STATEMENT OF SUPPORT TO NCCP

Photo Courtesy of NCCP

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) strongly deplores the recent tagging by the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) as a communist/terrorist front. Such accusation aside from being unfounded is patently reckless and blatantly hateful. It brings back to mind the memories of Martial Law when NCCP was also labelled by the military-backed Marcos dictatorship as communist front. In June of 1974, the main office of NCCP was raided by the military and some of its staff members were arrested.

Established in 1963, NCCP represents the largest organized expression of interfaith cooperation among mainline protestants. It has witnessed the unfolding of historic events and structural changes that brought the nation to its present shape. Over the past several years, the UCCP has journeyed with fellow member denominations and organizations in pursuing the ecumenical agenda of NCCP within the context of Philippine society. We have seen the serious and determined efforts of NCCP to promote Christian unity, proclaim the Word and reign of God, and pursue the promotion of peace, justice and integrity of God’s creation. Indeed, NCCP has concretely demonstrated through its life-work that Christian faith must be seen and felt where the voice of God is longed to be heard and fully understood.

We stand solidly with NCCP in our shared call to:

• STOP THE ATTACK AND RED-TAGGING OF CHURCHES AND AGAINST PEACE, JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES!
• END THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY!
• NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!

As a church, we should not simply be pleased with condemning or praying for the oppressed and their oppressors within the confines and comfort of our churches and homes. We must do something more than just gibber and pray. As Jesus’ followers we have a responsibility to distinguish between right and wrong, just and unjust, fair and unfair, truth and falsehood even beyond the borders of our parochial verdure.

THE UCCP COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
November 18, 2019

Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
General Secretary

Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Emergencio D. Padillo
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Joel E. Tendero
South Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Jerome C. Baris
East Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Feliciana P. Tenchavez
West Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Ligaya F. San Francisco
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis
Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishops Emeritus:
Bishop Arturo R. Asi
Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo
Bishop Isaias L. Bingtan
Bishop Erme R. Camba
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop Gabriel A. Garol
Bishop Hilario M. Gomez, Jr.
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
Bishop Roel P. Mendoza
Bishop Jaime R. Moriles
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat
Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Rizalino Q. Taganas
Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta

Please click this link for the downloadable file, Statement of Support to NCCP