CBCP | PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday announced that Filipino bishops will join Pope Francis in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25.
The CBCP said this in a circular, signed by its president Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, amid the ongoing invasion of Russia in Ukraine killing thousands, and displacing millions.
David said that “with Russia’s sudden shift to an expansionist geopolitical policy,” people can only hope that the country’s move does not inspire any of its allies from doing the same thing.
He also said that while Europe is far from the Philippines, “we have every reason to be apprehensive about these global developments.”
“We are conscious of the fact that, in just the past few years, the peace and security of some of our own national territories have been among our major domestic concerns, especially in the West Philippine Sea, where an ally of Russia has already set up its own military installations, despite all our protestations,” said David.
“This is now turning out to be the more important global context that should determine the way we will choose a new set of leaders for our country in the coming elections. This too we must pray very hard for,” he added.
The Philippines has been in a long-running maritime dispute with China. which is asserting its expansive claim over the South China Sea that includes the West Philippine Sea.
In July 2016, the Philippines won its case against China before the International Permanent Court of Arbitration (IPCA) in The Hague.
READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea
But China has been refusing to recognize the historic ruling, repeatedly trespassing Philippine territorial waters.
“In view of this, we, your bishops, have decided to join the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, 2022, Friday, Solemnity of the Annunciation,” said David.
The Pope earlier announced that he will consecrate both Ukraine and Russia to Mary during a penitential prayer service at Saint Peter’s Basilica, in response to a request sent to him by Ukrainian Catholic Bishops on March 2.
The chosen date, March 25, also coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.
Meanwhile, “as an act of solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine,” the CBCP’s Permanent Council also announced that there will be a special second collection to be held in all churches on Sunday, March 20.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, which since killed scores of people and forced millions to flee Ukraine.
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