CEBU CITY鈥擳he Redemptorists are calling on Filipinos to wake up and fight the culture of impunity and violence in the country.
In a statement released on the 33rd anniversary of the abduction of Redemptorist priest Rudy Romano on Wednesday, the congregation said the atmosphere of fear, violence and anxiety enveloped the Philippines.
鈥淭he growing culture of impunity and apathy in our country which motivated heartless people to kill helpless brothers and sisters, including priests and pastors, are ominous signs that the evil spirit and its willing minions are determined to hurt Jesus through his Holy Church,鈥� said the statement signed by Fr. Ariel Lubi, superior of the Redemptorists鈥� vice province of Manila, and Fr. Copernicus Perez Jr., superior of the congregation in Cebu province.
鈥楤e voice of voiceless鈥�
鈥淲e cannot allow this to continue to happen. We beseech our fellow Filipinos to be vigilant and be the voice of the voiceless and no longer idly stand by in the face of Church persecution and blatant assault on the human rights of our people,鈥� it added.
Romano, an activist priest, was abducted by armed men in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, on July 11, 1985. He was never seen again.
His disappearance was remembered by friends, seminarians and members of the clergy with a Mass and lighting of candles at Redemptorist Church as well as a prayer service at a stone marker in Tisa, which describes the kidnappers as agents of 鈥渢he deposed Marcos regime.鈥�
Romano, 44, identified himself with the poor and joined protest actions denouncing human rights abuses.
鈥淭hirty-three years have passed, and still no justice for Father Romano and other victims of martial law,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淥ur mourning and lamentations become more intense and profound as we continue to witness these days the brutal deaths of our flocks, including our shepherd,鈥� it said.
鈥楽top killing our people鈥�
The Redemptorist community appealed to the government: 鈥淪top Church persecution. Stop killing our people.鈥�
While the statement did not mention any names, the congregation was clearly alluding to President Duterte, whose brutal war on drugs has killed thousands of small-time drug users and pushers.
Fr. Crispin Mostajo, parish priest of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Cebu City, said the series of killings in the country was alarming.
Three priests were among those killed.
On April 29, Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura, a human rights and antimining advocate, was shot dead after saying Mass in Gattaran town, Cagayan province.
On June 10, Fr. Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan was shot by unidentified men while he was preparing to say Mass at Nuestra Se帽ora de las Nieves Chapel in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija province.
A suspect in the killing of Nilo was arrested by police last Thursday.
On Dec. 4, 2017, Fr. Marcelito Paez was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.
Paez, a retired priest, had facilitated the release of a political detainee.