Abra missionaries urged to join in peace-building

By Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra --  A group of lay people organized to help promote the missionary commitments of the SVD (SocietasVerboDivini) Community was urged to participate in addressing insurgency, private armies and other factors which contributed to deteriorating peace in the province.

           

Fr. WarlitoRabon, SVD, District Superior of the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries of Abra based in Ubbog, Bangued, especially called the attention of the “SVD Friends” to help address the peace problem as a consequence of the various acts of violence especially in Bangued, violations of human rights and  of environmental  degradation  affecting the people  both in the  uplands and e lowland areas of the province. 

Rabon also urged the SVD Friends to share missionary commitments of all the clergy of the Diocese of Bangued and the SVD Congregation to promote justice, peace and integrity of creation.

Rabon initiated the revival of the SVD Friends which had been inactive for many years already since he had observed the growing and consistent participation of some SVD Friends in the activities and celebrations of the St. Joseph Freinademetz Chapel in Ubbog.

As their missionary commitment, the SVD Friends work for their promotion of vocations at home, school and areas of work; participate actively in looking after the needs of the missions; and attend regular meetings and spiritual exercises on mission and become active mission partners of the SVD – Philippines in Abra.

The officers of the SVD Friends of Abra led by Ms. LeanidaBalbin, manager of the Metro Bangued Water District, as their president, were inducted by the District Superior during the Holy Mass.