Former Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/cbcp.news.com
A Catholic bishop called on the public on Saturday to be stewards of peace and of the Lord’s kingdom by upholding and promoting human rights.
During a Mass held to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, retired Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said one of the Catholic people’s biggest missions is to promote peace and harmony by respecting human rights, which he says to be a gift from the Lord.
“Kaya nga mga kapatid, kilalanin natin ang dakilang misyon na ipinagkaloob sa atin ng Diyos na tayo ay maging tagapangaral at tagapagpairal ng kaayusan ng paghahari ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala natin sa mga karapatan at karangalan na ipinagkaloob sa atin ng Panginoon,” Iñiguez said in his homily at a Mass in Baclaran Church in Parañaque City.
(That is why, my brothers and sisters, let us recognize that out great mission given to us by God is to become stewards of peace and God’s kingdom by recognizing human rights given to us by the Lord.)
Iñiguez said that each and every person is created in the image ang likeness of Jesus Christ and has rights and dignity to be respected.
“Kaya tunay ngang paghahari ng Diyos ang kapayapaang dulot sa atin ni Hesus ay siya rin nating ipinapahayag sa ating pagkilala na tayong mga tao ay nilikha ng Diyos na kalarawan niya, may angking dangal, may karapatan na dapat igalang, na dapat nating sikapin ding mapairal at mabigyan ng puwang sa ating buhay pananampalataya,” he added.
(The Lord’s reign is the existence of peace given to us by Jesus Christ, which we also express through the recognition that all of us were created by God in His own image and likeness, with rights and dignity that need to be upheld, promoted, and recognized.)
The Bishop also lamented the wanton disregard of human rights in the country, especially by the government expected of protecting its people.
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“At isang malungkot na nagaganap sa ating bansa ngayon ang iba’t ibang mga pagwawalang pansin sa mga karapatan nating mga tao. Tayong mga mamamayan,” Iñiguez said.
(It is disappointing what is now happening in our country wherein our rights as people are disregarded.)
“Malungkot na sa ating buhay ngayon ang ating pamahalaan ang namumuno sa atin upang maglingkod sa atin ay sila pang nagiging sagabal upang ang paghahari ng Diyos ay ating maranasan, upang ang kapayapaan na dulot ni Hesus ay mapasaatin,” he added.
(It is disappointing that our government, which supposed to serve and lead us, becomes the obstacle for the Lord’s kingdom to prevail and the peace brought by Jesus Christ to be among us.)
Iñiguez urged Catholic faithful to continue advocating for peace and the protection of human rights to live up to the teachings of the Church.
The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every December 10 to commemorate the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. /jpv