Archbishop signs petition vs. music fest in Holy Week

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has signed a petition opposing a music festival scheduled during the Holy Week in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island.

He also defended the parish priest who organized a prayer rally in response to plans to hold the Isla Musica Festival. Officials of Sta. Fe reportedly want Fr. Roy Bucag of the Sto. Nino Parish to explain why he allegedly violated a local ordinance when he led the prayer rally.

Archbishop Palma said he, too, wants to confirm from Fr. Bucag if the priest failed to get a permit for the rally from the mayor’s office, but that he agrees with the priest that the music festival shouldn’t be held during the Holy Week. Bantayan remains one of Cebu’s most popular summer destinations.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma defended Fr. Roy Bucag from the criticisms of the local government of Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island for organizing a dawn prayer rally last Saturday.

The prayer rally was initiated to protest the Isla Music Festival sponsored by the Sta. Fe Government, which will be held during the Holy Week celebrations next week.

Palma told reporters yesterday that Bucag, parish priest of the Sto. Niño Roman Catholic parish in Sta. Fe, did nothing wrong in organizing the prayer rally.

Town officials, however, are bent on asking Bucag's explanation on why he should not be sued for allegedly violating laws when he organized the prayer rally.

The prelate said that he disagreed with the plan of the municipal government to organize a music festival in time for Holy Week.

He said he had signed a letter-petition to Gov. Hilario Davide III opposing the holding of the Isla Music Festival during the Holy Week.

Timing

"Kadaghan bang mga adlaw sa tuig, nganong imu man gyud ityempo sa Semana Santa? Ang maong selebrasyon makadisturbo sa pamalandong ug sa espirito sa Semana Santa," said Palma.

Palma said that he wanted to know how the prayer rally was held, and to find out if the activity was organized without any permit from the municipality.

"I also recognize the municipality's right to ask for a permit, even if it's a prayer rally. But the Church has its right as well," he said.

Palma believes that Bucag can resolve the issue within his level, but the prelate assured the latter that the archdiocese is ready to defend him and what he is fighting for.

Meanwhile, Niño Mike Torrevillas, municipal legal officer of Sta. Fe, told SunStar Cebu that Bucag violated various local ordinances, including the failure to secure a permit from the town to hold a rally.

Torrevillas said that the municipality is planning to send a "showcause order" to Bucag to give him the chance to explain why he shouldn't be penalized for his acts over the weekend.

Bucag also allegedly violated the town's public disturbance and anti-noise ordinance for allegedly causing a commotion during the prayer rally.

Torrevillas said that the Municipal Government of Sta. Fe has submitted a complaint before the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) against Bucag for allegedly including minors during the prayer rally.

Torrevillas said that they can't just ignore Bucag's antics, as some residents have started complaining about the noise during the prayer rally.

He added that some foreign guests staying in Sta. Fe were affected by the Church's activity.

Kadaghan bang mga adlaw sa tuig, nganong imu man gyud ityempo sa Semana Santa? JOSE PALMA Cebu Archbishop