WE are sorry. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma asked forgiveness for “our faults and failures” as he led Cebuano clergy in their renewal of priestly vows at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday.
Around 300 diocesan and religious priests in Cebu participated in a Mass where they renewed vows to lead holy lives.
Palma, who turned 62 years old last Monday, offered a general apology for the shortcomings of the clergy.
“As we come to renew the priestly promises, this is our way of confession. A way of admitting in all truth and sincerity before the Lord. We say ‘Lord we know we are weak and fragile human beings. We accept our limitations and shortcomings. We accept our faults and failures,’” Palma said in his homily.
“Many times, we must have failed in our task of teaching and preaching. We may not have given the best teaching. We ask the Lord for pardon. We will strive harder to become good teachers.”
Palma, who is the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), advised the clergy not to discriminate against lay people and to instead work with them.
“Through the years, we have been remiss in some ways in just looking down on lay people. They are God’s children because they are baptized. They are fellow workers,” he said.
Palma asked the lay people to “pray for us that we may become priests patterned after Jesus.”
In an interview after the Mass, Palma said priests should treat lay people as their equals.
“We are all first class. Each one of us have our own work and mission. More lay people have become saints than the religious,” Palma said.
He said there are complaints that some priests are not enthusiastic about hearing confessions and attending to sick calls.
There are also priests who are “dictatorial” in approaching programs.
“Only God knows how much we failed him in our own thoughts and works. These are challenges that we have to face,” he said.
During the Mass, Palma blessed oil that will be used by priests in administering the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and holy orders.
Three jars containing the holy oils were distributed to priests after the final blessing.
The oils are traditionally blessed on Maundy Thursday morning, but Palma said the Archdiocese decided to do hold the Chrism Mass earlier yesterday so that priests, especially those from far-flung parishes, could attend.
Several churchgoers also brought their own oil, which Palma blessed.
This can be used to intercede for healing, said Msgr. Cristobal Garcia, chairman of the Commission on Worship.
“The oils that you brought manifest trust in God. Hopefully, you will use them in exercising your faith. Using these oils isn’t magic but a way to thank the Lord and pray for His continued help,” Garcia said.