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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bishop Santos requests for prayers for safety of seafarers in hijacked ship

Bishop Santos requests for prayers for safety of seafarers in hijacked ship

Published Nov 24, 2023 07:21 am

Diocese of Antipolo Bishop and CBCP Promoter for Stella Maris Philippines Ruperto C. Santos has called on the faithful to pray for the safety of all the crew members of the hijacked ship Galaxy Leader while it was cruising the Red Sea.

Bishop Santos releases Stella Maris prayer for Ukraine
Diocese of Antipolo Bishop and  CBCP Bishop Promoter for Stella Maris Philippines Ruperto Santos (Manila Bulletin photo)

“Again, the sea is disturbed and becomes perilous. The voyage is uncertain and lives are in grave danger. The world goods are compromised. Much more our seafarers in the highjacked Galaxy Leader are in high risks, and very much threatened,” said Bishop Santos.

A cargo ship Galaxy Leader manned by twenty five international crew from Mexico, Ukraine and the Philippines was hijacked in the Red Sea. Seventeen Filipino seafarers were among those held hostage by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. 

The DFA said it was making diplomatic representations with governments regarding the 17 Filipinos. 

"We assure the public that everything is being done to get our seafarers back safely," the DFA said. 

The Houthis said the seizure of the vessel was done on behalf of Palestinians who are being massacred by Israel. They said they would target all ships related to Israel and warned that no country's vessels should engage with Israel in the Red Sea. The Israeli military however clarified that the ship does not belong to Israel and that there were no Israelis on board.

“With this painful and problematic event, let us all together turn to God in prayers and the Holy Eucharist. We, with your Chaplains, are praying for you and in solidarity with our people. Together we will celebrate our Holy Eucharist and offer them for the safety of all the crew, especially our fellow Filipinos, that they may all be completely spared from all harm and be ultimately saved,” said Bishop Santos.
 

“Let us pray constantly to God for the change of hearts, and for the conversion of those armed groups. That God in His mercy and power, will touch them to respect life, to renounce violence and return to the right, legal and moral ways of life. May they realize  that God despises violence, senseless lost of life and denounces destruction. May they come to the basic truth that violence begets only violence, mistakes cannot be corrected with mistakes, and peace is attained through the promotion of human rights and the preservation of human life and dignity,” he added.

The Church leader also asked for prayers for concerned government agencies to exhaust all means to help the seafarers.

 “Let us also pray for our government officials that they may not be tired to exhaust all means, try and open all possibilities to liberate our highjacked seafarers. With the guidance of God and with our prayers for their perseverance and patience to pursue the welfare and wellbeing of our seafarers, and to free them all from that troubled and dangerous situation,” the bishop said.

“In this moment of trying times and painful situation, we pray fervently to God and trust Him all the more that our seafarers will be saved and will be sent safely back home,” said Bishop Santos.

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