RELIGIOUS leaders of various Christian sects in Pangasinan have banded together to lead the daily 9 o’clock p.m. prayer in their respective communities for peace in the country while the government is waging its campaign against illegal drugs.

In an inter-faith statement of peace titled “We believe in peace” dated Sept. 21, the religious leaders urged the people to use the power of prayer as weapon against violence.

The group collectively made the call “respectful of one another’s faith traditions and even more aware of the unresolved killings of suspected criminals and deaths of innocent victims caught in conflict, of police officers and military men who, in the call of duty and for our sakes, put their lives in danger to maintain peace and order in our nation”.

“We, leaders of various faith traditions, pastors and ministers of various Christian Churches in Pangasinan came together today in prayer and fellowship for peace in the world, peace in our country, peace among us and peace within ourselves,” it said.

The religious leaders belong to United Methodist Church of the Pangasinan Central East District, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen- Dagupan, Christian Evangelical Ministries Federation of Dagupan City, Dagupan Chinese Baptist Church, Radha Krisna Hindu Temple (Urdaneta City), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Bayambang, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in  Urdaneta, Calasiao and Dagupan, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Bugallon Christian Church, Muslim Community in Dagupan City, Jesus Christ Saves Global Outreach Ministry, Good News Community Church and New Life in Christ Foursquare Gospel.

“We believe that we have the power within us coming from God Himself, despite our human limitations, to contribute to the reign of peace and put an end to hate and violence in our society,” they stressed.

They pray that the words of hate must stop and give way to hope and brotherhood;

the fearsome sound of gunshots must be silenced and the voice of those who in pain must be heard; the threat of criminality and violence must now give way to the ministry of mercy and compassion; the distortion of truth must end for only the Truth can set us free; the bickering and quarreling must cease and let the balm of kindness now flow.

The group prays that the nation be purged from drug dealers yet while observing rule of law and human rights are respected at all times, that hypocrisy and dishonesty must melt and be replaced by sincere zeal with humility. (Tita Roces)

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