Orlando Cardinal Quevedo of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines – Two Catholic bishops have denounced the bombing of the cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, as the “most heinous desecration of a sacred place.”
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo and Archbishop-elect Angelito Lampon, both former religious leaders from Jolo, also described on Monday the act as “satanic.”
“It is truly a satanic act that all sacred religions must condemn,” the bishops said in post in the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
“This is the action of evil people with utter disregard for the sacredness of human life and of human dignity,” they said.
The bishops were reacting to the blast incident happened early Monday in the Marian Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while Mass was ongoing.
The explosion was followed by another blast in the Church’s parking lot. At least 20 people were killed and 111 others were reported wounded.
READ: Palace vows to pursue perpetrators to the ends of the earth
The Church leaders appealed to the police “to flush out the perpetrators of this barbaric crime and bring them to justice”.
“We entrust the innocent victims to the Lord’s compassion and pray for their grieving families,” they said.
The recent bombings earned condemnation among military, police forces, and lawmakers.
The European Union and the World Bank have also expressed readiness to extend support in the country following the blast.
READ: European Union condoles with victims of Jolo twin explosions /
WB ready to help after Jolo twin blasts
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde flew to Jolo on Monday to oversee the investigation while President Rodrigo Duterte is also set to visit the site. /cbb
READ: Duterte to visit Jolo after twin blasts / PNP chief flies to bomb-stricken Jolo