Defy the Church
Posted on August 4th, 2008IF Fray Butod — the quintessential symbol of the patriarchal, despotic, conservative, reactionary and backward sector of religion usurping the title “The Church” – ordered me to go forth and multiply and reject birth control practices, shall I say amen?
If Fray Butod threatened me eternal damnation in hell or excommunication in life shall I cringe?
Before answering those queries, let’s journey back to the past. One conclusion we can glean from it is that humanity gained giant strides in all spheres of knowledge that translate to unprecedented progress.
Today, by tapping the keyboard or mouse of your PC, in matter of seconds we can communicate to people in different parts of the world, we can access information at such speed and efficiency never before imagined.
Humanity progressed not because of the conservative, patriarchal and reactionary faction of religion, most often its hierarchy and having the temerity to dub itself “The Church” – the world moved forward precisely despite it.
Stated otherwise, humanity progressed because of brave men and women who stood by their feet, who risked their lives to express and defend their creativity no-matter-what especially against the conservative sectors of society which sought not only to block them but to extirpate their very creators.
The Dark Ages happened because at some point, “The Church” not only frustrated human creativity through threats of eternal damnation but by the real violence of torching thinkers, scientists, medicine people, name-it, on the stakes for witchcraft and heresy. It is interesting to note that while scientists and thinkers burned on the stakes on the side of the world ruled by the “Holy Roman Empire,” while that part of the earth plunged to the Dark Ages, the other side, the one peopled by the Moors was enjoying the Golden Age where science, architecture, medicines, astronomy, engineering, math, culture, literature – thought and knowledge in general – flourished.
We advanced because of the likes Copernicus the monk who stood by his discovery that the world is round and a mere speck in the world not its center. We advanced because he dared defy the princes of the church who arrogated unto themselves the collective title “The Church” who were angered by his heresy.
We moved forward, not because of the church but despite it. And we owe it to the likes of the maverick Catholic cleric Martin Luther who defied the petrified, dogmatic and autocratic thought fiercely defended by the tiny sector of religion which arrogated unto itself the title “The Church.”
The defiance of the monk Luther spun a movement that led to the Reformation that opened the religious movements to fresh ideas that challenged the feudal and enslaving mode of thought championed by Scholasticism, the dominant philosophy of the time (and until today in the tiny segment of religion). We can also say that because of Luther, humanity was ushered into the Rennaisance that in turn paved the road toward liberal thought and more scientific discoveries.
All told, had it not been for the creative and valiant men and women of the past, humanity would not have reached where it is now.
We are no fan of the Garins but this time around we have to praise Rep. Janet Garin (1st district, Iloilo), a main sponsor of the Reproductive Health Bill that in the main empowers women to have control of their bodies.
Fray Butod and his ilk especially the reprehensible character Mike Velarde whose El Shaddai is no different from “charitable institutions” of the church, that is, profit-oriented – Fray Butod and his ilk are shouting themselves hoarse against the bill calling it “abortion bill.”
We wish Rep. Garin more courage to resist the hierarchs who don’t see and repent for their own shameless records and those of their gods like that unrepentant fan of Adolf Hitler who to date still speaks and acts like his idol.
I have spent eight years in the seminary, five years at St. Paul’s in Makati from first year high school to first year college, and the remaining three years in undergrad at the CICM Maryshore in Talisay, Negros Occidental.
One realization we got from that experience is that the Church, the real one that is, refers to people, the flock journeying toward the Kingdom. It is a movement more than a static mass, a dialectical one involving the tension of the present and the future.
What we have now is that the hierarchs tasked to lead the flock are stuck to the past and are blocking that movement or its eschatological direction.
The Philippines prides itself as the only Christian, Catholic for that matter, country in Asia, yet we are in the bottom of the pit of shame – the most corrupt in Asia, the most dangerous for journalists in the world next only to Iraq, the most backward in E Asia next only to Bangladesh.
And we have the highest figure in political killings, 900 innocent and the best lives in the country wasted since 2001. The tiny sector which arrogates unto itself the title “The church,” incidentally, is mum on all that and even openly colludes with the GMA regime that perpetrates them.
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August 5th, 2008 00:35
Your last 2 paragraphs sum-up the negative image of the Philippines here abroad. If Garin bill (HB 812) becomes Law, you are empowering the government with the “licence to kill” the unborn - called ABORTION. I don’t defy the teaching of the church because I have moral obligation not to. My religious upbringing gives me strength and courage to face life challenges here and the Philippines. My family suffered political oppression by the Garin Family in Guimbal for 25 years. I can forgive (as christian) but I won’t forget.
