Grand rosary rally vs corruption set in Bacolod
BACOLOD CITY—The Catholic Church here has initiated a grand rosary against corruption on Saturday that is expected to draw thousands of participants.
Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said the rosary rally is being held to pray for the nation and for change amid the national scandal involving flood control and other government infrastructure projects.
Buzon said the people have to make a stand against these abuses, as “so much money has ended up in the pockets of a few who are in power at “the expense of the lives and property of the people.”
“The people are angry at this huge injustice … The Church is with the people. God Himself is angry, especially if the poor are the ones victimized,” he said at a press conference on Thursday to announce the staging of the prayer rally.
The prelate stressed that the prayer rally would show that “there is a demand for accountability and justice, and hopefully, it sparks change.”
He said prayers are needed for conversion and change amid the deep-seated culture of corruption and impunity plaguing the nation.
Buzon, in a circular, called on parishes and communities in the Diocese of Bacolod to join the diocesan-wide gathering that seeks to implore God’s grace for spiritual strength and moral courage to resist and denounce the evil of corruption.
Circular
“This also aims to express the collective moral stand of our local church in our call for justice, transparency and good governance,” he said.
The rosary rally will commence at 1:30 p.m. from three starting points across Bacolod City, with participants converging at the San Sebastian Cathedral, where a program and Mass will take place, the bishop said.
“I sincerely hope for your active participation and support. Together, let us stand firm in our commitment to truth, justice and the transformation of our society through the power of prayer,” he said.
Placards allowed will only carry messages from scriptures.
Buzon said the advocacy against corruption should be sustained not just through public manifestations but through prayers and sacrifice.
The Diocese of Bacolod will also join a national protest on Nov. 30 for societal transformation, he added. INQ
The bishop was joined by Fr. Michael Ma. Cuenca of the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross and Fr. Julius I. Espinosa, Caritas Bacolod Social Action Director, at the press conference.
