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CBCP head reminds clergy to stay away from politics


The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has reminded members of the clergy and even Church associations to stay clear of politics, a week after six bishops expressed their support for Ang Kapatiran presidential candidate JC delos Reyes. In a circular letter dated March 10 and addressed to priests, clergy and lay faithful in his diocese, CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar said clergymen should just “teach moral principles" and not engage in public politics. “While the lay faithful—as individuals, not members of associations—are urged to engage in political activity… pastors can teach moral principles and issue moral guidelines regarding political activity but cannot engage in public politics," he said in the circular. Odchimar likewise reminded the clergy of the “moral dimension" of politics, saying it might lead to sin or hurt people. “It can lead to grace or to sin," he said. Odchimar’s reminders came a week after six Catholic bishops openly expressed support for Ang Kapatiran party standard-bearer JC delos Reyes. (See: Bishops break tradition, back JC de los Reyes candidacy) The six bishops—Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Bacolod BishopVicente Navarra, Bishop Antonio Pepito Palang from Mindoro, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Joseph Nacua of Ilagan, and retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr.—called the Ang Kapatiran “the conscience vote for 2010." In the same circular letter, Odchimar likewise called on Catholic Church associations to stay away from partisan politics, and asked any candidate running for office to resign from the religious group. He advised associations that in case a member or leader of such association decides to be a candidate or openly campaign for a candidate or party, “he or she has to resign temporarily." He urged pastors to strictly observe this policy in their respective parishes.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV

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