UCCP Pastoral Statement on Corruption
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Let us claim our right for the truth!
A Pastoral Statement
Truth is central to the Christian faith. As Jesus had said to his disciples, it is possible to know the truth, and that knowing the truth will make one free. The apostle Paul echoed this when he said
“God desires that everyone be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.”
1Timothy 2:4
Yet today, many people try to cover up the truth.
There is a sense of both pain and freedom that comes with telling the truth. The truth might set one free, but it will also shatter one’s life. Yet, it took one Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr., a flawed man himself by his own admission, to have the courage to confess what he knew despite serious threats against him and his family, and knowing fully well that telling the truth would change his life forever. In an act of contrition, he told the truth.
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Let us claim our right for the truth!
A Pastoral Statement
Truth is central to the Christian faith. As Jesus had said to his disciples, it is possible to know the truth, and that knowing the truth will make one free. The apostle Paul echoed this when he said
“God desires that everyone be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.”
1Timothy 2:4
Yet today, many people try to cover up the truth.
There is a sense of both pain and freedom that comes with telling the truth. The truth might set one free, but it will also shatter one’s life. Yet, it took one Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr., a flawed man himself by his own admission, to have the courage to confess what he knew despite serious threats against him and his family, and knowing fully well that telling the truth would change his life forever. In an act of contrition, he told the truth.
The events in the past weeks have once again exposed the ills of the Arroyo government.
The spectacle of administration allies ganging up on Lozada but show how they would do everything to preserve their interest and that of the one seating in Malacañang They were incoherent with their lies, weaving a string of allegations, which only further exposed a larger network of conspiracy. Indeed, the Senate hearing was but another episode in the attempts of the Arroyo administration to cross constitutional boundaries, subvert democracy, trample on civil liberties, and violate human rights.
“Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth has fallen in the public squares, And uprightness cannot enter.”
Isaiah 59:14
This brings into question Ms. Arroyo’s integrity and legitimacy as President. The people can no longer ignore the shameless greed, systemic corruption and the blatant misuse of power by those to whom the people have entrusted the governance of the country.
“Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood…
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
Who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
Isaiah 5:181, 20
A public office is a public trust. It is time to demand for accountability. This administration has not come out with a credible investigation on such issues as the fertilizer scam, the Northrail and the Southrail deals, and the ZTE deal with the national broadband network (NBN). Instead, through acts of allies in the House of Representatives, it has prevented officials from testifying under the so called “executive privilege” doctrine. It has launched a massive cover-up, preventing the investigation of its very own legitimacy.
Enough is enough! We demand for the resignation of the President and her Cabinet.
In this season of Lent, we call on the Filipino people to have the courage to be set free from the sins of injustice, oppression, suppression, violence. Let us claim our right for the truth. Let us be in solidarity with those who risk their lives to bring meaning to our own lives as a people. Let us support and join in collective action for truth to come out and let justice roll down wherever it may!
“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8:32
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
General Secretary
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Assigned to North Luzon Jurisdiction
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Assigned to South Luzon Jurisdiction
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Assigned to West Visayas Jurisdiction
Bishop Dulce P. Rose
Bishop Assigned to East Visayas Jurisdiction
Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Caretaker-Bishop, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdiction