HEAR, O GOD, THE LAMENT OF YOUR PEOPLE!

(A Prayer-Statement)

Hear, O God, the deafening dirge of your people, our people! Look at what has happened to our land. Hear the cries of the widows and the fatherless innocents mourning over the senseless murders of their dearest fathers in Negros island over the past few days; of the disgraceful victims of ferocity and crimes; of the poor and oppressed peasants being harassed and distraught simply for aspiring to be free from the shackles of poverty and domination; of those whose lives are threatened for defending the rights of the destitute and sufferers;

Hear, O God, our agony, our anguish of pain and unfathomable discomfort. Our people suffer under the murky and bloody hands of the tyrants of our land. Murder after murder ensues almost everyday but no perpetrators has been arrested to this point. The ambience of impunity terrifies us no end. Our people especially the poor are in terrible peril, O God.

Have mercy on our people even as we also deplore the recent spate of killings in Negros island. Our churches, pastors and prophets in Mindanao are being vilified and maliciously accused of false charges like in the case of a church worker in Surigao-Dinagat District Conference, which we also abhor.  Bring forth the flame of your righteousness and the burning fervor of your peace.

Hear, O God, our earnest plea on behalf of the Filipino people. Free us from fear and awaken us from our disturbing silence amidst all these woeful realities. Embolden us to defend the powerless victims and be in solidarity with the struggling people. Send us forth to where the voice of justice must be proclaimed, and the liberating truth declared. Give us courage to be your voice and be instruments of your peace! For thou has called us to be so “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18 ESV )

Hear, O God, our prayer. AMEN.

THE UCCP COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
July 30, 2019

Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
General Secretary

Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Emergencio D. Padillo
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Joel E. Tendero
South Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Jerome C. Baris
East Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Feliciana P. Tenchavez
West Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Ligaya F. San Francisco
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis
Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishops Emeritus:
Bishop Arturo R. Asi
Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo
Bishop Isaias L. Bingtan
Bishop Erme R. Camba
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop Gabriel A. Garol
Bishop Hilario M. Gomez, Jr.
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
Bishop Roel P. Mendoza
Bishop Jaime R. Moriles
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat
Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Rizalino Q. Taganas
Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta

Please click this link for the downloadable file, UCCP COB Prayer Statement