As the country continues to face the unique challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hand in hand with Uniharmony Partners Manila and Religions for Peace Philippines in sharing a message of hope and solidarity.
The video message, which aired on various partner channels, including the Church’s Facebook and YouTube channels, featured messages spoken by leaders of different faith-based organizations.
Six minutes in length, the video also showcased the different COVID-19-related relief efforts of the various organizations.
Most Reverend Broderic S. Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, in his message shared, “Coronavirus has shown us a very important aspect of our lives. That we are all connected with each other.”
Meanwhile, Venerable Miao Jing Shih, Head Abbess of the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, shared that despite the difficult challenge the country is facing it’s the perfect time to develop trust and hope. “It also the perfect time to practice kindness and goodness,” she said.
Teodulfo “Ted” Arago, National Coordinator for Interreligious Dialogue (Men) – Philippines Zone, Focolare Movement, also shared, “Let us encourage each other to keep and enhance the new lifestyle born from this experience.”
Moreover, Genevieve Balance Kupang, Ph.D., a Kankanaey woman from the Mountain Province-Vice-Chair, SANDIWA and Mandala Peace Arts Initiative, Inc., shared a special prayer for the frontline workers in her native Kankanaey language.
“We thank you also for all the frontliners worldwide; we beg you to continue to strengthen them; empower them with your Spirit so that they can find a solution to this crisis. Along with the entire human race, we can find a way out of this pandemic,” she prayed.
Sister Rajni Daulatram, the National Coordinator for the Philippines and Japan of Brahma Kumaris, gave appreciation to the medical and healthcare workers, garbage collectors, and many other workers working in the frontlines. She said, “Coming together, helping together is an act of kindness and cooperation.
Imam Ebra Moxsir, President of the Imam Council of the Philippines, encouraged everyone to unite and help one another. “Let us not discriminate and maintain our compassion, humility, and sincerity,” he said.
In her message, Dr. Lilian Sison, Secretary-General for Religions for Peace Philippines, prayed, “May our light and faith see us through this darkness that covers the world.”
Elder Aretemio C. Maligon, Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ, reiterated President Russell M. Nelson’s invitation to all Latter-day Saints and those of other faiths to participate in relief efforts in their communities wherever opportunities arise. He concluded by saying, “We pray that this unique challenge will pass in due time.”