CBCP issues prayer letter for peace to reign in Mindanao
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a letter asking to pray for peace to reign in Mindanao.
CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo issued the letter in the midst of the conflict and crisis brought about by the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"As is already being done in several diocese, we urgently and strongly recommend that we pray for Peace in Mindanao," part of the letter reads.
The Jaro, Iloilo prelate urged the faithful to use the following prayer: God our Father, you reveal that those who work for peace will be called your children. Help us to work without ceasing for that justice which brings true and lasting peace. Hear our prayer and grant peace to Mindanao that we may rejoice in your mercy and praise you without end. Mary, Virgin of Light, remember your first shrine in Mindanao and let "the dawn from on high break upon us, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Lk 1:79) Amen.
He noted that they offer this prayer as one nation and in solidarity with the Mindanao Bishops as well as with the thousands of innocent people who are forced to evacuate and live in uncertainty and fear because of the current crisis and war.
At the same time, the CBCP official urged the faithful not to blame the people who are responsible for the unfortunate incident in the country but instead offer prayers to help the nation to overcome this problem.
Earlier Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal issued an Oratio Imperata (mandatory prayer) also for peace in the Southern part of the country.
The Cardinal also directed all parishes in is Archdiocese to conduct a second collection in all masses until Aug. 31, to help the civilians that were affected by the ongoing strife particularly in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
The alleged rebel members of the MILF started controlling areas in the said provinces after the Supreme Court on August 4 stopped the signing of MOA-AD, a day after the scheduled meeting in Malaysia. (PNA)