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Oratio Imperata: CBCP asks for prayers ‘to protect PHL’ in dispute with China
(UPDATED 9:50 p.m.) Catholic Church leaders on Monday called on the faithful to offer an Oratio Imperata (mandatory prayer) for the peaceful resolution of the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea.
Newly reelected CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas made the call on the last day of the CBCP's plenary assembly in Manila, radio dzBB reported.
"If the dispute becomes a problem of peace how can the Church be not involved. Peace is the mission of the Church," Villegas said.
"We don't have the means to negotiate with (a) superpower... but we can ask God to take care of the Philippines," he added.
The Philippines and China had been embroiled in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea, which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea.
Manila had brought the issue before an international forum for arbitration but China has refused to take part in such proceedings.
Newly reelected CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas made the call on the last day of the CBCP's plenary assembly in Manila, radio dzBB reported.
"If the dispute becomes a problem of peace how can the Church be not involved. Peace is the mission of the Church," Villegas said.
"We don't have the means to negotiate with (a) superpower... but we can ask God to take care of the Philippines," he added.
The Philippines and China had been embroiled in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea, which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea.
Manila had brought the issue before an international forum for arbitration but China has refused to take part in such proceedings.
Re-elected CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas (right) and re-elected CBCP vice president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles vowed Monday, July 13, to invoke an Oratio Imperata calling for divine intercession in the Philippines' long-standing row with China over several territories in the West Philippine Sea. Danny Pata
In Time of Grave Tension
The prayer "In Time of Grave Tension" asks God for peace over the islands and waters disputed by the Philippines and China.
The Philippine government refers to its claims in the area as the West Philippine Sea.
Also, the prayer sought the peaceful resolution of questions over the territory "through justice and respect for people’s rights."
The prayer also hoped that "no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat."
"We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters," the prayer added.
Pope Francis recently issued an encyclical "Laudato Si" indicating that the faithful should take a more active role in protecting the environment.
The full text of the prayer is as follows:
In Time of Grave Tension
O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, the sky and the seas,
look kindly on us your children of the Philippine islands,
our home, now beset with tensions over our West Philippine Sea.
We pray to you for peace over that part of our islands and waters.
We pray that questions over it may be resolved through justice and respect for people’s rights.
We pray that no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat.
We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas
be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters.
Loving God you are wonderful Creator, our generous Provider of good things;
send your Holy Spirit of wisdom and understanding to our leaders
that they resolve this crisis with courage and in the spirit of dialogue.
Help us all to remain faithful to your Word and obedient to your Will always.
This we ask through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Ruling in three months
The Department of Foreign Affairs expects the United Nations tribunal to reach a decision in three months on whether it has jurisdiction over the Philippines’ case questioning China’s massive claim in the South China Sea.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said this was the estimate provided by the country’s legal counsel Paul Reichler based on previous cases handled by the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, where a five-man panel of judges are hearing the Philippines' case.
“That was the estimate of Paul Reichler based on experience and previous cases,” Jose told a press briefing. “He said it may take 90 days for the tribunal to come out with a decision on the question of jurisdiction.”
“If they have jurisdiction then they will continue with the merits of the case so we anticipate that we will be asked again to go to The Hague for the oral arguments,” Jose added.
If the court assumes jurisdiction, Jose said a final ruling is expected either on the first quarter of 2016 or before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term in June of the same year.
“Our anticipation (on the ruling) if not in the first quarter then hopefully in the first half,” Jose said.
Chinese officials accused the Philippines of stirring tensions in the region and “seriously damaging” their bilateral relations for seeking international arbitration. The Philippines' move, however, is supported by foreign governments like the United States, European Union and Japan. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News
In Time of Grave Tension
The prayer "In Time of Grave Tension" asks God for peace over the islands and waters disputed by the Philippines and China.
The Philippine government refers to its claims in the area as the West Philippine Sea.
Also, the prayer sought the peaceful resolution of questions over the territory "through justice and respect for people’s rights."
The prayer also hoped that "no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat."
"We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters," the prayer added.
Pope Francis recently issued an encyclical "Laudato Si" indicating that the faithful should take a more active role in protecting the environment.
The full text of the prayer is as follows:
In Time of Grave Tension
O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, the sky and the seas,
look kindly on us your children of the Philippine islands,
our home, now beset with tensions over our West Philippine Sea.
We pray to you for peace over that part of our islands and waters.
We pray that questions over it may be resolved through justice and respect for people’s rights.
We pray that no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat.
We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas
be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters.
Loving God you are wonderful Creator, our generous Provider of good things;
send your Holy Spirit of wisdom and understanding to our leaders
that they resolve this crisis with courage and in the spirit of dialogue.
Help us all to remain faithful to your Word and obedient to your Will always.
This we ask through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Ruling in three months
The Department of Foreign Affairs expects the United Nations tribunal to reach a decision in three months on whether it has jurisdiction over the Philippines’ case questioning China’s massive claim in the South China Sea.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said this was the estimate provided by the country’s legal counsel Paul Reichler based on previous cases handled by the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, where a five-man panel of judges are hearing the Philippines' case.
“That was the estimate of Paul Reichler based on experience and previous cases,” Jose told a press briefing. “He said it may take 90 days for the tribunal to come out with a decision on the question of jurisdiction.”
“If they have jurisdiction then they will continue with the merits of the case so we anticipate that we will be asked again to go to The Hague for the oral arguments,” Jose added.
If the court assumes jurisdiction, Jose said a final ruling is expected either on the first quarter of 2016 or before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term in June of the same year.
“Our anticipation (on the ruling) if not in the first quarter then hopefully in the first half,” Jose said.
Chinese officials accused the Philippines of stirring tensions in the region and “seriously damaging” their bilateral relations for seeking international arbitration. The Philippines' move, however, is supported by foreign governments like the United States, European Union and Japan. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News
