Expect wisely

Panlilio urges CBCP to endorse candidates

MANILA, June 15, 2009—Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio called on the Catholic bishops’ leadership Monday to endorse specific candidates in the coming 2010 presidential elections.

Panlilio, a suspended Catholic priest, said it’s about time for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to be effective in giving political advice.

He said naming specific “model” candidates would surely make a difference than just telling the voters to “vote wisely.”

“I believe that the most the CBCP can do is to present certain candidates as good based on their track records, on their personal knowledge,” Panlilio said over Church-run Radyo Veritas...
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Father/Governor Panlilio is actually asking the CBCP to come up with a partisan endorsement in the political arena, which of course would be a fallible position regardless who the CBCP picks...

Let's see..

The Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) states in section 76:

"It is very important, especially where a pluralistic society prevails, that there be a correct notion of the relationship between the political community and the Church, and a clear distinction between the tasks which Christians undertake, individually or as a group, on their own responsibility as citizens guided by the dictates of a Christian conscience, and the activities which, in union with their pastors, they carry out in the name of the Church.

The Church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified in any way with the political community nor bound to any political system. She is at once a sign and a safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person".

Further, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a "Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life" which states in section 6:

"By its interventions in this area, the Church’s Magisterium does not wish to exercise political power or eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions. Instead, it intends - as is its proper function - to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good."...

So, Father Panlilio, if you're looking for the CBCP to endorse specific candidates for 2010, the odds are it just won't happen, and its not "wise" to expect so.
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