The Church is the church of the poor; but the San Pedro Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Davao, is a colony of demons called matapobre. Google translates the Tagalog word matapobre as "blindness" because literally mata means "eye" and pobre, "poor." Scholars say that the mata part is actually from the Spanish verb matar (meaning, "to kill"). Hence, matapobre means "poor-killer!" Other translations are as follows: "one who looks down on the poor;" "snob;" elitist."
Who are always seen, often identified with the church building? They are the church workers: sacristans, maintenance, security personnel, office workers, nuns, et cetera. The priest-pastors are last in line. Other than the priests, they are the frontliners of the church. The Cathedral is a colony of these demons taking shelter in the lives of these people; and, through coordinators, they are spreading to religious organizations attached to the church: Divine Mercy In My Soul, Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Catholic Men's Fellowship, to name a few. (To be continued)
