Manila priest urges the faithful to also pray for the victims of violent death

MANILA—A Manila priest is urging the faithful to also pray for the victims of violent death, aside from praying for the souls of their departed loved ones on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2.

Although Fr. Jerome Secillano, parish priest at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Parish in Sampaloc, Manila noted that there have been masses offered for the victims of extrajudicial killing (EJK), it is also good for the public to pray for them.

“Pray for EJK victims on All Souls’ Day. In fact there have been masses already offered for them,” he said.

Secillano also said that as Christians, it is the duty of the faithful to pray for the dead, especially those who died violently.

“It is a Christian obligation to pray for the dead, more so, for those who died in violent circumstances as they might not yet be prepared for their eventual demise,” he explained.

He added, “We pray for the forgiveness of their sins, we pray for the repose of their souls and we pray for their redemption.”