Is Death Penalty the answer?
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Duc in altum
During its Plenary Session last January, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued Pastoral Statement on Death Penalty. “The Gospel of the Lord Jesus is the Gospel of Life. When we condemn violence, we cannot ourselves be its perpetrators, and when we decry murder, we cannot ourselves participate in murder, no matter that it may be accompanied by the trappings of judicial and legal process. Throughout the world, the trend against the death penalty is unmistakable, and international covenants, one of which the Philippines is party to, obligate us not to impose the death penalty. We urge the government to champion life for all!”
Let us support our Bishops. Let us join the Walk for Life being called by The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (LAIKO), the implementing arm of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Laity (ECLA). LAIKO President Mrs. Zenaida Capistrano and ECLA Chairman Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo invite all Diocesan Councils of the Laity, Parish Pastoral Councils, Diocesan and National Organizations, Renewal Movements, Transparochial Organizations and Catholic Schools to participate in the Walk for Life to be held from 4:30a.m. to 7:00 a.m. of February 18, 2017, Saturday, at the Parade Grounds of Quirino Grandstand.
In its Position Paper, LAIKO stated that the Walk for Life is our campaign appeal to our lawmakers both at the Senate and the House of Representatives to reject the re-imposition of Death Penalty. The abolition of death penalty in 1987 is a strong message that it has no place in our society where preservation and respect for human life is of utmost importance. Mostly the poor and the marginalized people are victims since they do not have access to legal resources to defend themselves. “Death penalty will never bring real justice. Further, it breaks essential human rights such as the right to life. “MAHALAGA ANG BUHAY…HINDI SAGOT ANG PAGPATAY!” (Life is important… the Answer is not death)
Catholic Organizations who wish to join the Walk for Life may wear their respective Organizational or Walk for Life T-Shirts, however, for security purposes, they are requested to call LAIKO for the Stickers and registration arrangements. To defray costs, donations are accepted. The amount of P250.00 includes Walk for Life t-shirt which is an entry pass for the event. For registration requirements, please call up LAIKO Mobilization Hotline at 527-5388 and look for Joseph or Kate.
***
We support CBCP’s position not to lower the age of criminal liability to nine years old. Children of that age may only be in his grade 3, still innocent, young and vulnerable. A child that age do not think of criminal intent in whatever he is doing. Just imagine a child of such tender age, apprehended by the authorities and detained in the same place as the hardened and matured offenders. These youngsters will just be bullied and abused by the adult offenders and instead of reforming these children, they will grow to be hardened criminals too. What our lawmakers must do is to slap stiffer punishment on syndicate which uses children to commit crimes. Parents should likewise be vigilant in monitoring what their children are doing.
***
Congratulations to the new Parish Priests and Parochial Vicar of the different parishes in the Diocese of Kalookan. After 13 years, rotation and new assignments were implemented by the Bishop. Scheduled Installation Ceremony from the second week of February, to be presided by Bishop Pablo Virgilio David: Fr. Elpidio Erlano and Fr. James del Rosario & Fr. Nestor Estanislao, parish priest and parochial vicars, respectively, of San Bartolome; Fr. Ildefonso de Guzman of Sagrada Familia; Fr. Gaudencio Salise and Fr. Ofero Balana, parish priest and parochial vicars, respectively of San Exequiel Moreno; Fr. Rufino Yabut and Fr. Leo Pepito, parish priest and guest priest, respectively of San Jose de Navotas; Fr. Rey Amante of Sts. Peter and John; Fr. Romeo Tuazon of Sta. Cruz; Fr. Benedict Cervantes of San Antonio de Padua; Fr. Gaudioso Sustento and Fr. Noi Paciente parish priest and guest priest, respectively, of Sacred Heart of Jesus Morning Breeze; Fr. Leandro Magnait and Fr. Kennedy Neral, parish priest and parochial vicar, respectively, of St. Gabriel the Archangel; Fr. Ruben Maybuena of Hearts of Jesus and Mary; Fr. Martin Guarin of Sto. Rosario Parish; Fr. Ronaldo Pedroso of Mary Help of Christian; Fr. Larry Toledo of Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
