'Mainstream' CFC Still Non-partisan

MANILA, April 29, 2010-Lay missionary organization Couples for Christ (CFC) clarified that it will not engaged in partisan politics.

Bro. Jose Tale, CFC President made the statement Thursday to erase any perception that one of the Catholic Church's biggest lay group is backing a presidentiable or any candidate.

"Even as we call for the active involvement of each one of us individually, CFC will remain non-partisan as an institution," Tale said.

"We respect the individual decision of our members, one which, we are confident, will be made as an informed and mature citizen," he added.

A "CFC faction" was earlier reported to have endorsed presidential hopefuls Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party and John Carlos "JC" de los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party.

But Tale said the organization, known as CFC-Foundation for Family and Life is a "breakaway" group that left the "main CFC" in 2007, and is "composed of a small minority."

On the other hand, he said, the greater majority of members, numbering close to a million, have stayed on with the "mainstream" CFC under his leadership.

"Couples for Christ wishes to clarify and reiterate that it will remain non-partisan as an institution and will not endorse any Presidential candidate.

Tale expressed regret that, "unintended as it may be, the CFC is being dragged into the current political fray."

The CFC head then called on his followers to vote according to their conscience, following the CFC's core values of being "pro-God, pro-family, pro-life and pro-poor."

Tale is also a member of the Board of Trustees of LAIKO, the umbrella organization of Catholic lay association in the country.

LAIKO earlier urged its members to support politicians "who are not quick to condemn others but will be transformational, will lead by example and will have the best chance to unify our fractious nation." (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)