Their views

THE Catholic Church hierarchy must have heard the people's reaction to the call of retired Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and five other bishops for President Benigno Aquino III to resign.

It has to listen, because majority of the comments on mainstream and social media went against the wishes of Vidal and the five bishops and only placed these clergy members under unflattering scrutiny.

Through the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the hierarchy said “no” to political adventurism or to clergy members calling for action that goes against the Constitution.

CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “This is not the time for political opportunism. This is not the time for adventurism or grandstanding. While resolute action is necessary on the part of all, precipitous action and recourse to extra-constitutional measures will only visit more harm and misery on our people.”

Prior to the CBCP statement issued Monday, comments were posted on websites and social networks as soon as Vidal and those bishops went public with their statement calling for Aquino to step down in the wake of the deaths of 44 police commandos in an encounter with armed groups in Maguindanao.

Some of the views on Twitter and the comment section of www.sunstar.com.ph:

F. Dairo – Cardinal Vidal, please, just do your job. It is not a job for you to meddle in politics. Just vote for Binay next year.

Christian–Cardinal Vidal and five Catholic bishops, resign!

Isabela–Archbishop Vidal, I think you are in the wrong profession. You should instead be a politician and give up your priesthood.

Lamjake21–Cardinal Vidal, ano ba nagawa mo sa bayan? Kaya ciguro nababawasan na din mga Katoliko, kasi kasalanan na din ng kaparian.

Guest–Vidal might have some requests to Aquino that were not granted and such might be in retaliation.

Critical Thinkers – Why this righteous priest is mingling with politics?

Wilmer--Bishops, please get out of politics. We are a secular democracy with a strict separation between Church and State. Please tend to your flock so they do not breed like rabbits instead of involving yourselves on issues that pertain to national security. Train your prenuptial couples to attend a compulsory session on responsible parenthood before officiating a wedding ceremony. Partner with the national government in resettling the homeless and the hopeless. Hold a feeding center for the hungry and round up all the homeless street children to shelters where they can be taken care of with assistance from department of health and social services.

Inday Tikay–Cardinal Vidal should really just be resting in prayerful solitude these days. He has lost his influence over us. Tagal na.

Spread Linux–Why would Cardinal Vidal push for PNoy resignation when he didn't even push for a PGMA resignation?

Guest--I am not a fan of Aquino but this bishop (Vidal) is talking nonsense. Someone in the Catholic Church should reprimand him. What a shame!

Erwin Valle–Please pray for Cardinal Vidal. He doesn't know what he is doing.

Arbert Bernardo–Are there some people who are taking advantage of Cardinal Vidal's old age to push their agenda?

AJ– Gawd. Palibhasa si Gloria nagbibigay ng Pajero. Ha-ha.

Jewels Carthusian–Someone please tell Cardinal Vidal that he is acting like a spoiled brat and an immature citizen.