Tuesday's Mass for hostage victims to focus on unity

Unity amid trying times will be the focus of Tuesday’s Mass at the Quirino Grandstand for the victims of last week’s bloody hostage incident in Manila that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Church-run Radyo Veritas, said Filipinos and Chinese nationals will be represented at the Mass marking the ninth day after the tragedy. “It’s so sad that this happened to us, but we need to unite in this situation, we need to pray ardently," Pascual said in an article posted Monday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. Filipino and Chinese bishops will concelebrate the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand, the site of last week’s 11-hour ordeal that also resulted in the death of the hostage-taker, dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza. Philippine bishops Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. (Caloocan) and Honesto Ongtioco (Cubao) will concelebrate the Mass with Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. Fr. Thaddeus Shang, a Catholic priest from mainland China, will also concelebrate the Mass. Iñiguez heads the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs Committee, while Ongtioco is the CBCP's treasurer. Pabillo, meanwhile, chairs the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA). Philippine and Chinese government officials and people from various sectors are expected to attend the Mass. The UCAN article said co-organizers of the Mass include Radyo Veritas, Department of Tourism, Manila city government, tour and travel industry members and the Manila Archdiocese. Earlier, former CBCP president and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said Filipino bishops may make representations with their Hong Kong counterparts to help heal the wounds caused by the hostage tragedy. “There is a possibility (the CBCP) will also make representations with their counterparts in Hong Kong, although it would depend on the decision of the CBCP Permanent Council," Lagdameo said. “While we cannot prevent the negative reaction from Hong Kong and Chinese residents and leaders, I can only hope reason and sobriety will prevail," he added. On Sunday, Philippine and Hong Kong officials attended activities mourning the deaths in last week's incident. The rally was one of several events held by locals and Filipino workers to remember the victims. Hong Kong Bishop John Tong Hon presided over a Mass for the dead at St. Joseph’s Church, praying for the souls of the departed and for a speedy recovery for the injured. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Philippine consul general Claro Cristobal were present. The Catholic commissions for Justice and Peace and Labour Affairs later joined eight other Christian and Filipino groups at a candlelit vigil held in the Central district to express sympathy and solidarity and to call for justice for the victims and survivors. Earlier, an “All Filipino-Inter-faith gathering" took place in which several hundred overseas workers offer condolences and express their unity with Hong Kong’s people. - KBK, GMANews.TV