Government exists for the common good, says Bishop

MANILA, March 1, 2008―A ranking Church prelate said government should work for a stable society and look after the common good of the people.
Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said that “within the concepts of our constitution which is for the common good of the people, the framework should be for a stable and just society which extends services and goods to our people.”
Interviewed over Catholic-run Veritas 846 Saturday morning, Medroso explained that the bishops have their own network and they know the situation in their diocese “from top to bottom because we have our priests down there.”
The Basic Ecclesial Communities also provide them feedback, he added.
“So when we said it (corruption) was from top to bottom, that is serious,” the prelate further said.
Asked if there was division among pro- and anti-administration bishops, Medroso said “I don’t think you can divide the bishops according to pro- and anti-administration.”
He said the bishops who took part in the formulation of the latest CBCP Pastoral Statement entitled “Seeking the Truth, Restoring Integrity,” were very serious and “they were open to the inputs from other bishops, [and in] listening to them.”
They took time to “listen to one another about the political and economic situation in the country” he added. (Melo Acuna)