AS PENANCE for the “blasphemy gainst God” and the spate of killings in the country, the Archdiocese of Cebu is calling on Catholics to observe three days
of prayer, fasting and alms-giving starting today, July 16.
This is in response to the pastoral exhortation made by the Catholic Bishops Conference of he Philippines (CBCP) during its 117th Plenary Assembly earlier
this month.
Msgr. Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said the three days will serve as a form of penance to the issues of “blasphemy against God, slander and lies; and the daily occurrence of murders all over he country.”
The activity was also made in response to the statements made by President Rodrigo Duterte against God, whom he called “stupid.”
Duterte’s tirades came after he repeatedly slammed the Catholic Church in his recent speeches for asking him to tone down his remarks against the priests.
Duterte has been badmouthing the Catholic Church leaders, especially the bishops who ave criticized the supposed extra-judicial killings attributed to
his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs.
In an interview yesterday, July 15 Tan clarified that the three-day activity is not a form of political protest against the current administration but as a “spiritual response” to the various issues in the country.
Tan said that while they are inviting Catholics to participate in the three-day activity, they are not forcing it on the faithful.
“It’s up to the lay whether to follow it or not,” he added. The faithful are not only urged to continue praying for guidance and to fast for the entire day, but also to do works of mercy and charity for the poor.
Fasting and abstinence applies to Catholics aged 18 to 60.
Last July 7 to 9, the CBCP met for its 117th Plenary Assembly in Manila in response to the President’s recent tirades against the Church.
After the assembly, the CBCP led by Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles came up with a pastoral exhortation entitled “Rejoice and be Glad,” which urges
Catholics to seek peace and be living witnesses to Christ in spite of constant persecution. (JKV)