SIMBAHANG
LINGKOD NG BAYAN, is an association of religious, priests, seminarians,
and lay people committed to the service of the Filipino Church and the
Filipino nation. This association was born on February 12, 1987 when
team leaders and congregation contact persons of the Namfrel "Marines"
decided to keep the group together and to form a new organization called
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.
WHAT
ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN?
a) National
Reconstruction Through Community Building : To promote the peaceful
and Christian rebuilding of the Filipino nation through the organization
of faith Justice , and nationalism among our people.
b) Values
Education : Through and with the above mentioned communities, to strengthen,
transform, or redirect existing values towards a deepening spirit of
faith , solidarity, justice and peace which have been incarnated in
"people's power"
c) Active
Non- Violence : To facilitate the promotion and articulation of the
true aspirations of the Filipino people and to guard against forces
and structures which undermine these needs and desires.
d) Social
Analysis Compatible With The Gospel : To develop and propagate a way
of social analysis more in conformity with the Gospel.
e) Information
Dissemination : To disseminate ideas and literature especially on social
justice and spiritualities of justice.
f) Cooperation
and Justice : To work with other groups who have similar goals and have
guiding principles compatible with those of SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN.
WHAT
ARE THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN?
The work
undertaken by SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN should be :
a) In solidarity
with the people, especially our poor and disadvantaged brothers and
sisters
b) In communion
with the pastor of the Church, the bishop, and in fidelity to the guidance
of the Magisterium
c) In cooperation
with the different congregations, seminaries, schools, parish organizations,
and civic groups.
WHAT
ACTIVITIES HAS SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN UNDERTAKEN?
- Participation
in the work of Namfrel during the 1986 elections, the 1987 plebiscite
as well as the 1987 Congressional Elections of Namfrel
- Production of materials and literature for nationwide information
programs
- Nationwide education campaign regarding the proposed Constitution
before the February 2, 1987 plebiscite.
- Coordination with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV)
- Nationwide education campaign for responsible voting in the May 1987
elections
- Assistance to the victims of the August 28,1987,Dec. 1989 coup attempts:
victims of the Pinatubo eruption, victims of the Dec. 1993 typhoons.
- Sponsoring of the various symposia and conferences on the national
situation, e.g., lectures by the minister of government, legislators,
military men, etc.
- Participation in non- partisan rallies for peace and democracy 1999
- Participation in different moral, political, and social advocacies
- Giving Trainors' Training on Advocacy against death penalty
- Electoral preparation / lobbying on electoral bills
- Anti-Death Penalty Advocacy
- Anti Charter Change Advocacy
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN SIMBAHANG
LINGKOD NG BAYAN?
Those interested in joining Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan must
subscribe to the objectives and general principles listed above. Since
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan is a broad multi-sectoral association , one
may join it even if he/she is a of another group as long as that group
does not hold any beliefs and does not engage in any activities contrary
above mentioned objectives and principles. Furthermore, each member
should participate in the basics seminars and workshops sponsored by
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.
DOES
SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN ESPOUSE ANY PARTICULAR IDEOLOGY?
If
by " ideology " we mean a rigid set of uncritical beliefs,
doctrines or ideas which often have a deep emotional basis and provide
psychological rationalization of dehumanizing practices and institutions,
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan does not have any ideology which it requires
its members to espouse. However, if by "ideology " we mean
a systematic and coherent worldwide and guide to action which all human
beings of sufficient intellectual maturity have, then one may say that
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan has an ideology, that is, that worldview
which is accord with the vision of the Gospel, the social teaching of
the Church. The reflection on and articulation of this ideology has
to be done in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, in
communion with the pastor of the Church, the bishops, and in solidarity
with the people, especially the poor and the oppressed for whom God
has preferential, though not exclusive, love.Please call SLB if you
need materials with regard to the social issues mentioned above. (Tel.
426-61-01 ; Fax. 426-59-68)
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