Do you think the catholic priests entering politics can solve the ills of the country?

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vibal

religious peoples should not allow themsleves to be eaten by a system where corruption is enshrined. They may be elected yes, because they have followers, not because they are in the right side. Ordinary Filipinos will not understand why they aspire for an elective position when they can do their missions outside government functions and formalities. In politics, it's so easy to charge a governnment official from any wrongdoing by another politician. What will happen to these priests who are seen as meek as a lamb.

PAXson

The Catholic Church has been dipping their hands in Philippine politics since the Spanish times. Currently there are already religious groups represented in Congress. The party list Buhay is represented by Congressman Rene Velarde, the son of the charismatic group, El Shaddai of Bro. Mike Velarde. Congressman Joel Villanueva of the party list CIBAC is the son of Bro. Eddie Villanueva, founder of Jesus is Lord Movement. Party list ALAGAD is a group backed by Iglesia ni Cristo. In fact Bro. Eddie Villanueva ran for President in 2004 and but bitterly lost. So have they made our lives better? CIBAC of Bro. Villanueva is supposed to be a group against corruption. But what amazes me is that they could not find any Congressman that is corrupt for the past years. Corruption is quite obvious in the halls of Congress. It is quite pathetic that CIBAC could not spot one. They are already in hell but they could not find a single devil? Is the pork barrel funds too bright that it has blinded the son of the evangelist? Why put your resources against one person, the President, when Congress itself is filled with ambitious and corrupt people. Clean Congress and we resolve the ills of the country.

Eric L

NOPE. But some good priests in government positions may help (the operative word being "may", meaning, it's not an absolute certainty). It is not really just a matter of who (or what kind of people) are in government. Much of the solution to our country's ills lies with us citizens being better citizens, doing our part in curbing corruption, being more active in public decision-making, being more concerned with what's happening in our respective communities and doing our part. We should not leave the solution of our country's (and our local communities') problems to the politicians!

Ray H

Unfortunately, I do not believe they can solve all of the governments problems. I believe they will be somewhat helpful and may even get a few of the other politicians to keep their word and do what is right for the people. God bless anyone who enters government in the hopes of changing it for the better.

warrior is a child

solving the ills of our country cannot be done by a person alone (is that redundant? check my grammar pls) and not by a single profession. to be able to end all forms of corruption, end the social unrest, it is the whole filipino nation and the system that should work for this.

Chriz

They'll just make it WORST!

windblown

Catholic priest or any religous authoirty of other religions entering politics will not solve the problems of the country. They should concentrate in what they do best, helping people to do things morally. Eventually, it will help in the country's upliftment.

Even though we had bad experiences with people who were economist leading the country, we should leave the economy to the experts on this field. What I am trying to say is not to leave the country's leadership to the people with no expertise in economics. It's quite hard really to accept this fact after so many debacles to the people who handled it before but its not proper also, to leave the economy of the country to the people with no expertise or knowledge at all.

Endanger

I don't really think it's a nice idea for the priests to get involve with the politics. It's too ridiculous.

shae t

neither a catholic priests can solve the problem in the phils.there are a lot of them are also corrupt and a devil in disguise.it would be a disaster for them to join or practice politics.

rarebreed

No I don`t think so!Without the help,cooperation and discipline from the constituents,its 200% impossible!

tom1941

It is not correct that Cannon Law forbids a Priest or a Nun from holding public office. A local Bishop or Superior may request a priest or nun to take a leave if he seeks office, but that is not Cannon Law.

For a Catholic Relgious to hold office it can create difficulties for the person seeking office, since the Church demands not only the relgious, but the lay people to follow Catholic doctrine.

There has been a Catholic Priest in the U.S.A. that has served in Congress and is known to have done a good job for his constiuents. There were times when he reframed from voting on certain issues when they were in conflict with Church teachings.

