Filipino seafarers at work in the West African country of Cameroon. PHOTO COURTESY OF VON JAY BALEÑA
By CBCP News
September 25, 2018
Manila, Philippines
A Catholic bishop is urging overseas chaplains and diocesan migrant ministers to hold masses for seven Filipinos who were adducted by Nigerian pirates off the coast of the African nation.
Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the CBCP’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said the Church is praying for the safe release of the seafarers.
“We appeal to our overseas chaplains and diocesan migrant ministries to offer holy masses for the swift and safe release of our seamen,” Santos told Radio Veritas.
The seven Filipinos were among the 12 crewmen of MV Glarus, a Swiss merchant vessel, abducted by armed men off the coast of Nigeria last Saturday.
The Philippine government said it is working with Nigeria and Switzerland to get additional information on the condition of the Filipino seafarers.
The bishop is also urging the faithful to pray for the safe release of the abducted seafarers so they could go back to their respective families.
“Let us entrust everything to God, that with our constant prayers and His mercy they will be safe; and God will touch their captors for change of hearts and they would be freed unharmed,” said Santos.
