Church leaders are encouraging the faithful to pray for the safety and well-being of everyone especially those who will be affected by super typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar). (Courtesy of PAGASA)

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, who had just been appointed as the new bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo said, they have started to pray the Oratio Imperata against the weather disturbance in the parishes under his jurisdiction. “We are already praying the ‘Oratio Imperata’ in our parishes and offering our Holy Masses that God in His mercy and power, that the typhoon will not make landfall and that it will weaken and dissolve,” Bishop Santos said over Radio Veritas. “We pray that we will be spared and be saved from dangers and calamities. We put our trust on God and rely on His saving words and works. It is our hope that God hears our prayers and helps us. May our Blessed Mother Mary take us under her maternal embrace and protection,” he added. Meanwhile, San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari said the Social Action Center of his diocese has begun preparations for possible assistance to those who will be affected by the typhoon. “We will be opening the doors of our parishes in addition to the evacuation centers being prepared by the local government to residents who need to be evacuated,” the prelate said. The Church leader called on the faithful to pray as one nation “and ask for God’s mercy for safety from the strong typhoon and that despite the trials, we will remain united and in solidarity with one another.” For his part, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao expressed hope that the super typhoon will not cause massive destruction in the affected areas of the country. Super typhoon Betty is now within the Philippine Area of Responsibility and might affect provinces in Northern Luzon. It has sustained winds of 195kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph.