NANAWAGAN ang Simbahang Katoliko sa publiko na daanin sa dasal ang patuloy na panggigipit na ginagawa ng China sa West Philippine Sea.
Isang “special weapon” ang pagdarasal ng rosaryo, ayon kay Archbishop Socrates Villegas ng Lingayen-Dagupan.
Sa kanyang pastoral letter, hinikayat ni Villegas ang mga katoliko na sumali sa “Rosary Campaign” mula Hunyo 27 hanggang sa araw ng Solemnity of the Assumption sa Agosto 15.
Gaya ng marami, nababahala rin ang arsobispo sa tumitinding pambu-bully ng China sa WPS.
“May the power of the rosary preserve our nation’s faith and freedom. May the power of the rosary crush the serpent’s head! May the power of the rosary drive away Satan’s power from our shores,” pahayag ni Villegas.
“May God be honored by all that we do for our country, our people and their future; for our faith and our Church, for the freedom to believe and the freedom to worship as we believe,” himok pa ng arsobispo.
Binakbakan nito ang ginagawang pagpasok ng China sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas at ang ginagawang pambu-bully sa mga mangingisda at maging tauhan ng Philippine Navy.
He lamented China’s encroachment on Philippine maritime zones, displacement of fishermen, and environmental degradation by building islands and militarized structures.
“There is evidence of insidious attempts by a foreign power that governs by an ideology that recognizes no God and keeps all religion and the practice of faith under the heavy heel of its totalitarian boot to ‘trample our sacred shores,’” dagdag pa nito.
