Priest Forever!

A lot of talks had been happening regarding some priests joining the coming elections. I was asked if I agree with it or is it allowed by the Catholic Church? As far as the Philippine Constitution is concerned, being a priest is not a cause for disqualification. As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, a priest can not serve as a government official at the same time. If a priests insist on running for a government position, he must cease from doing active ministry. He maybe suspended by his bishop from dispensing the ministry. In case he loses, can he still go back? In the first place, his priesthood was never lost. One is a priest forever. It now depends on the bishop whether he will be accepted or not. Another question arises. If a priest is suspended, and still ministered, e.g. celebrate a mass, what does it entail? The mass celebrated by an ordained even if suspended priest is valid! This is to guarantee the effectivity of the sacrament in favor of the faithful in spite of the defect of the priest. It is valid but illicit. Valid for the faithful but illicit for the priest.

It is really unfortunate that a priest would have to at least temporarily leave his ministry in order to serve the people in a civil capacity. I understand that many lay people in those places had been offered to run. However, those who have the ability to serve better declined to run against moneyed opponents. In their quest to stop the dominance of corrupt politicians in their places, the priests in question, decided to take the cudgels for the faithful be running in the elections themselves.

A priest would be better off doing his ministry. The clergy expects the faithful to do their job. They are expected to be more assertive and active in running the civil aspect of our lives. But when corruption and evil is clearly threatening the flock and no lay person is willing to take the responsibility, I believe, a priest may vie even for the temporal leadership of the People of God!