Time for Laity to Be in Political Forefront, Cardinal Sin Says : Filipino Prelate Curbs Church’s Activism

After playing a central role in February’s revolution in the Philippines, Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila is trying to take a step back from political activism--but finding that is not very easy.

During a weeklong visit here, Sin reported that he has appealed to his country’s new president, Corazon Aquino, to stop relying on the Catholic Church for advice as much as she does.

“I’ve tried to show her in many ways that it is not proper for her to call me frequently,” he said. “I have told her . . . there are times when we should talk, but if word gets out that she is consulting with me all the time, there are people who will say Cardinal Sin is running the government.”

Sees Role for Church

However, during his first public appearances in the United States since Ferdinand E. Marcos fled the Philippines, Sin also made it clear that he does not want the church to step out of the political arena altogether.

“In the task of nation-building, the clergy has to be at the forefront of the effort to give better opportunities to the poor,” he told an audience Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Church in suburban Daly City. The clergy, he said, “sustain the laity, inspire the nation’s leaders and continue to draw guidelines publicly in order that the benefits of freedom and economic advantage will reach the very poor.”

In several ways, Sin was the catalyst in the peaceful revolution in the Philippines.

He guided opposition leader Aquino when she was deciding whether to stand for election against Marcos, and he urged nuns to join the poll monitors watching over the habitually corrupt electoral system.

Sparked Disobedience

And when rebel soldiers challenged the validity of Marcos’ election victory and pledged to support Aquino, it was Sin who sparked the remarkable display of nonviolent civil disobedience that prevented troops loyal to Marcos from crushing the revolt.

The move gave Aquino the time needed to consolidate her power and to employ her political skills and personal popularity to encourage further defections. Ultimately, she was able to force Marcos to flee the country.

“In many ways where their services are needed, the clergy may be obliged to enter the picture temporarily,” Sin told the St. Andrew’s Church gathering, “but they have to keep in mind that eventually every secular pursuit must belong exclusively to the lay people’s competence.”

In the Philippines, “clergy in the past had been forced to enter spheres strictly belonging to the laity because of the repressive policies of the old order,” he said. “Now that the atmosphere has changed, the laity can come out without fear and fulfill their special role. The clergy remains in the background, encouraging and spiritually fortifying the laity.”

If the church does not remain in the background, he said, it could prompt a backlash of “anti-clericalism.”

Reiterates Theme

Sin hit the same theme several times during his visit to the San Francisco area, which is home to perhaps the largest number of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the nation. He will be in the city through the weekend.

Visiting Los Angeles

He has also joined in several local religious ceremonies. He will recite a “Flores de Mayo” liturgy at St. Mary’s Cathedral today, and plans to take part in confirmation ceremonies Sunday at Old St. Mary’s Church in Chinatown. The cardinal is scheduled to visit Southern California next week and to address the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on Thursday at the Los Angeles Hilton.

In a press conference Wednesday in San Francisco, Sin discounted the dangers posed by the Philippines’ twin insurgencies--those of the communist New People’s Army and the Muslim fundamentalists. He said the New People’s Army will collapse within a year because of Aquino’s plans to help the poor.

He also played down the fact that some rural Catholic priests had aided--and sometimes fought beside--the communist guerrillas.

“The priest is like a Red Cross agent,” Sin said in explaining aid given to guerrillas. “Irrespective of political persuasion, he must help.”

Few Communist Priests

As for the priests seen leading guerrilla fighting units: “There are only three or four (priests) who are hard-core NPAs. But they are not Communists. They believe in the existence of God.”

Tells Funny Stories

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Sin, 57, frequently broke off from his prepared texts to treat his audiences to funny stories about himself as a young priest, recalling the time he visited the Vatican and wanted to attend a meeting open only to those with more authority. He dressed as a waiter and listened to the speeches while serving coffee, he said. Sin also jokes readily about his name, inviting people to visit “the House of Sin.”

But there was no trace of humor when he spoke about Marcos, who is now exiled in Hawaii. Sin urged that the former president not return to the Philippines.

“In his 20 years of power, Marcos neglected the people,” the cardinal said. “He spread confusion and he used up all our money. I would say that he should not come back because he might be assassinated. . . .

“Still, I pray for him and Imelda every day,” Sin concluded. “The church is a mother. It is forgiving of everyone.”