Santosh Digal

The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy had asked for help in bringing an end to the humanitarian crisis in Mindanao, and in reviving talks between pro-independence Muslims and the government of Manila. Amina Rasul-Bernardo, the only Muslim woman to participate in the Christian-Islamic forum at the beginning of November, has written an account on her meeting with the pope: "He told me that he will pray for us."

Gallup survey ranks Philippine 5th on hunger list. Data indicates hunger and malnutrition are getting worse. Catholic bishops urge government to institute assistance policy, reiterating their view that corruption, not overpopulation is the cause of poverty.

Amina Rasul set up an NGO that operates in favour of the population of Mindanao, long suffering from war and violence. Peace, progress and democracy are the values on which coexistence between religions can be built.

Fr Angel Calvo is relieved that Esperancita Hupida was released but is still concerned about the fate of Merlie Mendoza who is still in the kidnappers’ hands. MILF sources suggest that a ransom was paid, blame the abduction on Abu Sayyaf-affiliated armed gangs. Basilan bishop says no to arming priests and nuns.

Pluralism and multiculturalism are ways to promote interaction among the country’s young people. Campus ministers are tasked with setting up a “communication network” that connects inter-confessional institutions. For a Moro Islamic Liberation Front leader the war in the province is not a “conflict between religions.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon insists on this point in Manila where the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development is currently underway. For the Catholic Church migrants’ rights and dignity must be respected; joint plans must be developed to help “migrants and their families.”

According to the president of the bishops' conference, this represents a "moral cancer" that must be eliminated through "radical reforms." The prelate calls for new "social, political, and economic" policies, in order to confront the general financial crisis.

The archbishop of Palo calls for the faithful to remember the persecuted Indian Christians in their daily prayers. Appeals are growing in the majority Catholic country not to forget their persecuted brethren. After demonstrations in Pakistan, signs of solidarity with Christians in Orissa, Karnataka, and Jharkand are coming from the Philippines as well.

In Manila, students from all over Asia receive a degree in international peace studies; an example that shows the way for encounter and cooperation among peoples.

In the predominantly Christian country, 70 per cent of young people have no Bible; many of them acknowledge that they do not know how to handle it. As the Synod on the Word of God draws to a close in the Vatican the Philippine Bible Society launches the ‘Youth! Explode: The Bible Adventure Series’, an initiative designed to help youth discover the value of the Holy Scriptures.

The 55th anniversary of Caritas Manila is being commemorated with celebrations and with a new program to aid those in need. Collection of things "no longer useful" to raise funds for aid. Tomorrow, 5,000 volunteers will clean the streets, as a sign of concern for society and solidarity.

The leaders of 90 youth movements, belonging to different religions and ethnicities, have met on the island, the theater of a decades-long war between the army and the MILF. An appeal to the Filipino government to resume talks with the Islamic rebels.