Philippines: Religious Superiors protest at arrest and detention of Sr Patricia Fox

Source: AMRS/Preda

The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines has issued a statement in support of Australian Sister Patricia Fox, NDS, 72, who has been arrested and detained by the authorities and threatened with deportation.

The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines expresses its solidarity with Sr Patricia Fox, NDS, in her work of proclaiming the good news of salvation and liberation to the poor and powerless. As religious and consecrated persons, we stand with her and all who do God's mission of care and compassion for His anawim, the poor of the land.

We are shocked that after 27 years of dedicated service to the poor, Sr Pat was unduly arrested and detained for allegedly being an "undocumented alien" and for participating in "political activities." It is simply unacceptable that in the age of computerization, the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation could not verify that Sr Pat had a valid missionary visa. This to us is harassment of an advocate of the rights of the poor.

We demand that the rights of Sr Pat be respected, and so the rights of our mission partners, foreigner or Filipino, who truly work for justice in our country. Let the government agencies, especially the BID, not hamper the prophetic work of our foreign missionaries to alleviate the lives of the poor and powerless.

Moreover, Sr Pat is a missionary for Life, Human Rights and Justice. She can only be considered undesirable alien to those who seek to muzzle the truth and foist tyranny upon us.

We stand with Sr Pat and all human rights defenders. Even in her old age, Sr Pat is fulfilling her prophetic mission to be in solidarity with the poor and powerless. And for this, she should be commended, not deported or harassed.

Once again, we in the AMRSP, stand our ground. We continue to obey God's mandate to quench the thirst for justice and peace in our country.

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