An Open Letter to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Where is the “Church of the Poor?”

Fr. Roberto P. Reyes

January 25, 2008

Hong Kong

It is now forty years since the winds of change and new life swept through the Church. 1965 was the year of the conclusion of the great ecumenical council called Vatican II. Today, we look back and wonder. Where is the new life? Where are the winds of change?

Seventeen years ago, something similar although of smaller magnitude took place in the Philippines. Bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders gathered at San Carlos Seminary in Makati to collectively study, pray, discern the “signs of the times”. Together they declared to strive to become a “Church of the Poor.” That was the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines of PCP II.

Seven years ago, the Filipino people moved by a deep sense of right and wrong, peacefully gathered into a peaceful moral force that led to the resignation of a corrupt and inept president. That was EDSA DOS or People Power II which deposed President Joseph Estrada and installed his Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to replace him.

Seven years later, we are appalled by a situation worse than that which led to EDSA DOS.

Almost three years ago, on July 10, 2005, the people waited in earnest for a statement from the Catholic Bishop’s Conference. We waited for guidance and strength to believe that change and new life were possible in the Philippines. Then the statement was read and its core message came across, “We are not asking you (President Arroyo) to resign!”

Extrajudicial killings, corruption at all levels from Malcanang down to the smallest baranggay; scams galore from ZTE-NBN to the distribution of P 500,000 in brown envelopes; repression and creeping martial law in the form of arbitrary arrests and detention and many more tell us in no uncertain terms that things are not well in our country.

Lately, there are rumors that Ambassador to the Vatican, Leonida Vera will be replaced. The name most often mentioned is Cristina Ponce Enrile. According to one writer, “the moves to replace Vera stem from Malacanang’s displeasure over her failure to convince the Vatican to come down hard on bishops critical of government.” (cf. Rina Jimenez-David, At Large: A Pattern of Intimidation in Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 22, 2008)

If this writer’s information is true, what does this make of the Church and her leaders? While Government has often accused us of breaking the provision of the separation between church and state for reasons that do not violate the essence of the law (which is to protect churches, religious groups against the States ‘encroachment on religious freedom and expression), what now is the Government doing?

Does the present Government wish to control not only the Philippine Catholic Bishops but also the Vatican?

What is disturbing is for the state of affairs to reach the current level where compromise and pressure are used to neutralize, manipulate, appropriate and undermine the Church’s moral role. Who is Cristina Ponce Enrile? Who is her husband? Who is her son? Who is behind and with them?

Those with wealth and power use these to get what they want. It has been the sad fate of the church to be overcome by the lure of wealth and power in the past. But is the church that free of the lure of wealth and power today?

When the Philippine Church declared its vision to become “Church of the Poor” how willing were her leaders not only to work with and for the poor but to become poor themselves? The present Government seems to know all too well our weakness and vulnerability to wealth and power. How often have we received donations from Malacanang, from PAGCOR and PCSO?

The poor do donate money but not in the shocking millions that come from the big sources. Sadly the poor have become the very excuse for our mendicancy. We gladly accept donations for the projects declared as beneficial to the poor.

In the last two years I have journeyed with our OFWs. Many of them are the poor who have chosen to survive outside our country. They have only one dream. One day they wish to return to a country that is peaceful, progressive and governed by honest, not corrupt and competent leaders. Many have paid the costly price of broken homes and problematic children. They want to be with their husbands, wives and children but they know that their meager remittances would mean either survival or starvation for their loved ones.

Compromise with those who hold wealth and power lead to the death of morality. The death of morality leads to blindness and indifference especially to the suffering of others, most of all, the poor.

Dear Bishops do you still honestly believe in PCP II? Is there still hope for the vision you declared in 1991, of becoming a “Church of the Poor?” Or should we just forget declarations and principles and just similarly resign ourselves to creeping martial law and to the Church’s creeping degradation into the “Church of the Rich?”

I was recently arrested for my alleged involvement in the Manila Pen caper. While I deny having anything to do with any group that planned the incident, I do not apologize for what I held then and even earlier. In July 10, 2005, I was convinced that for the good of our people, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should resign. I continue to uphold this conviction.

Is this rebellion? Is this a crime against the state and the people? So many OFWs think and feel the same way. The only difference is that they are unable to express this freely without fear of reprisal.

When you draft your statement this coming Sunday, please do listen to the Spirit and in doing so, listen to the cries of the poor and not to the lucrative, tempting offers of the rich and powerful who wish to use and manipulate you.

When you read your statement this Sunday, please be the prophets that God has ordained you to be and not mere mouthpieces of human institutions whether church or state which expect you to protect interests that pass, fade and die.

When you read your statement this Sunday, listen to your consciences that hear the muffled cries of the hungry, jobless, homeless, exiled, imprisoned, sick and increasingly hopeless poor. Listen honestly and speak courageously and uncompromisingly.

The Light to Dream and Sacrifice, for the Dream to Come True

By: Fr. Robert Reyes

My parents came towards lunch time. They were jubilant and full of optimism. They were aglow with the many happy turns of the morning at the Makati Regional Trial Court. Thank God, my parents are allowed to exercise the right to visit their son. Human rights still exist. I have not been totally isolated from the rest of society because of my contact with visitors from the church, lawyers and family and a few friends. Yet, a good number of friends have not been allowed to enter the custodial center. They were told “Only immediate family, parents, siblings, wife and children.” I have often complained that my status is peculiar- as a priest, I have no wife or children, even my relative, my own siblings have already migrated, my sisters in the States, my youngest brother in Canada. How many friends has been turned away leaving some “pasalubong” with a note of encouragement to cheer me up. I am more than cheered. I know how so many would visit if it were not too difficult, if the idea of the “custodial center in camp Crame were not that fearful and threatening”.

On the 11th Day of detention, Human Rights Day. I assert and affirm the right to a meaningful and fruitful life. I have affirmed this right in the past years through my constant and consistent appeal for a society of truth and decency, justice and equality, freedom and idealism.

In the last eleven days, I have spent my life with those who dream of a new Philippines rid of those who spread the darkness of greed and deception; a new Philippines breathing the air of genuine peace without the phantoms of arms, and foreign intervention; a new Philippines whose leaders are guided by conscience and a spirituality that recognizes and rejects the demons of compromise, corruptions and cronyism.

To you our relatives, friends and fellow dreamers, we offer our little sacrifice in detention. We offer you our perseverance, patience, good humor and most of all our undying optimism and hope.
One day, we shall all see and celebrate the Light…

Fr. Robert Reyes
December 10, 2007
International Human Rights Day
PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame

May PAG-ASA pa!!!

Sa likod ng lugmok na moralidad ng bayan, hindi sumusuko ang KUBOL PAG-ASA sa matayog na pangarap na magkakaroon pa rin ng kalutasan ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng bayan. Ngunit hindi marahas na pamamaraan ang sinasaligan nito kundi mataimtim na panalangin at sakripisyo ng pag-aayuno.

Adhikain ng KUBOL PAG-SA na magkaroon ng liwanag ang mga nasa dilim, makamtam ang hustisya ng mga pinagkaitan nito, mapairal ang kapayapaan, masugpo ang karahasan at muling buhayin ang katapatan, at katwiran.Panalangin at pag-aayuno ang tanging sandata ng KUBOL PAG-ASA.

Panalangin at pag-aayuno na impluwensiya ni Fr. ROBERTO P. REYES.

Bilang alagad ng simbahan at kinatawan ni Hesus, pananagutan ni Fr. Robert na ipagtanggol ang mga naaapi, ituwid ang landas ng mga nalilihis, tulungan ang mga kapos sa buhay, pakinggan ang mga nagdadalamhati, isiwalat ang mga kasinungalingan, tumindig sa katwiran. Lahat ng ito para sa pagpupuri sa Diyos at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Sa ganito, matuwid kayang parusahan siya ng pagkakulong? Hindi kaya nararapat na hayaan pa nga siyang mangaral ng katwiran para sa kapayapaan? Hindi kaya higit kailanman ngayon siya nararapat na suportahan ng simbahan, ipagtanggol at kalingain?

Kailan naging kasalanan ang magmahal sa bayan?
Kailan naging kasalanan ang adhikain ang kapayapaan?
Kasalanan bang hanapin ang katwiran?
Kasalanan bang mangarap at magsakripisyo para sa pagbabago?

Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na dapat nang palayain si Fr. Robert.
Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na dapat kalingain ng simbahan si Fr. Robert.
Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na patuloy na mananalangin at mag-aayuno para sa bayan, para sa Diyos.

THE RIGHT TO STAND FOR ONE’S PRINCIPLES

THE RIGHT AND THE GIFT TO LOVE GOD AND COUNTRY
Fr. Robert Reyes

Today is our eleventh day of praying, sharing and dreaming on with junior officers and civilians. We have discovered our common passions and love, to work and make sacrifices for land and people. The last eleven days are both joyful and sad. It is sad to sit in a concrete cell with iron grills and iron gates regularly locked and unlocked to ensure that we stay detained, our freedom limited, our movement monitored.

However, our joy knows no limits. We do sit sad having lost our basic freedom, but we also feel the deep joy of being given the chance to show and express our love and devotion to the Mother land.

Today, our motto in GOMBURZA makes more sense, “Kristiyano ako kaya Makabayan!” In my cell, I encounter Jesus also detained, monitored and unjustly accused. To suffer detention, persecution is a privilege and challenge to intensify our faith and deeper our resolve to serve and give more of ourselves to

God, Country and People, most specially the poor and Marginalized.

Statement of Fr. Robert Reyes

Is it a crime to love one's country?

Is it a crime to work for peace?

Is it a crime to thirst for justice?

Is it wrong to dream and sacrifice for change?

I will not eat for all those who are afraid, reluctant and uncertain

I will fast for the light, the peace, the liberation which so many

feel and desire in the depths of their souls.

Do not fear. God is with us.

God will triumph over evil.

The Distant Church

Francisco Alcuaz

21 November 2007

Views Expressed by Francisco Alcuaz at meeting attended by different concerned and civil society groups and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Arch. Oscar Cruz , and Bishop Deogracias Iniquez

We are seriously concerned of the lack of activism of church leaders in relation to the moral bankruptcy - corruption, cheating and lying - of government officials. Priests have not reminded its members in their sermons that it is the duty of the faithful to be active in trying to stop corruption and to demand a higher level of good governance. The priests have not even done much to read in church or to distribute the pastoral letter of the CBCP demanding TRUTH and GOOD GOVERNANCE.

One of the greatest stumbling blocks to having an intelligent and free electorate to ensure the election of good leaders is the widespread poverty in our country. People in this situation can be easily bought and dictated upon by corrupt government officials and politicians. Poverty prevents them from mobilizing themselves spontaneously to show their indignation since they lack the necessary logistics.

Poverty has, therefore, to be drastically reduced for the Filipinos to resolve our recurring leadership problems. Some say that there are limitless hectares of farm area but they forget to factor in that there are not enough funds to irrigate and develop these with widespread and gargantuan scale of corruption in our government. We are left, therefore, with the substantial slowing down of our population growth as a practical approach.

But the priests have not been brave enough to use the pulpit and other means at their disposal to instill in its members specially those in the provinces the need to be rational and plan their family properly. They should strongly instill in its members conscience that bringing into this world children who they are unable to support and who will then end up as prostitutes in Malaysia and or Singapore and as exploited domestic help in other countries is wrong and even possibly sinful. They can even preach within the limits of natural family planning but they should contribute.

Evil at the highest level of government has spread out into all levels. In Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, the crusading priest on leave, won against a jueteng lord known to be close to Malacañang and an ex- actor who appears to have pocketed hundreds of millions of pesos of quarrying fees.

In the first months of his term he already collected for the province more than his predecessors. ex- actor Lito Lapid or his son, collected in a year. This will be distributed to the province, municipalities and barangays for their projects. Good for the entire province.

But can you believe that all the mayors and provincial board members have ganged up on him to pass ordinances removing from the provincial government the authority of collecting these fees. Are they not happy that the provinces resources have multiplied, that hundreds of millions a year that was not being collected officially are now collected. No, they are not, and the only logical reason is that these officials from governor down to mayor were feasting themselves on funds which should have benefited all. Now their pockets are empty and they are crying blood. These Pampanga provincial board members and mayors display such callous behavior since they have no one else but the top official in Malacañang as their idol and example to follow.

