EDITORIAL - The humble and sensible winning ways of Palma

Newly-installed Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma appears to have passed his first crucial test regarding the sensibilities of Cebuanos, whom he will lead, spiritually and more, for many years to come.

In a speech before businessmen, who are naturally sensitive about social issues, Palma doused cold water on growing apprehensions sparked by earlier belligerent pronouncements made by some of his colleagues in the Church.

In pressing their opposition to the RH bill being pushed by President Aquino and his allies in Congress, some bishops have taken to threatening civil disobedience against government, a threat that Palma took time to clarify in his speech.

“Civil disobedience is not an option for us. The government is still our government,” Palma reassured the businessmen. That statement could get Palma into trouble with some of his colleagues. But it certainly won him the approval of Cebuanos.

Civil disobedience can be counter-productive. It can cause more harm than good over an issue that the Church can actually address within its own means without having to clash head-on with government.

As had been clearly and carefully pointed out by a number of open-minded citizens, the government is not cracking down on the Church. It is not preventing the Church from criticizing and campaigning against state policies it finds contrary to its teachings.

By his statements, it is clear that Palma recognizes this. By rising above the discordant air, the Cebu archbishop is able to bring his own message across with more sense than his angry colleagues in their babbling.

With this kind of approach, which is more gentle and humble and therefore Jesus-like, it would not come as a surprise if Palma succeeds in winning over more oppositors to the bill than his colleagues are driving away to the other side with their repugnant behavior.