by Santosh Digal

Provincial authorities publicly thank Mgr Morelos, archbishop for 11 years in provincial capital, for his efforts in favour of peace between Christians and Muslims. Meanwhile a violent reaction is expected from Islamic guerrillas if claims that their leader is dead prove accurate.

Zamboanga (AsiaNews) – Authorities in Zamboanga City, a province in the southern Filipino island of Mindanao, have expressed “admiration, respect and praise” for the work achieved by the archdiocese in favour of unity and understanding between local Christian and Muslim communities.

Deputy Mayor Beng Climaco presented Archbishop Carmelo D. F. Morelos a resolution passed by his council of thanks for “his pastoral guidance and work in favour of reconciliation between the communities”.

The gesture of gratitude was made on the occasion of Mgr Moreles’ retirement for age limits, 11 years after he took the helm of the city’s episcopate. He is being replaced by Mgr Romulo Valles, whom the Pope appointed as the fifth archbishop of Zamboanga.

Asbi Edding, a Muslim councilor, expressed “admiration for Moreles’ vigorous pursuit of his apostolate, in particular bringing peace among Christians and Muslim in the region.” He stressed that “results are for all to see: Christians and Muslims now celebrate Christmas and Ramadan together”.

Despite these attempts at dialogue, clashes between the Islamic separatist guerrilla and the army continue.

The whole archipelago, which has been torn by strife for the past 40 years, is waiting for results from the autopsy of one casualty. Military sources in Manila said that the remains in question might be those of Khaddafy Janjalani, leader of Abu Sayyaf (‘Sword’s Father’), a terrorist group with ties to al-Qaeda.

If DNA tests should prove the identity of the terrorist, Filipino military sources said they expect an “almost certain” violent reaction on the part of Islamic militants.

• philippines
• mindanao
• zamboanga
• city
• archbishop
• carmelo
• d.
• f.
• moreles
• resolution
• civil
• strife