Priests “better not be” pols: A reflection on the Filipino pastors’ sacrifice

Another Catholic priest was suspended from his priestly duties after choosing politics over priesthood.  This time, Fr. Leo Casas, 37, chose to run for governorship of Masbate in the 2013 elections than retain his divine ministry.  

In the Philippines, the debate is endless when the topic is about the role of the pastors in society.  In 1986 and in 2001, our young democracy peacefully toppled the head of the government through massive and united protest both in the same famous avenue (EDSA), both well-orchestrated, and both successful.  And both with key interventions of the hierarchy.  

In 2007, the Inquirer Filipino of the year prize was given to a priest, Ed Panlilio, who left the ministry to engage in politics.  He successfully won the gubernatorial elections.  In fairness, perhaps the merit cannot be taken away from the former Governor, as Inquirer later on justified, because of his “embodiment of hope where despair is deepest—politics.”  “…he threw his social worker’s hat (and his parish priest’s soutane), looking for alternatives without finding one, and offering himself, suspending his priestly faculties, an almost impossible sacrifice.” But then again, were the kudos meant to be generalized, encouraging “Catholic priests and bishops to follow in the footsteps”?

Is the “sacrifice” worth it?  Is it justified to take that leave?  In the end, on a personal basis, it is really God’s judgment.  But God left marks so that we could objectively respond to the question.  In a country where the line that divides Church and State is blurry, extreme prudence is necessary.  Some clergymen readily generalize accusing the laity of being unprepared to take up the burden of leadership in political life.  I find this a slap in the face to the Filipino Christians, majority of which are lay, and non-Christians alike.

Certainly the bottom-line is the lack of awareness of the role of priests in the Church, in society, in the world.  The media, and perhaps the majority, may not completely understand, but that does not make it far from the truth.  Indeed, what is at stake is communion inside the Church. There are strong arguments for priests to remain where they are, for the good of society, for the greater good of souls in their parish and the entire human race.  For one, in world history, the sad case of liberation theology in Latin America that induced more poverty is enlightening.  Secondly, a man with the minimum of faith may consider, for example, that the fatherly confessional advice that only they themselves have the grace to administer is certainly a medicine both spiritual and divine.  Or better yet, the transcendence of that Sacrifice (the Mass) that only they could offer the Almighty is of incomparable importance.

The respect for these “men of God” cannot be separated from their ministry.  They have become “famous” perhaps because of their holiness, or their charisma speaking from the pulpit, and not political experience.  That is why once they go overboard; it always is a scandal on a grand scale.  If they use this “respect” to win votes… no matter how good the purpose is, it almost always ends badly (for everyone).

The Congregation of the Clergy, a department of the Roman Curia, emphasizes that “like Jesus, the priest ought to refrain from actively engaging himself in politics, as it often happens, in order to be a central point of spiritual fraternity. All the faithful, therefore, must always be able to approach the priest without feeling inhibited for any reason.  The priest will remember that it does not fall on the shoulders of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in political activities and in social organizations. This task, in fact, forms part of the lay faithful vocation, in which they work by their own initiative together with their fellow citizens. Nevertheless, he will not be absent in the effort to form in them an upright conscience.” That succinctly translates to an indirect but nevertheless active role in the fight for justice through the formation of conscience.  And if you think this is insignificant, think again. 

Filipinos need holy and faithful priests (faithful to God, faithful to the Vicar of Christ—the Pope, faithful to their Bishop, faithful to their vocation), and the country needs the active involvement in public life of well-formed Christian lay people.  Priests better not be pols, because they were not meant for it.  Priests better not be pols because they serve for the salvation of souls, working on another plane—the supernatural.  Priests better not be pols to be able to attend to the needs of everyone, of whatever color, age, race or political background.