Christian Vision of the Church in the Society

The Philippine Church and the

Political Sphere

UNIT IV.A
 A. The Issue on ‘Political Interference’ of the Church
a) ‘Political Interference’ – the Church being true to her
mission

b) Pastoral prudence and the Law of the Church - ‘forbidding

clerics to assume public offices which entails a participation in
the exercise of civil power
 A. The Issue on ‘Political Interference’ of the Church

c) relationship of church
and state not as a
separation but as mutual
autonomy and
cooperation

d) ‘critical collaboration
or solidarity ’ with the
State
 B. Church Realization and Guiding Principles in
Philippine Political Involvement
“The Church, in carrying out Christ’s
redemptive work is convinced that to
penetrate and perfect the temporal
sphere, including the realm of politics,
with the spirit of the Gospel” is
essential to her mission. This includes
"passing moral judgments even in
matters related to politics, whenever
the fundamental rights of man or the
salvation of souls requires it.”
- Apostolicam Actuositatem 15 &
Catechism of the Catholic Church
2246
 B. Church Realization and Guiding Principles in
Philippine Political Involvement

a) Principle of Human Dignity

“It is noted that the sufferings and demoralization of Filipinos is
due to the lack of respect accorded to the human person as the
center of all social activities. Individual and group self-interests
have rendered the moral principles of justice, truth, charity,
concern for the poor and the weak ineffective.“
b) Integral Evangelization
- The Filipino faithful needs to reflect on the dichotomy of faith
and individual and social life.
c) Politics has a Moral and Religious dimension
- Politics is a divine trust for service and that all authority and
power come from God.
B. Church Realization and Guiding Principles in Philippine Political
Involvement

d) Salvation of the human person is not only from

Personal but also from Social sin
“Personal sins like pride, selfishness, greed, and hatred come to
infect habitual patterns of human interaction and produces
institutionalized “sinful social structures.”
e) Option for the Poor
“Politics in the Philippines has played a big role in keeping the
majority of the population in poverty. Unless the Church pursues
this urgent task of evangelizing politics, it will continue to militate
against the poor.“
C. The Church Assessment on Philippine Politics

“ The present Filipino

political environment,
characterized by its
continuous and relentless
corruption of values, is still
perceived as the ‘biggest
bane in the Philippine society
as a nation and the most
serious obstacle in achieving
full development.”

- Catechism for Filipino

Catholics 732
 C.1. The Philippine Political Scene

“Political Peddling”
- the practice of using political influence in government or connections with
persons in authority to obtain favors or preferential treatment for another to
obtain something in return

“The Philippine political order is accused too often of moral

bankruptcy which manifests itself in the acts of deceit and
dishonesty, corruption, manipulation and a deadening
preoccupation with narrow political interests, observed in
practically all branches and at all levels of government. “
 C.2. The Philippine Political Culture
Political Culture - refers to the usual ways of thinking and the
corresponding behavior, the value system and the resulting way of
life
a) Patronage Politics
- a system based on a feudal master and
servant relationship where the relationship
between public official and ordinary citizen
is that of a patron and client
b) Political Dynasty
- succession of political power by individuals
belonging to the same heritage or multiple
members of the same family occupying
different positions in the governing sector
of a province or city
 C.2. The Philippine Political Culture
Political Culture - refers to the usual ways of thinking and the
corresponding behavior, the value system and the resulting way
of life
c) Politics of Personalities
- a system where the popularity count
more than knowledge and competence
of political candidates
d) Pay-Off Politics
- a system where a political stand
depends on what the supporters or
funders can get in return for
supporting a candidate
 C.3. Philippine Electoral Process

a) Before Elections
- Diverse electoral maneuvers
- Trivialization of campaign period
- Lies and deception

b) During Elections
- Threatening cultural elements
of Philippine Elections
- Corruption of various forms

c) After Elections
- Politics debased and prostituted
to the low level
 D. Signs of Hope in Philippine Politics
Sound Individual Filipino Values
- moral outrage in the face of violence, injustice, untruth
- formation of circles of discernment

These people, united by a vision of heroic citizenship, are reasons

for hope amidst the creeping cynicism and apathy to the political
system of the country
- Catechism for Filipino Catholics 1139
D.1. Urgent Calls of the Church in Philippine Political Life

As the shepherd and teacher of the flock , the Church, vows to

continue building the three (3) C’s among the faithful: Character,
Capability, and Community
- CBCP, Building A “Civilization Of Love”: A Pastoral Exhortation for
the Year of Social Concerns, May 11, 2006

a) Character
- to deepen the Filipino sense
of honesty and integrity, service
and responsibility, stewardship
and solidarity
 D.1. Urgent Calls of the Church in Philippine Political Life

b) Capability
- Individuals and groups should
continuously grow in their capacity
to govern themselves, the capacity
to develop their abilities, and the
capacity to make leadership
accountable

c) Community
- the need of promoting a spirituality
of citizenship, which is a concrete way
of living out the social virtue of
solidarity
D.1.1. Active Political Involvement of the Laity

“The Church calls upon those who

are competent, persons of integrity,
and committed to change to get
involved directly in principled
partisan politics, and even become
candidates for political election and
be a leaven of social
transformation for the country. “

- CBCP, Pastoral Statement on Lay

Participation in Politics and Peace ,
July 12, 2009.
 D.1.2. Education on Politics as Public Service
“There is a need for a change of attitudes, the need for belief and
real acceptance that public service is a sacred trust. Dishonesty
and corruption must be eradicated and avoided from every level
of social life. “
- CBCP, Man, Our Way: The Human Person In Philippine Society :
Pastoral Letter On Social Transformation, 1985
 D.1.3. On The Exercise of the Right of Suffrage

“This sacred right must be exercised according to the dictates of

informed, enlightened and politically mature social conscience for
it is the starting point for infusing Christian morality and
spirituality into the electoral process.“
- CBCP, Statement On The Coming National And Local Elections
Transforming Election Through A Solidarity Of Conscience, May
4,2010;
 D.1.4. On the Choice of Political Candidates

The common qualifications of a

candidate issued by the Church in
its exhortations and statements
ever since the Marcos era up to
the present are, by and large ,
similar in content. They are
summed up into five (5) categories:
a) Competence (May Kakayahan)
b) Pro-God (Maka Diyos)
c) Pro- Poor (Maka-Tao)
d) Pro-Country (Maka-Bayan)
e) Pro- Environment (Maka-
Kalikasan)
 D.1.5. Other Specific Ways of Active Political Participation

“Citizens can pursue principled political participation in many

specific ways apart from responsible voting. Any competent and
conscientious lay person with a talent or potential for elective
office should seriously consider preparing in a systematic way
to become candidates, or at least to campaign actively for the
excellent or superior candidates. Some can join and be active in
civil society groups or citizens organizations that pursue social-
political awareness, social justice, good governance and
equality.”
- A Pastoral Statement on Lay Participation in Politics and
Peace, July 12, 2009; Pastoral Statement on the 2007 National
Elections, July 8, 2007; Building A “Civilization Of Love”… May
11, 2006.
“You will find that our enemies are our own
kin. It is they who betray us. So learn this most
important lesson-in the end, our worst enemy
is ourselves”

― F. Sionil José, Ben Singkol

THANK YOU!