By Leslie Ann Aquino
The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan on Friday released a special prayer for the bishops accused of sedition.
Bishop Ruperto Santos
(CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In the special prayer, the diocese, led by Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, prayed to God for the truth to come out.
The prayer was:
"O Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are intimately involved in our life and nothing is hidden from you.
Today, we come to You as we stand for the truth and united in faith.
You have promised that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
We pray for your divine intervention for we know your will is to bring forth both justice and mercy.
Loving God, you see what’s going on in the life of some of our priests and Bishops.
Bring to light every lie and evil plot that the enemy has planned for them.
May righteousness and justice prevail into their situation.
Vindicate the priests and our Bishops who have been falsely accused of sedition, obstruction of justice, and other criminal complaints.
We pray that nothing in any form shall harm them or their loved ones.
We also pray for impartiality to those involved in the probe so they may render conclusions based on facts.
We ask in the name of Jesus that the enemy flee from our priests and Bishops and may this season of trials results in bearing more fruits.
Enlighten the minds of the people attacking the clergy and the Catholic’s core of faith as a whole.
We call upon you Lord to open their eyes and capture their hearts.
Merciful God, we are confident that you will answer our prayers. We thank You and give You all the glory for everything you are and everything you are going to do, In Jesus’ most precious name, Amen.
Last July, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Detection Group filed a complaint against a number of personalities including church leaders accusing them of cyber libel and sedition. Bishops included in the complaint are Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr.
The complaint was in connection with the series of online "Bikoy" videos alleging that President Duterte and his family members were involved in the illegal drug trade.