Episcopal News Service March 2, 2007
Philippine human-rights violations addressed by National Council of Churches
By Mary Frances Schjonberg and Matthew Davies
[ENS] The governing board of the National Council of Churches USA (http://ncccusa.org) on February 26 spoke out against human-rights violations in the Philippines.
"The people of the Philippines are crying out for justice," said a resolution adopted by the group.
The resolution noted that "over the past year, human rights violations, especially political and extrajudicial killings, have occurred with alarming frequency in the Philippines."
"The victims of these killings include clergy and lay church leaders," the resolution continued. "According to the Churches in the Philippines, in the history of their country there has never been such a high incidence of clergy killings."
Extra-judicial or political killings occur without the permission of a court or legal authority and are generally carried out by a State in order to rid itself of a disruptive influence. More than 700 such killings have been reported in the Philippines under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to the human rights alliance KARAPATAN.
The NCC resolution said religious and civil society leaders are leading an international campaign to stop the killings and hold accountable those who are responsible. The effort includes compiling a report outlining the violations and suggesting several courses of action. The leaders are forming an ecumenical delegation to speak to the leaders of the United States, Canadian, European Union countries and the United Nations.
"And they are seeking the support of Churches, ecumenical organizations, and people of goodwill to strengthen their effort," the resolution said.
The resolution called on its members, including the Episcopal Church, "to be in solidarity with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and its member communions as they seek an end to these killings."
Full story:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_83050_ENG_HTM.htm
-- The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is national correspondent for the Episcopal News Service. Matthew Davies is international correspondent for the Episcopal News Service.
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