My

personal campaign for finding (and telling) the real cause of runaway immorality (in which corruption is the greatest sin) in our country, pointing to the clergy – on whose shoulders the fight-to-right or renewal precisely falls – is not without fruits. Finally, several members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have admitted and are determined to correct their grave error. How happy I am of this turn of events.

The men of the cloth now wear the “truth cloth.” Their public confession is humble revelation that will greatly help in our fight to make our beloved country right. In fact this is the first step. This is starting right.

Editor’s Note: The author, Ogie Reyes, is the Cebu-based moderator of the Cebu Politics (CePol) e-forum at yahoogroups (CePol@yahoogroups.com).It is the best start. How else can we proceed in exploiting the “more grievous” confession but providential example of Jun Lozada for our own good if the bishops'  “most grievous” confessional example is not before us? It is with more reason (a priori) for a Christian country when the clergy confessed their fault, as the bishops are the most influential sector in our society. The bishops can’t in good conscience and in all honesty keep urging and expect their flocks to follow by saying only “Change, change my people for you are sinners.” Forgiveness implies acceptance of its own sin, the bigger sin. There can be no repentance without remorse and restitution.

Aaaah, I feel great, the bishops have started to regain their moral ascendancy. Go LEAD then, my (sinful) priests! You’ve earned it. Boy, you are one of us and for us after all. (Psssssssst, is GMA and her ilk one of us and for us?). Read on, Folks. Here are the latest “mea culpa” pronouncements made publicly by the Catholic bishops.

* * Bishop Oscar Cruz, former CBCP president: "Please forgive me because I was one of those who were silent," he said. "And now it’s you, young people, who are suffering from corruption, cheating and stealing."

* * Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Boac in Marinduque: CBCP condemned rampant corruption in a pastoral statement last week . . . they also partly admitted that the Church has failed to inculcate Christian values in Filipinos.

Here is the news Item: 

Church is partly to blame for corruption, bishop says
The Philippine Star (as of 3/8/2008 5:02 AM)

The Catholic Church is partly to blame for the continuing culture of corruption in society and government, a bishop said Friday.

Speaking over Catholic Church-run Radyo Veritas, Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Boac in Marinduque said when the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemned rampant corruption in a pastoral statement last week, they also partly admitted that the Church has failed to inculcate Christian values in Filipinos.

"It’s been very long since we were Christianized and still we Catholics and Christians do not live with honesty," he said.

"There is so much cheating and corruption in all agencies and levels of government and other institutions. Sometimes, even the Church is not clear in its teachings."

Evangelista said the CBCP recognized this deficiency in their pastoral statement.

"We are aware of the situation of our country," he said.

"And the bishops know for a fact that corruption still exists from the highest agency of government to the communities and provinces.

"That is why the bishops spoke and condemned the culture of corruption from top to bottom. As they say, there are many government officials who are devout Catholics but still are involved in corruption.

"Whatever happened to the courses on good governance they took in Catholic universities? Do we need to review them? Why aren’t these working on the people?"

Meanwhile, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Oscar Cruz has vowed to speak out against allegations of rampant corruption in government.

Speaking to hundreds of students at the interfaith prayer rally in Manila Thursday night, Cruz said he regrets his silence when the administration was first accused of corruption.

"I will not keep quiet as long as corrupt leaders continue to be in control of the government," he said.

Cruz, former CBCP president, said his silence on pressing issues hounding the government has ended.

"Please forgive me because I was one of those who were silent," he said. "And now it’s you, young people, who are suffering from corruption, cheating and stealing."

The public must act and stand up for truth on allegations of rampant corruption in the government, Cruz said.

Evangelista said there is an alarming "split-level Christianity" among Filipino Catholics, or the non-practice of Christian teachings even by those who regularly attend Mass.

"This should be addressed and solved so everyone would be enlightened with the right formation of conscience of the faithful," he said. "We have many experiences of this and I am sad."

However, Evangelista said the Church must not be solely blamed for corruption and dishonesty in government and society, as there are other institutions that have also failed to inculcate moral values in Filipinos.

"Those in the schools are also aware of this," he said. – Reported by Edu Punay # # #