Bishops appeal to gov’t: Let Sister Fox stay

Sister Patricia Fox attends the mass of solidarity for her at St. Anthony Shrine in Sampaloc, Manila. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered the deportation of the Australian nun following her alleged participation on a rally. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging the government to rethink its decision revoking the missionary visa of Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox and ordering her to leave the country.

The CBCP on Friday said it believed in Fox’s “dedication to serve the people” and was saddened by the move by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“In this recent development, we sincerely make an appeal that the authorities may make a reconsideration of their order for Sister Patricia Fox to leave the country,” Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said in a statement.

Valles, also president of the CBCP, called on the Duterte administration to hear out the elderly nun.

‘In spirit of dialogue’

“With a hope for a reconsideration regarding the BI’s order after giving Sr. Patricia a chance to explain herself again, in a spirit of dialogue, could she be given a chance to stay and continue serving our people?” Valles said.

Immigration agents arrested Fox and detained her for a day last week on allegations she violated the terms of her missionary visa.

The BI revoked her visa on Wednesday and gave the 71-year-old nun 30 days to leave the country, shortly after President Duterte described her as an “undesirable alien” involved in partisan political activities.

Fox, a member of the Notre Dame de Sion congregation, has lived in the Philippines for 27 years, working extensively among the poor, farmers and political prisoners.

Valles said they would continue to pray for the nun’s health and for enlightenment for those involved in deciding her case, adding that Fox was only motivated “to serve the people by the love of Christ.”

“Without entering into the merits of both parties in the case, this (appeal) is for the proper authorities to decide,” he said.