Circular Letter 15 (Series 2007) to be read from the pulpit on the occasion of all the Eucharistic Celebration in all churches and chapels on 5 PM, Saturday and 5, Sunday May 2007.

 

"Love one another." (Johon 13,34)

 

My dear brothers and sisters, my dear young people:

 

After the love of God, the love of neighbor is the greatest commandment Christ gave us. Christ knows too well that until we come to love one another, we ourselves would live in suffering and pain, in antagonism if not anger and hatred towards each other. With love, we become united as one people, we are inspired as one blessed community.

 

Putting the commandment of love of neighbor in the context of these days when we are facing the many challenges that come with the forthcoming May elections, it is but right and proper to seriously take into account the social dimension of the one vote we individually cast on election day.

 

The truth is that the one vote of one person does not only affect his or her own future -- but also the future of his family and others as well. In other words, one vote cast in favor of a corrupt, dishonest and incapable political candidate is a vote that brings about the evil of other people. On the contrary, a vote cast in favor of an upright and competent candidate favors all others.

 

Herein lies the big social benefit or the big social evil of every single vote -- depending of whether the vote is cast for the right or wrong candidate. This brings to mind the following simple lessons relevant to the forthcoming elections:

First: It is against the commandment of love of neighbor if anyone of us would dare vote for an unworthy candidate.

Second: It is against the commandment of love of neighbor if anyone of us would dare sell our vote to any candidate.

Third: It is against the commandment of love of neighbor if anyone of us would not even vote at all when we can and should do so.

Come 14 May, let us show in a particular way, our love for one another by voting, by treasuring our vote, by voting for the candidates adorend with the qualities of integrity and capacity.

 

God bless us all!

 

 

(Sgd) +OSCAR V. CRUZ, DD

Archbishop

5 May 2007