Manila bishop issues call to faithful

March 19, 2020

Real fasting is being in solidarity with those who are suffering. 

Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillos asked Catholics to be one with those adversely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as well as the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. 

In his Pastoral Instruction on Days of Fasting and Prayer on Thursday, Pabillo said:"Let us pray for the healing of those afflicted by the virus, let us pray for the eternal repose of those who have died and their families, let us pray that the spread of this contagion be stopped, let us pray for the protection of the health care workers.''

"We are called to be in solidarity with the health care workers. They are in the frontline helping people thus exposing themselves to the disease. Being in solidarity with them does not only mean to feel sorry for them. Solidarity challenges us to go out of our way to extend help to them," he said.

Based on  latest data from the Department of Health, there are  202 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, including 17 deaths. Some casualties were found to be health workers, who have had contacts with COVID-19 patients.

Pabillo said  the faithful must  be in solidairty with those temporarily or permanently put out of jobs and livelihood.

"I refer most specifically to many in the Archdiocese who are in dire physical and economic need because they have no income at all - the street people, the daily wage earners, those who are engaged in the informal sector for living, and many others," said the prelate. 

"I appeal to all to set aside whatever they may have saved because they have fasted and give these to those who are in need. Those who are capable can even go much further, they can donate more generously to the poor," Pabillo said.

Earlier, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on all archdioceses and dioceses to call for a Day of Prayer and Fasting amid the COVID-19 outbreak. DMS