By Alex P. Vidal
“Where human lives are concerned, time is always short, yet the world has witnessed the vast resources that governments can draw upon to rescue financial institutions deemed ‘too big to fail.’” —Pope Benedict XVI
SOME people find the reason put forward behind the closure of Angelicum School Iloilo (ASIL) in Jaro, Iloilo City effective July 31, 2020 to be “too shallow” and wonder why the financially robust Roman Catholic hierarchy in Vatican “didn’t do something” to bail out the magnificent learning institution from dire straits.
If the reason for the closure is economics, the “problem” is a pittance given the whooping resources of the Roman Catholic Financial Empire based in Rome.
Its motto, “Caritas, Justitia, et Fortitudo (Charity, Justice, and Fortitude)” is very much identified with the slogan, principles, and spirit espoused by the Pope, thus it boggles the mind why the Vatican will allow one of the pillars of education in this part of the world to close shop without lifting a finger to save it.
We are aware that the Roman Catholic hierarchy owns the Vatican Bank, which reportedly has about 33,000 accounts, a distribution network in more than 100 countries, and an estimated $8 billion in assets.
Can’t the Vatican Bank, in the name of charity, justice, and fortitude play the role of a “Big Brother” to the embattled Angelicum School Iloilo?
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The Vatican Bank is officially called the Institute for the Works of Religion and is a privately held firm run by a CEO who reports to a committee of cardinals and the Pope.
It reportedly offers ATMs with transactions in Latin and boasts a small castle-like headquarters protected by Swiss Guards.
Though the Vatican reportedly admits most of the accounts belong to members of the clergy, the bank’s assets are not the property of the Holy See, but is considered a charitable foundation affiliated with the Vatican.
Definitely ASIL isn’t that big and heavy for any SOS from the Vatican.
In his “ASIL’s ceasing of operation” notice addressed to “the Parents of ASIL students” dated May 27, 2020, School Director, Rev. Fr. Maximo P Gatela O.P. revealed he “expressed” on May 9, 2020 to the officers of the council of parents online “the difficulty that COVID-19 has created to ASIL.”
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“The experience of the 4th Grading Period was difficult for all of us,” Gr. Gatela explained. “The sad part was that ASIL was not ready and failed miserably in delivering the services.”
Gatela stressed: “As the situation of uncertainty continues, we cannot prolong the 4th grading experience throughout the whole school year nor keep you hanging in the air. Effective July 31, 2020, ASIL will cease operation.”
We frequented the school during our high school days for sports activities in the 80s and were awed by the mansion’s Christmas lights especially during the “Daigon Slash Sigaboom.”
Established in 1978 during the Martial Law years, ASIL, a former heritage house known as the Lizares Mansion, is arguably a sight to behold owing to its remarkable European renaissance designs in the façade, perhaps one of the most majestic campuses in Asia.
We mourn ASIL’s scheduled departure—unless the Vatican will do something to save it from imminent doldrums.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)
