Published Date: October 19, 2009

A growing number of Catholic priests in the Philippines are committing to be more active in the “political realm,” to be more vocal and to act more decisively against corruption, human-rights violations, electoral fraud, patronage politics and political dynasties. They have also committed to act on people’s issues such as land reform, mining, logging and other activities that degrade the environment and ultimately victimize the people. (Marya Salamat, Bulatlat.com)

In fact, as the priests happily found out during their unprecedented gathering in Makati City late last week, many members of the clergy have been actively grappling with these concerns in the course of doing their “prophetic mission.”

“Gone are the days when partisan politics is a taboo topic in the Church,” said the Reverend Carmelo Diola, a priest of the archdiocese of Cebu.

In a historic three-day gathering of about 250 priests, including 18 bishops, from all over the country, they shared how they have been striving to breathe life to the “prophetic character of priesthood participation in social transformation and politics,” as Monsignor Manuel Gabriel, a priest of the diocese of Paranaque and rector of Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, put it. Toward the end of their gathering, Monsignor Gabriel was formally chosen by the assembly as national convenor of their “discernment network.”

FULL STORY

In Historic Gathering, Filipino Priests Vow to Be More Active in ‘Political Realm’ (Bulatlat.com)

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