CBCP calls on Filipino Catholics to pray for peace in Iraq

Filipino Catholics have been urged to set aside Aug. 18, Monday, as a day of prayer for peace in Iraq.

 

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged children to pray the rosary in schools for the healing of Iraq.

 

Villegas also called on archbishops and bishops to offer Masses on Aug. 18 for "peace and reconciliation" in Iraq.

 

"(A)s a gesture of spiritual unity with our persecuted brethren in northern Iraq and in response to the call of the Holy Father that all the faithful in the whole Church raise a voice of ceaseless prayer for the restoration of peace, I request my archbishops and bishops in the Philippines to offer all our Masses on August 18 as Votive Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in Iraq," Villegas said in a statement.

 

"It is humbly requested that the archbishops and bishops also disseminate this information to all the priests and mandate the priests to offer the same prayers in all their Masses on August 18," he added.

 

"Let us be united with Pope Francis in this quest for peace," Villegas said.

 

Villegas said Pope Francis, who will visit the Philippines on January 15 to 19, had sought prayers for brothers and sisters who were being persecuted in Iraq.

 

He added that the Pope also appealed to the conscience of all people, to pray for peace. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News