MAKATI City, May 16, 2013 – What sounds like mere magical thinking is actually theologically sound – and possible. A national consecration will be a huge part of the solution to address social threats like the exploitation of women and children, abortion, divorce and drug abuse, among others, says a Filipino theologian.
“Consecration is one way [to address them], it’s not the only thing, but it’s part of it,” said Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ after his talk on the meaning of consecration last May 4 at the San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe.
Fr. Arevalo admitted Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who initially pushed for the initiative of the June 8 national consecration, specifically had the so-called death bills in mind as one of the more pressing intentions of the consecration.
The Jesuit theologian also described the Philippines’ context as in dire need of the consecration which includes “so many evils entering our country underground, and even funded [ones].”
‘God’s power will invade us’
One of the country’s leading Mariologists, Arevalo also talked about how tapping into the consecration’s potential for grace is ultimately linked to collective and individual decisions.
“That’s the meaning of human freedom. It’s up to us if God’s power will invade us. It’s there. It’s all around us. But you have to turn it on. That’s the way we release this power into society,” he explained.
Aside from anti-life legislation pending in the 16th Congress, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ catechetical primer on the consecration makes mention of the unresolved territorial dispute over Sabah, continuing violence in Mindanao, as well as social injustice and poverty.
On June 8, all bishops and priests will make a simultaneous act of national consecration at exactly 10 a.m. in all cathedrals, chapels, shrines and parishes. [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
