CBCP to issue guidelines for Catholic voters Monday

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will release its guidelines for Catholic voters on how to choose their candidates in the 2010 elections. CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro said the guidelines, which will stress family and life issues, will be launched November 30. “We believe it is necessary for our voters to be guided by the Church through the Commission on Family and Life," Castro said in an article posted on the CBCP news site. He admitted the guidelines will deal with the controversial Reproductive Health bill in Congress, which the Catholic Church had tried to block. Despite the perceived unpopularity of its stance against passage of the bill, the CBCP still continues its fight. [See: CBCP’s fight vs RH bill continues despite SWS survey] Castro said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that the voters, especially the young ones, would choose the right candidates who will lead the nation. The guidelines will be formally launched at a national gathering of the ECFL’s directors and lay coordinators on Nov. 30 at the St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo City. Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes is set to lead the opening liturgy at this year’s national conference, with the theme “The Family Serving the Church and Society." ECFL chairman and San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said he expects most ecclesial provinces will be represented in their national convention. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams is expected to address the delegates. - GMANews.TV