CEBU, Philippines - While the country celebrated the 28th Edsa Power Revolution, the Diocese of Dumaguete yesterday conducted a Life Caravan around the capital city of Negros Oriental.
Dumaguete Bishop, Msgr. Julito Cortes, led the faithful in chanting "Yes to Life," reminding the people about deaths, such as death in family relationships due to illegal drugs, death of innocent babies and community relations and, worse, the introduction of the so-called "death bill" in Congress.
Cortes stressed the need to continually ask God for deliverance from evil, and he echoed the call of Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria and Gov. Roel Degamo to be united in order to succeed in this fight against evil.
"We will not succeed individually, i don't think the LGUs with its powers can succeed on its own, the Church with its prayer warriors can succeed on its own. We need everyone in this journey called life, because evil is partly real," Cortes said in his sermon after the Caravan.
Cortes said evil does not have space but it has so many faces, it divides the work places, corrupts public officials, kills individuals. "But we believe evil does not have the last say in this world. It is the Lord who has the last word after all as we are reminded of the gospel, Jesus Christ had died but has risen," he said.
The Dumaguete bishop called on different church organizations, non government organizations, people's organizations, youth organizations to work hand in hand to live life to the fullest. He asked family ministries in the various parishes to promote life and help foster an atmosphere of love and understanding in the homes.
Cortes also directed his brother priests, pastors, religious workers to revisit the concept of basic ecclesial communities (BECs), which he said can contribute in the struggle against drug addiction.
"We need each other. We are in this journey towards life for Jesus said I have come to give you life," Cortes added. (FREEMAN)