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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Church's role in anti-corruption drive should be defined --priest

Church's role in anti-corruption drive should be defined --priest

Published Nov 3, 2020 06:12 pm

A Catholic priest said the role of the church should be clearly defined if it will be tapped to help in the anti-corruption drive of the government.

Fr. Jerome Secilliano

"If tapped, it would be good for the church to be involved in the task of weeding-out systemic corruption in the government and society," Father Jerome Secillano, who is also the executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Public Affairs Committee,said in an interview Tuesday.

"The church's role, however, should be clearly defined and the methods concretely spelled out," he added.

Secillano said the church has always been against corruption.

"She makes this known by exercising her prophetic role in denouncing such deleterious practice," he said.

Secillano said the church can help in the effort by offering a "moral compass" thru its very rich social doctrines geared at forming consciences and correcting malpractices.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he would ask the support of  non-government organizations (NGOs) and the religious sector in the fight against corruption.

"We shall invite NGOs, as well as our spiritual leaders, to join us in our crusade to destroy this culture of tolerance and indifference to the evils of corruption,” he was quoted as saying.

President Duterte earlier assigned  Guevarra to lead a task force against corruption in the “entire government."

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