Zamboanga’s outgoing auxiliary bishop has called for a day of prayer and fasting, including intentions for families affected by “rising suicide incidents” in the city.

Bishop Moises Cuevas did not provide more details but enjoined the faithful to offer prayers “so that vulnerable members may find support and encouragement from proper channels.”

He also issued the call “for the protection and security” of the people amidst what he called “rampant” crime incidents in the city, as well as the “perilous conditions affecting our people due to inclement weather.”

The call to prayer and fasting was contained in the bishop’s pastoral letter issued on August 13 and addressed to all the parishes and religious communities in the archdiocese.”

It will be held on Friday, Aug. 18, with the ringing of church bells at 8:00 p.m., followed by the communal recitation of the rosary.

The rationale behind the day of prayer, he added, is also to express thanksgiving for the appointment of the new archbishop of Zamboanga, Julius Tonel, who will be installed on August 22.

Cuevas said, “this shall serve as our spiritual preparation as an archdiocese for the upcoming liturgical reception and canonical possession” of their new shepherd.

The bishop also asked the faithful to dedicate the day to the 10th-year commemoration of the infamous September 9, 2013 Zamboanga siege involving government forces and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front.

He exhorted the faithful to pray “that peace-keeping efforts between the government, the military, and law-enforcement authorities may assure everyone that such a tragic attack on our city shall never be replicated once more on our shores”.

Cuevas will assume the role of the new bishop of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro province on September 6.