[The Wide Shot] Christian leaders should stop acting like Iglesia ni Cristo

Three weeks ago, social anthropologist Melba Maggay faced an online mob over a controversial statement in a press conference.

“I think it is time to challenge the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC),” said Maggay, a revered figure in Evangelical circles, who has pushed for a stronger Christian voice in politics. 

She said that the INC, an 111-year-old Christian church known for its bloc voting practice, has “been skewing the democratic process” to support candidates who kowtow to them. 

“A minority religion can make things happen,” Maggay said. “What about us? What are we doing? There are 80 million Catholics. There are 25 million Evangelicals. Why don’t we build a coalition that can be God’s voice in our time?”

The video of Maggay’s statement, which has garnered over 800,000 views on Facebook, enraged INC members and supporters who called her out for “hypocrisy.” In their words, why does she criticize the INC for bloc voting, or interfering in politics, when she is calling on Catholics and Evangelicals to do the same? 

To be clear, Maggay did not call on Catholics and Evangelicals to vote as one. Bloc voting is out of the question because she has openly opposed this practice as undemocratic. Perhaps she wants Catholics and Evangelicals to speak out collectively on politics, but this is easier said than done — much like putting the “EDSA” and “Luneta” crowds on the same stage.

Single anti-corruption call

How can Christians unite against corruption if they leave their morals at the mercy of politics?

In the Catholic Church alone, religious leaders cannot unite under a single anti-corruption call. Much like the rest of civil society, they cannot agree on whether to go hard on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, or both.

One school of thought holds that both officials should be held accountable, no ifs, ands, or buts. The basis is the commandment, “You shall not steal.” 

In another school of thought, we also see a general push for accountability, but always in view of the 2028 presidential race. Their “moral imperative” is to prevent another Duterte presidency.

Choosing lesser evil

Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. told me in an interview on May 17: “To be honest, if it were only possible, I really wouldn’t want another Marcos. But now that it’s a Marcos against a Duterte like Sara — oh boy, you’re left with no choice but to choose the lesser evil.” He said he would unflinchingly pick “a weak President” over “an undesirable Vice President.”

It’s the reason why many religious leaders choose to run after Duterte, but not Marcos. 

Of course, when asked about the flood control scandal linked to Marcos and his allies, such religious leaders would say, “It needs to be investigated” — the usual anti-corruption statements. 

But it is easy to notice their more fiery words, their more colorful placards, and their more frequent protests against Duterte. It is not the lyrics but the tempo that makes the difference.

For them, to criticize Marcos is to strengthen Duterte.

We can debate all day if this is a good or bad political strategy, but why, in the first place, do moral leaders have to prioritize politics?

Guardians of morality

In a modern society, each institution has a particular role. Yes, different roles can overlap (e.g., religious and political, social and educational, etc.), but each institution ought to know its focus.

Religious leaders are, first and foremost, not political strategists but guardians of morality. The priority is not to campaign for a candidate or prevent another from winning. The priority is to ensure that people know the difference between good and evil. I agree that in the real world, we need to compromise. But that is the role of politicians and operators — not priests or pastors.

If religious leaders condemn Duterte but excuse Marcos, that is not morality. That is politics.

That is the kind of attitude that the INC — to an exponentially higher degree — has espoused over the past decades. They put morality at the service of politics, to the extent that they have laundered the Vice President’s image because siding with the Dutertes is more politically strategic for them.

Such compromises can confuse and even discourage the faithful, who count on religious leaders for moral leadership above anything else. Such wheelings and dealings weaken the foundation of faith, ultimately debasing the sacred and turning a community of worship — a gateway to eternity — into just another political party. 

White Ribbon Movement

Of course, in a democracy, the goal is for citizens to vote wisely. 

For religious groups, the way to reach this goal is not to prescribe specific political choices (except in grave circumstances) but to create in their flock a 20/20 moral vision that would guide them in shading their ballots. Today, if religious leaders continue to make excuses for Marcos to prevent the “greater evil” named Duterte, it is like wearing mud-smeared eyeglasses.

Thankfully, a Catholic bishop, Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, has made the first move by convening the White Ribbon Movement, which aims to hold the corrupt accountable regardless of political color.

“If someone is corrupt, he or she must be jailed,” Bagaforo said at the White Ribbon March on Sunday, June 28. “No exemptions, no VIPs, no powerful or powerless persons, no allies or enemies.”

Evangelical Bishop Efraim Tendero, who joined Bagaforo in the White Ribbon Movement, said in our interview on Monday, June 29, that religious leaders hope to provide the movement with a “moral suasion” and “moral ascendancy.” Yet he acknowledged that religious leaders serve only as the convenors. “Our call is for the whole of civil society to join us,” he said.

The White Ribbon Movement faces an uphill battle — Christians cannot even agree on the extent of church involvement in politics — but it is a good start and a good reminder.

I hope religious leaders don’t get lost in too much politics. Their true power lies in their “moral suasion,” as Tendero put it, and turning a blind eye to Marcos’ sins will only erode their authority. It is true: Moral power rarely gives instant rewards. But it spells the difference between “a wise man who built a house on rock” and “a fool who built his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

In the words of Our Lord: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33)

Righteousness first. Everything else follows. – Rappler.com

Paterno R. Esmaquel II is a journalist specializing in religion and public life. A former Rappler reporter and news editor, he now writes for international Catholic news outlets, teaches journalism at the Dominican-run University of Santo Tomas, and runs a YouTube channel called The Religion Reporter.