Prayer by Catholic Congressmen

Calling all REAL CATHOLIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: 

As you deliberate on the RH Bill, remember that you are Catholics! Please pray before your deliberation. 

PRAYER TO BE RECITED BY CATHOLIC MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE BODIES AND BY CATHOLIC POLITICIANS (By Pope Pius XII)

Great and eternal God, Creator and Lord of all things, foremost Legislator and supreme Ruler, all power emanates from Thee and depends on Thee; and those whose duty is to legislate, determine in Thy name what is just or unjust, as a reflection of Thy divine wisdom. Therefore, we, the Catholic members of Congress and Catholic politicians, upon whom rests the burden of a grave responsibility that places us at the center of the whole nation, implore Thy aid for the fulfillment of our office that we intend to accept and exercise for the greater spiritual and material welfare of our people.


Grant us such a sense of duty as will cause us to omit no preparation or effort for the realization of this noble end. Grant us also that objectivity and sound realism which will guide us on every occasion to a clear perception of that which seems the best. Grant that we may never deviate from that sound impartiality which dictates that we labor without unjust preferences for the good of all. Grant also that we may never fail in loyalty to our people, nor in firm adherence to the principles which we openly profess, nor in the noble resolve to preserve ourselves above all corruption and base selfish ambitions.


Help us to be calm in our deliberations and to be immune from all passion except as is inspired by the honest quest after truth. May our resolutions be in conformity with Thy precepts even if the service of Thy will should demand sufferings and sacrifices. May we, even in our own little way, endeavor to imitate that rectitude and holiness according to which Thou in Thy providence dost direct and govern everything for Thy greater glory and for the true well-being of human society and of all Thy creatures.


Hear us, O Lord, in order that our minds may never be without Thy light, nor our wills without Thy strength, nor our hearts without the warmth of Thy love, for we ought to have a tender love for our people. Keep far from us every form of human ambition and every kind of lust for illicit gain. Inspire us with a real, lively, and profound sentiment of what constitutes a sound social order wherein full regard is had for law and justice. Finally, as a supreme reward, grant us someday to enjoy Thy blessed presence for all eternity, in union with all those who have been entrusted in our care. Amen. 

On the Obligation of the State to Recognize Christ the King

"Nations will be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ. It will call to their minds the thought of the Last Judgment, wherein Christ, who has been cast out of public life, despised, neglected, and ignored, will most severely avenge these insults; for His Kingly dignity demands that the State should take account of the Commandments of God and of Christian principles, both in making laws and in administering justice, and also in providing for the young a sound moral education."

Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas (December 11, 1925), 32.

On the Philippine Elections 2010

The Last Judgment

Michelangelo

I will digress from the usual theme of this blog in the light of tomorrow's national and local elections. We should learn from the electoral process for a pope. During the conclave (the election of a pope) the cardinals are confined within the Sistine Chapel and are not released from there until a pope is elected. This gives them the opportunity to be secluded so as to be able to pray and discern well. (Well, the historical origin of this practice is not as pious as it seems to be.) I think that this tells us so much about what we should be doing in discerning whom to vote for. We should not allow ourselves to be influenced by surveys. I do not even understand why the media are allowed to publish survey results as doing so will tend to create a trend which will impair the voters' freedom to choose responsibly. People called for jury duty are confined to the court and hotel where they are accomodated. They are not allowed access to newspapers, television, radio, or any sort of communication with the world outside. This is to prevent their decision from being influenced by public opinion. Their decision must be based on a careful consideration of facts and evidences and nothing more. I do not understand why surveys are published. They impair the careful consideration of issues.

During election time, each cardinal is given a ballot to write in. Then, one by one, they stand in front of the altar - before the majestic mural of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. Before this grand mural, they raise their ballots and make a personal declaration that they have voted according to conscience. Then they drop their ballot into a chalice on the altar. This ritual reminds every cardinal that he will be accountable to the Lord for his vote at the last judgment.

Now that the campaign has ended, it is time to pray and discern. In the spirit of prayer, we should make a list of the candidates to vote for. Before going to the voting precincts, pass by a church, stand before the altar, raise to the Lord your list and make a declaration to Him that you are voting according to your conscience.

Vote as a Catholic. People say that there is no Catholic vote. That's a mistake. Just as there is a Quiboloy vote, and an Iglesia vote, there is also a Catholic vote. The Catholic vote is the vote of conscience. While other churches will impose upon their members the choice for election, the bishops of the Catholic Church will simply tell you to vote according to your conscience. Vote on the basis of both moral uprightness and capability. Do not vote for anyone who has openly opposed the teachings of the Church. Do not vote for those who have openly defied the moral teachings on reproductive rights, abortion, divorce, same sex marriage, euthanasia, etc. (Remember to strike out your list the Quezon City councilors who signed the reproductive rights ordinance of the city. Only one did not sign and she is now a candidate for vice mayor of Quezon City.) While other religious leaders treat their subordinates like children who do not have a mind of their own, the bishops of the Catholic Church treat their flock as adults. Vote responsibly as adult Christians! Remember that on the day of your death and at the last judgment, you shall make an account of your vote before the Lord! Vote intelligently and responsibly!