By Leslie Ann Aquino
Concerned with so much vulgarity and violence in the society, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has warned against those who teach wrong values saying these people are "anti-Christ."
Archbishop Socrates Villegas (Credits: Ali Vicoy | Manila Bulletin file photo)
In an open letter to his "inaanak" (godson) named Seth, he said these people are those who teach that it is useless to go to Church and attend mass as well as those who call God stupid.
"Do not listen to him who tells you it is useless to go to Church and attend Mass. Whoever teaches you that is anti-Christ and there are many of them, including those who look at it is a joke. They are not for Christ. They are against Christ," said Villegas.
"They who call God stupid is anti-Christ. Pray for these people but do not imitate them. Respect them as elders but do not follow their bad example," he added.
The Lingayen Dagupan prelate also asked his inaanak to always treat all women and girls with respect and reverence, and also not to call people names or use cuss words.
"Do not laugh when older men make fun of women. That is vulgar and if you laugh or imitate them, you become vulgar yourself. Rape is not a joke. Immodesty is not laughing matter. Respect girls and women always. You have no excuse to abuse women especially the poor women," Villegas said.
"Never call people names nor use cuss words even as expressions. Dirty words that come out of your mouth—foul language, lies, gossips, slander, malicious jokes—make you crass and ungentlemanly. Shameless crass people use such dirty words. Do not imitate. They are anti-God; they cannot be honorable," he added.
Archbishop Villegas told Seth not to believe those who offer killing as a solution saying people who kill and coax others to kill are anti-God.
Finally, the prelate asked his godson to respect the Pope, priests, and bishops.
"We are not spotless like angels but in our weaknesses, God still uses us for His mission. Walang silbi? Yes we are but if we are able to do anything good at all, all is because of God’s mercy. In mocking priests and bishops, you do what anti-Christs do. Be a loyal son of the Catholic Church," said Villegas.
The prelate did not mention any particular name in his letter.