The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) expresses its warmest greetings and utmost solidarity to the 62nd founding anniversary of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), celebrated all over the country today, January 28, 2023. The SCMP is an associate member of the Council.
Established in 1960, SCMP has long been a prophetic voice of Christian students for the concerns of the youth and the toiling Filipino masses. It continues to promote and defend students’ rights and welfare, especially now that even the safety of schools is at risk due to the railroading of the National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program. The NCSTP is a reiteration of the Mandatory ROTC program which has a long history of human rights abuses and violations, not to mention a milking cow for corruption.
As an ecumenical youth organization, the SCMP plays an active role in defending life and human rights against red tagging, harassment, surveillance, abuses, violations, wrongful detention, displacement, persecution, and unjust killings.
We all share the same mission as God’s faithful witnesses. Justice, peace, and human dignity must be restored. Human were created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26) Therefore, human dignity is the recognition of people as God’s creations — free from abuse, disrespect, and dehumanization. For even in God’s time, He restored human dignity by becoming a man in the person of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:9, John 3:16)
The Christian youth is a wellspring and a source that guarantees the continuance of the ecumenical movement. They are fueled with idealism, zeal and enthusiasm, creativity, and energy which could be tapped and maximized to further our common journey for an abundant life for all. They are the hope of the church and the nation. Let it be resounded from the Scriptures — “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Thus, bearing the theme: “Uphold Justice, Peace, and Dignity: Strengthen our Faith, Build the Reign of Heaven in Earth!”, the Council extends its highest salute to SCMP’s 62 honored years of being youth messengers and bearers of good news to the least, the lost and the last. Our ecumenical journey continues to flourish and strive toward the realization of the fullness of life (John 10:10).
28 January 2023
MS. MINNIE ANNE MATA-CALUB
Acting General Secretary
