Majority of Filipinos believe in the importance of faith in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Based on the results of the nationwide Veritas Truth Survey released this past week, 89 percent of those who participated in the text and online survey conducted from June 20 to July 10 believe that faith is “very important” in battling the health crisis.
“Overall, 89 percent of the respondents [roughly nine out of 10 Filipinos] believe that faith is ‘very important’ in our fight against Covid-19; while 9 percent said that it is ‘important’ and 2 percent said that it is ‘somewhat important,’” an article posted on the Church-run Radio Veritas web site said.
In terms of area, “very important” was chosen by 93 percent of respondents from Mindanao, 87 percent of respondents from Luzon, and 66 percent of respondents from the Visayas.
The survey, initiated by Radio Veritas, involved 1,200 respondents nationwide with a +/- 3 percent margin of error (gathered through a text- and online-based data gathering process).
It aimed to obtain information on the respondents’ perception of the significance of one’s faith against Covid-19.
“Most of the respondents believe that God is much bigger than this Covid-19 health crisis. They believe that God can surmount all. He is intimately involved in every part of our lives and is concerned with our afflictions. He will never forsake or overlook us,” said Fr. Anton Pascual, Radio Veritas president.
On the other hand, respondents from the Visayas who said faith is “important” was at 32 percent, followed by those in Luzon at 10 percent, and by those in Mindanao at 5 percent.
Only 2 percent to 3 percent of the respondents among all geographical boundaries said faith is “somewhat important,” while no respondent answered that faith is “not important” in the fight against Covid-19.
“The survey is indicative of the respondents’ desire to conquer fear with faith. To fight an ‘invisible enemy’ brings a lot of anxiety and fear. Leaving the safety of our homes will definitely take a lot of courage for most of us. In so doing, we will muster all the strength needed through the gift of faith,” said Bro. Clifford Sorita, Veritas Truth Survey head.
Meanwhile, Radio Veritas is launching its 4 o’Clock Deliverance Prayer Against Covid-19.
“As our Philippine Covid-19 data is released daily every 4 p.m., let us likewise collectively offer during this time a nationwide prayer to San Roque, our Patron Saint Against Plagues, and ask through his intercession the healing of those afflicted by Covid-19 and our continued protection against this plague and other communicable diseases,” it said.
Radio Veritas also urged the faithful to offer prayers on San Roque’s Feast Day on August 16 for the country’s deliverance from the Covid-19 health crisis.
21-day prayer for natl healing
Meanwhile, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan declared a 21-day prayer for “national healing” amid the challenges besetting the country.
In a letter to the archdiocese’s parish priests, he lamented the “clouds of helplessness and discouragement hovering over us and our brothers and sisters.”
The coronavirus pandemic and the sociopolitical “turmoil,” he said, “render us not knowing what to do, how to serve as spiritual leaders and how to be disciples with the disciples of the Lord in crisis.”
“We turn to prayer. We turn to the Mother of God. We are never helpless if we cling to the Virgin Mother,” Villegas said.
He declared July 16, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to August 5, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as days of consecration to the Virgin Mary.
During this period, he said that the Act of Consecration and Prayer for National Healing must be prayed in all Masses.
He also urged parishes to encourage families to pray the Act of Consecration at home after the family rosary and even repeatedly during the day.
According to him, the number 21 is significant in reference to the 21 rebellious acts of the Israelites after the liberation from Egypt.
“We are in a state of rebellion against God and we are seeing the consequences of our sin. We must repent. We must be consecrated again if we wish to be healed,” Villegas added.
“Let us not give in to discouragement and depression. Let us go to our Lady. Let us take comfort in the message of Our Lady to San Juan Diego: Trust in me. I am your Mother,” he also said.
PNA and CBCP News
Image credits: Joey Razon/PNA