Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila ROY LAGARDE

Catholics in the Archdiocese of Manila will recite a common prayer at the end of all Sunday Masses in August that pokes the consciences of Filipinos over the “many disturbing issues” in society today.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s “Prayer for the Nation” expresses collective remorse for the “evil that we have done” and for “failing to do what is good and just.”

It also calls for an end to violence, physical or otherwise, and begs God’s mercy for the perpetrators, while praying that all Filipinos see even the worst of sinners as children of God and that inspiration be granted to government officials and law enforcers to uphold human life and dignity.

“We pray for an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, malicious propaganda, deadly weapons, or cold indifference,” Tagle’s prayer states.

“Grant us the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language, or culture, even drug addicts, criminals, and hardened sinners.”

It prays for elders to “become models of decent and honorable behavior,” and strength to teach children and youth “how to resolve differences non-violently and respectfully.”

It also seeks mercy for those who hate the Church and “spread prejudice against our Catholic faith.”

“Illumine their minds with the light of your truth. Touch their hearts with your love,” the Manila archbishop’s prayer states.

Tagle’s call for prayer comes ahead of a government probe into allegations of inciting to sedition against opposition figures as well as Archbishop Socrates Villages, Bishops Honesto Ongtioco, Teodoro Bacani, and Pablo Virgilo David, and three priests, over a series of videos linking the president to illegal drugs.

“We lift up to you our bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful who suffer from misunderstanding, false accusations, and persecution on account of their faith and their promotion of justice. Grant them holy joy that will see them through the dark nights of suffering,” it states.

It also prays for victims of “senseless brutal organized killings, including priests who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth and justice.”

The Church has been a strident critic of the Duterte government’s bloody war on drugs, and as a result has been at the receiving end of tirades and insults from the Catholic-educated President Rodrigo Duterte. (PressONE.ph)