_WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Philippines_______________
Prayers for the nation
Quick resolution sought for former president
Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila led the bishops of the Philippines in a June 25 statement asking the faithful to pray for the future of their country. The cardinal’s statement emphasized three concerns: the safety of hostages held by Abu Sayyaf separatist guerillas in Mindanao, the trial of former President Joseph Estrada, and the suffering of volcano victims in the Albay province. Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, president of the bishops’ conference, stressed the same three areas of public concern.
Urging Catholics to be mindful of the 20 hostages in Mindanao, Cardinal Sin called attention to the power of prayer. “We must pray that the hostages may be released soon, that their families may find peace, that the dead may find eternal rest, and that the bandits return to the fold of law and stop their inhuman, illegal, and immoral deeds,” he wrote.
Archbishop Quevedo stressed the need to distinguish between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. The former has legitimate aspirations for autonomy, the latter is a terrorist group which inflicts atrocities on innocent people, he said. “Putting the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf together is an error of judgment and would intensify hatred between Muslims and Christians,” he stressed.
Speaking of the trial of former President Joseph Estrada, who stands accused of corruption and abuse of power, Cardinal Sin reiterated his appeal to the prosecution and defense to facilitate a speedy trial. “If the former president is innocent, the speedy trial will vindicate him and he can return home immediately,” the cardinal said. “If he is guilty, the speedy trial will give the Filipino nation a chance to impose the rule of law.” Archbishop Quevedo sounded a distinctly different note, calling for drastic changes in the judicial system of the country and saying that the government devotes too many resources to the prosecution of petty criminals while ignoring more serious human-rights offenses.
Both prelates spoke of the tragic consequences of an eruption of the Mayon volcano in Albay. The eruption forced 30,000 people from their homes and into designated evacuation centers. Despite ample warning of the impending eruption, crisis centers were not prepared to handle the volume of requests for food, shelter, and medical help. Cardinal Sin urged Catholics to take the initiative in offering material assistance, in whatever way they could.
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