Beloved Clergy, Religious, and People of God in the Diocese of Borongan:
This is the 9th year of commemorating one of the world’s deadliest natural disasters that happened in our very own shores on November 8, 2013, the Super Typhoon Yolanda. It was a story of grief and sorrow for those who have lost their loved ones, of acceptance, of humility and redemption.
The threats and challenges remain, and in an uncertain future may again happen, but what we have are the lessons of the past, something we have learned, and by all means we have to sustain – continue educating ourselves, our young ones especially for they will be the ones who will bear the consequences of our decisions and actions of today.
For this commemoration, let us continue with binding hopefulness and solidarity in the face of so many challenges coming our way and be thankful to the Lord that we have risen from the horrible destruction that super typhoon Yolanda had brought. We have seen God’s saving acts at work in our own history. We thank individuals, groups, and organizations who helped us rise and recover, and never forget them in our prayers.
We pray for our loved ones who died during and shortly after Yolanda’s wrath. We continually entrust them to God’s mercy in our Masses. We also remember the lives that were spared that they may find comfort and strength in God to rebuild and move forward in their lives.
As we face an uncertain future let us continue to pray for deliverance from all calamities, both natural and man-made, and other vagaries of weather. Many of the calamities we face are related to climate change and global warming as pointed out by scientists and experts. We must hear the poor cry of our planet for common action to save our common home. For this to happen, we must heed Pope Francis’ call for ecological conversion. We must move away from the sins of environmental abuse and neglect to show that we are truly returning to the Lord and we truly care for one another.
May God always bless you!
- MOST REV. CRISPIN B. VARQUEZ, DD
Bishop of Borongan
