MANILA — A Catholic prelate on Monday discouraged priests from seeking public office stressing that their purpose is to serve God and help spread the faith’s teachings.
“Ipagkatiwala na lang sa mga mananampalataya ang paglilingkod sa gobyerno bilang empleyado o opisyal sapagkat ito naman talaga ang kanilang gawain (Let us leave public service to the laity, may it be service as an employee or official of the government, because that is their duty.) Eh para namang (It is like) we have failed in our task if we have to take over the role of the laity,” said San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy.
“As of now, wala pa ko alam may nagbabalak tumakbo. Pero para dun sa mga nagbabalak, ang gawain ng mga pari ay upang magpahayag ng salita ng Diyos, maging gabay sa mga mananampalataya (I do not know anybody who is running. But for those who plan to run, the duty of priests is to spread the word of God and serve and guide the believers,” Famadico said.
He noted that if one of his priests asked permission to allow him to seek a position in the government, he would not allow it.
“Our mission is to guide the people, cater to spiritual needs not to take over the responsibility of the people to take the reigns of the government,” he added.
The prelate made the remarks as the period for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) will start on Oct. 11.
One of the known priests who ventured into politics is Fr. Eddie Panlilio, who won the gubernatorial race in Pampanga in 2007.
He was suspended as priest for entering politics. (/PNA)
