MANILA, Philippines- Binawi ng isang Catholic Church leadership sa Montreal sa Canada ang permiso nitong gamitin ang mga simbahan para sa kilos-protesta ng mga taga-suporta ni Duterte, base sa rights group na kontra rito.
Ikinagalak ng International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Quebec Chapter ang “quick and well-rounded response to the letter of concern” na ipinadala nito hinggil sa March 28 gathering “presented publicly as a birthday celebration” subalit “also aimed to show support for [former President Rodrigo] Duterte following his recent arrest by the International Criminal Court.”
Inihayag ng ICHRP-Quebec na sumulat ito sa Catholic Church of Montreal, kilala rin bilang Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, upang tutulan ang planong pagtitipon.
Sinabi ng grupo na bagama’t may karapatan ang mga indibidwal at mga grupo sa pagsasagawa ng public gatherings at pag-ere ng kanilang mga paniniwala, “holding such an event in a sacred place—within a Catholic Church—seems deeply disturbing to us, given the heavy liability of [Duterte] on human rights violations and public contempt for the Church.”
Kasalukuyang nakaditine si Duterte sa ICC sa The Hague, Netherlands upang harapin ang kasong crime against humanity kaugnay ng kanyang drug war.
“Allowing the Catholic Church to be used both to celebrate a person facing such serious accusations — and who has repeatedly expressed contempt for the Church — and to oppose the ICC proceedings could be perceived as contrary to the moral position of the Church,” giit ng grupo.
Sinabi nitong pinayagan ng simbahan ang paggamit ng venues nito “in good faith” subalit “once concerns were raised and the context clarified, the Montreal Church authorities acted quickly and responsibly to cancel the event.”
“This is more than a matter of one event. It is a powerful reminder that sacred spaces must never be used to legitimize impunity or sanitize the image of those who have committed—or are credibly accused of—grave human rights violations,” pahayag ng ICHRP-Quebec.
“Churches are places of prayer, healing, and truth-telling. They must remain safe spaces for victims and prophetic voices alike.” RNT/SA
