Nuncio to discuss drug war with Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines — Almost a year after arriving in the Philippines, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown met on Friday with some widows and orphans of the government’s drug war and assured them he would bring their plight to Pope Francis.

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, Brown was “deeply moved” after hearing the stories of the drug war victims during his visit at the Kalinga Center in Manila.

“I am deeply sorry for everything that you have to go through. I assure you that Pope Francis is close to you. In fact, I would be going to see Pope Francis in October and I promise you I will tell him about this experience in person,” he said.

Brown prayed over those who were left orphans and widows due to the government’s drug war. He was one of the guests at the Kalinga Center, which held its sixth anniversary on Friday.

The CBCP said Kalinga Center was organized by the Society of Divine Word (SVD) congregation in 2015 to provide services for the homeless.

In 2016, SVD missionary Fr. Flavie Villanueva founded the “Paghilom” program to reach out to individuals who lost their loved ones due to the killings brought about by President Duterte’s drug war.

Brown lauded the SVD’s initiative, saying that it is something that is “close to the heart” of Pope Francis, who wants them to take care of the marginalized and the less fortunate.

Some officials of the Catholic Church are criticizing the government’s drug war, which they said resulted in the killing of thousands of alleged drug suspects, including minors.

In a Facebook post, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reminded Filipinos of their responsibility to protect and guide their children to know their mission and purpose in life.

“Tungkulin ng lahat ng sektor ng lipunan na palaguin ang bawat nilalang at hindi sirain sila at ang kanilang kanilang kinabukasan (It is the duty of all sectors of society to let every individual grow and not ruin them and their future),” Tagle said in a video message.