Ecumenical Event During Papal Visit: Part Two of my Theological Reflection

This will serve as my post-papal visit reflection or part two of my theological reflection I posted the other day. If there is one thing that this papal visit was able to accomplish in this country was that it gathered religious leaders from different religious affiliations in this country at University of Santo Tomas last Sunday.

It seems good to be true that this event happened because even in our country, there are still tensions that are religious in nature. If the message of Jamie Rivera's song We Are All God's Children is clear, then all who recognizes God will understand that religion does not matter but faith since we are all worshiping the same God. No one can can say that their religion is true because religion is human-made. Show me any text from the Bible, Koran, Torah or any ancient religious text that mentioned the word religion.

The reason why I am saying this because a high school classmate of mine, a Roman Catholic, declared to me that their church was the only religion. I argued, Jesus Christ does not preached about religion and he is a Jew.

But this event happened and Pope Francis was able to meet with an Imam(Islamic leader), a Hindu spiritual leader, a Buddhist monk. I only saw it on the news but I am not sure if a rabbi(Jewish teacher), a Protestant pastor  or other religious sectors were present. There are many Protestant denominations in the country but not all are ecumenical.

History proves that religion can also be a primary cause in tension and wars. The Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust,etc. are among the many examples of religious wars and persecution. There are also racial persecutions and terrorism that are religious in nature.

Pope Francis delivered a very good message last Sunday. But will it fall on deaf's ears. When the Pope Francis fever subsides, will the message subsides too few month from now.  In my opinion, I never saw any change during the last visit in 1995 by the late Pope John Paul II; who is now a saint. Forgive me for being skeptical that change will not occur to most but maybe to some and the Philippines will be just the same until the next papal visit. I am a realist. I only wish my opinions were wrong. My opinions may be critical but it will be a challenge to all of us.

Theological Reflection on the Papal Visit in the Phils.

When I first started this blog, I was still studying in the seminary. It started as my reflection of my experiences before it was commercialized, Five years later, I am going to theologize about the Papal visit.

Just a background, I am baptized as a Protestant but I was also baptized secretly as Catholic later which is why my mother was wondering why was it allowed without her consent. Even though I was raised as a Protestant, I was told that once I was baptized as a Catholic, I am automatically a citizen of the Vatican as any Roman Catholic.

During my year at the seminary, I was told that the late Pope John Paul II was an ecumenical pope. When John Paul II died, we thought there will be no pope like him that is willing to break barriers. And then Ratzinger resigned and for the first time, the new Pope was not from Europe. Pope Francis is a native of Argentina. Just like the Philippines, his native Argentina is also a former colony of Spain.

Just like John Paul II, Francis I also breaks barriers. He was able to accept gay people as fellow believers as long as they are not doing anything sinful. He is also open to reproductive health which is his cardinals are opposed to as well as the local bishops here.

In preparation of his arrival and his papal visit, I was able to see how Pinoys are preparing for the event, One of the news broadcast features a house that was repainted because the baranggay funded it because they are aware that the Pope's motorcade will pass there. When the owner was interviewed, a grandmother, told the reporter that they are doing this because the Pope is second to God. I find this Biblically wrong. According to general Christian faith, the Church is second to Christ since he called the Church the Bride. The Catholic Church should orient their believers more like how we Protestants do in Sunday School. But I prefer the world as second to God since majority of the people believes in God.

As a Protestant, I still have respect for the Pope as a head of state, Besides, protestants during the Reformation never intended to break away from the Universal Church which was the Roman Catholic Church. They were excommunicated and even executed by the Inquisition.

But that is history. Back to the main event, I am not surprised how people prepared for this. Even though according to the owners of the commercial establishments complained that 5 days is too long but they have to comply since it is for the Pope and the government already made it a holiday. It did affect the public transportation even our LRT. Some of the stations are affected and people have a hard time going home. On Day 2, the mobile networks were down the whole morning in the Metro Manila area especially in Manila and Pasay. I already knew that it was intentionally planned during the papal convoy.

But again, it is not about religion. It is about mercy and compassion as the current Pope is emphasizing. Today, there is an Encounter With Filipino Families at The Arena in Mall Of Asia. I just hope that Reproductive Health will also be addressed by the Pope in the event. But I am glad that the Pope emphasized to the leaders to reject corruption. Hope it does not fall on deaf ears even though I am doubtful. Follow this blog for more theological reflections or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Mall of Asia Arena: The Venue for Filipino families to meet His Holiness Pope Francis

January 2015 marks the year in which His Holiness Pope Francis, will en route his apostolic trip to the Philippines with the goal of encountering Filipino families from all over the region. In support of the Pope’s advocacy, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI) together with the entire SM Group, will have the Mall of Asia Arena as the venue for the papal visit on January 16, 2015.

With its capacity to house over 15,000 guests, Mall of Asia Arena is a fitting venue for the Pope’s monumental visit. Mall of Asia Arena’s existing CCTV cameras provided by Mobotix, is at par with the same equipment used at the Vatican Apostolic Library at the Vatican with professional-grade, high-resolution security devices, aside from this enhanced surveillance system, management is placing additional measures to assure safety of not only His Holiness the Pope, but of all the guests who will be in attendance of the event. It is also assured that the venue will be equipped with adequate security presence who are well trained in handling huge crowded events in accordance with security protocols required by the organizers, Presidential Security Group and the Papal Guards. The Mall of Asia Arena is working closely with the government and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to assure a peaceful and manageable event.

Seen as a very rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of His Holiness Pope Francis, who will be delivering his message of “mercy and compassion” to all Filipino families, the SM Group foresees the millions of eager patrons to visit the Mall of Asia Complex. Preparations is underway in cooperation with the MOA Complex locators, Central Business Park, Mall of Asia Mall Management, and SM Land to make room for the anticipated guests, SM will convert the South Transport Terminal and SMX/Mall of Asia Arena Parking lot into holding areas for visiting patrons may not be accommodated inside Mall of Asia Arena.

“Mall of Asia Arena and the entire SM Group is deeply gratified to be in support of the Catholic Church and His Holiness Pope Francis’ advocacy of reaching out, inspiring and strengthening the devotion Filipino families through this event” says the Business Unit Head of Mall of Asia Arena, Mr. Arnel Gonzales.