August 6th, 2008 02:09
it is negative image but its the truth and we dont need to deny it just for making our immage looks good. It reminds me of Imelda covering the squatters area with walls so that the tourists cannot see the stark reality of some Filipinos then.
I am not a lawyer, but Garin bill does not condone abortion but empower women to prevent pregnancy. The Catholic Church does not allow its faithful to practice artificial family practices, like condoms, IUD , bith control pills etc.
Dr. Gestosani, Did the Garins put your family down, or they just paid more in buying votes than your family ?
August 6th, 2008 23:45
I’m glad you’d asked.
Here’s the copy of my letter to Guardian Iloilo dated May 1, 2006, exactly one year after the death of my mother, the last of the Trono- Gestosani Family who served the people of Guimbal.
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May 1, 2006
Voice Box
2007-05-05
By Dr. Antonio Gestosani
Ohio, USA
agestosani@zoominternet.net
May 1 is the first anniversary of the funeral of our beloved mother, Trinidad T. Gestosani, the former mayor of Guimbal.
She was the last person to carry the legacy of the Gimeno-Trono-Gestosani family to serve the people of Guimbal as mayor from 1968 to 1980. She died at the age 93.
The chronology of public service of the Gimeno - Trono - Gestosani Family dated back during the Spanish time:
1885 - 1886 Nicolas Gimeno Capitan
1906 - 1907 Salvador Trono (my grandfather) Mayor
1918 – 1920 Emilio Gimeno Mayor
1921 – 1926 Savador Trono Mayor
1952 – 1953 Vicente Gestosani (my father) Mayor
1968 – 1980 Trinidad Gestosani (my mother) Mayor
1953 – 1969 Dr. Pedro Trono (my uncle) Congressman
Family dynasty existed then and was the symbol of leadership and public service. Now, family dynasty is used for wrong reason.
I went home to see my mother for the last time. The wake was in the house for one week. Many friends and relatives came to offer their prayers and condolences to the family, and for that, I thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
We decided to have a simple interment, having a mass for the final repose of her soul. My family decided for me to give eulogy and word of thanks to all.
Thank you Nanay for your guidance, for your sacrifices, and all the beautiful deeds you left behind for us to remember you by. We missed you.
Many noticed that even though my mother was a former mayor, her coffin did not have a Philippine flag draped over it. The truth of the matter is Mayor Richard Garin and the town council decided not to provide the flag after my family refused their offer to eulogize her during interment.
Why glorify her after her death. This is only exploitation for their political advantage (shame) while we are grieving.
Why can’t they forget politics during bereavement?
Why can’t they show respect for the dead?
My mother deserves the Philippine flag as recognition for her public service. Am I wrong? You be the judge.
My kasimanwa in Guimbal, the behavior of Richard Garin and the town council towards his political enemy (especially my family) cannot be tolerated and he must be held accountable.
I must confess that my family suffered enough during the 25 years of Garin political dominance in Guimbal.
It started in the 80’s when Ninfa was mayor and Oca was a congressman; they immediately changed the landscape of the Guimbal plaza by constructing a new municipal building in front of my mother’s house. She was deprived of an open space which she used to enjoy.
My friends come to my mother’s house and see for yourself. You are facing intramoros wall in front of the house. “Guin hingabot guid kami”.
What did she do deserve this? They just cannot accept the fact that one family opposes their view. We have our own principle, and we stand by what we believe is right (they cannot stomach it).
Then, they went after my brother’s small livelihood in Nanga. He could not renew his license to operate a small hatchery, and was forced to move his business to San Joaquin with the help of a relative. He tried many times to apply for mayor’s permit to reopen his hatchery business in Nanga but was constantly denied.
The claim that Guimbal is business friendly under Garin is a farce.
More hardships came six years ago when my brother challenged Richard Garin for Mayor of Guimbal. The power of eminent domain was served, forcing him to give-up his land to the government (political payback).This is an ultimate “abuse of power” under the smoke screen. This can happen to you and will cost you your fortune to defend your property (we did).
The latest news (during the Flores – Garin debate) that Janet Garin wants to build a hospital in San Joaquin is not only a duplication of hospital services in the 1st district, but also an ill-conceived plan to erase the Trono name in the history of Guimbal and eventually move the location of the hospital to San Joaquin (this is my gut-feeling).
