Archbishop Uy initiates second collection

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy asked all parishes in Cebu to initiate a second collection during the Sunday Masses on June 14 dedicated for the victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Sarangani and other parts of southern Mindanao.

In a circular, Uy noted that the recent earthquake that struck Sarangani and other parts of Southern Mindanao has left many families grieving the loss of loved ones, homes, and sources of livelihood.

“As members of one Church and one family in Christ, we cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of our brothers and sisters who now face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives and communities,” Uy said.

Uy added that the plight of the people of Mindanao reminds the people of Cebu of their own experience following the earthquake that affected the province on September 30, 2025.

“During that challenging period, we were greatly consoled by the prayers, solidarity, and financial assistance extended to us by many archdioceses and dioceses throughout the country. The generosity of our fellow Filipinos became a tangible sign of God's providence and the communion that binds us together as one,” Uy said.

Uy said that while many of the churches, institutions, and families in Northern Cebu continue to recover from the effects of last year's calamity, the present circumstances should not diminish our capacity to share.

“Moved by that gesture of kindness that we ourselves had received and inspired by the Gospel call to bear one another's burdens, I hereby mandate that a second collection be taken up in all parishes, chaplaincies, shrines, and mission stations of the Archdiocese of Cebu during all Masses on 14 June 2026, the eleventh Sunday in ordinary time,” Uy added.

He asked parishes to remit said collection as soon as possible to the Cebu Caritas Office and so that it can send the donation to the dioceses most affected by the earthquake.

“This second collection is also mandated by Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippine (CBCP). Indeed, it is often those who have experienced suffering themselves who best understand the needs of others. Even as we continue our own journey of healing and rebuilding, we can still become channels of hope for those who now walk a similar path,” Uy added.

“I therefore encourage our faithful not only to contribute generously according to their means but also to remember the earthquake victims in their personal and communal prayers. May our acts of charity reassure them that they are not alone and that the Church stands beside them in this time of trial,” Uy said. — (FREEMAN) Philippine Star News Service