Bishop urges Church austerity

MANILA, Philippines — A bishop on Saturday called on the Church to implement austerity measures and allocate part of its resources to support the poor amid the crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East.

In his pastoral letter, Caritas Philippines president and San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza pointed out a growing gap between the Church, particularly its leaders, and the poor.

“This is not easy to admit, but it must be named. If we fail to confront it, we risk allowing it to become one of those tolerated evils – something we recognize as wrong, yet quietly accept over time,” Alminaza said.

He also stressed the need for internal accountability within the Church as it calls for the same from government leaders.

“We are calling for justice, for transparency and for concrete action to protect the poor, the environment and future generations in this time of crisis. But we must also say this clearly: if we ask accountability from them, we must also practice accountability within the Church. If we call them to act, we must also act. If we demand sacrifice, we must also be willing to sacrifice. Otherwise, our words lose their weight,” he added.

Alminaza said austerity should go beyond a recommendation and become a visible expression of solidarity with those in need.

“It becomes a sign that we refuse to live comfortably while our people struggle to survive. For this reason, I call on all clergy, consecrated persons and lay leaders to choose a simpler way of life. We must examine our use of resources, reduce what is unnecessary and let go of excess,” he said.

He added that saved resources must be directed to those most affected by the crisis.

“We must lead in sacrifice. It is not enough to encourage others if we ourselves are not visibly engaged in this transformation. I urge every family, mission station, school, parish and diocesan office to adopt concrete austerity measures, to review its use of resources and to determine what can be reduced or redirected,” he said.

Alminaza also urged Church institutions, including parishes, schools, seminaries, diocesan offices and bishops’ residences, to reassess how they respond to the crisis.

“If we speak of austerity, it must be seen. If we call for sacrifice, it must begin with us,” he said.

“If we do not share, the gap will continue to widen. If we do not act, these injustices will become further entrenched as tolerated evils,” he added.

Alminaza emphasized that the suffering brought by the crisis must be confronted collectively.

“If we are to be credible in calling for justice, we must also take part in shaping it. If we are to speak of hope, we must also build it – by sharing what we have, by strengthening one another and by ensuring that our voices are heard where decisions are made,” he said.

“And if we are to be a Church of the poor, then we must be willing not only to stand with the poor, but to walk with them – in the long and often difficult work of restoring what has been broken,” he added.