CBCP issues pastoral statement after BARMM elections

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral statement following the September 14, 2026, parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The bishops described the elections as a milestone in the region's pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and self-governance.

The CBCP congratulated those who participated peacefully in the democratic process and offered prayers for newly elected officials. The statement urged leaders to govern for the common good of all communities, including Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous Peoples, rather than for personal or partisan interests.

The bishops linked their message to a recent interreligious dialogue program held in Cairo from August 29 to September 7, 2026. A delegation of five bishops and five priests attended the program, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Endowments of Egypt. The CBCP noted that the delegation returned with a conviction that peace requires justice, charity, mutual respect, and the ability to walk together.