We, the United Church Workers Organization-North Luzon Jurisdiction of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, from nine conferences within the Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and the llocos Region gathered in UCCP Bulalacao, Mankayan, Benguet this February 2l-24,2O17; after our prayerful and collective study on the peace situation of our country seeing through the lens of our faith in Jesus Christ, would like to convey to both parties our following discernment
Category: Pastoral Statements
A CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, FOR THE CONCLUSION OF COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL ECONOMIC REFORMS, AND FOR THE COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE THE PEACE PROCESS
Peace is God’s covenant with God’s people. Peace is God’s ultimate purpose for his people and desires that people experience it. God said through Prophet Ezekiel “I will make with them a covenant of peace (Ezekiel 34:25). Prophet Isaiah proclaims: You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace…”(Isa 55:12) Zechariah gave his assurance ”…He will proclaim peace to the nations…”(Zec 9:10)
STATEMENT OF THE UCCP-NORTH LUZON JURISDICTION ON DAVAO CITY BOMBING
Jesus came so that “all may have life and have it in full.” (Jn. 10:10b) This is the reason why the UCCP believes in the sanctity of life. In her Statement of Faith (art 2) and its constitution and by-laws (art 2, sec 11) the UCCP declares that human beings are created in the image of God. This is also in line with the Jewish faith understanding declared in Genesis 1:26-27. It is in this faith conviction that the UCCP North Luzon Jurisdiction condemns in the strongest possible terms said bombing incident.