The Catholic Church in the Philippines is calling on its parishes to hold special prayers for peace in the Middle East, as the conflict continues to displace and destabilize the lives of Filipino workers abroad.
Bishop Socrates Mesiona, who chairs the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, said many OFWs are currently dealing with uncertainty, forced displacement, and prolonged separation from their families as fighting in the region intensifies.
Among the concrete steps being recommended to parishes are organizing prayer gatherings and including peace intentions during Sunday Masses — measures Mesiona framed as part of the Church’s broader responsibility during crises affecting vulnerable sectors.
Beyond prayer, the CBCP is also pressing dioceses to extend practical and pastoral support to OFW families left behind. This includes access to sacraments, counseling services, and coordination with Church charities and local government units to ensure families are not left without assistance.
Mesiona said spiritual accompaniment remains central to the Church’s response, with dioceses being urged to actively monitor the condition of OFW households within their communities.
The Department of Migrant Workers, for its part, said it is continuing to monitor the situation and is coordinating with other government agencies to provide assistance to affected workers.
