Church says does not sanction priest’s entry into politics
KOTA KINABALU: The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu of the Catholic Church said here yesterday that the action of a member of her clergy, Fr Bruno Andau Yasun, to contest as a candidate for the Ranau parliamentary constituency in the general election, is on his own volition and without the consent or sanction of the Church.
Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau, head of the archdiocese, said that in March last year, Fr Bruno expressed his wish to leave the priesthood. He was granted a one-year sabatical leave.
He said the leave was given with the hope that he would renew his priestly spirit and return to serve the church.
“When priests take their vows of office during their sacerdotal ordination, they state their resolve to faithfully and religiously exercise their ministry to preach the Gospel and to explain the Catholic faith to the flock under their care.
“They further consecrate their whole life permanently to God for the salvation of his people,” he added.
Archbishop Wong said it is clear now that Fr Bruno has chosen a different path by entering into partisan politics and standing as a candidate in the election for public office.
“All I wish to say is that he is doing so on his own volition and not with the consent or blessing of our Church,” he said in a statement yesterday released by the Social Communications Commission of the archdiocese.
Fr Bruno is one of the two members of the Christian clergy contesting in the 14th general election in Sabah. He is contesing in the P179 Ranau Parliamentary seat against incumbent Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin from the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), Soudi@ Sami bin Andang from Gabungan Sabah (GS)’s Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Jonathan Yassin from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
He is reported to be leaving the priesthood to pursue a political calling, which he said became clear after witnessing the hardship of the people’s lives today.
The other candidate is a pastor, Satail Majungkat from Seventh Day Adventist. He is being fielded by PAS in Kadamaian.