Church sets prayer rally vs RH bill on May 9

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Church has set May 9 as a “National Day of Prayer” to pray for the final rejection of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in Congress.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles called on the faithful to devote special time in praying for the lawmakers that they reject the RH bill. He urged Catholics to pray the rosary regularly starting on Monday until the controversial measure is finally junked.

“I-alay natin ang pagdarasal ng rosary sa mga kongresista, Ssenador at kay Pangulong Aquino na maliwanagan ang kanilang pag-iisip at pahalagahan ang buhay,” Arguelles said in an interview over Radyo Veritas.

In Southern Philippines, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said they are launching a “text brigade” for the success of the National Day of Prayer.

“This will manifest our unity. To show to everybody that all sectors of the society are against the proposed bill,” said Bagaforo.

“This is also an opportunity for us as one nation… one voice in prayer."

In Agusan Del Sur, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said the church will also lead a protest against the passage of the RH bill.

Pueblos said he is set to make a directive to his priests to observe the National Day of Prayer by also wearing blue or white shirts or by wearing white ribbon pins.

He said he will also order the holding of a prayer vigil on Monday.

“I will call my people to do this, let’s storm the heaven with prayers,” Pueblos said.

In Manila, the Church is currently on its 5th day of holding a novena-for-life against RH bill.

The novena will end on May 9, the day Congress will again take up the proposed legislative measure on birth control.

The novena-for-life is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 pm daily at the chapel of the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila. Report by CBCPNews

Panalangin sa Panahon ng Trahedyang Dulot ng Lindol at Tsunami sa Bansang Hapon*

Diyos Amang makapangyariahan at mapagmahal,

Dumudulog kami sa ngalan ng Inyong Anak na aming Tagapagligtas, Kristong Hesus. Namimintuho kami para sa aming mga kapatid na labis na nagdurusa dahil sa matinding kalamidad na idinulot ng mga paglindol at tsunami sa bansang Hapon.

O, Panginoon, para sa kanila na binawian ng buhay at sa kanilang naghihinagpis sa pagkawala ng kanilang mga kaibiga’t kaanak, Iyong awa ang aming hiling.

O, Panginoon, para sa kanilang sugatan at naghihintay pa ng tulong, paghilom at pagkalinga ang aming naisin.

O Panginoon, para sa kanilang nagbibigay tulong at tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng lahat ng mga nasalanta pati na rin sila na ang tungkulin ay ang paghahanap sa mga nasawi, patnubay, lakas ng loob at higit pang materyal at espirituwal na biyaya ang aming dalangin.

O Amang mahabagin, alam namin na hindi Mo kami iiwanan at lilisanin. Kapiling ka namin magpakailan man, anumang pighati at trahedyang aming sapitin at harapin.

Ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma, naway ang kaganapang ito ay magpasidhi pa ng aming pagititiwala at pananampalataya sa Iyo. Naway ang masaklap na pangyayaring ito ay maging paanyaya na kami’y makibahagi sa Iyong naisin na kami ay patuloy na tumugon nang bukas loob at walang pag-aalinlangan sa lahat ng mga nagdurusa at nangangailangan. Nawa’y higit pa kaming maudyok na makapagmahal nang walang kapalit upang sa gayo’y mabanaagan namin sa mga mukha ng aming kapwa ang mukha ng Iyong Anak.

Hinihiling namin ito sa ngalan ni Kristong Hesus na aming Tagapagligtas,

Amen