The Diocese of Balanga will hold novena masses from April 30 to May 8 to pray for the coming local and national elections.
Holy masses will also be offered daily fot the different sectors involved in the May 9 polls.
"The Diocese of Balanga will offer novena masses from April 30 to May 8 to implore our almighty God to guide us to do our duty according to His will and in observance of His commandments, for the good of those people entrusted to our care and for the sanctification and salvation of all,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos in a pastoral letter.
“We are one with our provincial Commission on Election, the Philippine National Police and the Department of Education for a safe, peaceful, clean, honest, fair and free election. We assure them of our cooperation and collaboration. We offer our prayers, our participation for COMELEC re-orientation for electoral boards and assure them of our services and assistance through our Diocesan Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting for this National Election,” said Bishop Santos who is serving as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Central Luzon PPCRV chairman.
"This National Election 2022 is our sovereign right and duty. Our National Election is about our future and for our family. It is our judgment call on our political candidates. Thus we must take it seriously and truthfully. We must go out and vote. Vote for the praise and glory of God, for the good of our country, for the welfare and well-being of all, regardless of color, creed and custom,” the Church leader said.
The prelate expressed his gratitude to those who have been working with the diocese for the success of the coming election.
“The Diocese of Balanga is very grateful for the services and sacrifices of Atty. Christine Guiao Garcia (COMELEC) and her municipal COMELEC officials, PD/Colonel Rommel Velasco (PNP) and his Chief of Police Roland Fronda and the DepEd electoral boards for this National Election. We appreciate their dedication and devotion to their calling. We commend their commitment and efficiency. We assure them of Holy Masses for their safety, strength and sound health,” he said.
"Our Diocesan PPCRV with our priest-director and vice chair Father Noel Nuguid and Father Anthony Sibug respectively and our dependable Brother Joel Danque, Diocesan lay over-all coordinator works with you and for you. Being involved in politics but non-partisan, our main trust is that all are being educated, helped and assisted to exercise their right to vote, and rightfully counted,” Bishop Santos added.
The bishop said the diocesan daily masses will be offered for the following sectors: April 30: for our voting public that they go out and vote according to their conscience, free choice and on the basis of God’s Commandments, May 1: for our provincial COMELEC officials that they may be firm, faithful and fearless in their duties; May 2: for our provincial PNP as they live up to their calling of to protect and serve; May 3: for our DepEd electoral boards that they will be safe, strong and with sound health; May 4: for our political candidates that they resort to God and to do His ways and follow His ways; May 5: for the supporters of those political candidates to practice mutual respect, common courtesy, good manner and right conduct; May 6: for those in Mass Media that they will be medium of truth, transparency and fair service; May 7: for all of us to work for peace and progress, to do utmost self-renewal and self-sacrifice for God and Country and have change of heart; and May 8: for foster and fulfill the advocacies as SAFE and CHAMP May 9 election
"With our Novena Masses we turn to God and entrust everything to Him. With our prayers we call on God and commit ourselves to Him. We make God first, and to lead us to right and legal, moral and blessed decisions on May 9,” Bishop Santos stressed.