By Leslie Ann Aquino
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has asked the faithful who attended the "Simbang Gabi" (dawn mass) at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros to remember the people in Mindanao affected by Sunday's strong earthquake.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"Let us remember our brothers and sisters in Mindanao who again experienced an earthquake stronger than the previous one," he told those who attended the first day of the Simbang Gabi at the cathedral, Monday, Dec. 16.
His Eminence said he already sent messages to the bishops in Cotabato, Davao, Davao del Sur especially Digos which is the most affected.
Tagle was informed by the bishops there that a priest was hurt in the incident as he was visiting a far flung area when the earthquake happened.
He also recalled the bishop telling him: “Chito, its already Simbang Gabi tomorrow and the people will again showcase their faith despite the earthquake."
"That is the essence of 'Simbang Gabi', faith," said Tagle.
"We have faith and we believe that somebody will come, Jesus our savior," he added.
Cardinal Tagle asked everyone to be in solidarity with the people in Mindanao.
"Let us be united with them who at this moment are probably having their 'Simbang Gabi' not in a beautiful church like this cathedral, yet continue to profess their faith," he said.
On Sunday, Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable also appealed for prayers from the faithful.
"I call on Filipinos let us all pray the Holy Rosary especially today because this is the best thing to do in times of danger," he told church-run Radyo Veritas.
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, for his part, asked those in Mindanao to remain calm.
"Let us pray for calmness, not to panic," he said.
"Let us try our very best to follow the known 'what to do' steps when an earthquake occurs," added the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Davao del Sur, Sunday afternoon.