MEMBERS of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will not endorse any candidate for the midterm elections, as they are set to gather in Manila Saturday, January 26, for their three-day plenary assembly.
CBCP Secretary General Father Marvin Mejia said among the issues expected to be tackled by Catholic prelates during the assembly is the May 13 national and local elections, but they will not endorse specific candidates.
“Individual bishops have endorsed in the past. But the Conference, no,” Mejia said in an interview.
“The people, especially the Catholic faithful, usually ask for guidance (on how to choose candidates),” he added.
With this, the CBCP official said it can be expected that they would come out with a statement, which can serve as a guide to voters.
Mejia, however, refused to predict what will be in the voter guide.
“I don't want to pre-empt because our situation now is different,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles called on the faithful to include in their prayers their state and church leaders.
“We include in our prayers those in government who are serving us so that they will always be guided by the Spirit of the Lord. If we pray for our government leaders, it will be for the good of all of us that they serve,” said Valles.
He also said that prelates are in need of the faithful's prayer, in order for them to be guided in the biannual plenary meet.
“We request for your prayers for us all bishops of CBCP so that we will always be blessed by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, strengthened by the Holy Spirit as we do the business and discussions of the CBCP,” said Valles.
Considered the highest decision-making body of the CBCP, the plenary assembly meets in regular session only twice a year: in January and in July.
It is composed of all active and retired archbishops and bishops of the country. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)