Fr. Robert Reyes: long may you run

Today’s Inquirer magazine profiles the Philippines’ “running priest”, Father Robert Reyes. Father Robert is temporarily based in China teaching English, after having been virtually banned from political involvement by a Church that has grown tired of his relentless activism.

Robert Reyes has his detractors. Some feel he should be more selective in the causes he espouses and that his presence at virtually any radical event dilutes his message. Others see him as a self-promoter.

I suspect that many of his critics have never met Fr. Robert and that they might feel differently if they did. When he started his fast in protest at the electoral fraud that was revealed by the Hello Garci tapes, I couldn’t really see the point. Still, as he had been supportive during the battle for Arroceros Forest Park, Frayed and I decided to pop in to see him in the makeshift tent he had constructed by the Aguinaldo monument on EDSA. He was then into his third week of hunger strike; pale and weak but still lucid. After 5 minutes talking to him he had completely won us over. It was not just the arguments he used, though these were strong. It was his quiet determination and his faith in its broadest sense.

As for the fact that he supports many causes, what’s wrong with that?! Having a prominent figure associate himself with your movement is tremendously invigorating for Filipinos, who, as Reyes says in the profile, are “made to look resigned and without choice or alternative”. Reyes’s presence not only validates the thankless work of activists, he also has an unrivalled network to draw on (it was thanks to Fr Robert that the wonderful Governor Grace Padaca spoke at Arroceros Forest Park last year). Reyes is an energetic and positive guy, not afraid to rile up the establishment, a quality that every successful activist needs.

Also, what choice does he have? Someone like Reyes is besieged all the time for assistance, and there is no shortage of worthy causes. This was why he chose to take a sabbatical outside the country: “because whenever I am in the Philippines, people will also ask me for help and I may not be able to refuse.”

Someone as brave and committed as Fr. Robert is desperately needed here, where (as in many other countries) the prevailing mood is apathy and despair. I hope he returns soon, the country needs patriots like Fr. Robert Reyes:

• The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair. -- H.L. Mencken

Thanks for the quote Yaw and Mog.

Comments

[cvj]

I guess you're right about Fr. Reyes and his activism. However, i would draw the line at him and his group jogging over to one of those Pasig Motels during Valentines Day and hollering at the guests a-la John the Baptist to give up their sinful ways. That to me was an attack on the basic human right to privacy.

[torn]

Didn't know about that, but of course I agree with what you say. Well, I guess he is allowed a few missteps, I think the good causes he espouses far outweigh the bad.

[frayed]

I guess with all his battles, he's bound to get involved with a couple of petty (or silly) ones. When you talk to him though.. he really comes off as an intelligent, rational and brave man so I wish he had used better judgement in the past.. I agree that motel one wasn't a good call, but it seems most of his causes are laudable.

[cvj]

Torn, Frayed, i agree. On balance, the country badly needs more people like him to be around.

[gibbs cadiz]

his sense of outrage is welcome and always useful, but his sense of wisdom, the ability to be judicious about his chosen causes, can stand improvement. hopefully, his stint in a foreign land will do him good, if only for the wider perspective and context it can give him.

[Martin]

We need Fr. Robert Reyes now to come home to the Philippines. GMA should be replaced now with all the current issues on her (NBN contract, payola to governors and mayor). I think a simple fasting will spike a 3rd People's Power and eventually replace GMA.

[Father Ed]

I have to admit that Fr Robert Reyes is Kulang Sa Pansin everytime he opens his mouth you see the arrogance and self rightheousness. Anyway the bigger his ego the harder he will fall. He can't seem to get it. He is a priest and not a political analyst or activist. When he was transfered to another parish he complained and then had the audacity to judge other priests! Parang bata. And the latest "expose" he did in a morning tv show was exposing the Church leaders as tuta ng gobyerno. Para siyang taga-showbiz. he really likes the attention. Bahala na ang Dios sa kanya.

[kamahalan]

i agree w/ Martin. Father Robert Reyes is a priest and not a politician, if father Reyes dnt know that maybe i suggest he can send him back to school to review the basic constitution.

[jon]

we are so good in criticizing fr rob reyes. hey guys, what have you done for your country lately? or do you ever care? have you been in the streets lately defending your rights? come on, let's not be stupid. we should thank father reyes. tanungin ko kayo uli: ano na ba ang nagawa nyo(kusang loob) para sa pilipinas? please reflect on that before you criticize a patriot.

[hair weaves]

And if i ever won the lotto, it is a foregone conclusion that i would vanish without a trace on the very day of jackpot collection.