Philippines Losing Sense of Sin, Says Prelate

Cites Example of 32 Cohabiting Couples

MANILA, Philippines, MARCH 9, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Philippine Catholics have little understanding of repentance due to the loss of the sense of sin, warns the president of the country's episcopal conference.

"Repentance is difficult because today the sense of sin is disappearing from the conscience of Filipinos," Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao said in an editorial in the bulletin of the episcopal conference, according to AsiaNews.

He cited an incident that occurred last November. At a parish, 32 couples who had cohabited for years were being prepared for marriage. The pastor told them they should go to confession before their marriage, a ceremony that would be celebrated by the archbishop. The couples answered: "Father, we have no sins to confess."

Such ignorance of sin happens because of their "indifferent and weak conscience, so hardened as to no longer hear the interior voice of God," the archbishop said. The couples' reply is common "to many in our country and in the Church of today," he added.

"What has happened?" he asked. "Why do people say sin no longer exists? Why do they rarely go to confession? Why do so many receive the Body of Christ in holy Communion even in a state of mortal sin?"

The archbishop sees the loss of the sense of sin affecting the electoral campaign in the Philippines.

"The politicians make vain promises, buy the votes of the electorate; some even denigrate with lies the rival candidates," he said. "Yet, despite this, they go to church, attend Mass and go to Communion. But when they leave the Church, they fight against one another."

The causes and reasons are many, however, if it is anything like the widespread failure to help the faithful properly form their consciences by teaching them during homilies and such, one can understand why the people are in such a state of ignorance.

The Truth needs to be proclaimed clearly and with charity in order to help in the salvation of souls. Abandoning the truth or perpetuating lies and ambiguities with regard to sexual immorality is not only a disservice and offense to God, but it is also a terrible injustice to families and society.