Political, governance issues top themes in CBCP letters, statements — study

Issues on politics and governance have emerged as the leading theme among letters and statements released by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in the past 85 years, according to a study.

The study was released on the assumption to office of Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera as CBCP president.

"In Archbishop Garcera's letter, he mentioned that he seeks support, counsel, and collaboration as he begins the leadership ministry entrusted to him by his brother bishops," said Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., Archdiocese of Manila chancellor in Circular No. 2025-110 dated December 15, 2025.

The Thematic and Statistical Study on CBCP reports and statements that was released and distributed to the bishops, clergy, communities of consecrated men and women, and lay faithful "aims to show how the country's bishops have guided both ecclesial identity and the national conscience, balancing the timeless doctrine of the Church with timely engagement with the world."

The study showed that the theme “Political and Governance Issues” accounted for 23.3% (99 letters) of the CBCP’s 425 pastoral letters issued from 1940 to 2025.

This was followed closely by the theme “Social Justice and Human Rights” at 21.9%, or 93 letters.

“The prominence of these themes suggests that the CBCP has consistently engaged with the moral dimensions of public life, especially during periods of political instability or transition like the Martial Law era and elections during which the volume of statements in the category Political & Governance Issues have their peak,” the study stated.

“The CBCP has also shown a constant solidarity with marginalized communities, especially when debates on agrarian reform raged and when there are human rights crises,” it added.

The survey includes 425 pastoral letters and statements from 1940 to 2025, including the statements issued by the Catholic Welfare Organization (CWO) which is the precursor of the CBCP.

Dominant themes

At 18.6% (79 letters), “Pastoral & Spiritual Life” obtained the third most themes, followed by Moral Theology & Life Issues at 16.9% (72 letters).

“It is notable that an increase in the statements issued related to Moral Theology & Life Issues coincides with controversies like that on the reproductive health bill and the divorce bill,” the study stated.

“This may suggest that statements of this sort emerge reactively in response to what could be seen as threats to the upholding of Catholic morality in society,” it added.

The study also pointed out that the theme “Faith & Doctrine” at 6.8% (29 letters) maintains a steady presence across the decades and usually coincides with Church events.

Meanwhile, the study showed that “Ecology & Creation,” which has 4.7% (20), first appeared only in 1988 during Archbishop Legaspi's tenure from 1987 to 1991.

“After this, there have only been little consideration of this theme until about 2025 when statements of this category relatively increased perhaps with the release of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si,” the study stated.

Education & Formation (3.8%) and Sacramental Theology (2.1%), on the other hand, appeared less frequently, “though they have long-term formative weight.”

They have 16 and nine letters, respectively.

Crisis Response (1.6%) statements are numerically small with seven letters, but the study noted that this “reflects more the situational nature of the statements rather than a lack of pastoral concern.”

The only statement categorized under Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue (0.2%) is the 1954 "Joint Statement on the YMCA" during the tenure of Cardinal Rufino Santos, who led CBCP from 1953 to 1956.

The study showed that CBCP's pastoral letters and statements are anchored on engagement with the socio-political order and sustaining the spiritual life of the faithful.

“This balance reflects a pastoral strategy that is both reactive in addressing issues and controversies, and proactive in forming conscience and guiding discernment,” the study stated.

“This suggests that CBCP has truly sought to live up to its role as a moral compass in the public life of the country,” it added.

Past CBCP presidents

The study also analyzed the respective themes of 20 CBCP presidents from Archbishop Gabriel Reyes to Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

During his tenure from 1945 to 1949, Reyes issued 12 letters and statements, which focused on pastoral and spiritual life and faith and doctrine, with three statements for each category.

Concerns considered under these categories include guidance in reading certain books, the Holy Year 1950, and the First Plenary Council of the Philippines.

Cardinal Santos, who was CBCP chairman from 1953 to 1956, issued 18 letters during his tenure.

Five of these are related to faith and doctrine, which may be seen as an effort to safeguard Catholic identity amid modernization.

