These are very trying times for our dear Country.

Poverty has grown. The economy is poor. Unemployment has increased. Prohibited drugs are abundant. Crimes continue. There is unrest among the wage earners. There is multiplication of rebel groups.

And now, there is all-out war in Mindanao!

Innocent men, women and children are kidnapped. Even foreigners are held captives. People lose their lives and limbs, their homes and livelihood. Some are tortured and killed. Even a young Priest was murdered.

The Philippine situation is critical. Our Asian neighbors are disturbed. The international community is apprehensive. Local capital is withheld. Foreign investments are not coming in. The market is low. Business is bad.

Will anyone please say who is winning under these lamentable circumstances!?

May someone really say that war is the solution to our many problems!?

Do we give up praying for peace, working for peace, promoting peace!?

At the birth of Christ, angels sung: "Peace on earth to all ..."(Lk. 2:14). After His resurrection, he said to his disciples: "Peace be with you!" (Lk. 20:19). During every Holy Mass we are exhorted: "Let us give the sign of peace to one another." And even after one's departure from this life we pray: " May he rest in peace." How significant and important is peace here and now, even hereafter and beyond!

In the name of all peace-loving people in the Archdiocese and in the Country, I wherefore raise my feeble voice to the warring parties to plead for the silencing of their guns, for the resumption of their peace talks, for the safety of the civilians concerned, for the good of the nation as a whole.

Let there be peace in the land! Let there be hope for the Philippines!
 

+OSCAR V. CRUZ, DD
Archbishop
5 May 2000