the bishops are all upset about the “war on drug pushers” here, but the backstory is that a lot of the crooked politicians and cops who take bribes to look the other way when this is going on are “good” catholics, and get photo ops with the bishops etc.
Every time I visit my husband’s grave in our cemetery, I pass the mausoleum of the ex mayor who not only embezzled lots of money from the town budget, but arranged a hit on his political rival that resulted in our nephew, a bystander, being killed.
He had a huge catholic funeral, complete with Knights of Columbus body guard, even though he was under indictment for paying for the murder.
The church here is pushing green initiatives (organic food that is healthier but too expensive for the poor to buy), and opposes mining and forestry (because the companies destroy the environment by paying inspectors to look the other way). It never occurs to them to push honesty so locals can have jobs to get out of poverty without destroying the environment.
Finally, the bishop of Manila is running for Pope: He is busy preaching to the rich to give their money to the “poor”, but not preaching for them to stop taking bribes and to pay a living wage. And of course, often the poor aren't preached to.
One dirty little secret is the result of the leftist infiltration of Catholicism aka liberation theology etc. is that the working class and middle class are converting to Protestantism, especially the Pentecostal type, where you learn how to live and serve God.
I say this as a Catholic and ex missionary.
Thanks very much, LadyDoc.
You have a deep understanding of what’s going on there.
When you have nothing else to do, I wish you would consider posting more about the Philppines.
I miss the bright sun as seen in that part of the world. I was there with the Navy decades ago, back when Clark Air Force Base was active (1980). I’ll never forget coming outside a little after Reveille, and finding the temperature at 78 degrees Farenheit. It was barely 6;30 in the morning!
The family unit was a big part of life for most the citizens back then. It probably remains that way now.
Philippinos can be great and efficient workers together.
I recall a family managing an entire Post Office in the states. Only trouble is, they didn’t want to consider anyone who wasn’t a part of their group as a new hire.
That policy changed over time. It had to.