MANILA - (Update 4:54 p.m.) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expressed dismay Monday over statement shirts bearing the message “No race. No religion,” being sold in preparation for the apostolic and state visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines from January 15 to 19 next year.
ABS-CBN promptly pulled out the commemorative shirts it made, saying in a press release on the same day that “there was no intent to deceive or mislead the public” through the controversial design.
One of at least two designs by the broadcasting network, the particular statement shirt reads “No race. No religion. I embrace diversity.”
ABS-CBN spokesman Bong Osorio said in his statement that these were “inspired by Pope Francis’ message of love, openness, and humility.”
“We apologize if a particular statement shirt offended anyone. We are pulling out the items from our online shop and all retail partner stores,” he added.
At least one retail partner, Robinsons Place Manila, was no longer selling the “No race. No religion” design as of Monday afternoon. Another design was out of stock, department store staff told News5, although they were able to show a sample of the statement shirt that said, “Speak less. Act more.”
What 'misleading' means
Clarifying their stand, CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in his statement that “while the words in the shirt attempt to convey the openness of the Holy Father, the phrases ‘No race. No religion’ are definitely misleading and quite frankly erroneous.”
“Pope Francis is aware of the fact that he heads an organized religion with a vast membership throughout the world. He is also as aware that race forms part of the identity of individuals and of peoples. He has never said and taught that religion and race do not matter, because they most certainly do. It is what selfish, uncharitable and judgmental people do with religion and race that is a problem,” said Villegas.
He urged Catholics to shun items bearing misleading statements that are being sold in preparation for the papal visit.
Sale of papal items open to all but . . .
Meanwhile, Committee on Information and Media Relations chairman Bishop Mylo Vergara said during the seventh weekly press briefing on the papal visit at the Knights of Columbus compound in Manila Monday that anyone could create and sell merchandise in preparation for the Holy Father’s trip to the Philippines, as these were a reflection of the Filipinos’ eagerness to meet him.
However, these items should proclaim the Gospel and should not be offensive.
Vergara also advised sellers to go to the website of the papal visit to the Philippines at
Papal Visit Philippines 2015 | so that they could learn more about the theme of the visit, the reason for it, and the logo, and be guided accordingly.
CBCP upset by 'No race. No religion' shirt for papal visit; ABS-CBN pulls out design
Originally Posted by digitalsuperman
i hope and pray the Pope will rebuke CBCP..
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