Claiming to hear God speak is dangerous, says bishop

DAGUPAN CITY , Philippines   – Talking to God is prayer but claiming to hear God speak is dangerous, according to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

Cruz was reacting to Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio’s claim that it was a message from God that convinced him to join the presidential race in 2010.

In a media forum earlier, the priest-turned-politician said that while in deep prayer, he said he “felt” God sending his message of approval for his bid to lead the country.

Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, told The STAR, he “definitely” respects the “thinking and feeling of Panlilio in his pursuit of the presidential office, especially in the matter of political exercise in 2010” but that “there must be reasons first before faith.”

“Let us use first what God Himself has given to us by using our rational faculty which has the competence to see reality or fantasy,” Cruz said.

He also scoffed at Panlilio’s pronouncement that he is willing to go back to priesthood if he loses in the election.

“Being a priest is not like a movie house where you go in, see a part, leave after, then go back to see the other part,” Cruz said. “That does not work that way,” he added. It was Cruz who ordained Panlilio when he was still Pampanga archbishop.

It was learned that Panlilio had worked as Cruz’s secretary in the Pampanga diocese.

“The moment the priest asks to leave the clerical state through dispensation, then automatically the conclusion is clear, namely, he didn’t commit himself to the pursuit for his whole life when he was ordained,” he added.

“Specifically in the case of the governor, it might require a miracle of the first class for him to win a presidential office,” Cruz said. “And miracles of this kind do not happen as a rule,” he added.

Go back to priesthood

Some bishops have called on Panlilio to just finish his term as governor and return to the priesthood.

Sorsogon bishop Arturo Bastes, a former teacher of Panlilio in a seminary in Tagaytay, said he and Panlilio’s superior, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto have advised the governor to turn his back on politics once and for all.

“Finish his term as governor and become a regular priest again. Forget about the politics. That is a temptation of power, even Jesus, rejected. That was what He did. That was a temptation of our Lord, after He was declared a Messiah during His time, He went to the desert and freely He was tempted by Satan to enjoy the earthly power in order to serve people,” Bastes said over the Church-run Radio Veritas.

Panlilio is on leave from his priestly duties since winning the gubernatorial race in Pampanga in 2007.

Bastes also reiterated that Panlilio would have a slim chance of becoming a priest again once he is given papal dispensation.

“I think he will have no chance to come back. Hindi ganoon kadali ang bumalik (It’s not that easy to go back). That is my opinion. And another opinion is that, maliit lamang ang chance niya (he has a slim chance) of getting elected,” he said. Let him think twice, because in order to run, he has to leave the priesthood. At paghindi siya pinalad na manalo, mahirapan na talaga siyang bumalik bilang pari (when he is not fortunate enough to win, he will have a hard time going back to the priesthood),” the bishop said.

Bastes also said Panlilio’s running in the last 2007 gubernatorial race was “ridiculous” and “irregular” noting that a priest’s duty is to preach the Word of God and minister to the people.

“For us, it is ridiculous. First of all, a priest is not allowed to run for public office. What he did already was very irregular. Kaya na suspended siya (That’s why he got suspended). I do believe that, if he wants to run as president, he must leave the priesthood,” Bastes said. “He must really ask dispensation, because that is really not a vocation running a country,” he said.

For his part, Tagbilaran bishop Leonardo Medroso of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Canon Law, said it would take several months up to a year before a request for dispensation could be granted by the Holy See.

Medroso also advised Panlilio to apply for dispensation himself and not let his superiors do the task.

Hard choices

If it’s a message from God that made Panlilio jump into politics, it’s a sign from the almighty that had convinced another prelate to shun a public position.

Fr. Francis Lucas, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media executive secretary, told reporters that he too had been urged – unsuccessfully – by many people in Infanta, Quezon to run for mayor in next year’s election.

“I told them that I have not decided yet. I leave it to God. If there is a sign,” Fr. Lucas said. 

The sign came in the form of a new responsibility in the Church – as executive secretary of the CBCP-ECSCMM replacing the 93-year-old Fr. James Reuter who retired from the position early last month.

“So when I was appointed as CBCP executive secretary, I had to abide by (it) because I love my priesthood and service to the Church, much more than serving a local community which I could also do,” he said.

“Running for mayor would be foolish for me. When I got appointed at the CBCP, that was the sign. So I no longer (considered politics),” he added.

He also said he knows of two fellow priests, one in Negros Oriental and another in Davao, who turned down the offers to join politics.

“I can relate with Fr. Panlilio. It has become a strong desire for him because he says he could help. But as for me, I am looking at my priesthood. For me, that is the highest form of service. Politics is just secondary,” Lucas said.

He said those who seek governance but are averse to seeing priests holding public positions should help the lay community produce “future politicians with principles in life.”

“Right now, they are pushing for priests because they could not see any alternative. But I think that if governance is good, they would not look for priests to fill the vacuum,” Lucas said.

Not in God’s name

 Two lawmakers asked Panlilio not to invoke God in his political plans.

“Puwede ba iyun? Para na siyang si Santino niyan bro! Hindi divine will ang pinag uusapan dito, kundi human will (Is that all right? Now he’s like Santino bro. We’re not talking of divine will here but human will) – the choice is up to us considering all the circumstances,” said Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson.

“If he wants to run, go for it. Spare God from politics,” the independent lawmaker said. “Santino” the main character in the top-rated TV show “May Bukas Pa” on ABS-CBN 2, supposedly can communicate directly with Jesus Christ whom he calls Bro.

“That’s interesting! I guess everyone can say that. I want to know what God has to say,” Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chairman of the House committee on public information, said.

But Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon gave a more sympathetic opinion of Panlilio’s bid.

“Panlilio’s run will need a miracle just to catch up with the leading contenders. But with a direct line to God, it will be blessed,” he said.

“Sometimes God lets us do things not because it will achieve worldly victory but to show that goodness has a place in this world scourged by evil,” Biazon, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense, added.

“He will be able to show that in what is perceived to be the dirty world of politics, someone with a pure heart can slug it out with the worst. He might be able to inspire others to join the fray and increase the numbers of the righteous in government,” Biazon said.

In a related development, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said he is willing to provide logistical support to Panlilio until such time that the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD party picks its presidential candidate.

As long as my political party hasn’t ordered me to campaign for a different individual, I can offer my services to Gov. Panlilio in whatever capacity I can,” Arroyo said.

The United Opposition, for its part, welcomed Panlilio’s decision to run for president.

“The decision of Gov. Panlilio shows that there are many Filipinos willing to offer themselves as alternatives to Mrs. Arroyo. It is a welcome development,” Makati City Mayor and UNO president Jejomar Binay said.

“We should be willing to offer our vision and our experience to the people. We should be willing to engage the people in dialogues so they can make an informed choice,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, a group of former seminarians expressed support for Panlilio and said it would tap alumni associations to help his presidential bid.

“We do not have the funds and merely relying on the goodwill of others,” Ricky Ribo of the Philippine Association of Ex-Seminarians said.

“Many have pledged to help in the campaign of Among Ed,” Ribo told a media forum in San Juan City.

“We will just donate to a charitable institution or foundation the excess of the money,” he said. – With Delon Porcalla, Dennis Carcamo, Evelyn Macairan and Jose Rodel Clapano