Philippines: Bishop Seeks Prayer of Reparation for Bombed Chapel

A Catholic bishop in the southern Philippines called for prayers for "reparation" for the "desecration" of a chapel that was bombed in the province of Sulu on Christmas Day.

P>MANILA, Philippines (UCAN) - A Catholic bishop in the southern Philippines called for prayers for "reparation" for the "desecration" of a chapel that was bombed in the province of Sulu on Christmas Day.

"All places of worship (are) sacred and therefore should be respected," said Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo.

The prelate also called on the faithful to offer prayers even as he urged Muslims and Christians in Mindanao to work "more than ever" for peace.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, meanwhile, appealed to Filipinos not to lose sight of peace and hope for the coming New Year.

"Even as we condemn the senseless bombings of innocent churchgoers . we wish to express our message of peace and hope to all peoples of various cultures and religious traditions," he said.

He said the message of peace on Christmas Day "was given not only to the shepherds but also to the wise men and everyone today working for a just and lasting peace in our land."

Various Christian and Muslim groups condemned the incident that injured at least 10 people, including a priest.

Muslim leaders under the National Ulama Conference condemned the bombing, which they branded as barbaric. They said the forces of evil were once again unleashed "to sow terror" and "create discord."

"The many kidnapping incidents in different parts of Mindanao are barbaric acts of violence, cruelty and disrespect and must be condemned," the Muslim leaders said in a statement. They also called on the government to "move heaven and earth to bring the culprits to the bar of justice."

"Whoever did such horrific acts, we say that they are inhuman and that they are not serving the all-compassionate and all-loving God.. No doubt they are serving Satan," the Muslim religious leaders said.

They said that if reports that Jema'ah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf groups were true, the public should know that the "brand of Islam" being espoused by these groups "has no place in the purity of Islamic teachings."

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