Church Opposition to Martial Law in the Philippines

Abstract

PRESIDENT MARCOS' DECLARATION of martial law on September 21, 1972 and subsequent inauguration of the New Society received a mixed reaction from some Christian groups as indicated by conflicting statements of support and opposition from religious leaders and organizations throughout the country. Many clergy agreed with the President about the threat of subversion and rebellion by the communists and supported martial law policies eliminating the private armies of powerful families, controlling illegal firearms, attacking government inefficiency and corruption, instituting land reform, and establishing control over basic industries and transportation. Yet at the same time, Marcos' motives in jailing opposition politicians, taking control of the media, arresting 11 members of the Constitutional Convention critical of the government, and detaining large numbers of Filipinos (estimated between 60,000 and 70,000 by late 1977)1 were questioned. The Catholic hierarchy's initial reaction was restrained: applauding the President's reforms as essential but deploring human rights violations. As priests, nuns, and laymen engaged in the social action work of the church began to be arrested and abuses of power (particularly by the military) were revealed, however, the church's posi-