Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors join State of the Nation protest march
Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors join State of the Nation protest march
Ulla Kärki | 30 July 2014
The NCCP flag was among the many flags and banners at the annual protest rally on the day of the President’s State of the Nation Address on 28 July. Thousands of representatives of churches, peasants, migrants, women, drivers, urban poor, victims of forced disappearances, indigenous people and many more groups voiced their dissatisfaction with the government.
This year, super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors joined the protests, too.
“We are angry with the government”, says Paulo, one of the representatives of People Surge , a movement of farmers and ordinary people, including people from religious and academic organizations. The name refers to the disastrous storm surge that typhoon Haiyan brought with it.
A Mandate That Has Largely Been Squandered
(NCCP Statement on the State of the Nation 2014)
As the country enters the 5th year of the current presidency, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) have reflected deeply on the commitments of President Benigno S. Aquino III when he came to office in 2010 and the current state of our nation. We remember that wang wang as a symbol of privilege was abolished, how the president launched a truth commission to expose the corruption of the previous administration, and how he committed himself to stand against corruption in all its many forms. However we observe four years later that the privilege of the few has become more entrenched than ever and that the country is mired in a culture of corruption that is systemic, persistent and pervasive.
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Reflections
A reflection translated from Bong Dalisay, former NCCP-ACT Alliance Field Staff assigned in Samar & Leyte for Yolanda Response, now, a Global Mission Fellow under the program of the United Methodist Church-General Board of Global Ministries.
Helping people is never simple. If you decide to help, it’s not that simple. I also realized the essence and significance or charity and justice. As NCCP people, we know very much about justice which is very different from charity. Charity is giving food to the hungry but when we begin to ask why they are hungry and eventually, fight for the reasons why that person is hungry, that is justice. I can say now that we are doing justice in the lives of the people in Samar, in Iloilo and in all our focus areas with our Yolanda response. I want to congratulate all and be thankful to be part of this team who does not promote only charity but justice.
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Prayer Invitation of Korea to WCC member Churches
In order to carry forward the spiritual accompaniment of the Korean peninsula and the churches of North and South Korea the WCC is invited to join the Christians of North and South Korea in a joint moment of prayer. Each year, the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Korean Christian Federation jointly prepare a Prayer for Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula. This prayer is used on the Sunday just before August 15 of each year, the day when Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial oppression, and ironically, the day when it was divided by external forces.
Joint Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
God of Love!
It has been 25 years since we agreed to keep the week of Independence Day as a joint prayer week with the wish of reconciliation, and peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. It was a promise from the South and North Korean churches’ deep prayer to God for peace and reunification and was a vow of love in a very difficult time. We, however, still have not reached full liberation and still are experiencing conflict and hostile policies. Oh Lord! Have mercy on us.
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HOT OFF THE PRESS:
THE INTERSECTIONS OF MIGRATION, HUMAN RIGHTS & DEVELOPMENT JUSTICE
A RESOURCE BOOK OF CHURCHES WITNESSING WITH MIGRANTS
Edited by Liberato C. Bautista & Mervin Sol H. Toquero
Edited by Liberato C. Bautista & Mervin Sol H. Toquero
Price: Php. 300.00 each (or USD$ 15.00 price includes shipping and handling)
Purchase outside of the Philippines may be placed with the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, New York Office, 777 United Nations Plaza, Suite 8G, New York, NY 10017
For more information please contact: Tel. No. +632 929-3745 email: nccp_oga@yahoo.com
WCC Stament Towards a Nuclear Free World
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches met in a region where nuclear explosions, accidents and threats have taken a heavy toll. Northeast Asia is the only place on earth where nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. During the Cold War more than 1,000 nuclear bombs were tested in adjoining areas of the Pacific and Asia. Today all states in the region either possess nuclear weapons or depend on the US nuclear arsenal. The 100-plus nuclear power plants in East Asia and the many more planned are signs of economic prowess but also reminders of the Fukushima tragedy. South Korea has the highest geographic concentration of nuclear power plants in the world.
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