Church lives up to its historical role

It has always been the Church that has been on the forefront of the nation’s battle for freedom and progress. Who were the first martyrs executed in the Luneta during Spanish times, Rizal? No! They were three priests – Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora. That was why Rizal dedicated his El Filibusterismo to the three proto-martyrs. So did Bonifacio. The secret code-word of the Katipunan was Gomburza.

In our times, it was Cardinal Sin who first stood by AFP Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile when they abandoned the Marcos Regime. Now we are glad to see the Roman Catholic bishops take a stand in the current hysteria to make President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo step down from office. They have taken a very objective and sound decision on the matter. They do not join the clamor of many sectors that are demanding GMA’s resignation. At the same time, they are asking her not to simply dismiss the call for her to resign. What they want is a thorough and impartial investigation of all the controversies that have led to the clamor for her to resign starting with the wiretapped conversation between her and election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. They also support the filing of an impeachment case as that is the only legal way that she can be removed from office. Any other way would be a violation of the Constitution that we all are duty-bound to uphold. As the CBCP said, "Resolving the crisis has to be within the framework of the Constitution and the laws of the land so as to avoid social chaos, the further weakening of political system and greater harm in the future."

What is equally heartening is the way President Arroyo responded to the Roman Catholic bishops’ stand on the question of her remaining or stepping down from office. First, she thanked them for not joining the hysterical groups that are asking her to abandon her office. Then she added that she would read every line of the CBCP’s statement in order to be in a position to bring moral reforms to the country. We have no doubt that what could bring about government reforms is a close liaison between Malacañang and the Church.

According to newspaper reports, there are groups that are planning mass demonstrations to make GMA step down from office. We maintain that this is not an issue that can or should be settled in the streets. People who are asking her to step down now are not even united as to who or what will succeed her. Some say it will be Vice-President Noli de Castro. Others say it will be a caretaker government. Under who?

Here, again we agree with the CBCP’s stand: "We reject quick fixes that cater to selfish political agenda and advantage rather than to the common good. We deplore the attempts of those groups who seek to exploit our vulnerable national situation in order to create confusion and social chaos, in order to seize power by unconstitutional means. We reject calls for Juntas or Revolutionary councils."