A new Filipino bishop has called for vigilance for freedom and justice in the country on the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. in 1986 after 21 years in power.
Rufino Sescon, Jr., of Balanga diocese, stated that he opted for February 25 for his Episcopal ordination “as a form of prayer for generosity that I may never forget, that we may never forget”—the spirit of EDSA.
“I pray that we may never forget that to be a good Christian, a good priest, or a good bishop is to also give ourselves to become good citizens, vigilant to truth, justice, integrity, freedom, and peace,” Sescon said after his ordination.
In 1986, the EDSA People Power Revolution restored democracy in the Philippines after years of dictatorial rule that muzzled press freedom and claimed the lives of hundreds of Filipinos.
Marcos shut down seven television stations, more than 200 radio stations, and over a dozen national newspapers. He also has opposition leaders and citizens critical of his administration.
Based on the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, 11,000 people were victims of Marcos’ dictatorship from 1972 to 1986. More than 2,300 were killed and disappeared, and over 1900 were tortured.
“A pro-God person is also pro-country,” Sescon said. “We should be pro-country because we are pro-God.”
The spirit of the peaceful people-power revolution carries on as the faith of the people prompts them to be keen on truth, justice, integrity, freedom, and peace.
“It was not only people's power but prayer power,” Sescon said.
Sescon, a professed member of the Dominican Order, was ordained at the Manila Cathedral by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan with Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula as homilist.
He served as personal secretary to the late Manila Archbishop Cardinal Sin, who played a major role in the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution.
Sescon will be formally installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Balanga on March 1.
“When genuine faith, patriotism, selflessness, the common good, and unity pervade among us, against tyranny, dishonesty, corruption, and injustice, miracles will happen,” he said. “There is grace upon grace, unending grace.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
