MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged the Thomasian community to defend the Catholic faith amid persecutions in the country, as the University participated in the “Red Wednesday” campaign in solidarity with persecuted Christians worldwide.
Pabillo called on the faithful to preach against the violence sometimes caused by the government.
“It’s a risk to be a Christian. [O]ne way of bearing witness now is to defend the faith dito sa Pilipinas. [H]abang may nagsasabi na hindi mahalaga ang santo, bakit hindi tayo mag-defend,” he said during the Red Wednesday Mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.
Filipinos should draw inspiration from persecuted Christians who practice their faith despite risks in their lives, the bishop said.
“To go to church is to risk one’s life and yet, nagsisimba pa rin sila. Kaya let us value our faith. As long as we can observe our own faith, let us do so kasi others are risking their lives,” he said.
Marawi siege survivor Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob reminded Thomasians to empathize with those deprived to profess their faith.
“Magbigay-tanaw sa mga persecuted Christians. At sa mga hindi persecuted tulad ninyo, tulad natin, ano ang maitutulong natin,” Suganob said during the Red Wednesday forum at the Benavides Auditorium.
Following his near-death experience, Suganob said his 23 years of working on interreligious dialogue taught him how to forgive.
“We pray the Our Father. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us. Kaya as a Christian, [you] have to do the way of Jesus. Kaya kahit masakit…I have to transcend even if the wound is still there,” he said.
An exhibit titled “Where God Weeps” was mounted at the lobby of the Main Building. It featured artifacts from Iraq, Marawi, and Syria damaged by the Islamic State.
Fr. Pablo Tiong O.P., vice rector for religious affairs, said the celebration of Red Wednesday was a concrete symbol of the University’s support for persecuted Christians.
“Red Wednesday for UST is a very concrete way of being able to join our persecuted Christians in prayer. It’s a means for us to gather together and celebrate the liturgy in order to pray for our brothers and sisters,” Tiong said.
The Main Building, the Santisimo Rosario Parish and the Arch of the Centuries were lit in red while Thomasians were encouraged to wear red in support of the campaign.
Red Wednesday is a prayer campaign of Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical foundation providing support and raising awareness for persecuted Christians around the world. P. A. M. G., J. C. W. U., M. C. L. S. and T. M. F. U.
