Pastoral statement from UCCP Bishops regarding the killing of church workers

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

“Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us.
Look at us, and see our disgrace.
…Our fathers have been killed by the enemy,
and now our mothers are widows.” (Lamentations 5: 1, 3 TEV)

We live at a time of fear, anxiety and disquiet. Our present predicament as a people harks us back to the memories of the dark years of our country’s history. We are perplexed and distraught by the ghastly realities of grinding poverty, terrible corruption, inequality, and conflict. The recent series of murder and violence disturb and alarm us even more. Senseless killings of those who defend the truth and those who work for justice, including church people, undoubtedly point to an exacerbating situation of suppression and unpeace.

Sunday morning of March 13, 2005, Father William Tadeña, a priest of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), with which the UCCP has a covenant partnership, was killed while driving from a Church service in Barangay Guevarra, La Paz, Tarlac to the town proper where he was scheduled to hold a mass. With Father Tadeña were his sacristan Charlie Gabriel, parish secretary Ervina Domingo, and guitarist Carlos Barsolazo. Gabriel and Barsolazo suffered gunshot wounds but fortunately survived. Father Tadeña was known to be a steadfast advocate of the rights of Hacienda Luisita workers. Barely few days before Fr. Tadeña’s murder, Tarlac Councilor Abelardo Ladera, who was also a strong supporter of Hacienda Luisita Workers, was also killed.

We have also heard of the killings of other people like Romeo Sanchez, March 9 in Baguio City; Atty. Julayo of La Union while on his way to the wake of Sanchez; Ronnie Almonte of Lucena City on February 5 and Atty. Fedilito Dacut of Tacloban City on March 14. Added to these are the reported cases of disappearances and abductions of people who are identified leaders and supporters of Bayan Muna Party List.

The upsurge of apparently deliberate murders and crimes in the land is indeed alarming. Along with all these are the outrageous and terroristic activities of misguided and imprudent elements of our society that exacerbate even more our people’s disquiet and foreboding. Hence God, through the Prophet Hosea, cries out in anguish:

“There is no faithfulness or love in the land, and the people do not acknowledge me as God. They make promises and break them; they lie, murder, steal and commit adultery. Crimes increase, and there is one murder after another.” (Hosea 4: 1b-2 TEV)

Given all these fear- provoking events, we cannot as Christians but speak out and express our heartfelt concern. As shepherds of our flock and prophets of God’s people, we at the Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines deeply lament with the victims and strongly decry all other acts of violence committed against our people.

As a Church, the UCCP has not been spared from harassments and other forms of violence. In November 2004, Joel Baclao, a lay leader in UCCP Albay was shot mercilessly in front of his house and in full view of his wife. In the same month, Juancho Sanchez, the eldest child and only son of the Rev. Gabriel Sanchez, the pastor of the Balete Evangelical Church located right inside Hacienda Luisita, was among the fatalities in the violent dispersal of the joint forces of Police and military in Hacienda Luisita. Juancho was giving water to the rallyists when he was mauled, shot and killed by military elements. Vicente Olea, a 70-year-old lay leader in UCCP San Vicente, Palawan, was also shot in front of his house in November 27, 2004. Earlier, just before the national elections, Isaias Manano, Jr., an active student and Christian Youth Fellowship leader, son of a pastor, was also shot to death by military men.

For our prophetic and pro-people stance, our own people and even the entire institution have time and again been slurred and criticized. In a ‘power point document’ recently released by the military, our Church along with other religious groups and organizations, have again been labelled as fronts of the communists. Such serious indictment against the Church deserves our strong reproach as it manifestly goes against the spirit of the agreement contained in the joint statement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines issued on July 12, 2004: that “Both sides reiterate their mutual commitment to pursue the ways of peace, justice and understanding for our country and people.”

For purposes of clarity and transparency, allow us, once and for all, to reaffirm what we have already expressed, “THE UCCP IS NOT, NEVER WAS, AND WILL NEVER BE a “front” of the Communist Party of the Philippines. On another aspect, we call on the military and police to respect the rights of the people, stop all acts of name calling and labelling individuals, groups and organizations as the enemy as they would only fan the flames of fear, anxiety and fretfulness. Falsely accusing any group, church or individual would certainly beget further confusion and unrest. We also call on the officers and personnel of the military to respect and abide by the essence of the mutual accord between the UCCP and AFP jointly signed by the UCCP General Secretary, Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon and the former AFP Chief of Staff, General Narciso Abaya in the July 12, 2004 dialogue.

As Bishops of the Church, we call on our constituents as well as on people of various faiths and persuasions:

To be true and honest instruments of peace and in whatever circumstance, despise any act that impairs and uselessly blemishes the integrity of the God-given life;
To be always vigilant and constantly be in defence of the rights of the least of our people;
To put forward with persistence that which is honourable, just and true.

We appeal to our partner churches abroad to accompany us in our defence of the integrity of life and in our humble response to the message God wants us to carry into our troubled land and into the entire world. You have walked with us through difficult times before. Once again, we seek your continued solidarity and support in every way you can.

Finally, we implore the entire constituency of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and our fellow servants in the Lord to remain steadfast and unswerving in faith and with sense of perseverance pray and work for peace. Together, let us continue to seek to be faithful to the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ as we also beseech the inspiring guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let the assuring words of Prophet Isaiah keep us resolute and strong even amidst the present realities of agony and discomfort:

“Everywhere in the land righteousness and justice will be done. Because everyone will do what is right, there will be peace and security forever. God’s people will be free from worries, and their homes peaceful and safe.” (Isaiah 32: 16-18 TEV)

THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES
April 13, 2005