Interfaith prayer held to mark 25th anniv of Assisi peace-dialogue

Catholic groups and representatives of various faith traditions gathered for an interfaith prayer in observance of the 25th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace.

Held last October 27 at Quiapo’s Plaza Miranda, the gathering was also in solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI who called for a day of reflection and dialogue in Assisi to commemorate the first historic meeting that happened there 25 years ago.

In October 1986, Pope John Paul II convened the celebrated gathering of various religious leaders in Assisi for a day of prayer and fasting. The late pope had called for a united voice among various religions while respecting each other’s diversity and “to proclaim that peace is both necessary and attainable.”

Fr. Carlos Reyes, the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue (ECID) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on each faith tradition “to walk the path of peace as pilgrims, to reflect, pray and fast for justice in our world, and to dialogue with one another in an effort to discover creative ways to build mutual understanding and common aspirations for peace.”

“Following the example of St. Francis, dialogue entails employing one’s whole being in this task, listening, and speaking kindly to accept the other, whoever he may be, and welcome him as he is in himself with his convictions and actions, and calling for reciprocity,” Reyes, who led the event’s organizing committee, said in his closing remarks.

The inter-faith prayer began with the offering of a symbolic lighted lantern while representative groups prayed or chanted a prayer for peace.

Groups came from indigenous Tuklas Katutubo, mainline protestants from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i,Hare Krishna followers, Muslims and Roman Catholics.

Those present in the inter-faith prayer committed themselves to work for “peace based on the teachings of their respective religions; …[defend] the basic human rights and dignity of all persons of every race, belief, culture; …declare that peace is based on justice and forgiveness; reject and abhor all forms of intolerance, be it religious, cultural and gender related; [and] …condemn violence committed in the name of God or religion and declare that it is incompatible with the authentic spirit of religion.

The participants also offered prayer for peace in Mindanao and the victims of armed conflict in the region.

Also present during the gathering were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; Monsignor Gabor Pinter, the Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature; Alfonso Tagliaferri, the Charge d’affaires of the Italian Embassy; and Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, the rector/parish priest of Quiapo Church.

Organizers of the event together with ECID were Silsilah Dialogue Movement (Manila); Focolare Movement; Peacemakers’ Circle; Religions for Peace; and the Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila.

PNoy urged to end violence against indigenous peoples

A human rights leader called on the Aquino government to end the violence perpetrated against indigenous peoples.

Judy Pasimio, executive director of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center urged President Benigno Aquino III to stop the state of impunity under his administration.

Mining companies should be made accountable for human rights violations, Pasimio said in a statement, urging Aquino to review the government’s skewed mining policy that tramples on human rights and brings irreversible destruction of the environment.

Pasimio lamented that mining has slowly become “synonymous to violence,” as many advocates have been murdered because of their strong stance against mining.

On October 14, Datu Roy Gallego, a Manobo chieftain in Surigao del Sur was killed in an ambush. Gallego, who was also a broadcaster, was a known anti-mining tribal leader.

Last October 17, PIME missionary Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a strong defender of the lumads and known for his anti-mining stance was also gunned down by a motorcycle-riding assassin.

Pasimio noted that the murder happened just few days after Aquino approved the mining companies’ proposal to allow the formation and funding of militias for their protection, at a time the nation celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Month.

She rued Aquino’s apparent ignorance of the human rights violations suffered by rural communities in the hands of private armies that protect big business like mining and logging.

Aquino’s decision to allow mining corporations to have their own paramilitary units for their protection can be taken that [he is] for mining and against those who oppose it, Pasimio said.

It is appalling, she added, that the indigenous people like Datu Gallego and those who support their struggles, are militarized and killed for defending their rights to their territories.

“[While] mining companies, which pose grave threats to the environment, the livelihoods of the peoples, the integrity of the communities, and to the lives of those who defend these, are given protection by the Aquino government,” Pasimio said.

“This should not be allowed to happen. Not anymore,” she stressed.

She urged for the enactment of an alternative mining bill, saying it “will seriously address the issues being raised against current mining operations and the government’s mining policy” that favors mining corporations.

“Mr. President, it’s time now to listen not to the people who funded your presidential campaign, but to those who actually voted for you,” Pasimio added.

Rizal province holds youth climate summit

Around 100 youth leaders in Rizal province gathered to discuss the basic concerns of climate change and to find a way to respond effectively to the challenge of climate crisis.

Dubbed as Provincial Climate Youth Conference, the event was organized by the Rizal Provincial Government in partnership with Antipolo Youth Alliance, Climate Change Commission and The Climate Reality Project.

