Prayer for peace in Mindanao, bishop urges faithful

COTABATO CITY -- Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo on Monday urged Catholics in the archdiocese to pray for peace in Mindanao during the nine-day Misa de Gallo starting Tuesday dawn. I ask our parishioners, our faithful to offer prayers for peace because all of us will benefit from it,” Bishop Bagaforo said, adding that now is the time to pray for peace in Mindanao, in the country and for world peace.Bagaforo said parishes all over the archdiocese will have simultaneous Misa de Aguinaldo” at 4and00 a.m.Bagaforo is hoping the nine-day novena in preparation for Christmas Day will be peaceful and solemn.The Cotabato City police office said security measures are already in place for the dawn masses in and around the city's Catholic churches.The police will be backed by Army Special Forces in securing the city, according to Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin.Balquin said the security plan is already in place as he seeks the cooperation of everybody.While the city police chief sees no immediate threat, preventive measures are also in place to thwart any attempt to disrupt the solemnity of the dawn masses.He also urged the public to ensure that someone is left at home while other family members attend the dawn masses to prevent robbery.Police plainclothesmen and uniformed policemen are already deployed in major Churches like the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Church, Queen of Peace Chapel, Notre Dame University Bishop Mongeau chapel, Notre Dame Village San Isidro Labrador Church, among others.