PHILIPPINES Connecting Global News & Views For The Community
UK & Europe Edition
February March 2013 2013 / Fortnightly / Fortnightly
FREE
HELLO FORTNI FOrtNIGgHTLHtLYy Volume Volume44- Number - Number64
www.hello-philippines.com
Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation AS HOLY WEEK
NEARS, PAMPANGA DEVOTEES PREPARE TO BE CRUCIFIED
LONDON — We are now closing this Live Report on the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. But before we do, here is a brief recap of the main developments in the story: • Pope Benedict has said he is stepping down on February 28 after just eight years as pontiff; • The 85-year-old said that “my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry”; • A diehard traditionalist who stressed family values and50, opposed abortion 000 people are and gay to marriage, he expected flock to San has attracted plentyfrom of Fernando, Pampanga controversy as March 25 toduring 31 for his thistime year’s pontiff. But he plaudits celebration of drew “Maleldo” or from Week, aroundaccording the world on Holy to the his government. resignation, including local from USmakes President Barack What San Fernando Obama, to German Chancellor popular both Filipinos and Angela Merkel, Archbishop of foreigners during the Lenten Canterbury Welby and Season is itsJustin “Via Crucis”, or Chief of the Ashkenazi re-enactment of Rabbi Christ’s Israel, Rabbion Yona Metzger; crucifixion Good Friday, • A new popeare is expected where devotees nailed to to be chosen Easter the cross. As ofbefore now, 34 men Sunday on March 31. Early have enlisted for crucifixion. favourites for the role include The Kapampangan cardinals started Francis Arinze of tradition in 1955 Nigeria, Peter Turkson of after writer Ricardo Navarro
Ghana and Marc Ouellet of Canada. Be sure to keep following AFP’s coverage online and through the @AFP Twitter feed for all the breaking updates. LIVE REPORT ENDS. 1833 GMT: It seems the Italian journalist who got the scoop on the pope’s resignation did so thanks to her knowledge of Latin. “Our Vatican expert Giovanna Chirri was listening to the pope’s speech,” the ANSA news agency’s head of information Luigi Contu told AFP. “At up onewith point, came the the play;pope the stopped crucifixiontalking started about in 1962.the consistory. Chirri understood At the press conference he saying was tired, on was march 15,he organizers that the pressure was they too of Maleldo 2013 said much, he was going have and beenthatpreparing for to thestop.” activities since last Chirri Part laterof the modestly December. plan is played down her with success, to beef up security 200 tweeting: “Benedictbecause XVI’s police, especially Latin is very to theft cases have easy become understand.” hard to avoid. 1823 The leader Traffic GMT: rerouting. Traffic of the Catholic in rerouting will also Church be strictly Ireland, Sean Brady, observedCardinal since three says he wasconduct shockedthe by the barangays Via resignation and Brgy. asked Sta. for Crucis, namely prayers for those Lucia, San Juan, andchoosing the most the pope’sSan successor. popular, Pedro Cutud.
Devotees who use flagellants are expected to come out in the streets as early as Holy Monday. AccordingBenedict to Engr. Mariano “Pope has Castro, in Co-Chairperson resigned circumstances of the own Executive Team which his choosing,” he said in handles the celebration, a statement. steel railings be placed at “While it iswill a shock to me, the can crucifixion sitethat in Cutud we be certain Pope because thehas chicken wire they Benedict made this used last after year proved to be decision very careful useless with the huge crowd. and prayerful reflection.” Medical GMT: tents My will AFP be 1806 readied asin Lagos, well as an colleagues Nigeria ambulance and fire to truck. have been speaking the Castro Archbishop likewise reminded city’s Alfred the publicMartins to be careful Adewale about with the their belongings and to bring news.
protection from the sun. More importantly, organizers warned candidates to not take advantage of the theprospect event. Asked about Campaign paraphernalia are of an African pope, he said: prohibited in the the sites where “Obviously choice of reenactments be held. who becomeswill pope is not a “It washuman agreed calculation that there merely will bebut norather posters alone, thebecause work of March 29Spirit is the the Holy asstart well. of the local campaign,” Castro “We would allow the said. Holy “If wetosee posters, we give will Spirit do his work and remove them.” to us the man, the person, 26isyears of devotion. who best suited to the For life thethepast 26 at years, Ruben of church this point in Enaje has been crucified over time.” and1800 over;GMT: this More year, he says, reaction will be no different. from groups representing
Enaje started his devotion in 1986 when he fell from the third floorPope of Benedict a building XVI but came out of the mishap unscratched. young people who suffered “Because of thatofaccident abuse at the hands church I said that I would get myself staff. crucified to show mytired thanks “No matter how or to the Lord,” the 52-yearweak Pope says Benedict may old believer. be, he still has two weeks to Considering use his vast his powerage, to though, Enaje said heBefore would protect youngsters. be steps retiringdown, from we playing he hope the he role ofshow Jesus true in the leadership Via Crucis, will the same and time, take say and at compassion goodbye action to histomore than tangible safeguard two-decade penance. vulnerable children,” read But, not allby areSNAP, eligiblethe to a statement be nailed on the cross. Survivors Network of those
Abused by Priests, issued in the US. “Imagine the shock waves -- and the hope -- that would be generated if, in his waning days, the pontiff demoted, disciplined, or defrocked even a handful of bishops who are concealing child sex crimes. And imagine the deterrent that would be to present and future cover ups.” 1727 GMT: In a written statement, Barack Obama says of the pope: “Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.” “Just because you want He crucified added that he and his to be doesn’t mean wife warmly remembered you can be crucified,” says meeting himask in 2009. Castro. “We for a medical 1719 certificate. YouGMT: shouldn’t US be PRESIDENT diabetic. What’s yourOBAMA blood OFFERS pressure? It’s‘APPRECIATION’ only allowed for AND POPE thosePRAYERS who areTO 55-years-old GMT: AFP’s Ralf and1657 below.” Isermann hasarebeen to the Foreigners also banned pope’s the from beingbirthplace, crucified after one southern town supposedly German drank alcohol of Marktl am Inn, to get during the ritual. reactions the local Though from the celebration community. seems to be trivial for others, The says townthat is proud of its Castro they cherish papal connection and Tulad has it dearly. ■ Victoria Camille even “pope beer” and / KDM,sold GMA News / March 16, 2013 5:54pm
Continuation on page 2