CBCP urges praying, lighting of candles for Marawi, drug war victims

(Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Socrates Villegas. Photo from CBCP News)

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Filipino Catholics to pray, peal church bells and light candles for 40 days in remembrance of the victims of the administration’s war on drugs and the war in Marawi.

In a statement released yesterday, September 12, the bishops expressed shock over the deaths of Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

“We are appalled by the remorselessness by which even the young were executed,” the statement entitled “Lord Heal Our Land” read.

The three teenagers were killed in different operations in the war against drugs over the month.

The vicars called for “pakikiramay, pakikipagkapwa-tao and malasakit in action” (sympathy, solidarity and compassion) for the victims.

“The healing must begin. Malasakit must be restored. Pakikiramay must be active. Pakikipagkapwa-tao must be gained back. The rule of law must prevail,” the document stated.

The bishops, moreover, stressed that the killings must be stopped and that the healing of the country must begin.

“In the name of God, stop the killings! [...] The healing must begin,” the CBCP said in a statement.

CBCP also added: “We stand firmly against drugs and the death drugs have caused, but killing is not the solution of the problem.”

The attack in Marawi, which began last May 23, led to the death of almost 150 government troops and sent thousands of citizens fleeing from the city.

The encouraged 40-day period of praying, pealing of church bells and lighting of candles shall start on September 23 and end on November 1.

Church bells shall be rung every 8:00 P.M. during the said period, while the candles shall be lit in front of homes, cemeteries and public places.