Remember that Guimbal hospital is called: Dr. Pedro Trono Memorial Hospital. You see why they want to relocate the hospital? What a waste of taxpayer’s money for their self-serving political ambition.
My fellow Guimbaleños and people of the 1st district of Iloilo; I am speaking my heart when I say that enough is enough to this kind of oppressive behavior of one family that ruled 1st district (especially in Guimbal) with an iron fist.
I am therefore compelled to write to express my outrage to the pains and sufferings that my family has endured during the Garin political dominance in the 1st district of Iloilo, particularly in Guimbal.
May 14, 2007 is the time to end this regime. Bring back the legacy of Dr. Pedro G. Trono (your former congressman) – the true servant of the people of the 1st district of Iloilo.
Your vote for Gerry Flores for congressman is your voice to give your family and your children a better future under the new leadership. Good luck and God bless.
Regarding my self, I was born in Guimbal and left the Philippines in 1972. I am a US citizen, and a retired anesthesiologist living in Ohio, USA. I am married to a American girl, and we have three children. My life is here in the State, but my fascination is Philippine politics. Thank you and have a good day.
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Regarding the Reproductive Health Bill; any artificial contraceptive methods, either by pill or IUDs and etc.prevent pregnancy, and worse thing that could happen is to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterus. If this is not abortion, then what?
The debate for this Bill scheduled tomorrow in Iloilo was cancelled by Cong. Janette Garin. Panay news (lapsus calami) mentioned that the proponent of this Bill was afraid to debate Ex. Senator Tatad.
You be the judge.
August 8th, 2008 21:59
Dr. Gestosani I salute you for opening the sad reality in Guimbal and what the Garins did to your family. Now the public knows.
Its my disdain for politicians that prompted me to ask.
The Garin family is now more than a dynasty, and it will be hard to topple them down. It will take a collective effort from all of us to say no to them.
But we got to find a way to stop the population growth in our country. The Catholic Church condones the natural method or the rhythm method, but we got to compromise more than this.
Again, count me on your side.
August 16th, 2008 10:50
You have a collective effort to elect or reject a politician called-election. Did it work? Personally, it did not work in the 1st District particularly in Guimbal; the Garin Family knows it, and they manipulate the system for 25 years. Regime-change is possible if that collective effort is the voice for change, and yes you can.
October 16th, 2008 07:20
Greetings to my fellow Ilonggos…
I have to admit that I stumbled upon this interesting article in the middle of my shift in a call center. Although surfing the internet is a direct no-no in our line of work, I can’t help but be moved by the exchange of ideas over this web post.
Im afraid I am not as well-versed or well-informed with the details (e.g. Reproductive Health Bill, Guimbal’s Political History) and I request for patience in this aspect. There are a couple of points that I would like to share.
Both the institution of government and church are the same in construction. Both have hierachy and both started with the noblest of intentions and idealogies. In my premature opinion as well, both institutions have been corrupted thru the diiferent demands of the people that has lead it.
I am a mother, and had my child when I was very young. Also that I studied in an all-girl catholic school for the first 13 years of my life. I have my faith intact and I still believe in the doctrines of the Church, specifically the better ones. the ones that does not interfere with our God-given free will and judgement. In the account of the government passing a bill to support Reproductive Health, misunderstanding the very essence of the bill using Church doctrines are vere needless to say, stupid. As the title explains itself, its for the Reproductive Health- physically, mentally and spiritual make up of the being. Having children or reproducing entails a lot of responsibility. And while the government recognizes that over-population is detrimental to our society, it does not coequivocally entails termination of life. Perception of the majority that it suggests ABORTION is a complete misunderstanding of the point of this bill. It is BOTH putting the government’s and church’s intentions wrong.
several points that was raised in the said article is that we are a Catholic country. True.
It is also true that we are a civilized country as well. True again.
I personally believe that Filipinos are far more comprehensive and intelligent than with our neighboring asian countries. Forgive the patriotism, but that is my personal biase on the matter.
What am saying in general, is that we have our moral compass intact. In the very same way that we are well educated to differentiate what is good and what is right.
There is NO point of argument here. Its a mere check of intentions and the capacity to enforce what is neccessary for our survival. As a community, we have to recognize that over-population is a problem for our government and people. As Christians, we have the moral obligation to provide our next generation with the best possible future. In spirit and in the daily hustles in Life.
If both our Government leaders and Church leaders would recognize this, then this argument would no longer be necessary. We are a Community. In Government and in Faith.
Thank you for making time to read my comment. I dont know if i have properly conveyed my thoughts but then again, thank you for bearing with it.