This title was the theme for the national clergy discernment group during this year dedicated to the Clergy and consecrated persons who are called to be the Renewed Servant-Leaders for the new evangelization. As we journey through the Lenten season, the clergy and consecrated persons gathered to discern on the moral dimension of the current situation, the current state of Human Rights, and the poverty and economic policies in the Philippines. All the presentations and insights were oriented to make the Servant-Leaders aware of what is happening, why is it happening, what does it mean and how shall we respond.
On the discernment of the moral dimension of the present as well as the move for Charter-change (CHA-CHA), the former congressman, Teddy Casino, and CBCP permanent committee on public affairs converged on the hidden agenda of the Government shift from unitary to federalism. Though the revision of the 1987 Constitution is justified as necessary to develop the country and improve the lives of people, the Charter-Change is understood as the self-serving change where there is a convergence of the political self-interest of the president and the government officials down to the local level (political dynasties). Thus, the neoliberalism will be the leading organization of the country’s social and economic life. However, the Church provide alternatives to the Charter-Change by seeking and promoting the transformation of the political culture, eradication of the political mindset of personalities, patronage via the full implementation of the 1987 Constitution. We are all invited to discern, decide and act to defend and promote the moral values of human dignity and human right, integrity and truth, participation and solidarity, and the common goods which should be in danger once the Change of the Constitution is implemented.
Concerning the stand on Human Rights in the light of the prophetic ministry of the Clergy and consecrated person, we were all challenged by the violation of human dignity due to the war on drugs and the rise of impunity. As the right to life is the first among the human rights, everybody, especially the Clergy and the Consecrated persons have the moral and religious duty to stimulate the spirit of the initiative against the culture of death by seeking and defending the poor and the truth. Therefore, if Jesus is still our ultimate model, though we all share the human weakness, our life to complete service to the least of our brothers and sisters, requires us to be a living witness of Gospel values.
In connection to Filipino Clergy’s prophetic ministry in facing poverty and economic policies, the secretary of National Anti-poverty Commission, Liza Maza, revealed that to 50-70 Million Filipino may be considered poor because of the inequality between the rich and poor. In 2015, the combined net worth of the wealthiest 15 Filipinos ($5 billion) was equivalent to the combined income of the poorest 76 million Filipinos. As this inequality undermines development, the participants realize that it is now the time to learn from the failures of the previous anti-poverty approaches by trying new solution based on comprehensive and integrated pro-poor program to eradicate poverty. This advice of Pope Francis a current challenge to everybody “The need to resolve the structural causes of poverty cannot be delayed, not only for the pragmatic reason of its urgency for the good order of society, but because society needs to be cured of a sickness which is weakening and frustrating it, and which can only lead to new crises.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 202)
Cassien Nshimirimana, sx
