Manila (AsiaNews) - As election time nears in the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops' Conference has called on the faithful to pray an "Oratio Imperata for the National Elections 2004". Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, the Conference's president, has asked all bishops to recite the prayer beginning Ash Wednesday, and at all the following Sunday masses through election day May 10th, with daily recitation of the prayer during the week of elections.
An "oratio imperata" is an ancient tradition of the Church, where the bishop assembles the people of his community to unite in prayer for a special intention, explained Father Genaro Diwa, director of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Manila. Last year, Cardinal Jaime Sin asked the faithful of Manila to pray an "Oratio imperata" against the SARS epidemic.
The prayer was prepared by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, asking God to enlighten the Filipino electorate through the Holy Spirit to be "inspired by love of country and genuine concern for its future." It is written also to encourage the citizens to regard the national elections as a timely opportunity to transform society by electing wise, capable and upright leaders who will lead the country to moral renewal and to lasting stability, prosperity and peace.
In both English and the national language, Filipino, the prayer will invoke protection for the people from all forms of violence, coercion, coup attempts and anarchy so that the constitutional processes and rule of law will be upheld.
Six candidates are running for the presidency, the highest government office: the incumbent president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Senator Raul Rocco, Senator and General Panfilo Lacson, charismatic leader Eddie Villanueva, actor Fernando Poe Jr., and a little-known man Eddie Gil, who claims to pay the country's foreign debt if elected.
Leading the polls a week into his campaign is actor Fernando Poe Jr., a secondary school drop-out who is nonetheless popular for his "Django" roles in Philippine films, and has the support of many in the Filipino acting industry. The Supreme Court has yet to declare his citizenship since he was born out of wedlock to an American mother, which under the old Philippine law makes him an American citizen. Filipino citizenship is a requirement to run for a government seat.
February 25th, Ash Wednesday, begins the Oratio Imperata for the election and coincides with the country's celebration of the first Rosary Revolution of 1986, which ousted then-President Ferdinand Marcos and ushered in the return of democracy to the Filipino people. (S.E.)