Capiz: The Archdiocese of Capiz has issued a directive asking lay leaders and those involved in parish ministries who are running in the upcoming elections to resign from their church roles. This move, articulated in Circular No. 23 by Archbishop Victor Bendico, aims to prevent the use of church positions for political gain and maintain the integrity of the church’s mission.
According to Philippines News Agency, Archbishop Victor Bendico emphasized the need for a clear separation between church duties and political activities. The circular, issued on Monday, explicitly states that those who have filed their certificates of candidacy for an elected position should automatically inhibit themselves from their pastoral responsibilities. This policy is intended to uphold a “sense of delicadeza” and respect for the ecclesiastical community while allowing lay members to pursue public office without conflicts of interest.
Archbishop Bendico elaborated that while lay people are permitted to serve in public office, t
he partisan politics associated with such roles could disrupt the community life of parishes and mission stations. He assured that those who resign could resume their church responsibilities after the electoral process, specifically after May 15, 2025, based on the recommendations of their parish and mission station priests.
The directive comes in the context of a larger electoral landscape where approximately 43,000 candidates are vying for over 18,000 elective positions in next year’s polls. The Archdiocese’s decision reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring that church leaders who choose to enter the political arena do so without leveraging their religious influence, thereby preserving the spiritual integrity of their roles within the church.