Open Letter from the Council of the Laity

COUNCIL OF THE LAITY

Archdiocese of Caceres

 

September 12, 2009

 

HON. JESSE M. ROBREDO

Mayor, Naga City

Dear Mayor Robredo:

We, the Catholic lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Caceres, are thankful for the efforts "to keep the Peñafrancia Novena days free from undue distraction."  The Peñafrancia Fiesta is a time for us to re-commit ourselves to God through the Blessed Mother and to do this, we need an appropriate environment. We do not want activities that have nothing to do with spiritual growth and religious maturity. Such activities demean our devotion to Ina and disrespect the Peñafrancia Fiesta.

Thus, we appreciate the "series of meeting between the church and city" and the release of the joint statement. The statement was disseminated and reached Catholic communities in the Archdiocese. We trusted that statement is proof that our leaders are one in giving us the opportunity to grow in faith.

However, we are disappointed and dismayed when we saw the calendar of activities prepared by the city government of Naga published in its widely distributed Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia pamphlet. Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia Festival includes activities that have been banned within the Novena on moral grounds.  In the joint statement, it is very clear that pageants and beer plazas should not be held within the period of the Novena.

With this, we express our objection to the Naga City government's approval of:

1.      All forms of pageantries which may include among others: 16^th Pretty Boy Bicolandia Pageant, September 12; 4^th Munting Mutya ng Bicolandia Pageant, September 13; That's My Boy Bicolandia, That's My Boy Naga City Pageant, September 14; Miss Gay Young Bicolandia on September 16; Mr. Young Bicolandia Pageant, September 18

2.      Public Intoxication which may include among others: Ginebra Videoke King, September 17 - 18; Ginebra Night on September 19

We demand that those involved in the conceptualization, approval and implementation of these activities be made accountable for having violated a bilateral agreement that states that "pageants, street parties and beer plazas are no longer features of Peñafrancia Fiesta."

We vehemently object to the preparation of the calendar of activities that disrespects the sanctity of the Holy Mass and the spiritual value of confessions and processions by presenting them as mere additional events in a Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia festival.

We demand that the line-up of agreed non-religious activities should not have been presented with the schedule of sacraments and religious practices. A calendar of activities that treats parades, mall tours, fashion shows, dance showdowns, regattas, cooking demos, bull rides, videoke challenges, food expos, and Bakbakan sa Danlugan to be of equal value with sacraments and religious practices is offensive to us, the lay faithful.

We trusted that the joint agreement would be implemented in keeping with the true nature of Peñafrancia Fiesta. However, bad faith appears evident. The approved activities were made known only when the Viva Naga Viva Bicolandia Festival has already begun.

We demand for transparency in the approval of activities that are being justified as a celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta. As devotees, we want to know what the Naga City government plans to implement, either directly or indirectly, in observance of the Peñafrancia Fiesta.

As devotees, we have been entrusted the responsibility to take care of the devotion. It is in this spirit that we make these demands.

In honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, our model of faith and service, we call on our leaders to be good examples of faith and service. Breaching an agreement that seek to uplift our dignity as devotees is the opposite of ethical leadership. As devotees, we long for leaders whose words we can trust.

Thank you.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

ATTY. MINETTA ESTANISLAO

President, Council of the Laity of the AC

 

 

JUDGE FREDDIE BALONZO

President, Mother Butler Mission Guild

 

 

JUDGE NOVELITA VILLEGAS LLAGUNO

President, Apostleship of Prayer

 

 

MR. MACARIO APIN II

Director, Couples for Christ

 

 

MRS. LETICIA CIPRIANO

President, Legion of Mary

 

 

MR. ROMULO MUSTERA

President, Holy Name Society

 

 

SK PETE REAL

Knights of Columbus

 

 

JUDGE ZEIDA B. GARFIN

President, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Association

 

 

MRS. BLESILDA ARQUESA

President, Mother Butler's Guild

 

 

SK LUIS FERRO

FN, Bishop Alberto, KC

 

 

DR. FE NEPOMUCENO

President, BPC, Bagumbayan Sur

 

 

MRS. JUANITA ALARCON

President, Parish Renewal Experience

 

 

MRS. CARIDAD BUERE

President, Children of Mary and Visita Domiciliaria

 

 

MRS. LOURDES CAMACHO

President, OL of the Miraculous Medal