Catholic Shift

Catholic Church shares blame for poverty

Inquirer News Service

WHY is it that the majority of our people are poor? Why is it that the majority suffers in extreme poverty and destitution despite the fact that we are blessed abundantly with natural resources?

While I agree that the unjust economic and political system is to be blamed for our nation's present condition, I do not deny that religion is partly to blame. Let us try to take a look at the Catholic Church's teaching, specifically on holiness: "Be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy."

Our Church officials seem to consider this teaching as central and paramount. More emphasis is given to religious piety as if prayer, worship and devotion were all there is to holiness. No wonder, in our liturgical celebration, the externals (the decoration and the singing) are given more importance.

This kind of "holiness" was practiced even before Jesus' time. During the time of Moses, the Jews, in order to fulfill the call to holiness, had to see to it that the animals intended for sacrifice were absolutely clean. All these behaviors were prompted by their fear of Yahweh. It was fear that moved them to conduct such rituals. A kind of fear that unfortunately causes us to do the same today. That is why we feel contented and satisfied once we fulfill our Sunday obligation, never mind if we are corrupt and unkind to our fellowmen.

I think it's time to change the emphasis. It is no longer: "Be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy," but "Be compassionate as your Heavenly Father is compassionate." This paradigm shift was made by Jesus. Sad to say, our religious leaders are not following in His footsteps. They have the "news" but they do not have the "good."

What matters now is compassion, the new and Jesus' emphasis. Jesus abrogated the old because it promoted greed, indifference and self-centeredness, whereas the new enhances peace, brotherhood and love. And the new is near to the spirit of the Kingdom, the core of our Christian life. After all, we are called to follow Jesus, to become compassionate. If only all people were like God, meaning, compassionate, our world would become a beautiful world to dwell in.

The call to compassion is boundless, unlimited and unconditional. And compassion is what God exemplifies. He is a God full of compassion. Let us only remember his words, "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do unto me."

This word of Jesus is telling us that salvation is not banking on our being a member of a particular church. We can only be saved if we are compassionate to our brothers and sisters, especially those in need. Regretfully, most of us prefer to show holiness rather than exercise compassion, the result of which we now see in the form of violence, war, bloodshed and senseless death.

FR. RUFINO PEPOYE CABATINGAN, St. Rita Parish, Gingoog City