The BUC is Alive

Last Monday, 19 August 2013 the Board of Directors of the Bishops-Ulama Conference met here in their office at the Karpentrade Building on McAthur Highway.. With the help of þhe former National Security Adviser they discussed the burning issues of the present situation with focus in Mindanao.

After validating the published and unpublished reports which appeared in the controlled media and in the cyber mosquito press or social network , they reflected on the moral dimension of the issues and shared their thoughts and feelings on the what these matters mean for them as religious leaders called to provide spiritual and moral guidance to their respective constituencies as bishops, pastors and ulama.

They focused on what they considered as three most important issues of the day: the peace process, the economy and democracy. They felt that the moral dimension of these issues urgently demands from them certain specific responses.

Firstly, they recognize the legitimate causes of the rebel movements, be these are Bangsamoro or CPP-NPA-NDF. On this matter they felt that violence and terrorism are being used by the rebels. They concluded that they must reject it as the way to carry out the peace process. It cannot be morally justified like the recent bombings in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Kidapawan and in the town of Jolo.

Secondly, they said that they cannot close their eyes from the scandalous and contrasting scenario: the much-hyped economic growth making the rich extravagantly richer while rendering the poor miserably poorer! Again, this cannot be justified and must be rejected. It is in itself a form of violence and terrorism against the people.

Thirdly, they said that the increasing wave of violence and terrorism and the scandalous scams make them feel that publicly our democratic institutions are seemingly becoming sadly dysfunctional. They refer to the Office of the president, Supreme Court, Congress, Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, and the Local Government Units. Were they not established to promote development, progress and peace, defense of human rights, freedom of worship and religion as mandated by the Constitution? How come public officials and politicians and several people on the high eschelons of society and government professing christian, islamic and indigenous faiths are engaged in covert manipulation and cheating to further their self-serving interests? As moral evil this must be rejected and condemned.

Towards the end of their meeting the Chairman and Board of Directors decided to issue immediately an initial Joint Statement on the burning issues at the present moment. They also decided to call a General Assembly of the 45-member conference on 4-6 November 2013to discuss their role as a conference of religious leaders actively involved in the peace process.

As a gesture of moral leadership and guidance, the bishops and ulama decided that the theme of the 2013 Mindanao Week of Peace, which begins every last Thursday of November – the 28th this year- is, “Dialogue and Hope – Our Key to Peace”.