AS a priest, I of course do not do politics, that is to say,
I cannot
run for public office, I cannot take partisan positions in public,
unless the issues involved are clearly inhuman and unchristian. But I
should follow it closely, because politics is part of life and needs
to be guided by the proper spirit of Christ.
That’s the reason why there is the social doctrine of the Church that
also covers politics. While it is the lay faithful who can take active
and direct part of it, the clergy should also see to it that the whole
political life in all levels of society is done properly.
Besides, the clergy is also part of the citizenry, subject to the
laws of the land. They are part of the political life, obviously in a
way proper to their state. Everyone takes part of politics always in
accordance to one’s state and possibilities, the clerics in their own
way, the lay also in their own way.
This doctrine of the Church has to be understood properly. It is that
way because the priest’s mission is eminently spiritual and
supernatural in nature. It’s a mission that is above but not exempt
from the understandable differences and conflicts of temporal affairs
such as politics.
Thus the priest has to be extremely discerning to do his part in the
political life of the country. He is not supposed to take a passive
stance in it. He should be disinterested, but not uninterested. At
least he has to pray a lot, offer a lot of sacrifices, do a lot of
catechizing, etc. He has to be keenly interested in it, but in a
specific way.
Having said that preamble, I must admit that I enjoy reading
political developments here and abroad. There is obviously the chance
to get excited with all the twists and turns of the political
maneuverings politicians do. But at the end of the day, I bring these
political items to prayer, trying to discern how things ought to go.
And I learn a lot from this exercise, since it allows me to read
between the lines, to somehow read the minds of people, politicians
especially, and to read the signs of the times. While there is a lot
of tentativeness in this exercise, it actually gives me a lot of ideas
and all sorts of impulses that I need to tame and clarify.
As of now, I learn a lot from certain moves of some politicians, both
local and international. There are instances when I think the move is
stupid, but also many instances when I am convinced the move is
brilliant, is a masterstroke.
Since politicians are at the forefront of the development of society,
they cannot help but be extremely cautious and smart in their
actuations—their planning, their speeches, their public appearances,
etc.
But they cannot avoid controversies and conflicts. And I must say
that I admire how some of them handle these situations well—how they
explain their positions, or defend them when attacked, how they have a
good sense of timing and of what to say to what kind of audience at a
given time.
Some of them really have excellent speaking talents, with sharp minds
and witty tongues, and very adept both in aggressive and defensive
tactics. Obviously, there are some who truly are political geniuses.
But there sadly are others who can only elicit the judgment, tentative
at best, of being political animals bereft of conscience.
Political developments are actually good learning moments. They
should not be wasted by tackling it superficially as in simply giving
knee-jerk reactions that tend to exaggerate or oversimplify things and
are prone to make negative responses more than positive.
In short, politic discussions and analyses should go beyond the level
of the barbers. Let’s pray that our political columnists really do
their part well, giving well-thought-out opinions and commentaries
that should always be characterized by charity and fairness.
Sad to say, there are instances when some of these commentators are
just out and out unfair, painting their enemy-politicians as the devil
incarnate while putting their friend-politicians on a pedestal as if
these are incapable of sinning. That’s really over the top or way
under the bottom.
We have to learn to hold our horses when reacting to political
issues. Let’s study them first, weigh things disinterestedly. Better,
bring them to our prayer and ask God for light. We need to learn to
relate political developments and issues to God and to the common
good.
run for public office, I cannot take partisan positions in public,
unless the issues involved are clearly inhuman and unchristian. But I
should follow it closely, because politics is part of life and needs
to be guided by the proper spirit of Christ.
That’s the reason why there is the social doctrine of the Church that
also covers politics. While it is the lay faithful who can take active
and direct part of it, the clergy should also see to it that the whole
political life in all levels of society is done properly.
Besides, the clergy is also part of the citizenry, subject to the
laws of the land. They are part of the political life, obviously in a
way proper to their state. Everyone takes part of politics always in
accordance to one’s state and possibilities, the clerics in their own
way, the lay also in their own way.
This doctrine of the Church has to be understood properly. It is that
way because the priest’s mission is eminently spiritual and
supernatural in nature. It’s a mission that is above but not exempt
from the understandable differences and conflicts of temporal affairs
such as politics.
Thus the priest has to be extremely discerning to do his part in the
political life of the country. He is not supposed to take a passive
stance in it. He should be disinterested, but not uninterested. At
least he has to pray a lot, offer a lot of sacrifices, do a lot of
catechizing, etc. He has to be keenly interested in it, but in a
specific way.
Having said that preamble, I must admit that I enjoy reading
political developments here and abroad. There is obviously the chance
to get excited with all the twists and turns of the political
maneuverings politicians do. But at the end of the day, I bring these
political items to prayer, trying to discern how things ought to go.
And I learn a lot from this exercise, since it allows me to read
between the lines, to somehow read the minds of people, politicians
especially, and to read the signs of the times. While there is a lot
of tentativeness in this exercise, it actually gives me a lot of ideas
and all sorts of impulses that I need to tame and clarify.
As of now, I learn a lot from certain moves of some politicians, both
local and international. There are instances when I think the move is
stupid, but also many instances when I am convinced the move is
brilliant, is a masterstroke.
Since politicians are at the forefront of the development of society,
they cannot help but be extremely cautious and smart in their
actuations—their planning, their speeches, their public appearances,
etc.
But they cannot avoid controversies and conflicts. And I must say
that I admire how some of them handle these situations well—how they
explain their positions, or defend them when attacked, how they have a
good sense of timing and of what to say to what kind of audience at a
given time.
Some of them really have excellent speaking talents, with sharp minds
and witty tongues, and very adept both in aggressive and defensive
tactics. Obviously, there are some who truly are political geniuses.
But there sadly are others who can only elicit the judgment, tentative
at best, of being political animals bereft of conscience.
Political developments are actually good learning moments. They
should not be wasted by tackling it superficially as in simply giving
knee-jerk reactions that tend to exaggerate or oversimplify things and
are prone to make negative responses more than positive.
In short, politic discussions and analyses should go beyond the level
of the barbers. Let’s pray that our political columnists really do
their part well, giving well-thought-out opinions and commentaries
that should always be characterized by charity and fairness.
Sad to say, there are instances when some of these commentators are
just out and out unfair, painting their enemy-politicians as the devil
incarnate while putting their friend-politicians on a pedestal as if
these are incapable of sinning. That’s really over the top or way
under the bottom.
We have to learn to hold our horses when reacting to political
issues. Let’s study them first, weigh things disinterestedly. Better,
bring them to our prayer and ask God for light. We need to learn to
relate political developments and issues to God and to the common
good.
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