Thursday, October 12, 2006 City Council condemns killings of religious leaders
THE City Council passed a resolution condemning the killings of religious leaders in the country yesterday during its regular session.
Authored by Councilor Jed Mabilog, the resolution stated, “The church is an essential pillar in the city today and that the state recognizes the indispensability of its role in fostering a just and humane society.”
The resolution strongly condemned the deaths of 69-year-old Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church on October 3 at 4 p.m.
Bishop Ramento was found dead in his parish at San Sebastian, Tarlac with seven stab wounds on his body.
After less than a week, an Aglipayan Priest was found and reported to have been murdered in his home in Surigao del Sur.
The 54-year-old Fr. Dionisio Gingging was reportedly shot and stabbed by five unidentified persons.
“There are other religious leaders that have death threats.”
“There is an imperative need for the urgent action by the government authorities to provide ample guarantee to protect the country’s religious leaders.”
“In the performance of their responsibilities as a community and social builder¸ they may be object to intimidation and assaults from entities whose interest have been affected by the churches.”
Candle lighting
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente-Diocese of Southern Mindanao (IFI-DSM) will spearhead a candle lighting activity for truth, peace and justice on the brutal killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento and a Solemn Eucharist Ecumenical Mass today around 4 p.m. pm at the Freedom Park Roxas St. and October 13 around 10 am at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral F. Torres St. in Davao City, respectively.
IFI-DSM will demonstrate its condemnation over the brutal killing of Bp. Ramento thru the candle lighting activity.
“We are ‘not discounting” the possibility that it was a case of political killing. Bishop Ramento, being a staunch peace advocate and a human rights defender from the dark days of Marcos' Martial Law to the present regime of Arroyo, has issued strong statements against Charter Change and President Macapagal-Arroyo and her administration’s policies,” Bishop Delfin Callao, Jr. (LABB)
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