CBCP apologizes over PCSO fund mess

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines apologized Monday for the "PCSO fund mess" which involved some of their bishops.

"We are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you," said CBCP in a statement read by outgoing CBCP President Nereo Odchimar in a press conference.

The Catholic Church has been under heat after the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office accused at least seven prelates of accepting vehicles from the agency.

The CBCP still hold on their belief that the seven bishops' request for vehicles from the PCSO "was done without malice."

PCSO however said that the vehicles were used by the past administration for political patronage at the time when calls for resignation had been hounding former President Gloria Arroyo.

CBCP assures that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional.

"Out of their sincere desire to help their people, they failed to consider the pitfalls to which these grants could possibly lead them," Odchimar said.

He asked the public "to be slow in judgment" and to "conscientiously" seek the truth behind the scandal.

They vowed it would "re-examine" the manner of their cooperation with government agencies for purposes of helping the poor and in making sure that pastoral sensibilities are respected and the highest ethical standards are observed.

"We express again our deep sorrow for the pain that the recent events have brought to you our beloved people. The good Lord knows our love for you," said CBCP.

The seven bishops involved in the controversy were Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Bontoc-Lagawe, Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Archbishops Romulo Valles of Zamboanga and Bishop Ernesto Salgado of Nueva Segovia. — ARA