Diocese of Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco has called on the parishes and religious communities under his jurisdiction to observe a Holy Hour on Friday, Aug. 4, in reparation for the disrespect of the Lord’s Prayer (Ama Namin).
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco (Manila Bulletin photo)
The Church leader said the singing of the prayer that Jesus Christ taught us in inappropriate places and circumstances is a blatant disrespect and disregard to the sacredness of the prayer.
“I ask all the parishes and religious communities to offer the Holy Hour for the First Friday of August in reparation for the sacrileges against our Lord,” said Bishop Ongtioco over Radio Veritas.
The prelate stressed the Lord’s Prayer must be accorded with the highest respect because it encompasses man’s salvation from sin and speaks of mankind as Gods children.
To recall, a drag performance by Pura Luka Vega went viral on July 10 where he was shown singing a punk rock version of the Lord’s Prayer in a party.
Many Filipinos, majority of whom are Roman Catholics as well as lawmakers have condemned the act as disrespectful and unacceptable.
Bishop Ongtioco reminded the faithful that every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are called as active members of the Christian community that is rooted on mercy, compassion and love.
“I would also like to urge our dear parishioners to take this opportunity to teach your children the importance of showing respect to everything that is sacred, whether it be the Eucharistic or the Lord’s Prayer and to avoid any act of desecration,”Bishop Ongtioco said.
The Philippines for Jesus Movement has filed a case against Pura Luka Vega on July 31 while he has been declared persona non grata in General Santos City.