It appears that many priest are concerned more with the superfluous” gold lacing” of churches which is not essential to the faithful. This is a throwback to the past with intricate and luxurious European churches now serving more as tourist sites than for prayer and worship.

Comments:
Advocates against family planning claim that countries which have adapted stringent family planning programs are now suffering from a lack of manpower and are having therefore to import workers. Imagine, what situation the Philippines would be in if these countries did not end up with a worker shortage. We would probably have most of these 8 million overseas Filipinos, unemployed here in the Philippines and the government not able to pretend that the economy is booming. Almost 20% of our gross national product is contributed by remittances from Filipinos abroad.

“Regalo sa Pangulo sa Pagkakanulo”

(Gift for President’s Betrayal of Public Trust)
Pagluluksa at Pag-Asa
Philippine Consulate, Hong Kong

Fr. Roberto P. Reyes

November 8, 2007

There was neither noisy and prolonged applause nor a standing ovation directed to either camp. Just as Gloria did not receive the noisy din of appreciative supporters after she pardons her nemesis, likewise, Erap also left his Tanay mansion and returned to his Greenhills palace amid very little fanfare. Why should they be applauded? Instead, there was the morgue like silence of apathy greeting the shameless pardon of a guilty president by another who is no less guilty. Such acts of moral turpitude reveal more and more the icy morgues of moral relativism and compromise, where the deadly grip of mammon chokes the last surviving strands of principle and integrity. They say that the pardon is unconditional, with no strings attached. It was for unity and peace that Erap was pardoned. With this pardon, a string of revolting pardons is in offing. Pardon awaits Garci, Bedol with their former boss Abalos, Bolante and of course, their grateful mentors and benefactors in Malacanang. It is not that we wish to be un-forgiving, we just refuse to be treated as fools. Yes Erap is seventy and so are hundreds of convicts in Philippine jails. Yes Erap has served more than six years but instead of a regular jail enjoys his comfortable Mansion in Tanay. Yes Erap promises not to run for public office and so did his pardoner in Jose Rizal’s home town a few years ago.

She lies, he steals. He lies, she steals. Lying and stealing are both crimes and sins but obviously pardonable through an act of presidential prerogative. God does pardon but not without inviting us to learn from our sins and weaknesses first. What has Erap learned in his Tanay mansion? What has Gloria learned in Malacanang? I am afraid both have learned little and their behavior betrays an identical moral and spiritual bankruptcy.

But if our leaders refuse to learn and use power to bend the law and prostitute morality, then the people do not only have a right but a duty to denounce official hypocrisy and depravity. If some of us came out denouncing the brutality of General Than Shwe towards the freedom loving people and Buddhist monks of Burma, we should also express our anger and disgust at Erap’s pardon.

With Erap’s pardon, morality and decency are moribund. GMA and her spin doctors should be denounced and made to see their crime of the systematic and vigorous murder of morality. Shortly after Erap’s pardon, money went around in Malacanang. A former Mayor could not have described the situation better, “It is normal.”

Yes it is normal for the corrupted and corrupting to spread corruption. No, it is not normal for those who have been working for the thorough cleansing of the nation.

Today, in solidarity with the Black and White Movement, we present a “gift” to Gloria, “Regalo sa Pagkakanulo ng Pangulo.” We wrap the Philippine flag in white. We would have wrapped the Philippine flag in black if we were in the Philippines. But in Hong Kong and China, White and not Black is the symbol of death and mourning. Indeed, with Erap’s pardon, we mourn the deliberate, pre-meditated murder of morality and decency. But we put the Philippine Flag wrapped in the white of mourning in a box wrapped in green. For even as we mourn (white), we are not hopeless (green), we do not despair. Even as we mourn and denounce murder, we hope and continue the peaceful, parliamentary struggle for change.

We distribute white and green ribbons and invite all to wear these (white and green ribbons) to express both our deep sorrow and our unshakeable hope.

Gloria, Stop the Hypocrisy! Stop the Compromise! Stop the Corruption! Stop the Murder of Morality and Decency! Stop the Murder of Democracy! Resign!!!