MANILA, Oct. 4 -- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on clergy and the faithful to observe a month-long "National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance" starting next week, citing the country's continued struggles with natural calamities and corruption.

In a letter to dioceses, CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged parishes, chapels, schools, families and church organizations to participate in the observance, which coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

David said the initiative serves as "a prayer of national confession and contrition" in light of calamities afflicting the nation.

The observance includes the recitation of a special prayer titled "A Nat...