By Christina Hermoso
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) chairman, Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, recently offered a holy mass for the three Filipino fishermen who died after a bridge collapsed and fell on their fishing boats in Yilan, Taiwan
Bishop Ruperto Santos (CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In his homily, the church leader also requested for prayers for the families of the Filipino fishermen “for them to remain hopeful and continue to trust in the Lord.”
“The Lord guides us in our journey through life much like the captain of a ship. In this moment of loss and misfortune, let us not lose our sight on God, set our vision to God, turn always to Him and trust Him all the more. Be strong. As we sail on this sea of life, know that Jesus is the captain of the ship, the captain of souls,” Santos said during the mass held at the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Labor director Rustico de la Fuente, officers of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan, 14 priests, and the Filipino community in Taiwan attended the Eucharistic celebration.
On October 1, the Nanfangao Bridge in Yilan collapsed and fell directly on the fishing boats parked below the bridge killing six fishermen—three Filipinos (Andree Abregana Serencio, Romulo Illustrisimo Escalicas, and George Jagnis Impang) and three Indonesians and injuring more than 10 individuals.
“We pray for the eternal repose of their souls, appeal for God’s grace, and strength for the bereaved families. We also express our gratitude and appreciation for the valuable help and gracious assistance extended by government agencies and the MECO in Taiwan,” Santos said.