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Manila Archbishop Rosales orders 'day of penance' August 26


Churches within the Archdiocese of Manila will hold a "Day of Penance" on August 26 for the supposed "sin of sacrilege and blasphemy" involving a recent controversial art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). In a circular issued to the clergy, religious superiors, and school directors on Monday, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales also ordered that a "prayer of reparation" be recited in all Masses from August 21 to 28. "Our laypeople have expressed their strong sentiments regarding this work as an affront to decent society, through protests and rallies, and even through the filing of a criminal suit. As Church we will kneel before our loving God to pray and seek reparation for this public sin. We will do this along with this 'Prayer of Reparation,'" Rosales said in a news article on the Manila archdiocese website. "We pray this kneeling down after the post-communion prayer," Rosales added. One of the artworks included in the controversial CCP exhibit was artist Mideo Cruz's mixed-media "Poleteismo" which was criticized as "blasphemous" as it showed, among others, a crucifix draped with a pink, stretched-out condom, a Jesus image with a penis for a nose, and various other religious images placed alongside pictures of women modeling underwear. The CCP on August 9 closed down the main gallery where the art exhibit was on display. In a statement, the CCP said threats to persons and property compelled the management's to close down the gallery. Mass for forgiveness of sins On August 26, he suggested that purple vestments be used by priests for the "Mass for the Forgiveness of Sins." He also encouraged everyone to "perform an act of penance or sacrifice" on Aug. 26, such as fasting or other forms of mortification, "as an expression of remorse for the sins committed against God’s majesty." "Many agree that the work over-reached the boundaries of freedom of expression. Most say it is offensive and a great affront to Catholics and Christians, and to all people who value decency. To them the work is 'trash.' And we agree," he said. He said that for Catholics and Christians, the offense "goes beyond visual senses" and "strikes into our souls." "The public exhibition of the repulsive work is sacrilege and blasphemy. It is a sin. It has deeply offended the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother, and our Church," he stressed. - VVP, GMA News Prayer of reparation According to the CBCP website, the "Prayer of Reparation" has to be prayed kneeling: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, out of love for us, your sinful creatures, you became man and sacrificed your life on the cross. You deserve nothing but gratitude, honor, and praise, yet there are people, who by a misguided use of freedom, ridicule your Divine Person and the person of your Mother by desecrating your sacred images and call their work “art." We are profoundly shocked and ashamed, Lord Jesus, and so we kneel before your Divine Majesty to beg the pardon of your merciful and forgiving heart for the mindless blasphemy committed against you. We are filled with indignation against the perpetrators, but you have taught us to forgive as you have forgiven us. Whether they know or know not what they were doing, we pray for them: Lord Jesus, grant them the grace of true repentance and open their minds to what is noble and beautiful, to what is edifying and respectful of other people’s beliefs. We also pray for ourselves: Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to live like real Christians, so that we may become your unblemished images and living witnesses to your love and forgiveness. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Filipino version Panalangin ng Pagbabayad-puri Panginoong Hesukristo, Anak ng Diyos na buhày, dahil sa labis mong pag-ibig sa aming mga makasalanan, nagkatawang-tao ka at nag-alay ng iyong buhay sa krus. Nararapat kang pasalamatan, parangalan, at purihin, ngunit may mga tao, na dahil sa maling paggamit ng kanilang kalayaan ay nililibak ang inyong pagka-Diyos at ang karangalan ng iyong Ina sa ng paglapastangan sa inyong banal na imahen at ituring itong sining. Lubos kaming nababagabag at nahihiya, Panginoong Hesus, kaya't kami'y buong pakumbabang lumuluhod sa harap ng inyong dakilang kamahalan upang humingi ng kapatawaran mula sa iyong maawain at mapagpatawad na puso sa walang pakundangang paglapastangan sa iyong karangalan. Matindi ang aming pagkamuhi sa mga taong may kagagawan nito, ngunit tinuruan mo kaming magpatawad tulad ng pagpapatawad mo sa amin. Alam man nila ang kanilang ginagawa o hindi, ipinapanalangin namin sila: Panginoong Hesus, pagkalooban mo sila ng biyaya ng tunay na pagtitika at imulat mo ang kanilang mga isip kung ano ang marangal at maganda, kung ano ang nagbibigay ng mabuting halimbawa at gumagalang sa paniniwala ng iba. Ipinapanalangin din namin ang aming sarili: Panginoong Hesus, pagkalooban mo kami ng biyaya na mamuhay kami bilang mga tunay na Kristiyano upang kami'y maging mga walang bahid mong kawangis at mga buhày na saksi ng iyong pag-ibig at pagpapatawad. Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. Kristo, kaawan mo kami. Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. - VVP, GMA News

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