Palma urges interfaith unity amid disaster

CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday urged people to unite in order to meet the challenges brought about by the Oct. 15 earthquake.

“We are one with every person affected by the earthquake, whether Catholic or Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, etc., even those who do not profess to belong to any organized religion. We all share the same humanity, suffering together,” said the 63-year-old prelate in a statement.

“I invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we will remain strong and steadfast. We will rise together from all this misery,” he added.

Palma, the outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), urged the people, including members of the clergy and religious communities, to coordinate with the government and private sectors to assist those in need.

“I, therefore, enjoin immediate action to provide ready-to-eat food and clean water for those in Bohol and some parts of Cebu. Let us act quickly,” he said.

Interested parties who want to help may contact the Cebu Caritas Office of the Archdiocese at telephone numbers 2558830/ 2558835.

Over a hundred individuals perished due to the earthquake which toppled bridges, roads, and churches in Bohol.

In Cebu, several roads and buildings were also damaged, including the belfry of the 16th century Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.