THOMASIANS must take a moral stand against corruption and fight for truth fervently, said Alaminos Bishop Napoleon Sipalay, Jr., O.P., in the University’s “Mass for Truth and Good Governance” on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Reflecting on the University’s motto, Veritas in Caritate, Sipalay said Thomasians must put it into practice.
“In a country where [the] truth is twisted, many of our officials are sworn to public office but instead of serving the people, they’re stealing money from the people,” Sipalay said in his homily at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.
“They’re not only stealing money, they are stealing the security of people and the lives of people. So we stand today,” he said.
The Alaminos bishop echoed the pastoral letters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), especially on the national prayer for public repentance.
“We’re going to make our voices heard,” he said, urging the laity to participate in CBCP’s call to wear white every Sunday.
“I can’t imagine how one person could spend that money in one’s lifetime. And how many of our brothers and sisters are suffering from the effects of floods?” Sipalay said.
The prelate likened corruption to idolatry, which he said would make people abandon God.
He urged Thomasians to pray for the investigations, the government and the Independent Committee on Infrastructure, to be “faithful in doing their work.”
“You don’t have to be afraid. It is your future. It would be endangered if this were allowed to continue. Hopefully, a new generation would really come up with fighting for the truth, for honesty in the government,” he said.
The bishop warned the students to “not do the same” and to “not be affected by corruption.”
“You will not be able to abandon the Lord just for the sake of money. Yes, you may earn it here, but you will never bring that into the next life. If you’re going to believe that we are from God and return to God, I hope that this money, this corruption, will not stop us from continuing our journey back to God,” Sipalay added.
The Mass was followed by a candle lighting ceremony in front of the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church as part of the UST Day of Prayer for Truth and Good Governance, led by UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. Alexandra Gabrielle C. Mansineros
