CBCP alarmed by charter-change campaign
motivated by ’self-serving interests’

The CBCP has made its voice! Let it be heard. We are grateful to Archbishop Lagdameo for one of his initial statements regarding the present state of affairs in this present government and exposing its untransparent initiative! Thank you for the enlightening and balanced assessment.

We join hands in expressing our uneasenes about the process by which people’s initiative is carried out. In our judgment and I think to any reasonable the Filipino this people’s initiative could very well be self-seeking . . . wanting to entrench those who intiate it in power. Together with the CBCP, “we might further ask the question of the source of funding for this entire operation.”

Let us continue to discern appropriate actions, decide and do it.

What seems to be tragically lacking in this government is “charitas” for its own people. It does not love its own constituents. What Benedict XVI wrote proves even forcefully more true in our time: “Love—caritas—will always prove necessary, even in the most just society. There is no ordering of the State so just that it can eliminate the need for a service of love. Whoever wants to eliminate love is preparing to eliminate man as such.” (Deus charitas est, n. 28)

“The State which would provide everything, absorbing everything into itself, would ultimately become a mere bureaucracy . . . . We do not need a State which regulates and controls everything, but a State which, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, generously acknowledges and supports initiatives arising from the different social forces and combines spontaneity with closeness to those in need.”

We cannot now afford to leave our ears deaf to this urgent call!

More power to our Filipino people and let us be creative in not allowing those who are in power to continue to exploit our poor people by these dubious socalled “people’s initiative.”

CBCP’s direct to the point PASTORAL LETTER is timely . We thank GOD for CBCP’s statement.
Let’s pray harder folks. We’re starting to see the light in the middle of darkness of gloria’s misgovernance, deceit, lying, arrogance and plunder of the nation’s scarce funds.

The Pastoral Letter of the CBCP’s declaring the People’s Initiative as “self servings to only a few” and not of the entire Filipinos is as timely as it is.

However, the stance and condemnation against the legitimacy of GMA to assume the Presidency is long overdue.

[...] GMA and her cohorts continue to push for charter change regardless of the Senate saying such government moves are illegal, regardless of the B and S about these moves being the people’s initiative, regardless of the CBCP’s alarm over exactly GMA & co.’s self-serving interests. And at this point, would any rational person believe Alex Magno over Rene Azurin? [...]

“…vigilance, education and principled opposition may be necessary steps to take…” (2nd to last paragraph, CBCP Statement on Cha-cha, April 7, 2006).

the bishops critical view of malacanan initiated, cha-cha railroading is a welcome respite.

cbcp’s expression of support to pro-democracy and pro-people principles is often rather painfully slow-what could they have been reflecting on? and usually in trickles-perhaps uninspired by their own ‘abundance of manna’ miracle teachings?

since it is not known to reverse itself, ordinary layman such as myself, would want to hear from our dear bishops on equally important though mundane issues such as CPR, plunder of state funds and systematic assasinations of activists and ordinary critics. at the risk of being accused of nitpicking, must submit their silence is quite deafening.

otherwise, and am not happy to say this, i cannot but doubt the source of their latest revelation.

By the grace of God, the Pastoral Letter of the CBCP came at the “right” time. It is said that the way is in ours, the time is in God’s.

We must keep on praying and NOT LOSE HOPE.

Finally the CBCP spoke out…..for sure GMA and her henchmen will cry foul and invoke the separation of church and state. Pero pag eleksyon panay ang dikit ng mga kutong ito sa simbahan.

[...] The big news remains the recent pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, which is critical of the ongoing amendments effort. [...]

I think the CBCP is out of line. It’s funny that they are alarmed only of what the administration does but are never alarmed but what all forms of opposition are doing.
They have the penchant of calling only the attention of the administration but never have I herd them calling the attention of the others who are resoting to all sorts of tricks & gimmicks.
I have never herad the CBCP reminding the people the teachings of the church are supposed to be universal values.
Last Sunday, I just had to step out of the church after the priest ruined a beautiful gospel but making a sermon that was completely political.
It’s sad that ignorant & rightous priest don’t know when to stop & seem to leave in a world w/o bounderies.
It is always most likely that it will be those who think of the m as good & rioghtous that will commit the biggest blunders & stupidities.
It will never come from people who show humility to make mistakes.
Obviously, the CBCP is catering to certain groups only.A complete contradiction of the church that is supposed to be “universal church”

