Appeal by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo – Incoming FABC President for Indonesian Tsunami Victims

RESPECTED YOUR EXCELLENCIES, YOUR EMINENCES, RESPECTED ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS AND FRIENDS,

 At the dawn of New Year 2019 we are horrified by the pre-Christmas tsunami tragedy that struck Indonesia. At least 430 people were killed on Saturday 22 December 2018 when the tsunami sparked by under water landslides from an erupting volcano — swept through the Sunda Strait, leaving about 1,500 injured and almost 22,000 displaced in villages on the Java and Sumatra coasts.

This huge tragedy make me recall the pain and suffering when Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar 10 years ago, some 140,000 lives were lost and 800,000 were displaced.

On the eve of the new year, my thoughts go out to the populations of Indonesia, affected by recent violent natural disasters, which have caused serious losses in human lives, numerous people missing and homeless, and extensive material damage.”

We mourn the numerous deaths and untold suffering the tsunami has left behind at the dawn of the new year 2019.

As a first step, let me invite my brother bishops, pastors and catechists, as well as all religious and lay sisters and brothers to join in praying for the victims and for their loved ones and express our spiritual closeness to those who are affected by the tragedy by imploring God’s consolation in their suffering.

Secondly, in my new year message I join pope Francis to make urgent appeal that these unfortunate brothers and sisters may not lack our solidarity and the support of the International Community.

Thirdly, let us collectively look for ways we could tangibly alleviate the sufferings of our Indonesian brothers and sisters.

1 January 2019
By LAIKO WARRIORS

Last December 11, the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 (RBH 15), which contains a draft Federal Constitution and seeks to shift to a federal form of government.

This draft Federal Constitution, also called as the GMA Federal Charter, contains at least twelve (12) dangerous, anti-Filipino, anti-youth, anti-NGO, and anti-democracy provisions, said the group called Laiko Warriors.

Laiko Warriors is a group of individual businessmen, lawyers, doctors, media practitioners, professionals, lay leaders from various lay and non-lay groups, among others.

Last December 19, or six days before Christmas, they gathered and met, with Manila Auxillary Bishop Broderick Pabillo in attendance. They want to specifically confront the issue of federalism, particularly the GMA Federal Constitution. The group believes that the GMA Federal Constitution, if put into effect, will have grave adverse effects on the lives of Filipino people, and would eventually destroy the nation.

After the studying the GMA Federal Constitution, the group was able to identify at least twelve (12) dangerous, anti-Filipino, anti-youth, anti-NGO, and anti-democracy provisions. These are – –