MANILA (UCAN): “The Prelature of Isabela de Basilan condemns such disgraceful actions. We will not allow ourselves to be dictated by the agenda of these people and we do not want to dignify their actions by giving them and their actions undue attention and publicity,” Bishop Leo Dalmao of Basilan, in Mindanao, the Philippines, said during a Mass on February 21.
Bishop Dalmao’s remarks followed the vandalisation of St. Isidore and Immaculate Conception chapels in Lamitan City, during which the statues of the chapels’ patron saints were beheaded and other religious items desecrated, just before worshippers at were about to celebrate Ash Wednesday on February 17.
In his homily on February 21, Bishop Dalmao said two men also tried to vandalise a chapel the night before Ash Wednesday in a nearby village.
“(They) attempted to steal statues. Fortunately, they were stopped by local people and they fled on two motorbikes,” the bishop said.
He said he could not think of any motive for the attacks but to “sow fear and confusion” among Catholics and Muslims in the Mindanao region.
“I remind everyone to be vigilant and not allow these bad elements to succeed in sowing division and hatred among us. Take care of places of worship and watch over them”
Bishop Leo Dalmao
“I remind everyone to be vigilant and not allow these bad elements to succeed in sowing division and hatred among us. Take care of places of worship and watch over them” Bishop Dalmao said also warning people not to jump to conclusions as to who was responsible for the attacks.
“I urge our brothers and sisters in the prelature to refrain from judging or engaging in stereotypical thinking and prejudice,” Bishop Damlao said.
“It is easier to take refuge in past biases and prejudices rather than read the present with a new perspective. It is my hope that we will not allow ourselves to give in to the temptation of the former,” the bishop said, referring to more turbulent times when armed Muslim groups mounted a 50-year insurgency in which up to 120,000 people were killed to seek greater autonomy in the region.
A deal was reached in 2014 that resulted in the people of Mindanao voting for a new governing body in 2019 giving the region greater self-rule.
“Catholics here are shocked and uneasy. We don’t have any idea who was behind this,” Father Edwin Rivero, spokesperson of the Diocese of Basilan Diocese, told Radio Veritas. He said those responsible were likely trying to disrupt peace and order to create divisions between Christians and Muslims in the region.
Bishop Arturo Bastes, retired bishop of Sorsogon, said Catholics and Muslims must remain focused in their quest for peace.
“Do not let this event divide Christians and Muslims. Any form of desecration whether in Islam or in the Catholic Church is so wrong. Respect is essential in every religion,” Bishop Bastes said.
