Pope Francis asks for prayers for victims of Jolo twin blasts
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:10 a.m.) — Pope Francis strongly condemned the twin bombings that ripped through a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday, killing at least 20 people.
Around 81 were also wounded after a bomb went off at the entrance of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, followed by another blast in the church’s parking lot.
Speaking in Panama, Francis reserved his “strongest reprobation” for the twin blasts. Once again, he said, “the Christian community has been plunged into mourning.”
In a separate tweet, the pope asked for prayers for the victims of the terrorist attack.
“May the Lord, Prince of Peace, convert the hearts of the violent, and grant the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence,” Francis said.
Let us pray for the victims of the terrorist attack on the Cathedral of Jolo, in the Philippines. May the Lord, Prince of Peace, convert the hearts of the violent, and grant the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 27, 2019
The Catholic Church has been involved in humanitarian work in Sulu and nearby island towns in Tawi-Tawi since after World War II.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, with its “East Asia Province” issuing a formal communiqué for the dual bombings.
It, however, did not provide evidence for its claim. The Islamic State previously claimed responsibility for a shooting incident in a Pasay City casino in June 2017 that police later determined was commited by a man who had a gambling problem and who had been banned from several casinos in Manila.
CBCP denounces ‘act of terrorism’
The Catholic Bishops of the Philippines on Sunday also condemned the Jolo cathedral bombings.
“We condole with the families of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the explosions. We also express our sympathies with those who were wounded and extend our solidarity with the rest of the church-goers inside the cathedral and the rest of the church community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo,” CBCP President Romulo Valles said.
Fr. Romeo Saniel, the apostolic administrator of Jolo, said most of the casualties were regular Sunday 8 a.m. mass goers.
‘What happened to humanity?’
In a separate statement, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called the dual bombings “senseless because it is inhuman.”
“That it happened during the Eucharistic celebration on a Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus’ triumph over death, makes it abominable because it violates the sense of God present in every human heart,” Tagle said.
He added: “Shock, anger and sadness envelope our hearts. What has happened to humanity? Is there no more room for decency and conscience?”
Tagle called on the perpetrators of the attack to ask forgiveness of God and humanity and to start a new life of truthfulness, justice and love.
He also urged Filipinos, especially Catholics and Christians, not to abandon their commitment to peace.
“Only good can combat evil. Instead of being discouraged, let us strengthen our resolve to work for peace based on justice, truth, love and respect for human life and dignity,” he said.
The twin explosions at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral took place few days after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as a replacement to ARMM.
Sulu is the only ARMM province that rejected the BOL. Despite the rejection, it will still be part of the BARMM since votes within the ARMM are considered together.
“As we begin a new phase in the peace process with the creation of the BARRM, we ask our Christian brethren to join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and indigenous people communities in the advocacy against violent extremism,” Valles, the archbishop of Davao, said.
He added: “May our religions of peace guide us in our quest for a brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao.” — with reports from Agence France-Presse
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