AFP 'prayer warriors' to storm heavens for papal visit

MANILA, Philippines - Military chaplains from different religions set aside their doctrinal differences to pray for the safety of a pope who is a known for his openness to dialogue with people from other faiths.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has activated its “prayer warriors” to provide spiritual support for the safety of Pope Francis during his visit to the country.

While ground forces are busy ensuring the pontiff’s physical safety, members of the AFP Chaplain Service, the unit tasked to look after the soldiers’ spiritual needs, are storming heavens with prayers.  

“Religion is not a barrier among our soldiers,” AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. said on Wednesday.

“(AFP chief) Gen. (Gregorio) Catapang (Jr.) has directed our prayer warriors in the Chaplain Service to lead the faithful in asking our Lord for divine assistance,” he added.

The AFP Chaplain Service, whose members include Roman Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, will dedicate a “holy hour” starting today (January 15) up to January 18 in all camps.

The holy hour will start every 7 a.m. and will pray for the success of the historic papal visit, among other prayer intentions.

“We also encourage all non-Catholic chaplains to offer prayers within their faith for the safety of the Pope and the attending public,” Maj Harley Flores, administrative officer of the AFP Chaplain Service, said.

Flores also urged soldiers to pray for their 15,000 comrades who will provide area and route security for the pope.

The AFP Chaplain Service has close to 100 members, 67 of them Roman Catholics. More than 91,000 of the 125,000-strong armed forces belong to the Roman Catholic Church and view the pope as their spiritual leader.