Jaro Archdiocese issues module on the present political crisis

The Archdiocese of Jaro has published a “Discernment Module on the Present Political Crisis in the Country”, based on the CBCP Pastoral Letter, dated July 10, 2005.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said that the module is their response to the challenge posed by the bishops, to guide the faithful to discover long-term solutions to the present political crisis the country is facing.

Tasked with the job of guiding the discernment process in Small Christian Communities is the Jaro Archdiocesan Pastoral Secretariat (JAPS), headed by Fr. Robert Amalay.

The Module is divided into major sessions, the first of which deals with the Crisis in the Country/Pastoral Situation and the second, on Restoring Moral Values.

The Module begins with an analysis of the situation the participants find themselves in, as to the context of their perception, experience and exposures for them to get a feel of the reality of the present crisis in their personal and social life.  This awareness of the reality should make them feel the urgency to look into the root cause of the crisis, which is erosion of moral values.

Fr. Robert Amalay said that given this present crisis in the country, the faithful should find guidance from their bishops, who must exercise their role as shepherds to their particular flock.  He added that the faithful should also participate seriously in the process, come together to pray, reason, decide and act, to be able to come up with a collective sentiment.

The Module proceeds to the second session wherein the participants are expected to have prayerfully discerned the will of God for the country, attain some personal and collective commitments to transformation, and have some behavioral resolutions.

This session points to some moral principles for discernment, namely Accountability, stating the need to account for the damage done and the need for restitution; Effective Governance, which cites the need for competence with personal integrity; Constitutionality, which makes constitution as source of law and order, to pursue common good, to regulate our acts and avoid confusion; Non-violence, which rejects the use of force and violence as well as responsible use of force.

In applying these principles, the Module presents appeals for certain groups to heed: for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to account for her social reform agenda, to discern deeply to what extent she might have contributed to the erosion of effective governance and discern in her heart what necessary decision to make.  For the Left and Right Groups, for them to realize that there are no quick fixes for selfish political agenda, not to grab power by unconstitutional means and not work for formation of any junta or revolutionary councils. 

For other groups, including former President Corazon Aquino, the Hyatt 10, La Salle, Bishops' Businessmen Conference, NGOs and Pos, not to make appeals for violent resolution of the crisis.

The JAPS has been conducting orientations on the utilization of the Module, with different organizations and groups, to ensure wider reach of discussions and discernment process in the Archdiocese. (PIA 6)