MANILA — Once again the facade of the Manila Cathedral was illuminated in red lights Wednesday night as Catholics joined the Red Wednesday campaign for persecuted Christians all over the world.
The celebration was highlighted by a Mass celebrated by Fr. Chito Soganub, who was kidnapped by Maute group during the Marawi siege last year.
In his Homily, he noted that the event will not only remember the persecuted but also the conversion of persecutors.
“As organized by Church in Need (ACN) for all Roman Catholic faithful in the world to unite in prayer remembering those who were persecuted Christians, praying for the conversion of persecutors and praying for the direct victims,” the Catholic priest said.
He noted that he was excited to join the event since he will be able to share his experience as a victim of persecution.
“As a direct victim of persecution as I have experienced being hostaged, to be held by rebel group it was so hard. That’s why I’m very passionate when we celebrate this Red Wednesday because I knew from heart when you are a victim of persecution it’s not only your eyes that will cry, your heart, you soul, your entire being because you don’t know what to do. You cannot do anything except to pray,” he added.
Aside from the Manila Cathedral, other cathedrals and parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila and in other parts of the country also participated in the event.
A program was also held which discussed the significance of the illumination of the said structures after which a communal prayer was held for persecuted Christians.
The Red Wednesday campaign is an ACN’s initiative that creates awareness among Filipino Christians about the severity of Christian persecution and invites everyone “to make a visible statement by wearing red and, if resources allow, light their own parishes or respective buildings or local monuments in red.”