Page 37 - Hello Philippines January 2016 'A' Issue

January 2016 – No. 01 • UK & Europe Edition NEWS www.hello-philippines.com 37

CBCP urges voters to snub pro-divorce, death penalty bets
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference “While bishops, as citizens of the said. “In fact, there are worthy
of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said a Catholic voter should not support a candidate whose Republic, have the right to make candidates from other Christian
urged voters not to support candidates programs include initiatives opposed to the Church moral teachings. their own choices, our office in the communities and other religions.”
in the 2016 elections who are pushing Church as well as our stature, of
for divorce, death penalty and other him or her to make of the Philippines a “It has never been the practice which we are all unworthy, urge “Their qualifications and
measures that it said are against the secular state that has no tolerance for of the Catholic Church to hold out upon us that circumspection that aspirations must be given serious
Church’s doctrines. religion in its public life,” Villegas said. a candidate to the faithful as the should prevent misunderstanding heed by our Catholic voters, their
‘chosen’ candidate of the Church,” he and confusion among our flock,” he truly helpful plans and visions must
CBCP President Archbishop No endorsement from Church. said. “Church doctrine has remained said. be supported,” Villegas said.
Socrates Villegas, in a statement titled consistent: Partisanship is an arena
“Wise as serpents, innocent as doves,” He also urged the voters to reject into which the Church should not “There are no perfect He added that the public should
issued some guidelines for Catholic candidates who claim they have the venture.” candidates”. At the same time, not trust candidates that spent their
voters to follow in choosing their support of the CBCP, their diocese or the Lingayen-Dagupan prelate time demolishing the reputation
candidates in 2016. of a particular bishop. For their part, Villegas said bishops reminded the people to assess and tarnishing the good name of
will “commit to desist from any candidates “according to the model fellow candidates.
According to Villegas, a Catholic Villegas noted that Filipino voters action or statement that may give the of Christ, who came to serve, not to
voter should not support a candidate should not believe on the claims of appearance of persuading the faithful be served.” “He may have nothing positive
“whose legislative or executive candidates that their bids for public to vote for a particular candidate.” to offer, and he debases the level
programs include initiatives office are backed by members of the “They must look for the realization of political discourse by calling
diametrically opposed to Church clergy. of Gospel values in the lives, words attention to the shortcomings of his
moral teachings on such vital issues and deeds of those desirous of public rivals and competitors, rather than
as abortion, euthanasia, the return office, realizing that there are no on the programs and projects he or
of the death penalty, divorce and the perfect candidates,” Villegas said. she might have,” Villegas said.
dilution of the character of Christian
marriage.” There is a crucial difference Villegas also warned against the
between one who has been wrong “use of government resources, the
Catholic voters should also not in the past and is willing to amend power of government offices and
support a candidate “who vows to his ways, and one who exhibits instrumentalities and subtler forms
wipe out religion from public life.” stubbornness and obstinacy,” he of coercion and intimidation to
added. promote the chances of a particular
“While we expect every public candidate.”
officer to give life to the constitutional Non-Catholic candidates. Villegas
posture of ‘benevolent neutrality’ in also urged the voters to consider Meanwhile, Villegas appealed
respect to the attitude of the State political aspirants from other to the Commission on Elections
towards religion, the Catholic voter religions. (Comelec) to ensure that the May
cannot and should not lend his support 2016 polls will be truthful and
to any candidate whose ideology binds “A Catholic is not closed to the honest. n KBK, GMA News / Published /
candidacy of a non-Catholic,” he
December 29, 2015 / 7:40 pm

Piccolo still cause of most 54 Pembroke Road, basement office, London W8 6NX
firecracker-related injuries —DOH
PICCOLO is still the biggest culprit for Lee Suy said: “Baka ang depinisyon kasi nila ng Tel. 020 7602 7171 Tel/fax. 020 7602 7598
firecracker injuries recorded by the Department lakas ay kailangan maputulan ng kamay. Alam www. lakbayasiapilgrimages.co.uk email. lakbayasia@btconnect.com ORIGINAL CREATION & COPYRIGHT RESERVED BY © HELLO PHILIPPINES 2016
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DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy told ang kanilang kinabukasan.”
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