Priests are increasingly being politicized because of their first-hand exposure to the suffering of the poor and abandoned in their communities. They see a bigger responsibility for the church other than guiding the flock. They feel they must do more. But Canon laws do not allow them to do secular jobs or seek positions.
AT least three Catholic priests have been suspended from their clerical duties for seeking elective positions in next year’s national and local elections.
They are Fr. Granwell Pitapit of the diocese of Libmanan in Camarines Sur; Fr. Emmanuel Alparce of the Diocese of Sorsogon and Fr. Emerson Luego of the Diocese of Tagum, Davao del Norte who is running as mayor of Mabini town, Davao de Oro.
Pitapit will run for mayor in Libmanan, while Alparce is running for councilor of Bacacay town in Albay.
Bishop Jose Rojas of Bicol asserted that church laws prohibit priests from playing a role in politics.
But have they forgotten that the late Archbishop Cardinal Sin of Manila played a very crucial role in all elections during and after Martial law until his death?
He was even instrumental in calling for the People Power Revolution at EDSA.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, in its website, said Camarines Sur Bishop Jose Rojas said Fr. Granwell Pitapit violated the Canon Law, which indicated priests may not be involved in politics.
Canon Law
Under Canon Law 285, clerics are banned to assume public offices "which [entailed] a participation in the exercise of civil power."
“Such suspension is deemed irreversible, thus preventing him permanently from returning to the priestly ministry,” Rojas wrote in a circular dated Oct. 22 but sent to the media on Tuesday.
With this suspension, Rojas said Pitapit would no longer be involved with the social action programs of the diocese.
The bishop said Pitapit was still mandated to follow his priestly vows such as celibacy.
“Such vows, therefore, continue to bind him and can only be completely suppressed through the process of laicization,” Rojas said.
“Nonetheless, Fr. Pitapit is now free, without incurring further canonical censure, to engage in secular undertakings that do not violate his priestly vows,” he added.
Rojas, who has jurisdiction over the archdiocese of Libmanan, informed the public that with Pitapit's departure from the priestly ministry, he no longer represents the diocese and the Church "in any way."
In particular, he said the priest will no longer be involved with the social action programs of the diocese.
"He is, therefore, not authorized to make any solicitations in the name of the Church, and neither in relation to any pro-poor programs sponsored by the Church and the diocese," Rojas added.
Binding vows
But the prelate, who also heads the doctrinal office of the episcopal conference, stressed that the cleric's suspension does not necessarily mean dispensation from his priestly vows such as celibacy.
"Such vows, therefore, continue to bind him and can only be completely suppressed through the process of laicization," the prelate said.
Alparce and Emerson Luego had been suspended earlier for the same reason. Both priests also previously headed the social action ministry of their respective dioceses.
Extreme cases
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. meanwhile said there are extreme cases when a priest can run but must secure the permission of the bishop.
“Without the permission of his bishop, there are consequences for his performance as a priest," he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday.
Bacani said that as a citizen, a priest has the right to lead but as a church servant, his involvement in politics is just to guide the electorate in choosing their leaders.
“We priests should be involved in politics but we should not be political. We are involved as priests and not as politicians. Ours is not to hold government power but to guide the people to live and choose the right leaders,” Bacani said.
Canon Law 285 states that clerics are forbidden to assume public offices, which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.
“Without the permission of their ordinary, they are not to take on the management of goods belonging to lay persons or secular offices which entail an obligation of rendering accounts. They are prohibited from giving surety even with their own goods without consultation with their proper ordinary. They also are to refrain from signing promissory notes, namely, those through which they assume an obligation to make payment on demand,” the Code of Canon Law states.
If elected, Bacani said they must improve service to the people and expand the mission of the Church through good governance, the PNA reported.
"When you sit in a position where you are good at governing, it is not enough that we are good priests. We must also be good at governing according to the duty assigned by the people who choose their leaders," Bacani added.
A Catholic bishop in the Philippines has warned priests against seeking public office after candidates began this week filing their intention to run in mid-term elections next year.
Politics is not part of a priest's task, said Bishop Buenaventura Famadico of San Pablo, head of the Episcopal Commission on Clergy. "Let us leave the task of serving in government to the laity because if we do that it is as if we have failed in our task," said the prelate.
He said the task of a priest is "to spread God's word and guide the faithful."
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said he would not allow any member of the clergy in his diocese to run.
"I am definitely against it, and never will I allow any of my priests to run for office," said the prelate, adding that a priest "cannot serve two masters."
"As priests, we are already serving the people, and we serve without any perks, privileges nor personal interests. Priests are for and only for God," said Bishop Santos.
He said priests who run for public office betray their "divine calling."
In the past, there were priests who ran and won elections, but they either left the priesthood or were suspended from priestly duties.
A bishops' conference official, meanwhile, reminded candidates who plan to go to church before filing their candidacy to respect it as a house of worship.
Father Jeemar Lucero Vera Cruz, left, removes his cassock after announcing his decision to run for public office during a Mass. He filed his certificate of candidacy for vice mayor of Iligan City on Oct. 15.
Father Vera Cruz, vicar general of Iligan Diocese, is seeking to become vice mayor of the city in northern Mindanao. He came under fire from critics who accused him of using the pulpit for his political ambition. But he said he needs to transform the city after the arrest of the city mayor, who is facing charges of conspiring in the attempted murder of a congressman.
"This is about justice and standing up for and hearing the cry of the poor," Vera Cruz told ucanews.com.
He said he is running for office to help families still suffering after falling victim to the devastation brought by Typhoon Washi, which struck the southern Philippines in 2011.
Almost four years after the tragedy, the housing needs of hundreds of families are still unmet despite millions of pesos of funding pouring into the city, the priest said.
In Catarman Diocese in the central Philippines, Father Walter Cerbito has announced his candidacy for governor of Northern Samar province.
"Now is the time for Northern Samar to rise, for someone to stand up for real change," said Cerbito.
Retired priest Jack Sasu, from the same diocese, also filed his candidacy to become a councilor in the provincial capital, Catarman.
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao said the rule prohibiting priests becoming politicians is clear.
"There is a clear rule that they are not to enter politics because the church is nonpartisan in its mission," the prelate said.
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