Thursday, February 21, 2008 Editorial: Catholic Church's dilemma
CIVIL society groups, with the dwindling attendance in oust-Arroyo rallies as backdrop, are changing tack by urging Catholic bishops to lead the protest movement.
The recent meeting attended by the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), did not produce anything concrete as yet, though.
But with some outspoken bishops already convinced of the need to push for the President’s resignation, pressure for them to take the lead in the struggle could succeed.
Here lies the dilemma for the CBCP.
No Sin
The Catholic Church hierarchy and the image of the clergy have changed considerably since then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin led People Power 1.
Sin is dead and no Catholic bishop has inherited his charisma, more so his political instinct or sense of timing that made his leadership of protest actions effective.
Charisma is important considering the clashing viewpoints and personalities within the Church hierarchy, which can be united only by a bishop that possesses it.
Moral high ground
Meanwhile, the image of the Church has been tainted the past years by the scandals involving priests that erupted not only in the country but abroad.
This is worsened by the perceived failure of the Church leadership to discipline erring priests accused of committing not only sexual crimes but also corrupt acts.
For critics, a Church that could not clean up its own yard has no business leading, or does not have moral ascendancy, to lead a movement pushing for government reforms.
A test
Of course, the Church still has a hold over a good number of Catholic faithful in the country, that’s why civil society groups are pressuring bishops to lead the struggle.
And the issue in the political turmoil is not the scandals involving priests but corruption in top government levels as shown by the national broadband network furor.
Still, the lack of a charismatic leader and the scandals are burdens that Catholic bishops will have to carry if they decide to lead the oust-Arroyo movement.
