Clergyman is behind an initiative that proves successful among members of different religious groups. A pastoral council brought together Catholics and Muslims to ensure poll transparency.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Interfaith cooperation is crucial for voting transparency. Fr Loreto Sanchez, from the Diocese of Pasig, successfully achieved it in Monday's elections, the official website of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported.

In the village of Maharlika, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which Fr Sanchez coordinated, took on this task with the participation of Catholic, Muslim, and Christian volunteers from other denominations.

"There are several Muslims in Barangay Maharlika Village who didn't mind to be volunteers of the PPCRV because they believe in the group's cause for a clean and honest election," the Catholic clergyman said. They "joined a group associated with the Catholic Church because they wanted to be part of a non-partisan election watchdog," he explained.

In the Philippines, Christians represent 94 per cent of the population, 81 per cent of Catholic and 13 divided among smaller Churches. About 5 per cent is Muslim.

Ahead of Monday's elections, the country's Catholic bishops had called for respect for "the sanctity of the vote," saying that transparency and honesty are values ​​that transcend denominational differences.

 

• philippines
• manila
• catholic
• christians
• muslims
• elections
• interreligious
• dialogue