THE BISHOP OF THE MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF THE PHILIPPINES AFP Ecumenical Building, Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon

City Telefax no. 911-56-66 or 9116001 Loc 6698

CIRCULAR LETTER No. 13 023

TO: FROM: RE: ALL AFP/PNP/PCG/BJMP/BFP/VMMC/CIVILIAN CHAPLAINS BISHOP LEOPOLDO S TUMULAK, DD Military Bishop Pastoral Letter for the May 2013 Elections

1. Attached herewith is my pastoral letter for the May 13, 2013 Elections. This is one way to help our parishioners/churchgoers discern in exercising their right of suffrage. 2. May I request you my dear MOP Chaplains to read it in all your Masses on Sunday, May 5, 2013. 3. Thank very much for your support.

Given this 2nd day of May 2013, at the Office of the Military Bishop, AFP Ecumenical Building, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines.

MOST REVEREND LEOPOLDO S. TUMULAK, DD Bishop, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines

THE BISHOP OF THE MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF THE PHILIPPINES AFP Ecumenical Building, Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City Telefax no. 911-56-66 or 9116001 Loc 6698

PASTORAL LETTER FOR THE MAY 2013 ELECTIONS MY DEAR PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE MOP (AFP-PNP-PCG-BJMP-BFP-VMMC): Once again, we are facing a the 2013 local and national Pastoral Letter to help you your Right of Suffrage in a 1. critical moment in our nations history: ELECTIONS. I am writing to you this discern and to encourage you to exercise spiritual perspective.

God Chooses Good Leaders For His People To Sanctify The World

MOSES is the first true LEADER and HERO we encounter in the Bible. He manifests all the traits of a traditional hero. He overcomes timidity and inner strife. He challenges Pharaoh, leading Israel to great feats. And he wields his own weapon, the miraculous staff. These elements give Moses traditional heroic status, but Moses also presents us with a new type of hero: the leader who is God-fearing, who brings the Israelites to God, and brings Gods blessings to the people. He is Gods presence to the people. Most importantly, Mosess dialogue with God enables the author to portray God in softer, human termsas someone who listens, grieves, and is actually capable of changing his mind. ELECTIONS are our opportunity to choose our new Moses. 2. An Honest Vote Sanctifies The World

An honest vote sanctifies the world. God speaks to us through leaders who are elected by honest votes. As a result, these dulyelected leaders become the physical presence of God in the world, bringing Filipinos closer to God and bringing God to the people. Like Moses in the Old Testament, God-chosen leaders help us attain our needs, desires and longings: for peace where we are free to move without fear, for development where we work assured of fruits of our labor, for justice where the rights and faith of every individual, whoever he or she may be, is respected, for education where the poor and the least are provided for with easy opportunities, for governance where resources, human and material, are managed for the common good that is sustained. 3. A Dishonest Vote De-Sanctifies The World

A DISHONEST vote is one which is not free, one which is not a personal choice, one which is forced upon by others, in exchange for some material reward. As a result, leaders who are elected through dishonest votes de-sanctify the world; they bring neglect to the people of God and they bring success only to their own lives. A dishonest vote brings chaos, not peace; it brings poverty, not development; it makes people less human.

THE BISHOP OF THE MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF THE PHILIPPINES AFP Ecumenical Building, Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City Telefax no. 911-56-66 or 9116001 Loc 6698

4.

Steps To Sanctify Your Vote:

May I suggest the following: (a). That you pray for your vote. A vote well-prayed for is a vote from God. You cannot be mistaken if you pray for your vote. There is no chance you can use it against God, and against what you sincerely believe in as right and true, as taught by the Church. (b) That you take time to know the candidates. Read the newspapers, listen to debates, and even to mudslinging, short of judging, which also tell us about personal character. (c) That you choose not out of fear nor guilt nor shame nor obligation but out of freedom, meaning, it's your choice and not theirs. No one can make you feel afraid, guilty, ashamed of or obligated unless you want to. Choice is internal; no one can take it away from us unless we allow him to. You possess a strong character. (d) That you consciously and intentionally choose names whose election you believe can help our country move on, meaning, your choice is without any selfish consideration. Conclusion: Hence, it is important that your vote is an exercise of choice, free and personal. Free because no one dictates you: personal because a candidate is your own choice, or it is he you want. In other words, ELECTIONS are an opportunity to be yourself, to be on your own, to enjoy the God-given gift of freedom. You are being true to yourself, free, not allowing anyone to coerce you. If you do it, you'll be truly happy. Why? Your conscience will not judge you. This coming election is a special one; not only political parties are endorsing candidates but private organizations and even some religious organizations, too. Happily, endorsements become rich sources of information about some candidates. Though sometimes we may feel uncomfortable with endorsements, nevertheless, they help us learn about the candidates. May God keep us strong in our resolve.

Your Shepherd in the MOP,

MOST REV. LEOPOLDO S. TUMULAK, D.D. Bishop, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines