Catholic bishops call on flock to pray for rain and relief

Cooling off: A man pouring water on his toddler daughter on a hot summer day in Manila. — AP

Catholic bishops in the archipelago nation are pitching in to seek divine relief from the extreme heatwave scorching the country, instructing their flock to recite special prayers for rain and lower temperatures.

Rising temperatures have forced the government to shut down tens of thousands of schools over the past week, while increased demand has stressed the country’s already strained power supply.