Pursue What Leads to Peace (Statement of the Mindanao Bishops on Marawi and Martial Law)

Photo Credit: CBCP News Website

To All People of Good Will:

 

We, Catholic Bishops of Mindanao, address this Statement to every Mindanawon. We originally intended to respond to the requests of our Catholic faithful who asked for pastoral guidance on the issue of Martial Law.

 

We pray for all the murdered innocent victims in Marawi and ask the Lord to protect all the families that have fled to safety.

 

We condemn the terrorist acts that have caused the loss of many innocent lives, the burning of homes, public buildings, including a Protestant school dormitory and a Catholic Cathedral.

 

We condemn the unconscionable kidnapping of teachers and church personnel.

 

We pray for the safety of all the kidnapped, of Fr. Teresito Suganob and his companions. We appeal to the hostage takers to release all of them unharmed. The victims fear death but they also have the courage to give ultimate witness to Christ.

 

In the strongest terms we condemn terrorism in its various forms. It is an ideology that is totally against the tenets of any religion of peace. Especially so when terrorism is perpetrated while our Muslim brothers and sisters are preparing for the holy month of Ramadhan. Terrorism distorts and falsifies the true meaning of any religion. It destroys harmonious relationships among peoples of different faiths. It creates a world of suspicion and prejudice, of hatred and hostility.

 

The President of the Philippines has responded to the Marawi crisis by declaring Martial Law in the entire Mindanao. Many criticise the decision as reminiscent of the horrors of a past dictatorship. Others support the decision as justified.

 

We are aware that the problems of peace and order, of the continuing disruptive activities of other rebel groups, the problems of criminality and drugs, of corruption and underdevelopment are in every nook and corner of Mindanao. Mindanao problems go beyond the city limits of Marawi.

 

Our Catholic faithful have asked for pastoral guidance regarding Martial Law. We are guided by the Sacred Scriptures and by the social teachings of the Church. St. Paul exhorts us to “pursue what leads to peace” (Rom. 14: 19).

 

Martial Law is a means of last resort. Are moral principles fulfilled? Were other means to resolve the deep and wide serious problems of Mindanao impractical and ineffective? Will the positive effects of Martial Law outweigh the negative effects? Will there be probability of success? Will it bring about a culture of accountability and end a culture of impunity? Will Martial Law increase human rights violations? Will Martial Law be abused for evil purposes?

 

The answers to many questions are speculative. We have many fears. But at present we simply do not have solid and sufficient facts to absolutely reject the declaration of Martial Law as morally reprehensible. But we are certainly agreed that Martial Law must be temporary.

 

We shall condemn any abuse of Martial Law and as in the past will condemn it outright if it goes in the way of evil. Let us be vigilant.

 

We exhort everyone to be calm in the face of Martial Law, to be obedient to the just commands of lawful authority, and not to provoke violent reaction. We urge the government to remove the causes of terrorism, such as poverty and injustice, through just and accountable governance focused solely on the common good.

 

The focus of every religion is peace on earth, peace in heaven. Let us pursue together what leads to peace. Let all religious teachers and leaders quell the tendencies towards the terrorist ideology. Together let us pursue what leads to peace. Let us pray for peace and work for peace.

 

God bless the people of Marawi. God bless all Mindanawons.

 

With the approval of the Bishops of Mindanao,

 

 

+Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Cotabato
26 May 2017

Summary: National Press Conference on International Eucharistic Congress

The World is Coming to Cebu on 2016!

 

SUMMARY OF THE NATIONAL PRESS-CON ON THE

INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS 2016

ARZOBISPADO DE MANILA

JUNE 10, 2014, 11 AM

 

 

 

On June 10, 2014, 11 in the morning, the national press conference on the 51st International Eucharistic Congress was held at the Arzobispado de Manila where Archbishop Jose Palma, head of the Committee, together with Cardinal Tagle, Cardinal Quevedo, Cardinal Rosales and Cardinal Vidal,   discussed the global gathering with the media. The good Archbishop of Cebu referred to this event as “a gift and a privilege.”

 

 

During the press-con, the history of the International Cardinal Congress was shown. The themesong “Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory” was also sang by Dulce and her son David Cruz.

