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Editorial BY: SEM. ARVIN ZARSATA

Shaken yet Firm

PHOTO: RAPPLER
The Catholic Church being the largest religion in the
Philippines and comprises about 86% of the population recently,
faces new challenges with the current Duterte administration. The PHOTO: RAPPLER
President has become the primary opponent and critic of the Church, In about six months from December 2017-June 2018, 3
especially its clergy and the bishops. Many church officials are priests were killed in separate incidents. On Dec. 4, 2017,
against the President’s “War on Drugs” that killed thousands of Fr. MarcelitoPaez, 72, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding
lives. As a consequence of this condemnation of the killings by men while he was driving his vehicle in Jaen town, Nueva
the church officials, the President himself blatantly attacked the Ecija province. On April 29, 2018, Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura,
church in return, exposing some scandals done by some priests and 37, was gunned down in Gattaran town, Cagayan province
even urging bystanders to kill bishops. The Catholic Church in after saying the mass.On June 10, Fr. Richmond Nilo of the
the Philippines experiences a verbal persecution from the current Diocese of Cabanatuan, 40, was shot by unidentified men at
president that could deliberately encourage more crimes against Nuestra Señora de la Nieve Chapel in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija,
priests. Because of this attack, some clergy have been silenced according to the provincial police. This is the first incident
to death, and death threats have been received by some Clerics in history that priests were killed in a span of six months.
who courageously protest publicly the current administration’s
Policies. Priests and bishops lives are being put into jeopardy. On March 11, 2019 at the St. Vincent School of Theology
As vulnerable servants of God and of the people, Priests have been (SVST),Fathers Albert Alejo, Robert Reyes, and Flavie
hurt by those issues thrown to them by the President. Villanueva held a press conference to expose death threats
against them under President Rodrigo Duterte’s watch. The
The Catholic Church in the Philippines should not be silent. three priest, united themselves to come out amidst threats
Speaking during a Sunday Angelus in St. Peter Square, Pope Francis in their lives. They courageously exposed text messages
invited the faithful not to“remain deaf and dumb” in the face of of death threats on themselves and on Bishops Ambo David
the suffering of people marked by disease, anguish and difficulties. and Socrates Villegas.They called on other bishops and
It is therefore an invitation that the Church officials in the priests to unite and condemn killings and death threats.
Philippines should not be afraid but rather unite and work as one
to STOP the killings and persecution of the least, the lost and It appears that the President wants the Catholic
the last who are the most vulnerable in the “War on Drugs”. There Church, its clergy and bishops in particular who publicly
is a need also for seminarians, active religious communities, condemn these killings, to step back and be silent about
and lay people to go out of their comfort zone, to be courageous his “War on Drugs’’ that resulted in thousands of death
enough amidst threats in their lives, to defend the Church and without due process. The Catholic Clergy and Bishops are
uplift the morals and faith of the Filipino people. firm in their position to defend their flock in spite of the
many tirades against its clergy and Catholic doctrines.
From July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2018, there were about PHOTO: RAPPLER
4,948 suspected drug users killed during the police operation, It’s definitely time for Catholic Bishops, Clergy,
according to the Philippines Enforcement Agency (PDEA). This Seminarians, active Religious communities, and lay
report does not include thousands of others killed by unidentified persons to act now and not be afraid to protect
gunmen. Since the “War on Drugs” began, there are 22,983 deaths the Church and its ministers.We can move on in our
classified as “homicide under investigation” according to the mission and can stand firm as disciples by helping the
Philippine National Police. widows and orphans who are victims of this Drug War.

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