CEBU, Philippines - A Catholic Church official has called on the people to pray to end the “culture of death” that besieged the country.
Bishop Julito Cortes, auxiliary bishop of Cebu, also reminded the faithful during his homily in celebration of the fiesta of Mandaue City to adhere to the value of family relationship.
“Mag-ampo kita kanunay nga atong desisyon sa kinabuhi, trabaho o desisyon sa pamilya unta ang kabubut-on ni San Jose ang ipalabi. Sama ni San Jose kita aduna usab kabalaka sa atong pamilya mahitungod sa atong kaugalingon ug kahimtang karon busa angay ra pud kita mag-ampo sa atong pamilya nga di unta kita makalimot sa pag-ampo ug pagsimba,” Cortes said.
Cortes concelebrated the fiesta Mass with Cebu archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at the Saint Joseph National Shrine. Cortes said a divine intervention is needed to end the “culture of death” in the country.
He reiterated the position of the church against death penalty and extrajudicial killings.
“Mosupak kita sa kining gitawag og culture of death. Mosupak kita batok sa panamastamas sa kinabuhi. Mosupak kita sa mga baruganan nga kulang og pagrespetar sa bili ug dignidad sa kinabuhi sa tawo,” Cortes said.
Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing led the city officials in attending the fiesta Mass.
"It is with joy that we once again celebrate the fiesta of our beloved patron St. Joseph the worker. May he continue to guide our city and bless us with his protection as he did for the child Jesus and our mother Mary," Quisumbing said. (FREEMAN)