During his tenure, Archbishop Juan Sison issued seven letters and statements, three of which addressed political and governance issues with two focusing on nationalism.

Serving as CBCP president from 1972 to 1977, Cardinal Julio Rosales issued 20 letters and statements, the majority with emphasis on the pastoral and spiritual life.

Most of Archbishop Lino Gonzaga’s letters and statements focused on moral theology and life lessons. He served as CBCP president from 1966 to 1969.

Five of 13 letters and statements of Archbishop Teopisto Valderrama Alberto pertain to pastoral and spiritual life. He was CBCP president from 1970 to 1973.

During his tenure from 1977 to 1981, Cardinal Jaime Sin issued eight letters, with four tackling social justice and human rights.

Archbishop Antonio Lloren Mabutas has five letters and statements that dealt with political and governance issues. From 1981 to 1985, he issued 16 letters and statements.

From 1985 to 1987, Cardinal Ricardo Vidal issued 12 letters and statements with 4 tackling social justice and human rights, and another 4 focusing on political and governance issues.

Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP issues five letters and statements that fall under the theme of political and governance issues. From 1987 to 1991, he wrote 15 letters and statements.

Archbishop Carmelo Morelos issued 20 letters and statements from 1991 to 1995, seven of which were related to social justice and human rights, responding to poverty, inequality, and violence.

From 1995 to 1999, Archbishop Oscar Cruz wrote seven of the 27 letters and statements related to social justice and human rights.

Of 23 letters and statements, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo focused on political and governance issues in his eight writings. He served as CBCP president from 199 to 2003.

Six of 15 letters and statements of Archbishop Fernando Capalla were related to political and governance issues, with four dealing with the 2004 elections.

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, who served from 2005 to 2009, issued 32 letters and statements, 10 of which were on Social Justice & Human Rights.

From 2009 to 201, Bishop Nereo Odchimar released 12 letters and statements, 5 on Moral Theology and Life Issues, during the reproductive health bill controversy.

Archbishop Jose Palma, who served from 2011 to 2013, issued 9 letters and statements, including 2 each on Pastoral & Spiritual Life, Faith & Doctrine, and Moral Theology & Life Issues.

His tenure was marked by ongoing reproductive health debates, calls for new evangelization, faith formation renewal, and Marian devotion.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas has the most letters and statements at 91. During his tenure from 2013 to 2017, he wrote 22 on Social Justice & Human Rights, 21 on Political & Governance Issues, and 20 on Moral Theology & Life Issues.

His tenure reflected the Church’s multi-front engagement with moral, political, and social issues of the 2010s.

From 2017 to 2021, Archbishop Romulo Valles released 51 letters and statements, 18 on Pastoral & Spiritual Life (notably on the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines), 11 on Social Justice & Human Rights, and 7 on Moral Theology & Life Issues.

His tenure addressed human rights concerns under the Duterte administration and moral issues arising during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David issued 18 letters and statements, 6 on Political & Governance Issues, 4 on Social Justice & Human Rights, and 4 on Pastoral & Spiritual Life during his tenure from 2021–2025.

His leadership emphasized prophetic critique of social and political structures, moral renewal in public life, defense of human dignity, pastoral care for vulnerable communities, and environmental stewardship, grounded in Gospel values.

“This survey of the thematic emphasis of the different CBCP Presidents suggests that while the CBCP operates as a collegial body, its public statements, to some degree, bear the imprint of the sitting president's leadership style and the historical context of their tenure,” the study read.

On pastoral statements

"The CBCP's engagement with the political life of the country, advocacy of human rights, and the call to address poverty and inequality are a constant feature of its history, reaching peaks during politically volatile periods like the Martial Law Era and when particular issues have been brought to the fore of the national consciousness," according to the study.

"This underscores the CBCP's self-undertanding as a moral voice in the public square, regardless of who is its president. Statements on Pastoral & Spiritual Life and Faith & Doctrine serve to mark milestones in the life of the Church and are consistent calls for renewal and prayer." — BAP, GMA Integrated News