Cebu’s leaders okay aid for celebration’s costs

Cebu’s leaders yesterday hailed Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to canonize Blessed Pedro Calungsod, saying this speaks well of the province as a bastion of Christianity in the country.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza each offered assistance to the Cebu Archdiocese’s fund-raising efforts for the canonization rites on Oct. 21.

Rama said yesterday that he can make a portion of the South Road Properties (SRP) available for thanksgiving activities for Calungsod’s canonization. He said it would be the city’s honor to host the program

The mayor said the canonization is an important event for all Cebuanos and even non-Cebuanos.

Calungsod, a Visayan catechist slain in the 17th century, was beatified on March 5, 2000.

“But as to the separation of the church and the state, we should be mindful about it. I think the faithful can raise funds (to fund canonization activities) on their own,” Rama said.

Msgr. Roberto Alesna, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said in an earlier interview that they plan to hold the Thanksgiving Mass for Calungsod’s canonization at the SRP because of its huge space.

Rama said he would ask the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) to help document the activity which would form part of Cebuano culture and history.

Canonization activities participated in by CHAC may be funded by City Hall funds, Rama said.

If his schedule allows it, Rama said he may also travel to Rome to personally attend the canonization activities.

He said former Cebu City mayor Alvin Garcia spent personal funds to attend the beatification rites of Calungsod.

Governor Garcia said she plans to attend the canonization rites in Rome.

“He will be known as St. Pedro Calungsod of Cebu. How blessed are we Cebuanos. It’s not always that a place is associated with a saint. Cebu will forever be attached to the sainthood. This will put Cebu in the world map,” she said.

Garcia even apologized to her eldest son Paulo since she won’t be around to join his birthday celebration on Oct. 21.

Magpale said she won’t be able to attend the canonization rites but will be there “in spirit.”

Like Rama, Governor Garcia also expressed the province’s willingness to assist in the fund-raising for the canonization.

“The province will be most willing to assist in the fund-raising of this particular activity of the canonization,” she said.

For her part Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza will meet with the City Council to discuss raising funds to assist the Cebu Archdiocese in celebrating Calungsod’s canonization.

Radaza said she would even convince private companies to give financial aid.

“I’ve known Calungsod through the news, and what he did, is a great example to all especially to the youth,” she said.

Mandaue City Councilor Diosdado Suico said the city government will support solicitation activities to help raise funds for the Cebu Archdiocese.

“Calungsod’s canonization is a source of pride. Due to the separation of Church and State, we may find it hard to allocate a budget but we’ll help solicit and give personal contributions,” said Suico, also president of the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Joseph National Shrine Parish. /Candeze R. Mongaya, Carmel Loise Matus and Doris C. Bongcac