The Mindanao Bishops on Marawi and Martial Law

On 26 May 2017 Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cotabato, issued a Statement on Marawi and Martial Law. Titled “Pursue What Leads to Peace” (Rom. 14:19), it was addressed “To All People of Good Will… to every Mindanawon” in the name of the 17 active bishops, 2 monsignor administrators and 4 retired bishops. The Statement has therefore “the approval of the Bishops of Mindanao” and of the administrators of vacant dioceses.

The Statements contain important points like prayers “for all the murdered victims in Marawi and ask the Lord to protect all the families that have fled to safety”, condemnation of “terrorist acts” like “loss of many innocent lives, the burning of homes, public buildings, including a Protestant school dormitory and a Catholic Cathedral”, “safety of all the kidnapped, of Fr. Teresito Suganob and companions” and “appeal to the hostage takers to release all of them unharmed” and reminded them that the true Christian “victims fear death but they also have the courage to give ultimate witness to Christ.”

The Catholic spiritual leaders in Mindanao strongly condemned “terrorism in its various forms… “an ideology that is totally against the tenets of any religion of peace… especially so when terrorism is perpetrated while our Muslim brothers and sisters are preparing for the holy month of Ramadhan.”

While acknowledging that “Mindanao problems go beyond the city limits of Marawi”, the bishops stated that “Martial Law is a means of last resort” and “are certainly agreed that Martial Law must be temporary.” They warned that “We shall condemn any abuse of Martial Law and as in the past will condemn it outright if it goes in the way of evil. Let us be vigilant.”

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