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Reject ‘help’ from dubious sources, Vatican official tells RP bishops

MANILA, Philippines — A Vatican official has told Philippine Catholic bishops to reject “help" or donations from groups or individuals with dubious purposes, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) online site (www.cbcpnews.com) reported Saturday.

Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, who is known as the Pope’s “top lieutenant on charitable activities," warned the bishops of “hoodwink help" and reminded them to keep alive the right essence of charity, the report said.

“It’s important to consider the right meaning of helping," Cordes said in the report.
“Beware of the Trojan horse. They come... they are friendly to win or take you over. That’s often the case," he said.

He said the real generosity is giving help without asking something in return. “This is the true collaboration of selfless people," said Cordes.

The report said Cardinal Cordes’ reminder was significant because some bishops have been reported receiving gifts from Malacañang several months ago.

“While in 2004 the CBCP has made it a policy never to accept donations that come from gambling, some church institutions are still reportedly receiving assistance from government’s gambling agencies," the report said.

Cordes, who is also the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Vatican’s coordinating body for charity, met the bishops Thursday and gave lecture about the Pope’s first encyclical “Deus Caritas Est."

He arrived in the country last Monday and flew back to Rome Saturday morning.

Over the week, Cordes visited depressed areas in Metro Manila to deliver the Pope’s message to help the poor people.

He also called on the government to work on poverty in the country.

“I call on all the sensitive and responsible government not to abandon the marginalized sector, and to teach them and help then stand on their own," Cordes was quoted as saying. -