Government Officials, Judiciary Told to Strive for Integrity

MANILA, July 7, 2010-Government officials and members of the judiciary have been urged to strive for professionalism and integrity of their services.

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales made the call when officiating at the "Red Mass" attended by President Benigno Aquino III and ranking leaders of the judiciary at the Manila Cathedral Tuesday.

Rosales said judges, magistrates, and all public officials are supposed to uphold laws that are just and ensure that justice prevail in the society.

They, the Manila archbishop said, must exhibit high sense of integrity, ethics, efficiency and selflessness in the discharge of their duties.

In his homily, Rosales said that in a country where there are more people than affluent citizens, justice necessarily becomes the "equalizer" available to the poor, especially when the rights to a graft-free service and honest governance are violated.

"An unjust law, if ever there was one, or granted that we have only just laws, but which are badly interpreted, or worse still, if they are implemented, to benefit only the favored few, will make the poor and the weak suffer," said Rosales.

"In life any bias against the weak in the administration of justice is not only an affront against the weak, but it creates a mindset that in an unguarded moment can hide a repeated injury to the poor."

The cardinal added that those who are poor and have less in life "should have more consideration in law."

"Today, we pray, with you and for you that the Holy Spirit will, as He did for the apostles in the early days of the Church, continue to guide those who serve our people, taking advantage of no one," he told the church-goers where majority are lawyers.

"(May) God led you to this task through the help of the people, may He continue to accompany and enlighten you with the Holy Spirit as you serve the very same people-the Filipino People."

Before the mass ended, Aquino delivered a prayer where he sought for divine intervention that they be guided and protected "in the fulfillment of our promise to be our brother's keeper as we lead our country with integrity and honor."

"We pray that leaders representing co-equal branches of government-judges, justices, mayors, governors, congressmen and senators-will strive for unity at the risk of sacrificing their personal ambition so that the people's ambition to achieve a decent quality of life for every citizen becomes more real," he said.

Concelebrants of the mass were 22 bishops including Bishop Nereo Odchimar, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and various priests from Manila archdiocese.

In attendance were Vice President Jejomar Binay and Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona.

Also seen at the Mass were officials of the Commission on Elections led by its chairman Jose Melo.

In the Catholic tradition, the Red Mass requests guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on what Catholics believe is the God-given power and responsibility of all in the legal profession.

It originated in Europe and derives its name from the red vestments traditionally worn in symbolism of the tongues of fire that descended on the Apostles at Pentecost. (CBCPNews)