February 26, 2025 

Dear Fellow CLC Members,
 

Peace and blessings!
 

The political realities of our nation, with the upcoming national elections, are a reminder to us that “our life is essentially apostolic…it extends both to the Church and the world, in order to bring the gospel of salvation to all people and to serve the individual persons and society by opening the hearts to conversion and struggling to change oppressive structures.” (CLC General Principles, 8)
 

In response to this call of the General Principle and the signs of the times, the Formation Team wishes to share with you its humble offering to help the members of our communities in  discerning the leaders who will be instrumental in charting the future of our country for the next few years. We are aware that some of us have participated already in Bawat Isa Mahalaga,  Tamang Ako and Tamang Kandidato. This is yet another timely way to deepen our formation.
 

We are offering 2 ways which will help us in discerning and becoming agents of discernment - to help us and others to decide for whom to vote in light of the Word of God and the Social Teachings of the Church.

1. Discerning the Ballot: 10 Commandments for a Well-Discerned Vote. This is a discernment module for community prayer and sharing which was developed in collaboration with John J. Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues (ICSI). Kindly click this link to download the modules in English and Filipino. Modules in Bisaya, Bicolano, and Hiligaynon will be available soon. (bit.ly/DiscernTheBallotModules)
    

2. Discerning the Ballot E-Campaign. This is meant to make a net-wide “community statement” by having a uniform Facebook page banner every week that will also help others discern the candidates they plan to vote for. You and your community are invited to join by sharing social media cards and/or posting one of the commandments from the Decalogue as your FB page banner for the next 10 weeks. The CLCP Formation Team will be launching it eleven weeks before the National Elections (February 26, 2025) as we simultaneously change our CLCP and personal FB page banners.This will be done every Monday at 6:00 pm. E-Campaign materials can be accessed through this link (bit.ly/DiscerningTheBallotCampaign).
    

Through this Discerning the Ballot Module and E-Campaign we aim to live our mission of formation for social transformation by helping form our conscience and other voters’ consciences in the light of the Word of God and God’s truth.  We draw inspiration from the mission our Lord has called us to share: 

“to proclaim the Word of God and to work for the reform of structures of society…We wish to contribute to the evangelization of cultures from within..” (GP,  8.d)
 

We recognize that as CLC members, the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that our participation goes well beyond casting a vote. We hope this helps us all to grow in faithfulness  to our mission  to lead lives of faith that does justice.
 

In Christ our King,

 

Your Formation Team