Episcopal News Service Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Philippine Independent Church deplores former Supreme Bishop's murder
Friends, supporters recall Bishop Ramento's selfless commitment to justice
By Matthew Davies
[ENS] The Most Rev. Godofredo J. David, 11th Obispo Maximo of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), or the Philippine Independent Church, has rebuked the brutal killing of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento of Tarlac, former IFI Obispo Maximo, in an October 4 statement that said his death has enflamed the hearts of the clergy and members of the Philippine-based church "to remain faithful to her pro-people and pro-labor heritage."
Ramento was found stabbed to death at his rectory in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City, on the morning of October 3.
Although the initial police investigation reported the incident as a case of robbery with homicide, "the Ramento family, the clergy and the faithful of the Diocese of Tarlac believe that the motive is much deeper than what has come out from the spot investigation," David said in his statement. "There are glaring indications that Bishop Ramento's murder was thoroughly planned and politically motivated. We believe that the brutal killing was the inevitable consequence of his principled engagement with the people and their struggle for the fullness of life."
Ramento had been an outspoken critic of the Philippine government and a leading advocate for peace and human rights in the country.
"I know they are going to kill me next but never will I abandon my duty to God and my ministry to the people," the statement quoted Ramento as saying to his family.
On behalf of the IFI, David "denounced in the strongest possible terms this barbaric and dastardly act against a man of the cloth within the premises of his own church," and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and bring the perpetrators of Ramento's murder to justice.
Ramento's murder is the latest in a sequence of killings of Christian leaders in the Philippines over the past two years.
The full text of the IFI statement is available at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_78361_ENG_HTM.htm
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_78381_ENG_HTM.htm
- - - - - - - - -
To SUBSCRIBE to Episcopal News Service, send a blank email message, from the address which you wish subscribed, to join-enslist@epicom.org and include "subscribe" in the subject line.
Send QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS to news@episcopalchurch.org
ENS provides information and resources which we consider to be of interest to our readers. However, statements and opinions expressed in the articles and communications herein, are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ENS or the Episcopal Church.