Reaction to a Homily

Just this morning, I heard the most ridiculous homily so far.

Reflecting on a reading lifted from the Book of Maccabees, the preacher talked about his fear of the Church being persecuted because of – ad nauseaum – the RH Bill.  He even quoted a certain ‘Mr. Acosta’ a speaker in their recently–held retreat on that sickeningly worn–out subject matter, that Church people could even get jailed for their faith, once the bill turns into a law.

HELLO??!!!

As far as I remember, the Church, with its sheer arrogance and vast temporal powers, is a major political, I repeat, POLITICAL force in this country.  Wasn’t it largely responsible for throwing off Ferdinand Marcos from power?  Didn’t it have a hand in demonizing Joseph Estrada as a womanizer, gambler and cheat?  Who on earth was responsible in issuing veiled threats of excommunication on Noynoy Aquino?

The Church, in my vocabulary, has had a record of persecuting people throughout history.   Here in the Philippines alone, many were deported to Dapitan because of their differing views, and it was not just Jose Rizal.  In my home province of Malolos, Bulacan, at the latter part of te 19^th Century, several young women were persecuted by the local diocese because they defied the order of the friars not to study the Spanish language. 

Besides, if ever the persecution would happen, and that is as remote as putting the sun into a bucket of water, I would not be surprised if hoards of bishops, clerics and religious would be booking flights to countries abroad, similar to what the Arroyos did a few days back.  What with all the money stashed in their fat bank accounts.

I guess the preacher was watching so many sordid telenovelas that such a preposterous thought came to his mind.  Afraid of the Church' ghost perhaps? Maybe he needs to pray a lot for enlightenment.

So there.

PS.  The more I hear tirades against the RH Bill, the more I pray for it to be passed.  I hate the Church’ arrogance for power.