Bishop hits silence amid wrongdoings in homily

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said one of the biggest sins that Filipinos commit is the "sin of omission," citing how people remain silent despite many wrongdoings around them.

In his homily during the observance of Ash Wednesday, the prelate said: "It seems it’s okay to us even if there is corruption. It’s okay that there are killings since we are not part of that. It’s okay that there are those who speak bad words. We don’t say anything and just let them be."

It’s because of this said attitude that other countries are laughing at us, he said.

"They are asking, if we are a Christian nation then how come we have extrajudicial killings? Why don’t we give importance to human rights? Why do we allow our leaders to say bad words?" he said.

Even the issue on Charter change, Pabillo said, is something that the people should be concerned about.

"Do you even know what's included there? That there is term extension, and pork barrel will be part of the Constitution?" the prelate asked.

The Manila prelate reminded Filipinos that we have a social responsibility to speak up against what is wrong.

"We have a social responsibility, which if we fail to do, is a grave sin," Pabillo said.

He added that if people stay silent and say nothing, the wrongs will just continue.

"That (to speak up) is also our responsibility, and this Lent, that is something that we should be sorry for," said Pabillo.

To Catholics, Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, the season for the faithful to do good works, fast and pray.