(File photo)
MANILA – An official of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, known as the Quiapo Church, on Monday reminded the faithful that the church is a venue for Masses, prayers, and not for other purposes.
“The celebration is for prayer, those who are inside the church, those who have entered must know that it is for peace and prayers and not for what they are fighting for. The Mass is for prayers and not for rally or whatsoever,” parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said in an interview.
Badong was reacting on a video that went viral after two policemen took the bag of a woman supposedly containing posters denouncing the anti-terror law inside the Quiapo Church while a Mass is being celebrated hours before President Rodrigo Duterte's fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He added that it is not proper to have such things inside the church, saying there other ways the authorities in handling such a situation.
“It is not right that there are things for a rally to be flashed inside the church. I think there are other ways to handle such a situation, they should have talked to the persons involved or they lead them outside,” Badong said.
He, however, said the police should have asked those holding placards on what their intentions are.
Badong, meanwhile, said it is up for the parties involved to resolve the situation.
“I think they can handle the situation. But we can talk to them if it’s needed, but for now, I think they should be the ones to settle it,” he said. (PNA)