joselu, i think you are the one that is out of line with your conclusion that cbcp is only critical of the administration. you must be blinded with your out-and-out fascination of glue-ria (evident of your posts here in defending all the moves of this de facto administration and its allies). we all know that if cbcp or the church has made a stand against FPGMA, as early as july last year your idol is already gone. but cardinal rosales & the cbcp leadership wanted the church to stay out of politics (in fairness to cardinal rosales, i respect his consistent position although a lot of protest has been heard within their rank). but it doesn’t mean the church will just turn a blind eye on all the abuses that this administration is doing (evident of this PI move). don’t you understand the message of the pastoral letter above? even the sigaw ng bayan leaders are recognizing the significance of this message. and it’s not true that cbcp is hitting only the administration. infact, they have remained neutral hitting both sides of the fence. it is the blatant and manipulative moves of glue-ria & her cohorts that prompted the cbcp to issue that pastoral letter. i’ve been saying that glue-ria is so damn lucky cardinal sin is dead already. otherwise, “patay” na sana ang idolo mo ngayon. so don’t twist the facts. you should actually thank the cbcp for their inaction. that’s what keeping glue-ria hold on to power.

I recall Pope John Paul II’s visit to El Salvador. He moved his hand away when the Arcbishop of San Salvador was about to kiss it. He told the priest to do his job. He pointed out to him that he is suppose to shepherd his flock and not be a part of the government who has total disregard for morals and human rights. His inaction got him the ire of the Pope.

The church is there to protect the weak and speak for the oppressed. This is the reason why I expect the church to put its foot down and condemn the wrong-doings of government. The church hasn’t declared any government official incommunicado yet, so the church has not really dipped its hand into politics.

It’s obvious the motivation of Malacanang and supporters of CHA-CHA is selfserving. Obvious because, they could have EXCLUDED themselves from among the beneficiaries of the CHA-CHA.

What is obvious ARE :
(1) when the interim parliament takes effect ( and they want it by July) , gloria exempted herself from possible 2nd impeachment

(2) gloria shall continue her cheated term as President/Prime Minister till 2010

(3) the interim parliaiment will allow her cabinet to be members of the PARLIAMENT AND ALLOW HER FURTHER TO APPOINT 30 MORE.

(4) gloria provided herself an excuse to become Prime Minister, she could run and win in Lubao and with her fat resources she could be PM,
and maybe for life

(5) no election in 2007 instead extension of terms of some senators, congressmen, and local goverrnment officials. This one is absolutely and grossly immoral .

CHA-CHA is maybe good but the TIMING, METHODOLOGY AND INTENTS are questionable.
Let us put our house in order first, then let’s plan and schedule the CHA-CHA.

The CBCP is in fact a little kinder to gloria, maybe because she’s a woman.
The CBCP in fact, gave her all the leeways to discern and do the HONORABLE DEED.

But alas, this little woman from Lubao, an assumtionista seems to have discarded all things honorable.

THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE. But for the woman, who calls herself President, TRUTH WILL BRING HER TRAGEDY.

Jesus was destabilizer, economic saboteur — CBCP
THE DAILY TRIBUNE; by Marie A. Surbano
04/11/2006

Please read it, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, President CBCP lenten message. The message is loud and clear.

[...] In its pastoral letter, the CBCP said the signature campaign “is not conducive to the kind of informed participation that such fundamental changes demand.” [...]

First she said that God chose her to lead the country, now Gonzalez compares her situation like that of Jesus being crucified by the “Jews” (opposition). Totohanin na natin ito, ipako na natin itong dalawang ito sa krus ng patiwarik.

tamang-tama lapit na biyernes santo. sabay siya doon sa bayan niya. maraming nagpapapako doon. panghugas ng kasalanan daw. baka iendorse pa ng cbcp yan.

raul gonzalez qualifies best as PAPASANG IN A WHORE HOUSE. His mouth is pure rubbish and poison.

If this man has no respect for himself, at least he should accord some respect, to the OFFICE HE’S HOLDING. The JUSTICE DEPARTMENT does not deserve him.

[...] Yet for such reform measures that can be done within the present constitutional framework, a conservative Congress has definitely stood in the way of electoral reforms. Since its reconstitution in 1987, Congress has consistently sat on vital political and electoral reforms that could have at the very least arrested the degeneration of the set-up that Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia now rue about and conveniently want replaced, of late via a so-called “people’s initiative” for a shift to a parliamentary form of government. [...]

