Philippine bishops call for post-election political killings to stop

Published: 2007-06-01

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- As votes for the May 14 midterm election are tabulated, Philippine bishops have called for the political killings to stop. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando said May 30 the election, "perceived as generally peaceful, orderly and credible," was "shattered by the recent spate of violence and political killings." UCA News, an Asian church news agency, obtained the appeal called, "Am I My Brother's Keeper." The grief and loss of widows and orphaned children is "our grief" and "our loss," said Archbishop Aniceto, adding that "their cry for justice is our cry for justice." The archbishop, chairman of the bishops' Commission on Family and Life, urged everyone "to respect, value and protect God's gift of life." Citing the Gospel of Matthew, he asked perpetrators to "put the sword back in its place" and warned that "all who take the sword will perish by the sword." Archbishop Aniceto also appealed to law enforcement officials for justice. Addressing mass media, he called for respect for "the sensitivities" of people in forming public opinion and urged politicians to use legal means to resolve conflicts at all times. He advised Catholics to "continue praying for peace and reconciliation." "How is it that in a nation that prides itself on a rich Christian heritage, life is cheap?" he asked.

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