Manila: special prayer for Filipinos in Lebanon and Israel
The Filipino Church celebrated solemn mass on 23 July, as requested by the pope, for peace in the Middle East. The archdiocese of the capital, led by Cardinal Rosales, has drawn up a special prayer to be recited every day in national churches.
Manila (AsiaNews) The Filipino church is offering "masses and special prayers for the safety of Filipino workers" in Israel and Lebanon, "now that the conflict between the two nations has become more intense".
The Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants organized a special mass on Sunday at the Nuestra Senora de Guia Church in Ermita, Manila. The mass was held in collaboration with the Manila Archdiocese that is led by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.
The Archdiocese of Manila, meanwhile, has asked all the churches of the country to say a special prayer for peace in the Holy Land and for the safety of the peoples of the entire Middle East. The text of the prayer reads: "We pray for peace in the region, especially Lebanon. May the governments at war with each other come to realize that nobody wins in war and that peace is the only way to genuine community of humankind."
The prayer continues: "We pray for those who are suffering because of this conflict of powers in the Holy Land, that they may continue to hold on to the power of love and peace rather than the destruction of hatred and vengeance."
The church website said the mass on Sunday 23 July was held to respond to the pope's decision to proclaim that day as "dedicated to prayer and fasting for peace in the Middle East".
Around 34,000 Filipinos work in Lebanon: in recent days, for their safety, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Manila, Alberto Romulo, has asked the Nuncio, Mgr Fernando Filoni, to arrange for their shelter in convents and religious institutes in the area.
The large number of Filipinos present in Lebanon has prompted Manila to search for safe places for them, and the possibility of evacuation by land to Syria or by sea to Cyprus is also being examined. For now, the minister said, "our co-citizens will move to places where our embassy can ensure they will be safe, like churches or Catholic institutions." The Filipino Foreign under-secretary, Esteban Conejos Jr, said he had informed the Israeli and Lebanese governments about the evacuation plans, including possible routes, to guarantee the Filipinos' journey.
Most of the Filipinos in Lebanon work in Beirut: there are 25,000 domestic workers and the rest work in hotels or United Nations missions.
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