MANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila will offer all its Masses on Monday for peace and justice in the country.
Apostolic Administrator of Manila, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, said the Masses would be the contribution of the Catholic Church when President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“We in the Church, what we can contribute on the day of the SONA, is through prayers. Also important is the spiritual component of the country. At the Archdiocese of Manila, all the Masses, in the morning, afternoon, and evening will be praying for the country,” Pabillo said in an interview over the church-run Radio Veritas on Friday.
He also urged the faithful to join the Panalangin ng Sambayanan para sa Katarungan at Kapayapaan - SONA Holy Mass at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, otherwise known as the Manila Cathedral, at 12:15 p.m. on July 27.
“If the faithful are available on Monday at 12:15 p.m., let us pray together for the country. It is also better to pray not only during the day but at the same time, we pray together for the sake of the country and reflect about the state of the country, asking the wisdom coming from the Lord Jesus,” Pabillo said.
Earlier this month, the government allowed the conduct of religious gatherings at 10-percent capacity in areas under general community quarantine.
He also said the faithful could participate in Masses online through live streaming.
After the Mass, Pabillo said, there would be an Inter-Confessional Ecumenical Inter-Religious Prayer where they invite different denominations to offer prayers for the welfare and condition of the nation.
Duterte is set to report to Filipinos the government’s achievements and plans during the annual SONA at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. (PNA)
