An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expressed disappointment Wednesday over the Commission on Appointment's confirmation of the appointment of the wife of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as the new ambassador to the Vatican. Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso, CBCP Canon Law chairman, said the group was disappointed over Cristina Ponce Enrile's appointment because the bishops had not been consulted.
“We could have given an opinion. But whether or not our opinion will be received is still the prerogative of the President,” Medroso said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
Medroso conceded, however, that both the Vatican and the Philippines had the right to send as ambassadors who they thought were worthy or qualified as representatives.
“We just pointed out what should have been the proper thing to do. But we could never really ask what is right,” the bishop said.
Manila Archbisop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales had earlier pointed out that although the Roman Catholic Church had no authority to appoint diplomats, its voice was still important in choosing the Philippine ambassador to the Holy See.
“Even if the President of the Philippines has the sole right to appoint diplomatic representatives, the Church should also be consulted especially because the diplomat would be dealing with the Pope,” Rosales said in February, when news about Malacañang's appointment of Cristina Enrile first broke out.
Rosales stressed that the appointment of Cristina Enrile was a “sensitive one” that needed the support of Philippine Church officials but he conceded that the Church could only “criticize, praise or make suggestions.”
Several bishops had also declared that the Arroyo administration should consider both moral and professional qualifications for the post following reports that Cristina Enrile would be sent to the Vatican.
While the appointment of an ambassador to the Holy See is a purely political function, there is always a “moral dimension” in the process since the envoy will represent the country in the central government of the Catholic Church, according to the prelates.
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