Filipino Bishops condemn terror
attack on Cathedral
 |
| Interior of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Philippines, following the bombing that took place on Sunday. |
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines has issued a statement condemning the bombing of the Cathedral of
Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Jolo.
By Christopher Wells
The statement by Arcbishop Romulo Valles, speaking on behalf
of the entire Bishops’ Conference, offered condolences to the “families of the
several civilans and soldiers who were killed by the explosions”, which took
place during Sunday Mass. Twenty people were killed and dozens more wounded in
two separate blasts. “We also express our sympathies with those who were
wounded,” the statement continued, “and extend our solidarity with the rest of
the church-goers inside the Cathedral and the rest of the church community in
the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.”
The Filipino Bishops also “condemn this act of terrorism
that has taken place only a few days after the Bangsamoro Organic Law” (BOL).
The BOL provides for the creation of the Bansamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM). “As we begin a new phase in the peace process with the
creation of the BARRM,” Abp Valles said, “we ask our Christian brethren to join
hands with all peace-loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy
against violent extremism.”
Archbishop Valles concluded his statement with a word of
hope, saying, “May all our religions of peace guide us in our quest for a
brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao.”
On Sunday, Pope Francis added his voice to those deploring
the terrorist strike on the Cathedral in Jolo. In remarks at the Angelus
following the final Mass for World Youth Day, the Holy Father prayed that the
Lord might “convert the hearts of the violent and grant the inhabitants of that
region a peaceful coexistence.”
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét