Tagle asks for prayers for safety of Marawi City residents

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle assured the people of Marawi City that he is one with them in praying for peace to reign in the province. (Photo: Archdiocese of Manila – Office of Communications/Facebook)

MANILA—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle assured the people of Marawi City that he is one with them in praying for peace to reign in the province.

At the same time, he asked God to forgive those who abuse life and dignity of people.

“Tumatangis kami para sa inyo, para sa lahat ng Pilipino, at lahat ng tao sa mundo na nasisira ang buhay dahil sa karahasan,” the Cardinal said in a statement.

“Kasama ninyo nananalangin kami, O Dios, patawarin mo po ang aming paglapastangan sa buhay at dangal ng tao. Turuan mo po kaming magpakatao at makipag-kapwa-tao. Palakasin mo po ang hangaring tahakin ang kapayapaan,” he added.

Likewise, Tagle asked God to heal the victims and their families who suffered in violence including the crisis in Marawi City.

“Hilumin mo po ang sugat ng mga kapatid naman sa Marawi at ng mga pamilyang ng naging biktima ng karahasan. O Dios ng kapayapaan at pag-ibig, liwanagan at subaybayan mo kami,” he said.

The Catholic prelate added, “Nakikiisa kami sa inyo, kaming nasa Arkidiosesis ng Manila. Hindi naman alam kung ano ang sasabihin sa inyo. Walang salita ang makapagpapaabot ng aming pagkabigla, pagkalito, at kalungkutan sa nangyari nitong nakaraang araw.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) expressed sadness over the conflict between government forces and members of the Maute terror group.

“We the PCEC are deeply saddened by the outbreak of armed violence between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Maute Group in the City of Marawi. We stand in compassionate solidarity with its people, who are now suffering undeservedly the deadly effects of this ongoing conflict,” they said in a statement.

The group also expressed concern over the declaration of Martial Law by President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao on Tuesday.

“PCEC expresses concern with our President’s declaration. May this be but a temporary measure that will not yield what it sets out to do away with,” they added.

On the other hand, the organization called on the people to offer prayers for Duterte to guide him and to come up with an immediate solution to the conflict.

“PCEC thus calls on all its constituents to offer prayers for our President, that he may use all wisdom and discernment in bringing about a resolution to this conflict,” the group added.