Outgoing Zamboanga Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas (Photo from the Archdiocese of Manila - Office of Communications)
MANILA – The Archdiocese of Zamboanga has urged the faithful to pray and to fast for several intentions, including the increasing suicide cases in the city.
Outgoing Zamboanga Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas said on Wednesday the prayer and fasting would be held on Friday for families affected by the rising suicide incidents.
He also urged the people to offer these sacrifices for the protection and security of Zamboangueños from criminality and the effects of the rainy season.
“Lord, save us! Increase our faith, our confidence in Your loving kindness. This is also the prayer that we make amidst recent challenges to the peace and order situation in our city,” Cuevas said in a four-page pastoral letter titled: “Lord, Save Me!—Renewal of Our Faith in the Lord In Times of Opportunity and Affliction”.
“The recent spate of killings and suicide incidents again threaten our peace of mind, stability and trust that the post-pandemic era will be better,” added the Zamboanga auxiliary bishop.
The call for simultaneous prayer and fasting will be held in all parishes, churches, seminaries and religious communities in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.
The scheduled event shall proceed with the ringing of church bells at 8 p.m. to be followed by the communal recitation of the Holy Rosary.
No recent data was given on the number of suicide cases in Zamboanga City, but reports said suicide incidents were recorded in the city during the height of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Citing reports from the local police, the City Health Office (CHO) reported 10 suicide incidents in January 2021 alone.
From January to November 2020, the CHO also recorded 20 suicide cases.
Also, the prayer and fasting will be held to commemorate the 10th year of the Zamboanga siege on Sept. 9.
At the same time, he said the event will also be offered as a way of “thanksgiving” as the Archdiocese of Zamboanga would have its new archbishop.
On April 25, Pope Francis appointed Ipil Bishop Julius Tonel as the seventh archbishop of Zamboanga. His installation is set on Aug. 22.
On the other hand, Cuevas will be installed as the new bishop of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro on Sept. 6. (PNA)
