Bishop urges lay leaders eyeing BSKE 2023 run to file leave of absence

FILE PHOTO: Sample ballots for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are printed at the National Printing Office, Diliman, Quezon City, September 29, 2022. Philippine Daily Inquirer / Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Officers and members of Catholic church organizations who intend to run in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) should file a leave of absence.

This was the call of Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, who issued a circular on August 10, stressing that while the church “strongly encourages” lay participation in politics it is also aware of a “potential confusion” in the exercise of church and public office functions.

The prelate’s circular was cited in a statement released by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday.

“All incumbent officers and members of different church organizations who wish to be elected as public officials should file a leave of absence addressed to their respective parish priests. In failure to do so, they will be automatically resigned from their posts effective upon filing a certificate of candidacy,” Villarojo said.

READ: Comelec shares some guidelines in BSKE 2023 filing of COC

He noted, however, that they can resume their church duties if they lose in the polls – although subject to the approval of their respective parish priests.

He also discouraged the use of any church facilities and the wearing of church organization shirts when campaigning.

“[W]e wish to guard our faithful against possible accusations of using the church for partisan exercise,” Villarojo pointed out.

“We hope that our brothers and sisters who seek to be elected as public officials will bring with them the values of Christ in this wonderful venture, prioritizing the common good, justice, peace, with a love of preference for the poor and in the spirit of Christian service,” he likewise said.

The BSKE will be held on October 30. The Commission on Elections said a total of 91,094,089 registered voters are expected to participate in BSKE 2023.

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