Catholic priest to Filipino Christians: Uphold faith manifested by persecuted Christians
Filipino Christians must not forget the responsibility of continuing the faith manifested by the persecuted Christians, Catholic priest urged.
“[T]he chances for us, even though we don’t experience the experience of being persecuted, is for us to continue to manifest and show our faith [and] our love to God in everything that we do,” Fr. Roberto Luanzon Jr., O.P. said in his homily at the Eucharistic celebration of the ‘‘Red Wednesday’’ campaign on Nov. 22 for the world’s persecuted Christians at the UST Santísimo Parish.
Fr. Roberto Luanzon Jr., O.P. urges Filipino Christians to manifest their faith in words and in actions for the persecuted Christians. Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz.
“Basic responsibility as Christians, as Catholics, huwag tayong magsasawang ipakita ang ating pananampalataya,” Luanzon added.
Luanzon, the University’s assistant to the Vice Rector for Finance, said the manifestation of faith must be shown not only with words, but also with actions.
“He wants us to manifest and also to our daily bread of life, ipakita natin ang ating pagiging Kristiyano, not only with words but also in deeds,” he said.
Christians must allow themselves into the sufferings of those who were persecuted and reach out to them, said Luanzon.
The “Red Wednesday” campaign in the Philippines was organized by the Aid to Church in Need (ACN) to raise awareness among Filipino Christians about the asperity of Christian persecution.
UST, as one of the key venues, administered an advocacy forum and lighting ceremony for the celebration of the campaign.
The lighting ceremony immediately followed the Eucharistic celebration participated by the Thomasian community, who were summoned to wear red.
Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., UST Vice Rector for Religious Affairs, led the prayer that was offered to all the persecuted Christians.
Different landmarks around the University were lighted in red, such as UST Main Building, Arch of the Centuries, and the UST Santissimo Rosario Parish, as part of its participation for the campaign.
