We, bishops of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, have come together in prayer and reflection to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of wisdom that we may conscientiously and responsibly respond to the crises that beset our country in the light of our Christian faith and hope. In these trying times, when the shadows of doubt and despair cast their pangs into the hearts of our people, we take a stand on issues confronting the nation that we may help our people discern and do what is just, noble and true.
Our nation today is suffering from worsening economic and political maladies. The division among the country’s elite is intensifying and exacerbated by the mad scramble for greater hold on economic and political power. The majority of our people continue to wallow in poverty brought about by increasing prices of commodities, additional taxes and widespread graft and corruption. This sad plight of the poor is further aggravated by the suppression of their democratic rights with the aggressive emergence of state fascism in the country.
We lament the fact that the present crises rob our people of decent life as individuals, genuine democracy as a people, and sovereign right as a nation.
We ask our people to find strength in the assuring love of the Spirit and offer themselves in prayer to discern God’s will for them in these critical times. Humbly reflect upon the message of the gospel and courageously hold on to the hope that we have in Christ, and, armed with strong conviction, continue to labor until the day when just peace and prosperity dawn in our country.
We also ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to carefully read the signs of the times. Our times call for a president whose right to govern the nation is founded on the highest standard of morality and whose integrity and credibility to make rightful decisions can never be compromised with a lapse in judgment. Our people have weighed you and have found you wanting, and are now calling you to step down, Madam President.
We are therefore asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to take the patriotic duty to step down from the presidency to spare our country from the agony of further dissent and division and to give way for the establishment of a democratic government that can truly unite and represent our people. The Filipino people deserve a president and a government that will truly uphold their aspiration, promote and protect their wellbeing, and bring about a country that is genuinely independent and democratic.
We firmly believe that the present crises can be overcome by the goodness of the human heart and that a brighter tomorrow awaits our nation and people. In the light of our Christian faith and love for the motherland, we join the voices of the multitude clamoring for genuine social change, and urge all the faithful and the Filipino people to persist in the journey towards just peace, democracy and sovereignty.
Pro Deo et Patria,
RT REVD EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA
Secretary, Supreme Council of Bishops
MOST REVD ALBERTO B. RAMENTO
Chairperson, Supreme Council of Bishops
19th day of July 2005
Obispado Maximo
