Let's do this...
February 23, 2015
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Reverend Administrators:
The situation of the country and the world right now calls on all of us to turn to the Lord in humble supplication and gather our people to pray. As the nation continues to grieve over the tragedy in Mamasapano and the family of nations is threatened by war and terror from extremist groups, our best contribution to the nation and to the world is to encourage people to pray.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
I respectfully propose that we the bishops of the Philippines encourage our people to pray the following Oratio Imperata for Peace. Hopefully this prayer can calm the anxieties of our long suffering people and touch the hearts of the enemies of peace.
The authority to declare an Oratio Imperata for the various dioceses is the sole prerogative of the Local Ordinaries. If this proposal will merit your pastoral approval, I humbly request that you issue a circular to the clergy and Catholic faithful in your jurisdiction to make this prayer for peace mandatory.
I submit this proposal to your better judgment and pastoral wisdom.
Sincerely yours,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
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February 23, 2015
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Reverend Administrators:
The situation of the country and the world right now calls on all of us to turn to the Lord in humble supplication and gather our people to pray. As the nation continues to grieve over the tragedy in Mamasapano and the family of nations is threatened by war and terror from extremist groups, our best contribution to the nation and to the world is to encourage people to pray.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
I respectfully propose that we the bishops of the Philippines encourage our people to pray the following Oratio Imperata for Peace. Hopefully this prayer can calm the anxieties of our long suffering people and touch the hearts of the enemies of peace.
The authority to declare an Oratio Imperata for the various dioceses is the sole prerogative of the Local Ordinaries. If this proposal will merit your pastoral approval, I humbly request that you issue a circular to the clergy and Catholic faithful in your jurisdiction to make this prayer for peace mandatory.
I submit this proposal to your better judgment and pastoral wisdom.
Sincerely yours,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
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