A Prayer and a Dream

The Year of Mercy, which was opened on 8 December 2015, was planned to make us merciful like God the Father of Mercy who is Mercy Himself. I pray that this inspired decision of Pope Francis becomes a reality here in Davao City and throughout the country.

This is my constant prayer and dream.

Pray and dream that the Philippines develop into a First World Country. For this to become a reality our country must have new government which ‎will gradually bring about a new system of governance and lifestyle based on authentic human, spiritual and moral values. These values will be lived and reflected in and by the new leadership whose dominant attitude and outlook would be mercy and compassion and respect for the rule of law.

Because my prayer is firmly rooted in the belief that nothing is impossible with the God of Mercy, I dream of a Davao City where the local government, business and the rich people will abolish the squatter areas by providing decent houses for the poor, that education, public transportation, hospitals, medicines, medical services are free.

I dream of Davao City‎ where labor laws on contractual labor are observed by shopping mall owners, that the minimum wage especially the family wage is practiced by business, hotels and household employers, that there are no poor children sleeping on sidewalks at night, that no beggars beg from car drivers stopping on red lights, and no prostitutes of any age wait for customers in the street beside the Central Bank.

I pray and dream most of all of us bishops and priests and religious living a simple lifestyle‎, and abolishing obligatory offerings for funerals, baptisms, weddings, house blessings and issuance of certificates, and depending only on contribution and collections during Masses.

May the Father of Mercy and God of Justice hear my prayer and realize my dream.