Catholic churches across the Philippines will toll its bells today, Monday, in a show of solidarity with the beleaguered country of Myanmar.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is asking parishes to ring their church bells at 12 noon and at 6:00 p.m. on July 19.
The bishops also released a prayer for Myanmar prepared by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy for all Masses on Monday.
Father Carlo Del Rosario, CBCP Assistant Secretary General, said the bishops’ Permanent Council earlier approved a proposal to declare a “Day of Solidarity with Myanmar.”
He said the suggestion came from the Partnership Mission for People’s Initiative, St. Vincent School of Theology, Loyola School of Theology, and Initiative for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc.
In Myanmar, July 19 is also designated as “Martyr’s Day” to pay tribute to their fallen national heroes, including General Aung San and several other Cabinet members in 1947.
Aung San, founder of Myanmar’s armed forces, along with eight others were assassinated before Myanmar regained independence in 1948.- Newsletter -Subscribe to Spotlight (Philippines) for the latest news in the Philippines direct to your mailbox
On May 30, churches in the Philippines also offered Masses for peace in Myanmar amid the suffering and violence caused by the military coup in the country.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which has been monitoring the post-coup crackdown, puts the death toll at more than 880 since February with around 5,200 in detention.
Below is the full text of the “Prayer of Solidarity with Myanmar” issued by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy:
God our loving Father,
you guide all creation with fatherly care.
We humbly pray for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar
in these trying times brought about by the military junta and Covid-19.
Many of them are suffering, hungry, sick, victims of violence,
displaced from their homes and separated from families.
Look upon them with mercy and protect them from all harm
and unite them in justice and peace.
We pray for all who stand for truth and justice,
may your Holy Spirit strengthen them in the assurance
that peacemakers are your children
and that their sacrifice and labor will bear fruit with your grace.
We pray for all those who cause these sufferings and violence,
that you may touch their hearts and lead them to repentance and change of hearts.
Bring all of us together peacefully into one family
and keep us all united in brotherly love.
We ask this, through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.
