Philippine Catholics flock to Black Nazarene procession, praying for peace in Middle East

One of the world’s leading labour providers, the Philippines would face a gargantuan crisis if hostilities between the US and Iran escalate

The Philippine government on Wednesday ordered Filipino workers to leave Iraq and Iran, deploying military assets to protect their citizens

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The Black Nazarene on a procession in Manila. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:09pm, 9 Jan 2020Updated: 8:34pm, 9 Jan 2020

A vast crowd of mostly barefoot Filipino Catholics prayed for peace in the Middle East as they began an annual procession of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ in one of Asia’s biggest religious events on Thursday.

The day-long procession of the wooden Black Nazarene draws massive numbers of mostly poor Catholic devotees who pray for the sick and a better life each year. But widespread fears over the escalating conflict between the US and Iran were highlighted in a predawn Mass before Thursday’s raucous procession unfolded.

“Let us remember that in other parts of the world, the threat of violence is brewing and, hopefully, this will not lead to war,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle told the crowd at a Manila seaside park.

The popular Manila church leader asked the tens of thousands of devotees clad in maroon shirts – the colour of the Black Nazarene’s robe – to briefly pause in silence and pray for peace in the Middle East and the safety of its people, including many Filipino expatriate workers.

“Let us pray … that the desire to retaliate eases,” Tagle said.

One of the world’s leading labour providers, the Philippines would face a gargantuan crisis if hostilities between the US and Iran escalate and embroil other Middle Eastern countries that host many Filipinos, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Emergency responders carry a Catholic devotee at the procession. Photo: EPA

The Philippine government on Wednesday ordered Filipino workers to leave Iraq and Iran. The military prepared to deploy navy ships, three air force cargo planes and one battalion each of marines and army troops to help the evacuations in case hostilities worsen.