SUMMONED TO BE FAITHFUL TO GOD’S MISSION

Fully well understanding that Jesus Christ faithfully preached the gospel of God’s reign in words and works, and the Church exists for mission, centered in the Local Church, we equip members to engage in active ministry with the whole community, with a particular focus on those facing discrimination and injustice. Many Local Churches, living out Christ’s mission have been addressing the educational needs of poor children through Child-Sponsorship Program in Partnership with Non-government Organizations. However, the State’s preoccupation in anti-insurgency campaign through Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has frozen the bank account of UCCP Fatima in Bohol Conference with Philippine National Bank (PNB). Substantial amount of program funds could not be withdrawn which could have been used for the opening of in-person classes in basic education schools. This case has been interconnected with the freezing of UCCP Haran Davao PNB bank account.

With this inherent understanding of mission, the Church commits itself anew to be faithful even in its witness against abuse of power and tyrannical rule, for peace anchored on justice and even against historical revisionism and disinformation our country and people are confronted with. The call for justice for victims of extrajudicial killings continued, more so, the resumption of peace talks under Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. administration.

Amidst the call for resumption of peace talks, the rural communities are subjected to militarization and this has affected communities in Negros Island. When the two opposing forces clash in the area last August 10, 2022, innocent civilians were forced to evacuate away from their homes. The North Negros Conference reported that there are 16 families affected from Church outreach at Sitio Bulasot, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. Moreover, the death of Anthony Ariola, a youth leader from UCCP Bugo was heart wrenching to his family and friends. These need our united action through legal, material and spiritual support. Let us make God’s mission responsive and relevant to the needs of our people, and persevere in rebuilding and restoration of our country and the world in accordance with the merits of God’s kingdom.

To this integral mission imperatives, Local Churches, as primary locus of God’s mission, are summoned to be faithful. One step forward and onward is establishing or strengthening the Justice, Peace and Human Rights and Partnership and Ecumenical Relations in the Conferences and Local Churches. Consider partnership and collaboration not only with purely faith communities but with government and people’s organizations with same goal at impacting change in people’s lives and communities.

Within the purview of our broader mission concerns, we express our solidarity to the family and friends of Everly Kee Jacolbe, an 18 year-old environmental advocate, her mother, former daycare worker Maria Christina Jacolbe, and relative Rodan Montero who were massacred in their home in Sitio Banderahan, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Maria Christina was 5 months pregnant at the time and was shot in the head. This happened on July 26, 2022 at 5:30 AM, and allegedly perpetrated by the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police. These are condemnable atrocious acts and violative of the value and sanctity of life. We pray that they will attain justice for the slain family members.