The President has once again raised his call for the passage of a bill that restores the death penalty, having campaigned for it during the 2016 presidential election. We note the support for the reinstitution of capital punishment (death penalty) in the House of Representatives and the Senate, with deep sorrow and regret.
We declare our absolute opposition to capital punishment and we call on all people of good will to join us in our fight. The second century Christian martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, who received a sentence of death from the Roman Empire, once wrote, “The glory of God is a human person fully alive.” At the heart of our Christian faith is the belief that each human person is loved into being by God, created no less in his very image of God (Genesis 1:27), predestined from the beginning to become the image of the Son of God, Jesus Christ himself (Romans 8:29). There is no higher view of humanity than this: that each human person is given the gift of life to share in the image and likeness of God.
An attack on any human person, the image of God, is an attack on God. Moreover, at the core of our proclamation of the Good News (evangelion), the Gospel of Christ is that God’s Son came not to condemn (John 3:17), but to offer redemption, and forgiveness: “The Lord is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to turn to him.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Rather than take the life of sinners, Christ came to offer his own life for our redemption: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Such is the depth of the love of God for us, sinners.
NOTHING- neither human sin, nor injustice, nor evil, “nor anything else in creation can separate us from the saving love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 8:39) This is the faith we confess, and we oppose the death penalty because it is contrary to the Christian principles of respect for human life, mercy, forgiveness and charity.
Furthermore, we also oppose the death penalty on the following grounds:
- Capital punishment will disproportionately impact poor communities. The poor do not have adequate resources and recourse for competent legal representation.
- In the Philippines, the death penalty had historically been meted out to some of the most vulnerable, for example, both children and the frail elderly. Given our broken judiciary, this could occur again.
- The very serious flaws in our judicial system could mean that the death penalty would be wrongly imposed on the innocent.
- A death penalty could be used to weaken democracy and silence political opposition, by sentencing human rights activists and political dissidents to death in the name of national security.
- Capital punishment does not act as a deterrent to crime, and serves only the purpose of revenge, contrary to the Gospel ethics of loving one’s enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
Our declaration of opposition to capital punishment should not be taken as a statement that persons who commit serious crimes should not be held accountable. In consonance with our Christian faith, we call on the government to offer offenders rehabilitation, so as to restore them to communion with God and the human community. Instead of crafting laws that marginalize the poor, we call on our government officials to devote their energies on the betterment of the majority of its citizens who live in poverty.
In these islands where the wealth of the fifteen richest individuals equals that of the poorest seventy-seven million Filipinos, the focus of our government should be on reducing social inequality that is at the root of so many of country’s problems. Peace eludes us because there is no justice. Furthermore, rather than weaken democracy and attack the defenders of democratic freedoms, the government ought to protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, our liberties, and those who guard them. The nobility of their vocation lies in the defense of human life and freedom, and service to the people.
To our President, to our lawmakers, and to our citizens, heed the word of God: “I set forth before you life and death. Choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)##
Initial signatories:
Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Apostolic Administrator, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Phils.
Most Revd. Rhee M. Timbang, Obispo Maximo, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
The Rt. Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr., D.D., Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines
Bishop-Emeritus Edgardo Juanich, Bishop-Emeritus, Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay
Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, Provincial Superior, De La Salle Brothers in East Asia
Bishop Emergencio Padillo, Assigned to Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area, United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D. Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Carlos and Convenor, Church- people Workers Solidarity
Most Rev. Colin Bagaforo, D.D .Bishop Kidapawan , Chairman, CBCP-ECSAJP, National Director, NASSA- Caritas Philippines
Bishop Joel E. Tendero , General Secretary, Ecumenical Bishops Forum
Sr. Josephine Mata,FAS, Superior General . Franciscan Apostolic Sisters
Mother Ma. Sofia Taguinod, OP, Prioress General, Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena
Fr. Tony Labiao, ECSA-JP/NASSA Executive Secretary
Sr. Ma. Lisa Ruedas, DC, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, Daughters of Charity
Sr. Rosalind Tanhueco, OSB, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, Missionary Benedictine Sisters
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
Sr. Rowena Pineda, MMS, Unit Coordinator, Medical Mission Sisters
Deaconess Darlene Marquez -Caramanzana, Area Liaison for Asia and the Pacific ,
General Board of Global Ministries , The United Methodist Church
Fr. Rolly de Leon, Promotion of Church People’s Response
Fr. Arvin Bellen, CMF, Social Action Center, Prelature of Isabela, Basilan
Rev. Dr. Eleazar Fernandez, President, Union Theological Seminary, Dasmarinas Cavite
Dr. Edith Burgos, Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights
Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses, Association of Women in Theology
Dr. Marita Wasan, PhD, lay leader, Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo
Fr. Noel Bordador, Episcopal Priest
