Taguig, July 9, 2018 (CBCPNews) – Taguig parish holds ‘holy hour in reparation for blasphemy’, Hundreds of the faithful gathered at the Sto. Niño de Taguig Parish on Saturday night, July 7, for a “Holy Hour in Reparation for the Sin of Blasphemy Against God.”
Parish priest Fr. Daniel Estacio organized the holy hour in obvious response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s much-publicized “stupid God” comments and reminded the faithful of the grave sin of blasphemy.
“What is blasphemy? It is a direct violation of the second commandment of God: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” he explained.
According to the priest, it is forbidden to use the Lord’s name in vain.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church o CCC 2148 further explains: “…It consists in uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name. St. James condemns those “who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called.”78
According to the document, one is also guilty of blasphemy if one disrespects the Catholic “Church, the saints, and sacred things” or uses the name of God to cover up crimes, torture or murder.
Estacio also called on Catholics to deepen their understanding of Church teachings so as not to be misled or confused.
The holy hour is an opportunity, he said, to pray and ask God’s forgiveness for the sins committed against His Most Holy Name, as well as to pray for President Duterte “to heed the Holy Spirit to be enlightened and ask pardon from God.”
“God is love. He is a God who will forgive those who ask for forgiveness,” stressed the priest in Filipino. (With reports from Lou Dominguiano)
