AN AFFIRMATION OF ONE’S FAITH – (left photo) Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and Liga ng mga Barangay Dean Bryan Kua join more than 1,200 faithful Catholics and parishioners of Dagupan and Central Pangasinan during the “Walk for Life” activity held along the city streets on February 16. (right photo) The incorrupt heart relic of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of the sick, doctors, nurses and hospitals, also arrives at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral for public veneration. (CIO Photo by Arriz Fruelda)
DAGUPAN CITY – The city of Dagupan joined the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese and the whole nation in the “Walk for Life held along the city streets on February 16, an activity in support of the sanctity of life.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and Liga ng mga Barangay President Dean Bryan Kua led the activity which was participated in by more than 1,200 Catholics and parishioners from Dagupan and Central Pangasinan.
Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese president Von Ryan Torio said that the activity was a way to show the Church’s support for the sacredness of life.
“One way we can show our support in a visible and concrete way is to go to the streets. This is an affirmation that we are pro-life, especially in the name of the Catholic Church, ” said Torio.
He also added that the activity shows the Catholic church’s stand against the “culture of death that attacks the sacredness of life, such as extra-judicial killings, euthanasia, abortion, death penalty and others.”
The walk was highlighted with a mass celebrated by Archbishop Villegas thereafter.
Now on its third year, the “Walk for Life” is organized by the Council of the Laity of the Philippines (Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas) and is held simultaneously among other places in the country.
In the same occasion, the incorrupt heart relic of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of the sick, doctors, nurses and hospitals, visited the city where it was displayed at both the St. John Evangelist Cathedral and Region 1 Medical Center for public veneration.
It will then be transferred the following day to continue its visit around the country until March 31. (Verdelle De Vera/CIO)