(This post is just an excerpt of a non-published article I made last year. This is my opinion. You may disagree with me. But I will defend my position in a respectful dialogue.)
1. “Priests should be non-partisan” - The injunction is not as absolute as others present it to be. Magisterial pronouncements regarding the matter are not as rigid as some people think.
2. The Church has the obligation to give some moral principles or issue guidelines concerning political matters. The Church as an institution does not endorse a certain candidate or party. She guides. She is non-partisan. However, it seems to me that passing moral judgements on issues related to political affairs is unavoidably partisan. And the Church somehow admits this one (Second Plenary Council of the Philippines #344).
3. A priest may publicly express his support to a particular candidate as long as such is a product of a prayerful discernment, based on facts, for the common good, and not done in the pulpit. In good and informed conscience, when a priest expresses support to a particular candidate and persuades others to do so, I don’t think he is being condescending or that he engages in “clericalism.” His action is still in accord with Church teaching. He is neither violating any ecclesiastical law nor committing impropriety. A prophet is neither mute nor deaf. A prophet knows how and when to speak.
4. One big objection against such act is unity. The CBCP says that “the Church prohibits Clergy and Religious from involvement in partisan politics because they are considered the symbols of unity in the Church community” (Catechism on Church and Politics, Part III, #2). This is correct. But such unity or harmony should be based on justice (Can. 287 § 1). What is it that unites us? What is unity when injustices and other social evils abound and we remain silent? Should one remain indifferent when justice is violated? When corruption proliferates? When extrajudicial killings become prevalent and supported? Should a priest remain silent when convicts run for public office? Should a priest remain in his cold neutrality when Gospel values and the common good are at stake? Should a priest remain silent in the face of all these? Is that the kind of priest Jesus wants for His Church? Is that the kind of priest the lay faithful want — silent because he does not hold the same view that they have?
5. Politics is good and vital but it isn’t a perfect science. So, when the fundamental rights of people are in peril or violated, when political malaise exacerbates, should a priest remain neutral and silent? He needs to side with the common good, truth, justice, and other Gospel values. Making a stand is not easy and it requires patience and discernment. In doing so, pastoral prudence is to be exercised.
Thank you. God bless.🙏🌸
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