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Oppose ‘culture of death,’ Church prays for leaders

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ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle issued Saturday an “oratio imperata” or special prayer for the country’s leaders to reject a “culture of death” ahead of a leadership change at the end of the month.The prayer did not name a specific politician, but President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to wage a “bloody” campaign against crime.An “oratio imperata” is issued during difficult situations. Among the last such prayers were for rain to quell the El Nino dry spell and for a peaceful resolution to the country’s sea dispute with China.“Bless our leaders with true reverence for human life and unyielding opposition to the culture of death,” according to the prayer,” which will be read in all masses in the Archdiocese of Manila from Tuesday until the eve of Duterte’s inauguration.“Bless our leaders with a passion for truth that liberates and integrity that inspires,” read the prayer, which was posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ news website.The special prayer also asked for “sincere generosity and courageous simplicity of lifestyle” and a spirit of “spirit of heroic sacrifice and unrelenting fortitude” for the country’s leaders.While the Catholic Church does not endorse candidates during elections, it maintains significant influence since 80 percent of the country’s 100 million people subscribe to the faith.

MANILA – Manila Archbishiop Luis Antonio Tagle issued Saturday an “oratio imperata” or special prayer for the country’s leaders to reject a “culture of death” ahead of a leadership change at the end of the month.