Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Bishops see peace to still reign in Mindanao
CATHOLIC bishops are optimistic that peace will reign despite the ongoing hostilities between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao.
With this, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Angel Lagdameo urged both parties to be instrument of peace.
"My appeal not only to the MILF but also to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces to be instruments of the peace so that peace can be achieved in Mindanao," said Lagdameo.
At the same time, the prelate condemned the MILF attacks in the provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte where civilian and government troops were killed.
"We condemned that. We offer prayers for them and hope that peace, comfort, and mutual understanding will reign," he said.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez is also convinced that peace is still possible in Mindanao if the country's leaders are really sincere in their desire to achieve it.
"Peace is possible if some leaders are serious in attaining peace and with no other objective," he said.
Gutierrez, meanwhile, revealed that they are planning to hold the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) general assembly in Jolo, Sulu on November 19 to 21 to discuss matters concerning Mindanao.
"We will spend one half of our general assembly schedule talking to local Muslim community leaders. We would like to find out what really are their intentions, their needs, and their desires," he said. (FP/Sunnex) |