Jr_lad, I still think that they are out of line.I think a divided church can’t speak w/ much authority.
I find the editorial pastoral always stopping short of what they really want to say.whatever it is they want to say.
It seems the church wants to mix itself into the poluted world of Filippine divisive politics insted of concentrating on matters that can help unit the country.
The only ones I see cheering after every “editorial pastoral” are all those against the administration.
Yes, GMA is probably lucky cause Cardinal Sin is gone.In the same breath, it’s also the changing of the times.
Probably, we are trying to hope for things that are not there insted of trying to recognize what are the ills that are bringing us down.
From the start of this problems I have always taken the position that gloria alone is not the cause of our problems.
We are a country w/ more problems then we can handel.
Moralizing will not solve our problems.
I don’t think there is anything to thank the CBCP for.I’m aware they are trying to be relevant but I don’t think they are really hitting the mark.
Because I think the times call for doers & people who are willing to risk in oder to put our house in order.
Pls. tell me what is the CBCP trying to do to stop all the venum & hate going around?
Pls. tell me what is the CBCP trying to do to make the people stop all the noice & confusion going around.
do you really think the CBCP or the church is trying to act as a “peace” maker in these hard times?
I think, the CBCP, the church is pushing it’s luck & completely forgetting their vocation of bringing spirituality & God to the people.
I think the church people should also remember that when they enter the world of politics they too can make mistakes because it’s not their field of compitence.
Just because they wear the cloth does not mean that they don’t make mistakes too!!!
They where completely wrong to make a stand because the church is supposed to be the church for all.
Just like the sun shines on the good & the bad people.

joey, the administration wields the power and holds the people’s money. it is widely known that gloria’s illegitimacy could make them more vulnerable to abuse, disuse, and misuse.

the cbcp is right in calling for our discernment and action on charter change. as responsible Filipinos (and Christians), we cannot be complacent and inactive in the face of this present issue, which is so crucial to the future of our country and people. vigilance, education, principled opposition may be necessary steps to take.

to quote ms. Eleanor Roosevelt:

“So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating and destructive effect upon our society than the others.”

and joey, you’re right about the Catholic Church being the sun…the church of all shining on good and bad people alike. all we need is to listen to them and possibly heed their call…for it is never wrong to discern and take action on whatever issues that will forever shape our life here in our beloved country (and on this earth).

it’s also important that we understand what the church is preaching…the cbcp came out with a catechism (in Q&A format) on some important church teachings. bishop oscar cruz then was president, nevertheless, it’s their collective stand:

—–

PART II: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHURCH, STATE, AND POLITICS

8. What is the basis for the Church’s mission in politics?

The main reasons why the Church has a mission in politics are the following:

First, because politics has a moral dimension. Politics is a human activity. It may hurt or benefit people. It can lead to grace or to sin.

Second, because the Gospel and the Kingdom of God call the Church to political involvement. To proclaim the gospel to all creation necessarily includes evangelizing the political world. Moreover, at the center of Jesus’ mission is the proclaiming of the Kingdom of God. But the Kingdom of God calls us to repentance and renewal (Mk. 1:15). This call to renewal is addressed likewise to the political field.

Third, because the mission of the Church of integral salvation involves the political sphere. Integral salvation is the salvation of the total person, soul and body, spiritual and temporal. This is why Jesus not only forgave sins but also healed people from sickness. The Church must likewise bring the healing grace of salvation to the temporal, including political, sphere.

9. Are there other reasons why the Church must be involved in politics?

Yes, there are. Another reason is because salvation of the human person is from personal and social sin. We know that in the political field, social sins unfortunately abound, such as graft and corruption, “dirty politics” of “guns, goons, and gold”, deceit and unprincipled compromises, “politics of greed”. In the mind of the Church, systems where such social sins have been imbedded through constant practice are “structures of sin or structures of injustice.”

Still another reason is because the Church has an Option for the Poor. In the Philippines, politics is heavily tilted against the poor. The poor often become in a real sense voiceless and powerless. Laws are often passed that merely support vested interests rather than promote the common good of all.

Finally, because John Paul II said that the concrete human being living in history is “the way for the Church” (RH, 14; CA, 53-54). The temporal and spiritual development of the total human person is the way by which the Church accomplishes the mission to proclaim the Gospel. We know very well that politics can dehumanize the human person and entrap the person in sinful behavior or structures.

In short, politics cannot claim to be above or outside the natural law and the moral law. Politics has moral and religious dimensions. Therefore, the Church has to be involved in the political world.

Other questions asked were:

10. Is not the Church’s involvement in politics “political interference”?
11. What does “separation of Church and State” mean?
12. But should not Church and State collaborate with each other?

(the entire Catechism on the Church and Politics can be read here http://www.cbcponline.net/documents/1990s/1998-church_politics.html )

just wanted to highlight this:

Politics cannot claim to be above or outside the natural law and the moral law. Politics has moral and religious dimensions. Therefore, the Church has to be involved in the political world.

