Episcopal Press and News

New "Activist Posture" for Philippine Independent Church

Episcopal News Service. October 4, 1989 [89179G]

A pastoral letter signed by the 46 bishops of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) has been described as ushering in a "new era of activism" for the 4.5 million member denomination. The letter, which was read in all PIC churches in the country, warned the Aquino government against tolerating the militarization of society and declared that it was now ready to shelter in its churches and diocesan centers the "oppressed," including Communist rebels. The letter further called for a nuclear-free Philippines, the implementation of "genuine" land reform, and a "nationalist" approach to industrialization. It also attacked so-called "born-again" fundamentalist Christian groups for "being used wittingly and unwittingly by outside powers contrary to the Filipino national interest."