Pastoral LETTER
“The MAY 14, 1984 Batasan ELECTIONs”
Circular No. 19; Series of 1984
April
25, 1984
To the Auxiliary Bishops, Parish Priests, Parochial Vicars,
the Officers and Members of Parish Organizations,
and the Catholic Faithful in the Archdiocese
of Manila:
Peace and justice to you all!
I. After consulting the priests
of the archdiocese, I wish to speak to you of the deep moral issues generated
by the forthcoming Batasan Elections. I offer these
reflections in response to the socio-political situation confronting us as
a people. May this letter provide certain guidelines to your options and courses
of action.
II. Our Mission and Commitment.
The Church’s basic mission is to evangelize our society in all its aspects
(social, political, economic and spiritual). I recognize that the primary
role of priests and bishops does not lie in the political and economic fields.
This is your main realm of responsibility as lay persons. However, should
a socio-political reality touch on issues of a moral nature, whether in normal
or critical times, Church leaders have a duty and a right
to speak on the morality of the situation.
III. Poverty
and Dissent — Our National Situation. I note with concern the unemployment
and poverty to which our economic crisis has violently pushed the majority
of our people. I witness too the on-going escalation of political dissent
among the various sectors and regions of our country. The “signs of the times”
speak loud and clear.
Given these signs, “the unusual
circumstances” surrounding the May elections, I understand your dilemma: “What
moral choices do I make? Do I participate by voting or boycotting? Do I simply
disregard the electoral process or go through it because of fear and helplessness?
What is my moral stand?”
IV. Our Pastoral
Position. There are two moral guidelines I wish to offer you.
1. In view of
the varying and conflicting perceptions regarding the significance
of the Batasan Election, I believe that the CBCP’s Statement of January 8, 1984 should be upheld: “...
it is not for us to tell you concretely whom to vote for or indeed whether
or not to vote in these undoubtedly far
from normal times. That decision
is reserved to the individual conscience.”
2. Let us not
pin our hope of national recovery solely on the political exercise this coming May 14. Our
national crisis demands a continuing process
of working for the greater common good. While some regard these elections
as one step to the achievement of political stability, nonetheless, I believe
that the real task lies beyond May 14. It is our moral duty to work for the
common good of our country, even at the cost of personal security and self-interest.
Let this be the norm in all our decisions.
V. Our Stand
on the Electoral Process. I want to identify, from the viewpoint of moral
principles, certain disturbing trends attending the electoral processes.
1. I condemn
the fraud in the two-week registration, the buying and selling of
voters’ forms, and the overspending during political campaigns.
Buying the voters’ forms
violates the sanctity of the electoral process. Worse still, it degrades the
dignity of the poor by exploiting their situation of poverty. On the other
hand, selling the voters’ forms makes a mockery of the election. In the long
run, you sell your inalienable right, your power to shape your destiny.
Hence, I regard the fraud,
the buying and selling of voters’ forms, and overspending as immoral and sinful,
especially in our state of national crisis.
2. I condemn
the cases of summary apprehension and salvaging of dissenters and boycotters.
Justice must be given to the victims of this violence.
I believe in the value of human
life and our dignity as God's children. The right and freedom of speech and
peaceful assembly stem from this God given dignity.
I appeal to all concerned,
especially the military and civil authorities, to uphold this moral principle, and to ensure the proper climate of freedom, fair play, and justice.
Any decree violative of the people’s inherent rights
is unjust.
Lastly, I appeal that no form
of coercion and reprisal, especially after the elections, be made against
the people. Any kind of reprisal is immoral and sinful.
VI. Our Concern
for National Sovereignty. I wish to call your attention to the impact
and implications of Amendment 6 in the light of our national history. While
it is not within my competence to discuss this Amendment, nonetheless, I hope
that a more thorough and honest evaluation of it be made by competent legal
bodies All I wish to remind you is that, from the moral point of view, our
people, guided by faith and social responsibility, must effectively shape
their destiny and safeguard our national sovereignty.
VII. Pastoral
Action. Let us lift up our minds and hearts in special prayer to God for
our nation. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to embolden those in authority to work
for a clean and honest, or at least fair, election. Let us beg the same Holy
Spirit to surround all of us with the grace of persevering strength as we
grapple with the serious problems confronting our country:
Consequently:
1. In all
churches and chapels where the Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Easter
is celebrated on May 13th, the enclosed special Prayer of the Faithful shall
be recited in all the Masses;
2. In all parish
churches, there shall be a special prayer vigil before the Blessed Sacrament,
from the end of the last Mass on May 13th until midnight or preferably until
4:30 a.m. of May 14th (Monday);
3. In all
churches and chapels, there shall be a special Prayer of the Faithful
for fair elections and for the welfare of the whole country at every Mass
on May 14th.
May Our
Lady of Fatima intercede for us and our country.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
(Sgd.) + JAIME L. CARDINAL SIN, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
Feast of St. Mark, April 25,
1984
