CNMI join hands in prayer for pope

The CNMI Catholic community joined the rest of the world in praying for Pope John Paul II, who was described by Vatican officials yesterday as “near death.”

The Roman Catholic pontiff suffered a heart failure during treatment for a urinary tract infection and was in “very serious” condition Friday.

Fr. Nonoy E. Recaido of the San Roque and Santa Remedios parishes said yesterday that the church is saddened by the latest update on the pope’s condition. However, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa has yet to send a memo to all parishes in the Commonwealth as Bishop Tomas A. Camacho is still in the Philippines for a routine medical check-up.

“We could not issue a diocesan policy as to what to do right now because the bishop is not here,” he said.

Recaido, however, was busy early yesterday afternoon visiting one parish to another to invite the churches to join his parishes in a prayer vigil after his 6pm Mass last night.

He said he conferred with church administrators and priests to organize a prayer vigil for the pope to recover from his critical condition.

“We in the parish of San Roque are preparing for a prayer vigil…I am roaming around to invite other people to come and join us in prayer.”

He acknowledged, though, that everything now depends on the will of God. “Popes come and go. We will just be open to the will of the Holy Spirit and the will of God,” he said, adding that, if God wants the pope “to join Him in heaven,” then the diocese could accept that.

Recaido said he has been following the news since Friday and had learned from the news on TV that the Pope was fast deteriorating.

He said the pope is old and has already done a lot of good things in the world, especially in promoting peace and reconciliation. Recaido said they would also pray for the next pope, should Pope John Paul II die.

The San Vicente Parish church held a prayer vigil last Wednesday but Fr. Charlie Borja said it was prayer vigil for the late Terri Schiavo, who passed away the day after. The vigil was also intended for the Pope and all sick people on the island.

Sr. Orpha Abrico from San Vicente Parish Church also expressed sorrow over the pope’s decline and said they are hoping against hope that he survives. “We are still praying for him,” she said.

Though he is in critical condition, she said they are hoping the heavens will answer their prayers for the best. If the pope dies, she expressed hope that the new leader would be like him.

SYMPATHY FROM OTHER CHURCHES

Marianas Baptist Church founder Robert Berkey expressed his sympathy for the pope’s condition, saying he and the pope are of the same age.

He said the pope has lived his life to the fullest but he is also living proof that every man has his end. “We will all experience that. It’s the basic truth,” he said.

Berkey praised the pontiff for easing a lot of miseries in the world and said he is extending his condolences to the Catholic community.

New Life Covenant Church missionary Monique Miles was also saddened by the news but said that it would be happy ending for the Pope, “though bidding farewell is such a hard thing.”

She said people are children of God “and only He knows where we are going. So we just send our comfort to the family, knowing they also believe that he is going to be in a better place.”

Pastor Eliki Ravia of the Seventh Day Adventist Church said the pope was a great religious leader and just needs to submit his life.

“I know he is a great leader but every human being needs to put their lives in the hands of God.”

He would like the CNMI community to know that they will also pray for the pope.