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Philippines

Secillano to priests: 'We should never allow ourselves to be used as tools for partisan politics'

Philippines

Secillano to priests: 'We should never allow ourselves to be used as tools for partisan politics'

By Leslie Ann Aquino

An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has asked priests not to allow themselves to be used for partisan politics.

Fr. Jerome Secillano (Screenshot/Radio Veritas)

"We should never allow ourselves to be used as tools for partisan politics," Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs executive secretary, said in a Facebook post.

He added:"Our loyalty lies in the institution that calls us to a life of service."

Secillano said elections will pass, but how some church people behave politically right now will have "repercussions in the church later."

He said their "personal choice doesn’t make us political tools, specially, if we keep them privately."

"Let the people decide who to them is the best after being guided, formed, and informed through a series of discernment," said Secillano.

In his post, he also explained that being non-partisan is not the same as being neutral.

"In the battle against evil, injustice, lies, etc., the Church has always been brave in expressing her stand - she is against evil, she is not neutral," said Secillano.

"But being non-partisan means her loyalty is neither with the candidate nor with any political party- it is with the people, she should always be for the people," he added.

"Many are mudling this distinction and are using the church to advance their agenda, to get the instutition to support their candidate," said Secillano.

Related Tags

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines fr jerome secillano CBCP

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