Cebuano Catholics are taking the streets in prayer to show their concern about the proposed legalization of divorce in the country.
The Archdiocese of Cebu announced on Saturday that it is organizing a prayer rally on July 27 to protect the sanctity of marriage and the family.
In a press briefing, Archbishop Jose Palma said the religious activity aims to make their voices heard against the controversial legislation.
“Deep in our hearts is the sincerity of our intentions. It’s a thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of family, the gift of the sacrament, and the gift of the many who have become witnesses to the marriage that has contributed to the welfare of many families,” Palma said.
“To us, that’s not hypocrisy at all. To us, it’s the sincerity of our hearts saying ‘thank you’ to many couples, who, despite many difficulties, believe in God’s grace that ‘we can go on,’” he said.
The prayer rally will start with a 3:00 p.m. procession from Fuente Osmeña Circle to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, where a Mass will be presided over by Archbishop Palma.
Images of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Sñr Sto. Niño will also be carried during the procession.
Apart from the Vatican, the Philippines is the last country where divorce is outlawed. But a new measure permitting it has recently passed the lower House.
For Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, the distinction is nothing to be ashamed of.
“Instead of being insecure and ashamed, we should raise our heads as Christians, with respect to other religions that have their own beliefs, that in the Philippines, we can be the last bastion of hope,” Billones said.
“And when we do that, perhaps we can become the beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Isn’t that a beautiful reason to go on and give love more chances?” he added.
The archdiocese also revealed it is consolidating the results of its signature drive against divorce conducted in all its parishes.
As of July 20, the campaign has gathered 122,000 signatures. These will be submitted to the Senate along with a position paper opposing divorce.
Canon lawyer Msgr. Raul Go, the archdiocese’s judicial vicar, emphasized that instead of relying on divorce to fix troubled relationships, legislators should focus on keeping marriages healthy.
“Like diabetes, we do not simply propose high-tech ways of amputation, but we promote a healthy lifestyle,” Go pointed out.
“I invite the people to take marriage seriously because this is the only way to strengthen the family and the society,” he also said.