CBCP tells Catholics: Don’t attack Iglesia members

NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday asked Catholics not to “fan flames” by issuing inflammatory and derogatory remarks against members of the Iglesia ni Cristo who have been staging a protest at the intersection of Edsa and Shaw Boulevard since Friday.

In a statement, CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Soc Villegas said that Catholics should be “prudent and kind.”

“No Catholic should fan the flames of dissension by rumor-mongering and by inflammatory statements. Let all be kind in disposition, respectful in speech and prudent in action,” Villegas said.

The prelate also asked the Catholic faithful to pray for a “peaceful” resolution of the issue and “be charitable at all times.”

On the claim of the INC members that the investigation on the alleged kidnapping of ministers is a violation of the constitutional provision on the separation of Church and State, CBCP said that lawyers should contribute to the discourse without condemnation.

“We appeal to our Catholic lawyers, jurists and law professors to contribute to the on-going discourse in a constructive manner, without condemnation. We seek to be enlightened on what the fundamental law of the land provides, the boundaries of the freedom of religion and the rights and the prerogatives of State,” Villegas added.

Meanwhile, the CBCP president asked INC members to respect the Edsa Shrine which was where the INC members were supposed to converge last Friday.

“The EDSA Shrine is a Catholic center of worship. It is a church. There is a Catholic priest assigned to it. We ask that all respect the sacred character of the Edsa Shrine,” he said.

Villegas also warned politicians who are taking advantage of the issue: “No politician should gain political ground by abetting dissension or, worse, fostering disregard of the Constitution and the law. Neither is it morally correct for any political party to aim at gaining an advantage by controlling a religious sect known to propose to its members a chosen set of candidates.”

Supposed presidential candidates such as Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas all issued statements on their take on the INC rallies.

The INC protest, which the members called as a “peaceful gathering,” is now on its fourth day.

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