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The recent comments by Jaro Archbishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President Angel Lagdameo is a sad reflection of the sorry state of the CBCP nowadays. Aside from talking from hindsight, the comments have implied that the hierarchy is not inclined to support any mass movement versus Gloria Arroyo, and neither it is inclined to call for her resignation, too. Not only do conservatives have the numbers in the CBCP, most of them are known supporters of Gloria Arroyo.

Whenever the Roman Catholic hierarchy is somewhat involved in Philippine politics, I am reminded of the book Hitler’s Pope. The said book details the history of the Canon Law and how the power structure became centralized. After EDSA 2, the large archdiocese of Manila was divided into several dioceses; that is why we now have bishops of Caloocan, Cubao, Novaliches, Parañaque, Pasig, etc (see here, and here). It was said that the decision to divide the archdiocese was made in reaction to Jaime Sin’s active involvement in EDSA 2 (though Rina David disputes this view, without citing sources), and also due to the failure of Monte de Piedad (now GE Money Bank). Now, take these things into today’s context, and understand why these bishops are acting this way.

Anyway, what the good archbishop cannot say is that some of his brethrens are already compromised. Fr. Robert Reyes was not so circumspect. In national TV, he noted that some bishops are reticent in calling for Arroyo’s resignation because they are afraid the government will reduce its donations. A bishop (a known Arroyo supporter, of course) chastised Reyes for the comment. Heh.

Lagdameo calls for a people power of a new sort. Maybe what he meant is that people should no longer look at these bishops for guidance. If that is what he meant, I fully agree. Let the people decide, and let the bishops do the collecting, este their jobs pala.

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If you think the current situation is confusing, you are not alone. Just look at those Catholic bishops.

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If you are a man (or woman), and you know something that is so wrong, illegal, and damaging to someone who has all the means to wipe you out of this planet, would you reveal what you know? Jun Lozada first thought he should run. He was provided the means to do so. Yet how come he is acting that way? If you take on the mob, you know that your life is in danger; hence, the tendency to run away. Yet he came back and faced the mob.

If for that alone, I believe him more than all the Abalos, Apostol, Arroyo, Bunye, Enrile, Fajardo, Gaite, Golez, Gonzalez, Mascarinas, Neri, Razon, Saludo, and Santiago of this world.

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