CBCP calls for pealing of church bells on April 8

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday called on parish churches to ring their bell on Wednesday in solidarity with the ecumenical service organized by the government.

“It will be comforting and encouraging for our people when they sense and observe that a spirit of unity and working together is there in these trying times,” CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles said in a report.

According to Valles, the ringing of bells at 3 p.m. will "signal the start of a televised interfaith prayer" which was an initiative of the Inter-Agency Task Force against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Chaplain Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is expected to lead the prayer.

“The AFP chaplains will assist to invoke the mighty help of God as we plead Him to heal those affected by Covid-19 and to spare us from this present pandemic,” Bishop Oscar Florencio said.

As of Tuesday, there are 3,764 COVID-19 cases nationwide with a total of 177 recorded fatalities and 84 recoveries. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News