The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Portugal (IEPP) has added their name to the growing list of churches around the world who have condemned the human rights violations in the Philippines, especially toward church leaders.
In a letter to President Gloria Arroyo they have appealed that the Philippine government,".. end the atrocities, particularly the killings of clergy, Church members and other people;.. restore the rights of minorities, religious and others; (and) ... stop the oppression of the Protestant Christians specifically those who are members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)."
Rev Bryce Little, a member of the Philippine Partnership Committee of the Presbytery of Sacramento, on a trip to Spain and Portugal on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (USA) when he received word of the abduction of lay Pastor Berlin Guerrero.
He brought the matter to the attention of the IEPP which responded with the letter to the Philippine President.
Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Sated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) had just last week written his own letter to the Philippine President on behalf of Pastor Berling Guerrero asking for a full and complete investigation of his arrest, and for all charges against him to be presented and "..if not forthcoming or compelling ..." for Guerrero to be released.
Below is the full content of the IEPP letter submitted to the independent regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner, by the Rev. Larry Emery appears below.
President Arroyo
Republic of Philippines
Lisbon, June 9, 2007
Your Excellency,
The Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Portugal (IEPP) conscientious of its historical relations with the people of the Philippines which dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, has expressed its concern for the current situation in which the Human Rights of the Philippine people are being violated.
We appeal to you and to your government to do the following:
·To end the atrocities, particularly the killings of clergy, Church members and other people;
·To restore the rights of minorities, religious and others;
·To stop the oppression of the Protestant Christians specifically those who are members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
These violations have included the denial of the rights of individuals as well as those of the social, political and religious organizations.
As a Church that is active in the ecumenical movement, we are in solidarity with National Councils of Churches and Churches in Europe and in other regions of the world and in particular the Presbyterian Church (USA) who have already condemned the violence that is taking place in your country.
The Synod of the IEPP is writing this letter because we have not forgotten the recent past of our own nation. The long dictatorship when our citizens and our Protestant Churches were denied fundamental rights and lived under oppression.
May the Almighty God give you and the people of the Philippines, grace, wisdom and a commitment to peace.
The Rev. José Manuel Leite
Dr.David Valente
Synod Moderator
General Secretary
cc:Secretary General of the World Council of Churches
Secretary General of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Secretary General of the Conference of European Churches
The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Jon Chapman, Coordinator for Europe of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Jay P. Olson, Associated Presbyter for Mission Support (Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento, & Stockton
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