Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will soon issue an "oratio emperata" or a special prayer to guide the faithful in coping with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which is causing droughts and water shortage in some parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
Vidal said the faithful need to be informed of the situation.
An "oratio imperata" is a special prayer for a special intention, besides the ones prescribed by rituals, that the Pope or the bishop of a diocese may require to be said during Mass in all parishes.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has predicted that the El Nino phenomenon hitting the country is expected to worsen in the coming months.
The government urged the public to conserve water, around 10 percent, to diminish El Nino's effect.
Vidal recently met with officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and discussed with them about the programs in the parishes on environmental issues.
Environmental advocacy on the part of the Catholic Church is in line with Pope Benedict XVI's message urging Catholics to "protect peace by protecting creation."
Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar, who visited Cebu over the weekend, said solutions to counter a possible destructive El Niño must depend on strong political will, by putting up quick irrigation for farmers whose crops were affected by the drought.- PNA
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