THIRTEEN dioceses of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) church assembled at Kiosko Kagawasan in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday for the official launching of the Lumad Ministry in Mindanao aiming to advocate, educate people and influence state policies.
The ministry, IFI Bishop Rudy Juliada said, is a concrete manifestation of the church's solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples' community however without the purpose to proselytize.
"Pure tabang lang gyud ni para sa atong mga kaigsoonang lumad, wala tay intensyon nga i-convert nato sila para ma-IFI," he said.
Juliada said the creation of the ministry is a concrete expression of IFI's “faithfulness to preach the good news of salvation in these worst of times.”
He said the ministry is a body of accompaniment of lumads' (indigenous people) struggle as well as an affirmation of the church's belief in the sanctity of life and dignity.
The ministry listed five visions – advocacy, education, policy influencing, solidarity and long term accompaniment, and identifying, connecting, and resourcing legal and paralegal support.
In a statement, the IFI said the advocacy includes mobilizing of church members and utilizing all platforms to widen the call of the lumad for self-determination.
They also aim to educate people in understanding the history and struggle to deepen and sharpen their understanding and as well as motivate them to be more responsive.
Juliada said it is also the church's objective to influence and make relevant policies that will give more focus on the rights and culture of the lumad.
IFI also wants other church organizations and individuals to engage with lumad to promote deeper commitment as well as assist them in their fight against violations of human rights by sourcing out rights lawyers.
"We would like people to see nga they are special people and at the same time, normal people like us. Special because they are our ancestors ug na-preserve ang atong kultura sa una pinaagi kanila," he said.
"Normal ra pud sila sama nato kay kita tanan igsoon man, pareha rata ug panit, pareha rata ug bloodline yet nganong lahi man atong panana-aw sa ila? So really, kinahanglan gyud sila ma-educate," he added.