Faithful urged to pray rosary for ‘pork’ scam culprits, witnesses

MANILA, May 25, 2014–Tyhe head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday exhorted the faithful to offer prayers for the conversion of those involved in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scandal.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archsbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, called on the faithful to pray the rosary from May 31 until August 15 “for the conversion of the culprits in the pork barrel scam, for the courage of the witnesses, and the healing of our country.”

“Let us overcome evil by the power of good,” Villegas said in a pastoral statement issued on Saturday.

May 31 is the Feast of the Visitation and August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption.

Vilegas also encouraged the children to receive the Holy Eucharist, while offering prayers for key figures and witnesses in the multibillion racket of siphoning public funds to dubious organizations and foundations.

“I encourage our youth and children to receive Holy Communion frequently during these days of prayer and offer prayers for the culprits, the witnesses and our government,” he said.

“Let us not lose hope! As in all situations, we will see the light beyond this crisis. It will make us stronger and more mature. Let us not stop hoping, praying and being concerned and vigilant. Our government is what we make of it,” Villegas said.