MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reiterated its stand against allowing priests to carry firearms, saying that such gesture is not appropriate for them who are considered as “configured to Christ.”
“A priest is a person who is configured to Christ. In the teachings of the Church, a priest acts in the person of Christ. In the midst of the Church, in the midst of society, because of the grace of priestly ordination, we are supposed to see and feel in his presence the person of Christ. And, therefore, with this configuration of a priest to Christ, it is simply not appropriate, to say the least, for a priest to carry firearms to protect himself,” said CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles in a statement released Monday.
Valles said although he is aware of the dangers to the everyday lives of the clergy, including the recent killings of priests, such unfortunate incidents do not justify the move to arm themselves.
The Davao prelate has also expressed sadness over the deaths of three priests in recent months.
“I am very much aware of the day-to-day dangers to our life these days, especially with the killing of three priests in recent months. Together with other reported killings, we are most disturbed and deeply saddened by the death of these priests. We have strongly condemned these killings,” he said.
“But still to me, it does not warrant at all that priests carry firearms. That is why, we give our trust and confidence to our Philippine National Police (PNP) and other related peace and order personnel in the government,” the CBCP head added.
He was reacting on reports that some Catholic priests applied for permit to carry firearms from the Philippine National Police.
“I have already stated my mind on this issue some days ago through Radio Veritas, a Manila Archdiocese-run radio station, that I disagree with such manner of action — that a priest would carry firearms,” Valles said.
The Davao archbishop said that they will continue to pray for the authorities who are doing their best to protect the people.
“We pray for them and challenge them to do their very best in this very difficult and demanding task of protecting all of us, including priests,” he said.
At the same time, Valles reported that he has not received request from his priests to carry firearms.
“Thus, as the Archbishop of Davao, though up to now no priest has asked me, I strongly discourage my priests, the clergy of Davao, to seek such permission from the PNP to carry firearms,” he said.
He also advised priests who are planning to ask for permission for them to be allowed to carry guns, to discuss the matter with their bishops.
“For priests in other arch/dioceses, this is a matter that you should talk and discuss with your bishops and among yourselves as priests – regarding the appropriateness and witness to our people if you carry firearms,” Valles said.
“Brother priests, we should pray all the more for a deeper confidence and gratitude for the grace of ordination that we have received – that we are configured to Christ and act in His person every moment of our lives,” the CBCP chief added. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
