Cebu clergy uncomfortable about fund drive

TWO top Cebu church officials voiced their opposition to a fund drive pushed by former Manila City mayor Lito Atienza to buy vehicles for the seven bishops who returned their government-issued units..

Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liason officer of the Cebu Archdiocese, said Atienza’s “Funds for Church Unity” campaign that has drawn political leaders may cast the Catholic church in a negative light before the public.

Dakay said there’s no need for the fund drive since the bishops can raise money through their own initiatives.

He said parishes can have a second  collection after Mass if they need to acquire  vehicles for ministry work.

The program was launched by Atienza last week, along with election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and Dr. Ed Capulong.

They are asking P1 contributions from ordinary citizens and celebrities.

Among those who contributed were  Sen.  Francis Escudero  who gave P100,000 and Sen. Vicente Sotto III who donated P200,000.

Party-list Rep. Mikey Arroyo sent P50,000.

Last Saturday, Atienza visited Cebu where he promoted the program after a Mass intended  for the campaign against the Reproductive Health bill  held at Sto. Rosario Parish.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar,  said they have no control over  those who wish to contribute to the drive.

But Binghay said the fund drive should have been launched at a separate forum to avoid misleading parishioners into thinking the Catholic Church supports it.

“Personally, I wouldn’t accept the ‘gifts’ that they would come up with unless they make clear their motivations in this campaign,” he said in Cebuano. Correspondent Patricia Andrea Patena