The archbishop of the Cagayan de Oro diocese on Wednesday criticized plans by the local government to implement small-town lottery (STL).

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma called on Roman Catholics to pray for the enlightenment of the city council which is endorsing the implementation of STL in the area. He appealed to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula to oppose the resolution.

Ledesma said gambling diminishes the dignity of work since it makes a man or woman solely dependent on chance, which will make him or her "crazy."

Ledesma also said in a statement that they should not turn the Cagayan de Oro, the City of Golden Friendship, into a city of gamblers. He also aired concerns that children and the poor would be addicted to gambling. With a report from Rod Bolivar, ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao