Corruption is not just about greed but “a concrete form of evil” that is destroying the nation’s soul and dignity, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula said on Monday, Sept. 15.

“The issue of corruption plaguing our nation cannot be ignored anymore,” Advincula said in a pastoral statement.

“The catastrophe it has caused is shaking the soul of our country and has awakened the seemingly lethargic resolve of many Filipinos to make a stand against corrupt practices and to demand accountability from the guilty,” he went on.

The prelate underscored that unchecked corruption erodes society, including the core of human dignity. 

Citing the Scriptures, he reminded the faithful: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them” (Eph 5:11).

The cardinal urged Filipinos to remain vigilant, stressing that calling out corruption is not just political resistance but a moral obligation. 

“They are actually manifestations of the people’s collective moral conviction and an exercise of their rightful obligation to suppress the proliferation of evil in our midst,” he said.

Advincula stressed that accountability should not stop at elections. 

“In a healthy democracy, the people’s fiscalizing participation in governance is not confined to the election season,” he said. 

“Rather, it continues between elections, by holding leaders accountable through acts of vigilance, discernment, and—when necessary—protest.”

The Church, he added, must help guide the nation through its social teachings to ensure corruption does not become just another partisan issue. 

“There should be impartiality and objectivity in understanding these issues, coupled with our duty to promote the common good,” Advincula said.

Echoing the words of Pope Francis, the cardinal said politics can be transformed into “an act of Christian love, which is never simply a theory, but always a concrete sign and witness of God’s constant concern for the good of our human family.”

He called on parishes, shrines, and religious communities to hold “prayerful reflections, circles of discernment, and concrete but peaceful and non-violent actions against corruption.”

“Our Christian identity includes what Pope Francis called ‘social charity’ or ‘political love,’ which is the willingness to give ourselves for sake of the common good, to labor for genuine and integral development in society, to be involved in the work of building and transforming our nation,” Advincula said.

“Bilang mga Kristiyano, tayo ay ‘maka-Diyos kaya makabayan (As Christians, we are for God, that’s why we are patriotic).’ Ang totoong maka-Diyos ay makabayan, dahil kabayanihan ang dulot ng kabanalan; at sa totoong kabanalan, kasama ang paglilingkod para sa katarungan (A true God-fearing person is patriotic, because holiness brings heroism; and in true holiness, there is service for justice),” he added.