A network of theology seminarians encouraged its members to engage youth voters in the upcoming local and national polls.
With only a year before the elections, the Seminarian’s Network of the Philippines (SemNet) said it’s crucial to help educate young people on important issues facing the country.
“We urge everyone to engage their circles of influence, especially our youth, in conversations that will help form their conscience in choosing leaders who live out their values,” SemNet said.
“We enjoin each one to help build communities of solidarity and form leaders who will enable their flourishing,” it said.
The group made the call in a statement released on May 13, as they launched a “Year of Prayer for Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful Elections.”
The seminarians said the May 2022 polls offer an opportunity to “rebuild our nation based on high principles.”
“We need to go beyond short-sightedness, petty provincialism, and mere superficiality in order to make better choices with far-reaching responsibilities and impact,” they said.
They also emphasized the need to establish a network of empowered communities that needs “to be sustained” by national leaders with structures “to improve their situation for a long-term common good.”
“This is a mission which our Church shares, and we can make significant contributions,” the seminarians added.
SemNet also called on seminarians and the youth to register and vote in the coming elections and encouraged seminaries to work with stakeholders to ensure a credible and orderly elections.
