Archdiocese of Manila offers prayers, condolences for Queen Elizabeth II's family

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila on Saturday offered prayers and condolences to Great Britain's royal family for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Jose Cardinal Advincula, in behalf of the faithful of the archdiocese, said on radio, "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the citizens of Great Britain and the Commonwealth for the loss of their Sovereign, Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II."

"We offer prayers for Her Majesty and her loved ones. Her passing leaves a void in our collective minds and hearts and marks the end of an era," Advincula added on Radio Veritas.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 in Balmoral Castle in Scotland, on the day of Virgin Mary's birth.

Advincula described the queen as a faithful daughter, wife, mother, homemaker, and grandmother, who also was devoted to her Royal duty for Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

"During her Reign of more than 70 decades, Queen Elizabeth II navigated the oftentimes tumultuous vicissitudes of history through sheer strength of character which is founded on her strong faith in God, thereby leaving an indelible mark on the English Monarchy and the world in general," the Cardinal said.

"We also take this occasion to wish her successor, His Royal Highness, King Charles III, all the best as he takes on the mantle of father to his nation. Rest assured of our prayers as Your Majesty assumes the onus of the Crown," he added.

Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch of Great Britain, who succeeded her father King George VI in 1952.

On June 2, 1953 she was enthroned and crowned as queen at the age of 25.

Woman of faith

Earlier, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) extended prayers and condolences to the royal family.

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, chairman ng CBCP-Episcopal Office on Women said that “Queen Elizabeth II was a woman of faith. She made Jesus the center of her life. She valued humanity.”

“She gained high respect and admiration of the many peoples in the world. Her power as a woman was not based on arms and wealth but on her character and values,”  Varquez added. —LBG, GMA News