I have held local elected offices in the States and the fact that I was a Priest never interfered with my ability to serve the people. One should not be voted upon because of their vocation, but on their qualifications and personal character. I made a vow to the people before being elected I would represent all the people and not just Catholic people and I kept that vow. I would want the same assurance from any priest or nun I was planning to vote for in a public election.

To disqualify a person simply because of his or her religious vocation is as undemocratic as a person holding political office trying to force his or her religious believes on the people when they go against what the majority of the people want.

It is not the vocation but the qualification and character voters should be concerned about.

gameplan_xtreme

I think priests should mind their own business, that is, uplifting the spiritual aspect of the people. They shouldn't be allowed by Rome to enter local politics, otherwise be kicked from the service. IT IS UNETHICAL.

Like what Christ said "give unto ceasar what is ceasar's, and to god what's unto god (or something like that:p)"

sansrival

I think the priest would be a better choice than choosing a corrupt one vs somebody who is in the jueting !

imacatholic2

Catholic priests and bishops are prohibited by Church Law from running for or holding political office.

Politics and morality are inseparable. The laws of a democratic nation should reflect the morality of a majority of its citizens. This is how a democracy works.

Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Catholic Church has been teaching world governments what Jesus taught as right and wrong since the ancient Romans stopped persecuting it and long before anyone heard of the freedom of speech.

The Catholic Church protested about the blood sports in the Roman Colosseum and they were stopped.

I don't think the Church is going to (or should) stop teaching the world governments what is right or wrong now.

With love in Christ.

Joe

On the contrary. They are the cause of it. Either directly or indirectly.

Well

No. I don't think there's ever been a case in the recent history of the world wherein a man of the cloth has successfully steered a nation to the right place after being elected into office.

The concept of separating church from state is rooted in the belief that direct inclusion of organized religion into government affairs may lead to the church subverting the powers of the government in a manner which will lead to loss of individual rights.

In practical terms, as an example, a merged catholic church/government entity may be partial to catholic religious practices but this government may end up banning the rituals and practices of non-catholic religions.

Also, such an entity may allow the introduction of constitutional laws based on moral grounds (which are highly interpretive), such as legally allowing the punishment of homosexuals and maybe all those that violate any of the 10 commandments.

A form of this religio-governmental union exists in the Philippines. That's why divorce is banned there. While divorce is almost always a bad thing worth avoiding, it is not the state's business to mandate what a couple should do. It may be the church's responsibility (I dont think so), but ultimately it is the couple's own personal business.

i go loony

Sorry but I don't think so. Anyone in any religious organization would be so unrealistic to think that they can change the situation of the Philippines.

You know for a fact that the biggest church in the Phiippines is the Roman Catholic Church and in the Philippine Constitution, the church is given great exemption to taxes. The church has a lot of institutions and businesses all over the Philippines. Making them do so will not help the Philippines that much since they don't pay taxes. At some point, that would be okay but it can never be okay considering that they don't give much help to the poor. If we come to think of it, most of the poor belongs to this church. But this church has a lot of advantages, it keeps asking for help while they don't give a piece of damn help at all.

My point is that, the Catholic Church has it's ills itself so with this fact, why can't the Catholic priests solve them first?

Lola

in our country's situation right now, let's give that priest a chance to serve the country and the filipino people. who knows, this is the one we've been waiting for. most of the filipino priest are intellectual combined with their spirituality. it might work people, let's give it a try. if filipinos gave chances to actors and actresses and voted for them, why not a priest for a change?

EaglesEyeView

Absolutely no! They, like other new politicians will soon absolve corruptions into their blood and thinking.

allan y

although canon law prohibits churchmen to participate in political activities, i would want them to participate fully in all aspects of philippine society including government.

the eroding moral ascendancy of philippine catholic religious would make it very difficult for them to win any elected position.

the last catholic religious who, in recent times, participated in government was bro. andrew gonzales. he nearly became taken in by the system as secretary of ched.

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