But of course. At least in this country, the Church has been consistently behind the people, both temporal and spiritual, and never fails to voice out its dissent against govt abuses and immoral policies.

joselu, so, you’re saying that it’s wrong for the church to make a stand now? that it’s wrong to dip its nose into politics just to protect the people’s interest? was it wrong then when the church united the people against the marcos dictatorship (remember edsa 1?). or when the church called for erap’s ouster? but even the SC justices referred to the bible to legitimize gloria’s ascent to the presidency (what’s your take on erap’s ouster anyway?). or you’re saying that the two previous moves were right but not this time with gloria? so, the cbcp now is simply adding confusion & abetting hate against the govt.? the church is irrelevant now (and you want them to stay that way)? do i want cbcp to act merely as a “peace maker” in these hard times brought by gloria and as you stated, the “noisy” opposition? my answer is NO. what i want from the church is to make a stand. condemn in the strongest sense the abuses, misgovernance, deceit, lying and plunder of the nation’s funds. don’t just be a fence-sitter. i want cbcp to voice out its dissent against govt abuses and immoral policies. i want a cbcp that is consistent with the principles and beliefs that the church has long been advocating. not just for morality’s sake but for everything that they stand and represent for. as “shepherds” they should protect their “flocks” as what Pope John Paul II said. look for the “lost” ones, gather their “flocks” instead of just sitting there and wait for their “sheep” to come and go. instead of just preaching the “Good News” and bringing spirituality & God to the people. unless they want now to be counted as belonging to the silent apathetic majority. just an irrelevant entity of our society. so, tell me how can the church effectively help the country.

Jr_lad,
How sure can you be w/c interest are being protected?
“peoples interest”, w/c people? It’s really a very generic term.
Are you talking about the “interest” of our “hard working” Senators?
Are you talking about the interest of those who will be alliennated in the proceses of chnage?
My point is. Who is the church taking a position for?
Is it for those mentioned above?
EDSA 1 was something. Circumstances where quit different then. We seem to remember only the “form” of an event but forget about the situation then.
I don’t think an EDSA will ever happen again.
I don’t think the church can really play a serious unifying role. The impression I have is that the church is trying to be relevant. Just like so many groups w/ interest to protect are trying to be relevant to.
It seems to me that the church is pretending to much to have a role that encompases everything & anything. It seems to me the church is just as divided w/ so many egos, since they are human too.
I think the church is pretending to do so many things except it’s role of “evangilizing” w/c is supposed to be where tey are good at.
I beleave that we leave in a changing world. There is never one solution or form in things.
I beleave that today we have new challenges. It’s not just about one person. I beleave that in a way we blew the gains we could have had in EDSA 1.
Personaly, I really think the CBCP is probably unwittinly adding to the confusion.
I really think one can’t just mix spiritual heavenly things w/ the worldly ways of running a country. That is why there is such a thing as “theocracy” different from “democracy”.
Honestly, I don not see anymore or less peace in their every “editorial”. It’s really more like others just finding a “kakampi” in them. In a way the division is made more apparent coming from a church that is not solidly united anyway.
Has the church every come w/ strong comdemnation of those making false accusation? Has the church ever cautioned the people from making rush judgments?
I’m not saying the church is irelevant. What I’m trying to say the church can only be relevant in as much as it sticks to spreading the teachings of Christ & the gospel & not doing it in a selective way.
BTW, the latest encylical of Pope Benidict talks a lot about Charity. I wounder why our holy CBCP don’t talk more about it. I don’t see them making an efort of communicating to the people it’s contents. Probably they are too busy playing politics & parochial matters.
Persoanly, and I know it for a fact that it’s more likely that it is people who think of themselves good & get to their head that are likely to commit blunders.

“We recognize and respect those many concerned and thoughtful Filipinos who see constitutional reform as a necessary remedy to the country’s many problems at present. In our pastoral statement of January 2006, we already stated that “we agree that certain aspects of our Constitutions may need amendments and revisions.” What we wish to challenge and express unease about is the process by which these challenges are being brought about.”

Signatures are apparently collected without adequate information, discussion and education. The manner in which these signatures are supposedly collected, including door to door campaigns, are not conducive to the kind of informed participation that such fundamental changes demand. The changes that are being proposed for signatures of citizens are dangerously unclear and open to manipulation by groups with self-serving interests. The complexities and variations of the parliamentary system are not adequately explained and have not been sufficiently discussed by our people.”

