Bishop: Hazing must end

Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose

MANILA— A Catholic bishop said that the hazing practice in initiation rites must end as he called on fraternities, especially those in Catholic schools, to put ‘more essence’ into their brotherhood.

Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose in Nueva Ecija said it would be better for fraternities to focus on academics and concrete acts of fraternal love instead of physical abuse.

“We hope that there would be more essence to brotherhood, especially to those fraternities in Catholic schools,” said Mallari, who chairs the CBCP’s Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, over Radio Veritas.

“It would be better if they challenge themselves to make more concrete acts of love more than just being hurt. Put everything and always in the context of love, loving one another,” he said.

The prelate made the call on the heels of the death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III allegedly due to hazing injuries sustained during the initiation rites of Aegis Juris fraternity.

The 22-year-old student’s death spurred moves to review the anti-hazing law of 1995.

Bishop Mallari said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy that befell Castillo.

“Hopefully, they will stop hurting those that are being initiated. I don’t think this is good that they are hurting them,” he said. CBCPNews