Shun candidates backing violence vs crime

CEBU CITY—Two high-ranking leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu have echoed calls for voters to shun candidates who espouse violence to eradicate criminality.

Both Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, in separate interviews, supported a statement made by a Redemptorist priest who called on Catholics to examine their conscience before receiving Communion if they agreed with a candidate’s platform of violence.

Vidal said he was happy that Fr. Crispin Mostajo gave a reminder for people not to support candidates who espoused violence as the main means to deal with crimes.

“To kill is a sin,” said the 85-year-old Vidal in an interview at his retirement home in Santo Niño village in the city.

“Now, if you support these people (that would not be good),” he said.

Vidal also appealed to candidates to be honest about their plans.

“Candidates promise many things, including heaven,” said Vidal. “You will hear them say many things as if they could do everything,” he added, without naming any candidate.

Archbishop Palma, the highest ranking Church official in this highly devout city, said voters should get to know candidates well before voting and choose the “best” leaders for the country.

“The election is not a game wherein we enjoy the campaign and then suffer the consequences of our decisions,” said Palma.

While bishops and priests were prohibited from campaigning for a candidate, Palma said they could guide the faithful by presenting and teaching them about the qualities of a good leader.

“Fr. Cris has a good point (in reminding voters) to be serious in choosing the kind of candidates to support,” said Palma.

“Priests have the role to educate and make people aware about the importance of the elections,” Palma added.

In a homily on April 3, Mostajo voiced concern over a presidential candidate who promised to end criminality by killing criminals.

The priest didn’t name the candidate, though, but the presidential candidate now leading in popularity surveys, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, has repeatedly said that he believed the solution to rampant criminality would be to kill criminals.

Mostajo, parish priest of the Redemptorist Church in Cebu City, said anyone who supported candidates who promoted violence should reexamine their faith and avoid receiving Communion.

Palma said priests, however, could not refuse to give Communion to anyone.

“The decision to receive Communion or not is a decision made by the communicant,” said Palma.

“If you look at it, there are sins which could be considered grave offenses. We should not take these things for granted,” he said.

The Catholic Church has repeatedly requested lay people to avoid Communion when they are not in a “state of grace.”