CAGAYAN de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma,
former vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines, yesterday said the reported threats against
Christians in Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao could be taken
up in the next Bishops-Ulama Conference meeting where military
and police representatives will also be present.
Ledesma said members of the clergy are taking
"prudent measures" in connection with their security but
clarified that threats to life is nothing new to Church leaders.
"That is part of their mission. Part of their assignment."
Over the weekend, Basilan Bishop Martin
Jumoad revealed that he has received a letter from a group
claiming to be members of the Abu Sayyaf mujahideensa (Islamic
warriors) urging him as well as other Christians to convert to
Islam or pay jizya (Islamic tax) or face an armed assault.
Both the police and the military earlier said
they are tracing the source of the threatening letters.
Ledesma said the Bishops-Ulama Conference is
working very hard at bridging the gap between the two religions
and "something like this can be brought up to that level.
pag-usapan how to help religious leaders carry on with their
work given their security situation."
Ledesma, however, added that Christians, specifically the
Catholic bishops assigned to Muslim-dominated Mindanao areas, do
not have any reason to be afraid of the Muslim community. "I
don't think (the situation is alarming) if we get the backing of
the religious leaders. They would also make sure that the
violence would not continue. At the same time they continue in
dialogue with concerned Muslim communities sapagkat itong
threats are coming from a small minority extremist group pero
majority of the Muslims want to see peace in their communities,"
he said. - Gerard Naval
