The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will release this month guidelines that will help voters choose the right candidates in the May 2010 elections.

Fr. Melvin Castro, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) executive secretary, said the CBCP decided to come out with the guide to ensure that voters, especially the young ones, would choose the right candidates who will lead the nation.

Called “Catechism for the Catholic electorate”, he said, the guide will give emphasis on the church’s position on family and life issues, specifically on the controversial Reproductive Health bill in Congress. “We believe it is necessary for our voters to be guided by the Church through the Commission on Family and Life,” said Castro.

The “Catechism for the Catholic electorate” will be launched during the national gathering of the ECFL directors and lay coordinators on November 30 at the St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo City.

The national conference will be opened by Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes. Aside from Bishop Reyes, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams is also expected to address the delegates.

The theme of the national convention which will end on December 3 is “The Family Serving the Church and Society”. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)