Letter to the Editor – The church and political preaching

As a lay member of Christ's faithful, I wish to respond to Bishops Antonio Tobias, Deogracias Iñiguez, Julio Labayen and some clergymen regarding their political preaching and their intrusion on matters, which are strictly political. I refer to their past and present invective and call from the pulpit and in public forums against charter change specifically, to "work and act as one" against moves to amend the 1987 Constitution and to their backing-up calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

For me to properly evaluate whether such deed of our esteemed bishops and pastors is right or wrong, I tried to check with authorities. Here's what I got:

1. One of the definitions of constitution on the Web is that it is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the fundamental rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of states, this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines its nation's fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government.

Moves therefore to amend our constitution are a political affair.

2. In Chapter XV of his manual on pastoral theology, The Pastor, Bishop Gregory Thurston Bedell stated, "On the great and grave questions of public morality, and even of governmental sin, a Minister ought to express himself, but on mere questions of governmental policy, committed to statesmen, he should not preach. We as clergymen are not put in charge of this subject of public policy nor does our education fit us especially to consider it wisely. This truth may not be flattering to our pride, but it is worthy of our reflection. Our theological studies have led in an entirely different direction. Our isolation of thought from ordinary politics, an isolation which is to be encouraged because it is suited to our holy calling, and our habit of looking at all topics in their relation to Christ's Kingdom, do not prepare us for profitably discussing politics before the people. Neither has God called us to the work of being political leaders. There may be some giant statesmen among our clergy whose peculiar turn of mind, or well-matured opinions, would give weight to their judgment, and fit them to be leaders in affairs of state. If such men feel called to enter the arena of political strife, they are called away from the ministry. Divine Providence invites them to the care of national affairs, and it will be their wisdom to obey the call."

Bishop Gregory Thurston Bedell was a leading evangelical theologian and the third Bishop of Ohio. Bishop Bedell has published numerous sermons and addresses, including "The Pastor," a manual on pastoral theology.

3. Further, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican's Foreign Minister - the formal title is Secretary for State Relations of the Holy See - pointed out that "the state should not intervene on questions of religious belief, which are outside the realm of politics; the only role of the government is to ensure religious freedom for all. In turn, religious leaders should not become involved in strictly political affairs."

Archbishop Lajolo is an Official of State, Roman Curia. In exercising supreme, full, and immediate power in the universal Church, the Roman pontiff makes use of the departments of the Roman Curia, which therefore perform their duties in his name and with his authority for the good of the churches and in the service of the sacred pastors.

4. Furthermore, Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for priests to stay away from politics. Bishop Tobias confirmed that Apostolic Nuncio, Antonio Franco reminded him that as a bishop, he should not be involved in political activities.

Canon 273 states, "Clerics are bound by a special obligation to show reverence and obedience to the Supreme Pontiff and to their own ordinary." A bishop or priest who shows disrespect and disobedience to the Supreme Pontiff is guilty of great irreverence to the Vicar of Christ.

Based on the foregoing, I now realize that what these bishops and priests have done or urged on us, the laity, have no basis in the laws of the Catholic Church. What is ordered by pastors should be lawful. If what is ordered is not lawful, or is against Christian charity then, the lay faithful are not called to blind obedience.

Neil L. Papas
San Isidro, San Fernando, Cebu