Government and Church... a separate entity?

[richard79]

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I just wanna post this topic since I've heard from the news that Cardinal Vidal is already joining or putting up a movement for Pres. GMA to resign. I think he is joining not under his own name but by bringing the flag og the whole Church.

Correct me if I'm wrong with this thread... but my question is... Shouldn't be the Church at the neutral side of this mess?

Should they be praying instead of joining such call or rally setting another people on fire for revolution that made the country fall on its knees right now, eating dust?

They themselves I think are already divided on their standing. Some are pro and some are not.

I understand also that they are one of the key factors of EDSA 1 and 2. But is it necessary for them to be consistent all the way? Samot na jud tag kalisod ani... murag halo-halo daghag sagul......... no more mediators!

NGANO MO APIL2 man jud SILA? We need prayers......

[dead_soul]

dapat ang church moundang sa ilang pagsamok samok!!!!!

[websniper]

Constitutionally, Yes they are. But this is not clearly defined here in the Philippines regarding the separation of church and the government and that's a problem. Supposed to be churches should not get involved in politics. But sad to say, this scenario is a fiction of real scene.

Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
Section 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.

Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

Section 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service.

Section 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.Â*
Â*

[HoundedbyHeaven]

I believe that the Church ought to be involved in politics-- primarily and properly through Her Laity. The Clergy ought to be the moral guide and conscience of the Laity, and to the State, through the Laity. The authority of the State-- political power, if you may --does come from God, after all.

"Political neutrality" defined as "Political Indifference" or "Apolitics", if I may used that term, is morally despicable and unacceptable, particularly when the State has violated the rights of the people it was established to protect and uphold.

This is not a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state-- until you erroneously interpret "separation of" as "separation from". Those who interpret it as "separation from" understand the two entities as having "absolutely" nothing to do with each other-- which is false, of course. How could they have "absolutely" nothing to do with each other, when it is the State's duty to protect religious freedom?

Shalom.

[Sovabon]

Technically, it is separate entity. Pero daghan naman gamiton ang relihiyon sa pampolitca karon! Mas sikat man gud ug mag apil apil. Look Mike Velarde & Eddie Villanueva!

Naapay nabisto bag o, 4 bishops are receiving millions from the PAGCOR. Hahaay! Mao jud diay mag apil apil for personal vested interests.

[potterboy]

but it dsnt mean that because they are separate entities, the other(the church) cannot call upon the trampling of morality, worse division.

sentido comon, the cardinal vidal calls for unity because he firmly believes, that the church even up to this moments that it is stained with scandals, is still and can be a conscience for proper governance. the influence somehow gives strength to the people to be firm during this time of crisis.

the cardinal stands for the church and its people. to hell with the bishops who received millions.

[giver_bert]

the constitution may have expressly provided the separation between the church and the state, however, such provision should not hinder the former at playing its very role, which purportly extends to political realms.. such role in politics i consider to be purely an ethical one.

it's their role to speak to the moral issues confronting our nation and in so doing to help form the consciences of the lawmakers and state members.. it's their role in politics is to be there visibly in the context of political policy formulation.. the church has to be prophetic, it has to herald the ethical values that enrich a nation.. the church has to be bold and forthright, constructive and innovative.. the church has to be "salt and light" in what is so often a corrupt environment, to bring light and health..

[richard79]

BUMP

[mango]

Agree-agree-agree ko tanan. Ol church officials shud either put up or shut up. Dey hav enuf problems of their own to face. Y are dey meddling in affairs of the gov't ? Di ba a high -ranking church official recently lamented na deyr not doing enuf bout the problem regarding the pending bill on abortion? Ka daghan diha mga problema like naay proposal to tax the churches which I am thinking is probably logical since daghan naman kaau sila ug kwarta frm Pagcor. Also dey shud concentrate too on the faithful going bak to church specially the young pipol nowadays. Soon magka mingaw na jud atong simbahan if dey go on doing wat deyr doing now.
Daghan na jud kaau dili mosimba. Y? Becos maau na kaau manubag mga bata karon nga why do we go to church wen mga pari do this and do that- mo generalize ra ba dayon. We nid help here in this area and yet deyr focusing their time & energy on politics? If d cardinal will insist on meddling- padagana nalang na sya sa next election. Makalagot jud huna hunaon! Am i d only one thinking dis way ? I hope not cos we'll ol b going to d dogs soon enuf. God 4bid.

[richard79]

Agree-agree-agree ko tanan.Â* Ol church officials shud either put up or shut up.Â* Dey hav enuf problems of their own to face.Â* Y are dey meddling in affairs of the gov't ?Â* Di ba a high -ranking church official recently lamented na deyr not doing enuf bout the problem regarding the pending bill on abortion? Ka daghan diha mga problema like naay proposal to tax the churches which I am thinking is probably logical since daghan naman kaau sila ug kwarta frm Pagcor. Also dey shudÂ* concentrate too on the faithful going bak to church specially the young pipol nowadays.Â* Soon magka mingaw na jud atong simbahan if dey go on doing wat deyr doing now.Â*
Daghan na jud kaau dili mosimba. Y?Â* Becos maau na kaau manubag mga bata karonÂ* nga why do we go to church wen mga pari do this and do that- mo generalize ra ba dayon.Â* We nid help here in this area and yet deyr focusing their time & energyÂ* on politics? If d cardinal will insist on meddling- padagana nalang na sya sa next election.Â* Makalagot jud huna hunaon!Â* Am i d only one thinking dis way ?Â* I hope not cos we'll ol b going to d dogs soon enuf.Â* God 4bid.Â*

I understand your sentiments pare. Hopefully let's pray for this things that this problem will be solve. If not we will be like hypocrites, magpakabuta bungol nalang jud ta ani sa atong self. Thank you for not being biased.