Archbishop Villegas posts ‘prayer for rain’ amid dry spell
WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA / INQUIRER MINDANAO
Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Wednesday posted on Facebook a “Prayer for Rain” as the country continues to experience a dry spell that has resulted in record-high temperatures.
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) did this as the El Niño weather phenomenon has caused drought in different parts of the Philippines, including Mindanao where thousands of farmers protested because of insufficient government subsidy.
READ: Cops, farmers clash in Kidapawan; 2 dead
“United as Your children, we come to You, pleading. Shower us with rain, provide us with water that we need,” Villegas said in his prayer. “Father, Your children are begging to survive. Hear us, we desire to live.”
The archbishop said the drought has deprived the people of “the fruits of our toil.”
“Low water supply means hunger and thirst for most of us; El Niño continues to threaten our relationship with one another,” he wrote. “O Lord, this is a very hostile phenomenon that we beg for You to end.”
Villegas also asked that people be taught to be more generous and that the crisis would “bring out the best in us.”
“Turn our eyes and ears toward the needs of others, especially the poor. Move us to share more, care more, serve more and love more,” he said.
The protest in Kidapawan resulted in a bloody dispersal, killing at least two farmers.
After the incident, lawmakers pressed the Aquino administration for explanations on why it had not taken action on the demands of the farmers.
READ: Gov’t lying over Kidapawan incident, El Niño—Cayetano
Last year, scientists predicted that this El Niño season could be among the strongest in the last 65 years.
READ: El Niño could be strongest in history
Villegas’ prayer has received more than 600 likes and 250 shares on Facebook. CDG
