Pastoral Letter
“a call to conscience”
Circular No. 06; Series of 1986
January 19, 1986
To my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Peace! We, the archbishop,
auxiliary bishops and the presbyteral council of
the Archdiocese of Manila, wish to address to you this second pastoral letter
on the February 7 elections. Our reason: We are convinced of the decisive
importance of this election and of the urgent necessity that it express truly
the people’s will. But we already see many signs that show a very sinister
plot by some people and groups to frustrate the honest and orderly expressions
of the people’s genuine will. Already money has flowed freely into the hands
of teachers, barangay officials and the common people
to induce them to support particular candidate in a manner unworthy of free
persons. Already we have seen, heard and read lies and black propaganda used
by some quarters against opponents who are on the other hand deprived of adequate
access to media, and are thus unjustly left defenseless. Already we hear of
undue pressure exerted on hapless government employees to make them work (against
the law!) for certain candidates.
We strongly deplore and condemn
such evil tactics and see them as a prelude to worse things to come. HENCE,
THIS CALL TO ALL TO DESIST FROM EVIL, AND TO RESIST EVIL.
The great suffering of our
people, unjustly inflicted upon us by oppressive persons and forces inside
and outside our country, have been allowed by the Lord in order to awaken
us from sinfulness and to call us once more to himself. “Cease to do evil.
Learn to do good, search for justice” (Is 1:16-17). “Then if my people who
bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from
their wicked ways, I myself will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and
restore their land” (2 Chr 7:14).
LET US, THUS, ALL TOGETHER
MAKE OF THIS ELECTION NOT ONE MORE NATIONAL SCANDAL AND OFFENSE TO GOD BUT
A NEW BEGINNING, A GIANT STEP IN OUR CONVERSION TO THE LORD AND CHANGE IN
OUR SOCIETY. OTHERWISE WE COURT NATIONAL DISASTER.
Hence, we ask ALL VOTERS:
1) Vote into office the persons
you deem most worthy. Ask who it is God wants you to choose for the good of
our country. Vote for persons who embody the Gospel value of humility, truth,
honesty, respect for human rights and life. Vote for persons who physically,
intellectually and morally show themselves capable of inspiring the whole
nation towards a continuing and concerted struggle for a hopeful future.
2) Do not allow yourselves
to be corrupted by money or other immoral considerations into voting for a
candidate. MONEY OFFERED TO YOU IN NO WAY OBLIGES YOU TO VOTE FOR A PARTICULAR
CANDIDATE. ALWAYS VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR CONSCIENCE.
3) Singly and together with
others, RESIST UNDUE PRESSURES AND DISHONESTY.
4) Exercise vigilance with
others to make sure your votes are counted and tallied honestly. Join poll
vigilance organized in your parishes.
To the PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHERS AND PERSONNEL:
1) We trust in your integrity.
In the eyes of the young you are upholders of truth and honesty. Please do
not destroy or let others destroy your name and profession.
2)
Many of you have laudably resisted bribes and pressures in the past. We trust
you will do the same in this election.
To
OTHER POLL OFFICIALS, THE COMELEC AND THE POLICE:
Please respect and safeguard
the people’s true will expressed through the ballot. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS
SIN BEFORE GOD AND MEN TO MAKE YOURSELVES INSTRUMENTS OF CHEATING, VIOLENCE
AND INTIMIDATION.
To
THE MILITARY:
We strongly urge you calling
upon the spirit of the Gospel to defend the life, dignity and rights of our
citizenry since your God-commissioned task is to pledge allegiance to the
FLAG and not to particular individuals or political groups.
To
THE PARTY IN POWER:
Your hold awesome powers in
your hands. Please use this for the good of the people. IF A CANDIDATE
WINS BY CHEATING, HE CAN ONLY BE FORGIVEN BY GOD IF HE RENOUNCES THE OFFICE
HE HAS OBTAINED BY FRAUD. THERE WILL BE NO DIVINE FORGIVENESS FOR THIS ACT
OF INJUSTICE WITHOUT A PREVIOUS DECISION TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE.
To
THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES IN THE OPPOSITION:
What is at stake is not merely
a change of person, parties or systems but the very future of our people.
While praising your determination and courage to offer an alternative to our
people, we challenge you to exert further organized effort to ensure that
the whole electoral process is kept honest. Our people need to hear further
from you why you present a viable moral alternative to the present regime.
To
THE PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA:
It is your noble duty to inform
our people of the issues and persons involved in this election. Please exercise
fairness, truthfulness and justice in your coverage of events, especially
if your funds come from taxes. The people have a right to know the truth,
the WHOLE truth.
To
THE YOUNG:
It is your future more than
anyone else’s which is at stake in these elections. Inform yourselves well
and work so that we may elect leaders you can be proud of and can emulate.
Put your energy and idealism at the service of truth in these elections.
To
THE POOR AND OPPRESSED:
Those who have victimized you
in the past will want to continue victimizing you. They will continue to use
money, persuasion and intimidation for their selfish ends. Please resist them
and do not cooperate in your own oppression.
To
ALL FILIPINOS, we say:
NASA TAO ANG GAWA, NASA DIYOS ANG AWA. Hence:
1) Join groups who will keep
vigil at the polls. We express our strong support for NAMFREL in a
special way.
2) Pray and fast, and JOIN
THE PRAYER VIGILS, AND THE “SIMBANG GABI” NOVENA OF MASSES FOR CLEAN AND PEACEFUL
ELECTIONS IN YOUR RESPECTIVE PARISHES at 8:00 p.m., JANUARY 29 — FEBRUARY
6.
3) Organize with your parish
priest and co-parishioners such other activities as will contribute to free
and honest elections.
4) Do not cheat or be a party
in a any way to election violence and cheating. IT IS VERY SERIOUS SIN
TO VIOLATE THE DIGNITY OF YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING BY ELECTION BRIBERY, CHEATING
OR VIOLENCE.
While we urge you to all these,
we commit ourselves to walk with you along the same difficult and courageous
path of conversion. We also give you the assurance that the God who “has put
down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly” (Lk 1:52) is with those who pray, work, and suffer for justice
and truth.
Your servant in the Lord,
(SGD.) + Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
