Friday, April 16, 2010

Church-based group to hold inter-faith rally for peaceful polls

FEARING the worst scenario that might happen in the upcoming May polls, a church-based group called Circles of Discernment has urged the people to remain vigilant and work together for a credible election.

The group, composed of clergy, religious and lay, will hold an inter-faith rally of prayer and action for peaceful and credible election on April 22, at Plaza Roma in Intramuros, Manila.

“We call on everyone. Let us come together in united, common purpose. Together let us work for credible elections,” the group said.

The group has expressed apprehension on the uncertainty of a peaceful and honest conduct of elections in May because of the many glitches in the electoral system that have remained unaddressed.

“There are fears that it might not push through at all or that there will be a failure of elections as a result of either a breakdown in the first-ever nationwide automated electoral system (AES) or of heightened election violence and massive fraud,” the group stated.

But with people putting their hopes on the political exercise to bring “true meaningful change not only in government but also in their lives”, the group called on electorates to work together to ensure that a peaceful and honest election will be held.

The Circles of Discernment group is led by Msgr. Manuel Gabriel and Fr. Jose Dizon, convenors-Clergy Discernment Group; sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS and Fr. Wilfredo Dulay, MJ, convenors-Religious Discernment Group; and Ms Fe Maria Arriola, convenor-lay Discernment Group.

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