Lawmaker wants religion out of gov't offices

[Renel B. Peña]

"To exclude the Church, founded by God Himself, from public life, from making laws, from the education of youth, from domestic society, is a grave and pernicious error." (Pope Leo XIII)

As a Filipino Catholic youth and even though I am not working in a government office, I totally condemn the proposed bill entitled “Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act,” by Kabataan (Youth) party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino. This proposal which seeks to ban the display of religious symbols in every government offices is clearly anti-Catholic. Congressman Palatino seemed to forget that majority of Filipinos are Catholics and therefore display of religious symbols are common not just in government offices but in every homes, streets and corners of the country. This kind of Atheistic and Communistic bill has no placed in a Catholic country like ours.

I adhere to the admonition of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical "Libertas Praestantissimum" which states and I quote, "Justice therefore forbids, and reason itself forbids, the State to be godless; or to adopt a line of action which would end in godlessness - namely, to treat the various religions (as they call them) alike, and to bestow upon them promiscuously equal rights and privileges. Since, then, the profession of one religion is necessary in the State, that religion must be professed which alone is true, and which can be recognized without difficulty, especially in Catholic States, because the marks of truth are, as it were, engraven upon it. This religion, therefore, the rulers of the State must preserve and protect, if they would provide - as they should do - with prudence and usefulness for the good of the community. For public authority exists for the welfare of those whom it governs; and, although its proximate end is to lead men to the prosperity found in this life, yet, in so doing, it ought not to diminish, but rather to increase, man's capability of attaining to the supreme good in which his everlasting happiness consists: which never can be attained if religion be disregarded."

The same Holy Pontiff wrote that since men united by the bonds of a common society depend on God no less than individuals, associations whether political or private cannot, without crime, behave as if God did not exist, nor put away religion as something foreign to them, nor dispense themselves from obtaining, in that religion, the rules according to which God has declared that He wills to be honored. Consequently, the heads of the State are bound, as such, to keep holy the name of God, make it one of their principal duties to protect religion by the authority of the laws, and not command or ordain anything contrary to its integrity.

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Lawmaker wants religion out of gov't offices

Manila, Philippines -  A party-list lawmaker is seeking to ban religious symbols and the holding of religious ceremonies in government offices, citing the provisions on freedom of religion in the Constitution.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, in filing a measure titled “Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act,” said his bill seeks to empower heads of offices and departments to strictly follow the constitutional provision on the freedom of religion in the exercise of their official functions, and in the use of government facilities and property.

“The constitutional provision asserts the republican and secular nature of the state, such that although laws could be religious in its deepest roots, it must have an articulable and discernible secular purpose and justification to pass scrutiny of the religion clauses,” he said.

Under Section 4 of the bill, religious ceremonies shall not be undertaken within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus.

“Religious symbols shall not be displayed within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus,” the measure stated.

Palatino cited Section 5 of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights that “the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.  No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.”

“Recognizing the religious nature of the Filipinos and the elevating influence of religion in society, however, the Philippine Constitution’s religion clauses prescribe not a strict but a benevolent neutrality,” Palatino said.

He said “benevolent neutrality” recognizes that government must pursue its secular goals and interests but at the same time strive to uphold religious liberty to the greatest extent possible within flexible constitutional limits.

“However, despite the clear provisions and jurisprudence on the non-establishment and non-sponsorship of the state of any religion, it has been observed that religious ceremonies and symbols are prominently done or placed, respectively, in several government offices,” the lawmaker said.

He noted that religious ceremonies are also undertaken preparatory to the conduct of state affairs, such as the recital of ecumenical prayers before court hearings, flag ceremonies, government meetings, among others.

“The state cannot be seen to favor one religion over the other, in allowing the prominent conduct and display of religious ceremonies and symbols, respectively, in public offices and property,” Palatino said. - By Paolo Romero (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Link: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/lawmaker-wants-religion-govt-offices-16224...

[Cathleen]

Sorry to hear that this nonsense is infecting your Catholic country, Renel.   I hope this odious bill gets very soundly voted down.

[Renel B. Peña]

Thank you very much for your prayers and concern. :)

Ban on religious images won’t get ‘Amen’ of 2 mayors

I salute the two mayors of Cebu City for their opposition to this absurd bill.

[Renel B. Peña]

Church execs slam House bill

Story Link: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/church-execs-slam-house-bill-230436815.html

CATHOLIC church officials expressed objections to the bill that requires government offices to follow the constitutional provision on the freedom of religion.

The Dilaab Foundation, a church-based group, described the bill as “short-sighted, discriminatory and un-Filipino.”

Fr. Carmelo Diola of Dilaab said House Bill 6330 or the Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act, filed by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, “seeks to relegate religion and the church into the purely private sphere, making them irrelevant in public life.”

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal urged congressmen to consult the people before making laws, especially those concerning religion.

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz criticized Palatino for filing the bill while many Filipinos live in poverty.

Known

“It’s a good advertisement if you really want to run for higher office. People will talk about you and, before you know it, you’ll become better known. In that regard, I admire him. I think it is a very good strategy,” he said.

In the bill, Palatino cited Section 5 of the Philippine Constitution’s Bill of Rights, which states that “the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.”

He said the State should not be seen to favor one religion over the other, which is why the bill seeks to ban religious rites and the display of religious symbols in government offices and public property.

Members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines oppose the bill, saying 80 percent of the country’s population belongs to the Catholic church.

Vidal said Cebuanos, in particular, are sensitive to matters concerning the Sto. Niño.

Culture

“Everybody should know that the devotion to Sto. Niño has entered the culture of Cebuanos. If you touch that, you will be touching the culture of Cebuanos,” Vidal said.

He recalled then PNP 7 Chief Jose Andaya who met strong opposition when he ordered the removal of Sto. Niño images from all police stations in the early 1990s.

“Majority of our employers and employees are Catholics. The small crucifix and a short prayer will remind them to be good, honest and just employers and employees. It has many positive and advantageous results. I hope our legislators will be more discreet,” Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said that since majority of Filipinos are Catholics, “they should be respected in expressing their belief.”

Diola said religion is a positive influence in society and very much part of the Filipino culture.

Resist

“It is part of who we are. Religion provides ultimate values from which the state derives ethical and spiritual boundaries. Without it, the state becomes a free for all,” Diola said.

“We call on all Christians and Muslims to resist this move,” he added.

In Cebu, many government offices have religious images and many gatherings, such as seminars and meetings, begin with a prayer.

Businessman Bobby Joseph, also consul general for Latvia, said the bill is unpopular because religion is part of the Filipino culture. (Sunnex)

[Renel B. Peña]

My own display in front of my computer:

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Prayer for the Choice of a State in Life, Pope Saint Pius X and The Memorare of Saint Bernard. Above is the traditional liturgical calendar dedicated to Saint Joseph and it show the days of fast and abstinence and the Blessed Palm in Cross shaped with Saint Joseph Small Statue and also the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

[Cathleen]

Thanks for further info, Renel.  Glad to hear that so many are fighting back against this absurd bill.

What a great little "shrine" you have there! 

[Renel B. Peña]

Thanks Ma'am Cathleen for your concern. :)

[Renel B. Peña]

DEO GRATIAS!!!

Lawmaker withdraws 'ban God' bill

Philstar – Sun, Jun 24, 2012

Link: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/lawmaker-withdraws-ban-god-bill-161949213....

MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Raymond Palatino of the party-list group Kabataan has withdrawn his controversial bill, which seeks to ban religious activities and symbols in government offices.

Palatino said he was offering his “sincere apologies” for any offense the measure has caused.

“We are sad that we hurt the religious sentiments of many, when our desire was to uphold and promote religious sensitivity and harmony,” he said.

He said he was withdrawing House Bill 6330 “in response to the appeal and clamor of some of our members, constituents and supporters, various groups, institutions, and the general public to reconsider the filing of such measure.”

Palatino, who is a Catholic, said he had no intention to “ban God,” suppress any religion or belief and prevent government employees from practicing their faith.

“The purpose of the bill is to ensure that government offices do not favor one religion over the other, or discriminate one against the other,” he added.

HB 6330, “An Act Empowering Heads of Offices and Departments to Strictly Implement the Constitutional Provisions on Religious Freedom in Government Offices,” seeks to ban religious activities including Masses, prayers, Christmas parties, and blessings, and mandates the removal of religious symbols like the crucifix, Bible and Koran in public offices.

Palatino said he filed the bill after receiving many complaints from government employees claiming they are being “forced” by their superiors to attend Mass or other religious activities even during office hours.

He criticized some government offices that stop rendering service to the public during lunch break because their employees have to attend Mass. He said these public offices should assign some personnel to serve the people even if other employees have to attend Mass.

Several Catholic bishops lauded Palatino for withdrawing the bill.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate chairman Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David told Radio Veritas that he praised Palatino for “having the maturity and humility to accept correction and listen to the people he represents.” He said banning the expression of faith in a public space “actually smacks of religious intolerance.”

Incoming San Jose, Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari said he is grateful for the development, noting that the bill “is deceiving because we have religious freedom yet they are preventing the expression of religious beliefs.”

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francis de Leon said it would be better if Palatino would just think of crafting good laws.

For Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, he believes that while Palatino withdrew the bill, the public should remain vigilant to this kind of thinking. “Satan is always busy,” he said. – With Evelyn Macairan - By Jess Diaz and Danny Dangcalan (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

[Renel B. Peña]

"This Church is Holy, the One Church, the True Church, the Catholic Church, fighting as she does against all heresies. She can fight, but she cannot be beaten. All heresies are expelled from her, like the useless loppings pruned from a vine. She remains fixed in her root, in her vine, in her love. The gates of hell shall not conquer her."
Saint Augustine of Hippo, Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed, 395 A.D.)

[Renel B. Peña]

I was really surprised that he claimed himself to be a Catholic and yet he proposed anti-Catholic bill. It’s really a contradiction on his part.
"A man calls himself a Christian and a Catholic, and yet he has his own views upon certain subjects, which he would very reluctantly give up, where they to be condemned by the only authority on earth which has the power to guide us in what we are to hold or reject in matters pertaining to faith.His religious instruction has been of a very meager kind, and he seems to wish it to remain so, for he takes no pains to come to a solid and perfect knowledge of his religion; the result is, that his mind is filled with the fashionable prejudices of the world he lives in, and, on more than one point, he may depend upon his having imbibed heretical notions. He is looked upon as a Catholic; he satisfies the exterior obligations of his religion, either because of his early training, or because the rest of his family does so, or because he feels more satisfied to do than to omit them: and yet - how sad it is to say it! - he is not a Catholic, for his faith is gone."-Dom Gueranger

[Dawn Marie]

Deo Gratias it was shot down!

God bless the good Phil. people+

[Cathleen]

Unfortunately our country here is filled with politicians who claim to be "Catholic" but are ones in name only.  :-(  They do so much damage to the Church by their infidelities.

So glad this bill was soundly trounced.