Archdiocese of Manila sets Oct. 27 as day of prayer

‘GRAVE CONCERN’ | Palestinians walk next to a building damaged during a raid by Israeli troops at the Nur Shams refugee camp near the northern city of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. | PHOTO: Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines —The Archbishop of Manila on Monday urged the faithful to take part in a day of prayer, fasting, and penance on Oct. 27 amid the conflict in the Middle East involving Israel and the Hamas and Hezbollah groups.

Vice Chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., in a circular addressed to “all the clergy in the Archdiocese of Manila,” appealed to communities to pray for peace to reign in war-torn areas.

“We encourage our communities to organize prayer initiatives for this intention like the Mass for Peace, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament/Holy Hour, the praying of the holy rosary, or any other celebrations of the Word of God,” he said in the circular.

The circular was issued in response to Pope Francis’ call for churches to designate Oct. 27 as a day of prayer, fasting, and penance for peace.

Pope Francis pleaded Sunday for an end to the conflict in Gaza amid fears it could widen and called for more humanitarian aid to be allowed there.

“War is always a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!” Pope Francis said after his traditional Angelus prayer in Rome’s Saint Peter’s Square.

Prayer rally for Israel

Several members of the Philippines Stands with Israel on Sunday held a candle lighting and prayer rally at Quezon Memorial Circle to show support for Israel amid its conflict with Hamas.

The rally was aimed at demonstrating support for Israel, following the coordinated attacks by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

“As Israel faces challenges, let’s stand together and support the nation that has extended a helping hand to many in their time of need. Let’s give back to a nation that’s always been there for others,” the organization said in a Facebook post.

In attendance were people from different backgrounds, including Israelis, Filipinos, Chinese, and various religious organizations.

Clad in blue and white shirts and waving Israel’s flag, the ralliers chanted “Stand with Israel.”

The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines also expressed gratitude to the event’s organizers and participants for their show of support.

“It is important for us to remember that Jewish people have long suffered in history. So many persecutions and holocausts … We are now at war with the terrorist organization Hamas. We must win this war, and we will win it,” said Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss.

The event concluded with participants placing flowers and lighting candles to honor the lives lost.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed that another Filipino has been killed in Israel following the Hamas attack on the country.

The unprecedented attack initiated by Hamas, which cost more than 1,400 lives is considered as the country’s deadliest attack since its founding in 1948.

Israel, in response, initiated airstrikes which have resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,000 Palestinians so far.