FORMER Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Thursday called on the faithful to wage a “revolution” for the sake of the next generation.
He said the “revolution” he is calling for does not mean violence aimed at toppling those in power but a “revolution” similar to that waged by Mary at the foot of the cross, where her Son, Jesus, was crucified.
In his message at the conclusion of the “Twenty-One Days of Prayer for National Healing” he declared at the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Villegas said it is now time to start a “revolution” if one is to salvage their soul as well as that of the nation.
“Revolutionaries of a different revolution. Revolutionaries with invisible weapons. Revolutionaries in an invisible war. Revolutionaries ready to die rather than cause others to die. Revolutions waged in this world for the sake of a new world to come. Revolutionaries who revolt against no one but themselves. Revolutionaries who change the world by first changing their hearts,” he said. .
“This revolution of grace is not our own. It is for the soul of each one of us and for the soul of our nation. The whole of humanity wins in this revolution of love; no one is defeated except Satan, the prince of lies and king of darkness,” he added.
“This revolution has no dream to subvert; its goal is to inspire. This revolution is a rebellion against no one; it is only against sin,” said the archbishop, a known protégé of the late EDSA People Power icon, Jaime Cardinal Sin.
“It was a holy silent resistance. This is our revolution, without violence, without force, with God alone and only by the power of His love,” he said. .
He urged the people to reject the culture of fake news, gossips, or being online trolls by being truth tellers all the time “no matter the sacrifice it may cost.”
Villegas also said the people should resist the culture of vulgarity, obscene language, and dirty words by saying words of respect and courtesy as well as employing good manners and civility.
The public, he added, must stand against the culture of bribe and graft in public life by living as a steward and being humble, and not as a boss.
He also called on the faithful to oppose the culture of name calling and slapstick jokes by choosing to be cultured and good mannered, and being committed to decency “against all odds all the time.”
He also urged the people to stand against the tide of mediocrity and leadership without vision with the use of common sense and reason, listening humbly to the wisdom of critics, and standing up for excellence.
