Abp. Valles to Local Church: “Get INVOLVED!”

Barely 68 days to the national and local elections, Davao Church’s prelate, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. is urging all the faithful to get involved for the common good.

During the successful multi-platform event dubbed as, “PILIPINAS 2022- A Talakayan Series” last Feb. 25, 2022 aired over DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM radio and Facebook page with participants who joined via Zoom, Archbishop Valles explained that there are two aspects of the Church: the clergy and the lay people.

The Talakayan Series is a Panel Discussion/ Round Table Discussion with Participation from the Virtual Audience that is scheduled to occur on February 25, March 11, March 25, and April 8, 2022 at 7:00-9:00 p.m. It is a project of the Archdiocesan Political Education Committee under the Archdiocesan Social Action Center headed by Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr., and organized by the Ignatian Institute of Religious Education Foundation (IIREF).

In its initial airing focused on the topic, The Role of the Church in Politics, the issue on the role and stand of the clergy in a democratic political arena was lengthily discussed.

In his opening remarks of the Talakayan Series on Friday, Archbishop Valles said, “It’s good to bear in mind that what I said, the Church can only be truly Church, if we the people is synched (synchronized) with the mind and heart of Jesus.”

Recalling the late Davao Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas’ motto, “Sentire Cum Ecclesia” (Thinking and Feeling with the Church), Valles added, “yes, the Church- both hierarchy and lay faithful, must engage in politics.” Pope Francis also said that it is a noble engagement.

On the issue of some church leaders endorsing a particular candidate, Valles expressed his gratitude that it is not happening here in the Archdiocese of Davao among the clergy and the religious.

He clarified that engagement or involvement in politics has several aspects that comprise the pre-election campaign to register, education of voters and the right and obligation to vote on election day.

But, he explained that with regards to other engagements such as discernment and choice of candidates, there is a specific role of ordained ministers in the hierarchy to guide the faithful to form an educated choice, and therefore remain non-partisan.

This was also tackled during the meeting of the Political Education Committee on March 1, 2022 with some of the members of the Archdiocesan Council of the Lay Apostolate and Integrated Movements (ACLAIM) with its Episcopal Vicar for the Lay Faithful, Rev. Fr. Marbendear Morallas.

With regards to the role of the lay faithful especially among church organizations, he advised, “ that lay movements, if moapil sa partisan politics, mogawas mo – ayaw pabilin sa church structure; choose to participate political education – be NON PARTISAN… it is ill advised or imprudent within the church structure, to be partisan.”

ASAC Director Fr. Dublan noted that there are already national lay organization that have issued statements endorsing a candidate.

Abp. Valles clarified, that as far as the Davao Archdiocese is concerned, he is the local shepherd and advised that endorsing a candidate should be put in a proper place,”do not demonize any candidates or better yet, help in political education but not being partisan; your choice of a candidate – keep it on your own.”

“A leader should be very prudent; don’t over do it , don’t even announce it; otherwise, will create division; be discreet,” he added.

Recently, members of the Couples for Christ, that has a chapter in almost all areas of the Philippines expressed concern about a pastoral statement issued by international and national leadership that resembled an endorsement by naming a candidate that they are supporting in their individual capacities.

In response, CFC Mindanao issued a statement dated February 24, 2022, entitled “Preserving Our Unity and Mission during Election 2022,” and declared their stand on non-partisanship.

Signed by Mindanao Mission Head, Rene C. Breva, the statement declared, “Keeping in mind that the dioceses of Mindanao maintain a non-partisan stand during these elections, we will do the same bearing in mind the preeminence of our mission of propagating the Gospel to everyone regardless of color or creed.”

Breva further said, “it is important for us not to be perceived as being partisan for us to be able to reach out to those we wish to engage. Equally important is the preservation (of) our unity as CFC at a time when we are called to heal.”

He also urged their members to vote according to their conscience and should not judge or demean people especially in their choice of candidates.

Aligned to the advice of Abp. Valles, Breva urged their members to refrain from endorsing national or local candidates using the name of CFC and clarified that the stand of their international council leaders is their personal decision, not meant to influence the decision of its members on who to vote and do not adhere to block voting.

In conclusion, Breva also urged their members to pray unceasingly for guidance and pray always for unity in the community as well as for the country.