Statement of Urgent Concern from United Church of Christ in the Philippines

We, the community of faith of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES, appalled and aghast at this another tragic and unnecessary loss of precious human life, namely the murder of the Reverend Filomeno Catambis of Northeastern Leyte Conference:

 

We, the community of faith of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES, appalled and aghast at this another tragic and unnecessary loss of precious human life, namely the murder of the Reverend Filomeno Catambis of Northeastern Leyte Conference:

…Condemn this barbaric and inhuman act.

…Call on the authorities to, without delay, conduct an impartial and thorough investigation and to bring the perpetrator/s to justice.

…Express our solidarity, even as we lament this killing, to the immediate family of Pastor Catambis as well as to the congregation and community he served for their immediate comfort and consolation and continuing hope that life is still more powerful than the forces of death.

…Pray and work together for the building of undisturbed and concrete peace in our long-suffering, bleeding and threatened land and people.

…Continue to uphold and defend the sanctity and fullness of life.

Even as we do all these, we shall neither relax our vigilance nor be remiss in our duties as befit our obedience to the call of Christ. With high hopes and unwavering faith, we shall await the resolution of this case, not in cowed silence but with loud prophetic and pastoral voices.

Signed: January 24, 2008

Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
General Secretary

Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Assigned to North Luzon Jurisdiction

Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Assigned to South Luzon Jurisdiction

Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Assigned to West Visayas Jurisdiction

Bishop Dulce P. Rose
Bishop Assigned to East Visayas Jurisdiction

Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Caretaker-Bishop, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdiction

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES