DAVAO CITY, December 15, 2009—The various issues confronting the society today should not be a reason to become desperate; instead there’s still a good reason for rejoicing this Christmas.

Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla said that the very reason for great rejoicing is the birth of Jesus Christ that brings about peace and hope to mankind.

“So, on this Third Sunday of Advent, what are we to rejoice about? More specifically, can we perceive a positive note in what is happening to us in Mindanao these days? More to the point, can good come out of the reported massacre of 57 civilians in Maguindanao Province last November 23?,” asked Capalla.

Capalla said that while they condemned the brutal and inhuman carnage, they are also praying for the triumph of goodness.

“In our oratio imperata we pray that the socio-economic political system that allows this evil to happen must be dismantled and changed. The inherent and inborn goodness in each of us who are in the system can do it,” he said.

The archbishop wrote the oratio imperata for the Archdiocese of Davao in response to the various evils confronting the society. The oratio is prayed daily every after mass by the Catholics on bended knees.

Capalla explained that for the triumph of goodness to be realized despite the existence of evils in the society the people are encouraged “to begin by acquiring a positive attitude at life, at everything that happens, even at the evil that is being perpetrated.”

“Our reason coming from deep faith is because God is good and loving, and most of all is almighty and powerful. He knows what He was/is doing when He allowed tragedies to happen,” he said, adding:

“Massacres have been with us since we became a republic. They have been committed since the beginning of time –since Cain killed his brother Abel.” (Mark S. Ventura)