Mati District Conducts First Solidarity Dinner With Matias City Government Officials

In compliance with strict health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mati District (diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints successfully hosted its first ever “Solidarity Dinner and Open House” with the local government officials of the City of Matias as its guests.

The activity’s theme, “Unity in Diversity” emphasized that the Church is one in purpose with local leaders in providing humanitarian services without regard for political affiliations. The event was graced by the presence of Vice-Mayor Glenda Rabat Gayta, Executive Secretary Alan Andrada, Hon. Daniel Macaubos, Punong Barangay of Barngay Central, Hon. Edgar T. Valera, Punong Barangay of Barangay Sainz, Councilor Rogelio Pabio, Miss Portia So of Persons with Disability (PWD) Office, Mr. Charlemagne Bagasol, City Risk Reduction Management Officer, and Mr. Leonardo Caldelero Jr., a media practitioner.

Upon the arrival of the guests, they were given a brief tour around the Church, watched a short video on the history of the Church, and introduced the different humanitarian services of the Church. These include vision care, educational aids, food production, acess to potable water, bloodletting programs, emergency responses, humanitarian aid, immunization, and storehouses for the needy and victims of calamity within local communities.

Moreover, the Director of the Butuan Communication Coordinating Council, Pres. Arturo J. Codera Jr. introduced the Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) and its goals to the attending guests. He spoke particularly on the partnership for mobility devices. He expressed how the Church desires to coordinate with Local Government Units (LGU) to set up a partnership with a community organization to provide sustainable service in distributing walking canes, crutches, and wheelchairs for differently-abled brothers and sisters.

Vice-Mayor Glenda Rabat Gayta expressed a message at the dinner as follows:

I have been introduced earlier on what you have been doing all these years. You were silently doing it on your own... You were doing your part, lessening our burdens. We have the same mission but some people are willing to walk a step further. That’s exactly what you are doing. That’s exactly what the world needs… I have been a government official for many years but I didn’t know you’re here all along, doing your part, helping people and that is a blessing to us in the government… We thank your community for opening your doors and telling us about this. Count me in. I’m all in.

The Church maintains political neutrality in matters of party politics, but nevertheless works eagerly with local governments to achieve its purpose and promote common good. The twelfth Article of Faith of the Church states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." The concluded solidarity dinner is a reminder that differences in culture, race, and religion can be bridged by service to the end of blessing the lives of others.

Political Neutrality

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

The Church does not:

• Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
• Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes.
• Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

The Church does:

• Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.
• Expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.
• Request candidates for office not to imply that their candidacy or platforms are endorsed by the Church.
• Reserve the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church.