PEACE IS OUR ONLY WAY
(Statement on the Manila Peninsula Hotel standoff
issued by His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales,
Archbishop of Manila on November 29, 2007.)

To Our Priests, Religious and People in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Twenty-one years ago, February 1986, the people all over the country (and not only in EDSA) marched in order to dismantle a long dictatorship (backed by military or martial law) and to bring the country back to a civilian rule. 

Since EDSA, at least ten attempts were put up by some military political adventurists to topple the country’s highest leadership.  With God’s grace, we are blessed as a people who take pride in dialogue as our way to problem resolution and the ultimate unity of our nation.  Even disagreements within Filipino families are thus resolved with the generous collaborative dialogical sacrifice of members. 

The country is again threatened not only by the leaders’ vulnerable hold on authority, but also in the just and honest exercise of the same authority for the good of all, especially the poorer segment of our people. 

Again a sector of the military is up in arms.  The continuous reminder of the Church’s teaching is against the use of violence.  “Violence is evil and that violence is unacceptable as a solution to problems . . . Violence destroys what it claims to defend: the dignity, the life, the freedom of human beings” (CSDC, 496).  Neither may the authorities resort to harming the protestors.  Violence from any side or for any reason is never justified. 

Our leaders and all public servants address the needs and hunger of our many brothers and sisters.  An in the matter of solving the hunger and the needs of the poor, unity today becomes a national responsibility.  What the country needs is coordinated service to the neglected from all who have power, money and compassion. 

However, the issues of justice and legitimate leadership that the protesters espouse must be heeded and addressed according to the laws of the land. 

What all long to see is humble, honest, inspiring and compassionate leadership among public servants who are completely disposed to unity. 

Pray for our country, our leaders and our people.  In your parishes and chapels, offer Masses, Rosaries and other prayers for Peace.  May the Blessed Virgin Mother intercede before Her Son, Jesus, to grant us the unity and peace that we truly need as a humble and unified people.  San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, pray for us!

+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila