THE St. John's Institute (SJI) community is hoping for a reconciliation following the controversy involving the ownership of the property on which the Queen of Peace Church stands.
SJI, in a statement on February 16, said: "We emphasize that the doors of the church will always be open to everyone and we encourage all to join us in taking a step towards full reconciliation."
The SJI also thanked Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon for answering their appeal to revert the Queen of Peace church from its present status as a territorial parish to a personal parish in fulfillment of the wishes of their founding fathers, Msgr. John Su and Msgr. John Liu.
The statement said they are one with Buzon that they can now take positive steps toward healing and eventual reconciliation of all who have been affected by the feud that has sparked a division in their community.
"We are also one with Bishop Buzon that the matter of ownership is a non-issue as titles covering the properties are in the name of SJI as intended by the Montelibano family and other donors that facilitated the strengthening of the pastoral care of the school and the entire Filipino-Chinese community," the statement added.
With this, the church will now go back to its original status as a school chapel and at the same time a church, not just for the Filipino-Chinese Community, but for all, under the auspices of SJI and in partnership with its chosen congregation, subject to the approval of the Bishop, it added.
Earlier, Buzon said that litigation is not the most viable option to resolve ownership because deciding with finality on the matter is not within the competence and prerogative of the Office of the Bishop.
"Instead, the Diocese will uphold its obligation towards the conduct and growth of the Chinese Apostolate in Bacolod as envisioned by the donors of the property," Buzon said.
He said that faithful to the intent of the donor, the Diocese of Bacolod will initiate the process of establishing a personal Parish for the Chinese apostolate. (MPE)