A touch of politics...
By psyche49f
@psyche49f (2502)
Philippines
April 25, 2010 7:22am CST
How would you react to a situation where a priest (with the purpose of educating voters about the coming elections) uses the pulpit during a homily to campaign for a particular Presidential candidate, but in the guise of serving as a moral guide? This morning, we went to Church but regretted having chosen the time because the priest unbelievably and unashamely "campaigned" for a particular candidate. It's insulting our intelligence because we do have our personal choices, and majority of those who were present reacted negatively to this deception. If you were the one, what would you do? A lot of people would have wanted to walk out...the priest's candidate is perceived by most of us as a "trapo", or traditional politician, who has the money, money, money. If you were the one, what would you do? Somebody told me that a parishioner wanted to confront the priest after the mass but was prevented by her father for fear of making a scene. Anyway, I swear I'll never attend mass if I see that the one to celebrate it is that same priest.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
26 Apr 10
That is quite appalling really! It is not a priest’s job to campaign for political candidates! I would feel hurt and upset if I attended such a mass and I would want to confront the priest although I would do so in a private meeting. In my opinion it is not acceptable to bring politics into the church.
1 person likes this
@rudyro (110)
• Romania
25 Apr 10
Simply put, politics and religion is a contradiction of terms.
In my oppinion, a priest has a certain role within a community mainly due to the fact that the community perceives him as having a cosmic/divine mission/destiny. The priest is a spiritual catalyst or a channel through which the Divinity tries to lift the people from their lowly condition, to inspire them of higher aspirations and to raise the their consciousness. Arguably, priests should deal with souls, not with earthly social aspects like politics. What I would do? At the end, I would tell him... "let me remind you of your mission, of the destiny God has chosen to offer you".
1 person likes this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
I totally agree...he made his homily like it was made from hell...pardon me for this...I'm really pissed off. Priests should not meddle in partisan politics, much more endorse a candidate the people find as a bitter pill that'd hard to swallow...
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
It's either the priest is paid or he just trusts that presidential too much. Either way, it spoils his name. I wouldn't want to attend mass either if the priest is like that.
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@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
You're right frontvisions...I'm a bit guilty because I really intentionally did not listen to his supposedly "homily" anymore. It's the first time I ever encountered a priest who is so partisan regarding choice of candidates. Anyway, he's answerable to God about such blatant insult to our intelligence....
@rene12 (794)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
It really doesn't make any sense if priests preach about the incoming elections. It would be better if we will learn something about it but in the end, they are just making their ability in preaching as a tool for a secret campaign. I can't believe that religious group leaders are still trying to have a position in the government and the worst is, they are aiming for presidency. Anyways, it is the choice of every single one of us so it still depends.
1 person likes this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Right. I thought voters education is supposed to be neutral, and will let the people decide. He's close to endorsing the candidate, and even mentioned his name towards the end. How pathetic.
