CBCP, FABC send message of solidarity to Indonesian Bishops
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 8 - In the wake of the escalating violence in East Timor over the recent days, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and secretary-general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), has sent separate messages of ecclesial solidarity, in behalf of these two organizations, to Archbishop Josef Suwatan, president of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia.
The FABC comprises as members all the Episcopal Conferences in Asia.
The message from the CBCP recalled the Philippines' own experience of "times of pain and tears", and added that "these too passed away."
"Would that in due time, with the grace of God and the help of people of good will, the great country of Indonesia will once again regain its joy, realize its hopes and dreams," the letter concluded.
For its part, the FABC assured the members of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia that "many join them in their hopes and pains, especially in their fervent prayer and apostolic work for harmony and peace during these difficult times in their country."
A statement released by the CBCP Media Office yesterday (September 8) explained that more than a message of solidarity among and between the said Episcopal Conferences in this difficult hour, and of the hope and prayer for better times to come, the CBCP and the FABC is not in a position to issue any statement regarding the situation in East Timor that could be interpreted as meddling in the internal affairs of the country.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Cruz also revealed that coordination is being undertaken between the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Social Action - Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP) and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippines for the possibility of sending some food aid to those affected in East Timor through duly-identified agencies and individuals in the place.
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