 

 

The infomercial regarding the International Eucharistic Congress was also presented: Kim Chiu, Senator Grace Poe, Mike Enriquez, and many other kapuso stars endorsed the event.

 

 

Cardinal Quevedo: He referred to Jesus as a “reconciler” and introduced himself as a Cardinal from the “land of Bangasamoro.”He expressed his message to the youth: “Christ is in you, the hope not only of your glory but also of the country.” He also called on the poor: “Christ is in you, you are the privileged faces of Jesus. Become what you are. Christ is in you.”

 

 

Cardinal Vidal About the International Eucharistic Congress 1937 in Manila: “I was privileged to witness it at the age of 6. I was one of the first communicants during that time. The mass was in Spanish and I did not understand it. When I saw the Cardinals during the procession who were all in red, I exclaimed, ‘what kind of dress is this? It looks nice!’”

 

 

Cardinal Rosales About the International Eucharistic Congress 1937 in Manila: “I was still 4 during that time and my mother brought me to Luneta. As a young child, I could not yet understand what was going on.”

 

 

Cardinal Tagle, noticing that his companion-Cardinals, talked about the International Eucharistic Congress in 1937, started his speech with an apology that put media people into laughter: “I’m sorry; I can’t give you details about the International Eucharistic Congress 1937 because I was not yet born during that time.” The good Cardinal made mention that he attended two International Eucharistic Congresses: the one in Quebec, Canada and the one in Dublin, Ireland. He also made a remark that international gatherings are held during our time: “When the football opens, the world will go to Brazil. When the Olympics start in 2015, the world will gather in Russia. When the World Economic Forum starts, the world will go to the Davos, Switzerland. In 2016, the world will gather for the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines. We are not gathered by something, for we are a people gathered by God. The Roman Catholic Church has been gathering in many places: presence of Christ in the youth, Christ in the family, Christ in the Eucharist. What a beautiful way of bringing the world together!”

 

 

He also appreciated the theme: “Christ in You: Our Hope of Glory.” He remarked: “What better theme than the theme of hope! Today, we have many wishes – good job, stable life, happy family – but had no hope. Our international gathering is not about fleeting hope but an experience of ‘I hope in a person.’ We hope in a person, a person who comes to us, not distant, one who understands. He has been betrayed, homeless, object of ridicule. Friends, many of our wishes will not come true, but our hope will never fail.

 

 

During the question and answer portion, the media asked about the security for the international congress. Archbishop Jose Palma, the Archbishop of Cebu, answered the question that he has been meeting with the Cebu City council, different embassies and has been coordinating with many others, so that visitors will be provided protection and transportation.

 

 

As to the coming of Pope Francis, Archbishop Palma said that there is no definite word yet. “Pope Francis manifested his love to the people. We pray that he comes next year and the International Eucharistic Congress 2016, so it will be double blessing.”

 

 

Cardinal Quevedo, also expressed his wish that the Pope will also consider Central Mindanao. Few weeks ago, it was announced that the Vicar of Christ will come to Yolanda-stricken areas. “He shall visit areas affected by natural calamity; I hope he also visit areas affected by man-made calamity,” referring to war experienced in his ecclesiastical turf.

 

 

As to the delegates coming from Mainland China, the Cardinals made it clear that there was no official word yet. “But they are welcome,” they said.

 

 

As to the question about those who are divorced/separated and constantly receiving holy communion, Cardinal Tagle did not give a direct answer. He announced, however, that there will be Synod of Bishops – one in October and the other in 2015. The one in October will be the extraordinary synod by restricted members to clarify the situations of families all over the world. Then the 2015 Ordinary Synod will reflect on the data and the vision of humanity. He shared in one gathering the Philippine situation of the family: “In the Philippines, there are separations not because of the other woman, not because they don’t like each other, but because of love.” He then cited the plight of OFWs who worked in other countries for the love of their families back in the Philippines.

 

 

To which one remarked, “This is the story we want to hear over and over again.”

 

 

In conclusion, Cardinal Tagle called on the faithful to make the event as an opportunity for conscience examination. He also looked forward to the occasion as an experience and celebration of hope.

 

 

Before the press conference ended, Mrs. Elvira Go, founder of the Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo, asked the media people to make this “good news” be bannered in the headlines for the following day.

 

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