News Roundup 10 April 2022
Apr 10, 2022 • 4 min Read
Valor of Pinoy defenders hailed | PHILSTAR.COM – Vice President Leni Robredo hailed the valor and heroism of Filipinos who fought the Japanese invaders in World War II and said she wished to see “the truth of history guide the path of our country.” “We remember and pay tribute to Filipinos who showed courage in times of crisis – those who faced greater opponents were forced to lay down their firearms but never gave up hope that despite the darkness, there remained a glimmer of hope. We just need to work hard and believe,” she said in her Araw ng Kagitingan message. Robredo, who is running for president, said Filipinos should defend historical truth with as much zeal as defending the country from foreign invaders.
Sins of the times: Fake news a growing concern for Church | INQUIRER.NET – Sharing fake news online is a sin that needs absolution. The gravity of the offense diminishes if netizens are not aware that they are sharing fake news. But they will still be guilty of the sin of omission if they fail to check the credibility of the information in a post as well as its source before sharing it. Two scholars of theology are sounding this warning as concern grows about the prevalence of fake news, especially in the run-up to the May 9 elections. The seriousness of the issue has already prompted Meta, the parent company of the social media platform Facebook, to remove accounts that spread misleading content. “Conscious or deliberate spreading or promoting of fake news violates the eighth commandment [that says] ‘Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,’” says Fr. Angelo Paolo Asprer of the Society of St. Paul. Asprer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology and a master’s degree in theological studies from Ateneo de Manila University (Admu), explains that every lie is an offense against justice and charity and “sows seeds of division in the human community of God.” Fr. JayAr Babor of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, a professor of moral theology at Admu’s Loyola School of Theology, says forwarding fake news is not only harmful to others but is also deception. Says Asprer: “We are called to be truthful, responsible and accountable for our words and actions … If a person does not know that what he is posting or sharing is fake news, a person may not be committing a mortal sin [directed against God or life with full knowledge or consent], but it can be a venial sin that disrupts the relationship with God.” Babor notes that while the moral responsibility diminishes in such cases, it does not exempt the person from sin.“Before forwarding, [a netizen] should check first … whether the source is credible or not. Otherwise, the person is committing the sin of omission,” he says. The Catholic Church encourages the faithful to seek absolution before accepting the body of Christ during communion. A priest grants absolution when a person receives the sacrament of penance during confession.
Tagbilaran bishop urges voters not to sell their votes | INQUIRER.NET – Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy on Sunday, April 10, reminded the faithful not to accept money from election candidates. “The Holy Week is a good time to make a promise that in the coming election we will not ask for “rain” (uwan-uwan),” said Uy during the Palm Sunday Mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral. In Bohol, vote-buying is referred to as “inangayan” (share) and “uwan-uwan” (showers). It goes on from the onset of the election week till voters go to the polls. The alarming practice of vote-buying and vote-selling is perceived by people the other way around. “If there is something given to you, it is good we don’t accept the money. Is that okay?,” the prelate said. The people went silent as Uy said “Mura man mo dili okay?” (It seems you are not okay?) “If we don’t change our ways in life, we won’t change either,” he told the congregation. “Every time we exchange our morals and principles for money, every time we exchange our vote for material things during the election, we will be like Judas and practice the same way we crucified Jesus again.” Uy urged the faithful to pray for enlightenment before choosing the country’s next leaders.
