From Bacolod City, the controversial “Team Buhay” and “Team Patay” tarpaulins have now reached Cebu City.
Attached on metal post planted on a concrete base, the tarpaulins were placed at the gate of the Patria de Cebu and the Rajah Humabon Park infront of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese, said the tarpaulins, nor the idea of proliferating it did not come from the clergy.
“Only the laity is allowed to do that. It’s clear that bishops and priests are not allowed from doing do,” he said in an interview.
He said Church officials won’t order the removal of the tarpaulins since the persons behind it have the right to post those messages.
The same tarpaulins were placed outside the premises of the Archdiocesan Shrines of Our Lady of Lourdes in barangay Punta Princesa and the Our Lady of Guadalupe in barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said lay leaders spearheaded by the Council of the Laity will come out with a manifestation calling for unity and vigilance with regard the “anti-life issues.”
“As baptized Christians and members of the Church, they call for guidance, support and collaboration with the clergy in their pro-life advocacy,” he said.
He said different lay organizations organized themselves to promote pro-life candidates in the coming elections.
“I saw this as an expression of faith from the discernment of the lay faithful who are the majority members of the Catholic hurch and majority of the Filipino people,” the 62-year-old prelate said.
Palma, also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, urged parish priests and religious communities to “aid and assist” the lay faithful in their quest to guide the electorate.
“(The) religious lay organizations (should be involved in) the discernment process and make a pro-life solidarity stand and initiate pro-God, pro-people, and pro-life activities,” he said. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter