Four bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), and the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Negros Island are calling for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine.
The One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONE-C) bishops in a solidarity message released Friday, April 12, said they stand together with those suffering in Palestine.
Gaza still under siege in occupied Palestine, they said.
“Despite the denial of this occupation by some countries who could play a significant part to help stop the violence, peoples across the globe, including international humanitarian agencies, continue to clamor for an immediate ceasefire,” they said.
“Israel, one of the world’s top military powers and one of the few nuclear powers, has unleashed daily massacres, assaults, harassments,
abductions, and summary executions in Gaza over these last months,” the bishops claimed.
The principle of proportionality under International Humanitarian Law has been violated day after day with impunity, they said.
The bishops said they grieve with the people in Palestine and encourage all people of faith to reach for their better selves and find ways to help and heal to end these widespread and blatant attacks against civilian populations.
“Our prayers are with the people of Palestine. We envision a future where they are liberated from oppression and able to reconstruct their society in peace, recognized for their sovereignty and self-determination,” the bishops said.
The bishops also called for the release of all hostages.
The ONE-C solidarity statement was signed by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza – its chairperson, IFI Right Reverend Virgilio
Amihan – co-chairperson, UCCP Bishop Feliciana Tenchavez – council member and IFI Right Reverend Allan Caparro – Negros Oriental provincial coordinator.*