Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Catholic Church on Sunday transformed the EDSA Shrine into a venue for prayer, reflection, and moral appeal as hundreds of parishioners, clergy, and lay groups gathered for a faith-driven mobilization timed with the Feast of Christ the King. </p><p>Organized by priests and framed not as a political rally but as a “prayerful action,” the event combined a procession, Mass, prayer rally, and concert, lasting from mid-afternoon until around 9 p.m. </p><p>Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) spokesperson Fr. Jerome Secillano, rector of the EDSA Shrine, said the intention was clear: to remind the country that moral authority stands above political whims. </p><p>“Ang pinakalayunin natin dito ay maipakita na ang dapat na sinusunod natin, hindi mga politiko lang e,’ kung hindi ang ating Panginoong Hesu Kristo. So kaya naman, ito ay isang magandang paalala na sumunod tayo sa batas ng Diyos, sa utos ng Diyos, iyon ang mahalaga,” Fr. Secillano said. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/21/catholic-group-launches-prayer-campaign-to-protest-corruption-1244"><strong>Catholic group launches prayer campaign to protest corruption</strong></a></div><p>Secillano stressed that the mobilization, organized by priests themselves, was part of the Church’s effort to bring faith into public life. </p><p>“Ito iyong evangelization of politics, ‘di ba? Dalhin natin ang salita ng Diyos sa larangan ng politika. Kaya prayer rally para ‘yun, maipabahagi sa taong bayan iyong mga pagtuturo ng simbahan,” he added. </p><p>The event opened with a procession at 2:30 p.m., followed by a 4:30 p.m. Mass led by CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David. A prayer rally and a concluding concert followed. </p><p>While dioceses and parishes nationwide were invited, Secillano clarified that organizers were not anticipating a crowd comparable to previous massive political demonstrations. </p><p>He further stated that the gathering is not calling for the President’s resignation. “Wala, walang gano’n. Hindi kami nananawagan na magbitiw ang kung sino man. Ang panawagan lang talaga dito, seryosohin talaga iyong pag-iimbestiga, iyong pagpapanagot sa kanila,” he said. </p><p>What the Church demands, Secillano emphasized, is accountability and truth. </p><p>He stressed that the Church will not name individuals accused of wrongdoing, saying this is for investigators. The gathering, he added, is intended as a “prequel” to the November 30 rally, which the Church also supports. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/19/catholic-church-to-lead-anti-corruption-movement-on-nov-23-2041"><strong>Catholic Church to lead anti-corruption movement on Nov. 23 </strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>A HOMILY ROOTED IN CRISIS AND CONSCIENCE</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176391598338920251107-truth-commssion-ejk-cardinal-david-MT13.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David joins widows, orphans, and survivors of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during a press conference at the Archbishop’s Palace in Mandaluyong City on Friday, November 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David joins widows, orphans, and survivors of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during a press conference at the Archbishop’s Palace in Mandaluyong City on Friday, November 7, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></strong>During the Mass, Cardinal David delivered a homily that directly confronted the nation’s moral trauma, citing natural disasters, staggering corruption, and brutalities from past anti-drug campaigns. </div><p>David explained that the Feast of Christ the King reveals not earthly power but the inherent dignity God imparted to every human being. </p><p>“Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit madalas lumabas sa aking mga pahayag na hinding-hindi ako maniniwala na may likas na masamang tao. The person is by nature good. Human beings are by nature good. But we are capable of evil action,” Cardinal David said. </p><p>But evil deeds, he said, must be confronted openly and truthfully, because injustice against the human person is an offense against God. </p><p>David then confronted the scandals engulfing the government, “bulto-bulto,” or bulks of cash, luxury lifestyles, ghost projects, and the starvation of public services. Corruption, he warned, cannot be defeated without accountability and repentance. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/5/cardinal-david-urges-erring-officials-to-admit-mistakes-calls-for-orderly-fight-vs-corruption-1822"><strong>Cardinal David urges erring officials to admit mistakes; calls for orderly fight vs corruption </strong></a> </div><p>“Ang korapsyon, ang katiwalian ay makamandag at nakamamatay. Ngunit hindi natin ito masusupil kung ang kasangkot ay hindi makasuhan, makulong, at mapanagot. Hindi natin ito masusupil kung hindi mailalantad nang lubos, kung hindi ito aaminin, kung hindi ito pagsisisihan at pagbabayaran,” he said. </p><p>Despite the political climate, Church leaders insisted the event was neither partisan nor intended to topple any administration. Instead, it sought to awaken conscience among citizens and those in power. </p><div>  </div><p><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong>:</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3KvQQ7TkUTQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Catholic Church on Sunday transformed the EDSA Shrine into a venue for prayer, reflection, and moral appeal as hundreds of parishioners, clergy, and lay groups gathered for a faith-driven mobilization timed with the Feast of Christ the King.</p>

The Catholic Church on Sunday transformed the EDSA Shrine into a venue for prayer, reflection, and moral appeal as hundreds of parishioners, clergy, and lay groups gathered for a faith-driven mobilization timed with the Feast of Christ the King.

Church leaders push moral urgency as hundreds join EDSA prayer rally amid corruption scandal

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Church leaders push moral urgency as hundreds join EDSA prayer rally amid corruption scandal

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 24, 2025 12:46 AM PHT

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Catholic Church

EDSA Shrine

Cardinal David

Pablo Virgilio David

CBCP

Corruption

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