CBCP: Be peacemakers in these troubled times

DAVAO CITY — Invoking the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi for peace, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has called on the faithful to become peacemakers in these troubled times of the country.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do we not all aspire for the grace to be called ‘sons and daughters of God’? If we do so, then we must constantly strive to be peacemakers in these troubled times in our country,” as stated in the latest statement from the CBCP, which was signed by CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, July 9.

The CBCP Pastoral Exhortation entitled: Rejoice and be glad! was released at the end of the CBCP 117th Plenary Assembly July 7-9 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in this period in the country wherein teachings of the Catholic faith was questioned by no less than the President who in public announcements has called God stupid.

THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE

It was also in response for the killings of priests and other killings ans abuses brought by the Government’s war on drugs, as well as the sufferings experienced by many with the armed conflicts in Mindanao.

“In these times of darkness, when there’s so much hatred and violence, when murder has become an almost daily occurrence, when people have gotten so used to exchanging insults and hurting words in the social media, we admonish the faithful to remain steadfast in our common vocation and mission to actively work for peace,” the CBCP said.

The CBCP statement also called on the faithful to follow the way of Jesus in those instances when they are angered by the insults of people in authority saying, “Remember what the Lord had taught his disciples. He said, ‘But to you who hear I say… bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well…’ (Ll 6:27-29) Vengeance is never the way of Christ. It is not the way of Jesus to return evil for evil; no, we can conquer evil only with good (Rom 12:21).”

CONFLICT BETWEEN CHURCH, GOVERNMENT

Despite the conflict between some members of the Church and the President, CBCP said that Church respects the political authority, especially of democratically-elected government officials “as long as they do not contradict the basic spiritual and moral principles we hold dear, such as respect for the sacredness of life, the integrity of creation, and the inherent dignity of the human person.”

The statement also said that the Church has always been a partner of government in countless endeavors for the common good especially in addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged sectors of society.

CRITICAL COLLABORATION

“Sometimes we qualify the collaboration as ‘critical’, mainly to distinguish our differences in terms of ultimate goals, even as we partner in some shared endeavors. Needless to say, on some specific issues, collaboration might not be possible because of our spiritual and moral beliefs, which we persistently propose, but never impose on the unwilling. In such instances, we can only invoke our right to conscientious objection,” the CBCP said.

“We do recognise the constitutional provision of the separation of church and state, mainly in the sense of distinction of roles in society. 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,” the CBCP added.

PRAYER AND FASTING

The leaders of the Church also asked the faithful to join them in three days of fasting, prayer and alms-giving from July 17 to 19 saying, “let us spend a day of prayer and penance, invoking God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed God’s Holy Name, those who slander and bear false witness, and those who commit murder or justify murder as a means for fighting criminality in our country.”

The bishops also entrusted the faithful to the maternal care of the Blessed Mother towards the end of their statement.