Caritas PH defends red-tagged San Carlos bishop: He’s fighting for lasting peace

Caritas’ Jose Colin Bagaforo —PHOTO FROM CBCPNEWS.NET

MANILA Philippines — The social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Caritas, has expressed “unwavering support” for San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza after a media outfit tagged him as a “mouthpiece” of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“We stand with Bishop Alminaza in his conviction that pursuing peace should not be one-sided, militarized, or highly politicized. It should be a peace that echoes Jesus’ command to love and encompasses justice for the victims of violence and injustice,” Caritas Philippines president Bishop Colin Bagaforo said in a statement on Thursday.

He also hailed Bishop Alminaza for “his efforts to fight for a just and lasting peace for all.”

“We call on all individuals and organizations to join us in advocating for an integral and inclusive peace that benefits the common good and uplifts the poor. Let us be courageous in speaking out against violence and injustice, and let us work together towards a future where everyone can live in peace and dignity,” Bishop Bagaforo added.

The organization came in defense of Bishop Alminaza after media outfit SMNI had tagged his advocacy as ‘’diabolical and demonic,’’ citing the bishop’s dialogue about the unresolved killings of Toto Patigas, Zara Alvarez and Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, among others. — Vance Chan, Inquirer.net, trainee

RELATED STORY:

San Carlos City bishop: I can’t be silent amid violence, injustices

JPV