Bishops to lead Mass at hostage-taking site in Philippines

(August 30, 2010) In the Philippines, Bishops Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan and Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao will concelebrate Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila at the capital’s Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, to offer prayers for victims of the recent hostage-taking there. Church-run Radio Veritas 846 invited Catholics to the Mass it is co-organizing with the Department of Tourism, Manila city government, tour and travel industry members and the Archdiocese of Manila. The radio station confirmed on Monday that Father Thaddeus Shang, a Catholic priest from mainland China, will also concelebrate the Mass. A disgruntled former policeman demanding his job back hijacked a bus on August 23 and later gunned down eight of the 20 Hong Kong hostages before a sniper killed him after a 12-hour standoff at a seaside Manila Park. Seven other hostages survived the final bloodbath. The botched rescue operation has been heavily criticised across the world, particularly in Hong Kong and China. Philippines and Chinese government officials and people from various sectors are expected to attend Tuesday’s Mass in Manila.