CBCP official welcomes National Week of Prayer
Published Mar 23, 2020 12:00 am
By Leslie Aquino
An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Monday welcomed the declaration of a National Week of Prayer.
Father Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs Committee executive secretary, said to pray is one of the best things that the people can do at this time of public health crisis due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (MANILA BULLETIN)
"The Catholic church has been earnestly invoking the God of consolation and healing in this trying time and the call of the government for a public observance of prayer is a welcome development," he said in an interview.
"Calling for a national week of prayer is a recognition that this crisis is best confronted not only with practical strategies but (also) with a deep sense of faith," added Secillano.
Now, he said is also the best time to show solidarity with one another.
"Prayer is one way to keep us all united," said Secillano.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said people should unceasingly pray to God, adding that prayer is our resolve at this time.
"In this troubling and very difficult times, let us go to God, pray to God. Let us go with humble hearts, with contrite spirit and sincere prayers to help and heal us. In this situation, prayer is our resolve. And God always listens to us, His children," he said in a statement.
Aside from praying, Santos also asked the faithful to be charitable to others.
"Even if we are suffering and doing sacrifices, we can be still gracious, we must still be generous. Let us be considerate and compassionate to our people, to our employees. It is opportune for us to show, to practice charity," he said.
"In spite of dangerous condition we are in, we should do good. Let us be good," added Santos.
Malacanang said President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 934 on March 21, 2020, declaring the fourth week of March 2020 as a National Week of Prayer.
In said proclamation, the Chief Executive urged all Filipinos of faiths, religious traditions and backgrounds to unite their hearts in prayer as we face the threat of the COVID-19.
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (MANILA BULLETIN)
"The Catholic church has been earnestly invoking the God of consolation and healing in this trying time and the call of the government for a public observance of prayer is a welcome development," he said in an interview.
"Calling for a national week of prayer is a recognition that this crisis is best confronted not only with practical strategies but (also) with a deep sense of faith," added Secillano.
Now, he said is also the best time to show solidarity with one another.
"Prayer is one way to keep us all united," said Secillano.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said people should unceasingly pray to God, adding that prayer is our resolve at this time.
"In this troubling and very difficult times, let us go to God, pray to God. Let us go with humble hearts, with contrite spirit and sincere prayers to help and heal us. In this situation, prayer is our resolve. And God always listens to us, His children," he said in a statement.
Aside from praying, Santos also asked the faithful to be charitable to others.
"Even if we are suffering and doing sacrifices, we can be still gracious, we must still be generous. Let us be considerate and compassionate to our people, to our employees. It is opportune for us to show, to practice charity," he said.
"In spite of dangerous condition we are in, we should do good. Let us be good," added Santos.
Malacanang said President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 934 on March 21, 2020, declaring the fourth week of March 2020 as a National Week of Prayer.
In said proclamation, the Chief Executive urged all Filipinos of faiths, religious traditions and backgrounds to unite their hearts in prayer as we face the threat of the COVID-19.