Dumaguete Bishop John Du urged the lay ministers serving the St. Catherine Parish who were elected to public office to be apolitical by giving up their church functions.

Some members of the Extraordinary Lay Ministers of the Eucharist, however, called this directive an imposition by the Diocese of Dumaguete, and said that they do not use their positions as church ministers in politicking.

Of the more than 65 active lay ministers in the St. Catherine Parish, excluding the Junob and Balugo parishes, 10 were elected, either as village chiefs, or barangay kagawads.

The ministers said they were elected, not because they are lay ministers, but for their active involvement in barangay activities.

Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling said no rules and policies are violated by a lay minister who is at the same time an elected local official.

Maquiling, however said he believes it is the desire of the diocese that these lay ministers-turned-barangay officials should be able to concentrate more on their duties and responsibilities as political leaders.

Maquiling himself resigned as president of the Parish Pastoral Council after the election in May 2007.

Du is expected to meet with the Lay Apostles Ministry on this matter.*JG

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