Philippine priests told to be 'more discerning'

Attribute is necessary because world is full of conficting voices, says bishops' conference chief

Filipino seminary students attend Mass in Manila. (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Published: June 27, 2017 05:10 AM GMT

Updated: June 27, 2017 05:11 AM GMT

A Philippine church leader has reminded members of the clergy to be "more discerning" in a "world that has so many conflicting voices."

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the bishops' conference, issued the call on June 24 at a gathering of priests.

A prophet should discern "because the world has so many conflicting voices, the prelate of Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese said.

He was speaking after the bishops' conference released a pastoral exhortation last week urging church leaders in the country to join the fight against "fake news."

In a statement released last week, the Philippine bishops stressed the duty of Catholics "to speak the truth."

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga described "fake news" as a form of "escapism" to spread lies. "False news is sinfulness," said the prelate in a June 25 statement.

Bishop Santos, who heads the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, reminded Filipino workers abroad "to avoid false promises."

In the June 21 statement, the Catholic bishops described "fake news" as "a sin against charity."

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