Render Unto Caesar

The re-election last Tuesday of Puerto Rico's Governor Luis Munoz Marin was gratifying news. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of his victory was its reaffirmation of the separation of church and state.

On October 23 and 30 the three Roman Catholic Bishops of Puerto Rico ordered pastoral letters to be read in the island's churches, emphasizing their long-standing opposition to the governor and declaring it a sin to vote for his Popular Democratic Party. The Church has been unable to wring three legislative measures from Munoz: prohibition of birth control and voluntary sterilization, and permission for one hour out of the 15-hour school week for religious instruction.

Over 80 per cent of the island's population, including Munoz himself, is Catholic, but fewer than one-fourth practice, and the power of the Church is relatively small. The Christian Action Party, formed this summer under unofficial Church sponsorship for the sole purpose of defeating Munoz Marin, won only 6.5 per cent of the popular vote.

Both the American Constitution, under which the Puerto Ricans live, and their own Commonwealth Constitution of 1952, insist on the separation of religious and political powers. And Cardinals Spellman and Cushing in this country both opposed the Puerto Rican hierarchy's stand--although it is specifically provided for under canon law. These considerations, however, are secondary to the mandate of the popular vote.

Munoz Marin's only non-religious opposition, the Statehood and Independence Parties, won together less than 34 per cent of the vote.

The governor's record, in the 12 years in which he has held office, is remarkably good. He has improved the living standard of the once-blighted island, provided schools, and nearly wiped out illiteracy. His record as a democrat is also excellent, although his domination of the Popular Democratic Party raises the question of succession when the 62-year-old governor dies or retires.

On the day the second pastoral letter was read, the choir of one Puerto Rican Church sang an Easter hymn, "Pardon, Pardon." The choir-mistress explained: if the people are wrong in voting for the governor, they need the pardon; if not, the priests need it.