A recent anti-corruption march, inspired by a call to action from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, drew a crowd along EDSA – a street steeped in the history of Filipino protest. Yet, the turnout of around 5,000 participants felt strikingly small, a shadow of the massive demonstrations that once shook the nation.
The contrast is stark. In 1986, a single call from Cardinal Jaime Sin ignited a revolution. Hundreds initially answered his plea to defend those opposing the Marcos dictatorship, swelling into a force of two million that ultimately forced Marcos from power. The very monuments along EDSA stand as testaments to that extraordinary moment, born from a cardinal’s courageous voice.
What has changed? Has the power of the Church’s message diminished? The bishops themselves acknowledge past failings – moments of silence, tolerance of corruption within their ranks, and a lack of consistent integrity. This self-awareness, however, doesn’t explain the current disconnect.
Recent pastoral letters have addressed issues like financial irregularities and questionable spending, yet they haven’t sparked the same fervent response. Perhaps the nature of the offenses matters. Cardinal Sin called for resistance against a brutal dictatorship; the current concerns, while serious, feel different in their urgency and impact.
The power of example is also crucial. During the Marcos era, bishops didn’t just condemn abuses – they actively intervened. The “Magnificent Seven,” a group of seven courageous bishops, openly challenged martial law atrocities, offering sanctuary and support to victims.
Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen tirelessly aided those suffering from torture and illegal detention, providing legal assistance and training. Bishop Antonio Fortich sheltered displaced villagers and bravely attended court sessions for those falsely accused by the military, even gaining international attention for the plight of the poor.
Bishop Orlando Quevedo confronted land-grabbing and condemned violence, publicly denouncing the murder of an Italian priest by a paramilitary group. Bishop Jesus Varela, through his position with Catholic broadcasters, dared to criticize Marcos when most media was silenced.
Bishops Federico Escaler and Miguel Gatan Purugganan provided crucial support to farmers fighting for their land against Marcos’ cronies, even defying soldiers to reach those in need. These weren’t just words; they were acts of defiance, demonstrating unwavering commitment to justice.
Other bishops, like Francisco Claver, used their platforms to condemn abuses and challenge powerful figures. Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a vocal critic of corruption, even predicted Rodrigo Duterte would be “worse than a dictator” before his election.
In more recent times, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and Archbishop Socrates Villegas have emerged as voices of activism, offering sanctuary to victims of the drug war and condemning the resulting violence. They echo the courage of their predecessors, but remain exceptions rather than the norm.
For the CBCP’s message to regain its power, more bishops must embrace visible political activism, following the examples set by Cardinal Sin, the Magnificent Seven, and those who continue to champion justice with unwavering courage. The spirit of EDSA demands nothing less.
