Marcos trims Pope's route

ATTEMPTS are being made by the authorities in the Philippines to ensure that Pope John Paul is denied a close-up view of the poverty and political unrest in the country during his visit there next week.
The Pope is due to arrive in the country on Tuesday. His plans for the six-day trip include visits to eight Filipino cities. He will then go on to Guam and Japan before returning to Rome on February 26.
The run-up to the Filipino visit bears a remarkable resemblance
to that which took place before his trip to Brazil last year. Once again some of the local bishops are trying to Out manoeuvre the government and ensure that the Pope sees the situation as it is.
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The first round in this battle has gone Co the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. It has apparently succeeded in removing from the itinerary a proposed visit to a prison. And plans to tour the city of Davao in southern Mindanao are said to have been cut down to a Mass at the airport and a meeting with Muslim leaders: the area is one of the most troubled in the Philippines. particularly because of the activities of Muslim rebels.
The government has also organised intensive renovation in Ihe slum area of Tondo in Manila, which the Pope is also due to visit. Buildings have been freshly painted and new earth laid in the parts the Pope will see.
However, the progressive bishops are confident that the Pope will tackle the question of social justice head-on, leaving the authorities in no doubt of the Church's commitment to the poor — as he did in Brazil.
Bishop Antonio Fortich said last week: "Nobody can use the Pope. Where a crisis exists. that's where the Holy Father shoufd go. This Pope speaks for himself — he is very independent-minded."
Pope John Paul will also be able to see for himself the effects of the serious flooding which has devastated some parts of the country over the past few weeks