"A bishop is a shepherd who, while exhorting his flock to assert their rights, must always remind them that Christians are obliged in all cases to reject vengeance and to be prepared to forgive and to love their enemies," Capalla said.
There can never be justice without forgiveness, said Capalla, citing the pastoral exhortation of the late Pope John Paul II in his Pastores Gregis.
"Hard as it may be to accept, for any sensible person, the matter seems obvious: true peace is possible only through forgiveness," the Davao prelate said.
Capalla refused to lay blame for the violent dispersal. "I’m willing to believe that they (nuns and priests) were acting according to the best of their understanding, out of conviction and deep faith," he said. "I am willing to believe, too, that the police are also acting out of a deep sense of duty to ensure order. Both sides want justice and peace."
"The bishop is the shepherd who reminds the flock of God’s love for His people. This God does not want us fighting; He wants salvation of all people," Capalla said. "The bishop as shepherd leads his flock to hope in Jesus Christ—that hope will open human hearts to reconciliation, solidarity and peace."
Archbishop Capalla is now in Rome attending the Synod of Bishops together with Bishop Luis Tagle of Imus and Archbishop Carmelo Morelos of Zamboanga.
He learned of the incident from fellow priests and friends.
Meanwhile, administration allies in Congress yesterday dispelled fears that the dispersal of last Friday’s rally near Mendiola could trigger a rift between the Arroyo administration and the Catholic Church saying most church leaders understand that the authorities were duty-bound to maintain law and order.
Reps. Douglas Cagas (NPC, Davao del Sur), head of the House contingent in the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, and Federico Sandoval II (LP, MalabonNavotas), vice chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said that instead of taking sides in partisan politics, the Catholic leaders should help mediate between warring political forces and rein in the few militant bishops.
Cagas and Sandoval said the issue in last Friday’s incident is about the need for all responsible Filipinos to follow the law and is definitely not a battle between the administration and the church.
