PHILIPPINES CATHOLIC BISHOPS WARN MILITARY AGAINST UNDERMINING PRESIDENT MARCOS

Catholic leaders in the Philippines have urged the military to avoid undermining President Ferdinand Marcos Jr amid political unrest that has closed schools and heightened church state tensions.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines issued the warning as the nation faces escalating political instability, with concerns that military intervention could destabilize the democratically elected government.

Political tensions have forced schools to close temporarily as protests and demonstrations spread across Manila and other major cities, disrupting education and raising fears of broader civil unrest.

The bishops called on military leaders to respect constitutional authority and democratic processes, warning that any attempt to destabilize the Marcos administration would harm the Filipino people and threaten peace.

The Philippines has a history of military involvement in politics, including the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew President Marcos's father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, with significant support from the Catholic Church.

Church state relations have grown increasingly complex under President Marcos Jr's administration, with Catholic leaders balancing support for democratic institutions against criticism of specific government policies.

The bishops emphasized that while the Church has responsibility to speak prophetically to government, the military must not exploit political disagreements to justify intervention or coup attempts.

Catholic leaders warned that political instability would devastate the Philippines' economy, harm vulnerable populations, and undermine the nation's democratic institutions built over decades since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.

The statement reflects the Catholic Church's influential role in Philippine politics, where over 80 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, giving bishops significant moral authority in national affairs.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Philippine bishops tell the military not to overthrow the president.

That sentence reveals how unstable the nation has become.

When church leaders must warn armed forces against coup attempts, democracy hangs by a thread.

The Philippines overthrew Ferdinand Marcos Sr in 1986 with Catholic Church support.

Now the Church warns against overthrowing his son.

What changed?

The bishops learned that revolution devours stability faster than it creates justice.

The 1986 People Power Revolution was celebrated worldwide as triumph of democracy over dictatorship.

But decades of political chaos, corruption, and instability followed.

Overthrowing bad government is easier than building good government.

The Catholic bishops now prioritize stability over perfect governance.

That is wisdom born from experience.

Military coups do not fix broken politics.

They break functioning institutions and empower strongmen.

The bishops' statement acknowledges difficult truth.

Sometimes preserving flawed democracy is better than risking dictatorship disguised as reform.

The Church's role is speaking truth to power, not empowering military intervention.

Philippine Catholics must pray for their government and work for change through democratic means, not tanks.

TAKE ACTION

1. Pray for stability in the Philippines and wisdom for President Marcos Jr as he leads amid political tensions. Pray for peace, economic recovery, and protection of democratic institutions from military interference or political violence.
2. Support Philippine Catholics through the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' humanitarian programs. Visit cbcponline.net to support relief efforts for communities affected by political unrest and school closures.
3. Pray for Philippine church leaders as they navigate complex church state relations and speak prophetically while defending democratic stability. Ask God to give bishops courage to confront injustice without empowering authoritarian alternatives.
4. Support religious freedom in the Philippines by monitoring government actions affecting Catholic Church operations. Contact International Christian Concern at persecution.org to stay informed about religious liberty concerns in Southeast Asia.
5. Aid displaced Filipino families affected by political unrest through Catholic Relief Services at crs.org or +1 (877) 435-7277. Provide emergency assistance for communities impacted by protests, school closures, and economic disruption.
6. Educate yourself about Philippine politics and the Catholic Church's influential role in national affairs. Understanding this majority Catholic nation's challenges helps inform prayer and support for believers navigating political instability.