The Church speaks up because we won’t

“Politics in My Hometown” is the reader’s corner on #PHvote, a space for first-person accounts on how campaigns and elections, governance, and service delivery are in your locality. Send to phvote@rappler.com your 800-word essay, collection of photos, videos, or any medium through which you can best tell your story. A photo and note about yourself will be a good idea.

ILOCOS SUR, Philippines – The Catholic Church has involved itself in a number of issues lately: reproductive health law, divorce bill, rampant illegal cutting of trees and other environmentally destructive activities, even political dynasties.

For sure, the Church is doing this to open the public’s eyes to what it believes is right. Let us just say that it is also practicing its right to free expression. But do most Catholics agree with how it’s doing it? Do I?

I spent the Holy Week in my hometown of Narvacan, here in Ilocos Sur. I was shocked with the different tarpaulins that I saw. The Church displayed its advocacies for intelligent voting and against political dynasties and black sand mining alongside images of the saints.

I can see where it is coming from. In this province, for even the lowest position in local governments, candidates buy votes. Black sand mining – which uses sand from the shores to make metals – is unabated in the towns of Caoayan, Sta. Cantalina, Santa, and San Vicente, exposing them to environmental risks.

I agree with the Church’s advocacies. But I disagree with the way it pushes for them, using the name of God and its influence as a religious sector. In almost all their homilies, they are talking about these things. I am not saying they shouldn’t, but they shouldn’t overdo it either.

What’s missing in the dialogue is the public’s voice. That’s why I’m writing my opinion here. The Church and those in government are clashing over certain issues, fighting for their respective principles. It seems no one wants to raise the white flag so they can reach a compromise and help each other.

We should speak up. Say what we know. Ask questions. Show what we have seen. Say what we think should be done. Get involved. So if anything happens, we don’t end up with the Church or government just telling us what to think and do, and we don’t end up just blaming them. – Rappler.com

Franzes Ivy Carasi is journalism student.