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Sunday, January 08, 2006
Bishops told to focus on propagating Gospel
WHILE bishops are not barred from expressing their opinions on political issues, the new head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said he would also want the clergymen to concentrate on spreading the Gospel.
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the CBCP, said although politics is not within their turf, the prelates could still voice out their opinion on political matters especially if it involves morality.
"We are not (directly) telling them to shun politics because sometimes there is a need to express our opinions (on some political issues) but (politics) is not our turf or vocation because our vocation is to serve the people is a pastoral way," said Lagdameo.
The prelate also said when they are called to give their opinion it should not be construed as meddling in politics.
He said the bishops only intervene on political matters when it is already affecting the lives of the people and concerns morality and faith.
Asked if he would favor the reversal of the pastoral statement that the CBCP issued in July 2005 wherein they rejected calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and instead sought an independent investigation against her, Lagdameo said he is leaving it up to the bishops to express their opinions on the matter.
"Bishops have different perspectives and we have different ways of looking at reality, at what is happening in the country so I think it is better that we also listen to each other's perspective. In that way, we are able to enrich one another with our ideas," he added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches (PCEC) called on the country's political leaders to set aside their personal interests and instead look at possible implications of the political crisis to the country's economic and political stability.
Bishop Efraim Tendero issued the statement following reports of a possible alliance between three former Presidents, namely, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada to topple the Arroyo government.
"We want to call our people to really seek the best of the nation. So we call the former Presidents and the current President to really work together to see what is the best for this nation and not just what is best for one group and their personal interests over the interest of the nation. So they should really think of what is the best interest of the greater number of people," Tendero said. (MSN/Sunnex)
(January 8, 2006 issue)
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