CBCP calls for end to extrajudicial killings in ‘Lord, Heal Our Land’ Sunday
by Philip Jamilla
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on the laity to pray for the ‘healing’ of the country amidst rampant extrajudicial killings (EJK) and violence committed in the name of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s vicious anti-drug campaign.
In a mass celebrated at the EDSA Shrine for the “Lord, Heal Our Land” Sunday earlier this afternoon, Nov. 5, outgoing CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas warned of punishment if the killings do not end.
“Kapag hindi natin itinigil ang patayan, may sumpang parusa ang bayang pumapatay sa sariling kababayan,” Villegas said.
The Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop addressed various sectors during his homily. Villegas first slammed his fellow priests and church leaders “for keeping quiet when we should speak and blabbering when what is needed is silence” as he asked for God’s forgiveness on their behalf.
He then urged politicians to turn away from “destructive politics” and party loyalty.
“Let the institutions of democracy be revered and safeguarded. Let dialogue prevail over the many reasons for division,” Villegas said, adding “Walang gobyernong forever. Walang politikong forever. God lang ang forever.”
Likewise, the CBCP president called for the military and police to “stop the violence and uphold the law,” reminding them that “power belongs to the people, not to the weapon holder.”
Nonetheless, Villegas also urged drug users as well as the laity to repent and change their ways.
“Magbagong buhay na tayo, kasama ako. Bumalik tayo sa Panginoon. Naghihintay ang Diyos. Ang Simbahan ay handang umalalay sa inyo.”
After the mass, Villegas led families of EJK victims and various religious and political groups in a candle-lit procession with the image of Our Lady of Fatima from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument, where opposition group Tindig Pilipinas held a cultural program.
No rallies, just prayer
Villegas made it clear in a Facebook video posted last Thursday, Nov. 2, that the activity will not be a political rally.
“The Nov. 5 activity has no colors […] We won’t be there to shout and hold a rally. We will pray and whisper to Jesus’ heart to ask for forgiveness,” the CBCP president said.
There were no political speeches during the program. Nonetheless, various political groups and figures have expressed their support for the activity.
Opposition senators Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Benigno Aquino IV, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, former Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Loretta Rosales, and Vice President Leni Robredo attended the event.
Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) Convenor Teodoro Casiño and fellow former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares also joined the mass and procession.
MAT said in a statement released Nov. 3, Friday, that they hope the activity “will contribute to our people’s growing clamor to end the extrajudicial killings and increasing tyranny of the Duterte administration.”
Likewise, the Liberal Party expressed support for the Church’s initiative as they urged the public to “stand together, set aside our differences, and affirm the importance of life and human rights.”
Meanwhile, acting Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, in a statement, that the Palace is “one in the true healing” of the nation.
“We wish to build better rapport with the Catholic Church […] to pro-actively help government in our anti-illegal drug campaign, particularly in the rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents,” the statement further read.
Tindig Pilipinas claims around 20,000 individuals joined the event, while police estimate the numbers to be only around 5,000.
“Lord, Heal Our Land” Sunday marks the end of the Church’s 40-day mourning period for EJK victims, where churches tolled their bells every 8 p.m. from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1.
This afternoon’s mass and procession starts a 33-day “period of healing” which will culminate in the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8.
