for displaced indigenous peoples, the poor and victims of paramilitary hit squads. However, as yet, a majority of bish¬ops have been reluctant to call for the Pres¬ident’s removal, fearing the social turbulence that might follow.
Crucially, Mrs Arroyo will turn to history for survival lessons. The two presidents ousted since Philippines independence in 1946, Ferdi¬nand Marcos and Joseph Estrada, were each toppled by popular uprisings after losing the support of the Church. It is therefore essen¬tial for Mrs Arroyo that the Church remains at the very least benignly neutral. Should Car¬dinal Vidal or Archbishop Cruz prevail, the President’s day of reckoning will be at hand.

• Dr Vincent McKee is visiting professor of comparative politics at the University of
Santo Tomas, Manila, and a specialist writer on Philippines affairs.

Carmelite News
No. 34 - JULY-DECEMBER 2006
STATEMENT OF CONCERN ON THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION (23.8.06)
STATEMENT OF CONCERN ON THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION

“Hear me, you who know justice, you people who have my teaching at heart:
Fear not the reproach of men, be not dismayed at their insults.” (Isaiah 51:7)

We, the members of the Carmelite Family working on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation coming from 19 countries throughout the world, gathered in Fatima, Portugal from July 31 - August 15, 2006 with the Theme: “Promoting Justice and Peace in a Globalised World”.

Moved by our Prophetic tradition as one family in Carmel, we spent time to discern and contemplate together on the cries of the people and our environment today faced by the tremendous dehumanizing impact of Globalization around the world. We feel with great remorse that our world is full of injustices and disquiet. Being challenged by this very inhuman situation, we cannot close our eyes and remain deaf to the agonies of the world. Our faith and Carmelite tradition continuously compel us to help restore the world where Peace, Justice and Love reign.

Discerning on the different situations of the poor people in the different countries around the world, we are deeply troubled upon knowing the human rights situation in the Philippines. The staggering number of victims of extra-judicial killings which reached to 725 starting 2001, the 181 who disappeared and the increasing human rights violations are forthrightly done to church workers, leaders and members of organizations, activists, journalists, workers, peasants, among others with impunity. To such a degree the intrusion of the Multi-national mining and logging companies are wrecking havoc to the environment and affecting so greatly the lives of the indigenous people and their culture. Much more we are saddened to know that even church and religious people and co-workers who work for the poor are facing brazen harassment and intimidation. The disconcerted situation of the Religious of the Good Shepherd sisters who for a long time are working with the Indigenous people in Agusan del Sur is a manifestation of such an alarming situation.