Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes has called on the faithful to keep the faith and to continue to pray and thank God for His blessings amid the pandemic and the destruction caused by natural disasters.
In his message for the feast of the Santo Nino Sunday, January 16, the bishop assured the faithful that all these trials will end in God’s time.
"I hope that the timeliness of the season is a sign that God is with us and helping us. In the face of adversities, we will rise again,” Bishop Cortes said over Radio Veritas.
“Our unity and compassion towards each other is a sign of our oneness with God. One day, we will rise above these adversities,” the Church leader said. Bishop Cortes said, ten parishes under the Diocese of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental were severely affected by typhoon Odette. Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, has already sent P1.5 million in cash assistance to the diocese.
Ozamis Bishop Martin Jumoad, for his part said, the Santo Nino has a unifying factor that will help conquer pain and difficulties.
“Señor Santo Nino paves the way for us to be united to conquer pain and difficulties. When we are united, we help one another and miracles will happen,” said Archbishop Jumoad.
Meanwhile, despite the cancellation of the traditional festive activities in celebration of the feast of Senor Santo Nino in Cebu, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said this will not dampen the faith of the Filipino faithful. Palma said several parishes under the jurisdiction of the archdiocese will hold fiesta masses Sunday to lessen visitors to the Basilica Minore de Santo Nino to prevent crowding.