproductive Health Law.
“There are some members of the clergy from the Pope’s religious order who are not faithful to the magisterium of the Church,” he said.
