Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Public Affairs Committee has come out to explain the absence of a Catholic priest during Monday's State of the Nation Address (SONA) interfaith prayer.
(PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"It's by invitation," he said. "A Catholic priest or bishop was presumably not invited."
"We cannot just force ourselves to be present in that event," Secillano added.
Secillano maintained they still prayed for the country on the day.
"The church, as evidenced by the pastoral letter of the CBCP, is praying for our country even without being told or invited to do so," he stressed.
Days before the July 27 SONA of President Duterte, Bishop Broderick Pabillo announced the offering of Masses for the country in time for the SONA, noting prayer among the most important things that the Church can offer during these trying times.
Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon also declared July 27 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting in his diocese.
He asked his priests to offer all Masses on that day for Peace, Reconciliation and Healing in the country.
"I also encourage the parishes to have a Holy Hour for the same intention," Baylon said in a letter dated July 24.
He also called on all the faithful in his diocese to pray for all government officials especially for the President.