Emphasizing the need for faith-filled citizenship and a well-formed conscience in public life, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu launched the “I Choose God Movement” earlier today at the Pope John XXIII Seminary.

The movement is a non-partisan, long-term initiative of the Archdiocese of Cebu that strengthens voter education and conscience formation. It promotes principled politics by encouraging people to choose God in their personal, family, professional, social, and civic lives—not only during elections, but every day.

In his pastoral address, Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” S. Uy called on the faithful to live their Christian faith in public by becoming responsible citizens who work for the common good. As the Archdiocese continues its nine-year journey toward becoming “a Church fully alive,” he said faith should guide not only personal spiritual life but also civic responsibility and public service.

“Our Christian faith must be witnessed in public. It must be seen in the way we live, in how we relate to others, and in how we work, serve, and love. Faith must move from the altar to the streets, from our chapels to our communities,” said Archbishop Abet.

The good Archbishop described politics as a vocation of service that can become an expression of Christian charity when it seeks justice and the common good. While affirming that the Church does not take the place of the State, he said the Church has the duty to form consciences and promote justice through moral and spiritual guidance.

He ended his address by inviting all Catholics to make God the foundation of every moral and civic decision, especially during elections. He emphasized that the Church’s mission is ultimately to build God’s Kingdom by choosing truth, integrity, service, and the common good every day.

“When we enter the voting booth, let us choose with a well-formed conscience. And every day—in our homes, our workplaces, our communities, and our nation—Let us choose God,” he urged the faithful.

The movement is a collaborative effort of the Cebu-Citizens Involvement and Maturation for Peoples Empowerment and Liberation (C-CIMPEL), Cebu Caritas, Commission on Basic Ecclesial Communities, Commission on Youth, Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry, and Dilaab Foundation Inc.

Read Archbishop Abet’s Pastoral Address on I Choose God here.

Know more about the I Choose God Movement through this post.