Military chaplains praying for pope’s safety

MANILA, Philippines -  Military chaplains from different religions are praying for the safety of Pope Francis, who will arrive this afternoon.

 The Armed Forces has activated its “prayer warriors” to give spiritual support for the safety of Francis while he is in the country.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. said members of the  Chaplain Service are “storming the heavens” with prayers.

“Religion is not a barrier among our soldiers,” he said. 

“(Armed Forces chief) Gen. (Gregorio) Catapang (Jr.) has directed our prayer warriors in the Chaplain Service to lead the faithful in asking our Lord for divine assistance.”

Comprised of Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, the Chaplain Service will dedicate a “holy hour” in all military camps starting today until Jan. 18.

Maj. Harley Flores, Chaplain Service administrative officer, said the holy hour will be held every 7 a.m. to pray for the success of the papal visit, among other prayer intentions.

“We also encourage all non-Catholic chaplains to offer prayers within their faith for the safety of the pope and the attending public,” he said.

He urged soldiers to pray for their 15,000 comrades providing area and route security for Francis.

The Chaplain Service has close to 100 members, 67 of them Catholics. More than 91,000 of the 125,000-strong Armed Forces are Catholics who see Francis as their spiritual leader.

Maynilad donates water

Metro Manila west zone water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is deploying 11 water tankers, setting up 15 water stations and donating almost 90,000 units of bottled water to show support for the visit of Pope Francis.

Maynilad president and CEO Ricky Vargas said the water tankers with a combined capacity of 94,000 liters will be stationed around the main thoroughfares leading to Rizal Park. They will provide water for people attending the mass that Francis will celebrate on Jan. 18, he added.

Fifteen water stations will be set up within Rizal Park, he added.

About 30,000 units of bottled water and 100 five-gallon jugs were sent to Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte.

Some 10,000 units of bottled water were sent to the University of Santo Tomas.

Over 17,000 bottles of water were donated for the use of logistics and security groups for the duration of the visit of Francis.

Thousands more were allocated for volunteers assisting in the event.

Maynilad  said 22 septic tanks were desludged and sewer lines declogged around Rizal Park.

It will also assist in the disposal of waste from the hundreds of portalets within the park.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it would not be practical to ban people attending the papal mass from bringing water.

“People need water, especially since we are telling them to go to these papal events early and they would be waiting too long,” he said.  – With Rhodina Villanueva, Czeriza Valencia, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos