Bishop and priests in need of security guards

ACN News, Wednesday, 12th March 2008 – Philippines

Philippines: Bishop and priests in need of security guards.

Bishop Angelito Lampon, the Apostolic Vicar of Jolo in the Philippines, told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) how he and the other priests and religious in Jolo are now under military protection, following the spate of murders and kidnappings against Church personnel over recent years. He himself had to build a guard house at the front gate of his episcopal residence. He calls on all his Catholic brothers and sisters around the world to pray for the Church in Jolo that she may have "the strength and courage to continue her path, regardless of the external circumstances."

According to the bishop, the future looks grim. The political leaders have "no interest for the common good in their hearts" he told ACN. A handful of people of goodwill have been unable to break through the entrenched attitudes which are very individualistic and clannish with little regard for the common good.

But despite all the difficulties confronting the Catholic Church in Jolo, she will continue her work there. Christians have been commanded "to forgive seventy times seven times" and to reach out to others with "a hand of friendship and reconciliation" said Bishop Lampon but noted that attacks continue to occur repeatedly. Although at times the acts of violence are quite serious it is the day to day hostilities that make life in Jolo very difficult according to the bishop. For example, a Muslim mother sweeps her yard but she dumps the rubbish in front of the door of her Christian neighbour. The bishop himself has also been abused and spat in the street, when he was dressed and recognized as a priest.

Among the Muslims, who make up 97% of the population in this region, there are also some who sympathize with the Christians. This is mainly due to the numerous projects the Catholic Church has initiated in Sulu and Tawi-tawi over the years, that have benefited the majority Muslim population. The Church is very active in the field of education, housing for the poor, healthcare and in providing micro-finance programs for the poor. On the Island of Jolo alone, through the initiative of the Church, over 3,000 low-cost housing units had been erected for the poor, the majority of the beneficiaries are Muslims, the bishop told ACN.

But the reason why the Church is determined to hold out in Jolo lies above all in her faith in Jesus Christ. It is good that the Church provides humanitarian aid, but this is not enough to justify her continued presence here, the Bishop stressed. He pointed out that he and his fellow priests are in a sense "standing on the shoulders of the missionaries who opted to work in Cotabato and Sulu." The Church in Jolo was simply continuing the work that these missionaries began., he said. Jesus had called the Church to serve, even when her work was often "no more than a ministry of presence in a particular place." But it was also important to contribute to the "broadening of people's horizon" Bishop Lampon added, for much of the misunderstanding often comes from lack of knowledge.

The bishop went on to explain that the Catholics in Jolo pray for peace and reconciliation at every Mass after Holy Communion. They draw hope above all from their belief that "evil will not have the last word".

In addition to this the Catholics also pray that Bishop Lampon's predecessor, Bishop Ben de Jesus (OMI), who was murdered on February 4, 1997 in front of his Cathedral, may "through the noble sacrifice of his life and death inspire the political leaders, the people of Sulu and Tawu-tawi and the entire nation to fight, to work and to pray for peace." Bishop Ben de Jesus had died "so that we could live in peace," said Bishop Lampon, adding that in their prayers the Catholics offer up everything they have for the healing of the divisions between members of the various different religions, cultures and tribes, and for the promotion of unity.

As recently as January 15, 2008, another Filipino priest, Fr. Rey Roda, OMI was shot dead in Tabawan, Tawi-tawi by Muslim armed men. Bishop Lampon, the murdered Bishop Ben de Jesus and Fr. Benije Inocencio, another priest killed on 28th December 2000, all belong to the Missionary Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

The Vicariate of Jolo covers the two Provinces of Sulu and Tawi-tawi in the southern Philippines with more than 450 islands. Catholics in this region make up about 3% of the total population of the overwhelmingly Muslim population. The islands of Jolo and Basilan are regarded as the stronghold of the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) guerrillas, who themselves are an Islamic jihadist movement and are considered by the international community and the Filipino people as terrorists.