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Filipino bishops: stop to scapegoating, government to investigate Fr Tentorio’s death
The prelates criticise the country’s climate of impunity and pray for foreign missionaries. The body of the murdered priest is accompanied by a procession of people on foot, car, trucks and buses that have come to Kidapawan. The funeral is set for tomorrow.
Manila (AsiaNews) – Filipino bishops have appealed to President Aquino to solve the case of Fr Fausto Tentorio, the missionary from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) who was shot to death on 17 October in a Kidapawan (Mindanao). Today, hundreds of people, on foot, by car, truck or bus, followed the clergyman’s body as it travelled from the Church of Notre to the Cathedral of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace in Kidapawan City. The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.
In an official statement, Mgr Nereo Odchimar, president of the catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said, “The government must act decisively and swiftly. It must investigate thoroughly every angle of the murder of Fr. Fausto. It cannot simply point at the usual scapegoats.”
Noting the great work and love the missionary had for tribal people, the prelate asked, “How long will evil men continue to plot against those who courageously protest against the sufferings of the poor and the degradation of God’s creation? How long shall they continue to snuff out the lives of those who dare to speak against injustices and imbalances in our society? How long will they continue to roam around freely without being brought to justice?”
For the CBCP president, without justice the priest’s death will be but another of the many extrajudicial murders without a culprit. It will accentuate the climate of impunity that has existed in Mindanao and around the country for many years.
Fr Tentorio and all foreign missionaries “are friends of our people. In great sacrifice, they have strengthened our faith and assisted the poor and the needy. We pray for them today,” Mgr Odchimar said.