Although the youth can hardly be blamed for the climate crisis the world is experiencing, they are the ones who will suffer the future consequences of climate change, according to Rodne Galicha, Country Manager of Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project (TCRP).

“They feel inconvenient and they see the need to act and pressure the elder ones to be true [to] their commitments and responsibilities for the present and next generation, hence, climate justice for the young ones,” he stressed.

As inconvenient youths, the young generation’s fresh understanding of the basic science of climate crisis and its impacts will lead to a unique force of change to make their future convenient in harmony with the environment, Galicha continued.

For his part, Rizal Governor Casimiro Yñares III dared the youth to take active roles in the community to respond to the challenges posed by the global climate crisis.

"I hope someday, you will take active roles in the community in collective steps in combating the adverse effects of climate change by responsibly using your skills, zeal and creativity," he said in his opening message.

The governor expressed hopes that the young generation of Rizaleños will serve as unique changing force to face the climate crisis.

According to Mark Lester Delgado, an officer of the Antipolo Youth Alliance (AYA), a large percentage of Rizal population is composed of youths which can work together, take action and make a change for a better future.

“The young people of Rizal have significant roles to play in the climate issue because they are one of the most vulnerable yet active and dynamic to help building disaster resilient communities,” he said.

The youth conference also served as a prelude for the upcoming national youth gathering that will seek for the formulation of a national climate change youth agenda.

“This event is an opportunity for the young people to voice out their opinions, perspectives and sentiments on what has been happening and what needs to be done to solve the climate crisis,” Pebbles Sanchez of Climate Change Commission (CCC) said.

Ms. Loraine Gatlabayan, of CCC’s Division Chief for Information and Knowledge Management, who also graced the event, stressed that youth climate advocacy is a priority of the Commission thus its willingness to support climate change initiatives of the youth.

“We encourage other provinces in the country to replicate Rizal’s provincial climate change conference and the Climate Change Commission is willing to assist,” she said.

The climate change conference served as venue for young people to talk about the climate realities and challenges of the province.

Next month, a series of activities that will lead to a national event as part of the observance of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week will be launched by the Climate Change Commission, The Climate Reality Project, government agencies and non-government organizations.

For more information on the national conference, please contact the Climate Change Commission’s Pebbles Sanchez:pebbles.sanchez@climate.gov.ph

Church leaders, groups urge Aquino to halt extrajudicial killings

In snowballing protests against the seeming inaction of government to halt the spate of killings, church leaders and groups called on President Benigno Aquino to act decisively and put a stop on extrajudicial killings and bring to justice perpetrators of the crime.

The recent murder of PIME priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio has once again revealed the “culture of impunity” that has been prevailing in the country because of the government’s failure to provide protection and justice to human rights defenders, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said in a statement.

Pabillo, who also chairs the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace, hit the government’s failure to bring murderers to justice.

He said families and friends of victims need more than just the government’s offer of “condolences” and “condemnation” of the crime.

“Families and friends [of victims] don’t need these futile words,” Pabillo pointed out, adding that “we desire to see these killings stop than be consoled by the platitudes they give in exchange of our grief.”

“No peace workers and human rights defenders should ever live in fear or shed blood because of what they believe in and what they stand for,” he added.

Tentorio was shot eight times by an assassin on October 17 as he was getting into his pick-up truck parked at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church compound in Arakan, North Cotabato.

Fr. Pops, as Tentorio was called by the locals, was a staunch advocate against mining and other extractive operations that threaten the indigenous people. He had been an inspiration to his parishioners as wells as the lumads who have been opposing activities that are harmful to the environment.

For his part, Jaro Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said Fr. Tentorio’s senseless killing “must wake us up in our slumber and passivity.”

“How many more people should die before we unite in putting an end to this culture of impunity?” he lamented.

Alminaza, head convenor of Visayas Clergy Discernment Group, in a separate statement called on the Aquino government to bring justice to Fr. Tentorio and other victims of human rights violations.

The Aquino government should distinguish itself from the previous administration, Alminaza said.

“Otherwise, its slogans of "straight path" will remain empty,” he added.

Fr. Tentorio’s murder, Alminaza said, is another number added to the more than 50 victims of extra-judicial killings since President Benigno Aquino III took office.

“His death strengthens our resolve to continue Christ’s work in building a society of justice and peace, even if it means giving the ultimate sacrifice for the common good,” the bishop said.

Meanwhile, the Good Shepherd Sisters of Mindanao and the RGS-WJPIC Mindanao Network also denounced the killing, calling it an “affront to peace.”

In a statement, the group called on the Aquino government “to stop the political killings in this country, to cease the operation of Oplan Bayanihan and to put an end to impunity and bring to justice the countless victims of extra-judicial killings.”

