Bishop Baylon Asks for Youth Participation in May Polls as Easter Offering

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, April 4, 2010-Young Filipinos, whether eligible to vote on May 10 or not, should make an active participation in the upcoming election as a concrete way of responding to the message of Christ's Resurrection, according to Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon.

In his Easter Message especially addressed to the Catholic youth, Baylon said Pope Benedict's Easter Message, when read in the Philippine context, is actually asking the youth to involve themselves in all events that shape the country and mold its direction.

"The coming national election, for one, asks for your all-out and active participation. Whether you will cast your ballots or not, you must generously give your time, talents and communal efforts to safeguard the electoral process," said Baylon, who is concurrently the chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

The prelate said young Filipinos can do simple yet significant things to help make the May 10 election a peaceful, orderly and successful one.

"With dedication, do you share in making possible that the precinct count optical scans work as expected, that voters get to their respective polling places, that the votes are correctly counted, and all these happen in an atmosphere of peace and civility-so that there will be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power on the 30th of June," he said, apparently echoing the call for youth volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Baylon added that the youth's claim as the inheritors of the country's tomorrow is both a right and a responsibility; hence they should be active players in the events that will mark the future.

"We can never overemphasize the truth that the young are the inheritors of tomorrow. And precisely because you are, my dear young people, you have the right and the responsibility to be active sharers in the events that will guarantee a bright and hopeful tomorrow-not only for the country which you will lead and carry someday, but also for the Church and other institutions that will compose part of your future," he added.

Baylon also echoed out the famous message of the late Pope John Paul II to the youth "Be not afraid," as he encouraged the young Filipino Catholics to remain optimistic about how the future will unfold and how they can help improve it.

"It is my fervent prayer that you, my dear young people, will respond generously and joyfully to this call. Take courage! 'Do not let yourself be discouraged and do not give up your dreams!' 'Do not be afraid...' the Pope went on to say in his WYD message for '(God) knows how to give profound joy to him who responds with courage...'" he added. (CBCPNews)