The Posture of the Church in the Philippines under Martial Law

Abstract

President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed Philippines under martial law on 21 September 1972. Less than a month later ? on 18 October, to be exact ? Administrative Secretary of National Council of Churches Philippines (NCCP) transmitted to President a resolution signed by eight heads of churches affiliated to NCCP. Rev. Ciriaco Ma. Lagunzad Jr., NCCP executive, his letter to President, made it clear church leaders were not speaking for NCCP but that, nevertheless, they took initiative in belief they are guided by Holy Spirit to express clear terms their collective concern for welfare of our people and Nation. Rev. Lagunzad expressed his prayer President be blessed vision, courage, and discerning wisdom to govern our country these critical times with honour, justice, and fairness. Signed by Obispo Maximo of Philippine Independent Church, General Secretary of United Church Philippines, General Superintendent of LEMELIF Church, General Secretary of Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, President of Lutheran Church Philippines, senior Bishop of United Methodist Church, head of Philippine Episcopal Church, and General Superintendent of Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo, resolution declared the President of Republic of Philippines is God's servant to carry out His will Nation; President is to govern with fairness and justice; and he is to exercise his powers within limits of Constitution. The heads of churches further resolved, We believe Philippines is a very critical period, requiring exercise of his emergency powers, and light of his judgement, based on his better knowledge of whole situation, President has acted accordingly. With this conviction church leaders made known to President their support for his efforts to stop lawlessness and machinations of those who would destroy our government and deprive our people of their dignity and freedom. In conclusion they further resolved that we assure President (of) our encouragement as he carries out a constructive programme of bringing about security and peace our land and prosperity to our people. This resolution was dated 4 October 1972, some two weeks after declaration of martial law. It is to be presumed these leaders acted on their own behalf, and not name of churches they represent. And President must have been gratified with assurances of their encouragement as expressed resolution. The first reaction of Catholic hierarchy to declaration of martial law took form of a pastoral letter addressed to Beloved People of God Philippines. On 26 September 1972, writing on behalf of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Teopisto V. Alberto, President