Cebu Archdiocese hopeful center for street children will be built despite delay of funds
When we are against extra judicial killings, when we are pro life, those too are fruits of the Eucharist. CEBU ARCHBISHOP JOSE PALMA
Despite delays in its funding, the proposed “Abtanan sa Kalooy” will not be left to gather dust, said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
During the first anniversary of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress yesterday, Palma told reporters that all of the requirements asked of them by the Italian Episcopal Conference have been complied with.
The Italian Episcopal Conference had earlier vowed to provide financial aid to the Archdiocese of Cebu to help in the construction of the “Abtanan sa Kalooy” in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
The Abtanan, a proposed halfway house for street children, is expected to serve as one of the lasting legacies of the 51st IEC held in Cebu.
“I’m very hopeful. We have made the proposal as requested (from the Italian Bishops Conference). We also secured a recommendation from the CBCP President, as required. I have also written Cardinal (Angelo) Bagnasco, the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. I really believe that it (the aid) will come,” Palma said.
In a mass at the chapel of the Archdiocesan seminaries yesterday, Palma hoped the lessons of the 51st IEC will translate into action that will benefit the poor, the sick and the neglected.
In his homily, Palma said, “When we show our effort to hold drug surrenderers, when we fight graft and corruption, when our ministry reaches those who are far from the Eucharist, when we are pro-life, when we are against extra judicial killings or against the lowering of a child’s age of criminal liability, those too are the fruits of the Eucharist,” Palma said.