DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 7 (PNA) –- Bishop Julito B. Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete will release his pastoral letter for the respect, protection and preservation of life at a concelebrated mass during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday.
At the same time, the bishop will also release his Oratio Imperata, an urgent prayer, specifically addressed to the community, in response to the spike in shooting incidents in this capital city and in other parts of Negros Oriental.
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, OIC provincial Philippine National Police director P/Sr. Supt. Dionard Carlos, Dumaguete police chief P/Supt. Jovito Atanacio, other local officials, law enforcement groups, civil society organizations and the media are invited to the activity to show support to the need for concerted efforts to address the growing menace of the illegal drugs trade.
The invitation is also open to the public, especially families of victims of shooting incidents.
To recall, Bishop Cortes had expressed concern over the spate of killings, mostly shooting incidents that he described as already alarming.
While these shooting cases were largely attributed to the illegal drugs trade, the bishop said he believes that there is a need to rally against violence and promote instead the culture of life.
He had noted that based on media reports, the police have not solved a single shooting incident and no suspect has been arrested.
Even Mayor Sagarbarria had also admitted in previous media interviews that he agrees with the observation of the bishop that the police cannot singlehandedly solve these murders.
The call for a united stand to end violence will be held following the mass set at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City. (PNA)