The Archdiocese of Manila has mandated the praying of the Oratio Imperata for Integrity, Truth, and Justice in all its churches and chapels amid growing corruption concerns in the country.
In a pastoral letter issued Thursday, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula directed all parishes, shrines, and prayer venues to begin reciting the prayer on Saturday, with church bells to ring at 8 p.m. daily.
“We hereby mandate the praying of the Oratio Imperata for Integrity, Truth, and Justice in all shrines, parishes, oratories, and chapels of the Archdiocese of Manila,” Advincula said.
The prayer, which will replace the Prayer of the Faithful during Mass, is a practice reserved only for the gravest circumstances, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Advincula explained that the ringing of the bells would serve as both “a prophetic cry of indignation and outrage against the evil of corruption, as well as a resounding call to contrition and conversion.”
“At the same time, it will be a manifestation of our fervent hope and undying love for our beloved country, trusting that God’s justice and mercy will triumph,” he added.
The archbishop stressed that corruption in the country has caused “untold damage” to institutions, society, and the moral fabric of the nation.
“The evil of corruption is not merely a political or economic problem; it is a profound moral and spiritual crisis that gravely wounds the dignity of the human person and betrays the common good,” he said.
The directive comes as investigations continue into alleged corruption in government flood control projects involving officials and private contractors.