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THE influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
will hold a special meeting today to discuss the country’s current
political situation amid calls from various sectors for President
Gloria Arroyo to resign.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, head of the
CBCP’s permanent committee on public affairs, said Monday that the
special meeting was called by the CBCP president, Jaro Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo.
“This is not an ordinary meeting,” Iñiguez
told reporters.
The CBCP as a body only meets twice a year for
their plenary assembly. The special meeting will be held at the Pope
Pius XII Catholic Center along United Nations Avenue in Manila.
Asked what would be the agenda in the meeting, Iñiguez
said he has no idea yet. But he hinted that it probably has
something to do with the exposé of broadband star witness Rodolfo
Lozada Jr. and possibly what stand the CBCP should take towards the
issue.
“We often hear people asking what is the stand
of the bishops.
There are also a lot of comments on the bishops.
So, perhaps, that’s also one of the reasons for us to also have [a
discussion] among ourselves,” the clergy said.
As to the possibility that the CBCP might call
for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo, the prelate said that remains
a possibility. But he stressed that issue is contentious and could
not be tackled in one meeting, considering that the CBCP has a large
membership with each member having an independent mind.
“One meeting is not enough to come up with a
consensus,” Iñiguez said, adding that he is not even sure if
all the group’s members could attend the special meeting.
But Iñiguez said he remains hopeful the CBCP
would be able to come up with a concensus.
Like some of his fellow bishops, Iñiguez said
he is still uncertain on Lozada’s allegations.
Provide moral guidance
Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdada Talamayan said
that the role of the Church is only to provide moral guidance to the
people, and not interfere in politics or prod the people to hasten
the rise or fall of the government.
But the CBCP president said that communal action
depends on what people want.
“It would depend on what the people want and
what the people read from what’s happening in our society,”
Lagdameo said.
Lagdameo also stressed that the collective
response to pray as a community is a welcome development as
mentioned by the CBCP in its previous statement. That also involves
peaceful discussion on what needs to be done for the common good.
-- William B. Depasupil
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