‘2 Sundays of prayer, fasting’

Members of various religious groups called yesterday for prayer and fasting on the last two Sundays before the May 14 congressional and local elections.

Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, president of the National Ecumenical Consultative Committee (NECCOM), said the people can best express their sovereign will through elections.

"Prayer takes a primary role in the electoral process," he said. "The people of God with a sharpened sense of justice and love for country can be a catalyst for transformation through prayer and healing."

Iñiguez said the electoral process is a powerful instrument for change and that it is one of the building blocks towards a just and lasting peace.

Iñiguez said NECCOM is comprised of the Catholic Church, Islamic community, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, and Philippines for Jesus Movement.

Iñiguez said violence and vote-buying on election day can be prevented through prayer and fasting on May 6 and 13 before voters go to the polls on May 14.

"Prayer and fasting could be a step for the common will and the common good, he said. "Prayer and fasting is the beginning for healing in the country." –Sandy Araneta