Sister Patricia Fox vows to continue missionary work in PH

FILE – In this April 17, 2018, file photo, Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox gestures as she is interviewed by reporters after she was released from custody at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila, Philippines. The Philippines on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 canceled Fox’s missionary visa for engaging in political activity and gave her 30 days to leave the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)

While the Department of Justice (DOJ) has granted her appeal to get her missionary visa back, Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox still has to face the deportation proceedings against her.

But the 71-year old nun, who has been in the Philippines for more than 27 years, vowed on Monday to continue doing missionary work for the indigenous peoples, the urban poor and the oppressed farmers in the country.

“I will continue [doing missionary work] because that’s the expression of my mission,” Fox told reporters at Quiapo Church hours after the DOJ issued a favorable ruling on the revocation of her missionary visa.

“For me, its the mandate of the Church,” the 71-year-old nun said. “That’s the teaching of the Church, to do missionary work. I’m not doing anything wrong anyway.”

The Australian missionary was at the Quiapo Church to express solidarity with those who were grieving over the recent killings of priests across the country.

A mass would be held at Quiapo Church at 6:00 p.m. led by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, while a candlelighting and protest would be staged at 7:00 p.m.

“I’m here to express solidarity, sorrow and indignation over the killings of Father (Richmond) Nilo and other priests,” Fox said. “The killings of priests should stop. These killings degrade the dignity and value of life.” /atm