Caritas national director and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo (Photo from cbcpnews.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church remains non-partisan but it “can and will never be neutral” in the face of social and moral issues, its social advocacy arm Caritas Philippines pointed out.
Caritas national director and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, in a statement published by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines news agency on Monday, called this the Church’s moral obligation.
“We will proclaim what is true, just, and right. That is our moral obligation,” Bagaforo said.
“That is why we will speak and act in favor of human rights, the sacredness of life, ecology, and the truth, among others,” he added.
Bagaforo issued the statement as a response to accusations that the clergy is meddling in politics.
Many bishops have spoken against certain issues like the war on drugs and corruption allegations during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, which prompted calls, particularly from the administration’s supporters, for the separation of church and state.
READ: Drug war critic Bishop Ambo David new CBCP president
Bagaforo said the Catholic Church maintains its stance as a non-partisan organization, urging all diocesan social action centers to remain the same.
The bishop has also encouraged its laity and the faithful to choose its candidate based on what they call a LASER (lifestyle, action, supporters, election conduct, and reputation) Test.
“It is our sacred duty to know our candidates well,” Bagaforo said.
“Let our choices be a reflection of our life-earned values. Let us choose who among them will help us be better, not the one who only promises instant gratification,” the bishop added.
The Council of the Laity of the Philippines, in an unprecedented move, has since endorsed vice president Leni Robredo’s presidential bid.
READ: Catholic lay council endorses Robredo as president in ‘unprecedented’ move
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