Church politics in Puerto Rico

Title

Creator

Meese, Norman S.

Language

English

Source

The Cabletow III (3) January 1961

Year

1961

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

CHURCH POLITICS IN PUERTO RICO by BRO. NORMAN S. MEESE Ed. Note. The following editorial by Bro. Meese, in the New Age, November, 1960 tells the inside story of the present politico-religious disturbance in Puerto Rico, an island possession of the United States. The political actions of the Roman Church here can be understood when one reads Vaticanism — Political Principles of the Roman Catholic Church by Judge & Bro. Dr. Albert Levitt, who points out in a very interesting fashion that, “while communism, facism, and the Vatican may fight each other at other times, they join forces in their attacks upon American Constitutional freedoms.” Moreover, because “the Roman Catholic Church is also an enormously wealthy business organization, it is a very active and powerful political force and constitutes a very real and present danger to our Constitutional freedoms.” Never more than today has the Ro man Church hierarchy been so per sistent in its claim that it takes no part in politics but is concerned only with matters touching on faith and morals. Recent news front Puerto Rico, however, indicates that the the disclaimer has no basis whatever in fact. The Christum Century for Sept ember 28, I960 states that the organi zation of the Christian Action Parly in the island earlier ibis year is "the first instance of creation of a Ro man Catholic political patty under the American Constitution.” Its or ganizers have obtained in their peti tion the names or more than 10 per cent of the registered voters and lienee may propose c andidates for bal lot at the next insular election. It cannot yet obtain monev from the "public election campaign fund”, but it has asked the governor to call a special session of the1 legislature to amend the present law to permit it to have access to that fund. The sponsors of the new political partv, composed of members of a single* religious denomination, are Archbishop Davis and Bishop Mc Manus of Ponce. In their published pastoral letters of July 2, 1960, they severely criticized all three existing patties for favoring laws "which dcChristianize our society” by approv ing birth control, sterilization and divorce. El Mundo, the island's leading daily newspaper, as well as Governor Munoz Marin, have strong Iv protested the entrance of the Ro man Church into Puerto Rico poli tics. The Governor has, however, c autioned the people against outbursts of anti-clericalism, of which there have been several. Reports indicate that a number of the Roman clergy have attacked not only the existing recognized parties and lheii leaders but have stirred up the politico-religious issue. Their statements have- made it dear that the church will not surrender the right to instruct its flock on political matters and that it is the dutv of the layman, as cither voter or office hold er, to obev the church. Others of the elergv however, have either re mained silent or expressed opposing opinions privately. 81 Here, apparently, is direct and poitive evidence that the nonpolitical pretensions of the Roman church cannot be factually supported. For many generations European political life has been cursed with this sort of shenanigans and history records its tragic outcome, but never before has any part of this Republic had to contend with these disruptive forces. This new mongrel organization, which has torn the island’s Repub lican statehood party asunder, de mands an Ambassador to the Vatican, church control of education and cen sorship curbs on birth control and other restrictions. Already establish ed on United States soil, might not this be the precursor of a similar cancer intended for trans planting into the continental United States? The formation and growth of a church-affiliated party, no matter what the church or the name by which it is known, would be disas trous to the unity of this Republic. It could under no circumstances avoid causing the complete disruption of our domestic peace and might well lead to open hostile action against the church. The formation here or elsewhere of any such bloc for the purpose of achieving com pletely selfish institutional objectives should not be tolerated by those who value their freedom. ---------oOo--------Here & There... SAMPAGU1I A CHAPTER No. 3, OES Visitacion S. Crudo, Worthy Mat ron; Castor Silvcstrc, Worthy Pat ron; Honorata D. Asistorcs, Asso ciate Matron; Emilio Asistorcs, Asso ciate Patron; Felicidad Mendoza. Secretary; Victorina R. Silvcstrc, Treasurer; Alice Abarqucs, Conduct ress; Angclita Cervantes, /Associate Conductress; Soledad Buenafe, Chap lain; Maria G. Millare, Marshal; Vivcncia M. Curameng, Organist; Li lia D. Ncquin, Adah; Zcnaida C. Abarques, Ruth; Teresita C. Dcocalcs, Esther; Adelaida Madridejos, Mar tha; Fe A. Suaco, Electa; Teotimo Juan, Warder; William E. Ghent, Sentinel. BETHEL NO. 1, Older of Jobs' Daughters Salvacion M. Gregorio, Honored Queen; Nida Santos, Senior Princess; Rosalyn Farrar, Junior Princess; Ma rion Cooper, Guide; Kathie Peck, Marshal; Linda Estes, Senior Custo dian; Rose Mely Dantes, Junior Cus todian; Liberty Arce, Inner Guard; Nora Manglicmot, Outer Guard; Vic toria Soriaga, First Messenger; Anne Estes, Second Messenger; Ricky Trummer, Third Messenger; Ricaflor de Leon, Fourth Messenger; Lu cille Steenson, Fifth Messenger; Ca rol Cooper, Librarian; Erncstina Gregorio, Musician; Janice McTurnal, Recorder; Ligaya Bustamante, Treasurer; Patricia Taylor, Chap lain. (Continued on page 90) 82 THE CABLE TOW January, 1961

pages

81-82

Media