CBCP: Church an ally of government, not political opponent

MANILA, Philippines — Church leaders on Monday stressed that the government should regard the Catholic Church as a partner for common good, not as an enemy, amid the growing rift between President Rodrigo Duterte and the religious leaders.

In a pastoral letter issued by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President Romulo Valles hours before his supposed meeting with Duterte, he reminded the bishops that the Church respects political authority as long as it does not contradict the principles they hold dear such as respect for the sacredness of life, integrity of creation and inherent dignity of the human person. 

“We are not political leaders and certainly not political opponents of government,” the Davao archbishop emphasized. 

He added: “The Church has always been and will always be a partner of government, especially in the local government units and barangays, in countless endeavors for the common good, especially in addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged sectors of society.”

Valles also said that Church leaders recognize the principle of separation of church and state, which is enshrined in the Constitution, “mainly in the sense of distinction of roles in society.”

READ: Duterte: Religious leaders should be neutral because of 'separation of church and state'

In a speech Saturday, Duterte said the religious sector should be “neutral” when it comes to the government because of the principle.

The separation of church and state prohibits the establishment of a national religion and state interference in the free exercise of the religious belief of citizens.

Some Catholic priests and lawyers maintained the Church has the obligation to speak against social ills because governance has a moral dimension.

“When we speak out on certain issues, it is always from the perspective of faith and morals, especially the principles of social justice, never with any political or ideological agenda in mind,” Valles said.

CBCP Vice President Pablo David also shot down the allegation that the Church is being used to destabilize the Duterte administration.

“If there are those among us who have gone to the extent of joining a political party that is intended to overthrow the government, I can assure you that is never condoned by the Church,” David said.

Meeting of Duterte, Valles

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday confirmed that the private meeting between Duterte and Valles will push through this afternoon.

“It’s supposed to be today. Let’s see if I can make it because the work of the CBCP is overflowed in the morning,” Valles said.

He said that he has no fixed agenda in mind for the meeting with the chief executive, noting the invitation came from Malacañang.

“It’s good to note that this meeting is an initial step of openness and hopefully an ongoing listening process with one another. It’s a small, initial step,” the Davao archbishop said.

Tension arose between Duterte and the Catholic Church when the chief executive called God “stupid” and questioned the Genesis creation story, which is part of the beliefs of Christians and of Jews.

Duterte also said that he would resign if God's existence can be proven to him through a “selfie.”

"But if there is somebody of the so many billions, maybe if he can go there in Heaven, talk to God, and magpa-selfie sila at bumalik siya rito at sabihin ng pari there is [a] God, I will step down tomorrow," Duterte said in a speech in Davao City.

Valles revealed that a “good number” of people in Davao were pained by Duterte’s attacks against the Church and God himself but he urged them to “keep their faith.”

Duterte’s policies and pronouncements, particularly his crackdown on illegal drugs, have been criticized by the Roman Catholic Church, the religious group of more than 80 percent of Filipinos.