"Let us stand in solidarity and unity in our prayers. We pray for the safety of the bishops and all those wrongfully charged, that they might find strength in these trying times."
For seven years, Sister Anita has worked with the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, in the Diocese of San Jose. She offers them counsel, ministers to their most urgent needs, and supervises children in the primary school. She helps local women and organizes youth events and activities. "It is a joy and a blessing," Sister Anita says of her work.
In front of the church, in a glass encasement, now stands a statue of Christ splattered with the blood of worshipers who died in the church on Easter Sunday.
"The Christian minority on the island of Jolo are not the only victims; there are also Muslims who tell me: 'Father, we too are threatened because we are not the same kind of Muslims as they are.'"
“Please pray for the victims of Mount Carmel Cathedral bombing in Jolo. No words can describe the sorrow and pain that we feel. May they be given justice in God’s time. I know that the friends of the victims—both Muslims and Christians—are mourning and in deep sorrow today. Pray also or the families of our young soldiers who died while securing the cathedral. Most of those who died were our regular Sunday 8am Mass-goers.”