EDITORIAL - Protests? Is the Church losing it?

 It is pathetic for the Church to threaten protests and even excommunication against President Aquino unless he backs down on the reproductive health bill now pending in Congress, an issue that illustrates its own failure more than it does a wrong government policy.

The Church has all the time in the world to make Catholics toe its line on the issue. The government never intervenes in its initiatives. That it had to come to this point shows how badly it has failed and pictures it as desperately wanting to find a scapegoat for that failure.

It is the job of government to look after the interests of its citizens the way it sees fit. For a Church that is quick to assail government over what it perceives to be shortcomings, it is rather strange that it should now flog that same government for finally doing its job.

That job may not jibe with Church teachings but government has no obligation to conform to what the Church teaches. Both have different perspectives. If government never interferes with Church initiatives, it is only right for the Church to accord government the same respect.

The world does not revolve around the Roman Catholic Church, even if it is the biggest religion. It’s voice may be strong, but it cannot drown those of others. The world has moved on since popes and bishops danced emperors and kings on their palms.

The Church should think twice first before launching protests or excommunication anyone because that path is fraught with risks and dangers that can only cause more harm to itself and its position than it may have hoped to bargain for.

Because government is only doing its job, it can be expected to carry on with initiatives until Kingdom Come if necessary. As to the Church, how long can it expect to carry on with its protests until they lose steam, or excommunicate everyone until it runs out of people?

It is, however, doubtful if the Church can summon truthful numbers to make government tremble. But then there are always the students from the schools it operates, all ready to be herded. Up to how long, though, before the students get wise is another thing.

The real problem here goes beyond population and the reproductive health bill. It is all about slipping influence and credibility. Look at the Muslims and Jews. Where the imams and rabbis point, there their followers go. Priests? We won’t be debating now if they still have it.