CBCP pushes ‘white ribbons’ against natural disasters, too
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released on Saturday a circular directing dioceses nationwide to continue its support of the “White Ribbon” movement after its initial success in anticorruption protests on Sept. 21.
In Circular No. 25-14, CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David instructed churches to observe the National Call to Prayer and Public Repentance.
“Let us reiterate our recently released National Call to Prayer and Public Repentance, asking our people to observe it every Sunday—and where possible, every day—until the Solemnity of Christ the King, with the tolling of bells,” said David in the letter.
The CBCP encouraged Catholics to wear white every Sunday of October and November and to display white ribbons in homes, churches and public spaces.
According to the circular, the observance was first proposed by Digos, Davao del Sur Bishop Guillermo “Jimmy” Afable.
Nationwide support
It symbolizes transparency, accountability and good governance and gained church-backed support in 20 separate areas around the country: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Bulacan, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Daet, Davao City, Dumaguete, Iloilo City, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, some parts of Metro Manila, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo, Pangasinan, San Fernando, Tuguegarao and Virac.
The directive came out following the series of typhoons and earthquakes across the country, including the devastating Bogo City in Cebu and the 7.4 and 6.9 back-to-back earthquakes in Davao Oriental on Friday.
Also on Friday, an alliance of progressive groups and other organizations is gearing up to launch their own protests against corruption throughout the month.
Stronger voice
“There will be a stronger voice from the people if the protests are bigger and more in number. That’s why today, various groups are planning large protest actions,” Teddy Casiño, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chair, told the Inquirer.
According to him, the series of rallies will begin on Oct. 17 with a youth-led march nationwide under the banner of Youth Action Against Corruption.
“We can clearly see that corruption is not just a flaw in the system but a feature of it,” said Kabataan Rep. Renee Co. “That’s why these groups here aim to build mobilizations and coordinated efforts to change the system.”
Aside from the youth-led mobilizations, on Oct. 21, multisectoral farmer organizations will also hold protests to culminate in a big demonstration on Nov. 30, in commemoration of Bonifacio Day.
