Pasig bishop washes feet of political detainees, says they are not alone

In a Holy Week ritual symbolizing humility, Pasig Bishop Most Reverend Mylo Hubert Vergara washed and dried the feet of a dozen detainees, including political prisoners, assuring them they are not alone in their hardships.

The ceremony was held at the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 in Camp Bagong Diwa and supervised by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology led by Jail Chief Inspector Isnard Sempuego.

In his homily during the mass, Vergara reminded the prisoners of God’s love and assured them they were not alone in times of difficulties.

“Pag ikaw ang pinili Niya, pag ikaw ang pinili ni Hesus, ibig sabihin ganun ka Noya kamahal. Ang bugtong na anak ni Hesus. Ibig sabihin noon hindi ka nag-iisa dahil kasama ka ni Hesus ano man ang iyong pinagdaraanan,” he said.

The Bishop explained the “divine purpose” behind selecting the twelve apostles of Christ.

“You were chosen for a purpose. God writes straight in crooked lines,” said Vergara.

He encouraged the prisoners to reflect on their life and struggle for justice.

“This may not be achieved in our lifetime but in God’s plan. Find meaning in your difficulties and rise above it,” he said.

Relatives of the detainees and members of the advocate group KAPATID attended the activity.

“We are humbled by what he did and thank him. We welcome very much the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' attention to the plight of political prisoners,” political prisoners Adelberto Silva and Vicente Ladlad said in note to KAPATID.

“Bishop Mylo performed an unprecedented act of humility by not only washing the feet but also touching his lips on each foot. We in Kapatid together with our imprisoned loved ones express our profound gratitude and admiration for his remarkable gesture. It conveys a powerful message of empathy and solidarity, and for us too – hope,” KAPATID spokesperson Fides Lim said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News