A Critic On Not Being Spontaneous

A Critic on Not Being Spontaneous I just would like to express how disappointed I am with the present Archbishop of Davao. I won’t be writing this essay if a certain event never happened. The catechetical center where I am working has a project which is the full renovation of the Catechists’ Formation House. This house was dilapidated and a fire hazard building. It was never a formation house at all. Previous directors attempted to make this project. But our present director was so convinced to renovate it because of the pressing need. The project started last April 2007. It was programmed for 60 days. Everyone was looking forward that this would be through before classes in June 2007 would open. On the part of the Archbishop, he wrote a letter to the parish priests and other people in the archdiocese to solicit money for our project. It was dated May 3, 2007. Some parishes responded to the archbishop’s appeal. In other words, a fund was raised through his letter. At present, the renovation of the formation house is not yet through but our studentcatechists are already occupying it. We run out of funds. Our director requested an amount to the Archbishop to cover the necessary expenses. A letter was sent to him two days ago. Until now, we got no reply. “In sanctitate et iustitia”. These are the words the guide him in his Episcopal ministry. This motto of him serves as a compass which guides him. He chose the right compass. But what is wrong is that he never follows them. Words have only meaning if these are lived. In his case, these meaningful words never echo for it seems that he can hardly follow them. What made me say this? If he is committed to his motto, his effort to live a holy life should be reflected by giving what is right and due to those who are in need. He should have approved our director’s request for the following reasons: 1. we are running out funds to complete our project which is necessary and; 2. the money raised through his appeal, in a letter, was for the purpose of the renovation of our Formation House. I don’t know why his heart is not that sensitive well in fact, this project is for a better purpose. It is a purpose that is grounded in the Gospel values, in the mission of the Church and unto what is humane. This event makes me doubt about his commitment to the God and to His People. For those who are affluent in the society, he is a very good archbishop. But for us, his goodness is not openly revealed. If he is good, I am wondering why he is trying to hide it and keep it to himself and for those who are lovable. Is he struggling to be good? Why? I don’t have a personal knowledge about this man. But I believe that the goodness of the human person is shown in spontaneity! I don’t know when he can be spontaneous. I am hoping he’ll be moved by the Spirit of Spontaneity so that proper actions can be taken by him to complete our project. He has only three years left. Within this span of period, he can either be better or worse. Aside from God, history will also be his judge. ejec 9:00 p.m. June 8, 2007