Church, provincial gov’t seal “Tabinan”
LINGAYEN—The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan and the provincial government have formalized their ties in a program dubbed “Tabinan – Church-Local Government Units Partnership” in pursuit of “peace, progress and the people’s common good” in Pangasinan.
The archdiocese’s clergy and local government units officials of Pangasinan gathered at the Sison Auditorium here last November 19 for the formal launching of the project and for the signing a Manifesto of Commitment.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas underscored that the partnership does not go against the separation of church and state as provided under the Philippine Constitution but rather an affirmation “that there is really an inviolable separation between the Church and the State.
“This separation is not isolation, because both are serving the same people,” Villegas said.
The archbishop thanked Governor Amado Espino Jr. for being open, extending the hands of collaboration.
For his part, Espino thanked Villegas for paving the way for Tabinan.
“Each moves separately, but each is directed towards a common direction,” Espino said.
He also admired Villegas’ openness, and expressed his hope to “be inspired by his humility and willingness to take risks for the sake of establishing a lasting and meaningful relationship for all of us.”—Eva Visperas
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