COTABATO CITY (PNA) — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has reminded clergies and the religious to refrain from endorsing candidates in the 2010 elections.
In a circular sent to fellow bishops and priests, brothers and religious congregations, CBCP president Nereo Odchimar said they must strictly avoid getting directly or indirectly involved in politics.
The circular was issued after four Catholic bishops have publicly endorsed the presidential candidacy of Councilor JC Delos Reyes of the Ang Kapatiran.
“The Catholic Church must refrain from partisan politics, avoiding specially the use of pulpits for particular purposes, to avoid division among the flock they shepherd,” Odchimar said.
The Tandag, Surigao del Sur bishop said while priests are discouraged to actively take part in partisan politics, the Church must not abandon its competence in passing moral judgment.
“In other words while the lay faithful are urged to engage in political activity, pastors can teach moral principles and issue moral guidelines regarding political activity but cannot engage in public politics,” he said.
“It must be admitted, though, that sometimes even teaching moral principles is actually interpreted by some as partisan politics because of actual circumstances; nonetheless we have to contend ourselves with it,” Odchimar said.
Members of the laity working in issues pushed by the Church may engage in politics and partisan activities provided, however, that they do not convert Church activities into political gathering.
The Church has repeatedly issued guidelines to guide voters in choosing the right people for the right job in the government.
The Catholic Church does not dictate upon its flock who to vote unlike other faith in the country which vote as a one. |
