The Catholic Church in 2018: ‘Year of the Clergy’ turns challenging

By Leslie Ann Aquino
Manila Bulletin
December 24, 2018

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Bishop Pablo Virgilio David

The Year 2018 is indeed the “Year of the Clergy” in view of the different challenges that the Church and its leaders faced this year.

Among these challenges was the killing of a number of priests in the country. Father Mark Ventura was killed in Gattaran, Cagayan on April 29 only four months after Father Marcelito Paez was killed in Nueva Ecija. In June, Father Richmond Nilo was also killed by unknown gunmen in Cabanatuan.

On the same month, Father Rey Urmeneta of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Calamba, Laguna, was wounded after being shot by unidentified suspects.

Despite these, Catholic prelates rejected the idea of arming their priests.

The Church and bishops were also often the subject of President Duterte’s tirades.

At a public event, Duterte accused Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, a vocal critic of his ruthless campaign against illegal drugs, of stealing church donations to give it to his family.

In another event, the President hinted that the bishop might be into drugs. Bishop David denied both accusations. David, the current vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, asked the faithful to just bear with the “sick” chief executive.

In November, Duterte, in a speech, made a comment to kill the bishops but Malacanang said it was just a hyperbole.

“Itong mga obispo ninyo, patayin ninyo. Walang silbi ‘yang mga gagong ‘yan [You should kill these priests. These fools are useless] All they do is criticize,” Duterte said during the awarding ceremony of the 2017 Presidential Award for Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities at the Palace.

A news story said the President argued that the Church was the “most hypocrital institution,” citing persistent allegations of corruption and abuse involving some priests.

But the most controversial statement of the President which earned flak from different groups and individuals was probably when he called God “stupid.”

A committee was formed by Malacanang to dialogue with the Catholic Church and different religious groups but it was not clear what happened after the “initial talks.”

Amid all these challenges, a CBCP official believes the clergy were able to prove their worth and their commitment to God.

“The Philippine Church has never been under a blatant, cruel attack such as this,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, said in an interview.

“This was indeed a very challenging year for the clergy, for the Church. And the priests have proven their worth, have shown their commitment to God and compassion to their flock,” he added.

This year of the clergy, the priests will be known for their courage, for their self-sacrifice, said Santos.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said it is ironic that the CBCP’s declaration of the “Year of the Clergy” observance became the “year of martyrdom” of the clergy.

“The year 2018 which the CBCP’s Year of the Clergy is ironically the year of martyrdom of the clergy when this government killed priests and when Duterte threatened to behead Bishops who dare to tell the truth,” he said.

“The President is like Herod who beheaded John the Baptist for being a prophet of morality and righteousness,” added Bastes.

He said that one thing is for sure –Duterte will never destroy the Catholic Church.

“The more the Holy Spirit will strengthen the Church and her leaders,” he said.