The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. Section 7.

The State shall pursue an

independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be
national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-
determination.

"The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. (Article II, Section 6), and,
No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall
be required for the exercise of civil or political rights. (Article III, Section 5).

The Philippine Constitution of 1987 clearly states that in talking about the Separation
of Church and State, the state may not impose a state religion. The state must detach
itself from religious affairs if it is to uphold this law.

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/233891-understanding-separation-
church-state-amado-picardal/
“The Church should not interfere in politics since the Constitution provides for the separation of
Church and state.” This is usually the reaction every time bishops, priests, and religious
denounce extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, corruption, antipoor economic policies,
etc.

What does the separation of Church and state really mean? In the first place, this is
not about what the Church is forbidden to do – getting involved in politics. It is
about what the state is prohibited from doing – the establishment of an official state
religion and the use of public money to support such religion. This allows for
religious pluralism. The free exercise of religion is recognized and guaranteed. The
state cannot interfere in the affairs of the Church or any other religious groups.

Thus, there is no prohibition for the Church or any religious groups from
involvement in the political sphere. Even members of the clergy can run for public
office although Church law does not allow this. The Church is not just the clergy –
it is also composed of laypeople. All the members of the Church can freely exercise
their civil rights and obligations as citizens of the country. This includes
participation  in the electoral process, and opposing acts and policies  of
government that run counter to the common good and the moral values espoused by
the Church.

It is, therefore, preposterous to say that the Church cannot get involved in politics
due to the separation between the Church and the state.

From a historical perspective, the principle of separation of Church and state was a
reaction to the union of Church and state which was expressed in Patronato Real or
royal patronage. This was operative in Europe and in the Philippines for 3 centuries
under Spanish colonial rule. The patronato was based on the principle of the state
choosing an official religion – e.g. Catholicism (to the exclusion of other religions)
– and the state’s obligation to support such religion. This means providing financial
support for the clergy, the building of churches and monasteries, and the defense of
the Church against her enemies.

The Church needed the patronage of the state to carry out her mission. In exchange,
the state gained the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Church. The
approval of the state was needed for the appointment of bishops, the establishment
of religious orders and communities, and the construction of churches and
monasteries. There were times when rulers could even call for Church councils to
settle doctrinal controversies and heresies that threatened the unity of the state. The
state could even interfere in papal elections. In its extreme, the patronato led to state
absolutism and control of the Church.

In the course of history with the rise of liberal democracy and secular states, the
union of Church and state was replaced by the separation of Church and state. The
Church lost its privileged status but it was a blessing in disguise since it ended not
just the patronage of the state but also interference and control of the Church by the
state. Paradoxically, nowadays, state control of religion only happens in communist
states – but without the state support or patronage.

Thus, the separation of the Church and state is to the advantage of the Church for it
protects the Church from state control and interference. The Church can freely carry
out her mission in proclaiming the Gospel and the moral values of the Christianity,
in denouncing evil in society, in serving the common good, in working for the
defense of life and the environment, in struggling for justice and peace, and in
operating social action projects that benefit the poor. It does not prevent the Church
from involvement in the social and political field.

This means that a government official cannot just tell members of the Church to
stop attending worship services  or to stop giving financial contribution. It does not
allow any government official to dictate to the clergy  what to preach and what not
to preach. It does not allow the state to compel priests to break the seal of
confession. It does not require the permission or approval of government officials
for the Church to carry out her mission.

Thus, it is important to have a proper understanding of what separation of Church

and state really means. Otherwise, its misunderstanding can be used to silence the
Church. – Rappler.com

NOTES FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

Interpretation of the principle has been ambiguous: for instance, the Supreme Court has recently
upheld laws prohibiting prayer in the schools but has permitted the construction of Nativity scenes
on government property. (See also established church (see also established church) and freedom
of religion.)

What is separation of church and state?

Separation of church and state is the idea that government should remain neutral toward all religions and not officially
recognize or favor any one religion.

In the separation of church and state, church refers to religion in general, while state refers to the government.

In the United States, the First Amendment of the Constitution ensures freedom of religion. This means that the
government cannot give special treatment to one religion at the expense of other religions. It also can’t unfairly
punish one specific religion. Americans are free to practice any religion they want or to practice no religion at all.

The First Amendment also forbids the government from establishing a state religion in what is known as the
Establishment Clause. Over the centuries, courts and scholars have interpreted the Establishment Clause to mean
that the government should be entirely neutral in regards to religion and must maintain a separation of church and
state.

In practice, this means that the government cannot establish a national religion. It also means that the government
cannot force citizens to practice a specific religion nor force churches to perform acts that go against their religion.
This is why, for example, an American Catholic church can refuse to perform a same-sex marriage even though
American law recognizes same-sex marriage as legal.

And just as religion is free from the command of the government, the government is free from the command of
religious groups. For example, the United States government does not have to follow any religious scripture or laws.
The government is free to pass any law it wants, even if the law conflicts with a religious commandment.