Vidal, Palma invite Aquino to Vatican
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday invited President Aquino to attend the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in Rome on October 21 this year and the National Thanksgiving Mass a month later in Cebu.
Palma, president of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and Vidal personally extended the invitation to Aquino in Malacañang in a dinner at nearby Casa Roces within the complex.
The prelates said Aquino confirmed his attendance in the Cebu Mass but deferred commitment on the Rome invitation since there is no definite date yet for the canonization of Calungsod, who will be the country’s second saint after Lorenzo Ruiz.
“To us of course, being the President, it would be the joy of the whole nation if he could be present in Rome and also for the national thanksgiving in Cebu,” Vidal told reporters in Malacañang.
Vidal said Aquino remained open to attending the Rome canonization, but that he only had to check his schedule book.
“We will see provided you have already your fixed date and we will see if I can adjust my schedules,” Vidal said quoting Aquino.
Palma, for his part, agreed. “He (Aquino) was saying he’ll try his best to squeeze (in to attend the) Rome canonization and we hope -- we told him -- we hope you can make it. We would be honored and certainly would be very happy if our President could make it.”
Palma said the Philippine delegation to Rome can always accommodate the President, especially because such honor is very rare, and considering that Calungsod will be the Philippines’ second saint.
“Usually if a head of a state comes that is different and therefore, the Pope (Benedict) is also head of a state so they can meet but it will take some kind of arrangement to make,” Vidal said.
During their brief meeting, someone reportedly asked if Aquino would have a chance to meet Pope Benedict XVI, but Vidal reportedly replied that there is a possibility that the two heads of state would meet “if he would decide earlier and if it could be arranged.”
The idea to invite Aquino to Calungsod’s canonization was raised during the meeting of the executive committee in Cebu in charge of the preparation of Calungsod’s canonization.
They believed that since one of the seven saints is a Filipino, the president of the Philippines should be present at the Vatican.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda highlighted the importance of Aquino attending the Rome canonization.
“I would just like to mention that Cardinal Vidal failed to mention in our meeting that he mentioned that the process of the canonization started with the President’s mother (Cory) and it is going to end with her son - the canonization process,” he said.
Lacierda said the canonization is “significant for the Catholic Church and also for the Philippines because we will have a second Filipino saint.”
“That is something that everyone can emulate and be inspired to follow. This crosses denominational lines,” Lacierda said.
“It’s a thanksgiving for all. I think every Filipino will take pride in the fact that we have, regardless of denomination, that we have another venerable person becoming promoted to a position of holiness,” he said.
“It’s a thanksgiving and a celebration of Filipino bravery and martyrdom. You must remember that Pedro Calungsod died for the faith. So it also showcased the Filipino’s willingness to die for God and country.”