CBCP to pols: Don’t take advantage of Iglesia ni Cristo crisis

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday warned potential 2016 candidates against taking advantage of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, which is currently holding protests on the supposed violation of the separation of Church and state.

"No politician should gain political ground by abetting dissension or, worse, fostering disregard of the Constitution and the law," the CBCP said in a statement signed by its president, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

"Neither is it morally correct for any political party to aim at gaining an advantage by controlling a religious sect known to propose to its members a chosen set of candidates," it added.

The Catholic hierarchy issued the statement after Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas, all presumed to be running in next year's presidential elections, issued comments about the protests being held by the Iglesia nic Cristo.

Both Binay and Poe said the protests held by the 101-year-old church was within its right to free speech.

Roxas, for his part, said that while the Iglesia has the right to protest, "the exercise of these rights cannot impinge on the rights of others or cause inconvenience to anyone."

The CBCP also urged all Catholics to pray for the peaceful resolution of the matter, and be respectful when talking about the Iglesia ni Cristo crisis.

"No Catholic should fan the flames of dissension by rumor-mongering and by inflammatory statements. Let all be kind in disposition, respectful in speech and prudent in action," the collegial body said. -NB, GMA News