Two
Cebuanos are in my consciousness these days.
One brings forth inspiration; the other, indignation.
Let’s talk first about the
good one.
When I was growing up, my dad
used to tell me that he is not particularly fond of the Sto. Niño. “Why pray to
the child Jesus when you can pray to the adult one?” he asked rhetorically. My
mother, a daily communicant, thinks otherwise. Not only does she have images of
the child Jesus prominently displayed on our home altar, she actually had me
dress up like a Sto. Niño during a novena mass at Church: I held a scepter on
my left hand and a globe on my right. I barely remember other details of that
event, but I do recall my mom telling me that she prays that I may become a
good boy like the child Jesus. From then on, Sto. Niño and I became faithful
friends.
That friendship was fortified
when I attended college at San Beda where the community has a special devotion
to the Sto. Niño of Prague. Dedicated to him, our annual college fair and
frolics is highlighted by a procession in the Malacañang vicinity, and a grand
mass at the football field. Even after I graduated and began working, I’d go
back to Mendiola every third Sunday of January to join the Pista ng Sto. Niño
sa San Beda. Also, I’d go to the feast of the Sto. Niño in Tondo where the
family of my good friend Weng de Jesus lives. The Tondo fiesta is the liveliest
I have been to, with processions, parlor games, and drinking sprees happening
in every nook and corner of the district. I have also been fortunate to visit
the Sto. Niño in Cebu and in Iloilo where the country’s grandest festivals are
held.
It is always a joy being in
the company of my beloved friend who constantly makes me feel loved and at
peace. During times of great trouble, I visit him and feel comforted. I am
assured by his gentle smile that everything is going to be okay; after all,
he’s got the whole world in his hands.
Last week, as the pilgrim
image of Sto. Niño de Cebu visited various towns of Ilocos Norte, I was amazed
by the very strong devotion Ilocanos have for the child Jesus. The queues to
the image were constantly long as people from all walks of life came to pay
homage. At the St. William’s Cathedral, I was particularly struck by a couple
who stood in line behind me: they were probably almost septuagenarian. The old
woman walked very slowly while her husband was aided by a cane. They politely asked
if I could take their picture. I took the camera and did as asked, the Sto.
Niño smiling in the background. Then I asked them if I could also take their
picture with my own camera, for I wanted to capture that touching moment, and
probably share the story with others. They graciously agreed.
So why pray to the child when
you can go directly to the adult Jesus? Our special affinity to the Sto. Niño
is probably because we see the best qualities of humanity in childhood: that of
innocence and purity, of carefree fun and adventure, of meekness and humility,
and of pure and unadulterated love. Never mind that the cruel and oppressive
Spaniards brought the historical image here and forced their religion to us. It
is interesting to note that the image of a spiritual child runs across Oriental
religions, specifically in Hinduism’s Krishna.
Now, let us talk about the
other Cebuano, the despicable one.
Fr. Romeo Obach of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Mandaue City in Cebu publicly scolded
and humiliated a 17-year-old single mother during her child’s baptism.
A video clip, which is going
the rounds in the Internet, shows an old priest reprimanding the young girl in
Cebuano, excerpts of which follow:
“Allowing yourself to sleep
with a man who is not your husband, is that what the church has taught you?
This child did not sin, but the man and the woman who slept together unwed are
the ones who are living in sin. The child will bear the mistake.
Were you married, inday? (Girl shakes head) Oh, see, is
she a good Christian? Is this something you can be proud of, ‘day? That you have a child, but have no
husband? This is shameful, day. You should have covered yourself, because you
are in church. Shameful! You want this baptism even without a husband, you
slept with a man who was not your husband. Do you hear me, Day? Aren't you
ashamed?
“And you (addresses crowd),
are you going to follow what she did? Will you spread your legs for a man you
barely know? That's why this is shameful. This child will live in grace because
he is baptized. You, on the other hand, were baptized but you did not fulfil
the promise of baptism. You are crooked.”
There are many more painful
words the priest directed at Kaye (not her real name) that was not captured on
video. Obach even reportedly called the young girl “abnormal.” Kaye, who broke
down in tears, was traumatized at the experience. They went to Church to
receive the grace of God but experience humiliation from a rude priest instead.
Obach, now the object of
public wrath after the video became viral, may face charges for violation of
Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The hypocrisy is not lost on people: this
priest publicly humiliated an unwed mother at a time when the Catholic Church
is rocked by scandals faced by the clergy, many of whom abused altar boys and
young girls.
What Obach did was certainly
in contrast to the attitude of Pope Francis who openly baptized at the Sistine
Chapel, without judgment and ridicule but only with the love and compassion of
a real servant of God should offer, the child of unwed parents. Obach lived
centuries too late. He belongs to the dark era of witch hunts and persecutions
all done in the name of faith.
When I go to church and stand
before Sto. Niño, I feel warmly embraced by God in the image of a dear friend.
Alas, poor Kaye went to that Cebu church and was verbally assaulted by a
microphone-wielding wolf in white cloth.
Viva il Señor, Sto. Niño!
Shame on you, Rev. Fr. Romeo Obach!
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