Religious leaders call for resistance vs oppression

MANILA, Philippines — Church leaders have spoken out during the 39th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt, on choosing sides, silence in the face of injustice, and faith without action, urging Filipinos to be active against oppression.

In a statement signed by more than 130 different religious leaders titled, “Living Out the Spirit of EDSA: A Call to the Church People,” they called the revolt a moral and spiritual awakening for the Filipino people.

“The victory of EDSA was not just a political triumph; it was a moral and spiritual awakening. It showed us that courage, compassion, and solidarity could break the chains of dictatorship,” the statement read.

Calling EDSA an “expression of love for our country, fueled by faith in God,” the leaders ask for the same spirit to return to the people, in the face of the same forces of greed and corruption having returned today.

“The same powerful family that was unseated by the people now holds the reins of government once again, perpetuating a system that keeps millions in poverty, silence, and fear,” they said. “As a Church, we cannot be neutral. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. The prophetic tradition of our faith calls us to be the voice of the voiceless, to expose lies with truth, and to resist evil with love. Living out the spirit of EDSA means more than remembering history – it means embracing a continuing commitment to social transformation.”

“The struggle for justice cannot be fought alone. Just as EDSA was a collective movement, we must build communities of resistance and hope, standing together in the fight against corruption, disinformation, and oppression,” the statement read.

“The spirit of EDSA is alive whenever we choose to act in faith, speak truth to power, and build a nation where justice and peace reign,” they said.
Among the signatories were Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, Bishop Rhee Timbang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Minnie-Anne Mata-Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. and Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza of United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

‘Godliness is patriotism’

Newly ordained Bataan Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. who, from 1998 until 2005, served as the private secretary of former Manila Cardinal Jaime Sin – one of EDSA’s notable personalities – yesterday said “Ang tunay na maka-Diyos, ay maka-bayan (to be godly is to be patriotic).”

“We should be pro-country because we are pro-God. May we never forget that during those four glorious days of 1986, just like countless times in our nation’s history, God’s powerful presence was in our midst. Mother Mary, full of grace, was also there and she will always be there with us,” Sescon added.