Bishop urges youth to get involved in May polls

EPISCOPAL on Youth Chairman Bishop Joel Baylon wrote several proposals to those involved in the Youth ministry in an effort to make the electoral exercise in May “a truly transformed and transforming endeavor.”

Earlier, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has requested the collaboration of the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) for a joint effort to safeguard the upcoming May polls to be honest, orderly and clean.

Baylon cited three important suggestions for youth’s participation that can help alter the political landscape: education, formation and involvement.

He said the youth should be encouraged to get to know those running for public office, both at the local and national levels “through candidates’ fora, profiles, interviews, and other similar activities.”

Baylon said the youth should take the chance to watch/listen the “Halalan 2007 Senatorial Forum” spearheaded by PPCRV in collaboration with ABS-CBN and Radio Veritas.

“Let us patronize opportunities like this to educate ourselves about the elections and the candidates,” Baylon said in his letter.

A module called “Kabataang Bayani: Youth for H.O.P.E” (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections), which the ECY prepared last 2004 is again being used for formation program this coming elections. Baylon also cited the PPCRV module “Pinoy Voters Academy” that can be used and adapted to local situations.

Involvement in social transformation is the fruit of education and formation of the youth, according to Baylon. He stressed the need for the youth to participate in the electoral exercise, as voters and as involved citizens, in their families, schools and parishes.

“Let us accompany our youth in volunteering in election-related activities, such as those programmed by the PPCRV,” said Baylon. Stressing the importance of participating, he added: “Let us be informed and involved in election-related activities in our local churches, always moving as one Church.”

Baylon reiterated his call on everyone to remain vigilant, to watch and pray for the good of the country.

“Allow me again to call you and our young people to pray and light A Candle for HOPE—honest, orderly and peaceful elections—on 13 May 2007, the eve of the elections, in your homes, groups, and parishes,” said Baylon. “As one country and one people, we lift up to the Lord our humble and heartfelt pleas for conversion, guidance, and renewal,” he added.

Pinning his hopes on the youth’s positive response to ECY’s program for the coming elections, Baylon said he prays that today’s youth “may not only become socially aware but also actively involved citizens, all by the grace of God who strengthens and empowers us to ‘hold on to what is good and shun every form of evil’ (1 Thes. 5:21-22).”

A Candle for Hope was an activity conceptualized by ECY in 2001. This concerted action calls for simultaneously lighting a candle at six in the evening on the eve of the elections in May 2001. Since then, this activity has been done every time there are elections in the country.