My brothers and sisters in Christ:
Meteorologists inform us that HAGUPIT is now a super-typhoon and most predict that it will make land-fall over the very same areas hard-hit by Yolanda. The CNN resident meteorologist has just characterized it as the strongest of super-typhoon this year.
Let us all first pray, and the Filipinos far from the danger-zone are asked nevertheless to join the entire nation for those in harm’s way.
I plead with government officials and NGOs to commence evacuation now. To wait any longer may be disastrous. There is no such thing as an excess of caution, especially when faced with a danger so severe.
I appeal to our Catholic churches and schools to open their doors to refugees and those badly in need of shelter, particularly those already displaced by Yolanda. I request only that evacuees remember the sacred character of the churches they occupy, should they do so.
Together with my brother-bishops, I commend the entire nation to the mercy, love and providence of our Father.
Lord, spare our land from this typhoon!
December 4, 2014
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
