Cardinal Vidal warns churches on using mass for protest

Ricardo Jamin Cardinal Vidal

Function: Archbishop of Cebu, Philippines

Title: Cardinal Priest of Ss Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense

Birthdate: Feb 06, 1931	Country: Philippines

Elevated: May 25, 1985	More information: www.catholic-hierarchy.org

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Cardinal Vidal warns churches on using mass for protest
Oct 30, 2005
The most senior Catholic in the Philippines criticized Friday church officials for taking part in an intense campaign to force President Arroyo to resign for alleged election fraud.

(abs-cbnnews.com, October 29, 2005) Cardinal Ricardo Vidal singled out the parish priest of San Miguel Church, alongside the Malacañan presidential palace, which hosted a prayer service at an opposition rally on Monday calling for Arroyo's resignation.

"There has to be great respect for the masses. It should not be used just for any purpose," Vidal, the archbishop of Cebu, told reporters.

The leadership of the country's dominant church, has, like the Philippines, been bitterly divided over allegations that Arroyo cheated her way to victory in last year's elections.

In early September the House of Representatives threw out an impeachment complaint against her, triggering angry street protests.

Vidal said church ceremonies were sacred and making mass "an instrument" for political action was improper and against the teachings of God.

The cardinal said he would not allow such prayer rallies in the Cebu archdiocese in future.

Other senior church leaders have spoken out in favor of such rallies.

Manila Bishop Teodoro Bacani said on Wednesday the rallies meant clergy could explain the political situation to their flocks.

"Where would the people seek the truth when they can no longer talk," Bacani said, referring to Arroyo's "no permit, no rally policy" that has led to violent confrontations between riot police and street protesters.

Church leaders wield great influence in this largely-Roman Catholic nation. Outspoken bishops played a key role in sparking the street protests that turned into general uprisings, ousting then-presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001 respectively.

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