‘WRITINGS ON THE WALL’: Cathedral ‘understands’, but condemns prayers written on walls

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By Joseph B.A. Marzan

A representative of the Archdiocese of Jaro on Monday condemned the writings on the walls of the Jaro Cathedral, even as they asked for understanding for their sentiments after images of alleged vandalisms surfaced online.

Prayers and wishes written on the Cathedral’s walls, especially on the shrine where the image of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) is located, were photographed and posted online over the weekend, earning mixed but mostly negative reactions.

These prayers to the church’s local patroness were mostly, if not all, from those who were taking upcoming board or Bar examinations.

Reverend Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese’s Commission on Social Communications, told Bombo Radyo Iloilo that they were aware of these, but they were not happy with how things turned out.

He admitted that while they could not do anything about it, they consider the acts as vandalism, but ultimately recognized the worshipper’s dire need to pass their respective exams through prayers and faith.

“This is vandalism, it’s a crime, but those are prayers in a situation where [the worshippers] are on the edge because they were about to take their exams,” Colada said.

“We know that [the vandalism] was wrong, and there are many ways to pray to God, but because of their really strong belief, they wrote there,” he added.

He said that they would go to the areas where the supposed vandalisms were committed.

He likewise reminded the public to visit the Chapel of Light at the side of the Cathedral’s parish, where they can light candles and submit petitions to be written on paper.

“I don’t know with the Jaro Cathedral administration [on their response], but we have to remember that there is a Chapel of Light at the side, where people can light candles and drop their [written] petitions. There are many ways to pray. People can also submit their mass intentions to their parish,” Colada added.

As of this writing, the Cathedral’s administration may have already responded as the walls of the patroness’ stand have been covered up with paint, including all the writings-cum-prayers.