Cebu priests offer prayer for ‘Taal’ victims

CEBU CITY - A member of the Augustinian religious community overseeing the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño’s security has offered a prayer for the tens of thousands of residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas province.

“Touch our hearts and depths of our brethren that those who can help become ready to share their resources to those who are in need,” Fr. Aladdin Luzon, a member of the Order of St. Augustin, said in his prayer which was also played on radio stations here.

Fr. Luzon prayed that through the mercy of God, the people affected by the volcanic ash eruption in Taal may get back on their feet despite the adversities. He said that God can be felt and experienced by victims of the catastrophe through the help of other people.

Fr. Socrates Saldua, in his homilyat the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center, reminded churchgoers that calamities may strike to remind humanity that there are things or events not under man’s control it. “Mao na nga panagsahan ta og linog, buto sa bulkan aron makahibalo ta nga di nato kontrolado ning kalibutan mao na nga mag-ampo ta,” Fr. Saldua said.

Saldua, Archbishop Jose Palma’s episcopal vicar in farnorth Cebu, also underscored the Roman Catholic’s religiosity as expressed in their deep faith and devotion to the Santo Niño through dance prayers and other rituals unique from other religious denominations.

Cebu Mayor Edgardo Labella said the local government is ready to help those affected by the calamity. “We will have to wait and assess the situation. But we will help,” he said, adding, they were contemplating on deploying disaster officers to the affected areas to determine the kinds of assistance they can send to the calamity-stricken areas in Batangas. (John Rey Saavedra)