CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has reminded the people not to be "paralyzed by fear" amid security concerns for the upcoming Sinulog Festival because of the recent bombing in Leyte.
Palma said in everything that had been happening in the country, it is important to trust God. He, however, said that necessary precautions should be done.
"I said, we should not be paralyzed by fear. But we have to maintain the necessary precautions. We try to maintain the proper way of guarding or securing the premises," Palma said.
According to him, he told the Augustinian priests who are in charge of the preparations for the feast of the Child Jesus.
He asked the faithful not to worry about the security for the Sinulog but rather keep their trust to God.
"But above all, it is an opportunity for us to show our trust to God more than whatever human factors could accomplish," Palma said.
"Ang mga nanghitabo nga bombing… usahay magdala og pag-worry pero ang akong pahinumdom nga salig lang kita sa Ginoo, matud pa, we should not be paralyzed by our fears. Dili nato ma-control ang panghunahuna sa tawo pero adunay Dios nga naggahum sa kalibotan," he added.
Palma issued the reminder during his New Year's Eve Mass at the Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral.
Palma asked the faithful to reflect on three things this New Year--gratitude, peace and hope. —/FPL (FREEMAN)