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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to
search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts
Vol. VI, No. 27 August
13 - 19, 2006 Quezon City, Philippines |
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DEMOCRATIC SPACE
Church Worker Murders
in the Philippines
A Declaration of Solidarity and
Protest from World Church Leaders
We church
leaders, gathered here in Manila, July 12-16, 2006,
represent churches throughout Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.
We have been gathered here in prayer and for critical
reflection on the way military, economic and cultural
forces of US imperial power bring death and
destruction to so many peoples and nations of the
world.
We are shocked and dismayed by the news that at least
690 people have died as a result of extrajudicial
killings in the Philippines - men and women, diverse
activists, journalists and organizers throughout
Filipino communities.
Of particular concern are our sister and brother
church workers who have been slain by death squads
that seem connected to powerful economic, military
and political interests in the country. Eighteen
church people have been murdered in the last two
years, 15 of whom were working for the United Church
of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
All of these were innocent, guilty of nothing save
their resolve to be faithful in securing justice and
fullness of life for the disenfranchised and
repressed communities of their nation.
We give thanks for these activists' lives, for our
church workers' prophetic witness in the name of
justice, love and life - for the gospel. May their
deaths not be in vain, bearing fruit for the ongoing
restoration of all Filipinos seeking justice and
freedom from poverty, discrimination and exclusion.
We pray for this violence to cease. May
the families of the slain be comforted. May Filipino churches, media and
society remember them by name, and begin the truth-telling that identifies
their killers, so as to bring healing for all who love them and value
their work.
We are strengthened in our resolve to resist the global empire's brutal
political economy of poverty, repression, torture and assassination
suffered by activists for justice and peace. We remain inspired today by
the struggle waged and the sacrifice made by these faithful church
workers.
Signed:
- Rev. Park
Seong-Won, Young Nam
Theological Seminary, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, South Korea
- Dr.
Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar,
United Theological College (Bangalore), India
- Rev. Dr.
Karen Bloomquist, The
Lutheran World Federation, USA/Switzerland
- Ms. Omega
Bula, The United Church
of Canada, Canada
- Rev.
Jameson Buys, Uniting
Reformed Church in South Africa, South Africa
- Bp. Erme
Camba, Silliman
University, Philippines
- Rev.
Cheryl Dibeela, United
Congregational Church of Southern Africa, South Africa
- Prof. Dr.
Ulrich Duchrow, Kairos
Europa, Germany
-
Dr. Chris Ferguson, World Council of
Churches/Jerusalem, Canada
- Mr. Muto
Ichiyo, Asian Peace
Alliance, Japan
- Ms.
Carmencita Karagdag,
Peace for Life, Philippines
- Rev. Dr.
Keum Jooseop, Council
for World Mission, South Korea/Great Britain
- Prof. Dr.
Kim Yong Bock, Advanced
Institute for Integral Study of Life, South Korea
- Sr. Mary
John Mananzan, OSB, St.
Scholastica's College, Philippines
- Prof.
Ninan Koshy, Political
Commentator and Author, India
- Ms. Rev.
Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth,
World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Guyana/Switzerland
- Rev. Dr.
Mark Lewis Taylor,
Princeton Theological Seminary, USA
CONTAK Philippines
(Church Office for International Network in the Philippines)
2/F UCCP National Offices
877 EDSA, West Triangle
Quezon City PHILIPPINES
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