‘Have you abandoned us, Lord?’

MANILA, Philippines – Fiestas and other religious and school festivities are not appropriate at this time, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said.

At the same time, a Catholic archbishop pleaded with God to spare the Philippines from further disasters, saying Filipinos have had enough.

In a statement sent to media on Monday, November 11, Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who is also the incoming president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said: “Like infants we cry to you, do not abandon us in our distress. We kneel in disbelief! How could you, dear Lord, have allowed this to happen to us who call on your holy name? Have you abandoned us, Lord? Are you punishing us for our sins against you?,” Villegas said.

“Tama na po. Hindi na po naming kaya! (Enough. We could no longer endure it!),” he added.

Villegas asked God to “command the winds and the rains to cease..(and) spare us from more typhoons and storms and earthquakes.” He added: “We feel bruised from all sides, battered from top to bottom and beaten up inside and out. Please consider our sufferings more than we can face.”

No to parties

On the other hand, Tagle is asking Catholics to tone down celebrations following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“If some celebrations are scheduled in our parishes or schools, please review them in light of the enormous suffering and needs of the victims and make the necessary adjustments,” Tagle said in a circular released Sunday, November 10.

The prelate also asked parochial schools, religious communities and parents’ associations in different parishes to mobilize and gather donations to assist the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

“If your parish is already helping a particular town or parish in an affected area, please
inform Caritas Manila. We could either add to what you are sending to them or look for
other communities that have not received any help.

“Please mobilize the parochial schools and religious communities in your parish (if there
are any). The parents’ association should be consulted and tapped. Associations of the lay faithful and ecclesial movements are to be asked to coordinate with our efforts,” he said. (For donations to the Archdiocese of Manila for #ReliefPH, check list here)

Tagle also announced that the Church will have special collections in the next two weeks even as he reminded parishes to be prompt “in remitting the special collections to the Treasury Department.” – Rappler.com

Get the latest info on the status of areas affected by typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan).

Help the victims of Yolanda. Visit Rappler’s list of ongoing relief operations in your area. Tell us about your relief and recovery initiatives, email move.ph@rappler.com or tweet us @moveph.

Visit rappler.com/typhoon-yolanda for the latest updates on Typhoon Yolanda.