In Suppport of Governor Ed Panlilio - 2

This is a quote from a letter to the Editor (Philippine Daily Inquirer-01/19/08)by Arnold Van Vugt of Cagayan de Oro City.

When times call for priests to go into politics

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Except for Canon Law, there is no biblical or theological basis whatsoever for saying that priests cannot run for a political position. It is purely disciplinary law, similar to the law that bans priests from marrying. Even Canon Law allows priests to take action in situations when the well-being of the laity is in danger.
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Father Panlilio has shown as a priest that moral leadership is possible, even in the extraordinary circumstances of Pampanga. Clearly he is driven as a priest by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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I would like to quote here a few words spoken by the late Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador 30 years ago: "It is very easy to be servants of the word without disturbing the world; a spiritual word, a word without any connection with history, a word that could sound in any place of the world.... Such a word has no problems, doesn't call for any conflict. What really calls for conflicts and persecution, what really is a sign of a true Church, is the Word that proclaims and denounces, burning as the words of the prophets. The Word that announces to the people of God the wonders of God, the Word that accuses of sin those who obstruct the Kingdom of God, so that they may tear out this sin from their hearts, from their political structures that oppress, corrupt and harm the rights of God and of mankind." Blazing words spoken on Dec. 10,1977!

If the bishops as one had spoken that prophetic Word, the country today would not be in such a miserable condition, our political system would not have been that corrupt and most of all, President Macapagal-Arroyo would not have been able to continue her reign of deceit and terror.