CBCP: Junk ‘tainted’ donations. Return questionable funds or use for works of justice, charity

Posted by ReyFort Media

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith (CBCP-ECDF) has called on Church institutions to return donations that came from morally compromised, illegal or tainted sources.

“If it is later discovered that funds were derived from wrongdoing, corruption, or injustice, the Church has a moral obligation to take corrective action — including returning the donation to the rightful owners or victims, if they can be identified,” Bishop Jose Rojas, chairman of the CBCP-ECDF, said.

“Even when restitution to the rightful owner is no longer possible, the Church must avoid becoming a passive recipient of stolen or unjust wealth, lest she compromise her prophetic voice against sin and structural injustice,” Rojas added.

He said the Church bears a “moral obligation” to take corrective action when it becomes aware that funds or property donations were derived from wrongdoing, corruption, or injustice.

The bishop warned that retaining such donations could create the impression that the Church condones or benefits from wrongdoing.

Rojas made the statement in a theological paper after the CBCP received a request for guidance on donations tied to corruption or moral wrongdoing amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in  flood control projects.

“The principle is to avoid creating the impression that the Church condones wrongdoing by keeping ill-gotten donations,” Rojas said.

When returning the donation is not possible or practical, the bishop recommended that the funds be redirected to works of justice and charity, such as support for victims or reparative efforts.

Rojas clarified that for immovable assets such as buildings constructed with questionable funds, demolition is not required.

However, he said the Church should issue a public explanation and redirect any expressions of gratitude to the rightful contributors, such as taxpayers or the public, as a form of moral reparation.

Rojas said any corrective measure should include a public apology, acknowledging the moral harm caused by accepting a tainted donation, even unknowingly.

“Accepting a tainted donation may perpetuate harm,” he said, “and the Church must stand in solidarity with the victims of injustice.” 

Earlier, the CBCP issued several statements calling for transparency and accountability amid the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects.

It urged lawmakers and Malacañang to allow the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct its probe “thoroughly, transparently, and without fear or favor.”

“Only through truth can our nation begin to rebuild trust and ensure that flood control no longer becomes another flood of corruption,” the CBCP said. (V. Barcelo/ Manila Standard/CBCP News)