ALMOST a month since the controversial act by a former reality show contestant, the Diocese of Cubao has ordered parishes and religious communities under its jurisdiction to conduct a “Holy Hour” on Friday to atone for the disrespect towards Jesus Christ and the Lord’s Prayer.
In a radio interview, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco directed all parishes and religious congregations in the diocese to take part in the religious activity for reparation over the actions of former Drag Den Philippines contestant Pura Luka Vega last month.
“I ask all the parishes and religious communities to offer the Holy Hour for the First Friday of August in reparation for the sacrileges against our Lord,” said Ongtioco.
Last month, Vega uploaded a video showing him in make-up and costume resembling Jesus Christ that went viral on social media.
The video further showed that Vega was jamming with a partying crowd to the popular Catholic liturgical song “Ama Namin.”
The Holy Hour is a religious devotional tradition of spending an hour in prayer before the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Aside from dedicating a whole hour to praying, the prelate said they are also hoping the activity will raise awareness of the importance of respecting religious items, practices, and traditions.
“I would like to urge our dear parishioners to take this opportunity to teach your children the importance of showing respect to everything that is sacred, whether it be the Eucharistic or the Lord’s Prayer, and to avoid any act of desecration,” said Ongtioco.
The call for the “Holy Hour” comes after the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) filed a complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against Vega.
The PJM accused Vega of violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code for committing acts that “offend any race or religion,” as well as Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 as the alleged crime was committed “with the use of information and communications technology.”
