𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐔𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐍̃𝐎𝐑
Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy urged the faithful to pursue unity rooted in devotion to the Santo Niño, warning that unity anchored on personality politics can be harmful rather than transformative.
Archbishop Uy delivered the message during his homily at the 6 a.m. Pontifical Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu on January 18. The mass marked his first time to preside over the traditional Fiesta Señor celebration since his appointment and installation as Cebu archbishop in September, succeeding Archbishop Emeritus Jose Palma, who retired upon reaching the mandatory age.
Reflecting on this year’s Fiesta Señor theme, “In Santo Niño, we are one,” Archbishop Uy said unity grounded in faith multiplies joy and eases suffering.
“When joy is shared, it becomes doubled. When grief is shared, it is cut into half,” he said. “Apan kon dili magkahiusa, ang sayon mahimong lisod, ug ang lisod mahimong grabe kalisod.”
He cautioned, however, that unity becomes destructive when driven by political personalities rather than values inspired by the Santo Niño.
“Diha sa gobyerno, kon ang mga pangulo walay kahiusahan, mag-antos ang katilingban. Too much politicking is a major reason why we have not progressed until now,” he said.
Archbishop Uy noted that partisan loyalty often distorts judgment, leading people to reject good initiatives simply because they come from opposing political camps, while blindly defending mistakes made by their own allies.
“Kon ang pangulo dili nato kapartido, wala tay makita nga maayo. Ang tanan niyang buhaton atong sawayon. Bisan kon maayo, atong dauton kay kontra partido,” he said.
“Apan kon partido gani, wa pod tay makita’ng daotan. Bisan sayop ug maot ang gibuhat, atong labanan kay atoang kauban. That is very bad. Where distraction is the motive, even unity is dangerous,” he added.
The archbishop concluded by urging political and government leaders to rise above partisan divisions and work together for the common good.
“Let us encourage our political and government leaders to unite and work together for the good of Cebu,” he said. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶
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