Bishops won’t be distracted by sedition raps

MANILA, Philippines — Catholic bishops charged with sedition by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have turned to the power of prayer as they vowed not to be discouraged and to continue serving their flock.

“We renew our commitment to serve, to teach and to bless without relent, without repay. We will not allow this splinter from the cross of Christ to distract us from our mission, to dampen our zeal or to intimidate us,” Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr., Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a fraternal message released to the media on Sunday.

“This cross we carry now is nothing compared to the agony and passion of the Lord and the pains and aches of the poor. Our defense for human life and the sacredness of marriage remains. Our message of peace based on truth will not be perturbed,” they said.

Prayer is best weapon

The bishops said they chose to pray when they received the news about their inclusion as respondents in the case of sedition and other crimes filed by the PNP-CIDG in the Department of Justice.

The case was filed over “The Real Narcolist” videos supposedly made by Peter Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy,” in April.

“Prayer is our best weapon against every evil. Prayer is power. This is a good time to be reminded of this,” the bishops said.