The Catholic Church will lead a nationwide mobilization on November 23, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday in the Church’s liturgical calendar.
According to Fr. Robert Reyes, convenor of the Clergy for Good Governance, priests have been instructed to celebrate Masses for the Christ the King feast and integrate messages addressing current social and political issues.
The main gathering will be held at the EDSA Shrine, beginning with a brief procession at around 2:00 p.m., followed by a Mass presided over by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David at 4:00 p.m. Other dioceses have also been encouraged to hold parallel activities.
Cardinal David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and bishop of Kalookan, called on the public to take part in actions against corruption.
“End corruption, end political dynasties. Kita po natin na ang ugat ng korapsyon ay ang pulitika ay nasa kamay ng iilang political families. At nakakalungkot kasi ’yong ating government ay nagiging platform for their political drama. Tama na po. Hindi po ito nakakatuwa. Hindi po teleserye ang public service,” David said.
Church leaders also rejected the use of the issue for political patronage, especially amid recent gatherings calling for the resignation of President Bongbong Marcos.
“Some want to twist our anger into chaos. We won’t let them. No extra-constitutional means, no to a revolutionary government, no to a military junta, no to selective justice. Yes to prosecuting all the guilty forthwith. We choose truth over spectacle, institutions over personalities,” said Msgr. Manny Gabriel of the Clergy for Good Governance.
He added: “We will not stay quiet while patronage bleeds this nation. To those using this crisis for gain, we pray for your enlightenment.”