What do you think of Carlos Celdran's protest against the bishops?

Reynaldo Joaquin, Las Piñas City: His issues are within the bounds of freedom of choice and expression, but the manner by which he executed his protest was blunt and rude.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Celdran’s protest symbolizes the feeling of the majority of our people who are fed up with the interference of the Catholic Church in government affairs.

Barking up the wrong tree

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Ang dapat na ipabilanggo ng mga Padre Damaso ay ang mga kapatid nilang sangkot sa sex scandal at mga paring corrupt.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Mr. Celdran should be protesting against the government. It’s the government’s responsibility to remain independent and not be swayed by religious influences. The Catholic Church is just looking after the interest of its congregation. Sorry na lang kung masyadong malakas ang lobbying influence ng simbahan. Ganoon talaga sa isang demokrasya.

Reliving history

Felix Ramento, USA: Carlos Celdran was just reliving an ugly chapter of our history as related by Jose Rizal, our national hero. But he must now face the consequences of his action.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Is Carlos Celdran another Galileo, Martin Luther or Nino Lo Bello who believes that the Church maintains its power and influence only in places where poverty and ignorance breed? Let our bishops decide.

Lacks respect

Darius Manabat, Makati City: He has no respect for the Catholic Church. If he is smart, he should discuss his issues in the proper forum and not stage a protest inside the Cathedral where a Mass was ongoing.

Mike Sayat, Quezon City: Reasonable, but poorly done. May kabastusan.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: He has all the right to protest but he could have done it at the proper time and venue. The Holy Mass is the summit of Christian faith.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s the height of disrespect for the Catholic Church. He should have had the decency to do his stupid act outside the Church and not inside, with the Mass ongoing. Magbigay naman siya ng respeto sa Diyos at sa Kanyang simbahan.

Paciano Mercado, Las Piñas City: Couldn’t he have done it oustide the cathedral? Whatever happened to ‘We end where your rights begin?’. I support Celdran’s advocacy in passing the RH Bill but do not condone the way he did it. People have a right to practice their faith without fear of disruption. By letting himself get carried away, he became no different from the enemy. This is giving awareness to an issue with a price and if Celdran isn’t a hypocrite, he must pay for it far more than with a short stay in hail.

Leon Romero, Calauag, Quezon: That was another misplaced expression of freedom and irresponsible display of rights (or wrongs).

Kenneth Sun, Angeles City: He is a complete example of a person who disrespects God and his Church, and an uneducated person who is pretending to be smart.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Celdran wanted to become popular at the expense of the Catholics. As a Catholic and a knight, I was slighted and I feel very bad about what he did. I am for the passing of the RH bill pero huwag niyang bastusin ang misa na sagrado sa aking paniniwala.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: His protest is in order but the venue is out of order.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: The validity of Celdran’s protest was negated absolutely by his blasphemous act of virtual desecration of the Holy Sacrifice being celebrated in the Catholic House of Worship. It betrayed his real and ulterior motive of reaping enormous publicity to attract more clients for his occupation as a tour guide. That he is now receiving death threats can be dismissed as another fruit of his fertile imagination. If he did such publicity stunt in some other church, he would have been slain instantaneously, no ifs or buts.

Ysanita Benedicto, Taguig City: I am not in a position to condemn him, but then I also do not agree with him. There’s a right venue for his protest, not inside the Church.

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite City: The Holy Mass is a solemn ritual. What Celdran did was wrong. There is a right timing for staging our protest, not during worship.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: It was done at the wrong place and at the wrong time. What he did interrupted the solemnity of the Mass. However, I’m impressed by his courage to do such act.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: There is a level of civility that this certain Carlos Celdran has crossed. He can take his protest and views to all forums, but he should not have done it inside a purely religious ceremony, be it Catholic, Protestant or Muslim. Even the courts of law or the salas of judges, the proceedings of Senate or the sessions of Congress would not want to be disrupted by antics similar to what he did. Is he happy now that he is getting this kind of attention?

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Carlos Celdran might have been influenced by the recent lightning protest. He is right in his advocacy but doing such thing inside the Church is another story. It was really a mistake when he created chaos inside the Church.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: His protest is not against the bishops but against the Roman Catholic Church that the bishops stand for. He could have done his protest in many refined and objective ways that are not inimical to an educated Filipino.

Joe Nacilla, Piñas City: Disrupting worship services or party celebrations for whatever reason is a product of a dysfunctional mind. Carlos Celdran’s action was very improper for an educated and sound mind.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: His passion for the passage of the RH Bill is understandable but assaulting the Church for its stand based on the will of God is tantamount to assaulting God.

Heroic

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It was a daring and heroic act. I believe he made that statement in behalf of the silent majority whose trust on these bishops continues to wane. The Damaso placard he displayed inside the cathedral is truly relevant as we all know that a lot of bishops will not stop to get their agenda even if it causes the downfall of another sitting President. Bravo to Carlos Celdran! May your tribe increase.

