June 5, 2008
By Fred Vergara and Peter Ng

MANILA – Extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses were some of the issues discussed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney at a June 4 meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Jefferts Schori is currently in the Philippines for her first official visit to the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) and its ecumenical partners.

Accompanied by the Obispo Maximo of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), the Most Rev. Godofredo David, and Prime Bishop-elect Edward Malecdan of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Jefferts Schori underscored the need to press the issue of human rights abuses, that has long been the concern of the Philippine Church, and to inquire what role the U.S. Embassy plays in pursuing this concern.

"The Episcopal Church is concerned with the issue of violation of human rights because it is part of our baptismal covenant as Christians to ‘respect the dignity of every human being' and because it has been a consistent concern of our sister churches and ecumenical partners in the Philippines," Jefferts Schori said.

"We are in solidarity with our Philippine partners in calling for an end to extra-judicial killings and human rights violations and we want to let our embassy know that the Episcopal Church will stand by with our Christian brothers and sisters in the Philippines in ensuring that human lives are held sacred, human dignity is affirmed and social and political rights are defended," she added.

Response from the U.S. Embassy

Kenney said she is very supportive of the effort of The Episcopal Church and its ecumenical partners and encouraged them "to remain vigilant in bringing these issues and calling for greater transparency of the Philippine government in the conduct of its military."

Kenney, who is the first woman U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, noted "with guarded optimism," the emerging response of the Philippine government in readily investigating cases of human rights abuses and of providing training and resources that would strengthen the Philippine judicial system and ensuring that no one is above the law.

"The fact of the matter is that it would serve the best interests of the Philippine government in pursuing its vision of economic development and prosperity, if they maintain the full support and trust of their people," Kenney said. "The Philippines is one of the democratic nations in the world where the United States has huge investment both in human and financial resources. The Filipinos are a great and loving people and we care deeply for the Philippines, which is our historical friend and political ally."

Kenney also thanked the Episcopal Church in the Philippines for the ministry of Brent International School, one of the Episcopal institutions of learning that addresses the needs of children of American expatriates in the Philippines. Brent School is also known for its special education courses for the physically and mentally challenged.

Appreciation to the Presiding Bishop

Meanwhile, officials of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and Iglesia Filipina Independiente expressed their appreciation to the Presiding Bishop for her leadership and consistent support and solidarity. National staff of the ECP and representatives from the various sectors of the IFI feted her with warm welcome, fellowship meals and mementos.

Speaking on behalf of the IFI, which suffered the "martyrdom" of one of their former supreme bishops, the Most Rev. Alberto Ramento, from an alleged extra-judicial killing in 2006, David said: "We are deeply touched by the support of Bishop Katharine to the plight of the Filipino Church and the Filipino masses and for those who struggle for justice and peace. The Presiding Bishop's consistent solidarity with us over the issue of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations in the Philippines over the past three years deepens our concordat relations and makes us as one Body of Christ."

Episcopal News Service
The Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara, program officer for Asian American Ministries, and Peter Ng, partnership officer for Asia and the Pacific, are traveling with the Presiding Bishop.