Peace and reconciliation

This is a letter is intended to reach out to all our friends and parishioners of Kristo Rai Church in Garapan. I wish to set the mood of this letter as a gesture of friendship and to bring back peace and understanding among all of us living the CNMI, particularly those that go to Kristo Rai Church to seek peach and to commune with God.

The recent incident that I read in the local newspaper wherein Mr. Vic Cepeda was quoted in saying “this is our Church—for the Chamorros and NOT for the Filipinos….” or something to that effect is causing many of us in the community to be enraged by such an irresponsible statement if in fact Vic made such a statement. I have been watching the local newspapers hoping that Vic would apologize but unfortunately his apology is not forthcoming. To those of you who are offended by what Vic said, I sincerely apologize and ask for forgiveness as I feel that we must mend fences and go on with our life.

I for one do not subscribe to what Vic has said. No one person can claim ownership of the Church. It belongs to the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa has custodial responsibility to look after these Churches. We, the parishioners go to Church to commune with God. Each parish has a group of volunteers to assist our priests in the affairs of the respective Churches. These volunteers, “Parish Council” do not own the Church. I don’t know what prompted Vic to make such humiliating statement. The Kristo Rai Church in Garapan, as any other Catholic Churches in the CNMI, are houses of worship where we commune with God.

In 1978 I chaired the special committee that raised the money to rebuild the Church in Garapan. The committee raised sufficient money to complete the construction and pay for the collaterals of the Church. The special committee worked hard to rebuild the Church in Garapan so everyone will have a place to pray “in the house of God.”

I am pleased to see the choir is back. Let us join the choir on Sunday Masses and sing with joy and in the spirit of unity. I want to take this opportunity to express my profound “Si Yuus Maase” to all the priests for their sacrifice and dedication to be the “bridge” between us and our Creator.

So, I ask everyone who believe in God to let us forgive and forget and let us move on with our lives. We are all children of God and He loves each and every one of us. In His name, let us enjoy life and respect one another.