#ChurchInAction: more than a hashtag, it is an activism

Abstract

In a letter to the editor, the authors have explored how the social media hashtag #ChurchInAction has become a narrative of the Philippine Church's social engagement with the poor during the pandemic and the public perception of its dynamism. But I argue that there is more to it than its perceived meaning. The hashtag plays a more political role as a symbol of activism against the emerging anti-church sentiment at the onset of intense lockdowns during the pandemic. More than just a display of Church prosocial engagement, the #ChurchInAction is embedded with connective and collective identity as in any activism against the critics of the Catholic institution.

To the Editor

In the aftermath of the World Health Organization’s declaration of the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic last 11 March 2020,¹ the Philippines started to implement enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and later in almost the entire country. Because of this, several micro, small and medium enterprises had to close their shops and stalls.² Big companies and corporations were not exempted too as the only essential workforce was allowed like those in medical and healthcare, public order and safety, and production and distribution of essential goods. As a result, many workers were either laid off from their jobs or were eventually forced to accept reduced salaries or work hours.

Amid this series of intense lockdowns, many were hungry and confused. Psychologically and financially, people were suffering. In response, the government enacted the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’ (Republic Act 11469) and part of that was the emergency subsidy program that would provide cash assistance of about Php 5000–8000 (US$98–157) to about 18 million ‘low-income’ families for April and May 2020. But it was a logistical nightmare for the Department of Social Welfare and Development as the lead agency to validate the 18 million poor families. There were also security concerns in some places due to the high presence of armed groups and rebels.³

As the delay of government subsidies was imminent, the business and private sector proactively initiated socio-civic engagements such as donation of medical supplies, personal protective equipment and ambulances to hospitals.⁴ Some food establishments distributed cooked packed meals to front liners. They also offered their open spaces for government to use as quarantine areas. Some hotel chains provided temporary lodging to health workers. Some factories provided shuttle services to their workers. Despite the economic cost of these lockdowns to the business sector, many business establishments had been involved in easing the pain of the people.

But where is the Church? This was the question posed by Rigoberto Tiglao in his column in The Manila Times. He claimed, ‘Where are they [church hierarchy] now when tens of thousands of human lives are being snuffed out by a disease they are not doing anything to fight?’⁵ His anti-church sentiment was further reinforced in social media as many complained that the church was silent and absent amid the pandemic.

In response, several church-based groups and individuals on social media posted photos and shared updates on the church’s social engagement with the poor during the pandemic. Foremost among them is Caritas Manila, which is considered the lead social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church of the Philippines.⁶ It is noticeable how many of their Facebook posts particularly during the pandemic were accompanied by the #ChurchInAction. In one correspondence, the authors narrated that the viral character of the hashtag speaks of the public perception of the Philippine Church’s active engagement in easing the burden of the poor.⁷ However, I would like to argue that aside from it, there is a strong political attribute to the hashtag as a form of activism by the people against the anti-church sentiments perpetrated by some groups of society. The hashtag acts as a social tag that provides a sense of affiliation and an image of a collective despite not physically gathered together.⁸ There is an ‘affective attunement’ in using the hashtag where emotions and affective expressions are shared resulting in a sense of interconnectedness.⁹

The use of a hashtag in social media provides a way for people to connect shared thoughts and feelings and at the same time mobilize a collective stand towards a single advocacy or against a common enemy. With the #ChurchInAction, an ‘imagined community’ is formed where participants will never meet their fellows but in their minds lives an image of their communion.¹⁰

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest in this paper.