Aid to the Church in Need – Philippines Official Statement on the Accusation of Sedition against our Bishops

Aid to the Church In Need Philippines strongly and unequivocally stands with our President, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, together with Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. in light of the charges of sedition filed against them. These charges are devoid of truth and justice, decency and respect for their human dignity.

Our bishops, configured to Christ the Good Shepherd, have always been faithful to their mission to preach, promote and defend life, truth, justice and peace. They are solicitous of the common good, the unity and stability of society. As guardians of the living faith, they place a high value on the human person, his liberty and his right  to life and happiness.  The Bishops unjustly accused of sedition are exemplars of dedicated humble service to the wellbeing of the Filipinos, as well as to many humanitarian causes … proof of their undeniable love for the country.

ACN, as an organization helping the persecuted Church, is truly saddened about this baseless accusation against our Bishops. Such charges against them constitute persecution of the Church. In unity with the Pope’s prayer intentions for July, we continue to pray and hope that the government and respectful officials concerned will wield justice with truth, the practice of law with integrity.

ACN Philippines enjoins the faithful to pray together for the safety of the Bishops.  May the Passion of Christ strengthen our Bishops to withstand their trials.

LORD, be our Light to brighten our darkness, our Hope to overcome our fears, our Peace to heal our conflicts.

JONATHAN B. LUCIANO
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need – Philippines

AMB. HENRIETTA T. DE VILLA
Chief Executive Officer
Aid to the Church in Need – Philippines

9 August 2019