Bishops to hold Mass in Manila early Wednesday for Noynoy's success

Hours before he formally takes his oath as the 15th Philippine leader on Wednesday, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III will get a needed spiritual boost from Catholic bishops who will hold a Mass for his administration's success. Organized by church-run Radyo Veritas, the 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Manila Cathedral will be led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. "The church will continue her critical collaboration with the State for the benefit of the country and the poor," Radyo Veritas president Fr. Anton Pascual said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site. Joining Rosales in celebrating the Mass will be Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. and former Manila auxiliary Bishop Tedoro Bacani Jr. Pascual, who also heads Caritas Manila, said the Mass will also make a statement of church's advocacy for Filipinos. "The church leaders will state their 12-point agenda or demands for President-elect Aquino. These are advocacy of the church based on Catholic teachings," he said. He said the Mass is open to the public especially to those who won in the recent local and national elections. "Together we will pray for the success and unity between the new administration, his officials and the people to attain the common good," Pascual said. But the CBCP admitted that neither Aquino nor his defeated running mate, Manuel Roxas II, had confirmed their attendance at the Mass as of Monday evening. During the incumbency of Noynoy's mother — the late President Corazon Aquino — the Catholic Church was among her staunchest allies. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV