Following the recently-concluded FB (Faith-based) National Conference on Human Rights held at BEC Center, Tagaytay last 21-22 November 2019, the first post-conference coordination has taken off for the upcoming Human Rights Day (71st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights) to celebrate the network’s milestones in the involvement and to express commitment and solidarity for human dignity and common good.
As agreed at the NCR group discussion on regional and national plans, the Catholic Church network or CBCP led by the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), also known as the CBCP-NASSA/ Caritas Philippines, will mobilize all 85 dioceses nationwide to ring all Church bells at 10:00am on December 10 (Human Rights Day) for at least 10 seconds (or 10 times) as a symbol of solidarity, as a minimum action, and/or celebrate mass at 5:30pm or 6:00pm with special prayers for the occasion, in addition to ringing Church bells, when possible.
We are pleased to share with you the invitation letter of our National Director, Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD to all Bishops to celebrate the Human Rights Day as mentioned; this letter was endorsed by the CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD, and sent by the CBCP Secretariat to all Bishops nationwide. We are also sending this to the SAN.
There was an initial plan to have ecumenical service/ prayer gathering of the NCR faith-based HR network in the morning before going to (sending off to) the groups’ respective celebratory activities and expressions of solidarity on the occasion in the afternoon. However, due to the varied activities in different places and due to time constraint, as well as to avoid creating another activity, we suggest that instead of a physical meeting, we encourage your organization/ or representatives to ensure your nearby parish or churches knows about the invitation to celebrate Human Rights Day by synchronized ringing of bells and/ or celebrate mass with prayer for human rights at the specified time. Please feel free to use the attached letter as your guide.
After the witnessing of synchronized ringing of Church bells in the morning on December 10, we recommend you join the mass for the victims of human rights violations organized by One Voice, which will be held at 1:00pm at the Sta Cruz Church in Manila and/ or the Banal na Misa para sa Katotohanan, Katarungan at Kapayapaan, organized by the AMRSP-JPICC at the Ateneo de Manila University at 5:00pm to be followed by procession and candle lighting along Katipunan Avenue, QC.
The following are the other upcoming activities to be undertaken by the Faith Based HR network which participated in the National Conference; all are invited to join:
10 December 2019
1:00-2:30pm, Sta Cruz Church, Manila
Mass for the Victims of Human Rights Violations
organized by One Voice
3:00-5:00pm, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila
#DefendTogether Human Rights Day Rally
Organized by the Movement Against Tyranny
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and
Karapatan Alliance of the Advancement of Human Rights
5:00-6:00pm, March to Mendiola
(contact: Ms Gel Marcelino of MAT at 09475891578)
5:00pm, Ateneo de Manila University
Banal na Misa para sa Katotohanan, Kararungan at Kapayapaan
(Presider: Bishop Ambo David and Homilist: Bro Armin Luistro) followed by procession in Katipunan Ave for candle lighting.
Organized by AMRSP-JPICC
(contact: Leo Parpados of AMRSP-JPICC at 09489921092)
