Cavite bishop tells priests: Don't let the faithful spoil you

Amid the high regard that Filipino faithful have for them in their respective communities, priests were reminded to guard against arrogance and abuse of power. Imus (Cavite) bishop Antonio Tagle made the reminder at a recent clergy congress, where he likened spoiled priests to spoiled food. “Like spoiled food, we will stink and become rancid and undesirable," Tagle said as he stressed spoiled priests become ineffective in their ministry. Fr. Romulo Ponte of San Gabriel parish in Laguna admitted the temptation is there for a priest to abuse his powers because of his influence in the community. More than 80 percent of Filipinos are Catholics. “It is very easy to get spoiled as a priest in the Philippines," Ponte admitted, saying that in his own parish in San Pablo City in Laguna province, people treat him with great respect. Priests are invited to exclusive social functions and are rarely allowed to line up at the buffet table. Some are requested to give talks on subjects in which they have no expertise, he said. In some places, Ponte acknowledged priests are given the same regard as the provincial governor. Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said that In Masbate, where he was previously assigned, clergy have almost the same power as local officials. “People threatened by private armies of politicians go to priests for help, and some others, seeking positions in government or other favors, ask for the bishop’s recommendation," Baylon said. “The Church is seen as powerful because it would be political suicide for any politician to ambush a priest and they see us invited to politicians’ events," he added. —LBG, GMANews.TV