Pray for families, country, Cebuano faithful urged

CEBUANO families were reminded to pray for happiness and peace in their homes and the rest of the country for the Christmas season.

In his homily for the second day of Misa de Gallo, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the county is currently “under a dark cloud” of a brewing political crisis in Manila.

But he said this should not stop the flock from celebrating Christmas.

“Despite our faults, concerns and troubles, we can still say Merry Christmas and recognize that God has a reason why we have these things. There is a reason,” Palma said in his homily at the St Joseph’s chapel in the Archbishop’s residence.

Palma said the Cebuano flock has a lot to be thankful for, especially with the progress on the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod whose miracle is already being studied by the Pope.

He said the people should continue to pray and do well so the conflict between President Benigno Aquino and Chief Justice Renato Corona of the Supreme Court would be resolved.

Palma reiterated the call for peace and unity to the Cebuano flock.

“Despite the events with our government authorities and the Church that disturbs the people, let’s hope that happiness and peace will prevail,” he said in Cebuano.

He said the people should stay together under the unity of marriage and family and celebrate the revelries with the Church.

In an interview, Palma said that he is personally hoping for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.

“Many are capable of entering into dialogue with them to settle the issue. Like the church. It’s not easy to cling to hope, but that doesn’t mean that we should stop believing. When people are believers, they are more hopeful,” he said.

Palma is set to leave for Bantayan Island where he would celebrate three dawn masses for the Misa de Gallo in Bantayan Island.

He said he was thankful to God for the blessings he received this year.

Palma was appointed chairman of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last July.

“God has been so kind to me, it’s beyond my expectation. I just wish that Cebu would have real opportunity for renewal and evangelization and for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod,” he said.