Niños Inocentes came early for our country last Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent. The slaughter of the infants in Matthew 2:16-18 happened again while we are just starting our preparation for the Birth of the Messiah.
The Archdiocese of Manila mourns the loss of innocent faithful who perished at the Marawi State University bombing while attending the Holy Eucharist on the first Sunday of Advent.
It is such an irony that days after celebrating Red Wednesday to give recognition to Christians persecuted on account of their faith and to call on all people to put a stop to atrocities perpetrated against them, this unfortunate event happened in clear disregard of such a noble appeal.
The Archdiocese also extends its deepest sympathy to the bereaved families left orphaned by the death of their beloved. We are one with the victims of the bombing in Marawi. We are one with their families. We are praying for those who were killed and injured. We express our closeness to those who are suffering from shock and trauma because of this heinous act.
As for you who have done this merciless crime, we are praying for your conversion. May the Lord touch your heart so that you may realize the evil you have done and make right your brutal wrongdoing.
While we condemn this violent act and hope for justice to be served, we also continue to pray and seek concrete ways where it can contribute to the attainment of lasting peace not only in Mindanao but in the whole country as well. We appeal to the authorities to bring a just and quick resolution to this massacre of the innocents. We cry for justice as we pray for peace.
Relying on the mercy of God, may we not only hope for peace but also be willing to readily embrace and accept those things that lead to peace.
+JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila
