CBCP orders prayer ‘for respect of human life’

MANILA, January 10, 2011—Prayer power against attacks to the sanctity of life is in force as the Catholic hierarchy battles against the passage of controversial population control measure.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, there is no doubt that the only way to thwart any laws that attack human life is to pray to God for help.

Since last month, churches from across the country continue to recite an obligatory prayer, issued by the CBCP, “for the respect of human life” during Sunday Masses.

Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life said the praying of the Oratio Imperata was started last December 16 during the dawn Masses.

He said there is no specific date until when the prayer would be recited as the decision to stop it or not depends on the respective dioceses.

“It depends with the diocese. In Tarlac, Pampanga, Iba and Balanga it is being recited every Sunday,” said Castro.

Part of the prayer reads: “We pray for all our leaders and legislators who must deliberate assiduously on this critical present issue. May they be guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit to act responsibly for the good and well-being of all. May their competence be always steered by humility and fear of the Lord.”

Castro said the obligatory prayer, issued by the CBCP to all the dioceses, is not only for controversial measure but for the protection of human life in general.

“On the contrary… More than anything it’s the prayer that will count a lot. This is just to create awareness among the people,” said Castro.

“I think the people are more pro-active because they are now aware because we are praying for the legislators,” he said. (CBCPNews)