Don’t use pulpit for politics, CBCP reminds clergy

MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday reminded the clergy, particularly priests that the pulpit should be used to proclaim God’s word and not for politics.

“But of course, when you announce the good news, it has implications about political life. We cannot separate faith and our societal life. But don’t use the pulpit for campaigning, as other bishops have said that has a point,” CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said in a pastoral letter, as the country marks the 36th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

David said there are other venues for the clergy to express their support to certain candidates.

“We have to be more respectful. Because there are so many venues. There are many venues for expressing one’s political opinion but in the pulpit the foremost is the word of God and what is the implication of upholding truth, justice, and peace,” he said.

David, however, said he respects the position of priests and nuns as they are also citizens of the country whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution.

“Well, I said that we are citizens of this country. We also have a civic duty. We will just presuppose that the other priests led to that, meaning they have reached a decision in conscience, and that is to be respected,” he added.

Asked regarding the separation of church and state, he said its primary meaning is “directed to the state”.

“The State has no business putting up a religion or favoring one religion against another. Well on the other hand you can only say the Church has no business putting up a State,” he said.

David added that as citizens, they must be proactively involved in the political life of society.

He also expressed dismay over the “blatant and subtle distortion, manipulation, cover-up, repression and abuse of the truth” as the election is fast approaching.

“Let us examine ourselves. Perhaps we, too, sow the virus of lies, which spreads wildly, numbs our consciences,” David said.

The CBCP urged Catholics, especially the youth to examine carefully what is happening in the quest for a true and just society by engaging in dialogue and discernment.

“We all seek the common good. And, in the light of the Gospel of Jesus, let us follow the path of truth, goodness, justice and peace – not the path of violence, vengeance, or evil,” it added.