Wanted: Priests

In last Sunday’s mass in our parish, Fr. Rios Evangelista talked in his homily about the yearlong observance in the Philippines of priesthood as a vocation. This was in relation to the “good shepherd” gospel that he associated with the role of priests. He thus could not help but stray into the case of Pampanga Gov. Ed “Among” Panlilio whose priesthood has been suspended by our Catholic Church leadership after he won in the gubernatorial elections in May 2007. He won by a hairline margin against former Pampanga provincial board member Lilia “Baby” Pineda.

In his sermon, Fr. Evangelista echoed the sentiments among many Bishops against Panlilio’s public declaration to run for the May 2010 presidential elections. He just mentioned the Bishops’ basic concern about the crying need for more priests in the Philippines. Despite being known as the largest Catholic nation in this part of the world, there is dearth of priests in the Philippines, he cited.

I checked available data from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as I gathered they have in their roster 98 Bishops in the “active” list while some of them were already retired. On the other hand, there are more or less about 7,000 priests in the record of the CBCP all over the country. About three fourths of our 80 million population are Catholics, the 7,000 priests would definitely fall under the category of acute shortage.

This reminded me of another homily about the same subject matter of the need to promote the calling for priests. Trying to interest young men to enter priesthood, the prelate told the congregation that this is the only vocation that guarantees sure job once they graduate.

How does one become a priest? The traditional route to priesthood starts when young men enter seminaries for their basic education. Usually, the parents only pay for the board and lodging but they are practically scholars once they enter the seminary. Then they take up a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and another four to five years of a Masters degree in theology. They do not just become instant priests but they still have to undergo pastoral and spiritual integration for at least a year. It depends upon the diocese and the bishop as well to determine if one is ready for ordination for priesthood even as they have already taken their vows.

Just like any other vocation, priests, too, have retirement age, if I’m not mistaken, it’s 65 years old. But even if retired, as I understood it, they can still perform the sacraments, or at times they are given assignment, for example, to administer a parish. With such shortage of priests in our midst, it is not surprising that Bishops and priests could not retire entirely but must continue to perform their priestly duties to their flocks.

So there are valid grounds why Bishops, too, are not keen on the idea of Panlilio’s taking to the next level his political career. No less than Panlilio’s immediate superior, San Fernando, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto has reportedly expressed his objection the first time he did his foray into local politics.

Prior to his jumping to politics more than two years ago, Panlilio has been a priest for the past 29 years already after he was ordained in 1980. He is 55 years old now. Even after he ignored the advice of his Church superiors not to enter politics, Panlilio has not been defrocked but has remained suspended only from his priestly duties.

Based on his latest pronouncements, Panlilio has gotten “discernment” that inspired him to try his luck in the coming May 2010 presidential elections. Panlilio told a forum yesterday that he has been praying for guidance and “felt” that God wants him to go for the presidency. “I’m doing this not for me, not for myself. I felt God wanted me to go on a higher service. After a period of discernment, I said ‘God is calling me to run for the presidency,” Panlilio declared.

“Discernment” is a much-abused word to justify someone’s ambition. The only other person who loves to invoke “discernment” is President Arroyo. Both “cabalens,” Mrs. Arroyo and Panlilio, must have drunk something in the waters of Pampanga. It gave them the powers of “discernment” that we, ordinary mortals here in Metro Manila, have not imbibed.

Panlilio, however, conceded that he would not get the support of the CBCP to his decision and neither to his candidacy. The Governor added he is ready for all the consequences, including “dispensation” from the Vatican of his priesthood. “This priesthood is important that I love so much, I’m willing to give up for a greater love, that’s love of country. For me, the heart of priesthood is accepting the love of good in working for other people, especially the poor,” he cited. Amen. Hallelujah!

But on the other hand, Panlilio reiterated his desire to go back to priesthood if he loses in the presidential elections next year. The Governor obviously wants the best of both worlds. But the latest word from the CBCP leadership are foreboding of his continued defiance of Church laws. Panlilio must choose whether he wants to become full time priest or a politician.

Yesterday, Panlilio categorically stated he has opted to become a full-fledged politician and will definitely cast his bid in next year’s elections. He would file his certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Nov. 30. At least, Panlilio is true to his politician’s calling unlike some Bishops who dabble in politics using the pulpits.

In the meantime, Panlilio must first hurdle the most immediate reality on the ground. The Pampanga Governor has to contend with the ruling last week of the Supreme Court that paved the way for the Comelec recount of the contested results of his gubernatorial victory over Pineda. His lawyers have vowed to ask the High Tribunal for a reconsideration of its ruling. This would definitely buy more time for Panlilio to keep his governorship.

Apparently, however, the recount is the least of the concerns now of Panlilio who disclosed yesterday his plans to request for “dispensation” from Archbishop Aniceto. But the final decision on his “dispensation” would come from the Vatican whether to grant or deny Panlilio’s request.

Will Panlilio abide by the ruling of Pope Benedict XVI in case his request is denied?