A call to discernment and action. In the light of the difficulties connected with the present efforts to change the Constitution, we, your Pastors, invite the People of God to take up once again the responsibilities of good citizens, who love this country and seek its true good. We remind you of the words of our Holy Father: “The direct duty for a just ordering of society is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the state, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. They cannot relinquish their participation “to promote “the common good.” (Dues Caritas Est, 29)

We invite you then to reflect and pray over what we have presented in this statement. If, before God speaking in your conscience, you agree, we call upon you to discern the appropriate actions. As Christians, we cannot be complacent and inactive in the face of this present issue of charter change, which is so crucial to the future of our country and people. Vigilance, education, principled opposition may be necessary steps to take.”

joselu, being objective as you said you are, tell me what is wrong with the pastoral letter of cbcp. the message is not really against cha-cha per se but what is being questioned is the manner of how this PI is being conducted. “What we wish to challenge and express unease about is the process by which these challenges are being brought about”. it’s a call to discernment and appropriate action addressed to the people. i did not come across anything that says cha-cha is wrong and we should oppose it. is the statement pro-opposition? why bring the senators in the picture? are you saying that the cbcp released their pastoral letter to protect the interest of the senators? that’s “perposterous” kung si senator jaworski pa. it’s like bunye talking about the NYTimes editorial that the opposition is the source of their information. again so stupid of those people other than the administration.

what is clear to me about this PI is the move to change the system of govt. other than that I have a very vague idea about the revision or amendments they want on the present constitution. whatabout you do you fully understand what this PI initiative is all about?

i ask you also about your take on edsa 2 or about erap’s ouster. under what circumstances that the erap ouster is also justified? please clarify.

Jr_lad
Personaly, I don’t know what there is to question about PI. The issue of charter change is not anything new. That was already in PGMA program when she run for president..
It seems to me that it is the enviorment of confusion that is muddling things up.
If there are groups of people who want to bring the administration down by any means & at all cost.
I think it’s also normal that there are people who would work to try to save our country from a never ending political turmoil.
For me it’s clear that we need a change in the system of goverment.We need a form of goverment that is more responsive to the people & not the present form that creates gridlock.
I’m aware also that the cory constitution needs some changes specificaly in the economic provisions.
I understand, that Congress is pushing for a constituent assembly in order to be able to work on the changes that the constitution needs starting w/ the form of goverment & then also the economic provisions that will make us more competetive.
I understand that the PI is another avenue for change.
I see them as a people who are expressing their sentiment for change.
Just like in any change there will always be winners & losers.
I beleave that it is those who have much to lose in change that have more self interest to protect.
But the bigger problem is the atmosphere of confusion that there is is that makes it very dificult for people to understand the issues.
The issues are all mixed up.
If the church wants to help insted of judging & putting malicios thoughts in peoples mind. The least that it can do is offer a venue where people can invite people who are in the know of things. Why not they organize forums where matters can be discussed in an orderly manner. Insted of closing peoples minds, opening them.
Why not work to clarify things. Put things in prospective. There are so many positive actions that can be done as good cristians.You do not even have to be a catholic.
All you have to be is a person w/ comon sence & be pratical. In order to be able to help to bring clarity & objectivit in peoples judgments.
I was in edsa2. I never beleave that an openly immoral erap could ever be a good leader anyway. I can’t judge from the rightness or wrongness of that event but I beleaved that we where pushing the spirit of edsa to the limit already then.It was a mod of action that we must shy away from. We must avoid that manner of changing leaders. To prove that it was something that was bordring on a wrong way of changing leaders.It’s enough to see that it did not work anymore this time around w/ PGMA.
Times are changing.
EDSA’a are over.
Now we have to think long term of what we really wanna do w/ our lives.
Personaly I think chacah is a step.
It is not a cure all
Just like a sick body has to take a series of medicines to get cured
We to as a country have to make a series of steps to cure our moral & social imfermity.
Insted of perpetually disaggreing w/ each other.We have to be more concerned to have more dialogue & civilized discussions

[...] Cagayan de Oro Archbishop and CBCP vice president Antonio Ledesma, quoting from the Pastoral letter of Archbishop of Jaro and CBCP president Angel Lagdameo on April 7, said: “The lack of clarity on how the changes will truly benefit our nation raises disturbing questions about who will truly benefit from these changes.” [...]

[...] The CBCP has made its voice! Let it be heard. We are grateful to Archbishop Lagdameo for one of his initial statements regarding the present state of affairs in this present government and exposing its untransparent initiative! Thank you for the enlightening and balanced assessment. [...]