AUGUST 15, 2007

TO: PARISH PRIESTS, RECTORS, CHAPLAINS, DIRECTORS OF SCHOOLS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

SUBJECTING: LIFTING OF ORATIO IMPERATA AD PETENDAM PLUVIAM

The rains have come and the Philippine weather agency has pronounced the end to the dry spell. We thank God for this blessing, a sign of His providence and love for us.

It is in this spirit that I announce the lifting of the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam.

At the same time, however, I enjoined all the faithful to continue to pray, no longer for the coming of the rainy season for it has clearly commenced, but for enlightenment among us, on the proper care and protection of our environment. The floods and landslides are not all the result of too much rain, most of these come because of the denudation of our forests, the silting of our rivers, the clogging of our esteros and waterways with non-biodegradable waste, and other harmful practices. We cannot continue to test God's mercy and kindness with our destructive actions towards nature and the environment He has provided us for our habitat, our home. In this time of gratitude for the rains, let us acknowledge our offenses against our beautiful land and habitat. Let us be truly sorry for them and promise not to commit them again.

We thank our Blessed Mother, whose great Feast of the Assumption, we celebrate today, for her constant intercession and protection. May she always guide us to the right path that leads to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Sincerely yours.

(signed)
+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila