April 26, 2007 - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has appealed to Filipinos to remain steadfast in prayer as the country prepares for the May 14 polls.
According to CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo it is significant to seek God’s intercession to prevent “evil from getting in control” and avoid others from doing evil things during polls.
Lagdameo, who is also the archbishop of Jaro in Iloilo, said this in his latest pastoral statement about the next month’s synchronized local and national elections.
“We exhort everyone to be vigilant, to pray and to offer penance for this intention,” the CBCP said. “May the hand of God stop evil from getting in control. We need the Lord’s help, without which our best efforts will come to nothing."
The bishops urged Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) and the parishes nationwide to organize “Holy Hours” of prayer vigils from May 5 to 14, election day.
“Humble and trusting prayers are needed to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot and of the entire electoral processes,” the statement read.
The prelate likewise encouraged contemplative men and women in more than 100 monasteries nationwide to pray for the country—“especially for all voters, candidates and election officials and workers."
The CBCP also urged lay faithful in this predominantly Catholic country to take seriously their role as citizens by taking active participation and choosing right people to run the government.
It said people should not just vote but out to practice vigilance and monitor the election processes to ensure credible results.
The CBCP also called on their flocks to reject violence, cheating and other forms of immoral acts that could possibly happen during the election period.
It singled out “dagdag-bawas” or vote padding and shaving as the common forms of poll fraud that should be “disapproved and condemned."
“Let both candidates and their supporters face the judgment of democratic election with humility and magnanimity,” the CBCP said."
The pastoral exhortation was released during the signing of the “Covenant of H.O.P.E” at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila on April 24.
The Covenant for Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections was the brainchild of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ National Capital Region Command.
Among the signatories of the covenant were the CBCP, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, National Capital Region Police Office, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the Filipino Alliance Movement-Support Group, Bantay Bayan Inc., and DeltaCom, a civic group. (CBCPNEWS)
According to CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo it is significant to seek God’s intercession to prevent “evil from getting in control” and avoid others from doing evil things during polls.
Lagdameo, who is also the archbishop of Jaro in Iloilo, said this in his latest pastoral statement about the next month’s synchronized local and national elections.
“We exhort everyone to be vigilant, to pray and to offer penance for this intention,” the CBCP said. “May the hand of God stop evil from getting in control. We need the Lord’s help, without which our best efforts will come to nothing."
The bishops urged Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) and the parishes nationwide to organize “Holy Hours” of prayer vigils from May 5 to 14, election day.
“Humble and trusting prayers are needed to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot and of the entire electoral processes,” the statement read.
The prelate likewise encouraged contemplative men and women in more than 100 monasteries nationwide to pray for the country—“especially for all voters, candidates and election officials and workers."
The CBCP also urged lay faithful in this predominantly Catholic country to take seriously their role as citizens by taking active participation and choosing right people to run the government.
It said people should not just vote but out to practice vigilance and monitor the election processes to ensure credible results.
The CBCP also called on their flocks to reject violence, cheating and other forms of immoral acts that could possibly happen during the election period.
It singled out “dagdag-bawas” or vote padding and shaving as the common forms of poll fraud that should be “disapproved and condemned."
“Let both candidates and their supporters face the judgment of democratic election with humility and magnanimity,” the CBCP said."
The pastoral exhortation was released during the signing of the “Covenant of H.O.P.E” at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila on April 24.
The Covenant for Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections was the brainchild of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ National Capital Region Command.
Among the signatories of the covenant were the CBCP, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, National Capital Region Police Office, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the Filipino Alliance Movement-Support Group, Bantay Bayan Inc., and DeltaCom, a civic group. (CBCPNEWS)
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