Fillipino church leaders risk death for advocating change
Fillipino church leaders risk death for advocating change
ICC Note:
The General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines reports on the difficulties faced by the Christians in the country who attempt to advocate for social change. 26 pastors and lay leaders have been killed in the past five years for their social positions on issues such as poverty, landlessness, and corruption.
_________________
7/14/08 Philippines (ChristianToday) Pascua, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), has seen 26 pastors and lay leaders killed over the past five years for the Christian positions they have maintained on a number of social issues.
Church leaders who continue to speak out for the nation’s marginalised do so not knowing how the military and government might react. Imprisonment or death could result.
…
“As one of the largest mainline denominations, we believe an integral part of our mission and ministry is to get involved in the struggles and hopes of the people,” said Pascua, an ecumenical delegate at the recent 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
…
Pastors and lay leaders frequently address issues related to poverty, landlessness and corruption, Pascua said. The denomination also has issued official statements condemning military abuses and human rights violations.
…
In addition to the killings, several church leaders have been abducted and others have been jailed. One pastor has been in prison for a year and a trial date is yet to be set.
The violence against church leaders has taken its toll in the life of the church, Pascua said.
“A number of congregations have virtually stopped their regular worship services,” he explained. “So many have become afraid, asking, ‘Why are our pastors being killed? Why are so many [who are] advocating for change being killed?’”
…
International pressure has brought some human rights improvements to the Philippines over the past two years, he said. Pascua himself travels internationally talking about the situation in the Philippines. Last year, with the help of Presbyterian Church (USA) leaders, he spoke to members of the US Senate’s subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific affairs during Ecumenical Advocacy Days.
Pascua said faith in God sustains him and others in the UCCP. “God is with us,” he declared. “We are made more than conquerors.”