Joan Cejes, Makati City: It is a laudable move for it took him great courage to stand for what he believes in. Given that the venue of his protest was inappropriate, the way I see it, this situation is just similar to the Church meddling in government’s business. I’m with you, Sir!

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City:  He should have done the protest outside the Church’s premises. However, I praise him for having the guts to confront the bishops on this timely issue.

Pong Tenazas, Quezon City: Good move. He is now my new hero for acting a la Jose Rizal.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: It’s a valid protest that the bishops must heed.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Great! Go Carlos.

Loi Castillo, Davao City:  My hats off to Carlos Celdran. He represents the silent majority of Filipino Catholics who are so disgusted with priests meddling in politics.

Dan Adviento, Ilocos Sur: A protest is someone’s way of speaking his or her inner beliefs and ideas, which may contradict those of other people. If that’s what Carlos thinks or believes in, then it’s okay.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Gutsy to say the least, but quite awkward, though he managed to clearly deliver his message. I’m all for him.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Mr. Carlos Celdran’s protest may appear outlandish to conservatives but it was the best way to convey a message. The country needs more Carlos Celdrans to awaken the public against the meddling of the Catholic Church in the affairs of the government, which has resulted in economic and social snafus.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Carlos Celdran could have offended religious feelings but more importantly, his action mirrors desperation over weak political will on the issue.

He got the attention he wanted

Rose Leobrera, Manila: He did what he did in order to be noticed and talked about. I actually am in favor of his views. If he had not done that, he would not be getting the kind of publicity he is now reaping.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: He wanted to be seen and heard by the ones who matter and his incarceration stirred a hornet’s nest. He got what he wanted.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: It was Mr. Celdran’s ‘golpe de gulat’ act that called attention to the Church’s intervention on affairs of the state.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: It certainly was a big bang that jolted the priests and bishops who can’t be jolted by population explosion. Carlos Celdran could be likened to a latter-day national hero, dressed up like Brother Joe, and going head-on against the present-day Padre Damasos.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: His way might have been unacceptable, but his message drives a point.

Irrational thinking

Ana Igloria, Laguna: There are two sayings that Mr. Celdran should have remembered before doing the protest against the bishops. The first one is “Control your anger before it controls you” and “Keep your temper; nobody wants it.” I totally condemn Celdran’s “tantrums” against the Catholic Church. It was an action made out of irrational thinking. The lesson is: Think first before doing something.

Stop meddling

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I would like to join him. The Church should stop meddling in the affairs of government and should they insist, they should be taxed on their tithes and offerings.

Raymar Gurrea, Bacolod City: Maybe it’s high time for our priests and bishops to listen to public outcry. I have the same sentiments as that of Mr. Carlos Celdran.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: The Church is separate from the State. Sometimes parang over na nga naman ang pakikialam ng simbahan sa gobyerno.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Mr. Carlos Celdran is right. Under the principle of the separation of Church and State, the clergy should not meddle in the affairs of the state.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Time for the bishops to reconsider their stand against family planning.

Freedom of expression

Vener Marcial, Batangas: The truth sets you free, although it also hurts.

Gary Algodon, Mariveles: We are all entitled to have our own points of view and the freedom to express it, just like the CBCP, which voices its opposition to the RH Bill.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Priest, nuns and bishops are permanent fixtures in street protest and rallies. Now their turf has been invaded and it’s the beginning of more to come.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: It is his way of expressing an opinion different from us, the Inboxers. I respect his right to say it, anyway.

Cite offenses

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Carlos Celdran is not a social climber or the KSP (kulang sa pansin) type but a learned Catholic person who is doing his share for the welfare of the people. He is definitely not a publicity-seeker but he only chose a dramatic, attention-drawing stunt in his protest against the bishops. But then, why protest against the bishops who are also just doing their share of spreading the gospel? Celdran should have instead cited the offenses committed by the bishops that are way off the Biblical apostolate and should not have disrupted the celebration of the Holy Mass that is an act against God and the Church.

Pang-showbiz

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Carlos Celdran for senator in 2013. Pang-Indie film ang acting niya. Pang-period film pa. Sana sa harap na lang ng rebulto ni Rizal niya ginawa ang protesta.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Purely showbiz. Kung publicity lang pala hanap niya, eh di dapat hinostage na niya si “Padre Damaso” gamit ang espada ni San Miguel.

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I guess it’s so papansin. I share his advocacy about family planning but sana di na niya ginawa yun. Instead, he should have urged the government not to be intimidated or swayed by the bishops.

Devil’s advocate

Dr. Gen Padilla, Valenzuela City: He is a devil’s advocate. He thinks that he is as wise as God and that his freedom to choose is more important than following the will of God. He is a fool.

Appropriate punishment

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: If the bishops would ask for Celdran to be shot by a firing squad in Luneta, would that be an appropriate punishment for protesting the way he did?

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: He only did what he thought was right, but he did it at the wrong venue. Respect begets respect, Celdran must know this. Isn’t it that he is an educated man? He needs to face the price for his own acts of derision to prove that indeed he is a brave man.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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