Fr. Cortez: Sister Fox’s departure is a victory for ordinary people

Updated @ 11:28, Nov. 3, 2018

Supporters of Sister Patricia Fox on Satuday consider her departure as a victory from the year-long battle on accusations of joining “partisan political activities.”

According to Fr. Angel Cortez, Fox has become the mirror of issues arising in the country.

“Nais man natin patahanin ang ating mga sariling nalulungkot sa umaga na ito, pero sa kabila ng ating pagdadalamhati, naroon din ang ating pagpupunyagi na nagtagumpay tayo sa ating pakikibaka kasama si Sister Pat,” Cortez said in his  homily during the predeparture Mass for Fox.

[We may want to console ourselves for the sadness that we feel this morning, but despite our heartache, there is also our celebration because we triumphed in our fight with Sister Pat in our company.]

Sister Patricia Fox. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

“Siya po ang sumalamin sa lahat ng issue, sa lahat ng usapin na dapat ay tingnan hindi lamang ng karaniwang Pilipino na katulad natin,” he said, adding that those in power should also look into other issues in the country.

[She reflected all issues, all matters that not only ordinary Filipinos like us should look into.]

Cortez also called on the public not to be silenced and to continue to voice out their concerns about the country.

“Tama po si Sister Fox. Hindi tayo tatahimik,” he said.

[Sister Fox is right. We will not remain silent.]

“Hangga’t nakikita natin na kailangan natin magsalita, hangga’t nakikita natin na kailangan nating makialam, hangga’t nakikita natin na kailangan natin ipakita na mali ang sistema na ginagawa ng ating gobyerno, walang sinuman ang dapat magpatahimik sa atin,” he stressed.

[As long as we see the need for us to speak, as long as we see the need to get involved, as long as we see that we need to expose that the government is following the wrong system, nobody should be allowed to silence us.]

The Australian nun worked in the country for nearly three decades as a missionary fighting for justice with farmers and the poor.

However, the Bureau of Immigration ordered her deportation for violating “the limitations and conditions in granting the missionary visa… and order her deportation to Australia, subject to her submission of all appropriate clearances.”

READ: BI orders deportation of Sister Fox

Fox’s visa was also downgraded to temporary visitor’s visa after the immigration denied to extend her missionary visa.

READ: BI downgrades Sister Fox’s missionary visa to temporary visitor’s visa

/jpv /atm