Malolos bishop: places of worship not to be used for political meetings
The bishop, Mgr Oliveros, said weapons must be left outside places of worship, which should not be used to hold meetings for or against the Communist insurrection in the area. The army has defended itself, describing churches and chapels as "public places".
Pampanga (AsiaNews) The bishop of Malolos has asked priests in his diocese to do everything possible to prevent the military and other armed groups from using chapels and churches as venues for meetings for or against Communist guerrillas active in the region.
Bishop Jose Oliveros issued the order after he read and approved a recommendation by the diocesan Council of Priests. The diocesan newspaper said: "Chapels, schools, and hospitals and health centers may not be used as a meeting place by any armed group. Any person who wishes to enter the chapel must leave his firearms outside."
The local army representative, Colonel Rimmel Gomez, defended the use of places of worship by soldiers. "Churches are public places and priests are rarely seen in rural chapels," he said. "I do not approve of the decision of the bishop but I will not contest it: residents are the right people to decide on the issue."
The diocese has 1,203 parishes and quasi-parishes in 25 cities of Bulacan province. The use of chapels or churches for anti-Communist seminars started during the time of Major Gen. Jovito Palparan who vowed in vain to crush the Communist insurgency during his tenure.
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