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Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Nalzaro: Church’s deep concern
By Bobby Nalzaro
Some sectors have criticized the influential hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church for plunging into the affairs of the State. Local leaders supporting the creation of three more provinces in Cebu, for example, said His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal violated the constitutional provision on the separation of Church and State for opposing the move.
Section 6, Article 11 (Declaration of Principles and State Policies Principles) states: “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” This is an old doctrine that has been retained through the years.
But can we blame Catholic leaders for taking a stand on an issue that they think will affect a great majority of their flock? Is it wrong for Church leaders to criticize political leaders for initiating and implementing policies detrimental to the people's well welfare?
Take the family planning issue. The Church supports a family planning program only if it promotes the natural method of contraception. It opposes the artificial method that, in its moral point of view, is tantamount to abortion. But it only airs its concern and cannot stop the State from implementing other family planning methods. The Church is concerned with the moral aspect while the State is looking into the ballooning population angle.
The Church, through Cardinal Vidal, is also opposed to the Sugbuak. The cardinal even described it as “evil.” Indeed, Church leaders cannot just close their eyes on political issues that they think will affect the public. They cannot just keep silent, stay in the sideline and pray even if there is a need for them to comment on the matter.
To recall, the Church asserted its influence on a predominantly Roman Catholic people by pushing for a peaceful and non-violent resistance against the tyranny of then strongman Ferdinand Marcos and the graft-ridden and immoral government of Joseph Estrada. And some people did interpret this as undue interference in the affairs of government.
But a good number of Filipinos believed otherwise. Rather, they considered it as manifestation of the deep concern of the Church for the welfare of its followers. The two People Power revolts would have not been successful without the active participation of the Church.
I think the Church should continue to exhort the people to join hands and unite against what it perceives as “forces of evil.” Nagpakabana lang ang simbahan.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork. com/0919-3181404)
(August 31, 2005 issue)
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