Separation of the church and state
PRESIDENT Digong has his own understanding of ‘his’God that may differ from the God of the priests. He does not believe
in heaven and hell (or it seems). He does not want the Catholic Church to intervene with the function of the government. He stressed on the separation of the church and the state.
Section 6 of Article II – Declaration of Principles and State Policies makes it clear that the separation of Church shall be inviolable. The fundamental law of the land is very clear in stating that “no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion.”
The president anchors his belief that the church shall not interfere in a purely political matter or temporal aspects of man’s life and the State, is purely a matter of religion and morals, which are the exclusive concern of the other.
This is easier said than done. We always speak of the biblical adage that what belongs to Ceasar should go to Ceasar and thing for God should go to God.
The dividing line between the Church and the State is a subject matter of critical disagreement. During the Spanish regime, the Church arrogated the people that would belong to the State.
The friars were managing the “pueblos” and the “parroquias” because the government officials were busy with the Galleon Trade.
That was before. It was tolerated when the Church was running the official function of the State. The Church with open eyes did not stop the abuses of the State on the
indios. What do we have now? We adhere to the principle that Church and the State should exist with separate powers. President Digong wants to stick with that.
This should happen in our society but we have to consider also that the Preamble of our Constitution implores the aid of the Almighty God. It acknowledges the existence of a Supreme Being. We aspire for a just and humane society
God belongs to the dominion of the Church. Men belong to the Church (regardless of religion). The Church believes in what the Holy Bible says that “man is made to the image and likeness of God... and man’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
This belief of the Church is supported by the Preamble that the government should build a just and humane society... and there should be a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace. The Church perceives that the priests and the bishops, as Filipinos, could speak on secular matters affecting spiritual and moral point of views... including politics.
The move has been objectively carried by the Church because politics has a moral dimension. The Gospel motivates the church to be politically involved.
The Church wants men to achieve total human growth and spiritual development (body and soul).
The vision of the Church calls for renewal... and that cleanses the political aspect of human life. All these cover issues on poverty, corruption, immorality, violation of human rights, electoral fraud and suppression of truth.
Lawyers and sociologists will agree with me that there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits the Church from expressing its views or stand on public issues. All religions provide the best formation for their members to become lawabiding and patriotic citizens. Our schools aim to strengthen ethical and spiritual values.
Spirituality should be the core of politics, business, family, government, and a nation as a whole. Before the Manila Rotarians (July 24, 1979), Jaime Cardinal Sin said, “The Church and the State are two entities that play an important role in our life. Let us keep them separate by all means but let us not interpret separation as segregation.
Let us believe that they can work hand in hand, separate but parallel like the two trucks on the railroads leading to the same destination.”
We have only one Philippines. We are a Catholic nation. We belong to one God. Let us not allow ungodly thoughts to divide us. Let us arrive whole and united in our destination, Mr. President.