MANILA, Philippines?-The Catholic Church called on Filipinos to offer a special prayer to spare the country from further devastation as a third storm to hit the country in as many weeks intensified and moved towards northern Luzon.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said they have formulated an Oratio Imperata (obligatory prayer) which the faithful would pray at Mass.

The obligatory prayer is an old Catholic tradition where the bishop leads the community in prayer for a special intention. The prayer is recited in Church while kneeling.

?We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made,? the prayer said.

The special prayer also asks for forgiveness for sins against nature with the hope that people have learned their lesson not to abuse the environment.

?We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of Nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth. The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference,? the prayer continued.

?Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

?We turn to You our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation and generous neighbors to those in need,? it concluded.

Ongtioco said priests in the Diocese of Cubao have included the Oratio Imperata in last Sunday's masses.