The Role of Activist Nuns in Philippine Democracy

Abstract

Philippine politics had always been an arena wherein powerful interest groups, including the Roman Catholic Church, become stakeholders in democratizing society. Following this assumption, Church leaders had always played significant roles i􀂾 every turn of the political climate. The nuns, as part of the Church hierarchy, had also made their presence felt in politics through their own style of activism. There is a need to analyze the role they played in Philippine democracy as well as to examine their contributions to Philippine society. Thus, the main problem is to explain how the activist nuns influenced Philippine democracy, with focus on the timeframes of Martial Law up to the present time. For this study, the researcher used both primary and secondary sources in order to analyze the problem. When it comes to obtaining secondary sources, the method that the researcher used is mainly library research. Newspaper articles, magazines, publications, Vatican documents, books, thesis, dissertations, journals, and scholarly writings are to be accessed by library visits not only in UP Manila and UP Diliman libraries but also in the libraries of other universities and colleges, specifically the Museum of Courage and Resistance in the TFDP office and the Institute of Women's Studies in St. Scholastica's College. The more essential method that the researcher used was the key informant interview. Eight interviewees consented to become part of the study. The key informants consist of activist nuns and Church leaders who are widely knowledgeable about activism. And in order to enhance the study through updated information, the researcher utilized the internet to download articles which are highly relevant for the analysis. The researcher used feminism, liberation theology, and feminist theology as theoretical frameworks for the study. First, ii is necessary to examine how the nuns define and practice activism. Their activism is not ideologically-motivated nor politically-based. The nuns define their activism as their way in performing the prophetical function of Church leaders. Their activism is rooted in Gospel values, and their involvement in society is motivated by Christian beliefs and by a strong desire to help the human rights victims and the oppressed sectors. Furthermore, they are also radicalized by their knowledge of liberation theology and feminism. The activist nuns firmly believe and practice a nonviolent approach in their involvements. The activist nuns also argued that activism was primarily their response to the injustices of society as Christians. Their involvement in Philippine politics is best understood within a context and a timeframe. They were most actively advocating for human rights victims during the Martial law period. EDSA I was considered as their finest hour in Philippine history. It was also a defining moment for their role as religious activist. But preceding EDSA I, the nuns also acknowledged the influence of Vatican II on their activism. Vatican II is said to have "opened the doors and windows to the outside world" for them, changing their formerly cloistered lifestyles and lessening restrictions for them. The result was a marked increase in social involvement after Vatican II. The Catholic Church also influenced their activism. Social teachings of the Church urge nuns and priests to participate in the work for justice, peace, and development of peoples, while also promoting nonviolent involvement. The activist nuns declared that they had been much inspired by these teachings. On the other hand, the Church can also limit their activism through t􀃔e Canon Law and the rules and norms of the congregations where they belong. There is really no clear instruction about rallying. The nuns contended that they are not forbidden to do so. They can express their solidarity to the poor and the oppressed through rallying with them. What is forbidden, however, is partisan politics. Church leaders are not allowed lo hold office, to support political parties, or to be kingmakers. It can be said that the most important role and contribution of activist nuns is becoming a moral force in pushing forth Philippine democracy and democratization by integrating Christian beliefs into their activism and taking up causes in defense of human rights end for the welfare of the marginalized sectors oi society. One remarkable quality about their activism is that it is not motiv2ted by selfish reasons Their involvements in politics are also timely and relevant, as evidenced by their activism during the Martial Law and EDSA I periods. Overall, the activist nuns can have both positive or negative effects on Philippine democracy, depending on how they practiced it. An important positive effect is that they are able to conscienticize society and provide a moral perspective on politics. Also, they are active in the defense of the rights and wellbeing of the marginalized sectors of society. But one negative effect is that if the nuns practice partisan politics, they can undermine the stability of an otherwise legitimate government. There would also be a blurring of lines between the Church and state separation. From this study, the researcher believes that the involvement of activist nuns and Church leaders in Philippine democracy is generally welcome and positive as long as it is carried out in a non-partisan and nonviolent manner.