“We challenge the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Justice to conduct immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible for this cowardly act,” the statement read.

Urging all Filipinos to join the Church-led “Justice for Father Fausto Tentorio Movement”, the group said the action will “release the flood gates of justice and integrity.”

“Fill the streets with marches and songs, prayer vigils, candle lighting and drum the beat for truth to come out free and victorious,” the group further said.

Fr. Fausto has served the diocese of Kidapawan for the past 33 years.

As a rural missionary and as an anti-mining advocate, he helped and worked with the indigenous peoples in opposing the operation of large-scale plantations and mining which would harm them. As a human rights advocate, he joined in calling for justice for slain human rights workers and farmers in Central Mindanao in 2002.

Despite threats to his life, he fearlessly persisted in the work for justice and peace. His martyrdom, in the words of Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, will “fan the daring and courage of those who care about peace and justice enough to sacrifice themselves.”

Other church groups including the NCCP, Philippine Misereor Partnership, Promotion of Church People`s Response (PCPR) and KALUMARAN, a group of indigenous people in Mindanao, joined the Catholic Church in condemning the senseless killing of Tentorio while demanding the Aquino government to stop the extra-judicial killings of human rights defenders.

Govt urged to protect indigenous communities, not mining companies

A group that advocates empowerment among marginalized people has called on President Benigno Aquino III to repeal his approval for mining companies to organize its own armed units to protect its operations.

The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center Kasama sa Kalikasan / Friends of the Earth - Philippines (LRCK-KsK/FoE-Philippines) in a statement on October 16, said it is the indigenous people and rural communities who are in need of government protection from violent attacks, and not mining corporations.

“We are demanding from President Aquino to make a break in the cycle of violence that has marked government policies and actions in the past. Do not use the rebel attacks against mining operations in Claver as an excuse to again escalate conflict and violence in ancestral domains and rural communities,” the group said in a statement.

The president has recently approved proposal of mining companies to create their own Special CAFGU Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) units to secure their operations.

On October 12, Aquino sanctioned the deployment of paramilitary units to protect mining companies after forces of New People’s Army attacked mining operations at Surigao del Norte, killing three private security guards.

Amnesty International in a statement said the Aquino government should withdraw the plan of deploying militias noting that CAFGU’s (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units) has a long history of human rights violations in the country.

It stressed that it would be on the government’s responsibility if human rights violations are committed by militias “which the military has trained, equipped and deployed, even if they are securing private interests of mining corporations.”

For its part, the LRKC said the president’s approval of mining militias violates the rights of indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination inside their ancestral domains.

The indigenous peoples’ continued resistance against mining operations on their ancestral lands has sparked violence and death among leaders in the community.

The deployment of military units in 2008 in Compostela Valley by then President Arroyo after a gold processing plant was attacked by NPA rebels led to the harassment and displacement of hundreds of indigenous people in the area.

Similar instances of violence involving paramilitary units had been reported even before as in the case of Sibuyan Councilor Armin Marin who was killed by a security guard in 2007 during a protest against nickel mining in Sibuyan Island.

Other anti-mining advocates who met their death in the course of their struggle against mining include Eliezer Billianes who led campaigns against the Swiss Xstrata Tampakan Gold Copper Project, and was killed in a public market in 2009.

Ricardo Banad who had opposed the Mindoro Nickel Project of Norwegian Intex Resources was killed in his house in 2010.

In January this year, Dr. Jerry Ortega who denounced mining in Palawan was killed by hired killers; while in March, Rudy Segovia, another anti-mining advocate was gunned down in a road blockade set up in protest of TVI Resources Development (TVIRD).

The group said that even without the government sanction of deploying militias in mining areas, environmentalists and human rights defenders have been killed.

Approving their deployment “would be tantamount to formalizing mining related human rights violations,” they stressed.

“Again we urge President Aquino to put an end to all this violence, prioritize the protection of indigenous peoples and rural communities and work to give justice to mining related human rights violations,” the group stated.

“It is also time for government to end facilitating and protecting corporate plunder of the environment at all costs in exchange for a pittance in government revenues. A new Minerals Management Law must be enacted to replace the conflict causing Mining Act of 1995,” they further said.

Mining firm’s withdrawal of application a victory for the people—Church group

The recent withdrawal of a mining firm of its application to explore the island of Romblon is a victory for the people who continue to fight for human rights and integrity of creation, an ecumenical group against mining said.

The Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) said the victory of the people is only the beginning of a life-long commitment to protect the island from the threats of environmental degradation.

