Bishops lash out at Marcos

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 8

Bishops lash out at Marcos

NZPA * Manila The Philippines’ 110 Catholic bishops have accused President Ferdinand Marcos’s' Government of repression and warned it against the torture and killing of political opponents. Thd Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines also accused the Government of corruption and economic mismanagement, saying that

growing poverty and discontent among Filipinos could not be cured by lavish projects and empty propaganda. The prelates made, the accusations on a strongly worded joint pastoral letter to be read on Sunday in more than 3000 churches. It highlights the growing tension between Church and State after Government allegations that some clergymen

were supporting Communist rebels. One of three priests arrested last year admitted turning over church funds to the Communist New People's Army. Saying that economic development must be accompanied by respect of human rights, the Bishops said: “We will have to reprobate any Gospel, the torture and murder of citizens simply because they are of a different

political persuasion from that of the present or wouldbe power-holders, the silencing of people, the suppression of media.’’ The Bishops did not limit their criticism to the Government. They also condemned corruption in private business and the growing use of violence “both by forces on the Right and on the Left in the pursuit of their ends of power."