Anger from someone in power can hurt more than any slap, because words can cut deep when they come from someone people are taught to respect.
During a Mass at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo reportedly said, “Bobo ka ba?” after being asked why he uses a tablet in Mass. Words shocked congregation, not because of technology, but because tone sounded harsh, sharp, and unkind. When leaders lose patience, people do not hear frustration, they feel insult.
Issue was never the eyesight. Priest himself explained difficulty reading printed text due to being blind in one eye and having cataract in the other. That reality matters. According to research presented at American Academy of Ophthalmology, people with moderate vision loss, including cataracts, read faster and more comfortably using tablets with back‑lit screens and larger fonts than printed text. Higher contrast between letters and background helps impaired eyes focus, proving technology does not worsen vision but supports accessibility
Tablet use therefore is not luxury nor arrogance. It is a tool and science supports it. Debate should have ended there. Yet frustration turned explanation into attack, and that is where damage began. Anger overshadowed reason while uthority replaced patience.
Meanwhile, church is not immune to bad behavior. Columbia Theological Seminary says about 28% of members report bullying, toxic conduct, or harmful actions in congregations. This shows that words and attitude matter. Leadership cannot forget that harshness leaves scars longer than sermons.
Technology helps the eyes while patience protects the soul. Authority without restraint breaks trust faster than mistakes ever could. Words spoken in sacred places stay long. Congregation remembers tone, not excuses. Respect cannot be downloaded and accessibility tools cannot cover anger.
Leaders should respond with calm, not with insult. Eyesight deserves care, just as faith deserves respect. Anger should never replace guidance, and while eyes may fail, respect must never fade. Choose your words wisely, because they can haunt longer than any mistake.
Written by Maxine Elle Garcia, Insight PH
Maxine Elle Garcia, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