Mining firm Ivanhoe Philippines has earlier withdrawn its application for a mining exploration of the island according to a letter sent to Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In a letter dated September 30, 2011 to the MGB, Ivanhoe Philippines President Leo S. Deiparine said the company’s board decided to withdraw its applications “based on Tablas as a low priority exploration target for Ivanhoe Philippines and the strong opposition of the local politicians for the approval of our applications.”

REFAM’s convenors Msgr. Nonato Ernie V. Fetalino, a Roman Catholic priest and Bishop Ronelio Fabriquer of the Philippine Independent Church both called for the scrapping of Mining Act of 1995.

The group is seeking for the enactment of a new law that would rationalize the mining industry, “protect and promote human rights and establish No-Go Zones, based on alternative minerals management bills lodged in Congress.”

The mining advocates said they are right into “the middle of a spiritual battle against greed and corruption” and they will continue the fight to “defend the integrity of creation and human rights.”

Meanwhile, local officials and residents in the island also lauded the withdrawal of the mining application in the province.

Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona said he received a copy of the letter dated October 11, 2011 from MGB-IVB Regional Director Roland de Jesus informing him of the withdrawal.

“It is indeed the unity and strong opposition of the people of Romblon against mining which resulted to the withdrawal of the application for exploration permit of Ivanhoe Philippines. This is a giant step towards a mining-free Romblon,” he declared.

Madrona has recently filed House Bill 4815 in Congress declaring the province of Romblon a mining free zone.

Meanwhile, Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo stressed they will continue their fight to preserve the healthy ecology of the island. He has earlier issued an Executive Order declaring an indefinite ban on metallic mining in the province.

“The power of the people and the political will of the leaders with the help of the civil society and religious sector clearly manifest the strong position of the province. We will continue to defend the right of our people to a balanced and healthy ecology,” he said.

Ivanhoe Philippines is a subsidiary of Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines. The company’s application to do mining exploration in the island has created uproar among the local community, especially the indigenous people who will be displaced if the exploration goes through.

More than 15,000 hectares in Tablas island that span the municipalities of Odiongan, San Andres, Calatrava, San Agustin, Sta. Maria, Alcantara and Looc have been eyed for exploration of gold and copper.

Pauline Sisters launch 75th jubilee celebration

The Daughters of St. Paul launched the 3-year preparation of its diamond jubilee celebration of foundation in the Philippines in 2013 with a Holy Mass celebrated Thursday at the Sanctuary of Queen of Apostles in Harrison St., Pasay City.

Presided by Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo, the Holy Mass was concelebrated by Manila Archdiocese Vicar for Religious, Fr. James Perry, MM and several priests from the Society of St. Paul.

Attended by members of the Pauline family, benefactors and friends of the congregation, the Mass began with the processional entrance of some sisters carrying cultural symbols that represent the various Pauline communities in the country and its year of foundation.

A simple reception followed after the Eucharist. The celebration was capped with a musical concert with the University of the East Chorale and the Pauline choir as performers. With Elsie Eranista of the Madrigal Singers conducting, the Pauline choir was accompanied by Alejandro Consolacion II at the organ, and Franz Miguel Ramirez playing the oboe.

Themed "75 Years Celebrating Fidelity, Counting Blessings, Reinvigorating Service", the launch of the 3-year preparation was done simultaneously in all 13 communities of the Pauline sisters throughout the country.

Various activities are lined up during the three-year preparation leading to the celebration of the jubilee in 2013, according to Sr. Evangelina Canag, a member of the core group of the jubilee executive committee.

Among the activities she mentioned are the target diffusion of 75,000 thousand bibles to families, conducting of bible studies and lectio divina on the word of God, bible enthronements at homes, publication of pamphlets on the thoughts of Blessed James Alberione, founder of the Pauline family and publication of books on the life of the pioneer sisters in the Philippines.

She also mentioned some other activities that have social impact but are still to be threshed out, like planting trees for the environment and feeding and teaching catechism to children.

First Philippine foundation

The Daughters of St. Paul founded its first community in Lipa, Batangas when a group of three Italian Sisters arrived in the country in October 13, 1938. The house in Lipa now serves as the novitiate where young sisters preparing for consecration undergo training and study of religious life.

Since then, the congregation has branched out to different regions across the country and founded communities and media centers in Pasay, Manila, where the central house, apostolic centers and pre-novitiate house are currently located; Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Cebu, Baguio, Tuguegarao, Legazpi, Naga and Marikina, which also serves as the Juniorate House where Junior sisters pursuing their theological studies at Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, stay.

The Daughters of St. Paul, whose main charism is evangelization through the means of social communication, are second among the 10 religious and secular institutes founded by Blessed James Alberione, an Italian priest beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2003.