BUC Celebrates 20 Years in Bringing Peace

Over a hundred participants and leaders representing the Christian and Islam faith gathered for the 44th General Assembly of the Bishops Ulama Conference of the Philippines in Mergrande Ocean Resort, September 19.

Special guests from different sectors and government officials involved in peace building graced the historic gathering celebrating the 20th founding Anniversary of this inter-faith body after it was founded in 1996 with the common aim to promote peace here in our country particularly in Mindanao.

After its silence for the past six years, the BUC composed of bishops from the Roman Catholic Church, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and the members of the Ulama League of the Philippines, reaffirmed its commitment to seek and pursue peace with renewed hope through the support of the Duterte Administration.

The gathering started with a welcome message from Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, one of the Conference’s original convenor. “Another good memory of yesterday was the time with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, at our request, establish a unique inter-faith chaplaincy in Davao City Hall, with Fr. Paul Cunanan, Aleem Mahmod Mala Adilao and Ptr. Eliseo Libre our chaplains.” Says Bishop Capalla as he highlights gains of the BUC in the past.

Capalla thanked the former Presidents Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo for the support they have extended to the BUC in its efforts to promote peace specially here in Mindanao. In the presence of DILG Secretary Ismael D. Sueno representing President Duterte, the Bishop expresses his hope that the new administration will install mechanisms for dialogue and continue to build peace in our communities. He ended by saying “the basis of this hope is friendship which is the bottom line of peace and dialogue.”

Sueno also shared some insights about the current situation of the country and the programs of the government to promote peace and order in the Philippines. He said, “Now that all representatives come from Mindanao, we understand each other since the other side of the negotiating table is also from Mindanao”. (Emerson M. Calumpang)