As a professor of Law since 1977, I always come across cases when the laws of the State collide with the teachings of the Church, and I always find refuge in many provisions of our Constitution on the separation between the Church and the State, as well as the freedom of religion. When religion comes in conflict with the law, I remember St. Thomas More who said: “I am the King’s faithful servant, but God’s first.” Or Jesus’ admonition to the scribes: “Render unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” The Philippine Constitution, the highest law of the land, being the expression of the sovereign Filipino people, has outlined certain principles that should guide us in making decisions and actions whenever such conflicts between religion and law occur. In its Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Article II, specifically, Section 6, it says that the separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. In Article III, the Bill of Rights, it provides that no law shall be made establishing an official religion or prohibiting its free exercise. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship should be free and should […]
