ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Mindanao Relgious Leaders Conference: “We are peacemakers”

Davao (Agenzia Fides) - "We are peacemakers. Peace based on justice is our duty," emphasize the members of the Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference, gathered on 8 and 9 October in Davao, in the south of the Philippines, in a final declaration in which they commit themselves to "working for peace and sustainable development": a commitment "guided by the values of love, justice, harmony, respect, integrity, unity, reconciliation, spirituality and humanity," says the document sent to Fides.
This commitment, the text states, "is concretely manifested in the revitalization of our role in building peace through our platform 'Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference'". The religious leaders emphasize their responsibility and "moral obligation" to be "a dynamic peace movement" that can contribute to governance and peace in the Autonomous Province of Bangsamoro (with an Islamic majority), on the island of Mindanao and throughout the country. The declaration reaffirms the belief that interreligious dialogue can give a significant boost to peace in Muslim, Christian and indigenous communities by promoting "interreligious cooperation in a spirit of solidarity". The religious representatives are also addressing the challenges in the south of the Philippines, such as "the marginalization of the Sulu Islands, environmental injustice, extremism and terrorism". But it is precisely for this reason that they are able to assert the urgency of "peace dialogues and discussions" at all levels. These are to take place with politicians, with representatives of youth groups, with associations of indigenous peoples. An important element in this effort is also prayer, which is to take place in the various communities and also at joint meetings.

The "Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference" is a continuation of the "Bishop-Ulama Forum" founded in Mindanao in 1996, which was later renamed the "Bishop-Ulama Conference" (BUC). The body brings together Christian and Islamic leaders in Mindanao to promote dialogue and peace initiatives. The BUC is made up of 24 Catholic bishops, 26 ulama and 18 Protestant bishops and pastors. The idea of bringing Christian and Islamic leaders together was conceived by Catholic Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, then Archbishop of Davao, and Muslim religious leader Mahid M. Mutilan. After the peace agreement signed in the Philippines in 1996 between the government and the rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), there was a desire to stabilize the conference and put the common moral and spiritual values of Christians, Muslims and other religions at the service of harmony and peace between the communities. The conference held in Davao these days, convened after a series of preparatory seminars, aims to renew this spirit and revitalize the original initiative. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 11/10/2024)

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