MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged Catholics to pray not only for the persecuted Christians remembered during Red Wednesday, but also for their persecutors.
“[W]e pray for the persecutors that they may realize that persecution is not the answer to their problems… prayers for those who are persecuted, that they may remain strong, persevere and believe what Jesus said in the Gospels,” Pabillo said in his homily during the Red Wednesday commemoration Mass for persecuted Christians last Nov. 27 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish.
He also emphasized that people should not persecute, let alone kill those who have different views.
“[H]opefully those who persecute may also come to their senses. Yes we have the problem on people criticizing you, but death is not the answer,” Pabillo said in his homily.
Pabillo also urged the Thomasian community to respond with firmness in facing modern-day persecution.
He said that modern-day persecution is present not only in religion, but also in politics and in the economy.
The prelate said persecution could be seen not only in violent killings but also in humiliation and destruction of places of worship.
“There are people here in the Philippines who clap their hands when the president maligns our Church leaders and our Church teachings [and] there are who just keep silent as if nothing happened,” Pabillo said.
Giving material help to the persecuted is also a part of the Church’s solidarity with them, he said.
“Remember that we are one body in Christ and whatever happens to any part of the body affects the whole body. Magtulungan tayo, huwag tayong magsawalang-kibo,” he said.
A candle-lighting ceremony followed the Mass.
The “Red Wednesday” campaign was spearheaded in 2016 by the United Kingdom-based Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical foundation and international Catholic charity. J.P.L. Enriquez with reports from Neil Joshua N. Servallos
