Volunteerism as Response to Eucharistic Faith

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (mission) of the faithful, so that they fulfill God’s will in their daily lives.” (CCC 1332). This mission means that we carry the Gospel message to our families, neighbors and world so that we, too, have an important role in the task on evangelization by faithful witness of our lives. “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.”

One sphere of social life to which Catholics are missioned to evangelize and give witness to is political arena. In 1997, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) laments “Politics is—or ought to be—the art of government and public service. But sadly, in the Philippines, it has degenerated into an arena where the interests of the powerful and rich few are pitted against those of the weak and poor many. It interferes with the administration of justice and the equal application of the law, heavily weighted as it most patently is on the side of the politically connected.” (Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics, 1997). Philippine politics has always been mired and tainted with violence, cheating, and distortion of even our cherished values such as utang na loob and pakikisama, among others. There is then, the need to evangelize politics and in particular the call to engage and to be involved in a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful election (CHAMP). Evangelization, in this sense, is for us to be CHAMP-ions of the 2016 National and Local Elections on May 9, 2016.

As there are many participating in an election contest, i.e. running for elective position, partisan campaigning for candidates, political education, etc., there is also non-partisan engagement to which groups like Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) are promoting. Both these groups and other non-partisan movements seek to uphold the integrity of the election process and to promote voters’ participation through voters’ education and election watching activities such as voters’ assistance, poll watching and campaign monitoring. Unlike partisan groups which are generally paid for by their political candidates, these non-partisan organizations depend on volunteers who freely make themselves available, invest their time and, sometimes, material and financial resources in a cause that foster solidarity, service and sympathy in the interest of the common good.

Pope Francis, in his address to the young people of Christian Life Communities, said Catholics must get involved in politics even if it may be “dirty”, “frustrating” and “fraught with failure” because, according to him, it is the “highest form of charity.” (http://ncronline.org/node/101351)

As we celebrate the Extraordinary Year of Mercy, let our participation in the upcoming election be more than just a civic duty but as a call to show mercy (compassionate service) to our brothers and sisters who still believe and hope for a better country through good and deserving leaders. Let us help them as Christians who are sent to bright, inspiration and service. (Fr. Kim Lachica, SJ)