Bishop to priests: Please don’t join 2010 poll race

A senior Catholic bishop on Sunday made an early appeal to priests not to entertain thoughts of running in the 2010 elections. Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran, Bohol, reminded priests that there “is more to priesthood than being a politician" if they really want to serve the people. “Apart from politics, priests are also leaders but in another way and that is being with Christ as his ministers. There’s no more need to enter politics," said Medroso, who chairs the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Canon Law. He reminded priests that their involvement in their flock’s life should be limited to faith and morals, saying that the Church’s teachings are clear that priests can’t engage in partisan political activity. “Politics is also a vocation from God to those who are called. We priests are also called with specific vocations and that is to take care of spiritual and moral things in life. And that’s the contribution we can give to the people who are looking at us for that and not in politics," he said. Medroso said the Code of Canon Law, particularly section 285, forbids all clerics from entering politics, and taking an active role in political parties “unless the need to protect the rights of the Church or to promote the common good." The bishop issued the reminder after three priests ran in last year’s local elections, including Eddie Panlilio. Who won as governor of Pampanga. Msgr. Crisanto de la Cruz ran for mayor of Zamboanga City, and Fr. Ronilo Maat Omanio competed for governor in Occidental Mindoro. The two lost in the polls. Medroso said the three were all suspended from their pastoral duties after they joined politics. - GMANews.TV