MANILA (UCAN): Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, the Philippines, declared 21 days of prayer in his archdiocese on July 13 to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic and socio-political turmoil besetting government and Church authorities.
Archbishop Villegas announced that a prayer for national healing would be recited during all Masses in the archdiocese from July 16 to August 5 to be led by clergymen on their knees, facing the altar.
The archbishop said a slew of national issues and ills have brought anxiety and confusion among Church leaders and urged them to turn to prayer.
“The (Covid-19) pandemic and socio-political turmoil born from various social issues render us not knowing what to do, how to serve as spiritual leaders and how to be disciples of the Lord in crisis,” he said in a pastoral letter.
These issues included the deadly war on drugs by the president, Rodrigo Duterte, a perceived crackdown on press freedom and the passing of an anti-terrorism law which many believe will enable the government to commit rights abuses.
Archbishop Villegas said the 21 days symbolised the 21 rebellious acts of the Israelites after their escape from Egypt.
“We are in a state of rebellion against God and we are seeing the consequences of our sins. We must repent. We must be consecrated again if we wish to be healed,” Archbishop Villegas added.
“Let us not give in to discouragement and depression. Let us go to Our Lady (Mary). Let us take comfort in the message of Our Lady to San Juan Diego: ‘Trust in me. I am your Mother,’” Archbishop Villegas said in his letter.
