Bold Move in Baguio

Ever since Philippine independence in 1946, the Roman Catholic Church has assumed an active role in the social and economic development of Asia's only Catholic nation. In the past three years alone, the Philippine Bishops' Conference has inaugurated more than 2,000 projects, including rural credit unions, farming cooperatives and manpower training programs. This month the hierarchy made its boldest move to date.

From Baguio City, where they met in conference, the islands' 69 bishops denounced widespread corruption and exploitation of the poor. "The failure of government is the failure of every citizen," read the bishops' statement. It went on to detail the governmental sins: "Bribery and extortion . . . illegal traffic in arms and their use to oppress the weak . . . unjust dispossession of farmers . . . the wanton destruction and pillage of homes as a display of force or vendetta . . . the miscarriage of justice through political stratagem."

Anticipating a holier-than-thou response from Manila, the prelates have already decided to mend their own ways. Church assets will be published and clerical opulence cut. Gold crosses and chains will be replaced by plain black cloth sashes, gold rings by bronze ones. So far, the government has kept silent.

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