CBCP to release prayer for peace amid West Philippine Sea tension

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) ended a three-day plenary assembly with several resolutions including the move to recite an obligatory prayer for peace.

"We will issue an Oratio Imperata for peace, on the context of the growing geo-political tensions in our part of the world," said CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David during a press conference held in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

The assembly was attended by at least 83 bishops from different dioceses, archdioceses in the country.

David, who is also the bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan, said that the bishops have opted to release a prayer for peace over a statement regarding the series of events reported at the West Philippine Sea.

He said the prayer will be released on July 25, the Feast of St. James, and will be recited until Jan. 1, 2025 which is also celebrated as the World Day of Peace.

"We are not political leaders, we are spiritual and moral leaders. And we know that our compatriots, people in the country are getting tense,” the prelate said.

“We do not want to add fuel, further fuel to the tension. Nobody wants a war. Our parents were people who experienced, they were part of a generation that were traumatized by the Second World War. And so, we really have not just to work for peace, but to pray for peace (that is) our disposition as bishops," he said.

The ‘oratio imperata’ or obligatory prayer will focus on peace.

"It will be a prayer for peace. An Oratio Imperata for peace with the context of what is happening in our country, in the geopolitical tension that we are experiencing," he said.

Bishop David also said that the CBCP will be releasing a statement on the Absolute Divorce bill.

The statement on divorce, he added, will be released within the week. He said this will be "self-explanatory." — BAP, GMA Integrated News