The Catholic Church's Waning Influence in the Philippines

The once-dominant Catholic Church in the Philippines faces a decline in its political influence, as new societal changes and religious movements challenge its authority.

Jul 10, 2024

The Facts:

The Catholic Church's influence in the Philippines has been waning in recent years, with a series of defeats on key policy issues. "There are two policies which are seen as a litmus test of Catholic influence. The first is abortion, which is forbidden in the Constitution. And the second is divorce," said Manolo Quezon III, a former speechwriter for Philippine President Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Divorce, once legal in the country, was abolished in 1949 as the church's power grew. However, a new divorce bill has now passed the House of Representatives and is facing the Senate, signaling a potential shift. The current system in the Philippines leaves many trapped in abusive marriages, with the annulment process being both expensive and slow. In 2012, the government legalized contraception despite the church's fierce opposition.

The church's grip on the country's politics has significantly weakened since the days of the People Power Revolution in 1986, when the revered Cardinal Jaime Sin played a pivotal role in mobilizing the public against the Marcos regime. During the 1970s and 1980s, parishes began organizing, particularly those disenfranchised by the military. By 1986, Cardinal Sin was ready to act. It is notable that, as late as the 1970s, the church was uncertain about how to respond to Marcos. Some clerics advocated for what they termed 'critical collaboration,' a middle course of working with the government while criticizing certain actions. During this period, Sin considered Marcos a reasonable man who could be influenced. This historical context underscores the Catholic Church's evolving stance towards the Marcos regime, culminating in a more active and critical role during the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Cultural changes, such as the increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, have also contributed to the waning influence of the Catholic Church. "When we talk about LGBT in the 1980s, perhaps people will still believe us. But now it's 2024—because of the many different opinions offered, it's now very politically incorrect to even call him homo or gay," said Father Jerome Secilliano, the Rector of EDSA Shrine built to commemorate the toppling of President Ferdinand Marcos in the People Power Movement. The passage of landmark legislation, such as the Reproductive Health Act and the potential legalization of divorce, demonstrates the church's declining ability to dictate the country's policy agenda.

Moreover, the rise of Pentecostal and born-again Christian churches in the Philippines has complicated the dynamics, as they share some of the Catholic Church's socially conservative values while offering a more diverse range of opinions. More conservative Christian organizations, such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), have gained significant influence and are able to deliver bloc votes to political candidates. These megachurches are highly disciplined, with their own media networks and even stadiums, and have been able to effectively mobilize their followers. The INC in particular has mastered the art of political influence and has been able to control the voting behavior of its members.

Moreover, the influence of the Catholic Church in the Philippines is diminishing as people become more pragmatic, turning to politicians who offer practical solutions rather than relying on the church. The elections of Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in 2022 further weakened the church's political power, with Marcos Jr.'s victory occurring despite the church's apparent opposition.

Reflecting on this declining influence, Father Secilliano remarked, "Let's admit it, we don't have the resources to provide for the people. We are a poor country, there are so many poor people, and poor people expect too much from you." This quote suggests the Catholic Church's limitations in addressing the practical needs of the Filipino people. The Catholic Church is attempting to regroup by becoming more focused on serving the poor and listening to the concerns of the younger generation, but it remains opposed to divorce on doctrinal grounds.

The View:

The Catholic Church's declining influence in the Philippines is a remarkable shift, considering its once-towering status in the country's political landscape. The church's moral authority, which was instrumental in the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship, has now been severely diminished, and its attempts to assert its position on key issues have largely fallen on deaf ears.

The Catholic Church's influence in Philippine politics has significantly declined since the 1980s, when it played a key role in the "People Power Revolution" that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos. The support of the Catholic Church during the People Power Revolution was a product of the unique circumstances of that time, and it may not be easily replicated in the current political climate.

The church has become disconnected from the everyday struggles of the Filipino people, a sentiment that has contributed to its declining relevance. The church's failure to adapt to the changing times and the rise of alternative religious movements have left it struggling to maintain its once-unassailable position in the country's socio-political landscape.

TLDR:

The Catholic Church's influence in the Philippines has been waning in recent years, with defeats on key policy issues like abortion and divorce.
The church's grip on the country's politics has significantly weakened since the People Power Revolution in 1986, when the church played a pivotal role in mobilizing the public against the Marcos regime.
Cultural changes, such as the increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, have contributed to the waning influence of the Catholic Church.
The rise of Pentecostal and born-again Christian churches, as well as conservative megachurches like Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), have complicated the dynamics.
The influence of the Catholic Church is diminishing as people become more pragmatic, turning to politicians who offer practical solutions rather than relying on the church.
The church's failure to adapt to the changing times and the rise of alternative religious movements have left it struggling to maintain its once-unassailable position in the country's socio-political landscape.